Hell is empty and all the devils are here.

—William Shakespeare, The Tempest

The valley of the shadow of death

I can't believe these guys are dying over and over again. Like they would be in a never ending vortex of existence. It must be tiresome for them. Not to mention me...

"I’m in love with your strength. I’m in love with your determination, the way you never ever give up."

Lela stampedes for Malachi in the the Mazakin realm with Ana at which point I'm not even surprised. The rule of staying dead once you get killed apparently doesn't apply here. The rescue mission of getting Malachi out of the Mazakin shackle doesn't go all smoothly. Although this is the place where people can not cross the river of death, they are likely to suffer a thousand of terrible ending. Sometimes mort is not the worst thing that can happen in life.

The girls set off on a suicide mission while they're well aware of the darkness feasibility of not making it alive. But then what life would they have to live devoid of the men they love?

"Sometimes all you can do is face what’s in front of you and see it for what it is—and what it’s not."

Worse than hell, they pop up amid the bustling creatures and can't do anything but fight their way through to Malachi suffering a thousand of almost-to-dies when the Mazakin Queen eats his heart every day. It's the worst of nether world we're talking about so you may not be surprised if you encounter some nauseous things here. But everything is allowed in love & war, isn't it?

If it's not enough, the rescue mission is playing the omnipotent spirits who are intended to free the trapped human souls from this bottomless pit. Who else would sacrifice his own eternal soul other than that goodwilled bastard, Malachi? That's how he makes amendments for his deeds, I guess. Now I'm pretty sure Malachi and Lela have no future left to live if every damn second Malachi is willing to dich his life for someone else's. Frigging distressing.

“You walked into hell for me. I fought my way out of heaven for you. No matter what happens, there is one thing I don’t doubt at all: we will find each other again.”–the statement is unlikely to stay true this time.

Lela has an unfinished business left on the land of living after they distroyed the portal to the Mazakin realm. She's way too tired and afflicted by the loss to think clearly which nearly causes her death. But her life-time hero ascends from the downworld one more time to fight their finally battle.

"I was still exhausted. Still grieving. But I wouldn’t stop until I had done the job I’d been sent here to do. It was about me choosing who I wanted to be."

Lela has to make a difference between what she wants and what she needs. Ether she stays on the peaceful Countryside where no harm will befall on her ever or she returns to the one with whom she's always felt home. There's a faint beacon of hope that they might go on with their life together alive and breathing. Another chance to live. They'd better appreciate this time.

How I feel

Level-headed.

Song

Fleurie - Hurts Like Hell

https://youtu.be/pUlX8ltm_JU

Rating

5 out of 5

"Heaven turned out to be pretty damn disappointing."

Land of the Living

"Life as it was now: a weird intersection of normal and crazy, of life and beyond-life, afterlife, undead, whatever."

When I thought the story could not be better I was badly mistaken. It's nothing like I've encountered before keeping me constantly on the edge of a heart attack or something. It. Is. Outstanding. Period.

"A girl who would kick serious ass if anyone threatened the people she cared about."

The portal from hell opens up in Rhode Island and spits out Ms. Spitfire becoming the Captain of the newly assaigned mundane mission and Malachi falling behind the top-notch. Obviously they arrive only in a not-taking-a-step-without-the-other package but no blame because they Rock in a kind of Tris-Four hell-bent, kicking-ass, smoldering-emotions version.

The odds do not exactly work out in their favour as Mazakins seem to have the buldge on the crew. Which means they're having the worse end of stuff during their attempts of fighting the greatest war of history so as they can save humanity. They do what has to be done without batting an eyelid. What a badass crew.

“I’m sorry I’m so inept. Most of me wants to protect you. From everything. I hope you know that.”

Malachi (my boy) feels a fish out of water discovering and adapting to the new technology of the 21st century which is adorable. After seven decades he's able to have a decent blow-out. While working out his feelings for Lela is an other question entirely.

“The human capacity for self-delusion is truly limitless.”

His most dreadful dreams come true when he kills an innocent in protection of Lela blinded by the fear for her safety. And events take a turnaround as Malachi decides to play the guilt-striken-vampire. I can't even express how miserable I am when he cuts their relationship short. He "can't make another mistake like that" and he "has to focus on the mission". Shoot.

While poor devil Edward takes action in order to protect his frigging-pale mundane girlfriend, Malachi needs to tend his own god-damn cheesey soul. Not really selfless if you ask me. So now that they're not an item anymore she feels free for dating another guy which is just fine. Except for the little fact that he's not Malachi. Who could ever possibly replace him anyway? Not an option.

I feel like I've been thorough a thrilling emotion-roller-coaster : love, jealousy, life-threatening danger (I keep gritting my teeth all the way)–all in one package. What else could I wish for?

"My point was my original question. A lie. Has it ever made you stronger, Malachi?”
"I lover her. That is the truth."

How I feel now

I. Can't. Breath.

Rating

5 out of 5

Song

Imagine Dragons - Demons

https://youtu.be/mWRsgZuwf_8

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Cassandra Claire - City of Bones

There are books which are Okay but you're able to let go and live on your miserable mundane life. Then there are some stories which capture your attention, snap you out of your comfy bubble and make you feel rather dizzy for a couple of few more days.

Then there're worlds in which you're completely lost being unable to tell the difference between reality and a whole new universe coming to life in your head. You're there with the characters feeling the exact same emotions they live through. As if you had dozens of hot true love and your heart was broken more than in real life. One time you scream, the other time you weep–an endless circle. Then you wail for the reason that it's all over. The pages have run out and there's nothing left but an endless void that cannot be filled. Well, that's this book for me...

Life isn't taken for granted

Lela and Nadia are inseparable since Lela moved to another faster parent of many in Rhode Island. Lela has learnt some tough lessons during the juvie (kick-ass girl) which explains how impossible it is for someone getting through the concrete wall she built around her. Except for Nadia. She has faith in Lela that she could do better in life and she's worth the effort to make her a decent citizen of society. They have a pretty strong bond. On the other hand, Nadia isn't all smiles and fun, either. Deep down she has sorrow feelings hidden even from her bestie. Once she decided to take control and end her life by her own hands. Who could blame her? Life could be shitty sometimes. But Lela takes the blame and follows her best friend into death even though inadvertently. We all know there are no such a thing like a coincidence, don't we?

The Suicide City–Heaven turned out to be pretty damn disappointing

Lela knows exactly where she ended up—the beautiful Countryside of peace and eternal happiness. But how could she live happily ever after if she was the one letting Nadia down? After she cared about her when no one did spare a second thought? Lela has the guts to head the suicide city 'where the only things that grew were the festering wishes of the dead, sorrowful people trapped there.'

I wonder her courage (or stupidity?) to go through hell for her. I doubt my own blood would do that for me, so she has certainly big shoes to fill in. Here comes a strong female lead who can take care of herself finally and helly yeah no need for man action. I give my thumb up!

"This was the shining moment, the one where I proved I was worth the time she’d spent on me."

Off the beaten track

She gets into hot water by messing with the Guards. She's definitely made as welcome as a dog on a putting-green. No point in stirring up trouble if she'd like to get off with a whole skin. Her chances of finding Nadia and dragging her to the Countryside are running pretty low since Malachi (hurray!) is intended to get her out of the hapless city of sorrow to which she doesn't belong. He’d spent the last several decades in a walled city of cement and steel and slime (without any feminine charms to comfort him–poor thing), so he's obviously not in the mood of coming to silly selfless girls' aid who don't give a damn for their own safety but he makes a lenient exception. The guy hasn't had a wide range of fun so I can't blame him falling for the first pretty eyes he's encountered in the last seventy years. I keep my eyes on him though.

Battle array

Malachi Captin of the Dark City is in charge of eliminating the Mazakins—evil spirits arriving straight from hell and in the meantime they're busy occupying the bodies of the wretched citizens. By wielding staff and a lethal scimitar he certainly makes a pretty terrifying first impression. It explains why she can't take her eyes of the smoking hot body of his. In my mind at least...

"I am here. I will do what they ask me to do, and I will do it well."

Despite the waste land where nothing good grow there, something is growing between them which makes both of them vulnerable and willing to make mistakes which they cannot afford. Or else they have to pay a high price. Kind of woozy since they're already dead. I should tell it's not fair suffering more after death, is it? Wasn't the first time enough? What about the jumping-on-fluffy-clouds and angle-kissed-cherub bullshit? I put in a claim for damages.

Second chances

They don't seem to have the ball at their feet. Even though they have a bright future to live out in the Countryside Lela's rather willing to sacrifice her soul in exchange of Nadia's well-being. Craaaazy...What a selfless busy-bee.

In return she's appointed a Guard with Malachi sticking to her like glue. He won't go anywhere without her which doesn't hurt really. Even if he's missed his chance of living happily ever after outside the Suicide City's wall. (If only someone did that for me!) How nice that they have found each other in hell. Maybe the miserable folks like us stand a chance after all....

"I cannot help but fear that I lose a piece of myself every single time. Still, I will do what I can, perhaps until there is nothing left of me."

After reading

Hampered respiration

Songs

Hurts - Some Kind of Heaven

Movie

I wish it was made into a movie! I've recently come across Matthew Daddario whose dark presence matches that of Malachi. Lela should be someone who is badass enough for this role. Any touch-me-not is below the line.

Rating

5 out of 5