Book Review: Yesterday

Yesterday by C.K. Kelly Martin

 

Format: e-arc

Publisher: Random House

Published: 25th September 2012

Pages: 368

Main Characters: Freya, Garren

Date Started: 20th September 2012

Date Finished: 27th September 2012

Rating Given: ***

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

THEN: The formation of the UNA, the high threat of eco-terrorism, the mammoth rates of unemployment and subsequent escape into a world of virtual reality are things any student can read about in their 21st century textbooks and part of the normal background noise to Freya Kallas's life. Until that world starts to crumble.

NOW: It's 1985. Freya Kallas has just moved across the world and into a new life. On the outside, she fits in at her new high school, but Freya feels nothing but removed. Her mother blames it on the grief over her father's death, but how does that explain the headaches and why do her memories feel so foggy? When Freya lays eyes on Garren Lowe, she can't get him out of her head. She's sure that she knows him, despite his insistence that they've never met. As Freya follows her instincts and pushes towards hidden truths, the two of them unveil a strange and dangerous world where their days may be numbered. Unsure who to trust, Freya and Garren go on the run from powerful forces determined to tear them apart and keep them from discovering the truth about their shared pasts (and futures), her visions, and the time and place they really came from. Yesterday will appeal to fans of James Dashner's The Maze Runner, Veronica Roth's Divergent, Amy Ryan's Glow, Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and Ally Condie's Matched.
 

 
When I saw this on Netgalley I thought this would be an interesting read and I wasn't wrong but I feel like it could have been better.

I love the cover it was what made me want to read this book. There is a lot going on in the cover without giving anything away which is how I felt about the most of the book. Every time I see this image my eye is drawn straight to the girls face especially the eye it makes me want to know more about her.

I loved that for the most part this book was based in 1985 as this was the year I was born so it was nice to see the different culture of that time period. For some of the book it was based in another time but i was thinking that it would be in the past so I was surprised when it went to 2063! I'm not sure what genre this book is as I think it's Dystopian with Paranormal but there's not much of the paranormal side in this book so I was a bit disappointed about that.
At first I couldn't get into this book and I think it could have only been about halfway through until I got into it which was a shame as once I got into it, it was a really gripping book. I was confused about what was happening for most of the book and I still don't think everything was explained very well. There was times when I found myself skimming through some of the chapters which I don't usually do especially when I was already confused but it just dragged. There was times however that I was so int the book that I didn't want to put the book down as it was gripping. The beginning may have dragged but from the halfway point so much was happening and it was such a thrilling ride. There was so many twists and turns that I was never sure about what was going to happen next which I love when a book can do that. The end I'm not sure about which is because I don't know if this is a stand alone or if it's a series so if it was a stand alone it was a bad ending but if not I am looking forward to see where the journey will take Freya and Garren next.

I wasn't a huge fan of the characters but like the book they grew on me and became good characters. Freya started of a bit confusing as she was not sure what was happening in her life and wasn't remembering things but when we find out about why this was happening she got better. She became a strong person and didn't care what people thought of her which I find a good trait to have. Garren I really didn't like to start with as he seemed a bit of a jerk but all of a sudden he starts being nice and starts to believe Freya but I found it was a bit out of the blue so for me it wasn't believable. I did start liking him after all that happened and loved to see Freya and Garren's friendship grow and they was really sweet together.

Overall I was confused for most part of the book but it did get loads better and I hope there is going to be another book.

Showcase Sunday #17

 

Showcase Sunday is a new weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea and for more info click on the SS image which will take you straight to the blog. Click on the titles of the books to take you to Goodreads.

Books mentioned in vlog:

Swap book
Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs

Review Books
Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black
Devil's Bargain by Rachel Caine
Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan



That's what I received this week let me know what you got.

Book Review: Onyx (Lux, #1)

Onyx (Lux, #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

(May contain spoilers)

 

Format: Paperback

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Published: 14 August 2012

Pages: 366

Main Characters: Katy, Daemon

Date Started: 19th September 2012

Date Finished: 24th September 2012

Rating Given: *****

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems.

Something worse than the Arum has come to town…

The Department of Defense are here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.

But then everything changes…

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies…
 

 
I bought this book before I even started Obsidian but I had a feeling I would need the second one and I wasn't wrong. I was going to leave this one for a couple of weeks but I only read one book in between and I didn't even want to read that one I just wanted to read this book as I loved the first one, I just had to read this one the sooner the better!

I love the cover as it matches the first one but in this one it is in blue which is one of my favourite colours. I love that they have used the same models as now the covers flow.

With this book I seemed to fall had for as I just loved it so much more than the first one which I think had more to do with Daemon (but more on him later). I feel like this book has everything I need to love a book: Romance (will they/won't they), action, thrilling, made me laugh, made me cry, everyone of these points I love and Armentrout did them to the extreme. There was a time during this year when  started going off the whole paranormal genre but with this series I am back into it in a big way.
As soon as I picked this book up I new I was going to love it as it had me from the first paragraph. I loved the ending it made me smile but it also made me nervous as to what is coming next. With the books I review I always try and find pros and cons but for me I couldn't find any as it was perfect it makes me smile just thinking of the book. I need the next book now I don't want to have to wait until December but if that book is anything like this book it will be well worth the wait.

I loved the characters, Katy was just as strong and feisty as the first one but she seemed even more stronger even if she did do some stupid things. Daemon in Obsidian I didn't like his mood swings but in this book... well swoon isn't good enough. He was so sweet but he did his sweet things in the Daemon way which made me laugh out loud. He did have some moments when he was jealous which made him act a bit like he was before but this time around I didn't care I still loved him for them. I don't think Dee was in it as much as the first one but when she was she was the same Dee as before but there was something HUGE that happened that had me crying for her. We was also introduced to a new character Blake who I must admit I liked at first but I soon went off of him.

Overall this for me was the perfect book that had me in a rollercoster ride with my emotions. Loved every minute of it I can't wait for OPAL!

Book Cover Talk: Dance of Shadows

This week's book cover that I am talking about is...

 

 

Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

 

I only saw this cover last week but as soon as I saw it I asked if I could review it. I now have a review copy of this book which is just the picture the title is on the spine as well as the back. I actually don't mind that I have this version as I get to see the image uninterrupted.

There are a few covers that have the dress turning into petals and I love them all and this one is no exception. I love the bold colour of the dress/petals as it just draws my eye straight to it. You also know that this book is going to be about dancing not just because it has it in the title (which doesn't always mean anything) but because of the ballet shoes that the girl is wearing. I do think that the bottom half could have been lightened up as I have to look really closely to even notice the shoes. I know that the mist is covering them so you shouldn't be able to see them but it could have been just a little darker so that we know that the girl is a dancer/dancing. Apart from that little bit I love the mist it makes the whole cover look more dramatic, it makes me desperate to read what the book is going to be all about.

I like that the title's font has been kept simple but put a bit of a pattern around it giving it a more elegant feel which when you think of ballet dancing you (well I) think of elegance.

This book isn't out until 12th February 2013 so a long wait, glad I have mine now but I won't be reading it until the end of November early December as that's when they want the reviews!

What does everyone else think of the cover? do you agree with me? or do you not like it?

 

Teaser Tuesday #40

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! To find out more about the books click on the picture which will take you to Goodreads.




My teasers:

The Diviners by Libba Bray

Deep in the cellar of the dilapidated house, a furnace comes to life with a death rattle like the last bitter cough of a dying man laughing contemptuously at his fate. A faint glow emanates from the dark, foul-smelling earthen tomb. Yes, something moves again in the shadows. A harbinger of much greater evil to come. Naughty John has come home. And he has work to do. - Page 9
 

I have not read much of this book as I only started it today. What I have read is more setting up the world but with something like this teaser happening I think it will be getting interesting very soon.

Yesterday by C.K. Kelly Martin

We trudge out of the lobby together and towards my grandfather's car nestled at the curbside, my thoughts back on Walmer Road with the boy who's a complete stranger to me yet feels so much more familiar than my flesh-and-blood grandfather. - Page 63 (arc copy so quote may differ to final copy.)









Again I haven't read much of this book but this time I can't seem to get into it but I'm hoping that the further I get into it the more I will start to like it.

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #48

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!
(Click on images to send you to Goodreads)

Finished Reading

(Click on title for review)

 

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater 

 

 

Currently Reading

 

Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Really enjoying this book, I don't want it to end!

 

Yesterday by C.K. Kelly Martin

Not read much and there isn't much going on but I think that may change soon.

 

 

Reading Next

 

The Diviners by Libba Bray

Looking forward to reading this book it also got 5 star rating in Heat magazine!

 

 

So that's what I'm planning on reading, let me know what you're reading.

 

Book Review: The Raven Boys (Raven Cycle #1)

The Raven Boys (Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater

Format: Paperback (arc)

Publisher: Scholastic

Published: 18th September 2012

Pages: 408

Main Characters: Blue, Gansey, Adam, Ronan, Noah

Date Started:11th September 2012

Date Finished: 19th September 2012

Rating Given: ** 1/2

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

The reason why I wanted to try this book was because it was written by Maggie Stiefvater so imagine my delight . Thanks to Scholastic publishers for giving me the chance to review this book. I loved her Shiver series and even though I didn't like Lament I was still excited to try this book, however I felt the same way I did with Lament.

I don't like the cover one bit but that is probably because I am petrified of birds!

I loved the sound of this book and I thought it was going to be interesting but I felt a bit let down by the book. I found it was a unique take on the paranormal. There was far too much background information that I just got lost. Yes a bit of background information is needed as it's the first book but it just made it boring. I am hoping that the next book will have less information and more of a story if not I won't be able to continue. There was times when I didn't even want to pick the book back up as I felt like it was a chore to read. Even though I was bored at time, there was parts that was very entertaining and had me gripped. The ending had a lot of twists and turns that I wasn't expecting which I liked.

I didn't really feel connected to the characters. Blue was funny at times but other times she was a bit annoying. Gansey seemed to have a split personality as one minute he would act like a snob and then other times he seemed sweet and would do anything for anyone. Adam I actually liked at the beginning but then throughout the book I went off him. Ronan was just annoying. Noah was my favourite character but wasn't in it much but there was a reason behind this which I for one never saw coming. I was expecting a bit more romance than what we got if you could even say romance. I think that might change throughout the series.

Overall it was a bit information overload but there was times when I enjoyed it. I will most likely continue with the series in the hope that it will pick up. 

OPAL Cover Reveal

Hey eveyone, I am really excited to be a part of the OPAL by Jennifer L. Armentrout cover reveal. I am new to this series but the moment that I started the Lux series I fell in love with it and the covers that went with them and this one is no exception.

So here it is the stunning cover and the synopsis:

No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.

After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we’re stronger... and they know it.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

I love this cover which matches the rest of the series, I can't wait to have this cover on my shelf! December is going to be one long wait! On a posistive note after looking at Amazon UK I think we are going to get it the same time as in America! Keep everything crossed that it stays that way.

Follow this link to an ~~~ EPIC CONTEST ~~~ Announcement. You will want to bookmark this page!

http://jenniferarmentrout.blogspot.com/p/october-1-2012.html

 

 USA TODAY Bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout, lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn.

Find Jennifer on: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website | Blog

So who is excited about this book? I know I am!

1 Year Old Blog!

 

Hey everyone,

As you may have realized from all the giveaways going on my blog has turned one today (19th September) which I for one can't believe how quickly that time has gone.

I want to thank my wonderful (344) Followers I love you all you have made my year by all of you following or even commenting. It's great to hear what everyone has to say about our shared love of books.

 

 

http://katesbooklife.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/books-received.html - Here is a link to my very first post. It was a Book Recieved post which you may realize that I no longer do this and now I do a Showcase Sunday here's the latest SS post -  http://katesbooklife.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/showcase-sunday-16.html

 

http://katesbooklife.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/ballad-gathering-faerie-books-of-faerie.html - This is a link to my first ever review which I don't think it says as much as my latest review post - http://katesbooklife.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/book-review-stone-girl.html. Whats so weird about both of these is that they are both one star rating books!

 

Looking back I haven't rated many books 1/5 (there are only 4!) but out of those here is a link to my least favourite book that I have read over the year - http://katesbooklife.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies.html. Throughout the year I have ben blogging I have rated 20 books 5/5 but here's the link to my favourite http://katesbooklife.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/vanishing-game.html. It was a lot harder to chose my favourite as on different days it could have easily have been another book but this is the one I love today.

 

I have added loads of things throughout the year and I have also added other social networking sites to go with this blog (Click on the sites title to send you to my pages).

 

Facebook

Goodreads

Twitter

YouTube

Pintrest

Google+ Kate BookLife

 

 

 

Birthday Celebration Giveaways

Shattered Dreams by Ellie James (UK ONLY)

Lex by James Mylet (UK ONLY)

Secrets, Lies, and Locker 62 by Lil Chase (UK ONLY)

Vampire Shift, Doorways, Black Hill Farm, Cowgirls & Vampires all by Tim O'Rourke (INT)

2 Winners of Swag from Mia Castile and 1 winner of Becoming a Butterfly by Mia Castile as well as some swag (US ONLY)

Click on the titles to send you to the giveaways.

 

Over this past year I have learnt new things and changed the way I blog but I still have a lot to learn as you can tell by this post!

Thank You everyone can't wait for more years to come :)

Birthday Celebrations Giveaways #7 & 8 (US ONLY)

So today is my blogs first birthday so I am going to do a few giveaways today. So for this giveaway I am pleased to tel you that the lovely Mia Castile has kindly said she will giveaway some swag (swag for Becoming a Butterfly) and also her first book (ecopy) Becoming A Butterfly also with some swag. With the author sending these prizes herself she wants this to be a US only giveaway (Sorry to my UK followers but there are other giveaways going on for you guys and also International giveaway going on as well).
To find out more about Becoming a Butterfly read on or click the image which will take you to Goodreads.

16 year old Lacey was never the center of attention, unless she was tripping, stammering, or being deposited into a pool by the local popular kids. All she wanted was to fit in, until one night when everything changed.
Jade and Tasha, her two best friends, helped her create an online personality that was everything she wanted to be - and it was only the beginning. In doing so she attracted the attention of Henry, her lifelong crush and next door neighbor. Unfortunately it was Farrah, her online personality and not herself, he was interested in.
She also attracted Chase the brooding, quiet, anti-social new kid of Brownsburg High School, who easily figured out her secret and blackmailed her. They forged a friendship that was both unique and complicated.
Lacey must decide if revealing herself to Henry and her entire school as the cool, charming, and funny Farrah is worth possibly losing him forever, and she finds herself needing to make an even harder decision than she ever thought possible. When did the lines between truth and lies get so blurred?

Becoming a Butterfly is a story about coming of age and finding yourself when you never knew you were lost.

**This is a MATURE YA FICTION SERIES**


Sound like your kind of book? Enter the second rafflecopter (Giveaway #8) form (the first one is swag only!) below. There will be 3 lucky winner, GOOD LUCK!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway

Birthday Celebrations Giveaway #6 (International)

So today is my blogs first birthday so I am going to do a few giveaways today. So for this international giveaway I am pleased to tel you that the lovely Tim O'Rourke has kindly said he will giveaway the first in the series of his books in digital form. The books are Vampire Shift, Doorways, Black Hill Farm, Cowgirls & Vampires!
To find out more about each of the books click on the images below which will send you to Goodreads.

 

 

 

 

Would you like to win this great prize? Then enter the rafflecopter form below. Good Luck everyone!

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Birthday Celebrations Giveaway #5 (UK ONLY)

Hi everyone and welcome to my Birthday Celebrations as I have said in the first giveaway I am celebrating my birthday (8th September). Today is also my Blogs first birthday so I will be having a few giveaways during the day!
So this time around I am giving away a copy of the brilliant Secrets, Lies, and Locker 62 by Lil Chase.
This is a book donated by the fabulous Quercus Publishers so a big thank you to them! With these being books that I am sending out myself the giveaway will be UK only!

 

 

 

 

Secrets have a special home at Mount Selwyn High. For years, students have posted their deepest desires and fears in Locker 62. And then this locker is assigned to new girl Maya. She could use the knowledge to help people. Or she could use it to become popular. Maya, who was bullied, who has never been cool, who will do anything to be popular, is now the most powerful girl at school. What will she choose to do next?

Show More

Show Less

This book sounds really interesting so if you would like to win this book please enter the rafflecopter form below. Gook Luck!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Teaser Tuesday #39

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! To find out more about the books click on the picture which will take you to Goodreads.




My teaser:

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Today, Blue thought, is the day I stop listening to the future and start living it instead.
"Blue, if you get to know him -" Calla started. She was standing half-in, half-out of the doorway. "You'd better guard your heart. Don't forget that he's going to die." - Page 183 (ARC Copy so quote may differ to final version.)


I have nearly finished this book but I am still not into it as much as her Shiver series but I'm hoping that the ending or even the next book will get better!

Birthday Celebrations Giveaway #4 (UK ONLY)

Hi everyone and welcome to my Birthday Celebrations as I have said in the first giveaway I am celebrating my birthday (8th September) as well as my blog turning one!
So this time around I am giving away a copy of the brilliant Lex by James Mylet.
This is a book donated by the fabulous Quercus Publishers so a big thank you to them! With these being books that I am sending out myself the giveaway will be UK only! Sorry to all my international followers but I do have a giveaway up and running and another big giveaway on the 19th.

Lex is all but finished growing up in Clifden, Connemara, where he runs a radio station from his bedroom and makes plans to go to university in London. As he shares his views on life, music and Michelle, the best girl in town, Lex is absurdly acute and brilliantly entertaining. Michelle is not only older than Lex, but she's dating the town thug, someone Lex would do well to avoid, but where's the fun in that?

Surrounded by his adoring family and constantly taking the flak for his crazy best friend, Davey, he's caught between modesty and an edge of cool. But he finds himself in trouble when a friend uses Lex's own radio station to announce to the entire town that Lex is still a virgin and asks some nice young girl to help him out before he heads to London in the same state... Especially when Lex accidentally lets slip he'd like that nice girl to be Michelle.

Being seventeen is the stuff of rollercoasters - from one period of angst to boundless joy and on to another crisis - and Lex's summer is set to be typical. He's organised a major music festival in Clifden, or so he's told his favourite band, Toots and the Maytals. But when Davey's mother gets sick and he loses his temper one too many times, Ireland's answer to Glastonbury may not happen at all.

With all his dreams falling around his ankles, Lex is determined to go out with a bang, leaving the town reeling with his loss. And he will, but it might not be quite what he had in mind.
 

Do you fancy reading this book (I do myself) then enter via the rafflecopter form below. Good Luck!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #47

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!
(Click on images to send you to Goodreads)

Finished Reading

(Click on title for review)

 

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Stone Girl by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

 

 

Currently Reading

 

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

I actually don't love this book, so far I would say it's alright. This seems more like a world building book so maybe the next book will be better.

 

 

Reading Next

 

Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

Yesterday by C. K. Kelly Martin

 

I really wanted to read Onyx straight after I read the first one but I needed to read The Raven Boys as that was for review (maybe that's the reason why I am not liking it)

 

 

So that's what I'm reading this week, let me know what your reading!

 

 

 

 

Birthday Celebrations Giveaway #3 (UK ONLY)

Hi everyone and welcome to my Birthday Celebrations as I have said in the first giveaway I am celebrating my birthday (8th September) as well as my blog turning one!
So this time around I am giving away a copy of the brilliant Shattered Dreams by Ellie James.
This is a book donated by the fabulous Quercus Publishers so a big thank you to them! With these being books that I am sending out myself the giveaway will be UK only! Sorry to all my international followers but I do have a giveaway up and running and another big giveaway on the 19th.

Upon the death of her grandmother, Trinity arrives on her aunt's doorstep in New Orleans with virtually no knowledge of her mysterious heritage. Dropped into high school, she is trying her best to fit in, but there is something about her, connected to the mysterious city and her parents death, that makes her different.

When a game of truth or dare in a deserted New Orleans house gets out of control, Trinity starts to see things; twisted visions of the future that she tries to suppress. But all too quickly the dreams accelerate – terrifying images of a girl locked in a dark room. And when the head cheerleader goes missing, Trinity has to decide whether to step forward with what she's seen: a tough choice when the police are desperate for a suspect and she's falling in love with the missing girl's boyfriend.

Nothing prepares her for the dark odyssey that ensues, the surprising romance she finds along the way, or the shocking truths she learns. Not just about the girl who has gone missing, but the past that has been hidden from her, and the future that awaits.

Fancy winning Shattered Dreams? Just enter by the Rafflecopter below! Good Luck everyone!!a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: The Stone Girl

The Stone Girl by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

Format: e-arc
Publisher: Knopf Books
Published: 28th August 2012
Pages: 224
Main Characters: Sethie
Date Started: 6th September 2012
Date Finished: 13th September 2012
Rating Given: *

Blurb from Netgalley:

She feels like a creature out of a fairy tale; a girl who discovers that her bones are really made out of stone, that her skin is really as thin as glass, that her hair is brittle as straw, that her tears have dried up so that she cries only salt. Maybe that's why it doesn't hurt when she presses hard enough to begin bleeding: it doesn't hurt, because she's not real anymore.

     High school senior Sarah Beth (Sethie) Weiss is disciplined. She has never cut a class in her life, has never had a grade below a B+, and has always been a favorite among her teachers. Her college applications are finished and she only ate six Ritz crackers today. But even on days when Sethie needs to eat more, there's always the toilet to make up for her mistakes. Sethie manages to get down to 104, and maybe if she works just a little bit harder, becomes a little more disciplined, she can get below 100. Truth be told, Sethie has more to worry about than her relationship with her body; but the deeper she descends into her disorder, the smaller her world gets and the harder it is to see her way out.

I first knew about this book from Netgalley and I thought it sounded interesting and different to the books I normally read so I gave it a try. I must admit I'm not quite sure what to think about this book.

The cover intrigued me but I didn't notice the bones on the girl as she blended in to the background which I think should have been a shade darker so that you can see her figure. I do think that the cover is this way because when someone has an eating order they are good at concealing themselves just like the cover.

At first I thought I didn't like it and would cringe at the thought of having to start reading it again, but when I started reading it (after I had put it down the day before) I didn't what to put it down which kept happening every day I read it. I liked that Alyssa has touched on such a powerful subject but I felt because I was seeing everything from Sethie's point of view I didn't notice any of the side effects that we all know comes with eating disorder's. Maybe it would have been better if some of the book was done in someone else's point of view so we could tell that there was side effects. As well as an eating disorder she was also using drugs but that side of the story was only touched upon. I just didn't think it was believable and at times I thought it was glamorised. I found that the ending was a bit rushed and would have loved to have seen more into her future I think this would have been a better book if there was another book to it so that we could be on that journey of recovery or lack of recovery it would have made it more believable. I also felt like there was a few unanswered questions.

Sethie was a very vulnerable character as she was very naive and very self conscious. There was times when she had a stronger personality but I felt that it just wasn't enough. She was in a way very smart but that was only in her education but as I said before not believable as how can someone be smart who is using drugs I thought they was supposed to mess with your head and also she wouldn't have had any energy to even do her exams. Shaw, Sethie's 'boyfriend' was just plain awful I couldn't stand the way he was with Sethie he just used her. Janey I didn't really like to start with as I thought she was just going to use Sethie as well but she seemed a good enough friend as she was there when it mattered. Ben I loved I just wish he was in it more.

Overall, I think if this book was more believable it would have been rated higher but this could just be me being naive. It made me feel disgusted with myself which is not what I want to feel like when reading a book. I hate rating books one star but this just wasn't my kind of book in any shape or form.
Don't let me put you off reading this book just because I don't like it doesn't mean you won't.

JLA Summer Blog Tour: Book Cover Talk: Covenant Series

Today is my stop on the Jennifer L. Armentrout Summer Blog Tour which up until this week I hadn't read any of her books but that will have changed by the end of this year. On my stop I am going to do a Book Cover Talk and a review which has already been posted.

Thanks for stopping by!

This week's book cover that I am talking about is...

Covenant by Jennifer L. Armentrout

• Daimon #0.5
• Half-Blood #1
• Pure #2
• Deity #3
• Elixir #3.5

(These are the only books in this series that have a cover at the minute)

For quite some time a different book cover series was my favourite but I am now starting to think this series covers are even better!

I haven't actually read any of these books (yet) but I do have Half-Blood and Pure, which part of the reason is because I love the covers so much that I needed them on my shelf which they will stay there even if I don't like them (I can't see that happening).

I actually can't pick a favourite out of the series which has never happened before. Although if someone put a gun against my head and told me to choose I would have to say Pure but only because Blue (especially that shade) is my favourite colour.

I love that throughout the series (so far) they are all similar as I like that so then I know that they are from the same series. I feel like Elixir looks the most different but with it only being a novella I don't mind and it hasn't strayed too far away from the others.

Every time I look at these covers I see something new in them for example Deity has a part of someone on the cover which I never even noticed until today!

I love the font of the title but that could be the designer in me as that's the kind of style I would do in my lessons. I like that it's not too floaty but enough to make it not look plain. Usually I wouldn't like this font with such an intricate background but somehow it works.

With me not reading the series I wouldn't know if the cover ties in with the story which I kind of hope it does but I don't think I will mind in this case.

I can't wait to see what the other covers look like I just hope they stay in this same style and don't change the covers like a lot of people do.

I also can't wait to read the series which I think I just might!

 

JLA Summer Blog Tour: Book Review: Obsidian (Lux #1)

                           

Today is my stop on the Jennifer L. Armentrout Summer Blog Tour which up until this week I hadn't read any of her books but that will have changed by the end of this year. On my stop I am going to do a review as well as a Book Cover Talk which will be posted a bit later.

Thanks for stopping by!

Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Format: Paperback
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Published: 8th May 2012
Pages: 361
Main Characters: Daemon, Katy, Dee
Date Started: 7th September 2012
Date Finished: 11th September 2012
Rating Given: *****

Blurb from Goodreads:

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don't kill him first, that is.

I find it quite fitting that I am doing my first Jennifer L. Armentrout book review on the actual tour which is hosted by K-Books as Kayleigh was who introduced me to the series. A big thank you goes out to Kayleigh for recommending this brilliant book.

I love the cover as it has kept the green tones and they have made his green eyes stand out which is Daemon all over. I could just tell there was going to be tension just by seeing the way they are in this pose it definitely has that spot on. What I don't like about the cover is that it looks a bit faded but that could just be my copy of the book and definitely not a huge deal.

Obsidian is different to other paranormal reads as this one is about aliens which I for one haven't read any before this. I have watched a few alien films which are nothing like this book. I found it a great start to this series as sometimes the first book in a series is sometimes boring but boring is not how I would describe this book. For me it had the perfect balance of romance and action which I find hard to find. I was hooked from the moment it started right until the end. With me having the next book (Onyx) I was seriously debating on starting it straight after this one but with me needing to catch up on review books I decided to leave it for a little bit.

With the characters I must admit I didn't love Daemon straight away as in the words of Katy he was a jerk. He did have some funny moments during those times though. Also when it was about halfway through and found out why he was the way he was I could understand where he was coming from. I loved at the end we had a couple of chapters from Daemon's point of view which sealed my love for him. I thought Katy was brilliant female character as she didn't stand for the way Daemon treated her and just gave as good as she got which I don't see a lot in the books that I have read. The chemistry was undeniable I could feel it through the pages! Dee was such a sweet character that at times I felt sorry for.

Overall, I loved this book and I am very much looking forward to reading more from the very talented Jennifer L. Armentrout.

Birthday Celebrations Giveaway #2 (UK ONLY)

Hi everyone and welcome to my Birthday Celebrations as I have said in the first giveaway I am celebrating my birthday (8th September) as well as my blog turning one!
So this time around I am giving away two (secondhand) Mary Hooper books, Fallen Grace and Velvet for just one luck winner. With these being books that I am sending out myself the giveaway will be UK only! Sorry to all my international followers but I do have a giveaway up and running and another big giveaway on the 19th.

Here's a look at the books so you can see that they are in good condition. If you click on the image it will take you to Mary Hooper's page on Goodreads.

Fallen Grace Blurb:

Grace Parkes has just had to do a terrible thing. Having given birth to an illegitimate child, she has travelled to the famed Brookwood Cemetery to place her small infant's body in a rich lady's coffin. Following the advice of a kindly midwife, this is the only way that Grace can think of to give something at least to the little baby who died at birth, and to avoid the ignominy of a pauper's grave. Distraught and weeping, Grace meets two people at the cemetery: Mrs Emmeline Unwin and Mr James Solent. These two characters will have a profound affect upon Grace's life. But Grace doesn't know that yet. For now, she has to suppress her grief and get on with the business of living: scraping together enough pennies selling watercress for rent and food; looking after her older sister, who is incapable of caring for herself; thwarting the manipulative and conscience-free Unwin family, who are as capable of running a lucrative funeral business as they are of defrauding a young woman of her fortune. A stunning evocation of life in Victorian London, with vivid and accurate depictions, ranging from the deprivation that the truly poor suffered to the unthinking luxuries enjoyed by the rich: all bound up with a pacy and thrilling plot, as Grace races to unravel the fraud about to be perpetrated against her and her sister.

Velvet Blurb:

Velvet is a laundress in a Victorian steam laundry. With both her mother and father dead, she is an orphan and has to rely upon her own wits to make a living. The laundry's work is back-breaking and Velvet is desperate to create a better life for herself. Then Velvet is noticed by Madame Savoya, a famed medium, who asks Velvet to come to work for her. Velvet is dazzled at first by the young yet beautifully dressed and bejewelled Madame. But soon Velvet realises that Madame Savoya is not all that she says she is, and Velvet's very life is in danger ...A romantic and thrillingly exciting new novel from an acclaimed and much loved historical writer for teens.

So do you fancy winning this prize? Just enter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Teaser Tuesday #38

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! To find out more about the books click on the picture which will take you to Goodreads.




My teasers:

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

"So that kind of stuff... that's normal for your Hell, what do you call yourselves?"
He leaned his head back as the seconds skipped by, and my heart doubled its beats in wait for his answer. He seemed to be wrestling with how much to tell me, and I was pretty sure whatever it might be, I wasn't going to like it... - Page 157

His deft fingers moved against the base of my skull. My lips parted, and I waited.
He dropped his hand and reached out again as I stood there, eager-maybe to eager-to discover if he felt the same as I was.
Instead, Daemon plucked up a bottled water off the counter. - Pages 209-210

I thought I would treat you guys with this books as there was a lot of teasers I could have picked but settled on these. I am really enjoying this book I never know what is going to happen next.

    The Stone Girl by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

She stays under the covers. She waits to use the bathroom. She steadies the chatter of her teeth. Soon, she'll be sober, and the air will feel warm again. - Page 11 (ARC copy so may be different to final copy)

I have only read the first chapter and it seems very different to what I usually like. I'm not entirely sure that I am going to like it but, that could change once I read more of the book.

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #46

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!
(Click on images to send you to Goodreads)

Finished Reading

(Click on title for review)

Love Lines by Diana Nixon
Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz

Currently Reading

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Enjoying this book so far although I do sometimes hate Daemon then the next minute I love him I just can't keep up with his moods.

The Stone Girl by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

Only read the first chapter so not sure what to think just that it's very different to what I normally like reading.

Reading Next

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Looking forward to reading this book hope it's as good as Shiver!

That's what I'm reading this week, let me know what you're reading.

Book Review: Spellbound (Spellbound #1)

Spellbound (Spellbound #1) by Cara Lynn Shultz

Format: Paperback (arc)
Publisher: Mira Ink
Published: 7th September 2012
Pages: 324
Main Characters: Emma, Brendan
Date Started: 2nd September 2012
Date Finished: 7th September 2012
Rating Given: ****

Blurb from Goodreads:

What’s a girl to do when meeting The One means she’s cursed to die a horrible death?

Life hasn’t been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Conner, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she’s irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can’t stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma’s been having the oddest dreams. Visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.

I had been after this book for a long time so when I saw that it was available for review by the lovely guys at Mira Ink I knew I had to try and get it. I am so thankful that they sent me a copy as it was really good.

With me getting a arc copy they sent me the old cover which I thought I liked until I see it and I really didn't like it so I am happy that the UK has a different version. I do like this one more than the other one but I still don't think it's my favourite ever cover. For me it doesn't tie in with the actual story.

It took me a long while to get into this book I would say it only picked up just under the halfway point but once it did get going I found it a much more thrilling read. I was expecting a lot more magic than what we got but I have a feeling that could come a lot more in the next book and this was more character/world building. I liked that once the story picked up it really made me addicted to it and I couldn't wait to find out what happened in the next chapter especially the last few chapters. I liked the ending but I felt like there was a lot of things cleared up I would have liked it even more if there was a bit more of a cliffhanger. Although if it takes me as long as it did to get the next book I won't feel like I'm missing out as much.

The main female character was called Emma and she was a very mentally strong character as we learn some horrible things happened in her past. As well as her past making me feel sorry for her there was tings that happened in the present that also had me feeling sorry for her. I liked that she stuck up for her family and herself. Brendan started of as one of those male characters that we all love, the bad boy who melts when finding love. I wasn't quite sure about the relationship between the two characters at first as he seemed a bit stand offish but then once you get further into the story I understood why he was the way he was. There was also some side characters that I loved but there was also some that I couldn't stand but I hope we get to see more from them all in the next book.

Overall, a good book that could have been a bit more faster in pace at the beginning. I am very much looking forward to finding out what is going to happen next.