Mundie Moms

Monday, July 14, 2014

Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White, Book Review



By: Kiersten White
Published by: Harper Teen
To Be Released on: 9/9/14
Source: arc from publisher to review
5 stars- I LOVED IT!
Pre-Order from: Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads
"I did my best to keep you from crossing paths with this world. And I shall do my best to protect you now that you have."
The people of Albion are different from anyone Jessamin has ever known: harsh, uptight, and obsessed with wealth and rank. Jessamin knew as much when she left her sun-drenched island home to attend school in their gray, dreary country. But she had no idea how different they truly were.
She never thought she would discover a house with doors that open onto a hundred corners of the city or a book that spends its days as a bird. She certainly never expected to become a pawn in a political and magical power struggle between the sinister Lord Downpike and the handsome, charming Finn Ackerly. And she never so much as imagined she'd win Finn's affections—or that one day his shadow would follow her every step.
Fortunately for Jessamin, fate has other ideas. . . .

A Kiersten White masterpiece! I loved this book. It had all the right elements of magic, fantasy, romance, fate, and mystery. Set in an enchanting world of intrigue, excitement, danger, and tea! Yes, I just said tea. This book has an appealing historical setting that added to my love of this story. 

White has done a fabulous job at creating a society set apart by class, dominated by men, and given all the things you'd except from a Victorian historical setting. There are rules to be to followed and things that are excepted by proper standing citizens within the society. As you know, I love a character who goes against the grain, and makes it a point to create her own path. Jessamin does that a more. She proves that she is a fiercely independent, incredibly intelligent, courageous, strong girl. 

Considered an out cast because of her heritage, she's not openly accepted within her new society. I love that, that doesn't hold her back. No matter how many times she's told her doesn't belong, that never deters her from seeking a better way of life and an education. Nor does she need a man to help her, or tell her what to do. Did I mention she's feisty? lol Just me, it's for a good reason. I liked the way White allowed me to get to know Jessamin. The more I got to know her, the more I understood her. She is definitely one of those strong, fabulously crafted heroines that I love in my YA books. With everything that's about to rock her world, Jessamin definitely needs to keep her wits about her, which is hard to do around Finn.

I loved Finn! I'll just say, he's perfect. Yep, I used the world perfect. He is one of those characters whom you impatiently want to get to know, but love the process in which the author slowly unravels the mysteries about them. He is a man of high standing, intelligent, strong, and extremely loyal. I admired the fact that no matter what, he never waivers on his beliefs and what he loves and feels is right. His cunning and craftiness has kept him and those he's loves protected. Now he finds he's inadvertently brought Jessamin into the dangerous, magic world he's always been apart of.

One of my favorite things about this story is the romance between Finn and Jessamin. It was everything I love in a well written romance. It was sweet, exciting, and perfectly paced. *sigh* Like seriously perfect. Finn and Jessamin are a match made in YA romance heaven. They both bring out the best and support each other through their faults. I loved it. I loved the way Finn slowly broke down Jessamin's judgemental barriers she had (which was for good reason). The way in which he embraced her stubborn side made for a few laughable moments. 

The world building is awesome. I liked how the setting played apart in this story. I loved the way White slowly unraveled the magical elements/world, revealing little bits at time. By doing so, it made it hard for me to figure out what was going on and allowed me to discover truths at the same time Jessamin did. This story was not a predictable one, and I loved the air of mystery and excitement it has.

 I thoroughly enjoyed the way the story was told. I never once got bored with the story, or wandered how many more pages till the end. Instead I kept hoping that more pages will appear at the end so the story didn't have to end. I enjoyed being able to sit and read a book with a steady moving plot line that completely fascinated me. Normally I love a fast paced storyline, but this time around that wasn't the case. Illusions of Fate has a well paced plot line that steadily moves along. It was wonderful and completely fitting for this story. Had it been a fast paced one I'm not sure I would be declaring my love for this book right now, because it would have ruined the way the story was told. 

Everything that White gave me in this story was fabulous! From the story telling, to her lively characters, vivid world building, and exciting story line, I loved it all. I laughed, I cried, I cheered on the characters, and completely fell in love with everything this book gave to me. Oh and that shocking twist?! Yep, didn't see that one coming. That was a good one too. It leads to a surprise ending..... why did this book have to end!?! I want more!

This is definitely a book that lived up to all my acceptation's. This is Kiersten White's best book! Seriously. I can't talk about the story without mentioning this cover. Not only is it one of my all time favorite book covers, that is the most fitting cover for this story! Speaking of covers, I love the raven sitting on the branch that is at the beginning of each chapter. The ravens play a huge part in this story.

This is one fabulously packed book of awesomeness. GO PRE-ORDER THIS BOOK!!!

Mundane Monday #218- TMI Flower Card Project: New Cards

Happy Mundane Monday Shadowhunters!  Check out the new TMI flower project cards Cassie recently shared via her Tumblr page.







She says,
Almost to the end of the flower card pictures! (If you want to see all of them you can check the flowers tag on my tumblr or the Cassandra Jean page on the amazing Shadowhunter wiki.)
Cards for ladies in power! Jia, the consul, gets circumspection since she’s a careful politician, Camille gets cold-heartedness, Lily ambition, and Imogen Herondale (remember when that was the first time we heard the name Herondale?), the Inquisitor, gets Justine Shall Be Done.

Cassie also recently reposted a favorite set of the TMI Tarot Cards, featuring the Blackthorn family.






She says,
I thought I’d reblog this now we know more about the Blackthorns.
More tarot cards from Cassandra Jean’s complete Shadowhunter Tarot. We’ve moved on from the Major Arcana to the minor Arcana — we’re finishing up the suit of Runes, which takes the place of the suit of Cups. Clary and Jace stand in for the ace of Runes (angelic power); Mark Blackthorn, chained to his chair, is Surestrike; Emma, Queen of Runes, is Strength; Julian, Knight of Runes, is True North, and Livvy and Ty, the twins, are Philia, or familial love.
I can't wait to read more about them. Speaking of Mark Blackthorn, Cassie also recently posted about him. Here's what she said:
(Is there a lot of Mark suddenly on my tumblr? There may be.)
"Hi Cassie! I really love your books and definitely can’t wait for TDA n TLH. Talking abt TDA, does Mark Blackthorn have heterochromia or is his different eye colour solely due to the fact that he has faerie blood? — emmaherondale"
In the beginning of City of Heavenly Fire, Emma notices that “Mark had the Blackthorn eyes, the color of verdigris” (verdigris is the pigment obtained from rusting copper and looks like this ) but later we see him in the caves of faerie, and Jace demands to see his eyes:
“What is it?” Isabelle demanded.
“His eyes,” Jace said, raising his witchlight and shining it into Mark’s face. Mark scowled again but allowed Jace to examine him.
His eyes were large, long-lashed, like Helen’s; unlike hers, his were mismatched. One was Blackthorn blue, the color of water. The other was gold, hazed through with shadows, a darker version of Jace’s own.
Jace swallowed visibly. “The Wild Hunt,” he said. “You’re one of them now.” 
So the heterochromia comes with being in the Wild Hunt. Gwyn, who we see earlier, also has it. Whether if Mark leaves the Wild Hunt his eyes go back to the way they were before or not, is an open question!
I can't wait for The Dark Artifices to be released. 

Magisterium: The Iron Trial by Cassandra Clare & Holly Black; Fan Art/Meet Call & Havoc


Before Cassandra Clare fans get to rush out to pick up The Bane Chronicles (out in physical book form in November), we'll get to meet Cassandra Clare's newest characters from her middle grade series she has co-writtern with fellow author, Holly Black. 

Magisterium, is an exciting new series with it's first book, The Iron Trial, hitting stores this September. And no, there are no Shadowhunters in it. 
This weekend Cassie posted a brief introduction to it's series main character, Call & the wolf pup, Havoc. Prepare for cuteness.....



Aww! See, it's cute right!?! 

Here's what Cassie said: 
I just finished reading the ARC of your newest series with Holly Black. I gotta say I’m sooooo excited for more! Loved it!! — v-e-r-t-e-b-r-a-t-e
Thanks! I put this up here for Holly to read it. Also I thought I’d start intro-ing some of the character designs that Cassandra Jean did. Meet Call, our grumpy protagonist, and his pet, Havoc, a wolf with a secret.

About The Book
By: Cassandra Clare & Holly Black
Published by: Scholastic / Double Day
To Be Released on: 9/9/2014
Series: Magisterium Book #1
Pre-Order The Iron Trial from: Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads

Most kids would do anything to pass the Iron Trial. Not Callum Hunt. He wants to fail. All his life, Call has been warned by his father to stay away from magic. If he succeeds at the Iron Trial and is admitted into the Magisterium, he is sure it can only mean bad things for him. So he tries his best to do his worst – and fails at failing. Now the Magisterium awaits him — a place that’s both sensational and sinister, with dark ties to his past and a twisty path to his future. The Iron Trial is just the beginning, for the biggest test is still to come… (per Cassie's site)

You can find out more about the series via Cassandra Clare's site and ScholasticI'll have chances to enter to win an arc of Magisterium: The Iron Trial in the coming days here on MM's!

Labels