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.

Announcement

Ugh... going to try and sort my books out today (yeah right)...

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?

You Against Me Book Review

You Against Me
by Jenny Downham
Young Adult Contemporary

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. Brave and unflinching, this is a novel of extraordinary skilfulness and almost unbearable tension. It's a book about loyalty and the choices that come with it. But above all it's a book about love - for one's family and for another.

Cover Rating: 5 / 5
Firstline: Mikey couldn't believe his life
Taglines: You want this to be a love story?
Romance: Believable and draws you in
Action: With the court case I guess is more thriller so not a lot of action
Horror: Rape
Humor: A little sarcasm
Uniqueness: I haven't read a lot of books about this kind of thing before

This was not the expected quick read for me, which may have something to do with being back at school but I have my doubts. I can't deny it to be a good story but I'm not sure if I'm into contemporary like this. The story was basically about who was lying or telling the truth. Was Ellie's brother, Tom, innocent of the accused crime and Karen, Mikey's sister, telling lies or did Tom in fact rape Karen. Of course the story is told from Ellie and Mikey's POV which change the whole way though. I think everyone can find something to relate to in this book whether they be like Ellie; privileged, hard-working, revising, dealing with drugs, family problems and her first time or Mikey; unprivileged, having to care for his two sisters, alcoholic single-parent,his job, smoking, social services and providing for his family.

It obvious from the start what happened but we have to wait until the last chapter or so to be told by one of the characters themselves. Then there's the romance. A twist on 'unforbidden love' because this time it makes sense why they can't be together.

The writing was easy and consisted a lot of he said, 'blah blah' and she said, 'bleh bleh' to bo honest.

Find out where Ellie rates here - http://readablecharper.blogspot.co.uk/p/female-stats.html
Find out where Mikey rates here - http://readablecharper.blogspot.co.uk/p/male-stats.html
Both characters did evolve right from the start to the end.

The ending was concluded in a way in which it didn't really conclude but that's all I'm saying.

A few weak points: Not really sure I like the writing style & I couldn't devote myself to the story
A few strong points: There's a relatable character for all readers

Recommend? If you're looking for a heavy contemporary this is the book for you.

Book Haul...

 War Horse - Michael Morpurgo

 Endlessly - Kiersten White

The Blessed - Tonya Hurley

Goodreads

2012 Reading Challenge

Courtney has

read 26 books toward her goal of 30 books.

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Update!

Finally up and running again. The password wasn't working and then all of a sudden it logged itself back in.

Currently Reading...

Progress: COMPLETED

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.

Boundless Preview

Are your eyes deceiving you you're asking? Nope! This is really a short sample from the third book in the Unearthly Series! And guess what? Clara and Christian are on a date...

#

There’s a sharp knock on the door, and we both jump. I run to open it. Christian’s standing in the hall wearing khakis and a blue dress shirt, sleeves rolled to the elbows. He smells like Ivory soap and shaving cream.

He holds out a bouquet of white daisies. “For you.”

Date mode, Clara, I tell myself. Now is not the time to do research with Angela.

“Thank you. Come in for a sec, and I’ll put these in some water.”

He follows me in. I rummage around for something to use as a vase, but the best I can find is a Big Gulp cup. I fill it with water and set the flowers on my desk.

Christian glances over at Angela, who’s suddenly produced her black and white composition notebook and is scribbling as fast as she can go.

“Hello, Angela,” he says.

“Hi, Chris,” she says, but she doesn’t stop writing. “Flowers. Very smooth.”

“Yeah, I try,” he says with a smirk.

“You know, daisies are supposed to represent innocence,” she says, looking up and quirking an eyebrow at him.

He looks at me. “You ready?”

“Yes.” I fight the urge to tuck my hair behind my ears. “Bye,” I say to Angela. “We’ll talk later, okay?”

She waves her hand at me dismissively, and I can hear her pen’s furious scratching even after I close the door.

#

In the parking lot I have to stifle a smile when Christian crosses to open the passenger door for me. He gives me his hand to help me climb into his truck.

“Thanks,” I murmur, and I try not to think of Tucker, of the way he always opened doors for me.

He jogs around and gets in, put the key in the ignition, but doesn’t start it. He turns to me.

“This is a date,” he says.

“Oh, good,” I say, “because I was wondering, what with the flowers and all.”

“And as a date, there are certain ground rules we need to go over.”

Oh boy. “Okay,” I laugh nervously.

“I will be paying for all of our activities this evening,” he begins.

“But—”

He holds up his hand. “I know that you are a modern, liberated, independent woman. I respect that, and I understand that you are capable of paying for your own meal, but I will still be paying for dinner, and whatever else. Okay?”

“But—”

“And just because I’m paying for dinner doesn’t mean that I expect anything from you. I just want to treat you tonight, and that’s all.”

It’s cute that he’s blushing.

“All right,” I fake-grumble. “You’ll pay. Anything else?”

“Yes. I’d like us to steer clear of all angel-related topics tonight, if you don’t mind. I don’t want to hear the word angel, or purpose, or vision, or any of our other special terminology. Tonight I want us to simply be Christian and Clara, two college students on a date. How’s that sound?”

“Sounds good,” I say. More than good, even. Normal people on a normal date.

It sounds perfect.

#

Eh?? Please comment and let me know your feelings on this sample of Cynthia Hand's Boundless! This is definitely a major WOW book!