Paradigm by Ceri A. Lowe.

Summary:

What if the end of the world was just the beginning?

Alice Davenport awakens from a fever to find her mother gone and the city she lives in ravaged by storms – with few survivors.

When Alice is finally rescued, she is taken to a huge underground bunker owned by the mysteriousParadigm Industries. As the storms worsen, the hatches close.

87 years later, amidst the ruins of London, the survivors of the Storms have reinvented society. The Model maintains a perfect balance – with inhabitants routinely frozen until they are needed by theIndustry.

Fifteen-year-old Carter Warren knows his time has come. Awoken from the catacombs as a contender for the role of Controller General, it is his destiny to succeed – where his parents failed.

But Carter soon discovers that the world has changed, in ways that make him begin to question everything that he believes in. As Carter is forced to fight for those he loves and even for his life, it seems that the key to the future lies in the secrets of the past...

  'Now you see it, now you don't'

  This book is truly a chilling apocalyptic read filled with death, destruction and a world that I'm sure no sane person on this earth would want to live in.

  From the very beginning I enjoyed this book although it had a tendency to make me cry...quite a lot. You grow a kind of attachment - but not an attachment with the characters, like you get used to them being there even if you don't neccassarily agree with them and feel empathetic towards them, which I thought was clever because I thought it tied in with the idea that was entwined with the plot of the book - that difference between 'living and exsisting'. The characters just exsisteda and that made you frustrated with them as a reader and made me in particular very emotional...but let's not get into the life of a fangirl now, shall we?

  The character development in this book is fantastic as we follow the pole opposites of life with Carter Warren and life with Alice Davenport. I found myself preffering Alice in the beggining of the book yet by the end I had switched sides to 'Team Carter' for lack of a better term, haha!

  The concept is brilliant too - a fantastic twist on the 'end of the world, global warming apocalypse' story that I, and I'm sure others have grown tired of; although this book brings it into a new light and has opened my mind back to the exciting dread which comes with the idea, rather than the drabness of being taught over and over how preserving energy and turning off the Tv when you've finished with it will somehow miraculously save us all, and don't even get me started on greenhouse gases. But this book managed to push past that and come up with absolutely terryfying scenarios and situations that I myself could never in a million years have thought of.

  So, although it wasn't much of an 'upbeat' book, I still loved it even with all the horror it instilled in me, and that's why I'm giving this book a full 5 star rating and I'll be waiting on tender hooks for the release of the sequel.

  ***** 5/5 stars *****

For more information, visit the authors website : www.cerialowe.com

Peter: An Untold True Story by Christopher Mechling.

Summary:

Chris Mechling's new historical novel, Peter, introduces readers to the amazing true story behind the fairy tale of Peter Pan. The book tells the adventures of the real boy who came to London and became a well-known figure more than a hundred years before James Barrie penned his classic. 

Peter the Wild Boy lived in eighteenth century England, through the reigns of three kings (all named George), and achieved legendary status in his own lifetime. He was not only a popular figure, but also drew intense philosophical and scientific study, and was a subject of interest to literary figures such as Daniel Defoe and Jonathan Swift. Peter retained a youthful appearance throughout his life, and had a joyful, intuitive spirit that was both challenging and infectious. 

This imaginative dramatization of the life of Peter the Wild Boy captures the joy, innocence and fire of a bright, feral child living in the midst of the Age of Enlightenment. It is narrated by the girl who perhaps knew him best. The epic story of his life, spanning approximately seventy years, navigates a tumultuous and thoughtful period in English history, rich with characters. 

  This was a story that would be able to make even the coldest of hearts melt.

  A beautifully light story that manages to take you back to the time period it was set, whilst also not being dull and boring, to even one of the younger generations minds. It was funny, charming and sad all in one, and also managed to be very interesting and informative, which I guess is the point of a historical novel.

  This one, incidentally, my first historical novel, and I have to say that I did love it - it was something different, but in this case, that was a good thing.

  The story line was clear and concise and it wasn't choppy or lost my attention at all, which I usually find with books inclined to a more older audience; which isn't a problem, but it was good that this book held that bit of an edge.

  It was written beautifully and made me feel like I was a child again, being read a story by an adult before being tucked in and falling asleep - it held that kind of innocence that took you to a floaty place and I really enjoyed that.

  So overall, this book exceeded my expectations and I look forward to reading more of Christopher Mechling's work.

  

***** 5/5 stars *****

Disruption (The Cambridge Files #1) by Steven Whibley.

Summary:

At fourteen, Matt Cambridge has executed so many pranks - the latest nearly destroying his school - that his parents are out of discipline options. So his father pulls a few questionable strings to get his son into Camp Friendship: A camp that promises to strengthen the moral compass of today's youth. With a name like Camp Friendship Matt imagines three punishing weeks of daisy chains and Kumbayas.

Within minutes of arriving at the camp, however, Matt's nearly killed--twice. It doesn't take long for him to realize there's more to this picture-perfect place than meets the eye. What sort of summer camp has programs in forging passports? Why do they have endless fight training, and weapons drills, and what is with the hidden rooms? Matt wonders if his parents realize they've enrolled him in what seems to be some kind of freakish, elite spy school.

What Matt doesn't yet know - and is soon to find out - is that Camp Friendship's ultimate purpose is far more sinister than he could possibly have imagined. With each dot he connects, he begins to understand that in the end he'll be left with two choices: pull the prank of a lifetime to escape this place...or die trying.

  So I received this book on my kindle for review and I have to say it was outstandingly brilliant.

  From the very first page I fell in love with Matt Cambridge, I loved his quick wit, yet, he was still a realistic character and showed his weaknesses and, like all the characters in this book, his character development was perfectly executed.

  This was a fantastic read and I found myself hooked from start to finish; the concept was brilliant and left me dying to know more at every page. It was also a quick read and I managed to fly through it, so those of a younger audience would also be able to enjoy it, although, I believe this is just one of those books that has no age boundary from the youngest teens and up.

  I was also impressed by the impeccable writing, it flowed beautifully and made me feel connected to the world of this book, which not many books really manage to do. And I can tell you now that no part of this novel was predictable, it took me down twists and turns that I could never have even begun to imagine.

  It was exciting, funny and even left me jaw-droppingly baffled at some points, but I loved it, through and through.

  This will definitely be a series I will be looking out for.

***** 5/5 stars *****

  

Cover release of Verboten.

  So, for many long weeks me and my cover designer have been working hard to create the perfect cover...a beauty upon any eye...and finally, we believe that we have achieved it...

  I have been waiting eagerly to show you all the long awaited new cover of Verboten and finally the time is here!

  I first released the gorgeous spine, remember?

  And then the back cover...

  And finally, the moment you've all been waiting for...the front........

Searching For Darkness by Leah Ward.

  Summary:

Edwin is a Seer, one of the few remaining in the world, who can see places and animals that the normal eye cannot. When his parents, the legends that would find the ancient cave and destroy the book Darkness, are killed before they can, Edwin finds it his duty as heir to the legends, to live out their destiny. In this day and age, wolves twice the size of the average ones with red beady eyes, walking piranha that destroy anything in water or on land, and even a pearlescent white dragon will only be some of the creatures Edwin will have to cross to reach the cave that Darkness is hidden in. Along the way he learns of several powers that he has been gifted with, when strangely a normal Seer is only gifted one. The cave will reveal incredible secrets and what he thought to be true may just unravel the world that he is so desperately trying to save.

  So, I was given this book to review and also to be part of a street team where I got a bunch of cool goodies to do with the book including a tee and some bookmarks! (I'll post a picture somewhere). It's by a fairly new author who has also got a poetry book - The Art Of Words - which is pretty cool too and I may do a post on it in the future.

  The style of writing of this book straight away reminded me of a book a read a few years ago that I really enjoyed because it was fast paced and, unusual for a book of the early-teens age range, was actually fully illustrated. Anyway, I'm getting off track - that book was something very different and I loved the style and I was actually very happy to find it again in another book.

  The book flows smoothly and the plot line is exciting and actually kept me hooked throughout my 2 day holiday in Wales, whereas usually, when on holiday, unfortunately I tend not to read much.

  It was also a light read, which was good and if I'm honest, I couldn't really fault it; the ideas were imaginitive, the characters didn't annoy me (makes a change, haha!) and it really was something new and different, which really is a big thing I look for in a book and I know from experience that it's a hard thing to achieve.

  

  I'd also like to make a quick mention to the cover (I'm really sorry! I'm a cover fanatic) as JUST LOOK AT IT! It's beautiful! I love it quite a lot and when it arrived in the mail I believe I was just sat on my bed stroking it for about half an hour! Woops!

  I think that this is a book that will take the populous of young teens by storm. Innovative, interesting and hooks you at the first page. I reccomend it to around the 11-14 age range, or if your just someone who would like to try something new! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more of Leah's work.

***** 5/5 stars *****

Pyxis: The Discovery by K.C.Neal.

  Summary:

Corinne lives an average teenage life working at her dad’s cafe, hanging out with her best friend, and trying to forget a falling-out with her almost-boyfriend Mason. Things take a strange turn when she uses her late grandmother’s food dyes for a bake sale, and her customers suddenly find her irresistibly alluring. Then she discovers she and Mason are haunted by the same dreams of a dark force that consumes everything in its path. 

Pursued by shadowy figures and a crazy woman with secrets from the past, Corinne must find out who her grandmother really was. In her quest to unravel her family’s history, she learns she is destined to protect this world--and the dark world of her dreams. She races to find the answers she seeks before her nightmares break free.

  So, I was sent this book on my kindle to review and since I started reading it just before the end of my exams during the dark age of no reading, it took me a while to get through.

  First off, I did enjoy this book; it had a good concept and it was written well, although, to me, it felt a bit wooden at times and I didn't feel connected with the characters, which was a shame because the concept was something new and unique, but I guess that it might be a better book for the younger teens - a 12-14 age range perhaps, but, although I thought it was a good book, I wasn't really exstatic about it - but maybe that's just me! So don't let that put you off if this is something you're interested in.

  Another thing that came to my attention was that in this book, not much happened really, although it did start to pick up at the end; but when things started to get really interesting and there was more action, it was pretty much the end of the book - but again, that may just be me being an adrenaline junky.

  So, overall, although it wasn't really my thing, it was still a good book and I think it would be great for the age range I previously mentioned.

*** 3/5 stars ***

City Of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare.

  

  Summary:

In this dazzling and long-awaited conclusion to the acclaimed Mortal Instruments series, Clary and her friends fight the greatest evil they have ever faced: Clary's own brother.

Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures out of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell.

The embattled Shadowhunters withdraw to Idris - but not even the famed demon towers of Alicante can keep Sebastian at bay. And with the Nephilim trapped in Idris, who will guard the world against demons?

When one of the greatest betrayals the Nephilim have ever known is revealed, Clary, Jace, Isabelle, Simon, and Alec must flee - even if their journey takes them deep into the demon realms, where no Shadowhunter has set foot before, and from which no human being has ever returned...

Love will be sacrificed and lives lost in the terrible battle for the fate of the word in the thrilling final installment of the classic urban fantasy series The Mortal Instruments!

  So, those of you who have been on tender hooks for the release of this novel will know that it's the final installment of The Mortal Instruments series and that world wide people are going crazy over it - tons and tons of new fans every day; it's even got it's own film version with my beloved Robert Sheehan...

  Anyway, onto the review!

  This book had the unfortunate timing of coming out slap bang in the middle of my exams, so, I have to admit that it was cast aside and abandoned for quite some time, I did start it but wasn't enjoying as much as I should have done and found it a struggle; through no fault of the book, just exams wearing on me.

  But, when my exams were over I sped through this massive 725 page book! I could hardly put it down, as per usual, Cassie blew me away with her magnificent writing skills and broke my heart more than once, I swear I almost had a heart attack near the end of this book!

  I love this world and, yes, I am sad to say goodbye to it, but it was a good clean ending without loose ends, but I must admit, I have got quite a book hangover from it!

  I just couldn't fault it, Cassie has a gift and I would reccomend this series to absolutely anyone who would listen. It will stay in my heart forever.

  *****5/5 stars*****

New back cover of Verboten.

First off; I'd like to appologise for the lack of posts of late, I've been really busy planning the re-release of my book Verboten and have also been going through some icky, boring personal drama that commanded my attention.

  But, I bare news! The new cover (all of it) of Verboten is complete! And the date for the front cover to be released is set to be the 13th of July, as, due to the fact it isn't finished in editing, I unfortunately cannot release the full book on that day, but I will keep you posted with it though and let you know as soon as I know the exact date it will be re-released.

  Also, I've been away and haven't been up to my usual reviewing habits purely due to the sheer size of City Of Heavenly Fire, although I'm 100 pages from finishing so the review for that will be up shortly!

  So, here it is, the new back cover of my pride and joy, Verboten...