Silver borne - Patricia Briggs

****

Genre : Urban fantasy

Series : Mercy Thompson : Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed, Bone Crossed, Silver Borne

American publisher : Ace Hardcover : 24,95$

English publisher : Orbit : 6,99£

Being a mechanic is hard work. Mercy Thompson, for instance, just spent the past couple of months trying to evade the murderous queen of the local vampire seethe. And now the leader of the werewolf pack, who's maybe-more-than-just-a-friend, has asked for her help. A book of fae secrets has come to light and they're all about to find out how implacable - and dangerous - the fae can be.

Okay maybe her troubles have nothing to do with the job. But she sure coul use a holiday...

What I think

Sometimes I wonder if the people who write the back covers really read the books before. Adam hasn't asked for Mercy's help. It should even be the other way round. Well, I have to make my own summary.

Beware of spoilers

Mercy and Adam are officially bonded. But Mercy still lives in her trailer with Samuel. Samuel who tries to kill himself by throwing his car in the river. But he's saved by a policeman. His wolf takes the lead. Normally, Mercy should call Bran who would kill him. Because a werewolf who's led by his wolf is a killing machine, but not Samuel. So Mercy buys him some time.

But then, Mercy is on the trace of Phin who gave her book and seems to be missing. While she is after him, a fire destroys her home, and Adam is badly hurt. Something's going on in the pack. Someone is trying to punish Mercy for being pack and take advantage on Adam weakness.

Mercy falls in the hand of a fairy Queen who is after the Silver Borne, a fae magic that could change the rules.

End of spoilers

As ever, Mercy seems to like danger. She can't help it, wherever she goes, there it is. And as ever, Adam is here to save her.

I loooooooooved it. The trio Mercy-Adam-Samuel, is fantastic, but now we should talk about a couple Mercy-Adam. In the beginning of the series I had a preference for Samuel, but now I must admit that Adam is sooooooo hot.

I was afraid that one would die. But hey I thought it was unthinkable to let Adam or Samuel die. If one of them died, I would have had to transform into a Annie Wilkes and kidnap Patricia Briggs, and break her legs so that she couldn't escape, to make her bring back the lost one.
It simply couldn't be. I can't say more on the subject, but all's well that ends well, as we say. Well, I think I just escape turning into a psychopath!

And this fight with Paul. Waouh Adam!!! He's a man!

The only thing that I didn't really like is the fact that Samuel is like Jacob in Twilight, like the fifth wheel, if you see what I mean. And that it is so sad, blah blah, so we need to find him someone to save him. And so it is a fae he saved a very long time ago. He fell in love with her, and she fell in love with him. But they were separated, and now they meet again...

Bone Crossed - Patricia Briggs

***

Genre : Urban Fantasy

Series : Mercy Thompson : Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed, Bone Crossed

American publisher : Ace Fantasy : 7,99$

English publisher : Orbit : 7,99£

There was I thinking being a shapeshifter had its upsides. Looks like I was wrong.

Car mechanic and sometimes shapeshifter Mercy Thompson has learned - the hard way - why her race was almost exterminated. When European vampires emigrated to North America, they found Mercy's people had a hidden talent for vampire slaying. Unfortunately for Mercy, the queen of the local vampire seethe has discovered her true identity.

The undead queen is also furious when she learns Mercy has crossed her and killed one of her own. Mercy may be protected from direct reprisals by the werewolf pack (and her interesting relationship with its Alpha), but that just means Marsilia will come after Mercy some other way. So Mercy had better prepare to watch her back.

What I think

I won't waist time, Bone Crossed, the fourth book in the Mercy Thompson series, is less appealing than Iron Kissed which ended so intensely and full of emotions. We come back to Mercy's daily routine, so it not a rest either;o) Especially when Marsilia, the queen of vampires in Tri-Cities, is after her. Well I suspected it, Mercy couldn't kill a vampire and be left alone...Too easy.

***SPOILERS***
An old friend of Mercy's come to ask her help because she has a ghost in her house. Mercy takes the opportunity to have some peace. But we can count on Mercy to fall in the hands on the only vampire in Spokane. Her middle name is Unlucky;o)
We can really see Stefan's attachment to Mercy. But Mercy has accepted to be Adam's mate, and then becomes pack, even if it doesn't please everyone.
Mercy struggles to keep her balance and has a lot of panic attack since the events with Tim.
For a change, she put herself in danger, and is abducted by James The Monster, the only vampire in Spokane. But as we can imagine, Mercy manages to kill him.
***End of SPOILERS***

What I really appreciated in Bone Crossed is Stefan. We learn more about him, and I looooove him. I'm a vampire girl! I like werewolves too, but that's not the same;o)
Stefan becomes more and more important, his character and his feelings... Ah **sigh**, I'm falling in love. Well he's available, Mercy doesn't want him!

Iron Kissed - Patricia Briggs

****

Genre : Urban Fantasy

Series : Mercy Thompson : Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed

American publisher : Ace Fantasy : 7,99$

English publisher : Orbit : 7,99£

I could smell her fear, and it satisfied something deep inside me that had been writhing under her cool, superior gaze. I curled my upper lip so she could get a good look at my sharp teeth. I might only weighthirty or so pounds in my coyote shape, but I was a predator...

Mechanic Mercy Thompson can shift her shape - but not her loyalty. When her former boss and mentor is arrested for murder and left to rot behind bars by his own kind, it's up to Mercy to clear his name, whether he wants her to ot not.

Mercy's loyalty us under pressure from other directions, too. Werewolves are not known for their patience, and if Mercy can't decide between the two she cares for, Sam and Adam may make the choice for her...

What I think

Well, listen to me! You liked the first, I can tell you you'll like the second, and the third is much better still, but it's really hard, I'm still under shock.

Two months have passed since the story with the wizard vampire, and Andre's murder by...Mercy. Fortunately, Stefan and Wulfe protected her. She hasn't seen Stefan since then. But then, Zee needs her, she owns him a favor after using his magic sword for killing Andre without Zee knowing. Zee needs her coyote nose to resolve an investigation about murders on the fae reservation. After visiting a few murder scenes, Mercy knows the culprit and can come back home. When Zee and Uncle Mike went to the culprit's house, they discovered his body. And the police arrived and arrested Zee. When Mercy knows that, she does everything she can to help Zee, and for that she has to lead the investigation, putting herself in great danger.

***SPOILERS***
Mercy discovers that O'Donnell, who was responsible for the murders, was part of an anti-fae group. She enters this group for a meeting, but doesn't think any of these people could commit a murder, and O'Donnell was savagely killed, with his head tore out. But among this group there is a fae, who is not so powerless as she thinks. When Tim, one of the member, invites her to dinner to talk about what he knows of O'Donnell, she hesitates, because she doesn't want to hurt Adam, but she accepts to help Zee. But she walks in a trap. Tim is looking for the cane that follows Mercy everywhere. She leads Tim to her garage, and there he rapes her. She manages to kill him. Adam and his wolves arrive and Adam tears Tim to pieces, because he's seen everything. Mercy changed shape, and now doesn't want to leave her coyote shape. She thinks she's going to end up on her own and only wants to drown in the river. Of course that is Tim's doing with the drug he used on her. Mercy will have difficulties to recover, but she'll take back her human form and her life. Her choice is made between Samuel and Adam. Samuel realized that his wolf didn't really want her.
***End of SPOILERS***

Honestly, this book is really hard, well especially the end. I was waiting for anything but this. I thought she'll be able to defend herself, and well not THAT. What I mean is that Mercy is an heroine, this kind of thing CAN'T happen to her, but yes. And at the same time I found it hard, it makes Mercy more human, closer to us, because, she's a strong woman who can fight demons, kille werewolves with her teeth, but she can't fight a human of the worst kind. She has weaknesses, because she's human, even if a shapeshifter. But really, I could have made without this kind of event. I can't go on talking about this without telling you what happened, but if you read the spoilers, you'll know. Well be prepared for a big shock!

The good side (because there is one) is that Fae are in the middle of this book and we learn a lot about them. Fae are ogres, trolls, elves, all the creatures that use glamour to pass as humans, but who fear iron. And they're not as nice as we could think.

In Blood Bound, we had found a new candidate to take Mercy's heart, but it was set before it started. Patricia Briggs ends our waiting about the hard choice Mercy has to make between Samuel and Adam, her two love werewolves. Personnally I prefer Samuel, because I find Adam too impulsive and overbearing. But after Mercy's experience, Samuel is not better, the only difference is that Sam hides it better. But the choice was easy finally. Mercy knows Sam is not for her, but she has not made her decision on Adam either.

***SPOILERS***
Sam is faster and tells her he loves her but that his wolf doesn't really want her. The problem is set for Sam. For Adam, it's a little bit more complicated than that, and more interesting too, even if we already know that she'll choose him.
***End of SPOILERS***

I wasn't waiting for a fight to the death between Samuel and Adam, but a little bit more tension could have been nice, just to make my heart race faster;o)

Blood Bound - Patricia Briggs

****

Genre : Urban Fantasy

Series : Mercy Thompson : Moon Called, Blood Bound

American publisher : Ace Fantasy : 7,99$

English publisher : Orbit : 7,99£

Like most people who own their own business, I work long hours that start early in the morning. So when someone calls me in the middle of the night, they'd better be dying...

Mercy Thompson; woken at 3am by a vampire. Stefan also happens to be a friend, and he needs her help. He has to deliver a message to a fellow undead and needs a witness that won't be noticed - and Mercy's shapeshifting abilities make her the perfect candidate.

But the assignment turns into a bloodbath and Mercy attracts the attention of not just a powerful vampire, but the even more powerful demon possessing him. She can count on the supernatural community for protection - and alpha werewolf Adam would like her to rely on him in other ways, too - but when it comes to being proactive, she's on her own.

What I think

A second book as fascinating as the first. Here, as I suspected we're in company of vampires.

***SPOILERS***
Mercy helps Stefan to send a message to Cory Littleton, who is a new wizard vampire possessed by a demon. This demon made Daniel, Stefan's protégé, accused of murder. Stefan goes on a mission to eliminate this demon who leaves dead bodies behind him.

Werewolves help as they can, but unfortunately they can lose control as well as vampires when faces to the demon, and when Warren is left in a garbage in a bad state, everyone thinks that the others are dead. Mercy receives a call from Marsilia, the vampire queen, she would be the only one able to find Littleton and stop him. When Adam and Samuel disappear, Mercy starts her investigation and discovers that one of Marsilia's vampire, Andre, is the creator of the demon. Mercy can talk to ghost, and thanks to that she finds Littleton's hide, and manages to kill him not without effort. But Marsilia doesn't charge Andre, because she wants a new wizard vampire. Mercy decides to kill Andre herself.
***End of SPOILERS***

I really loved Blood Bound, and to learn more about the vampires and Stefan, who is kind of the good guy of the vampire gang. He protects his "menagerie", the humans who feeds him with their blood, unlike the others who kill them.

We learn more about Mercy herself too, who's not victim of vampires power, but demons power either even if she can feel it. Mercy is really shocked by what she sees in this book and I understand her.

About her love life, everything becomes more and more complicated. When things happens with one, other things happens with the other, and Mercy is as lost as ever. A little surprise in the end, with a new candidate, and this time it's not a wolf. Well, I suspected it from the begining. Want some clue? He owns Scooby-Doo's Mystery Bus;o)

Moon called - Patricia Briggs

****

Genre : Urban Fantasy

Series : Mercy Thompson : Moon Called

American publisher : Ace Fantasy : 7,99$

English publisher : Orbit : 7,99£

Werewolves can be dangerous if you get in their way, but they'll leave you alone if you are careful. They are very good at hiding their natures from the human population, but I'm not human. I know them when I meet them, and they know me, too.

Mercy Thompson's sexy next-door neighbor is a werewolf.

She's tinkering with a VW bus at her mechanic shop that happens to belong to a vampire.

But then, Mercy Thompson is not exactly normal herself...and her connection to the world of things that go bump in the night is about to get her into a whole lot of trouble.

What I think

I received Moon Called as a gift. At first I had some déjà-vu feelings, because I had read the two first books of Women of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong, which talks about werewolves too, with Elena who is the only female werewolf. Here, Mercy Thompson is the last of an indian tribe who were shapershifter and could change into coyote.

Mercy was raised by werewolves, by the Marrok. The Marrok is the Alpha of all Alphas in North America. But when she turned 16, Mercy had to leave the pack and settles in the Tri-Cities, just next to the Alpha of the local pack, Adam. When Adam is attacked in his house, and his daughter is abducted, Mercy doesn't trust his pack and brings him to the Marrok to be healed. She will help Adam looking for Jesse and discover what's happening.

Compared to Bitten, we find here another aspect of the werewolves, especially their hierarchy and their interactions between dominant and submissive wolves. The passages when dominant wolves are in situation of defense of their territory are numerous, and from an ethnologic (If I may say) point of view, it is very interesting. Werewolves are machos and overbearing, but there are women too, but they don't have the same privileges as men. They can reproduce, but not without a lot of problem, because a female werewolf can't generally carry a child to the end because of the Change when the moon is full. I need to precise that werewolves don't need a full moon to change, but it can be hard to resist its call.

I can't explain here all the characteristics of werewolves, but this book is really good, the plot holds water to the end, and Mercy is fantastic. A young witty woman, with a good sense of humor, who manage to evolve surrounded by men who think she belongs to them.

She's also friend with a vampire, Stefan. She's mending his Scooby-Doo bus. I'd like to know more about Stefan, who's not well developped here, but I think we'll have some surprises later.

In Mercy's world, there are also a lot of other characters, a russian witch who specialized in cleaning, a Gremlin mechanic who trained Mercy and sold her his garage.

Finally, there are some resemblances with Kelley Armstrong's series, but I plunged in Mercy Thompson easily, and I forgor rapidly all my older references.

As you know, I'm barely unaware of the male characters in the books I read. I must admit there is a charming werewolf, Samuel, whom Mercy likes a lot, because he's the one she left the Marrok pack for. But her heart seems to balance between Samuel and Adam, the Alpha. Even if she doesn't belong to any pack, you can easily imagine the tension between those two...

Storm Front - Jim Butcher

**

Genre : Urban Fantasy

Series : The Dresden Files : Storm Front

American publisher : Roc : 7,99$

English publisher : Orbit Fantasy : 6,99£

Lost items found. Paranormal Investigations. Consulting. Advice. Reasonable rates. No Love Potions, endless Purses, or Other Entertainment.

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does - and not just because he's the only one who does it. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal capabilities, they come to him for answers. Because the everyday world is not as 'everyday' as it seems. It's actually full of strange and supernatural things - and most of them don't play well with humans. That's where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a - well, whatever it is the police are having trouble with this time.

There's just one problem. Business, to put it midly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry's seeing dollar signs. But where there's black magic, there's a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry's name. And that's when things start to get...interesting.

Magic. it can get a guy killed.

What I Think

I read a lot of good things about this series. And I was expecting a lot. But the magic did not work with me. I don't blame the book or the other. I think I was the problem here. First as I said i was expecting too much. Second, I read this book while I was very very tired, and the reading was very difficult for me, because I fell asleep every 30 pages. So it was quite hard to enter the book.

I liked it, the story is good. I like Harry Dresden, even if sometimes I don't understand him. I liked that his two cases were the same one, when he understands everything but doesn't tell us.

I will read the second one in the series but I'm not in a hurry. I want to give the series a second chance, and I want to read it when I'm not tired, when I know I can really appreciate it as it should. And I think I will really like it then.

Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater

**

Genre : Fantasy, Young Adults

Series : The Wolves of Mercy Falls : Shiver

American publisher : Scholastic Press : 17,99$

English publisher : Scholastic : 6,99£

The pack circled around me, tongues and teeth and growls.

When a local boy is killed by wolves, Grace's small town becomes a place of fear and suspicion. But Grace can't help being fascinated by the pack, and by one yellow-eyed wolf in particular. There's something about him - something almost human.

Then she meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away...

What I think

I was attracted by this book, the cover (sooooooo beautiful), the font type of the chapters and pages, just like the cover and the story.

I started Shiver with great interest and anticipation. A good love story like I love. A girl, a werewolf. What's not to like?

But there, the book is 400 pages long, and not a lot of action. Nothing we can't see coming. So we can say that it's long. I really liked it, but the only interest is the love story and how it will end. Some mysteries are approached, but not answered. Nothing transcendent.

*** SPOILERS***

When she was little, Grace was atacked by werewolves, and to everyone's surprise she never transformed. Sam saved her from certain death, then he came back every winter as a wolf to see her. One day, Jack, a local boy is killed by wolves. People went to hunt them, and when she came home, Grace discovered a bleeding boy on her porch, Sam. He received a bullett. Love story. Sam has not enough time anymore. Next time he changes, he won't ever come back to human form. But there should be a cure?

*** End of SPOILERS***

The end is not surprising, we're waiting for it, but I must admit that I was afraid all the same that Sam was really dead. Ah ah ah I can't say anymore. Well anyway you couldn't understand without reading the book.

Grace sometimes got on my nerves, Sam too. But I think it's because of the too great number of pages. It could have been cut a lot : I kiss you, I want you to kiss me, I love you, I can't live without you, blah blah blah. There's too much of it.

It would have been a lot better if it was shorter or with a better plot.

But anyway, Sam **sigh**!!! A really beautiful 18-year-old guy, with yellow eyes, hmmmmm!! (And I don't want to hear about MY age please!)

I will read the sequel, Linger, because I read the back cover, and oh my God, I want to know!

My soul to take - Rachel Vincent

***

Genre : Fantasy, Young Adults

Series : Soul screamers : My soul to take

American publisher : Harlquin Teen : 9,99$

English publisher : Hodder Paperbacks : 7,99£

Something is wrong with Kaylee Cavanaugh

She doesn't see dead people, but...

She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.

Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next...

What I think

I discovered this book on Word for teens by Nicole B., then I decided to buy it to participate to the 2009 Harlequinades organized by a french blogger, Fashion.

I wasn't disappointed. I love fantasy, and I love novels for young adults, despite my old age. This book is a really good choice.

Well I'll start with the hot guy, Nash. I'm in love with him... It isn't as intense as with other hot guys in books, but it's interesting;o)

Kaylee is in a disco with her best friend when she meets the hottest guy in school, Nash. But then, she panicks when she sees a girl with a dark shadow. Kaylee manages not to scream, but she can't do anything else. Nash and Emma help her. When she's calm, Kaylee announces the near death of the young girl. Then begins a strange story. Three days in a row girls die mysteriously without apparent reason. But Nash knows something, and explains to Kaylee what exactly she is., and what he is. They're not humans... (spoilers following for those who want to know)

The topic is original. No vampires, or werewolves. A new subject treated with talent. Under this fantasy appearance, there is a good plot, kind of an investigation. Kaylee and Nash are trying to discover what's going on, why healthy girls drop dead suddenly while they were not supposed to die.

I learned a new myth too, an Irish myth, the Bean Sidhe, or Banshee. I really liked it. And I discivered the Grim Reapers too, or Death, but there is not only one, but many, like a very big company, with bureaucrats, and time shifts and all that...

The characters are well described and are not superficial. Kaylee has a strong mind, but doesn't really understand what's going on. Nash ** sigh**, Nash is...interesting. I'll tell you a little story. I knew from the begining that Nash was hiding something. I read all evening, always saying "one more chapter before bed!". And then it was 1.45 am, and I needed to wake up at 6.30, so I stopped, but here is the last line I read : " I have to tell you something. I'll pick you up in ten minutes". NOooooooooooooooooooo! That is so cruel! Well I know that I could have continued, ten minutes more were no big deal anymore!

Well I finally discovered what his secret was;o)

It is a Harlequin Teen, so you know that there is some romance in the air. Kaylee and Nash of course. It won't take long, we know it and it's done.

I already bought My soul to save, the second book in the series...

***SPOILERS***

As I said the topic is original, no vampires, no werewolves, no angels either, but Bean Sidhe, I translate for those who don't know Gaelic, they are banshees. To be honest I knew the word Banshee (because I love The Cure, and Robert Smith played with Siouxie and the Banshees), but I didn't know what they were. So before I entered deeper in the book, I made a bit of research, I paid a visit to wiki, because I didn't want to stay behind. But no worries because everything in the book is clear.

In the Irish mythology, a Banshee is a woman who cries when death's coming and sing for the dead.

We also find the myth of Grim reapers. There are thousands of them. Because Death is a big company, ruled by bureaucrats, executed by Grim Reapers, each one of them has his field and hours of work. each has a list for these 12 hours a day, and the souls have to be given to their boss otherwise they'll be eliminated. Because Grim Reapers are recruited, after they die, it gives them a chance to stay in this world. But if they don't obey and don't do their mission, they risk to be fired from their job, but also from this world.

Fade out - Rachel Caine

***

Genre : Fantasy, Young Adults

Series : The Morganville Vampires : Glass Houses, The Dead Girls' Dance, Midnight Alley, Feast of Fools, Lord of Misrule, Carpe Corpus, Fade Out

American publisher : Signet : 6,99$

English publisher : Allison & Busby : 6,99£

In Morganville, Texas, someone is always watching.

Without the evil vampire Bishop ruling over the town of Morganville, life has changed - dramatically. The resident vampires have made major concessions to the human population. With their newfound freedoms, Claire Danvers and her friends are almost starting to feel comfortable again - almost.

Now Claire can actually concentrate on her studies, and her friend Eve joins the local theater company. Yet when one of Eve's cast mates goes missing after starting work on a short documentary, Eve suspects the worst. As she and Claire investigate, they soon realize that not only is the subject of the film the vampires themselves, but that this poject is a whole lot bigger - and way more dangerous - than anyone suspected.

What I think

I was a bit disappointed by this seventh book in the Morganville series. Or maybe it is because in the last one, the tension had reached its paroxysm and the fall is difficult. I am under the impression that Rachel Caine wanted to make her readers wait with this little plot. Nothing really exciting. Kim is producing a reality show on Morganville without anybody knowing. She hides cameras everywhere, with the help of some rebel vampires, and Ada, Myrnin's "creation" who controls all the portals in town.

The up side in this book is Myrnin. I loved him when he was crazy, and I still love him now that he's cured. But he's not less crazy, or weird. Everyone says that you can't trust Myrnin, that he's not sure, that he can go nuts any moment, which is true. But I suspect him to have a really good heart. He's not bad. I'm convinced that he would defend Claire no matter what. He cares for her, and not only because she's a genius.

I'm waiting for the next book with great expectations, because I'm sure that after this one, Rachel Caine has a great surprise for us, well at least I hope so.

Carpe Corpus - Rachel Caine

****

Genre : Fantasy, Young adults

Series : The Morganville Vampires : Glass Houses, The Dead Girls' Dance, Midnight Alley, Feast of Fools, Lord of Misrule, Carpe Corpus

American publisher : NAL Jam : Allison & Busby : 6,99£

Welcome to Morganville, Texas. Don't stay out after dark.
In the small college town of Morganville, vampires and humans lived in (relative) peace - until all the rules got rewritten when evil vampire Bishop arrived, looking for the lost book of vampire secrets. He's kept a death grip on the town ever since.

Now an underground resistance is brewing, and in order to contain it, Bishop must go to even greater lengths. he vows to obliterate the town and all its inhabitants - the living and the undead. Claire Danvers and her friends are the only ones who stand in his way. But even if they defeat Bishop, will the vampires be content to go back to the old rules after having had such a taste of power?

What I think

Things are happening in Morganville. In Lord of Misrule, we stopped to a crucial point in the plot which finds its ending in Carpe Corpus. There is other books announced after this one, and I'm curious to see where things will lead after that, because the end of Carpe Corpus seems like a real ending.

After Bishop succeeds in taking Claire and so touching Amelie, a resistance is brewing underground. Claire doesn't have another choice than to obey Bishop, but Shane is imprisoned. She tries to make him free, she will succeed with Myrnin's help, whom she believed to be a traitor. I really love Myrnin, we never know what he'll do next, and he plays a double act to the end. I must admit that I was glad he stayed with the good ones (well everything's relative).
Despite the war between the two clans of vampires, things end well. Bishop is ousted, but I believe we will hear from him again.

Let's talk romance now. Claire is 17! Yeah! And Shane can't resist;o) What? That's really important too, don't you think?

I could wait for the next volume without eating my nails, because for once Rachel Caine doesn't stop in the middle of the plot!

Lord of misrule - Rachel Caine

****

Genre : Fantasy, Young Adults

Series : The Morganvilles Vampires : Glass Houses, The Dead Girls' Dance, Midnight Alley, Feast of Fools, Lord of Misrule

American publisher : NAL Jam : 6,99$

English publisher : Allison & Busby : 6,99£

Morganville, Texas. Just south of normal.

In the college town of Morganville, vampires and humans have coexisted in (relatively) bloodless harmony...until the arrival of Bishop, a master vampire who threatens to put the evil back in evil undead and smash the fragile peace. But Bishop isn't the only threat...

Violent black clouds promise a storm of devastating proportions. As student Claire Danvers and her friends prepare to defend Morganville against the elements - bith natural and unnatural - the unexpected happens : Morganville's vampires begin to vanish one by one. Discovering why leads Claire to one last choice : Swear allegiance to Bishop...or die.

What I think

We had left Morganville in chaos in Feast of Fools, after the arrival of Bishop, Amelie's father, founder of Morganville. He created a civil war between vampires and humans, but two clans of vampires struggle to keep or gain Morganville. Houses are burning, humans take off their bracelets, et some of them even gather to kill vampires or humans who follow vampires, like Monica.

Then, something weird happens : vampires are becoming like hypnotised and go out in broad daylight. And the youger don't survive. Claire tries to understand why. For that she finds Myrnin who seems to delight in this atmosphere but who does everything he can to protect her and her friends. Actually, Amelie called to gather her troops, that's why vampires go out. The war is coming, Amelie needs to face Bishop, but unfortunately, Bihsop finds Claire first, and by a kind of spell he forces her to pledge allegiance to him. As Claire is wearing a golden bracelet of Amelie's, it means that she belongs to Amelie, and so that she's part of her, that's what Bishop wants.

Of course, the book ends like that, with Claire who pledges allegiance and she even threatens to kill her friends, even Shane. We know of course that it's not really her, but all the same, it is sooooo frustrating.

On another subject, I told you about the romance between Claire and Shane. I'm waiting for something to happen, and I'm sure you are too if you've read the series so far. Well let me tell you that we can still wait. At the same time, it is very gentlemanlike from Shane, because he wants to wait for Claire to be 17, which will make her an adult in Texas. But he said he loves her, and that's sooooooo sweet. What? There are other things than vampires in life, you know...

Feast of fools - Rachel Caine

****

Genre : Fantasy, Young adults

Series : The Morganville Vampires : Glass Houses, The Dead Girls' Dance, Midnight Alley, Feast of fools

American publisher : NAL Jam 5,99$

English publisher : Allison & Busby : 6,99£

In the college town of Morganville, vampires and humans have learned to live in relative peace. Still, students like Claire Danvers know that after dark, studying can take a backseat to staying alive. But the tenuous good-neighbor policy is really turned on its head with the arrival of Mr. Bishop.

Bad to the bone, the ancient old-school vampire cares nothing about harmony. Staying at the top of the food chain is enough. What he wants from the town's living and dead is unthinkably sinister. It's only at a formal ball attended by vampires and their human dates that Claire realizes Bishop's plan - and the elaborately evil trap he's set for the warm-blooded souls of Morganville...

What I think

We could think that after four books, the story would tail off, but not at all.
I'm becoming more end more impatient to know all the answers.

Claire is as reckless as ever and continues to seek danger without thinking first.

I really loves Myrnin here, the old young ill vampire who's going nuts. His character develops in this book, and we learn more about him.

Claire's parents have just arrived in Morganville too, and discover the great secret of the town. Now they see their daughter in a different way.

But there's a snag : again there is no end.

Bishop declares a war against Amelie and her followers. The town's burning...That's it.

Midnight Alley - Rachel Caine

****

Genre : Fantasy, Young Adults

Series : The Morganville Vampires : Glass Houses, The Dead Girls' Dance, Midnight Alley

American publisher : NAL Jam : 6,99$

English publisher : Allison & Busby : 6,99£

Morganville is such a nice place to live...

When Claire Danvers learned that her college town was run by vampires, she did what any intelligent, self-preserving freshman would do : she applied for a transfer and stocked up on garlic. The transfer is no longer an option, but that garlic may come in handy.

...And die, if you don't mind that sort of thing.

Now Claire has pledged herself to Amelie, the most powerful vampire in town. The protection her contract secures does little to reassure those closest to Claire. All of a sudden, people are turning up dead, a stalker resufaces from her past, and an ancient bloodsucker extends a chilling invitation for private lessons in his secluded home. To what end, Claire will soon discover - and it will give a terrifying new meaning to night school/

What I think

In Midnight Alley, the tension grows higher. And we learn more about this illness that spreads among vampires and if they don't find a remedy, their race should be gone in about 10 years or so. Considering Myrnin's state, it looks like some kind of Alzheimer, but in a vampire version it is a lot more dangerous...to others.
From the begining, I became attached to the human characters : Claire, Eve, Shane and Michael even if he's not really human after all. In this third book, I beame attached to some vampires too, I think of Sam, Michael's grand-father, and Myrnin who made me sad.

Unfortunately, I learned to hate humans too, especially Brandon, eve's psycho brother, and his buddies.

Will Claire be able to find a remedy on her own now that Myrnin can't help her anymore?

The Dead Girls' Dance - Rachel Caine

****

Genre : Fantasy, Young Adults

Series : The Morganville Vampires : Glass Houses, The Dead Girls' Dance

American publisher : NAL Jam : 6,99$

English publisher : Allison & Busby : 6,99£

Good news, girls : Your dates are here!

Claire Danvers has her share of challenges - like being a genius in a school that favors beauty over brains, dealing with the homicidal girls in her dorm, and above all, finding out that her college town is overrun with vampires. On the up side, she has a great roomate (who tends to disappear at sunup) and a new boyfriend named Shane...whose vampire-hunting dad has called in backup : cycle punks who like the idea of killing just about anything.

Bad news, girls : They're dead.
Now a fraternity is throwing its annual Dead Girls' Dance and - surprise! - Claire and her equally outcast best friend, Eve, have been invited. When they find out why, all hell is going to break loose. Because this time both the living and the dead are coming out - and everybody's hungry for blood.

What I think

With this second book, we don't have time to get ver all the excitement from the first one. The action begins from the first line and doesn't stop until the last. But this book is much more interesting than the first, because we learn more about the vampire organization and their history. The characters don't evolve much here, except for Michael. But we learn more about their personal histories and their families.

And we can say that Claire us also a genius to put herself in dangerous situations, and I even wonder how she managed to stay alive for 16 years!

I don't know why, I magine Eve, Shane and Michael older (especially Michael) while they're only 18. Maybe living in a town full of vampires makes you more mature;o) But what gets a little on my nerves is this insistance on Claire's age. Ok, she's 16, and so what?

Theromance between Claire and Shane is quite fun actually, because Shane doesn't want to speed things up, because (hey!) Claire's underage...

I don't want to offense anybody, but this puritanism just makes me smile, especially after reading Rachel Caine's other series, Weather Warden (well ok it's for adults, but all the same!)

The end is again a cliffhanger, but what I appreciate about this series is that the next book starts exactly where the previous one stops : no "one year later" or "three months later", like in most series.

Glass Houses - Rachel Caine

***

Genre : Fantasy, Young Adults

Series : The Morganville Vampires

American publisher : NAL Jam : 6,99$

English publisher : Allison & Busby : 6,99£

Welcome to Morganville, Texas. Don't stay out after dark

It's a small college town with quirky characters. But when the sun goes down, the bad comes out. Because in Morganville, there is an evil that lurks in the darkest shadows - one that will spill out into the bright light of day.

Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation. The popular girls never let her forget just where she ranks on the school's social scene : somewhere less than zero. And Claire really doesn't have the right connections - to the undead who run the town.

When Claire heads off campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. her new roomates don't show many signs of life. But they'll have Claire's back when the town's deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood...

What I think

Need some action? Romance? Suspense? This book is made for you. The writing is agreeable, the style is simple. The vampire theme is handled with originality. Welle vampires are the bad guys, but it's good for your health to change ppint of view from time to time. They're everywhere, they control everything, but fortunately you can outsmatrt them too.
Don't worry they're not behind you, only in Morganville. The main characters (Claire, Eve, Shane et Michael) are endearing, even though there's a lot of mystery aroun Michael who lives only at night. The plot is completely addictive, from start to end, not a single slowdown. And of course, because I love that, a bit of romance;o)

But hey! You've been warned, think to buy the second book too, The Dead Girl's dance, otherwise you're going to spend sleepless nights wondering what happens next...

Enjoy!

The summoning - Kelley Armstrong

Kelley Armstrong's bio- and bibliography

****

Genre : Fantasy, Young adults

Series : The Darkest Power

American publisher : Harper Collins : 8.99$US; 10.55$CAN

English publisher : Orbit : 6.99£

All Chloe Saunders wants is a life like any normal teenager - the chance to get through school, make friens, and maybe meet a boy. But when she starts seeing ghosts, she knows that life will never be normal again.

Soon the ghosts are everywhere, demanding her attention. When Chloe finally breaks down, she's admitted to a group home for disturbed kids. At first, Lyle House seems okay, but as she gets to know the other patients - charming Simon and his ominous, unsmiling brother Derek; obnoxious Tori; and Rae, who has a 'thing' for fire - Chloe begns to realise that something strange and sinister binds them all together, and it isn't your usual 'problem kid' behaviour.

And they're about to discover that Lyle House is not your usual group home, either...

A passage

The man let out a snarl that echoed down the hall. A student rounded the corner, and we almost collided. I stammered an apology and glanced over my shoulder. The janitor was gone.
I exhaled and closed my eyes. When I opened them, the blue uniform shirt was inches from my face. I looked up...and let out a shriek.
He looked like a mannequin that had gotten too close to a fire. Face burned. Melted. One eye bulged, exposed. The other eye had slid down near his cheekbone, the whole cheek sagging, lips drooping, skin shiny and misshapen and-

What I think

Another book I read without knowing it was the first of a trilogy, again. A lot of suspense though. Endearing characters too, and very convincing, even mysterious. Welcome in a world of preternatural with superpowers people. False baddies and false good guys. Absolutely terrifying.

However, a terrible end, especially when you have to wait for indeterminable time to have the sequel. I often complain that novels always have a happy ending, but I like when it ends badly too, it's a surprising change. But here, I was all keyed up and outraged, and shocked and a lot of other things. It was as if I was Chloe discovering this awful betrayal.
Lyle House is in fact a center where they keep teens with special powers, but not to help them, but to carry out experiments on them. Worst of all, the instigator of all this is Chloe's Auntie, whom she trusts blindly. And in the end, the fatal blow is when she gives Chloe to the center.

The only thing I would reproach to Kelley Armstrong is her lack of originality here, because it could almost be Stolen in a teen version. A center with superpowered people, and a...werewolf. Those who know Stolen will understand what I mean, but I absolutely recommend The Summoning, you can't put it down so easily...

Stolen - Kelley Armstrong

Kelley Armstrong's bio- and bibliography

****

Genre : Fantasy

Series : Women of the Otherworld

French title : Capture

American publisher : Plume Books : 7.99$US

Canadian publisher : Seal Books : 10.99$CAN

English publisher : Orbit : 7.99£

In Bitten, thirty-year-old Elena Michaels came to terms with her feral appetites and claimed the proud identity of a beautiful, successful woman - and the only living female werewolf.

In Stolen, on a mission for her own elite pack, she is lured into the net of ruthless Internet billionaire Tyrone Winsloe, who has funded a bogus scientific investigation of the "other races" and their supernatural powers. Kidnapped and studied in his underground lab deep in the Maine woods, these paranormals - witches, vampires, shamans, werewolves - are then released and hunted to the death in a real-world video game. But when Winsloe captures Elena, he finally meets his match.

What I think

In this second book of Women of the Otherworld series, Elena Michaels, the only female werewolf, is back. She's a young, modern, and independent woman, who has a strong character and who's in love.
Here Elena puts herself in a perilous situation. She's imprisoned by a rich collectionneur, who only finds his plesure in hunting.
In the begining, I laughed a little because we could almost believe it is a kind of "freak circus".

In Bitten, the story of the werewolves is realistic, we believ it, why not? But here we meet other kinds of preternatural characters : vampires, witches, half-demons, shamans...It's funny how it could be easy to believe in the existence of only one of those, each taken separately, but when you put them all together in one book, it makes things less believable. On the contrary we should say, well if werewolves exist, it's only logical that witches and vampires too!

But I think the "Freak circus" effect comes from the kind of congress Elena and Jeremy attend to, where each of the families have a seat, if I can say so. It's a bit too much! Well fortunately, it's a bit too much for Elena too;o)

But, Stolen is a really gripping book with a lot of action and multifacetted characters, especially Elena, who under her airs of strong and independent woman is in reality very fragile and afraid of abandonment, just as anyone else. Werewolf or not, a woman is a woman;o)

Another character I really like is Jeremy, the Alpha, the father figure of the series. He is a so charming man and at the same time so enigmatic, unlike Clay who doesn't beat about the bush, very pushy, animal. He acknowledges it too, he feels more like a wolf than a man. And I must confess, he's so hot...

Gemma Doyle Trilogy - Libba Bray

Libba Bray's bio- and bibliography

Genre : Young Adults, Fantasy

A Great and Terrible Beauty
****

French title : L'oeil du destin : Les sorcières de Spence

American publisher : Delacorte Press : 9.99$US, 12.99$CAN

English publisher : Simon & Schuster Children's : 6.99£

"Gemma Doyle isn't like other girls. Girls with impeccable manners, who speak when spoken to, who remember their station, and who will lie back and think of England when it's required of them.
No, sixteen-year-old Gemma is an island unto herself, sent to Spence Academy in London after tragedy strikes her family in India. Lonely, guilt-ridden, and prone to visions of the future that have an uncomfortable habit of coming true, Gemma finds a chilly reception. But she's not completely alone...she's been followed by a mysterious young man, who warns her to close her mind against the visions.
For it's at Spence taht Gemma's power to attract the supernatural unfolds; there she becomes entangled with the school's most powerful girls and discovers her mother's connection to a shadowy group called the Order. It's there that her destiny waits...if only she can believe in it."

Rebel Angels
****

French title : No available translation

American publisher : Delacorte Press : 9.99$US; 12.50$CAN

English publisher : Simon & Schuster Children's : 6.99£

"Ah, Christmas! Gemma Doyle is looking forward to a holiday from Spence Academy - spending time with her friends in the city, attending balls in fancy gowns with plunging necklines, and dallying with the handsome Simon Middleton. Yet amid these distractions, her visions intensify - visions of three girls dressed in white, to whom something horrific has happened that only the realms can explain.
The lure is strong, and soon Gemma, Felicity, and Ann are turning flowers into butterflies in the enchanted world to which Gemma takes them. To the girls' great joy, their beloved Pippa is there as well, eager to complete their circle of friendship.
But all is not well in the realms - or out. Kartik is back, desperately insisting to gemma that she must bind the magic, lest colossal disaster befall her. Gemma is willing to comply, for this would bring her face with her late mother's greatest friend, now Gemma's foe - Circe. Until Circe is destroyed, Gemma cannot live out her destiny. But finding Circe proves a most perilous task..."

The Sweet Far Thing
****

French title : No available translation

American publisher : Delacorte Press : 10.99$US; 12.50$CAN

English publisher : Simon & Schuster Children's : 7.99£

" It has been a year of change since Gemma Doyle arrived at the foreboding Spence Academy. Her mother murdered, her father a laudanum addict, Gemma has relied on an unsuspected strength to turn catty schoolgirls into loyal friends, and has discovered an ability to travel to an enchanted world called the realms, where dark magic runs wild.
Despite certain peril, Gemma has bound the magic to herself and forged unlikely new alliances with headstrong Felicity and timid Ann; with Kartik, an exotic young Indian man whose companionship is forbidden; and with the fearsome creatures of the realms. Now, as Gemma approaches her London debut, the time has come to test these bonds.
Rule-breaking Felicity must do as she's told or risk losing her inheritance, and Ann's dream of a life onstage slips away. The Order, the mysterious group Gemma's mother was once part of, is grappling for control of the realms, as are the Rakshana. It is there that the girls meet their adored friend Pippa, who is not the same...or is she? The power to change everything - both in and out of the realms - rests in Gemma's hands."

A passage from The Sweet Far Thing that I really like a lot and which illustrates this tension I'm talking about below between Gemma and Kartik. Honestly, I love Bella and Edward's story, but Gemma and Kartik have no reason to envy them, except the end maybe;o)

A hedgehog flees from the safety of a bush, startling me. It darts past us in a terrible hurry. Kartik nods toward the furry little thing. "Don't mind him. He's off to meet his lady friend."
"How can you be sure?"
"He has on his best Hedgehog suit."
"Ah, I should have noticed," I say, happy to play his game - any game - with him. I put my hand on a tree's trunk and swing myself around it slowly, letting my body feel gravity's pull. "And why has he worn his best?"
"He's been away in London, you see, and now he has returned to her," Kartik continues.
"And what if she is angry with him for being away so long?"
Kartik circles just behind me. "She will forgive him."
"Will she?" I say pointedly.
"It is his hope that she will, for he didn't mean to upset her," Kartik answers, and I am no longer sure we speak of the hedgehog.
"And is he happy to see her again?"
"Yes," Kartik says. "He should like to stay longer, but he cannot."
The bark chafes against my hand. "Why is that?"
"He has his reasons, and he hopes his lady will understand them one day." Kartik has changed direction. He comes around the other side of the tree. We are face to face. A palm of moonglow reaches through the branches to caress his face.
"Oh," I say, heart beating fast.
"And what would the lady hedgehog say to that?" he asks. His voice is soft and low.
" She would say..." I swallow hard.
Kartik steps closer. "Yes?"
"She would say," 'I whisper, "If you please, I am not a hedgehog, I am a woodchuck.'"
A small sad smile plays at Kartik's lips.
"He's fortunate to have found so witty a lady friend," he says, and I wish I could have the moment back again to play differently.

What I think

A gripping story with magic, and mystery and love which will holds you breathless...

Risks of spoilers

I discovered this series thanks to Karine, a canadian blogger, who had the great idea to advise me to read it. But unlike her, I couldn't wait for the third book to be out in paperback to complete the series. I am the Queen of odd series : I begin in french and finish in english, or I begin in paperbacks and finish in hardback, and sometimes I lose myself between American and English publishers... I can be very patient for trivial things, but not for books. If I read something I really love, I need the sequel immediately-right-now-not-tomorrow!!!

Well, in any case, everyone should read Gemma Doyle's adventures, there's something for everyone in it.

The story takes place in Victorian England, where women have no free will and when young girls only have the right to stand well and open their mouths when asked to. I was very frustrated, because I am easily outraged, and I am easily angry when I see injustice. And in this books, I must admit that I was well served, especially in the first book, with Pippa's arranged engagement to a potbellied old man. And her way to escape this social marriage!!!

We find here a more realistic image of the Victorian era than in Austen's books, where everything ends well. Well, yes, Austen's heroines always marry for love, but we all know that wasn't the case in reality.
For those who like the Victorian society, you can find in this series this atmosphere, the balls and financial marriages, but also some wonderful love stories.

Besides, talking about love, I must confess that Libba Bray is great, because she talks about some taboos, not only for the Victorian society, but still today.
First Kartik, an Indian who works for the Rakshana, a secret society, against Gemma, will fall in love with the demoiselle, and of course it is mutual. For those of you who have read Twilight, you will understand what I mean when I talk of this underlying tension whenever they are together. However, I was really disappointed by the end. I was looking forward to see how Libba Bray would make Gemma and Kartik live their love. How could a young well-bred english girl have a relationship with an Indian in the 19th century? According to me, Libba Bray chose the easy way out. I don't want to tell you how it ends, it would be too much, but it's a very easy end. All that to end like this!!!

Another taboos is the relationship between Felicity and Pippa. I was surprised when I discovered it, just like Gemma, because I wasn't prepared for it.

The way Gemma makes new friends is interesting too, an it made me think of when I was in school. I was kind of the whipping-girl, because the "leader" of the band didn't like me. In the morning, she would tell me " Today we talk to you" or "Today we don't talk to you". Well I was in primary school, here we have older girls. They're 16, but it represents the changeable attitude of youngsters. How Gemma manages to tame these pests and makes Ann join in the same time, it's impressive.
I honestly believes she would be betrayed by her so-called friends, and finally I was wrong, the circle was really pulled together.

City of glass - Cassandra Clare

Cassandra Clare's bio- and bibliography

****

Genre : Young Adults, Fantasy

Series : The Mortal Instruments : City of bones; City of ashes; City of glass

French title : La cité des ténèbres : ?

American publisher : Margaret K. McElderry Books: 17.99$US; 19.99$CAN

English publisher : Walker Books : 7.99£

French publisher : Pocket jeunesse

To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhuntres - never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City - whatever the cost?

What I think

I must admit that this series is a big favorite of mine. We can say that Cassndra Clare knows how to keep her readers alert, and she does all she can to do that. She created a whole magical and original world, using myths that already existed, and myths she created. She used the myth of werewolves, vampires, faes, but at the same time, she created the Shadowhunters, the demons slayers, with their places and their hierarchy. We discover in this third book Idris, the country of the Shadowhunters, you can't find it on any map, it's between France and Germany, approximately. You didn't know? Next time I cross the frontier, I'll pay attention;o)
In Idris, there is Alicante, the City of Glass. This city is protected by wards to keep demons out. But Valentine found a way, and it was quite a while ago. Now he's looking for the last of the Mortal Instruments, the Glass Mirror.

***SPOILERS***

Clary has to leave for Idris to find Ragnor Fell, a warlock who can help her to save her mom. But Jace doesn't things her way. He doesn't want The Clave to know about her power to create new runes. And he finds a way to keep her away. But because of an attack of Forsaken, he has to take Simon with him. Clary uses her power to open a portal and goes to Idris, but things get complicated. Luke comes with her, but they have to keep hidden, because death awaits all who trespass the limits of Idris without a permission. Clary just doesn't care and goes see Jace, Isabelle and Alec. But Jace doesn't welcome her very well. She decides to find Ragnor Fell by herself, but she finds an ally, Sebastian, a Shadowhunter. But when Sebastian kisses her, Clary feels something's wrong.

When they find Ragnor Fell, she finds Magnus Bane in his place, who was alerted. Ragnor Fell was killed by something demon-smelling, and Magnus asks Clary to find the Book of White, a warlock book who contains the spell that will save her mom. But she needs help, Jace's help who accepts. When they arrive in the manor where he grew up, they discover Ithuriel, an angel emprisoned by Valentine. He gives them visions to make them understand Valentine experiments and Jace learns that demon's blood runs in his veins.

When they come back to the Alicante, the city is in flame. A battle is taking place. The towers that protected the city are destroyed and demons are all over the place. In the Penhallows Manor, chaos reigns too. When all is finished, we discover that Max, Isabelle and Alec's little brother is dead, killed by Sebastian, who is not Sebastian, but a spy for Valentine.

The werewolves fought alongside the Shadowhunters, but the Council disagrees. Then Valentine launch an ultimatum to The Clave. Whether they accept Valentine's reign upon Idris, or they all die. Luke tries to convince The Clace to accept the help of Downworlders, not only werewolves, but warlocks, fae, vampires, he just wants a siege for each of the families in the Council.

Clary, Jace, Isabelle and Alec leave to free Simon, who was imprisoned by the new Inquisitor. At the same time, they free the man who was in the cell next to Simon's. This man is Hodge, but Sebastian kills him before he can talk.

While Jace is after Valentine to kill him, Jocelyn, Clary's mother, comes back and tells everything to her daughter from the begining. Jace is not her brother, and he's not a demon either. Sebastian is her brother and the demon, even though his name's not Sebastian, but Jonathan.

Clary manages to convince The Clave to fight with Downworlders, thanks to a ruine she created, an alliance rune. Then, Shadowhunters and Downworlders who will fight in couple will share their powers. Only the vampires refuse to join the fight unless they have Simon in exchange, but Simon accept.

Clary is underage so she can't fight. She has to stay in Alicante, but she's attacked, and escapes through the Portal. She finds herself near Lake Lynn, where Valentine is preparing the ritual to call the Angel Raziel, who does one thing for his caller. But Clary plays well, and Raziel kills Valentine, but not before he kills Jace who came after killing Sebastian.

Raziel asks Clary, who opened the door, what she wants, and she only says one word : JACE.

***END OF SPOILERS***

I've just written a very detailed résumé. But hey all's well that ends well. So I was saying that Cassandra Clare created a whole new world, and at the same time very charismatic characters. Valentine is a monster, but I can't really hate him, because in a way he doesn't know it. There aren't any unimportant characters in this series, each one of them has a role to play, and all these plots that mingle only add to the quality of the series.

The only reproach I have to make is that Cassandra Clare gives us too obvious clues, about the relationship between Clary and Jace especially. Obvious clues, but Clary and Jace don't understand, while we readers understand easily. Then, when comes the moment of revelations, there's no surprise. That's a shame, but at the same time, it's good to say in the end "I KNEW IT!"

In this book, Clary and Jace are not reunited, they each go their own way, which finally bring them together. But all these mistaken identities are very stressful, but this is what we too like in a good book. Who would like a book where everything is fine from beginning to end?

Well, I'll stop here, because I really have a lot to say about this book, but I can't make all my ideas in a right order, so just to finish, I just want to tell you : Read this series, you can't be disappointed.

Just one last thing , I knew before that Jace and Clary couldn't possibly be siblings, but I had reached the point where I said to my mom that I didn't really care anymore. All I wanted was for them to be together, siblings or not.

I give you a passage to make you understand why I say this :

" I was trying to go...somewhere," Jace said. "But I kept getting pulled back here. I couldn't stop walking, couldn't stop thinking. About the first time I ever saw you, and how after that I couldn't forget you. I wanted to, but I couldn't stop myself. I forced Hodge to let me be the one who came to find you and bring you back to the Institute. And even back then, in that stupid coffee shop, when I saw you sitting on that couch with Simon, even then that felt wrong to me - I should have been the one sitting with you. The one who made you laugh like that. I couldn't get rid of that feeling. That it should have been me. And the more I knew you, the more I felt it - it had never been like that for me before. I'd always wanted a girl and then gotten to know her and not wanted her anymore, but with you the feeling just got stronger and stronger until that night when you showed up at Renwick's and I knew. "
And then to find out thaat the reason I felt like that - like you were some part of me I'd lost and never even knew I was missing until I saw you again - that the reason was that you were my sister, it felt like some sort of cosmic joke. Like God was spitting on me. I don't even know for what - for thinking that I could actually get to have you, that I would deserve something like that, to be that happy. I couldn't imagine what it was I'd done that I was being punished for-"
"If you're being punished," Clary said, "then so am I. Because all those things you felt, I felt them too, but we can't - we have to stop feeling this way, because it's our only chance."
Jace's hands were tight at his sides. "Our only chance for what?"
" To be together at all. Because otherwise we can't ever be around each other, not even in the same room, and I can't stand that. I'd rather have you in my life even as a brother than not at all-"