January RAK Wrap Up

This month I was very lucky as I was sent books from two people which was the following:

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton - This was an arc copy so a different picture but I was so pleased to get this as I have been after it a while now. This was from Sarah over at Whispering Words so thank you very much to Sarah.


I also received these two books Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins and Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi from Inga over at Me and Reading and I was so very grateful for these books as I have been wanting these for ages and I have heard so many great things about them so I am looking forward to reading these as well. Another huge thank you to Inga!

BOTM #4

My first book of the month of 2012 so here goes. This is the list of books that I have read this month:

• Fracture by Megan Miranda
• Switched by Amanda Hocking
• Tempest by Julie Cross
• Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey
• Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon
• New Girl by Paige Harbison
• The Life of Lee by Lee Evans
• Halflings by Heather Burch

And the book of the month is...

With this month I have read mostly good books and was very hard but I did narrow it down to two as they where the only ones that I had given 5 stars to which was this book and Carrier of the Mark. In the end I went with Fracture as there was always something going on and it was more original. This isn't the kind of book I usually read but I loved reading it so I am glad I gave it a try it has made me think that I don't have to stick to the same genre all the time. I just wish there was a series as I already miss the characters so am glad I got a book version as now I can re-read it which I definitely do. Checkout my review here.

Teaser Tuesday #9

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




My teaser:

The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers

I scanned the garage and saw two doors. One led inside, the other to the backyard. That was where I needed to go, but I'd have to be quite so he didn't hear me. I knew from spying on him that the other half of the duplex was empty. At least there wouldn't be the problem of avoiding nosey neighbours. I'd taken only a few steps when the soft sound of grit crunching on cement startled me. Spinning around, I saw Noah's large frame half a second before he slammed into me,  knocking me back against his Jeep. The jolt sent a crack of pain up my neck and I cried out. He squelched the sound by wrapping his hands around my throat. I struggled against him, but he had the arms of an orangutan. I couldn't reach him with my blows and he easily avoided my kicks. Fighting him didn't work, so I desperately tried to explain, but his hands gripped harder until only a few grunts and gasps escaped me as my body fought for air. He had me. There was nothing I could do. - Page unknown.

This was from early on in the book but as you can tell it is full of action and it doesn't stop there it is such a thrilling book that I can't wait to find out what is going to happen next!

This quote is from an e-arc so could be different in the final edition.

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #14

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


                             Finished Reading
      
                  Halflings by Heather Burch

I really enjoyed this book although there was times when I thought part of the story was missing. The review will b coming in the next few days.

Currently Reading

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

I know I have been reading this for a week now but this has nothing to do with the quality as I am really enjoying it, it's just a long book!

The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers

Only just started this but there is already a lot of questions that I am looking forward to find out.

Reading Next

After Obsession by Carrie Jones & Steven E. Wedel

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Looking foward to reding these book I have had them waiting to be read for a while now.

What are you reading this week?

In My Mailbox #15

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme that is hosted by The Story Siren. This is where we show what we have either bought or was given throughout the week gone by.









This week my RAK's arrived which I am very much looking forward to read.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

I know that I got this last week but I didn't get enough time to take it off my wishlist but the one I got last week I gave to my sister as she likes these kind of books and I will be keeping this weeks.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

I have been after this book for what seems like ages now and was so happy when someone sent me it for a RAK I can't wait to read this book.

This week my mum got me some books as well as a kind of late Christmas present as I had a lot of trouble with the one she has replaced it with.

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

Another book by Alyxandra Harvey and I am really looking forward to reading it I hope it's a good as her others.

Haunting Violet by Sarah Alderson

I have seen this around a lot with a lot of good reviews so I am hopeing that I will enjoy it just as much as everyone else seems to.

Abandon by Meg Cabot

This was on offer in Tescos which should have been £7 but was down to £4.50. I have also heard good things about this book as well.

I have also got a few books from netgalley that have sounded interesting so I am looking forward to reading them.

I am (Not) the Walrus by Ed Briant

This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

Starters by Lissa Price

I absolutely LOVE this cover I hope the story is just as beautiful if it is I will have to buy it!

Whats in your mailbox this week?

Film Review: Confessions of a Shopaholic

Confessions of a Shopaholic
(May contain spoilers)

Director: P.J. Hogan
Writers: Tracey Jackson (screenplay), Tim Firth (Screenplay), Kayla Alpert (Screenplay), Sophie Kinsella (Novel)
Stars/Characters: Isla Fisher/Rebecca Bloomwood, Hugh Dancy/Luke Brandon, Krysten Ritter/Suze, Joan Cusack/Jane Bloomwood, John Goodman/Graham Bloomwood
Cinema Release Date: 20th February 2009
Recently Watched (DVD): 26th January 2012
Rating Given: ****

I read this book a few years ago now but I do remember how much fun of a read this was so when I found out it was going to be made into a film I jumped at the chance to watch it.

Although this book has quite a few differences I still love the film just as much as I loved the book as they was both fun.

It's a very lighthearted film with a serious matter underneath which I love to see in films and books.

Isla Fisher as Rebecca Bloomwood is just the perfect casting as when reading the book you can really imagine Isla as Rebecca which not many films can cast the right characters but I think for Rebecca and even the other characters was the best I don't feel as though anyone else would have done a better job. I love the way she was able to bring the character to life and as a lovable character as well which could have been a hard thing to do as the things that Rebecca gets up to you could hate a character like that but with her portraying Rebecca in the way she is in the book you can't hate her.

Hugh Dancy as Luke Brendon was also the best possible casting for this particular role. I loved to see the interaction between Isla and Hugh they had the perfect chemistry and I loved the dancing scene with these two it was just so funny.

Overall a great, lighthearted, quirky and funny film in which I will watch over and over again like I already have done!

Book Covers: Unearthly Series

Unearthly Series by Cynthia Hand - I love the covers for this series and are one of my favourites they just look so beautiful. A little warning I found it hard to find which cover came from which country so let me know if I'm wrong.

These books above are the first in this series Unearthly which may I add was a stunning debut novel which match the stunning covers.

The first one is from USA which I do like especially the way it has used minimal colours. I love the details and the texture of the background and the title as it works well together. I don't think this one or the next one looks like what you would expect from the book as they don't look 'unearthly'.

The second one is the Australian front cover which I do like but there is more colours in this one so it just doesn't have the same kind of effect as the first one. I do like the bit of pattern that it has near the title as it gives it a more elegant feel to it which it definitely needed as to me it just looks to normal.

The last one is the UK one and I am not being biased here but it is my favourite out of the three of them as this one has a more unearthly feel to it which I think is needed to match the story. This one is similar to the first one with using minimal colours which really does suit the cover. Although this one has more light to it to give more of an idea to what the story is about. I like the way that like the Australian one it has used a pattern which is kind of faded into the background and because of this and the light the title didn't need to be fancy but just to stay simple.

These books are for the latest book Hallowed.

These covers are very much similar to the first ones which I think is a good idea as then you know that they belong to this particular series.

The colours used in these ones are a bit different apart from the UK version. The Australian one (second one in) has used completely different colours and stuck to the same as the others in using only a few different colours and it looks so much better so much so that this one is my favourite from this series.

I don't like the brightness of the USA one as I think it is too bright and it just doesn't look right it looks like too much is going on with the way the title has been done as well.

The two end ones are both the UK versions. The one with the guy in it is supposed to be Christian and this was supposed to be the one that was used in UK but me personally I haven't seen it I have only seen the other one which was a shame as I do like the Christian one but the other one is more similar to the first book so I guess it flows better.

Top Ten Tuesday #8

Top 10 Tuesday is a weekly meme by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday everyone involved in the TTT will make a list of that weeks topic.



This weeks topic is: (Freebie, picked one of the old top ten's that I wish I had taken part in) Top ten fictional crushes
Not necessarily in order.

1. Jace from The Mortal Instruments: As soon as I started this series I just fell in love with Jace he is one of my favourite characters ever as well as my biggest fictional crush. It wasn't just his looks that got to me but also his personality he was just so funny but arrogant which I actually loved about him. I also felt so sorry for him I just hope everything turns out well for him. Not sure about Jamie Campbell Bower playing him in the film adaptation but hopefully I will like him when I actually get to see him in it.
2. Bones from The Night Huntress: He is very similar to Jace in his arrogance but he does have a witty sense of humour that I just love.
3. Edward from The Twilight Saga: Yes I am a huge team Edward fan he is just a great character even if he can be moody which you can forgive him for. With Robert Patterson playing Edward I loved him to start with but then I went off him as I preferred the other actors but seeing him in Breaking Dawn I fell in love with him all over again and can really imagine him as Edward.
4. Shane from The Morganville Vampires: I am just a huge fan of him and even Michael in this series both are great.
5. Nicholas from The Drake Chronicle: I have only read two of the books in this series and Nicholas wasn't in much of the second one but I still love him and I love the relationship between him and Lucy even when they hate each other it's just so funny to watch can't wait to read more of this series especially Nicholas
6. Will from The Infernal Devices: Will seems to be a bit of a tortured hero which just makes me love him all the more, however he can be a bit mean to Tessa. Can't wait to see how his character evolves.
7. Patch from Hush, Hush: With Patch we never know if he is a good guy or the bad guy but either way I love him!
8. Dimitri from The Vampire Academy: I actually love him and Adrian they are both great characters which I don't think we got to see enough!
9. Alex from Perfect Chemistry: I just loved his character as he could be sweet as well as bit of a bad boy which I love.
10. Adam from Carrier of the Mark: Only read this recently so he is fresh in my mind and he reminded me a bit of Edward as well.

After looking at my list I am starting to see that I definitely have a type: the brooding, tall, dark and handsome with a bit of arrogance! This list could have definitely gone on for a few pages :)

Teaser Tuesday #8

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



My teaser:

Halflings by Heather Burch

Nikki knew that posture. Her heart dropped. "No!" she screamed, flying to the front of the room as Dr.Richmond's face turned to horror and he stepped between the two boys. Joey shoved the portly teacher and Dr.Richmond tumbled backward, teetering beside the second boy. The rest was a flash. First, the glint of steel passing camouflage clothing, a scream from somewhere, blade jutting forth, then Raven. He blocked her vision, moving in long, deft swift motions more graceful than any dancer she'd ever seen. Nikki tried to close the distance to the knife wielding Joey, but couldn't reach him in time to stop the blade's trajectory. That's when everything slowed. Almost to a halt. - Page 68

As you can tell by the page number there was action from the beginning as this wasn't even the first thing to happen. So much happening and I am looking forward to see how everything unfolds.

May differ to the final book as this is an ARC copy.

       Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

She made a snorting noise, astonishingly human for a ghost. "I'ardly like to tell you this, Nephilim, but if you want a girl to 'ate you, there's easy enough ways of making it 'appen. You don't need my help with the poor thing."
And with that she vanished, spinning away into the mists among the graves. Will, looking after her, sighed. "Not for her," he said under his breath, though there was no one to hear him, "for me..." - Page 11

After reading this paragraph my heart just broke a little and that was just the prologue. Not very far into this book but I can't wait to see what happens next!

Book Review: The Life of Lee

The Life of Lee by Lee Evans

Format: Hardback
Publisher: Michael Joseph
Published: 29th September 2011
Pages: 385
Main Characters: Autobiography
Date Started: 18th January 2012
Date Finished: 22nd January 2012
Ratings Given: ****

Goodreads:
Lee Evans is one of the best-loved comedians in the country; a Hollywood star able to sell out arenas in the blink of eye.


But he was not always such a roaring success.

The Life of Lee is an utterly hilarious and very moving autobiography charting his ups and downs on the way to the top. Lee takes us on a darkly humorous journey through his childhood spent running wild on a Bristol housing estate and his unconventional school days, when he was publicly derided as 'a failure' by a sadistic teacher.

In this brilliantly entertaining and engaging tale, he also guides us through a grim teenage period of numerous dead-end jobs. When he was cleaning toilets and plucking turkeys, he could never have imagined that one day he would be playing to thousands of adoring fans at the O2 Arena.

The book also reveals how as a boy Lee got his first taste of showbiz, living out of a suitcase and accompanying his entertainer father around the smoky, rowdy, unforgiving working-men's club and theatre circuit.

Desperately struggling to be accepted, this quiet young loner always saw himself as an outsider. But he finally met the love of his life and accidentally discovered the one place where he felt at home: the stage.

The Life of Lee is a story that is like its subject: compelling, touching, charming and, above all, fantastically funny.

I don't read many autobiographies as they don't usually make me want to continue reading them but this one was different...

Lee Evans is one of the most well know British comedians and definitely my favourite.

When Christmas was coming up I asked for this as I love Lee Evans and I just had to find out how he came to where he is today but what I wasn't expecting the dark times that he had which there was plenty of them.

Lee's life didn't even start off brilliant as he was born with a hole in his heart and couldn't run around for long as he would pass out and if you have seen Lee perform you know that he can't stand still for five seconds so I definitely wasn't expecting to hear that.

He has been in fights a plenty, had a stick in his eye, bullied by adults children and even teachers, and that's just the first few chapters I won't tell you everything that has happened to him but put it this way it wasn't pretty!

It wasn't all dark as he would make light of the situations and made me laugh out loud which is hard for me to get that kind of connection with a book. I also was awwing out loud and even being grossed out (yes the stick in the eyes gets explained which made me feel ill) I definitely got into this book.

There was times when I did get confused as some of the chapters are going back and forward in time so I had to pay very close attention so I didn't get lost.

Overall a great book and now I just need to watch his latest DVD and I for one can't wait but I won't be seeing him in the same light as I have even more respect for someone I idolised in the first place.

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #13

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


                      Finished Reading
      
         Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

It was a great book I really enjoyed reading it and I can't wait to read the coming books so I can find out what it going to happen next.

Currently Reading

Halflings by Heather Burch

I am really enjoying this so far as a lot has been happening and am not even halfway through it yet! Looking forward to reading the rest of the book.

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Well I haven't actually started it yet but I will be starting it today and I can't wait!

Reading Next

The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers

What are you reading this week?

In My Mailbox #14

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme that is hosted by The Story Siren. This is where we show what we have either bought or was given throughout the week gone by.









This week I only received one book from readitswapit.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

I have been after this book for ages and finally I have got my hands on it (well actually two copies as I was sent a RAK but I expect that next week) I am really looking forward to reading it I have only heard good things about it.

What's in your mailbox this week?

Book Review: New Girl

New Girl by Paige Harbison

Format: e-arc
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publishes: 31st January 2012
Pages: 304
Main Characters: New Girl (not going to spoil that for you) and Becca
Date Started: 7th January 2012
Date Finished: 18th January 2012
Rating Given: ****

Netgalley:
A contemporary young-adult retelling inspired by the classic 1938 romantic suspense bestseller Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.
They call me 'New Girl'...
Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her.
Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault.
Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend…but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be.
And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back.

When looking on Netgalley I came across this book and I thought it sounded good so I just had to give it a try.

With this being a retelling of the classic novel 'Rebecca' I wasn't quite sure what to expect with never reading the novel which I am glad about as I may have never tried it as it's not my usual kind of book that I would read. I haven't even read Harbison's previous novel so I didn't really know her style of writing so it really was a new novel for me to try and I am glad I did.

It started off a bit slow for me and I thought I was not going to like it but once I got a few chapters into it, it really started to pick up and by the end I had fallen in love with it I just wished it started off as strong as this would have been a five star book.

The other thing that stopped it from being a five star was the ending it just didn't sit right with me as for me it didn't wrap up everything that I would have liked to have known.

I loved the way you never new 'New Girl's' name until right at the end it actually got me thinking that I had just forgotten it until I realised we was just not told.

'New Girl' character was a very strong character as the way she gets treated at her new school is awful but she handled it so well and with dignity I really felt for her. I wish we got to see her happy side as it always just seemed to go wrong for her. She deserved so much better than what she got.

Becca's character is very manipulative with everyone thinking she is the be all and end all when really she is just a unhappy spiteful character.

I loved the mystery surrounding Becca's disappearance it really did keep you guessing right until the end which I think it's great to have a book with a bit of suspense it makes you want to continue a book. You can imagine that this is what would happen in real life if something like this happened which is also a good thing.

I this novel would make a great film or TV show I just think it would translate well and I would love to see it happen.

Overall a slow start but a great book.

Book Review: Carrier of the Mark (Carrier #1)

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

Format: Paperback
Publisher: Harper Collins
Published: 4th October 2011
Pages: 342
Main Characters: Megan, Adam, Aine, Caitlin, Rian, Fionn and Caleb
Date Started: 12th January 2012
Date Finished: 18th January 2012
Rating Given: ****

Goodreads:
Their love was meant to be.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRís.

But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction.

When I first heard about this book I was really excited about reading it but then when reading reviews for it a lot of them was bad so I got nervous about reading it. In the end I thought I would give it a try as I might have liked it and I didn't I loved it.

I loved the setting of this book as Ireland is one of my dream places to live and I haven't read a book that was set in Ireland before. I could really imagine the place that she lived in as it was beautifully described. I think the reason why it's described so well is that Leigh Fallon lives in Dublin Kinsale which is where it's set. I have read other books set in the UK and Scotland but these authors are usually from America so I don't feel they have the description of the setting right unlike Fallon.

I think this is Fallon's debut book and it's such a brilliant start where will she go from here I hope she just gets better and better.

This book I do feel like it's similar to The Twilight Saga but this time with magic. I still love it and Twilight.

Megan's character was a good one but not the best I have read. She is quite similar to Bella's character in Twilight in the way that she lives with her Dad which she has moved into a new time where she gets obsessed with the Deris family which everyone did at first but the family kept to themselves so everyone just left them alone (there is more  but it will give away some of the plot). The biggest difference and the best is she is more feistier and has more of an opinion which was the main flaw in Bella. I am looking forward to see how Megan will cope with her ever growing powers.

I loved Adam's character but I don't think he was in the book enough so I am hoping we will get to see him some more in the coming books. I love the way he is protective of the ones he loves. He is a strong and powerful lead guy which I love in my leading men!

The relationship between Megan and Adam was great to see I am looking forward but nervous to see how there relationship will change throughout the series.

I love the magic elements of this series as I haven't read much about magic unless they are Wizards or Witches so it's a refreshing change to not even mention the term Witch/Wizards.

Overall a great start to what I hope is going to be a great series, can't wait to read the rest.

Film Review: Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
(May contain spoilers)

Director: Brad Silberling
Writers: Robert Gordan (screenplay), Daniel Handler (Novel)
Stars/Characters: Jim Carrey/Count Olaf, Liam Aiken/Klaus, Emily Browning/Violet, Jude Law/Lemony Snicket(Voice), Timothy Spall/Mr.Poe, Billy Connolly/Uncle Monty, Meryl Streep/Aunt Josephine
Cinema Release Date: 17th December 2004
Recently Watched (DVD): 19th January 2012
Rating Given: **

I read this book a long time ago now and all I really remember is that I didn't like it but when the film came out and saw all those stars I thought I would actually like it how wrong was I.

This as a book was very depressing and didn't really have a happy ending as it was a part of a series (which I never continued with) this films was also a bit depressing but with Jim Carrey as the villain it was hard not to laugh. If I remember rightly the ending is a little bit different to the books as it was a more lighter ending maybe that was due to the fact there is no more films unlike the books.

I thought the make-up for Jim Carrey was brilliant as you could hardly tell it was him.

I think that maybe it was wrong casted as there was too much humour with his character and I actually kind of liked him not what he did but the way he did it had a funnier edge to a dark theme.

With all of those stars I thought there was going to be some outstanding acting but I did find it lacking and the acting of the children was a lot better than the big stars which I found a bit shocking.

Overall not a great film and I don't think I will be watching it again.

Big stars big flop!

Book Covers: Vampire Academy

Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead

It took me a while to start this series but I really didn't like the original covers but I ended up getting it free in which I then read and fell in love with it so I had to get the rest of the books which where all the same until Last Sacrifice came out.

Last Sacrifice ended up being the red covers like the ones above and I absolutely fell in love the the cover. I think in the future I will end up getting the series again in this version as I just love them!

I love the way they are simple with a solid colour red in the background and then a black pattern in the foreground it looks so effective.

I also love the title which is also simple apart from the first letters of the series which makes it look so elegant and you just know that it a part of a series which I think some series miss.

Teaser Tuesday #7

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



My teaser:

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

"I'll be back in a while," Aine called excitedly over her shoulder, as she walked towards the bonfire. I started to head toward Caitlin and Jennifer, but Adam put one hand under my elbow and directed me over to a log in the shadow of a bit tree.
"We need to talk," He said.
I looked up at him. It was a mistake. His eyes smoldered down at me. They were brighter than ever, as the light from the distant bonfire flickered up into his face. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as my breath caught in my throat. - Page 102

I am really enjoying this book and I am actually nearly finished and I am really excited but nervous to see how this book is going to end!

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #12

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







                                    Just Finished

                   Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey

This was a great and quick read but I did prefer the first in this particular series.

Currently Reading

New Girl by Paige Harbison

I have been reading this book for over a week now but I don't mind as it's a really good book I just don't get to read on my laptop as much as I would like too.

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

I am really enjoying this book which I was surprised about as I have heard a lot of bad things but so far I am really into it and I can't wait to read more.

Reading Next

Life of Lee by Lee Evans

This will be my first autobiography in a long while as I don't usually like them but I really want to like this one as Lee Evans (British comedian) is one of my favourite comedians out there and I just love him so fingers crossed :)

Halflings by Heather Burch

I am looking forward to reading this one!

What are you reading this week?

In My Mailbox #13

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme that is hosted by The Story Siren. This is where we show what we have either bought or was given throughout the week gone by.









Again I never bought any books this week but I was given a couple.

                                           I was given a RAK this week from Sarah

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

I was also given a book from Misty over at Goodreads UK swap group

Fins Are Forever by Tera Lynn Childs

I also received a galley from netgalley

Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

I have also requested this as a hard copy but not sure if I would be able to get it as it seems to be a popular book so I tried for the galley so at least I will get to try it.

What was in your mailbox this week?

Book Review: Blood Feud (The Drake Chronicles #2)

Blood Feud (The Drake Chronicles #2) by Alyxandra Harvey

Format: Paperback
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Published: 5th July 2010
Pages: 258
Main Characters: Logan and Isabeau
Date Started: 10th January 2012
Date Finished: 12th January 2012
Rating Given: ****

Goodreads:
 The action and romance continue as the Drakes face a new vampire with a 200-year-old grudge.
It’s been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix
The clans are gathering for Helena’s royal coronation as the next vampire queen, and new alliances are beginning to form now that the old rifts of Lady Natasha’s reign have started to heal. But with a new common enemy, Leander Montmarte—a vicious leader who hopes to force Solange to marry him and usurp the power of the throne for himself—the clans must stand together to preserve the peace he threatens to destroy.
This second adventure in the Drake Chronicles—told from both Logan’s and Isabeau’s perspectives—has all the same butt-kicking action, heart-pounding romances and snarky humor that readers loved in Hearts at Stake, as well as exciting new revelations about the vampire dynasties to keep readers coming back for more.

After reading the first in the Drake Chronicles I knew that I just had to continue with the series as it was a brilliant start.

Although I did enjoy this book I just didn't feel the same way as what I did in the first book.

The start of the book was a bit hard to get into even though loads of things was happening in the action. It wasn't until the rest of the Drake brothers and Lucy came into the picture that it got interesting, they wasn't in it that much but I think it was just the boost that was needed to get it going.

Lucy was such a strong character so the next female character to have the lead was going to have  a lot to live upto. Isabeau I don't think lived upto it as I really didn't like her much until we got to know her better but when we did she was a better character but still not one of my favourites though. She just didn't really have the fire that I think is needed to be a good character, yes she wasn't no damsel in distress but I don't think she was that likable to save either.

Logan I loved he was such a great character he had great humour and was just a strong guy in himself. I do prefer Nicholas more though but only just. I loved that he didn't care about what other people thought of him and his clothes which I found quite funny.

The relationship between Logan and Isabeau was a strange one as I just didn't get the connection there didn't seem to be a spark between them.

I did like the way something was always going on it kept me interesting in the story as I was always wondering what was going to happen next.

I am looking forward to reading the next in this series I just hope it's better than this one and just as good as the first.

Film Review: Eragon

Eragon
(May contain spoilers)

Director: Stefen Fangmeier
Writers: Peter Buchman (Screenplay), Christopher Paolini (Novel)
Stars/Characters: Ed Speleers/Eragon, Jeremy Irons/Brom, Sienna Guillory/Arya, Robert Carlyle/Durza, John Malkovich/Galbatorix, Christopher Egan/Roran, Rachel Weisz/Saphira
Cinema Release Date: 15th December 2006
Recently Watched (DVD): 12th January 2012
Rating Given: **

I have read the book in which this film is based upon Eragon and that particular book in the series was my favourite as it was a great set-up story and there was always something going on. So when the film came out I just had to watch it.

This film did get a lot of stick for being rubbish which even though I gave it just 2 stars I don't actually agree that it was a rubbish film. I think if you never read the book a lot of people would actually like this film as the book just outshines the film which was the reason behind my 2 star rating.

There was a lot of action in the film but I actually think that there should have been more action as the fight scenes was a little too rushed when in the book they went on for pages even chapters at times.

There was a few characters missing which I wasn't pleased about as some that was missing like Solembum as he was one of my favourite characters and he is also quite important to the story. There was also a load of other characters that was also important but missing.

Some of the key points of the book was also missing from the film which I thought was a shame as again they was important. It's like they wasn't thinking about anything but to get the film out which if they had taken their time and maybe made the film longer this could have been an amazing film.

Celia Rees

Celia Rees - This is Not Forgiveness Blog Tour

Below is the information you will need for the upcoming Celia Rees blog tour to see full detail click on the information image and it will lead you to where you need to go.

Below is a trailer for the book which I think looks really good!

Book Covers: Trylle Trilogy

Trylle Trilogy by Amanda Hocking

So there is actually a lot of different versions of this series which I am going to look at in this post.

The Trylle Series was originally bought out in 2010 with these book covers. I do like the simplicity of these covers. I love the style of the title as it stops it from being too simple. Even though I like the simplicity of these books the other versions are much stronger.

This is the USA 2012 version of the series and I love them far more than the original versions. I love that in this version the style of the title has been left simple but with the design around it, it makes the title stand out and for me it is the first thing my eye is drawn too. Out of these three I prefer Torn as I love the blue's and white's together it looks stunning.

This version is from the UK/Aus/South Africa/Asia Young Adult cover and I must say it is my favourite!

There is a couple of different colours to choose from for each book as well but I went with the ones that looked the best. I love the way that they are all black and white with a bright colour added on certain thing it really makes the whole thing stand out.

I do like all these cover especially the way in which they are all similar which I think is a good thing with it being a series they need to match.

If I was to buy the whole series I think I would have to go for the UK (good job I live in the UK) books as they just stand out from any of these versions and I would also say the UK version would be one of my top 5 book covers ever!