Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


Synopsis:
Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Review:
After all the hype about this book I had to read it to find out what the fuss was.

The writing style is brilliant. I loved the strikeouts to differentiate what Juliet wanted to feel, and what she was actually prepared to feel. The wayward, jagged train of thought is poignant to a person who has withdrawal from human society, and the randomness of actions was excellent.

Gradually as the story continues we don't see as much, as we realise Juliette is becoming accustomed to being around people, or in particular, Adam. Adam, from the start, came across as the good guy and I liked him immediately. The interesting twist as their characters blend is charming and alarming at the same time.

Warner is someone we all know, and his clutch on Juliette was way too freaky to be normal.

As the story continues it sadly brings us back to normaldom, as we experience boring quirks in the story which I didn't like. About two-thirds in I felt the story slow down to a minimum and it didn't really pick up. It meandered in a direction I wasn't expecting, and I'm not sure I really liked the outcome.

I'm not sure why the Author chose to follow the end theme as we were heading in a great direction with the Reestablishment and possibly bringing it down. If Juliette had stayed there and uncovered more anomalies of Warners badness I would have been more satisfied.

Instead we get a mixture of The Incredibles and X-men and it all felt a little too easy to follow a set trope instead of a proper dystopian-apocalyptic finale.

Needless to say, I will read the second book but I won't rush for it.

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Review: The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman

 My rating: 4 of 5 stars

THANK YOU TO NET GALLEY AND RANDOM HOUSE CHILDRENS BOOKS FOR ALLOWING ME TO REVIEW THIS BOOK AND GIVE MY HONEST OPINION

Synopsis: It was like a nightmare, but there was no waking up. When the night began, Nora had two best friends and an embarrassingly storybook one true love. When it ended, she had nothing but blood on her hands and an echoing scream that stopped only when the tranquilizers pierced her veins and left her in the merciful dark.

But the next morning, it was all still true: Chris was dead. His girlfriend Adriane, Nora's best friend, was catatonic. And Max, Nora's sweet, smart, soft-spoken Prince Charming, was gone. He was also—according to the police, according to her parents, according to everyone—a murderer.

Desperate to prove his innocence, Nora follows the trail of blood, no matter where it leads. It ultimately brings her to the ancient streets of Prague, where she is drawn into a dark web of secret societies and shadowy conspirators, all driven by a mad desire to possess something that might not even exist. For buried in a centuries-old manuscript is the secret to ultimate knowledge and communion with the divine; it is said that he who controls the Lumen Dei controls the world. Unbeknownst to her, Nora now holds the crucial key to unlocking its secrets. Her night of blood is just one piece in a puzzle that spans continents and centuries. Solving it may be the only way she can save her own life.

Review:
The thing that grabs you into this story are the characters. Nora is fantastic, I almost wished we had been friends. Adriane is an oddity but acceptable as friends go. Chris, well, he's the boy that Nora doesn't want boyfriend-wise but he's brilliant as a best friend...and Max who made my heart skip a beat until he finally ripped it out...

This book is fantastic if you like an intellectual read. Set firstly in US and then tripping over to Prague we follow Nora's quest to uncover the Lumen Dei, an artifact that can talk to God. Or so we think. Actually we're not really sure what it does as I'm led to believe it's never actually been put into practise. Nora starts translating texts from an elusive Elizabeth Weston. We hear her story from the 16th century and her involvement and fathers incarceration at the Emperors behest. Soon, we uncover truths, lies, more mystery and find ourselves on a treasure hunt around the city.

The writing is exquisite. Moving from Nora to Elizabeth with ample descriptions and much more. When Chris is found dead you literally cannot put this book down! Every turn of the page could be another clue, another door opening to another mystery to solve and because of this I loved it.

My trust in the characters was stretched as Nora's POV was imaginative and eye opening. As a character she's pretty grounded and doesn't accept everything as it is.The down-side is only how the story travelled towards the end. I was a little disappointed but that's only my own opinion of which way the author led us. Others may agree that it was the right path.

But either way, this book should not be missed.

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Review: Cross My Heart by Sasha Gould

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

THANK YOU TO NET GALLEY AND RANDOM HOUSE CHILDRENS BOOKS FOR ALLOWING ME TO REVIEW THIS BOOK AND GIVE MY HONEST OPINION

Synopsis:
Venice, 1585.

When 16-year-old Laura della Scala learns that her older sister, Beatrice, has drowned, she is given no time to grieve. Instead, Laura's father removes her from the convent where he forcibly sent her years earlier and orders her to marry Beatrice's fiancé, a repulsive old merchant named Vincenzo.

Panicked, Laura betrays a powerful man to earn her way into the Segreta, a shadowy society of women who deal in only one currency—secrets. The Segreta seems like the answer to Laura's prayers. The day after she joins their ranks, Vincenzo is publicly humiliated and conveniently exiled.

Soon, however, Laura begins to suspect that her sister's death was not a tragic accident but a cold-blooded murder—one that might involve the Segreta and the women she has come to trust

Review:
This book is a wonderfully beautiful read that tells the story of 16th century Venice and all the mystery, intrigue and suspense that comes with it. I've always wanted to go to Venice so for me the descriptions of the canals, the Palazzos and of course dresses and jewels were a delightful insight.

Laura is headstrong and from the beginning we understand that she's not entirely happy with her life in the convent. So when she's released she really comes into her own. Her character grows stronger and stronger as the book continues.

I loved the idea of a Secret Society for women however I would have liked to learn a little more about them. The concept of a Society brings ideas of initiations and gossip but we neither see much nor hear more about them except for the two head ladies.

The romance was a surprise. More of a traditional kind than heart pounding but it was sweet nonetheless.

As for the mystery and suspense, well, I couldn't put the book down. It gripped me right from the word, Go! with the families all mixed and intertwined with one another - except for the feud families which the story is based around.

The antagonist - well, I didn't see it coming. But I understood exactly how and why. This is a clever story that will have you guessing, and enjoying every minute of it.

The reason I haven't given this 5 stars is because I would have liked it to be longer (however it is being published by Puffin) and I didn't like the cover but I see another version is available now too.

All in all - a great read!

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Cover versus Cover

What is going on with book covers these days?
Has anyone else noticed this?
Covers are supposed to be original, the artists work unique and always traditionally published books have been bought and coveted because of the cover artwork.

So it's really surprised me to find that two press published (as opposed to self-publish) have the same image.

Published August 21st 2011 by Revolution Publishing

Expected publication: January 2nd 2012 by Egmont Books Ltd

Ironically its this cover of Hallowed that we're giving away in our end of January draw.

Let me know if you see this image anywhere else!!

Review: New Girl by Paige Harbison

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

THANK YOU TO NET GALLEY AND HARLEQUIN FOR ALLOWING ME TO REVIEW THIS BOOK AND GIVE MY HONEST OPINION

Synopsis:
They call me 'New Girl'...

Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her.

Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault.

Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be.

And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back

Review:
If anyone is familiar with Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (one of my favourite books) then this story will be slightly familiar, however the premise is told in a new YA way about a school called Manderley and a girl who (in keeping with the original book) is only known by name at the end.

Told from 2 POV's, one being Becca and one being New Girl, we are soon engulfed in a tightly woven tale that hums alongside each other perfectly. Pretty soon into the story you realise who is the innocent and who is the guilty party. And you can't help your own emotions get in the way. One minute you want to scream at Becca for being like she is, and in the next you want to scream at New Girl for not seeing it through unprejudiced eyes. The poisonous whispers of others soon affect New Girl and her rational way of thinking, especially when it comes to Max (Becca's ex) but are the poison whispers true or false? Only Becca can answer that.

I loved this book! I loved the storytelling and the writing. I loved the way the answers began to slip into the story gradually. Around two-thirds in we have a slight repetition in events that slow it down a little but the characters are all written so fantastically well that you don't mind and can't help just going with it.

And the end? I had a warm fuzzy feeling...and a big smile on my face...I hope you do too!

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Review: Knight's Curse by Karen Duvall

Knight's Curse by Karen Duvall

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



If you like books about knights, crusades and the battle for light over dark evil and a kick ass girl then this book is for you!

Synopsis:
A skilled knife fighter since the age of nine, Chalice knows what it’s like to live life on the edge—precariously balanced between the dark and the light. But the time has come to choose. The evil sorcerer who kidnapped her over a decade ago requires her superhuman senses to steal a precious magical artifact…or she must suffer the consequences.

Desperate to break the curse that enslaves her, Chalice agrees. But it is only with the help of Aydin— her noble warrior-protector—that she will risk venturing beyond the veil to discover the origins of her power. Only for him will she dare to fully embrace her awesome talents. For a deadly duel is at hand, and Chalice alone will have to decide between freedom…and the love of her life.

Review:
In the beginning I didn't feel that Chalice had enough courage, she maybe had a little bit too much attitude for my liking. But the more you delve into the story the more you realise that she's changing. She learns how to hate, and also how to love.

Aydin is a sneaky protector. There were honestly times when I thought he was betraying Chalice but then he does the unspeakable and saves her life while giving up his own. The truly honourable dead cost him dearly - he really is the knight in shining armour.

The writing is captivating, the flow of the story is steady and continual, leading you on to a heartbreaking but exciting outcome. Of course, there has to be a book 2 because the story is still incomplete. But its certainly one that I can't wait for.

Overall I found it compelling, exciting, emotional and you certainly want to root for the good guys. But who will win in the end?? Will Aydin and Chalice ever finally find their love? We shall have to wait and see....

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Review: Halflings by Heather Burch

Halflings by Heather Burch

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

THANK YOU TO NET GALLEY AND ZONDERVAN FOR ALLOWING ME TO REVIEW THIS BOOK AND GIVE MY HONEST OPINION


What struck me most was the wonderful creative writing of Burch. Her fluidity takes you on a third person journey and from beginning to end the action is intense. What lets this book down (in my eyes) is the forced attempt at a love triangle which digresses from the main story itself. Furthered with so many unanswered questions I reached the end with a feeling cheated by the Author.

Synopsis:
After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret—and the wings that come with.

A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys’ powers, as well as her role in a scientist’s dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world.

Review:
The Halflings concept is a new twist on the Angels genre. I've read so many Angel based books now so for me this was original. However the background of the Halflings was a little bit too vague. Yes, we understand that they've been on lots of journeys protecting people, however you still get a sense that all 3 halflings are very naive. Especially with their emotions.

The story was left incomplete. I don't mind cliffhangers but you get the impression that not even half of the questions raised in this book were answered. For instance, first and foremost we should have found out exactly why Nikki Youngblood is being targetted. And who is Vessler? And what's the story with Richmond (yes we know he worked for Omega but why are the bad guys after him?)I got the impression that the author hadn't finished writing the book and as I read the last page I was amazed that a book had been published with no meaning behind it, I felt empty.

Nikki initially reminded me of Rose Hathaway from the Vampire Academy series. She's tough, very tough. But her character didn't come over as solid enough as she led Mace on and then quickly flicked over to Raven. The love triangle annoyed me immensely and unless it has a major part of the story line I couldn't shake the feeling that this was forced into Halflings intentionally just for extra filler.

Overall there's a lot of writing and its great. I have to commend Burch for that. But the story in the writing is stretched and flawed. I will be interested when book 2 comes out but I won't be rushing to buy it.

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