Mini Reviews: Rose Madder, Brutal Prince & City of Bones

Rose Madder by Stephen King

*** (3 stars)

This was July’s pick for the #KeeperofKing readalong group on Instagram. When I started this book I was loving it. Honestly I loved all of the realistic stuff. What ruined this book for me was all of the supernatural/paranormal crap. This book would have totally been a 5 star read for me if King would have just kept it realistic but he had to go and add a supernatural element to it. I was torn on what to give this book because like I said that supernatural element literally ruined the book for me but I absolutely loved everything else about the book which is why I ended up going with a 3 star rating. I know this isn’t much of a review but I don’t really have much else to say about it. 

Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark

**** (4 stars)

I read this as part of The Swoon Sisters Book Club. It took me a little bit to get into this. In the beginning Callum was a little “abusive” toward Aida and I didn’t care for that at all. I should also point out this is an enemies to lovers mafia romance. And I mean true enemies. They literally try to kill each other at one point. There was a little to much politics for my liking. I could care less about Callum becoming the Alderman and all that entails. Once things with the romance started picking up is when my interest was peeked. Aida can hold her own and I loved her character. I loved seeing these characters go from hating each other to being in love. I will definitely continue on with this series. 

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

**** (4 stars)

Erin and I have decided to continue reading the books in the shadowhunter world. We have read The Infernal Devices which were rereads for me and now we are reading The Mortal Instruments. City of Bones is a reread for me but I haven’t read any of the other books in this series Erin has read all of them before.  I have shared my original review below and I still feel pretty much the same however this time around Clary really annoyed me with her jealousy. Beyond that I don’t really have anything else to add besides that I am keeping my rating the same and be warned my original review has spoilers so if you haven’t read this book don’t read the next part.

I was a little skeptical going into this book because a lot of people didn’t like this series and actually gave up on it about halfway through. I was worried because I absolutely loved The Infernal Devices trilogy and I didn’t want this series to tarnish that for me but overall I really enjoyed this.

This book had a slow start for me and that had a lot to do with the long chapters plus there wasn’t a whole lot that happened in the beginning. Yeah Clarys mom goes missing and she fights some demons but for the most part it was mostly an info dump. You learn as Clary learns. One thing that bugged me is how everyone talked to Clary like she was stupid and like she should know what they were talking about even though they know she didn’t grow up with the knowledge. Another thing that bugged me is how much they all would be like it’s to dangerous he doesn’t need to be part of this but yet they let Simon tag along anyways.

Overall I enjoyed all of the characters although I found all of them to be annoying at certain points except for Isabelle. I think at this point she is the most likable character out of all of them. Alec was way over dramatic. Some of his reactions to certain situations didn’t work for me. It just didn’t fit the situation in my opinion. I look forward to getting more Magnus in the following books. Jaces sarcasm was on point and I found myself laughing out loud several times while reading this book. As for Clary I’m neutral when it comes to her right now. She didn’t really wow me but I don’t hate her.

That plot twist ugh so help me if I continue on with this series (which I plan to do) just to find out that Clary and Jace are actually brother and sister I will hate this series. I know that is harsh to say but I hate when authors play with my emotions like this. I mean why make me fall in love with the characters and ship them together to throw a plot twist like that at me no just no.

Toward the end of the book was when things started happening and where I was fully sucked into the story. While a lot of things annoyed me Cassandra Clare still managed to draw me into the story and make me want to continue with the series. I know this review is all over the place and I am sorry about that.