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****

New spine for Verboten

So, as most of you should know, me and Ellie have been working on re-creating the cover of Verboten and although it's going slowly it is coming along nicely and it most definitely looks fab so far, but, seen as it's going to be quite a while until I release the full cover, I decided to release a little snippet, or teaser or whatever you want to call it and show you the new spine. I absolutely love it and I hope that you guys do too.

So...

Drum role please.........

TA-DA

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*****