Amy Powis's Blog, page 14

Blog Tour: I Hold Your Heat by Karen Gregory Book Review

*I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free by Bloomsbury in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *
Title: I Hold Your HeartAuthor: Karen GregoryPublisher: BloomsburySource: Sent by the publisherRating: 4/5 stars
(Amazon|Goodreads)





Book Summary:
'You make me feel like there's something good in the world I can hold on to,' Aaron says. He kisses me again, draws me so close it's almost hard to breathe. 'I love you, Gem. And I promise I'll hold your heart forever.'

When Gemma meets Aaron, she feels truly seen for the first time. Their love story is the intense kind. The written-in-the-stars, excluding-all-others kind. The kind you write songs about.

But little by little their relationship takes over Gemma's life. What happens when being seen becomes being watched, and care becomes control?

Told in both Gemma's and Aaron's words, this is a raw, moving exploration of gaslighting in teenage relationships that skewers our ideas of what love looks like.
Book Review:
Karen Gregory has been a top YA author for a couple of years now, with an army of readers by her side but I have not read any of her books so when I sawed this book to review as part of the blog tour I jumped at the chance. I Hold Your Heart is the perfect introduction to Karen Gregory's work and I can't wait to dive into her backlist. 
One of the main things that drew me to her books was the fact that they dealt with real and difficult issues. This is something that I Hold The Heart does, dealing with an abusive relationship. Karen Gregory does this differently showing both sides of the relationship which could be difficult to read at times but highlights the complexities that this causes. I think that Karen Gregory does this well and it really conveys the messages of being in an abusive relationship.
The characters of Aaron and Gemma are also well-developed characters and I felt for Gemma in the book as you do see the relationship go from good to bad. I felt like this was a strong part of the book and it conveyed toxic relationships really well. 

Although a minor part of the plot and book, the characters are from working-class backgrounds who have jobs and I feel like this made them a lot more relatable compared to other YA stories. Overall, I did really like I Hold Your Heart dealing with hard-hitting issues with such care and sensitivity. 

The Verdict:
I Hold Your Heart is a raw and unflinching look at teenage relationships, bringing to light gaslighting which every teenage and person needs to read.

Have you read I Hold Your Heart? Do you want to? Let me know in the comments below.  

Mid Year Freak Out Tag

Mid-Year DNF Tag

So I'm not a massive DNFer but I was tagged by Rachel of RacheLeanne to take part in the Mid-Year DNF Tag.

I feel like I have changed by DNF game of late, hence why I have actually DNFed one book and I think that I should do it more now because if I don't like something then I shouldn't suffer through it so there. 

So let's get started to the tag...

Here are the rules...


Introduce yourself with one random fact.List all the books you’ve DNFed this year, with a brief reason why.Tag five people to take part!So I'm Amy and I am currently doing a Masters in History and I will be going into my second year in October as I am doing it part-time!
So here is the book I have DNFed...
Ship It by Britta Lundin 

I was so excited to read this book, partly because the cover was really great and also because it had LGBTQ+ representation. To be fair I really loved this book at the beginning but seeking out reviews I saw that it was quite problematic and that there were problems with it. The characters are really dislikable and to be fair the book's plot basically follows on a stan (used in a negative way) and the whole fetishization of gay men by women which this book follows on. Once I noticed this, it was hard to get into the story so I DNFed. 
As for the people I tag, feel free to do it if you want to...
Have you DNFed any books this year? If so, what were they in? Leave them in the comments below. 
See you soon,
Amy

Three Hallows Book Club June Post: 5 Things I Enjoyed About Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Duggan

So this month, the book that we all have been reading Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan. Instead of doing a full book review, here are five reasons why you should read the book...

Number 5: Rom-com vibes

I think that one of the reasons that I liked the book so much was due to the rom-com vibes. I think that the book does follow lots of the tropes of the rom-com genre, but I did enjoy it. I think that by having LGBTQ+ characters in this setting was interesting and it was nice to read and LGBTQ+ rom-com. I also think that the setting definitely plays into this idea as you can kind of guess what is going to happen. I still did, however, love the setting and was another great part of the story.

Number 4: The Romances

First I am going to say that everyone has different views on the romance stating that it often falls on the stereotypes that bisexual people face and are often shown in the literature. I definitely do see this view and do recognise that it was there. If you do want to find out more about this please find own voices reviews. 

Although there are these criticisms I still did like the romance and thought that it was quite complex as the love interests are well-developed. I also liked how it played out, especially the friends to lover element.

Number 3: The References

I love a book that references other things and this book definitely does do that. It makes me feel like the world is often real and that I can connect to it. I especially loved the Doctor Who reference in this book because even the way that Duggan described it I knew the scene and all Doctor Who fans know the scene in question if they read it. I was just a bit shocked.

Number 2: It's a fast read 

I found the book compulsorily readable and I read it super quickly. Granted it was partly because I was listening to the book by audiobook which made me really interested to see where the story went and progressed to. The book itself is just a really great summer read that I devoured.

Number 1: The characters 

I think that the characters are really messy and relatable. This is what I love in  book and all the characters were like this. I also think that the characters are complex, they are not two dimensional and Dugan knows how to develop them throughout the novel. I think that the fact that the characters are messy and potentially dislikable might be a negative for some people which I totally get but they worked for me. 



Here is a summary of the book...

Elouise (Lou) Parker is determined to have the absolute best, most impossibly epic summer of her life. There are just a few things standing in her way:

* She's landed a job at Magic Castle Playland . . . as a giant dancing hot dog.
* Her crush, the dreamy Diving Pirate Nick, already has a girlfriend, who is literally the Princess of the park. But Lou's never liked anyone, guy or otherwise, this much before, and now she wants a chance at her own happily ever after.
* Her best friend, Seeley, the carousel operator, who's always been up for anything, suddenly isn't when it comes to Lou's quest to set her up with the perfect girl or Lou's scheme to get close to Nick.
* And it turns out that this will be their last summer at Magic Castle Playland--ever--unless she can find a way to stop it from closing.

Jennifer Dugan's sparkling debut coming-of-age queer romance stars a princess, a pirate, a hot dog, and a carousel operator who find love--and themselves--in unexpected people and unforgettable places.

Check out the other members of The Three Hallows Book Club here:

Rachel


Alex

Have you read Hot Dog Girl? Do you want to? Let me know in the comments below. 
See you soon,
Amy

4 Year Blog Anniversary!

So on the 15th June, it was my four year blog anniversary which is crazy to me because it does not feel that long but I guess looking where I have come from stuff has changed massively in my life. I feel like in the last year I have managed to do some great things on my blog especially the Three Hallows Book Club which I do with Alex and Rachel, but I feel like I have disconnected with a lot of the community in the most part. I might write something about this soon but this is definitely something that I would like to improve on!

Since my first year, I hoped to track the changes in my blogging life especially in terms of my reading life. So let's get started...


Q1) Favourite Book

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak- OK so this one hasn't changed. A book still has not beaten how I feel about this book. I don't think it will ever be beaten though but I would love to reread it soon.






Q2) What book do you hope to read in the next year?

It's funny because of my answer last year was the Northern Lights which I am finally reading but my answer will be Muse Of Nightmares by Laini Taylor as I really loved the first book!







Q3) Most anticipated read? 
Let's Call It Doomsday by Katie Henry- I loved Heretics Anonymous so I can't wait to read her next book. I am also really lucky to have an ARC so hopefully, I can read it soon!






Q4) Which topic would you most like to write about on the blog within the next year?

I would love to write more fiction or just creative writing on my blog I guess. 

Q5) Favourite Blog Post?

I really do like my  Dear Amy Powis  post as it means a lot to me. 



Q6) Book you hate?

I dislike a lot of negative things about books but I can not support a book that has Holocaust jokes and this is the November Criminals by Sam Munson so you can guess why I hate this book... This was my answer for last year as well and I just haven't read that many really bad books so it stays!





Q7) Which author do you want to meet and why?

John Green- I love John Green. I will probably never meet him but I really want to. Again this is the same answer as last year but I love the guy in a really platonic and admiration kind of way. I also mean Hank this year so I want to go two for two on the Green brothers. 



Q8) Current read?

Northern Lights by Phillip Pullman- I am finally reading this one and I do quite enjoy it although I would say that the start was very slow.





Q9) Next on your TBR?


I have been thinking about this for the last like five minutes and I don't really know. I have a lot that I am really excited about so it could be anything.


Q10) What is next for your blog?

Onwards and Upwards I hope!! I would also like to upload more regularly and to engage more with the book community!

So that's it! I still can't believe that I have been blogging for so long and hope to see you all next year!

See you soon, 

Amy

Blog Tour: Tulip Taylor by Anna Mainwaring Book Review

*I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free by Firefly Press in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *

Title: Tulip TaylorAuthor: Anna MainwaringPublisher: Firefly PressSource: Sent by the publisherRating: 4/5 stars
(Amazon|Goodreads)



Book Summary:

Challenged to go on a `survival' reality TV show, fifteen-year-old make-up vlogger Tulip only accepts to escape her mother's money-making schemes and protect her younger brother and sister. Set up to fail, can she prove to the TV show, to Harvey - the cute but annoying boy who got her on there - and most importantly to herself, that she's more than just a pretty face? As Tulip puts down her phone and heads for the hills, she finds she has both the courage and insight to take on each new challenge. But as 'reality' gets ever more crazy, will either teen escape their families and their time in the spotlight unscathed?
Book Review:
Tulip Taylor was a book that I hadn't really heard of before I was taking part in the blog tour and I was worried that I wouldn't like it. I was surprised to say that I enjoyed Tulip Taylor which is a story perfect for anyone of any age.

I also didn't know what the book was about at the start, only having a minor idea so it was nice to the story develop how it did. The book definitely allowed Tulip to have some great character development which I enjoyed. She also develops in a way that allows her to change how she feels about herself which I think is needed for the world that we live in today.

I also liked Tulip as a character as there is a way that she could have been a stereotype of a beauty vlogger but this was not the case. Anna Mairwaring uses words to start the book including the fact that Tulip has enjoys grammar and vocabulary. I thought this was a nice touch and even I learned some of the words myself.

I also liked many of the minor characters in the book. I thought that her mum was a really interesting character and that She was quite flawed. I liked this because when we tend to see parents in books they are often seen as dead or characters that have their children's interests at heart. This was definitely not the case for Tulip.

I also think that the book develops Harry as a love interest as well making his complications and struggles a key theme of the book which he develops. I also loved reading his relationship with Tulip develop over the book.

The survivalistic part of book, which happens at the end, was also really great. I liked seeing the preparations for it and I do think that a lot of the aftermath may have happened. The scenes where they are in the wilderness of Scotland was also interest and enjoyable to read. I don't think that I could do any of the challenges anytime soon.

Although I enjoyed the book, I did find that one part of it did not sit well with me. I often have a problem with the idea that people criticise the overuse of technology by teenagers and young people which is featured in the book. While I understand why it was included, to further character development, it did dampen my enjoyment of the book but not to a massive extent. 

The Verdict:
Tulip Taylor is a unique and interesting contemporary story, perfect for the summer, asking us to take a look from our screens once in a while as we might be surprised as to what we find.

Have you read Tulip Taylor? Do you want to? Let me know in the comments below. 

Three Hallows May Post: My Favourite Quotes From Enchantee

This month, the book club, Three Hallows that I have been taking part in with Alex and Rachel have been reading Gina Trelease. In this one, I would like to share my favourite quotes from the book. So let's get started...

Number 5:

To try is to be brave. Be brave.

Number 4:

It's like something from a fairy tale.' 'It is not,' Camille protested. As if good things happened only in stories. 'Lazare is nothing like a prince, and I am nothing like a princess.' 'True,' Sophie mused. 'Maybe it's a different type of tale.

Number 3:

Magicians needed sorrow. And deep sorrow existed only because of love.

Number 2:

This was the Paris of the strivers, of those who dwelt low, not high. This was not the Paris of balloonists. It was her Paris, and it was the same as it had been this morning. But she, perhaps, was not.

Number 1:

Remember – magic is a cheater’s game, and everyone who sees it wants to play.

Here is a summary of the book:
Paris in 1789 is a labyrinth of twisted streets, filled with beggars, thieves, revolutionaries—and magicians...

When smallpox kills her parents, Camille Durbonne must find a way to provide for her frail, naive sister while managing her volatile brother. Relying on petty magic—la magie ordinaire—Camille painstakingly transforms scraps of metal into money to buy the food and medicine they need. But when the coins won’t hold their shape and her brother disappears with the family’s savings, Camille must pursue a richer, more dangerous mark: the glittering court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

With dark magic forbidden by her mother, Camille transforms herself into the ‘Baroness de la Fontaine’ and is swept up into life at the Palace of Versailles, where aristocrats both fear and hunger for la magie. There, she gambles at cards, desperate to have enough to keep herself and her sister safe. Yet the longer she stays at court, the more difficult it becomes to reconcile her resentment of the nobles with the enchantments of Versailles. And when she returns to Paris, Camille meets a handsome young balloonist—who dares her to hope that love and liberty may both be possible.

But la magie has its costs. And when Camille loses control of her secrets, the game she's playing turns deadly. Then revolution erupts, and she must choose—love or loyalty, democracy or aristocracy, freedom or magic—before Paris burns… 


Check out the other members of The Three Hallows here:
Rachel

Alex

Have you read Enchantee? Do you want to? Let me know in the comments below. 
See you soon,
Amy

Three Hallows April Blog Post: Girls With Sharp Sticks by Suzanne Young Book Review

*I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free by Simon Pulse in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *
Title: Girls With Sharp SticksAuthor: Suzanne YoungPublisher: Simon PulseSource: Bought Myself/NetGalley Rating: 5/5 stars
(Amazon|Goodreads)



Book Summary:
The Girls of Innovations Academy are beautiful and well-behaved—it says so on their report cards. Under the watchful gaze of their Guardians, the all-girl boarding school offers an array of studies and activities, from “Growing a Beautiful and Prosperous Garden” to “Art Appreciation” and “Interior Design.” The girls learn to be the best society has to offer. Absent is the difficult math coursework, or the unnecessary sciences or current events. They are obedient young ladies, free from arrogance or defiance. Until Mena starts to realize that their carefully controlled existence may not be quite as it appears.

As Mena and her friends begin to uncover the dark secrets of what’s actually happening there—and who they really are—the girls of Innovations will find out what they are truly capable of. Because some of the prettiest flowers have the sharpest thorns.Book Review:Girls With Sharp Sticks was Rachel's pick for this time and even though I had heard of Suzanne Young before I was unaware of her new book coming out. I was, however, so happy that Rachel suggested this one as I loved this book so much and it is definitely up there in my favourite books of the year so far. 

I think that one of the reasons why I loved this book so much as it knows how to carefully place, major revelations in the story which made me gasp. It has so many plot twists intertwined in the narrative that I was always guessing and I loved that. I can't wait to see where the story goes in the next book because I am so hyped about it.  

I think this was one of the reasons why I raced through it, reading it in a couple of days because it kept me on my toes and I just wanted to know what happened. I also listened to the audiobook which kept me wanting to keep listening and reading to it. 

One of the reasons why I was a little tentative about picking the book up was because of its dystopian nature. I, like, many people loved these books and although I don't read that many any more I still want to read interest and unique takes on the genre. Girls With Sharp Sticks is this interesting and unique take. The book also takes this to a new level, being really skin crawking and creepy at times if you really look into it which I liked, as it seems a bit weird to say that I enjoyed it. 

Although I did love this book, I think that the characters do act quite naive but I do think that this is due to the nature of the story. While it did annoy me slightly I had to think that this was the purpose of the story so it did not overwhelmingly take away from the story and I still liked it. The characters are also really interesting and there is a minor character arc with LGBTQ+ people which I enjoyed.

The draw was mainly due to the plot which was so layered and fast-paced. Even though I had essays due in, I read the book ridiculously fast and I just had an overall good time reading it.  

The Verdict:Girl With Sharp Sticks is a unique YA book which deserves so much more love and attention. Check out the other members of The Three Hallows here:RachelAlexHave you read Girls With Sharp Sticks? Do you want to? Let me know in the comments below.

Book Review: The Flat Share by Beth O'Leary

*I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free by Readers First in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *
Title: The Flat Share Author: Beth O'LearyPublisher: Quercus Source: Readers FirstRating: 4/5 stars
(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Summary:

Tiffy Moore and Leon Twomey each have a problem and need a quick fix.

Tiffy’s been dumped by her cheating boyfriend and urgently needs a new flat. But earning minimum wage at a quirky publishing house means that her choices are limited in London.

Leon, a palliative care nurse, is more concerned with other people’s welfare than his own. Along with working night shifts looking after the terminally ill, his sole focus is on raising money to fight his brother’s unfair imprisonment.

Leon has a flat that he only uses 9 to 5. Tiffy works 9 to 5 and needs a place to sleep. The solution to their problems? To share a bed of course...

As Leon and Tiffy’s unusual arrangement becomes a reality, they start to connect through Post-It notes left for each other around the flat.

Can true love blossom even in the unlikeliest of situations?
Can true love blossom even if you never see one another?
Or does true love blossom when you are least expecting it?

Book Review:
I had been hearing a lot of good reviews from The Flat Share even before it came out, which made me really eager to read it. I was then, really happy that I enjoyed the book. It was a great summery read and rom-com but also tackles some hard-hitting topics. 

The Flat Share is not the typical book that I read. I am normally stuck in my little YA bubble which I like but this book pushed me out of the bubble and I am so happy that it did because I really enjoyed. 

I think that this book really did push me out of my comfort zone and I think that one of the reasons was because the premise is really interesting and I really enjoyed how it played out. It didn't sugarcoat the events that happened and it viewed all the characters as human. They were flawed, they had insecurities and they made mistakes. All of these made Tilly and Leon really likeable characters and I was rooting for them throughout the novel. 

I think that the book does also challenge the idea of toxic relationships especially with Tilly and I was surprised that what I perceived as a light and fluffy book, was going to these lengths but it did. While I can't say that I enjoyed this part, I do think that it was an important part of the story. This happens with Tilly and her ex rather than with Leon. 

I also think that the book is very much rooted in the present day which again I found really interesting. It follows Tilly who is working minimum wage as an editorial assistant who is struggling to find a house in London which is affordable and sees Leon's offer for them to share a house as he works a night. This had some really nice ideas with it as their relationship is formed from notes that they leave each other. It was so nice to see this and their relationship form. 

The book also has some really nice sub-plots which I really think helped flesh out the characters and I really liked the narratives from them. It was also a really quick read which deserves all the hype that it is getting. 

The Verdict:

The Flat Share is an interesting and unique read which is perfect for summer reading. 

Have you read the Flat Share? If so what did you think of it? If not, do you want to? Leave me know in the comments!

Blog Tour: Crown Of Feathers by Nicki Pau Preto Book Review

*I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free by Ink Road/ Black and White Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *
Title: Crown Of FeathersAuthor: Nicki Pau PretoPublisher: Ink RoadSource: From PublisherRating: 4/5 stars
(Amazon|Goodreads)

Book Summary:
In a world ruled by fierce warrior queens, a grand empire was built upon the backs of Phoenix Riders legendary heroes who soared through the sky on wings of fire until a war between two sisters ripped it all apart.

Sixteen years later, Veronyka is a war orphan who dreams of becoming a Phoenix Rider from the stories of old. After a shocking betrayal from her controlling sister, Veronyka strikes out alone to find the Riders even if that means disguising herself as a boy to join their ranks.

Just as Veronyka finally feels like she belongs, her sister turns up and reveals a tangled web of lies between them that will change everything. And, meanwhile, the new empire has learned of the Riders' return and intends to destroy them once and for all.

Crown of Feathers is an epic fantasy about love's incredible power to save or to destroy. Throughout is interspersed the story of Avalkyra Ashfire, the last Rider Queen, who would rather see her empire burn than fall into her sister's hands.
Book Review:
When I heard about Crown of Feathers, you could say that I was excited especially as it is about phoenixes which is such a unique idea and something that I haven't read about before. So it shouldn't be a surprise to say that I loved Crown of Feathers. It shocked me. I devoured it. I loved it.

So one of the obvious part about why I loved the book so much was the mythology surrounding phoenixes. I especially like this in the first part of the book as it was a way to get to know the characters but introduce the readers to the world.

Although I enjoyed the introduction, I did feel like it was an info dump at the beginning and to be honest even though I enjoyed the book, I can barely remember a lot of the information. I also think that Preto makes it clear when the information is important and this is what I found more. I also would like to see where this continues in the next book.

I also really like the characters in the book, except an obvious one. I do, however, think they whole point was for the reader to dislike her so I understand why this was done as her actions were not great. Also there is a massive twist with this character and I really wish that I had figured it out.

I also really liked Veronyka as a character as she was developed and the journey that she goes through is really great and she changed over the course. Veronyka also goes through a trope that I'm never really sure that I like but it this it did pay off and gave some really interesting narratives.

I also really liked the male characters in the book especially Sev but Tristan too and I also feel that both had good character arcs that were great to read about. Even though I enjoyed her character, I do wish that we got more from Sev as he had an interesting narrative and I loved him. Also, I loved Tristan's relationship with his Dad and how this changed throughout.

As well as the characters I Ioved the plot especially the second half of the novel as this was the most tense and where the major actions happens. It is safe to say that I raced through most of this book and it was a welcomed break from my revision.

The Verdict: 
Crown Of Feathers was a unique take of YA Fantasy having characters you will root for and plot twists that will shock you. Plus it has phoenixes so what's not to love.