Shattered Grace by K. Anne Raines

Shattered Grace (Fallen from Grace #1) by K. Anne Raines

YA Paranormal/Fantasy

Rating: 3 Stars

Seventeen-year-old Grace grows up knowing she’s different, but she always attributed it to a mother who didn’t want her, a father who abandoned her, and a curse that sets her apart. Despite those struggles, her grandfather remained her rock and confidant. Her life irrevocably shatters the day her grandfather dies. The day of his funeral sets off a chain of events, making Grace question everything she’s ever known to be true, and as a result, who she can truly trust. She inherits his house, part of his money, his Guardian and something that ties them together. Just before Grace’s 18th birthday, she is thrust into a world she couldn’t fathom existed and does everything she can to thwart the destiny suddenly forced upon her. She’s been chosen for greatness, but at what cost? With eyes now open, she must choose to either be Chosen, or watch those around her suffer the consequences. Torn between the man who’s come to protect her and the one sent to destroy her, she teeters on the edge of decision, trying to come to grips with who she is, what she wants and what all of that means for her, those she loves and the rest of mankind.

My Thoughts: I didn’t exactly love or hate this story. It was intriguing. It was a great idea but I don’t think it was planned out that well. It kind of felt like most of the story was about Grace crying and being emotional. It felt like it was a filler to up the word count or something. I can understand that her grandfather died and any teenager would be upset (I know that from experience) but there were other things that she got upset about that just felt like drama. When I read a story I want to be able to connect to the characters but in no way did I connect with Grace besides the fact I know how it feels to lose such an important person. Other than that I loved the story line and I really love the cover; I actually chose this book because of the cover (and it was for free).

Cover: 4/5

Writing: 3/5

Characters: 3/5

Overall Score:

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments #2) by Cassandra Clare

YA Paranormal/Fantasy

Rating: 5 Stars

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father. To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father? In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.

My thoughts: I really love this series. Cassandra has a way of surprising me that recent books have not. Lately it has become easier and easier to predict what is coming but not with this series. I was a bit disappointed when the revelation of Jace and Clare being siblings and even now aggravates me. I highly doubt this book is about incest though so I have a feeling Valentine is a filthy liar. Not really a surprise to anyone at this point, I guess. If you are surprised then you are horrible at reading between the lines and catching on to the foreshadowing. Anyway, my favorite party of this whole thing is Simon. Even though the situation sucks for him and everything, his life has changed and it sure was not a bad thing. I love him more than I did in the first one. Before he was the shy, best friend who had a hard time sharing his feelings and now he is much more than that! I won’t give any of the details. I really do hate spoilers. Anyway,

Cover: 4/5

Writing: 5/5

Characters: 5/5

Overall Score: