Thursday 14 November 2013

Review: Forever

Title: Forever (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3)

Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Genres: Romance, YA, Fantasy.
Where Acquired: I bought this book.
Buy at Amazon Here  
- Best Book Price: £2.80 Kindle Price: £4.39 (as of when posted) 

UK Cover: 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLUn_4e7pZme5TbPw2X7qdtjrChY77k9v8Lfo-ZokQpl3Cj1Lig1rQ_tobwNctOzdfu8mIAO5uMUE1JH8RGpWmDje80LIhyhCjxTsbGIVZ_P2vrwfIs4Ka_CSpGgBp60CPvf_pjIfPy8k/s1600/Forever+UK.jpg

 A Cover From Elsewhere (USA):
 14981023

Goodreads Description: 
Sam has always loved Grace. As a wolf, he watched her from afar. As a boy, he held her in his arms.

Now facing the possibility of a life without her, he will do anything to keep her safe. Even if it means facing his demons. Even if it risks everything he has.

Anything, as long as their love can survive...


My Review: 
This book is deep. it is full of emotion and thoughts and very sweet. However that is not all that it is, it is also a book of action and thrilling, twisting plot lines that will leave you on the edge of your seat. In this brilliant conclusion to the series grace finally becomes a wolf and for once a near human Sam has to worry and wait for her. the introduction of Isabelle's and Cole's relationship was great as it was rather love/hate for the majority of the novel due to both characters fiery personalities, however they were clearly made for each other so you find yourself routing them on anyway. The emotional strength and bravery shown by every protagonist in this novel is inspiring, and it great to see how the characters have grown since the beginning of this series. I hate endings of series as it is horrible to leave the world that you have loved for a while, but Maggie did her job perfectly. The rescue of the wolves, romance and drama made this last wolves of mercy falls novel unforgettable. I  do have one negative however, i found the ending a little sudden and i think this novel could have done with an epilogue. It is so annoying that we will never know if the Cure works on Grace, if she and Sam ever get married, if they go to college, if his music takes off or if Cole and Isabelle's relationship survived or even if they gave the cure to any of the other wolves. She left so many things open and so many questions unanswered that kind of made me want to scream. But this book was so well written and exceedingly good, that didn't matter much and the novel was still completely enjoyable.

Quotes: 
 “People shouldn't have to earn kindness. They should have to earn cruelty.”
 “There is no better taste than this: someone else’s laughter in your mouth.”
 “If I only have ten minutes, Sam, this is what I want to say. You're not the best of us. You're more than that. You're better than all of us. If I only have ten minutes, I would tell you to go out there and live. I'd say...please take your guitar and sing your songs to as many people as you can. Please fold a thousand more of those damn birds of yours. Please kiss that girl a million times.”
“Cole sat back up, slowly, and I opened my eyes. His expression, as ever, was blank, the face he wore when something mattered. He said, "That's how I would kiss you, if I loved you.” 

 Rating: 



(I took off a half for all the never to be answered questions left at the end.)

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Monday 11 November 2013

Review: Fury

Title: Fury (The Fury Trilogy #1)
Author:
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genres: Ya, Fantasy, Romance, Horror, Mystery.
Where Acquired: Bought from a market stall.
Buy at Amazon Here 
- Best Book Price: £2.81 Kindle Price: £5.14 (as of when posted) 

UK Cover: 
 9918133

A Cover From Elsewhere (Croatian): 
 16058769

Goodreads Description: 
 It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...

Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better—the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.

On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.

In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay. Em and Chase have been chosen.


My Review: 
I was not a fan of this book at all. It was the slowest story i have ever read! i had read about half when my friend asked me what the book was about, i honestly could not tell him! the plot dragged on endlessly and i was tempted to stop reading more than once. I just really did not get what it was about! and i marveled at why Em went for - obviously a love rat - Zack instead of lovely, kind, considerate JD in the first place! It also took way too long to tell you why Chase was being targeted as to most of the novel he just seemed like a sweet, love sick guy! I must say though that the last few chapter redeemed themselves, it had a lot of action and mystery, and was rather exciting... it just took way too long to get there.

Rating:
**

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Review: Queen of Babble

Title: Queen of Babble (Queen of Babble #1)
Author: Meg Cabot
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genres: Adult, humor, Romance, YA, Chick lit.
Where Acquired: Bought from a market stall.
Buy at Amazon Here 
- Best Book Price: £1.87 Kindle Price: £3.99 (as of when posted) 

UK Cover: 
 920829

A Cover From Elsewhere (German): 
6582431

Goodreads Description: 
 Lizzie Nichols has a problem, and it isn’t that she’s blowing her college graduation money on a trip to visit her long-distance boyfriend Andy in London.

She just can’t keep anything to herself, including her indignation at finding out her beloved boyfriend wasn’t completely faithful to her during their separation. She’s now out on the streets with no money and a non-changeable airline ticket home for exactly a month away.

Fortunately, Lizzie’s best friend, Shari, comes to the rescue. She’s spending the summer in the South of France catering weddings in a romantic sixteenth century chateau, and she’s able to sort Lizzie out with a job. One glimpse of the gorgeous Chateau Mirac, not to mention the equally gorgeous son of the owner, and Lizzie is hooked.


My Review: 
This book is funny and lovable. a great book if you want something lighthearted to read. it is fun and the plot is masterful, as is usual for Meg Cabot. I loved the dreams and mistakes that befell the main character Lizzie and Luke was a rather dreamy 'Mr Darcy' style love interest. the characters were all relateable and lovable (other than Andy of course he was horrid!). I found the stereotypes of the English highly amusing considering i am English and proceeded to laugh at every one i read! this book was hilarious and great for when i didn't want to read anything too heavy, one of the best chick lit novels i have read!

Quotes: 
“There will be no more British guys. Unless they are members of the royal family, of course. ” 
“There are nice, funny totally good-looking guysout there. You just have to know where to look…and apparently, where NOT to look. Which is in the ladies' shower of your dorm.” 

Rating:
*****

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Review: City of Glass

Title: City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments #3)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: McElderry Books
Genres: YA, Adventure, Action, Fantasy, Romance.
Where Acquired: Bought from a store a while ago.
Buy at Amazon Here 
- Best Book Price: £2.81 Kindle Price: £4.12 (as of when posted)

UK Cover:
 http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/99/City_of_glass.jpg

A Cover From Elsewhere (Turkish): 

10239194

Goodreads Description: 
 To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters - never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City - whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the final installment of the New York Times bestselling trilogy The Mortal Instruments.


My Review: 
The third installment to this brilliant series sees us spend much more time in the 'city of glass' somewhere we have yet to visit in this series even though it is talked about often. The plot was thrilling and had elements that were very Dark. However once again it was laced with romance and a little bit of humor so as to not make the plot too depressing. The twists and turns in this novel are epic and in this novel everything was reveled! Once again our characters showed immense inner strength and resourcefulness, their personalities and talents growing as the novel goes on. The enemies were perfectly evil and the main characters believable, as they were great but not perfect.The development of Jace and Clary's new talents and the revelation that they are experiments was genius! and made the book that much better. the addition of Sebastian was alas brilliant, a great addition to the plot line! Hover it was rather disgusting when he went to kiss Clary considering it was later reveled that he was her real brother! Eww... All in all though this novel is perfect, it contains every element that a YA fan like myself loves; romance, darkness, humor, action, adventure and fantasy.

Quotes: 
 “There is no pretending," Jace said with absolute clarity. "I love you, and I will love you until I die, and if there is life after that, I'll love you then.”
“People aren't born good or bad. Maybe they're born with tendencies either way, but its the way you live your life that matters.”
“Did you ever think that in a past life Alec was an old woman with ninety cats who was always yelling at the neighborhood kids to get off her lawn? Because I do,” 

Rating:
*****

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Thursday 7 November 2013

Review: The House Of Hades

Title: The House Of Hades (Heroes of Olympus #4)
Author: Rick Riordan
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Genres: Children, Adventure, Fantasy, History, Mythical
Where Acquired: WHSmiths
Buy at Amazon Here 
- Best Book Price: £5.00 Kindle Price: £6.49 (as of when posted) 

UK Cover: 
 http://static.hypable.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/house-of-hades-uk-cover1.jpg

A Cover From Elsewhere (USA):
 http://static.hypable.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/house-of-hades-us-cover.jpg
Goodreads Description:
At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld. The other five demigods have to put aside their grief and follow Percy’s instructions to find the mortal side of the Doors of Death. If they can fight their way through the Gaea’s forces, and Percy and Annabeth can survive the House of Hades, then the Seven will be able to seal the Doors both sides and prevent the giants from raising Gaea. But, Leo wonders, if the Doors are sealed, how will Percy and Annabeth be able to escape?

They have no choice. If the demigods don’t succeed, Gaea’s armies will never die. They have no time. In about a month, the Romans will march on Camp Half-Blood. The stakes are higher than ever in this adventure that dives into the depths of Tartarus.


My Review: 
Oh My Gods (as they say in the novel), this book is so brilliant! I am and always will be a massive fan of Rick Riordan and this penultimate book did not disappoint! it is great to see the characters come into their own and begin to accept their godly blood linage, therefore developing the full extent of their powers. This book captivates your imagination and the twists and turns have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Rick has once again added the perfect amount of humor to go along with the seriousness of some of the plots, what other book do you get the hero fighting off monsters and gods with ham and muffins? I pretty much loved everything about this book, and i don't want to reveal too much detail of the plot in my review as it will ruin the twists for you! I really can't find anything to fault! well other than having to wait for autumn 2014 for the next book!! that is like 100,000,000 years for a book lover! It will be sad to see the series end next year, but i bet it will end it true Riordan spectacular style! and i thought the battle of Manhattan was hard for our hero's to fight! i have heard rumors however of a Norse Mythology series to follow on from the Heroes of Olympus beginning in 2015. Now that is something to look forward to!

Quotes: 
Ok i have to put this in as it is pretty much the best dedication i have ever read in a book!
 To my wonderful readers:
Sorry about that last cliff-hanger.
Well, no, not really. HAHAHAHA.
But seriously, I love you guys.
See what i mean, Brilliant! Now on to the real Quotes! (I try to find some without too many spoilers, so they are not the best ones i could have picked. plus there were so many to choose from!!)
“Annabeth pressed her lips to Percy’s ear. “I love you.”
She wasn’t sure he could hear her—but if they died, she wanted those to be her last words.”
“She held up her calloused, grimy fingers. Leo couldn't help thinking there was nothing hotter than a girl who didn't mind getting her hands dirty. But of course, that was just a general comment. Didn't apply to Calypso. Obviously.”
“But magic is neither good nor evil. It is a tool, like a knife. Is a knife evil? Only if the wielder is evil.” 
“Tell the sun and stars hello for me.”

Rating: 
*****

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