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*****

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 *****

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*****

Branded (A Sinners Series #1) by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki.

Summary:

Fifty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best. 
Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home. 

Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain. 

Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.

The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me. 
I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter. 
My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.

  So I had the privilege to recieve a copy of Branded to review as part of its blog tour and the best thing I can say to describe this book is simply that it's a definite up and coming best seller.

  I was actually surprised to find out that it wasn't already, this book has all the key elements to be a best seller, plus more! Originality, though, is a major bonus for this book.

  I loved the ideas weilded through this book in a sort of Hitler-ish dictatorship, which, although frightening is a completely plausible turn that the future could take. It was realistic, in the best way, some parts of the book made me uncomfortable; made me cringe, shiver and want to cry, sometimes even all at the same time. But that wasn't a bad thing. I felt involved in the story, even though many of the events featured fortunately hadn't had a personal link to me before; it felt like I was really living in the story.

  The romance was spot on as well - I have a thing against 'soppy' romance, although it usually depends on my mood - it felt like it was the real deal, and you felt as the characters did towards both of them; I fell in love with most of the characters in this book; the rest I despised, but for good reason!

  I've never seen nor read anything like this before even though it's a genre that I am distinctly familiar with, and that itself should deserve this book a number one rank.

  It's written beautifully aswell although, like with all books, there are one or two typos, it's very common and I personally know how easy it is to miss the little things, but the typos didn't at all affect the flow of the writing, so that was another plus.

  If I'm being honest, I really couldn't find a fault to this book, and sometimes I can be really picky but I honestly did love it - through and through.

  It actually made it into my favourite series, just behind Jana Oliver and The Demon Trappers, yet in front of The Hunger games, Divergent, The Mortal instruments and The Infernal Devices. And seen as all of the above are best sellers and all (except The Demon Trappers) have movie adaptions, it's not that hard to predict where Branded is headed.

 I will eagerly be awaiting on the sequel to this book and look forward to buying my very own physical copy because, just look at the cover!

  Truly a brilliant book.

  

  *****5/5 stars*****

Sorrowline by Niel Bushnell

Summary:

Twelve-year-old Jack Morrow is used to life being complicated. His mother died five years ago, and his father is now headed for prison. But then Jack discovers he's a Yard Boy - someone with the ability to travel through Sorrowlines, the channels that connect every gravestone with the date of the person's death - and he is quickly pulled into an adventure beyond anything he could have possibly imagined.

Finding himself in 1940s war-torn London, with his then-teenage grandfather, Davey, Jack soon realises that his arrival in the past has not gone unnoticed. The evil forces of a secret world are determined to find him - and to find out all he knows.

As Jack struggles to survive, he comes ever closer to unlocking the dark secret at the heart of his family, and to - just maybe - changing his own destiny . . .

Pure brilliance.

Every word of this book captivated my attention from the very beggining - even if I wasn't the target audience I absolutely loved it and I would most definitely reccommend it for people from 12-15, even though it's a middle grade book I feel it has the potential to hold many a readers attention.

I don't know why I haven't heard about it sooner, it's written beautifully and the plot line is very cleverly put together - I know that I personally would never be able to write about time travel, I find it difficult to wrap my mind around.

I absolutely love this book and would most definitely reccomend it.

Go get your copy now - go go go!

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

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sorrowline-Timesmith-Chronicles-Niel-Bushnell/dp/1849395233