Book Review: End of Days (Penryn & the End of Days, #3) by Susan Ee

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Format: Paperback

Publishers: Hodder & Stoughton

Published: 12th May 2015

Pages: 435

Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance, Dystopia

Main Characters: Penryn, Raffe
Date Read: 4th April - 22nd April 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis:End of Days is the explosive conclusion to Susan Ee’s bestselling Penryn & the End of Days trilogy. After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.
When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other?

After reading the first book in this series I have been eager to finish the series to find out how it all ends but both of the books that followed Angelfall just didn't live upto it...

All of the covers in this series have been similar but with subtle differences. What I don't like about this particular cover is the circle with part of the cover from the first book as I feel as though it should be removable as it distracts from the overall look of the cover.

When I first began this book I was enjoying it to a certain extent but for the most I felt it was a little too slow it just took too long to get on with the action. I loved that I never knew what was going to happen throughout the book as some of the things that happened threw me I just wasn't expecting pretty much everything that had happened. There was some dark moments but there was a bit of humour to balance it out. The romance side of the story played a bit of a bigger part in this book but that being said I do feel as though it was a bit of an after thought and a bit rushed. The battle towards the end was epic and I wished there was more of it as it was thrilling. For me the ending was a bit rushed plus I felt like there could be another book or at least a novella just so there's more of a clear ending.

All of the characters have grown throughout the series and we were also introduced to some new characters which I loved I just wish we had met them before as they where great additions to this series. Penryn has had the biggest personality growth especially in this book which has made her an even more likeable character. Raffe was hit and miss in this book but mainly a hit especially the second half of the book.

Overall, it was a good ending to the series but I did expect more from this series especially after such an epic beginning with Angelfall.

Book Review: Tiger's Curse (The Tiger Saga, #1) by Colleen Houck

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Format: Paperback

Publishers: Hodder & Stoughton

Published: 26th May 2011

Pages: 498

Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance, 

Main Characters: Kelsey, Ren 
Date Read: 1st July - 21st July 2015

Rating Given:

Synopsis:Passion. Fate. Loyalty.Would you risk it all to change your destiny?
The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she'd be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year-old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world. 
But that's exactly what happened. 
Face-to-face with dark forces, spellbinding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever.
Tiger's Curse is the exciting first volume in an epic fantasy-romance that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.

I've had this book sitting on my shelf for a little while now and after reading it I'm not too sure I'm happy I've read it...

Love the cover it was the main reason why I wanted to read it. The tiger is beautiful and reminds me of Ren in the book. I also love the colours as they all work well together.

I absolutely loved the beginning so much so I thought it was going to be a five star book. The story started of so intriguing and enthralling it was just so colourful and different to anything I've read before.  The further I went into the book I would lose more and more interest to the point where there would be days in which I just didn't want to read it. I felt the chapters where far too long with too much information and not all of the information was useful to the story it felt like everything was dragged out. A lot of the book was far fetched and completely unbelievable. What I also didn't like about the book was that some of the words mainly the Indian language was hard to pronounce I would spend ages just trying to sound them out and then there was a couple of times when certain Indian words used wasn't translated. The relationship between Kelsey and Ren felt forced, I just didn't believe their relationship was one of love. At times both of them annoyed me in the way in which they treated one another, I found myself rolling my eyes a lot. The ending did pick up a little bit as now I do want to know what's going to happen next I just wish I didn't have to go through all through those long books to get to the end of the saga.

None of the characters ended up being 3D as in the end they fell flat. In the beginning I did like some of the characters especially the people who worked at the circus but they weren't in it for very long. Kelsey started of a nice enough girl but the more we got to know her the more I didn't like her. She was far too trusting I mean who in their right mind would go to a new country with a complete stranger no matter if they seemed trust worthy. I couldn't believe her foster parents let her do this especially when it came across that they treated her like one of their own and in the end it seemed like they where forgotten. Ren was a sweet tiger but once we found out about him able to turn into a man he wasn't so sweet yes there was a lot of times when he was nice enough but he seemed a bit too controlling for my liking. I actually liked Kishan even though in the beginning it sounded like he was supposed to be a bad guy when really he wasn't. Mr. Kadam seemed like a nice guy and he was through out the book but she still shouldn't have gone off with him as she didn't know him.

Overall, the beginning seemed to be the beginnings of an amazing and different book it was just a shame that it didn't stay that way!

Book Review: World After (Penryn & the End of Days, #2) by Susan Ee

May contain spoilers from the first book

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Format: Paperback 

Publishers: Hodder & Stoughton

Published: 21st November 2013

Pages: 314

Genre: YA, Urban Fantasy, Dystopia

Main Characters: Penryn
Date Read: 3rd May - 23rd May 2015

Rating Given:

Synopsis:In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what's left of the modern world.
When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.
Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.
Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?

I was sent a review copy by the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

I love this cover just as much as the first book and I especially love that it ties in with the first book but with different wings. I liked that they have used different wings as these remind of the wings that Raffe has. I love the overall effect of this book as it makes it stand out even when there is not much on the cover.

After finishing the first book Angelfall I couldn't wait to continue on in the series however for me this second book disappointed me. I couldn't get into it like I did the first book and even though there was a lot going on it still didn't capture my interest. It took me ages to get through World After as I just didn't feel as though I wanted to continue on with it but I'm glad I did because the last half of the book started to grab me just like Angelfall did. The last half of the book just seemed to come together nicely with twists and turns that I didn't see coming the action in this half of the book had me on tenter-hooks. There was even a little more romance than there was in the first book which I loved. Once I had finished the book I got very excited to see how this series is going to end and I can't wait to get my hands on End of Days if its anything like Angelfall and the end of World After it's going to be epic!

I didn't have the same feelings towards the characters in this book although there was a few that I still loved. Raffe wasn't in most of the book but what little we did see I loved as I feel like we got a better understanding of why he is the way he is. Penryn showed a different side to her that I hadn't seen before and I didn't like it but apart from that she was her kick ass self. I seemed to warm a little more towards Penryn's mother as she seemed more sympathetic towards Paige which surprised me especially when she called Penryn out for her behaviour towards her sister. We got to see a little more of Paige in this book which was nice to see although I felt so sorry for what was done to her.

Overall the first half didn't do anything for me but I'm glad I kept with it as by the end I started to fall in love with the series again.

Book Review: The Duff: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger

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Format: Paperback

Publishers: Hodder Children's Books 

Published: 5th April 2012

Pages: 343

Genre: YA, Contemporary Romance, 

Main Characters: Bianca, Wesley,   
Date Read: 11th April - 16th April 2015

Rating Given:

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "the Duff," she throws her Coke in his face. But things aren't so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him. Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone. And eventually, through this realization, Bianca begins to see how harmful her unhealthy way of dealing with her problems has been, and finds a way to confront them head on.

I've had this book for a while now and now with the film is out now I thought I would finally give it a try and I'm glad I did as it was an enjoyable read. 

I kind of liked this particular version of the cover as the title takes the main focus which it should with the title being what the whole book is about. I also like that the title is yellow which also makes it stand out.

I wasn't sure that I was going to like this when I first started this book as I thought it was going to be shallow and for part of the book it was but I didn't mind in the end as I felt it was a good issue to have tackled which was done very well. What I really enjoyed about this book was even though there was some very serious and dark subject matters issued it still felt like a light hearted book as it was a very funny read. For me it was the romance side of the story that I didn't quite believe in their feelings especially when more often than not Bianca would say she hates him. The other part of the book that I wasn't a fan of was the ending as it felt rushed plus with it being a stand alone book I was expecting there to be a believable happy ever after but I don't believe in this happy ever after, the one thing that I am happy about is that there will be a companion novel so maybe there will be more from them.

With this bunch of characters I had a bit of a love/hate feelings about them as they all had moments that annoyed me but they all had moments when they shined. Bianca was very cynical but I felt that this made her a more real. I did like Bianca but there was times when she was very hypocritical making her annoy me quite a few times. I never thought I would even warm to Wesley especially as it was him that was the one that told Bianca that she was the DUFF but by the end I really did like him and I felt that Bianca brought out the best in him. 

Overall a very enjoyable read that I could be able to re-read over and over again without getting bored.

Book Review: Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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Format: Paperback (Review)

Publishers: Hodder

Published: June 2014

Pages: 368

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Thriller, Mystery

Main Characters: Sam, Carson

Date Read: 1st March - 6th March 2014

Rating Given:

Blurb:  

What if you had the chance to start again...but only if you promised never to look back? Samantha is popular, rich, and seemed to have it all...until the night she and her best 'frenemy' Cassie disappeared and only Sammy resurfaced, with no recollection of who she is or what happened. Sammy's a stranger in her own life - a life she no longer wants any part of. Losing her memory is a chance to start again. Then Sammy begins receiving mysterious notes warning her about that night, urging her to not look back. But she can't let it go. As she starts poking around in her past she begins to remember...and something sinister begins to surface.

I am so thankful to Hodder for sending me a copy of this book for review as I loved every minute of it.

When I first saw that us in the UK have a different cover to America I was gutted as I loved the American version. It wasn't until I read the book that I felt ok with the cover as it is in keeping with the book so much so it looks like it could be a part of a scene in the book.

This book was such a compelling read that even when I flicked to the last page to see what happened (yes I do that) I still thought it was someone else who hurt Sam I was that drawn into it. I haven't read many thriller genres but the couple that I have (including this one) I have loved I should really try more thrillers and I haven't read any of Jennifer's books that wasn't paranormal and I still loved it. I loved everything about this book the way in which we got learn everything the moment Sam learnt something new. I loved all the twists and turns that you will never see coming especially when you find out who did it. Even though there wasn't a huge focus on the romance side but what we did have was so sweet and I just wanted them to be together from the moment they was in the same space. It was great to see that it was also about learning who your true friends are which I thought was a great addition. I felt the ending was perfect in the way it wrapped things up but then still made it believable in the way that not everything was perfect in her life.

I loved most of the characters although not all of them was good. Sam was a great character but she wasn't always that way as before her accident she was completely different and it just goes to show what you can do differently if you had another chance. I loved that you never really know if she is a sane person yet you feel so sorry for her. I also liked that even when things got difficult she never gave up. I absolutely loved Carson he was so understanding and very forgiving and for most part so sweet. Her brother Scott was definitely one of my favourite characters as he was so funny but he also had a caring side and he always looked out for Sammy just like Carson. There was a lot of mean girls in this story who wasn't very nice but that was how Sam was before everything had happened to her. I really didn't like Del he was so annoying and you just know he was lying about his relationship.

Overall if you love Pretty Little Liars this one is for you as it is surrounded in mystery that you will never know what to think.

Book Review: Dark Angel (Dark Angel #1)

Dark Angel (Dark Angel #1) by Eden Maguire

Format: Paperback
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Published: 4th August 2011
Pages: 398
Main Characters: Tania, Orlando, Daniel
Date Started: 19th February 2012
Date Finished: 22nd February 2012
Rating Given: **

Goodreads:
Tania's heart belongs to Orlando. Nothing can rip them apart. Until the seduction begins in a flurry of glamour and magic, music and parties all orchestrated by the mysterious and mesmerising Zoran, an iconic rock star who has retired to a remote ranch in the nearby mountains. And there Tania meets the dark side. Can she resist temptation?

This was a case of cover lust and I just had to have it but the story just didn't live up to the cover which was such a shame.

It had such a slow start to the book I just wanted it to hurry up and get started but it never really picked up enough for me to give it a higher rating than what I have already given it. I was also very confused as the lead character would be thinking of one thing while doing another thing so it just kept jumping around. It wasn't until nearer the end when we get told what was happening to her that you could understand what was going on but this was just too little too late.

You don't find out until nearer the end what is actually up with Zoran so leading up to this just led to more confusing not knowing where it was going.

I didn't really like the lead female character Tania she seemed very clingy for most of the book until nearer then when she actually got some fire in her belly and actually act out. I didn't really see any good qualities to her apart from with Grace and Jude. She let everyone just walk all over her. I didn't get her parents they was always leaving her in the house alone when she is only a teenager and it's a place where a lot of wildfires happen it just didn't make sense. Even when her Mum had a bad feeling about leaving her still left her I just didn't really see any point of them in this story.

Orlando bugged me for most of this book and like everything else he picked up you guessed it near the end! There's not much to say about him other than he was annoying and quite a lot of the time a jerk I just didn't get the attraction between Tania and Orlando.

Daniel I actually liked until the end he seemed sweet and kind and that he cared about Tania so I won't say any more on him as I will end up giving it away and I'm not going to do that to you.

At one point I thought I bought a arc copy of this book as there seemed to be a lot of mistakes for a final copy. One for example all the way through the book they spelt her name Tania but at one point it went to Tanya but then back again in the next sentence.

There was parts where I thought I was going to really fall in love with the book as sometimes things was happening and I was on the edge of my seat there was a few of these highs but just not enough.

I thought that the ending was quite good as it seemed to wrap everything up and tied with a bow so I didn't think there would be another book but from Goodreads I have seen that there is at least two more books but I just don't know where it will go from there and I don't think I will be continuing with this series.

Overall I thought there was a lot of potential for this to be a great book but in the end it just never lived up to the potential.

What does everyone think am I right or was I way of the mark let me know what you think...