A few quick things to say about...

How do you get sick of a book that draws you in from the first page every single time. There's so many different views of this book it's like reading a new story each and every time I read it. 

A heart-wrenching YA book about two broken teens struggling to put the shattered pieces of their lives back together and finding love along the way. 

 All of these authors told very interesting, creepy and highly imaginative stories. There were a few that confused me, but that was mostly because of the fact that I had never read the original rhymes they were based on and had no springboard because of it.

It’s always hard to decide what to rate anthologies. Some stories are amazing and others bore me.

It takes readers back to a time before Disney and the white washing of our childhood rhymes in the rivers of "happily ever after".

‘If she’d waited less than two weeks, she’d be June who died in June. But I guess my sister didn’t consider that.’

So many dead sisters in YA literature these days…
I can’t even begin to describe how deeply Harper’s grief affected me. It’s not often that I find myself completely taken aback by an author’s insight and sensitivity. I’m still convinced that she must have gone through something similar at some point in her life, otherwise she couldn’t have been able to describe so accurately the thoughts that sometimes follow such a disastrous event.

So to conclude, I loved this book, but I doubt I’ll be reading it again. I don’t think I’d be able to handle it all one more time. The feeling that I’ve been turned inside out and that I’m reading my own thoughts and emotions isn’t something I care to repeat anytime soon. 

I found the plot to be unique, though somewhat predictable after a certain point. While there were surprises thrown my way, I felt as if I figured out the main mystery before Kevin did. 

The characters were well developed, but I couldn’t connect with any of them. I felt as if there was something missing. The best developed character was Danielle, but I couldn’t stand her. There were avenues explored in this book that didn’t work with me because they didn’t end up really connecting to the plot or they were only explored vaguely. 

Because the plot was so unique and combined many various elements, I guess I just expected something more.

Can we just start by taking a moment of silence for this beautiful cover?

A Resurrection Spell gone wrong
You can never cheat death........ 

The world building is impressive. I love the concept of twin witches, sharing one body. It was written flawlessly. There were no dull moments. I read this book in one sitting. The story is so unique; I was absorbed in. 

It's a must-read.

My head is still spinning a bit about the plot though because I can't believe it. It's better than ice cream for a break up. The plot was original, the characters were relatable and down to earth despite not living on Earth. 

Didn't know this was a sequel when I was reading it so it was slightly confusing. But a good book overall.

WOW

Tomorrow...

Is the release...

Of the One...

And Only...

&

If you feel the need to still pre-order it from Barnes and Noble then do so here > http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/tahereh-mafi/3093675

How Pretty are these covers? Like seriously! And the story and first few chapters are amazing and left me wanting to buy the book there and then!! This was months ago for me! Think of the torture.

I am aware that the book has been out for a while but not with this cover and who wouldn't want this cover?

Book Haul

So finally all my books have came! (Well, excluding Tempest but ah well...)

If someone hurts your sister and you're any kind of man, you seek revenge, right? If your brother's been accused of a terrible crime and you're the main witness, then you banish all doubt and defend him. Isn't that what families do? When Mikey's sister claims a boy assaulted her at a party, his world of work and girls begins to fall apart. When Ellie's brother is charged with the crime, but says he didn't do it, her world of revision, exams and fitting in at a new school begins to unravel. When Mikey and Ellie meet, two worlds collide.

The undead can really screw up your senior year ... 

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.

When the Mayflower set sail in 1620, it carried on board the men and women who would shape America: Miles Standish; John Alden; Constance Hopkins. But some among the Pilgrims were not pure of heart; they were not escaping religious persecution. Indeed, they were not even human. They were vampires.The vampires assimilated quickly into the New World. Rising to levels of enormous power, wealth, and influence, they were the celebrated blue bloods of American society. 

The Blue Bloods vowed that their immortal status would remain a closely guarded secret. And they kept that secret for centuries. But now, in New York City, the secret is seeping out. Schuyler Van Alen is a sophomore at a prestigious private school. She prefers baggy, vintage clothes instead of the Prada and pearls worn by her classmates, and she lives with her reclusive grandmother in a dilapated mansion. Schuyler is a loner...and happy that way. Suddenly, when she turns fifteen, there is a visible mosaic of blue veins on her arm. She starts to crave raw food and she is having flashbacks to ancient times. Then a popular girl from her school is found dead... drained of all her blood. Schuyler doesn't know what to think, but she wants to find out the secrets the Blue Bloods are keeping. But is she herself in danger?

I have not yet read first in series so have not looked up anything about this book in case of spoilers.

Clea Raymond has felt the glare of the spotlight her entire life. The daughter of a renowned surgeon and a prominent Washington DC politician, she has grown to be a talented photojournalist who takes refuge in a career that allows her to travel to the most exotic parts of the world. But after Clea’s father disappears while on a humanitarian mission, Clea’s photos begin to feature eerie, shadowy images of a strange and beautiful man—a man she has never seen before.

When fate brings Clea and this man together, she is stunned by their immediate and powerful connection she feels with him. As they grow closer, they are drawn deep into the mystery behind her father’s disappearance, and they discover the centuries old truth behind their intense bond. Torn by a dangerous love triangle and haunted by a powerful secret that holds their fates, together they race against time to unravel their pasts in order to save their lives—and their futures.

St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

An angel is sent to Earth on a mission.
But falling in love is not part of the plan.
Three angels – Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, the youngest and most human – are sent by Heaven to bring good to a world falling under the influence of darkness. They work hard to conceal their luminous glow, superhuman powers, and, most dangerous of all, their wings, all the while avoiding all human attachments.

Then Bethany meets Xavier Woods, and neither of them is able to resist the attraction between them. Gabriel and Ivy do everything in their power to intervene, but the bond between Xavier and Bethany seems too strong.

The angel’s mission is urgent, and dark forces are threatening. Will love ruin Bethany or save her?

And finally...

It's also a sequel and don't want to give anything away.

It's the sequel to Kirsten Miller's The Eternal Ones series.

Book Review: Last Breath

So, you're new to Morganville. Welcome, new resident! There are only a few important rules you need to know to feel comforable in our quiet little town:

- Obey the speed limits.

- Don't litter.

- Whatever you do, don't get on the bad side of the vampires.

Yeah, we said vampires. Deal with it.

As a human newcomer, you'll need to find yourself a vampire Protector-someone willing to sign a contract to keep you and your safe from harm (especially from the other vampires). In return, you'll pay taxes... just like in any other town. Of course, in most other towns, those taxes don't get collected at the blood bank.

Oh, and if you decide NOT to get a Protector, you can do that, too... but you'd better learn how to run fast, stay out of shadows, and build a network of friends who can help you. Try contacting the residents of the Glass House- Michael, Eve, Shane, and Claire. They know their way around, even if they always end up in the middle of trouble somehow.

Welcome to Morganville. You'll never want to leave.

And even if you do... well, you can't.

Sorry about that.

So this is book 11 in the Morganville Vampire series (wow it's long, but totally worth it!)

Claire Danvers is concerned when three vampires vanish from Morganville without a trace. The last person seen with them is someone new to town - a mysterious individual named Magnus. Claire is convinced creepy Magnus isn't human ...but is he a vampire, or something else entirely? 

Claire's hunt for answers leads her to solving another mystery that's long been puzzling her: why do vampires live so far out in a sunny desert when they're sensitive to sunlight? The answer has nothing to do with sunlight, but with water - and an ancient enemy who has finally found a way to invade the vampires' landlocked community. Vampires aren't the top predator on earth. There's something worse that preys on them ...something much worse. 

Which means if Claire, and Morganville, want to live, they will have to fight on to the last breath ...

Novels

1. Glass Houses (October 2006, Signet Books, ISBN 0-451-21994-5)^[5]
2. The Dead Girls' Dance (April 2007, Signet Books, ISBN 0-451-22089-7)
3. Midnight Alley (October 2007, Signet Books, ISBN 0-451-22238-5)
4. Feast of Fools (June 2008, Signet Books, ISBN 0-451-22463-9)
5. Lord of Misrule (January 2009, Signet Books, ISBN 0-451-22572-4)
6. Carpe Corpus (June 2009, Signet Books, ISBN 0-451-22719-0)^[4]
7. Fade Out (November 2009, Signet Books, ISBN 0-451-22866-9)
8. Kiss of Death (April 27, 2010, Signet Books, ISBN 0-451-22973-8)
9. Ghost Town (October 26, 2010, NAL Hardcover, ISBN 0-451-23161-9)
10. Bite Club (May 3, 2011, NAL Hardcover, ISBN 0-451-23318-2)
11. Last Breath (November 1, 2011, NAL Hardcover, ISBN 0-451-23487-1)
12. Black Dawn (May 1, 2012, NAL Hardcover, ISBN 0-451-23671-8)
13. Bitter Blood (scheduled November 6, 2012, NAL Hardcover, ISBN 0-451-23811-7)
14. Fall Of Night (scheduled May 17, 2013, NAL Hardcover, ISBN 0-451-41425-X)
15. Untitled, scheduled to be released in November 2013

If you can put up with long series and are into the whole vampire thing then this is a series for you. I do warn you though that it's hard to make your collection look like a collection because of the constantly changing cover designs. Although I do warn you now that it's for the mature young adults in some bits. If you get my drift...

But hey! I'm mature :)

But it here: Last Breath Book #11

Series: The Morganville Vampires #11

Characters: Michael Glass, Shane Collins, Eve Rosser, Claire Danvers

Setting:  Texas (United States) 

Book Review: City of Bones

Maybe because there was such a big hype about this book and a need to like it or maybe because I was just in a fowl mood when reading it but all I can say was it was... OK.
*Don't hit me!*

Maybe give me a few days and I'll come to my senses but did anyone else see then ending... eck!
But it's ok... I have crap friends who spoil endings if I don't cover my ears and sing at the top of my lungs when around them.

I must of liked something in this book (perhaps the love triangle *wink wink* who knows?) because I did put all of the books up to City of Lost Souls and the Infernal Devices series on my Amazon wishlist. My favourite scene was page 292 and I know this because it's my friend's copy (Morgan, for future reference) and she's a page corner folder which I'm pretty sure most people fell is a sin but what can yaddo?

Anyway....

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . . 

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

So when I first saw the book in Eason I was like 'Ew!' and even now I wrinkle my nose (wow that makes me sound like a snob) but still... Anyway that one time of seeing the book set of a chain reaction in which the book showed up everywhere! Then my good-friend Morgan tells me she's read it and I can barely stop my jaw-dropping. From what I'd heard of the book everyone loved it so I gave it a chance.

My mind didn't really settle into the world of the Shadowhunters but I kept reading and reading until after less than 48 hours I was finished.
I think I was in a fowl mood, being basically banished my granny's kitchen to read does that to me surprisingly, because once I got home and to my own bed I was laughing at the jokes in the book.

While I was reading I couldn't help but think of all the times I heard Jace was sarcastic but mainly I found Clary funnier even if Jace did have his moments.

Once it ended I should of been shocked like most readers, but nope (thank you blabber-mouthing friends who can't keep their mouths shut) so maybe that's why I wasn't so enthusiastic but I am looking forward to see how the rest of the series goes.

Wow it sounds like I hated this book which I certainly did not. Hate is a strong word. I did enjoy the read and can't wait to read the rest of the series. I'm even trying to earn money to move them quickly from my wish list to basket :)

I also found out this went from being a a trilogy to a fricking 6 books series? Like make up your mind...

Quotes:

"At least," she said, "you don't have to worry about rejection, Jace Wayland."
"Not necessarily. I turn myself down occasionally, just to keep it interesting.” 

“If you were half as funny as you think you are, you'd be twice as funny as you are now.” 

“It means 'Shadowhunters: Looking Better in Black Than the Widows of our Enemies Since 1234'.” 

Awards:

• AwkwardTriangle - because the awkward love triangle moments made this book for me
• BonesToAshesToGlass - Cool names. I'll give them that
• PerfectlyTimed - The book had the perfect times for people to walk in and mess things up

But it on Amazon - City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Walker Books Ltd (2 July 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1406307629
• ISBN-13: 978-1406307627
• Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13 x 3.4 cm

Book Review: Hallowed

*Contains Spoilers for Unearthly Book 1. Please do not read if you have not read the first book*

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.


Basically, I wanted to read this book to find out what happened next for Clara, Tucker and Christian and this book definitely throws the love triangle in.

So what's life like after the fire?

In this book Clara had a new vision. A cemetery. Someone she loves is going to die and there are a few close people she loves who aren't in the vision. Tucker is one of them.
At the same time as dealing with Tucker might die she has to battle her failed Purpose. The night she was meant to save Christian in a forest fire she saved Tucker instead. Luckily, Christian was also part-angel and thought his purpose was to save Clara.
Her brother Jeffrey is going off the rails, her mum is hiding secrets and her friend Angela wants to start an Angel club.
All this is happening while she battles to find out what her mother is keeping from her, trying to save the people she loves and battling with the fallen angel, Samjeeza.

While reading the book I was pulled in by her strong relationship with Tucker but also her growing feelings for Christian.

If you think hard while reading you can guess what is coming. The whole way through I kept thinking what the ending would be and it was a more or less diluted version of my thoughts.

Quotes:

“Before I moved here, I never got the whole love-triangle thing. You know, in movies or romance novels or whatnot, where there’s one chick that all the guys are drooling over, even though you can’t see anything particularly special about her. But oh, no, they both must have her. And she’s like, oh dear, however will I choose? William is so sensitive, he understands me, he swept me off my feet, oh misery, blubber, blubber, but how can I go on living without Rafe and his devil-may-care ways and his dark and only-a-little-abusive love? Upchuck.” 

"Nice night for stalking," he observes.
"No, I was---"
"Get your butt in here, Carrots.” 

"Just in case, I dont know, his comic book collection decided to spontaneously combust. This was dumb and admittedly creepy in an Edward Cullen kind of way” 

"But at least you won't be running away.
I think it's more of a brisk walk.
Whatever.
I'm having an argument with myself. And I'm losing. So not a good sign."

"We search through the powder for a while, but don't locate my missing ski. After ten fruitless minutes I'm convinced that the mountain has eaten it."

-I know I out in a lot of quotes for this and Unearthly. But they're so bloody brilliant!

Other covers: 

Personal Awards!:

• Choosing You/Choosing Me: Gosh, the whole way though you wonder who she's going to pick!
• U.N.I -  After the Ed Sheeran Song (duh) but seriously, this is the only book I've read in a while were the person not just thinks about university but actually gets confirmation and a go ahead!
• Quotastic - Let's just all bow down now to Cynthia Hands quote humour!

Buy it - Hallowed (Book #2 Unearthly) by Cynthia Hand

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Electric Monkey (2 Jan 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1405259922
• ISBN-13: 978-1405259927
• Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 13 x 3.2 cm

Book Haul...

So I've recently discovered Amazon's Warehouse Sales and went a little overboard.

Anyway, today I received two books and will be adding them to my TBR Pile :)

Surprisingly they're quite girly choices.

So the first book I got is Paranormalcy by Kiersten White. I read the first chapter on Amazon and thought it was genius. The girl seems very 'girly' and I haven't seen that in a while so I thought I'd check it out.

The second book was Louise Rennon's first book of her Confessions of Georgia Nicholson series: Angus, thongs and full-frontal snogging. I'd just like to say I loved the movie adaptation: Angus, thongs and perfect snogging so I'd thought I'd check the book out :)

Well that's all from me for now. Expect a review from these two books in my future and also I've my Hallowed by Cynthia Hand and City of Bones by Cassandra Clare books to review and post up today - kisses xx

Book Review: The Forbidden Game

When Jenny buys a game for her boyfriend, Tom, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to the guy behind the counter. There is something mysteriously alluring about Julian's pale eyes and bleached-blond hair. And when he places the Game into her hands, she knows their connection is something deeper.

But as Jenny and her six friends begin to play the Game at Tom's birthday celebration, a night of friends and fun quickly turns into a night of terror and obsessive love. Because the Game isn't just a game - it's the seven friends' new reality, where Julian reigns as the Prince of the Shadows.

One by one the friends must confront their phobias to win the Game. 

To lose the Game is to lose their lives. And that is only the beginning...

I bought this book soulfully because I loved L.J Smith at the time. I'd just began reading the Vampire Diaries and watching the show (two completely different things) and the Night World Volume 1 when I thought 'let's pick that up too'. So that day I picked up Forbidden Game and Dark Visions.

The Hunter, The Chase and The Kill.

Basically Jenny has to buy a game to play that night at her boyfriend Tom's party. She pretty much thinks the guy behind the counter's hot so she buys the games she picks. As soon as they begins to play that game later on they realise that they are literally in the game. They have to go through each of her friend's biggest fears to get to Julian (the guy behind the counter) who rules as Prince of Shadows in this world. He's been watching Jenny for years and wants her. He makes them a deal that if they win the game they can go home but if not he gets Jenny.

My thoughts while reading it were a love/hate relationship with Julian and a hate of Tom (Jenny's boyfriend). I craved all the little scenes were Julian would appear to Jenny and try and seduce her because they were downright swoon-worthy. The whole way through you could see Jenny's character developing from dependent girl to strong and independent woman.

The ending wasn't just a tear-jerker from me but a downright waterfall but luckily LJ Smith leaves a little hope of a loophole in there.


Quotes:
“Wasn’t it Sartre who said hell was an eternity spent in a room with your friends?”  Michael asked grandly. 
“There is a Shadow World, like our own but different, existing alongside ours but never touching.  Some people call it the world of dreams, but it is as real as anything else.”
“Light to darkness, Jenny.  Darkness to light.  It’s always been this way.”
“Why are you doing this?" she said, her eyes filling again.
He sighed.  “I told you.  I fell in love with you.  I didn't do it on purpose.”

Awards:

• WATERFALL JERKER - because it wasn't just a tear jerker
• HEART-WRENCHING VILLAIN - you're not meant to want her to end up with the villain right?
• CHARACTER SEED - Jenny's character starts like a seed and casually grows
• PLOTTED -  I think this book deserves a general award for it's awesome plot and how the  blurb reminded me off Jumanji ;P

Buy one Amazon: The Forbidden Game! Recommended

• Paperback: 768 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Childrens Books (8 July 2010)
• Language: Unknown
• ISBN-10: 1847387381
• ISBN-13: 978-1847387387
• Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 13 x 4.6 cm

Book Review: Unearthly

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate,and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

By now should you even ask me why I got this book? Love triangle... duh! A very good one at that but without a lot of jealousy. Until the second book that is ;) (Which I'm reading now)

Of course I have the UK cover, as I live in the UK surprisingly but I still like it.

So basically part-angels like Clara and her brother have their own Purpose which they get clues about through day-dreams, dreams, visions etc. The only clues Clara is given progress into a forest fire with a boy standing in the middle. So her family uproot to live near the forest in her visions so she can try and save the boy from the forest fire. As soon as she meets Christian Prescott she instantly knows he's the boy in her vision. The boy she's meant to save.

He's not the only boy that soon comes into her life though as she soon finds out when she meets her new friends Wendy's twin brother, Tucker and his old truck Bluebell.

Soon the fire is upon them, soon she has a choice to make, soon she discovers her Purpose is more complexed than she could of dreamed and there's something lurking in the background bigger than all of them.

While reading this book I really enjoyed every tiny detail but in my head I was trying to blossom the love triangle into more than it was, or so I thought. When I finished this book I really enjoyed it and couldn't wait until the next book was honestly over time I forgot about it until I saw the second in the series on Amazon so I ordered it and I'm reading it right now. It's as good as I remember and everything's gotten a whole lot more difficult for Clara and her friends.

Quotes:

“Are you any good at it?"
"Pulling idiots out of the snow? I'm the best.”

"You feel like dying today?"
"Sure. I like risking my life. Keeps things in perspective.” 

Tucker: Today we ran into a mama grizzly with two cubs at the ridge off Colter Bay and Clara sang to it to make it go away.
Mrs. Avery: You sang to it?
Tucker: Her singing is that bad. 

AWARDS!:

• POWER OF SARCASM - Yepp, this is one of those books I felt myself laughing out loud at the sarcastic comments and I'm not even going to deny it.
• UNIQUITY - I felt this story was unique because for once the girl had a purpose to save a boy which I felt was very unique.
• MATCHING COVERS - I felt it deserved this award because the colour scheme for the covers in the Unearthly series stay the same and only the main picture changes which I thought was refreshing for my bookshelf :)

Buy it here: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Egmont Books Ltd (2 May 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1405259647
• ISBN-13: 978-1405259644
• Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.8 x 3.2 cm
• 
  

The Second in the series: Hallowed! Which is on my Currently Reading Page