City of Heavenly Fire Book Launch! + GIVEAWAY!

After over a week's worths of posts leading up to the release of City of Heavenly Fire, you may or may not have realized at this point that we kinda like Cassandra Clare and the various book-like objects she creates. Only a little though. And by a little, I mean, enough that my insides are burning up more than Jace's right now. Ha, see what I did there? Okay, sorry, I know I'm not funny.

Anyway, the night of May 26th, (and the day of too), We Live and Breathe Books (minus Amrutha) finally left our computers and went to New York City for an event featuring not only the wonderful Cassandra Clare, but also a panel of guests consisting of the oh-so-fabulous Maureen Johnson, Holly Black, Kelly Link Joshua Lewis, and David Levithan (who was filling in for Scott Westerfeld who was, unfortunately, the final death in the book). 

I just want to take a second to appreciate how cute fierce and smoldery we are. 

Okay, are you done appreciating the way our eyes are luring you in to your inevitable doom due to excessive seduction and badassness? 

No?

It's okay. Take your time. 

We'll move on when you're ready. 

Kiersten's lovely mother accompanied us to the city as well, so she was also part of our group and drove us in to New York early. There were only four or five people in front of us waiting in line, and we ended up getting seats right up in the front, close enough to see every little detail on everyone's faces (especially the ones on Maureen's dress). Of course, before we went in, we had to wait outside with everyone else. And some of those "everyone else" people included booktubers who also attended the event and who we absolutely freaked out about meeting! 

Look at this beautiful picture and feast upon the glory of Christine (xtinemay) and Kat (katytastic) and their Amazonian beauty.

We look like mere tree stumps compared to them. Seriously. Like, standing there looking at them I felt like they were beautiful goddesses and I was a literal potato who someone had carved facial features into. 

Anyway, Marlon and I had premium tickets and Kiersten and her mother did not because of how things like classes and college and timing worked out when we were buying them, we had to separate in line for a little while. Marlon and I went inside first and split up so he could go buy vouchers so we could get our books at midnight, and I could go save four seats. We were in the second row, which was perfect and wonderful and we were also towards the center of the row and there weren't any tall people sitting in front of us. 

The second they started opening their mouths, it was perfect. 

They started out with a skit involving reading a retrieval of the records of Magnus Bane's voicemails. Featuring messages from characters including Izzy, Alec, Simon, Clary, Maia, Church, and Chairman Meow, each panelist was absolutely hilarious (or heartbreaking, in the case of Alec/David Levithan) in their delivery and execution of the ways the characters spoke on the phone and rolled their eyes and flailed their arms. The voicemail skit was definitely a great way to begin the event and got everyone super excited. The voicemail records will be included in the bound copy of The Bane Chronicles!

Then we continued on to a part where the other authors read their favorite excerpts from the other books, which was followed by a Q&A session. Some questions were genuine and serious, about her writing processes, which Cassandra answered very articulately. Many of them were very silly, like "In 100 years, are Simon and Tessa gonna be a thing?" We wanted to ask "Approximately what percent of this book is smut?" but our question didn't make it. Someone asked about the fact that Isabelle doesn't have blue eyes, which I personally thought was reading way too into the series and someone else asked about Cassandra's favorite crackpot theories, which was my favorite question of the night. She said she particularly liked the one where Church is actually just Tessa in a shapeshifted form. 

At midnight, the panel ended, and the signing began. The way the exit situation was working, we thought we would be at the very end but because Kiersten's mother is fabulous, she saved us a good place in line. And then, because we had books by the other authors we also wanted signed, we got to go even further ahead.

Here, we see all the beautiful copies in their heavenly glory. 

The authors were all so friendly and hilarious. Seriously, I want to be in that place one day, signing books with a bunch of author friends, being all witty and hilarious. I really just wanted to be best friends with all of them so badly. Just look how wonderful they all look!

Marlon decided that he was going to be special and in addition to getting the authors to sign their books like Kiersten and I did, he also had every author there sign (and deface) his copy of Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld. They all made jokes and comments about how he's now dead and they are taking over for him and he has all their signatures obscuring his name on the book. It was a pretty funny situation and they all seemed to enjoy his weird comments and obnoxious outbursts. 

Anyway, I'm still staring at my books and feeling super excited that I have signed copies of books by such awesome people and talented authors. Just looking at them spread out in front of me makes me so happy.

Although, once I start on City of Heavenly Fire, I doubt I'll be happy for long, so I guess I'm off to ruin my own day! 

-Noor 

And now it's time for a GIVEAWAY!

While we were attending the signing, we got a glorious SIGNED copy of the book to give to one of YOU! (Awesome, right?!)

One winner will receive this signed copy of the book for their enjoyment/heartbreak. This giveaway will be US only, BUT you can enter INT if you are willing to pay the shipping through Venmo. All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter below and BAM! you're entered.

The giveaway will end at 11:59 pm on June 17th and the winner has 48 hours from being contacted to respond. Good luck everyone - may the odds be ever in your favor!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Countdown to City of Heavenly Fire: City of Lost Souls

Hey everyone! As you may have noticed, there is just ONE day until the release of City of Heavenly Fire, the final book in the Mortal Instruments series, wrapping up all the loose ends we leave off with at the end of City of Lost Souls. We've been posting every other day so make sure to check out our other posts including some makeup by Kiersten, fanart picks by Marlon, and outfits by me.

For today's post, I thought I would create a short playlist of songs inspired by the contents of City of Lost Souls. I think the timing is perfect because I know some good music is always good for pumping me up for an event!

Warning: these are NOT spoiler free explanations.

If you haven't read City of Lost Souls yet, you can purchase it on Amazon here!

1. At Anchor - Port Blue 

I thought of this song fitting into one particular scene in the beginning. "That was the thing about New York: you always knew more about your neighbors' business than you wanted to. Magnus's door was cracked slightly open, and the sounds of music playing softly wafted out into the hall." This song always makes me think of someone walking through the city never quite knowing what to expect or who to expect which is certainly true with Magnus and his decor and outfit changes!

2. Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas 

I'll admit that the Supernatural fan within me chose this but with the Simon and the Mark of Cain business how could I not? I think this song shows how much he still has to go through and how much has happened to him since he's gotten involved in Clary's "new" life. Simon is sometimes pushed to the side but he is not a small force!

3. Time Travel - NeverShoutNever!

This one is less literal than the first two but I got some vibes of the Jace/Sebastian possession relationship thing going on there. Some of it came from the way the song outlines a process of going out and seeking something and part of it because he doesn't know who he is and he has lost control, symbolizing the both of them. In a weird way, I think this song captures both of them well. 

4. Radioactive -  Imagine Dragons 

I think this song fits so well into the whole scene where the giant army of dark Shadowhunters fights our beloved heroes and everything seems to be falling apart.

5. Arms - Christina Perri 

Okay, one more Alex and Magnus song but I always think of them and the ending of the book and where their relationship starts to head makes it all the more bitter but you just KNOW they're meant to be so this is their song because they are home to one another. Also Alec has some nice Shadowhunter runed up arms.

If you want to listen to the playlist, I've uploaded it to Spotify here so be sure to check it out!

- Noor

What songs remind you of City of Lost Souls?

Let us know in the comments!

Countdown to City of Heavenly Fire: City of Fallen Angels

As you have heard multiple times in the past week, City of Heavenly Fire is being released in three days. ONLY THREE DAYS! In anticipation of this glorious event, We Live and Breathe Books has been doing a post every other day for each book in The Mortal Instruments series. If you missed the past ones, check out Noor's City of Bones outfits, my City of Ashes Cover Cosmetics, and Marlon's favorite fanart for City of Glass! Today, I'll be doing a Cover Cosmetics for City of Fallen Angels!

The cover:

The makeup:

For this look, my primary inspiration was the general color palette: oranges and yellows. The idea of fallen angels suggested by the title inspired be to do a harsh wing shape to the eyeshadow and eyeliner like the wings of angels.

Thanks for checking out my look and stay tuned for the next Countdown post on Monday!

- Kiersten

Is there a specific color palette you associate with the book?

Let us know in the comments!

Countdown to City of Heavenly Fire: City of Glass

By no means should it be news that the final Mortal Instruments novel is coming out (FIVE DAYS PEOPLE). In anticipation of City of Heavenly Fire's release next week we at WLABB are doing a post for each book in The Mortal Instruments series. The posts will be done every other day until City of Heavenly Fire launches. If you missed it, check out the outfits Noor picked out for City of Bones, and the beautiful make-up Kiersten thought up for City of Ashes.

For my City of Glass post, I'll be showing you all my favorite fan-art of scenes from the book!

First, this glorious bit. I absolutely love love these two quotes. Jace's character never stops being heartbreaking but when he opens up to Clary, it's quite mesmerizing how much pain he can expound. It is in CoG that Clace really starts to pick up, reaching a climax where Jace has a bit of Herondale self-hatred, and settles into the deep love that the two of them share and ugh it's so precious. Of the first image: I'm quite awed by the color choice. Instead of Jace's leonine gold, there are shades of soft, soft blue in a deep red velvet, which I take to mean his pained heart. It's vulnerable and beautiful. The second image exemplifies the depth of Jace's words with a vivid image of again, something vulnerable and soft, but this time timeless: an old couple holding hands. Come on that's just brilliant.

(Source: tespngames.tumblr.com and photomaniper.tumblr.com respectively.)

Spoiler alert: Max dies. Max dies and it's abhorrent. Up until that point, Sebastian didn't seem much of a threat, just an annoying, vaguely bad-ish guy. Furthermore no one really important (to my heart) had died (sorry losers). It's also at this point where Isabelle starts to come to live, and the effect is quite amazing because Alec, Jace, and Magnus start to shed their skins as well. I love you Max. Also holy crap the image for this Max is SPOT THE FRAK ON. LOOK AT THE FACES IN HIS SHIRTS, LOOK AT HIS FAMILY, LOOK AT THOSE INNOCENT EYES AND THAT VAGUELY PERCY-JACKSON-Y HAIR. LOOK AT THAT PERFECT LITTLE (dead) BOY.

(Source fyeahlightwoods.tumblr.com)


Damn look at this Jace. Damn look at dat jacket. Damn LOOK AT CLARY'S FRECKLES SO MANY PEOPLE IGNORE HER FRECKLES AND HER CURLY HAIR AND NAME OF THE ANGEL HE HOLDS HER SO PERFECTLY. It's no secret that Cassie Clare likes to write Clace smut, and it's no secret that we like to read Clace smut, but I think this picture really captures the tension between the pair during the crazy, crazy events of CoG. It's nowhere NEAR the sexy scenes in the fifth book though.



(Source: Sillywilly13 at deviantART)

If you'd like a few more images, I suggest a starting point:
http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/city-of-glass/images/30949872/title/clary-jace-fanart

Also, here's a kickin' trailer for City of Glass!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU4hJAPXGPs

Stay tuned for the City of Fallen Angels post on Saturday!

- Marlon

What are your favorite City of Glass fan-arts or fanfics?

Let us know in the comments!

Countdown to City of Heavenly Fire: City of Ashes

If you haven't heard, in anticipation of City of Heavenly Fire's release next week (ONLY SEVEN MORE DAYS!!!!)  we are doing a post for each book in The Mortal Instruments series. The posts will be done every other day until City of Heavenly Fire launches. If you missed it, check out the outfits Noor picked out for City of Bones!

For my post, I'll be doing a Cover Cosmetics post (shocking, right?). For this makeup look, I was inspired by ashes (because City of Ashes) and the fiery look of Clary's hair on the cover. I used a fire-colored glitter on the lid and black and silvery gray in the crease. I thought a smokey look was especially appropriate for City of Ashes.

The cover:

The makeup:

Thanks for checking it out and look out for the next countdown post on Thursday!

- Kiersten

What colors inspire you from City of Ashes?

Let us know in the comments!

Countdown to City of Heavenly Fire: City of Bones

So as many of you may be eagerly anticipating, City of Heavenly Fire, the final, probably heart-wrenching installment of the Mortal Instruments series, is due to release on May 27th. In honor of that, we've decided to do a post for every book in the series, posting one every other day, until the day we've all been waiting for, when Cassandra Clare rips our hearts out with a stack of paper. Instead of normal reviews, we're doing different types of posts for every book, so you'll have to tune in to see what we come up with for each book. For City of Bones, I've put together two outfit collages based on the book!

The first is inspired by none other than Isabelle Lightwood:



For this outfit, I focused very heavily on Shadowhunter black. This was more literal of an outfit interpretation the other one, and it's very clear where Izzy's influences come from. When I read the book, I was immediately drawn to Isabelle as a character. She's strong, independent, hardcore, and tough, but she isn't afraid to be a girl. "Nothing less than seven inches" is her motto, when referring to the size of her heels. Isabelle always dresses impeccably stylishly, and often looks intimidating. And that includes her Shadowhunting outfits. Shadowhunters look better in black, and no one pulls it off quite like Isabelle Lightwood. Reading City of Bones, I knew that even though she could wear plain black unassuming fighting gear, why would she? Isabelle Lightwood looks nothing short of badass. If you want to channel your inner Izzy, this is the outfit for you.

I picked the vest first. It's black and it's leather, which is always a stylish combo. I particularly liked the zippers. I enjoyed the fact that it was a vest because it gave her free movement of her arms and I liked the idea of her signature whip snaking up her arms without sleeves forming a barrier between the whip and her skin. I thought the leggings complimented the vest nicely, especially with all the zippers. The extra metal looks almost as fierce as Izzy as actually is on the inside. And then, of course, there are the heels. If anyone can run and kill demons in heels, it's Isabelle. Every inch gives more power to her already 5'9" frame. These heels give her feet room to breathe and have all the height she needs. I added in a few images of runes because those are always important for Shadowhunters, as runes are how they get their strength. We all know Izzy has courage and strength, so I thought those would be fitting. And last but not least, her whip. The one I included in this photoset is actually a bangle version of her signature snake whip so if you're trying to rock an Izzy-style outfit, make sure to add that finishing touch. It's her weapon of choice and she's mastered it like no one ever could.

This next outfit takes inspiration from the most fabulous, glittery character in the series, the one and only Magnus Bane (specifically, his parties) :



Magnus Bane is a fabulous warlock, known for throwing outrageous parties. So let's say you've snagged an invite to such an esteemed event? What do you wear? From all those times you've stared from afar, you've seen people walk in wearing everything from evening gowns to bathing suit, so where should your outfit fall on the spectrum? I put together something that should get you a second invite.

The pants caught my eye first. They just screamed Magnus Bane and I knew that if I was a guest at his party he would appreciate them. Those pants were a must in this outfit and what I based it around. Also, not gonna lie I actually own similar pants, and I always feel kinda Magnus Bane in them. Anyway, I knew I wanted to do gold and glittery as a theme with this outfit so I searched for a top with that in mind, as you can see with what I ultimately decided upon. I was debating whether or not I wanted to go with something with spikes or studs instead but I decided on this instead and I'm really happy with it. The shoes were next. Gold statement heels to compliment the top. After I picked the fundamentals, I knew I wanted something to give the outfit a pop. The word cape came to mind. I love the color red so naturally I knew what was coming next. I found this one and I thought it was beautiful and elegant and gave the outfit the finishing touch it needed. After that, I just needed to add accessories. The clutch and the bangle, in my opinion, compliment the outfit without distracting from it. The smokey eye look is necessary to add to the mystery a Magnus Bane party, and I especially love the pop of red, Last but not least, red lipstick to deal the deal and keep all eyes on you! 

I hope you guys enjoyed my City of Bones inspired outfits and I hope you're as excited for City of Heavenly Fire as I am! 

- Noor

What are you inspired to wear after reading City of Bones?

Let us know in the comments!