When Sebestein de Castell started reading an excerpt from his latest book in the series at the Hot Key Books blogger brunch it brought all of us to laWhen Sebestein de Castell started reading an excerpt from his latest book in the series at the Hot Key Books blogger brunch it brought all of us to laughter, even me. It was like the room suddenly lifted, and I loved that and I needed that feeling especially with work, you need that complete escapism and this book totally is that.
Kellen wants to be a Jan'Tep, a full fledged mage when he reaches his sixteenth birthday. He wants to smash the trails and be the son that the mighty Ke'heop's wants him to be. The thing is, he hasn't sparked any of his bands. He hasn't a shred of magic at all, which can only mean one path to become a Sha'Tep, who serves the family as basically a servant, just like his uncle Abydos. Living in a world where citizens pride themselves on magic and living with it, Kellen certainly feels the pressure. But after a failed duel, his sister, Shalla tries to force his magic, only to result in nearly killing him, when a lady, a Argosi stranger with bright red hair saves his life. Ferius Parfax only she leads him down another path, one of trickery, cards and a squirrel cat names Reichis.
Spellslinger is in a league of its own. I don't think I've laughed quite so much in a book like this in a long time. It a series of books I wish was around after the hype of Harry Potter. With a fast paced storyline its unputadownable and seriously addictive. There's also such a family of characters. Kellen is such a likeable, cheeky character, his perseverance is admirable when all he wants is still be part of the family that he's protected and protected him. I think Kellen needed a little pushing, a bit of guidance, ask the right questions and he'll find out where her belongs. But whilst he's trying to find that he figures out more than he bargained for, including being part of citizens that is based on a lie. I really loved Ferius Parfax, she is really intriguing and that's what pulls you in, she had something about her that just caught your attention throughout the whole book, that you sub consciously following, wondering what she's up to. But I guess you the star of the series, has to be the Reichis, the squirrel cat. Sebestein just nailed his character, a squirrel cat that is Kellen familiar, and he steals the entire book. All you need to know is that he will try and eat everyone eyeballs, he's stubborn, in it for himself but he does will have your back.
Spellslinger reminds me of a magical Robin Hood, although he doesn't have a cool familiar like Reichis. Kellen hasn't quite learnt how to protect himself physically, his friends do. It's a family of outlaws. This book is all about fitting in with what you got and that you play with the cards you're dealt with.
If you would like to find more reviews like this then got to my blog ...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 Fandom is any reader's dream book... we go to YALC or Comic Con, we want to take that picture with a Marvel Superhero or even with your favourite The Fandom is any reader's dream book... we go to YALC or Comic Con, we want to take that picture with a Marvel Superhero or even with your favourite author. The Fandom brings to life your fantasy dreams, it plays on your guilty pleasures, the danger and romance in one, creating a fun, action packed adventure from page one!
So it starts with the best book in the entire world, The Gallows Dance, then it turns into the movie, you think of all dreams have come true when you see who plays your hero, that all those day dreams, conjuring up the characters and world building of the most famous book. But what happens when Violet, Alice, Katie and even her brother Ted, turn up at Comic-Con dressed as Imps or Gems or a double helix, and finally get to meet their hero in real life... Well an accident happened and the next thing they know they are in the movie, they are in The Gallows Dance. In order to get back home they have to follow the story but there it doesn't go smoothly like any story, and the world itself becomes their world, it becomes their story.
When they were in The Gallows Dance, aka the canon, it wasn't all sunshine and roses, the world is savage, spilt, divided by Imps - normal in comparison but the Gems see them as damaged and the Gems - enhanced beautiful humans, some would even say smart, capable of greatness, they have the future. Violet and her friends soon realised that the world is far more horrifying, that their hero is a total wuss, (I'm naming no names), and the Knight in shining Armour, is actually the true hero. The characters grew, not only in the ones in the story but also in themselves, the canon, played on their perfections and imperfections, it made them braver, smarter, but also more self aware and truer to themselves and their beliefs.
What I loved about this book, is that it felt like an out of body experience and essentially it was. Both as the reader but then also for the characters. Echoes of the real world surrounded you, it was like you drift through the story through their lives, seeing it their eyes. There was some modern-day realities in The Fandom that you couldn't help but see comparisons in the world building, which just made it that more effective and shocking. Anna's writing is just flawless, spot-on, the concept of this will appeal to any fangirl-lovers, you can't but laugh at the pop-culture references, it especially touched me with Ted and his Sheldon reference in The Big Bang Theory, I love Anna for adding that. Anna's debut is completely addictive, compelling, action-packed dystopian fantasy novel.
Author of Truth or Dare, Remix and my absolute favourite Trouble, Non Pratt delivers another brilliant and honestly refreshiMy first review of 2018...
Author of Truth or Dare, Remix and my absolute favourite Trouble, Non Pratt delivers another brilliant and honestly refreshing novella on friendship, rivalry, jealousy and politics. It's a story that everyone will relate too.
What happens when your boyfriend your going out with, utterly hot and the popular guy of the school say's: I'm only going out with you because [insert your best friend] didn't."? What happens when the person you just dumped wanted your best friend all along, what if you become second best and all you do is compare yourself to that person? Well that is what Jade does, she goes into a state of denial, and after her ex-boyfriend's last passing comment she can't help but feel that Becky, her best friend is better than her.
What I loved about this book was how honest and relatable, the whole scene and characters were. The school scene, social scene and the relationship we have with other people. Jade had a hard lesson to learn but also the realisation that we, us, you, the world will look upon another person and think 'she's better than me', it's human nature - but you are the better person to realise and admit this to yourself that you're hurting that other person and becoming someone else in the process.
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
Lobsters is the first book that Tom and Lucy wrote together and the second that I've read of theirs. After reading their latest, Freshers, I wanted anLobsters is the first book that Tom and Lucy wrote together and the second that I've read of theirs. After reading their latest, Freshers, I wanted another book that had that same effect, the infectious smiling and laughing-out-loud moments, a book that totally brightens your day!
Hannah and Sam have both finished their exams, the exams that will decide their fate and whether they will go to their desired uni they want. Whilst their worries are on their exams or how much they thye might have messed up History or French, one more pressing matter at hand, the summer of love, the summer where they hope to lose their virginity. Hannah and Sam meet at the end of exams party at her best friend's, Stella house. Meeting in a bathroom couldn't be more romantic, they proclaiming their love for hot ribena, later becoming their own love for each other. Hot Ribena Girl (Hannah) and Toilet Boy (Sam) get pulled into different directions, each thinking about each other whilst also thinking about their summer to come.
I adored Hannah and Sam as a couple they are so cute, and I love a couple that enjoy a good cup of hot ribena! Hot Ribena is awesome, I'm in that club and it's what started their relationship, it couldn't get more cuter than that. What I love also is that I can imagine that Lucy wrote Hannah's side and Tom, Sam's narrative of the novel, giving it that totally honest and realistic approach to the book. Characters like Hannah's Nan with her crazy and bright outlook on life, almost refreshing to see and Sam's friend Robin who follows Harry Potter as his philosophy of life. Lobsters has so much to offer and characters that you can totally resonate with.
I loved this book! I love its realistic and an honest portrayal of teenage life and nothing is sugarcoated at all. Lobsters is teenage life at it's more awkward and most important too, our turning point from teenage to a young adult. What I also loved was that this book is sex positive, nowadays, sex is such a 'thing' in teenage life, all about who have you pulled, oh have you had sex etc. It's like teenagers have to grow up so quickly now, with the worrying of when or who to lose your virginity too. Sex doesn't just happen, it's certainly isn't like the movies or some books they we compare it too, there is so much more to it, to think about, to know about. I urge teenagers to read this book, working in a school of girls, this is an important as it is funny and romantic book to read. Tom and Lucy have nailed it on their first book.
Finishing After the Fire, it's a powerful, chilling yet such a paramount novel of one girl's story of survival and freedom. I can't recommend this booFinishing After the Fire, it's a powerful, chilling yet such a paramount novel of one girl's story of survival and freedom. I can't recommend this book enough, it's utterly mind-blowing, unlike anything I have read before, a page-turner from the start.
Before, Moonbeam was part of this religious cult, the Lord's Legion with it's leader Father John, a direct messenger from the Lord himself. Everyone believed that he was this almighty man of healing, faith, righteous and reason. But Moonbeam began to lose her belief, she didn't know what's real and what was hokum. After, a great fire raged through the camp she is taken into the care of the FBI and the psychologists to try and understand inside the cult, and finally reveal what really happened. This was such a fascinating and compelling story. Mr Hill's has an intense way of writing that it just sucks you in.
Moonbeam is...there are just no words for her character! She's an inspiration which is a total understatement. The fire didn't just leave scars on her hand, on the outside, the fire is within her. It burns so bright inside of her, it's almost blinding, that what I feel about her she can't be touched. Moonbeam is a beautiful and powerful voice to be reckoned with. She is the most bravest, soulful and courageous character I have ever come across YA. As you go through the book, Before, her life living in that hell, you see how her character has transformed from this girl of belief and faith to a shell of a girl not knowing where her path lies. After, she became hardened with fear, fear of trusting, fear of guilt, fear of what will happen to her next. Moonbeam has this fighting spirit, unparalleled to what I've read before, she magnificent and if I could meet her I would be in awe of her.
Alongside Moonbeam, Agent Carlyle was my favourite character, there was some bond between them that made it feel like it was only she was talking to him, the spotlight was on them, in Interview Room 1. Their relationship was just so touching, almost like a father-daughter relationship. What he brought out in her, compelled her to continue her story, it was his persona, he's calm, friendly and emotional connection that made this story.
What I found incredible was also the Author's note of this book, I don't really read them I admit, but I was curious on the the inspiration and take on the plot of this book. What I found was that it was based on something true, although his character and his plot entirely his own. He felt compelled to write something based on the Waco siege. That event resonated with him, and this book resonated with me so much on such a deeper level, I felt quite chocked up I admit. This book brings out so much in you, so many emotions and feelings. As you read through the book you get this build up of everything that happens and what Moonbeam feels until that final page where it sort of just releases, a relief, a moment of clarity. But still after so many days of reading it, it's stays with you, I don't really know how to explain it. Will Hill is an incredible writer, flawless even, this is one my first books by him and this certainly won't be the last either.
Rating - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
After the Fire has been picked for the Zoella and Friends Book Club and quite rightly so! ...more
Raven and Charlock Hawkweed both grew up with the story of one of the Hawkweed sisters creating the most powerful witch and heir to the Northern clan.Raven and Charlock Hawkweed both grew up with the story of one of the Hawkweed sisters creating the most powerful witch and heir to the Northern clan. Raven was obsessed with being the best that she can be, but it cost her dearly. So when Raven was pregnant, she hoped and prayed that her daughter would be make the Prophecy come true. But, Sorrel was far from any high power or heir, her magic was neither up to standard of what a queen should have. But Raven masked that, she made out her daughter would be the queen, this illusion that was spread across her coven. When Charlock became pregnant, Raven knew that she would produce the heir, so she switched them magically at birth. Poppy and Ember, born at the same time, yet have lived two very different paths, in two different families. Now living just a stones throw away from each other, there lives have never been so connected.
The funny thing is Ember and Poppy are a lot like each other, secluded, alone, the odd one out so to speak, whilst also different from living in such different environments. It's like they are soul sisters, magical twins, they fall for the same boy as well, Leo. It's like I'm torn sometimes during this book do I want Poppy to fall in love, or give Ember her love story that she's only ever read. For Ember life is a journey to be discovered like she's opening her eyes for the first time, and Poppy feels that magic is her only hope to finding the truth as to why her mother is crazy and will never accept her. Their childhood, their upbringing has made them who they are now but not who they were prophesied to be. Poppy is more outgoing, bold, knowledgeable of life and society, whilst Ember is resourceful, a simpleton, old-fashioned, knowledgeable of recipes, remedies and magic. But they both need each other in order to survive, to fit in to where they belong.
The Hawkweed Prophecy is as beautiful inside as it is out. I loved Irena Brignull's writing is seamless how we go from one character from another. it doesn't not focus on one sole character like Ember or Poppy. Raven, Charlock, Leo, Sorrel all have their own part in their story which makes this story a lot bigger than it is, it gives it its so much more of a bigger picture. The Hawkweed Prophecy has elements that every fantasy writer or reader will love, the atmosphere is dark, haunting, chilling with a dash of sunshine and fairy tale magic. If you loved The Witch's Tears series by Kate and Liz Corr then you will love this. I'm so glad that The Hawkweed Legacy has just come out I can't wait to see what happens next.
Rating - 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you to Hatchette for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review....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
Wow, I finished this book last night and I didn't think I could make it what with the words starting to blur with tears. I actually started reading thWow, I finished this book last night and I didn't think I could make it what with the words starting to blur with tears. I actually started reading this book in a reading lesson as part of the scholastic book fair. The cover is striking and beautiful which exactly reflects the book inside as well as out. I read the first few pages of the book and I knew I had to continue it...
{From the first page - what I read at the book fair - no spoilers.} June's being forced to drink warm milk and water, her bladder full, needing the loo. She's not allowed to go. Her step-mum Kathleen, says it's time for school, she ties a ribbon in her hair and off she goes with her step-sister, Megan. She gets to the bus stop, she see a elephant in the clouds so she focuses on that, anything that isn't...well wet. She gets on the bus and sits. It's so painful, she can't help it, she couldn't hold it in...
June lives with father, after her mum died, Kathleen and Megan came into their lives as step-mum and step-sister, but the worst possibly family you could imagine. When I first read this I thought it was going to be like a Cinderella sort of storyline - only so much darker. Kathleen despises June, so she torments her everyday, feeds her huge portions of food to make her go fat, make her ugly and basically brings out the worst in June. Megan just follows like the good little daughter she is. June wants to cry, shout, talk about what's happening even to a stranger but she can't find the words...she was too scared and I don't blame her.
Not until she meets Blister with his taped up glasses and his paper figures that she actually finds some solace and safety in their relationship. Their friendship, their bond, their love for one another you were totally transfixed.That beyond everything that was happening, Blister and his family were the only ones that really treated her for her. They made June a stronger girl for it whilst not letting Kathleen and Megan strip her down till there is nothing left of her own persona for anyone to care about... Blister is her escape, she is the butterfly that is able to fly free.
This book gives you so many feels, good and bad. Miss Heathfield's writing is moving and addictive at the same time. The structure of the book is split in two times Before and After. For each After we get a glimpse at what life is like for her presently but not really knowing what has happened and I loved that. I felt that the After chapter was a light relief of the heavy and the emotional that came with each passing week and year that June has to endure this suffering. What you felt for this book was the most out of body experience because you couldn't compute what it was that's happening or feeling. It was horrific at time, it was hard to read, it was raw to imagine a child going through this abuse. But that's why I couldn't stop myself from being dragged in, you totally at the mercy of the author and how uncontrollable your emotions are. The passion you find yourself feeling towards the characters and not always good, speak volumes as to how magnificent this book really is.
This book is a roller-coaster of emotions and it will rip you apart from each page of the book. Paper Butterflies is a darkly heartbreaking and raw novel with such a gentle touch. Miss Heathfield's book is like a fold of each of Blister's paper creations, constructed passionately and yet beautiful to see (and read). Nominated for the Waterstones Children's Book Award and the YA Book Prize 2017, Paper Butterflies is well deserved to have both of these nominations and you all need to read it.
Rating - 5
Thank you to Electric Monkey (Egmont) for a copy of this book provided on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review....more
My Review "I'd never been called am 'Artist' before, mostly because I was poor at art, but I liked it."- Elektra
I literally am on a happy book high rigMy Review "I'd never been called am 'Artist' before, mostly because I was poor at art, but I liked it."- Elektra
I literally am on a happy book high right now. This being my most anticipated book of 2017 it certainly has a set a high standard for the year. For the entire year I've had to wait since finishing Waiting for Callback at the end of 2015. The smile and excitement when this came through my door was just sheer joy to have it in my hands. I think the bright cover and the wonderful signing my book too made my day or my weekend really. So it was no wonder that from the first to the last page I couldn't stop the smiling, the giddiness and the laughter that came from every page.
Without going into too many spoilers, Take Two continues on from Elektra's moment of fame, being cast as the main lead of Straker, (still a working title) dystopian action-packed, apocalyptic movie that is going to be the best movie of the year...apparently. Whilst she is beyond excited and her love life is officially on the cards, life as a celebrity isn't as it sounds. Glam - nope, nadda, love-scenes - *cringe*, ...more
With the third and final book in The Witch's Kiss trilogy and although I read this last year, I felt the need to reread the book in preparation for thWith the third and final book in The Witch's Kiss trilogy and although I read this last year, I felt the need to reread the book in preparation for the last book. The funny thing is the first time I read it, it was for when I was going to meet them in my first book week at work, but I never reviewed it, and reading it for a second time I loved it even more.
The Corr sisters have created the next modern fairytale.
Then...The tale begins with Gwydion on a quest to bring back the King's daughter in return to take her as his betrothed. But when the King refuses his promise, Gwydion spirals out of control and makes sure that his daughter will know nothing of love. So he takes it away, in the shape of her son, Jack. Jack becomes his apprentice and Gwydion, the master of the darkest magic. When three sisters sworn to the Queen to destroy Gwydion, and temporarily they send him into an eternal sleep... 1500 years later he awakens.
Now...A true love's kiss, a sleeping master and his puppet - the King of Hearts - this is a story that Merry and Leo were told when they were children, what they didn't realise that is was real. The recent attacks in their village is no coincidence when The King of Hearts has finally awaken. Merry is part of a bloodline of witches where they bound their bloodline to an oath, to finally complete what the three sisters prolonged to do, to destroy Gwydion by separating the King of Hearts and Jack once and for all.
What I loved is that Merry embraces that of a normal sixteen-year-old British teenager with the teenage problems, rebellious, boys, spots, friendships, but on top of all that she isn't a ordinary person. She's had grow up with this 'rumour' of her family, whispers in the locker room, the fact is she doesn't mind being magical, but when she first start to 'experiment' she realised all to quickly the dangers of an untrained magic and being selfish with it can have it's consequences. So when this oath falls on her shoulders, I don't really blame her that acts out a bit, she has every right too. But one thing I really loved about Merry was that she's brave and courageous, to grow up, face her fears very quickly knowing that the fate of the magical and non-magical worlds is down to her. Plus falling in love with the bad guy also helped...
"I'm not the wicked witch, but I don't have to be perfect good fairy, either. I'm just me: a normal, complicated human, who happens to have a talent for witchcraft."
This book isn't just about fairy-tales and magic or curses, there so much in the way family. There's the good and bad like with any family, especially with Merry's mum's distance. But then you have the exceptional characters, that bring so much more to book. Leo, everyone needs a brother like Leo. Having his perspective in the book, spoke volumes, it added such a familiar and truly touching moments between Merry and Leo. It gives it texture to the book and an unbreakable bond that you can't help but just love so completely. But no matter what they'll always be there. Then there is Gran, she's the life of the book. She isn't your regular type of Grandparent in the slightest, head of a coven she has a heavy responsibility not only training Merry but also as her grandmother too. She's a bit on the extravagant side but the coolest gran I've ever come across and that's why I loved her.
The Corr sisters have this uncanny way of creating a book together that is seamless. Sometimes in a book you can tell who has written what part and that's the beauty of it because they are so attune with each other and that's what I loved. Having met the Corr sisters; Liz and Kate, they have such affectionate, supportive, and down to earth personas that you can see that through their writing and especially through the sibling love of Leo and Merry.
Rating - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you to HarperCollins Children Books for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review. ...more
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