Review: Vengeance by Megan Miranda

Summary from Goodreads:
Nobody really believes in a curse. Until you know the people who disappear. Too much coincidence, you look for reason. Too much death, you grasp for something to blame. Carson pulled Delaney out and he died on the side of the road with her mouth pressed to his. Her air in his body. Troy. She told the cops it was suicide. Didn't matter. The lake released her and grabbed another. But when Decker's father dies in a pool of spilled water on their kitchen floor, all Decker can feel is a slow burning rage. Because he knows that Delaney knew that his dad was going to die. She knew and backed out of his house and never said a word. Falcon Lake still has a hold on them both, and Decker can't forgive Delaney until he knows why.


So it would appear that Megan Miranda has written another book that has left me completely gob smacked. What can I say about vengeance that I haven't already said about her other books? 

Vengeance is a sequel to Miranda's debut novel, Fracture, except this time the book is told from Decker's point of view. Can I get a hell yeah? I mean, who didn't just adore Decker in Fracture? Decker became a harder character for a good portion of this book and I think it was important that he did. He reacted in a normal, human way to a difficult situation and it made me love him more. Miranda's wonderful writing style effortlessly kept me engrossed through Decker's development and his challenges.

Decker's and Delaney's relationship is different from that of the end of Fracture. In many respects we are seeing the relationship that they had throughout fracture. Delaney is the same girl that we know and love. However, while I adore her we are seeing her through Decker's eyes and they aren't seeing her too favorably at the present time. Once again, the writers powerful writing is brought in to play here.

I honestly can't begin to praise Megan Miranda enough. I feel as though all of my words will fall short. The writing was wonderful and engaging and entertaining. The characters were real, you lived them, you hated then but you wanted them to be happy because they aren't bad people. They are good people that bad things have happened to. The entire book was eerie and creepy and wonderful. It was everything I hoped it would be and more. Much more. I will admit that I never hold out too much hope for sequels but, given Megan Miranda's wonderful writing style, I had my hope unconventionally high. And guess what? They were surpassed even more than I could hope for.

I realise now that this has been more of a gush fest than a review. Ah well. Go read it. Now.

Review: Hysteria by Megan Miranda ~ Leona

Summary from Goodreads:
Mallory's life is falling apart. 

Her boyfriend was stabbed. He bled to death in her kitchen. Mallory was the one who stabbed him. But she can't remember what happened that night. She only remembers the fear...

When Mallory's parents send her away to a boarding school, she thinks she can escape the gossip and the threats. But someone, or something, has followed her. There's the hand that touches her shoulder when she's drifting off to sleep. A voice whispering her name. And everyone knows what happened. So when a pupil is found dead, Mallory's name is on their lips. 

Her past can be forgotten but it's never gone. Can Mallory live with that?

Having adored Megan Miranda's debut novel, Fracture, I began reading Hysteria with high expectations. Let me tell you, they were met..and surpassed. I didn't think it would be possible for me to love her second book as much as I loved the first one. But I did.

As soon as I read the first line: My mother hid the knife block. I was intrigued, and then I was hooked! Megan Miranda has a way with opening lines. Fractures first line was wonderful and Hysterias was awesome.
The mystery that we get a feel for at the beginning continues through out the book. I was completely captivated in finding out more and more about our main character, Mallory. She killed her boyfriend so the tension we feel between her and her parents and those around her is understandable. I loved her and her love interest was awesome! Words cannot describe.

Allow me to introduce you to the love interest. His name is Reid and I love him. There's something about a guy whose name is my favourite past time. Reid was the most wonderful love interest that I could imagine. When he was first introduced I was rather weary of him. I thought he was just another stuck up guy who wanted to take advantage of Mallory. That is not what he was at all. He was sweet and charming and he was good for Mallory. I have only one question "Where can I get a Reid?"

This book had a lot of twist and turns and was constantly shocked by the changes throughout it. There were times when I felt emotional because there were parts that were brilliantly written and powerful. The ending of Hysteria left me hungry for more and i kind if wish that this wasn't a stand alone. But in other ways I'm glad that it was a standalone.

Hysteria is definitely one of my favourite books of 2013 and I cannot wait to read Megan Miranda's next book.

Review: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green ~ Leona

Summary from Goodreads:
Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now. 

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault. 

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

The Fault In Our Stars was a book that left me overwhelmed with emotions. It was an incredibly gripping story that had me hooked straight away. I became so engrossed in the characters and the story that I would read until the early hours of the morning. 

Every single moment between Augustus and Hazel was beautiful. Even when there was sadness there was beauty hiding underneath. I felt connected to the characters immediately which really helped me to enjoy the book.

You know when a book is so perfect you just can't find the words to describe it? The Fault In Our Stars is deffinitely one of them. I could sit here another 4 hours and still not be able to put into words my feelings about this book.

It's filled with humour, tragedy, love and sadness. It will bring you from laughter to sadness and back again. You will experience a wide range of emotions through out the book.

John Green is deffinitely one of the best authors that I have come across. I will absolutely read more of his work.

Review: Deadly Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock - Megan

Synopsis from Goodreads

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends.

Since then, Mac's life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac's hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy's killer:

A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome--also known as the werewolf virus--is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy's murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy's boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

There is no doubt that YA has had it's fair share of vampire and werewolf novels during recent years so initially I began this story thinking, what originality could Kathleen Peacock possibly derive from this genre? Of course, the majority of what you read is basic Werewolf 101 but there was mystery and suspense oozing out of every single word. It was impossible to put down.

What makes this plot stand out is obvious from the beginning: the werewolves are loose. Everyone has been made aware of Lupine Syndrome and everyone has grown accustomed to fearing for their own mortality. Throw in a group of bounty hunters - the Trackers - then quickly murder the protagonist's best friend - Amy - add an addictive love-triangle and voila, you have a page-turning book that twists and turns and tangles your thoughts more expertly than a pair of headphones.

Mackenzie Dobson: Hemlock's answer to Agatha Christie. For a girl with a lot of issues, she sure has the mental strength equivalent to that of ten oxes. Mac, understandably, is struggling to come to terms with Amy's death and when Amy's boyfriend, Jason, decides to drag himself down an alcohol-fueled path of self destruction, Mac instinctively steps in. Ignoring her advice, Jason brands himself a Tracker while Mac's best friend, Kyle, avoids her completely. Poor Mac is left alone playing Twister with the disturbing nightmares her late best friend plagues. But what is Amy trying to say?

Tension, torment and tears rip Mac's reality apart. Lies, secrets and betrayal stitch it back together because it's the only thing Mac knows to be true. Her entire life has been a struggle, it's a wonder how she can maintain self-control especially in her current situation.

Love triangles always manage to frustrate me but then again, most YA boys aren't Kyle and Jason. Kyle is my dream guy written on paper, wrapped up with a bow and sprinkled with perfection. Jason is the bad boy but he's a sweetheart underneath, it's so adorable. (Don't expect me to pick teams though, I refuse to choose!) The romance is always present throughout but it never takes the lead. The plot keeps within the spotlight and never falters on Mac's task to discover the truth behind Amy's murder.

Basically, Deadly Hemlock is perfection on paper. I honestly couldn't list a single fault. The mystery and suspense was consistant; the romance was sensational; the plot was impeccably structured and; Kathleen's wonderful writing style just enchants the entire reading experience.

Why aren't you already reading this? Go now. Before the white wolf gets you!

Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman - Leona

Summary from Goodreads:
In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...

A sophisticated, layered, and heart-achingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make, and the ultimate choice Mia commands.

If I say was a heart-wrenching and addictive read. I had such high hopes for this book and they were certainly met.

Early in the book we face a heart break. Gayle Forman knew exactly how to tug on my heart strings with the words she chose and the descriptions she wrote. We really get attached to the characters early on and that attachment lasted through out the book.

Every aspect in the book was perfectly written and every emotional moment was made all the more emotional by strong writing and a writing style that is hard not to connect with. The plot was developed wonderfully and at a believable pace. Nothing felt rushed. It left me wondering how it would end.

I borrowed the sequel to this book, Where She Went, from the library not realizing that it was a sequel so I knew how If I Stay ended. Having said that, I was still very emotional and in awe of the ending and couldn't stop thinking about it long after I had turned the last page.

It took me so long to write my review for this book because I honestly couldn't put into words my thoughts and feelings for this book. Honestly, if  you haven't read it then go to the library or bookshop and get it because it is amazing.

An emotional roller-coaster that left me thinking about long after I'd turned the last page.

Review: Hate List by Jennifer Brown - Leona

Summary from Goodreads:
Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.

Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.

When I found this book while making a search for my sister I was enticed by the synopsis. For some reason I find school shootings fascinating. I always wondered if the shooters had any good in them at all. Jennifer Brown shows us that Nick had some good in him. 

Valerie has always seen the good in him. Even after he goes on a shooting spree she stills remembers the good that he did when he was alive. Valerie was a like-able character, most of the time. There was times when I wanted to hug her and other times when I wanted to shake her and tell her that Nick was a bad person. But then I thought, Nick wasn't always a bad person. To Valerie, he was the person she loved and of course she wants to remember all the good times they had together.

When I was reading this I found it almost comical that I hated Valerie's father more than I disliked Nick. I know from reading others reviews  that I am not the only person that dislikes him. He turned out to be more of a bad guy than Nick because he didn't support Valerie when she needed him. 

The sad reality is that school shootings do happen. Jennifer Brown approached the subject with great respect. I, myself feel great respect towards Jennifer and Hate List. I really couldn't believe how good this book was. 

Jennifer Brown has a wonderful and strong writing style that allows us to feel emotions intensely. I found myself crying, uncontrollably towards the end of the book. It was an intense scene towards the end. 

A wonderful, thought-provoking and powerful novel that deals with real life issues in a respectful manner.

Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth - Megan

Synopsis from Goodreads

One choice can transform you--or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable--and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

I bought this book and it's prequel, Divergent, about a month ago and they've been sitting on my bookshelf looking pretty ever since so the other day I decided to finally give them a go and see what all the hype was about. I'm now kicking myself that I hadn't read them sooner! Veronica Roth has made a huge splash into the dystopian world with a new twist on the future's downfall.

I must admit, I expected this series to be some sort of not-so-violent version of The Hunger Games regarding the factions but once I got started those expections quickly disappeared. Divergent quickly became one of my favourite books of all time so I started Insurgent wondering if it would stay up on its pedestal or simply crash to the bottom of the disappointing-sequels pile. Thankfully, the former won.

Veronica Roth crafts a world that's rich in detail and more action-packed than ever. The characters are bigger and better; the plot is more complex; relationships are put to the test; and the fight against the Erudite builds more tension. The world-building takes a remarkable turn and adds more quality to the plot. We are introduced to factions that were barely touched on in Divergent, including Amity, Candor and even the Factionless, which I highly appreciated.

Tris Prior fast became one of my favourite female leads when I met her in Divergent and I was eager to see how her character developed in Insurgent. There were a lot of emotional obstacles for Tris to overcome in this book that helped craft her into a stronger and more determined heroine which I valued greatly. I didn't always agree with her decisions however, although there was a distinct pessimistic quality to her personality throughout the story. I became emotionally attached to her though and I think this aspect of her character is what makes her such a perfect heroine. 

There really isn't much for me to say about Four/Tobias other than that he's unbelievably easy to fall for. In Divergent, we meet him as the bold and daring Four while in Insurgent, we get a better grasp of Tobias and a deeper understanding of his character. I was a bit wary of the name change because I'm so used to calling him Four but the fact that he was mainly called Tobias in this book made the transition a whole lot easier. His relationship with Tris caught the Rollarcoaster fever as it was strained between them every now and then, but I was satisfied with this because it ineviatably made their relationship stronger.

Now, I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks that cliff-hangers are evil but the ending to this book was.. I don't even know, I have no words for it. A new door has been open for book 3 with no hint of predictability in sight so I'm bubbling with excitement to see what Veronica Roth has in store for us next. Once again, the bar has been set high and I hope more than anything that the conclusion to this trilogy will be the perfect ending.

Rating: 5/5 stars 

Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi - Megan

Synopsis from Goodreads

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.

Someone fetch me a dictionary because I'm at a loss for words! The idea behind this book was carefully thought out and perfectly executed. Tahereh Mafi has such a refreshing and unique style of writing which she uses to paint Juliette's world in a wonderfully realistic manner. I breezed through this book within a few non-consecutive hours but the interesting thing is, it felt more like daydreaming, like I was watching a film or witnessing the action for myself - it was just that good! Mafi also uses very literary phrases - which some readers may find difficult to understand - that splash vibrant shades of colour onto the canvas and as I did in my last review, I'm going to include quotes because Tahereh Mafi's words are pure poetry.

 "I can't remember the warmth of any kind of embrace. My arms ache from the inescapable ice of isolation."

The use of strike-through had me intrigued beforehand, although I was a bit skeptical at first about what effect it would have on the plot but I found that it greatly contributed to the potrayal of Juliette's thoughts and emotions. The detail used in the descriptions were oozing with originality. It's simply captivating.

"I only know now that the scientists are wrong. The world is flat. I know because I was tossed right off the edge and I've been trying to hold on for 17 years. I've been trying to climb back up for 17 years but it's nearly impossible to beat gravity when no one is willing to give you a hand. When no one wants to risk touching you."

Juliette is my favourite female protagonist in YA. There was a strong sense of realism in her character that made me become emotionally attached to her - which is an uncommon thing for me. She is a complex character whose personality I absolutely adore! From her vulnerability to her bravery, from her kind-heartedness to her fierceness. There's nothing I could fault about her. I enjoyed watching her transition from "scared, lonely teen" to "brave, determined woman".

adam. Adam. ADAM! I think this is the correct time to mention that I am in love with him. Why couldn't all boys be as perfect as him? And yes, that's what he is - pure and utter perfection. He's so sweet and gentle it hurts. His loyalty to his younger brother is so heartwarming and his eyes are so blue you could swim in them. He's strong-willed, protective, a bit aggressive at times but all the pieces fit together perfectly and I wouldn't change a single thing about him.

“Raindrops are my only reminder that clouds have a heartbeat. That I have one, too.”

 

Warner, on the otherhand, is deliciously evil. I didn't like him towards the beginning of the book because he was such an unappealing character but as the plot progressed I started to become more and more drawn to him. I found him to be a mysterious character and watching his soft side gradually appear was interesting. Plus, the fact that he has green eyes just totally sealed the deal for me because I am a sucker for guys with green eyes! (And now I'm impatiently waiting for DESTROY ME to be released because it's written from Warner's point of view *silently fangirling to myself*)

"My words wear no parachutes as they fall out of my mouth."

Adam and Juliette's relationship was so delightfully real that I actually got a bit emotional at times. There was an aspect of insta-love in their introduction but I was able to forgive it considering they both actually liked each other for years beforehand. Their love was sincere and genuine and I loved watching it develop. They had their ups and downs - like all relationships - and I was touched by their dedication to each other. It's safe to say that I am forever jealous of this fairytale romance.

“I'm oxygen and he's dying to breathe.” 

I don't give out 5-star ratings too often but this book definitely deserves it. The poetic writing; the strong characters; and the diverting plot had me completely engaged from start to finish. It was carefully structured with various small twists that had me glued to the pages. Nothing I will ever say can fully express my love for this book and since nobody got me my dictionary (shame on yous!) the only thing I can tell you is go read this book. Like, now. Right now. Go.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa - Leona

Summary from Goodreads:
Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart


I was completely captivated by this book from the get go and cannot believe I didn't read this before now! It has been sitting on my bookshelf for over a year and I never read it! I was an idiot for not reading it!

Meghan is an amazing main character and one that you can completely relate to. Megan has always felt different. I couldn't understand the way in which her family treated her, it didn't make sense until later on the book. The fact that she remained focused on her goal even when everything seemed to be going wrong was remarkable and I really admired her for it!

Kagawa did a superb job of creating this magical world, unlike anything I have ever read about before. I will admit that I am not the biggest fan of books that center on faeries and goblins and things like that but I absolutely loved this one! Kagawa is a very strong writer and can create beautiful images with the words she writes. She is a credit to her profession!

Ash and Puck are amazing characters and I cannot pick between them! It is usually so easy for me to decide on the characters that I prefer but in this case it is IMPOSSIBLE! Kagawa gives us different reasons to love and loathe these characters. Puck brought a sense of humor to the book but it was not over done like it is in some books! I may be slightly in love with both characters! 

Each character was perfect and I really cannot fault anything within this book! This book will always hold a special place in my heart!

I really can't say enough good things about this book! It was so addictive that I stayed up into the early hours of the morning so that I could finish it! I honestly do not know why I didn't read this before! It is an absolute MUST read and I am dying to read The Iron Daughter, book 2 in the Iron Fey series! I think it's time for a trip to the library!

Some of my favourite quotes:

“Ladies and Felines,” he stated grandly, grasping the doorknob, “Welcome to Tir Na Nog. Land of endless winter and shitloads of snow.” 

“Oh, we're playing nice now? Shall we have tea first? Brew up a nice pot of kiss-my-ass?” 

“Touch her, and I'll freeze your testicles off and put them in a jar. Understand?” 

“Bravo," said Grimalkin, peering down from Cold Tom's chest. "The Winter prince and Oberon's jester agreeing on something. The world must be ending.” 

“No, no. We can kill each other later.” 

“Ash blinked. "Are you raiding the cellars now, Goodfellow?"
"Me? Stealing?" Puck flashed a devious grin and popped another fruit into his mouth. "In the house of my ancient enemy? What gave you that idea?" He plucked another fruit and tossed it to me with a wink.”  

“Knock, knock!" he called in a high, singsong voice.
For a moment, silence. Then a thud and a crash, as if something heavy had been hurled at the door. "Go away!" snarled the voice from within.
"Ah, no. That's not how the joke goes," called Rob. "I say 'knock, knock', and you're supposed to answer with 'who's there?'"
"Fuck off!"
Nope, that's still wrong." Robbie seemed unperturbed. I, however, was horrified at Ethan's language, though I knew it wasn't him. "Here," continued Rob in an amiable voice, "I'll go through the whole thing, so you'll know how to answer next time." He cleared his throat and pounded at the door again. "Knock, knock!" he bellowed. "Who's there? Puck! Puck who? Puck, who will turn you into a squealing pig and stuff you in the oven if you don't get out of our way!" And with that, he banged the door open.” 

“Metallic trees. That's new. If you see any steel dryads, be sure to tell me so I can run away screaming."

Review: Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick - Leona

Summary from Goodreads:

The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever.

I adore this series and was highly anticipating Silence especially given the way Crescendo ended had me wanting more! 

Silence was a major improvement from Crescendo, which I loved but was rather disappointed with. 
Silence takes place months after the end of Crescendo, which begs the question 'What has happened?'. Nora's memory is gone and she doesn't remember anything from when she met Patch, including Patch himself. 

It broke my heart that she couldn't remember Patch, especially after all they went through together. Fitzpatrick had me gripped from page one and I couldn't put it down. I ended up finishing it in a matter of hours. 

Nora grows a lot in this book as she attempts to find out the reason behind her memory loss. It's a far cry from her attitude in Crescendo and I was very pleased with how much she grew in Silence. 

Patch now goes by his real name. He says that he hasn't called himself Patch since Nora was taken at the end of Crescendo. Patch remains one of my absolute favourite YA boys EVER! We got to see a softer side of him in Silence, a side we have only vaguely seen in Hush, Hush and Crescendo. 

There are quite a few twists in the book that keep it lively. It is very well paced and the world that Fitzpatrick showed us in the first two is shown even more in this one.
I adore this series, but the downside is I have to wait for the fourth book to see the last part of Nora and Patch's story. (I might just cry.)

Review: The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Summary from Goodreads:
Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. It can. She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.There is. She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love. She's wrong.

So on the first page of the book we are told that Mara Dyer is not her real name, but its a cool day and it adds to the mystery of 'Mara'. So much happens to Mara in the first few pages of the book! We were really thrown straight into the action in this book and after that suspenseful beginning we can get a bit more relaxed with the rest. Until we get a little further on (when I say little I mean little!). There was always something happening to Mara and it kept me reading! Mara is an awesome character! She's witty and awesome! I loved reading her story!

I loved Jamie, he was the first friend that Mara made at her new school and he was there to help her whenever he could! 

Noah, *sigh* How do I describe Noah? He's mysterious, arrogant, a little annoying in all the right ways and wonderfully sarcastic! How can you not love him when he is a closet what you may call romantic (slightly). At the beginning I was slightly wary of him but later on I began to love him!


Michelle Hodkin has a way of writing that makes you want to read on! She described things in detail but not to the point of overkill!

Overall it is an AWESOME book that MUST be read!

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

I really get all the hype about this book now! It is really good! I don't know why I didn't start this book before!

The cover is so eye catching and different from most popular book covers! I can even see Four and Tris! 

Tris is an awesome character but at points she slightly annoyed me but I have to admit  I enjoy being annoyed by main characters! I think that she is very out-going and she is a strong character. I think that she did what she needed to do to be happy even if that meant leaving the people she loved. I understand her reasoning for doing what she did and I admire her for it. Tris has to be one of my favourite characters. She's about 7th in my list which is pretty impressive!

Four. Well I could write and write and write about Four but you would probably get bored of it! He is the kind of character that I love in books! He is the kind of guy that acts 'bad' at the beginning but has a soft side underneath. Mmmmmmmm Four.

I really wondered why the book was called Divergent but it was discovered early on in the book. I kept reading so that I could find out why being Divergent was bad.....The story kept me reading until 4.30 am! I would like to blame thank Veronica Roth for writing a book that kept me reading until the early hours in the morning!

Overall the book was awesome and I'm looking forward to the next one! 

ARC review: What Happens Next by Colleen Clayton

Publisher: Poppy
Publish date: October 9th 2012
How can you talk about something you can't remember?


Before the ski trip, sixteen-year-old Cassidy "Sid" Murphy was a cheerleader, a straight-A student, and a member of a solid trio of best friends. When she ends up on a ski lift next to handsome local college boy, Dax Windsor, she's thrilled; but Dax takes everything from Sid - including a lock of her perfect red curls - and she can't remember any of it.

Back home and alienated by her friends, Sid drops her college prep classes and takes up residence in the A/V room with only Corey "The Living Stoner" Livingston for company. But as she gets to know Corey (slacker, baker, total dreamboat), Sid finds someone who truly makes her happy. Now, if she can just shake the nightmares and those few extra pounds, everything will be perfect... or so she thinks.


What Happens Next is an interesting look into the side of life that I have not come across in any books that I have read. It follows the story of Cassidy 'Sid' Murphy and how she deals with an event that happens to her early on in the book. It was interesting to see how she dealt with the events of the ski trip and how she creates a fairytale story of what happened. At points I felt like shouting at her to tell but then I realised that she is doing what so many people do and that is keeping it quiet. I think that the way she dealt with it was very realistic and I think it made her more understandable as a character and allowed the reader to connect with her and feel sympathy towards her. The fact that she deals with it in the manner in which she did made the book so much more interesting to read. I felt really sorry for her and I have to say that I was rather emotional at times during this book.



I love the romance in the book. It is cute and realistic unlike so many others I could actually believe that they liked eachother. Corey is an amazing character and I love that he shows alot of support towards Sid.


I took my time reading this book so that I could savour every single word.I really couldn't believe that it was a DEBUT novel! It is an amazing debut novel and a MUST read!

Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.


She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.


Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.


As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's....

I love this book! I really enjoyed reading it and was really sad that it was over.

The first thing that had me with this book was the story line. It is a new twist on the Hades and Persephone story. The story line reminded me a bit of Abandon by Meg Cabot and since I loved that book I loved this book too! Its similar but doesn't verge on copying so thats good.

I really loved the main character, Nikki. She was an awsome main character as she really had things that she needed to come to terms with and I think that she handled things well and realistically. Having been gone for six months alot has changed and I'm glad that Brodi Ashton did flash backs of the events that took place before Nikki went to the Everneath so that we can get a taste of how much things have changed since Nikki left. It also allowed us to see how much Jack changed and how much Nikki leaving affected him. I'm in awe with Nikki that she would rather go to the tunnels that feed off of people. I think its that fact that makes me like her so much.

I really feel for Jack as he loved Nikki and she suddenly dissappears for six months. He is a very realistic character and it helps the reader connect with the story. He goes through a full circle of emotions in the book and it is clear that he still cares deeply for Nikki.

Cole is an Everliving and the other main character in the book. I like him but not as much as I like Jack. The things he does really makes the reader wonder if he cares for Nikki or if he is just using her. There is parts when I feel sorry for Cole but they are few.

Review: Unleashed by Debbie Viguie and Nancy Holder

Summary from Goodreads:

Katelyn McBride’s life changed in an instant when her mother died. Uprooted from her California home, Katelyn was shipped to the middle of nowhere, Arkansas, to her only living relative, her grandfather. And now she has to start over in Wolf Springs, a tiny village in the Ozark Mountains. Like any small town, Wolf Springs has secrets. But the secrets hidden here are more sinister than Katelyn could ever imagine. It’s a town with a history that reaches back centuries, spans continents, and conceals terrifying truths. And Katelyn McBride is about to change everything.

Broken families, ageless grudges, forced alliances, and love that blooms in the darkest night—welcome to Wolf Springs.


W.O.W! This book is AMAZING! I spent so long waiting for it to arrive in the Library....and then it finally came in!

Katelyn
I was immediately hooked with Katelyns story and I really felt for her. She is so strong in situations and thats why I love her. Katleyn is deffinately one of my favourite heroins! I love reading books with strong female characters and Katelyn is deffinately one of them. She is unpredictable. When something happened I didn't know how Katelyn would react and that kept me reading. She is deffinately on my top heroins list along with characters from the Night World series by L.J Smith.

Cordelia and the Fenners
When we first meet Cordelia I didnt know what to think of her. She is mysterious and slightly twisted, but not in a bad way. She changes her mind ''like a girl changes clothes''. (yes I am aware that it is a Katie Perry song but its right for Cordelia.) The Fenner have to be the strangest fictional family that I have ever read about but thats why I kept reading, I wanted to find out why they were so strange. Even when we find out why Cordelia changes her mind so much and why the Fenners are so strange I was still wary of them. Cordelia is sweet but she is so difficult to understand. She says something and you dont know how to take it. Justin. How do I describe Justin? Well hes brilliant! I completely understand Katelyns reaction to him, I felt that way just reading about him!

Trick and Katelyns grandfather
I love Trick and I think that he just wants to protect Katelyn. How many guys would you find that are like that? Kateyln and Tricks 'relationship' kept me hooked and I couldn't stop reading! Katelyns grandfather is a bit of a strange man to me. I felt the way Katelyn did towards him. He's nice and he just wants whats best for her and Im glad that he was featured as often as he is. A lot of books feature the parents/guardians of the main character in about 5% of the book and it was nice to have him in for more than that.

I am so glad that the love triangle in this book was so real and believable. I could fully understand Katelyns feelings about each boy. I myself wouldnt know which to pick!

I loved the ending. I think it ended amazingly! It kept me wanting more! I cant wait for the sequel!

This book is an amazing read and it kept me up all night. I can't wait for the next book as I want to see what happens to Katelyn and the rest of the charcters.

The bad news just kept coming in Wolf Springs.

An amazing un-put-down-able book that you HAVE got to read!

Review: Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Summary from Goodreads:
What if you were bound for a new world, about to pledge your life to someone you'd been promised to since birth, and one unexpected violent attack made survival—not love—the issue?

Out in the murky nebula lurks an unseen enemy: the New Horizon. On its way to populate a distant planet in the wake of Earth's collapse, the ship's crew has been unable to conceive a generation to continue its mission. They need young girls desperately, or their zealous leader's efforts will fail. Onboard their sister ship, the Empyrean, the unsuspecting families don't know an attack is being mounted that could claim the most important among them...

Fifteen-year-old Waverly is part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space; she was born on the Empyrean, and the large farming vessel is all she knows. Her concerns are those of any teenager—until Kieran Alden proposes to her. The handsome captain-to-be has everything Waverly could ever want in a husband, and with the pressure to start having children, everyone is sure he's the best choice. Except for Waverly, who wants more from life than marriage—and is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth.

But when the Empyrean faces sudden attack by their assumed allies, they quickly find out that the enemies aren't all from the outside.


The cover of this book made me wary as I've found that some books that have awsome covers don't live up to what I tend to expect from them. Oh but this one certainly did!

I began this book wearily, not knowing what to expect but immediately I was sucked into the story of why the characters were where they found themselves. I'm a huge fan of people going into space so this book was right up my street!

I have this tendancy of deciding on wether or not I will enjoy a book or even if I will keep reading it! If you're not a big fan of slow beginnings you have no need to worry while reading this, the action begins very quickly and it gets addictive after that. I stayed up until 3.35 reading it and no matter how hard I tried to stop I just couldn't! I was hooked!

I love Waverly so much. I couldn't get over how brave she was throughout some terrible incidents that would cripple lots of others with fear. She develops beautifully as a character. She started out as a strong character and ended as a hm what word could we use? Well just imagibe something really strong and you have Waverlys character. Amy Kathleen Ryan wrote Waverley in an amazing way that made her relatable and you really connected with her. She is protecive and is wiser than most fifteen year old girls. I suppose living on the Empyrean would do that to you. There seems to be a lot of focuse on the fact that girls seem to be expected to have loads of children early on. It would be difficult to deal with such pressure but somehow she manages it.

Kierans determination really surprised me, most of the characters gave up after a certain incident happened, yet he always had his eye on the goal. He clearly loves Waverly and that makes me love him. He doesn't care what anyone thinks of him as long as he has Waverly. I was shocked by the things that he had to suffer and was more than happy when he got better. I couldn't believe how much he changed thoughout the book (I don't think it was a good kind of change either).

Seth. Ugh, I hate Seth. He's one of those characters that remind you of someone you know. Lets face it we know at least one person like him, maybe not as extreme as he is but the have many of the traits that Seth has. At the beginning I thought that Seth would be nice, oh how I was wrong. I shall leave it there with Seth so as not to ruin the book.

The events that unfolded in the book were written in such a way that made my heart beat and made me look around my room just to be sure. I love books that do that! Its always enjoyable to read events like that in books even if you get slightly freaked out. I can not get over the little twist at the end! I mean talk about a cliffhanger. It left me turning the next page and going "NO! You can't end it yet!".

Trust me that reading this book will not be a waste of your time!