Tag Archive | 5 Stars

Book Review: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

“Tally Youngblood is about to turn sixteen, and she can’t wait for the operation that turns everyone from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to party. But new friend Shay would rather hoverboard to “the Smoke” and be free. Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world and it isn’t very pretty. The “Special Circumstances” authority Dr Cable offers Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever.”

What I see: I know this series has been around for a while and I’ve wanted to read it for ages. It. Did. Not. Disappoint! The tone, the language, the idea is so forceful that the reader instantly believes Tally’s way of life. I loved it. From the first chapter you dive in and hang on page after page! Fun fact: It’s set in futuristic Seattle! What?!

It’s fast paced, different and engaging. However, there is so much more than just this idea of ‘being pretty’. I feel there’s a lot of depth to this superficial idea of making everyone pretty, although I’m aware this is not an original idea, but it’s well written and I have high hopes for this series.

The only downfall? The romance bit, (of course). It’s calculated, a bit clunky and expected, but does it help the book sell? Probably. That doesn’t mean I have to like it. Everything else is brilliant though. I really want to see what a ‘pretty’ looks like too. I get the feeling they’re kind of like Brats dolls.

Can you imagine?

Book Review: Scarlett by Marissa Meyer

Oct17

“The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth…

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.”

What I see: This was fantastic! What a great second in a series! Full of action, full of adventure, low on love and laced with humor. As the mystery surrounding Cinder is expanded, Scarlet delivers her own story in France. There is nothing fru-fru about this series and I think that’s one of the reason why I’m all for it. Scarlet takes on both Scarlet’s story line and follows Cinder’s as well. Two strong girls that will do whatever it takes to achieve their goal. Girls that kick butt! Finally!

It’s smart, it’s experimental and at time harsh. I don’t like the sugar coated YA’s. Scarlett stands on it’s own, but is also a fantastic addition to the series. When the world is dystopian, it’s fantastic to have a setting that isn’t America, but acknowledges that the rest of the world still exists. I can’t wait for the third book, Cress, being published in 2014!

Book Review: Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

Aug27

Please note: This is the second book in the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series and does contain spoilers.

Check out my review for Daughter of Smoke and Bone (1).

Karou has found a way home, but there is nothing left.

Akiva has returned to his flock. Hiding his distraught over losing Karou again, he puts his efforts toward finishing what their love started.

Two sides battle against the other in a different world. Yet Karou is now mixed, she is part of her own world, but she is also of Earth now. The small fact brings new opportunities and worse dangers to her fight.

As each side fights for what they believe is right, how can survival prevail?

I have been hording this book for a while. I knew it wouldn’t disappoint and man, it was just as miraculous as the first book. The blending of fantasy with reality is spectacular, as is the hardship and the grief. Taylor doesn’t hold back and she ploughs full force into this next exciting chapter in her well-crafted series.

If you have read the first book but not this one, DO SO IMMEDIATELY.

I can’t wait for the final book, although I’m sad to say it’s scheduled for publication in 2014, called Dreams of Gods & Monsters.

Book review: Scorch by Gina Damico

Aug10

Due to the first book being a mystery-thriller, I don’t want to spoil the ‘who dunnit’ at the end of Croak. There will be no summary, only my response to the book.

For information on the first book in this series: CLICK HERE.

My thoughts:

Love, love, love, love, love, love, love!!!!!!

You know that feeling when you’re reading Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins? Well, that is exactly how I felt when reading this action packed, high speed sequel!

Damico doesn’t hold back and there are brilliant new settings and shocking events that will make you wonder if you just read that chapter right. I poured over this book in two days and I can’t wait for the third and final book to come out next month! I’m dying (!!!) to know what happens next!

Picking up where she left off, Damico does an amazing job of continuing this amazing story and keeping her readers on their toes. I’ve fallen in love with this series and I hope my expectations of the last book aren’t to high, but I’m pretty confident that Damico can finish her series in style!

If you haven’t read either book, go do so (RIGHT NOW!)! We’ll have long chats over tea until the third book, Rogue comes out September 10th!

Book Review: Requiem by Lauren Oliver

Aug6

Please note: This is the final book in the Delirium series and does contain spoilers.

Check out my review for Delirium (1), Pandemonium (2).

The end is near for Lena and the resistance. Tension is rising and has finally come to its breaking point. Us against Them. To be free and feel, or remain a robot and die slowly. There will never be an in between. Lena has chosen her side and so has Hana.

The end is near and with so much death lost. Is it worth fighting?

The end is near.

With each book Oliver has outdone herself. I must say I am not a big fan of the first book, but the second and third are truly fantastic. What began as a traditional YA book has spawned into a series that is about life as whole instead of a silly romance.

There is heart, there is trial, there is loss and it is all so real.

This finale is heart retching. It’s gripping with tragedy and surprises. I blew through the pages and was distraught at the end. I’m really glad I stuck with the series; it’s totally worth reading and challenges your mind as to what you do. Give up everything for the chance to love freely, or be safe by being a number. The sides will never be even, and which side would you truly wish to be on?

Book Review: Happy Birthday to Me by Brian Rowe

Jul27

It all started as a practical joke. Cameron Martin is one of the most popular kids in school. At seventeen he’s the star of the basketball team and dating one of the hottest girls at his high school. Life is perfect, his body is perfect and what could make it better? A free piece of birthday cake is always the cherry on top.

But something is wrong is Cameron. Perhaps it was stress of the game or finals of senior year. Everyday he feels…a bit different. Older.

When a visit to the doctor confirms the worst, that Cameron is aging an entire year everyday, it makes one think, how would you spend living the rest of your life?

I LOVED THIS. Seriously. What a fun quick read! Why do male lead characters get all the fun in YA fiction? It’s light-hearted, easy and full of wonder. I mean, could you imagine? Aging a year in an entire DAY? The plot was pretty easy to figure out but that didn’t deter from my enjoyment. I loved Cameron. What a total teenager that bloke is.

It’s a fun story, and I’m so happy to learn it’s an already completed trilogy. The book also helps puts things in perspective. It was a joy to see the progression of Cameron’s character from prick jerkface to an adult male. He makes a lot of mistakes and boy there are some hilarious mishaps that happen. Yet in the end Cameron is still a teenager and Rowe is dead on with his tone of voice.

If you want an easy read that makes you laugh out loud at moment please give this first in a serious a shot. It’s well worth the time and a totally great read!

This book was provided by the publisher, Patchwork Press, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Brian Rowe for such a delightful read and to Patchwork Press for taking a chance on a read self published piece of work!