Book Problems...

I'm looking at you The Hunger Games trilogy...

Its been a while...

Wow, I haven't posted on here for a while - sorry, been really with school, ect.

But in the time that I wasn't posting reviews, I was being productive, don't you worry!
I spent the entire summer watching all eight seasons (now on season 9) of Supernatural and all three seasons (now on season 4) of The Walking Dead... so yay, achievement!

Anyway, this is just a heads up to my um... "many" followers that I will try to post some more reviews here, or just random stuff. Either way I`ll try to make it interesting.
So anyone actually reading my reviews...

Texas Gothic (Goodnight Family #1) by Rosemary Clement-Moore

SPOILER FREE!

Date Released: 7th July 2011
Pages: 416
Author: Rosemary Clement-Moore
Blurb: Amy Goodnight knows that the world isn't as simple as it seems—she grew up surrounded by household spells and benevolent ghosts. But she also understands that "normal" doesn't mix with magic, and she's worked hard to build a wall between the two worlds. Not only to protect any hope of ever having a normal life.

Ranch-sitting for her aunt in Texas should be exactly that. Good old ordinary, uneventful hard work. Only, Amy and her sister, Phin, aren't alone. There's someone in the house with them—and it's not the living, breathing, amazingly hot cowboy from the ranch next door.

It's a ghost, and it's more powerful than the Goodnights and all their protective spells combined. It wants something from Amy, and none of her carefully built defenses can hold it back.

This is the summer when the wall between Amy's worlds is going to come crashing down

The Keeper and the Alabaster Chalice by Paige W. Pendleton

SPOILER FREE!

4 Stars.

Date Released: 29th May 2013
Pages: 208
Author: Paige W. Pendleton 
Blurb: He’d bonded with the child. It was foretold, and so it would be.

Black Ledge is inhabited again, but not everyone in the Realm is pleased. As the Driscolls settle into their new home they meet magical Beings, discover secrets, and exasperate the Elven Guard. They’re having a great time.

Charm turns to alarm when they meet Doris, the Acadian Water Witch, who's removed the Alabaster Chalice from its watery grave. The Noctivagi, drawn by the artifact's Water Magyk, seek the Chalice for their own nefarious purpose, and mayhem ensues.

Eleanor, Rob, Jack, and Flora fight time and tide to return the Alabaster Chalice to the Undine Prince before the darkness steals it

I was given a copy of this book on kindle in return for an honest review.

I was very pleased when I started The Keeper and the Alabaster Chalice that it was just as fast paced and easy to get into as the first book. In fact, this book has much more action and a lot more going on than in the first book. Straight away, the mystery surrounding the Alabaster Chalice intrigued me, and I found myself feeling much more involved in this book rather than the first.

To be honest the whole plotline of The Keeper and the Alabaster was much more interesting, but it would have been nothing without my favourite characters - Gunnr and Eleanor. It was sweet how they both looked out for each other and I absolutely love their conversations. And Gunnr and Camedon help Eleanor to find out more about her powers, which was one of the highlights of the book for me because it was just so damn cool. As well as that, its nice to find another strong female character that stands up for herself.
Mary Sues are so 2012.

There are also several delightful new characters, including a dragon called Nob (yes, i admit to giggling a little bit at the name at first, but he actually does turn out to be fairly scary) and a seal called Seaton that I couldn't help but get a slightly British feel from...

And finally I would just like to add that as well as an engaging story, there were a few charming drawings of some of the scenes/characters, drawn by Thomas Block, which really did bring the story to life.

I will definitely be waiting eagerly when book 3 is released. 

Goodreads: Want to read?

The Keeper and the Rune Stone (The Black Ledge Series #1) by Paige W. Pendleton

SPOILER FREE!

Free on Kindle!

3.5 Stars

Date Released: 31st October 2012 (first published 1st January 2012)
Pages: 200
Blurb: An unholy ritual, a ticking clock. Four children discover there are things that go bump in the night ...

Centuries ago a group of Elves committed an unholy ritual. But the ritual was a spectacular failure. It transformed the Elves into the Noctivagi - the beings we know as vampires.

Striving to maintain a fragile peace, the ancient Elves and Dwarves negotiated an Accord, which they've renewed every year on the Summer Solstice. The ceremony depends on the magical Rune Stone, but it's missing. If it is not found—and quickly—the consequences could be dire, and not just for Elves and Dwarves.

Four children, Rob, Jack, Eleanor, and Flora, stumble into a world of magic and mayhem when they move into Black Ledge, the old estate on the Maine coast, and discover they aren't the only ones who live there.

I was given a copy of this book on kindle by the author in return for an honest review.

I love how the cover actually relates to the book, and how mysterious it is (the colours really go with the colour scheme of the blog - its as if I was meant to read this book... xD)! The detailed map at the start of The Keeper and the Rune Stone was another element that made the book much more unique than others i`ve read - it helped that it was pretty as well!

Right from the start The Keeper and the Rune Stone was very easy to get in to, as it was very fast paced. And, although it is not something I would usually pick up, I was sucked into the fascinating world of Dwarves Light Elves and Dark Elves (and those are just a few of the beings in the book!).

It was certainly a nice change to read about such interesting creatures, as not many fantasy novels out there at the moment include beings like Elves or Dwarves.
I especially loved Ms Pendleton`s take on vampires, instead calling them Noctivagi - boy is that hard to pronounce - Elves that performed a ritual, which involved drinking the blood of a sacrifice or two....

Which leads me on to my next point. I expected, after reading around 50 %, The Keeper and the Rune Stone to be very, very tame in the violence department. I was, however, pleasantly surprised by how dark things got near the end of the book.

My favorite characters were definitely Gunnr because he was so mysterious and Camedon with his strange yet hilarious sense of humor. However, although the book is from the four siblings point of view, they do seem a bit too mature to be children, but I still loved Eleanor.

Although The Black Ledge series seems to be aimed at children, I would recommend it to everyone!

Goodreads: Want to read?

Onyx (Lux #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

SPOILER FREE!





4.5 Stars

Date Released: 14th August 2012
Pages: 366 (Kindle edition 416)
Blurb: Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I've sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we've got bigger problems.

Something worse than the Arum has come to town…

The Department of Defense are here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.

But then everything changes…

I've seen someone who shouldn't be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies...

Yet another cover that I just don't like. However it is a... nice shade of purple...
Onyx picks up pretty much exactly where Obsidian left off - Katy is still amazing and Daemon is still very hot 
annoying.
Miss Armentrout really did out do herself with Onyx, she had me laughing - out loud! I know, I know, calm yourself. Your thinking to yourself; there is no way that Onyx is better than Obsidian. There is no way that Onyx can be funnier than Obsidian or that I will magically start shipping Daemon with Katy, because, lets face it, he really is quite a douche and a jerk and a big smell poo and Katy deserves better *cries*.

Calms self.

The only way I can think to describe it is that everything just gets... so much better. And it was during Onyx that I really did start to LOVE Daemon and Katy together.
Sure their weird on-off not really a relationship relationship was frustrating, but I kind of loved it

To be honest the only thing that stopped me giving this book 5 stars was the angst. Maybe it was because I love this book so much, but I cant believe it took me reading Onyx for the third time to realize how much angst there is in this series.No joke.

Don`t worry though, near the end of the book there is a very sudden plot twist, which I did not see coming, which really helped Miss Armentrout redeem herself.

So that really bumped up the number of stars I gave Onyx (as well as the brief mention of Dean Winchester. Mmm Dean Winchester).

If you enjoyed Obsidian then definitely read Onyx.  

Quotes: 

“I could always give you a teaser. You bookish people love teasers, don't you?” 

“Maybe they’re getting some bow-chicka-pow-wow.”

I looked at him. “Ew.”

He flashed his teeth. “She’s definitely not my type.” His gaze dropped to my lips, and parts of me quivered in response to the heat in his gaze. “But now I totally have that on my mind.”

I was breathless. “You’re a dog.”

“If you pet me, I’ll—“

“Don’t even finish that sentence,” I said, fighting a grin.”

“Humping my leg like a dog in heat every time I'm around you doesn't prove you like me, Daemon.' 

Daemon clamped his mouth shut, and I could tell he was fighting back laughter. 'Actually, that's how I show people I like them.”

“Your mail could've waited." Daemon followed me into the kitchen. "What is it? Just books?"

Grabbing the OJ from the fridge, I sighed. People who didn't heart books didn't understand.”

Goodreads: Want to read?

The Originals by Cat Patrick

3.5 Stars

Date Released: 7th May 2013
Pages: 304
Blurb: A riveting new story from Cat Patrick, author of Forgotten and Revived.

17-year-olds Lizzie, Ella, and Betsey Best grew up as identical triplets... until they discovered a shocking family secret. They're actually closer than sisters, they're clones. Hiding from a government agency that would expose them, the Best family appears to consist of a single mother with one daughter named Elizabeth. Lizzie, Ella, and Betsey take turns going to school, attending social engagements, and a group mindset has always been a de facto part of life...

Then Lizzie meets Sean Kelly, a guy who seems to see into her very soul. As their relationship develops, Lizzie realizes that she's not a carbon copy of her sisters; she's an individual with unique dreams and desires, and digging deeper into her background, Lizzie begins to dismantle the delicate balance of an unusual family that only science could have created

That cover is absolutely terrifying. Its really pretty (and interesting, seriously, I cant stop staring at it), but still... so scary.Thank you for the nightmares cover.
Also, I know the three girls on the cover are supposed to be the "triplets" Lizzie, Betsey and Ella, but (to me anyway) they look nothing alike. Its a silly thing to point out but it was just nagging at me throughout the whole book.

I was unsure about reading this at first , even though I have read Cat Patrick's other books, (Revived and Forgotten), and really love her writing style - its so comfy and easy to get in to. I guess it was just the idea of clones that freaked me out.
And the description of the love interest in the blurb, of course. "...a guy who can see into her very soul..." Yeah, because that's not cheesy at all. 

Lizzie, Betsey and Ella were all likable characters, and I enjoyed reading about all of them, but Lizzie is still my favorite!

Sean annoyed me for some reason. Maybe he was just too perfect. Even his name Sean Kelly *shudders*. But, hey, if you like the good, wholesome, perfect love interest, then you will love him.

A light romance book, with a hint of science fiction.
I would suggest that if you enjoyed Cat Patrick's other books, then try this one as well.
I can totally imagine all of her main characters meeting up in a book!

Goodreads: Want to read?

Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1) by Tahereh Mafi

SPOILER FREE!

4 Stars.

Date Released: 2nd October 2012 (First published 15th November 2011)
Pages: 340
Blurb: Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

I spent absolutely AGES looking for a certain copy of this book. For some reason, they don't sell Shatter Me in UK bookshops, well not in any of the ones I checked. And then when I realized I could just buy it on Amazon, they didn't have the beautiful book cover they use in America. Look at it! Look at it in all of its amazing-ness (yes, that is a word now)! 

 In fact, the blurb on this review is actually the blurb from the American copy of Shatter Me. Because it is better. Again.

But seriously, the UK cover is a hint about how obsessed Juliette is over eyes. If I were to go back and check, I bet that at least half the book would be about how wonderful Adam`s eyes are.

However, I was pleasantly surprised over how much I enjoyed this book. Considering how many negative reviews I had seen about Shatter Me , mainly about the writing style, I didn't really expect to enjoy it so much. Dont get me wrong, there were so many random metaphors and similes where I was like: 

But I tried to ignore the really weird ones, and read on. 

Be warned! If you do not like romance, and are hoping for a dystopian/science fiction book, then do not read this. Sure, it is classed as a dystopian, but it is more of a romance book. 

On that note; Team Warner!

Goodreads: Want to read?

Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky #2) by Veronica Rossi

SPOILER FREE!




3.5 Stars

Date Released: 8th January 2013
Pages: 341
Blurb: Aria has struggled to build a life for herself outside Reverie. It hasn't been easy adjusting to life in the wilderness but that struggle has been worth it with Perry by her side.

But Perry has other challenges. His people are looking to him for answers. Answers about what happened to his nephew and what's happening to their world. And they don't trust the priviledged Aria, one of the enemy, in their midst.

Soon he'll be forced to chose between the tribe that looks to him for leadership and the girl that looks to him for love.

The start of Through the Ever Night drew me in immediately, as it started almost exactly where Under the Never sky ended. However after the beginning, it took me a while to get into again. I found a big chunk of this book very dull, and there wasn't very much action.

I understand that there cant be action on every page, there has to be balance, but it was just SO SLOW. 

Of course, there has to be a (short and verbal) fight over Perry between Aria and Brooke.

So that made me want to scream as well. 

Also, if you were confused about Aether, and what the hell it is, in the last book, then fear not, because it is explained a little bit. I mean, I still don't understand it, but maybe i'm just...slow. 

Don`t worry though, it does pick up again (hurray)! Just when I was starting to want to punch Perry (who am I kidding, I always want to punch Perry) ... something happened! I wont say what, because I don't want to ruin the book, but it was very exciting! 

To be honest, I was already sick of Perry and Aria`s relationship by the first page of Through the Ever Night,  I just find them so unrealistic, and Perry really creepy, so I was pleased that Aria starts to take matters into her own hands...

Thankfully, Roar was still a main character in this book, because he is amazing! I know i shouldn't, but I am secretly hoping that Roar and Aria will get together...somehow. I cant help it, i`m just that much of a rebel!

Goodreads Link: Want to read?

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Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

SPOILER FREE!





4 stars

Date Released:  28th November 2011(Current cover 8th May 2012)
Pages: 294
Blurb: Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don't kill him first, that is.

Can I just start by saying that I feel like the only person who doesn't like the cover? I mean, the background is nice, but the guy just creeps me out a little bit... Sorry!

Anyway.

Yay, its in first person! I found Obsidian very easy to get into and i immediately loved Katy because she always stood up for herself and was hilarious at the same time - and she blogs about books! SHE UNDERSTANDS!

Enter Daemon. Whenever I was reading Daemon`s conversations, I ended up doing one of three things: cringing, laughing or wanting to punch him in the face. I know that the whole point of Daemon was that he was supposed to be a "bad boy" type guy but... gah! He could be so annoying (yet funny), and treated Katy like crap most of the time!

I was starting to hate Daemon, but he redeemed himself at the end of the book. I really loved the second half of the book, as there was a lot more action, and the "Katy and Daemon" ending was brilliant... 

I guess Obsidian is supposed to be science fiction, what with it being about aliens and all, but I found that the main focus of the book was the romance between Katy and Daemon. So if you don't like romance, then this book probably isn't for you.

Quotes:

 “I don't think he meant to kiss me," I said finally.

"What? Did he slip and fall on your mouth? Those things are known to happen.”

“You haven’t locked yourself in any rooms or rocked in any corners, right?”

I rolled my eyes and began walking again. “No Daemon, but thanks for making sure I’m mentally sound and all.”

“Why are you such an ass?" The words came out before I could think twice.

"Everyone has to excel at something, right?"

"Well, you're doing a great job.”

Goodreads: Want to read?

Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days #1) by Susan Ee

SPOILER FREE!

5 stars.

Date Released: 21st May 2011 (Paperback released 23rd May 2013)
Pages: 283
Blurb: It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

I love this book so much that i have three copies - two in paperback, and the other on my kindle, and I’m not ashamed to admit it! I remember when this was just a 77 p book on kindle, now it is sold in paperback with a potential movie on the way. I feel like a proud mother.

The start reminded me a little bit of The Hunger Games - a girl trying to save her younger sister - which is part of the reason why I bought it. And it didn't disappoint. After just the first few pages I was sucked in. I've found with a lot of dystopian books that they're either quite confusing because the author doesn't explain it very much in terms of world building, or they explain it too much and I get bored. But with Angelfall that wasn't the case.

Whether you prefer paranormal romance or science fiction, this book really does have the whole package. There is plenty of action to keep you interested, just a hint of romance (for now) and big dollop of comedy as well! Seriously, this book actually made me laugh out loud so many times, and I hardly ever laugh at books.

The main characters were great as well. Penryn was no Mary-Sue and was witty and a bit of a badass, while Raffe was confident and funny, but not in an annoying, cocky way. 

What I loved the most about this book was is that I got to see Penryn and Raffe’s relationship progress over the book, seeing them slowly turn from being tense allies to friends. Don`t worry, you won’t get any of the stupid insta-love that many YA books have nowadays. Penryn and Raffe’s relationship seems so real, that by the end you can’t help but root for them!

Definitely the easiest 5 stars i have ever given.

Quotes: 

“Why were the other angels attacking you?"

"It's impolite to ask the victim of violence what they did to be attacked.”

“Here, I’ll show you how to use it. Let me see your foot.”

“That’s a pretty intimate demand in the angel world. It usually takes dinner, some wine, and sparkling conversation for me to give up my feet.”

“My friends call me Wrath,” says Raffe.“My enemies call me Please Have Mercy. What’s your name, soldier boy?”

“So long as you don't bleed in the shape of wing joints, you should pass for human. Oh, and don't let anyone pick you up. They'll know you're not right as soon as they feel how light you are."

"I'll be sure not to let anyone but you carry me in her arms.”

“I'm not moping," I whisper back. 

"Of course you're not. A girl like you, spending time with a warrior demigod like me. What's to mope about? Leaving a wheelchair behind couldn't possibly show up on the radar compared to that."

"You've got to be kidding me."

"I never kid about my warrior demigod status.”

Goodreads Link: Want to read?

The 12th Doctor...

Its the question that everybody has been asking since Matt Smith announced he would be leaving BBC`s Doctor Who - who will be the next doctor??

While some are suggesting a woman as the new doctor, like Billie Piper or Helen Mirren, others are suggesting Benedict Cumberbatch and Rory Kinnear.

My choices would be Alexander Vlahos, Merlin, or Ben Whishaw, Skyfall.

Who would your choice for the 12th doctor be?

Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1) by Veronica Rossi

SPOILER FREE!




3 stars.

Date Released: 7th February 2012
Pages: 384
Blurb: Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.

As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.

They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers abarbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY

I was reluctant at first to read this, despite the many positive reviews of it on Goodreads, partly because it sounded a bit... samey, with all the other dystopian novels going around at the moment and partly because Kami Garcia, co-author of  Beautiful Creatures (which i hated), liked it.

But in the end i was convinced to read to this by three things: the beautiful cover, the cool title and the fact that i could borrow it from my friend who assured me it wasn't "that bad".

The first 60 pages alone made me want to stop reading. Aria was annoying. Perry was annoying. Talon was annoying.You get the gist of it. But then it just stopped - well, kind of, i still find Perry extremely irritating but i just had no opinion on Aria. I didn't like her, or hate her. She was just there.

There was action, romance and... cannibals.

Whether you liked this book or hated it, the ending will almost certainly make you want to read the next book.

Goodreads Link: Want to read?

The Beginning

On Wednesday 5th of June 2013 my book blog has been born - er, created!

This blog will mainly be about me writing reviews of books and whether they are worth fangirling over or not...

So here, enjoy some Once Upon A Time:

It accurately describes my feelings.