The Infernal Devices Series by Cassandra Clare

This is the second series by Cassandra Clare.  If you like her first series "The Mortal Instruments"  you will like this series as well.  The Infernal Devices Series is a prequel to "The Mortal Instruments" series.  The  series is clever fantasy story full of vampires, warlocks, demons etc. set in Victorian London.

Clockwork Angel is the first book in the series.

It has romance laced through the storyline but it's not the focus.  It's bloody violence is a cause for concern. I definitely wouldn't let a child under twelve read it.  I blacked out  parts of page 228 & 229.

 In the second book, The Clockwork Prince, romance takes more center stage of the story. The violence is less in this book but the main characters are more sexual.  There's heavy kissing but that's as far as it goes.  I considered blacking out parts of  page 204 & 205 but decided against it.

A break from Teen fantasy.

Over the holidays I read a book for myself called the  "The Wise Man's Fear" it's the second book in the series.  The first book is "The Name of the Wind."  They're excellent books very well written, interesting, thought provoking, and fun to read.  I enjoyed reading a book with more substance than the typical teen book.  The first book The Name of the Wind is clean enough for teens to read except a little bad language. The second book has a sexual encounter with a fairy that is cause for concern. I would look over chapter ninety five before I let a teen read it.  I didn't pass them on to my daughter because I don't think she has the patience for them.  They're slower than a teen book with more plot and less action.  If your teen is patient with story development I would recommend this series for them.

A Teen's opinion of Scorpio Races

I thought it might be interesting to include my daughters opinion of the books I review.  Below is her take on the book.

I thought the book was all right.  I was disappointed with the horse race.  I thought it would be more exciting and longer. I didn't think it was violent book.   

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

I enjoyed this book.  It's more substance and less flash than most teen books. It's a little slow going but interesting.  Although, I might be biased because I love horses and their central to the story.   I was hesitant to read a book by Maggie Stiefvater because I found her book Shiver to be so boring I couldn't finish it.  Because the sea horses in the story are meat eaters it's a little violent. There is one line that I found to be too gory it's on page 54 towards the top. Sexually the book is suitable except one crude comment on page 68 towards the top.  

Just Ask

If there's a book you have questions about send me a message.  If it's a teen book I've probably read it.

A few suggestions from my library

My intention of this blog is not to do book reviews but to let parents know what books are safe for their kids to read.  I have found childrens' books to be fine but teenage books are another story.  I've found lots of inappropriate sex, language and violence in many books.  I edit the books with a marker and then give them to my daughter to read. 

To begin with I'm going to give some suggestions of books to read that I've already finished.  Then in the following weeks I will give a more detail review of  books I'm currently reading.

Below I've listed a few children's books that are exciting enough for teenagers.   They are appropriate for any age.

1.  The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer;  A Sci -Fi story that's very thought provoking, an excellent book one of my favorites.
2. The Percy Jackson Series with its follow up series "The Heroes of Olympus" by Rick Riordan.  Very fun books that will also teach you Greek Mythology. I'm not as fond of his Egyptian series that starts with "The Red Pyramid."
3. The Ranger's Apprentice Series by John Flanagan  is a fun action series. 
4. The Tunnel Series by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams is a very clever underground adventure.
5. Of course the Harry Potter series.

If you want a more complete description of the books look it up on Barnes and Nobel.  They will give you a great description with readers comments.


Mortal Instruments Series Review

A teenage series that my daughter loved was the "Mortal Instruments" by Casandra Clare.  It's been a while since I read them but I remember them to be a little gory and sexual.  I wouldn't let most kids read it if they where under eleven.  The first two books where okay as far a sexual content but the third on was a little much.  I would advise you to check out page 280 and page 91.  I wasn't comfortable with some of the dialog on these pages and took my marker to them.  Read them over and decide for yourself.

That's all I have time for today.  I will post more recommendations soon.

Have a great day and happy reading.