What more do you need when you have pirates, royalty, sea queens and sirens? Oh and not forgetting kick ass crew, romance, sacrifice and adventure. TwWhat more do you need when you have pirates, royalty, sea queens and sirens? Oh and not forgetting kick ass crew, romance, sacrifice and adventure. Two world's collide in this stunning debut novel by Alexandra Christo...
"If I would have just been a girl, like any other who walked the world. Keto created our race in war and savagery, but it was the sea queens who took her hate and made it our legacy. Queens like my mother, who taught their children to be empty warriors."
Told from two perspectives; Lira a siren, she is also known as the Princes Bane. A dark creature that seduces and lures the princes of each of the kingdoms and rips out their heart to bring more power to the sea kingdom. Being the daughter of the Sea Queen, she has a duty to make sure that when the time comes she can become the Sea Queen that her mother approves of. But when she does something that Sea Queen disapproves of, she is punished and reduced to being a creature she loathes, a human.
Elian, by blood he is the Prince of Midaos when he's on land, but when he's not he rules the sea as Captain of the Saad. His reputation proceeds him as the Siren Killer, he wants to rid the world of the creatures that threaten the waters and finally end the war the has been waging between human and siren.On his quest, he rescues a girl named Lira and two worlds collide but what happens when their battle may be closer to home, when Lira can contrive a plan and use the ship as an advantage to get what she wants.
What I loved through both of their chapters was their character progression and the intensity of their persona that you are instantly ready to dive right in. Who knew I could fall for such evil creatures, I mean I researched Siren and they aren't beautiful, they are totally opposite of mermaids, but Lira's character developed in such a way that her sinister and evil nature surpassed itself when she became human. To the Sea Queen she is seen as weak, but Lira became more than just human.
Elian is more Captain than Prince. His duties and expectations lie within the waves, his loyalties are to his family, his crew on the Saad. My favourites characters being Kye and Madrid, I would love for them to have their own story. But more than that, he is proud and he would sacrifice himself for the sake of his kingdom whether on land or on the sea. He is driven by the darkness of the sirens that has inflicted his life, and he won't let it go until he's finished his quest. Lira and Elian are more alike than they know, a perfect match.
A brilliant take on the classic tale of The Little Mermaid, this year seems to be the year of mermaids fantastical stories. Alexandra's novel is the first book that I've read from under the sea and I have to say that I loved this world without a doubt. The world building was just beautiful, from the sands and ices of the most powerful kingdoms, to the depth and darkness of the sea below. You can smell the sea, you can feel and sense the emotional connections between all of the characters. These touches add shows off Alexandra's quality of her writing, full of darkness, emotion, romance and adventure. There is more to this world, more to this kingdom that needs more stories of their own but at the moment this is a standalone and a cracking one at that. To Kill a Kingdom is beauty of The Little Mermaid with a mix of one of Sinbad's dangerous and magical adventures.
Rating - 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you to Hot Key Books for providing a proof copy in exchange for an honest review. ...more
I was very lucky to receive an early copy of this, although I do think I might have pestered the publisherSara Barnard just gets better and better...
I was very lucky to receive an early copy of this, although I do think I might have pestered the publishers for a copy of this as I was desperate to read it. As one of my most anticipated reads of 2018, I feel that this book is Sara best and my personal favourite.
What happens when two girls, best friends who are complete and total opposites, are pulled apart and tested by trust, friendship and the question of love and loyalties? On a day when Eden and Bonnie were meant to be going to Canterbury, Eden gets a visit from the police and Bonnie is off on adventure and she doesn't want Eden to tell. But what happens is that Bonnie has ran off with her music teacher Mr Cohn, personally known to Bonnie as Jack. Eden is for a better word flabbergasted by the prospect for a nearly 16 year old, in love with her music teacher, Bonnie is perfect straight A student why would she run away...and leave Eden behind to pick up the mess.
Perfect, pffft, that's totally overrated and I loved how Sara explored that especially through Eden's character, she isn't perfect and she admits that, but that what makes her stand out. The fact that everyone perceives Eden as flawed, because she's adopted and maybe she's academically challenged but she has gardening and if she wasn't adopted she wouldn't have something that she enjoys, that she thrives at so much. Bonnie has never made a mistake in her life until now and maybe on some level Eden was jealous of that, but through the week of Eden having to cover, to be accused of Eden's sudden disappearance, just because she was that type of girl, it was almost as if this friendship was eating up at her and she needed to be free of it. I think that's why I felt very conflicted with both Eden and Bonnie's characters; Eden I admired her loyalty to best friend, I truly did, but Bonnie's actions weren't worthy of it and that's what annoyed me at the end of the day.
My favourite characters has to be Connor and Valerie; Connor was just the perfect boyfriend, to anyone else they would think there isn't anything special about him but you could tell that he's protective, caring and that he has a heart of gold especially for Eden. That's the definition of love right there. Valerie, is an example of perfect in the beginning, her relationship with her adoptive sister hasn't by all means perfect and she has wants to do is try and support, that's why I loved her because she never gave up. At the end of the day they need each other as sisters and family.
I've met Sara twice, as a debut author at a blogger event and then last year when she was the highlight of the book week at my work/school. Each time I've read one of her books, there not only so different, but she seems to really grow as a writer. Sara faces the important issues that needs talking about especially that of appropriate relationships and the boundaries. It such a relatable and real book, that Goodbye, Perfect is story about defining love, building healthy relationships and succeeding for yourself. As a Secondary School Librarian at an all girls school I find this a very important and beautiful book to read and I highly recommend it.
Rating - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you to Macmillan Children's Books for sending me a proof copy in exchange for a honest review. ...more
My favourite book EVER! Enough said... for the moment!
This book will stay with you forever...
I am breathless from the beauty of this novel. Last nightMy favourite book EVER! Enough said... for the moment!
This book will stay with you forever...
I am breathless from the beauty of this novel. Last night I just finished the most wonderful, beautiful and magical YA book of all time. There was something about this book when I first heard about it from the publishers, I don't know what it was, it could have been the cover, the description, the pitch from the publicist or it could have put a spell on me, you never know. I more inclined to the latter if I'm honest. But I've never read anything like it, I'm not talking about the plot or the characters, I'm talking about this new voice to YA, I'm talking about Shea Ernshaw.
Penny Talbot lives on an island with her mum called Lumiere Island and just a stones throw away, over the ocean is a small town called Sparrow. Sparrow has a curse, three witches, the Swan Sisters, steal the bodies of three girls, seduces and drowns three boys every summer. They are out for revenge and they have done so for two hundred years. You do not know that you have been claimed by the Swan Sisters, they steal their memories and life of the girl they've inhabited. So when a boy named Bo, arrives in town just as the Swan season begins, Penny feels compelled to protect him because you are vulnerable until the summer solstice and those sisters will do anything to seduce and claim their revenge.
This is a story of love, revenge, sacrifices and secrets twisted into the tales of witches and curses. Penny and Bo as main characters, grow for strength to strength, but they are driven by secrets; too grave for me to share. There was so much love, swooning even, both for the characters but more for the book. The more pages I turned the more my heart was just bursting at the seams with pure joy, light and absolute love.
Shea Ernshaw is a beautiful storyteller, her writing has this tranquil effect on you and she literally just immerses you into the story. The world-building, the way the story was told, you could see it playing out before you. I kind of felt that the physical book was like the portal to the story and if you looked around you it was it was right in front if you. It felt so real, I imagined it from when I was on holiday in Cornwall, and the atmosphere, from the smell of the orchids and apple trees to the spirit of the sea. I could even sense the Swan Sisters song, which was very eerie - it's like The Wicked Deep had a natural musicality to it's words. You are entranced by the dark, haunting and chilling words that will transform into something truly magical.
This book is like one of Alba's Forgetful Cakes, because you forget everything around you and it's just you and this book. You will get the reference when you read the book. But that's the thing about The Wicked Deep, even now 24 hours after finishing the book I still can't get over it, it's like it's permanently with you. The Wicked Deep has put a spell on me, and will to you too.
This series is just bloody amazing...! When you think it can't get any better with Wonder Woman, you then meet Bruce Wayne.
Full Review to come.
When yThis series is just bloody amazing...! When you think it can't get any better with Wonder Woman, you then meet Bruce Wayne.
Full Review to come.
When you think it can't get any better with Wonder Woman, you then meet Bruce Wayne...
This series is bloody brilliant, it's almost nostalgic in a way when as readers we have probably seen all the films. I didn't grow up with the series, or Michael Keaton, I grew up with Christian Bale and Ben Affleck but in-between those versions of Batman, I did watch Michael Keaton and I even saw the series (never again mind you, that was awful and totally embarrassing in this day and age, no offense to all that enjoyed it though.) But in the films its the same old story in a way, some darker, some more in detail, some in a different angle completely but what this series does is take it before, to Bruce Wayne and his story, to the crucial point where he first loves and opens his heart...
So Bruce was well, I would say average but he's a billionaire, he's just turned eighteen which means he has access to his trust fund and is also the owns the company WayneTech. But all he wants is to just escape, he doesn't want to be judged by paparazzi about his parents murder, or followed with what he's going to do next. So on the night of his eighteenth birthday, his reckless nature decided to get the better of him when he gets mixed up in a car chase by capturing of one of the Nightwalker's, the new villain of Gotham. Bruce ends up in Arkham Asylum on his community service, but his curious nature wants to find out what these Nightwalker's want and how to save Gotham. Maybe his sentence will be lead on the right path, or onto the Nightwalker's hit list?
Like I said before, what I really loved was getting know Bruce as a character, he still carries a lot of emotion, darkness, fear, grief but you also saw a kinder, gentler self to him as a teenager especially to his guardian, Alfred, and also to his mentor Lucius Fox. In the films, you see him taking charge, you see him being a boss, but what about those who were his charges, that looked after him, guided him to where we know him to be. There was also genuine vulnerability to him as well, I always felt that Bruce found it hard to trust or love, but his love for his friends Harvey and Dianne was so visible, it's like when they are around, his heart is on his sleeve.
Marie Lu - bestselling author but also my first from her and probably in my eyes the best book to start off with. She has stripped Bruce down to the core, to the darkest depths and she has done it justice. More than that, she's put her stamp on it. I admit it must be hard to create a story based on such an icon, but also it wasn't just the characters but also the atmosphere of the book too. She captured the very essence of Batman, especially with Arkham Asylum, that was chilling, echoes of the crazies around you, as well as the poorest and cold surface of Gotham City.
Each of these superheros are making their debut in this series, the beauty of it is is that we see them, striped to the core, naked, we relish in the story that made them into their alter ego. Marie Lu exposed the real person behind that mask and distorted voice, and it poured out of every page of Batman: Nightwalker. Addictive, action-packed, thrilling, dark, pulse-racing, this book is for anyone, whether they are starting their journey with superheros or already established, you won't be disappointed!
Rating - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you to Penguin for sending me a copy in exchange for a honest review. ...more
The Extinction Trails will be everything you want to read and more, it has dinosaurs, bloody rivalry, friendship, danger, competThis book has bite...
The Extinction Trails will be everything you want to read and more, it has dinosaurs, bloody rivalry, friendship, danger, competition and most of all survival of the fittest. The is no question, that I absolutely loved this book without a doubt. Its the next generation of a dystopian series and the hottest one to read to date.
Stormchaser and Lincoln live on a island called Eartasia, plagued with sickness, famine, poverty, homelessness, it's become a barren wasteland all because of the dinosaurs. They share there resources with Piloria, there neighbour planet which has everything you need to survive. Humans and Dinosaurs clearly can't live in harmony, so the Stipulators, the government decide to host The Extinction Trials, a competition of great health and wealth to the person who can bring back an egg of each dangerous dinosaur, so they can finally beat the beasts once and for all... but something smells fishy along the way.
Told from two perspectives, first is our feisty leading lady, Stormchaser is resourceful, smart, loyal, independent, she's a little cunning too and she's loves dinosaurs, the herbivores though...obviously. She has a connection to them, one that makes her think that there is more to this mission, this trail that the Stipulators are revealing. Stormchaser is unforgettable character and she is right up there with Katniss and Tris of the dystopian universe. Lincoln is competitive, he strives to succeed especially when his sister's life is at stake, he's also smart, smart enough to tag up with someone like Stormchaser that can get to the end of the trial.
Your hooked upon the first page, my first impressions of the book was just the sheer epic-ness of it, the world your carried into is fresh off the page, it's brought to life by Susan's brilliant writing. When Stormchaser and Lincoln first step onto the island roamed with dinosaurs it's like the theme song of Jurassic World/Park was playing, the gates opened for the first time and you literally look up and think '.......', well more like gawp in awe. It makes your hairs stand on end and all you can do grin your way through the entire book.
The Extinction Trials revamps the world of Jurassic World, but brings about a new generation
"Well butter my face and call me crumpet!" - that is what I think of Songs About a Girl series. If you familiar that saying you'll know it comes from "Well butter my face and call me crumpet!" - that is what I think of Songs About a Girl series. If you familiar that saying you'll know it comes from the bonkers, gorgeous and hilarious Melissa, Charlie's best friend. This is one rockin' series and I loved it!
Songs About a Girl starts off with Charlie, a girl that likes to be invisible and loves to do photography, she never dreamed that the most popular band in the world, Fire and Lights would put her in the spotlight. Olly, one of the band members used to go her school, he went on Make or Break - basically the X-Factor, then wound up with Yuki, Aiden and Gabe to live his dream as a signer and guitarist. It's not until Charlie receives an email from him, to ask to do some photography from a groupie stand point that her life suddenly changes. She didn't realise how being roped into something so glamourous could turn something so ugly. How being caught between the smoldering, and bad boy Gabe and the the thoughtful gentleman Olly could be exhausting and emotional.
It doesn't stop there, Songs About Us, follows on, with much more mystery, that links Charlie more intimately with one member of the group. There are secrets that bind them together yet it's ugly affairs threaten once again the bands reputation and relationship to be released to the public. Being 'with the band' can be amazing on the outside, but beneath it all, on the inside you can really see how backstage bickering can tear it apart and Charlie at the center of it.
I loved all the characters especially Melissa who I mentioned in the beginning. She is just the bomb, completely nuts mind you, Mel really reminds me of a young Penny from the Big Bang Theory. Melissa really lens perspective on the band but also to Charlie, being her best friend. She isn't perfect, and the beauty of her. Oh and the band, Yuki, Aiden, Olly and frontman Gabriel, if I'm honest I really loved Yuki and Aiden especially in book 2, but each them really valued Charlie even when sometimes she felt she wasn't welcomed. She became such good friends with them all and she knew she could get to the heart of them and really see them for who they really are.
Chris's writing is completely addictive, it's unputadownable. It was his take on a romance, I mean there is very few male authors that write a typical YA romance. But I think the boy band aspect really took off. Obviously Chris being in a band of his own Light Years has made this book, looking on the inside of what it can be like for them. I was certainly intrigued as to whether this really does happen in the music industry. Whilst we followed the boy band through Charlie's adventures what I felt was that their is a fragility, a vulnerability to them. We see them as huge musicians, rocking that industry, we see the blood, sweat and tears in their songs, we see them as a band and not individuals and Chris really captured that through Charlie and through the honesty of her lens. All Yuki, Aiden, Olly and Gabe really want is to be normal too.
However, I felt there was so much more to this book than 'being with the band', it highlighted so many key issues in teenage life, including Charlie's relationship with her father and how strained it's become since her mum died. How Charlie's life can turn upside down from a single post on a blog and being constantly stalked and trolled online. Also that being an instigator to main school bully. Throughout the two books, Chris really explores this as well as how Charlie has grown and changed as a character.
Songs About a Girl Series is more than being part of a band, it has everything you need in a novel, family, friendship, love, romance, music, truth, lies, and even a slice of mystery as well. Oh and so many laughs, I loved every second of it, and I need more. I recommend it for those who loved the DIMILY series Can't wait for the release of Songs About a Boy next Summer of 2018.
Rating - Songs About a Girl - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Songs About Us - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you to Hodder Children's Books and Team BKMRK for the review copies in exchange for an honest review. ...more
"Well butter my face and call me crumpet!" - that is what I think of Songs About a Girl series. If you familiar that saying you'll know it comes from "Well butter my face and call me crumpet!" - that is what I think of Songs About a Girl series. If you familiar that saying you'll know it comes from the bonkers, gorgeous and hilarious Melissa, Charlie's best friend. This is one rockin' series and I loved it!
Songs About a Girl starts off with Charlie, a girl that likes to be invisible and loves to do photography, she never dreamed that the most popular band in the world, Fire and Lights would put her in the spotlight. Olly, one of the band members used to go her school, he went on Make or Break - basically the X-Factor, then wound up with Yuki, Aiden and Gabe to live his dream as a signer and guitarist. It's not until Charlie receives an email from him, to ask to do some photography from a groupie stand point that her life suddenly changes. She didn't realise how being roped into something so glamourous could turn something so ugly. How being caught between the smoldering, and bad boy Gabe and the the thoughtful gentleman Olly could be exhausting and emotional.
It doesn't stop there, Songs About Us, follows on, with much more mystery, that links Charlie more intimately with one member of the group. There are secrets that bind them together yet it's ugly affairs threaten once again the bands reputation and relationship to be released to the public. Being 'with the band' can be amazing on the outside, but beneath it all, on the inside you can really see how backstage bickering can tear it apart and Charlie at the center of it.
I loved all the characters especially Melissa who I mentioned in the beginning. She is just the bomb, completely nuts mind you, Mel really reminds me of a young Penny from the Big Bang Theory. Melissa really lens perspective on the band but also to Charlie, being her best friend. She isn't perfect, and the beauty of her. Oh and the band, Yuki, Aiden, Olly and frontman Gabriel, if I'm honest I really loved Yuki and Aiden especially in book 2, but each them really valued Charlie even when sometimes she felt she wasn't welcomed. She became such good friends with them all and she knew she could get to the heart of them and really see them for who they really are.
Chris's writing is completely addictive, it's unputadownable. It was his take on a romance, I mean there is very few male authors that write a typical YA romance. But I think the boy band aspect really took off. Obviously Chris being in a band of his own Light Years has made this book, looking on the inside of what it can be like for them. I was certainly intrigued as to whether this really does happen in the music industry. Whilst we followed the boy band through Charlie's adventures what I felt was that their is a fragility, a vulnerability to them. We see them as huge musicians, rocking that industry, we see the blood, sweat and tears in their songs, we see them as a band and not individuals and Chris really captured that through Charlie and through the honesty of her lens. All Yuki, Aiden, Olly and Gabe really want is to be normal too.
However, I felt there was so much more to this book than 'being with the band', it highlighted so many key issues in teenage life, including Charlie's relationship with her father and how strained it's become since her mum died. How Charlie's life can turn upside down from a single post on a blog and being constantly stalked and trolled online. Also that being an instigator to main school bully. Throughout the two books, Chris really explores this as well as how Charlie has grown and changed as a character.
Songs About a Girl Series is more than being part of a band, it has everything you need in a novel, family, friendship, love, romance, music, truth, lies, and even a slice of mystery as well. Oh and so many laughs, I loved every second of it, and I need more. I recommend it for those who loved the DIMILY series Can't wait for the release of Songs About a Boy next Summer of 2018.
Rating - Songs About a Girl - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Songs About Us - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you to Hodder Children's Books and Team BKMRK for the review copies in exchange for an honest review. ...more
It's been a long time since I enjoyed a fantasy series on witches, covens, clans and magic with spell books, potions and cauldrons. The Hawkweed LegacIt's been a long time since I enjoyed a fantasy series on witches, covens, clans and magic with spell books, potions and cauldrons. The Hawkweed Legacy, the sequel to The Hawkweed Prophecy (find my review here) was a startling surprise in the best way possible, it made me love this series and Irena's writing even more.
The Hawkweed Legacy follows on from Poppy's story, as a child magically switched at birth she find herself finally in the arms of her birth mother and surroundings of where she is suppose to belong. Although she feels that this huge responsibility, this prophecy of becoming Queen is beyond her. Poppy isn't ready, she may have the power and knowledge but within herself she is nothing more than a girl seeking for something else. Poppy rebels against her prophecy until she can find who she truly is and where she truly belongs.
Irena's writing was magnificent and skilled with how she created so much more to the sequel. I admit my surprise was that it didn't follow a cliche setting of Poppy's story, it led to a family of stories which made it so much more poignant and beautiful. What I loved about this sequel was that we got so much more in this story, so many more sub plots that seamlessly wove into each other. Whilst Poppy's main story weaves throughout the book, we get introduced to whole new to side to the story, with Poppy's mum, Charlock and her story alongside her best friend Betony. We also see where Leo fits in as well, and his story and how Leo and Poppy finally come together. He isn't just some outsider, he is so much more than that. Whilst also cherishing our original characters with Ember and her mum and how her life within the city has changed and inspired her so much.
Set a duology, The Hawkweed Legacy is a quest to truly find where they belong but also what their purpose is in life. That nothing is set it stone and it can't be, because what if your will changes that, what if Poppy, Leo, Ember and Betony are meant to make something of themselves, beyond that of magic and prophecy.
Full of magic and witches comes a beautiful tale of family, friendship and love in an original and modern fantastical setting.
Rating - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you to Orchard Books from providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review. ...more
So Freshers was an experience for me, why? because I never went to University. I was in the undecided path when I left 6th Form, but in a way I'm gladSo Freshers was an experience for me, why? because I never went to University. I was in the undecided path when I left 6th Form, but in a way I'm glad for it as I'm proud of what I've achieved and where I am now. But then sometimes I will always wonder what would have happened if I went to university, would I enjoy it, make friends for life, be more social, enjoy the experience? I don't know, my experience in school and 6th Form wasn't exactly great, but then people always told me that Uni is different.
Freshers takes two very different perspectives of uni life with Phoebe and Luke, they both went to the same high school together. Phoebe has always had a crush on Luke, but I think the years between she hasn't been brave enough to be who she is, to be finally come out of her shell. Phoebe feels now that she's in university it will be different from high school. While she tries to contain her feelings for Luke, both Luke and Phoebe try to fit it, or not fit in as the case maybe, the thrills of nights out, uni societies and occasionally ride on a broomstick and striking a goal. Two weeks of Freshers begs to be the most dramatic, crazy, and compulsive ride of their life that will reveal their true selves at the end of it.
The line ''you can be surrounded by people but be completely alone.'' by Cordelia in BTVS springs to mind with this book. University isn't all sunshine and unicorns, and it can effect everyone in different ways. Take Luke, I really loved him because he had fragility and a vulnerability to him. He was no longer the high school jock with the hot girlfriend prepared to go long distance. Luke changed, he became human, real, by noticing that living in a dorm can be difficult, that it's not home and not your family either. It's about building a life of your own, with you leading it on your own. It's daunting and scary, and freshers isn't getting any easier, it's only a taster for the next 3 years. I fell that Luke grows balls in the end. Phoebe on the other hand, grew out of her crush phase, she valued her friendship, fitting in or not fitting in on occasion, being played by guys and the reality of how ugly they can be (Damn you Will!). But what I loved about her was that she proved to herself that she can do it, she can survive, with or without love, it's focusing on yourself, whilst also embracing uni life for what it really is.
What was thrilling was diving into the unknown of Tom and Lucy's writing. Yes you've heard it, this is my first book by these two geniuses. During the book it was full of laughing-out-loud-to-the-point-of-snorting moments, in public I might like to add. (There is one scene that to this day, still cracks me up but then scares me at the same time.) In the end... I was sad that it was over but also just simply awed by it, and I was like that for a quite a while. I believe that this book was the one that Tom and Lucy have been meaning to write, a story that they needed to write all along. Luke and Phoebe were them, you can see so much of themselves in each of their parts of the book. It felt real, like you were there with them in university, that takes great skill and you can feel the passion in their writing style and I felt that not only with this book but with Lobsters too.
It's obvious that this book is for those who are or have been of 'Freshers age', this is totally the book for you. But from my non Fresher perspective I got from this is that in the end its the making of who you are, coming out of your shell and learning to be the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Also Uni sounds completely bonkers! Haha. Freshers is addictive and the funniest book I've read all year.
I mistook this book for YA completely but you know want I loved that I did. It's like it's a book wrapped up, you don't know what it is until you readI mistook this book for YA completely but you know want I loved that I did. It's like it's a book wrapped up, you don't know what it is until you read it. This is book is a psychological thriller, an adult psychological thriller and you know what I bloody loved it!
It begins, on a weekend in the forest, Quincy and her friends stayed in Pine Cottage, one night it turned into something sinister and brutal. chilling. Him, had a knife and slashed through her friends one by one, until she was left. With 3 stabs wounds, she ran for her life, for an escape, into the arms of her survivor. On that night she became a Final Girl! There is only 3 Finals Girls, Lisa, Samantha and herself, Quincy. On the night of their traumas, the papers named them the Final Girls and now they have to live with that for the rest of their lives. It isn't until Lisa ends up dead that Quincy thinks she could be next...
After her traumatic experience, Quincey has locked it away, she can't remember what happened during the attack, before and after is fine, but leading up to it, it draws a blur. Told from two perspectives, present day and the night of Pine Cottage, it unfolds as Quincey gets flashbacks to the most terrifying night of her life.
What I loved about this book was the unknown of it all, the writing, the characters, the plot. Everything and that's what kept me hooked. Page after page, it was a race to know what happened to her, to Quincey but also to Lisa. I loved that I was fooled by this book and these characters by Coop, the officer that saved and supported her throughout her life, Sam, the second Final Girl - there is something suspicious about her and even Quincey, her character slowly unraveled from being this neat, organised and controlled cooking blogger to in a way a madwoman - but I don't really blame her. Her whole life has been monopolised and trained about her being a Final Girl and it's about time she finally opened up and let it all out.
This being my first book into this genre, I've totally surprised myself. Riley said to me on Twitter that the genre has missed me, well if I'm honest I missed the genre completely, never for a second did I think to pick one up. It's amazing when a book like this lands on your doorstep...literally. Final Girls, is an addictive, horrifyingly chilling debut novel from Riley Sager. Each page feels like your heart is pounding with anticipation. If you've never thought about this genre before, or fancied reading something like that, but are curious, then I suggest you read this one first, it will open your eyes to this genre and more. Take it from someone who knows.
Passing for White is the first book from Tanya Landman I have read and I absolutely loved it. I know Tanya by reputation of the Carnegie Medal for BufPassing for White is the first book from Tanya Landman I have read and I absolutely loved it. I know Tanya by reputation of the Carnegie Medal for Buffalo Soldier as well as her upcoming novel Beyond the Wall - which I can't wait to read.
Written in over 100 pages, Passing for White is an inspiring novel about how two slaves, who want freedom from their masters, have to runaway and 'pass for white' to do so. Rosa is a 'white' slave. Ben is a carpenters slave and the first time they met, he assumed that Rosa was the white master, the way she held herself and spoke, but she is far from that. Rosa has been a slave to this family for all her life, what she endures is quite simply awful and I hated to read what happened to her. But when she meets Ben it's like she can finally breath. As they embark on their journey to freedom we find ourselves experiences what life was like for a slave in the 1850s.
This is a beautifully raw novel and I was totally mesmerised by it. Rosa's character really struck a cord with me, I found that what she went through, the abuse of her master's husband every night that could impact on the life she could have with Ben was horrific. Both Rosa and Ben are the braviest characters I will ever know. I find myself not having read these types of books very often, awed and equally I guess educated in a way to recognise the depths that us humans had to go through in a time like that. A very dark and almost inhuman time unless you were literary, privileged and rich.
Tanya Landman's books are a force to be reckoned with and I can't wait to delve more into her prose. Next on my list has to be Beyond the Wall and then Buffalo Soldier.
Rating - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you to Barrington Stoke and Nina Douglas for sending me a proof copy in exchange for an honest review - which I think I just did. ...more
Would you believe me if I told you I've never read Bridget's Jones's Diary - I've only watched them. Would you believe me when I say I don't really reWould you believe me if I told you I've never read Bridget's Jones's Diary - I've only watched them. Would you believe me when I say I don't really read diaries in fiction much - that aside I feel Chloe Snow has certainly changed my tune on this - I LOVED IT!
Chloe Snow's story was told through an entry in her diary every day - it all begins just before freshman year of high school, Chloe Snow has high hopes, new year new school, she has expectations to live up too one of which to have her first kiss, - I mean every one else has and already on second base so she feels she needs to have it by New Year's Eve. Along the way she meets the heartfelt Tristan, her best friend and not so nice people as well. Her freshman year takes her on a journey of self discovery, facing new challenges and also exceeding her own expectations but at the end of the day it's being herself that trumps all.
Chloe Snow reminds me a bit of me - I think we all have those thoughts about boys, friendships, school life at that age. Chloe isn't a stranger to making bad decisions, and she messes up a lot which you will get annoyed at, but its her quirks and redeeming qualities that make her who she is. What I loved was that aside from the funny, the cringe and the constant smile you display on your face when your reading it is that it focused lightly on the serious of your teenage years too. I learned something too: Did you know you should say Rabbit Rabbit at the beginning of the month, for good luck all month and it derived from Britain? Nope I didn't.
This is the perfect book if you loved Waiting for Callback series by Perdita and Honor Cargill and also Flirty Dancing series by Jenny McLanan. I hope we see Chloe Snow a lot more - I'd love to go through her sophomore and senior years and see what other trouble and cringe worthy moments she gets up too. My #DailyConfession is this book is ingeniously funny and every teen girl should read it!
Warning - You will need a box of tissues. This is the only book that had me totally sobbing. I first fell in love with Lisa's books with Paper ButterfWarning - You will need a box of tissues. This is the only book that had me totally sobbing. I first fell in love with Lisa's books with Paper Butterflies, and I believe that I've found myself a new favourite author of 2017.
Told in the dual perspective, sisters and kindred spirits, Rita and Lo have been part of the circus all their lives, they were born into it and they will live out their days flying through the air. When Lo and Spider find out 'something', this secret could ruin everything they have and she feels obligated to protect Rita and to protect the family she has always known in the circus. Lo feels that what if there was more beyond the big top, to take her away from it all? She finds herself attracted to the outside world and more specifically to a 'flattie' - a non circus being, called Dean.
This is my first book based in a Circus, an impenetrable family of talented gymnasts and artists, travelling the world by storm to share their way of life. That's what Lisa did and that's what Lo did to Dean. Rita and Lo have the most precious and unbreakable sisterly bond I've ever read. Lo is a little more daring as you can tell and she gets more so when she meets Dean. Experiencing life beyond the circus sets her flying in a different direction, one so new and fresh, it's almost too much for Lo to bear. Her way of life, is inspiring, everything she see's is so different than how Dean would see it or live it. Lo is almost innocent and that's refreshing to see how something so simple or small could mean so much, like leaving your footprint at the end of their time, so they will always be remembered. It reminds me of my own relationship with my best friend. Plus they both like hot blackcurrant, ha! I love when an author resonates with its readers, that's a sign of a truly brilliant story.I think it doesn't matter whether you're a flattie of circus star, the world continues to revolve around us and it's just how we see it.
I don't know what is is about Lisa's writing but she has this way of creating the most touching of characters that you can't help the way it captures your heart and never lets go till well after reading the book. Rita and Lo have found a special place in my heart with this book, it's just utter perfection.
I don't know really want to say - there is only emotions and feels for this book and I have them all. Flight of a Starling is Lisa's third novel, and it's as beautiful as it is raw than each of her previous novels. Lisa Heathfield has put her footprint on YA, Flight of a Starling is emotional enthralling, beautiful and uplifting. But don't be afraid to take over your emotions because it will.
Rating - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Note: this books contains themes that readers may find distressing, elements of suicide. Thank you to Electric Monkey for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Loading...
