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!

Day 14 – 30 Day Book Challenge

Oct14

It’s about my city (Seattle) and a hot, smart, young female private investigator, but there’s just one thing – she died for a few minutes and now can access apart of a different world known as The Grey. Who doesn’t love a story that they can read where it took place? Spooky and thrilling the first book paves the way for new world to be discovered and it just so happens that there’s a hub for the supernatural in Washington State…

Day 13 – 30 Day Book Challenge

Oct13

Kat Richardson is fantastic. A local Seattle writer her wonderful Greywalker series covered vampires way before Stephanie Meyer. The series takes place in Seattle and over the years it’s been a comfort reading a well-educated science fiction series within my home. I don’t understand why the series hasn’t been commissioned for a movie or TV series yet. Well written and well researched, Kat Richardson’s writing is the cure for any book slump mood.

Day 9 – 30 Day Book Challenge

Oct9

I tried to read the book over a period of years. Once I finished college I was able to make it a focus for a few months. I felt the first book was an enjoyable YA but as the series progressed it become more adult than I expected. For science fiction it didn’t go overboard and I felt welcomed in Lyra’s world. The series didn’t end the way I wanted it too and it’s still surprising I enjoyed it as much as I did.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Oct9

Orphaned Karou lives in two different worlds. A seventeen-year-old art student in Prague with vibrant blue hair and endless talent in our world, and teeth gatherer to the chimera Brimstone in Elsewhere. Two lives under one identity that Karou struggles to place. Connected by magical doorways between here and there, her life is full of secrets.

But a force unknown to Karou is marking the doors, and as she tries to protect her other life, she’s suddenly cut off. Stuck in one world and unable to return to the magical family that has raised her, she tries to find a way back to Elsewhere. Along the way Karou discovers that the power behind the breaking of the pathways is more serious than she guessed. Unable to place herself in either atmosphere, she’ll have to decide where she truly wants to be.

All I can say is that Taylor knows what she is doing. For a proper crossover novel that counts as YA and adult fiction, look no further! A truly refreshing read, this first in the series will leave you aching for more as soon as you hit the final page. (Good thing there’s an excerpt from the upcoming second book!) Can I also say that I loved that this book was set in Prague? Generally the YA fiction I’ve reviewed this year has been set in either the USA or the UK and it’s such a pleasant change to be immersed in a different setting.

There’s a lot to this book and I don’t want to give away any spoilers. It’s got everything for a sink into your teeth kind of read: romance, supernatural creatures, a bit of magic and wonder. Taylor masters the ability to keep the reader guessing with the questions surrounding Karou. I can’t wait to read what happens in the second book.

Hodder & Stoughton provided this book for an honest review. Many thanks to the marketing and publicity team!