BOTM #10

Last month I did a vlog version but I don't think it translated well but I will maybe do more of a wrap up vlog for just my YouTube channel.
Here's the books that I read in July:

• Blood Moon by Alyxandra Harvey ****
• Shattered Dreams by Ellie James ****
• Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan ***
• Otherkin by Nina Berry ***
• Taken By Storm by Jennifer Lynn Barnes *****
• Burn by Heath Gibson **
• Revived by Cat Patrick ****
• Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry *****

I didn't read as many as I did last month but what I did read for the most I enjoyed and found it very hard to pick as you can tell I read two five stars books but in the end there was only one winner for me and the Book Of The Month in July goes too...

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

I have not long since finished it and only reviewed it yesterday it's as if I saved the best until last as this book just shone it was brilliant and I highly recommend this book to anyone who hasn't read it. Click on the image to take you to Goodreads and click HERE for my review.

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #38

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)

Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Otherkin by Nina Berry

Currently Reading

Taken By Storm by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I am just over halfway through this book and I am really enjoying it as loads of things are happening that I just never expected.

Burn by Heath Gibson

Only read a few chapters so I'm not too sure about what I think of it. It has started good enough and very intriguing I just wish it would pick up pace.

Reading Next

Revived by Cat Patrick

Semi-Charmed Life by Nora Zelevansky

Both these books sound really good so I do hope they live up to my expectations.

So that's hopefully my reading plan for this coming week. Leave me links to your week of reading and I will come take a look :)

Book Review: Spark (Sky Chasers #2)

Spark (Sky Chasers #2) by Amy Kathleen Ryan

(May contain spoilers)

Format: Hardback (arc)
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Published: 17th July 2012
Pages: 309
Main Characters: Kieran, Waverly, Seth
Date Started: 7th July 2012
Date Finished: 12th July 2012
Rating Given: ***

Blurb from Goodreads:

Waverly and Kieran are finally reunited on the Empyrean. Kieran has led the boys safely up to this point, and now that the girls are back, their mission seems slightly less impossible: to chase down the New Horizon, and save their parents from the enemy ship. But nothing is truly as it seems…Kieran’s leadership methods have raised Seth’s hackles— and Waverly’s suspicions. Is this really her fiancé? The handsome, loving boy she was torn from just a short time before? More and more, she finds her thoughts aligned with Seth’s. But if Seth is Kieran’s Enemy No. 1, what does that make her?

In one night, a strange explosion rocks the Empyrean—shooting them off course and delaying their pursuit of the New Horizon—and Seth is mysteriously released from the brig. Seth is the most obvious suspect for the explosion, and Waverly the most obvious suspect for releasing him. As the tension reaches a boiling point, will Seth be able to find the true culprit before Kieran locks them both away—or worse? Will Waverly follow her heart, even if it puts lives at risk? With the balance of power precarious and the clock ticking, every decision counts… every step brings them closer to a new beginning, or a sudden end...

I was asked by the publishers at St. Martin's Griffin if I wanted to review this book, and with me kind of enjoying the first one (Glow) I thought I would give this one a try to see if it was any better, to be honest with you I personally don't think it's any better. (Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin for giving me the chance to review this book).

I really do like this cover which does look better when you actually have a hard copy. I love the way the title is the main focus of the cover as it makes it more eye catching and also you know straight away what the book is called as well as the series because even though the series title is in a lot more smaller font my eye still goes to that part of the book second with it being next to the huge title font. The colours is my favourite part of this cover as it's just been left simple just like Glow had done.

This is only my second book that I have read by Amy Kathleen Ryan but what she can do that many others can't is create a very addictive storyline and explains things in such a way that I can picture them in my head which I like being able to do. The only thing I don't like about her style of writing is that the characters that she has created aren't very likable only a couple of the secondary characters are characters that I actually like.

There was so much going on in this book from the moment I opened the first page it was such a thrilling storyline that got me hooked on this book. The story of this book was a lot better than in Glow as it was more entertaining and I for one couldn't tell who I could trust.

As for the characters I didn't really like them although for each of the main characters they did have a couple of moments when I thought I would like them but in the end those couple of moments wasn't good enough. Seth was a lot more likable in this one than in Glow but because of the things he did in the first book I just couldn't forgive him enough in this book, but, maybe I will change my mind in the next book as I have a feeling he is going to do something huge. Kieran I actually liked in the first book but by the end of this second book I couldn't stand him as he was acting a lot like how Seth did in the first. Waverly was very annoying I couldn't stand the way she manipulated some of the characters. In this book Waverly and Kieran seemed as bad as each other as they were both hypocrites. A lot of the time I did forget these where all children as they were acting a lot older although the ones that acted younger were actually the oldest!

Overall I loved the actual storyline but the characters I near enough hated but because of the addicting storyline I will continue on in this series as I would like to know what happens next.

Teaser Tuesday #30

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!




My teaser (One teaser as I am still reading a book that I did a teaser on last week):

Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan

He made a fist. He was doing what he had to do. If Seth was tampering with the thruster controls and endangering the crew, if Waverly was helping him, he absolutely had to know. He had two hundred and fifty lives in his hands, and it was his job to protect them, no matter how uncomfortable it made him feel.
He was at war. He must never forget that. - Page 29

I'm really not sure what I think about this book as I am enjoying the actual story, however I don't like any of the characters. This was how I felt with Glow which was the first in the Sky Chasers novel.

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #37

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)

Blood Moon by Alyxandra Harvey

Shattered Dreams by Ellie James

Currently Reading

Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Only read the first few chapters but it has started off well although I am still not liking Waverly but maybe that will change once I have read a bit more.

Otherkin by Nina Berry

As you may have realised I have been reading this book for well over a week now and this isn't because it's a bad book, as I do kind of like it now, I just prefer reading my hard copies rather than the ones on my laptop.

Reading Next

Taken By Storm by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Burn by Heath Gibson

I am hoping to read this book as soon as I finish Otherkin which I do hope will be this week.

So that's what I'm planning to read this week, what's everyone else reading?

Showcase Sunday #10

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.

Review Books
Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan (Thank you to St.Martin's Press)
Pushing the Limits by Kate McGarry (Thank you to Mira Ink)

Swap Books
Hereafter by Tara Hudson (Thank you to Kayleigh from K-Books)

Gifted Books
1-4 Soul Screamers Series by Rachel Vincent (Thank you to Misty from Bookaholics Book Club)

Books Bought
Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris
Entwined by Heather Dixon
Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout

So that's the books I received this week let me know what you received

It's Monday WHat Are You Reading? #17

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!




                                                          Finished Reading
   
                                               Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

I finished Glow earlier this week and I did like it but I did feel a bit disappointed in the characters and some the story. To view my full review click here.

Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different by Karen Blumenthal

I really enjoyed this book as it was so informative but in a more simple manner that someone without knowledge would understand. It was very beautifully written and at times very moving. To see my full review click here.

Currently Reading

Illuminate by Aimee Agresti

Although it did take well over 100 pages to get into I am now very much hooked and can't wait to see what is going to happen next.

Dark Angel by Eden Maguire

Not read much of this book yet but it has started a bit slow but hopefully it will pick up soon.

Reading Next

Torn by Amanda Hocking

Pieces of us by Margie Gelbwasser

Looking forward to reading both of these books.

So that's what I am planning on reading this week, what are you reading?

Book Review: Glow (Sky Chasers #1)

Glow (Sky Chasers #1) by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Format: Paperback (arc)
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Published: 13th September 2011
Pages: 307
Main Characters: Kieran, Waverly
Date Started: 9th February 2012
Date Finished: 16th February 2012
Rating Given: ***

Goodreads:
What if you were bound for a new world, about to pledge your life to someone you'd been promised to since birth, and one unexpected violent attack made survival—not love—the issue?

Out in the murky nebula lurks an unseen enemy: the New Horizon. On its way to populate a distant planet in the wake of Earth's collapse, the ship's crew has been unable to conceive a generation to continue its mission. They need young girls desperately, or their zealous leader's efforts will fail. Onboard their sister ship, the Empyrean, the unsuspecting families don't know an attack is being mounted that could claim the most important among them...

Fifteen-year-old Waverly is part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space; she was born on the Empyrean, and the large farming vessel is all she knows. Her concerns are those of any teenager—until Kieran Alden proposes to her. The handsome captain-to-be has everything Waverly could ever want in a husband, and with the pressure to start having children, everyone is sure he's the best choice. Except for Waverly, who wants more from life than marriage—and is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth.

But when the Empyrean faces sudden attack by their assumed allies, they quickly find out that the enemies aren't all from the outside.

I first wanted to read this book because of the front cover (not this one) and then I saw quite a few great reviews so I knew I just had to try it and I am actually glad that I did even if I didn't like it all the time.

It took a while to get into but I think this was down to the language used as I just didn't get it at first. Also it took a while to be told why they was actually on this journey I would have maybe liked to have heard about this in maybe a prologue first instead of not understanding for quite some pages.

There was a lot of things that was going on which I liked as it kept me interested in the book. I have decided that I like thrilling books and most of this is quite thrilling as you never know what is going to happen next or even who you can trust, as at one point you think you can trust a character and then all of a sudden they can just flip.

I really liked Kieran he was such a sweet guy he always thought he was doing the right things but then everyone would turn on him, I felt so sorry for him. I did feel like he would have been better suited as a female character because I am not used to seeing my male lead character's being so gentle and very emotional which I kind of get because of the things he has gone through. I felt very protective of him and hated it when everyone turned on him. I also felt he was too good for Waverly there was just something not quite right with there relationship!

At first I quite liked Waverly she seemed like a nice, independent girl. She never gave in she was always fighting for hers and the other girls survival. There was a scene with Waverly that did make me very squeamish that I really didn't like but that just has to do with my phobia of needles (makes me squirm just writing the word). Then towards the end I just stopped liking her altogether as I just hated the way she was with Kieran. I know she went through a lot but she didn't understand that so did Kieran! I couldn't believe the way she believed what was said about him and I dread to think how this is going to unravel in the following books.

I hated Seth's character although there was times when I understood why he acted the way he acted but in the end a lot of the characters would have been going through the same kind of things and they didn't act the way he did. I think he has a very evil side to him which I think could come out more in the next books.

I do think Waverly is better suited to Seth as Kieran would be too easy for her to walk all over him and I think Kieran could do way better. I actually think he would have been better suited to Felicity.

Overall I enjoyed all the thrills and spills but I am not sure about how believable the characters are.

Teaser Tuesday #11

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!





My Teaser:

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

The voices of the congregation flooded around her like brackish water, made the room spin. Panic forced its way into every breath she took, and she had to bite back a sob. Being around so many people brought the truth home to her. The girls were hopelessly outnumbered here. They were trapped.
And these people could do anything to them they wanted.
No.
Waverly squared her shoulders. She had to find her mother and the rest of the parents. She had to find a way to leave this ship, no matter what happened.
And she would kill to do it. - Page 108

This book started out a little bit confusing and a bit slow but as you can tell from the quote things are about to get interesting and I for one can't wait to see what is going to happen next!

Arc copy so may differ from final copy.

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #16

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!




                                                     Finished Reading
   
                         After Obsession by Carrie Jones & Steven E. Wedel

Not the best book that I have ever read. It was really hard to get into and I didn't like the relationship between the two main characters. Loads of potential but in the end fell a bit flat. To see my review click here.

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

I really enjoyed this book as it was beautifully written and this time I loved the characters and the interaction between the two main characters. It was a very descriptive book which did take some getting used to but once I did I fell in love with the book. For my review click here.

Currently Reading

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

It started off a bit slow and didn't really understand what was going on or even some of the language used but I have now gotten into it so much so I look forward to reading the next chapter.

Illuminate by Aimee Agresti

Not sure what the story is actually about yet but then again I have only read the first two chapters I do hope something happens soon!

Reading Next

Dark Angel by Eden Maguire

I have had this book sitting on my shelf for quite some time now so I thought I should finally get around to reading it. I just hope I love it as much as the cover!

What are you reading this week?

It's Monday What Are You Reading #15

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!


                                          Finished Reading
                             
                          Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

It took me awhile to finish this book but I still loved reading it and I can't wait to see what is going to happen in the next book! Check my review out here.

The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers

This was a very different genre for me and I loved every bit of it. A review coming soon.

Currently Reading

After Obsession by Carrie Jones & Steven E. Wedel

Only just started the first chapter so I'm not sure what to think just yet but I do think it's going to get very interesting.

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Again I have just started this and my first thought was oh no I'm not going to like this but then I read chapter 2 and it really picked up and I am very much looking forward to see where it goes next.

Reading Next

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Illuminate by Aimee Agresti

Looking forward to reading these books. I have heard so many good things about Glow which has been sitting on my shelf so I thought I better give it a read. I am hoping that Illuminate will be as stunning as the front cover.

What are you reading this week?