Weekly Wrap Up and Stacking the Shelves #44

Weekly Wrap Up...

I have been off all week and I was hoping I could manage 3 books but this did not happen. I have barely managed to start a third book. But I've had a fantastic week with my parents here and my husband and daughter at home too. This week I have finished Six Of Crows and Paper Butterflies. I have loved both for completely different reasons. 

 

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...
A convict with a thirst for revenge
A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager
A runaway with a privileged past
A spy known as the Wraith
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes

Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.

 

June's life at home with her stepmother and stepsister is a dark one – and a secret one. She is trapped like a butterfly in a net.

But then June meets Blister, a boy in the woods. In him she recognises the tiniest glimmer of hope that perhaps she can find a way to fly far, far away from her home and be free. Because every creature in this world deserves their freedom . . . But at what price?
Paper Butterflies is an unforgettable read, perfect for fans of Jennifer Niven, Jandy Nelson, Sarah Crossan and Louise O'Neill.

Stacking the Shelves...

I don't even know where to begin. It's been a busy week for my shelf. 

First of all thank you to Marta at HarperCollins for my Reign of Shadows. It's on my kindle and I am very excited about this one. The cover is stunning and I have been eyeing it up for ages.

Thank you to Charlotte at Macmillan for my copy of A Quiet Kind Of Thunder. I loved Sara's first book and I can't wait to read this one.

I've also received a rather impressing parcel of Transworld Books which included The Invasion of the Tearling and Hold Back the Stars. I have been waiting for these every day in the hope I will be lucky enough to get either. So you can imagine how impressed I was when both arrived. Eeeeek! 

Friday night I went to the Worlds Collide Tour in manchester. Where I obviously couldn't resist buying more books ha ha So I have bought Attachements and Shadow and Bone. Even tho I have read Shadow and Bone I haven't had a physical copy. Also while at the event I have swapped books with the lovely Patricia and have come home with Kook and A Thousand Pieces of You. Thank you!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review: A Head Full Of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay

 

The lives of the Barretts, a normal suburban New England family, are torn apart when fourteen-year-old Marjorie begins to display signs of acute schizophrenia.

To her parents' despair, the doctors are unable to stop Marjorie's descent into madness. As their stable home devolves into a house of horrors, they reluctantly turn to a local Catholic priest for help. Father Wanderly suggests an exorcism; he believes the vulnerable teenager is the victim of demonic possession. He also contacts a production company that is eager to document the Barretts' plight. With John, Marjorie's father, out of work for more than a year and the medical bills looming, the family agrees to be filmed, and soon find themselves the unwitting stars of The Possession, a hit reality television show. When events in the Barrett household explode in tragedy, the show and the shocking incidents it captures become the stuff of urban legend.

Fifteen years later, a bestselling writer interviews Marjorie's younger sister, Merry. As she recalls those long ago events that took place when she was just eight years old, long-buried secrets and painful memories that clash with what was broadcast on television begin to surface--and a mind-bending tale of psychological horror is unleashed, raising vexing questions about memory and reality, science and religion, and the very nature of evil.

I love a good scary book, unfortunately a lot of people get it all wrong. Not Tremblay tho, this one has ticked all the boxes. It had me scared, had me confused, surprised and got into my head. And I am not easily scared but this book has triggered some very strange dreams.

The best way to describe this book for me is: a modern exorcism in the face of media. A 14 year old girl shows signs of schizophrenia and while the parents try their best to help her, things just get worse. While searching for answers the father seeks the help of the church. The idea of a possession soon develops and suddently the family becomes part of a reality tv show. The Possesion and it's tv crews move into their house to capture everything that's going on. What probably makes this so much more real and disturbing is that this all is being told by the younger sister, who many years later is retelling her story to a book writer. Revealing everything that went on and all the things that the cameras didn't see. 

This was impossible to put down and even more so forget. There was times in this book where I had to question what I believed and what I didn't. Often I was left utterly surprised. We get to experience a families absolute nightmare through the eyes of a little girl that just wants her sister back. A family that is slowly breaking under the pressure of everything. This wasn't just a scary book, it was an eye opening and heart breaking one. The end left me utterly gobsmacked, I did not see it coming at all.

This has been a fantastic read. From the first page to the very end it held my full attention. I absolutely loved A Head Full Of Ghosts. Tremblay is one to watch, I myself will certainly be keeping an eye on this author. 

Thank you to Lydia at Titan Books for my copy. 

WWW Wednesday (26th October)

 WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. It’s open for anyone to join in and is a great way to share what you’ve been reading! All you have to do is answer three questions and share a link to your blog in the comments section of Sam’s blog.

The three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

I am currently reading...

June's life at home with her stepmother and stepsister is a dark one – and a secret one. She is trapped like a butterfly in a net.

But then June meets Blister, a boy in the woods. In him she recognises the tiniest glimmer of hope that perhaps she can find a way to fly far, far away from her home and be free. Because every creature in this world deserves their freedom . . . But at what price?

Paper Butterflies is an unforgettable read, perfect for fans of Jennifer Niven, Jandy Nelson, Sarah Crossan and Louise O'Neill. 

I have recently finished...

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...

A convict with a thirst for revenge
A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager
A runaway with a privileged past
A spy known as the Wraith
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes

Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first. 

I plan on reading next...

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and left crippled by the kidnapping of a valuable team member, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of magic in the Grisha world.

Review: Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

I have been almost binge reading this series. I've wanted to finish it before I start Six Of Crows. I felt that if I didn't read Leigh's Grisha series before it, I might never get to it. And I am glad I have made this decision because I really wouldn't want to have missed out on this absolute gem of a series.

While I found that it took me a little longer to get back into the story then usual, mainly due to so many different names and characters, once I was back in I enjoyed every minute of it. 

Ruin and Rising is the last book in the series and what a finish it is!!! There is one huge twist I did not see coming and let me tell you I didn't know what to do with it either. And due to this I really didn't have an idea on how this could come to an end. But it managed to give us a very satisfying and to a very beautiful and exciting Grisha series. 

Just like the previous two books the writing is incredible and the wold building is impressive. I have managed to connect with the characters and the story over its course and I am really sad now that this is finished. The fact I now have Six Of Crows and Crooked Kingdom to get through is a massive help. While it's not the same characters I am really happy to be going back to the same world. 

This is an absolute must read and if you haven't yet read any of Leigh's books then please do start here. You will not be disappointed. I have loved every minute of all 3 books and can highly recommend it. 

I will keep this one short and spoiler free because this is the last book. I have had so so much fun reading this. And now that I have started Six Of Crows I see how much sense it makes to read these first, because the events of this series are being mentioned. Fantastic books! 

Weekly Wrap Up and Stacking the Shelves #43

Weekly Wrap Up...

I have once again managed my two book week. It's been two really good ones too. The first book I have finished is Ruin and Rising. I have been almost binge reading this one. Preparing myself for the Worlds Collide event in manchester next week. Which I am suuuuuper excited about. I am not reading Six of Crows and am hoping to get to the Crooked Kingdom before the event too. Yesterday I have finished A Head Full Of Ghosts. Now that's been a very surprising and exciting book. Loved it. 

 

The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

 

The lives of the Barretts, a normal suburban New England family, are torn apart when fourteen-year-old Marjorie begins to display signs of acute schizophrenia.

To her parents' despair, the doctors are unable to stop Marjorie's descent into madness. As their stable home devolves into a house of horrors, they reluctantly turn to a local Catholic priest for help. Father Wanderly suggests an exorcism; he believes the vulnerable teenager is the victim of demonic possession. He also contacts a production company that is eager to document the Barretts' plight. With John, Marjorie's father, out of work for more than a year and the medical bills looming, the family agrees to be filmed, and soon find themselves the unwitting stars of The Possession, a hit reality television show. When events in the Barrett household explode in tragedy, the show and the shocking incidents it captures become the stuff of urban legend.

Fifteen years later, a bestselling writer interviews Marjorie's younger sister, Merry. As she recalls those long ago events that took place when she was just eight years old, long-buried secrets and painful memories that clash with what was broadcast on television begin to surface--and a mind-bending tale of psychological horror is unleashed, raising vexing questions about memory and reality, science and religion, and the very nature of evil.

Stacking the Shelves...

This week I've had quite a few new books. I've won Caraval in a competition on Twitter! Eeeek. Thank you so much Kavita. 

I have had a cheeky little Amazon delivery. 3 new books including All the Bright Places, Holding Up the Universe and Three Dark Crowns. 

Also got two lovely books delivered by publishers. The first one was another surprise book by twenty7 and Cut To The Bone sounds very intriguing. Thank you so much.

The second one was from Cara at the new and exciting HQYoungAdult, thank you so much for my copy of The Watcher. How pretty is the cover tho guys? 

Last but not least thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for Ever The Hunted. Been eyeing this one for some time :) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WWW Wednesday (19th October)

 WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. It’s open for anyone to join in and is a great way to share what you’ve been reading! All you have to do is answer three questions and share a link to your blog in the comments section of Sam’s blog.

The three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

I am currently reading...

The lives of the Barretts, a suburban New England family, are torn apart when fourteen-year-old Marjorie begins to display signs of acute schizophrenia. To her parents despair, the doctors are unable to halt Marjorie's descent into madness. As their stable home devolves into a house of horrors, they reluctantly turn to a local Catholic priest for help, and soon find themselves the unwitting stars of The Possession, a hit reality television show. Fifteen years later, a bestselling writer interviews Marjorie's younger sister, Merry. As she recalls the terrifying events that took place when she was just eight years old, long-buried secrets and painful memories begin to surface and a mind-bending tale of psychological horror is unleashed. 

I have recently finished...

The capital has fallen.

The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

I plan on reading next...

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...

A convict with a thirst for revenge.

A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.

A runaway with a privileged past.

A spy known as the Wraith.

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.

Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first. 

Review: GEMINA by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

The highly anticipated sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller that critics are calling “out-of-this-world awesome.”
 
Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.
     The sci-fi saga that began with the breakout bestseller Illuminae continues on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.
     Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy's most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.
     When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station's wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands.
     But relax. They've totally got this. They hope.
     Once again told through a compelling dossier of emails, IMs, classified files, transcripts, and schematics, Gemina raises the stakes of the Illuminae Files, hurling readers into an enthralling new story that will leave them breathless.

Hot damn!!! I bloody loved ILLUMINAE and I bloody love GEMINA. Yes the magic is still there and I am still completely in love with the unique and fascinating way to tell a story. I don't even know where to begin, but let me tell you I didn't want this book to end.

This time we are aboard the Jump Station Heimdall. This is the story that basically explains why the distress signals from Kady in the first book have never been heard, simply because Heimdall is busy with their own assault. Our main characters this time are Hanna and Nik. Hanna is the daughter of the captain, she likes to party and expensive clothes, while Nik is part of a criminal family, covered in tattoos. But suddenly those two and Nik's cousin are the only ones left who can fight back when the station is under attack.

Of course the story is once again being told by files, be it emails, chats or surveillance reports, which is the most exciting way to tell this story. Which is the reason I fell in love with illuminea. It keeps you on your toes and gives you a perspective of the story you don't normally get. This in no way keeps you from connecting with the main characters. I literally couldn't tell you who I liked more, Hanna and Nik couldn't be more different. And yet I couldn't get enough of either of them. I love how bad ass Hanna really is while everyone just believes her to be this spoiled princess. And I love how Nik is actually good at heart while everyone believes him to be a criminal and nothing else. It's as if they both get to take their masks off and be themselves while absolute chaos erupts around them. Let's not forget Nik's cousin tho, because let me tell you, that young girl is pure genius with some right mouth on her, I would want her having my back any day. 

If you think you will just get a repeat from the first book you are very wrong this is a completely new and fresh story that will have you gripped from the very start. I could not put this down and I had to fight temptation to turn the pages to see what's coming next because I couldn't read fast enough. With many twists and turned and some shocking surprises this book had me at the edge of my seat many times. 

Second book syndrome?? Nope, not for these two amazing authors. They've just gone and smashed it again. One can only hope that these two will continue to treat us to these exquisite books full of visual effects and unique story lines. 

The fact this book looks stunning on my shelf is just another added bonus but as a cover lover it's certainly worth mentioning. 

Nobody writes a story like Kaufman and Kristoff! 

Thank you so much to Lawrence at Oneworld Publishing for my copy.

GEMINA will be published on 20th October! 

Review: There May Be A Castle by Piers Torday

 

A remarkable story about love and death from the winner of the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize

Eleven-year-old Mouse is travelling to see his grandparents on Christmas Eve with his mother and two sisters. But it's snowing, and visibility is bad, and the car goes off the road, and crashes.

Mouse is thrown from the car.

When he wakes, he's not in his world any more. He meets a sheep named Bar, who can only say Baaa, and a sarcastic horse named Nonky, who is a surprising mix of his beloved toy horse and his older sister.
So begins a quest to find a castle in a world of wonder - a world of monsters, minstrels, dangerous knights and mysterious wizards; a world of terrifying danger but also more excitement than Mouse has ever known.

But why are they looking for a castle? As the cold grows, we realise it might just have something to do with the family he's left behind; and that Mouse's quest is more important than ever.

This is a novel about love and death. It's about the power of stories to change the way we view the world - and it's about the power of a child to change their own world. Emotionally arresting but ultimately uplifting, this is a remarkable novel for our times.

As Mouse and his family set off to see the grandparents at Christmas they slide of the road and have a serious accident in the snow. Mouse who has undone his seatbelt is thrown out of the car. When he wakes  up he cant see his family or the car. But he meets a sheep and a large and talking version of his toy horse. Mouse appears to be in a different world, as if in one of his daydreams. Nonky, the horse tells him they have to go and find the castle and fast. So their journey to find the castle begins... Mouse doesn't appear to remember anything that happened before or even his family, who are still trapped in the car. While the mother is unconscious, Violet might be the only one that can help them.

I really liked the concept and I rather got into the story at first. While it was aimed at much much younger readers then me it had me hooked. But then things got a little stranger and stranger and I found myself get detached from Mouse's story. However I really couldn't get back to Violet and the rest of them quick enough.

Towards the end I had to pay much more attention when their stories started to melt together. And let me tell you I didn't quite expect the story to end the way it did. All along I saw it going somewhere different. But I do like it when a book can make my jaw drop.

All in all this was a little to strange for me and too young for me. But I think for the younger readers it will be fantastic. It portraits a very serious topic in a unique and magical way. Its one of those stories that will make you think and will touch your heart.

Thank you to Lauren at Hachette Children for my copy.

There May Be A Castle is out now.

Weekly Wrap Up and Stacking the Shelves #42

Weekly Wrap Up...

After my father dissapointing week last week I have managed to read 3 books. Yay!! Would have been happy with 2 but 3 is an achievement for me while my life seems to be super busy. The first one I have finished is Caraval! Oh and I fully understand why this is already attracting soooo much attention! The next one was The Graces, oh wow what a surprise that one has been. And last was There May Be A Castle, probably to young for me and not quite what I expected. But all in all it's been a great book week ;) 

 

Before you enter the world of Caraval, you must remember that it’s all a game . . .

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their ruthless father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the legendary, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

Then, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation to Caraval finally arrives. So, Tella enlists a mysterious sailor’s help to whisk Scarlett away to this year’s show. But as soon as the trio arrives, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nonetheless soon becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with her sister, with Legend, and with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

 

Everyone said the Graces were witches.

They moved through the corridors like sleek fish, ripples in their wake. Stares followed their backs and their hair.

They had friends, but they were just distractions. They were waiting for someone different.

All I had to do was show them that person was me.

Like everyone else in her town, River is obsessed with the Graces, attracted by their glamour and apparent ability to weave magic. But are they really what they seem? And are they more dangerous than they let on?

This beautifully-written thriller will grip you from its very first page.

 

A remarkable story about love and death from the winner of the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize

Eleven-year-old Mouse is travelling to see his grandparents on Christmas Eve with his mother and two sisters. But it's snowing, and visibility is bad, and the car goes off the road, and crashes.

Mouse is thrown from the car.

When he wakes, he's not in his world any more. He meets a sheep named Bar, who can only say Baaa, and a sarcastic horse named Nonky, who is a surprising mix of his beloved toy horse and his older sister.
So begins a quest to find a castle in a world of wonder - a world of monsters, minstrels, dangerous knights and mysterious wizards; a world of terrifying danger but also more excitement than Mouse has ever known.

But why are they looking for a castle? As the cold grows, we realise it might just have something to do with the family he's left behind; and that Mouse's quest is more important than ever.

This is a novel about love and death. It's about the power of stories to change the way we view the world - and it's about the power of a child to change their own world. Emotionally arresting but ultimately uplifting, this is a remarkable novel for our times.

Stacking the Shelves...

I didn't get any book post this week, brakes my heart, not a single beautiful book arrived. BUT  I've had a superb book approved on Netgalley, Heartless!!! I am so excited. Thank you Netgalley and Pan Macmillan. Heartless doesn't even have a UK cover yet so I won't be posting a picture. But I seriously can't wait to see it, as I am a huge sucker for beautiful covers. 

I've also treated myself to the the 3 books in The Dreamland Series, the covers are stunning and at 99p each I couldn't resist, obviously. 

 

Review: The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon

 

Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.

Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.

The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?

I really enjoyed Yoon's last book so I had really high hopes for this one. And I wasn't disappointed, quite the opposite I think this one is even better. It feels and reads completely different. This is the  story of Natasha and Daniel who meet while she is trying to find a way to stop her deportation and he is on the way to a college interview that he might not even want. This couldn't be a more inconvenient day to find that someone special. But bad timing can't stop fate, or can it?

This book is about fate and love. Its about how every little decision changes the course not just for you but for those around you too. It is so amazingly written I couldn't put it down. I instantly loved both Natasha and Daniel. I love how strongly he believes in true love while Natasha doesn't at all.

Beautiful and full of heart. It takes you on a trip round New York and touches on so many serious topics, in a way that wont just make you frown but will make you laugh too. Its full of hidden humour and moments that will make you smile and cry in equal measure.

The characters are so amazing I don't even know where to begin. They couldn't be more different even if they tried, and I don't mean their backgrounds. Natasha who is an absolute science geek that believes only in the things that she can prove. And then Daniel who is a poet and a hopeless romantic. They are both charming and intriguing in their own way. And I enjoyed every single one of their conversations.

I cant tell you enough how much I have enjoyed this. The story is just pure bliss and an absolute gem. Oh my poor little heart.

Honestly this book is STUNNING!!! You do not want to miss this one.

Thank you for Penguin Random House and Netgalley for my copy.

The Sun Is Also A Star will be published 3rd November.

WWW Wednesday (12th October)

 WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. It’s open for anyone to join in and is a great way to share what you’ve been reading! All you have to do is answer three questions and share a link to your blog in the comments section of Sam’s blog.

The three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

I am currently reading...

Everyone said the Graces were witches.

They moved through the corridors like sleek fish, ripples in their wake. Stares followed their backs and their hair.

They had friends, but they were just distractions. They were waiting for someone different.

All I had to do was show them that person was me.

Like everyone else in her town, River is obsessed with the Graces, attracted by their glamour and apparent ability to weave magic. But are they really what they seem? And are they more dangerous than they let on?

This beautifully-written thriller will grip you from its very first page.

I have recently finished...

Before you enter the world of Caraval, you must remember that it’s all a game . . .

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their ruthless father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the legendary, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

Then, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation to Caraval finally arrives. So, Tella enlists a mysterious sailor’s help to whisk Scarlett away to this year’s show. But as soon as the trio arrives, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nonetheless soon becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with her sister, with Legend, and with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

I plan on reading next...

A remarkable story about love and death from the winner of the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize

Eleven-year-old Mouse is travelling to see his grandparents on Christmas Eve with his mother and two sisters. But it's snowing, and visibility is bad, and the car goes off the road, and crashes.

Mouse is thrown from the car.

When he wakes, he's not in his world any more. He meets a sheep named Bar, who can only say Baaa, and a sarcastic horse named Nonky, who is a surprising mix of his beloved toy horse and his older sister.
So begins a quest to find a castle in a world of wonder - a world of monsters, minstrels, dangerous knights and mysterious wizards; a world of terrifying danger but also more excitement than Mouse has ever known.

But why are they looking for a castle? As the cold grows, we realise it might just have something to do with the family he's left behind; and that Mouse's quest is more important than ever.

This is a novel about love and death. It's about the power of stories to change the way we view the world - and it's about the power of a child to change their own world. Emotionally arresting but ultimately uplifting, this is a remarkable novel for our times.

Review: A Torch Against The Night by Sabaa Tahir

Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire.

Laia is determined to break into Kauf—the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison—to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars’ survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom.

But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the sadistic Warden of Kauf, and, most heartbreaking of all, Helene—Elias’s former friend and the Empire’s newest Blood Shrike.

Bound to Marcus’s will, Helene faces a torturous mission of her own—one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturius and the Scholar slave who helped him escape…and kill them both. 

Oh my gosh!! Where do I even begin?? This has probably been my favourite book of 2016. I could not put it down. I am one of those people who was really late with reading An Ember in the Ashes, so Elias, Laia and Helene have been very fresh in my mind. Not just that but as soon as I started reading I realised how much I already missed this characters and how amazing they all are. 

The second book takes off exactly where the first one left off. Elias and Laia are on the run after Marcus becomes the new Emporer and Helene the Blood Shreik. Bam we are straight in the middle of all the action and I felt like I have never left this world. Elias' and Laia's main focus now is to get to Kauf prison and get her brother out. On the journey they will face many obstacles. Every freaking chapter has been exciting. Honestly, this book doesn't slow down. Not for a moment. It switches from Elias, Laia and Helene and is so fast paced. Every time I thought it's time to put the book down something else happened that forced me to continue, just one more chapter, and another, and one more maybe... thank for for FIFA coming out this week, the hubby at least didn't need any attention. Either way he wasn't gonna get any. 

This books was so much fun to read, I don't think I have enjoyed reading this much for some time. There was new surprises on every corner. It literally broke me. From moments that melted my heart to jaw dropping shockers that made me wanna scream. This is one hell of a ride. 

I have loved the first book but this one I love even more. The writing is incredible and the world building is another class. I feel like we have gotten much more then just one story. Three paths that took us to an incredible ending. 

The development of the characters is immense. We start off with Elias, Laia and Helene as we know them and let me tell you we finish this one with 3 very different individuals. 

This was impossible to put down. Even when I had to I couldn't stop thinking about it, itching to get back to it. I had this book in my hand before I even got a foot out of my bed.

My favourite book of 2016, I have loved every page and every minute. This is one I would already love to read again. 

Well done! No sign of any 2nd book syndrome. Instead the bar has been lifted once more. I can not wait to see what happens in the next one. 

Weekly Wrap Up and Stacking the Shelves #41

Weekly Wrap Up...

I've tried, I really have but I have only managed to read one this week. Slightly disappointed but it's been another busy week. I have 2 more weeks to go at this pace, then a week off, one more busy one and then I will finally be back to my normal working hours. Let's hope I'll find it easier sticking to my 2 book weeks. So the book I have finished this week is The Sun Is Also A Star and it was a rather special one for sure. 

 

Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.

Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.

The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?

Stacking the Shelves... 

Hosted by Tynga’s Reviews

It's been another fantastic week for my Shelf. I've had surprise book post from twenty7 and Zaffre. Thank you so much for my copy of Saving Phoebe Murrow and Christmas at the Lilac Cottage. Also omg!! How is it time for Christmas books already?? I am not prepared yet! Ha ha.

I have bought two kindle books in the kindle sale this week too. Who can resist a good 99p book?? So I've got Vicious and The Casquette Girls. What a bargain and what absolute little gems. 

A cheeky little Amazon delivery came too, not all for me I am afraid tho. However The Invasion of the Tearling is ALL mine. But I am very much looking forward to reading George's Marvellous Medicine and My Mum's Going To Explode with my daughter.

 

 

 

 

 

WWW Wednesday (5th October)

 WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. It’s open for anyone to join in and is a great way to share what you’ve been reading! All you have to do is answer three questions and share a link to your blog in the comments section of Sam’s blog.

The three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

I am currently reading...

Before you enter the world of Caraval, you must remember that it’s all a game . . .

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their ruthless father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the legendary, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

Then, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation to Caraval finally arrives. So, Tella enlists a mysterious sailor’s help to whisk Scarlett away to this year’s show. But as soon as the trio arrives, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nonetheless soon becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with her sister, with Legend, and with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

I have recently finished...

Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.

Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.

The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?

I plan on reading next...

Everyone said the Graces were witches.

They moved through the corridors like sleek fish, ripples in their wake. Stares followed their backs and their hair.

They had friends, but they were just distractions. They were waiting for someone different.

All I had to do was show them that person was me.

Like everyone else in her town, River is obsessed with the Graces, attracted by their glamour and apparent ability to weave magic. But are they really what they seem? And are they more dangerous than they let on?

This beautifully-written thriller will grip you from its very first page.

Review: The Girl With All The Gifts by M.R. Carey

 

Melanie is a very special girl. Dr. Caldwell calls her "our little genius."

Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class. When they come for her, Sergeant Parks keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don't like her. She jokes that she won't bite, but they don't laugh.

Melanie loves school. She loves learning about spelling and sums and the world outside the classroom and the children's cells. She tells her favorite teacher all the things she'll do when she grows up. Melanie doesn't know why this makes Miss Justineau look sad.
The Girl with All the Gifts is a sensational thriller, perfect for fans of Stephen King, Justin Cronin, and Neil Gaiman. 

So this is rather out of my compfort zone. But I saw the movie trailer and I just knew I needed to read this book before I can watch this movie. While I like stuff like the walking dead I haven't really read anything zombie related. So I wasn't sure what to expect. 

This book is about Melanie, a girl who can't remember a life before her cell. She doesn't know how she got there or why she is there. But most of all she doesn't know what she is. But almost every day she gets dressed, has to sit down in her chair while armed men strap her to it, then she is wheeled into a class room. The class room is filled with other children in the same position as her. In their classroom Melanie has a favourite teacher and Melanie knows that this teacher is also the only one that truly cares about those kids. One day just as a doctor is about to cut into Melanie's brain, the barracks is being attacked. There is monsters everywhere. Melanie not only finds her teacher but saves her life and together they get picked up by the doctor and two soldiers. Those soldiers are scared of Melanie and soon Melanie will discover that she is the same as those monsters out there. The same but somehow different...

If you ever enjoyed the walking dead you will like this. It's probably even better, beacause the story is actually going somewhere. This isn't a mindless gore kind of book. The POV changes between Melanie, the teacher, the soldiers and the doctor, which makes this even more interesting. 

The characters are all very interesting and so so different. Each dealing with their own issues while they have been thrown together and are each other's only chance of survival. 

I really enjoyed this book and it made me even more excited for the movie. This is a really well thought out story that leads to a very satisfying end. I haven't connected to one character more then the others because they are all complicated in their own way. But if I had to choose it would have to be Melanie. She is strong enough to fight her own nature so to not hurt the people she cares about. 

Full of blood, death, suspense and surprises. You certainly will never guess the end. This book had me on the edge of my seat many times. 

Weather this is your usual genre or not I think you will enjoy this either way. It held my attention all the way through and really made me think. I found myself picking this up when ever I could and putting it down only if I really had to. While this may not be the best book I have read it's one I won't forget in a hurry. I already have the authors next book on my shelf and I can't wait to read it. 

Thank you to Orbit Publishing for my copy. You can pick up your own copy and watch the movie adaptations in the cinema right now.