The Infernal Devices

Rating: *****

Clockwork angel

"In a time when Shadowhunters are barely winning the fight against the forces of darkness, one battle will change the course of history forever. Welcome to the Infernal Devices trilogy, a stunning and dangerous prequel to the New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series. The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them...."

Clockwork Prince 

"In magical Victorian London, orphan Tessa found safety with the Shadowhunters, until traitors betray her to the Magister. He wants to marry her, but so do self-destructive Will and fiercely devoted Jem. Mage Magnus Bane returns to help them. Secrets to her parentage lie with the mist-shrouded Yorkshire Institute's aged manager Alyosius Starkweather." 

 Clockwork Princess

"Tessa Gray should be happy—aren't all brides happy? Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her."

The first book starts with an eerie and maybe somehow confusing way. The first few pages, if you haven't read The Mortal Instruments, would be a little bit strange for you; the demons, the shadow hunters and everything. But little by little, I grew fund with the first book. The fantasy was more than beautiful and the characters were outrageous. They were a mix of near perfection and glory and pride. Every element in these were set in place after numerous considerations. 

The more you get to know about the world they're in, the more you'll see that there is a light of fantasy in this series. It is just more than beautiful. Tessa Gray is one of my most favorite character, Will too. But Jem wasn't a lot. He was the sensitive character, maybe somewhat fragile and all emotions. Will, on the other hand, seems dark and uncaring and mystic; something that added spices to the books. Tessa was all power and weakness in a strong way. 

Also, let's talk Cassandra's style. She is very talented. Her way of giving an accurate description of everything in this fantasy series was great. Her words were carefully chosen and her pages glowed more and more with every book. 

The second one was the least favorite while the last is a perfect finale for a perfect trilogy. The way the end settles and satisfies everyone is well thought of. The course of events and the romance and the action and magic and powers are splendorous. Magnus Bane was splendorous; unlike The Mortal Instruments, in this series, MB was one of the most effective and influential characters, a one with powers and wisdom and affection and care. 

I really loved this series, the most favorite so far!

"A great read in a perfect world of perfect characters by a most perfect author!"

The Kite Runner

Rating: ****

"Amir is the son of a wealthy Kabul merchant, a member of the ruling caste of Pashums. Hassan, his servant and constant companion, is a Hazara, a despised and impoverished caste. Their uncommon bond is torn by Amir's choice to abandon his friend amidst the increasing ethnic, religious, and political tensions of the dying years of the Afghan monarchy, wrenching them far apart. But so strong is the bond between the two boys that Amir journeys back to a distant world, to try to right past wrongs against the only true friend he ever had.

The unforgettable, heartbreaking story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father’s servant, The Kite Runner is a beautifully crafted novel set in a country that is in the process of being destroyed. It is about the power of reading, the price of betrayal, and the possibility of redemption; and an exploration of the power of fathers over sons—their love, their sacrifices, their lies.

A sweeping story of family, love, and friendship told against the devastating backdrop of the history of Afghanistan over the last thirty years, The Kite Runner is an unusual and powerful novel that has become a beloved, one-of-a-kind classic."

The first thing appealing in this book is the fact that Khaled Hosseini deals with a life problem dominating Afghanistan. It is an experience of how loyal friends can be and how close a family can become. Though destruction and war surge into the world of Afghanistan, the redemption still exists. 

The childish version of the male character was a pain in the butt. His voice was very strong and very reflective of credible life examples but I still didn't like him. And though he was my least favorite character, I thought that his presence was mandatory to differentiate between him and the other young male. 

The time line in this book is very fast and it holds a lot of memories. It is actually based on memories told by the main character while he was being phoned from an old friend. After the young part of his life passed throughout the book, the adult main character - a writer - ventures back into Afghanistan from America. At that point of the book, I was very surprised to be attached to the idea very much! Emotions start to serf and  passionate details overcome the second part. 

We get to know the true loyalty of a friend, the care and tender of a father and the respect and defiance of those you have been deprived of their own country. Thus, the beginning was slow but the end swept my mind away. 

"This is a great novel by Khalid Hosseini, a mixture of hope and envy." 

The Fault in Our Stars

Rating: *****

"Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten."

This is one of the most brilliant books I have read and you will ever read in your life. It doesn't only contain a romantic concept or just a teen plot that drives you crazy when you read it but it contains a whole new world you never want to wake up from. The world is built from smiles and laughs and expectations and perfection and a fantasized content of our reality that feels like a drug.  

The first thing you notice about the book is how powerfully screaming John Green's style is. His words, long sentences and complex form of structuring is so intense and beautiful you never want to neglect. The first statement starts with an impulsive reaction. "Depression". But if you read what's between the lines, you'd see that this statement is a reflective mirror that makes you happy. It is complicated to explain if you haven't read it. So you should read it. If you have already read it, you'd know that sentimentality and the general mood of this books is just a tsunami of emotions; nothing more, nothing less.  

About the characters, Hazel and August were of the most favorite of all. In other series, like the Mortal Instruments, I liked Clary but not Jace; in the Hunger Games, I liked Gale but not Pitta; in John's Will Grayson Will Grayson, I liked the first one and not the other. But these characters were so near perfection in their flaws and their own ways and their own wisdom. Great things happen when you read this book and bad things happen too. You just have to pursue your journey and venture your way through it - with a bag of tissues (a big one if you are over reactive when it comes to books). 

But it will make you smile - even at the end. 

"This book is a burst of enjoyment, laughs and hope in a route of tragedy and tears. Everything change course and every single thing is meant to mean something but means something else. Brilliant, ecstatic, intelligent!"