'City of Heavenly Fire'

Firstly, I am feeling a bit like this at the moment:

That is right- the semester is over and so are all my assessments! YAY! No more stress or worries (well, no more caused by uni work, at any rate) Which also means there are no more excuses for me to procrastinate from writing on my blog. I'm going to get on top of things and get things done in these next few months. So, what did I do to celebrate my first day of freedom?

Well, like a true nerd, I spent all of yesterday reading and finishing the last book in the ‘Mortal Instruments series’ by Cassandra Clare, ‘City of Heavenly Fire.’ I could not put the book down and I am ashamed to say it, but I got really annoyed at anyone who dared interrupt me. I was even annoyed when I got told dinner was ready, and believe me, that was probably the only time I’ve ever been angry that I had to eat food. Food is my life, plus it was my favourite dish: pasta with my nonna’s sauce. And I have to say, I ate that bowl of pasta ferociously and so fast that I think I got slight indigestion from it, just so I could get back to reading. That’s how much I was enjoying this book. Also, by that point, I was halfway through the epilogue, so you can see where I was coming from, wanting to finish those last thirty pages or so.

One of the first blog posts I had ever written was about ‘The Mortal Instruments’ and comparing it to the movie. The book series is far far far superior to the movie, and this last book (there are six in the series) did not disappoint me. I gasped, I cried, I smiled, and I felt happy and a part of me felt complete while reading it. I have fallen in love with these characters and have become so attached and emotionally invested with them, and I really  wish I could go into more detail about this novel, but unfortunately, since it was the last in the series, if I were to write about it, it would give everything away. So all I can really say is that I am really happy about how Cassandra Clare ended the series, and I highly recommend anyone who loves reading urban fantasy romance to read it.

But a basic summery of the world of the novels: it is set in modern day New York (predominantly), where demons do exist, but are unknown to mundanes (ordinary people). The Shadowhunters are a race who were created to kill demons and defend the human race. There are also vampires and werewolves and warlocks and fey, all of which are known as ‘Downworlders,’ who the Shadowhunters make treaties with in order to maintain peace between the races. They also have a common enemy that becomes a greater threat throughout the series. The books are written with witty humour and gripping plots that develop in each novel and a leisurely read. I instantly fell in love with the series when I first started reading the books in 2011, so I’m very bias when I say I would rate it a 10/10, but it would definitely be an 8/10 at the very least. It’s a series that I have read over and over and over again (except this last book being the first time I’ve ever read it) and I plan to read it numerous times in the future; it holds a proud spot next to my ‘Harry Potter’ series on my book shelf.

My bookshelf (the shelf that has my favourite books) 

And the wonderful thing about Cassandra Clare is that she has written a brilliant prequel series 'The Infernal Devices' which is set in the same world, but in Victorian London (I loved it so much), and a new series, 'The Dark Artifices' which is to be released later this year. Also, while the 'Mortal Instruments: The City of Bones' movie was considered a flop, a television series is being made based on 'The Mortal Instruments' called 'Shadowhunters.' I'm excited.

Overall, I consider yesterday as a very good start to what I'm hoping will be a very good holiday break.