Ohana Talks: Top 5 Favourite Authors.

   Since I began my obsession with reading oh so long ago, I've come to read a lot of books over that time, and with those books, I've fallen in love with so many great authors. Today I wanted to show you all, my top favourite authors. The authors that I own almost all of their books, as well as multiple editions of them. Many of them don't need any help getting their books out there, they're already big names, but I wanted to show them off to you anyway.

   I was originally just going to do my top 5, but I found that I had two authors that were tied in 5th place. So now I have 6 total.

Marisa Meyer/ Kiera Cass

   I was lucky enough to have met both Kiera and Marissa, to be completely honest, I've met all the authors on this list, expect one. I met Kiera Cass back in 2014, at YALLfest. She still remains one of the sweetest people I have met in my entire life. She adored how loved my copy of The Selection was, as well as The Selection and The Elite earrings that my sister was wearing. (That I made, hehe) I've loved her book since that one camping trip when I happened to have picked up The Selection at the library to bring along, and finished it in one day.
   I first met Marissa at BEA 2016, when I went through what you could say was A LOT of trouble to get tickets to her Heartless signing/ARC drop. I've adored her books since I first read Cinder, oh so long ago. Her Lunar Chronicles had been instant pre-orders, the minute the next book in the series was announced. 

Richelle Mead

   The Vampire Academy series was one of the first series' that I got into when I first started reading. My mom thought that because I started reading because of Twilight, that it was the vampires that sucked me in. (LOL, excuse my pun.) And so my love of Richelle Mead started. I went from reading and loving her Vampire Academy series, to her Bloodlines series, to eventually reading all her adult series' like the Dark Swan series. As of today, I've read everything but two books that Richelle has published, and I just can't wait to read her latest upcoming book, Midnight Jewel. 

Cassandra Clare

   Cassandra's City of Bones is what got me into her writing. The first trilogy of the series, The Mortal Instruments, was all released when I first picked up the series, and so I was able to read them all as a binge read. But it wasn't until I realized that she had a prequel series out as well, that I really became a fan of hers. I picked up Clockwork Angel, and read it, I believe in a week, although, Clockwork Prince is what really got me hooked. Will and Jem are who won my heart. Since then, I've read everything that connects to the Shadowhunters, and made it my mission to own all of them in hardcover. 

L. J. Smith

   The Night World series was another one of the series that got me into reading, reading it after Twilight but before Vampire Academy. I had picked up the Omnibus of the first three books, and so I was able to read them all at once. Even though the three should have lasted me a while, I had to go to the bookstore twice in the following two weeks to pick up the next two omnibus'. To this day, the series still has a place in my heart. Unfortunately it's been almost 19 years and we still don't have a conclusion to the series, but I still have hope. I even own the originally 1990's editions of the series. 

   I fell in love with the original few seasons of her Vampire Diaries TV show as well, even though it's totally different from the books. I still love them just the same. 

   She is the only one of my top five authors that I have yet to meet, I hope to change that one day.

Sarah J Maas

   I met Sarah J. Maas back at YALLfest 2014, along with Kiera Cass. At the time I had only read her Throne of Glass, which I hadn't really enjoyed. It wasn't until after that festival that I received the first ARC for her new book/series, A Court of Thorns and Roses, that she finally had me obsessed. I couldn't wait for the sequel, but since it was an ARC, I knew I had a long wait ahead. So I finally picked up the rest of the Throne of Glass series. Today, the A Court of Thorns and Roses series remains my all time favourite, and her Throne of Glass series is just a little bit below on that list.

   For her A Court of Mist and Fury tour, I was able to meet her again, but as a true fan. I was a blubbering mess, but at least I was able to see her and have my prized books signed for my collection.

   Those were my top 5,(6) all time favourite authors. Who are your favourites? What stories do you have behind those authors? What do they mean to you? I'd love to hear about your favourites!

Book Review: City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

Release Date: May 27th, 2014

Read: July 10-12th, 2014

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Series: The Mortal Instruments

Format: Hardcovers, 725 pages

Source: Bought

Description from GoodReads:

Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures out of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell.

The embattled Shadowhunters withdraw to Idris - but not even the famed demon towers of Alicante can keep Sebastian at bay. And with the Nephilim trapped in Idris, who will guard the world against demons?


When one of the greatest betrayals the Nephilim have ever known is revealed, Clary, Jace, Isabelle, Simon, and Alec must flee - even if their journey takes them deep into the demon realms, where no Shadowhunter has set foot before, and from which no human being has ever returned...

Review:

Contains Spoilers:

Let them come.

    In 2011 I had first picked up City of Bones, the plot twist that was the end had me puzzled and intrigued. Obviously I had to get my hands on Ashes and Glass. When I finished City of Glass I was happy and satisfied with the ending. I had then moved on to Clockwork Angel, the first book in the Infernal Devices series. It was a little bit later that I learned that there was to be another 3 books in the Mortal Instruments series. I guess they were some sort of encore? Either way I had pre-ordered the fourth one. While I was somewhat disappointed with it, I continued on again to read the fifth book. City of Lost Souls had me again somewhat disappointed, none of these new books to me were better then the original three. By this point I had finally finished The Infernal Devices trilogy, I loved this series so dearly that when City of Heavenly Fire snippets were being released I would squeal when a snippet would contain a Infernal Devices character. With all these little connections being announced I just had to read City of Heavenly Fire. Truth be told, I read this book for the Infernal Devices connections.
   At the beginning of the novel Brother Zachariah was mentioned as that, a brother. After reading the epilogue of Clockwork Princess I had thought that Brother Zachariah would be Jem again through out the novel. But it turned out that the actions from City of Heavenly Fire that cause Brother Zachariah to be a shadowhunter again. Thus putting City of Heavenly Fire between the novel of Clockwork Princess and it's epilogue. In the epilogue of CoHF, Tessa Grey was introduced along side *Brother Zachariah* and I couldn't have been happier. Although they didn't say much or have a lot to do with the novel, I was happy to learn that both Zachariah and Tessa are going to be in Cassandra's new shadowhunter series The Dark Artifices. I hope they along with Church, who they stole will have a larger role then they did in CoHF.
   My favourite scene from CoHF was when Clary, Jace, Isabelle, Alec and Simon enter Edom and all the characters started to have these fantasies about what this demon controlling them thought their hearts desires were. While most of all the dreams were unrealistic, Clary's stood out for me. To see what life would be like if Valentine had not been demented in his ways, because of this Jonathan Morgenstern would be a normal shadowhunter. It broke my heart to see Clary's dream because everything was so perfect. I would have loved to see a story about Jonathan when he was not Sebastian but normal, happy, loved. Even the little bit at the end when Jonathan was dying was heart touching.
   Although I may not have enjoyed CoHF as much as the original three books, or the Infernal Devices, I still loved reading this book because of Cassandra's writing and because I finally got to see a happy ending for the characters of The Mortal Instruments. I look forward to reading the Dark Artifices when the first book, Lady Midnight.

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"I've never felt so . . . light." ~ Jonathan Christopher Morgenstern 

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy, Angels, Demons, Hunters

Top Ten Reads I'm Most Excited for in 2014

These are the books I'm most excited to be released in 2014.

The Warrior by Victoria Scott

Dante Walker #3 

Publication Date: May 6, 2014 by Entangled Teen

War between heaven and hell is coming, but Dante Walker makes it look damn good.

Dante’s girlfriend, Charlie, is fated to save the world. And Aspen, the girl who feels like a sister, is an ordained soldier. In order to help both fulfill their destiny and win the war, Dante must complete liberator training at the Hive, rescue Aspen from hell, and uncover a message hidden on an ancient scroll.

Dante is built for battle, but even he can’t handle the nightmares where spiders crawl from Aspen’s eyes, or the look on Charlie’s face that foretells of devastation. To make matters worse, the enemy seizes every opportunity to break inside the Hive and cripple the liberators. But the day of reckoning is fast approaching, and to stand victorious, Dante will have to embrace something inside himself he never has before—faith. (GoodReads)

Of Neptune by Anna Banks

The Syrena Legacy #3

Publication Date: May 13, 2014 by Feiwel & Friends

Of Neptune continues the story of half-human/half-Syrena Emma and her Syrena love, Galen. Needing a getaway, the couple heads to Neptune, on the suggestion of Emma's grandpa, the Poseidon king. Only fun in the sun is not what's in order, as power struggles and strangers threaten their love — and their ocean kingdoms. (GoodReads)

Sweet Reckoning by Wendy Higgins

The Sweet Trilogy #3

Publication Date: April 29, 2014 by HarperTeen 

It’s time. 

Evil is running rampant and sweet Anna Whitt is its target. Nobody knows when or how the Dukes will strike, but Anna and her Nephilim allies will do anything necessary to rid the earth of the demons and their oppressive ways.

The stakes are higher than ever, and Anna is determined that the love she feels will be her strength, not a liability. But trying to protect the ones she loves while running for her life and battling demonic forces proves to be perilous—especially as faces are changing and trust is fleeting. When the Duke of Lust sends Anna’s great love, Kaidan Rowe, to work against her, Anna must decide how much she’s prepared to risk. (GoodReads)

Cress by Marissa Meyer

Lunar Chronicles #3

Publication Date: February 4, 2014 by Feiwel & Friends

Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard. 

In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. 

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. 

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can. (GoodReads)

The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

Blood of Eden #3

Publication Date: April 29, 2014 by Harlequin Teen

VENGEANCE WILL BE HERS 

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster? 

With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer. 

MONSTER 

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions—her creator, Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost—the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie. 

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, triumph is short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.(GoodReads)

The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings

The Murder Complex #1

Publication Date: June 10, 2014 by Greenwillow

Meadow Woodson, a fifteen-year-old girl who has been trained by her father to fight, to kill, and to survive in any situation, lives with her family on a houseboat in Florida. The state is controlled by The Murder Complex, an organization that tracks the population with precision.

The plot starts to thicken when Meadow meets Zephyr James, who is—although he doesn’t know it—one of the MC’s programmed assassins. Is their meeting a coincidence? Destiny? Or part of a terrifying strategy? And will Zephyr keep Meadow from discovering the haunting truth about her family?(GoodReads)

Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead 

Bloodlines #5

Publication Date: July 29, 2014 by Razorbill

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive. 

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .( GoodReads)

The One by Kiera Cass

The Selection #3

Releases: May 6th, 2014

The Selection changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. And now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.

America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.(GoodReads)

Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott

Fire & Flood #1

Publication Date: February 25, 2014 by Scholastic Press

Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying—and she's helpless to change anything.

Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.

The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?(GoodReads)

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

The Mortal Instruments #6

Publication Date: May 27, 2014 by McElderry

ΕRCHOMAI, SEBASTIAN HAD SAID. 

I am coming.

Darkness returns to the Shadowhunter world. As their society falls apart around them, Clary, Jace, Simon and their friends must band together to fight the greatest evil the Nephilim have ever faced: Clary’s own brother. Nothing in the world can defeat him — must they journey to another world to find the chance? Lives will be lost, love sacrificed, and the whole world changed in the sixth and last installment of the Mortal Instruments series! (GoodReads)

That's my list! Are you guys as excited as I am?! 

How could you not be?!