Book Review: Legend (Legend #1) by Marie Lu

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Format: Paperback

Publishers: Penguin

Published: 2nd February 2012

Pages: 103

Genre: YA, Dystopian

Main Characters: Day, June

Date Read: 1st March - 6th March 2013

Rating Given:

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

 

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.
 

I had heard so many great things about this book that I just had to buy it, but once I got it it took me ages to actually pick it up and now that I have read it I wish I read it sooner.

I'm not too sure about this cover I prefer the US version or the new UK covers as they are more interesting. I do like the font of the title as I think it looks very fitting to the story.

There has only been a couple of dystopian books that I have actually loved so I was nervous about reading this book but I didn't need to be nervous as I did love it and the world that Marie Lu created. When I first started reading this book I wasn't sure I was going to like it as it wasn't grabbing my attention but once it did I loved it and I just didn't want to put it down. There was always something happening that had me guessing what was going to happen next and yet I never guessed right. The romance was also really gripping and I found them really cute together. I loved the ending as it was really sad but also it gave hope for a brilliant sequal which I can't wait to read.

I loved the two main characters. Day was a bit like Robin Hood (which if I remember rightly was mentioned in the book) as he was always helping out the poor by taking from the rich. He had many different sides to him which was nice to see all those sides. June was also a great character as she was very smart but also there was times when she wasn't so smart but it made her more relatable. Both characters never saw the good in each other from afar but when they where thrown together they saw that not everything is as it seems.

Overall this is a great dystopian novel and I for one can't wait to see what happens next.

 

Book Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

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Format: Hardback

Publishers: Headline Publishers

Published: 2nd January 2012

Pages: 236

Genre: YA, Contemporary Romance

Main Characters: Hadley, Oliver

Date Read: 25th February - 28th February 2013

Rating Given:

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. Having missed her flight, she's stuck at JFK airport and late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon-to-be stepmother Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's sitting in her row.

A long night on the plane passes in the blink of an eye, and Hadley and Oliver lose track of each other in the airport chaos upon arrival. Can fate intervene to bring them together once more?

Quirks of timing play out in this romantic and cinematic novel about family connections, second chances, and first loves. Set over a twenty-four-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.
 

I had been after this book for awhile so imagine my delight when someone sent me a copy as a RAK, yet for some reason it took me awhile to read it but now I have I wish I had read it sooner.

I really like the cover in the way that it's all black and white apart from the heart as I feel you can can get a sense of what the book is about. Also I can imagine this cover as a part of a scene from the book which I love when that happens.

When I first started this book I wasn't quite sure I was going to like it as I wasn't too sure about Hadley but the more I read the more I could understand where she was coming from. I did find the relationship between Hadley and Oliver sweet to read about but I didn't feel as though it was a sizzling romance which I love to have in the contemporary romance books I read. I felt a lot of emotions when reading this book which did nearly have me in tears at one point but for the most part I felt it was sweet. This book wasn't just about love at first sight but also the relationship between a farther and daughter which I found a refreshing change. What I really enjoyed about this book was that it was set in 24 hours which I haven't read a book like that before but because of this I felt there was a few unanswered questions at the end of the book which was a shame.

As I said in the above character Hadley was one of the characters that I couldn't warm to at first but by the end she seemed like a sweet person who just had a few father issues. Oliver I felt was so sweet and caring although I didn't feel a huge love for him like I normally do with the male leads but I did really like him and I definitely felt for him towards the end.

Overall a very quick and enjoyable read but I didn't feel any spark there and I wish it wasn't a standalone book.

 

Book Review: Hunting Lila (Lila #1) by Sarah Alderson

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Format: Paperback

Publishers: Simon & Schuster

Published: 5th August 2011

Pages: 318

Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance

Main Characters: Lila, Alex,

Date Read: 11th February - 15th February 2013

Rating Given:

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

17-year-old Lila has two secrets she’s prepared to take to the grave. The first is that she can move things just by looking at them. The second is that she’s been in love with her brother’s best friend, Alex, since forever.

After a mugging exposes her unique ability, Lila decides to run to the only people she can trust—her brother and Alex. They live in Southern California where they work for a secret organisation called The Unit, and Lila discovers that the two of them are hunting down the men who murdered her mother five years before. And that they’ve found them.

In a world where nothing and no one is quite as they seem, Lila quickly realises that she is not alone—there are others out there just like her—people with special powers—and her mother’s killer is one of them…

 

 

I had wanted this book for awhile and then when I got it I seemed to forget to pick it up to read. I wish it hadn't taken me so long to read this book as I thoroughly enjoyed it and I can't wait to read the sequel.

 

The cover I don't think is eye catching enough as the story is so much more than what the cover is letting on. I do like the hint of bright colours as it makes the girl stand out which Lila does stand out.

 

Hunting Lila had me hooked as soon as I read the first paragraph which I did reread a couple of times to actually make sure I read it right (which I did) and it only kept getting more and more thrilling. There was quite a few twists in this book that I for one never expected which I loved as it kept me guessing right until I finished it. I loved the hint of romance in it and for once I didn't mind that it wasn't the main focus as there was a lot more things that just kept getting in the way. The bit of romance that was in was so sweet and I felt like I could feel their feelings even when they never knew about them themselves. I loved the ending as it left it on a bit of a cliffhanger but there was some answers so I felt the cliffhanger was a good way to end.

 

I loved the characters but I would have to say Alex is my favourite in this book as he was funny but also protective and sweet. He had a couple of scenes that had me sighing at how he came across I think I have another name to add to my book boy crushes. I liked Lila she had quite a few things to deal with that made me warm to her every time something else was thrown her way. Jack I liked although there was times when I wasn't to sure about him but for the most he was okay. There was also a lot of other characters that Lila doesn't know who she can trust but there was some good characters amongst them that I hope we get to see more of in the next book.

 

Overall this book kept me in suspense through out the whole book. This is definitely one of those books that I know I will read over and over again but first I need to read the second book!

 

Book Review: Devil's Bargain (Red Letter Days #1) by Rachel Caine

Format: Paperback (arc)

Publishers: Mira Ink

Published: 5th October 2012

Pages: 331

Main Characters: Jazz, Lucia, James

Date Started: 19th January 2013

Date Finished: 25th January 2013

Rating Given:

 

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

What's the price of a deal with the devil?

Playing by the psychic underworld's rules has cost.

Jazz Callender's whole life just got turned upside down. Her friend Ben's been convicted of a crime he didn't commit, and Jazz is determined to clear his name, even if it means enlisting the help of dark forces.

Enter James, a stranger with a mysterious offer. If Jazz pledges to work for The Cross Society, a shadowy secret organisation, he'll help her save Ben.

But as she's thrust into a world of psychic powers and dangerous magic, Jazz isn't just bargain for her friend's freedom. She's bargaining for her soul too.

And how high a price is she willing to pay?
 

I had actually not heard of this book until I saw it in one of the Mira Ink's newsletter so I jumped at the chance to review it. Then I found some mixed reviews which put me off reading it which it shouldn't have as I really enjoyed it.

This book has been out for a few years but with a different cover which I wasn't a fan of and I was so glad that this was the new cover as I think it looks stunning. Although I do think it looks a bit too similar to her Morganville books (in the UK) so it would be easy to confuse them but the spine is different which can stop the confusion.

As soon as I started this book I was hooked with loads of action kicking it off it was hard not to be drawn into the book. It wasn't just the start but the whole book had something going on making it a thrilling ride. There was also  some romance but this time it was a slow builder unlike other books where it's instant attraction and it surprised me that I liked this kind of romance too. I never knew what was going to happen next and I liked the hint of paranormal however I was expecting a bit more from that side of the story but maybe in the next book it will have more focus on the paranormal. What I never realized was that this was not a young adult book but more of an adult book (as the main character was about 34!)which before this I had gone off but now it has got me wanting to read more adult books. I would have liked to have given this book five out of five rating but I have read some books that was a bit better but not by much.

Jazz was not the sweet girl that I have been a bit used to as she was such a strong fighter she was even the one that had to come to the rescue which I'm definitely not used to but it was fun to see but we also see a vulnerable side to her. Lucia is another strong female character and very much similar to Jazz. I loved to see how their friendship evolved. James Borden I loved he was one of my favourite characters as he was more like the damsel in distress but he also had a edge to him. I loved the banter between James and Borden I hope we get to see more of that in the next book. There was also some other characters that was a great addition to this book including Manny and Pansy.

Overall I found this a great start to the series and I just can't wait to read more from this series and Rachel Caine.

Book Review: Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

Format: Paperback

Publishers: MTV Books

Published: 17th March 2009

Pages: 245

Main Characters: Meg, John

Date Started: 1st January 2013

Date Finished: 4th January 2013

Rating Given:

 

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO?

 

All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far...and almost doesn't make it back.

 

John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge -- and over....

 

 

 

 I had had my eye on this book for a long time so when I finally got a copy I was really happy and thought I was going to read it straight away. Over a year later I have finally read it and I just wish I had read it sooner.

I don't really think much of the cover as it's just a simple one but I still think it's effective. Even though there is just the two people on the cover I feel like you get a sense of what the story is about which I think is good.

I haven't read many contemporary romance books but for the most I have loved them and this is no different and is definitely a new favourite of mine. Usually in the contemporary book it's the boy that's the bad guy but this time around it was the girl which I thought was a refreshing change although there was times when he did get angry but I understood where he was coming from. I also understood where Meg's anger came from which made her a more likable character. The chemistry between Meg and John was sizzling and I just couldn't wait to see where their relationship took them next as one minute they was hot the next minute they was cold. I loved that I never knew what was going to happen next as there was a few revelations that shocked me as I just never saw them coming.

Both Meg and John was great characters that I would have loved to see more of. Meg was the rebel of the story (but for a reason and a pretty good one at that) which shocked me but also made me laugh as her humour just stood out. John was the good guy cop but I did feel like he had a inner rebel just waiting to get out. He also had a bit of a temper but I didn't mind that so much but there was one point towards the end where I felt he needed to stop and think. There was also a few other characters but we didn't get to know much about them which was a shame as I would love to have read more about John's friends they seemed sweet.

Overall a great book and I now can't wait to read more from Jennifer especially if her other books are as good as this one.

2013 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

(Click on the image to join up to the challenge)   Welcome to 2012 TBR PILE Reading Challenge!!!
6 BLOGGERS, 12 MINI-CHALLENGES, 24 BOOKS TO WIN!!!
We all have those books. We buy them, win them, they're gifted to us.. Then we put them up on a bookshelf and there they stay, collecting dust, waiting for the time when we'll finally decide to pick them up..

Join us on a quest to dust off your TBR Pile and read all the books you've been telling yourself you'll read next time you'll get a chance.. This is your chance! And we've got PRIZES!!! :D
  Challenge Guidelines:

1. This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2013 - Dec 31, 2013.
2. Anyone can enter! You don't have to be a blogger, as long as you review the book you've read! (On your blog, Amazon or Goodreads/Shelfari!)
3. Any genre, length or format of book counts, as long as it is a book that's been sitting on your shelf for some time now. Only books released in 2012 and earlier! NO 2013 ARCs and 2013 fresh-off-the-press releases allowed!
4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
5. When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the 2013 TBR PILE Reading Challenge. (If you don't have a blog, post about it on Facebook or Tweet!)
6. You can move up levels, but no moving down.
7. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2013, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.
8. On the 20th of each month one of the hosts will post a wrap-up. Every wrap-up will have it's unique theme, a mini-challenge, a giveaway and place for you to link up your reviews from this month. For each review you link up, you will get one entry in a drawing of one book of choice from Book Depository. It's open to INTERNATIONALS. The giveaway will be open until the next wrap up post goes up! (i.e. the entire month)
9. If you miss a wrap-up post + giveaway, you can link up your reviews next month. Do not, however, try to link up one review twice - we will be checking ;)
10. December is a wrap-up for the whole year. All the book reviews you linked up January-November + the ones you'll link up in December will be entered into a HUGE giveaway - a box of books.
11. You don't have to follow all the hosts to join the challenge, but you do have to follow all of us to be entered in giveaways!

Levels:(how many books you're planning to read for this challenge in 2013)

1-10 - A Firm Handshake
11-20 - A Friendly Hug
21-30 - A Sweet Kiss
31-40 - Love At First Sight
41-50 - Married With Children

Schedule:

January 20th: Evie @Bookish (www.evie-bookish.blogspot.com)

February 20th: Rachel @Fiktshun (http://www.fiktshun.com)

March 20th: Justin @Justin's Book Blog (http://www.justinsbookblog.com/)

April 20th: Tiffany @Escaping.. One Book At A Time (http://escapingonebookatatime.blogspot.com/)

May 20th: Bonnie @Words At Home (www.wordsathome.ca/)

June 20th: Justin @Justin's Book Blog (http://www.justinsbookblog.com/)

July 20th: Emily @Doodle's Book Blog (doodlesbookblog.blogspot.com/)

August 20th: Tiffany @Escaping One Book At A Time (http://escapingonebookatatime.blogspot.com/)

September 20th: Rachel @Fiktshun (http://www.fiktshun.com)

October 20th: Emily @Doodle's Book Blog (doodlesbookblog.blogspot.com/)

November 20th: Bonnie @Words At Home (www.wordsathome.ca/)

December 20th: This one will be posted on all the blogs. There will also be a huge BOX OF BOOKS giveaway and this time you can link up ALL YOUR TBR Pile REVIEWS you wrote for the entire year!

 

I am going to aiming for the Married With Children! I will keep track of the books that I read on this post. I have put down the books that I am hoping to start with.

 

1. Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

2. Devil's Bargain by Rachel Caine

3. Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson

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Looking forward to taking part in my first ever Blog reading challenge wish me luck!

Good Luck everyone taking part!