Thursday, December 5, 2013

Audio Review: Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, #2) by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, #2)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Narrator: Ed Westwick and Heather Lind
Published by: Simon & Schuster Audio
Length: 15hrs., 39 mins
Source: Library
Format: Audio
Rating: 4 stars

Summary from Goodreads: The situation at the London Institute has never been more precarious. With Mortmain and his clockwork army still threatening, the Council wants to strip Charlotte of her power and hand the running of the Enclave over to the unscrupulous and power-hungry Benedict Lightwood. In the hope of saving Charlotte and the Institute, Will, Jem, and Tessa set out to unravel the secrets of Mortmain’s past—and discover unsettling Shadowhunter connections that hold the key not only to the enemy’s motivations, but also to the secret of Tessa’s identity. Tessa, already caught between the affections of Will and Jem, finds herself with another choice to make when she learns how the Shadowhunters helped make her a “monster.” Will she turn from them to her brother, Nate, who has been begging her to join him at Mortmain’s side? Where will her loyalties—and love—lie? Tessa alone can choose to save the Shadowhunters of London…or end them forever.

Clockwork Prince defies the sophomore slump and unfolds a tale of intrigue, action, and heartbreak.

I have to admit that I wasn't a huge fan of Clockwork Angel and I didn't think I would continue TID series, however, when it was released that Ed Westwick would be reading the audio for Clockwork Prince how could I say no?  Seriously, listen to this demo.  I don't care what the story is, if Ed Westwick is the narrator I'm listening to it.     

Besides the audio being amazing, the story itself was so much better than the first.  I was enraptured by the characters, as they didn't feel as stiff or as forced as they did in the first novel.  However, as bad as it sounds, I still am not a fan of Tessa.  She is the kind of person that everyone wants to help and protect, and she isn't deceitful or anything, but she puts herself and others in situations that are dangerous, cruel, and complicated.  As much as she tries to be strong and independent, I just see her as a weak person that unknowingly and unintentionally manipulates others.  She doesn't do any of this on purpose and I'm sure she is loved by many people, she was just not my type of heroine.  Then there is he love triangle between her, Jem, and Will.  It really becomes more prominent in Clockwork Prince and only serves to become an entangled mess that makes me very scared how Cassandra Clare is going to work her way out of it.

The plot is a bit more intense in this novel and the action increases multi-fold.  More secrets and mysteries are discovered leading to Mortmain's plans and the downfall of the Shadowhunters.   The characters are what makes this series, but the action is an added bonus to keep you on your toes and always wondering what was going to happen next.

All-in-all, Clockwork Prince exceeded my expectations and while I'm a bit nauseous over the idea of how Cassandra Clare is going to work out Tessa's love life, I'm still excited to read Clockwork Princess


Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Audio Review: Walking Disaster (Beautiful, #2) by Jamie McGuire

Title: Walking Disaster (Beautiful, #2)
Author: Jamie McGuire
Narrator: Dan Bittner
Published by: Simon and Schuster Audio
Length: 11 hrs. 26 min
Source: Publisher*
Format: Audio
Rating: 2.5 stars


Summary from Goodreads: Can you love someone too much?

Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes.

 Explosive, sexy, and a bit unsettling.


The whole thought of reading the same story from two different points of views is quite interesting.  When you really like characters you want more of them, but the story itself may not lead to being part of a series, so instead Jamie McGuire took her story and gave us Travis's POV. 

Was Walking Disaster as good as Beautiful Disaster?  It is hard to say, because the essential story is the same we just hear it from Travis's head, which I have to say can be a scary place to be.  I enjoyed Beautiful Disaster, but I had an issue with Travis's and Abby's somewhat unhealthy relationship.  Walking Disaster only brings that out more for me.  Travis was very possessive and at times controlling.  Normally I love books from male POVs, but with Dan Bittner sounding exactly like I imagined Travis would (cockiness and all) Walking Disaster just made me too uncomfortable.

Besides their somewhat train-wreck of a relationship, the rest of the story was just as enjoyable as the original.  Jamie McGuire sure knows how to turn up the heat.  Listening to the audio at times almost felt a little uncomfortable with the scorching sex scenes.  I would at times look to the person next to me at the gym and think "if they only knew what I was listening to right now?"  

The one thing I really enjoyed about the book was the prologue and epilogue.  They were intriguing and wrapped up some loose ends.  I don't want to give too much away, but I love how they added to the story and enriched it.

Walking Disaster is sure to keep Jamie McGuire fans happy and satisfied.  However, for me Travis was just too intense, but if you enjoyed Beautiful Disaster I think you will enjoy Walking Disaster as well.   

*I did receive this audio for review, but I was not compensated for this post in anyway and all opinions are my own.