Loved this book. It was hot and steamy for sure! At only 11,000 words, I was able to finish it in just a couple if hours. It was a fun, hot, little re...moreLoved this book. It was hot and steamy for sure! At only 11,000 words, I was able to finish it in just a couple if hours. It was a fun, hot, little read that sends shivers down the spine and gets you hot under the collar at the same time.(less)
I can honestly say I have never read another book like this. Mercy is no fairy tale, that's for sure. Madeline is a girl who has suffered much in her...moreI can honestly say I have never read another book like this. Mercy is no fairy tale, that's for sure. Madeline is a girl who has suffered much in her life and part of that suffering was inflicted by loving a boy more than he loved her. I felt so sorry for her, I just wanted to reach in and take her pain away. Madeline died and the angels didn't come for her, she was a Slip because she fell through the cracks. Now she's faced with choosing a suitor but all of them have secrets and lies, ulterior motives for wanting her to be their Queen. Who will she choose? What kind of life is she likely to have as a Gargoyle Queen? These are the questions she must ask herself before making her final decision.
Madeline struggles to face up to things from her previous life. The boy she loved and the best friend that made her feel worthy of the boy even when he didn't.
I must say, this book may not be to everyone's tastes. There's a lot of hardship and truths that Maddy must face up to. But I absolutely loved it from the first word to the last.
Misty Provencher is a great writer and I look forward to reading much more from her in the future. (less)
When I first picked up this book, I was a little taken aback by the fact that an older Christian was narrating the story. I wasn't sure how it was going to work with an older version of him telling us what happened to him when he was younger. But - and this is a very big BUT - it worked perfectly. After just a chapter, I had settled into his narrative and was looking forward to him taking me on a journey.
That, is exactly what happened. A journey of discovery.
The year is 1983 and Christian is hoping to fulfill his fathers wishes and become a doctor. His father has paid for him to leave his home in Denmark and go to Med School in America for a year. So he goes, even though it's not really his own dream. No, Christian would go through life from one job to the next, one woman to the next. He's not exactly the settling type. More the 'love them and leave them' sort.
There's 2 quotes that I really loved that show you what kind of person Christian is.
"I loved girls, but I used them and threw them away. I devoured them. I exploited the fact that they adored me."
"Some even came into my life thinking that they would be the ones that could change my ways and make me settle down, they wanted to save me from myself, but they always leave with a broken heart."
He knows that he's good looking and charming. He knows that girls adore his curly mane of hair, his beautiful smile. He plays on these attributes to make girls flock to him, then he discards them as though they meant nothing. Fact is, that's exactly what they mean to him - nothing.
But he has an eidetic memory and feels that he can become a doctor quite easily. After all, he only needs to read a book once and it's there in his memory banks. At this point, I don't really believe Christian thinks there's any more to becoming a doctor than 'book smarts' - I mean, it takes a lot of hard graft to be a doctor. It's not all about what's in the text books. There are things you need to learn that either come naturally or you work hard at - but he seems to think that because of his memory, he can waltz through it.
When Christian arrives in Florida, he is to live with the Kirk family. Dr and Mrs Kirk and their daughter, Heather. They have agreed to give him a home whilst he studies, but Dr Kirk would like him to keep his hands off his daughter. Which for Christian will be hard to do, Heather is beautiful. But being the 'love them and leave them' guy that he is, perhaps he really should keep his eyes off her. It would only cause problems within the household and having to live there for a year could become quite uncomfortable...
It's on an evening with Heather and her friends at the Twelve Mile Swamps that Christian's life takes a dramatic change of course. Both Heather and Christian are swimming in the water, but it's Christian that falls victim to an alligator attack.
They say that in a near-death experience, your life flashes before you. But Christian instead sees a jaguar come to his rescue. A beautiful creature with black rosettes in it's fur. This jaguar attacks the alligators, crushing their skulls with just one bite. Then instead of attacking Christian too, it drags him to shore.
His injuries mean that Christian can't start school as scheduled. Instead he spends his days at the Kirks home recuperating.
In the garden one day, Christian sees the little girl in the garden next door. She seems to be sitting amongst floating toys. Her and her older sister are playing and laughing. Christian witnesses this and can't help but smile. The older sister is a beautiful sight to behold. So it's with this in mind he goes to introduce himself.
Little does Christian know that introducing himself to the girls and their family will take his life off the course he thought that it was on.
Aiyana - the beautiful older sister - and he become close. Something seems to take over his thoughts when he is with her. It's as though he needs her. He craves her affection. He's never felt this way about a girl before and it comes as a shock. The family encourage him to play the guitar and sing his beautiful songs, something he hasn't done much since the alligator attacked him. He's been in a kind of funk and can't seem to bring himself out of it. So they encourage him to play for them, use his beautiful voice to sing them songs that he sang after his mother passed away when he was younger. With this family, in their home, Christian feels something he hasn't felt in a long time, true happiness.
I can't tell you what happens from here. There are things that must be discovered for yourself. There are twists and shocks that I simply cannot reveal.
I loved this book. It was easy to get swept away with the story. There were ups and downs for all involved. But though there were trials and tribulations that Christian must face, on the whole, this story was a joy to behold. You follow Christian through from being a young 'Casanova' to being a more mature young man who finally knows what it's like to feel true love. But it's not just a love story. And not all is as it seems. This is a Paranormal Romance - there are secrets to be told. Are you ready to listen?
I am grateful that Willow Rose got in contact and asked me if I would like to review SAVAGE. If she hadn't, I may never have come across this beautiful story. I am really looking forward to book 2. I can't tell you what happens at the end of this book to make me yearn for the next book - all I can say is, it's truly worth reading and discovering for yourself. (less)
I came across this book whilst browsing the catalogue on Net Galley. It sounded unlike anything I had read before so I sent the publisher my request f...moreI came across this book whilst browsing the catalogue on Net Galley. It sounded unlike anything I had read before so I sent the publisher my request for it. Let me tell you, I am very glad I did. This story was indeed unlike anything I have read previously. It stands apart from the normal YA books that I read. I knew going into this book that the author Rachel Coker is only young, 15 years old I believe. But what I didn't expect was how maturely and beautifully a woman so young could write. I was pleasantly taken by surprise by that fact.
This story took me back to a time before I was born. A time I have only been able to learn about during history lessons at school and by watching documentaries on the television. I can honestly say that I am glad not to have been born before or during the war. It must have been one of the hardest things to live through. I only experienced how it must have felt whilst reading this book and that alone was enough for me. It made me realise how lucky I am to have what I have and live the life that I do.
At the tender age of just fourteen, Allie feels responsible for everything because her mother has brain cancer and forgets things, places and people. It's a harsh way for Allie to have to live her life. She has had to grow up fast due to the decline in her mothers health. Sam is her best friend. He's followed her round since childhood. He's always there, even when she wishes he wasn't. It's during one of Sam's visits that her mother takes a turn for the worse. So Allie harshly blames him for the fact that she passes away. When I read this, I was sad for Sam because I could see that it wasn't his fault and I was angry at Allie for blaming him and pushing him away when all he wanted to do was be a good friend and be there for her. It honestly made a lump form in my throat.
Due to Allie's mother's passing, she must move away. A lady from an adoption agency turns up and tells her to pack a bag because she must leave. This hurts Allie as her mother or Mama as she calls her, has always been the only family she has known. Her father walked out when she was young and so now to have to move away from her home and her life, makes Allie sad and depressed. Who can blame her really? She's had a hard enough start to her life without having to go and start afresh somewhere else.
Now Allie lives with Miss Beatrice, her adopted mother. She is introduced to Irene, Miss Beatrice's daughter and immediately feels like an outsider. This woman isn't her mother, Irene isn't her sister, this isn't her life. But it is and she will have to get used to it. There is nothing to be done to bring her mother back and there is no escaping the fact that she needs to start over.
I felt a lot of empathy for Allie. I relate to how hard her life must have been. I know I haven't been through what she has but it's easy to imagine whilst reading that you are actually Allie and her emotions are yours. There's ups, there's downs, there's times you just want to grab her and shake her. You want to tell her to wake up and be nicer to Beatrice and others around her. Allie could be such a marvellous young lady and indeed in her heart she is. She just isn't able to see things clearly. Her mother always told her that religion was for superstitious fools. So Allie doesn't even have God to turn to in her times of need. She really feels all alone. But she wouldn't be if only she were more open to people. If she let people into her life, her heart, she would see that life is what you make it. If you make it hard, it's hard. If you make it happy, it's happy.
This is a beautiful story about a young girl who hasn't had the easiest of starts to her life and now must carve out a new niche for herself in this new life. She has a hardness to her that is easily imaginable because of her past. But will she ever mellow? Will she settle down and get used to the life before her? Or will she always rebel against it?
I loved this book from the moment I picked it up. I got easily carried away into this life of a teenager during the war. I always enjoy a book when the author can put me inside the head of the main character. This was no exception. I honestly look forward to more novels from Rachel Coker. She is a brilliant budding young author and I can only imagine that as her career progresses, she will become a best-selling author. She certainly has the makings of one.
Thank you to Rachel for creating such an extraordinary novel. Thank you also to Zondervan and Net Galley for providing me with this galley.(less)
ALL THESE LIVES is a hauntingly beautiful story. I was reminded of when I read My Sister's Keeper last year. It's definitely a book that you should keep a pack of tissues handy!
Dani is a fraternal twin. Her sister Jena has leukemia. The story is told from Dani's point of view and we see what it's like to live in a family where the sister is ill and the mother and father seem blind to anything that doesn't revolve around the sick daughter. That means that Dani seems to go unnoticed. Particularly by her mother.
Dani comes across as bitchy and maybe a bit self centred in the beginning. She taunts a boy in class by flirting with him and embarrassing him. She does things like that just because she can. But having thought that she was a bit spiteful, I soon learned that actually, she's acting out. She's not getting much attention from anyone because everyone is always asking about Jena, taking care of Jena. No-one seems to stop and say "How are you feeling about things Dani?" "How's things Dani?" It's almost like she's invisible.
But there's more to this story than that.
Dani is sure that she has 9 lives. Or that she did have before she used a couple of them up in instances that perhaps any other person may have died. She survived a car accident. She survived a bad infection. Someone once told her that a cat has 9 lives and that each one they lose goes off into the universe for another cat to catch. Having this theory in mind, Dani thinks that if she loses her lives, the ones that leave her may find their way to Jena. All Dani wants is for her sister to live. She says that without her, she wouldn't live either. So Dani does stupid things to try and give her lives to her.
We see her drunk and stupid enough to get into the pool at home where she stays until her father finds her and drags her out. 1 life down. Will Jena feel better? There's 2 sides to the things she does though. 1) She believes that she'll lose a life and Jena will catch it and 2) She's acting out. You're not sure which of the 2 is the reason she does them. Even though she says it's for Jena, and yes it is - also, you can see that she is just a lonely girl who wants some of the attention that seems to rain down on Jena.
I love Dani as an MC. She's not a flawless image of a perfect sister, daughter, friend. No, she's got her flaws alright. But that's okay because she's only human. None of us can be accused of being perfect.
She tries to be a good daughter - going to auditions because it's what her mother wants. Not telling her mother about her father smoking again because it's his only vice and it's something he does through stress over Jena. She tries to be a good sister by giving her extra lives to Jena.
So although we see her as a bit snarky, we also find that she has a good heart and tries to help people, even though it's at cost to herself.
I won't lie, I had to cry at this story. It's very well written and has a beautiful, fluid, haunting storyline. It's one of those books that you read and no matter what you read after it, it's still going to be stuck in your mind.
Sarah Wylie is definitely an author I will be looking out for more from in the future.
Thank you to Macmillan and Net Galley for providing me this ARC. Thank you to Sarah Wylie for writing something so unusual in today's YA market. (less)
Firstly, my thoughts on the cover. I have seen both the US and UK covers for SLIDE and I really like both. The US one is purple (my favourite colour)...more Firstly, my thoughts on the cover. I have seen both the US and UK covers for SLIDE and I really like both. The US one is purple (my favourite colour) - the UK one is depicted above. When I first looked at the cover on Goodreads, I was honestly not quite sure what to make of it. But when I received it in the post and actually held it in my hands, let me tell you I love it! You can see up close that there are two hands reflected in the iris - how creepy! They say that eyes are windows to the soul and that they are where you can find real emotion - it's like when they say about a smile reaching your eyes. Well, in this case, the emotion I see is FEAR plain and simple! And if I was Vee, I would understand why.
Slyvia 'Vee' Bell is a girl with a secret. On the outside she appears to be a girl with narcolepsy. On the inside lies a totally different story. When Vee passes out, she slides into the conciousness of other people. She ends up seeing through other people's eyes and experiencing what they are doing. This alone would be enough to deal with but when Vee finds herself in the head of a killer, standing over the body of a cheerleader - let's just say things get a whole hell of a lot creepier.
Vee knows that Sophie's death was no suicide, but how is she meant to prove this when she hasn't been able to share her secret?! Not even with her best friend Rollins. She tried to tell her father about it but he just sent her to see a counsellor.
I don't know what I would do in Vee's situation. It seems like everything is set to conspire against her. Just when she thinks she might confide in someone about it, she stumbles across something else that makes her want to keep it to herself.
What would you do if you knew someone had been murdered but everyone else thought it was suicide and if you told anyone otherwise they would question your sanity?
Having found out about this book through a friend a little while ago, I loved how it sounded and couldn't wait until it was released. As luck would have it, I got it from Harper Collins in January. I am so glad I didn't have to wait the extra months to be in possession of it - but it would have been worth the wait even if I did.
Jill Hathaway has presented us with a female protagonist who on the face of it is just your average girl. But when you look beneath the surface, there's more to her than that.
Vee is an easy character to relate to. The main reason I like her is because though she may have an ability beyond that of us normal girls, she's just ordinary. There's no heirs and graces to her. No falseness. Who's to say what's 'normal' anyway? It seems to have become that you have to be 'abnormal' to fit in these days.
To me, Vee may not be the in your face, kick-ass protagonist that so many seem to enjoy - but she is just as likable. She has guts, she has a good heart and in the end, she gets things done.
I loved how easy it was to just pick up SLIDE and sink in. It wasn't an overly complicated plotline with lots of things just thrown at you. Jill Hathaway has a way of inserting twists and turns where you don't expect them - but she does it with such an ease that you just roll with it.
This was unlike anything I have read before and thus is a fresh addition to the whole YA genre. Not only do we have an expertly crafted complex storyline but it also touches on other issues. Suicide being by and large the biggest one of those - but there's also others in there that make you sit up and think. At this point I won't share those with you - you will have to read it and see for yourself.
I really like the whole idea behind the main premise - Vee is able to slide into the consciousness of others if she comes into contact with something that carries an emotional charge. I really hope that there is a lot more to come from this because as I say it is a fresh idea. I for one can't wait to see where Jill goes with it. I like the idea of Vee getting used to the sliding and being able to take more control of it. It leaves me wondering where the future of this series lies - who Vee will slide into and what secrets we will uncover.
Well done Jill on a brilliant debut novel that had me hooked and turning the pages, devouring the book within one sitting.(less)
As usual, let me start with the cover. I think it looks dark, ominous and it gives me the chills. I like it, it's a good look. Especially once you rea...moreAs usual, let me start with the cover. I think it looks dark, ominous and it gives me the chills. I like it, it's a good look. Especially once you read what's on the inside. The story itself gives me the creeps.
I have been after reading something a little different recently. I am always on the look out for new things to read. Something that isn't all vampires, werewolves, boy meets girl and falls in love. Let me tell you now, DARKHOUSE is not any of those things. Instead it has a sassy female MC who I can totally relate to. She's not 'stunningly beautiful' nor is she 'beautiful but doesn't really know it'. Perry Palomino is just your average girl. She has your average, boring job; working as a receptionist.
That really hit home with me because I am just your average girl who usually does receptionist jobs.
I may not be as sassy and smart-mouth as Perry, but then actually my other half might tell you I am (the smart-mouth part at least).
She also has an annoying younger sister called Ada who's 15. I too have an annoying younger sister. These things alone make me feel like if Perry were not a fictional character, we might actually be good friends.
But then you scratch the surface and look just that little bit deeper and maybe Perry Palomino is not as 'ordinary' as she seems. There's the past she's buried and tried her hardest to forget about and there's the fact that she can see ghosts. Not just your average receptionist after all huh?
Well that's okay because Dex Foray isn't exactly 'average' either. He's hansdome and brooding with a touch of eccentricity. Dex is a producer for Shownet. They have webcasts on things such as 'Wine Babes' - a show where hot babes stand there telling you what wine would go well with your cheeseburger or your microwave dinner for one. Sounds like a show that gets really high ratings doesn't it?! (I'll try and can my sarcasm)
Back to Perry anyway. Her Uncle Al has a disused lighthouse on his property. One that Perry decides to go and investigate one night whilst her sister and cousins are sitting drinking on the beach. Just the kind of thing she should be doing alone on a dark night...!
Upon breaking into the boarded up lighthouse, Perry gets creeped out when she hears footsteps on the floor above her. At this point in reading, if it were a film on tv I would have been shouting at her to get the hell out of there whilst the going was good. But as is inevitable, she didn't get out, she went in further.
All I can say at this point without spoiling it for you is, this disused lighthouse provides the perfect eerie backdrop for the chilling story that unravels.
Perry is drawn into a world that both threatens her and excites her at the same time. Dex is an oddly charming character and though he is in a relationship with Jenn (form Wine Babes), I really hope to see Karina develop a relationship between him and Perry in future books.
I love Dex. He isn't tall, tan and muscular. Rather he is ruggedly handsome. He has a unique personality for sure. The whole relationship between him and Perry is antagonistic to say the least. It seems both are intent on getting under the skin of the other. There are times when you just want to bang their heads together. It makes for a funny, enjoyable read.
I really enjoyed this first installment in An Experiment In Terror. It was intriguing, fast-paced, well plotted and funny as hell. There was one quote which I found myself wetting my pants laughing. Dex said "... as much as I love to fly by the seat of my pants and shit everywhere, I don't think we can afford to do that ..." This was absolute comedy gold and endeared me to Dex even more than I was already. Let's face it, he isn't your typical male MC, but I like the ones that are a little different.
I love the way Karina Halle has taken what could be your typical thriller and made her mark on it. Her writing is like a breath of fresh air. She breathes life into what could otherwise be a boring and plodding thriller if written by anyone else. Instead she has left me seeking out the next book in the series, Red Fox and looking forward to the series on the whole; as there will be 8 books in total.
Thank you Karina for the chance to review this book and the opportunity to discover what lies in waiting inside that creepy Darkhouse. (less)
Title: The Name of The Star Author: Maureen Johnson Source: Review copy from Harper Collins
I have always loved things about Jack The Ripper. From docume...moreTitle: The Name of The Star Author: Maureen Johnson Source: Review copy from Harper Collins
I have always loved things about Jack The Ripper. From documentaries on television, to books about him. I have always been fascinated by how he is one of our most notorious murderers, despite having only killed a small number of people. Some believe he killed 4 women, some think it's 5, some think it's 6. I personally have always thought it was 4. But it isn't the number of women he killed that matters most, it's the way in which he killed them.
From Wikipedia: Jack the Ripper
"With the Vigilance Committee in the East End: A Suspicious Character" from The Illustrated London News, 13 October 1888 Background information Birth name Identity unknown Also known as "The Whitechapel Murderer" "Leather Apron" Killings Number of victims: 5+? Span of killings 1888–? Country United Kingdom "Jack the Ripper" is the best-known name given to an unidentified serial killer who was active in the largely impoverished areas in and around the Whitechapel district of London in 1888. The name originated in a letter, written by someone claiming to be the murderer, that was disseminated in the media. The letter is widely believed to have been a hoax, and may have been written by a journalist in a deliberate attempt to heighten interest in the story. Other nicknames used for the killer at the time were "The Whitechapel Murderer" and "Leather Apron". Attacks ascribed to the Ripper typically involved female prostitutes from the slums whose throats were cut prior to abdominal mutilations. The removal of internal organs from at least three of the victims led to proposals that their killer possessed anatomical or surgical knowledge. Rumours that the murders were connected intensified in September and October 1888, and letters from a writer or writers purporting to be the murderer were received by media outlets andScotland Yard. The "From Hell" letter, received by George Lusk of the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee, included half of a preserved human kidney, supposedly from one of the victims. Mainly because of the extraordinarily brutal character of the murders, and because of media treatment of the events, the public came increasingly to believe in a single serial killer known as "Jack the Ripper". Extensive newspaper coverage bestowed widespread and enduring international notoriety on the Ripper. An investigation into a series of brutal killings in Whitechapel up to 1891 was unable to connect all the killings conclusively to the murders of 1888, but the legend of Jack the Ripper solidified. As the murders were never solved, the legends surrounding them became a combination of genuine historical research, folklore, and pseudohistory. The term "ripperology" was coined to describe the study and analysis of the Ripper cases. There are now over one hundred theories about the Ripper's identity, and the murders have inspired multiple works of fiction.
So when I was asked by Rosi at Harper Collins if there were any books I was interested in, The Name Of The Star automatically came to mind. I wanted to see what Maureen Johnson could bring to the table. Let me assure you, I am VERY glad I did.
Maureen Johnson writes a chillingly epic tale. It was not overly gory, yet contained enough that my appetite for gore was satiated. I don't usually care whether a book contains real blood and guts or not. However, this book being based on Jack The Ripper would not have been half so satisfying without it. I mean, if you are going to tell a story about someone ripping internal organs out, you can't really do it without some gore. That having been said, it isn't so bad that you wouldn't want your teenage daughter/son to read it. I think it is suitable for anyone around 16+ and would definitely recommend it to a friend's daughter who is around that age.
So, on to my review:
Aurora Deveaux, or Rory as she prefers to be known, was born and raised in Louisiana, America. Her arrival in England marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it is the start of her new life. Her parents are in Bristol for work, so Rory finds herself at a boarding school in London. The day Rory arrives at school, she discovers that London is in the grips of a copycat killer who is replicating the murders of Jack The Ripper. He kills his first victim in the same way as his first victim back in 1888. Rory has a run in with him one night, but only she can see him. What does that mean? How can they catch him if only Rory can see him? Rory is scared what this could mean. I mean wouldn't you be?! It's Jack The Ripper. Multiple murders and eviscerations to his name. And only Rory can see him. That has to give a girl the creeps!
I don't want to be all spoilery and tell you what to expect. However, I can say that there will be twists and turns that if you are anything like me, you won't see coming. I must say, each of which is immensely enjoyable. I found that Maureen Johnson has done a great job of her slant on Rippermania. In all honesty, when I saw that this was only book 1, I felt that it may not have a proper conclusion. But actually, for me, there were no loose ends. It was all tied up in a pretty- nay bloody- package. I was really glad to find that such a book could fit so well into the YA category.
I was happy to see that Maureen mentioned The Smiths, one of my favourite bands of all time. It was great to see the lyrics dotted about. I love Morrissey's voice and found that it actually fitted really well within the story. This is the first of Maureen's books that I have read. However, now I know I like her style, I will no doubt go out and purchase some more. I cannot wait for the next Shades of London book due for release, I believe, in October 2012. It's a long time to wait, but due to the fact that this one actually did have an ending and didn't leave us hanging, I feel okay about the fact I have to wait another 10 months.
All in all I would recommend this book to anyone who likes YA books and is looking for something a little different than vampires, werewolves and the like. Not that I don't love me some vamps, it's just that I like to read something a little different from time to time. I stayed up late into the night to finish this because I was too enthralled to put it down. For me, The Name Of The Star will go down in history as one of my favourite books.
Firstly, I loved this cover. It was what drew me to the book in the first place. I had been looking for new books to read and came across Wither in my...more Firstly, I loved this cover. It was what drew me to the book in the first place. I had been looking for new books to read and came across Wither in my travels. I have only read a couple of Dystopian books before and I find I really like the genre. So I knew I had to give this a go. It sat on my shelf for a while before I finally got the time to read it, but what with getting the ARC of FEVER (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #2) I knew I had to read it soon so that I am up to speed.
From the moment I picked it up, I knew I would enjoy this book. I don't know what it is but sometimes I just get this feeling that I will like something and I do. I love the way Lauren DeStefano writes. It's lyrical and beautiful. Wither had me laughing, swearing and fighting tears along the way.
Thanks to a botched attempt to create the perfect human race, all males will die at the age of 25 and females at the age of 20. Geneticists may be trying to find a cure, but is it really likely to work? Is there more to life than marrying, having children and dying at such a young age?
Rhine is a 16 year old girl, so she has 4 years left before she dies. As if that wasn't bad enough, she is kidnapped and forced into marrying 20 year old Linden. He falls hopelessly in love with Rhine and though she would like to, she can't seem to find it in her to hate him. Even though the way in which they married was somewhat less than Rhine desired, she can't help but feel a little sorry for Linden as his life seems to be ruled by his father, Vaughn. So she finds herself living in a mansion with her husband and her two sister wives, Cecily and Jenna. Yes, you read that right, Linden has not only one wife but three! Rhine is desperate to find a way of letting her twin brother know that she is okay. She is desperate to be free. She can't spend the last years of her life trapped in a mansion with a husband she doesn't love, two sister wives and a monster of a father-in-law. (I can't tell you why, but trust me, Vaughn is a despicable excuse for a human being) When she finds herself drawn to Gabriel, a servant, she encourages him to break free, to go out and discover the world that lies beyond the grounds of the mansion.
Will Rhine and Gabriel be able to escape the clutches of this mansion and it's inhabitants? Is there really any hope for freedom?
I have to say, I found this story to be interesting, exciting, fast-paced and very well written. I really have high hopes for the next 2 books in the trilogy!(less)
Firstly, I love this cover. I have loved both the covers in the Chemical Garden Trilogy so far but this is my favourite.
When I knew that FEVER was com...moreFirstly, I love this cover. I have loved both the covers in the Chemical Garden Trilogy so far but this is my favourite.
When I knew that FEVER was coming out, I asked Rosi at Harper Collins for an ARC. She said that HarperVoyager were sending them out and I would get it soon. Unfortunately, the first one got lost so I had to wait for another one. Luckily that arrived on Monday so when I finished my previous book, I picked it straight up.
I adored this book from beginning to end. I had not long read WITHER so the story of Rhine Ellery was fresh in my mind. Having been left hanging at the end of Wither, I was only too happy to be sucked right back in. For me personally, FEVER was even better than Wither. Where I awarded 4 stars before, this is a straight 5 star in my opinion. Lauren DeStefano's writing has a way of drawing you in to the deepest darkest corners of Rhine's world and leaving you trapped. Not that I minded, in the slightest.
This time around, Rhine and Gabriel are free. But at what cost? Surely nothing as good as their freedom should come without a price?
Washed up on shore, they find themselves being captured by Madame Soleski. A cruel and bitter ringmistress if ever there were one. Madame isn't at all happy that the pairl have turned up. She believes them to be spies or to have had spies follow them there. Truly a more evil woman I am yet to meet. (I found myself thinking that her and Housemaster Vaughn would make a great couple. Bitter, twisted, perfect for each other).
Rhine and Gabriel find themselves thrust into a world that is no better than the world they came from. They are drugged, forced to work in Madame's twisted carnival. Rhine is to be her star attraction, her 'Goldenrod'. From one life where she is forced to do things others want her to, to yet another world where she must do things against her will for the entertainment of Madame and her clients. I couldn't help but feel sorry for Rhine being 'free' of Housemaster Vaughn and the life she had. It seemed to me that maybe, she might have been better off where she was.
For this young couple, the road to freedom is a long and fraught journey. What's worse is that Housemaster Vaughn is still determined to find Rhine and bring her back to the mansion. At any cost.
Will she ever be free? Will she ever find Rowan, her twin?
The emotions in this book made me well up with tears more than once. I can honestly say I didn't really feel happy. There were just times when I felt a little less sad. I can't wait to see what happens in the final book in this trilogy. I can't help but hope that there will be a little ray of light to penetrate the darkness that Rhine is in. Whilst I know that the road must be rough and it cannot go from such despair to the height of happiness, I do hope to see Rhine experience true happiness, be it just remotely. Even if it's only for a short time, it would be good to see one real smile on her face. After everything she has been through and is no doubt yet to go through, I hope there can be one shining moment for her.
Thanks to Lauren DeStefano for creating this Dystopian masterpiece. Thanks to HarperVoyager who provided this copy of FEVER. (less)
Firstly may I say, I was totally in love with this cover at first sight. As a self-confessed cover-magpie, how could I not love something as beautiful...moreFirstly may I say, I was totally in love with this cover at first sight. As a self-confessed cover-magpie, how could I not love something as beautiful as this?! Well done Phat Puppy on another awesome creation! From the colours to the model to the mysterious qualities it portray - much love for this stunning cover!
I was on Twitter when I discovered this book. I went to Kate's blog and it said to send her an email for a review copy. So naturally, I did.
At the time of finally getting round to reading it, I won't lie - I had forgotten what the blurb said. So actually, I kind of went into this book a bit blind. But I found I didn't mind that so much. It's good to have a surprise now and then.
Corinne Finley is just your average teenager. She works in her dad's cafe to earn her keep. She goes to school with her best friend Angeline. She's had a falling out with her 'almost boyfriend' Mason. Just a truly average life. That is until the day of the school Bake Sale. Corinne bakes some absolutely delicious petit-fours. Yet another ordinary thing? Maybe if she hadn't used her late grandmothers food dyes to turn them different colours. But she did - and things just seem to go from strange to stranger still. Boys that haven't paid the slightest attention to her before are falling over themselves and each other, just to talk to her. Girls that ignore her start talking to her and begging her to dye their hair the same as hers.
At this point in the book (quite near the start) I was laughing to myself as a regular occurrence. They say simple things please simple minds. Well in that case, I don't mind being simple. Bearing in mind, I normally have some clue as to where the book is going from the first few chapters, that was not the case with PYXIS. I was hooked and had to know what on earth could possibly come next.
The Bake Sale wasn't the only strange event.
Corinne discovers that her and Mason are sharing the same dreams. They are dreaming about a dark force that is intent on consuming everything around them. She is also being followed and is subsequently attacked by a strange woman who knows secrets about her family's past. Corinne is left wondering who on earth this woman is, what she wants and who her grandmother really was. Not all is as ordinary as it once seemed. Will things ever be the same as they once were? And can Corinne and Mason figure out why they are sharing dreams?
For the answers to these questions, you must read PYXIS for yourself.
For me, this book was a fresh seed planted in the YA world. I now look forward to it being nurtured and growing in the next book in the series, Alight. I am really pleased that this book wasn't the same old, same old. It's nice to read something new and refreshing once in a while.
I enjoyed Kate's approach to this book. It wasn't a heavy read. It wasn't hard to get into. Instead it was light, fast-paced and kept me turning the pages to find out what was happening next. The only break I took was when I finally needed to go to bed last night and when I took my son to school today. Other than those times, I have been sat with a cup of tea in one hand and my Kindle in the other. I liked it so much that I said to my other half that if I could be any book character - I would choose to be Corinne Finley. No lie. I think she is a refreshingly different character. She's not all 'woe is me' like some and not as stuck up 'look at me aren't I special' like others.
I love Kate's unique style of writing and I look forward to there being more books in the series. I for one hope that there are several more to come.
Well done Kate on a beautiful debut and I look forward to the next installment in this great adventure.(less)
First of all, let me say, I just finished this book 5 minutes ago and WOW! It was absolutely brilliant from the first word to the last and I am now ea...moreFirst of all, let me say, I just finished this book 5 minutes ago and WOW! It was absolutely brilliant from the first word to the last and I am now eagerly anticipating the next book. I cannot wait to see what happens next.
The Legacy of Kilkenny is a beautiful story of friendship, family, love and honour. Want to know what I mean? Well then read on. But I must warn you, I will not give you all the goods. You'll have to buy the book yourself for that.
Abel Casey is an ordinary boy, with an ordinary family and an ordinary life. He goes to Piedsville High School and is best friends with Shane. He lives at home with his mom and dad. He also has an older sister Allie, who he calls Cat.
Sounds pretty gosh darn ordinary so far. Am I right? I know I am.
Then one day at school, Abel meets the stunning looking new girl, Prudence Phelan. No way would she be interested in him, she is far to hot for the likes of Abe. Right?!
Abe and Pru become friends and she feels the time is right to share with him why she came to town - to reveal his destiny as the Great Wolf, he will become leader of all the Packs.
How does Abe take the news that he is actually a werewolf? Well I will leave it to you to read that for yourself.
Pru's main assignment right now is to take care of Abe, teach him, train him, have him hone his skills so that he can one day become the Great Wolf. But, she says, this comes at a price. Abe must die - or at least convince his family he has died.
As Abe starts his training, he starts to have some of the ablities of the weres. He has a heightened sense of hearing for one, also his sense of smell is better than ever. But he hasn't shifted, and he is not totally convinced he will become the Great Wolf that they have been waiting for. He also doesn't want to convince his family he is dead. He knows it will break their hearts, and he doesn't want to be the one to do that to them.
Will he be able to convince the Pack that he doesn't need to die and he can actually protect his family? Well, that I can't tell you.
Life is going pretty well for Abe. He has some pretty awesome new friends, Pru's parents, General Phelan and Dolly, are also pretty cool. But Pru isn't interested in him in a boyfriend/girlfriend way. She has her eyes and her heart set on Oakley, who is tasked with watching out for her while she watches over Abe.
Just when it seems that things are going well, enter Arien - the vampire. He latches on to Allie, and that is NOT a good thing. He is using her to get closer to the Pack to see if he can find any information on the whereabouts of the Great Wolf. Arien tells Abe and Pru that he will infect Allie with the HVV - Human Vampiric Virus- if they don't tell him who he is looking for.
Will Arien infect Allie? Will she turn into a vampire? Will Abe finally shift? Will he find love? Who's to say what will happen?!
All I can really say is, the characters in this book are some of my favourites in recent times. I realy love Abel and his easy going attitude to life. I love me some Oakley with his strong but sensual wolfish features. I like Pru because she is a level headed, sassy girl who will fight for what she thinks is right rather than let you walk all over her.
Devyn Dawson is a great author. Her words had me entranced from the moment I started reading, and even now, they linger with me - making me wonder what will happen in the second book.
I read a lot of YA fiction, and I find that sometimes, the theme of many books can be pretty samey. What is the point of reading yet another book about a vampire? Or yet another book about a werewolf? They might be questions that some people ask themselves, but not me.
Personally, I like nothing more than diving into a new book head first. I love to meet new characters and enjoy different authors ways of portaying things, even if they can be similar.
For me, the first thing I look for is cover art. I know the old saying about don't judge a book by it's cover, but for me, that just isn't true. I know you may say that I am maybe missing out on a great story that lurks within the walls of a more mediocre cover, and yes that may be true. But, I like my cover art. I offer no apologies for this.
I think you will agree with me that the cover art for this book is something that makes you stop, look, read the blurb, and then buy it. That's exactly what I did. And I for one am glad that I did. The Legacy of Kilkenny goes straight on my Favourite Books pile. And Devyn Dawson, goes straight up there with my favourite authors.
This book had me laughing, wanting to punch someone in the face, laughing some more, and crying - at least twice!
So I say, go buy this book, curl up on the sofa with a hot cup of cocoa and settle in for an amazing journey that will stay with you even after the words on the page are over.
I thought that Paradox: The Angels Are Here was a terrific book. Fast-paced and easy to read, it only took me hours to get from start to finish. Within...moreI thought that Paradox: The Angels Are Here was a terrific book. Fast-paced and easy to read, it only took me hours to get from start to finish. Within the pages of this book, there are 2 worlds. One ancient and one new. The intricate way in which the author has created and connected these two worlds is beautiful.
I find myself at a loss for words with which to describe the story within these pages. I don't want to give too much away really, it would be a shame to give too much away. Plus, I feel the story speaks for itself. Once you read the first page, I defy anyone not to be hooked. I could hardly bear to put it down. (Even reading it whilst I was eating)
I was lucky enough to receive the book from Patti, and I am ever grateful that she gave it to me because this glorious first installment in her story has left me desperate for more. I am truly glad that I don't have to wait too long for Paradox: Progeny of Innocence (as it's hopefully out on 30th November)
I am really looking forward to reading the next installment, as I have already read the preface and the first few pages, which you will find at the end of this one.
I hope to find out more about both worlds and how one will inevitably impact upon the other.
I have to say, I already believed in Guardian Angels before reading Paradox. But now, I have an even firmer belief in them.
I guess I should start off with the reason I gave this book 4 stars out of 5. Well it is nothing major, that I can assure you. I found there to be a f...moreI guess I should start off with the reason I gave this book 4 stars out of 5. Well it is nothing major, that I can assure you. I found there to be a few spelling mistakes, misuse of a word here and there, and also missing words in a sentence. Also, maybe I would have worded a couple of sentences here and there differently, as I struggled to make them make sense at first. But that is just a personal thing, but because of these slight flaws, I felt I couldn't award it the full 5 stars. However, based on story content, I would more than happily award it 5 stars. I just felt I needed to be honest, as there is nothing worse for me than reading someones review that is 100% positive with no criticism because, let's face it, nothing is that perfect.
My review of the actual story itself?
Ria is an 18 year old girl who has just started attending the University of Magic, this is a place full of students who are in possession of an element, Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Ria's element is Fire. She meets a boy whom she is attracted to, but his element is not the same as hers. This makes things difficult for her because you are only supposed to marry someone of your own element. But marriage isn't at the forefront of her mind, after all, she's only 18. So she decides to date Michael, even though there could be consequences.
Ria feels threatened by a 'magical disease carrier' by the name of Adrian, as she feels he is dangerous. They are warned to stay away from these carriers, as they are said to become murderers, killing people to steal their element as they do not have one of their own.
So when Ria's best friend Paula starts dating Adrian, Ria is concerned for her friend, and though she doesn't want to see Paula unhappy, she would rather see her with someone who can make her happy and isn't a magical disease carrier.
However, all Ria's beliefs are soon put to the test, as she herself starts showing signs of this magical disease. She doesn't know how she got it, all she knows is she can't tell anyone about it. Anyone except Adrian that is.
I won't spoil the story for you, suffice to say, this story had me hooked from the first page right up to the last. When it ended, I was gutted. I was having withdrawal symptoms from the last word and am seriously hoping to see Alycia publish the next book VERY soon, I need my next fix.
Thank you Alycia for giving me this book to review. I eagerly await the next.
This book was a genuine laugh out loud, enjoyable read. Having seen the tv series recently on DVD, I decided to buy the book. I have to say, it really...moreThis book was a genuine laugh out loud, enjoyable read. Having seen the tv series recently on DVD, I decided to buy the book. I have to say, it really was worth the money. It has bits in it that you don't get to see in the series, things that really made me crack up laughing, much to the annoyance of my fiance who was trying to read in bed next to me at the time.(less)
I have just finished this book, and what can I say? It was not what I expected. Initially, it took me a couple of chapters to get in to the swing of t...moreI have just finished this book, and what can I say? It was not what I expected. Initially, it took me a couple of chapters to get in to the swing of things. But once I got over that slight hurdle, it was a wonderfully written book. Full of little twists that keep your interest peaked. I love the way Eden Maguire writes. I loved the Beautiful Dead series, and am nearly as captivated by the first of this trilogy. I say nearly, only because of the initial hurdle, as I never had that with Beautiful Dead.
I hate to spoil books in reviews, so I chose not to go into detail about the story. So if you wanted any details, I'm sorry. I just like to give my honest opinion and star rating.
I do strongly recommend you read this story. It was awesome and I am really ready for Twisted Heart in November.(less)
this book was nothing like I expected. in actual fact it blew me away how different it was to what I originally thought. That being said, it was a ter...morethis book was nothing like I expected. in actual fact it blew me away how different it was to what I originally thought. That being said, it was a terrific book, very hot and steamy. Can't wait to read Die, My Love.(less)
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