Archive | October 2012

Day 18 – 30 Day Book Challenge

I read The Time Traveler’s Wife for my MA and thoroughly enjoyed it. When I saw Niffenegger’s newest novel in the bookstore, I couldn’t help but be excited by the back blurb: Ghosts, set in London with a mysterious secret….it sounded amazing! Once I had the chance to get it from the library, I dived right in and was stuck there for a week. I was entranced, I was in love (mostly due to the London setting), but as I continued further there were issues with the story. The ending sealed the deal as being the worst ending ever, and making me utter disappointed with a book that had such promise. With weak characters and an unrealistic premise I tried to like the book and nearly was there, but the end. Sigh, the ending is the biggest bit of drivel and for working in childcare as long as I have; it’s just not believable. I expected a lot from her and I don’t know if Niffenegger can come back from this.

Ever by Jessa Russo

Oct18

As a homeschooled student, seventeen-year-old Ever’s love life hasn’t had the most impressive track record. She’s been in love with her neighbour Frankie since she was nine, but for the past two years they’ve been stuck in the friend zone where it will remain forever. Killed in a car accident, Frankie’s ghost lingers around the home with Ever and her family.

He’s a permanent fixture in her heart until Toby, the hot new neighbour moves into Frankie’s old house. He’s a real, breathing and very attractive guy who’s totally into Ever. It’s kind of hard to start dating with a dead kind of ex-boyfriend hovering throughout the house. As Ever spends more time with Toby, Frankie continues to warn her, but there’s more to Toby than just his passion and good looks. He’s hiding something and Ever soon is risking more than her heart as jealousy and tragedy tear through her life.

I had a tough time getting into Ever. I thought the concept of Frankie was awesome but there wasn’t enough of his character in the beginning. I didn’t enjoy how Toby immediately hits on Ever when she introduces herself the day he moves in. I felt it was just a bit too strong. I wasn’t impressed with the story and it was painfully slow. It also reminded/felt very Twilight-esque, which isn’t a good thing. I knew this was a first in a serious so I held on hoping it would pick up.

It took getting past the first 100 pages for the story to hit 0 to 60. Suddenly I found myself so engrossed in the book I couldn’t put it down. Remember, this is YA and I think Russo has hit the nail on the head for her audience; she gives them what they want. Sometimes YA can have the potential to be an adult crossover, but this is not one of those books. It’s got drama; a ridiculous love triangle and an interesting take on what keeps ghosts around. There’s a personal link for me within this story and that’s also one of the reasons I kept reading. If you’re looking for a quick, not too complicated romance, Ever will help kill some hours and give plenty of emotions for discussion. As the first in the series, I can’t wait to read what happens next.

Ever is available now!

Get it as an ebook for those in the UK

This book was provided as an ARC from Curiosity Quills Press for an honest review. Many thanks to the wonderful publisher and Net Galley!

Day 17 – 30 Day Book Challenge

Oct17

There are so many good lines by Carroll. This one has always been my favourite. I’ve always had cats growing up, my life isn’t whole without one. What I would give for a cat to grin at me.

Day 16 – 30 Day Book Challenge

Oct16

Felicity might have been the first American Girl series I read, I can’t remember. I just remember how jealous my nine-year-old self was that Felicity had a pony. It was also fun to learn colonial speak. It made me want to live during that time until I released women didn’t have any rights. Still, Felicity had her own horse and she is so full of a fiery personality that I wanted to be just like her (remember, I was nine). She also had a very close relationship with her grandfather, as did I. They aren’t the same when you read them now, but back in primary (elementary) school, these books were the coolest things ever!

Crewel by Gennifer Albin

Oct16

Since she was eight Adelice Lewys has been trained to fail the biggest test of her life. In Arras, the Spinsters run the world under the force of the Guild: women trained at weaving and spinning the threads of life. Every girl is required to take the testing cycle at the age of sixteen and Adelice who can weave without a loom has slipped during her exam. As she tries to provide her family one more evening of peace together, she’s jarred away from everything she’s ever known and brought the Coventry.

Now a part of the fortress that creates, builds and terminates life. Adelice is torn between fighting against the power of the Guild and discovering more about what’s hidden about her world. As allies crumble and the Guild pushes her to the limit, the thread woven of Arras begins to shatter. Despite the trouble Adelice still falls in love giving the men in charge only more to torment her with. With a talent that’s essential to Arras survival, she faces a fate worse than death unless escape is discovered.

Albin has stumbled upon something that’s so fascinating and creative it’s going to grab you and refuse to let go. The sheer descriptions of this world Arras are simply outstanding. I loved this book. I loved the idea of weaving through life and she’s clearly done a wonderful job researching the subject. I also adored how she was able to change the term ‘Spinster’. These ladies aren’t old and grouchy, rather the opposite. With the invention of restoration patches the Spinsters don’t age and are regarded as beautiful statues.

I really wanted to give this book five stars but I felt that a lot of the terms for the regions and having a male dignitary that’s cruel and unforgiving was a bit too much like The Hunger Games. The same goes for the beauticians and the fact that Adelice has a ‘team’ that prep and make her beautiful. However, this is easily overlooked, as I was more interested in how the weaving world worked. It’s tough to figure out who’s really on Adelice’s side and time is running out for her. I didn’t want to race to the end of the book but as this month is it’s release, I didn’t have time to savour. I didn’t want, I needed to know what happened. With an ending that will make you beg for the next instalment, this YA book is not one to miss!

Get your copy now and tell me what you think!

USA

Many thanks to Faber and Faber for providing this ARC for an honest review!