| BOOK - The Wicked Ones by Cassandra Clare and Robin Wasserman |

THE WICKED ONES

'It seemed unfair that the city was so full of stone creatures who could feel nothing and here she was, feeling so unbearably much.' 

SYNOPSIS: A story about Brother Zachariah, Celine Montclaire, and the other members of the Circle.

RATING: 4.5/5

REVIEW: 

I found the story in this quite interesting. It showed a lot about human nature especially with regards to Celine Montclaire. She had to endure many hardships and we get to see her make choices based from those hardships. It's interesting to know more about the Circle Members even though it's just Robert, Stephen, and Valentine. Also, Cassandra Clare's writing about Paris was beautiful.

On the other hand, I really enjoyed seeing Jem finding something concrete about the quest he is doing.

SHOULD YOU READ IT: If you want to know more about Celine Montclaire - Jace's mother and the progress with Jem's quest, then absolutely.

• I really loved reading about Paris. It seemed so beautiful yet sad on Celine's eyes.
• It's funny to see that Stephen inherited the bird phobia - he's afraid of pigeons.
• It's interesting to see Stephen Herondale here. He inherited the Herondale sarcasm/humor, phobia, and looks yet he's so different than the ones we knew. 
• I have mixed feelings about Celine. I can understand the loneliness she went through but I didn't like the choices the she made. I always thought that Valentine forced her to marry Stephen but it seemed like they forced Stephen. I never imagined that she would be in cahoots with Valentine based on what was mentioned of her in the Mortal Instruments. It's really interesting how her experiences shaped her to be the person she is. If only Brother Zachariah spent more time with her.
• It's heartbreaking to read about what Celine had to go through when she was young. Her parents were such asshole and they deserved what they got. I just didn't really like the fact that Celine was the one who finalized their fate.
• It's funny to read about Shadowhunters knowing about Pop Culture.
• I really liked finding out that the Lost Herondale that Jem is seeking is a woman. I like Rosemary. She's feisty. I wonder if she is Kit Herondale's mother? She's kind of close to their timeline because this during the Circle's time.
• I really hated that Celine and Jem only had a minor interaction. I wonder what Celine's future would have been if Jem had been able to reach out to her?
• WHAT HAPPENED?
• Celine, Stephen, and Robert were under a mission to observe a certain warlock by Valentine. Celine is in love with Stephen and is not trying to show it.
• They tried to invade the Warlock's stall in the Night Market but she got one on them. She managed to put a love potion on Stephen so that he'll fall for Celine which shocked her.
• They managed to capture the warlock and tie her up and torture her. Celine overheard Robert and Stephen talking about the fact that they look at her as someone immature and always in need of someone.
• Celine decides to roam around Paris while mourning her feelings for Stephen. She encountered Rosemary and Jack and even saves Rosemary from demons. Rosemary warned her about Valentine.
• Meanwhile, Jem managed to track Jack Crow whom he believes to be the Lost Herondale. They agreed to meet sometime in the afternoon. Jem also encountered Celine in the Shadow Market and they bonded on their love for certain Herondales.
• Jack Crow did not come to their meeting place. Instead, Jem encountered Rosemary. He realized that she's the Lost Herondale and not Jack. He gave her back the Herondale locked with a spell on it in case she ever needed her help. He did not force her to come with him.
• Celine went to Valentine's home where she encountered him killing the warlock they interrogated after finding out that Valentine paid her and in cahoots with him. He framed the Shadowhunters they were tracking just to get rid of them. Celine found out that it was her parents who were being framed yet she did not do anything to set them free. Celine accepted her destiny with Valentine who will give her Stephen.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"You sure there's not some kind of rune to keep those foul beasts away?" Stephen Herondale said as a thunderous flutter of wings descended. He ducked, whacked blindly at his feathered foe.
The flock of pigeons quick passed, without dealing any mortal blows. Celine waved off a couple of stragglers, and Stephen breathed a sign of relief.
"My hero," he said.

"The great Herondale warrior afraid of pigeons?" she teased, hoping he wouldn't hear the quaver in her voice.
"Not afraid. Simply exhibiting a prudent amount of caution in the face of a potentially demonic creature."
"Demon pigeons?"
"I look upon them with great suspicion," Stephen said with as much dignity as a pigeon-phobe could muster.

"It's like an Eidolon demon tried turning into Cyndi Lauper and accidentally got stuck midway through," Celine joked.
"Huh?" Robert said. "Is that another warlock?"
Stephen smirked. "Yeah, Robert. Another warlock. The Clave executed her 'cause she just wanted to have fun."

I sometimes think there is nothing more painful than love denied. To love someone you cannot have, to stand beside your heart's desire and be unable to take them in your arms. A love that cannot be requited. I can think of nothing more painful than that.

Feelings is what makes us human. Even the most difficult feelings. Perhaps especially those. Love, loss, longing -- this is what it means to be truly alive.

It would be unjust to blame the past for the choices made in the present. Nor can we justify present choices by invoking sins of the past.

We always have a choice, Jem said, and for once, the voice in her mind sounded lie him, warm and close. It's not always the choice we would want, but it's a choice nonetheless. The past happens to us. But we choose our future.

| BOOK - City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab |

CITY OF GHOSTS

'
"Watch and listen, see and know. This is what you are."'

SYNOPSIS: A story a girl who started to see ghosts after she almost died.

RATING: 4.25/5

REVIEW: 

The plot isn't really that unique but it's interesting to see how Victoria Schwab wrote her version. I love how the story unfolded and the way she wrote about the setting allowed you to imagine it vividly. There were creepy moments especially whenever the different restless ghosts were mentioned. Nothing mind blowing happened but it is enjoyable.

You won't fall in love with the characters but you'll find them interesting. I love Jacob. His sarcasm and reactions to things Cassidy did was very entertaining to read about. I love how he seems to genuinely care for Cassidy. The villain was also interesting to read about. She's not really evil but rather super twisted.

Overall, it was such a simple and short read but really interesting. I'm really interested in continuing the series when the next book comes out.

SHOULD YOU READ IT: If you want something short but interesting then yes.

• I wonder what Jacob did in this past and how he came to the rescue of Cassidy. I wonder what will happen in the future. Seeing different ghosts from various sources makes you seriously think which type he'll become.
• I love the subtle Harry Potter mention for the Potterheads. 
• I didn't like Lara in the beginning. She seemed bossy and she's mean towards Jacob but I warmed up to her in the latter part especially when she rescued them and when Cassidy found out that she never released her grandfather.
• I love the concept of people who come from the dead being able to have the powers to release them. Most ghosts just probably want to be free and I'm glad that there is someone there for them. I wonder what type of ghosts will Cassidy be facing in the next book?
• I really like Findley. Even though he's just a minor character, he seemed so welcoming and he helped Cassidy a lot.
• I was really creeped out on the different settings in Scotland that were mentioned. It seemed that there is so much dark history there and you can see why Victoria Schwab used it as the setting for this book.
• I got really tensed when Cassidy's light was stolen by the Raven in Red. It was such a fast paced part of the story and I liked it.
• WHAT HAPPENED?
• Cassidy discussed how she can see ghosts after she almost died and she befriended one, Jacob.
• She decided to visit the auditorium on her school and found a ghost there who she freed.
• Her parents informed her that their book got turned into a tv series starring them and because of it, they'll spend summer in Scotland.
• Her parents filmed their tv series on different locations in Scotland.
• Her mother took her to a church with a graveyard where she first encountered vicious ghosts and the Raven in Red.
• The next one was the vaults and where Cassidy was pulled by the other world without her control. The ghosts there were vicious and she ran away for her safety.
• She saw Lara outside the vaults and she found out that they are supposed to be ghost hunters. They're supposed to free ghosts from their trapped existence.
• They went to a hanging grounds where Cassidy did not feel safe again.
• She decided not to join them for the castle but she met up with Lara and Lara discussed their duty once again and even demonstrated about what they should do. Lara told her to stay away from the Raven in Red because if the Raven got her light, she'll be able to wreak havoc and Cassidy will die once again.
• Findley took Cassidy to the castle where she encountered the Raven once again. She took Jacob and was able to trap Cassidy and take her light. Cassidy got trapped in the other world.
• She and Jacob did their best to follow the Raven while trying to contact Lana. They encountered other ghosts that the Raven used as defense. Meanwhile, the Raven was digging up her own body so that she can resurrect herself using Cassidy's light. Cassidy, Jacob, Lana, and Findley did their best to fight the Raven and won.
• Cassidy got grounded because she went missing during the fight. Lana gave her a mirror as defense. 

FAVORITE QUOTES:

Just because you can't see them doesn't mean they aren't there.

The living may take strength from love and hope, but the dead grow strong on darker things. On pain and anger and regret.

I can't read his, but all things considered, I would rather be alive and not psychic than psychic and a ghost.
He looks up at the word ghost and clears his throat. "I prefer the phrase 'corporeally challenged.'"

But when you take a photograph, things stay still. The way that they were, is the way that they are, is the way that they will always be. 
Which is why I love pictures.

"Fine, seven," I say as we reach my street, "but I get final approval. And no Batman."
He looks aghast. "You heathen."

So my parents talk about-- or write about-- ghosts, but can't actually see them.
I can actually see ghosts, but don't want to talk-- or write --about them. 
I'm pretty sure that's called irony.

As Mom and I make our way to the graveyard, I can practically hear Jacob in my head, uttering a low, sarcastic yaaaaaay.

"Stories have power," she says. "So long as you believe them."

"Well, this is a whole lot of nope," says Jacob, backing away.

This isn't so bad, I think, right before Mom tells me that it used to be an execution ground. Why am I even surprised?

Dad gestures to a low stone slab, a marker on the ground. "See that, Cassidy? Hundreds were put to death right here."
The Veil turns leaden as I reach out to run my hand along the marker.
"Haha noooo," says Jacob, shooing me away.

"You've always been so sensitive to those things."
"Drowning didn't help," offers Jacob cheerfully. 

"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Don't freak out," I say slowly.
His eyes narrow. "That's really not the way to start a sentence if you want me to stay calm."

"Watch and listen, see and know. This is what you are."