Review of Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry

Pages: 384
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release: July 2012 (This was an ARC copy)

Plot: No one knows what happen to Echo Emerson, not even herself. She walks the halls of her school covered due to the scars on her arms and dreams of just being normal. Noah is the definitely not the guy that Echo or anyone would call normal. Noah's struggling to deal with his own issues, after the death of his parents, a dodgy upbringing in the system and losing his brothers all Noah wants is to try and bring his family back together.
As they try to uncover the parts to they're lives social services doesn't think they should know, will Noah and Echo find what they both set out to find or will they're paths cross and change their opinion of what it is to be 'normal'?

Good Points: Surprisingly I really loved this book. I thought the plot was good and the overall writing was excellent, you really get a grip on the characters and what they're about quickly and I thought the changes in perspective gave an equal insight to both Echo (who's name has really grown on me...) and Noah's lives and their troubled pasts.
I thought the author did a fantastic job in slowly building up tension throughout the story and I found myself wanting to read on and on. Yes, at times I thought the book could get a little too same-y in constantly bringing up the whole idea of wallowing in the past (if you can really even call it that) but this is prevented in my opinion by the range of emotions that you do feel towards the all of the characters. I found myself when reading the book trying to piece together what I would do in that situation and at times I could relate to the characters in a way but at others, during times when the characters surprise you, you still feel that that is what that character would do. The book showcases a range of very human emotions and doesn't shy away from topics that some wouldn't involve in their own plots, I think this is a reason why I loved it so much. This book was no nonsense and just a real book that explored the events that lead to Noah and Echo becoming the people they are.

Bad Points: Okay, Echo's friends, excluding a few are Bitches, pretty much no other way to put it. They are simply awful and I did become a little annoyed at why Echo was still associating herself with these people. However, reading on you reason out Echo's choices and begin to understand that she believes she's lost everything in her life and that one little fragment (her friends) of her past is one of the only things that she has control over and the choice to keep. Yes they are Bitches but as awful as it sounds you can sort of believe it to be true in that this would actually happen.


To Sum Up... Well, like I've already mentioned numerous times throughout this review, I loved it. I loved the raw emotions shown throughout the book for each of the characters and the relationships not only between Noah and Echo but also with their social worker Mrs Collins and each of the pairs friendship groups.
At times yes it could get a little dramatic but isn't every book? So basically you should definitely seek out this book when it comes out in July and I probably know what your'e thinking- but its not paranormal !!!, well no you're right but instead this book is so much more it contains good realistic characters that grow into interesting people that you grow to care for, the story is plotted well and the dialogue is never cheesy or forced and to be honest this book contains a from of magic all on it's own.
So to conclude ... Read this book :D Please x

Existence (Existence trilogy#1) by Abbi Glines

Pages: 194

Publisher: Wild Child Publishing

Released: December 2011

Plot: Pagan Moore has always seen souls wandering around town since she was little but she's ignored them as much as she can knowing that her 'gift' isn't normal. However one day she meets a dead soul watching her at school, except this time he talked to her, something that hasn't happened before. Something about this soul isn't quite right though...will Pagan see this though?

Good Points: Got to admit I really do love the cover (Cover Check-- its that couple again who appear on loads of books together!)

Also, I liked the idea of Pagan, the main character in the book, being able to see souls from the beginning, something she has always been able to do basically, which differs from most teen books where the character discovers their 'ability' and thus being the reason for the big changes in their lives that show in the story. However, if I'm being honest, the author did kind of make out as if Pagan is seeing these 'souls' all the time and to be truthful I didn't read about that many in the first half of the book.
Character-wise I thought Gee was the best, I loved her arrogant cocky behaviour and I thought it brought added humour to the book.
Surprisingly I really loved the ending which is unusual because normally I don't like that type of cliffhanger but this time I did and will definitely check out the next book because of this.

Bad Points: What the heck. Firstly, I know it's cool to put a weird name in books lately but I think this author takes it a little too far, one of the characters is called Leif and the other Dank which I'm almost certain is a street name for Cannabis.  Also, 'typical-book-guy' alert, this book is filled with over dramatised scenes of 'I want you, I must have you! But I can't, I'm too mysterious and brooding to...' which to be honest I'm getting a bit sick and tired of reading about. (I even laughed when she was speaking his song lyrics back to him and mentally announcing how her 'life was now complete').The main character to the book, Pagan isn't much better in my opinion, I didn't really like her character and I thought she was pretty selfish adding also to the whole beginning relationship she starts with Leif which in my mind was just too quick and really unbelievable. 

Another thing that I didn't really like was at times I thought the writing of the book was a little strange, it sort of felt as if parts of the book that should have been there were missing because of the constant end scene- start new scene that kept going on with Pagan waking up to a new day. 

To Sum Up... Basically this book was an easy, quick read that ticks all the romance boxes but in my opinion lacked a great plot and interesting characters that had proper depth to them. I would have liked a stronger portrayal of Pagan and Leif bonding over their after school classes rather than the 'I've always liked you, even though I've never even slightly shown it before' stuff that the book included.

To be honest I don't know what it is about this author but I'm just not really responding to her writing, this is the second book by Abbi Glines that I have read and although I do believe Existence was miles better than The Vincent Boys, it wasn't good enough to change my entire perspective of this particular authors writing. Although I will continue to read books published by this author to see if my opinion changes, but until then I'm not totally impressed.

Review of Blood Solstice (Tale of Lunarmorte#3) by Samantha Young

Pages: 272
Publisher: Self-Published on Kindle
Released: October 2011

Plot: The third and final instalment to the Tale of Lunarmorte series see's Caia's continued struggle in the war between the Midnights and the Daylights. Time is running out, truths are revealed and the pack won't ever be the same again when tragedy hits home.
In the long battle between Daylights and Midnights, will Caia be able to save everyone she loves?


Good Points: Loved the book, you definitely see the change Caia makes throughout the series even more in this book. She's still underneath it all the sweet innocent girl that we first met in Moon Spell however you see how the war has changed her and the pack, even more so after the attack on the pack. In this book, like all 3 in the Lunarmorte series we get to enjoy reading the perspective of some of the main characters which is one of the things I really love about Samantha Young's writing as it allows the reader to grow closer to each character and really get a grip on each perspective. I think it would have been nice to see this same perspective from a midnight however I didn't feel any less inclined to support 'Team' Daylight due to Laila.
The characters continue to grow and form relationships with each other and the overall plot to the story is, well, amazing. It had everything I look for in a book - action, cool battles,  a couple of shockers, a bit of romance and some genuinely great characters.

Bad Points: At the end (the 3 years later bit) I've got to admit I did want more on what happens to the characters however I've got to admit I did like how it gave us this tiny insight, although it did make me feel like the ending was just a tiny little bit rushed. But I swear that was it!!
Bring a box of tissue's if you haven't read this book yet :(


To Sum Up... I really enjoyed this series and thought that there was little to fault on any of the books. The characters were well developed as the series progressed and the author allowed you to see a variety of emotions and changes both mentally and physically to most of the characters. There are a couple of 'shocker' moments within the book that definitely keep you reading on accompanied by a huge Beach Battle=COOL.
Another reason that I really do love this authors writing is (I don't know if I've mentioned this before) Young doesn't write the typical teen book, her characters aren't perfect and they don't include that typical book guy that I read so often in teen fiction. The relationships between the characters are developed and we see them through as corny as it sounds the good and the bad times, which I absolutely love because it makes the story more...real, the characters don't 'Swan' around declaring their love for each other in what feels like minutes (that phrase fit more than it should) they actually talk and get to know each other first.
If you haven't read anything by this author yet--Pleeeaaaseeee do as they are awesome and I've run out of friends and family to go on at them about how darn good this author truly is.

Review of Hush, Hush (#1) by Becca Fitzpatrick

Pages: 400
Publisher: Simon & Schuster children's
Released:  October 2009

Plot: Nora isn't really keen on any of the boys at school, despite her best friend Vee's insistence, that is until Nora meets Patch. Love at first sight? Patch seems to know everything about Nora, he keeps turning up  everywhere and Nora can't decide whether to run to or from him. Little does Nora know though that Patch is fact a fallen Angel and is here for a reason...

Good Points: When I first read this book I absolutely loved it (I think I even restarted it straight away), I loved the opening chapter -barbie dolls pinned to the board - and the friendship between Nora and Vee and I think one of the main reasons that I liked this book when I first read it was because all that was mainly out at the time was Vampire teen fiction after Twilight and so it was kind of a breath of fresh air (obviously that has now changed).
The idea behind the book was quite cool but ...hmnn, I just don't know any more...

Bad Points: This book does have typical teen book syndrome and Nora's character at times I thought can be a little whiney, heck, let's try psychotic. It is also a little twilight-y, yup they're both biology partners forced to work together along with all the other stuff I've already summed up in the 'typical teen' quote.
The list of bad points could go on and on however I don't really want go all psycho on the book so I'll quit while I'm ahead.

To Sum Up... Yeah okay it is the typical teen book, average-looking, good grades girl falls for bad, broody least we forget mysterious boy and so on... but I think a part of me will always love this book. Sure I've read loads of books since that would beat this book in a 'book battle' but I just don't think I can ignore the fact that this book got me excited to read on the first time I read it (though I was a tad disappointed with the series sequels) listening full volume to Delirium by Ladyhawke which consequently always makes me think of this.
I checked the book out on Goodreads recently and wasn't that surprised to see all of the many negative responses, I must admit my opinion has changed the more I read this book and now I just cannot understand Patch and Nora's relationship and the fact that everything is just quickly explained in the ending and the stupidity levels go through the roof.
However, like always, I encourage you to read the book and make the ultimate conclusion , is it good or bad? 

Review of River Cast (Tale of Lunarmorte #2) by Samantha Young

Pages: 269
Publisher: Amazon Kindle (self published)
Released: October 2011

Plot: As Caia is taken to the Centre, she starts to uncover more of her magic and her touch to the Midnights starts to show her that a lot of them don't even like the war and are in fact good. With the Daylights determined to end the war by using Caia to wipe out the Midnights can Caia make the choice between Midnights and Daylights and do the right thing, whatever that is...

Good Points: I loved this book! Samantha Young is fast becoming one of my all time favourite authors and I'm only on her third book. The story is rich in depth and the characters are those to which you can either relate with immediately or reason out their decisions. In this book, the second in the Tale of Lunarmorte series we get to see a lot more of Jaiden's perspective after learning of her telekinetic abilities in the first book, there is also the whole relationship with her and Ryder which is extremely funny because of the ongoing banter between the two.
Alike, the relationship with Caia and Lucien is also developed and you grow infuriated at their stupid blindness of not seeing that they like each other. Meanwhile the war is ongoing, there was a little less action in this book than the first in my opinion but I didn't really care about that (don't get me wrong I love a good fight in a book) but you concentrate on other things such as the Centre where you meet Marita (basically like the leader of the 'good' guys) and the whole maybe evil plotting that she's been up to.

Bad Points: Don't get me wrong I absolutely loved this book but a couple of times I did think it was an  insie-bit same-y as the first book with the whole two 'bad' people convening secretly and wondering who could be the spy in the book (which when you find out was a little predictable) but hey this didn't concentrate the topic of the whole book and there were tons of other exciting stuff going on that kept me reading constantly and ending up finishing the book within hours.

To Sum Up... This author is just Brilliant (capital 'B' for effect)! Her plotting of the story is just perfect and you never seem to get bored at all, there is always something happening that keeps you on edge, but it's not cataclysmic stuff that makes you think 'seriously,where the hell is this book going?' that some books do. The characters are believable and their actions and the relationships formed throughout the book build up, basically they don't just immediately meet and then two days later declare their undying love to each other which is what I really hate in books.
Samantha Young I solute you!

Review of Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen

Pages: 352
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Released: June 2012

Plot: When Samantha get's kissed by the guy who's she's always crushed on she had no idea that she would loose her soul, meet a group of angels and demons and uncover secrets about her past that will change her life forever. Can Bishop, the mysterious angel help get Samantha's soul back or will she choose the darkness that has started to consume her...

Good Points: I quite liked the whole idea of how you lose your soul, I've never heard of that before and I thought it was quite original, especially with the whole Demons and Angels working together thing. Samantha's character was okay, I liked the somewhat strong voice she holds within the book and her good side into helping the homeless and doing her bit but I have to say one of my favourite characters from the book was Kraven, I loved his sarcastic behaviour and at times I thought it brought humour that the book needed.
The love interest Bishop was in my opinion the 'typical book guy', mysterious, good looking and in this book at times a little bit mental.
The pacing of the book was quite good and how it was plotted out however at time I just wanted something a little more exciting to happen to really get me into the story and maybe to uncover a little more.
The cover as well - so pretty : D

Bad Points: Okay there were a couple of things that got me really frustrated with this book. To begin, if I ever hear the word 'special' again I think I'm going to scream. It seemed that this was the answer  to everything at the beginning of the book 'who are you?' - 'I'm special' , 'why can you do this?'- 'I'm Special' AGHHHH! It gets annoying after a while...
Also when I discovered *slight spoiler* that Bishop and Kraven were brothers, I've got to admit it did go straight to my head the whole Vampire Diaries good brother V bad brother thing but it was soon smoothed out so I don't think that can really be called a bad point.

To Sum Up... I liked the book and I thought it was an easy read, it had the beginnings of nearly all the things you would want in a teen paranormal book and I liked the cliffhanger at the end which should be interesting in the next books in the series.
Go read it!!

Review of League of Strays by L.B Schulman

Pages: 288
Publisher: copy courtesy of Harlequin Publishing
Released: October 2012 (This is an ARC review)

Plot: Charlotte is the typical good girl, she practices her Viola everyday and obeys her parents every command however all is about to change when she finds a letter in her locker inviting her to join 'The League Of Strays' a mysterious group of loners that band together and serve out revenge to those that have wronged them. However Charlotte soon becomes uncomfortable by what the League is doing but can Kade, the leader of the league change her mind?

Good Points: I liked most of the other characters in the book and I thought there was a nice blend of personalities in the group. At points I liked some of the pop culture references in the book but to finish I think the ending was a little weak, though it did leave room for another book.
The author was successful however in portraying the creepy socio-path that is Kaden, however in my opinion because I hated him from the start it kind of lost the build up that I think the book needed and I think that's why I just didn't sympathise with Charlottes character.


Bad Points: Okay now some things got me a little annoyed within the book if I must be honest, for example the character of Kade who at the beginning of the book is described by Charlotte as 'Kade really likes to research people' *translate* and alarm bells ringing-- STALKER ALERT! This factor seriously creeped me out and I just could not see where this Charlotte character was coming from, I think that's why I just didn't sympathise with her or relate to her within the book at all.
I thought the beginning of the book could have had a little more about Charlotte's life before the whole joining the League thing because it kind of made me hate her character a little and in my opinion sort of rushed the plot too much.
Also there are some questionable expletives here so as I have already seen many may take offence to parts of the book.


To Sum Up... Now I know this book has had quite a lot of hate from people who vowed never to finish the book, but I decided to read it anyhow because I think everyone should read the book for themselves before heading off making decisions. Yes at times in the book I think the author went a little too far but couldn't it be argued that so did Suzanne Collins when she was killing all of those kids in the Hunger Games?
The book was okay overall in my opinion, I didn't especially love it as I thought the ending was a little 'meh' but it was an okay read , ignoring parts to the dialogue that I really don't think a teenager would ever say.
Try it for yourself though, the book is out October 1st.