Blog News

Hi,

 Sorry I haven't been posting lately. Currently revising for January exams, wish me luck :)

The books are piling up though so reviews will resume soon!

Hope you all had a great Christmas and have a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Hi Everyone!

Hope you're all having a great Christmas!

Posting will return soon!

Amy@TeenyReader

Review of The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson

Pages: 352
Publisher: Harper Collins Childrens Books
Release: February 2013

Thanks to to Publisher for the ARC copy :)

Plot: When Madness stalks the streets of London, no one is safe...
There's a creepy new terror haunting modern-day London. Fresh from defeating a Jack the Ripper killer, Rory must put her new-found hunting skills to the test before all hell breaks loose...
But enemies are not always who you expect them to be and crazy times call for crazy solutions.

Good Points: The second book in the Shades of London series starts off with Rory living in Bristol and frequently visiting her therapist. Unlike some books where the protagonist simply deals with what's happened as if all they've seen is a fly being swatted, Rory actually reflects the emotions you assume a person would be going through after the ordeal that took place in the first book, The Name Of the Star, which saw Rory investigating and becoming a close victim to the Jack the Ripper Copycat that was terrorizing London.
The emotions are played subtly at first and then the stress builds when Rory returns to Wexford and struggles to cope with the workload and the stress of possibly being the key to the continuation of the group that helped her in the first book.
Other great points were the history and research that has gone into this book, everything surprisingly fit well together and the detail that Johnson has built in creating Rory's world is both descriptive and concise.
Also that ending! Maureen Johnson sure does know how to leave a book on a good cliff hanger and one that I'm sure will leave me hanging by those last pages until the third novel is released.


Bad Points: The book was a little slow. I read this on my Kindle and it was only after the percentage reached around 50% of the book that the real investigation into the murder at the beginning starts to happen. Also although Rory's character was explored much deeper the other characters seem to have been slightly forgotten in this one which was slightly disappointing.

To Sum Up... When I heard that Name of The Star was going to be part of a series I did wonder what direction Johnson was going to take the characters, especially after the seemingly complete ending to the Ripper case focused in the first book which I loved.
On the one hand I think this book does work well in following on from Rory's story although I would have liked a little more involvement from some of the other characters such as Jerome and Jazza and possibly a faster pacing to the book.
However I am extremely happy in the fact that Rory's dialogue is as ever funny and believably weird. The book although being a little too slow for me in its first half definitely redeemed itself in its remaining pages, ending on a cliff hanger that as I've already mentioned will leave you screaming "What the...?"
Oh, quick note- I forgot to mention it's pretty vital that if this is the first time you've heard of this series, read the first book Name of The Star first as this one doesn't really explain the details dealt in it so skipping is a straight no-go here.

Thanks for Reading and make sure to leave any comments you have on the review :)

Review of Shadowhunters and Downworlders: A Mortal Instruments Reader by Cassandra Clare and others.

Pages: 256
Publisher: SmartPop
Release: January 2013
Thanks to the publisher for this ARC copy

Summary:
Join Cassandra Clare and a Circle of more than a dozen top YA writers, including New York Times bestsellers Holly Black, Rachel Caine, and Kami Garcia, as they write about the Mortal Instruments series, its characters, and its world.
Inside you’ll read:

-A cinematic tutorial on why the best friend (Simon) always loses out to the bad boy (Jace)
-The benefits (no, really!) of incest . . . at least in literature
-What we can read between the lines of Alec and Magnus’ European vacation
-The importance of friendship, art, humour, and rebellion
-And more, from the virtues of Downworlders to the naughty side of Shadow hunting

Good Points: Okay this book is really good if you are super obsessed with TMI and need something to read by Cassie until Clockwork Princess comes out (which b.t.w is already my book of 2013). The book contains a series of essay's written by different authors and edited by Clare discussing the roles in which the characters play, themes explored within the series and basically just about anything TMI.
When I first started reading I was quite surprised, I liked where it was going, kind of tying in philosophical elements and a bit of Psychology- think one of William Irwin's pop- culture- inspired philosophical texts, yet Mortal Instruments themed. Some of the essays I enjoyed more than others, the one about Tattoo's at the beginning was particular interesting. But then...

Bad Points: It seemed to get a little...boring. To be honest it was like somebody telling you the entire plot of a series you have already read again, in detail. Like a lot of detail. To be honest I may as well have read the books again, I think that the topics weren't really explored in a way that made them great essays. I would have liked more on what Cassie thought or why she chose to do certain things within the series rather than some other author guessing as to why. The chapter on the 'benefits of Incest in literature' speaks for itself really, though at least the word gross was used to describe it and I have to agree with the writer that 'everyone loves a good taboo'.

To Sum Up... To be honest if I hadn't of gotten this book for review copy I probably would never have read it. Though I love Cassandra Clare's work I do think maybe it is time to draw The Mortal Instruments series to an end, which before you start hating I know she is doing. But I think I'm going to have to be, for now, one of those whiney book-traditionalists (?) and say The Mortal Instruments should have remained a trilogy.
This book although contains some good essays describing every detail of TMI you could possibly want, in my opinion just takes away from what reading the books again can give you. The whole point is to explore and question these topics yourself while you read them and not for some other author to tell you how it is. I'm not saying everyone thinks this but personally I just like to keep the books and stay clear from now on of the 'Readers'.

Review of Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Pages: 481
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Released: 2008

Plot: In a world where people born with an extreme skill - called a Grace - are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of the skill even she despises: the Grace of killing. She lives under the command of her uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, and is expected to execute his dirty work, punishing and torturing anyone who displeases him.

When she first meets Prince Po, who is Graces with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change.

She never expects to become Po's friend.

She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace - or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away...a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

Good Points: I really liked the main character, Katsa, she's definitely up there with some of the top female heroines in novels such as Katniss and Tris. The whole concept of people being 'graced' in society I thought was unusual yet I loved the idea of how you identify a 'grace' by the colour or in this case colours of their eyes.
The development of the characters was nice yet I have to say somewhat predictable and this was sort of disappointing though there were some surprises along the way whilst reading.
 The setting or world Cashore has created is filled with depth and description which I always crave in a book;the main purpose being- to transport you into a different world with new and exciting characters  which I think this book successfully accomplished.
The action sequences within the book were written beautifully, in some books the author writes the scene far too quickly and you end up loosing some of the kick ass moves the character makes in battle. In this book, I am glad to say that this didn't happen. In my mind reading the book, the stages of Katsa's dance, if you like, were clear and exciting and this in my opinion just added to the realism that the story produced.

Bad Points: If I am being honest, about halfway through the book I did loose a little bit of interest in what was happening and I think that's why it took me so long to actually finish it. I just didn't think that the books plot was really that exciting and towards the end I wasn't really getting excited about reading it.

To Sum Up... My expectations of this book when I first bought it were really high, everyone had praised it on its originality and Katsa's cool and very kick ass quality. Although I agree that Katsa is a great heroine I just feel that something was missing from this book which I really craved.
Over Christmas I probably will pick up the next two books in the series but I have to admit that I'm still on the fence with this one.
Thanks for reading!

Waiting on Wednesday #10

                                               Waiting On Wednesday is a meme hosted by

                                                                  Breaking the Spine. 



This week's pick is...

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

I have to say this book sounds really good. Its being publicised as perfect for Game of Thrones fans (which I am!!!) and it really fits into the whole traditional fantasy genre I'm really into at the moment.

The cover is really nice too and doesn't give too much away besides the impression that this book is going to be pretty kick ass.

Here's the Summary....

In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power—brutally transforming their subjects’ lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:

Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.

Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished—and finds himself the leader of a people’s revolution centuries in the making.

Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword...

The only outcome that’s certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed? 

The book is out December 11th, just in time for Christmas!

Don't forget to leave a comment and link to your post!

Renegade (The Elysium Chronicles #1) by J.A Souders

Pages: 352

And as if the book wasn't amazing enough
Its wrapped in this stunning cover!

Publisher: Tor Teen
Release: November 2012

Thanks to the publisher for the Review Copy :)

Plot: Since the age of three, sixteen-year-old Evelyn Winters has trained to be Daughter of the People in the underwater utopia known as Elysium. Selected from hundreds of children for her ideal genes, all her life she’s believed that everything is perfect. Her world. Her people. The Law. But when Gavin Hunter, a Surface Dweller, accidentally stumbles into Elysium’s secluded little world, Evelyn comes to a startling realization: Everything she knows is a lie.Her memories have been altered.Her mind and body aren't under her own control.And the person she knows as Mother is a monster. Together with Gavin she plans her escape, only to learn that her own mind is a ticking time bomb...and Mother has one last secret that will destroy them all.

Good Points: I really loved the first couple of chapters how they were written the same because it helped provide an insight into how Evelyn lives indoctrinated almost into a state where she thinks her mother and Elysium are perfectly good and normal. Also because its written in first person this adds again to the reader really getting into Evie's head and understanding her character to a point where you understand and feel her changing moods. I loved the underwater setting and Evie's character definitely turns into a pretty kick ass heroine within the book which I absolutely loved! The supporting love interest, namely Gavin a surface dweller adds to the tension and I really liked how it didn't follow my predictions as to what would happen within the story which led to a couple of surprises and more than a few twists and turns along the way.

Bad Points: In the beginning I thought it was a little mermaid-y but I think overall it was pretty damn good! Gavin's southern accent did annoy me a little too but I wouldn't say it drew away from his overall character however the plot at times did get a little repetitive but if i told you why that would be a spoiler ;)

To Sum Up... I really loved this book and I was actually pleasantly surprised at how quickly I got into it. The characters were interesting and I liked how the author didn't shy away from making it a little bloody, though little is rather an understatement...
 So basically, to conclude, if you're looking for a book to get lost in and fall in love with the characters and they're story, then this is definitely the book for you.
Renegade is out November!

Waiting On Wednesday #9

                                             Waiting On Wednesday is a meme hosted by

                                                                  Breaking the Spine. 



This week's pick is...

Sneak Thievery by Samantha Young (The chronicles of the Fade #2)

Now I don't think this book is even complete, yet alone been given a release date! But does that make me any less excited for this book? No way!
This is will be the second book in The Chronicles of the Fade series. The first book; Slumber is one of my all time favourite books and led me on to start reading similar books in this genre.

Because all I have to show you is the title and this beautiful cover I thought I'd summarise the first book for those that haven't read it...

(From Samantha Young's site)

Moulded by a tragic childhood, nineteen-year-old Rogan finds it extremely difficult to trust people. Now Haydyn, her best friend and the one person she does trust, is dying and only Rogan can save her.

Setting off on a journey to retrieve the plant that will cure Haydyn and subsequently the ills that will befall them all if she dies, Rogan is stuck in close quarters with a protector she distrusts above all others. Wolfe Stovia.

The son of the man who destroyed Rogan’s family.

At a constant battle of wills with the handsome Captain of the Guard, Rogan just knows this adventure together will be fraught with tension. She never imagined, however, that the quest would be so dangerous… not least of all when she finds herself falling for a man she could have sworn was her no.1 enemy…

Like my pick? Comment :D and don't forget to leave a link to your WOW!

Scent of Magic (Healer #2) by Maria V.Snyder

Pages: 400
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Release: December 2012
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC copy

Plot: As the last healer in the fifteen realms and presumed dead by her friends Avery is alone in her quest to find away to defeat Tohon. Kerrick, her love and the only person who knows her to be alive is forced back to his homeland to summon his country into battle.
As Avery travels in disguise to the camps of Tohon's opponents she knows she has a fight ahead of her, including infiltrating a holy army, evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring out how to stop Tohon’s most horrible creations yet; an army of the walking dead.
Will she able to do it?

Good Points: Maria V Snyder has done it again! Wow. This book was so amazingly good I had to run online to write this review just to stay in the world she's created for just that little longer.
The book picks off right where it left off in Touch of Power with everyone presuming Avery dead and Tohon still advancing his power.
Each chapter alternates between the perspective of Avery- written in first person and Kerrick- written in third person; each ending with a dramatic cliffhanger that leaves you wanting to skip the next characters part just to find out what happens to the other. But I didn't...I managed to restrain myself and read on. And boy am I glad I did.
The characters in this book are written in more detail and you explore new sides to each. With action waiting at every turn for the group and a few shocker moments that will leave you open mouthed and looking dumbfounded at the pages, this sequel definitely lived up to all of my expectations...and beyond.


Bad Points: Kerrick and Avery aren't together for most of the book which is kid of a bad point but then at the same time you get to explore other characters within the series and you still have the changing focus through the chapters of going from Avery's point of view to a third person extract of what Kerrick's up to. So not really a bad point.
I don't know! I can't really think of many. It was so damn good!

To Sum Up... Omg! I loved this book. I finally feel like Maria V Snyder is back in action with this sequel. Like I said earlier I was worried a bit about the whole plot but after this book which I simply devoured I am so excited for the next one. Where is it? When will it come out!!???!!! I think you get the gist... Basically everything about this book is amazing. So read it :D
The book comes out December and I'd definitely recommend reading the first book in the series Touch of Power if you haven't already first.

Like this post, please do comment :)

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

Pages: 479
Publisher: Corgi Publishing
Released: 2000

Plot: Sephy is a Cross -- a member of the dark-skinned ruling class. Callum is a Nought -- a “colourless” member of the underclass who were once slaves to the Crosses. The two have been friends since early childhood, but that’s as far as it can go. In their world, Noughts and Crosses simply don’t mix. Against a background of prejudice and distrust, intensely highlighted by violent terrorist activity, a romance builds between Sephy and Callum -- a romance that is to lead both of them into terrible danger. Can they possibly find a way to be together?

Be Warned-- There may be a slight spoiler.

Good Points: The idea behind the world Malorie Blackman has created is really interesting with the whole twist of dark skinned crosses ruling over the light skinned noughts and the struggles between them. Adding the whole relationship between Sephy, a rich Cross and Callum a poor nought and the drama has arrived!
I liked how the author chose to go from one point of view to the other but its still didn't help me get a feel for either of the characters.
There's a lot of tension within the book and the situation really does send you on a roller-coaster of emotions as you read it.

Bad Points: I didn't connect with either of the main characters and I think that was the main reason why I didn't like the book so much. Everything just seemed really rushed in my opinion. I know they've been friends for years but the idea that they can go from that to being so in love and then having a child, which, might I add that they conceive when she's kidnapped just seems a little -_-

To Sum Up... I had really high expectations for this book and although yes the plot is fairly original and that  ending! I just couldn't seem to really get into this book. I don't know why but nothing in the book really screamed out at me whilst I was reading it except the ending which reminded me too much of A Tale of Two Cities, one life for another and all that.
Anyway, I know loads of people hold this book dear and swear that its brilliant but I just didn't feel it. Sure it was dramatic at times but others I just wanted to scream at the pair and how foolish they could be. I wasn't sold.

Waiting on Wednesday #8

                                             Waiting On Wednesday is a meme hosted by

                                                                  Breaking the Spine. 

This week's pick is....

The ELITE by Kiera Cass (The Selection book 2)

Here's the Summary from Kiera's site!

 Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

I cannot wait for this book!

Look out for it in stores and online for its release in April next year!

Like this pick, leave a comment! And don't forget to leave a link to your Waiting on Wednesday :D

Top Ten Tuesday #5

                                    Top ten Tuesdays is a weekly meme by Broke and the Bookish

 This week: The Top Ten books to get you in the Halloween Spirit.

                  1. Dracula by Bram Stoker.

                    Pretty obvious...It is a classic.

2. Frankenstein by Mary Shelly 

*See previous Book comment :)

3. Anything by HP. Lovecraft 

I've just got into this author and if you want Horror, this writer is for you!

4. The Harry Potter series.

I don't think I will ever stop reading these books. Maybe I should make it my annual Halloween time reading list.

5. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Read this!!!

6. Strange Angels by Lilli St.Crow

I love this book in the series it has Zombies and everything else supernatural. Plus the heroine is kick-ass!

7. Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

I read this a while ago and really liked it. You learn a lot about Jack the Ripper and what could be more spook-ay! (Insert creepy voice here)

8. The Secret Circle series.

If you've watched the TV series which Oh No! they cancelled you need to read the books! Read them years ago and they are brill :)

9. Poison Study

Not sure why this book is Halloween-y but you need to read it anyway if you haven't. It's soooo good :)

10. Either the House of Night Series or The Morganville Series.

I couldn't decide which one to pick so I've put both down. Though they are both good at the beginning of the series I feel that both now need to just stop, 10 books plus is just too much...

Thanks for checking out my list. Like it? Comment! 

Btw - Don't forget to leave a link to yours :D

Interview with Clare Marshall (Violet Fox Blog Tour)

Hi guys! Its October 20th and that means that it is finally my turn to post for the Violet Fox blog tour and I am super excited to give you the interview I had with the books author, Clare Marshall who is so nice.

Here's the Summary...

Run.
That’s what instinct told me.
But in order to save the secrets of my people
and to protect my brother
I have to become the enemy.

Interview with Clare Marshall, author of The Violet Fox.  

1. First up, obvious question, what made you want to be an author?

I don’t think any one thing made me want to be an author. I was always writing stories--very long stories!--in elementary school, and was encouraged to keep doing so throughout high school. Eventually I learned to curb and control my writing monster and write short stories and refine my plot-lines a little bit!

2. Did you always know that you would want to write in the young adult/paranormal genre?

When I was in elementary school, I’d write about girls who were 12 or 13. In junior high/high school (it was combined in my town), I’d write about girls who were 15 or 16. Now, at 24 years of age, I write about girls who are between 16 and 18, but I also enjoy the mid-twenties perspective as well, since that’s where I’m at in life. So I guess the answer would be yes, it’s what I’ve always written, and I’ll probably continue to write in the young adult spectrum. I’d also like to write in the 10-12 age group--I think my creative juices really bloomed during that period of my life and I’d like to revisit some of the story ideas I came up with then.

As for the genre, I consider myself mostly a fantasy author, with bits of science fiction and horror/paranormal thrown in. I’m not afraid to explore scenes that might weird other people out or make people uncomfortable. The Violet Fox doesn’t really have any of that, though, but it does creep towards the edge of deeper thought and darkness at times.

3. Are any of the characters in your books based on real people?

Not specifically. I like to take traits from specific people and Frankenstein them into one person. Other times, the characters themselves tell me what they look like, or their mannerisms are clear in how they act.

4. Being involved in Indie Writing, do you think that a good cover is the sell point to any book? 

Having an attractive cover definitely helps you get noticed. It’s the equivalent to dressing up for a job interview. If you have an unattractive or unsuccessful cover, that tells me that the author doesn’t care enough about their work to make it presentable. That’s probably a superficial judgment, but without reading the entire book to see if it’s good or not, I wouldn’t know if it’s worth my time.

The other selling point to a book would be the plot description. It’s possible to have a mediocre cover and a great description. That’s enough for some people to get excited. But the cover can get people to read the plot description, so one often leads to the other.

5. If deserted on a desert island and the only thing you’re allowed to take with you is a book, what would your pick be?

A survival guide! I think this would be the most logical choice. Providing, of course, that there is vegetation of some kind on this desert island. If it’s just sand, and maybe a tree, and I’m going to die of exposure or starvation or of a giant shark jumping out of the sea and swallowing me whole, I’d take my Kindle and fill it with all of the YA books I haven’t read yet. The battery will only last a month, but if there is no vegetation for me to work with, I’ll die in less than 2 weeks. The body can go for 2 weeks without food, but only 3 days without water. And once I start drinking the seawater, I’m going to go crazy. And I probably won’t be doing much reading after that. J

6. The bucket list. What are your three top things to do on your list?

•  Get certain books of mine published by a traditional publisher. Some of the ideas I have are better served by houses that have access to bigger markets (or specific markets, like schools) than I currently do.

•  Travel around the world in a small yacht. Comfortable, but small enough that only a two to three people would have to manage it. And I’d have to find a way to have near-constant internet access so I could chronicle my adventures. I would also bring a survival guide in case I am stranded on a desert island, as mentioned in the above potential scenario.
•   Improve the lives of a community. I don’t have any specifics or details about this really, but if I ever become so rich that I sweat money, I’d like to donate it to a worthy community project.

F       Find out who else is on the tour here

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Pages: 231

Publisher: Pocket Books

Released: 1999

Plot: Charlie is a freshman and he's starting out in high school with the hopes of making friends and starting his life. In a roller coaster of events Charlie meets Sam and Patrick and the're group of 'misfit' friends to which he discovers he is their wallflower, the observer who just wants to get in on the action. In a world of friendship, sex, drugs and the Rocky Horror Picture show, Charlie discovers what it truly means to grow up.

Good Points: This book manages to explore so many themes within the storyline and you soon get caught up in Charlie's world which I liked. The narrators voice (Charlie) is strong and clear throughout the book and although his letters aren't daily you still understand what his everyday life is like. 

Elements to the book made my smile when I read them and come on! They have an entire magazine devoted to the Rocky Horror Picture Show. If that doesn't spell cool then I don't know what does.

The references to the books at first I was worried about because usually when I've read books that do this before the author usually ends up sounding obnoxious with some obscure Russian poet being quoted or you just get the feeling that they've googled lists of 'books-which-smart-people-read'. In this case however this didn't happen. The books were all one's that you might read at high school or have read already and the author wasn't quoting lines from the book every page but just touching on Charlie's thoughts on them like 'I liked that one' or 'that author was great...' which I proffered.

Alongside Charlie going through loads throughout the book, the read does also, with the moral to the story being be yourself and live to the full I guess. Deep, I know but it is labelled as a coming-of-age book.

Bad Points: Charlie's naivety at times could get a little annoying and his constant crying to prove his characters innocence seemed to do the same. However who can blame him with the amount of stuff he goes through in this book. Talk about drama! This kid seems to have really bad luck...

To Sum Up... I recently went to watch the film adaptation of this book after reading it and I have to admit I think I preferred the film (mainly because they cut a lot of the crying out). However I have to admit I loved the references to books and music within the plot and you certainly get a feel of what Charlie's high school experience is like. Although it was a tiny bit cheesy and dramatic with the whole 'infinite' line going on, as a coming of age drama I thought it worked well despite there being a little too much disaster in his life for it to be even considered plausible. I liked it and I'll probably read it again.