Friday, February 28, 2014

In My Mailbox February 2014


I got a few books for review this month, I bought some and most of the kindle books were bought threw the Daily Book Worm emails that I got.

Paperbacks

  1. Cress - Marissa Meyer
  2. Awaken - Meg Cabot
  3. Shattered - Teri Terry
  4. Unforgotten - Jessica Brody

Review

  1. Elfineness - Tatyana K. Verenko
  2. After Life Lessons - Laila Black
  3. Sunshine - Nikki Rae
  4. Sun Poison - Nikki Rae
Kindle
  1. Undiscovered - Jessica Brody
  2. For Nick - Taylor Dean
  3. Fearless - Tawdra Kandle
  4. Soul Taken - Katlyn Duncan
  5. What Kills Me - Wynne Channing
  6. Winter Solstice Winter - E. J. Squires
  7. Pretty in Black - Rae Hachton

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Wishlist Wednesday


17565845Panic by Lauren Oliver
Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town of 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do.

Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She’d never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought.

Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game, he’s sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he’s not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for.

For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them—and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most.

Lauren Oliver's new novel hits stores March 3rd go buy it.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

My Interview with Amy Plum

I read Die For Me late 2013 and I wanted to know where Amy Plum got her idea for the Revenant series from and what she had coming up in 2014 and she agreed to answer 5 questions for the blog.

      
1)  I love the idea of Revenants because I've never seen anything like them in any other books. Where did you get the idea from?
When I decided to write a paranormal romance, I had no idea what type of supernatural creature I wanted to use. I actually made a list with vampires, werewolves, mummies, unicorns...everything I could think of. And none really appealed to me. So I mixed two beings: gods and zombies. I actually called revenants "zombies" in the first draft of the book, but once Kate and Vincent kissed decided I had to change it. I used the French word "revenant," which means "spirit that comes back for a purpose." And little by little, the rules and mythology started falling into place.

2)  So far there are three books in the series will there be more in the series or do you plan on doing a spin-off or is it over?
There are actually four books in the series. I added a novella called "DIE FOR HER," which is written from Jules's point of view. It is only available by eBook, but my readers seem to really love it. As for writing more revenant books, I am considering the idea. Why not? :)

3)  When naming your characters do you give thought to the actual meaning of the names?
Some of the names I actually researched. I wanted them to be era-appropriate. So for Ambrose, I looked at African American soldiers in WWII and took his name from the list. Same for Jean-Baptiste - I put his name together from a list of Napoleon's officers. Jules was a common name around the turn of the century. Kate and Vincent were just off the top of my head. Charlotte and Charles seemed like names someone would give their twins in the beginning of the 20th century. Georgia is just Georgia. She couldn't be anything else. And some of the minor characters I named after friends - just to make them happy! :)

4)  What do you find the hardest part of a book to write?
That's a difficult question. I guess it would be the middle. The beginning's so exciting, and I always get fired up when I get to the end. But getting over the hump I suppose is the hardest part. Knowing that there is still so much to be resolved.

5)  What can fans of your work look forward to in 2014?
2014 is a BIG year for me, because the first book in my JUNEAU series comes out: AFTER THE END (May 2014). Also, the U.S. paperback version of IF I SHOULD DIE will be released in April, and that will include (in the extras) an epilogue written by Gaspard five years after the end of the book. I hope everyone enjoys (and agrees) with what happens to our Parisian characters!

Thanks so much for the interview.


To find out more about Amy and her novels visit her at any of the following links:

Top 10 Tuesday

Hosted by Broke and the Bookish
Top 10 Rewind - Top 10 Childhood Favourites (This was so hard to pick ask I loved loads of books when I was growing up)

  1. Charlotte's Web - E. B. White
  2. Goodnight Mr Tom - Michelle Magorian
  3. Sleepover Club - Rose Impey
  4. The Worst Witch - Jill Murphy
  5. The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle
  6. The Glitter Girls - Caroline Plaisted
  7. The Naughty Little Sister - Dorothy Edwards
  8. Matilda - Roald Dahl
  9. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - C. S. Lewis
  10. Thirteen O'Clock - Enid Blyton

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Avenging Amethyst by Kaitlyn Price


Avenging Amethyst is Kaitlyn's debut book which I received for an honest review.

The book is about three vampire clans, the half breeds called Lovac, Zhulik and Nesmyrs which are presented in different and unique ways. You can tell which clan a vampire belongs to by looking at their eyes. Lovacs have purple eyes and Nesmyrs have red eyes (having red eyes makes them evil vampires)

Avery and her mum have been on the run the whole of Avery's life, but the story starts off with her mum unfortunately involved in an accident and ends up in hospital, while her mum is in the hospital a ghost woman appears and snaps her mums neck and then just disappears as quickly as she appeared and Avery ends up on the run trying to find answers to what happened to her mother.

While Avery who is a Lovac is on the run she meets Felix also a Lovac and she ends up falling further into the the supernatural world.

Kaitlyn explains everything to the reader so that they don't get confused as to who the characters are and I found myself really enjoying Avery's new world just as much as Avery did.

The book is my kind of book, I love fantasy stories about vampires, witches and anything magical. Kaitlyn does a great job of bringing the characters to life by into detail about who the character is and which supernatural group they belong with.

There are also a fourth type of creatures in the story called Dimidium's these creatures are able to keep the darkness calm by taming the beasts.

Lovac's cannot be with the same species/race meaning that they cannot get with another Lovac but they are able to get with a Dimidium in order to survive as they are Lovac's soul mate so to enable them not to go crazy from the darkness and to stop the world from falling into darkness, it helps to keep the world balanced.

The only problem is, Avery and Felix are both Lovac's and my feeling is that they like each other but unless there going to break the rules in a future book they cannot be together and this made me feel sad for Avery who has lost everything.

The plot is easy to follow as it is written so beautifully written. I cannot wait until book 2 comes out as I want to know what happens next.

I recommend this book to everyone even if your not a supernatural book fan because this is a new take on vampires.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Wishlist Wednesday


9791902Unforgotten By Jessica Brody
Some memories are better left forgotten... 

After a daring escape from the scientists at Diotech who created her, Seraphina believes she is finally safe from the horrors of her past. But new threats await Sera and her boyfriend, Zen, at every turn as Zen falls prey to a mysterious illness and Sera’s extraordinary abilities make it more and more difficult to stay hidden. Meanwhile, Diotech has developed a dangerous new weapon designed to apprehend her. A weapon that even Sera will be powerless to stop. Her only hope of saving Zen’s life and defeating the company that made her is a secret buried deep within her mind. A secret that Diotech will kill to protect. And it won’t stay forgotten for long.

Packed with mystery, suspense, and romance, this riveting second installment of Jessica Brody’s Unremembered trilogy delivers more heart-pounding action as loyalties are tested, love becomes a weapon, and no one’s memories are safe.

The book I have been waiting months for is out February 25th

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Top 10 Tuesday

Hosted by Broke and the Bookish

This weeks Top 10 is Top 10 Reasons I Love Being A Blogger/Reader

Blogger

  1. Get to share my reviews with other readers
  2. Get to talk to authors about their books
  3. I get to share my love for reading with other
  4. I've read books other bloggers have recommended
  5. Being a blogger has made me a better reader
Reader
  1. It helps me to relax when I'm having a bad day
  2. Reading helps keep my imagination alive
  3. It have helped improve my spelling and grammar and my concentration has improved
  4. Escape from the real world and read about other peoples problems
  5. Reading has improved my knowledge on different cultures

Monday, February 17, 2014

Review - The Ambrose Beacon by Alena Gouveir


17828680Release Date: April 8th 2013
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Format: eBook
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Strange things have been happening in Evergreen, Colorado. People are disappearing, wolves are prowling the woods for the first time in seventy years, and strangers in black are showing up at the local schools.

For the Ambrose family, it’s a sign that their quiet lives are about to be changed forever. The events signal the beginning of a struggle that will either push them closer together as a family, or tear them apart. To survive, each of the children must harness the strange new abilities with which they’ve been gifted and learn to fight as one.

For Jeremiah Ambrose, the struggle to protect his children will force him to put aside his animosity for his brother-in-law Harper, and learn to see him in a different light. 

But for Harper, the burden is heaviest. He alone knows the truth about the strange events and what they mean for his family. Something is searching for the Ambrose children. And when it finds them, the fate of the whole world will be decided...

My review:
received a copy of The Ambrose Beacon to review.

I thought The Ambrose Beacon was a good read. It focuses on a family - A father, his 5 children and their uncle Harper.

The book has multiple points of views which after reading previous books I am now used to so it was easy to follow and I found it easier to connect with each character's feelings.

The more I read the more interesting I found it. The story flowed and had some suspense in the story line with its non stop action which made it great. I loved the fact it was about faeries that inherited magic powers.

There are themes in the story that the readers can relate to for example the parts about the school dance and the loss of a parent or loved one.

I love faeries and most things about fantasy so I really enjoyed the parts where there were the faeries and that that there could have been a bit more about the faerie side to it. The only thing I wasn't so keen on was the fact that they were using their magic powers in public in front of non magical people which would never happen they would want to keep it secret. I so love creative worlds and creatures that are made up though.

I wasn't expecting the book to be so gripping I thought it would be another been there, done that book about magic, faeries and demons but it wasn't

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy books or just books about faeries or magic.

Currently Reading: Perfect Scoundrel by Ally Carter
Read in 2014: 5/40

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Review - Undiscovered by Jessica Brody


18806133Release Date: February 14th 2014
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, Giroux Books for Young Readers
Format: eBook
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Before the crash of Freedom Airlines flight 121... 

There was a top-secret research compound hidden deep in the desert.


There was a girl held prisoner in a restricted sector. 


And there was a boy who found her. And risked everything to set her free. 


Romantic and action-packed, Undiscovered is sure to thrill fans of Jessica Brody’s Unremembered trilogy. In this 100-page novella, told from Zen’s point of view, more secrets are revealed about Seraphina’s forgotten past, the corporation that created her, and the boy who fell in love with her. Undiscovered also includes a sneak peek of Unforgotten, the anticipated second book in the trilogy.


My review:
Undiscovered is written in Zen's point of view and before Unremembered was set. Its about Zen meeting Sera for the first time and having to tell her everyday who he was. I loved Unremembered and Zen so I had to have it and after reading Undiscovered it made me want to read Unforgotten even more than the chapter sampler did but I only have to wait another week before I get to read it :)

The story starts off with Zen being chased by Diotech security after he broke into a lab to steal bunnies that had been shrunk and tested on so he could set them free instead of being stuck in cages. After being caught Zen plants a tracker in Dr Rio's pocket and end's up following him to a cottage which is hidden away from other and only high level scientists can get into the area but Zen sneaks in by using his mums finger prints.

The way that Jessica writes you can tell from the moment Zen meets Sera it was love at first sight even if it was just on his part to start with. You can tell just by the words Jessica uses that Zen loves Sera and he is scared that she isn't being treated right.

Zen doesn't realise at first that Sera isn't completely human but he doesn't care he just wanted to be with her. He is suspicious because of how fast she can move and because she doesn't know what certain words mean or understand certain questions or instructions.

Zen goes back to visit Sera the next day but is disappointed because she doesn't seem to remember who he is and he realises that Diotech have erased her memories of him and he feels he should run and stay away be he obviously loves her and he can't leave her which is a good thing because if he did there would be no Sera and Zen, no story, no trilogy and that would be a bad thing.

Zen realises that he needs to get Sera away from the compound, he decides to make it his mission to try and find out why Sera is being hidden in the middle of the desert and why Diotech are erasing him from her memories. 

When Zen's mum leaves the compound to do "research" Zen seems upset but I have a feeling that he is only upset because he has been using his mums finger prints to get into see Sera and with his mum gone he is worried that he wont be able to get in to see her again for a while.

After getting caught trying to escape with Sera from Diotech compound, Sera get's her memories wiped again but Zen gets to keep his and he learns some valuable information about Sera as well as being told something about his past which he doesn't really pay attention to at the time. After getting this information Zen decides to try something else which also fails.

Zen then thinks about what Dr Rio told him when he was caught and he discovers a memory that had been taken from him by Diotech after he discovered something he shouldn't have found.

After this event Zen visits Sera and they sit on the grass reading a Shakespeare poem and this is when Sera realises that the only way she and Zen can be together would be if they lived in the times of Shakespeare because there was no computers, brain scanners and science was not as advanced as it is in there time and this would stop Diotech from ruining their lives. Sera says something to Zen about living in Shakespearean time and this makes him get the idea to time travel back to 1609.

I really enjoyed reading Zen's version of events on how he and Sera met and all the trouble they went through to be together. I can't wait until the 25th to find out what happens next to Zen and Sera.

Currently Reading: Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter
Read in 2014: 6/40

My Interview with Tina Smith

I was able to interview Tina Smith last year about her Wolf Siren series. Now I am interviewing Tina again to get the gossip on the inspiration of her Wolf siren series and what she has coming up this year.

15768848     16120233     18388385

1.  When naming your characters do you look at their meanings?
Yes, I have definitely googled baby names a few times!
I like to think about all aspects of a name -- the sound, the meaning and the type of character that would have that name. Some characters are so strong that they own the name. Your name says a lot about you and what kind of parents you had. I think names are important and beautiful, and very interesting! I often write down names I hear, that are unusual, for use at a future date.
2.  What was the best book you read in 2013?
I didn’t get a lot of reading done, I read game of Thrones, Song of Fire and Ice. And I read Promise me Darkness, because it was an indie success. I have a few half read books on my Ipad. I have written and released four novel length books in a little over 14 months. I actually developed eye strain and bursitis -- I really pushed myself. My fave book was Colleen Hoover’s Slammed, which I read around Christmas, it was a tear jerker. All of last year I was finishing study for my advanced Diploma of Naturopathy and Western Herbal Medicine, working a job and I am a mum -- I was burning the candle at both ends big time.
3.  What is your favourite part of a book to write?
Sometimes things just flow. In Wolf Sirens the scenes between Cres and Lila just flowed, I got in the zone and the scenes came together well. I loved describing Cres and Lila on the hunt. Cresida’s quirky wardrobe and actions make her a great character to work with.
Anytime I reach a scene that I have been working towards for some time is great. Letting the cat out of the bag, like when Reid grabs Cres and pashes her. It’s like Christmas.
4.  Of the 4 books that are published in the Wolf Siren series which is your favourite?
Book #2 Fever. It’s a guilty indulgence. I love the cover and I relished describing life in Shade for Lila and Cres at that time. It’s all singlet tops, the jeep and hidden guns. The back stories of the pack and all the gritty details were really great to sink my teeth into. It’s close to my heart. I think in general it is the most disliked book in the series, but if you are a true fan of Wolf Sirens you’ll love it as much as I do.  
5.  And which is your least favourite and what would you do to change it?
I couldn’t tell you, they are like my children. They are each their own complete work. I wrote them so quickly and they are still so fresh in my mind that I honestly don’t know. I know what people expected, but I do my own thing. If you like the unexpected plot, I’m your woman. Go in with no expectations. I’ll need more distance to decide if there was anything I would change. I am happy – I try to consider all the angles. I seem like a manic pantser, but I am a deep thinker. I try to have foresight and I write what I want to read, so no regrets.
6.  Who are your target readers?
My genre is Y/A – which features characters from 15 to 18. But basically that means women from 14 to 40 should enjoy it. Young adult has a broad scope, which is good. I’m 30 and I find that women in that age range and below really enjoy the series. We can all relate to an angst ridden teenager or two. Like other series I do turn up the heat level slightly in the later books as well as the pace.
7.  What do you think readers look for in a book?
I think people look for what they can relate to. Like medicine, not every person responds well. We are complex creatures. Mostly we are looking for escape and something to relate to. When a writer writes about feelings that you have experienced we feel less alone. I know from my own experience that being understood and listened to, go a long way to making us feel validated and important. It gives us loners a sense of community.
8.  Do you use real-life stories (your life, a friends life or a piece of news) to inspire your writing?
Yeah, I’m a whore for inspiration. I have a pretty wild imagination (so I have been told) so I can take something and run with it -- probably why I love reality T.V.
9.  What do you find is the easiest part of a book to write?
It’s not an easy thing to do as a whole. There are so many elements. I think for me because I am an emotional person I find it very therapeutic and almost second nature to write about a character’s emotions. The hardest part is when you aren’t 100 percent where to go next. That requires pushing through, leaving it for a while and brain storming. Being a writer is a constant internal battle. I feel like there are different people in my head all arguing the point -- all with different motivation. I take their advice and continue on. Sometimes it flows, sometimes it dries up, you need to recharge. You have to be the perfect mix of robot and emotional wreck to be a writer.
10.      …… And the hardest?
The isolation, though that’s also the best part. I love all the people that my work has brought into my life. I love discussing imaginary characters and arguing over them like they are real, it’s both hilarious and gratifying. To take people on a journey with you is immensely gratifying. It’s a way of being close to people without having to interact. So that’s both a blessing and a curse.
11.      What research did you do to write the Wolf Siren series?
I googled Artemis, read some Greek myth. Wolf Sirens came from inside me, I developed it slowly based on what I felt was lacking. I wrote a hero’s journey based on what I wanted to read. I saw a lack of real, tough women featured in our culture.
Strong female characters with a realistic edge were, and are, lacking in literature and movies. Women aren’t either homemakers or cold warriors; we are everything in between – both strong and vulnerable. The paranormal genre really allowed me a format to present my fantasy. It all goes back to when I was 5, I wanted to be Atreyu in The Never Ending Story. I see a need for strong female role models, particularly for young women. I want books to feature female roles where historically and currently male roles are played -- let’s face it women are more dynamic and interesting.
We need to take the reins in a male dominant environment. It takes confidence to demand respect -- confidence that perhaps can come from having such role models.
12.      With wolves being a popular theme in books (just like vampires) do you think you chose the right theme for your series? Or should you have picked something else to write about?
No, I love wolves. If anything perhaps I should have written about vampires, they seem so overwhelmingly popular. But I felt it had been done and they are so dark. Wolves are lighter, but they still have some grit. I hope wolf themes become more popular. I’m a smart cookie I didn’t choose to spend years of my life on a series that I didn’t think would be in some respects commercially popular. I took a gamble at doing something that revealed my heart and soul, but I looked a bit at the chasm below before I leapt.  
13.      Why should a reader pick up your book over other books about wolves?
Because I am a genius! Only joking. I can’t please everyone, and I didn’t try. If you want a book with depth of emotion and a story that builds, within the paranormal genre, I could suit your taste. It’s a journey. Try a bite. It could be cleverly written. Spend a night with the good the bad and the bitten. Warning: might be contagious, riveting and heart wrenching!
14.      What do you find the hardest part about getting your books out there?
Doing it all myself. So while I should be writing and being my own writer, editor and publisher, I also have to be a manager and marketer and agent. I feel sometimes as though my time is better spent writing, because it can be a huge emotional drain promoting yourself and it takes a lot of time.  But I have learnt a lot and I enjoy social networking, especially with readers.
15.      What can we look forward to in 2014?
I have started a Writers Co-op Anthology group. I have managed to get 9 authors on board and we plan to publish 2 books this year that are filled with paranormal stories. Night Fall is a Young Adult title novel of short stories and Lacing Shadows will be the second book, a New Adult genre Anthology. Both are due for release in in later 2014
I also plan to publish the 5th book in the Wolf Sirens series, Dawn in Shade. The fight picks up pace, there are some steamy reunions and a pretty epic ending.
I would just like to thank Tina for taking the time to do this interview much appreciated.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Review - Arabelle's Shadow by Fleur Gaskin



Release Date: November 25th 2012
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Format: eBook
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

17282501
Synopsis:
Everything in Arabelle's life is coming together. She has confidence, great friends, she's even dating Naak, a wealthy Thai socialite. But there are too many models in Bangkok. Arabelle’s broke, she can’t find an agent in New York, and Naak isn’t as wonderful as he first appears. Slowly the Shadows creep back into Arabelle’s mind, bringing with them thoughts of hopelessness and despair. The vile Shadows know something Arabelle’s refusing to remember and, if she’s not careful, they’ll use it to destroy her. Based on a true story, Arabelle’s Shadows takes us on a journey through the struggles of growing up, not quite making it as an international model, and attempting to overcome a crushing depression.


My review: I received a copy of Arabelle's Shadow to review.

Arabelle's Shadow is based on a true story and is written in diary form. The story takes the reader through what Arabelle was going through during her dark time with depression.

The story shows the ups and downs and it seems that when something is going right for Arabelle something then goes wrong and she would fall back into depression again.

The book was written to give a great message, the message I got was to always look for the positive in life no matter how down and depressed you are feeling. I can sort of relate to this at the moment with university and after finishing the book I decided to look to the positive about my course instead of focusing on the negatives all the time.

Arabelle sometimes annoyed me at points in the book but only because she would keep making the same mistakes over and over again. The book also sends the message to people who want to be a model that it isn't as easy as they think and that message was delivered really well.

Even though the book is in diary form it doesn't mean that the story is in order. The chapters are about things that happen during Arabelle's life so they flick back and fourth throughout the book which was confusing sometimes as I had to try to remember if it was a past memory, a present memory or a dream.

Just because someone tells you that you cannot do something that doesn't mean that you cannot do something else that relates to that type of job. For example someone who wants to be a teacher but does not have the credits to get onto the right course at university to do teaching, it does not mean that they cannot work in a school doing something else like being a Learning Support Assistant or a Teachers Assistant instead.

Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who likes to read diaries and coming of age stories.

Currently Reading: Perfect Scoundrel by Ally Carter
Currently Reading: Undiscovered by Jessica Brody
Read in 2014: 5/40

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Wishlist Wednesday


17160608
The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow
Savannah. Courtney. Peyton. 

The three sisters grew up not knowing their father and not quite catching a break. But it looks like their luck is about to change when they find out the secret identity of their long-lost dad—a billionaire Las Vegas hotel owner who wants them to come live in a gorgeous penthouse hotel suite. Suddenly the Strip's most exclusive clubs are all-access, and with an unlimited credit card each, it should be easier than ever to fit right in. But in a town full of secrets and illusion, fitting in is nothing compared to finding out the truth about their past.

The Secret Diamond Sisters is out February 25th

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Top 10 Tuesday

Hosted by Broke and the Bookish
Top 10 books that will make you swoon

  1. Twilight - Stephanie Meyer
  2. Heist Society - Ally Carter (gotta love Hale)
  3. Evermore - Alyson Noel (Damen <3)
  4. Unremembered - Jessica Brody
  5. Facing up to Fatherhood - Miranda Lee
  6. Evernight - Claudia Gray
  7. Fallen Star - Jessica Sorensen
  8. Die For Me - Amy Plum
  9. Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
  10. The Vampire Stalker - Allison Van Diepen (Who wouldn't love their favourite character to come to life??)

Monday, February 10, 2014

Review - Double Crossed: A Spies and Thieves Story by Ally Carter


16301336Release Date: January 22nd 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Format: e-book
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Macey McHenry—Glamorous society girl or spy-in-training?

W.W. Hale V—Heir to an American dynasty or master thief?

There are two sides to every coin. Whether these two can work together is a tossup.


Born into privilege, Macey and Hale are experts at mingling with the upper class. But even if they’ve never raised an eyebrow at the glitz, neither teenager has ever felt at home with the glamour.

When Macey and Hale meet at a society gala, the party takes a dangerous turn. Suddenly they’re at the center of a hostage situation, and it’s up to them to stop the thugs from becoming hostile. Will Macey’s spy skills and Hale’s con-man ways be enough to outsmart a ruthless gang? Or will they have to seek out the ultimate inside girl to help?


The worlds of Heist Society and the Gallagher Girls collide in Ally Carter’s fast-paced, high-stakes and tantalizing new story. Get a behind the scenes glimpse as Ally delivers an irresistible thriller that is full of her signature style and savvy twists.

My review: I wasn't sure if I was going to read this at first as I haven't read The Gallagher Girls yet but I am glad I did because I now want to read The Gallagher Girls after I have finished reading Perfect Scoundrels.

Their is not really much you can say about Double Crossed without giving away the plot but although I love the fact that Hale and Kat pull heists it was nice seeing Hale team up with someone completely different from Kat to help to try and catch the thieves instead of being one.

I think the story could have been a little longer but it's only a novella hopefully Ally will write more of these. Maybe Ally could have Macey turn up in and help Kat and Hale out on a heist in a future book in the Heist Society series.

Currently Reading: Perfect Scoundrel by Ally Carter
Read in 2014: 5/40

15 DAYS TO GO

I soooo can't wait

9791902

Saturday, February 08, 2014

Review - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins



18667069Release Date: 14th September 2008
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads


Synopsis:
In a dark vision of the near future, a terrifying reality TV show is taking place. Twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to appear in a live event called the Hunger Games. There is only one rule: kill or be killed.

When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen steps forward to take her sister's place in the games, she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature.


My review: Okay I'll admit it that I am way behind on reading this and I did watch the movie first so I wasn't expecting to like the book so much but to be honest I think the book was way better than the movie.

The Hunger Games is brilliantly written and with every description I could picture it in my head (it may have just been because I had already seen the movie I don't know). I found it a super fast read especially for me seeing as it normally takes me a month to read a book of this length it only took me a few days and that was because I had to read it around an essay and uni lectures.

The book started off with Katniss hunting with her friend Gale and Gale trying to convince her to run from District 12 where they lived although if they did run away I am sure they would have been caught and murdered or would nave no where to go even if they could both live off the animals and plants in the woods.

District 12 is the least favourite district in Panam so they are the worst off although all of the districts have special attributes for the capitol somehow district 12 seems to be the worst off in my opinion. Katniss has to go out hunting in the woods which is forbidden just to get food for her sister Prim, her mother and herself some of which she sell's at the Hob to make some money or exchange for something else to eat so that there not just eating rabbit or squirrels.

The worst day for all of Panam is reaping day where once a year the government leaders set up teenagers to fight one another to the death one boy and one girl from each district compete against one another live on national television. the 24 kids who enter know that only one of them can survive to become victor and they know that they have to kill the other member from their district who could be their friend or be killed. When Prim's name is called during the reaping, without even having to think about it Katniss takes her place, she wants to save her little sister and has to compete alongside a bakers son Peeta.

To survive the games the tributes need to win the heart of the audience and get sponsors to help them survive in the arena so a previous winner from district 12 Haymitch - a drunk - decides to make it look like Katniss and Peeta are in love with one another not knowing that Peeta has hadcrush on Katniss since they were 5 and it is only revealed during an interview before the games even start. Katniss will still have to use her brains and instincts to fight during the games just like Peeta even if that comes down to Peeta killing the girl he loves.

During the days before the hunger games start the 24 tributes have to train together do interviews and come up with strategies to help them survive in the arena Haymitch's strategy is for Katniss and Peeta fake being in love to gain the audience’s approval. While training Katniss notices the Career tributes these are the ones who have broken the law and been training for the games since they were young, these tributes also come from the richer districts, districts 1, 2, 3 and 4.

While in the arena Katniss has to figure out who she can trust Katniss is good in many ways, she sacrifices herself for her sister and she tries to save people in the game and this turns out to be a little 12 year old named Rue from district 11. Rue can jump from tree to tree without making a sound and she know what plants and berries can be eaten without killing you.

Once Katniss and Rue team up they decide to try and get rid of some of the career tributes by blowing up their food supply - why should the career tributes have all the good food while everyone else has to live off the land? - once they have destroyed the food supply the career tributes throw a fit and then go after Katniss and Rue and one of them kills Rue which makes Katniss very vulnerable and Katniss sings to Rue while she dies and then covers her in flowers.

After this a gamemaker tried to manipulate the remaining tributes telling them that if both members of the same district are the last two standing them they both win, hearing this Katniss go looking for Peeta when she finds him Peeta is pretty beat up for protecting Katniss. Peeta and Katniss both team up and this is when Katniss and Peeta play to the media by caring for Peeta and making it look like they are really in love.

The final death scene - Cato's death - is gruesome after his death the gamemaker who announced the new rule shows up and it is announced that the new rule has been revoked and there will only be one tribute who can win the games so Katniss and Peeta try to outwit the game creators by agreeing to kill themselves so that there is no victor by attempting to eat poisonous berries that will kill them almost immediately.

Collins has written a book that is exciting and breathtaking it is one of the best books I've read in a while. If you haven't read The Hunger Games yet what are you waiting for.

Currently Reading: Perfect Scoundrel by Ally Carter
Read in 2014: 5/40

Wednesday, February 05, 2014

Wishlist Wednesday


17080266Fates by Lanie Bross
Lanie Bross's debut FATES is perfect for fans of Jennifer Armentrout, Julie Kagawa, Rachel Vincent, and Sarah J. Maas, and for girls who love all things pretty, romantic and inspirational.

One moment. One foolish desire. One mistake. And Corinthe lost everything.

She fell from her tranquil life in Pyralis Terra and found herself exiled to the human world. Her punishment? To make sure people's fates unfold according to plan. Now, years later, Corinthe has one last assignment: kill Lucas Kaller. His death will be her ticket home.

But for the first time, Corinthe feels a tingle of doubt. It begins as a lump in her throat, then grows toward her heart, and suddenly she feels like she is falling all over again--this time for a boy she knows she can never have. Because it is written: one of them must live, and one of them must die. In a universe where every moment, every second, every fate has already been decided, where does love fit in?

Bross' debut novel is released on February 11th

Tuesday, February 04, 2014

Top 10 Tuesday

Hosted by Broke and the Bookish
Top Eight Books That Will Make You Cry

  1. Facing Up To Fatherhood - Miranda Lee
  2. My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult
  3. Charlotte's Web - E.B.White
  4. Goodnight Mr. Tom - Michelle Magorian
  5. The Bridge to Terabithia - Katherine Paterson
  6. Pollyanna - Eleanor H. Porter
  7. Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgomery
  8. The Chronicles of Narnia - C. S. Lewis
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