Mortal Instruments Jewelry

I'm a BIG fan of the Mortal instruments trilogy. I have yet to read City of Glass, but I'm hoping to get to it very soon (it's always checked out at my library). Since Christmas is around the corner, I thought I'd let you guys know about these awesome rings, necklaces, and bracelets made by Hebelmet and sold on Etsy.com. My favorite is Isabelle's ruby necklace.

There's something for everyone here, although it may not be in anyone's price range (I know I can't afford any of it right now!).
The cool thing about these is that they are made with the author's permissions, and all of the symbols used are accurate.
One last thing: A portion of the proceeds from each sale goes to benefit the charity Reading Is Fundamental, which delivers free books and literacy resources to children in need. So when you buy, you not only get an awesome product, you help children read too!

Here are a few more of my favorite designs.

Review: The Prophecy of the Sisters - Michelle Zink

Synopsis: An ancient prophecy divides two sisters-

One good...

One evil...

Who will prevail?

Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.

Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.

They just know they can't trust each other.


When I first read the synopsis of this book, I kind of shirked away from it. I mean, good/evil twin stories have been done before, and I didn't know how the author was going to take it where it hadn't been before. I finally picked it up, and became completely engrossed in the story. The setting is perfect, and the author does an excellent job describing the places, weather, and people.
The book is dark. I'm not saying it in a bad way. In fact, it's a welcome addition to most YA on shelves now. I enjoy a story in which people are "real". Things in life are not always black and white, or good and evil. Everyone makes choices in life based on many different factors, and this book portrays that wonderfully.
My only problem is the ending. This is the first book in a trilogy, and this first book leaves you hanging. Not necessarily a bad thing, just one of my pet peeves.

The cover is great, and fits the book perfectly. The stone statues mirror the coldness of the Gothic time period in which the book is set. The cover didn't completely sell me on the book, but I really like it.

Recommended if you like: The Gemma Doyle trilogy, Skin Hunger


Right now, the author Michelle Zink is having a holiday contest on her blog where you can with loads of awesome stuff including the audiobook of The Prophecy of the Sisters read by the incomparable Eliza Dushku, and the Gemma Doyle trilogy!

Upcoming Reviews

I recently made a trip to the bookstore and library, and have a TON of new books to read and review. Here's a list of the one's I'm most excited about.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner



When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.


Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld



It is the cusp of World War I, and all the European powers are arming up. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet.

Aleksandar Ferdinand, prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battle-torn Stormwalker and a loyal crew of men.

Deryn Sharp is a commoner, a girl disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She's a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered.

With the Great War brewing, Alek's and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way...taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure. One that will change both their lives forever.


The Devouring by Simon Holt



When Reggie reads about the Vours in a mysterious old journal, she assumes they are just the musings of an anonymous lunatic. But when her little brother, Henry, begins to act strangely, it's clear that these creatures exist beyond a madwoman's imagination, and Reggie finds out what happens when fears come to life.

To save the people she loves, Reggie must learn to survive in a world of nightmares. Can she devour her own fears before they devour her?


Fade Out (Morganville Vampires #7) by Rachel Caine



Without the evil vampire Bishop ruling over the town of Morganville, 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...

Now Claire can actually concentrate on her studies, and her friend Eve joins the local theatre company. But when one of Eve's castmates goes missing after starting work on a short documentary, Eve suspects the worst. Claire and Eve soon realize that this film project, whose subject is the vampires themselves, is a whole lot bigger-and way more dangerous-than anyone suspected.

Review: The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

Synopsis: In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives.

Where do I start? Well, When I first read the synopsis of this book, I immediately thought of the Japanese move Battle Royale. The idea of teenagers being put into a fight to the death was the same, so I put off reading it for a long time. Big mistake. I can't believe I deprived myself of this book! The characters were very well developed and believable. There is action, violence, and a little romance. The book works as a standalone, and doesn't feel like it needs a sequel although it's the first in a trilogy. As soon as I finished, I HAD to go out and buy book two, Catching Fire. It's probably best to read them back to back, because the second one picks up right where book one left off. There is a movie planned for release in late 2010, so read it now so you're ahead of the game!

The Cover: The cover really didn't do much for me at first. I thought it was kind of bland at first, but after reading the book, I thought it fit the tone perfectly. If I had to choose the book based entirely on the cover, I would give it a pass.

Recommended if you like: Uglies series, Battle Royale, Skinned, Unwind

The First Time's Always Weird...

This is my latest attempt at a review blog. I've had a few in the past, but never had enough free time to dedicate to them. I'll mostly be reviewing YA books, but I occasionally branch out. I may even review albums, tv shows and movies too. We'll see how it goes.