'Women should value other women, even if society often did not.'
SYNOPSIS: A story about Anna Lightwood, Cecily and Gabriel's daughter. RATING: 5/5
REVIEW: Anna Lightwood's introduction story was really lovely to read. I love her. She is amazing. I felt bad for her because of what happened with her love life but I love the fact that her family is awesome. Cecily and Gabriel are awesome parents and I hope other parents are like that. Also, Cassandra Clare was able to include an important point in Jem's part in this story. I really liked knowing that but I want more. I need a name!
SHOULD YOU READ IT: Absolutely. Anna Lightwood is an amazing character.
It was funny to find out how oblivious Christopher is towards Anna taking his clothes. Also, it was funny to find out that his clothes suffered because of his experiments. It's so like him.
It was funny to remember Benedict Lightwood as a worm.
It was interesting to meet another warlock (Leopolda Stain) even if she was evil.
I'm really curious as to who Tessa's father is (which Greater Demon). Argh! I want to know.
It was nice to see the children of the lead character of the Infernal Device series interact with each other.
It was really heartbreaking to find out that Ariadne is engaged to Charles. I felt really bad for Anna (even though things kind of happened fast with their flirting) because she fell for Ariadne hard and Ariadne reciprocated her feelings but doesn't want act on it.
I'm really happy that Cecily and Gabriel accepted Anna for who she is even before she told them. I'm proud of them as her parents.
SHORT SUMMARY:
Anna Lightwood was rummaging through her brother's things in search of a decent outfit to wear. She was more relaxed wearing suits rather than dresses. Her fun was interrupted when Cecily told her to come down.
They went to the Inquisitor's house where Anna met Ariadne, the Inquisitor's adoptive daughter. Anna fell for her.
The Herondales, Fairchild, and Lightwoods met up (cousins and children of family friends) but Anna was distracted with the thought of Ariadne. She also noticed that something's been wrong with Matthew ever since Charlotte's miscarriage.
Anna and Matthew sneaked out and went to a gathering with downworlders. They met Leopolda Stain.
Anna and Ariadne spent some time together and flirted. Anna decided to bring Ariadne to the place where Matthew took her.
They interrupted a ritual performed by Leopolda and fought the demons she summoned. Jem arrived and helped them. He interrogated Leopolda and told her that he knew she was a friend of Mortmain. She told him about Tessa's father. How he was the greatest Eidolon demon and a prince of hell. Leopolda was killed by Woolsey's werewolves.
Anna took Ariadne home and helped her with her wounds. They spent the night together and even kissed. Anna went home in the morning. When she returned, she went to Ariadne's and found out that she was engaged to Charles Fairchild. Anna confessed her love for Ariadne but Ariadne told her that she'll still marry Charles.
Anna went home. Heartbroken. Cecily comforted her and told her that she knows what happened. Her mother decided to give her a suit. The outfit she always wanted. She cut her hair afterwards.
She went down to her parents and they complimented her new look.
FAVORITE QUOTES:
"Have you cause any explosions?" she asked Anna. "Not yet," Anna replied. "But the evening is young." "I understand your family has a very interesting history," Ariadne said. "My grandfather was a worm, if that's what you mean," Anna said. Ariadne laughed aloud. "You didn't like him?" "I didn't know him," Anna said. "He was, quite literally, a worm." "I have always known you, my love," Cecily said. "Youare the gem of my heart. My firstborn. My Anna."
'Consider that by trying to cut yourself off from the possibility of being hurt, you shut the door on love and live in darkness.'
SYNOPSIS: A story about Jace's first arrival to the Lightwood family. RATING: 4.25/5
REVIEW: This was an interesting start to a new anthology by Cassandra Clare. It's nice to see Jem/Brother Zachariah, Raphael, Lily, and the Lightwoods again. The story wasn't really that relevant to the current events in the ongoing series by Cassandra Clare but it was interesting to see Jace when he first arrived in the New York Institute.
SHOULD YOU READ IT: Sure. It was a quick read.
I absolutely loved seeing Raphael again (even though it broke my heart). We get to see him mad at the thought of shadowhunters hurting Magnus Bane (which touched my heart so much). It was funny to see him deny his bond with the warlocks (i.e. Ragnor Fell).
Lily's random nickname for Zachariah was both funny and cringe-worthy HAHA.
It's heartbreaking to find out that Lily had a thing for Raphael and he was so indifferent towards her feelings.
Young Max is so adorable to read about especially since he quickly clings to Jace.
"My father used to tell a joke about having another Jonathan" - Oh Jace you sweet summer child.
It's funny that Maryse keeps making Jebediah the most common name rather than John.
It was heartbreaking to see Jace trying to adjust and be a good boy towards the Lightwoods. He was even willing to change his name for them to like him. Oh Valentine, you evil bastard.
SHORT SUMMARY:
Raphael approached Brother Zachariah in the Shadow Market to inform him that a large shipment of Yin Fen will be arriving in New York.
Zachariah told him to inform the New York Institute to get help in preventing the cargo from touching New York. Raphael doesn't want to ask help from the New York Institute because they know what the Lightwoods have done.
Zachariah was able to convince Raphael, Lily, himself, and the Lightwoods to team up.
They sneaked into the boat and defeat the werewolves. All of them fought including the young Jace who was aboard the ship.
They prevented the Yin Fen from arriving and was able to fetch Jace and take him to the New York Institute.
The residents of the New York Institute was intrigued by their new member, Jace. Maryse takes him into her wing.
FAVORITE QUOTES:
"The Whitelaws died defending Downworlders from the people who now occupy their institute." Zachariah felt he had become acquainted with another reason, besides Magnus's evil vampire ex, why Magnus always seemed to develop a migraine when people mentioned the vampire clan of New York in his presence.
'I'm glad to have met you both, Zachariah added." "I can't imagine why," said Raphael. "Those names Lily came up with were very bad." "If you pretend to feel nothing, the pretense may become true, said Jem. That would be a pity." All these people were struggling not to feel, trying to freeze their hearts inside their chests until the cold fractured and broke them. While Jem would have given every cold tomorrow he had for one more day with a warm heart, to love them as he once had. If life is a wheel, it will bring you back to me. All I must do is keep faith.
SYNOPSIS: A boy tries to pursue his passion for music even if it's against his family's wishes.
RATING: 10/10 REVIEW: I loved this movie. The animation was so beautiful. The story was fun and heartbreaking. I really loved the way everything unfolded. There was justice for the characters that suffered a lot and karma to the one who caused their suffering. I loved that Miguel pursued his passion even if there are many people against it. I loved the family aspect of this. Also, I loved the songs - the fun ones and the heartbreaking ones.
SHOULD YOU WATCH IT: Absolutely! Especially if you want to watch something very beautiful. WOULD I WATCH IT AGAIN: Yes (Already watched this 3x).
Imelda's spirit animal was so amazing. It was such a magnificent creature and it doesn't make sense that she wasn't able to catch up with Miguel immediately.
I love Miguel and Hector's relationship. Even before they discovered that they were related.
I love that Coco recovered after hearing Hector's song. It was such a heartbreaking scene especially since Hector was beginning to disappear in the Land of the Dead.
I love that Imelda and Hector got back together. They truly loved each other and I hate that Ernesto ruined their love.
I hate Ernesto so much. He's such a vain and evil character. I'm grateful that the world discovered what he did and he got what he deserved.
I love the bond between Miguel and his family. You can really see why they had an issue with his passion in the beginning but you can see that they accepted him after the issue had been resolved.
Top 5 Wednesday is group that was created by Lainey and is currently hosted by Samantha. A topic is posted every month wherein if you want to, you can post about your top 5 picks for said topics.
The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan (5/5) I really enjoyed reading this installment from the Trials of Apollo series. So many amazing things happened - fun and heartbreaking ones. I enjoyed seeing the relationship between characters develop more. I can't wait for the next one!
Every Exquisite Things by Cassandra Clare (5/5) I'm really liking the short stories included in The Ghost of the Shadow Market anthology. Each one has its own focus and heartbreaking moments and they're really interesting to read. However, this is my favorite one. I really like the way Cassandra Clare introduced Anna Lightwood. She's an amazing character and I can't wait to see more of her in The Last Hours series.
Circe by Madeline Miller (4.5/5) I don't really know much about Circe so this story really introduced me to her. She's such a powerful character and it's amazing that Madeline Miller was able to create such an interesting take on her life.
The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken(4.25/5) This was an interesting read. For a middle grade story, I had fun even though I'm already in my 20s. I really liked the relationship between the characters. It was interesting to see what happened between Alastor and the Redding family.
The Oracle Queen by Kendare Blake (4.25/5) For quite some time now I've been curious as to why Oracle Queen's are banned in the present time of the Three Dark Crowns series. Even though this was only a short story, it broke my heart to find out the truth. I'm still angry about what happened and I hope we get to see some revenge.
Since we're on the second half of the year, here is a summary of the shows I watched during the months of January - June: TV SERIES
Medium (7.8/10)
I really enjoyed watching this. There were fun moments and heartbreaking moments but I really disliked the ending.
Forever (8.6/10)
I like this. It was a very interesting series and I hate that it was canceled.
Brooklyn Nine Nine (12/10)
This is such an amazing series. It was funny but there was still a lot of serious scenes. The cast and their relationship with each other was perfect.
KDRAMA
Because This is My Life (7.6/10)
It was a very interesting kdrama. It talked a lot about an adult life. However, I was not in the mood when I watched it so I didn't connect with it much.
A Korean Odyssey (3.5/10)
I really hate this one. The effects were amazing but the story was messed up. I did not like any of relationship.
I'm Not a Robot (9.3/10)
This was a beautiful kdrama. I really enjoyed it. I liked the relationship of the cast.
Go Back Couple (9.7/10)
I absolutely loved this kdrama. The relationship between the characters was adorable. It was funny at first but it got serious as the story progressed. It was able to deliver an amazing kdrama even though it only had 12 episodes.
ANIME
ReLife (10/10)
I loved this. It was so fun and relatable to watch. I wish that there was more episodes.
Angel Beats (7.8/10)
It was a very interesting anime. Lots of action. It was enjoyable but I didn't really feel much for the characters.
Daily Lives of High School Boys (6.8/10)
It was fun anime. Not much thinking needed. If you want something very light, watch this.
Violet Evergarden (8.8/10)
I loved this but it made me cry a lot. Also, the animation was very beautiful.
Overlord II (8/10)
I liked this anime but nothing much really happened in this season. Also, it ended in a weak note.
Log Horizon Season 1 (8.5/10)
I enjoyed watching this. It was fun but there were still serious parts.
Shingeki no Kyoujin (9.5/10)
I regret not watching this before. It was such an amazing anime even though I don't like gruesome scenes.
Clean Freak! Aoyama kun (7.3/10)
Another light anime. It was such an easy watch but nothing much happened. Nothing to connect to there.
Shokugeki no Soma S3E13 - S3E24 (9/10)
I really like the fights in this part of the anime but I wished there was more. Also, I hated that it ended in the middle of the contest/tournament.
I haven't been able to make a review yet for any of the shows I've watched this 2018 but I will make it. Wish me goodluck!
It was interesting seeing a young Jace and Jem's interactions with Raphael and the other vampires.
Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi (4/5)
It was an interesting take on the Indian Mythology. I liked what happened and the characters but it did remind me a lot of the first book of Percy Jackson.
