Sunday 24 November 2013

Bleeding Violet- Dia Reeves

Publisher: Simone Pulse
Published: Jan 5, 2010
454 Pages
Goodreads page

Love can be a dangerous thing...

Hanna simply wants to be loved. With a head plagued by hallucinations, a medicine cabinet full of pills, and a closet stuffed with frilly, violet dresses, Hanna’s tired of being the outcast, the weird girl, the freak. So she runs away to Portero, Texas in search of a new home.

But Portero is a stranger town than Hanna expects. As she tries to make a place for herself, she discovers dark secrets that would terrify any normal soul. Good thing for Hanna, she’s far from normal. As this crazy girl meets an even crazier town, only two things are certain: Anything can happen and no one is safe

This was definitely one of the strangest books Ive read in a long time.
Hanna is a pretty messed up character but it was pretty interesting to see into her mind. She kind of freaked me out a little and i wouldn't want to come across her in real life.
I didn't think much of the town, the story as a whole seemed like a bunch of random ideas thrown together and it didn't work as well as the author intended i think.
It was a decent read but i just found it a little all over the place for my liking.

***
Three stars

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Fangirl- Rainbow Rowell

Publisher: St Martins Press
Published: Sep 10, 2013
443 pages
Goodreads page

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan . . .

But for Cath, being a fan is her life — and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And do

Rainbow Rowell is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors.
This was such a cute read. I loved Caths character, she was so quirky you really felt like you knew her and could understand her as a person.
I found the whole twin thing fascinating as i have always wanted to be a twin. Cath and Wrens relationship felt so real, i would actually love to read a book written from her point of view.
Levi has such a cute personality but i have to be honest and say the person i pictured in my head from the description wasn't all that attractive, but of course looks aren't everything and that could be just the way I'm perceiving him anyway.
Overall this was an amazing story and i absolutely loved it!

*****
Five stars

Wednesday 6 November 2013

October Wrap up

October was a busy month for me, it was my birthday and i am also still getting the hang of having a toddler and a newborn so that has been keeping me on my toes. I didn't get as much reading done as id like but hopefully ill get back in the swing of things soon.


Did i do that?- Amber Humphrey
*****


The walking dead vol 1- Robert Kirkman & Tony Moore
Goodreads page
*****


The Immortal rules- Julie Kagawa
Goodreads page
***


Sharp objects- Gillian Flynn
Goodreads page
****

Friday 25 October 2013

Sharp Objects- Gillian Flynn

Publisher: Shaye Areheart Books
Published: Sep 26, 2006
272 pages
Goodreads page

WICKED above her hipbone, GIRL across her heart 
Words are like a road map to reporter Camille Preaker’s troubled past. Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, Camille’s first assignment from the second-rate daily paper where she works brings her reluctantly back to her hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls.

NASTY on her kneecap, BABYDOLL on her leg 
Since she left town eight years ago, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed again in her family’s Victorian mansion, Camille is haunted by the childhood tragedy she has spent her whole life trying to cut from her memory.

HARMFUL on her wrist, WHORE on her ankle 
As Camille works to uncover the truth about these violent crimes, she finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Clues keep leading to dead ends, forcing Camille to unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past to get at the story. Dogged by her own demons, Camille will have to confront what happened to her years before if she wants to survive this homecoming.

This book was incredibly dark and somewhat messed up in parts but that is what was so great about it.
The mystery and darkness is so captivating i was hooked throughout.
Camille's character is so messed up and reading about her and her incredibly messed up family was just so intriguing.
Gillian isn't afraid to go to dark places to keep us reading and i really love that about her writing style, i haven't read many books that were as captivating in such a messy way.
I definitely would not recommend this book for anyone under the age of 18, its very up front and there is quite a bit of adult content.
I have to say i did not pick the ending. Up until the very end i was kept guessing at who done it and was quite surprised.

This is a great read for those who like a dark and twisted story. I enjoyed it and will be picking up more of Gillian's work.

****
Four stars

Monday 14 October 2013

The Immortal Rules- Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Published: April 24, 2012
485 pages
Goodreads page

To survive in a ruined world, she must embrace the darkness…

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them—the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself dies and becomes one of the monsters.

Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what and who is worth dying for… again.


I was quite hesitant going into this book, because as we all know the vampire genre is somewhat tainted. I however had heard nothing but good things about it so i decided to give it a go.
I really love the world and how its kind of opposite to a normal vampire story where vampires rule rather than humans.
Its great to go through Allie's transformation with her and see how she deals with becoming a monster.
I also like how vampires are actually the way they should be (not sparkling), they cant go in sunlight and they have to feed on humans.
I found this book did take me a long time to get through. It wasn't necessarily because i didn't enjoy it i think maybe i just had a lot going on the last few weeks.

Overall its a great take on vampires and i thought it was very enjoyable.

****
Four stars

Sunday 29 September 2013

Born Wicked- Jessica Spotswood

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Published: Feb 7, 2012
330 pages
Goodreads page

Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.

This book is about a girl named Cate, who after her mother passed away had to take on the responsibility of running the house and looking after her sisters all while keeping hidden that herself and her sisters are witches. Anybody found as a witch gets sent away and Cate must protect herself and her sisters from detection.
I liked the premise of this story, but the execution wasn't done so well. I found that the story was quite slow and it really just took me forever to get through. There wasn't enough happening to keep me interested and i was bored through a lot of it.
I like Cate's character i think shes really strong and i love how passionate she is about her sisters. 
I also like reading about the way things where back then, how women were barely educated and expected to serve their husbands. That era really fascinates me but it wasn't enough to make the book entertaining for me.
I'm kind of interested to see what happens in the next book because the end didn't go the way i thought it would but i don't have high hopes for this series, its a little flat for me.

***
Three stars

September wrap-up


The truth about forever- Sarah Dessen
***


The selection- Kiera Cass
Goodreads page
****


The Elite- Kiera Cass
Goodreads page
***


Fantastic beasts and where to find them- J.K.Rowling
Goodreads page
****


Born Wicked- Jessica Spotswood
Goodreads page
***

Thursday 19 September 2013

The Selection & The Elite- Kiera Cass

Publisher: Harper Teen
Published: April 24, 2012
327 Pages
Goodreads page

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.


When going into this book ill be honest and say i didn't really have high hopes for it. Hearing that it was like a version of the bachelor kind of put me off but I actually really loved this book! The plot was really unique and i loved the girliness of the dresses and the dates and everything. I love that its not your typical love story and there is more going on that first appears.
I love America's character she is really a strong person and i feel really invested in her and her relationship with Maxon.
I think the world building was done really well and everything is so well written. I'm interested to learn more about the royals and whats going on with the attacks.
The only reason i didn't give it five stars was because there is the love triangle aspect to it that I'm not so much a fan of. Although it is one of the least annoying love triangles Ive read, i still feel like its just to common among YA and would rather see less of it.

I cant fault anything else its definitely a thumbs up for this one!

****
Four stars



Publisher: HarperTeen
Published: April 23, 2013
323 Pages
Goodreads page

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.
Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

Unfortunately i was pretty disappointed with this book.
It was ok to start off with but i found America incredibly annoying after a short time. It seems like she lost that strength she had in the first book and throughout the whole book she was constantly changing her mind and declaring her love for Maxon and then Aspen. It kind of drove me crazy after a while.
I like the rest of the book, the parts that weren't about the romance. I'm really keen to know more about the northerners and southerners and why they have been doing what they're doing.

Im looking forward to the next book and hopefully America will make a decision and stop bugging me with her indecisiveness but unfortunately i wasn't in love with this one.

***
Three stars

Sunday 1 September 2013

August wrap up


The Iron Daughter- Julie Kagawa
****
Four stars


The Kingmakers Daughter- Philippa Gregory
Goodreads page
*****
Five stars


In Time- Alexandra Bracken
Goodreads page
**
Two stars


Confessions of a shopaholic- Sophie Kinsella
Goodreads page
***
Three stars


City of ashes- Cassandra Clare
Goodreads page
***
Three stars
Pretty happy with how much i got read this month considering its been a bit of a hectic month. September is going to be even busier for me because my baby is due this week so hopefully i can still get a little reading done.
I probably wont be posting much on here but i guess we'll see how we go.
Happy Reading!

Tuesday 27 August 2013

City of Ashes- Cassandra Clare

Publisher: McElderry books
Published: March 25, 2008
453 pages
Goodreads page

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones
, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.
I really wanted to like this series. After all the hype its gotten i had high hopes for it. Unfortunately I'm finding that I'm just really not a fan. 
I don't particularly care about the characters and i find the story line kind of dull. The whole time i was reading this book i was constantly wondering when it was going to end.
I cant put my finger on specifically what it is i don't like but it kind of just isn't my thing i think.

I feel like sometimes when the characters have a conversation it always feels robotic and they will try to chuck in some witty remark or try to be funny and it really just doesn't work well.

I may read the next book out of curiosity but i am not guaranteeing anything.

I'm still interested to try out the infernal devices trilogy because i have heard quite a few people who didn't like the mortal instruments actually liked the infernal devices. So i think ill give it a go and if that doesn't interest me it may just be that Cassandra Clare's writing style doesn't work for me personally.

***
Three stars

Friday 9 August 2013

Flashback Friday #5


Flashback Friday is a weekly meme i created where we can take a look back at books we loved when we were younger. Being someone who has loved reading my whole life its fun to look back at the books that you once enjoyed. If you want to join the fun link up below and share you favorites!
This weeks book is:


The secret garden- Frances Hodgson Burnett
First published: 1911
331 pages

What secrets lie behind the doors at Misselthwaite Manor? Recently arrived at her uncle's estate, orphaned Mary Lennox is spoiled, sickly, and certain she won't enjoy living there. Then she discovers the arched doorway into an overgrown garden, shut up since the death of her aunt ten years earlier. Mary soon begins transforming it into a thing of beauty--unaware that she is changing too.But Misselthwaite hides another secret, as mary discovers one night. High in a dark room, away from the rest of the house, lies her young cousin, Colin, who believes he is an incurable invalid, destined to die young. His tantrums are so frightful, no one can reason with him. If only, Mary hopes, she can get Colin to love the secret garden as much as she does, its magic will work wonders on him.


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Friday 2 August 2013

The iron daughter (Iron fey #2)- Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Published: Aug 1, 2010
359 Pages
Goodreads page

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.


I really love this world that Julie has created. It took me a bit to get back into it because i read the first book quite a while ago but once my memory caught up i was taken away to this magical world.
I know that a lot of people aren't into books about faeries but i actually really enjoy it, its a great escape from reality.
I liked how the story adventure continued and although Meghan could get annoying at times its pretty easy to see past that to the other great characters that are in this book. I love Puck and Ash and the rivalry they have going.
The one part in this book that kind of bugged me was the dance (those who have read it will know what I'm talking about). It was kind of cheesy and i think it would have been better for the story if they made that part in a different setting, but that's the only problem i had.
I'm excited to continue the series and see where the story and adventure goes.

****
Four stars

Wednesday 31 July 2013

July wrap up


The perks of being a wallflower- Stephen Chbosky
***
Three stars


Pretty little liars- Sara Shepard
Goodreads page
*****
Five stars


Twenty boy summer- Sarah Ockler
Goodreads page
****
Four stars


A million suns- Beth Revis
Goodreads page
*****
Five stars


Looking for Alaska- John Green
Goodreads page
***
Three Stars


Shades of earth- Beth Revis
Goodreads page
*****
Five stars


Really great reading month! I didnt get around to doing a review of Twenty boy Summer but i didnt have much to say on it, it was just ok for me.
I might be MIA the next two months, im due to have my baby so i will be pretty busy, but ill try and get a few reviews up if i have a chance.

Happy reading!

Wednesday 24 July 2013

Shades of earth (Across the universe #3)- Beth Revis

Publisher: Razorbill
Published: Jan 15, 2013
369 Pages
Goodreads page



Amy and Elder have finally left the oppressive walls of the spaceship Godspeed behind. They're ready to start life afresh--to build a home--on Centauri-Earth, the planet that Amy has traveled 25 trillion miles across the universe to experience.

But this new Earth isn't the paradise Amy had been hoping for. There are giant pterodactyl-like birds, purple flowers with mind-numbing toxins, and mysterious, unexplained ruins that hold more secrets than their stone walls first let on. The biggest secret of all? Godspeed's former passengers aren't alone on this planet. And if they're going to stay, they'll have to fight.

Amy and Elder must race to discover who--or what--else is out there if they are to have any hope of saving their struggling colony and building a future together. They will have to look inward to the very core of what makes them human on this, their most harrowing journey yet. Because if the colony collapses? Then everything they have sacrificed--friends, family, life on Earth--will have been for nothing.

This last book was quite different to the other two, it obviously had to be considering what went down in the last book but i still thoroughly enjoyed it.
I thought it was a really solid end to the series.

Amy's character still quite annoyed me in this one but not as much as the last book and it didn't make the story any less enjoyable. She just kind of bugged me the way she thinks sometimes.
I loved Elder's character throughout this series. He was definitely my favorite.

I don't want to talk to much about this book as it is the last in the series but ill just i was really happy with the way they ended it and i was kept full of suspense the whole way through.
Beth Revis has a captivating writing style that i really enjoyed.

*****
Five stars

Thursday 18 July 2013

Flashback Friday #4


Flashback Friday is a weekly meme i created where we can take a look back at books we loved when we were younger. Being someone who has loved reading my whole life its fun to look back at the books that you once enjoyed. If you want to join the fun link up below and share you favorites!
This weeks book is:


The baby sitters club- Ann M.Martin
First published: 1986
153 pages

Kristy thinks the Baby-sitters Club is a great idea. She and her friends Claudia, Stacey and Mary Anne all love taking care of kids. A club will give them the chance to have lots of fun-and make tons of money.

But nobody counted on crank calls, uncontrollable two-year-olds, wild pets, and parents who don't always tell the truth. And then there's Stacey, who's acting more and more mysterious. Having a baby-sitters club isn't easy, but Kristy and her friends aren't giving up until they get it right!



I loved this whole series but i thought i would just put the first on here. There was so many of these books i dont think i ever got round to reading them all but i loved all the ones i did read.
They had the best adventures and the friendship in this book was really great.



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