Book 4 of The Mortal Instruments: CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS, Cassandra Clare

CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS is a fourth book in The Mortal Instruments series. I would also say that itis the first book the second half of the series. I would call it "After Valentine Died & Jace Was Brought Back To Life era". I guess the guys, who already read all 5 books know why. For the rest of you, you will find out soon enough. Well after you finish the 4th book.

So let's recap:

We found out that Jace and Clary are not siblings. YEYE! :) Big celebrations! They finally can be together and well they are enjoying their time as boyfriend & girlfriend. Valentine is dead - The Angel Raziel killed him once he found out what was Valentine up to. Sebastian AKA the true Jonathan Christopher Morgenstern (the proper brother of Clary's) was killed by Jace, but his body is missing. Alec and Magnus now updated their facebook status to - in a relationship and Simon turns out to be a little bit of a player with the ladies - he is dating Isobel and Maia at the same time.

NOW, as we all know it, life isn't a beach, so there is something brewing. Something is going to happen. Firstly, of course Maia and Isobel will find out that Simon has been, not so secretly, dating both of them. Not even that. Maia's ex-boyfriend, who she can thank to for becoming a werewolf, turns up in town. He is the newest member of Simon's band ( I will not remember the current name of it - SORRY!!) and apparently he is now a good guy. He is a member of Praetor Lupus who helps new turned downworlders to get hang on with their new found status. And he is still in love with Maia. But she cannot stand the sight of him . And it seems there is a price on Simon's head because somebody is trying to kidnap him. Thankfully The Mark Of Cain always kills the murderer or the person sent.

Jordan is not the only case of former lover turning up in New York. Magnus's former girlfriend, Camille, who used to be the head vampire of New York's Vampires is back in town. And she is killing shadow-hunters. She gets captured thanks to Simon (a hero in making) and the only person she wants to speak to is Magnus. Obviously this will create some problems in the new relationship between Alec & Magnus. Camille knows how to play them against each other and she gets under Alec's skin and causes some arguments.

In the meantime, our STAR-CROSSED LOVERS's happiness is cut short as well. Jace starts to have nightmares where is making out with Clary but instead of being all happy, every single dream, he ends up killing her. This is putting a strain on their relationship as he starts to avoid Clary, because he is scarred that he will hurt her. Unfortunately, Jace being a boy, does not tell Clary about his nightmares and she doesn't know what is going on. She is frustrated and under the impression that Jace got bored of her and decided to split up with her without telling her. She goes on her first Shadow-hunter mission into a church, where creepy fanatics are trying to create babies like was her brother. She nearly gets killed but Isobel saves her in time. Girlfriends stand by each other. Anyways, she goes back to The Institute to heal and her and Jace nearly have their first time, but that is interrupted when he actually tries to kill her. And finally Jace tells Clary the reason why he has been avoiding her. They decide to go together to The Silent City to find out why is Jace acting the way he is and they find out that because he has been brought back to life by Raziel, he doesn't have a protection like other Shadow-hunters. He needs to go through a spell which would protect him from demon influence. So he decides to stay there until the ritual can take place. Unfortunately for him, somebody tricks him the same night, and he becomes a puppet in the hands of Lilith, The mother of demons. She was the reason, why Sebastian's body has been missing. She has him. She wants to bring him back to life and she needs Jace and Simon to do it. So she makes Jace to kidnap Clary so she can force Simon to bring Sebastian to life.

She nearly has her way, but luckily our clever girl Clary, disfigures a rune on Jace's heart, which is controlling him and he comes back to being his normal self. Simon kills Lilyth with The Mark Of Cain and Sebastian is left floating in his tank without any blood. Our favourite couple sorts out their problems and it seems that they will be able to come back to being a normal loved-up couple, until Jace's rune doesn't heal and Sebastian takes a control over him. And Jace ends up being the one who brings Sebastian back to life losing himself in the process.


So it seems that the happiness of our couple, which I was so long hoping for in last three books, was short-lived. Cassandra decided that them two need to fight a little bit more for their happy ending. I loved the rare sweet moments them two shared though. Especially when Jace, even controlled by Lilith, said to Clary that he wants to be bound the her forever - like in Shadow-hunters marriage. I am just a little bit sad that there wasn't more of these sweet moments. I would enjoy reading about how happy they were now they can be together.

But even if this book lacked the romance, it had plenty of witty conversations between Simon and Jace. And I really, really loved those. It seems to me that there is a little Bromance growing between them too. I absolutely adore the way them two talk to each other. It always makes me laugh out loud. They are both really funny and smart. Jace always has some arrogant snarky comments for Simon, but Simon always stands his ground and comes back with a similar insult. We also can see that them two actually, without even knowing how it happened, started to care about each other. I love the brewing bromance!

Another thing I loved that we learned more about Magnus and Alec's relationship. They are so adorable. And how cute is Alec when he is jealous. Too cute. He actually really really loves Magnus and does not want to lose him. Even puts his shadow-hunters pride on side to be with him. I hope there is a happy ending for this adorable couple.

And Isobel? We finally learn a little more about her. Why is the way she is. We see how she slowly falls in love with Simon and starts to reveal little bits about her to him. And I think Simon is falling for her as well. Which would be just perfect. I never wanted him to end up with Maia!

I have enjoyed this book very much. There is a lot of funny dialogues. The writing is great and easy to follow. I love that Cassandra is slowly building up the story for a grand final. I love all our characters and the whole story is getting more and more interesting. I was not again able to put this book down. I just wanted that Jace gets better so he and Clary can be together! And Cassandra again cleverly made sure that I will need to read the next book.

Well done Ms Clare! Another great book from The Mortal Instruments.


Here are some quote I loved:

“You're just worried they'll hire a male instructor and he'll be hotter than you." 
Jace's eyebrows went up. "Hotter than me?" 
"It could happen," Clary said, "You know, theoretically."
"Theoretically the planet could suddenly crack in half, leaving me on one side and you on the other, forever and tragically parted, but I'm not worried about that either. Some things," Jace said, with his customary crooked smile, "are just too unlikely to dwell upon.” 

"And she has a boyfriend. Like, really, really, really has a boyfriend. The nuclear bomb of boyfriends. Trust me on this one.” 

“It’s fascinating. You know all these words, and they’re all English, but when you string them together into sentences, they just don’t make any sense.” 

“But I watch my brothers give their hearts away and I think, Don’t you know better? Hearts are breakable. And I think even when you heal, you’re never what you were before.”

“Or maybe it's just that beautiful things are so easily broken by the world.” 

“L'amor che move il sole e l'altre stelle.
"It means that love is the most powerful force in the world. That love can do anything.”

“He looks," Simon had once said to Isabelle, "like he's thinking about something deep and meaningful, but if you ask him what it is, he'll punch you in the face.” 

“Is this the part where you tell me you're secretly in love with me? Vampire mojo strikes again.” 

“Still I pictured having you for fifty, sixty more years. I thought I might be ready then to let you go. But it's you, and I realize now that I won't be anymore ready to lose you then than I am right now. Which is not at all.”


“And then there was you. You changed everything I believed in. You know that line from Dante that quoted to you in the park? 'L'amor che move il sole e l'altre stelle'?"
Her lips curled a little at the sides as she looked up at him. "I still don't speak Italian."
"It's a bit of the very last verse from Paradiso - Dante's Paradise. 'My will and my desire were turned by love, the love that moves the sun and the other stars.' Dante was trying to explain faith, I think, as an overpowering love, and maybe it's blasphemous, but that's how I think of the way I love you. You came into my life and suddenly I had one truth to hold on to - that I loved you, and you loved me.” 


“And I would do it again. I love you, Jace Wayland-Herondale-Lightwood-whatever you want to call yourself. I don't care. I love you and I will always love you, and pretending it could be any other ways is just a waste of time.” 

Song Of The Week

OMG!!!!! They are back!! After a long break in their career, they got up and pull themselves back together and started to create the dance music we all grow to love. Even if you are not a big Dance music fan, you have to love The Daft Punk! And they are back!!! What a great news! 

And not only that, they teamed up with one of my favourite artist in the whole world Pharrell Williams and brought us one amazing tune. So yes, this week the introduction is short and sweet. Because it was the easiest choice I had to do. 

The song of the week goes (as you could already guessed) to:

DAFT PUNK FEAT. PHARRELL WILLIAMS - GET LUCKY

This tune reminds me summer and who doesn't love a good summer tune. It is already a number one tune in various countries and no wonder. It's a classic Daft Punk track which makes us all happy. It is easy to listen to and makes you dance straight away. 

I so cannot wait for the album to come out. The whole album, named RANDOM ACCESS MEMORIES, is due to come out on 20th May 2013. I am so pre-ordering my copy on iTunes right now!

What do you think? Are you excited about return of Daft Punk as much as I am?

Dream Guy Of The Month - MR JAMIE CAMPBELL BOWER

Move over every fantasy guy you ever saw in fantasy movie or series! Mums, lock your daughters in the house! Husbands, forgive your wives for stop dreaming about Christian Grey only just when you got used to it!  JACE WAYLAND AKA MR JAMIE CAMPBELL BOWER is on the scene!!!

His full name is James Metcalfe Campbell Bower and was born on 22nd November 1988 in the capital of United Kingdom, London. He attended Bedales School and is a former member of National Youth Music Theather. 

 

He can thank for his big break to his family friend Laura Michelle Kelly, who recommended him to the producer of film adaptation of musical SWEENEY TODD: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street. He shot the fame immediately and become a permanent part of every teenage girl's dreams. His filmography credits include films like Rock'n'rolla, Winter in Wartime, The Prisoner, Anonymus.  Jamie called himself a "francaise slut" because he also got a part of Caius Volturi in Stephenie Meyers's Twilight series : New Moon, Breaking Dawn part 1 and Breaking Dawn part 2. Not only that, he also got to play Young Grindelwald in J.K.Rowlings's Harry Potter series - Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Part 2. And now he is Jace Wayland in Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments. I have to say I could not imagine a better actor to be chosen to play Jace. I think Jamie has the looks, charm and hopefully he will breathe a life to the character he plays. I watched couple of interviews with him and he behaves just like Jace - smart, funny and a little bit cocky. But what girl doesn't like the bad boy attitude?!?!

We could also see Jamie in Channel 4's mini series the Camelot where he got to play the legendary King Arthur opposite Eva Green and Joseph Fiennes. I was a little bit disappointed that the series did not get renewed for another season. But I am sure we will have more opportunities to see Jamie in other projects. I personally, as you know, cannot wait for the City of Bones to come out in August this year. 

But this six foot tall guy is not only an actor. As most of the young actors, he started as a model as well. He modelled clothes designed by, then his girlfriend Zoe Graham, and Burberry. But Jamie is a talented musician as well. He used to be a lead singer in a band called The Darling Buds. I think I read somewhere on Twitter that there is a video online, where we can see him rapping with a friend. What a talent !!

He is good friend with Florence Welch and stared in her video for NEVER LET ME GO single which was released last year. 

He has a great taste in music - he enjoys music by Arcade Fire, Clement Marfo, Biffy Clyro and The Lightspeed Champion. His favourite song is Marlene by the latter The Lightspeed Champion. 

He has number of tattoos on his body. I think one of them is Bob Dylan's tattoo. 

His love life is always an interest to various gossips magazines. He had relationships with Zoe Graham, Bonnie Wright ( who he even was engaged to) and currently he is dating his co-star Lily Collins. So, no chance for me then hehe.

I am a big fan of Jamie. From the movies I have seen I think he is a very talented singer and actor and I think we can expect great things from him in the future. Not to mention that I find him very witty, funny and enjoyable to look at. And I love love his blue eyes and english accent. 

So what do you think about  my pick for the Dream Guys Of The Month? Has Mr Jamie Campbell Bower got under your skin also?

Book 3 Of The Mortal Instruments: CITY OF GLASS, Cassandra Clare

CITY OF GLASS is a third instalment in The Mortal Instruments series. I have to say these books are quickly becoming one of my favourite books in the whole world. They definitely have a place on my List Of Books For Future Generations.

So we all know that I am secretly (actually very publicly) in love with Jace Wayland / Morgenstern / Lightwood. But you all know as well how disappointed I was when we found out that Clary and Jace are brother and sister! Wow! How heartbroken were you for them? Jace finally finds a girl he falls in love with and it turns out to be his flesh and blood. Not a great end to a love story is it?!?

Last time we saw Clary and Jace, Jace said to Clary that he will behave only like a brother to her, only in the same time as she realised that she loves him and wants to be with him regardless what everybody will think. But unfortunately she was left heartbroken instead. Also, Jocelyn's old friend turned up in the hospital claiming that it was Jocelyn, who put herself into this weird type of a coma and there is a warlock in Alicante, who knows how to wake her up. City of Glass follows Clary's not really welcome trip to Shadowhunter's capital Alicante. Firstly, Jace isn't happy for her to go to see the Clave. He is worried that once the Clave finds out about Clary's ability to create new runes which nobody knows, they will lock her up and use her every possible way. So he hatches a plan where he summons Simon to ask for his help to lie to Clary about the trip to Alicante. Everything goes awry when they are attacked by a little gang of forsaken and our day light walking vampire Simon is force to go with the Lightwoods to Alicante through the portal Magnus created. When Clary gets to the scene, she is royally pissed off and decides to create her own portal ( clever girl) and she and Luke end up at Lake Lynn where she drinks too much of the lake water and she is poisoned. Great start to the trip. Luke takes her to her sister Amatis, where she gets cured and ready for action. She decides to find Jace and the Lightwoods but is horribly surprised to find out that she isn't really welcome in Alicante. Jace is making out with a girl, shouts at her and the Lightwoods children aren't happy about her presence either. The only friend she makes is Sebastian, a new guy on the scene. Don't like him straight away. He thinks he is way better than anybody. Reminds you of somebody?!?

Anyways, in the meantime Simon gets himself imprisoned in Alicante, Jace regrets that he shouted at Clary. He punches a wall. Alec is unhappy with the lack of contact from Magnus. I bet everybody has only one question on their mind - Are they a couple or not?!? Sebastian tries to get on a good side of Clary's by helping her to track down the warlock who can help her mother. Sly bastard!!!At the warlock's place they find Magnus who gives Clary instructions on how to help her mother. And guess what ?!?! She will need Jace's help. So them two put their arguments on the side and travel together to old Waylands's mansion where they find a book of spells, which can help with waking up Jocelyn from her long sleep and also they find imprisoned angel Ithuriel who reveals that Valentine experimented on his children. Jace and Clary help Ithuriel to die and the mansion collapses. Them two make out and it looks like they will be together but then Clary stops as she is royally pissed off because Jace thinks that he only loves her because of him being part demon. That's a mood killer. When they return to Alicante, they find it in flames and attacked by demons. 

And after that we see the Shadowhunters and Downworlders working together to fight against Valentine. Jace decides to go on suicidal mission to kill Valentine. Jocelyn tells Clary that her and Jace aren't siblings (THANK GOD - BIG CELEBRATIONS), In fact, Sebastian turns out to be the real Jonathan Morgenstern. Clary as usual nearly gets herself killed and only survives with some kind of luck. Jace kills Sebastian but then he dies in the hands of Valentine in a process to raise The Angel. Fortunately our heroine saves the day by added her little rune work to the picture and The Angel recognises Valentine's bad intentions and kills him. Good bye bad guy!!! But what about Jace????? Don't they deserve a happy ending? Of course. The angel grants Clary one wish and she wishes for Jace to come back to life. So The Angel brings Jace back to life and it all ends in Happy ending . All our friends celebrates and Clary and Jace are finally able to be with each other properly. Thank God. They love each other so much. They went through hell so finally they can be together. 



I have to say I very much enjoyed City Of Glass. It was a very fast-paced book. Every single chapter was interesting, adventurous and packed with action. The book was really hard to put down and all I wanted is to read on so I can find out if Clary and Jace get their HAPPY ENDING. Thankfully, they did.

I really liked the chapter where Jace came to Clary's room in Amatis's house after Max's funeral. It was an emotional chapter and made me a little bit cry. So romantic! He finally told her that he loves her. Amazing. Them two deserve to be together. One of my favourite couples.

Also, I really enjoyed the dynamic of Alec and Magnus's relationship. They are so enjoyable together. I am really happy that Cassandra wasn't afraid to put a gay relationship in her book. And let's be honest, Magnus is a fantastic, very witty, character. Without him The Mortal Instruments wouldn't be the same. 

And I cannot forget to mention Simon's and Isabel's relationship. I would love for them two to become a couple. I love the way Simon brings Isabel's softer side. It's great to see how the relationship will develop in future and if Isabel will opened up to him a little bit more.

This book is not only full of very witty and smart dialogues, it's full of romance as well which I absolutely loved. I have read it within 2 days and had to start on the next one immediately after it finished. Cassandra Clare wrote a great story.

I actually made my sister to look up on in slovakian and made her to read it, because I don't want her to miss out on a great fantasy story, which I know she would enjoy. I think every person who will decide to buy, borrow or download this book, will not regret it. It's a treat for mind and soul and will capture your attention completely. 

Another well done to Cassandra Clare!!!

Some of the quotes I loved:

“There is no pretending," Jace said with absolute clarity. "I love you, and I will love you until I die, and if there is life after that, I'll love you then.”

“And now I’m looking at you,” he said, “and you’re asking me if I still want you, as if I could stop loving you. As if I would want to give up the thing that makes me stronger than anything else ever has. I never dared give much of myself to anyone before – bits of myself to the Lightwoods, to Isabelle and Alec, but it took years to do it – but, Clary, since the first time I saw you, I have belonged to you completely. I still do. If you want me.” 

“And I'm suppose to sit by while you date boys and fall in love with someone else, get married...?" His voice tightened. "And meanwhile, I'll die a little bit more every day, watching.”

“I am a man" he told her, "and men do not consume pink beverages. Get thee gone woman, and bring me something brown.” 

“You could have had anything else in the world, and you asked for me."
She smiled up at him. Filthy as he was, covered in blood and dirt, he was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen. "But I don't want anything else in the world.” 

“I was thinking about the first time I ever saw you," he said, "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 Institue. 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.”

“People aren't born good or bad. Maybe they're born with tendencies either way, but its the way you live your life that matters.” 

“If you ever meet the man who could take advantage of Isabelle, you’ll have to let me know. I’d like to shake his hand. Or run away from him very fast, I’m not sure which.”

“In the end that was the choice you made, and it doesn't matter how hard it was to make it. It matters that you did.” 

“Because that was what you did with family when you'd been worried about them, you grabbed them and held on to them and told them how much they'd pissed you off, and it was okay, because no matter how angry you got, they still belonged to you.”

“You never really hate anyone as much as someone you cared about once.” 

“There are some kinds of wounds you can get, internal injuries. You don't know what's wrong with you, but you're bleeding to death slowly inside.” 

Fashion Icon Of The Month: ALICIA VIKANDER

Alicia in Louis Vuitton

This month's style crush is a lovely Swedish actress ALICIA VIKANDER. 

She was born in Gothenburg in Sweden on October 3rd 1988. Her full name is Alicia Amanda Vikander. And she is not only an actress but also a dancer. She studied and trained at Royal Swedish Ballet School.



She is really famous in Sweden thanks to her role in television drama Andra Avenyn.

In Rodarte (my favourite choice) at Anna Karenina premiere

Alicia shot the fame on worldwide scale when she stared in last year's movie, which also happens to be a film adaptation to Leo Tolstoy's novel under the same name, ANNA KARENINA. I had to say I had tried to read this book, but unsuccessfully. Unfortunately, I gave up after first hundred pages as I found it boring and long-widing, so I went to see it in the cinema instead. (One of the examples where the movie is better than a book - note it's not many of them!) And I absolutely loved it. Not because of the story, because I have to say I was bored at times, but because of the amazing costumes which were created for this film. Loved every single one of them. No wonder it won an Oscar for Costume Design!! 

Anyways, Alicia got to play a role of Kitty and she got it just right. Since then she became a new star on the big screen. She put her signature  on movies like A ROYAL AFFAIR, THE SEVENTH SON, HOTELL & FIFTH ESTATE. 



She received great reviews from critics all around the world (She won Rising Star Award at Stockholm Film Festival  and Guldbagge Award for Best Actress) and actually even various fashion magazine praised her to heavens for her great style. 

Elie Saab Design

And I fell for her style too. I love the choice of her dresses for various Award shows. I think she is really chic. She knows how to pick a great designer dress, I would wear anything she has chosen. She worked with designers like Elie Saab, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Christian Dior and Rodarte. She looked beautiful in every single design and got it right with every piece of accessory. Her hair and make-up is always flawless. 

She is part of the new wave of hollywood actresses with a great style, which is not trashy, but simple and chic. 

Christian Dior

I think we can expect a lot of more great style choices from this fabulous girl. She knows what she is doing. She is Swedish, which means she is destined to have a great style. 

The Gig Of The Month: IMAGINE DRAGONS, Manchester Academy

Wow! Wow! Wow! That's all I can really say after watching Imagine Dragons live at Manchester Academy last week!



But let's start from the beginning.






IMAGINE DRAGONS is my favourite band at the moment. Earlier this year I have introduced you to a song which found its way to soundtrack to THE HOST movie - Radioactive. And since then I have become a massive fan of this band.

Imagine Dragons were born in the sin city of USA - Las Vegas. Their style is Indie / Rock music which is really close to my heart. Their music has been compared to music of big names such as The Killers or Arcade Fire, but the tone and lyrics of their song are more positive and optimistic. Actually I found them very real and close to real everyday life. I think I have read on their website that their wanted to write their songs from their life experiences. And well done. They did a fantastic job. 

The band has currently four members. Dan Reynolds (Vocals, Drums), Ben McKee (Bass, Backing Vocals), Wayne Sermon (Guitar, Backing Vocals) and Dan Platzman (Drums, Viola, Backing Vocals). In the past there other two members, a married couple Andrew & Brittany Tolman, but that did not work out. Luckily these four lads found their sound and brought us an amazing debut album NIGHT VISIONS ( I will find time to write a review, but later on in the month). 

And with a new album, there is of course the promotional tour which took them one Monday night ( 8th Of April 2013) to Manchester's Academy where their performed the tracks from their baby. And I have been lucky enough to be in the audience with my two housemates. As I mentioned in one of my posts before Kay has become obsessed with the band after I introduced her to Radioactive and it was thanks to her that we have purchased the tickets for this gig. What a great choice it has been.

The guys were brilliant! Absolutely fantastic! I will not mention the Supporting Performer - The Good Natured  as I do not want to be nasty. I will be honest. I have not enjoyed their performance what so ever. I think I have been moving with the crowd from solidarity.

Anyways, my disappointment with the supported act has been deleted from my mind as soon as Imagine Dragons came on stage. Their performance was really energetic straight from the start. Their start with ROUND & ROUND track which I love. Dan was really present on the stage. He sang his heart out every single track. I think he gave to us as much as he could, even more. Their sound was flawless and perfect every single song. We heard tracks like TipTop, It's Time, Underdog, Nothing Left To Say... Nearly the whole album. 

The atmosphere in the place for electric. The whole audience knew words to every single track and I think the band was surprised with the support they have received from the audience. At certain point of the gig Dan even said that being here is the Manchester is amazing and he is very surprised that we actually know who Imagine Dragons are. When it came to Radioactive, not only Dan sang from the bottom of his heart, but the whole audience were on their feet singing out loud. Absolutely fantastic!

I have never enjoyed myself so much at a gig, like I enjoyed myself in Manchester. Everything, every single detail, was spot on. The lights. The sound. The presence of the band. The audience. The atmosphere. Everything.  They even came back to sing us one last song at the end.

I was not the only one who thought that Imagine Dragons created one fantastic evening. My housemates Claire and Kay were ecstatic at the same time. We all had a fabulous time and enjoyed ourselves to the max. We danced. We sang. We took plenty of pictures and videos. 

I have to say I have absolutely nothing bad to say about the Manchester's Gig. (well apart from the choice of the supporting act). I will definitely want to see Imagine Dragons again live as soon as it will be possible and will recommend to see them to anybody who will listen. Great evening. 



Imagine Dragons proved me why their are one of the greatest bands, if not even the greatest, at the moment. LOVE IT! Since them I have been listening to their album constantly. And I am sure that I am not the only one. 

So lovelies, I know you might be in different parts of the world, but if you get the opportunity to see Imagine Dragons, grab it. You will not regret it. I swear!

Song Of The Week

This week I have picked one of my favourite bands and their track to be A Song Of The Week. The track is not new. It is not the usual arrangement you can  hear from radio or telly, but it's one of my favourite acoustic performances.

I have been lucky enough to see this band life in Manchester over a week ago and they were absolutely brilliant - best performance I have ever seen.

So without my further mumbling I introduce you to :

The Imagine Dragons - IT'S TIME (live version SXSW 2012 Showcasing Artist)

Enjoy my lovelies, hope you will like it  as much as I do :) 

Playlist Of The Week - RUN4LIFE 3

I have a confession to make. I have not been to the gym for past 3 weeks. I know I am a lazy bitch. I will be honest. The first week I just haven't felt good. I felt like a cold is coming onto me and therefore I didn't want to over-do it. And there is also the fact that I have been obsessed with the books of The Mortal Instruments and I was not able to put them down. 

Now, the books are all finished (reviews are slowly getting together - I know I am well behind) and I am currently on holiday back at home ( In the little country in the middle of Europe - Slovakia), but I am determined to get back to running (as I really enjoy it) as fast as I can for as long as I can (basically until I feel like dying !). So I decided to put together another playlist to help me get back to the gym when I back. 

And trust me, that will happen as soon as I land back in UK as my mum has been over-feeding me and I don't want the hard work of last three months to go to waste. And it looks like spring is finally coming, so I want to look great in my spring outfits. And there is the Summer filled with sunshine, bikinis, hot weather, music festivals and holidays - so I don't want to look awful on pics from my summer. 

I will stop mumbling now and introduce you to a new Playlist For The Week:

• I Need Your Love - CALVIN HARRIS, ELLIE GOULDING
• Closer (Radio Edit) - LULU JAMES
• Diane Young - VAMPIRE WEEKEND
• Green Garden - LAURA MVULA
• Boomerang - NICOLE SCHERZINGER
• White Noise - DISCLOSURE, ALUNAGEORGE
• Waiting All Night - RUDIMENTAL FEAT. ELLA EYRE
• Fade (Vocal) - JAKWOB FEAT. MAIDAY
• This Is What It Feels Like - ARMIN VAN BUUREN, TREVOR GUTHRIE
• Late Night - FOALS

As usual you can find on my @SpotifyUK playlist or you can just download the list of the track above. It should take about 25 - 30 mins. Tweet me @ZuzzieeQQQ77 what you think or any suggestion for the next week's playlist. 

Hope you will enjoy it and it will make you sweat and help you through your workout or any other thing you do while listening to it. 

Have a great day !

Trailer Of The Week

First time I heard that they are making this famous novel into a movie, first thing on my mind was - it will be a great production. I would not expect anything less. I love the era - the fashion, the lifestyle, the way people enjoy the life. So I am really looking forward to see how the director Baz Luhrmann transfers such a important piece of literature onto big screen. So far everything looks fabulous.

In the meantime, here is The Trailer Of The Week :

GREAT GATSBY

I have to say I have not read the book yet, but I have downloaded it to my kindle so hopefully I will get the time to read it.

The film adaptation stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Isla Fisher, Tobey Maguire and more other great big names. The whole trailer promises a lot of glamour, great fashion and very expensive production.  And I have not even mention the big name from the music industry who sign their name for the soundtrack. Big stars like Beyonce, Jay Z, Florence & The Machine, Lana Del Ray, Jack White and plenty more will put their mark on the whole movie.

The release date has been set for May 10th 2013 for USA and May 16th 2013 for UK and the rest of the world. 

What do you thing? Are you going to see Jake from Titanic, Romeo from Romeo&Juliet - Leo DiCaprio as Gatsby? I will definitely go.

Top 10 Books I Am Looking Forward To Read

So I thought I will share with you my Lovelies the next 10 books I am looking forward to read. Also, I hope you read it yourselves and tell me what you think in comments after I post my reviews for them.

So in next couple of months you can look forward to see the reviews of :

1. NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern 
2. INFERNO by Dan Brown
3. DEAD EVER AFTER by Charlaine Harris
4. ENTWINED WITH YOU by Sylvia Day
5. LABYRINTH by Kate Moss
6. CLOUD ATLAS by David Mitchell
7. WARM BODIES by Isaac Marion
8. THE INFERNAL DEVICES (Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, Clockwork Princess) by Cassandra Clare
9. WOLF HALL & BRING UP THE BODIES by Hilary Mantel
10. HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY (Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockinjay) by Suzanne Collins

So here is the list, when I will decide on the next 10 books I will let you know so we can read them together. Enjoy the reading Lovelies. 

Movie Of The Week (Personally The One I Was Most Excited About) : THE HOST directed by Andrew Niccol

I have given a lot of thought on how to write this post. You all know how much I love the book. It's my second favourite book in the whole world and I have been going on about it forever it seems. You all read the post where for Trailer of the Week I have chosen trailer for this exact  movie. Purely, for the fact that I have been counting down the days when this film comes out. I wanted to see it so badly. And probably I was not alone. Every fan of the book was counting down the days like me. 

So, on the day when the film hit the theatres, Good Friday (March 29th 2013) I was sat in the cinema, itching for the movie to start. I took two of my housemates with me so I could hear their opinions on the movie.

The reason why is because I am biased. I love the book too much so I could not watch it with eyes of person who was not compelled by it.

To be honest, since that day I took my sister to see it so I can create a more honest review of the film adaptation. But I am not sure if I can do it. But I will certainly try. 




So let's start then:

• Firstly, let's talk about the cast. We have Saoirse Ronan, Max Irons and Jake Abel who play our three main characters - Wanderer (Melanie), Jared and Ian. Personally I was really looking forward to see how Saoirse will cope with playing two different characters. But she did it brilliantly. I could honestly tell when she was Wanderer and when she was Melanie. I think Saoirse is a great actress and she did a fantastic job. She had great chemistry with both male actors Max and Jake. She is stunningly attractive and from various interviews I have seen with her, she is really smart and funny. She is the master of various accents. I wish I could hide my own accent as well as she did her irish one.  Max Irons was a great Jared although I found him very brutal on some occasions. I know that Jared in the book was like that as well so I will excuse him. But even then I found him quite cold. But he is good Jared. Strong leader, brilliant in action scenes, apparently he even learn how to drive while shooting the film. And he and Saoirse are a great couple. And lastly Jake Abel as Ian O'shea. You all know how much I am in love with the character so I would be very critical of the any actor who was chosen to take up on this role. But Jake did not disappoint me. He has a strong male presence and he is my Ian in my mind. Everything about him screamed to me that his Ian. And I adore the looks he showered Wanda with. His blue eyes are so beautiful. He looks really strong but soulful in the same time. As Stephenie Meyer wrote in her book. Ian is kind like a soul but strong as a human can be. And Jake is just like that.  So all in all I am very happy with the cast.

• Secondly, I was wondering how they will create the caves where our rebels against the soul's takeover are hiding. I love the world Andrew Nicoll created. The caves were just perfect and they looked like the ones I have imagined in my head. I love how they created the big mirrors in the big room. Although the rooms (individual's caves) were a little bit more modern that I have created them in my mind.

• Thirdly, I have to say that I did not like the way the director more preferred the relationship between Melanie and Jared. I know that it is important part of the story and it explains why Wanda decided to find out where Jared and Jamie are, but I felt like it was too much. In the book we don't have much of it. And there is no explanation why Ian fell in love with Wanda! We have some sort of looks he gives her. He stares at her a lot. And she looks back. And likes him back straight away. But this did not happen in the book. In the book is explained why he falls in love with her. How she got under his skin and found a way into his heart. And I was missing this so much in the movie. So so so much!!! 

• Fourthly, I am missing a lot of interactions between the characters. There isn't explained the friendship between Jeb and Wanda. There isn't an explanation how Jamie got to love Wanda same way as Melanie. And there isn't explained the friendship between the doc and Wanda. Actually there is no explanation why the people of the cave got to like Wanda. The whole part is missing. 

• I am missing a lot of dialogues between Wanda and Ian, Wanda and Jamie, Wanda and Doc, Wanda and Jeb, even Wanda and Jared. To be honest, I think the most important dialogues from the book are not in the movie at all. I think the biggest disappointment was there isn't the conversation between Ian and Wanda from last chapter of the book where she realises that she is in love with him and he is her soul mate. Or where Ian tells her that he is not in love with Melanie because he doesn't know her but he knows Wanda. And the most Jared talks is when he shouts at Wanda why he misses Melanie so so much. 

• Also, correct me if I am wrong but Wanda supposed to get beaten up a lot. Kyle supposed to break her ribs, she should not be able to walk for a little while (so Ian can carry her in his arms all the time),  and she should be bruised all over her body 75% of the time. But instead she has a little scar on her forehead. What is that all about?

• But I have to say that Diane Kruger was a really good Seeker. She portrayed the character very well and did a fantastic job showing how obsessed the Seeker became with Wanda/Melanie and why. And she did it while always looking glamourous. 

• And lastly, the biggest disappointment of them all is  Emily Browning who was picked to play the role of Wanda after she is taken out of Melanie's body. I am sorry. Emily might be a good actress, but she is not Wanda. She is not pretty as Wanda should be and she does not look like Wanda at all. Firstly I thought that it's my biased opinion because as you all know, in my head I am Wanda, but then I spoke to various other people who saw the movie (my sister, my friends and their friends) and we all agree on one thing - EMILY BROWNING IS NOT WANDA! Sorry, but the director made the wrong choice. She even doesn't fit Jake Abel. And Wanda and Ian are my favourite couple of all. So I am very particular about the actors fitting well together. 

• But I have to end this on a positive note. I think the cut is great. The story smoothly follows through even when a lot of it is missing. I can understand why the director put in a lot more action scenes than there are in the book. They need to make it more interesting for people who come to see the movie in the cinema. I love the costumes, the music and the whole set. Well done. 

Ok, so I told you what I like and what I don't like about this movie. I know that a lot of you will not agree with me. And that is ok. I compare it too much to the book. 

Therefore, I have asked what my friends thought about the movie. The ones who haven't read the book. And they all said that they have enjoyed it. They liked the sic-fi theme about alien takeover and they loved the whole love square between Wanda, Ian, Jared and Melanie. 

Even I have to say that if I would not read the book, I would really enjoy the movie on its own. Andrew Nicoll did a great job taken it from the paper to the big screen. Stephenie Meyer should be proud. 

Have you seen it yet? If not I recommend it. You will like it, but watch the movie first, so you don't pick on little bits like I did. You will enjoy the movie a lot more and the book will be a bigger better surprise if you decide to read it. 

Book 2 of The Mortal Instuments: CITY OF ASHES, Cassandra Clare

City Of Ashes is a second instalment of The Mortal Instruments.




Usually, I am very very vary about the second book. We all know my opinions about New Moon and Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets. But Cassandra Clare proved me wrong. 










Firstly, she made sure that I will be compelled to read the next book. The reason why as you probably all know the massive twist at the end of the first book. Clary and Jace supposed to be brother and sister, really? They are soul mates!! They should be together and make little shadow hunters together! But it seems that this will not happen !! My heart was broken when Valentine said those words that they are siblings! Hated it. Hated it. Hated it. But now I have to read on to find out if this is true or not. If them two are really not meant to be together. 

Secondly, the story is so amazing. I love the whole sha
dow hunter's world hidden in New York City.

As I said we left the story after Clary found out that she is Valentine's daughter and Jace's sister. She has just discovered this hidden world and we continue to follow her on the journey of how she will deal with this whole new situation. We also found out that Luke is a werewolf and her mother is in hospital in some very strange coma. Let's say she has a lot on her plate. And to all this she is in love with Jace - her own brother. And he is so in love with her. I love how Cassandra Clarke started write from Simon's, Clary's and Jace's point of view. 

And again, the story is full of surprises. Simon becomes a vampire and afterwards a vampire who can walk in the sun (thanks to Jace and his blood). We meet the Seelie Queen of Fairy Court (who is a first class bitch!) who tricks Clary and Jace to kiss (because Jace's kiss is the one Clary most desires). And at the end we all feel how heartbroken is Clary after Jace announces that from now on he will be like a brother to her. And of course, there is the rune power of Clary's where she destroys a whole ship. Wow.. a lot to go through isn't it?!?

So all in all City Of Ashes is a great second instalment. The first second instalment I have ever really enjoyed. 

Trailer Of The Week

The time of the week has come when I want to share the trailer of the week with you. I think you all got to know me a little more recently and you probably observed that I get engrossed with things very easily - especially books.

Last week it was The Host, this week it is all about Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments series. I have been obsessed with these books. I have to say The Host is my favourite book and I will always thank to Stephenie Meyer for bringing Wanda and Ian O'Shea to my life but Cassandra Clare has done even more. She made me to spend the whole week with Jace Wayland. Oh my!

So probably it doesn't surprise that the pick for this week's Trailer Of The Week is the first instalment:

CITY OF BONES

I cannot wait for this movie to come out. If this movie is as good as the trailer and it is at least half good as the book, we are for a treat! I think Jamie Campbell Bower is the perfect Jace! I think there were some rumours that Alex Pettyfer supposed to be Jace, but OH GOD NO!! In my head Jace is Jamie and Jamie is Jace. As to Lily Collins who playes the role of Clary. I have high hopes for her. I am so glad that she is not K-Stew type of actress and hopefully she will bring Clary to life the way Cassandra imagined it. I think I have been most surprised with the choice of Robert Sheehan as Simon. I remember Robert as Nathan on E4 show The Misfits. And I enjoyed his performance so much in this series so I hope he will bring the energy of Nathan to Simon. Especially in his witty dialogues which I love so much in the books. 

City Of Bones is due to be released August 23rd 2013. And I cannot wait. I cannot wait to see the world I imagine in my head on the big screen. And I am ready to fall in love with Jace Wayland :) 

I posted both trailers. The old one which attracted me to this movie in the first place and the brand new one which was only released this week. 

Let me know what you think.

Book 1 of The Mortal Instrumets : CITY OF BONES, Cassandra Clare

Oh Cassandra, Cassandra, Cassandra.. Thank you!! Thank you! Thank you!! I have absolutely and unconditionally fell in love with the story of The Mortal Instruments. So I thank you for creating a world of Shadow hunters, Demons, Vampires, Werewolves and bringing them to my favourite city in the world - New York.

City Of Bones is a great introduction to this series. I think that Cassandra couldn't write it any better. 

The story takes are to New York where we meet Clary and her best friend Simon. On a boring night in a club Clary witnesses a murder of boy (who turns out to be a demon) by three warriors. Right in the middle of the club. But only Clary can see what has happened! Later on one of the warriors - Jace, looks her out and introduce her to a world of Shadow hunters, Demons, Angels, Werewolves, Vampires, Warlocks and other mystical creatures. And Clary discovers that she also too is a shadow hunter.

I really liked how to book started. It was not a boring introduction, where we slowly get to know the characters. It doesn't tell us the history and there is no prologue. It takes you straight to the action. No messing around. I personally don't like the boring beginnings of the books, it actually puts me off ( The Beautiful Creatures is a prime example ). But Cassandra took me straight to middle of club where Clary is witnessing what she thinks is a murder. And it doesn't stop here. This book is packed with action, secrets, romance, witty dialogues. I have read it in two days. It simply captured my attention to extent where I wasn't able to put it down. I stayed up till late hours in the night. Read it on the bus. Took it to work and read through it every possible spare minute. I could not stop reading it. 

I fell in love with every single character. Well, at least all the main characters. 

Clary Fray. She reminds me a little bit of myself. Overprotective mother. Absent father (although hers died - at least she thought he did). Geek. Having not many friends. Feeling like there is something missing in her life. Feeling like an outsider. I love her strength. I admire her for the fact that she would do anything for the people she loves, even risking her own life. Yes, she is really reckless sometimes. She doesn't think things through before heading straight for the action. She gets herself in a lot of dangerous situations. But she is a good person and she loves with her whole heart - especially Jace. 

Jace Wayland. Oh Jace! How much I fell in love with Jace. He is the kind of guy - hard on the outside, soft on the inside. He is smart, strong, gorgeous. He has every girl at his feet. He is arrogant, witty and a bad boy attitude is shining right out of him. But he cares deeply for his family and eventually falls in love with this mundane girl who shows him how amazing love can be. 

Simon. Clary's geeky best friend who is secretly in love with her. He is extremely smart. Knows his comic books. He has a great sense of humour which shines through conversations he has not only with Clary but also Jace. I hope we will get to see more of the BROMANCE between Jace and Simon. I absolutely love their witty exchange of words. Simon always hits cleverly right back on Jace's remarks. 

Isabelle and Alec Lightwood.  They are great too. They are true fighters. They both firstly do not Clary but at the end they realise how much they actually do like her because Jace loves her and she makes Jace happy. And the fact that she saves all of their arses. 

I love the whole book so much. I love the whole world Cassandra created. Her descriptions of the world are so details that you can imagine in your head like it would actually really exist. At least I did. Every day I have spent in the mystical world which hidden from our ordinary mundane's eyes. The writing is clever and you want to read more and more. You get lost in the story even without realising it. The interactions between characters is very funny and it is what I like the most about about this book. On many occasions I found myself laughing out loud. The flirtation between Jace and Clary is absolutely amazing. It makes you want to feel that way in your own life. It makes you desire the kind of love they found. TRUE LOVE. 

But then the massive twist comes at the end and you are left stunned. Mouth widely opened. Tears coming down my face in shock. Seriously I was not expecting that!! But obviously Cassandra Clare knows where she wants the story to go. And this twist will make you want to read the next book straight away. Trust me, I did reach for the City Of Ashes immediately!

All in all, I really enjoyed City Of Bones very much. So much that I made my housemate to read it and I recommend it everywhere I go and to everyone I know.  

So what are you waiting for? Get yourself a copy and start reading. The movie is coming out in couple of months. And you want to be up-to-date :)