Book Review: Sweetly (Fairytale Retellings #2)

Sweetly (Fairytale Retellings #2) by Jackson Pearce

Format: Hardback
Publisher: Hachette Children's Books
Published: 1st October 2011
Pages: 336
Main Characters: Ansel, Gretchen, Sophia and Samuel
Date Started: 16th October 2011
Date Finished: 24th October 2011
Rating Given: *****

Goodreads:
As a child, Gretchen's twin sister was taken by a witch-like monster in the woods. Ever since, Gretchen and her brother, Ansel, have felt the long branches of the witch's forest threatening to make them disappear, too.

When their stepmother casts Gretchen and Ansel out as teens, they stumble upon a sleepy Southern town and are invited to stay with Sophia Kelly at her sweet shop. Sophia molds candied magic: coveted treats that create confidence, bravery, and passion.

Life seems idyllic and Gretchen and Ansel finally start to forget their haunted past - until Gretchen meets handsome local outcast Samuel, who gives Gretchen a reason to fear Sophia: girls have been vanishing at Sophia's annual chocolate festival, taken by the insatiable 'witch' of Gretchen's nightmares. Can Gretchen save herself, the girls of Live Oak, andSophia?

Of one thing, Gretchen is certain: a monster is coming, and it will never go away hungry.

I loved the first Fairytale Retelling Sisters Red so when I knew this one was coming out I just had to snap it up and I am glad I did.

This fairytale is a retelling of Hansel and Gretel.

Gretchen was a twin but her twin was tragically taken by a 'witch' and now twelve years later are still trying to get over the past but it seems that their past is catching up with them.

With Gretchen's character I felt for her as I could never imagine the pain she went through losing her twin especially at the age that she was I don't think it could be anything that you could get over and there was parts I was nearly crying as it was very moving. Even going through what she does, she ends up being a strong character someone you just end up routing for.

Ansel's character I am not sure about as he does seem sweet and protective of those he loves but I don't think we got to know him as much as the other characters.

Sophia you just didn't know whether to trust her or not just like the way others feel about. She did seem like a sweet character one minute and then the next you just wasn't sure.

I loved Samuel's character at first he is a bit crazy but that is the way the other villager's portray him but when you get to know him as the story goes on you just fall in love with his character.

I loved the way that this book was changed from the original and it was a lot more creepy than the original as that was mainly for children to read at bedtime this book I wouldn't read to any child at bedtime I think it could scare them it did freak me out in place's and am 26!

I found it entaining from the start of this book right until the end as there was always something going on and questions to be answered.

I just can't wait for the third one to come out but we will have to wait until next year!

In My Mailbox #3

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 got some more e-arcs from Netgalley to review.

• Dearly, Departed by Lisa Habel
• The Deserter by Peadar O. Guilin
• Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

I also got some more e-books to review from the author/publisher

• Farsighted by Emlyn Chand
• Forbidden Mind by Kimberly Kinrade

Book Review: Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1)

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

Format: E-ARC (Netgalley)
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publishes: 3rd January 2012
Pages: 400
Main Characters: Cinder and Kai
Date Started: 11th October 2011
Date Finished: 22nd October 2011
Rating Given: ****

Netgalley:

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth's fate hinges on one girl. . . .   
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future.
In this thrilling debut young adult novel, the first of a quartet, Marissa Meyer introduces readers to an unforgettable heroine and a masterfully crafted new world that's enthralling.

Cinder is a futuristic twist on the classic fairytale Cinderella.
When looking through Netgalley I spotted this book I knew I had to read it as I love Cinderella and I also love different versions as well, and this was different to what I had heard of before so I had to try it and I am glad I did.
This book is set in the future where there are hovers instead of cars, cyborgs and androids which is something I haven't read before as I am more for either the modern times or the past but I was pleasantly surprised at how well I got into the time and how things where different but still believable.
Cinder is a cyborg which is where she is made out of both human and metal parts. I found Cinder a great character, she was strong and a proud person even when most people didn't like her including her stepmother and stepsister. I was routing for her from the beginning and right until the end I just wanted her to have her happyly ever after like the Cinderella characters in past stories.
From the moment we was introduced to Prince Kai I fell in love with him, he is just like the Prince Charming that we all know and love.
Cinder's and Kai's relationship was really sweet and through out the book I just wanted them to be together.
The relationship between Cinder and her younger stepsister Peony was beautiful and some of the scenes was moving to read in which I nearly cried!
The reason why I didn't give Cinder the full 5 stars was because it wasn't a stand alone book so everything was left up in the air which I wasn't expecting as this is a series so we won't know if they will get a happily ever after for years to come.
There was also parts that I didn't like as they where a bit slow.
Over all this was a great debut novel for Marissa Meyer and I can't wait to read the rest of this series.

Follow Friday #2

Follow Friday is a weekly event hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. This is a great way to discover new blogs and make new friends! This weeks featured are Book Savvy Babe and The Bursting Bookshelf.



This weeks question:
Q.What is your Superhero alter-ego?

A. Well I had to think long and hard about this one as I don't read any superhero comics but I do watch the TV/film shows. When I looked through them I found I didn't feel any would be my alter-ego so I went on the outfits :)
My favourite outfit has to be Storm's (black and white is so me even if it is technically silver I don't mind). I would love to have her abilities as well as I hate the hot weather and so I would be able to cool myself down by changing the weather!

Waiting On Wednesday #3

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine in which we highlight a book that we can't wait to be released.

This weeks WOW is Incarnate (Incarnate #1) by Jodi Meadows. I have seen this book on a couple  of blogs it looks good. I also think the cover has something to do with wanting to read this book. It's not out until next year 31st January 2012. I am really looking forward to reading this book.

Goodreads:
NEWSOUL
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

NOSOUL
Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

HEART
Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

Top 10 Tuesday #3

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 week's topic is: Top 10 books that I had to have because of the the titles or covers.

1. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick - As soon as I saw this book cover I fell in love with it, I didn't care what the story was about I just had to have it. I am glad the story lived up to the cover. This is one cover I am glad I judged.
2. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater - As you can tell from my blog I love black and white things and I love to buy things that use the colours too this goes for books as well. Good job it was my kind of book!
3. Halo by Alexandra Adornetto - This is another beautiful book cover and beautiful story that I love.
4. Forsaken by Jana Oliver - I loved this cover with what looks like wings around the title and I must admit the texture played a huge role in me buying this book. When I read the book I was glad I bought it.
5. Dark Angel by Eden Maguire - I love this front cover especially the feather it looks stunning. I still haven't read this book so I don't know if I made a good call on it yet.
6. Fallen by Lauren Kate - Another book cover that I just fell in love with the moment I saw it.
7. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand - Beautiful book cover and the title had me intrigued I just had to have it.
8. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr - I just love this cover it's just beautiful.
9. The Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine - I love that each book has a different colour as for the title and the pattern. I actually love the pattern in these books as without them it would have been a boring book cover.
10. Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead - I hated the original book covers for this series but when the last one cam out it was different it was red and black and as soon as I saw it I thought I would have read this series sooner if they started off in this way. I will eventually get this version of the books and get rid of the old one's.

It's Monday What Are You Reading #3

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








                                               Currently Reading

                                              Cinder by Marissa Meyer

I actually started this book last week, I seem to take longer to read ebooks. I am really enjoying it so far and I am looking forward to see what is going to happen next.

Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

Only read the first chapter but I am already hooked and again I can't wait to see what is going to happen next.

Reading Next

Crave by Melissa Darnell

Hades by Alexandra Adornetto

I am looking forward to reading these books!