Evershade by Alexia Purdy.

Summary:

Ever Shade A dark twist on faeries. For Shade, a chance meeting with a powerful Teleen faery warrior who wields electrical currents and blue fires along his skin, has her joining him on a treacherous mission for the good Seelie Faerie Court across the land of Faerie. Magic and malice abound and nothing is what it really seems to be. The evil Unseelie Queen and her treacherous allies are around every corner as Shade makes her way across the breathtaking landscapes of the world of Faerie, which exists alongside the mundane human world. Shade discovers her own uncharted magic and meets some of the most powerful warriors in Faerie while battling evil dryads, conniving Teleen guards and challenges on her life with every step in a world where nothing can be taken for granted. 

I'm going to approach this particular review I'm going to use a bad news - good news structure because in my personal opinion, although it wasn't a train reck and I didn't absolutely hate it, I feel that this book still needs a lot of work.

Regarding the writing, it's got an alright style but it has no wow factor. It doesn't make me think 'this is a book to lose sleep over'. To me it feels a bit clumsy and wooden and, in a sense, inexperienced. I guess the best way to put it is that it feels like a first draft. Which, actually isn't a bad thing, because issues like this can be fixed with some editing and going back over the book to give it a little bit of TLC. Despite that it's a good first draft. Unfortunately there's a difference between a good draft and a good novel.

Also, the character development is seriously lacking throughout the book. I feel like the characters don't at all feel like real people. They seem a bit like bad actors performing a new TV series that they pull the plug on after one season. The reactions given by the characters also were unrealistic and as a reader I felt a bit confused as to where they are at. At the beggining of the novel Shade has no disbelief for the fact that a strange man who has broken into an abandoned warehouse was shooting lightning out of his fingers and a women just simply upped and flew away; she holds no fear, no shock and all that is well and good but then within a few pages we see her change from this nonchalant reaction to disbelieving that faeries exist and acting shocked at the revelation when she'd just seen, first hand, a man turn into lightning and wasn't even that bothered by it. 

These things I felt made it hard to read.

But, despite this, I feel that the premise has promise and that the plot isn't actually that bad. Although the book didn't inspire me, it was entertaining and I felt that if it was just tweeked slightly here and there and built upon the foundation that the author has already built, it has the potential to become a great novel and one that I could enjoy beggining to end.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

3/5 stars.

Charming by Krystal Wade.

They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and that's great . . . as long as you don't die. 

Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Haley Tremaine had it all: top-notch school, fantastic family, and a bright future, but all of that changed when an accident tore her family apart. Now, an alcoholic father, a bitter younger sister, and a cold headstone bearing her mother’s name are all she has left.

Chris Charming has it all: a powerful CEO for a father, a prestigious school, and a fortune at his fingertips, but none of that matters when he lands a reputation as a troublemaker. Struggling to follow in his father’s footsteps, he reaches out to the one person he believes truly sees him, the one person he wants: Haley.

Little do they know someone's determined to bring the two together, even if it means murder.

So, as you've probably noticed from the lack of reviews lately, I've been in a slight reading slump. Which really, really sucked. It was really a result of lack of time due to college and the fact that I just couldn't get into the stories I read.

But Charming, well, Charming brought me out of that slump and now all I want to do is read and read and read until I can read no more.

This book is a really emotional book, from the very beggining it makes you feel. And cry...just a little...okay a lot. I could never imagine having to go through the things the main character, Haley, has to go through and it honestly pains me to see such a strong, kind girl who deserves the very best of life to have to suffer through things that no living thing on this earth should ever have to go through. It really does make you wonder about your own life and really made, me at least, thankful for the life I've been given. These are real problems that are out there and it really breaks my heart that this horror is actually someone's reality. And that's what makes you connect with the book on a personal level. It's all real, even though it's not. It feels real, the characters are perfectly constructed and deeply developed. What I guess I'm trying to say is that this books character development is a masterpiece.

I just cannot fault Charming. I was craving a horror and a horror I did get and I sped through this book until I reached the very end, which, I'd just like to add, was absolutely perfect. I fell in love with all the characters...well, except for a couple, but that's a given! Antagonists are just not made to be liked!

Overall I'd just like to say I absolutely loved this book, this masterpiece, this brilliant piece of writing. And can we have a moment to praise Chris freaking Charming. Yes please.

A definite five out of five stars.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Everneath by Brodi Ashton.

Ever yours.

Summary:

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she’s returned—to her old life, her family, her boyfriend—before she’s banished back to the underworld . . . this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance—and the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s just one problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen.

As Nikki’s time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s queen.

Wow.

I think I need a minute after this one...or a century...more like a century.

What a book!

This novel really gripped me from the first page, I really wanted...no, needed to understand what was going on. The structure of this novel truly was brilliant and made us as the reader have to anticipate, drawing from the tension of digression to always keep you on edge.

I loved every second of this book.

Over the past year I've been trying to branch out and try new and different genres of books that I honestly never thought I'd enjoy, and I have been loving it, but I didn't realise how much I missed a good dark romance. It's like this genre is my home. I love it.

I also loved the characters in this book and the way the author creates mixed feelings for each and every one. And the concept was absolutely fantastic; so well thought out and carefully pieced together like a puzzle.

And can I just say that I absolutely adore the cover! I'm a confessed cover buyer and this beauty is what drawed me in. It's absolutely gorgeous.

And I have to say I truly didn't expect that ending. Not at all.

Oh my, I need the next book.

Right now.

I need it.

I had no hesitation giving this book a big five stars. Five stars that it deserves.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Love Of The Undefined by Amelia Carter.

'I gave her a look that could have caramelised a creme brûlée'

Summary:

Louise is an average 16 year old girl. Well, almost. She eats a lot, sleeps a lot and has sarcasm listed as her second language. She is also a lover of chicken kievs, but that's beside the point. There's just one thing that set's her apart from others. Issues. Lots and lots of issues. Oh, and a stalker who claims he's going to teach her how to love herself. Sweet sixteen, huh? Where did that phrase ever come from.

Yes everyone, that is me up there along next to the title of my new book, Love of the Undefined.

I poured my heart and soul into this book, so you can image my dissapoint meant when publisher after publisher declined my submission. It even got to the point where I'd submitted to the last publisher in the UK that accepted unsolicited manuscripts, who also declined aswell.

I was about to give up, but my friends and family persuaded me not to let it get me down, so I didn't.

I self published!

Again...

But, this time I decided to set the price as....drum roll please....free!!

I was never in it for the money, I just want people to read my work, the feeling I get every time someone enjoys my book is indescribable. It's only currently available as an Ebook but if it does well I'll be releasing it also as a paperback!

I was absolutely amazed when in under 24 hours I'd reached 50 sales and already had reviews coming in of 5 stars. 50 might not seem a lot, but when you've been self published and find yourself lucky to get one sale a day, 50 is, well, a lot!

And today (under three days after publication) I surpassed the next mile stone of 100 sales.

If you do decide to read my book, be sure to let me know what you thought and don't forget to add it to your goodreads!!!

Love of the Undefined: http://www.lulu.com/shop/amelia-carter/love-of-the-undefined/ebook/product-21991596.html

May the odds ever be in your favour.

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner.

                                                               Phase Two.

                                                              The Scorch Trials.

                                                              There are no rules.

                                                              There are no guidelines.

                                                              Make it or die.

Summary:

Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles. No more variables. And no more running. Thomas was sure that escape meant he and the Gladers would get their lives back. But no one really knew what sort of life they were going back to.

In the Maze, life was easy. They had food, and shelter, and safety... until Teresa triggered the end. In the world outside the Maze, however, the end was triggered long ago.

Burned by sun flares and baked by a new, brutal climate, the earth is a wasteland. Government has disintegrated—and with it, order—and now Cranks, people covered in festering wounds and driven to murderous insanity by the infectious disease known as the Flare, roam the crumbling cities hunting for their next victim... and meal.

The Gladers are far from finished with running. Instead of freedom, they find themselves faced with another trial. They must cross the Scorch, the most burned-out section of the world, and arrive at a safe haven in two weeks. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.

Thomas can only wonder—does he hold the secret of freedom somewhere in his mind? Or will he forever be at the mercy of WICKED?

No, I am still not, nor will I ever be over the feels of this book.

What even was that?

I can't quite tell whether that ending was pure genious or pure torture.

So, as you will know from my previous review of The Maze Runner, the first book in this series (you can check that out here if you're interested:  ) this series was off to a great start. Botth baffled and amazed by the first books pure genious I thought that it couldn't get any better - boy was I proven wrong.

This book was both fast paced and kept me hooked from page one. The whole way through it I always found myself admiring it's cleverness and the outstandingly creative way that everything fits together like a puzzle.

I thought that it couldnt get any worse for the gladers - that at least things would make a little bit more sense, but instead they were thrown into even more chaos and confusion than The Maze! Not to mention that this book left even ME more confused than the last.

Strangely, that feel of unknowing makes me love the book even more, makes my brain attempt to grasp at loose straws to try and figure it all out.

I just can't name one fault in this book; beautifully written with a killer of a story.

5 stars all the way.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My Top Ten Books of 2014.

  

So, I'd like to start off this post by saying happy new year! I would also like to appologise for my recent lack of posting - I haven't been lazy, I promise, I've just been in a major reading (and writing) slump, that I have only just recently come out of.

I promise that I will begin posting again soon as I have just started up a new fashion and beauty blog called Mangled Beauty with my best friend in which a schedule was forced upon me and effectively gave me a kick up the bum, so I hope to put the skills I have learnt to good use on here.

[ just a side note, if you would like to see our new blog the link is here:

www.mangledbeautyy.blogspot.co.uk ]

Anyway, what better to get my blog reactive than a new year! Hope this ones a good one and here below is a list (in no particular order) of my top ten books of 2014 along with reasons why they are awesome. Enjoy.

1. The Programme.

This book has made its way into one of my favourites. Fast paced with a dystopian world which is surprisingly, and scarily plausible, its mixture of action and suspense makes for a truly awesome read. I am proud to be a fan of this book and can't wait to buy the sequel when I next find myself with money.

[ link to my review of this book: http://dontberuderead.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/the-program-by-suzanne-young.html ]

2. The Maze Runner.

I steered away from this book for too long, taking it from stereotypical face value and thinking that it would be a book for young boys that I myself wouldn't enjoy. Boy was I wrong. I'm so glad I decided to have a peak at the trailer for the movie (which showed me how incredibly awesome it was) because that was what drove me to run to the shops to buy the book. Such an interesting concept and I loved the character development also.

[ link to my review of this book: http://dontberuderead.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/the-maze-runner-by-james-dashner.html ]

3. Breathe.

This was a recent read for me (meaning I finished it last night) and this is the book that brought me from my reading slump. Hallelujah. I honestly sped through this book, readng it in a day and a half. If I had to describe my first thoughts of the beggining of the book it would be major love triangle! Actually maybe square would be a better term. Anyway, that wasn't all there was to this book, this held complexity on so many levels and I loved the way how everything was intricately and cleverly put together. An outstanding book that you should all read.

4. Gone.

Another book I stupidly avoided so long and ended up kicking myself when I realised what I had been missing. This book kept me hooked from start to finish and had me questioning why? at every corner. I just had to know what was going on, anbd as you can imagine, this landed me with more than a few sleepless nights (woopsie). I can't wait to read the rest of this series in 2015.

5. The Moment Collector.

I'm not usually one for mystery books, or sad books for that matter and although this one held both, I still found myself falling in love. This book is what I like to call 'imperfectly perfect'. The characters aren't perfect, you don't find yourself always agreeing with them, or always loving them the whole way through, even if they aren't villians. But, even so, this book still finds a way to riggle into your heart, even if you have to give a few days...weeks...months, to get over. Nope, I'm still not over it.

[ link to my review of this book: http://dontberuderead.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/the-moment-collector-by-jodi-lynn_25.html ]

6. Slated.

This book kept popping up in all of my feeds with high reccomendations everywhere, and when I saw the gorgeous cover (I have a thing about eyes) I just knew that I had to buy it. I still remember reading this vividly because I had to stay at my aunties for a few days as my parents went away (and took my dog with them...believe me, it was torture) and Slated was my book of choice. I sped through this book in 2-3 days (trust me, when you have college, a few days IS speeding through a book) and I loved every second of it. I was totally hooked on this one and I'm sure you'll be too!

7. Don't Let Go.

Another romance, I know! What was with me this year! Anyway, this is a real heart warmer and I was just in the mood for a really contemporary romance that wasn't for teens. I absolutely loved this book and although I was worried that perhaps I was too young an audience for this book, I was very quickly proven wrong. A truly lovely romance that coulkd most definitely make a grown man cry.

[link to my review of this book: http://dontberuderead.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/don-let-go-by-sharla-lovelace.html ]

8. The Revealed.

I absolutely loved this book. Again a completely different concept (it never ceases to amaze me how so many stories are out there, all different from one another) that is so cleverly put together to keep you on you're toes. This book actually proved to be very different from my initial thoughts and manages to change course drastically part way through which was a thrill. This one is definitely one to put on your wishlist.

[ link to my review of this book: http://dontberuderead.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/the-revealed-by-jessica-hickam.html ]

9. The Fault In Our Stars.

Yes, I have to admit, at first I did avoid this book due to the massive hype surrounding it. I was also pretty touchy about the subject of cancer so, for too long a time, I acted like it was the plague turned paperback. But, finally, I gave in and decided to give it a read after I got so many reccomendations from too many people. I love it. It's an absolutely beautiful book and although it made me cry I will cherish it forever. This is one to stay in your heart.

10. Divergent.

Divergent was another that took me a while to give in to. Sometimes I just have too much pride for my own good. But, I'm glad that I did, these books, though evil, have such a great plot line that I can almost forgive what Veronica Roth did. Almost, but no cigar. And no, I don't care that some people think that dystopians are 'getting old'. A dystopian is like Peter Pan, it NEVER grows old. I will always love dystopians and what you say about that is irrelevent because I am divergent and I cannot be controlled.

I hope you all enjoyed hearing about my top ten books of 2014 and I'm sure you all have a fantastic year ahead of you!

*Salutes four fingers into the air*

May the odds ever be in your favour.

Fallen Souls (Realm Of The Claimed Prequel) by Linda Foster.

Summary:

Ash never thought going to a party could be dangerous. He certainly never thought it would change his life. But when a man with red eyes begins following him – and his sister – he realizes he was wrong. Soon they’re running, leading the man on a desperate chase over icy roads.

When Ash crashes his car, nearly killing his sister, the red-eyed man offers Ash a choice – save his sister, but pay the highest price possible. Bring Grace back to life, at the cost of his own soul.

Suddenly, Ash is facing a choice he never sought. But will he use that choice to save his sister? And if he does … what will it mean for Ash himself?

***


Someone has started a revolution in Heaven, his betrayal and lies tearing the fabric of the angels apart. Things are coming quickly to a head, and before long the angels will find themselves at war … with each other. Friends and allies will turn against each other, each choosing their own side of right and wrong.

If that happens, the world as they know it will end.

It's up to Kali, protector of angels and humans, to stop the treachery before war breaks out and peace is shattered forever. But how far is she willing to go to save the lives of the angels? Will she turn against her own dearest friend to save her world?
And if she does … will anything be left for her to come home to?

This novella contains two short story as a foundation, building up to the first book in the series, Soul Bound.

The first section of the novella, Condemned really caught my attention; strange men with red eyes? Something wasn't right. It really set up a tense atmosphere although, I'd like to say, this story was completely unpredictable and really managed to shock me.

It really made me want to know more, see what happens next and set off questions and thoughts that I'm sure will be satisfied in the first book. This whole novella has very much got the feel of 'background story' and this was a very positive effect on the book.

The second section, Fallen, although quite different from the first story, still carried across some of the characters first mentioned in Condemned, such as Seraphine, giving some extra knowledge that works as a kind of consecration of the first story.

In fallen, I especially really liked the use of stories told in religion as a foundation, and I know, some of you will be thinking 'time to steer clear of this book', but for some of you who aren't a big fan of religious books, like me, don't panic! It plays on the story of how lucifer fell from heaven and adds some awesome twists that I could never have dreamed of. The whole premise of the ideas Foster creates is honestly brilliant, I love it.

Overall I loved this book and feel it's a great set up for a great series.

As soon as I can I shall be buying Soul Bound.

**** 4.5/5 stars ****

Anathema by Megg Jenson.

Summary:

Reychel is a slave girl surrounded by magic, lies, and manipulation. Her best friend disappears in the middle of the night leaving Reychel to face her fifteenth birthday, the day her master burns his brand into the back of her bald head, alone. 

Sheltered from the outside world and without any hope for escape, can Reychel learn to believe in herself?

                                        'FORGET PROPHECY, MAKE YOUR OWN DESTINY'

  This book intrigued me; A hella rad cover? Talk of Prophets? Young adult? Yes please! But, I was actually kind of dissapointed in this book, although I could still see the attraction to it for others - perhaps pre-teens could enjoy it? Which was a shame because usually I thoroughly enjoy books of all genres for all ages.

  But, saying that, I DID enjoy this book to some extent, just not quite as much as others I've read.

  The plot-line was intriguing, although could be predictable, yet I still found myself wanting answers and wondering about things which added to the reasons why it wasn't a bust of a book for me - you know the ones? Where you just cannot read anymore and eventually have to slam it shut in frustration.

   It's quite quick paced and doesn't have many, if at all, sections that are just not needed that cause drag in the story (bookish buffering), which is a real skill this author shows as too many books I read have that issue far too often but, I still felt that the writing was a little bit wooden and felt a bit choppy in sections - but, with that in mind, perhaps a different, younger age group would see that in a completely different light? Who knows? But for me, it dragged the story down a grade.

  Again, this is just my personal opinion, maybe it was the quick to love theme that put me off enjoying this book too much, but I remember that I used to like that sort of thing when I was younger so maybe I've grown up too much (god damnit).

  That being said, it was still a good book - I know there are quite a few critisms in this review but that doesn't mean this is a 'bad book', it's quite the contrary actually! It was an enjoyable, light read and I think I may actually look out for the next installment - see where this goes. 

  *** 3/5 stars***

The Moment Collector by Jodi Lynn Anderson.

Summary:

"The yard of this house is a graveyard of moments and everything left behind is a clue. And I am here to dig."

There's a ghost haunting 208 Water Street. She doesn't know who she was, or why she's still here. She does know that she is drawn to Maggie, the new girl in town, and her friends - beautiful, carefree Pauline and Liam, the boy who loves her.

But the ghost isn't all that's lurking in Gill Creek... Someone is killing young girls all across the county. Can the ghost keep these three friends safe? Or does she have another purpose?

                                                     'IT'S DANGEROUS TO BE YOUNG.'

This.

Book.

Broke. 

Me.

  If you know me, you'll be aware that I'm rarely an emotional person, but oh my goodness, this book stuck a dagger in my heart and twisted. You have to prepare yourself for this one. It's a biter, I tell you.

  I've got to say though that there are a few mistakes here and there, but I also know from personal experience that they are clearly just typos and actually didn't affect my reading of the novel at all. Also, the beggining was a bit slow for me, but by the end I realised that it helped build the tension and, again, wasn't a major issue at all.

  The story line, although frustrating at times and makes me want to bash my head against the wall repeatedly in anger and despair, is actually brilliant and clever and I loved the unique point of view changes we get - switching from the protagonist, Maggie, to the mysterious ghost.

  I absolutely loved this book even though it made me cry. A lot. And I never cry. But yeah, just trying not to think about it. Deep breaths. 

  Jeez, this is gonna be a hard one to get over.

  Tragically beautiful.

 

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

  

Darkness by Erin Eveland.

Summary:

One Girl. One Boy. And the Masters of Darkness. See the Shadow Creatures. They are everywhere. But you can't run from the shadows or the Masters who control them.

Catherine has been born with a supernatural power called Darkness. The Masters of Darkness have found her and it's just a matter of time before someone claims her.

An Interactive Novel
A QR Code starts the beginning of each chapter connecting the reader to specific art or music that ties into the mood and setting of the novel. Using the quick response code in print and eBook formatting, Darkness incorporates visual and sound to heighten the reading experience.

  The first thing I'm going to do is point out the obvious - this book, as the title infers, is indeed dark, and when I say dark, I mean DARK.

  Every possible hurrendous thing you can think of that can happen to a girl in her teens has happened to Catherine, and to top it all off, she's dragged into matters to do with a dark, possible perceived as evil, force called 'Darkness', something she never asked for, nor wanted.

  This book is brilliantly written and is actually quite frightening in places. It's a very dreary novel, but not in a bad way - it has an atmosphere running from start to finish that feels quite murky; not sadness or anger but more a mood of hopelessness.

  I also quite like the idea of the interactive side of this book, although I didn't really participate in that side of it that often myself, but I could see what it was trying to achieve and thought it was a new and innovative idea.

  And can I just make a quick mention that I sincerely hope there is going to be a sequel to this book...you can't just leave it like that! It's not good for the soul.

  Great read!

**** 4/5 stars ****

The Maze Runner by James Dashner.

Summary:

When the lift cranks open, the only think Thomas remembers is his first name. But he's not alone - an army of boys welcomes him to the Glade, an encampment at the centre of a terrible maze. The Gladers have no idea why they're there, or what's happened to the world outside. And following the arrival of a girl with a message, they must find a way out - or die.

                                                   'DAY ONE GREENIE. RISE AND SHINE.'

  From the very first page I was hooked. And when I say hooked, I mean HOOKED. Many nights I shed a tear from sleep deprivation just for that one more chapter; one more page; one more sentence. This book turned me into a readaholic, and I loved every minute of it.

  I can officially say this screwed with my head more than once and I found myself trying to solve it all along with the characters. I wanted to know more; no, scratch that I NEEDED to know more. With beautiful torture this book withheld all the answers I was dying to know and though it made me rather frustrated, it also made me love it all the more.

  This is the definition of a clever book.

  The idea was amazing and followed through perfectly. It was written well and not once did I find myself bored or having to re-read paragraphs over again. The Maze Runner has climbed it's way up to my top 3 (within series) and I'm literally twitching because I've yet to buy the rest of the series.

  This has left me with a whopper of a bookhangover, I can tell you that.

  I think it's pretty obvious as to what the ratings going to be.

  ***** 5/5 stars *****

The Pointless Book by Alfie Deyes.

Summary:

Brought to you by YouTube Vlogger Alfie Deyes, The Pointless Book, accompanied by the free downloadable app, is the ultimate addition to his YouTube channel a weird & funny video-diary of fun, challenges and nothingness: bake a cake in a mug; take part in a people-watching challenge; create a time capsule; diarise a week of your life and learn to make origami. Fully illustrated and packed with a host of games, activities and pranks, Alfie invites you to join his online following as he challenges you to complete your journal of pointlessness and do virtually nothing with pride.

  When I bought this book I had no idea what to expect, and what I found was actually a pleasant surprise! 

  I'd heard about another book called 'Wreck this Journal' a while ago when there was a big hype around it from many of my friends but never seemed interested in it myself. The idea of disfiguring a book just really seemed horrifying to me.

  But, strangely enough, I absolutely loved doing all the activities in The Pointless book!

  The Pointless Book is basically a book filled with a ton of pointless (yet still awesomely fun!) activities for you to fill in, participate and in some cases, do as you please! This book is basically yours to do as you wish (oh, the power! *insert evil laugh*) and although you may not want to participate in all of the activities, there are plenty there to choose from, so, if you wish, you can be picky.

  The other thing I love about this book is the interactive factor - the app you can download to accompany the book. You can scan it on some of the pages and see what Alfie wrote for his, and even watch videos of him participating in the books activities, which is really entertaining and fun to do.

  So, while this book may be pointless, it definitely doesn't fall short of a source of entertainment.

  Brilliant concept which I thoroughly enjoyed.

  

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

  

Timesmith by Niel Bushnell.

Summary:

Thirteen -year-old Jack Morrow is haunted by the past. 

For Jack is a Timesmith, someone with the ability to travel through Sorrowlines, the channels that connect every gravestone with the date of the person's death.

Desperate to help his family Jack finds himself in a secret world deep under the streets of 1940's London. Hunted by the undead knights of the Paladin Jack must find the fabled lost sword of Durendal before it can be used to resurrect the Paladin's evil master, Rouland.

Separated from his friends Jack is forced into an uneasy alliance with Hilda, a strange girl with a hidden past. Together they must find their way through the treacherous underground city of Ealdwyc and stop Rouland's return. Jack's future, and that of his entire family depends on it.

  I was originally sent this book for review and was oblivious to the fact that it was the second book in the series (total face palm moment) and quickly had to recover and buy the first book, Sorrowline, as fast as I could.

  Now, if you follow my reviews, (if you don't then there's been a hole missing in your life - ta-da you just found it!) then you will be aware that I absolutely loved Sorrowline, fantastic book, that, although I wasn't exactly the age range, as this is a middle grade book, I still enjoyed and didn't feel at all as if it was too young for me or anything like that. I eased into the story straight away and was hooked from start to finish.

  Timesmith, the sequel to the book, followed in its footsteps and didn't dissapoint at all. Again it had a thrilling plot line to keep you on your toes, it was beautifully written and well thought out, and, again, just as Sorrowline had, the end left me wanting more.

  I will definitely be keeping up with this series and this author. This book would be perfect for 13/14 year olds + and it's definitely one of my favourite middle grade series's.

  First class book.

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

Talented (#1) by Sophie Davis.

Summary:

Block it out. Impossible for Talia Lyons. When you’re a Mind Manipulator, it’s hard enough to block the thoughts of others, let alone your own.

Block it out. The pounding, siren-ready world Talia inhabits as she trains with her fellow Hunters, the country's top-secret covert operatives. The physical demands. The emotional toll.

Block it out. The secrets that Talia’s boyfriend is hiding. Talia’s unbidden feelings of frustration and annoyance toward her teammate, the Casanova of the compound. The wondering why she cares what he thinks.

Block him out. Ian Crane. The man behind the bloodshed marring Talia’s memories of her murdered parents. The man she’s determined to kill.

Block it all out. Focus.

Talented is an emotionally raw Dystopian Romance, about the life of a girl with extraordinary psychic powers, and what happens when a heart is torn between love and rage.

  For me, I felt that the beggining of this book was hard to read - I felt really disconnected from the characters and it suffered from description overkill - but, when it got more into the story and the plot solidified I began to quite enjoy it.

  Slowly, but surely, after that first period of awkwardness I felt, I started to create a connection with the protagonist - Talia - and some of the other characters also, such as Henri and Erick. I really did feel for her and this was when I really began to get into the book.

  That's when it gets exciting and we see how amazing the plot is! Invigorating and exhilarating I sped through the rest of the book in a few hours and it left me craving more. I grew to love some of the characters and hate others - and that ending...THAT ENDING! I just need the second book now.

  So although there were some issues with over description in the writing, the book was structurally sound and made for a really enjoyable read!

  I'll be waiting eagerly for the next installment of this series!

  ****4/5 stars****

Briar Rose by Jana Oliver.

Summary:

For Briar Rose, life is anything but a fairy tale. She's stuck in a small town in deepest Georgia with parents who won't let her out of their sight, a bunch of small-minded, gossiping neighbours and an evil ex who's spreading nasty rumours about what she may or may not have done in the back of his car. She's tired of it all, so when, on her sixteenth birthday, her parents tell her that she is cursed and will go to sleep for a hundred years when the clock strikes midnight, she's actually kind of glad to leave it all behind. She says her goodbyes, lies down, and closes her eyes . . . And then she wakes up. Cold, alone and in the middle of the darkest, most twisted fairy tale she could ever have dreamed of. Now Briar must fight her way out of the story that has been created for her, but she can't do it alone. She never believed in handsome princes, but now she's met one her only chance is to put her life in his hands, or there will be no happy ever after and no waking up.

  So, if you follow my posts frequently or have even had a little insight into my favourite books, you will know that Jana Oliver, being the author of The Demon Trappers series, is in fact my all time favourite author. And although I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as The Demon Trappers, she still didn't fail me and this was definitely a great read in my opinion.

  I loved the creativity and the idea on the whole of this book - it was a definite twist to the tale of 'Sleeping Beauty' and I loved how different it was from the original tale.

  Although I did struggle with some sections of this book, overall it was a fairly nice read and, at times, easy to get through; it has only taken me so long due to the fact I've been mega super busy lately and I just haven't found myself with time to read, really.

  But on the whole this book was well written with a solid plot line and if you love YA (who doesn't) then I'd definitely recommend you pick this book up off the shelves at your next visit to waterstones.

  ****4/5 stars****

Eren by Simon P. Clark.

Summary:

People are keeping secrets from Oli - about where his father is, and why he hasn't come to join them at his uncle's house in the country.

But Oli has secrets too.

He knows what lives in the attic. Eren - part monster, part dream, part myth. Eren who always seems so interested, who always wants to hear more about Oli's life. Eren, who needs to hear stories to live, and will take them from Oli, no matter the cost.

  

  So, to start off with, I'd just like to say that if I'd have to summarise this book myself without a blurb, I just wouldn't be able to do it! It's such a strange tale, that you couldn't really explain what was happening - plus, you'd probably have a different interpretation from another reader, which is one of the reasons why I loved this book.

  When I first begun this story, it reminded me a lot of 'Skellig' which I read some years ago for English, yet still enjoyed ( which is very rare when I'm made to read a book for lessons ) but, this book was so wonderfully weird that I don't even think you can really label a genre on it - I think it's one of those books literally anyone can enjoy.

  The writing was impeccable, and easy to read and I absolutely loved that it also included illustrations! Although I am most definitely not a child anymore, I do really really love when they encompass drawings into a novel without them being childish - I don't know why but it just makes it all the more exciting to read.

  This book really paints a picture I think, I could actually see the characters and really clearly form them in my mind, and each page I read I was eager to gobble up some more, to find out all the answers to the questions that were buzzing around my mind.

  

  I think this book is going to certainly fly off the shelves, especially with the fantastical cover! 

  A real page turner with just a sprinkle of absurdity to peak your interest till the very end.

  *****5/5 stars*****

Doll Bones by Holly Black.

Summary: 

Zach, Poppy and Alice have been friends for ever. They love playing with their action figure toys, imagining a magical world of adventure and heroism. But disaster strikes when, without warning, Zach’s father throws out all his toys, declaring he’s too old for them. Zach is furious, confused and embarrassed, deciding that the only way to cope is to stop playing . . . and stop being friends with Poppy and Alice. But one night the girls pay Zach a visit, and tell him about a series of mysterious occurrences. Poppy swears that she is now being haunted by a china doll – who claims that it is made from the ground-up bones of a murdered girl. They must return the doll to where the girl lived, and bury it. Otherwise the three children will be cursed for eternity . . .

This was a lovingly light read that I think would be fit for both a younger and an older audience!

  Although I have heard of Holly Black many times previous to this book, I just haven't had a chance to read any of her books yet (probably because my TBR pile has grown taller than me! Yikes!) this book definitely gave me a great first impression and I will definitely be buying some of her other works.

  This book was interesting and a definite page turner and it was the most unique ghost story I've read in a long long long time, and, if you've read my other reviews, you'll have seen that originality is something that I look out for when reading a book.

  I loved the writing style - it was easy to read and I never once got bored, or tired of it, I just wanted to carry on reading right through to the very ending - although, of course the need for sleep sadly prevented that.

  The character development was also very intricately put together in this book as we kind of see the different perspectives of growing up and we also see significant change in all three of the characters by the end of their quest.

  The plot was well thought out - I have to just point out that I love the back story to it all! - and kept me  wanting to learn more from start to finish.

  This truly was a wonderful story.

 

  *****5/5 stars*****

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfield.

Summary:

Darcy Patel has put college and everything else on hold to publish her teen novel, Afterworlds. Arriving in New York with no apartment or friends she wonders whether she's made the right decision until she falls in with a crowd of other seasoned and fledgling writers who take her under their wings… 

Told in alternating chapters is Darcy's novel, a suspenseful thriller about Lizzie, a teen who slips into the 'Afterworld' to survive a terrorist attack. But the Afterworld is a place between the living and the dead and as Lizzie drifts between our world and that of the Afterworld, she discovers that many unsolved - and terrifying - stories need to be reconciled. And when a new threat resurfaces, Lizzie learns her special gifts may not be enough to protect those she loves and cares about most.

  So, first off, I have to say that I preffered this book by a ton to Scott Westerfields previous work, Uglies. Although it didn't completely grab my attention at times, I never thought it was actually boring, like I did with Uglies. So, there's a plus.

  I was very excited to read this book, especially with the main protagonist being a young author herself, I thought that I would click and connect with her straight away - and I was correct. I loved the fact that there were two stories in this book - and part of a third (Pyromancer) - but, despite this, it still meant that it became quite a lengthy novel and I thought it was quite heavy - you know, like when you eat a slice of cake and it's so good but it's also really hard to finish? That's what this was like, and I guess, if I'd have been more relaxed whilst reading it, I might have had a different opinion; but I guess it's all a matter of taste.

  That being said though, I found no other faults in this book; it was written impeccably, the story flowed brilliantly with the plot clearly well thought out and, though complicated, understandable. I also loved how, rather than just one, we got two, and part of a third, if you count the start of 'Pyromancer' stories, and how, in Darcy's world, and in some cases Lizzies, Westerfield managed to keep it realistic. Oh yeah, he also chucked in a death god for purposes of YA hotness, which is always a bonus!

  So, overall, though this book didn't make it into my favourites, I still enjoyed it and would definitely reccomend it - just make sure you're ready for a long read before you start!

  I really do hope there's going to be a sequel to this book and if there is I'll be at the front of the line waiting to snatch it up.

****4/5 stars****

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

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 *****