Book Review: The Mortal Instruments City of Bones – Cassandra Clare | Lara Pass

**** - 4 Stars

The Mortal Instruments - City of Bones
Cassandra Clare
Publishers - Walker Books 

The City of Bones is the first book in the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. I'll be honest, I'm a late bloomer when it comes to this series. I didn't actually find out about it until the film came out last year and when it did, I knew I had to read the book first. It was only when I joined the 'BookTuber' community that I realised the hype around these books. I tend to stay away from YA series that get a lot of hype as they all seem to be knock off versions of Twilight (Stephanie Meyer) which – while successful – was not the best book series I have ever read either. As always, because this is a book series, I'm going to relate it to Harry Potter. (Sorry…) The reason I tend to stay away from big book series is because they all seem to be more of the same and it gets tiresome reading and reviewing books that are so much like everything else that is 'big' at the time. Twilight, The Hunger Games… they all just tend to bore me a little. The reason series have become such a big thing is
because of Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling wrote the most successful books in history and is one of the richest women in the world and because of the success of the book series, that's what all writers are doing now. Well, I say 'all writers', I mean writers of YA books specifically. I'm not saying that people can't write successful series anymore because of Harry Potter. What I am saying is, there is no point writing a book series if it is like so many other things that are being written and turned into films. I just don't see the point in it if I'm being honest.
This – while being another YA book series – is a little different. Since the release of Twilight all those many moons ago, everything that has followed after has come from Twilight. The next 'big thing' after Twilight was, of course, The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins). Both these book series were original at the time but now everything seems to be a knock off version of it. Teen romance novels became a massive craze after Twilight (Which is when I became uninterested), and dystopian novels became a massive craze after The Hunger Games (which – again – is when I became uninterested). The City of Bones is something I can't make my mind up about yet. I don't see it becoming as big of a deal as is predecessors but that's what I kind of like about it. Of course, it is kind of another 'teen romance' but the characters seem to have a bit of complexity and depth to them – which I have yet to see in other teen series.
There are reasons why I love Harry Potter and why it is my favourite book series ever. It's not because of the film series (that I found pretty average). There is something in Rowling's writing which makes you feel something. You can envision every nook and cranny of Hogwarts because her writing is so rich. There is a depth to her characters which makes you not only sympathise, but empathise with them. These are all the qualities I look for in a book. These are the things which – in my opinion – make a book good. There is something in Clare's writing which reminds me of Rowling a little. I can envision where Clary and Jace are standing quite clearly. Their relationship isn't simple and black and white but there are so many complexities to it which makes for an interesting read. Although I can never truly compare any writer to Rowling, Clare's writing skills are something to be admired and I can't wait to read the rest of the series and find out all the twists and turns. Well done Cassandra Clare on a smashing book. I give you 4/5 stars for your hard work.

Book Review: Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen | Lara Pass

***** - 5 stars 

Jane Austen - Author

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is the story of Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourne house and her four sisters. When Mr. Bingley comes to Netherfield with his two sisters and his friend of many years, Mr. Darcy, prospects of an advantageous marriage are welcomed to the five Bennet women in the hope that Mr. Bingley will choose one of them. This beautiful story by Austen – and arguably her best work – tells the story of a woman far ahead of her time and shows perfectly how both pride and prejudice can be the cause of clouded judgement etc. As the Author of this book is no longer alive, I can have no idea what her views were on the subject matter of this book and her thoughts on the issues of both pride and prejudice and whether she regarded them as faults or not. However, the way Austen has portrayed the characters in the book, I can imagine she thought of both these matters as faults in the human character. I personally loved this book. Austen's writing is superb and I loved every moment of reading this book. I was an absolute pleasure to read and I honestly can't believe I have never read this book before. I have always been a huge fan of the 2005 film version as it is filmed where I grew up and I even remember it being filmed but until recently, I've never been old enough to understand and appreciate the book. I also believe in 10 years' time when I go back and read it again, I will understand it better and appreciate it more than I do now.
Pride and Prejudice…

Pride and Prejudice Cover
Publishers - Penguin Classics

Throughout this book, the main themes are Elizabeth's pride and Mr. Darcy's prejudice which is referred to in the title of the novel. The title prepares us for the flaws in character of both Elizabeth and Darcy. The flaws of these two characters prevent them from realising their love for each other. These flaws were reasonably controlled throughout the story to allow the characters to change, overcome their flaws and recognise their love for one another. These flaws in their characters were also common characteristic flaws during the 18^th Century and considering the social class of both Elizabeth and Darcy, their pride and prejudice are to be expected in the characters. Elizabeth's pride results from being poor compared to people like Bingley and Darcy. Her pride is the only thing she feels gives her any credibility and respect from people of a higher rank. Darcy's prejudice comes from the fact that he is of a higher rank and although he was taught good morals, with being an only child for many years and being extremely wealthy, he thought people of lower rank, less important and respectable. Social statuses effected the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth as it was expected that a man of wealth and fortune, would marry a woman of wealth and fortune to unite two noble families. However, for women of Elizabeth's social standing, it was hoped they would marry a man of wealth, but more likely they would not. "[Mrs. Bennet] was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news." (226)

 
Pride and Prejudice is the story of two headstrong people of different social standing who fall in love. However, Miss Elizabeth Bennet's pride and Mr. Darcy's prejudice prevents them from recognising their love for each other for a long time. This book shows beautifully all the flaws of human character and how our flaws can hinder us "I have faults enough but they are not, I hope, of understanding. My temper I dare not vouch for….I cannot forget the follies and vices of others as soon as I ought, nor their offences against myself. My feelings are not puffed about with every attempt to move them. My temper would perhaps be called resentful. My good opinion, once lost, is lost for ever."
Although Pride and Prejudice is an epic love story that makes you swoon, it is also so much more than that. It is such a beautifully told story that everyone can enjoy and is perfect for observing the character of a person and picking apart the personality. Austen's writing is so rich and the characters become so real and relatable. Observing the defects in the two main characters is such an enjoyable part of reading this book. "And your defect is a propensity to hate everybody…. And yours,…is willfully to misunderstand them."
There is nothing about this book that I don't love. It's beautifully written, the characters are complex and interesting and in comparison to more modern books, have more than one layer to them. They are more than just one thing. They think and feel more than one thing and they become deep and complex people. So much so, they feel real. The only "weakness" I can observe reading this book is that the language can be a little hard to understand but I can hardly acknowledge this as a weakness when it adds so much more to the book. I highly recommend this book. It is one of the best and most beautiful books I have ever read and I will treasure it forever.

Book Review: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Last Battle - C.S Lewis | Lara Pass

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Last Battle
- C.S Lewis
Published by -  Harper Collins Publishers Ltd. 1953

 ***** - 5 Stars
This book... oh my goodness me. I have read a lot of book series in my time and have always found myself disappointed with how it ends. There just always seems to be something missing. Something not right. Something unsatisfactory or unfulfilling about the last book in a series. This book however... is something else entirely.
As you can probably imagine, with my past experience with book series, I was really apprehensive about this book. I was so worried it just wouldn't work but it seems my worries were for nothing.


Clive Staples Lewis - Author

Never in my life have I read a book series and been totally happy with the ending. I've always found it too hard to accept that that is how it was going to end so I would just read the series again and again because I refused to accept that that's how a story that I had invested so much time in, was going to end. However, The Last Battle from The Chronicles of Narnia series lived up to all my expectations and in my eyes, it couldn't have been a better ending.
Of course, I found it sad - just like I do with many book series but I was so delighted with how it ended that I didn't feel I needed to go back and read the whole series again to make up for a shoddy ending. There was nothing over the top about it. Lewis wasn't trying too hard to make it a good ending, he just wrote how he thought it should end and I admire him tremendously for that. It ends the way it should have done. It all made perfect sense and it was beautifully done.
It made me cry (as only a good book can) and I applaud Lewis for just finishing the story off in a perfect way.
I really didn't want the series to end as Narnia is a land I should very much like to live in constantly. The beauty and timelessness of this series will never again be repeated but I am glad in a way. It is what makes this such a special book series. Its what makes a good writer.
I'm thrilled I own these books and I will treasure them forever. So now, I will leave you with the last sentence from this book and say thank you for reading.

'All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which ever chapter is better than the one before.'

Book Review: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair - C.S. Lewis | Lara Pass

The Chronicles Of Narnia:
The Silver Chair - C.S Lewis
Published by - Harper Collins Publishers Ltd 1953

 ***- 3 Stars
Everyone that knows me knows that I am a HUGE fan of the Chronicles of Narnia Series by C.S Lewis. However, this is probably my least favourite of the Chronicles. Although a reasonably good story in itself, when it comes to the whole series, I did not think this story delivered as well as the 5 novels preceding it.
This is something I really hate writing because I adore this book series and the whole story collectively but I do have to say; I feel it let the series down a little.
As I said, the story in itself is a good one. Well written, lots of action and adventure in it and lots of the wonderful world of Narnia. However, in relation to the story so far and the book that follows, I don't really think this one fits. It is a beautifully written book - as are all the others - but this story, I (personally) don't feel coincides with the others and I don't feel this is a relevant story to tell in relation to the story of Narnia.
I do however, understand that Lewis had to bring this new character into the story somehow as he is extremely relevant to the last book.  In some ways though, I wish he had just kept Prince Caspian around a little longer as he is a character I rather adore and feel should have stayed in the series longer than he did.

Clive Staples Lewis - Author

I have to say that I love how in every single book in this series, the story has a moral and is extremely heartfelt whilst also being action packed, exciting and magical. It is a great way for kids to learn what is right and wrong and (ideally) what they should and shouldn't do in regards to growing up and becoming more mature. The way Lewis does this means that you are learning all these valuable life lessons without even realising it. Its a subconscious thing and I think its very cleverly done.
I'm sorry C.S. Lewis for not loving this book as much as the others but I am completely head over heals in love with this books series. Its magical, wonderful, heart-breaking, funny and so many other things all at once and that is why it is still a firm favourite among children and adults alike, even after all this time!

Book Review: Changeling - Delia Sherman | Lara Pass

Changeling - Delia Sherman
Published by - Viking:
A Division of Penguin Young Readers Group

**** - 4 Stars
This is a book that happened to catch my eye when I was in a charity shop a few months ago. Its an extremely beautiful book and I bought it on a whim. Just one of those, 'in the heat of the moment' decisions.
However, when I finally got around to reading it, I was glad that it did catch my eye that day. Not only is this an extremely beautiful book, but it's an extremely beautiful story. This is a story of self-discovery, independence and belief. I think it is really fitting for kids as it sends out all the right messages and is a rather empowering book.
After reading this, I felt like I could do anything. Battle a dragon maybe?...
I also love how Sherman creates a world within 'our world'. The 'New York Between' was a very interesting concept and a lovely idea that there is a world that coincides with our own. That its a place we as humans can only get to in our dream.

Delia Sherman - Author

Nothing has been overdone in this book. There is no aspect I can think of that Sherman has gone too far with. There is just the right about of action and adventure and also cunningness and bravery and the way Sherman writes, makes you feel like you are truly part of that world.
There are actually few children's stories that I actually, genuinely enjoy, but this month I seem to have fallen lucky in terms of children's books because they are all absolutely enchanting.
I can't wait to buy the second instalment of this series (luckily a short series - phew...)   and find out the rest of the story. This book will truly capture every child's imagination and I can't really fault it apart from on one thing. Originality. That is the only thing that lets this story down and is why I gave it 4/5 stars. The writing is brilliant, the story is brilliant; the only problem I have is that its a bit too much like so many other children's books I have read. Drawing inspirations from the Grimm brothers' stories, while a good idea, just reminded me of how little there is to inspire us to create a completely new world of our own invention which is what needs to be done with a children's story. They need to be transported somewhere completely new and different and unique and I feel that Changeling didn't quite deliver.
However, a beautiful book and an even more beautiful story and I'm glad to have read it.
 

Book Review: Peter Pan - J.M. Barrie | Lara Pass



Peter Pan -J.M. Barrie
Published by -
Oxford University Press

***** - 5 Stars
Hi everyone! I'm back again. I wanted to get all the books I have read this month reviewed on my blog before I did my April Wrap Up video on YouTube. One of the first books I read this month was Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie. Now, everyone has heard of this story and maybe seen one of the many film adaptations but its surprising how many people have never read the book. Of course, most people now associate Peter Pan with the Disney's 1953 film adaptation, which - while a good film - does not tell the whole story and capture the 'magic' of the story I suppose you could say. (I do feel that the best film adaptation of Peter Pan is the 2003 film adaptation starring Jeremy Sumpter and Jason Isaacs.)


Jeremy Sumpter as Peter Pan
- 2003 Film Adaptation of
Peter Pan

Anyways, onto the book review... I have had this book for quite some time and have never read it even though Peter Pan is probably my favourite children's story. I didn't really get into reading books just for the fun of it until I turned 13 and got a copy of Twilight (shocking I know) - and, being a young teenager, I just kind of got obsessed with that kind of thing. It seems that most teenage girls have an obsession from the ages of about 13-15 years old. (but you know... it's all part of being a 'teenager'). However, since that phase of my life is now over, I was going through all my old books that I've never read and I found my copy of Peter Pan. Of course, then I got really excited and couldn't wait to read it but I was also kind of nervous about reading it. The 2003 film adaptation is so good, I didn't know whether the original story was going to be. (this is why you should ALWAYS read the book before you watch the film)
However, I was not disappointed AT ALL. It was different, but - of course - it was better. There is very few books that I read and then want to read all over again as soon as I've finished it. Especially children's books. However, reading this made me realise what a classic it is and I felt really stupid for never having read it before now.
Barrie's writing throughout the book is faultless. Is perfect and magical and one of those stories that you can just picture yourself reading to your kids when they're all tucked up in bed. It is a perfect 'bedtime story' and I love it to pieces. It's only now that I really understand why this book is regarded as a 'classic'. It truly is a beautiful, wonderful, magical story and I know I'll keep the book forever because its just... There are not enough words in the dictionary to describe how brilliant this book is.
Peter Pan is - as shall forever remain - my favourite kids story and I will cherish it forever.



Book Review: The Blood of Flowers - Anita Ammirezvani | Lara Pass

The Blood of Flowers - Anita Ammirezvani
Published By - Headline Review

***** - 5 Stars!
This book is unlike anything I have ever read before. It is completely enchanting. Ammirezvani obviously went above and beyond to provide a book that speaks volumes, transports you to another place and that keeps you hooked right until the very end.
I've never read a book like it and I doubt I ever will again. Ammirezvani took no short cuts to make sure she delivered the best of the best with this book and I am delighted to have read it. Half way through this book I felt a sudden urge to go out, buy wool and a loom, and start making a carpet!
With her meticulous attention to detail, Ammirezvani has made this a book we should all have a copy of and I know I will one day be purchasing my own!

Anita Ammirezvani - Author

I sincerely hope that Ammirezvani is
proud of her work because she should be! It takes someone with an immense amount of talent to produce work that is so brilliant. However, I do have to acknowledge that it isn't without it's flaws. I won't be talking about those flaws in this review though.  This is probably the first review I have done where I have not talked about the flaws in the text. Not because I am trying to be nice, or I don't think they're important; but because I don't feel as if they are worth mentioning in work as brilliant as this. I am sure there are hundreds of other reviews that tell you about the flaws and errors of judgement Ammirezvani made with this book and so I don't feel I need to mention them now.
However, as a person that reads and reviews books, I cannot say that I can't find fault in this book. There will always be faults. No-one's writing - no matter how good - is flawless and everyone has their own opinion about what aspects of a book are 'wrong'.
But for now, focusing on the positives, I can say that I absolutely loved this book and loved the fact that I could read this and review it for everyone. I would highly recommend this book (to adults) and say that if you like historical fiction, it is hard to believe you would not love this book!