Top Ten Books That Were Hard For Me To Read

This is a weekly Meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish Where Fellow Book Bloggers Share The Top Ten of The Given Subject.

Top Ten Books That Were Hard For Me To Read

1. Fury (Elizebeth Miles)

It was a bit boring but I waited to find out the conclusion of the murder mystery so I trudged through it.

2. Under The Dome (Stephen King)

It was veeeeerrrry long and I don't typically enjoy long books. It's beginning made it hard for me to read as it was very slow going but I'm glad I did as it became fantastic!

3. Endure (Carrie Jones)

I didn't want to have to see this series end. Unlike Wolves of Mercy Falls and Divergent it wasn't well known enough to have a sequel and Unlike Maze runner it isn't known enough to get a film. It was so hard to let it go that I put off reading this for over a year.

4. Jonas (Eden Maguire)

Really badly written and I hated the main character but I wanted to know who killed Jonas so I kept at it.

5. Night World Volume 3 (L.J. Smith)

This book was really hard to read when I had heard rumours of the cliff hanger ending and I knew some people had been waiting for the sequel for over 20 years...

6. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)

This was hard to read in the physical sense due to the old English writing. I struggled a little but in the end I grew Ok with it and managed to enjoy the book for what it was!

7. Daylighters (Rachel Caine)

This one was hard to read as I just didn't want to let it go! After 15 incredible novels and some of my all time favourite characters, this book was impossible to bring myself round to read. I'm glad I did in the end though as it was worth it and one of the best books in the series.

8. Destined (Aprilynne Pike)

This was hard for exactly the same reasons as Endure was hard to read.

9. The Goddess Test (Amiee Carter)

This was hard to read at first due to her mother dying, I'm very close to my Mum so plot lines like this are hard for me to enjoy, however it turned out her mum was a goddess and didn't die so all is well that ends well.

10. How To Train Your Dragon (Cressida Cowell)

Really hard to read for the sake that I loved the film so much I didn't want to book to disappoint me.... Ooh loving a film more than the book how unconventional of me...

Review: How To Train Your Dragon

Title: How To Train Your Dragon (How to Train Your Dragon #1)
Author: Cressida Cowell
Publisher: Little Brown Books
Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Humour.
Release Date: 1st May 2004
Pages: 214
Where Acquired: Tesco
Buy at Amazon Here 
- Book Price: £2.81 Kindle Price: £4.49 (as of when posted) 

Cover: 


Cover From Elsewhere (Spanish):


Goodreads Description:  
Chronicles the adventures and misadventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third as he tries to pass the important initiation test of his Viking clan, the Tribe of the Hairy Hooligans, by catching and training a dragon...


Review:
Marked it down one star due it being so different from the movie .... I know shocker .... but I watched the movie first and love it so much, it's one of my faverite movies so I hated that this book was so different. That aside however it made for a good read, it was witty and funny and Hiccup was similar to his film alter-ego however Toothless was so different and unlikable until the end when he managed to save hiccup's life. I liked the whole viking test story to the book and it was more believable of a brutal viking tribe than the movie with Hiccup's dad being a lot more harsh. I liked the way it was written like a diary but once again it was Toothless who dissapointed me as he was small, moody, wimpy and common not like the cool, funny, rare and lovable nightfury version of him.

Quotes: 

“Twelve days north of Hopeless and a few degrees south of Freezing to Death"

Rating: 

Have You Read This Book?

How Did You Find It?

Why Don't You Leave Me A Comment, Or a Link To Your Own Blog?

I Would Love To Hear Your Views!

-The Reading Rose

Top Ten Books On My Autumn TBR List

This is a weekly Meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish Where Fellow Book Bloggers Share The Top Ten of The Given Subject.

Top Ten Books On My Autumn TBR List 

1. Blood of Olympus - Rick Riordan

Need to buy

2. Earthbound - Aprilynne Pike

Owned

3. The Hunt - Andrew Fukuda

Owned

4. The One - Kiera Cass

Need to buy

5. Iron Daughter - Julie Kagawa

Owned

6. Retribution - Mark Walden

Need to buy

7. Rapture - Lauren Kate

Owned

8. City of Fallen Angels - Cassandra Clare

Owned

9. How to lose a husband and gain a life - Bernadette Strachan

Owned

10. A Game of Thrones - George R.R. Martin

Owned

Ten Authors I Have Only Read One Book/Series From and Need To Read More

This is a weekly Meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish Where Fellow Book Bloggers Share The Top Ten of The Given Subject.

 

Ten Authors I Have Only Read One Book (Or series in my case as I always tend to read the whole series of books) From And Need To Read More.

1. Kiera Cass (Read The Selection)
2. Stephen King (Read Under the Dome)
3. Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl)
4. James Patterson (Witch & Wizard)
5. Veronica Roth (Divergent)
6. J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter)
7. J.R.R Tolkien (The Hobbit)
8. Aimee Carter (Goddess Test)
9. Cressida Cowell (How to train your dragon)
10. Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy)

The Liebster Award



I Was Kindly Nominated For This Award By: Boats Against The Current
 
Here are the Rules

~ Link back to the person who nominated you
~ Post 11 facts about yourself.
~ Answer the 11 questions set by your nominator
~ Nominate 11 other bloggers with under 200 followers (you can’t nominate the person who nominated you)
~ Set 11 questions for your nominees to answer
~ Let your nominees know you’ve nominated them.

11 Facts About Me

1. I have pet snails
2. I am a huge TV/Film nut
3. I am only 5 foot tall
4. I have a massive family and we all live in the same town.
5. I am a University Student
6. I like alternative music and have a soft spot for Film Soundtracks and TV Theme tunes....
7. I aspire to be a librarian.
8. I want to get 4 tattoos: Yin Yang, Celtic Symbol for Strength, Birds/Feather and something to represent the elements; including spirit. But I am waiting until I am 21.
9. I actually love learning and have never hated school!
10. I am a ball of nerves half the time!

11 Questions from Boats Against The Current

Why did you start blogging?
I had been subscribed to about 5 blogs for about two years before I begun my blog, so I guess you can say they inspired me!

What is the first book you can remember reading?
I have always been a book nut so I guess if we are talking first smallish book I can't remember probably a book on dinosaurs or something space related, Disney or a biff, chip and Kipper. Or maybe it was the finger eater.... I loved that book. The first big book I read I remember though: It was harry potter and the philosophers stone - I was 6.

What’s currently foremost on your to-read list?
The Blood Of Olympus when it comes out! Riordan books are my favourite!

What is your favourite or least favourite book to movie adaptation?
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.... Evil movie....

What is your all-time favourite TV series?
NO BAD QUESTION NO NO NO.... YOU CAN'T ASK A MULTI-FANGIRL THIS!! TOO MANY... WAY TOO MANY! If we are going still running, current British TV only (Too complicated adding US TV in...) IT will be a tie between Sherlock and Doctor Who.

If you had to only read/watch one genre for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I would watch Fantasy and read Dystopian 

What is your favourite blog post that you have written so far?
My review for Allegiant as it was the longest and most in depth post I had written at the time!

Who is your favourite villain?
Great question! If we are going books I'm rather fond of Valentine from the Mortal Instruments series but TV Wise it has to be Moriarty!!

If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Shape-shifting! I could fly like a bird, swim like a shark, hide like a mouse etc etc... I could also make myself look older so I wouldn't be ID'ed all the time and maybe a bit taller :P

What are your book/movie pet hates? Eg. love at first sight, vampires, ridiculously  pretty heroines etc.
LOVE TRIANGLES.... HATE THEM!! and perfect protagonists! I like to see development and growth in my characters!

What is your favourite part of blogging?
Spilling all the thoughts that I have over a book without being judged or thought as weird, knowing there are so many other people out there who have the same problem!

I Nominate: (Not all new bloggers I don't think but I was struggling to make the 11 haha being a newish blogger myself I haven't met many other bloggers yet!)
~ Between Bookends
~ Videoclimber's Variations
~ Ireaditandwept
~ Books are my best friend
~ Alison can Read
~ Music Books and Tea 
~ Beauty and the Bookshelf
~ The Reading Date
~ Book Scents
~ The Page that books built
~ The Bookmark Addict

My 11 Questions to My Nominees...
1. If you could start a meme what would it be about?
2. Your 5 Favourite books growing up?
3. What would you do if you were thrown into a Zombie apocalypse?
4. What book character are you most in love with and why?
5. Your biggest dream?
6. The most geeky thing you have ever done?
7. What film are you most excited about?
8. Who is your favourite superhero?
9. What celebrity do you think is the Hottest?
10. Why did you become a blogger?
11. 5 people you would take to a desert island with you?

Make sure you all send me a link to your post in the comments!!

Now For Something Different: Guardians of The Galaxy

 

Media Review
-Because Sometimes It's Good To Have Variety

Movie

Title: Guardians of The Galaxy

Release Date: 1st August 2014

Where Seen: Cinema

Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Superhero

Buy Here 
 - Amazon Price: £14.00 (At the time of when I published the post)

Movie Poster:

 


IMDB Description: 

Light years from Earth, 26 years after being abducted, Peter Quill finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser.

Starring:

Chris Pratt - Peter Quill
Zoe Saldana - Gamora
Dave Bautista - Drax
Vin Deasel - Groot
Bradley Cooper - Rocket

Director:

James Gunn
Production Company:

Marvel Studios
 
Based On: 

Marvel Comic Books
  

Review:

Not your typical Marvel movie but my faveirte marvel movie to date - and that is saying something from someone who watched every marvel film as it comes out in the cinema. The heroes are not typically heroes, all of them have ulterior motives and dark pasts, not always working for good. However by the end they become heroes that we love! THIS IS THE FUNNIEST MARVEL FILM IN EXISTENCE! Marvel always has the best one liners but this movie steps it up a notch. I was laughing so hard in the first second (After the heart wrenching scene with Peter's mother) and fell instantly in love with it! All of the characters were super but none more than 'Star Lord' and Groot!! I loved some of the easter eggs that I spotted (event though there are many more that I havn't noticed apparently) such as Cosmo and the Nova Corps. The 80s music set the scene perfectly and was so unusual in a movie that It was perfect. All I have left to say is get out there and watch it!! if you haven't done so already!! Even my mum loved it and she is usualy adverse to Marvel!!  
Quotes:

"I am Groot"

"Rocket: (About Drax) Metaphors go over his head" "Drax: NOTHING goes over my head!...My reflexes are too fast, I would catch it."

Overall Rating:

Have You Seen This Film?

How Did You Find It?

Why Don't You Leave Me A Comment, Or a Link To Your Own Blog?

I Would Love To Hear Your Views!

-The Reading Rose

Top Ten Underrated Books In The YA Genre

This is a weekly Meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish Where Fellow Book Bloggers Share The Top Ten of The Given Subject.

Top Ten Underrated Books In The YA Genre

For comparison the statistics on goodreads of a high rated popular book Like Divergent by Veronica Roth: 1,073,286 Ratings and 80,518 reviews.

1. Earthfall Mark Walden
379 Ratings and 56 Reviews on Goodreads
The most underrated book I know of and on this list! This is the newest series by Mark Walden and aimed at older audiences than his previous series - H.I.V.E.
If I wasn't already a fan of H.I.V.E I would have never came across this book. It is fantastic and deserves to be noticed more, it's very realistic for a sci-fi novel and great fun to read. The world it is set in is really interesting! It is fast to read but so packed with great action scenes that I couldn't put it down anyway. The sequel is out now: Retribution.



2. Boot Camp Todd Strasser
2,913 Ratings and 449 Reviews on Goodreads.
This book is gritty and thrilling. I only know about it thanks to my local library where the cover caught my attention and the blurb sounded amazing. Its very raw and full of suspense. It deserves more attention! 







3. The Future Of Us Jay Asher
26,130 Ratings and 4,226 Reviews on Goodreads
This book is semi-popular in the blogging world but I haven't met a single person to have read it outside of that! It is a fantastic book covering many moral issues mixed with a little sci-fi!







4. Forgotten Kat Patrick
12,808 Ratings and 1,945 Reviews on Goodreads
A quiet genius. Although the cover is amazingly eye catching the blurb doesn't give the book as much credit as it deserves, especially for the groud-shaking ending that literally killed me. This book deserves to be loved as much as I love it! 







5. Wings Aprilynne Pike
50,467 Ratings and 4,213 Reviews on Goodreads
I know this one is on many of my TTT's but it is so underestimated! It is very kooky and strange and that is one of the reasons I love it so much! It needs the attention it deserves!








6. Need Carrie Jones
45,759 Ratings and 3,186 Reviews on Goodreads
I only discovered this thanks to a magazine giving out free taster books! I'm so glad I did though as I was hooked from the beginning to the end! It improves with every sequel and that is why it is a little underrated as some give up with the first book!







7. Shadows Amy Meredith
2,035 Ratings and 150 Reviews on Goodreads
Again its thanks to a magazine free-be that I noticed this series. It is fast paced, quick to read and full of darkness and mystery. A more tame horror of the YA genre which was perfect for someone like me who doesn't get on with horrors much. It's creepy but fun at the same time! 






8. Blue Bloods Melissa De La Cruz
95,403 Ratings and 4,086 Reviews on Goodreads
This book is semi-popular but it doesn't get the notice it deserves. it's a book that looks like a typical YA paranormal romance with vampires, but it is nothing of the sort. It is more dark and deeply entwined with angel law than about vampires and teenage love.






9. Stray Rachel Vincent
23,094 Ratings and 1,459 Reviews on Goodreads
A YA aimed at older audiences than the rest of the books on this list but I even underrated this. I was shocked at how much I would love it! It is Kick-Ass and covers difficult issues. Its just a perfect read when you want to read something with a very strong female character!




  

10. My Love Lies Bleeding Alyxandra Harvey
12,762 Rating and 1,071 Reviews on Goodreads
This is the book that I personally underrated and underestimated most on this list! Neither the cover, blurb or the name appealed to me, I only baught it as it was so cheap in a kindle sale. How glad am I that I baught it now! I assumed that it would be a typical vampire romance novel but instead it was one of the most fast paced and interesting vampire novels that i have had the pleasure of reading! I hope none of you make the same mistake!

Top Ten Characters That Would Sit At My Lunch Table In High School

This is a weekly Meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish Where Fellow Book Bloggers Share The Top Ten of The Given Subject.

Top Ten Characters that would sit at my lunch table in High School

  *All images used are not my own so have been hyperlinked to the source, they are also not all official images of the characters some are just what I imagine them to look like*


1. Claire Danvers Morganville Vampires
I like to surround myself with brainy people who put their studies high on their list of important activities like Claire. She is also a lovely girl who would be great to hang around with, there would be a lot I can learn from her and I love her inner strength. She is one of the characters I can relate to the most and from the first time I read about her I just knew we could be best friends! Oh and she can introduce me to Myrnin (hehe)
  

2. Hermione Granger Harry Potter
I've always looked up to Hermione as a role model since I was very young (Yes I know she is a book character but it is better than looking up to a self-important celebrity that is made of plastic!) So I would be honored to have her at my table. I think that maybe she would want to sit with me as I tend to be very separate from the popularity rankings in the school and I like to learn as much as she does. Hermione has a lovely personality too and is very loyal, she has some of the best qualities I would look for in a friend.

 
3.  Otto Malpense H.I.V.E
Again a clever, underestimated character who I could learn a lot from. I would have a lot of fun having him at the lunch table and he could tell me some brilliant stories and he could teach me some of his villainous tricks!







4. Damien Maslin The House Of Night
He is one of the wisest characters and would have some brilliant advice if anyone on my table was struggling with something. He is also funny and and a bit of an outcast (Like me!) so would would get on brilliantly. Plus he likes America's next top model so we can sit and gossip over lunch!






5. Annabeth Chase Percy Jackson & The Heroes of Olympus
Smart and feisty! She would just be so much fun to be around! Once you gain her trust she is one of the best friends anyone can have, she would always defend you in a fight! Plus we can sit and discuss Greek mythology over our sandwiches!







6. Carter Kane The Kane Chronicles
He has seen so much of the world and would have some interesting stories! He is also very bookish like the rest of my table so he would fit in well. Carter and Annabeth can swap their mythology-come-to-life tales and I can sit there and listen to it all in complete fan-girl excitement!







7. Emerson Watts Airhead (Before she became Nikki)

She doesn't care at all of what people think about her and isn't afraid to admit to being a geek! That points her out as a great friend, who is honest and loyal. She would rather play a computer game with her friends than go out partying and getting drunk so I could just see us having so much in common!







8. Laurel Sewell Wings
Not the usual type of person I would hang around with due to her being a little less bookish however she is one of the kindest people with a lovely personality. She would be great to have at my table as we can sit and talk about boy problems that some of the more bookish characters may be adverse to chatting about! She would also be able to tell me some very interesting tales about Avalon.




9. Zara White Need
Zara is also a little bit of an outcast so she can join my oddball table. However she is strong and very exciting and would have some great tales to tell! I always liked her a lot when reading her books due to her very caring nature but also because of her very strong loyalties to her friends!







10. America Singer The Selection
She is just someone I would die to have on my table! She isn't afraid to say what she feels and is so humble in the way she sticks up for anyone that needs help! She is so kind hearted and generous she could help me become a better person while making me die of laughter in the process. She is just the kind of girl I would love to have as a best friend!

Review: Salted

Review Special: Review Request

Title: Salted
Author: Aaron Galvin

Website/Blog: www.aarongalvin.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/aarongalvin5

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saltseries

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8075676.Aaron_Galvin

Author Image:
 
Author Biography: 

Salted is Aaron Galvin's debut novel. He first cut his chops writing original stand-up comedy routines at age thirteen. His early works paid off years later when he co-wrote and executive produced the 2013 award-winning indie feature film, Wedding Bells & Shotgun Shells.

He is also an accomplished actor. Aaron has worked in Hollywood blockbusters, (Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, and Clint Eastwood’s Flags of Our Fathers), and starred in dozens of indie films.

Aaron is a proud member of SCBWI. He lives in Southern California with his wife and daughter.

Praise for the Book:

It's always hard to find a unique novel on mermaids. I've seen a spin or two from time to time, but nothing really original, and certainly nothing I'd really describe as 'cool'. That was until I got the chance to read Salted. 

- Steampunk Sparrow Book Blog

I totally bought into the Salted world Galvin created. Not an easy read but a unique one, I would recommend Salted by Aaron Galvin for people who are looking for something beyond the typical mermaid and selkie tales.    

- Cherie Reich, author of The Foxwick Chronicles

Salted was an intriguing read that kept me hooked. It is a different spin on the underwater world and creatures, which I found brought quite a bit of originality to the genre.    

- Lost To Books

Salted is sure to grab your interest at the onset. 

- Let There Be Movies 

Publisher: Createspace

Genres: YA, Fantasy, Thriller.
Release Date: April 19th 2014

Pages: 358
Where Acquired: Ebook from the author via bookblogging.net

Buy at Amazon Here 
- Best Book Price: $3.01 Kindle Price: $4.09 (as of when posted) 

UK Cover: 


Goodreads Description: 
Life isn't better under the sea. Lenny Dolan is all too familiar with this reality. A Selkie slave in the realm beneath the waves, he has no choice when charged with leading a crew ashore to capture an elusive runaway. If unsuccessful, the loved ones kept behind will pay for his failure with their lives. But when their target leads Lenny and his crew to deeper, darker secrets, the Selkies are faced with a moral dilemma. Secure their own freedom at the expense of others, or return empty-handed to face the grisly consequences? How Lenny and his crew answer the question will teach them the harshest truth of all. Only through the loss of innocence does one become Salted.

My Review: 
At first I admit I did find this book a little confusing. I loved the parts with Gareth Weaver in but Lenny's chapters had me a little lost. It took me a little while in order to understand the world order of the Salt and how the society is built up, but having Gareth's chapters helped me to piece it all together. Once I had pushed through my confusion I began to enjoy the book for what it was; a fast paced, Mer-book with little in the way of romance to distract you from the complex and interesting plot. This book was so different from anything I have ever read before, very unique in the way it covered many hard issues without having some chapters that were lighter to distract you from the pain the characters went through. This in my opinion was what won me over, It gave the book a unique depth and danger. I felt every hard decision with the characters and found it very easy to understand their motives, Chidi and Gareth being my clear favorite characters, Chidi for her struggle and amazing instincts and Gareth for the innocence baught to the book. I enjoyed this book, especially the scenes held in the zoo such as the dolphin show and the shark tank incident. By the end I began to respect the complexity of the salted society more with the slave/master predicaments and the unique way of communicating through earrings. This book is defiantly worth reading if you want to read a Mer-book that isn't just centered on soppy love stories and more about one of the biggest moral struggles I have ever read. I would say to any future reader to make sure you stick with it through the confusing beginning and wait until the society becomes clear and the book becomes spectacular! It's a refreshing change to the norm of the YA genre!

Quotes: 

"Alone for once, Lenny closed his eyes and tilted his head back, letting the rain drizzle on his face to wash away his guilt. He stayed that way for a long while, refusing to open them until he heard footsteps running back across the street."

"The old woman sat on the edge not twenty feet from him, her dolphin tail lazily swinging in the water."

Rating: 

Have You Read This Book? 

How Did You Find It? 

Why Don't You Leave Me A Comment, Or a Link To Your Own Blog? 

I Would Love To Hear Your Views! 

-The Reading Rose

Review: Eragon

Title: Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle #1)
Author: Christopher Paolini
Publisher: Knopf Books
Genres: Fantasy, Adventure
Release Date: April 2005
Pages: 503
Where Acquired: Amazon
Buy at Amazon Here 
- Book Price: £1.74 Kindle Price: £3.99 (as of when posted) 

Cover: 



Cover From Elsewhere (Russia):


Goodreads Description:  
One boy . . .

One dragon . . .

A world of adventure.

When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.

Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds.

Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands.

My Review: 
This book was very slow going in parts, mainly the sections where they were just traveling for a whole chapter and nothing happened other then they sparred and chatted to eachother. So I was a little disappointing considering the hype on this series had made me really excited to read this, it was a 500 page book that probably could have been better at 300 pages. However the action parts in this book and the parts involving magic and magical creatures were thrilling! I loved the end section of the book the best, the part where Eragon began to find his destiny and when he fought in the war. Eragon is a strong character and a compelling protagonist where you can see his growth from a normal farm boy to a dragon rider perfectly. He is a flawed character with tendencies to actually have childish thoughts and this is one reason he is so lovable. He cares about his family as is reluctant to take on his destiny at first and by the end it was lovely to see how much he had grown and matured! So all in all, this book was a little slow and disappointing but enjoyable, just not one that I can say was a favorite.
Quotes: 

"Books are my friends, my companions. They make me laugh and cry and find meaning in life.”

“Saphira to Eragon: "If anything happens, I’m going to pin you to my back and never let you off.
Eragon: I love you too.
Saphira: Then I will bind you all the tighter.” 

Rating: 

Have You Read This Book?

How Did You Find It?

Why Don't You Leave Me A Comment, Or a Link To Your Own Blog?

I Would Love To Hear Your Views!

-The Reading Rose

Now For Something Different: Hades

 

MYTHOLOGY

HADES - GREEK MYTHOLOGY

God Of: The Underworld
Parents: Cronus and Rhea
Siblings: Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Hestia, Demeter
Spouse: Persephone
Appearance: Gloomy features, Beard, Dark head that falls over his brow.
Symbol: His Invisibility Helm.
Sacred Animal: Cerberus