My Reviews.....
Me & Mr J By Rachel McIntyre
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
4 out of 5 Stars
'Anyone can betray Anyone'
This is the quote to remember when reading this book.
Although slow to start (picking up about 40 pages in) Red Queen has become one of my favourite and most anticipated series of this year.
I read it in one sitting as I couldn't put it down, the characters and descriptions are brilliant with the plot twisting and turning at every possible moment. Although one of the main plot twists I saw coming pretty much as soon as I met the character in question, I didn't realise how much of an impact and shock I would be in at the reasons behind the twist.
This book has you second guessing all of your previous thoughts and feelings towards the characters you love as you learn more about them, wondering if the villains are really villains, If the hero's are really hero's or if they are exactly who you think they are.
Having read this in a public place I got some very funny looks when I would gasp and shake my head as I read on. If you can get past the slow beginning you will not be disappointed with this book.
4.5 out of 5 stars
'Even when something feels right, it can still be wrong'
That is the overall moral of this hear wrenching story.
In McIntyre's 'Me & Mr J' we meet Lara Titliss, a 15/16 year old english high school student who is severely bullied throughout the novel by Molly and her 'hangers-on'. As well as the bullying Lara has to deal with difficulties at home, holding down a job, helping her parents and keeping up her A* grades at school. But the one thing Lara was able to cling on to was her crush on the new English Literature teacher Mr Ben Jagger; a dreamy, sufer like, early twenty year old. Needless to say her love for Mr J explodes when the Teacher Student relationship is breached causing it to become more of a Romeo and Juliet sacrifice story.
I had so much fun reading this novel.
I found the written format very intriguing. It is set out as a diary causing it to feel as if I was re-reading a diary I had once written and it felt like I was re-living the emotions I had felt when I was a teenager, which instantly helped me connect with Lara on an emotional level.
I havent read many books with a similar premise that is set in England, usually when a book makes a referance to a show or band its one I am not familiar with, so when I came across the mention of shows such as 'Noel Edmunds Deal or No Deal' and other such shows I was thrilled, this book really made me feel as if I was apart of the story not just the reader.
However having praised the writing style I also have to mention how it is only from Laras point of view meaning I couldnt be sure if what she was telling me was truth or fiction (in my experiance teenage girls have a tendancy to exaggerate). It would have been nice to know what other characters points of view were.
This novel really struck a chord with me (on a reader and personal basis) and even though the ending wasnt the one I was hoping for I am glad it followed what would happen in a real case of student teacher relations.
I would recommend this book to girls twelve and up.
You can purchase this book here:
Waterstones: www.waterstones.com/book/me-and-mr-j/rachel- mcintyre/9781405273442
All I Know Now By Carrie Hope Fletcher
4 out of 5 stars
I really did enjoy this book, I think it is great if you are in high school and need some advice but dont feel you can go to your parents or guardians for it (definietly pick this up if thats you).
There are however sections of this book that I think apply to everyone no matter your age, like the 'I Dreamed a Dream' Section or the 'How to get your heart broken only just a little bit' (I think everyone should read every word of that section because it helps alot).
This book has a very casual tone (as if you were seeking advice from an old friend) which makes the book very easy to love. There were times when I had to skip sections because I felt that they didnt apply to me but thats what this book was designed for, thats why Carrie has sectioned them into 'Acts' instead of chapters because the 'Acts' are easier to remember then exact chapter numbers.
I would highly recomend this book to anyone that is struggling with lifes difficulties and just needs a friend.
Very Good Lives by J.K Rowling
5 out of 5 stars
As a university student who has been looking for any kind of motivation to carry on with my course. This book was incredible.
This book documents the speech J.K Rowling gave at Harvard University in 2008. It is not about Harry Potter (although there are a few mentions for her widely popular series) . This speech is inspiring and motivational with loads of quotes to remember that will keep you going throughout any dip in your everyday lives.
My favourite has to be 'We do not need magic to transform our world; we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already'. This tells me that just because my life isn't like that of a story from my bookshelf doesn't mean its not an incredible life that has the potential to be anything I make it.
I would recommend this book to all university students and anyone who is after the motivation to get through whatever situation you find yourself in.
'I wish you all very good lives'
The Mill River Recluse by Darcie Chan
2 out of 5 stars
I did enjoy this book and really got into the different story lines. Chan also did a good job with the characters as they are easy to get to grips with and easy to get emotionally invested in.
However I think it was very slow in parts and everytime something big seemed about to happen...... nothing did. which to be honest was very disappointing. By the time I got to the end I was hoping something major would happen that would make it all worth while; which it did but was over very quickly and then the book finished.
So really the only redeeming feature for me was the main character Mary as she is very easy to love and someone you would want to encourage if you were one of the few people she allowed into her life.
The Clockwork Mechanical by Peter R Stone
3 out of 5 stars
I loved this story, I've read peter R stones last 3 dystopian books and loved them so naturally I am always keen to read more books by him.
This story was full of action, adventure and even makes a hint to real everyday events such as bullying. I found this book thoroughly enjoyable, however as it is a children's book and I felt that I should read it to my little sister so that the review of it is honest from the target audiences perspective.
She absolutely loved this story, as its a great plot and easy to read. She also has had great fun pretending with her friends to be the characters and making up what could happen in the next book.
So I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with young children.
The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon
5 out of 5 Stars
Okay.....
I've literally just closed the book and I have to say, I'm stunned and little hurt at the betrayal.
I absolutely loved this book, from start to finish I was drawn into the story eager to know more of what happened to my favourite characters (The White Binder, Pale Dreamer, Red Vision and Warden) after the end of The Bone Season...
I was not disappointed.
I followed their every move and emotion, trying to figure out what would happen next as I went along.
The plot twisted and turned making me wonder CONSTANTLY who certain characters were and what was really going on under the facade of Scion
(sometimes I did lose what was going on completely but it wasn't long before I understood once I read ahead bit).
Although a little slow at points I now know that the slow parts were the most imperative and the ones that need to have the most attention paid to them.
All I can say when you read this book (read The Bone Season First or it won't make any sense)
PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS!!!! They are what make any twists even more dramatic and shocking.
Credit defiantly has to be paid to Samantha Shannon for the amazing detail that has stunned all of her Voyants.
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
5 out of 5 stars
I absolutely loved this book.
I read it in the space of 1 day and have already started the second. I fell instantly in love with Patch and his devious, mysterious ways. I love Nora too she's the type of person you'd want as a friend in real life and I instantly connected with her which shows how well written and well formed the characters and storyline are.
The opening hooks you and every time I put the book down I couldn't stop thinking about what would happen next or about the characters involved. The book starts off revolving around the mystery that is Patch Capriani, and for a while this mystery is enough to sustain your interest when you are suddenly introduced to the shady characters that are Elliot and Jules. Jules comes across very shady and shy but Elliot is friendly and seen as a good guy I loved the twist that involved these two and their connection with the main protagonists.
I did not see it coming.
Jules turns out to be Patch's human vessel Chauncey, (a vessel is a human that a fallen angel can posses to be able to feel human) and he is the one who has been following Nora trying to hurt her to get back at Patch for tricking him. At the same time there is also Patch's (angel) ex girlfriend Debria, who was scorned by Patch when he fell in love with a human girl centuries before meeting Nora. I got the scorned lover side of her but she was taken out by Patch in a way we aren't entirely sure and we only have his word for what he did so I am hoping that in the next few books she will turn up and that matter will be resolved.
I've had this book in paper back but when I was given it in hardback along with the next two in the quartet I had to read it and I can't believe I didn't sooner, it's a great read and I would recommend it to anyone who loves Paranormal, fantasy and Paranormal romance books. I can't express how excited I was to start the next book Cresendo after finishing Hush Hush, and I am going to follow Patch and Nora right to the very end of their story.
Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
3.5 out of 5 Stars
SMALL SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW (they aren't prominent spoilers but if you want to read the book just know I think you should just give it a go because you'll love it)
I did like this book but Nora comes off a little needy and a bit controlling with patch. That was probably the main thing I didn't like about this book, throughout the first few chapters of the book all I could think was give the guy a break he's your guardian angel isn't he. But she just kept trying to catch him out. I do understand its important for the role of the story that she is like this as it helps us understand patch more and the relationship he has with others as we only see the characters through Nora's eyes. I just think she should have given him a break at some points.
Other then that I loved the story line how it all rolled together and the twists and turns it took. I did see the twist with Rixon coming quite early on but I wasn't sure why or how it would happen and I was pleasantly surprised when I found out.
I read this book in 2 days and it was very enjoyable. But I did prefer the first.
Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick
3 out of 5 stars
This book was great but I can't help feel the first two were better, I loved the story line and the character progression. I also thought we got to know Scott a lot better and we revisited a few familiar faces. The story line is necessary for the progression to the next book but at the same time I thoroughly enjoyed reading it :) I can't wait to get my hands on the next one :)
Forager by Peter R Stone
4 out of 5 Stars
I really enjoyed this book, it was easy to read and the characters were very likeable. The story line is interesting as there are many. I found that I needed to know more about the Japanese culture as it comes up a lot but other then that there was no fault with this book, if you are looking for an action packed romantic easy book with great dystopian imagery and characters to fall in love with I would defiantly recommend this book.
Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
4 out of 5 Stars
I have a tendency to not pick up books that are surrounded by hype because I find my expectations are far greater then the book turns out to be... But on this occasion this book was more then I expected even with the hype. It's a full on paranormal mystery adventure novel with sci-fi and even romance elements thrown in.
I absolutely adored the writing of the novel, the description goes into a lot of detail ensuring you can picture every scene just how Riggs wants you to see it! But every time you think you have a character pictured the photographs accompanying certain passages changes your picture again ensuring you see exactly what Riggs wants.
Also having the photographs there meant that you were discovering the 'strange and peculiar children' along side the lead, Jacob.
The character development and plot twists were excellent and many I didn't see coming. This is the first book of its kind that I've read and even though I tend to not like hyped books, the hype with this book is justified.
I would recommended this to anyone with a sense of adventure and mystery who loves all things supernatural and sci-fi.
But honestly if you are thinking of reading this book just go for it and don't go into it knowing too much about it because it may spoil it for you.
The Trylle Trilogy by Amanda Hocking
4 out of 5 Stars
Switched
I really loved this book, it's written beautifully and the characters are easy to love (or hate depending who it is). It's a brilliant forbidden love dystopian. I only gave it 4 stars because it can be slow in parts and I didn't like how some of the characters were introduced but other then that I absolutely loved it.
Torn
I was really surprised by how much I disliked this book, I was so looking forward to it when I was marathoning them all but I didn't find it as compelling as the first one. The characters completely change, my favourite part of the first one (the forbidden love story) was pretty much completely taken out as Finn spends most of his time away from Wendy and I didnt really care for how it was written. All in all abit disappointed.
Ascend
This book was ok, the characters go the endings they wanted but I didn't really get the ending I wanted. It all seemed pretty rushed and all over the place so really out of the series the first was the best and would have worked well as a stand alone.
The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
5 out of 5 Stars
This book was absolutely amazing, I couldn't put it down. It must have taken me about 3 days to finish (mainly because college and work got in the way) but I just loved it's dystopian world and it has some pretty kick ass characters. This book has everything from action and adventure to mystery and romance. I feel like this book didn't get the hype it deserved and I would recommend this to anyone. Simply amazing!
