Home of the Shadowhunters

My Rating: 5/5

Review: Such an intense and wonderful series!

Book Description: To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters -- never mind that enter-ing the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.
As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadow-hunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadow-hunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City -- whatever the cost?

Love Finds Mary Russell

My Rating: 5/5

Review: There's something so intelligent and fun about this book that makes me want more. I adore Mary Russell, and I adore her and Holmes together. In this sequel to The Beekeeper's Apprentice, Mary finds herself tangled up in a murder mystery involving a woman she can't help but respect. The murders, the near-death of her friend, and a run-in with a nasty knife can't be denied, however. Margery Childe is involved somehow, and Mary must figure it out before her own life is truly at stake. Naturally Holmes is there to help, but this case is all Mary's, and she is quite determined to solve it on her own. Holmes becomes more and more involved, though, and something changes between the two of them by the end of the book. Nearly losing someone you care about will do that to a relationship, though, right? Great mystery, with a dash of suspense.

Book Description: It is 1921 and Mary Russell, Sherlock Holmes's brilliant apprentice, now an Oxford graduate with a degree in theology, is on the verge of acquiring a sizable inheritance. Independent at last, with a passion for divinity and detective work, her most baffling mystery may now involve Holmes and the burgeoning of a deeper affection between herself and the retired detective. Russell's attentions turn to the New Temple of God and its leader, Margery Childe, a charismatic suffragette and a mystic, whose draw on the young theology scholar is irresistible. But when four bluestockings from the Temple turn up dead shortly after changing their wills, could sins of a capital nature be afoot? Holmes and Russell investigate, as their partnership takes a surprising turn.