Review: Twilight

Title: Twilight (Twilight #1)
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Genres: YA, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy
Release Date: September 6th 2006
Pages: 498
Where Acquired: Amazon
Buy at Amazon Here 
- Best Book Price: £1.91 Kindle Price: £3.95 (as of when posted) 

UK Cover: 


A Cover From Elsewhere (German): 


Goodreads Description: 
About three things I was absolutely positive:

First, Edward was a vampire.

Second, there was a part of him - and I didn't know how dominant that part might be - that thirsted for my blood.

And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

When Bella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret.

What Bella doesn't realize is the closer she gets to him, the more she is putting herself and those around her at risk. And it might be too late to turn back...

My Review: 
I began Twilight years ago on my cruise but the cruise ended before I could finish it and it was part of the Ship's library so I couldn't take it home. I baught the book when I got back home but It has been sitting on my shelf for nearly 5 years now. The first thing I noticed was how weired it was that the first time I read this the characters were older then me and now they are 17 - the same age as my younger brother. It made me feel old. I did turn into a little bit of an old woman though as I was outraging the whole time that 'Your too young to be in Love!' and 'How do you understand what love is at 17!'.
However I did enjoy the book, it's epic romance and actions scenes had me hooked and I love a good vampire novel - even if these ones do sparkle (nope, Like many people, I can't get over that either). In the films I always loved Alice and Jasper and that didn't change after reading the book. However my attitude on Bella changed dramaticly. I hate Bella in the early films - I only began to like her in Breaking Dawn - she just didn't seem to do anything, she was just so miserable all the time. However in the book she has so much more depth, she is sassy and happy most of the time. I loved this Bella and now see that they really didn't do the character justice in the movies. Jacob's age shocked me a little, he was just so young in this book! nothing like the film version of the character! I minused two stars for the predicableness of the book and for the annoying expressions of Love at first sight (see my top ten tuesday on annoying romance traits)

Quotes: 

“And so the lion fell in love with the lamb…" he murmured. I looked away, hiding my eyes as I thrilled to the word.
"What a stupid lamb," I sighed.
"What a sick, masochistic lion.”

"I had never meant to love him. One thing I truly knew - knew it in the pit of my stomach, in the center of my bones, knew it from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, knew it deep in my empty chest - was how love gave someone the power to break you”

Rating: 

3 Similar Books You May Enjoy (Goodreads): 

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-The Reading Rose

Review Request: Sacred Wind

Review Special: Review Request

Update 18/01/15: It turns out that I unkowingly read the full trilogy instead of just the first one! So the below review covers all three books in the series!

Because of this some facts may be incorrect. 

Title: Sacred Wind
Author: Andy Coffey

Website: http://www.sacredwind.co.uk/andycoffey.html

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SacredWindBand?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sacred-Wind/136135083263791?ref=br_rs

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8391556.Andy_Coffey

Publisher: Smashwords Genres: YA, Comedy, Sci-Fi.
Release Date: July 18th 2014

Pages: 125

Where Acquired: Free Ebook from the author via AuthorRamp in return for an honest review.

Buy at Amazon Here 
- Kindle Price: £0.77 (as of when posted) 

UK Cover: 


Goodreads Description: 
It’s safe to say that the last thing Aiden Peersey expected when he began his trip to Llangollen was to meet a bunch of Welsh Vikings who played in a rock band called Sacred Wind. It’s also safe to say that the technology geek and part-time sound engineer didn’t expect to be catapulted into a quest to win a music tournament, to save the faerie queen, to win freedom for their land, to be able to fart freely, and to win the right to their cheese. Nevertheless, that’s exactly what happened…


Transported into an alternative reality by the Navigation App on his quantum computer-powered Smart Phone, Aiden discovers a land ruled by the evil Baron Blacktie, who has banned rock music, outlawed unauthorised flatulence, and made cheese sniffing a crime. He is soon immersed in a world where sheep manage pubs and play in orchestras, cats are telepathic, cheese comes from mines, and curries have consciousness (Wrexham is a ‘Currydom’, ruled by King Beef Vindaloo-Boiled Rice III and his wife, Queen Tikka Masala-Coconut Rice…).


When the evil Baron discovers that Sacred Wind’s drummer, Agnar the Hammered, owns a cheese mine that contains a potentially magic cheese, he concocts a hideous plot to make the mine his own. He challenges Sacred Wind to take part in a prestigious music tournament, and he sends his two top spies, Hob and Nob, to capture the Faerie Queen, Ophelia, who is betrothed to Sacred Wind’s singer, Olaf the Berserker! And so, Aiden joins the Sacred Wind and the ‘Companionship of Wind’, as they embark on a perilous journey to reach the city in time for the great tournament…


So, if you want to delve into a world where curries will make you laugh, where sheep will make you cry, where no-one sniggers when your first name is 'Oldfart', where you'll cheer quite a lot at the bits that have obviously been written to incite cheering, where you'll think about faeries in ways you really shouldn't, where you'll be even more scared of Traffic Wardens than you ever thought possible, where vacuum cleaners get possessed, where Welsh Vikings can have platonic relationships with English sheep, where you finish reading the story with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart, and where you want to read more as soon as you've finished, then Sacred Wind is the book for you.

My Review: 
If you like Hitchhiker's guide to the galexy then this book is definatly for you! It is simultaniously the strangest, weirdest and most hilarious book I have read in a long while. Aiden Peersey is transported to an alternate reality where cheese is one of the most valuable items around. Farting tributes to the god Odin and have been banned. Demon traffic wardens. curries form armies and own states. sheep play in an orchestra and run bars. cats can talk and magic is around everyhwhere. Have I caught your interest yet?
The story is a stereotypical quest and supprisingly easy to understand considering the oddities listed above, however it has all the drama, humour, action and romance anyone needs in their life! some parts had me laughing so hard that I was getting some strange looks from the other University students in the common room.

Preview of Book 2:
 * You’ll gasp as Baron Blacktie’s dastardly scheme starts to fall into place…
* You’ll gasp again as a horrible kidnap is perpetrated…
* You’ll nod knowingly as the Prophecy is revealed…
* You’ll cheer and put out bunting as our heroes set sail for Chester…
* You’ll be terrified as we delve into the depths of the mine of Hairy Growler…
* You’ll hide behind the sofa as the Battle of the Pig’s Trotters begins…
* You’ll do some more gasping as the Baron reveals his secret…
* You’ll smile winsomely when an unexpected companion appears…
* You’ll have a great desire to learn Ancient Welsh Witchenese…
* And you’ll be very concerned about the Tan-Y-Lan Tuffies skill at charades…

And Guess what?..... They have a CD too!
Now available at all good download stores! Featuring all the Sacred Wind tracks from the book and more:
1.A Time of Magic
2.Sacred Wind
3.Metal and Curry
4.Hurricane Ass
5.Warriors of Asgard
6.Sail With Me
7.Rock, Rock, Rock, Rock Ragnarok
8.Frigg
9.Fart For Odin
10.Dragon Ships and Women’s Hips
11.My Sword is my Sword
12.The Sheep’s Lament (bonus track)
13.The Power of Cheese (bonus track)   

You can grab a copy on amazon HERE at £7.49 on MP3 

Quotes: 

"Hello, Jock, we're pleased to make your aquaintence' said Mr Yankit. Jock said nothing. He was a lawnmower."

[Dai is singing] "Ye can sing along! and ye Jock' Jock didn't join in. He was a lawnmower"

I had to put two in for that as that scene cracked me up! one of the funniest moments apart from...

"he heard the sound of breaking glass and a vicious garlic and butter Chapatti appeared on his head"

Rating: 

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-The Reading Rose

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: 

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I Would Love To Hear Your Views! 

-The Reading Rose

Review: Under The Dome

Title: Under The Dome
Author: Stephen King
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Genres: Horror, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Adult.
Where Acquired: WHSmith

Buy at Amazon Here
- Best Book Price: £6.80 Kindle Price: £5.99 (as of when posted)

UK Cover:
 

A Cover From Elsewhere (Czech):

Goodreads Description:

 There's a reason why Stephen King is one of the best selling writers in the world ever. He knows how to write stories that suck you in and are impossible to put down. The New York Times describes it as a 'relentless tidal pull' and Stephen King has done it time and time again with stories like The Shawshank Redemption, Misery, The Green Mile and The Stand.

In Under the Dome, he has produced another riveting masterpiece. The end of every chapter hooks you into the next, drawing you inside a psychological drama that is so rich, you don't read it, you live it.

It is the story of the small town of Chester's Mill, Maine which is inexplicably and suddenly sealed off from the rest of the world by an invisible force field. No one can get in and no one can get out.

The normal rules of society are suddenly changed and when food, electricity and water run short, the community begins to crumble. As a new and more sinister social order develops, Dale Barbara, Iraq veteran, teams up with a handful of intrepid citizens to fight against the corruption that is sweeping through the town and to try to discover the source of the Dome before it is too late 

My Review:
This Book was very slow to start, so slow in fact that I contemplated giving up many times. The first 500 pages covered virtually nothing and only covered roughly 3 days. However, I stuck at it and pushed through and now I am very glad I did. This was the biggest disaster I have ever read in a novel and trumped any apocalyptic plot I have read in the past! The characters were well developed and this made their stories even more heart breaking. The book was very graphic in many ways however and this was a bit of a turn off, but the drama all but made up for that. The plot that lead to the conclusion was amazing, and pretty much made the whole book! But the ending itself was so rushed and undeveloped it was a massive disappointment to me. I would have loved to have an epilogue showing 5 or 10 years on. And maybe even a few days after with forensic investigations and the discovery of all the corruptions! I did love the way King wasn't afraid to kill of favorite characters though, but I am mightily glad that all my person favorites like Julia, Rusty, Romeo, Barbie, Horace, Ollie, Norri and Joe all survived in the end!

Quotes:

 “If you don't control your temper, your temper will control you.”

 “Murder is like potato chips: you can't stop with just one.”

“She is a cat with a burning tail, an ant under a microscope, a fly about to lose its wings to the curious plucking fingers of a third-grader on a rainy day, a game for bored children with no bodies and the whole universe at their feet.” 

"Close your eyes and click your heals three times...because there's no place like Dome.” 

Rating:

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-The Reading Rose

Review: Queen Of Teen

Title: Queen Of Teen ( fabulous stories from top teen authors)
Authors: Cathy Cassidy, Jacqueline Wilson, Louise Rennison, Cathy Hopkins, Meg Cabot, Karen McCombie, Lisa Clark, Joanna Nadin and Sarra Manning.
Publisher: Piccadilly
Genres: Teen, Girls, Tween, Romance, Paranormal, Humour, Drama.
Where Acquired: It has been sitting on my shelf for ages so i can not remember where i got it from.
Buy at Amazon Here 
        - Best Book Price: £2.81 (in aid of kids company) Kindle Price: Not Available  
(as of when posted) 

UK Cover: 


A Cover From Elsewhere: 

  (Portuguese)

Goodreads Description: 
Short stories from the fabulous finalists of the Queen of Teen award, selected by you - their readers and their fans. An irresistible chance to read something new by your all-time favourite author - or to discover an amazing writer you've been missing up to now!
There are nine short stories in this amazing, shiny pink book; in order they are Cathy Cassidy, Jacqueline Wilson, Louise Rennison, Cathy Hopkins, Meg Cabot, Karen McCombie, Lisa Clark, Joanna Nadin and Sarra Manning.

My Review: 
Sink or Swim:
This is a heart warming tale of an underdog who goes out into the world an achieves her dream of being a fashion photographer, whilst spiting a stuck up popular 'mean girl' on the way.I enjoyed this one as i like a good underdog tale, and reading about the inner workings of a fashion magazine was interesting too.
Big Red Bottomosity:
You have to love Georgia Nicolson books, i know i do! They are creative and funny and this short story was no exception! The only downside was that it was too short compared to some of the other stories.
Mum Never Did Learn To Knock: 
This story was very sad, but i enjoyed it as it contained  a hint of the paranormal. It was a good length but a little too sad for my likings.
Digger Number 5: 
I really enjoyed this one as i already have a love of Egyptian myths. the added hint of romance and the heroine were very interesting as well. this one was easily my favourite of the lot.
B.L.D:
I wasn't a big fan of this story, it was a bit too sad for my liking and the parent of the protagonist seemed to me to be a bit irresponsible letting their grieving daughter sneak around all over the place! this story seemed to me to be a little unrealistic.
How to be a Star: 
I didn't really like this one either as it was a little too young for me and a little too immature.
A Life Less Ordinary:
I didn't like this one either as i have never been a fan of Rachel Riley, i tried reading on of the books once and found it too boring.
Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others: 
This book i really enjoyed, luckily as it was the longest one of the lot! It was funny and quirky and more suited to older teenagers. The plot of a popular boy crazed girl finding a boyfriend for her shy co-worker was great, and i was a big fan of the dramatic party scene towards the end.

Rating:
Sink or Swim: * * *
Big Red Bottomosity: * * * *
Mum Never Did Learn To Knock: * * *
Digger Number 5: * * * *
B.L.D: *
How to be a Star: *
A Life Less Ordinary: *
Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others: * * *

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-The Reading Rose

Review: Stray

Title: Stray (Shifters #1)
Author: Rachel Vincent
Publisher: Mira Books
Genres: YA/Adult, Horror, Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy.
Where Acquired: At a market stall
Buy at Amazon Here
- Best Book Price: £1.99 Kindle Price: £4.20 (as of when posted)

UK Cover:
 

Goodreads Description:
 There are only eight breeding female werecats left . . .
And I'm one of them.
I look like an all-American grad student. But I am a werecat, a shape-shifter, and I live in two worlds.
Despite reservations from my family and my Pride, I escaped the pressure to continue my species and carved out a normal life for myself. Until the night a Stray attacked.
I'd been warned about Strays -- werecats without a Pride, constantly on the lookout for someone like me: attractive, female, and fertile. I fought him off, but then learned two of my fellow tabbies had disappeared.
This brush with danger was all my Pride needed to summon me back . . . for my own protection. Yeah, right. But I'm no meek kitty. I'll take on whatever -- and whoever -- I have to in order to find my friends. Watch out, Strays -- 'cause I got claws, and I'm not afraid to use them . . .

My Review: 
At first i was not a big fan of this book. The first thing that annoyed me was Faythe's Immaturity, she seemed to act a lot younger than her age and she had a tendency to act very childish around her ex, Marc as well as her family. The second thing that made me instantly dislike this novel was the lack of character description and world building at the beginning. However, This novel began to pick up and in the end I enjoyed it. Faythe grew on me as she matured and finally lived up to her responsibility in leading the pride. The style of writing also improved along with the plot which became exciting and tense. I also very much enjoyed the rekindling of Faythe and Marc's relationship however i felt a little bit sorry for poor Jace who never stood a chance. The Middle - End of the book with the Kidnapping, Escape and Fight were for me very exciting and Faythe's perspective described some hard to deal with harsh scenes in a way that kept you interested and not so repulsed that you want to stop reading. Faythe turned out to be a Kick-ass heroine with a very strong will and Marc turned out to be a strong and completely devoted love interest. At first i would have given this book only about 2 stars, however it completely redeemed itself.

Quotes:

“Apparently the complete works of Shakespeare packed quite a wallop. To think, my mother said I'd never find use for an English degree. Ha! I'd like to see her knock someone silly with an apron and a cookie press.” 

“A cat’s body can sustain a lot of damage without actually dying,” Lucas said, his voice as deep as the rumble of the earth itself. “You just think about that before you so much as scratch yourself without permission.” Ryan gulped and nodded, still mute.”

Rating:
* * * And a Half

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-The Reading Rose