Book Review: City of Bones

City of Bones

 (The Mortal Instruments #1)
By:  Cassandra Clare
Published By: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Publication Date: March 27, 2007

Page Count: 496

But it at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound

Source:  Purchased by Reviewer

  Audience:  Young Adult - Fantasy

 

 Granted, City of Bones has been out for a while and reviewed thousands upon thousands of times, but as each new installment in this series is released, it becomes relevant once again.

I couldn't wait to dive into this series once more as I wanted to refresh my memories of what has transpired thus far, and each time I read these wonderful books, I am just as captivated with the story as the first time I read them.

Cover Crazy: Tracing Stars

The purpose of Cover Crazy is to feature a cover each week for us to admire its beauty. I really like this idea since there are so many great covers out there! Cover Crazy is a meme that was started by The Book Worms. The linky is currently hosted by Turning the Pages.

I really like the summertime image this cover conjures. It seems so carefree and yet thought provoking at the same time. Who is sitting on the tree? What are they thinking about? The feet look as if they are almost touching the surface of the water. I love the coloring on this one as well. I also think its interesting to see how the water and sky have no separation. The title font is also pretty. What are your thoughts on this cover?

Book Review: Article 5

Article 5

By: Kristen Simmons

Narrated By: Jenny Ikeda

Published By: Recorded Books

Publication Date: January 31, 2012

Audio Length: 10 hours, 45 minutes

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: Library

Audience: Young Adult - Dystopian

On The Story & Writing:

I'm not typically a fan of Dystopians - The Hunger Games has ruined me for anything else in that genre. Its so hard to live up to that one. So, I got this from the library on a whim, not really expecting much. I ended up finding that I do like this genre if there is a unique perspective. Article 5 appeals to the historian and political scientist in me. War has led to a complete upheaval and restructuring in the United States. The Bill of Rights no longer exists and citizens are forced to follow the rules set forth in The Moral Statutes. Those who violate the statutes are apprehended by the Moral Militia and are rarely seen again. Many violators are executed after a sham of a trial while others are found worthy of rehabilitation. 

Magic Lamp Sunday 6/3/12

We discovered this meme at Ya-Aholic, where it runs on Fridays. It sounded like a fun addition to our lineup, but fits better here on Sundays. This is based on the basic Magic Lamp = 3 wishes idea. Since there are so many of us, though, we're just taking one each per week. 

If we had a Magic Lamp, we'd wish:
Andrea: I wish that I had a house built in the trees next to a North Carolina lake like Elaine's family has in Safe Within by Jean Reynolds Page.
Jen: I wish I was a dragon like those in Seraphina by Rachel Hartman.
Michele B: I wish I had my own little cottage nestled in amongst what seem like magical birch trees like Jane in Dark Companion by Marta Acosta.
Paula: I wish I had Violet's physical strength when she is feeling her Sabbat powers in Mirage by Kristi Cook.

Book Review & Giveaway: Once

Once (Eve #2)

By: Anna Carey

Published by Harper Teen

Release Date: July 3, 2012

Genre: YA dystopian

320 pages

Buy it on Amazon, IndieBound

 or Barnes and Noble
Source: kindly provided by publisher
Read my review of book #1, Eve.

My thoughts: 

 I was a reader who really enjoyed book 1 in this series, so I've been eagerly anticipating this book for nearly a year. I remember being impressed with the tough-as-nails storyline, which somehow allowed the heroine to still behave like a girl. I loved the epic journey, and the discovery of truth. I was left wanting resolution, and hoped to find it in book 2. 

What's Your Status? 6/2/12

What's Your Status? was started over on Butterfly Feet Walking on Life. Check back each Saturday to find what's been keeping the Larks busy this week.   

Reading Lark's Review Status:

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross

Wilde's Fire by Krystal Wade

The Anti-Prom by Abby McDonald

The Glimpse by Claire Merle

Reading Lark's Post Status:

Magic Lamp Sunday

Cover Crazy: Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Teaser Tuesday: Dark Companion, Once, & Seraphina

Waiting on Wednesday: Rebel Heart by Moira Young

Dreamless Blog Tour: Interview with Josephine Angelini

Book Boyfriend: Kanin from The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Book Review: The Glimpse

The Glimpse

By: Claire Merle

Published By: Faber & Faber

Publication Date: June 7, 2012

Page Count: 432

Buy it at Amazon

Source: ARC Kindly Provided by Publisher via NetGalley

Audience: Young Adult - Dystopian

I found this book a little strange. I thought the ideas were good, and I was engaged, but time after time I also really disliked little bits. I spent some time trying to decide what the issue was, and I think I'm falling down on the side of the writing unfortunately. Sometimes it was fabulous, and at others it was quite weak. I'll say I think that there is significant potential in the author though, and that shone through well enough in sections. I think the story is good enough that I would read a sequel, but I wouldn't rush to it and I would fervently hope that the inconsistencies were ironed out a little more. 

Book Review: The Anti-Prom

The Anti-Prom

By: Abby McDonald

Narrated By: Julia Whelan

Published By: Brilliance Audio

Publication Date: April 2011

Audio Length: 7 hours, 26 minutes

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: Library

Audience: Young Adult - Contemporary

On the Story & Writing:

Prom is one of those rights of passage that many girls dream about from the first moment they step into a high school hallway. Visions of a fairy tale evening complete with Prince Charming in a tux, a gorgeous dress, and romantic interludes paints itself in the female mind. Everyone wants that one perfect high school memory and for some - prom is it. Abby McDonald has written a fun story for all those people out there who didn't get their fairytale on prom night. Like the title, these girls get the anti-prom they never knew they always wanted.

Book Boyfriend: Kanin

We decided that Thursday needed a little pizazz and stumbled on this meme while hanging out at one of our favorite blogs, A Book and a Cupcake. So we took ourselves over to The Unread Reader to see what it was all about and join the fun. We'd love it if you'd leave a comment if you participate in this so we can check out your book boyfriends as well. 

My Book Boyfriend:  Kanin from The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

  
 Kanin's Characteristics:

Kanin is described as a tall, looming, dark figure all in black (black doesn't show the blood so easily) with dark circles surrounding jet black eyes and pale skin (like granite) and pale lips.    He stands eerily still, like a statue, and speaks in a calm, gentle manner.

Dreamless Blog Tour: Interview with Josephine Angelini

Reading Lark is excited to be part of the Dreamless Blog Tour. We'd like to welcome Josephine Angelini to the Nest today. She stopped by to answer a few questions. Also, don't forget that Josephine is also offering readers a chance to win a Kindle with a Starcrossed or Dreamless skin so be sure to check out the giveaway information and blog tour schedule for more great Dreamless features.

You can read my review of Starcrossed here.

You can read my review of Dreamless here.

Andrea @ Reading Lark: I love the whole concept of Scions. What sparked this idea? 

Josephine: Necessity! In the “falling out of the sky” scene between Helen and Lucas in the first book, I just couldn’t picture Lucas calling himself a demigod out loud without sounding like a giant tool. Seriously, could you date a guy that called himself a demigod? I couldn’t. So, I had to come up with a less-loaded name for my heroes, and since I thought the word “scion” fit their description pretty perfectly. And it has a nice ring to it. 

Andrea @ Reading Lark: If Lucas' house was burning down and he could only take three things from his room, what would he take?