Warning
This is a review for the third book in the Bloodlines series and so may contain spoilers from the previous books.
The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead
Publisher: Penguin
Release: 12th February 2013
Genre: YA, Vampires, Witchcraft, Paranormal Romance
Rating: 5/5 stars
Source: Received from the publisher for review
Goodreads Summary:
"In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next."
Review
Reading any book set in the Vampire Academy/Bloodlines world is like coming home. After years of reading and loving these books the characters are so familiar to me that it’s like catching up with old friends and so each new novel brings a lot of excitement because I can’t wait to slip back into this story.
Straight off the bat I want to say that The Indigo Spell is my favourite of the Bloodlines series so far, and it had a very different feel to it than the previous books in the series. This book takes a step back from the vampire world and that whole plot line and instead focuses on witchcraft and magic as Sydney caves in to her magical calling and starts practising alongside Ms Terwilliger. Sydney’s power brings unwanted attention from Ms Terwilliger’s magic hungry sister Veronica who sucks the magic and life out of her victims leaving them in an aged comatose state from which they never awaken. This book is all about Sydney’s character growth, her coming into her magical abilities, and finding Veronica before she finds her.
With Sydney breaking so many alchemist rules in this book she’s also looking to find a way to get from under the alchemists grasp and so is hunting down a guy named Marcus Finch an ex-alchemist who can help Sydney break away from them and shed light on some of the secrets they’ve kept hidden from her. When I first heard about Marcus I was really worried that a love triangle would develop in this book so I was happy to find that there wasn’t one because I really don’t like love triangles and also couldn’t stand the thought of Adrian being in another one. I’m glad that Richelle decided to give the poor guy a break and I just hope that one doesn’t develop in future books.
What made The Indigo Spell stand apart from the other books in the series was Sydrian. Adrian and Sydney have grown so much since their Vampire Academy days and both characters are at their best in this book. There are so many magical moments between them which would just make my heart melt. This is by far the most romantic book of the series and Sydrian fans will not be disappointed!
Overall although the plot is still not up to the standard of Vampire Academy’s the romance certainly is and that’s what made this book my favourite in the Bloodlines series yet. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for one of my favourite book couples in the next instalment!
Tuesday 26 February 2013
Saturday 23 February 2013
Letterbox Love (21) Book Bloggers Went a Book Buying!
So this week I got kidnapped up to Bakewell for bookish shenanigans with Rach and Ellie *waves*, and when book lovers get together we buy books! I had a lovely day visiting Ellie's bookshop, eating some delicious chocolate crackle in the office, talking books and everything else under the sun and painting Bakewell red nerd style! Raiding the charity shops and discount book shops, we know how to roll people! So of course I got a few bookish goodies that I'll share in this post but first let's get on to review books!
For Review
Geek Girl by Holly Smale - This sounds like such a Jess book!
Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake - Excited to read this sequel to Anna Dressed in Blood.
The Hit by Melvin Burgess (Proof Copy)- This has such an incredible premise, sounds a little like the movie Limitless.
Between the Lines by Tammara Webber - Loved Easy so I'm excited to read this one.
Barely Breathing by Rebecca Donovan - I still need to read the first book but I'm glad to have the sequel on hand!
Pre-Orders
Sever by Lauren DeStefano - The last book! *Le sob*
Bargain Books From Bakewell
Graveminder by Melissa Marr - £2 bargain couldn't resist!
The Book of Summers by Emylia Hall - I've wanted to read this one for such a long time so when I saw it in Ellie's shop I snatched this baby right up!
Pear Shaped by Stella Newman - Another £2 clearance bargain, I've heard good things about this and it's a foodie chick-lit - my favourite kind!
I Heart Vegas by Lindsey Kelk - So I haven't actually started this series yet BUT I have the first 3 books so when I noticed this was £2 I figured why not you know? I'll really have to get on to this series soon.
Bookish Goodies!
Yeah, yeah, I got yet MORE bookmarks, I just can't help myself, I have a problem. I also got this lovely book journal I've had my old one for 5 years now and it's kinda falling apart and I fell in love with this one and it was the last one Ellie had in stock so I bought it with a generous discount from Miss Ellie ;). I also got some Geek Girl swag along with my copy and I've proudly attached the pin to my book bag along with my Nerdfighter pin, Mockingjay pin, and Time Turner Keyring. Coolest. Book Bag. EVER!
E-Books For Review
Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham - Gilmore Girl love!
The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa - EXCITEMENT OVERLOAD!
Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza
The Disgrace of Kitty Grey by Mary Hooper
Towering by Alex Flinn
Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith - This sounds like another Jess book
Severed Heads, Broken Hearts by Robyn Schneider
Parallel by Lauren Miller
That’s it from me for another week! If any of these books have caught your eye and you’d like to find out more about them simply click on the title and the link will take you to Goodreads for a full synopsis, reviews, and to add them to your wishlists. As always thank you to the lovely publishing folk for the review copies. If you’re looking forward to a certain book in particular and want to request a review feel free to in the comments and I’ll do my best to get around to the book sooner rather than later. And if you decided to do a Letterbox Love, Book Haul, IMM, Showcase Sunday, Mailbox Monday or whatever else featuring the books you got this week leave me a link as I’d love to check out your books too! ^_^
Happy reading till next time!
Labels:
Bakewell,
book bloggers,
Book for Review,
Book Haul,
e-books,
Letterbox Love,
Road Trip
Thursday 21 February 2013
Stunning Cover Reveals From Gayle Forman, Lauren Kate, L.A. Weatherly and More!
There has been an abundance of stunning cover reveals lately so I wanted to group together a few of my favourites from authors I love to share with you guys in case you haven't seen them yet so we can fangirl together!
My Thoughts: So at first I was kinda disappointed in this cover. I really wanted a mirror image of the last book with Willem wearing the watch in the cafe and although I still personally think that would make for the BEST cover I'm still a fan of this one. It's beautifully simple and understated like Just One Day and I love the reflections in the window like the last book. Just One Day is my favourite book of 2013 so far so needless to say I can't wait for this one!
My Thoughts: Lauren Kate really lucks out in her book covers. Her Fallen series are some of my favourite book covers ever so her new novel Teardrop had a lot to live up to and whilst it's really different to the Fallen series it's just as beautiful and is probably my favourite cover reveal of this bundle. I adore the colours used, and the magical looking city in the background, but most of all the water dress. HER DRESS IS MADE OUT OF WATER! So stunning.
My Thoughts: Lee's Angel trilogy is my favourite out of the angel series that are out there and I can't wait for this final instalment! Seb joins Alex and Willow on this final cover and he looks very similar to how I imagine him. Like with Teardrop I love the colours used for the background on this one.
My Thoughts: Another final book to one of my favourite series! I'm a huge fan of the Mara Dyer covers. I still remember when I saw the cover for the first book and I was all of a flail over it. The way Noah is clutching Mara and with them hitting the bottom of the water now just seems so fitting for the final book and I absolutely love it!
My Thoughts: I loved Tanya Byrne's Heart-Shaped Bruise and have been eagerly anticipating her next release. I think the cover works really well with this title as it looks like we're following the character into this dark forest. I love the colour of the Autumn leaves framing the image and think the bright orange gives a pop of colour to a gloomy cover whilst still keeping the dark and spooky theme.
These are the covers that have really stood out to me lately and they are all books that I'm really looking forward to being released. Are you loving any of these beauties? Which one is your favourite? I can't wait for them all to be released so that they can look gorgeous on our bookshelves!
Just One Year by Gayle Forman
Teardrop by Lauren Kate
Angel Fever by L.A. Weatherly
The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Follow Me Down by Tanya Byrne
These are the covers that have really stood out to me lately and they are all books that I'm really looking forward to being released. Are you loving any of these beauties? Which one is your favourite? I can't wait for them all to be released so that they can look gorgeous on our bookshelves!
Monday 18 February 2013
Review for The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna
The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna
Publisher: Definitions
Release: 3rd January 2013
Genre: Dystopian, Futuristic, Sci-Fi, Young Adult, UKYA
Rating: 4/5 stars
Source: Received from the publisher for review
But fifteen years of studying never prepared her for this.
Now she must abandon everything she’s ever known – the guardians who raised her, the boy she’s forbidden to love – to move to India and convince the world that Amarra is still alive..."
Review
The Lost Girl is a dystopian with heart and is so emotionally complex and developed. It still has a fascinating futuristic plot, life or death action, and the twists that make dystopian fiction so popular but it’s definitely an emotionally driven read which perhaps will make it appealing to contemporary lovers as well as the dystopian crowd. Being a fan of both genres made this book a winner for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Eva is an Echo. A man made human being who has been made in the image of Amarra a girl she’s never met who lives in India whose parents have had Eva made because they can’t bear the thought of losing their daughter. All her life Eva has been fed information and updates on Amarra so that she can live out her life in a mirror image all in preparation for if Amarra dies an untimely death and she should be called upon to take her place, which is of course what happens in this book.
What makes The Lost Girl such an emotional read is that I felt sorry for every single character in this book. The family that brought Eva up who have to let her go, Amarra’s family for their grief, Amarra for having to share her life and the thought of her being so easily replaced and of course Eva for having to spend her entire life acting like this person when all she wants is to be allowed to be herself. Even though I was always on Eva’s side throughout the book I could understand the other characters actions and felt bad for them too. The laws of the Loom created a lose lose situation for everyone and I loved exploring the issues raised in this book on what makes a person who they are, humanity, the fine line between love death and life, and what remains of a person after they’re gone.
Eva was such a strong heroine who wants so much more from life than living in somebody else’s shadow. The things she had to endure and the way she soldiered on was really admirable making her a fantastic heroine. There are so many characters to love in this book but Lekha, Sean, Nikhil, Mina Ma and of course Eva were my favourites. I especially loved that I loved Matthew - one of the bad guys, I do love a good villain especially one with a soft side!
The Lost Girl is set in both Britain and India. I love reading books based in my own country and Sangu Mandanna’s descriptions of India had me fully imagining the country. The only thing I found a little odd about this book was that England was so advanced as to make actual humans but nothing else about the book was very futuristic at all. It read like a modern day Britain and I found it a little hard to believe that whilst we were reading about a time where man can make people that nothing else seemed to have evolved at all. However I loved everything else about this book so much that this didn’t bother me too much and was more of a niggle than an annoyance.
Overall The Lost Girl was an incredibly moving and thought provoking debut. Although the story wraps up well enough to be a standalone, I loved these characters so much that I would love a sequel if Sangu Mandanna ever wanted to revisit this world.
Publisher: Definitions
Release: 3rd January 2013
Genre: Dystopian, Futuristic, Sci-Fi, Young Adult, UKYA
Rating: 4/5 stars
Source: Received from the publisher for review
Goodreads Summary:
"Eva’s life is not her own. She is a creation, an abomination – an echo. Made by the Weavers as a copy of someone else, she is expected to replace a girl named Amarra, her ‘other’, if she ever died. Eva studies what Amarra does, what she eats, what it’s like to kiss her boyfriend, Ray. So when Amarra is killed in a car crash, Eva should be ready.But fifteen years of studying never prepared her for this.
Now she must abandon everything she’s ever known – the guardians who raised her, the boy she’s forbidden to love – to move to India and convince the world that Amarra is still alive..."
Review
The Lost Girl is a dystopian with heart and is so emotionally complex and developed. It still has a fascinating futuristic plot, life or death action, and the twists that make dystopian fiction so popular but it’s definitely an emotionally driven read which perhaps will make it appealing to contemporary lovers as well as the dystopian crowd. Being a fan of both genres made this book a winner for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Eva is an Echo. A man made human being who has been made in the image of Amarra a girl she’s never met who lives in India whose parents have had Eva made because they can’t bear the thought of losing their daughter. All her life Eva has been fed information and updates on Amarra so that she can live out her life in a mirror image all in preparation for if Amarra dies an untimely death and she should be called upon to take her place, which is of course what happens in this book.
What makes The Lost Girl such an emotional read is that I felt sorry for every single character in this book. The family that brought Eva up who have to let her go, Amarra’s family for their grief, Amarra for having to share her life and the thought of her being so easily replaced and of course Eva for having to spend her entire life acting like this person when all she wants is to be allowed to be herself. Even though I was always on Eva’s side throughout the book I could understand the other characters actions and felt bad for them too. The laws of the Loom created a lose lose situation for everyone and I loved exploring the issues raised in this book on what makes a person who they are, humanity, the fine line between love death and life, and what remains of a person after they’re gone.
Eva was such a strong heroine who wants so much more from life than living in somebody else’s shadow. The things she had to endure and the way she soldiered on was really admirable making her a fantastic heroine. There are so many characters to love in this book but Lekha, Sean, Nikhil, Mina Ma and of course Eva were my favourites. I especially loved that I loved Matthew - one of the bad guys, I do love a good villain especially one with a soft side!
The Lost Girl is set in both Britain and India. I love reading books based in my own country and Sangu Mandanna’s descriptions of India had me fully imagining the country. The only thing I found a little odd about this book was that England was so advanced as to make actual humans but nothing else about the book was very futuristic at all. It read like a modern day Britain and I found it a little hard to believe that whilst we were reading about a time where man can make people that nothing else seemed to have evolved at all. However I loved everything else about this book so much that this didn’t bother me too much and was more of a niggle than an annoyance.
Overall The Lost Girl was an incredibly moving and thought provoking debut. Although the story wraps up well enough to be a standalone, I loved these characters so much that I would love a sequel if Sangu Mandanna ever wanted to revisit this world.
Labels:
4 star review,
Book for Review
Thursday 14 February 2013
The Fault in Our Stars Tour Live: Meeting John and Hank Green
Despite being a book blogger and getting invited to a lot of cool events I’ve never been able to actually attend one with them all being based in London and more importantly me having anxiety and panic attacks over traveling alone. I’ve always said that if I could meet any three authors they would be J.K Rowling, John Green or Richelle Mead, heck meeting any admired author would be fantastic, but these guys would be a dream come true. So when my best friend and fellow Nerdfighter Rachel text me all of a quiver because John Green and his brother Hank were touring the UK and did I want to go? My excitement and the prospect of traveling with a trusted friend far outweighed the anxiety and so we got straight onto booking tickets praying we’d get through to a busy box office and we did! The tickets were booked, the time and place Cadogan Hall, London, February 3rd 2013, 12pm.
The day came around and on the train to London Rach gave me some amazing Nerdfighter birthday presents (it was my birthday the week before) a ‘This Star Won’t Go Out’ bracelet, Nerdfighter Pin and Let it Snow the only John Green book I didn’t own as well as paying for my ticket to the event, needless to say I was spoiled! As our luck would have it our train was delayed by 1 hour so we we’re really worried we’d arrive late and wouldn’t be allowed in. It was a proper Cinderella moment as we flanked a cab and rushed to the other side of London before the clock literally hit 12 o’clock we got there just in time and sat down with moments to spare before John came on stage.
The event itself lasted about an hour or so and was a mixture of John talking about The Fault in Our Stars, Hank singing his wonderfully dorky songs, the brothers teasing each other, answering questions and goofing around like in their Youtube videos. There was also a guest appearance from the wonderful Maureen Johnson who happened to be in London and is an author friend of John’s – as if this day wasn’t perfect enough already! I pretty much stalk John so knew a lot of the answers to the questions he was asked and I found myself mouthing the answers along with him but it was so brilliant to see him talking in the flesh about his incredible book which I already read when it was released in the US last year and loved. Hank sounded amazing live and I had his songs in my head for days after particularly “Accio Deathly Hallows” which is one of my favourites. It was so funny to see John mouthing along to “The Anglerfish Song” in the background; he knew all of the words! Maureen was so much fun and I loved how all of them were just as quick, intelligent, brilliant and funny in real life as how they appear online.
The show ended with us all singing “The Proclaimers- 500 miles” which was an amazing experience. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to listen to that song again without being reminded of that day. I knew from following the Twitter feed from the Swindon event that waiting to meet them could take hours but Rachel and I were determined not to leave the building without meeting our heroes and I think we waited for about an hour and a half which wasn’t all that bad. We passed the time talking with nerdfighters in the toilets and squeeing over what we’d just seen. Up until that point I was feeling pretty calm, I think because it felt familiar to me, it was kind of like watching another one of their vlogs but without the screen between us. When our row got called up and I edged closer to John and Hank and could hear them talking that’s when it really hit me that they were there right in front of me and I was about to meet two people I greatly admire and that’s when I started to get the sweaty palms, can’t stop shaking, is this actually real life? Feelings of nervousness and anticipation.
Meeting John Green went as follows…
Me: It’s nice to meet you Sir (why did I call him Sir!? *headdesk*)
Him: *Shakes hand* Hey thanks for coming along and waiting *noticing me wearing Esther bracelet* I like your Esther bracelet.
Me: Thanks *nods at Rach* my friend got it me for my birthday.
Him: Pretty awesome birthday present right?
Me: Yeah.
Him: *Hands books back signed* thank you.
Me: Thanks it was nice to meet you. *Shuffles off*
I then went on to meet Hank who I didn’t end up saying that much to which I regret because all that was buzzing through my head was I JUST MEET JOHN GREEN AND HE SHOOK MY HAND!!! I was also watching Rachel’s reaction to meeting him. With Hank it went a little like this…
Me: Can I get these Hanklerfished please?
Him: Of course! *takes books*
Me: Thank you it was great meeting you.
Him: You too sweetheart, thanks for coming.
After that me and Rach moved off to the side and fawned over our books and compared our signatures and what our hanklerfishes looked like. Then on the way out I bought one of the tour t-shirts which I wanted to get before but the line was MAHOOSIVE there wasn’t anybody there by the time we came out so I decided to snatch one up and also found some tattoos of Maureen Johnson which she randomly dispersed around the venue because she is awesome.
We came out at half three and had enough time before our train to get some dinner in London and go to Foyles - a bookshop I’ve always wanted to visit. I was pretty sad that Maureen wasn’t available to sign books so you can imagine my glee when I found a signed copy of The Name of the Star in Foyles which I happily purchased along with some other bookish goodies.
With achy feet, full tums, and happy hearts we caught our train home and the next day I woke up sad that today was just a normal day and every day couldn’t be like yesterday, I couldn’t hang out in one of my favourite cities with my best friend, oodles of Nerdfighters and our nerdy rockstars every day. Then later on I signed into Youtube and found videos of the day and new vlogs from John and Hank, and then I realised that the beauty of what John and Hank have created is that I *can* hang out with these awesome people who share the same interests as me and the same morals. Even with time and space between us the Vlogbrothers have created a safe and happy place for us nerds to talk and create and inspire one another to do awesome things and be true to ourselves and that was the beauty of it, of us, of them. I clicked on a video, and re-lived one of the best days of my life all over again.
The day came around and on the train to London Rach gave me some amazing Nerdfighter birthday presents (it was my birthday the week before) a ‘This Star Won’t Go Out’ bracelet, Nerdfighter Pin and Let it Snow the only John Green book I didn’t own as well as paying for my ticket to the event, needless to say I was spoiled! As our luck would have it our train was delayed by 1 hour so we we’re really worried we’d arrive late and wouldn’t be allowed in. It was a proper Cinderella moment as we flanked a cab and rushed to the other side of London before the clock literally hit 12 o’clock we got there just in time and sat down with moments to spare before John came on stage.
Maureen, Hank and John on Stage |
Meeting John Green |
Meeting John Green went as follows…
Me: It’s nice to meet you Sir (why did I call him Sir!? *headdesk*)
Him: *Shakes hand* Hey thanks for coming along and waiting *noticing me wearing Esther bracelet* I like your Esther bracelet.
Me: Thanks *nods at Rach* my friend got it me for my birthday.
Him: Pretty awesome birthday present right?
Me: Yeah.
Him: *Hands books back signed* thank you.
Me: Thanks it was nice to meet you. *Shuffles off*
I then went on to meet Hank who I didn’t end up saying that much to which I regret because all that was buzzing through my head was I JUST MEET JOHN GREEN AND HE SHOOK MY HAND!!! I was also watching Rachel’s reaction to meeting him. With Hank it went a little like this…
Waiting to Meet Hank |
Me: Can I get these Hanklerfished please?
Him: Of course! *takes books*
Me: Thank you it was great meeting you.
Him: You too sweetheart, thanks for coming.
After that me and Rach moved off to the side and fawned over our books and compared our signatures and what our hanklerfishes looked like. Then on the way out I bought one of the tour t-shirts which I wanted to get before but the line was MAHOOSIVE there wasn’t anybody there by the time we came out so I decided to snatch one up and also found some tattoos of Maureen Johnson which she randomly dispersed around the venue because she is awesome.
J-Scribble and Hanklerfish |
We came out at half three and had enough time before our train to get some dinner in London and go to Foyles - a bookshop I’ve always wanted to visit. I was pretty sad that Maureen wasn’t available to sign books so you can imagine my glee when I found a signed copy of The Name of the Star in Foyles which I happily purchased along with some other bookish goodies.
Maureen Tattoo and Signature |
With achy feet, full tums, and happy hearts we caught our train home and the next day I woke up sad that today was just a normal day and every day couldn’t be like yesterday, I couldn’t hang out in one of my favourite cities with my best friend, oodles of Nerdfighters and our nerdy rockstars every day. Then later on I signed into Youtube and found videos of the day and new vlogs from John and Hank, and then I realised that the beauty of what John and Hank have created is that I *can* hang out with these awesome people who share the same interests as me and the same morals. Even with time and space between us the Vlogbrothers have created a safe and happy place for us nerds to talk and create and inspire one another to do awesome things and be true to ourselves and that was the beauty of it, of us, of them. I clicked on a video, and re-lived one of the best days of my life all over again.
Goodies from the Day! |
Labels:
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Birthday,
Books,
Event Write Up,
Foyles,
Gifts,
Hank Green,
John Green,
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Maureen Johnson,
Nerdfighter,
TFIOS,
TFIOS Live
Tuesday 12 February 2013
Review for Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Publisher: Definitions
Release: 10th January 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, New Adult, Romance, Coming of Age, Travel
Rating: 5/5 stars
Source: Bought
Goodreads Summary:
"When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines."
Review
This sentence sums up the plot pretty well for this novel. Throw in travel, Shakespeare, art, identity, love, heartbreak, self-discovery, Paris, theatre, romance, goodbyes, fate, chance, mistakes, friendship and adventure plus the utter beauty that is Gayle Forman’s writing and you’ve got Just One Day – one of my new all-time favourite books. Ever.
I’m a huge fan of Gayle Forman’s If I Stay and Where She Went so I had the total first date feels about Just One Day. I was nervous and excited and had no idea how it was going to go so I put off reading it until I couldn’t resist any longer and I wish that I wasn’t so scared to pick it up and that I read it sooner because this book was everything I hoped it would be and more.
I loved everything about this book and I did the thing were I went and liked every quote from this book I could find on Goodreads which I only ever do with those extra special books that I deeply connect with. If you’re familiar with Gayle Forman’s books you’ll know how beautiful her writing is. Her turn of phrase is so honest and raw sometimes that it hits me right in the gut and I get all chocked up and emotional without really knowing why other than that I’ve just read something true. Once again her words set the scene for my eyes, and the feelings of the characters for my heart so that I was completely invested in this story.
Whilst Just One Day has a heart wrenching romance it’s so much more than a love story. I’d even go as far as to say that above all it is a book about taking a leap of faith into the unknown and going on such a once in a lifetime journey that you can’t help but come out the other end changed. Allyson starts off as a quiet, anal, stick to the rules kind of girl and by the end of the book she has grown into this strong, independent, adventurous young woman.
I loved that Just One day was a mature YA/ New Adult book and dealt with themes like growing apart from high school friends, figuring out what you want to do with your life and discovering who you want to be. I felt like Gayle Forman really got the thoughts and feelings of an 18 year old girl starting out in the world for the first time and discussed these feelings in her book.
Just One Day was in my opinion a complete masterpiece that made my heart thirsty for adventure and travel. I’m so happy that the companion novel Just One Year is out this October because I can’t wait to get Willem’s version of events. After all, there are two sides to every story.
Publisher: Definitions
Release: 10th January 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, New Adult, Romance, Coming of Age, Travel
Rating: 5/5 stars
Source: Bought
Goodreads Summary:
"When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines."
Review
I’m a huge fan of Gayle Forman’s If I Stay and Where She Went so I had the total first date feels about Just One Day. I was nervous and excited and had no idea how it was going to go so I put off reading it until I couldn’t resist any longer and I wish that I wasn’t so scared to pick it up and that I read it sooner because this book was everything I hoped it would be and more.
I loved everything about this book and I did the thing were I went and liked every quote from this book I could find on Goodreads which I only ever do with those extra special books that I deeply connect with. If you’re familiar with Gayle Forman’s books you’ll know how beautiful her writing is. Her turn of phrase is so honest and raw sometimes that it hits me right in the gut and I get all chocked up and emotional without really knowing why other than that I’ve just read something true. Once again her words set the scene for my eyes, and the feelings of the characters for my heart so that I was completely invested in this story.
“We kiss again. This next kiss is the kind that breaks open the sky. It steals my breath and gives it back. It shows me that every other kiss I've had in my life has been wrong.”
― Gayle Forman, Just One Day
“He showed me how to get lost, and then I showed myself how to get found.”
― Gayle Forman, Just One Day
Whilst Just One Day has a heart wrenching romance it’s so much more than a love story. I’d even go as far as to say that above all it is a book about taking a leap of faith into the unknown and going on such a once in a lifetime journey that you can’t help but come out the other end changed. Allyson starts off as a quiet, anal, stick to the rules kind of girl and by the end of the book she has grown into this strong, independent, adventurous young woman.
I loved that Just One day was a mature YA/ New Adult book and dealt with themes like growing apart from high school friends, figuring out what you want to do with your life and discovering who you want to be. I felt like Gayle Forman really got the thoughts and feelings of an 18 year old girl starting out in the world for the first time and discussed these feelings in her book.
Just One Day was in my opinion a complete masterpiece that made my heart thirsty for adventure and travel. I’m so happy that the companion novel Just One Year is out this October because I can’t wait to get Willem’s version of events. After all, there are two sides to every story.
Labels:
5 star review
Sunday 10 February 2013
Letterbox Love (20) J-Scribble, Hanklerfish, Belated Birthday Gifts and More!
This time last weekend I was on a train to London to meet John and Hank Green. That sentence right there still feels crazy to me. I'm not going to go into all of that here though because I plan to do a write up on the event very soon, but this weeks book haul is extra special as it's full of signed books, the last incoming of my birthday books, and some books that I bought from Foyles - a bookshop I've always wanted to visit and finally did as well as the usual review copies. So here are the goodies from the last two weeks and if you're interested in the event write up I'm hoping to have that up for you next week so stay tuned!
For Review
Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter - I read this on the train and loved it!
Fractured by Teri Terry
A Witch Alone by Ruth Warburton
Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian - Another one I can't wait to read
Boy Nobody by Allen Zadoff (Proof Copy)
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
Bought From Foyles
Dead Romantic by C.J. Skuse - SO excited, I love C.J and can't wait to read this also my bestie is quoted in the back! You should watch her video about this and also subscribe to her on Youtube because she is awesome.
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson - I had a proof copy of this but after seeing her at the TFIOS event and noticing that this is signed I just had to get it especially because she wasn't available to sign books and I wanted a Maureen scribble!
Last of the Birthday Presents
Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle - This was the only John Green book I didn't own so was another nerdfightastic gift from Rach, I'm so happy to now have them all!
The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken - This sounds AMAZE
Splintered by A. G. Howard - I've heard mixed things about this one but I love the sound of it so I'm going to give it a go, plus the actual book itself is stunning and the ink is purple!
The Scribbles
Happy reading till next time!
Thursday 7 February 2013
Review for Undone by Cat Clarke
Undone by Cat Clarke
Publisher: Quercus
Release: 31st January 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Source: Received from the publisher for review
Goodreads Summary:
"Jem Halliday is in love with her gay best friend. Not exactly ideal, but she's learning to live with it.
Then the unspeakable happens. Kai is outed online ... and he kills himself.
Jem knows nothing she can say or do will bring him back. But she wants to know who was responsible. And she wants to take them down.
A searing story of love, revenge and betrayal from a bestselling author."
Review
There is something about Cat Clarke’s writing that is so honest and raw that you immediately connect with her characters and dive head first into their lives, thoughts and feelings. Cat had me captivated once again with Undone and had my attention long after I actually finished the book because I couldn’t get this story out of my head.
Undone is a book about grief, revenge and all-consuming rage. Our heroine Jem has been in love with her neighbour and gay best friend Kai for as long as she’s known him. Only Jem and Kai’s family know that Kai’s gay and so when he is outed before he’s ready in the worst imaginable way with a sex tape Kai takes his own life. Jem feels like she can’t go on without him and is ready to follow in his footsteps when she receives a series of letters from Kai one for every month during the first year of his death. This gives Jem a part of Kai to hold on to and a year to find who did this to Kai and seek vengeance before she takes her life.
The characters in this novel are all so broken. When Kai commits suicide Jem is left with nothing but this rage and need for answers to the point where it becomes her only reason to live and even though this makes her not the nicest of characters I was totally with Jem and understood her reasoning for doing the things she does. Although Kai is dead for the majority of the book, we get to know him through his letters to Jem and her memories of him. The chapters where he is outed were so gut wrenching to read as this confident lovely person crumbles into despair.
Undone has several hard hitting subjects it tackles throughout the book including homophobia, bullying, grief and suicide to name a few. What I took away from the book was the importance of letting go and forgiveness, of not letting hate and anger consume us, and the message that it WILL get better.
I was in total awe of Undone and it would have been a perfect read had I not have figured out the “who done it” pretty early on. That being said there were lots of other twists that I didn’t see coming at all and although it was obvious to me who outed Kai and what had happened, overall this book was so good that knowing didn’t really affect my enjoyment of it at all.
The ending of this book literally took my breath away and I found it such a fitting end. Overall Undone is a beautifully crafted novel that I couldn’t put down. If Cat Clarke hasn’t already established herself as one of Britain’s finest YA authors Undone is sure to do it!
Publisher: Quercus
Release: 31st January 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Source: Received from the publisher for review
Goodreads Summary:
"Jem Halliday is in love with her gay best friend. Not exactly ideal, but she's learning to live with it.
Then the unspeakable happens. Kai is outed online ... and he kills himself.
Jem knows nothing she can say or do will bring him back. But she wants to know who was responsible. And she wants to take them down.
A searing story of love, revenge and betrayal from a bestselling author."
Review
There is something about Cat Clarke’s writing that is so honest and raw that you immediately connect with her characters and dive head first into their lives, thoughts and feelings. Cat had me captivated once again with Undone and had my attention long after I actually finished the book because I couldn’t get this story out of my head.
Undone is a book about grief, revenge and all-consuming rage. Our heroine Jem has been in love with her neighbour and gay best friend Kai for as long as she’s known him. Only Jem and Kai’s family know that Kai’s gay and so when he is outed before he’s ready in the worst imaginable way with a sex tape Kai takes his own life. Jem feels like she can’t go on without him and is ready to follow in his footsteps when she receives a series of letters from Kai one for every month during the first year of his death. This gives Jem a part of Kai to hold on to and a year to find who did this to Kai and seek vengeance before she takes her life.
The characters in this novel are all so broken. When Kai commits suicide Jem is left with nothing but this rage and need for answers to the point where it becomes her only reason to live and even though this makes her not the nicest of characters I was totally with Jem and understood her reasoning for doing the things she does. Although Kai is dead for the majority of the book, we get to know him through his letters to Jem and her memories of him. The chapters where he is outed were so gut wrenching to read as this confident lovely person crumbles into despair.
Undone has several hard hitting subjects it tackles throughout the book including homophobia, bullying, grief and suicide to name a few. What I took away from the book was the importance of letting go and forgiveness, of not letting hate and anger consume us, and the message that it WILL get better.
I was in total awe of Undone and it would have been a perfect read had I not have figured out the “who done it” pretty early on. That being said there were lots of other twists that I didn’t see coming at all and although it was obvious to me who outed Kai and what had happened, overall this book was so good that knowing didn’t really affect my enjoyment of it at all.
The ending of this book literally took my breath away and I found it such a fitting end. Overall Undone is a beautifully crafted novel that I couldn’t put down. If Cat Clarke hasn’t already established herself as one of Britain’s finest YA authors Undone is sure to do it!
Labels:
4.5 star review,
Book for Review
Tuesday 5 February 2013
January Round Up and Book of the Month!
So this post is coming a little later than I would of liked. It was suppose to go up on Saturday but I was going to London the next day for The Fault in Our Stars event and I kind of overestimated how much time I'd have. ANYWAY I had a fantastic reading month to kick off 2013 and wanted to share what I've been reading with you guys so better late than never right?
I've heard that whilst everyone enjoyed this book a few people were disappointed by it but I have to disagree. Although I read some amazing books in January I'm trying to be a lot stricter on what gets a 5 star and so Just One Day was the only 5 star read this month. This book was everything I hoped it would be and more and is definitely one of my new all time favourite books. Hopefully I'll have a gushing review for this up sometime this month because I have so many feels I need to talk about.
2.) The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen (4.5*)
3.) The Secret of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen (3.5*)
4.) Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans (3.5*)
5.) The First Last Kiss by Ali Harris (4*)
6.) Shades of Earth by Beth Revis (4*)
7.) Undone by Cat Clarke (4.5*)
8.) Shadows by Paula Weston (3.5*)
9.) Just One Day by Gayle Forman (5*)
10.) The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna (4*)
January's Book Awards
Best Plot: Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans
Best Writing: Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Best Cover: The First Last Kiss by Ali Harris
Best Characters: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen
Best Ending: Undone by Cat Clarke
Best Romance: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen
Most un-put-down-able: Undone by Cat Clarke
Most Memorable: Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Best Moral: Undone by Cat Clarke
Top 3 Most Recommended Books: Just One Day, Undone, The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden
Books I’m Looking Forward to Reading/Being Released in February
Drowning Instinct by Ilsa J. Bick
Altered by Jennifer Rush
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead
Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
Dead Romantic by C.J. Skuse
Sever by Lauren DeStefano
January's Book of the Month is Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Read in January
1.) Pantomime by Laura Lam (4*)2.) The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen (4.5*)
3.) The Secret of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen (3.5*)
4.) Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans (3.5*)
5.) The First Last Kiss by Ali Harris (4*)
6.) Shades of Earth by Beth Revis (4*)
7.) Undone by Cat Clarke (4.5*)
8.) Shadows by Paula Weston (3.5*)
9.) Just One Day by Gayle Forman (5*)
10.) The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna (4*)
January's Book Awards
Best Plot: Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans
Best Writing: Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Best Cover: The First Last Kiss by Ali Harris
Best Characters: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen
Best Ending: Undone by Cat Clarke
Best Romance: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen
Most un-put-down-able: Undone by Cat Clarke
Most Memorable: Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Best Moral: Undone by Cat Clarke
Top 3 Most Recommended Books: Just One Day, Undone, The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden
Books I’m Looking Forward to Reading/Being Released in February
Drowning Instinct by Ilsa J. Bick
Altered by Jennifer Rush
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead
Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
Dead Romantic by C.J. Skuse
Sever by Lauren DeStefano
How was your month in reading? Did you read any of the books I’ve read? What are you looking forward to reading in February?
Labels:
Book of the Month
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