Amy Powis's Blog, page 21
May 1, 2018
Book Review: Electric Dreams by Phillip K. Dick
* I am reviewing this book for a blog tour but this in no way affects my review *
Title: Electric DreamsAuthor: Phillip K. Dick Source: PublisherPublisher: Gollancz Rating: 4/5 stars
( Goodreads |Amazon)
Book Summary:
Based on the stories contained in this volume, the ten-part anthology series, Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams is written and executive produced by Emmy-nominated Ronald D. Moore (Battlestar Galactica, Outlander) and Michael Dinner (Justified, Masters of Sex), with Oscar-nominated Bryan Cranston (Trumbo, Breaking Bad) both executive producing and appearing in the series.
Each episode will be a sharp, thrilling standalone drama adapted and contemporised for global audiences by a creative team of British and American writers. The series will both illustrate Philip K. Dick's prophetic vision and celebrate the enduring appeal of the prized Sci-Fi novelist's work. Other guest stars include Janelle Monae, Anna Paquin, Timothy Spall and Benedict Wong.
The ten stories included are:
THE HANGING STANGER, THE COMMUTER, THE FATHER-THING, EXHIBIT PIECE, IMPOSSIBLE PLANET, SALES PITCH, FOSTER YOU'RE DEAD, THE HOOD MAKER, HOLY QUARREL, IF THERE WERE NO BENNY CEMOLI, AUTOFAC and HUMAN IS
Book Review:
I had been looking forward to this set of short stories for a long while. I had heard amazing things about Phillip K. Dick's work and being a massive fan of all things sci-fi I knew that I should probably read some of his work especially as the TV show of this looked really good! Electric Dreams, therefore, didn't disappoint bringing interesting and unique stories to life that was captivating to read about.
One of the best parts of this collection is the idea that you get notes from the writer/producer of every single episode discuss this before the short story begins. This is really great to see how the story was adapted and what parts were included for a specific reason. This is so special because how many other books is this something that you get to see. It highlights the writing process so this was great to read about especially I as like to write myself.
I started reading these stories in order of the TV show so I could see how the differed throughout which was definitely something that was quite useful to as to see the differences between the two. In some cases, I really did like this idea and how they changed it. For others it was different. The only thing that is not the publisher's fault is that they are not in the order the shows airs them so you do have to find the stories throughout but there is a contents page so this is not too hard.
So although I really enjoyed some stories others just didn't connect with me but I feel like this is something that happens with any short story collections and of course, this means that there is something for everyone. My favourites included The Hood Maker, The Impossible Planet and the Commuter and I really do like these stories but just did not connect with others.
Saying that though, I really did like this story collection and will hopefully read more of Phillip K. Dick's work in the future!
The Verdict:
Electric Dreams is a must for sci-fi fans who must dive deep into the mind of Phillip K. Dick which equal parts scary and interesting.
Title: Electric DreamsAuthor: Phillip K. Dick Source: PublisherPublisher: Gollancz Rating: 4/5 stars( Goodreads |Amazon)
Book Summary:
Based on the stories contained in this volume, the ten-part anthology series, Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams is written and executive produced by Emmy-nominated Ronald D. Moore (Battlestar Galactica, Outlander) and Michael Dinner (Justified, Masters of Sex), with Oscar-nominated Bryan Cranston (Trumbo, Breaking Bad) both executive producing and appearing in the series.
Each episode will be a sharp, thrilling standalone drama adapted and contemporised for global audiences by a creative team of British and American writers. The series will both illustrate Philip K. Dick's prophetic vision and celebrate the enduring appeal of the prized Sci-Fi novelist's work. Other guest stars include Janelle Monae, Anna Paquin, Timothy Spall and Benedict Wong.
The ten stories included are:
THE HANGING STANGER, THE COMMUTER, THE FATHER-THING, EXHIBIT PIECE, IMPOSSIBLE PLANET, SALES PITCH, FOSTER YOU'RE DEAD, THE HOOD MAKER, HOLY QUARREL, IF THERE WERE NO BENNY CEMOLI, AUTOFAC and HUMAN IS
Book Review:
I had been looking forward to this set of short stories for a long while. I had heard amazing things about Phillip K. Dick's work and being a massive fan of all things sci-fi I knew that I should probably read some of his work especially as the TV show of this looked really good! Electric Dreams, therefore, didn't disappoint bringing interesting and unique stories to life that was captivating to read about.
One of the best parts of this collection is the idea that you get notes from the writer/producer of every single episode discuss this before the short story begins. This is really great to see how the story was adapted and what parts were included for a specific reason. This is so special because how many other books is this something that you get to see. It highlights the writing process so this was great to read about especially I as like to write myself.
I started reading these stories in order of the TV show so I could see how the differed throughout which was definitely something that was quite useful to as to see the differences between the two. In some cases, I really did like this idea and how they changed it. For others it was different. The only thing that is not the publisher's fault is that they are not in the order the shows airs them so you do have to find the stories throughout but there is a contents page so this is not too hard.
So although I really enjoyed some stories others just didn't connect with me but I feel like this is something that happens with any short story collections and of course, this means that there is something for everyone. My favourites included The Hood Maker, The Impossible Planet and the Commuter and I really do like these stories but just did not connect with others.
Saying that though, I really did like this story collection and will hopefully read more of Phillip K. Dick's work in the future!
The Verdict:
Electric Dreams is a must for sci-fi fans who must dive deep into the mind of Phillip K. Dick which equal parts scary and interesting.
April 27, 2018
Blog Tour: The Planetsider by G. J. Ogden Book Review
* I am reviewing this book for a blog tour but this in no way affects my review *
Title: The PlanetsiderAuthor: G J OgdenSource: PublisherPublisher: Ogden MediaRating: 3/5 stars
( Goodreads |Amazon)
Book Summary:
Several generations after ‘The Fall’, the scattered clusters of civilisation that grew in its wake live in ignorance of the past. No-one wants to know what caused such devastation or why. No-one, except Ethan.
Ethan used to believe in the guardians; mysterious lights in the sky that, according to folklore, protect the survivors, so long as you believe in them. But the death of his parents shattered his faith and forged within him a hunger to know more. One night, a light grows brighter in the sky and crashes to the planet’s surface. Ethan then embarks on a heartbreaking journey in which harrowing discoveries unveil the secrets of the past, and place him at the centre of a deadly conflict.
Powerful, thought-provoking and emotionally absorbing, The Planetsider is a gripping, post-apocalyptic thriller that will keep you hooked until the very end.
Book Review:
I have been in the mood for a sci-fi book for a whole so when I knew I had to read this book for the blog tour I was really excited. Planetsider doesn't disappoint because a thrilling book that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page.
Although I really liked some elements of Planetsider, there was a lot I didn't like so we will get that out the way first. I did like the writing style it definitely kept me reading but I do feel like at the beginning of the book it was quite info dumpy. There was a lot about the world and it was kind of all there at the beginning just so it was said I guess. I do think I would have liked it it was spread across the novel compared to a lot at the start but this might just be a me problem.
I also didn't really connect to any of the characters and this is something that I really enjoy in a book so this was definitely disappointing. They were fine to read about but I think they conformed to many tropes especially the chosen one trope near the end.
The plot was the thing that definitely kept me engaged throughout. As I said it kept me on edge throughout with some twists and turns that I didn't see coming. It definitely helped with my sci-fi fix. I also liked how it was definitely a sci-fi with mixed elements which definitely made it quite interesting. Although I didn't like how the world building was introduced to the novel it was nice seeing this evolve over the story.
The Verdict:
Overall Planetsider was an engaging sci-fi novel that is definitely worth the read!
Title: The PlanetsiderAuthor: G J OgdenSource: PublisherPublisher: Ogden MediaRating: 3/5 stars( Goodreads |Amazon)
Book Summary:
Several generations after ‘The Fall’, the scattered clusters of civilisation that grew in its wake live in ignorance of the past. No-one wants to know what caused such devastation or why. No-one, except Ethan.
Ethan used to believe in the guardians; mysterious lights in the sky that, according to folklore, protect the survivors, so long as you believe in them. But the death of his parents shattered his faith and forged within him a hunger to know more. One night, a light grows brighter in the sky and crashes to the planet’s surface. Ethan then embarks on a heartbreaking journey in which harrowing discoveries unveil the secrets of the past, and place him at the centre of a deadly conflict.
Powerful, thought-provoking and emotionally absorbing, The Planetsider is a gripping, post-apocalyptic thriller that will keep you hooked until the very end.
Book Review:
I have been in the mood for a sci-fi book for a whole so when I knew I had to read this book for the blog tour I was really excited. Planetsider doesn't disappoint because a thrilling book that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page.
Although I really liked some elements of Planetsider, there was a lot I didn't like so we will get that out the way first. I did like the writing style it definitely kept me reading but I do feel like at the beginning of the book it was quite info dumpy. There was a lot about the world and it was kind of all there at the beginning just so it was said I guess. I do think I would have liked it it was spread across the novel compared to a lot at the start but this might just be a me problem.
I also didn't really connect to any of the characters and this is something that I really enjoy in a book so this was definitely disappointing. They were fine to read about but I think they conformed to many tropes especially the chosen one trope near the end.
The plot was the thing that definitely kept me engaged throughout. As I said it kept me on edge throughout with some twists and turns that I didn't see coming. It definitely helped with my sci-fi fix. I also liked how it was definitely a sci-fi with mixed elements which definitely made it quite interesting. Although I didn't like how the world building was introduced to the novel it was nice seeing this evolve over the story.
The Verdict:
Overall Planetsider was an engaging sci-fi novel that is definitely worth the read!
April 24, 2018
Meme Book Tag
So I discovered that there is a Meme Book Tag so obviously I have to do it. This was created by two booktubers, Dylan and Saajid and I have linked both of their channels so check them out! Let's get started...
1. Crying Kim Kardashian- A book that made you cry
Off to a good start. No book has ever made me cry. I guess I just have a heart of steel.
2. Salt Bae- A book that needed a little something more
One of Us Is Lying is the book that comes to mind. I DNFed the book so it needed something more. It was just a little cliched and I wanted more of something in those 100 pages.
3. Guy thinking- A book that made you think
I really loved Bygone, Badass Broads. It really made me think about how we really don't see women spoke about in history and how we need more.
4. Confused guy- A book whose hype you don't understand
I don't really understand the hype of One of Us is Lying but I won't say that again. I guess kind of the Throne of Glass series as I only really liked Crown of Midnight but I don't really want to continue so...
5. Evil Patrick- A guilty pleasure read
To All the Boys I Loved Before. I just really liked it though...
6. Meryl Streep- A book that you're always hyping up
Radio Silence by Alice Oseman- I love this book so much!!!!
7. Successful baby- A book that you felt accomplished after reading
Pride & Prejudice- It took me so long to read and I didn't even like it!
8. Pennywise- A book with a promising concept but ultimately let you down
Pretty Deadly Volume 1- the artwork for this is really great but the story did just let me down
9. Headphones guy- An audiobook that
you enjoyed.
I am not a massive audiobook reader but I have listened to the Harry Potter audiobook and I really love them.
10. Distracted guy- Two books, one you've been neglecting on your TBR for a long time and a new one that's distracting your interest
I really want to read Leah On The Off Beat as a new book and a book that I have on my TBR for ages is Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman.
11. Cash me outside girl- A book that tried to be something that it's not
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell. I just didn't like this one as much as I thought I would
12- Dog in fire- How many unread books do you own?
I have around 100 physical books I think. It's not too bad!
13. Doge- An old favourite
The Hunger Games- I love this series
I am not going to tag anyone as I thought that it was a bit of fun but if you want to do it feel free.
What is your favourite meme?
1. Crying Kim Kardashian- A book that made you cry
Off to a good start. No book has ever made me cry. I guess I just have a heart of steel.
2. Salt Bae- A book that needed a little something more
One of Us Is Lying is the book that comes to mind. I DNFed the book so it needed something more. It was just a little cliched and I wanted more of something in those 100 pages.
3. Guy thinking- A book that made you thinkI really loved Bygone, Badass Broads. It really made me think about how we really don't see women spoke about in history and how we need more.
4. Confused guy- A book whose hype you don't understand I don't really understand the hype of One of Us is Lying but I won't say that again. I guess kind of the Throne of Glass series as I only really liked Crown of Midnight but I don't really want to continue so...
5. Evil Patrick- A guilty pleasure readTo All the Boys I Loved Before. I just really liked it though...
6. Meryl Streep- A book that you're always hyping upRadio Silence by Alice Oseman- I love this book so much!!!!
7. Successful baby- A book that you felt accomplished after readingPride & Prejudice- It took me so long to read and I didn't even like it!
8. Pennywise- A book with a promising concept but ultimately let you down Pretty Deadly Volume 1- the artwork for this is really great but the story did just let me down
9. Headphones guy- An audiobook that you enjoyed.
I am not a massive audiobook reader but I have listened to the Harry Potter audiobook and I really love them.
10. Distracted guy- Two books, one you've been neglecting on your TBR for a long time and a new one that's distracting your interest
I really want to read Leah On The Off Beat as a new book and a book that I have on my TBR for ages is Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman.
11. Cash me outside girl- A book that tried to be something that it's notCarry On by Rainbow Rowell. I just didn't like this one as much as I thought I would
12- Dog in fire- How many unread books do you own?
I have around 100 physical books I think. It's not too bad!
13. Doge- An old favourite The Hunger Games- I love this series
I am not going to tag anyone as I thought that it was a bit of fun but if you want to do it feel free.
What is your favourite meme?
April 19, 2018
Blog Tour: Black Water by Cormac O'Keeffe Book Review
* I am reviewing this book for a blog tour but this in no way affects my review *
Title: Black WaterAuthor: Cormac O'KeeffeSource: PublisherPublisher: Black & WhiteRating: 3.5/5 stars
( Goodreads |Amazon)
Book Review Summary:
I killed the boy...
Jig loves football and his dog, hates school, misses his granda and knows to lie low when his ma's blitzed on the vodka and tablets.
He's just an ordinary boy on the mean streets alongside Dublin's Grand Canal. Streets that are ruled by Ghost and his crew. And now Ghost- inked, vicious, unprincipled- has a job for Jig.
A job that no one can afford to go wrong- not the gangs, the police, the locals, and least of all not Jig.
Book Review:
When I received an offer to join the blog tour for this book, I was quite intrigued as this is not a genre that I typically reach for but I knew that I wanted to push myself out of my typical reading comfort zones and give this a shot. I am happy that I read Black Water having an intriguing story that has me wanting to know what will come next.
From the first line, Black Water draws the reader in wanting all the action in one go. This, therefore, makes it a fast-paced read that is unputdownable especially towards the end of the novel when everything comes to a head. The end of the book was definitely something that I really liked in the novel as by that point, the characters are very fleshed out and you don't want anything to happen to any of them.
This is especially the case with Jig as a character because putting a 10-year-old at the centre of the novel was a choice that allows the reader to have empathy for him really quickly. I think it also highlights how dangerous the setting for the novel is and how kind of evil the gang lords are.
The other character that you have to connect with is Tara or Crowe in the novel. Although I did like her a character, I feel like there was a mild disconnect especially as she is called Crowe throughout the novel and it just meant that I couldn't relate to her as I would have liked. This was similar to other female characters in the novel I just didn't like them very much.
I feel the setting is definitely the best part of the book as it definitely makes for a really gritty part of this. I have not often read a book set in Ireland so this makes for a really great and unique setting exploring something that I have not read before. The Verdict:
Black Water is an engaging crime novel using the setting of Dublin to create something new and interesting.
Title: Black WaterAuthor: Cormac O'KeeffeSource: PublisherPublisher: Black & WhiteRating: 3.5/5 stars( Goodreads |Amazon)
Book Review Summary:
I killed the boy...
Jig loves football and his dog, hates school, misses his granda and knows to lie low when his ma's blitzed on the vodka and tablets.
He's just an ordinary boy on the mean streets alongside Dublin's Grand Canal. Streets that are ruled by Ghost and his crew. And now Ghost- inked, vicious, unprincipled- has a job for Jig.
A job that no one can afford to go wrong- not the gangs, the police, the locals, and least of all not Jig.
Book Review:
When I received an offer to join the blog tour for this book, I was quite intrigued as this is not a genre that I typically reach for but I knew that I wanted to push myself out of my typical reading comfort zones and give this a shot. I am happy that I read Black Water having an intriguing story that has me wanting to know what will come next.
From the first line, Black Water draws the reader in wanting all the action in one go. This, therefore, makes it a fast-paced read that is unputdownable especially towards the end of the novel when everything comes to a head. The end of the book was definitely something that I really liked in the novel as by that point, the characters are very fleshed out and you don't want anything to happen to any of them.
This is especially the case with Jig as a character because putting a 10-year-old at the centre of the novel was a choice that allows the reader to have empathy for him really quickly. I think it also highlights how dangerous the setting for the novel is and how kind of evil the gang lords are.
The other character that you have to connect with is Tara or Crowe in the novel. Although I did like her a character, I feel like there was a mild disconnect especially as she is called Crowe throughout the novel and it just meant that I couldn't relate to her as I would have liked. This was similar to other female characters in the novel I just didn't like them very much.
I feel the setting is definitely the best part of the book as it definitely makes for a really gritty part of this. I have not often read a book set in Ireland so this makes for a really great and unique setting exploring something that I have not read before. The Verdict:
Black Water is an engaging crime novel using the setting of Dublin to create something new and interesting.
April 17, 2018
Blog Tour: The Curse of Time by Marjorie Mallon Book Review
* I am reviewing this book for a blog tour but this in no way affects my review *
Title: The Curse of Time
Authors: Majorie MallonSource: PublisherPublisher: Kyrosmagica PublishingRating: 4/5 stars
( Goodreads |Amazon)
Book Review Summary:
Fifteen-year-old Amelina Scott lives in Cambridge with her dysfunctional family, a mysterious black cat, and an unusual girl who's imprisoned within the mirrors located in her house. When an unexpected message arrives inviting her to visit the Crystal Cottage, she sets off on a forbidden pathway where she encounters Ryder, a charismatic, but perplexing stranger.
With the help of a magical paint set, and some crystal wizard stones she discovers the truth about a shocking curse that has destroyed her family's happiness.Book Review:
I hadn't heard of the Curse of Time when I received an email to be part of the blog tour but being a person who loves to read YA fantasy I knew I had to give it a read. I really enjoyed The Curse of Time and it is a really solid read, great for anyone who loves to read.
So only having a vague idea of the premise I started reading the book and found out from the first page that I needed to know what happened. I was fully invested in the story and needed to keep reading. I was intrigued by the story and the mysterious guy at the beginning who I ended up really liking as a character. The letter was also a mystery so basically, I just wanted to keep reading.
This was similar to throughout the book, the plot was quite interesting throughout and it definitely kept me reading. I didn't want to put it down. I also liked how the book had many mundane issues and dealt with the family aspects of it really well. I definitely thought that this was developed throughout and I especially liked her cat because I am a sucker for cats in books.
I also really enjoyed the characters in the book, Amelina was a really solid character and I liked seeing her arc through the book. I also did really enjoy the writing. The poetry at the beginning of every chapter was a nice addition and I have not seen this done in other books before. The general writing of the book was also really good and hopefully, I can get my hands on the sequel. The Verdict:
The Curse of Time is an interesting and engaging fantasy read that focuses on family that is great for anyone who loves a great read!
The is also a giveaway for this book where you can win a £35/$50 Amazon Gift Card! Enter here:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Title: The Curse of Time
Authors: Majorie MallonSource: PublisherPublisher: Kyrosmagica PublishingRating: 4/5 stars( Goodreads |Amazon)
Book Review Summary:
Fifteen-year-old Amelina Scott lives in Cambridge with her dysfunctional family, a mysterious black cat, and an unusual girl who's imprisoned within the mirrors located in her house. When an unexpected message arrives inviting her to visit the Crystal Cottage, she sets off on a forbidden pathway where she encounters Ryder, a charismatic, but perplexing stranger.
With the help of a magical paint set, and some crystal wizard stones she discovers the truth about a shocking curse that has destroyed her family's happiness.Book Review:
I hadn't heard of the Curse of Time when I received an email to be part of the blog tour but being a person who loves to read YA fantasy I knew I had to give it a read. I really enjoyed The Curse of Time and it is a really solid read, great for anyone who loves to read.
So only having a vague idea of the premise I started reading the book and found out from the first page that I needed to know what happened. I was fully invested in the story and needed to keep reading. I was intrigued by the story and the mysterious guy at the beginning who I ended up really liking as a character. The letter was also a mystery so basically, I just wanted to keep reading.
This was similar to throughout the book, the plot was quite interesting throughout and it definitely kept me reading. I didn't want to put it down. I also liked how the book had many mundane issues and dealt with the family aspects of it really well. I definitely thought that this was developed throughout and I especially liked her cat because I am a sucker for cats in books.
I also really enjoyed the characters in the book, Amelina was a really solid character and I liked seeing her arc through the book. I also did really enjoy the writing. The poetry at the beginning of every chapter was a nice addition and I have not seen this done in other books before. The general writing of the book was also really good and hopefully, I can get my hands on the sequel. The Verdict:
The Curse of Time is an interesting and engaging fantasy read that focuses on family that is great for anyone who loves a great read!
The is also a giveaway for this book where you can win a £35/$50 Amazon Gift Card! Enter here:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
April 11, 2018
Blog Tour: Goddess Aditi: Legendary Ladies: 50 Goddesses To Empower and Inspire You
* I am reviewing this book for a blog tour but this in no way affects my review *
Title: Legendary Ladies: 50 Goddesses To Empower and Inspire You
Authors: Ann ShenSource: Blog TourPublisher: Abram Rating: 4/5 stars
( Goodreads |Amazon)
Book Summary:
Throughout History comes this lushly illustrated book of goddesses from around the world. Aphrodite, the Greek goddess whose love overcame mortality. Mazu, the Chinese deity who safely guides travelers home. Lakshmi, the Hindu provider of fortune and prosperity. These powerful deities and many more are celebrated in gorgeous artwork and enlightening essays that explore the feminine divine and encourage readers to empower themselves. Ann Shen's signature watercolors make Legendary Ladies a unique, gift-worthy homage to the mighty women within.
As part of this blog tour, each post will focus on a specific "Legendary Lady" or Goddess and for my stop, I will focus on Aditi.
Aditi is a Hindu Goddess who focuses on the sky. Her name translates to limitless which reflect the extent of her powers in Hindu mythology. She basically has control of the whole universe, cosmos and can change the past and future. As she is literally the mother of all Hindu Gods. It is safe to say that Aditi is the ultimate legendary lady!
In many examples, she is also depicted as a cow due to her nurturing nature which is quite odd but still cool none the less.
***
Legendary Ladies is also a wonderful book which amazing illustrations featuring insight information about 50 or more goddesses that I have personally never heard of. The book is also great for anyone young and old looking for a read featuring mythology and goddess.
This blog tour also only features 13 of the 50 Goddesses in the book so is definitely a must read!
Title: Legendary Ladies: 50 Goddesses To Empower and Inspire You
Authors: Ann ShenSource: Blog TourPublisher: Abram Rating: 4/5 stars( Goodreads |Amazon)
Book Summary:
Throughout History comes this lushly illustrated book of goddesses from around the world. Aphrodite, the Greek goddess whose love overcame mortality. Mazu, the Chinese deity who safely guides travelers home. Lakshmi, the Hindu provider of fortune and prosperity. These powerful deities and many more are celebrated in gorgeous artwork and enlightening essays that explore the feminine divine and encourage readers to empower themselves. Ann Shen's signature watercolors make Legendary Ladies a unique, gift-worthy homage to the mighty women within.
As part of this blog tour, each post will focus on a specific "Legendary Lady" or Goddess and for my stop, I will focus on Aditi.
Aditi is a Hindu Goddess who focuses on the sky. Her name translates to limitless which reflect the extent of her powers in Hindu mythology. She basically has control of the whole universe, cosmos and can change the past and future. As she is literally the mother of all Hindu Gods. It is safe to say that Aditi is the ultimate legendary lady!
In many examples, she is also depicted as a cow due to her nurturing nature which is quite odd but still cool none the less.
***
Legendary Ladies is also a wonderful book which amazing illustrations featuring insight information about 50 or more goddesses that I have personally never heard of. The book is also great for anyone young and old looking for a read featuring mythology and goddess.
This blog tour also only features 13 of the 50 Goddesses in the book so is definitely a must read!
April 10, 2018
Blog Tour: Truly, Wildly, Deeply by Jenny McLachlan Book Review
* I am reviewing this book for a blog tour but this in no way affects my review *
Title: Truly, Wildly, Deeply
Authors: Jenny McLachlanSource: PublisherPublisher: BloomsburyRating: 4.5/5 stars
( Goodreads |Amazon)
Book Review Summary:
Annie is starting college. She can’t wait. No more school, no more uniform, and no one telling her what to do. It’s the start of a new adventure and Annie’s not going to let anyone or anything get in the way of that. Freedom matters to Annie. She has cerebral palsy and she’s had to fight hard to get the world to see her for who she truly is. Then she meets Fab. He’s six foot two, Polish and a passionate believer in…well, just about everything, but most of all Annie and good old-fashioned romance. The moment Fab sees Annie, he’s wildly drawn to her and declares she must be his girl. Annie’s horrified. She doesn’t want to be anyone’s anything, especially if it means losing her independence.
But then Annie finds herself falling for Fab. As things go deeply wrong, Annie realises that love can make you do wild, crazy things, and so she sets out to win his heart with a romantic gesture of truly epic proportions!
Book Review:
I have liked Jenny McLachlan other books for the longest time so when I got the opportunity to read her book I was really excited. Truly, Wildly, Deeply is a stunning book that tackles first relationships with humour and wit making it a must read.
From the off, Truly, Madly, Deeply hit me with its witty nature. I fell in love with Annie from the first moment that we meet her. Jenny is so good with her writing! She was blindly relatable and genuinely funny being the stand out of the book. Having a disability myself similar to cerebral palsy it was great to read someone similar to me except my disability is a lot milder to what Annie deals with the book. I loved she did not let this get in the way of her life and it was wonderful to read about a character with a disability, a rarity in YA.
Her relationship with other characters was also really great especially the subtle relationship with her and her Mum. Her Mum was a spark of joy was caring for her daughter which was definitely a diversion from other YA parents. Her love for Annie was also really great. I also really love her best friend in the book who was quirky and loveable in all the right ways. Also, love seeing a well-developed female friendship and this was one of them.
The main part of the plot was the relationship between her and Fab. Fab was a great character and his passion for reading and learning was really great. He was also wonderfully charming and was right for Annie in so many ways. I also enjoyed Fab being Polish and the subtleties of the book regarding language.
With Fab and Annie being great, I loved their relationship together. It was wonderful to see quite a bit of their story be focused on a book, Wuthering Heights although I have not read it myself. I still loved the enthusiasm of books in books. The arguments that they had were also humorous and highlighted the differing interpretations of a book. The also had great banter. The relationship as it progressed was cute and great and I loved every minute of it.
The only thing that I disliked about the book was the trip to Haworth. This just didn't have the same weight as it could have had for anyone who had loved Wuthering Heights. Saying this I did love how their relationship blossomed as a result so it was not all bad. There was also some tension and some really lovely moments took place that made it all worthwhile!
The Verdict:
Truly, Wildly Deeply continues to showcase my love for Jenny McLachlan and is a lovely read that everyone who loves or doesn't love YA contemporary with fall head over heels over. It is a book that is overwhelming British and has a lot of heart.
Title: Truly, Wildly, Deeply
Authors: Jenny McLachlanSource: PublisherPublisher: BloomsburyRating: 4.5/5 stars( Goodreads |Amazon)
Book Review Summary:
Annie is starting college. She can’t wait. No more school, no more uniform, and no one telling her what to do. It’s the start of a new adventure and Annie’s not going to let anyone or anything get in the way of that. Freedom matters to Annie. She has cerebral palsy and she’s had to fight hard to get the world to see her for who she truly is. Then she meets Fab. He’s six foot two, Polish and a passionate believer in…well, just about everything, but most of all Annie and good old-fashioned romance. The moment Fab sees Annie, he’s wildly drawn to her and declares she must be his girl. Annie’s horrified. She doesn’t want to be anyone’s anything, especially if it means losing her independence.
But then Annie finds herself falling for Fab. As things go deeply wrong, Annie realises that love can make you do wild, crazy things, and so she sets out to win his heart with a romantic gesture of truly epic proportions!
Book Review:
I have liked Jenny McLachlan other books for the longest time so when I got the opportunity to read her book I was really excited. Truly, Wildly, Deeply is a stunning book that tackles first relationships with humour and wit making it a must read.
From the off, Truly, Madly, Deeply hit me with its witty nature. I fell in love with Annie from the first moment that we meet her. Jenny is so good with her writing! She was blindly relatable and genuinely funny being the stand out of the book. Having a disability myself similar to cerebral palsy it was great to read someone similar to me except my disability is a lot milder to what Annie deals with the book. I loved she did not let this get in the way of her life and it was wonderful to read about a character with a disability, a rarity in YA.
Her relationship with other characters was also really great especially the subtle relationship with her and her Mum. Her Mum was a spark of joy was caring for her daughter which was definitely a diversion from other YA parents. Her love for Annie was also really great. I also really love her best friend in the book who was quirky and loveable in all the right ways. Also, love seeing a well-developed female friendship and this was one of them.
The main part of the plot was the relationship between her and Fab. Fab was a great character and his passion for reading and learning was really great. He was also wonderfully charming and was right for Annie in so many ways. I also enjoyed Fab being Polish and the subtleties of the book regarding language.
With Fab and Annie being great, I loved their relationship together. It was wonderful to see quite a bit of their story be focused on a book, Wuthering Heights although I have not read it myself. I still loved the enthusiasm of books in books. The arguments that they had were also humorous and highlighted the differing interpretations of a book. The also had great banter. The relationship as it progressed was cute and great and I loved every minute of it.
The only thing that I disliked about the book was the trip to Haworth. This just didn't have the same weight as it could have had for anyone who had loved Wuthering Heights. Saying this I did love how their relationship blossomed as a result so it was not all bad. There was also some tension and some really lovely moments took place that made it all worthwhile!
The Verdict:
Truly, Wildly Deeply continues to showcase my love for Jenny McLachlan and is a lovely read that everyone who loves or doesn't love YA contemporary with fall head over heels over. It is a book that is overwhelming British and has a lot of heart.
April 6, 2018
Blog Tour: Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman Book Review
* I am reviewing this book for a blog tour but this in no way affects my review *
Title: Starfish Authors: Akemi Dawn BowmanSource: PublisherPublisher: Ink Road BooksRating: 4.5/5 stars
( Goodreads |Amazon)
Book Review Summary:
Kiko Himura has always had a hard time saying exactly what she’s thinking. With a mother who makes her feel unremarkable and a half-Japanese heritage she doesn’t quite understand, Kiko prefers to keep her head down, certain that once she makes it into her dream art school, Prism, her real life will begin.
But then Kiko doesn’t get into Prism, at the same time her abusive uncle moves back in with her family. So when she receives an invitation from her childhood friend to leave her small town and tour art schools on the west coast, Kiko jumps at the opportunity in spite of the anxieties and fears that attempt to hold her back. And now that she is finally free to be her own person outside the constricting walls of her home life, Kiko learns life-changing truths about herself, her past, and how to be brave.
From debut author Akemi Dawn Bowman comes a luminous, heartbreaking story of identity, family, and the beauty that emerges when we embrace our true selves.
Book Review:
Starfish is a book that has been on my radar for quite a while and is being raved about by all book bloggers that have read it and I agree. Starfish is a beautiful book that deals with important issues and that should be read by everyone.
Starfish follows Kiko who wants nothing more to get into her dream school, Prism, but when her dreams are dashed she has to carve her own path. This involves meeting up with her friend who she has lost touch with.
Starfish's plot was an intense ride. Not only does it deal with Kiko's social anxiety and family issues, it also goes much deeper focusing on friendships and her sexual abuse with her Uncle. This makes for at times really difficult reading by making it unique to read about and I felt like there was a lot to do with her schooling life that I really related to.
A lot has been said about the social anxiety representation in the book and this was something that I really loved about it. The what I wish I say bits were so accurate and I feel like I do this on a daily basis. A lot of the representation tends to focus on GAD so for social anxiety to be seen in a book was really great.
The relationship with her family was also great and I love the dynamic between her and her brothers and that twist at the end definitely shocked me. The relationship with her Mum was the standout and shows how complicated the relationship between families can be. This is interesting as this is something that is not covered a lot. It is also the central focus of the book which is great. Her Mum definitely is not a likeable character especially how she deals with her Uncle and race but this does make her interesting to read about.
The centre focus is also surrounding her school experience which again is something related to. With school not going your way but somehow it becomes OK in the end.
I also really loved the characters in the book especially Kiko and Jamie and seeing their relationship blossom over the course of the story was wonderful although towards the end I think it got a little drama-filled which lessen the enjoyment of the book slightly.
Art is also a massive part of the plot which I loved especially how it was put in writing. The writing at the end of each chapter was beautiful as was the actual writing. It was so good!
The Verdict:
Starfish enchanted me from the first page with its raw emotions that struck a chord with me as I am sure it will with many more.
Title: Starfish Authors: Akemi Dawn BowmanSource: PublisherPublisher: Ink Road BooksRating: 4.5/5 stars( Goodreads |Amazon)
Book Review Summary:
Kiko Himura has always had a hard time saying exactly what she’s thinking. With a mother who makes her feel unremarkable and a half-Japanese heritage she doesn’t quite understand, Kiko prefers to keep her head down, certain that once she makes it into her dream art school, Prism, her real life will begin.
But then Kiko doesn’t get into Prism, at the same time her abusive uncle moves back in with her family. So when she receives an invitation from her childhood friend to leave her small town and tour art schools on the west coast, Kiko jumps at the opportunity in spite of the anxieties and fears that attempt to hold her back. And now that she is finally free to be her own person outside the constricting walls of her home life, Kiko learns life-changing truths about herself, her past, and how to be brave.
From debut author Akemi Dawn Bowman comes a luminous, heartbreaking story of identity, family, and the beauty that emerges when we embrace our true selves.
Book Review:
Starfish is a book that has been on my radar for quite a while and is being raved about by all book bloggers that have read it and I agree. Starfish is a beautiful book that deals with important issues and that should be read by everyone.
Starfish follows Kiko who wants nothing more to get into her dream school, Prism, but when her dreams are dashed she has to carve her own path. This involves meeting up with her friend who she has lost touch with.
Starfish's plot was an intense ride. Not only does it deal with Kiko's social anxiety and family issues, it also goes much deeper focusing on friendships and her sexual abuse with her Uncle. This makes for at times really difficult reading by making it unique to read about and I felt like there was a lot to do with her schooling life that I really related to.
A lot has been said about the social anxiety representation in the book and this was something that I really loved about it. The what I wish I say bits were so accurate and I feel like I do this on a daily basis. A lot of the representation tends to focus on GAD so for social anxiety to be seen in a book was really great.
The relationship with her family was also great and I love the dynamic between her and her brothers and that twist at the end definitely shocked me. The relationship with her Mum was the standout and shows how complicated the relationship between families can be. This is interesting as this is something that is not covered a lot. It is also the central focus of the book which is great. Her Mum definitely is not a likeable character especially how she deals with her Uncle and race but this does make her interesting to read about.
The centre focus is also surrounding her school experience which again is something related to. With school not going your way but somehow it becomes OK in the end.
I also really loved the characters in the book especially Kiko and Jamie and seeing their relationship blossom over the course of the story was wonderful although towards the end I think it got a little drama-filled which lessen the enjoyment of the book slightly.
Art is also a massive part of the plot which I loved especially how it was put in writing. The writing at the end of each chapter was beautiful as was the actual writing. It was so good!
The Verdict:
Starfish enchanted me from the first page with its raw emotions that struck a chord with me as I am sure it will with many more.
April 3, 2018
YAShot Blog Tour: Outwalkers by Fiona Shaw Book Review
* I am reviewing this book for the YAShot blog tour but this in no way affects my review *
Title: OutwalkersAuthors: Fiona ShawSource: Bought MyselfPublisher: David Fickling BooksRating: 4/5 stars( Goodreads |Amazon)
Book Review Summary:
The border’s closed, Jake said. No one can get into Scotland, just like no one can cross the Channel . . .
This is England and it’s no longer a free country. The Government can track anyone, anywhere, from a chip implanted at birth. But Jake has escaped from his Academy orphanage, and he needs to get to Scotland with his dog, Jet.
When the Outwalkers gang grabs him, they go off-grid while the Government hunts for them. The closer they get to Scotland, the more dangerous it is. Because now, it’s not only their own lives that are at stake...
Book Review:
Outwalkers was a book that I haven't really heard of before this YAShot tour, but this does not mean that I didn't enjoy the book. Even though I read a lot of Dystopian fiction when I was younger, Outwalkers is still a fresh and new dystopian read that is well worth the time.
I think the first thing to strike me about Outwalkers is its English setting. I know that there have been other books set in the UK, but I just haven't read them so is to me was a good thing. It was just interesting to see this setting used because as someone who reads a lot of US Dystopian I always wondered what the UK was like in this place. This one was not the greatest if I am honest, but it was interesting to read it. The scariest thing is the fact that this could be a reality kind of.
One of my favourite elements of the book was the relationship especially Jake and Jet because fictional dogs are one of my favourite things. To be honest I was quite scared what would happen to the dog at the start of the book from previous reading experiences, but this was OK in the end.
I also really like the dynamic between Jake and the Outwalkers themselves especially with Ollie who was likable. It was just nice to see relationships that were more multi-layered and had so many good characters. There relationships were often put to the test which is understand with the circumstances.
Although I really liked the book, I think that some of the plot points were a little unrealistic. I know that this is a fiction book, but this is kind of mentioned in the book itself and did not take away from the story. The plot in places was quite slow going but I do think that this allowed for good world building and was a way to build the characters. When the plot got going it was a book that I couldn't put down. This was especially the case in the end where everything came together, and I wanted to get straight to the end.
The Verdict:
Outwalkers was an enjoyable read especially a UKYA dystopian read which I was hooked on from start to finish.
About the Author:
Fiona wrote a memoir and four novels for adults before Outwalkers. She was just beginning a 5th adult novel when she had a dream about a boy trying to leave England that wouldn’t leave her mind. That dream, together with lots she was reading about in the news, was the start of her first YA novel.
Fiona’s adult novel Tell it to the Bees will be released as a feature film in 2018. It will star ten year old Gregor Selkirk as Charlie, together with Holliday Grainger and Anna Paquin. Fiona lives in York and teaches Creative Writing part-time at Northumbria University.
Twitter: @fionakshaw Website: ww.fiona-shaw.com
March 13, 2018
Book Review: Birdy Flynn by Helen Donohoe
* I have received this book for review from the publisher but this in no way affects my review *
Title: Birdy FlynnAuthors: Helen DonohoeSource: From PublisherPublisher: Rock The BoatRating: 4/5 stars
( Goodreads |Amazon)
Book Review Summary:
It is the summer and a group of children are playing down by a stream when they do a terrible thing. Something that Birdy tries unsuccessfully to avert. While the other children in the gang find it easy to forget what they have done, Birdy is trapped in the moment and feels bound to do something to make amends. But how does a child face up to responsibility and find the courage to do the right thing?
An uncompromising and uniquely powerful novel about growing up, making friends and being true to yourself.
Book Review:
So when I heard about Birdy Flynn I was definitely interested in the premise of the book. It was something that I had not read about before and I was intrigued to read it. Birdy Flynn is a very unique story that goes places other YA books wouldn't dare and makes it a story well worth reading.
Before going into the actual review, I think that it is important to note that this book does deal with triggering topics such as child sexual abuse and the first scene is quite unsettling so warnings should be taken before reading it.
When I first starting reading the book I was quite shocked at the scene that opens is quite unsettling and hard to get through but I do feel like this is so important for the story itself. So while feeling unsettled by what was happening this was definitely worth being in the book.
One of the things that I definitely liked about the book was its honesty, especially regarding the teenage experience. Donohoe definitely does this well, especially through Birdy. Birdy as a character is by no means perfect, they make mistakes and they are learning from them and at the end of the day, this is what every teenager does. She often does learn from it though.
This book often deals with sensitive topics like gender identity and child sexual abuse which I do think that it deals with well. With their gender identity, Birdy is confused and I think this is represented by the time period that it is set in as I can imagine that this would be a hard period for anyone struggling with their gender. I also do understand the way that child sexual abuse is dealt with in this book and all the characters can be understood for the actions that they do.
I also really liked the setting of the book as it is set in the 1970s and 1980s which is a turbulent time in British history and the book does dive into this. This was one of my favourite elements of the book and I really liked how it fit in. It definitely made for a more interesting reading experience.
The Verdict:
Birdy Flynn was an interesting YA book that highlights issues that rarely are tackled in this age range and definitely make it worth the read.
Have you read Birdy Flynn? Do you want to?
Title: Birdy FlynnAuthors: Helen DonohoeSource: From PublisherPublisher: Rock The BoatRating: 4/5 stars( Goodreads |Amazon)
Book Review Summary:
It is the summer and a group of children are playing down by a stream when they do a terrible thing. Something that Birdy tries unsuccessfully to avert. While the other children in the gang find it easy to forget what they have done, Birdy is trapped in the moment and feels bound to do something to make amends. But how does a child face up to responsibility and find the courage to do the right thing?
An uncompromising and uniquely powerful novel about growing up, making friends and being true to yourself.
Book Review:
So when I heard about Birdy Flynn I was definitely interested in the premise of the book. It was something that I had not read about before and I was intrigued to read it. Birdy Flynn is a very unique story that goes places other YA books wouldn't dare and makes it a story well worth reading.
Before going into the actual review, I think that it is important to note that this book does deal with triggering topics such as child sexual abuse and the first scene is quite unsettling so warnings should be taken before reading it.
When I first starting reading the book I was quite shocked at the scene that opens is quite unsettling and hard to get through but I do feel like this is so important for the story itself. So while feeling unsettled by what was happening this was definitely worth being in the book.
One of the things that I definitely liked about the book was its honesty, especially regarding the teenage experience. Donohoe definitely does this well, especially through Birdy. Birdy as a character is by no means perfect, they make mistakes and they are learning from them and at the end of the day, this is what every teenager does. She often does learn from it though.
This book often deals with sensitive topics like gender identity and child sexual abuse which I do think that it deals with well. With their gender identity, Birdy is confused and I think this is represented by the time period that it is set in as I can imagine that this would be a hard period for anyone struggling with their gender. I also do understand the way that child sexual abuse is dealt with in this book and all the characters can be understood for the actions that they do.
I also really liked the setting of the book as it is set in the 1970s and 1980s which is a turbulent time in British history and the book does dive into this. This was one of my favourite elements of the book and I really liked how it fit in. It definitely made for a more interesting reading experience.
The Verdict:
Birdy Flynn was an interesting YA book that highlights issues that rarely are tackled in this age range and definitely make it worth the read.
Have you read Birdy Flynn? Do you want to?
