Day 6 ~ 400+ Pages ~ Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy b y Cassandra Clare

Its time for day 6 of the Great New Reads Challenge, books that are 400 pages are more. 
This one makes the grade with 655 pages! I had mixed feelings about this book. First off 
it is more of a collection of stories that are tied together by the fact that Simon is at the 
Shadowhunter Academy and hearing the stories for the first time. I've actually had 
this one sitting in my TBR pile for a while but didn't pick it up until I finished Chains of Gold. 
I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't just read the other novel. 
Which was the best from the series I've read in a while.

Summary:

Simon Lewis has been a human and a vampire, and now he is becoming a Shadowhunter. 
But the events of City of Heavenly Fire left him stripped of his memories, and Simon
 isn’t sure who he is anymore. He knows he was friends with Clary, and that 
he convinced the total goddess Isabelle Lightwood to go out with him…but 
he doesn’t know how. And when Clary and Isabelle look at him, expecting 
him to be a man he doesn’t remember…Simon can’t take it.

My Take:
This novel meets us up with Simon who has lost his memory of the 
shadow world. Magnus has helped him out the best he could but
 Simon is still pretty clueless about everything, and everyone. In a
 quest to get his old memories back and prove himself he enrolls in 
the Shadowhunter Academy. Each chapter starts with Simon and
 what is going on with him but then delves into some type of 
flashback storyline. Each chapter could almost be read as 
individual pieces. Some of the stories were interesting. 
It was nice to get some back story on characters like the Inquisitor or

 meet James for the first time. Other chapters were just ok and I 
felt like the Simon plot line dragged a little bit. I still enjoyed 
the book but as far as a collection of stories I enjoyed the 
Magnus Bane Chronicles more. But I do love Magnus so I might be biased.

#bookblogchallenge #greatnewreads

Stillhouse Lake ~ Rachel Caine

Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, I was totally impressed by this book. I typically don't choose first person naratives so for me to enjoy this novel is saying alot.

Summary:
Gina Royal is the definition of average—a shy Midwestern housewife with a happy marriage and two adorable children. But when a car accident reveals her husband’s secret life as a serial killer, she must remake herself as Gwen Proctor—the ultimate warrior mom.

With her ex now in prison, Gwen has finally found refuge in a new home on remote Stillhouse Lake. Though still the target of stalkers and Internet trolls who think she had something to do with her husband’s crimes, Gwen dares to think her kids can finally grow up in peace.

But just when she’s starting to feel at ease in her new identity, a body turns up in the lake—and threatening letters start arriving from an all-too-familiar address. Gwen Proctor must keep friends close and enemies at bay to avoid being exposed—or watch her kids fall victim to a killer who takes pleasure in tormenting her. One thing is certain: she’s learned how to fight evil. And she’ll never stop. 

My Take:
I found this novel while looking through Amazon for a novel set at the water for the OWLs reading challenge. Since I've been in a crime serial reading soree I figured this was a good choice.  Maybe its because I am a mother so I can really feel the distress and determination of the mother. There is something truly primal about this mothers need to protect her children. This novel also explores the truly disturbing aspect of humanity, not just the serial killer fans but the vengful public who want to make his innocent family "pay".
The author does an excellent job keeping your adreneline running all the way till the end. Making this an excellent first book for a series I can't wait to finish! For those of you with Kindle Unlimited this novel is currently free to read.