More From Magnus

The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Bennan, & Maureen Johnson
Published: November 11th 2014 by Margaret K. McElderry Books
I'm not normally a fan of short story collections, but being that this was Cassandra Clare, I couldn't really turn away. Yes, I'd much rather be ready a full novel from her, but I'll still take what I can get. Also, I do realize these have all been published previously as short e-stories, but since I'm still anti-e-reader, knew the only way I'd be able to read them was by buying them all packaged together.

The first story is "What Really Happened in Peru," and reading it made me realize just why I'm not a big fan of short stories. Nothing really seemed to happen in it. There just wasn't enough time to really develop a plot, and I just didn't quite see the point of it. Definitely not the way I'd want to start off a collection and reading it had me skeptical for the rest.

But thankfully the next story took a turn for the better. As a historical fiction fan I really enjoyed "The Runaway Queen" which was about Marie Antoinette. I may not be an expert on the French Revolution, but from what I've read, it seemed historically accurate. I don't necessarily think it was necessary to building Magnus' character and the world of Shadowhunters, but it was still a lot of fun.

From there we got into the stories involving the characters from Clare's other trilogies. There were a few on Magnus and Alex's relationship, and while the were enjoyable, I liked the others more. The chapter on Raphael, which I had been looking forward too, definitely lived up to my expectations. And I really loved the stories that took place around The Infernal Devices trilogy, both with Will's father and Will and Tessa's children.

But my favorites of them all had to be the ones involving Jocelyn Fray. There were two, one that shows Valentine's rise to power and another with a baby Clary. These I think these, more than the others, really helped flesh out the Shadowhunter world. It was pretty awesome to be able to actual see moments we had referenced in the book before, but this time be able to see how they actually played out.

Overall, I really enjoyed this collection, and I don't just mean as a collection of short stories. I wouldn't necessarily list it as my favorite of Clare's but do think if you've read all her others, you'd regret not picking up this one as well.

4.5/5

Today I'm linking up with Blonde Undercover Blonde for Book Club Friday!

A Search for Life After Redundancy {Giveaway}

Round the Bend by Alistar McGuinness
Published: November 26, 2013 by Matador
I've been lucky to I've been able to do quite a bit of traveling. I've been to France, Israel, Japan, and quite a few others. But I've never made it to South America, Africa, or Australia. Knowing the this book is the author's travels to all three continents is one reason why I was so excited for this book.

Except while I'd love to visit each place someday, I'm not quite sure I want to replicate McGuinness adventures. The entire memoir reads like a bad episode of Amazing Race, a comedy of errors. Over and over he winds up cheated by locals. He always seems to be always suffering from some type of food poisoning. And unfortunately seems to be a bit miserable throughout most of the journey.

The book started out with him and his wife in South America, but overall I wasn't a huge fan of this section. I did find myself enjoying the book more once they made it to Africa, and especially when they climbed Kilimanjaro. I may not have wanted to be with them on a lot of their adventures, but would have loved to by at Kilimanjaro, and if there was ever a part I felt transported to another country, that was it.

The book also includes gorgeous maps depicting the couple's travels and destinations. I get the feeling they were originally done in color, and while I would have loved to see them unaltered, I still looked forward to each one.

This book wound up as quite the an interesting journey. I don't know that I've ever read a travel memoir quite like it, and it definitely was a ride throughout.

3.5/5

If you're also looking to travel throughout the world with McGuinness I'm happy to say, you have the chance! I'm giving away one copy of Round the Bend. The winner is able to choose a print copy or an ebook and the giveaway is open internationally. Please use the rafflecopter form below to enter.

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Mailbox Monday (66)

I'm a little in shock that my Mailbox's have been so crazy lately. It's hard to believe all these books are coming into my home, but unfortunately unless I find a way to stop time have no idea when I'm going to be able to read all of these!
From Virtual Author Book Tours
Round the Bend by Alistair McGuinness
This is a travel memoir about the author's time in South America. Since I don't have plans to visit there anytime soon, I'm hoping this book will help to transport me there even if it's not quite for real.

From Historical Fiction Book Tours
Pilgrim Footprints on the Sands of Time by Sylvia Nilsen
This is a historical fiction about the murder of Thomas Becket. I actually read another book about this last year that I enjoyed, so I'm looking forward to seeing these events from another author's perspective.

From Paperback Swap
Bright Young Royals by Jerramy Fine
I absolutely loved Jerramy Fine's memoir and every since I've been wanting to read more by her. Although I don't expect this book to be anything like her memoir since instead it profiles royalty around the world. I am a bit royalty obsessed, so I'm looking forward to reading about Who's Who in the world today.

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
I absolutely loved the movie when I saw it last year, and ever since I've been wanting to read the book. I have heard they made some big changes with the movie, but I'm excited to see what's different in the original.

From Goodreads
Rosarito Beach by M.A. Lawson
This may not be my typical read, but I can't help that I love entering and then winning Goodreads giveaway. But this one does feature of female agent, which is the main reason I entered the giveaway in the first place.

Night Games by Lisa Marie Perry
Yes, another one I was lucky enough to win, especially since I probably wouldn't pick it up other wise. It's a romance novels about a football player, so I'm sure it will be a fun ride.

What did you find in your mailbox this week?

Quit Playing Games With My Head

Head Games by Erika Rummel
Published: April 30, 2013 by Guernica Editions
I'm a little unsure how to describe this, but I think the closest genre is New Adult. It's about a somewhat naive young women who travels to Argentina to discover who her birth father is. Along the way she's involved in love triangle, and also winds up kidnapped as part of a payback scheme.

With so much happening in this book, I'm surprised at how much pages it took for things to pick up. I don't think I really got into the book or felt like I had figured out the plot until almost 2/3 of the way through.

I liked the idea that parts of the book were in Argentina. Except I wish I got a better picture of what it was like there. There were a few scenes where I felt Argentina came across, but overall I wished I had felt more transported there.

I still think this one has potential, but that it didn't quite work for me. Even now, I feel like this one played a game with my head, that I'm quite sure how I want to remember this one.

2.5/5

Disclosure: I was provided this book through Virtual Author Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.

Today I'm linking up with Blonde Undercover Blonde for Book Club Friday!