Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. The Book Report

I spent the entire weekend dutifully devouring the latest novel from phenomenal author-- and New York Times Bestseller, Cassandra Clare-- Clockwork Angel.

And it got me out of my "I need Mockingjay" funk.

The first in a new series, The Infernal Devices, the story is a prequel to her debut series The Mortal Instruments (City of Bones, City of Ashes and City of Glass) and is set in the atmospheric and gloomy backdrop of Victorian London in 1878.
Once again, we delve into the world of the Shadowhunters.
For those of you not in the know-- and for shame if you aren’t-- The Shadowhunter’s are a group of clandestine demon hunters that reside all across the world and originate from Idris.
And, to be honest, they’re fricking awesome and you should get yourself formally acquainted.
Anyway, this is the premise for Clockwork Angel.

“Magic is Dangerous.
Love is more dangerous still
When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray arrives in England during the reign of Queen Victoria, something terrifying is waiting for her in London’s Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gas lit streets. Friendless and hunted, Tessa seeks refuge with the Shadowhunters, a band of warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, Drawn ever deeper into their world, she finds herself fascinated by-- and torn between-- two best friends and quickly realizes that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.”

Okay, I’ll admit, at first I was hesitant. Not because of Clare’s writing, which I have complete confidence in and marvel at just how talented she is. She writes compelling and beautiful prose that’s captivating but not overwhelming and not pretentious or overly decadent like other writers--(Stephen King: Here’s looking at you, kid)-- I was never able to really get into the whole Victorian novel, until Clockwork Angel came along. I feared that, like Pride and Prejudice, The Age of Innocence and others of the kind; I would not be able to handle it.
My fears were unfounded.
Just like The Mortal Instruments series (which, along with Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and The Darkest Powers series, is one of my favourite series to read and re-read), Clockwork Angel is action packed and thrilling, as well as ridiculously hilarious.
Considering I read the majority of the book in public places, and got very funny looks from the bouncer when I had it in my handbag in the nightclub, the fact that I gaped, laughed and cried made some people kind of uncomfortable.
But you know what?
It was so worth it.

Let’s break this down into three parts:

The plot:

It was a completely original plot, like nothing I have ever seen before. Usually, due to the amount of books I have read, and bookshelves I have broken, I can predict things before they happen. Not this time. Every twist and turn just sucked me deeper into the maelstrom of suspense and action and kept me utterly hooked till the very last page, where I cried out, begging for more.

Ugh, that sounds kind of kinky. Ignore that.

In other words, the story is ridonkulously awesome.
Another plus is that, even if you haven’t read The Mortal Instruments series, you can read the Infernal devices (Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, Clockwork Princess) and understand the Shadowhunter world and customs almost instantly. Just enjoy revelling in the Steampunk-y goodness.

*Note: If you giggled at the word Steampunk, join the club! You’re as big a kid as me*

And guys, if you’re worried that the story will be too “girly” for you; think again.

Considering the first line reads:

“The demon exploded in a shower of ichor and guts”

I don’t think you’re going to have a problem.

Next:

Romance:

One word.

HOT!

Clare has this wonderful knack of writing drool worthy boys. Although I did miss my Simon (My favourite character from TMI, as well as Isabelle, even though they’re all awesome), I was easily distracted by the amazesome-ness -- (just coined a phrase.)-- That is Will Herondale and Jem Carstairs.

For the first time in my life, I can’t choose a team.

Yes, I am a team chooser, so sue me.
Although that is the very definition of a frivolous lawsuit.

Will: Tall, black hair, blue eyes, hilarious, irritating and lovable at the same time.
Jem: Tall, Silver hair, Silver eyes, very funny, and possibly the sweetest boy alive….


I honestly can’t decide.

Insert growling noise here.

Both grow fascinated with Tessa, who has *spoiler alert* the ability to change her appearance and absorb a person’s memories and feelings while she becomes them.

Which, to be honest, is one of the coolest powers I’ve ever heard of in fiction.

Also, I want it.

Anyway….

There are two seriously smouldering scenes that leave the reader breathless.

And all because of a hand.

Just a gloved hand.

But wow.

Sorry, I digress.


The romance element is breathtaking, but there is enough action and suspense to suit everyone.

And finally.

The Characters:

Like all of Clare’s characters, everyone is likeable but complex and compelling and you genuinely grow to care for them. So much so that they almost seem like real people.
Another plus is that they’re all freaking hilarious.

Possibly my favourite line (one of many) would have to be from Mr. Will Herondale. If you read the Mortal Instruments series, you’ll see where Jace gets his sense of humour from.
Actually, I think Will is funnier.
Actually, I think Clockwork Angel, as a whole, is funnier.
And that’s saying something, folks.

Will Herondale:

“Miss Gray, Let me give you a piece of advice. The handsome young fellow who’s trying to rescue you from a hideous fate is never wrong. Not even if he says the sky is purple and made of hedgehogs”

Or:

“You know” Gabriel said, “there was a time I thought we could be friends, Will.”
“There was a time I thought I was a ferret,” Will said, “but that turned out to be an opium haze. Did you know it had that effect? Because I didn’t.”


But Will is not the only hilarious person. Each character has biting wit and cleverness that left my sides sore from laughing.

I do love a funny female protagonist; and Tessa delivers.
As does Charlotte, Sophie and Jessamine.

God, I love them all. It’s ridiculous.

Also, I am happy to report that there is an appearance by the one and only, three different kinds of fabulous Warlock, Magnus Bane.
I mean seriously, what’s not to love?

Overall:

As a whole, this book ticked every box for me, and I’m desperate for the next copy. I’ll have to sate my need for City of Fallen Angels (the next book in the Mortal Instruments series--Boo to the Yah!) by reading and re-reading Clockwork and Angel and the others.

Time well spent.

5/5 Stars.

Amazeballs.

Dark and twisted....just like I like it.

It's been a while, and I'm bored, so I thought I might get off my hindquarters and do a review. This time, it's another compare and contrast. The subject? The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by the late Swedish crime writer, Stieg Larsson.



The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo:




The Film:

Thankfully, for fans and converts alike, the film is pretty true to the plot of the book, but it takes allowances that only prove to make the film better, rather than butchering the heart out of the story. This is how a book to film adaption should be made. Take note.

So, for those of you who haven't popped your "The Girl" cherries yet, here's a pretty basic plot summary.

Henrik Vanger is an industrialist with a terrible secret. Every year on his birthday he receives a pressed flower in a picture frame, similar to the ones he received from his favourite niece, Harriet.
The problem is, Harriet has been missing, presumed dead, for the last forty years. Henrik is certain that her killer is taunting him and seeks resolution, finally.


He contacts disgraced journalist, Mikael Blomkvist, to solve the forty year old mystery and put Harriet's mystery to rest. Blomkvist moves to the family's island and uncovers some dark secrets, and calls upon the help of master Hacker, Lisbeth Salander. What they uncover is shocking, hut-wrenching and heart-breaking all at once, and proves to be one of the most thrilling crime novels of the past decades.

So screw you, James Patterson.

The film, like I said, differs only slightly from the book, but everything is tied together nicely, and heightened from the superb performances from Noomi Rapace and Michael Nyqvist.

The highlight of the tale, of course, is the girl with the dragon tattoo, Lisbeth Salander. Noomi Rapace is captivating in the role, taking the character wholeheartedly and convincingly. In a superb performance, I'm sure this woman will go a long way after the franchise is finished. She holds the screen magnificently, and never shies away from the hard-core nausea inducing scenes, while maintaining the character's cynicism and indifference, coupled with a hatred of vulnerability that makes Lisbeth so hard faced, yet kick ass.

The film travels smoothly from one scene to another, no apparent plot holes to fall into and stunning aerial shots of Sweden. There is great Chemistry from the entire cast, and even the most vile characters are portrayed to perfection.

I was sceptical about watching the film. Not because I thought it would be bad, quite the contrary, I knew it would be excellent as reading the book is like reading a script, once the embezzlement and logistics are over (thank god for pg 42 onwards, or else I think I would have cracked up). My problem is subtitles. Shock and or horror.

Foreign films are fine; They're actually pretty cool most of the time, but as a glasses wearer and, let's face it, an easily distracted person, I thought the subtitles would take away from the film.

However, for the subtitle phobic, the DVD does offer a dubbed audio, which was helpful, but I decided to try the subtitles and be done with it.

I wasn't sorry.

The dubbed version takes away from the film. I watched ten minutes on dubs, and felt two things;

1) I thought I might be having a stroke.

2) It reminded me of one of those old Bruce-Lee flicks.

I hate out of sequence dubbing, so Subtitles were the way to go with this.

I'll get over my aversion to them eventually....I hope. Definitely in time for the sequel, The Girl who played with Fire, die out August 24th. (Same day as Mockingjay. Mark your calenders.)


The film is phenomenal. A non-stop, thrill a minute thriller that doesn't seem to drag, surprisingly, even when nothing consequential actually happens. I hold this solely to Noomi Rapace as the beautiful, broken, dangerous and damaged Lisbeth Salander. Definitely one for a Saturday night in, or any night in for that matter.

Now, here we go.



How does it compare to the book?:



Like I said, this is how an adaption should be. True to the source material, and the only changes are the ones that have little or no consequence. Thankfully they got one thing totally right, and if they didn't, the film would have been an unmitigated disaster.

Lisbeth.

Lisbeth is, without a doubt, one of the most captivating and compelling protagonists in literature. She's completely crazy, there's no questioning that, but she is able to rationalise everything she does, and you believe her. She's a certified genius, but she's broken. You can tell just by what she says and how she reacts that she was hurt in her life, and how every little thing can affect her differently to how you would expect. She doesn't react how you expect her to react. She doesn't think like you expect her to think. It's refreshing.

I loved Lisbeth. Especially with the tattoo gun.... not a spoiler, just brilliant. She's resourceful and just plain old awesome of the highest order.

The book drags a little more than the film does, but that's to be expected from a 480 page book. I thought I would hate it from the beginning, as all there was was business this and conspiracy that and blah blah blah. The Lisbeth came and the fun began to start and I couldn't put it down.

This is a book for everyone who enjoys a good mystery, but not for those of a nervous disposition. Everyone I know who has read it has had the same adverse reaction to a particularly grizzly scene involving a budgie. Don't ask, just read.

Intrigued? You should be. If not, I probably didn't do this justice, but trust me on this like you trust Baz Luhrman on the sunscreen and Chris Nolan with a film.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is sure to become one of those novels that transcends generations and timelines, and like Harry Potter and a Picture of Dorian Gray, will be around forever.


If you like this...:



Films: Inception,
Let the right one in,
The departed,
Don't say a word,
Just general crime capers.


TV: Castle.....Just watch it, it's awe....quite a bit!


Books:

The millennium trilogy, obviously.

The Sean and Michelle books by David Baldacci (Split Second, Hour Game, Simple Genius, First Family)

Promise me by Harlan Coben,

Possibly John Connolly books like The Lovers, I'm not a huge fan, but maybe for other people.

and for the YA enthusiasts:

The Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead.
(Vampire Academy, Frostbite, Shadow-Kissed, Blood Promise and Spirit Bound. Last Sacrifice the final installment, due out in November, and not soon enough!) Rose Hathaway is the coolest female protag. to grace YA literature, fact. And the rights to the series have been purchased by Perger who are pitching to companies as we speak. It really is the King among the Vampire Lit. Genre, at least in YA terms, but it's amazing, check it out.

The Glass Demon by Helen Grant.
Creep little mystery that has me turning the pages as we speak.

Down the rabbit hole by Peter Abrahams.
Apparently, this is one of Stephen King's favourite books, which is funny since he doesn't like anything, so if it has his stamp of approval, it's pretty good. It's a simple small town mystery, and a thirteen year old girl who is adamant to discover who killed Crazy Katie, and how she may have led the police in the wring direction by withholding evidence. This was pretty good. I liked it, and I couldn't put it down. It's very simple, and that's not a bad thing. I liked it, I'm not sure why. If you've read it, maybe you can understand, but it's eluding me.

and of course...

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

Best way to describe this is a post-apocalyptic Battle Royale meets Running man based in America. It's incredible, fast paced and "unputdownable"--That's such a stupid word, but appropriate for now. Just read it, love it and never doubt my judgement again. Due out next year. Director to be announced in the next few weeks. Chris Nolan and Matthew Vaughn for the win, methinks.



Well, that's all folks! I'm tired, not exactly coherent, and completely rusty, but like they say, that's showbiz!

Or not.

Until we meet again and other such placating sentiments....

Adieu.


XxX

Letters to Juliet: Not one for the Boys... or the Lactose Intolerant

Well, it's been a while, and I'm slightly rusty, but lets give this a bash, shall we?

Friday night meant a welcome return to the cinema after a week and a half of torture, and there's still one exam to go.

:(

I just wanted to watch something that I wouldn't have to think about....at all.

Letters to Juliet fit the bill.



Basically, the story revolves around Sophie (played by Amanda Seyfried --who seems to have an affinity for films featuring Letters), a fact checker for The New Yorker and an aspiring writer. She is currently engaged to *cough* a complete douche *cough cough* Chef named Victor, played by Gael Garcia Bernal, who takes a step away from playing Che Geuvara, as he is most well known for, to play an absolute and utter.....sorry, he just really teed me off.

Anyway, as a pre-Honeymoon Honeymoon, they go to Verona, the city of love. He spends all his time pretty much climaxing over cheese and she meets the Secretaries of Juliet. In Verona, there is a wall at juliets castle, where women send letters to the proatgonist of Shakespeare's tragic play. These women pose as Juliet and answer any and all problems posted on the wall. It's a nice idea, I suppose...

--There stands my first problem: Romeo and Juliet is not a love story. It's the tale of two infatuated morons; one horny, stupid girl and one even stupider fickle boy. I rant about this play all the time, so I'm not going to rehash the details now. I'm just a cynic, and leave it at that.--



Anywho, Sophie finds a letter hidden in the wall, that was written by a woman called Clare 50 years beforehand, and decides to write a response telling her to fight for her love, Lorenzo.

Thus bringing the highlight of the film, Charlie, into action.

Charlie accompanies his Grandmother to Verona, and confronts Sophie about the letter. After a brief argument and an even briefer encounter, Sophie decides to accompany them on their hunt for Lorenzo, and to write the story in the process.

Charlie reminds me of Sebastian in Cruel Intentions, in the way that he can be a complete and utter prick, but I still absolutely love him.

In fairness, any man who can openly and honestly find fault in Romeo and Juliet, and use crushing Sarcasm in the process wins a place in my heart.

The fact that he doesn't look like he was hit by the back end of double-decker bus also helps.

Now, lets get down to the nitty-gritty.

So what about the film?

Well, to put it simply, it's just....nice.

It's your typical formulaic fluff that's not too taxing on the brain. There aren't that many laughs throughout, as the film focuses more on the romantic element in this rom-com, but it is none the less enjoyable. It's corny, but it's hard for a film in this genre not to be layered in smatterings of cheese.

and sometimes, a cheesy film is just what the doctor ordered. Good, old-fashioned, unaldulterated cheese. :D

Seyfried and Christopher Egan (the aforementioned Charlie) have pretty decent chemistry, and you really do root for them....even though you're not sure why.


Anyway, Ladies, if you're a fan of a Walk to Remember, The Notebook, or just a bit of Romance, I'd give it a go.

If only for Charlie! ;)




Lads, give it a miss. Although, to be honest, There isn't much for you guys out there at the moment....Maybe Get him to the Greek? Toy Story 3 also rocks socks.

Anyway, it's a sunny day, and I'm procrastinating, so I just thought I'd make my blog a little less bare! :D
Updates will swarm soon enough.

XOXO.

Barney's Blog, HIMYM actually exists

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/how_i_met_your_mother/community/barney_blog/index.php


I'm so following this!

The Full "Eclipse" Sountrack listing/

Found this on my internet travels, and decided to post the listing. After all, music builds up the atmosphere and emoitional connection in every film, and the songs soon become thw soundtracks to our lives, and other pretencious, douce-monkey esque stuff like that.

Here we go:

1. Metric – “Eclipse (All Yours)”
2. Muse – “Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever)”
3. The Bravery – “Ours”
4. Florence + The Machine – “Heavy In Your Arms”
5. Sia – “My Love”
6. Fanfarlo – “Atlas”
7. The Black Keys – “Chop And Change”
8. The Dead Weather – “Rolling In On A Burning Tire”
9. Beck & Bat For Lashes – “Let’s Get Lost”
10. Vampire Weekend – “Jonathan Low”
11. Unkle– “With You In My Head (ft. The Black Angels)”
12. Eastern Conference Champions – “A Million Miles An Hour”
13. Band Of Horses – “Life On Earth”
14. Cee Lo Green – “What Part Of Forever”
15. Howard Shore - “Jacob’s Theme”


It's the typical indie-fied soumdtracks I've come to know, and love, from the Twilight saga. Muse in on there, no shocker. What did shock me is that Beck duets with Bat for Lashes? Maybe I've got it wrong somehow.

anyway, I'm gonna be buying the soudtrack regardless of the films worth, because You have to admit, it does have a certain callibre of songs that can make the musical tastebuds water.

anyhoo, ding dong walla walla bing bong, I'm gone.

X

MTV Movie Award Nominations.

It just goes to show that Teenage girls really do have an influence on everything!

BEST MOVIE (voting stays live throughout the 2010 Movie Awards ceremony)
Alice In Wonderland
Avatar
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The Hangover
The Twilight Saga: New Moon

BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE

Amanda Seyfried – Dear John
Emma Watson – Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Kristen Stewart – The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Sandra Bullock – The Blind Side
Zoe Saldana – Avatar

BEST MALE PERFORMANCE

Channing Tatum – Dear John
Daniel Radcliffe – Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Robert Pattinson – The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Taylor Lautner – The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Zac Efron – 17 Again

BEST BREAKOUT STAR

Anna Kendrick – Up in the Air
Chris Pine – Star Trek
Gabourey Sidibe – Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Logan Lerman – Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
Quinton Aaron – The Blind Side
Zach Galifianakis – The Hangover

BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE

Ben Stiller – Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Bradley Cooper – The Hangover
Ryan Reynolds – The Proposal
Sandra Bullock – The Proposal
Zach Galifianakis – The Hangover

BEST VILLAIN

Christoph Waltz – Inglourious Basterds
Helena Bonham Carter – Alice In Wonderland
Ken Jeong – The Hangover
Stephen Lang – Avatar
Tom Felton – Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

BEST FIGHT

Beyoncé Knowles vs. Ali Larter – Obsessed
Hugh Jackman and Liev Schreiber vs. Ryan Reynolds – X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Logan Lerman vs. Jake Abel – Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
Robert Downey Jr. vs. Mark Strong – Sherlock Holmes
Sam Worthington vs. Stephen Lang – Avatar

BEST KISS

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson – The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning – The Runaways
Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds – The Proposal
Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner – Valentine’s Day
Zoe Saldana and Sam Worthington – Avatar

BEST WTF MOMENT

Betty White – The Proposal, Cops a Feel
Bill Murray – Zombieland , Bill Murray?! A Zombie?!
Isabel Lucas – Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Unexpected Transformation
Ken Jeong – The Hangover , Naked Trunk Surprise
Megan Fox – Jennifer’s Body, Vomits a Mysterious Black Ooze

GLOBAL SUPERSTAR (New Category)

Robert Pattinson
Kristen Stewart
Taylor Lautner
Johnny Depp
Daniel Radcliffe

BEST SCARED-AS-SH**T PERFORMANCE (New Category)

Alison Lohman – Drag Me To Hell
Amanda Seyfried – Jennifer’s Body
Jesse Eisenberg – Zombieland
Katie Featherston – Paranormal Activity
Sharlto Copley – District 9

BIGGEST BADASS STAR (New Category)

Rain
Angelina Jolie
Channing Tatum
Sam Worthington
Chris Pine


I'm pretty happy with mmost of these. C'mon Bill Murray. (I'm a Zombieland Enthusiast, and I am a little disappointed Emma Stone didn't receive any nominations).
Logan Lerman picks up two nods for his role in "Percy Jackson", which I think are well deserved, because he really did encompass the character and he can hold a screen. I see bright things in his future.

*Cough* Spider-Man 4 Reboot. He's rumoured to be in talks to play Peter Parker *Cough cough*

anyway, If you have a thought, comment, or complaint, soun-off below. God knows I won't be voicing an opinions anywhere but the intenet for a while. *sighs*

X

Hunger Games: District 12 cast

Oka, this is my attempt at making a Hunger Games casting video. It was finished in finve minutes, as you can tell, while waiting in the library, but you get the gist.

Most have scenes from TV shows and films, but I'm too technoloogically challenged to achieve that.

Oh well, That's a snippet of Youtube casting, check it out.