BOTM #13

As of the 1st November I haven't done my wrap-up post on YouTube but I will be doing one during the weekend so I will leave a link to it on here once I have uploaded it.

So in October I had a great month of reading where nothing I read was rated under 3 stars and even those I loved in parts. So here's the books I read in October:

• The Diviners by Libba Bray ***
• Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins *****
• Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter *****
• Mystic City by Theo Lawrence *** 1/2
• The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost ***
• A Soldier's Secret by Marissa Moss ****
• Becoming a Butterfly by Mia Castile ****
• Die For Me by Amy Plum ****

And the book of the month goes too...

 

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

This month's book of the month was really hard for me to choose as I had a couple five star ratings and even the four stars could have won any other month but this on. In the end I went for Alice in Zombieland as it was down to the characters which I loved even more than my other books and it had me on more of a roller coaster ride of emotions. I am also not a big fan of zombie books but this book changed that for me. To read my full review click here.

 

So that was my pick did you agree with my choice? or would you have picked a different book? What was your favourite book you read in October?

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #52

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)

 

Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost 

 

 

Currently Reading

 

A Soldier's Secret by Marissa Moss

Not my normal kind of book but it's very interesting and I am really enjoying it.

 

 

Reading Next

 

Becoming A Butterfly by Mia Castile

 

Die For Me by Amy Plum

I have had this for awhile now so thought I should read it and I've heard great things about it so I'm looking forward to reading it.

 

 

So that's what I'm planning on reading this week let me know what you're reading or leave me a link to your post and I'll get back to you.

 

 

 

Book Review: Mystic City (Mystic City #1)

Mystic City (Mystic City #1) by Theo Lawrence

 

 

Format: Paperback (arc)

Publishers: Corgi

Published: 11th October 2012

Pages: 397

Main Characters: Aria, Hunter, Thomas

Date Started: 10th October 2012

Date Finished: 17th October 2012

Rating Given: *** 1/2

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

For fans of Matched, The Hunger Games, X-Men, and Blade Runner comes a tale of a magical city divided, a political rebellion ignited, and a love that was meant to last forever. Book One of the Mystic City Novels.

Aria Rose, youngest scion of one of Mystic City's two ruling rival families, finds herself betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents' sworn enemies. The union of the two will end the generations-long political feud—and unite all those living in the Aeries, the privileged upper reaches of the city, against the banished mystics who dwell below in the Depths. But Aria doesn't remember falling in love with Thomas; in fact, she wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. And she can't conceive why her parents would have agreed to unite with the Fosters in the first place. Only when Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic from the Depths, does she start to have glimmers of recollection—and to understand that he holds the key to unlocking her past. The choices she makes can save or doom the city—including herself.
 

For me the moment I saw this cover I wanted to read it so I was very happy when Corgi (Random House) kindly sent me a copy for me to review (Big thanks to Corgi) I just wish I loved the story as much as I did the cover.

I love this cover and I have even done a Book Talk post about it. I love the way it looks mystical as it matches the title and even the actual story.  There is nothing that I don't like about the cover.

This book has the whole Romeo and Juliet romance going on which I loved that part of the story even though for most of the story I'm (and Aria) not sure who is the Romeo of the story. I found it a very confusing book but this is because Aria is also confused as she has no memory of what is happening which in turn makes for a very confusing book. Even though I understand why the book is confusing, I just couldn't get past it until things started to get cleared up which didn't really happen until close to the end. Once things started to get cleared up it became such a thrilling read that I just didn't want to put it down. I love that there is so many twists and turns I never quite know who is the good guy it led to some shocking moments. I liked that this was a dystopian novel with a paranormal twist which I wasn't expecting.

It took a while to actually like Aria but once I got to know her better she grew on me and I think she will continue to do so in the next book. To begin with she seems like your typical spoilt rich girl but I soon learn she has some hidden depths and she will fight for what she believes in. Hunter I liked from the moment he entered as he was such a strong character especially with the thing he has and is going through. I can't really say much else about the other characters without giving the story away but what I will say is that not everyone is who they seem which makes for (sometimes) an exciting read.

Overall once you get past all the confusion it's not a bad book and I am looking forward to see where the story takes us next.

Teaser Tuesday #43

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:

Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

J-
It's an awesome idea to address each other as Romeo and Juliet, star-crossed lovers that we are. I'm so happy I didn't frighten you. I thought telling you the truth-my last name, and who I am-would make you run... - Page 136




My father seems more confused than anything. He shakes his head and says, "You better hope you're telling the truth. Goodnight, Aria."
Then he drags Franklin out of my bedroom by the neck. - Page 240




I have used two teasers for this book as the other book that I am reading I have already used teasers so I thought I would share two from the same book. This book started off so confusing and still is in the fact I don't know who is the good guy but I guess I'm feeling the same way as Aria which is a good thing. I think things are going to start getting explained which I think is going to make this book a lot more readable.

It's Monday What are You Reading? #51

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)

 

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter 

 

I didn't have the best week of reading as it was my Mum's birthday so I had to get her presents as well as spending the day celebrating with her and the rest of my family.

 

 

Currently Reading

 

Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

It's a really confusing start but I'm hoping once things start getting cleared up I'm sure it will pick up.

 

The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost

A lot of the time this is a very action packed book but there are times when it's dull.

 

 

Reading Next

 

A Soldier's Secret by Marissa Moss

 

Destine by Katherine Polillo

 

 

 

So that's what I'm planning on reading this week let me know what your reading.

 

 

 

 

Book Cover Talk: Mystic City

 

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

 

 

 

Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

 

I say this nearly every week but it's the same with this book as all of the others that from the moment I saw this cover I fell in love with it. It's one of those cover that made me put the book on my wishlist the moment that I saw it and I am so glad that Corgi Publishers sent me a finished review copy and I have just started it.

The actual book cover looks even better than the picture I didn't think that was even possible.

I love the way it looks mystical so that it fits into the title of the book as well they have also put in the city behind the girl which I love. The city backdrop you can't really see on the picture as much as you can the physical book but let me tell you it looks stunning. It does look 3D which gives it a realistic look but with the transparency being faint it looks like a projection which gives it a futuristic feel to the cover. Although I'm not certain of this but I think that the book is set in the future but having only read the first chapter I am not 100%certain.

I love the muted colours but then the backdrop looks like an actual city all lit up it looks so pretty.

There are a lot of book with a profile of one of the characters and this one is no exception but because of the backdrop and then her hair this cover really does stand out. I love the hair it's my favourite part of the book as it looks like her hair is smoking I find it very eye catching. What I find a bit strange is the fact that the girl is solid up top but when you look closer at the hands it looks a bit transparent like the buildings whether that is deliberate I'm not sure.

I think my least favourite part of the cover is the font of the title as it's a little bit too plain for my liking but that isn't a huge deal as when I look closer I can see a light curve but compared to the rest it doesn't stand out. Also I don't like the composition of the title as it hides some of the hair/smoke.

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #50

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 Diviners by Libba Bray 

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (Review coming soon)

 

 

Currently Reading

 

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

 

I only started this yesterday but I am already hooked although very sad which made me nearly cry so I am hoping that it will be a little happier.

 

The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost

 

This is a very intriguing book looking forward to seeing what is going to happen next.

 

 

Reading Next

 

Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

 

Only received this last week but i want to read it as it will be coming out at the end of the week so I need to get a review up soon.

 

 

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

 

 

 

Showcase Sunday #18

 

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:

Review Books
Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

Books Bought
Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick
Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Poison Princess by Kresley Cole


So that's what I received this week let me know in the comments below what you received!