Book Review: Entangled by Nikki Jefford

Feb26

Graylee and her identical twin sister Charlene are witches. Far from being two peas in a pod the girls are as different as night and day. Charlene is devastated that her boyfriend Blake broke up with her a week before Valentine’s Day for Stacey Morehouse. Graylee’s more concerned with perfecting her invisibility spell. Charlene is one of the hottest girls in school, dressed to the nines with full makeup. Graylee glides through the halls without a boyfriend in embroidered jeans and a tank top.

One night Graylee falls asleep and the next morning she wakes up in Charlene’s room. It’s also April 1^st. Graylee’s been dead for two months and now is sharing Charlene’s body. Every other day Graylee wakes, but she has to act as Charlene in order to avoid repercussion from the coven. Their mother is on the case to fix the problem but time is running out. The more time Graylee spends in her sister’s body the more she learns her sister was more than just heartbroken. Charlene ‘s patience is also running thin and Gray is terrified to learn she’ll do anything to get her body back even if it means losing her sister a second time.

Firstly, I love the cover. Second, the first 30% of the book is a bit rough; the characters aren’t fully developed and honestly, are shallow. The writing isn’t anything new and I wasn’t interested in the story until the double occupying of the body happened. Finally some tension and conflict that’s somewhat engaging. I enjoyed the brief introduction to this world of witches and warlocks, the language and rules. Also, it’s based in Kent, Washington. KENT! If you’re a regular reader it’s not a secret that I am such a sucker for all books that have ANYTHING linked to Washington State.

There is some substance to this book but it gets lost in the romance. Romance isn’t even the main theme – its revenge. Charlene is one piece of work and although it works for the premise of the story. It’s still Graylee’s twin sister. I didn’t really buy the fact that she would act intentionally the way she does in wanting to purge her sister. The readers don’t get to know Charlene before Graylee dies and because of this I’m sceptic of her motives. Nevertheless, I think this read is great for young female readers that are looking for a love story that has drama. At the end of the day that’s all it is. Drama: High school drama. I was left wanting more and I hope the second book can accomplish this but I’m not hoping for a magic spell here. However, it’s based in Washington, I have to read this series!

Along the Waves

Feb25

The Frinton-on-Sea, England, 2013

This week is also Jewish Book Week in London, England!

Check out what’s on HERE

February Purchases

Feb23

A few weekends back, during a particularly wet and rainy Sunday in London, I took a long stroll over to the lovely Daunt Books in Chelsea. They have an amazing teenage section, as well as an well stocked children’s book area. For those looking for a place to browse in regards to art and travel, this is the Daunt Books location! Sadly the heating in this building has a lot to be desired (which isn’t unusual for such a lovely building). Regardless of this fact the gentleman that served me was charming, polite and full of smiles even on such a dreary day!

I made my purchases:

The Neverending Story by Michael Ende

I’ve been wanting to read The Neverending Story for ages! I grew up on the film adapation – I’ve named my car Falkor – and the second I learned this was based on a book I knew I had to give a read!

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

I actually bought this book for my friend’s boyfriend for Christmas last year. I loved the sound of it so much I was thrilled to have an excuse to get a copy for myself! It was in the teenage section but I’m not too sure if it’s really YA or not. Either way I’m excited to dive back into another one of Gaiman’s worlds.

I was not disappointed with my purchases from last month and I can’t wait to get started on these! Although I originally started my journey dead set on buying Scarlet by Marissa Meyer, I was so disappointed to see it wasn’t in stock! Oh well, there’s always next month.

Happy reading!

Ashley xx

The Kim Scott Walwyn Prize and Call For Entries concerning Sherlock Holmes

Feb21

Big News for the Publishing and Writing communities!

For women who work in publishing – Don’t be shy! If you live in the UK please enter yourself for the chance to be chosen for this wonderful honour on behalf of BookTrust:

“The Prize is named in honour of Kim Scott Walwyn, a Publishing Director at Oxford University Press who died in 2002. She was widely regarded as a dynamic and exceptional publisher within her lifetime and served as a mentor to several people entering the industry. In keeping with her commitment to young publishers, the Prize Committee partnered with the Society of Young Publishers (SYP) and the Publishing Training Centre (PTC) in 2011 to strengthen the Prize’s dedication to recognising promise among women in the industry. Booktrust has managed the Prize since its inception in 2003.

The Prize is open to any woman who has worked in publishing in the UK for up to seven years. Applicants must nominate themselves and supply two referees. Submissions are now open, with the deadline for all entries of Monday 25 February 2013.

Past winners and shortlisted candidates include women from publicity to rights, from editors to literary agents. Lynette Owen (OBE), Copyright Director of Pearson Education was the inaugural winner and Kathy Rooney, Managing Director of Bloomsbury Publishing, Annette Thomas, CEO of Macmillan, Penelope Hoare, Deputy Managing Director at Chatto & Windus, (although now semi-retired), Kay Peddle, Editor, The Bodley Head and Rukhsana Yasmin, Commissioning Editor, Westbourne Press have followed. Shortlisted applicants are of the highest calibre and have included Eleanor Crawforth Editor/Sales and Marketing Manager, Carcanet Press, Bethan Jones Publicity Director Harvill Secker / Yellow Jersey Press and Donna Condon, who has recently been announced as the new Editorial Director of Harlequin.

Deadline for this year’s Prize has been extended to 5pm, 25 February 2013

The winner will be announced at ceremony at the Free Word Centre in Central London on Wednesday 15 May 2013 and will receive £1000, sponsored by the SYP, and a two-day training course of their choice at the PTC. Shortlisted candidates will also receive a one-day training course courtesy of the PTC.

Find the entry guidelines here.

Now, for the Writers:

Love Sherlock Holmes? Love to Write? Submit an essay for the chance to be published in a collection of fandom works about one of the greatest detectives! Deadline is March 1st.

FAQ

The Baker Street Babes

Good luck to all those who enter!

Crossed by Ally Condie

Feb19

Cassia Reyes has been Matched, but a glitch in the Society’s perfect system has derailed her life. When Ky’s face was shown instead her Match Xander, Cassia’s heart took a leap and made her own choice. Now she is out working manual labouring, far from her family and home. In the Outlands she waits for any opportunity of where she can find Ky once again.

All her life the Society has chosen everything for Cassia, but loving Ky has opened her eyes to what else lies open in her world. Cassia will do anything she can to find Ky. In the process she’ll discover more secrets that her Grandfather was trying to clue her in on: The rising of the Rebellion. It’s tough to decide what is more dangerous – being out in the unknown or under the heavy watch of The Society. With new friends and the skill of trade Cassia must decide what she wants ultimately for her future, love or freedom.

I ate Crossed up. Four days dear readers, that is how long I was able to stretch out reading this book. Condie is fantastic at peppering the mystery of The Society within this second book. It’s interesting because there isn’t much action in this book but the lingering questions are carried through beautifully. Yes there is a Rebellion but there are so many more questions as to why it is in existence? How long has this Rebellion been growing? What exactly are the reasons and what do they hope to accomplish? The romance wasn’t the front-runner theme and I loved how every page captured my attention as to what is really going in this Big Brother world.

Cassia grows a lot during this book. She becomes her own woman-trying figure out love and what she wants for her future. She doesn’t shy away from the challenge but instead goes looking for it. She’s given a difficult task at the end of the book and I wait patiently for the third book to become available at my library. Those who loved the first Matched won’t be disappointed with Condie’s return to Cassia’s life.