Sunday 30 September 2012

Letterbox Love (12)

   Letterbox Love Is Hosted By The Fabulous Lynsey over at Narratively Speaking.  Its a fun way for us to showcase our weeks new books here in the UK
Book links will take you to Amazon UK


Not gonna lie, I have had a spectacular week.  Got to meet two amazing authors, that I did fangirl over just a bit!!  Check back this week for full reports, but in the mean time here are the bookish lovelies that I got...

RECEIVED

 From BLOOMSBURY
I am loving the sound of this, quite a different book for me to read really, but I'm really excited for it

I showcased this as one of my books That Make Me Go Oooooh the other week, so I really am eager for this one.  I love the idea of it and am hearing great reports already!

 I got to go to an event for the amazing The Gathering Dark (Shadow & Bone) By Leigh Bardugo And INDIGO book - such a fantastic event and I got some awesome swag bits!!


 BOUGHT

So the other event I got to go to was the launch of the Casual Vacancy, where I got to meet the LEGEND that is J.K.Rowling.  Pretty immense moment!!


Thank you to everyone that sent me bits this week - Love you all!!!

Wednesday 26 September 2012

Books That Make Me Go Oooooh (52) Pantomime By Laura Lam

Waiting On Wednesday is a brilliant book blog feature hosted by Breaking The Spine     

Pantomime By Laura Lam
Published In The UK By Strange Chemistry
Due For Release February 2013
Amazon Link
Goodreads Link

"R.H. Ragona's Circus of Magic is the greatest circus of Ellada. Nestled among the glowing blue Penglass -- remnants of a mysterious civilisation long gone -- are wonders beyond the wildest imagination. It's a place where anything seems possible, where if you close your eyes you can believe that the magic and knowledge of the vanished Chimaera is still there. It's a place where anyone can hide.

Iphigenia Laurus, or Gene, the daughter of a noble family, is uncomfortable in corsets and crinoline, and prefers climbing trees to debutante balls. Micah Grey, a runaway living on the streets, joins the circus as an aerialist's apprentice and soon becomes the circus’s rising star.

But Gene and Micah have balancing acts of their own to perform, and a secret in their blood that could unlock the mysteries of Ellada"


WOW, just WOW!!  This is definitely an exciting premise for a book, bringing together so many factors that I LOVE!!  This can't come soon enough!!


Monday 24 September 2012

Review - A Monster Calls By Patrick Ness

"The monster showed up after midnight. As they do.

But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting. He's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming...

This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.

It wants the truth."
taken from Goodreads


I'd seen this book around for a while and although being intrigued by it, I hadn't taken the plunge and bought a copy.  Well thank god for Bluewater Waterstone's YA bookclub - it was picked as the September read and so I finally HAD to buy & read it.

The cover and all the illustrations inside are just amazing.  Its all so atmospheric and sets the tone for the book so well.  I love that you get to see details of whats happening, but you don't get every tiny detail, so it still gives your imagination time to build on the world.  I understand a new adult version of the book has been released without the pictures, I really feel this will make the story lose some of its impact.  I also think that the pictures in no way make the book child like, so removing them to make it more adult doesn't seem quite right to me.

From the start of this story you know you are in for a heart breaker.  The lead character Conor is going through so much and no matter what happens you feel that things just seem to be getting worse.  Its not long into the book that you meet 'the monster' and Conor's casual attitude about meeting this thing makes it all the more evident how resigned he is to bad stuff happening.

I love that this book offers so much in so many ways to all of its readers, be it young or old.  It really is incredible that a story can be interpreted by different readers in the way it is meant to for them.  I can imagine children being enthralled by the creepy monster, teens relating to Conor, adults picking which senior characters they agree with. 

I thought it was amazing that the meaning behind the story can also be read in the way that you need it, it could be a horror or it could be a psychological tale.  On this front I could almost see factors that related to Pans Labyrinth.  To this day I'm not completely sure what in that film was real or not and this book definitely has some of that going on.

This is a truly clever, insightful & somewhat tragic story that anyone who has suffered a loss in their life could relate too.   It also acts as a great manual for anyone going through a traumatic time, a cautionary tale of the ways to handle it and the ways not to!!

Rating 4 1/2 Out Of 5

Published In The UK By Walker Books

This Can Be Purchased Here And From All Good Book Sellers

Here is what Bluewater Waterstones Bookclub thought of the book

Sunday 23 September 2012

Letterbox Love (11)

 Letterbox Love Is Hosted By The Fabulous Lynsey over at Narratively Speaking.  Its a fun way for us to showcase our weeks new books here in the UK
Book links will take you to Amazon UK


Another week back in the land of blogging and I am really enjoying it again - YAY!!  Obviously I did just need some time away to sort my head out.  I got a few books through my letterbox this week, so here goes....

Received

From Scholastic
I first heard of this a while ago, and it sounds fantastic

From Harper Voyager
I must admit I am already reading this one, I have heard so much hype about it.  So far really enjoying it too

This one I don't know much about, so interested in reading more about it

Thanks to all that kindly sent / gave me books this week - you all Rock!!

Thursday 20 September 2012

Cover Reveal - UNDONE By Cat Clarke

A while ago now I was invited to a gathering with the Quercus guys.  We all enjoyed drinks and chats, but also got given a sneaky look at the new cover for Cat Clarke's next book Undone.  We were all speechless on the awesomeness of it, and finally today we get to share it with everyone!!


I have to say this is probably my favourite of all of Cat's covers, they are all stunning so say one stands out is pretty impressive.  I love that you can't see the models face.  But also what exactly is happening, is the girl leaping to her demise, is she falling backwards?  All answers I hope will be answered when we finally get to read the book!!

Strange Chemistry News

Lots of exciting news has been coming from Strange Chemistry towers, they really know how to treat us well!

First Up

New Signing BRYONY PEARCE
We are delighted to bring you the news today that we have signed a truly wonderful talent in the form of Bryony Pearce. Her novel The Weight of Souls is due from Strange Chemistry in Autumn 2013, and the deal was made between me and Juliet Mushens of PFD.
ABOUT BRYONY PEARCE
Bryony Pearce completed an English Literature degree at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge in 1998 and afterwards worked in the research industry.  After a while she moved to a village at the edge of the Peak District and went freelance so she could devote more time to writing.  Her first book, the award winning Angel's Fury, was published by Egmont in 2011.  She is now a full time mother to two children, writes as much as possible and enjoys doing school visits and events when she can fit them in.  Her agent is Juliet Mushens at PFD.  For more information on Bryony, please visit her website www.bryonypearce.co.uk and @BryonyPearce
ABOUT THE WEIGHT OF SOULS
16 year old Taylor Oh is cursed: if she is touched by the ghost of a murder victim then they pass a mark beneath her skin. She has three weeks to find their murderer and pass the mark to them - letting justice take place and sending them into the Darkness. And if she doesn't make it in time? The Darkness will come for her... She spends her life trying to avoid ghosts, make it through school where she's bullied by popular Justin and his cronies, keep her one remaining friend, and persuade her father that this is real and that she's not going crazy.
And then Justin is murdered and everything gets a whole lot worse. Justin doesn't know who killed him, so there's no obvious person for Taylor to go after. The clues she has lead her to the V Club, a vicious secret society at her school where no one is allowed to leave... And where Justin was dared to do the stunt which led to his death. Can she find out who was responsible for his murder before the Darkness comes for her? Can she put aside her hatred for her former bully to truly help him? And what happens if she starts to fall for him?

Second Up
Cover Reveal THE HOLDERS By JULIANNA SCOTT
17-year-old Becca has spent her whole life protecting her brother – from their father leaving and from the people who say the voices in his head are unnatural. When two strangers appear with apparent answers to Ryland’s “problem” and details about a school in Ireland where Ryland will not only fit in, but prosper, Becca is up in arms..
She reluctantly agrees to join Ryland on his journey and what they find at St. Brigid’s is a world beyond their imagination. Little by little they piece together information about their family’s heritage and the legend of the Holder race that decrees Ryland is the one they’ve been waiting for—but they are all, especially Becca, in for a surprise that will change what they thought they knew about themselves and their kind.


Wednesday 19 September 2012

Books That Make Me Go Oooooh (51) Mystic City By Theo Lawrence

Waiting On Wednesday is a brilliant book blog feature hosted by Breaking The Spine    

Mystic City By Theo Lawrence
Due For Release October 2012
Published In The UK By Corgi Books
Goodreads LINK
Amazon LINK

"Aria Rose, youngest scion of one of Mystic City's two ruling rival families, finds herself betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents' sworn enemies. The union of the two will end the generations-long political feud—and unite all those living in the Aeries, the privileged upper reaches of the city, against the banished mystics who dwell below in the Depths. But Aria doesn't remember falling in love with Thomas; in fact, she wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. And she can't conceive why her parents would have agreed to unite with the Fosters in the first place. Only when Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic from the Depths, does she start to have glimmers of recollection—and to understand that he holds the key to unlocking her past. The choices she makes can save or doom the city—including herself." taken from Goodreads

I first heard about this book on Monday in a press release from RandomHouse Books.  On reading the press release I believe I Oooed and Ahhhed so much that my Mum actually asked me what I was looking at.  This is so up my street, its like its been made just for me.  Cannot wait to read this as soon as possible.  Also what a STUNNING Cover!

Tuesday 18 September 2012

Review - The Gathering Dark By Leigh Bardugo

"The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.

Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?

The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfil her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.

But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?

Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance.
"
taken from Goodreads

I'd been hearing wonderful things about The Gathering Dark for ages and have been eager to read it myself.  Recently I'd lost my passion for reading and hoped this would be just the book to get me back in my groove.  I'm happy to say that this was 100% Successful!!

The cover is stunning.  Everything from the setting, the girl, the scrolls, its all stunning and absolutely fitting to the story.  My only tiny gripe is that the girl seems to be wearing a cape, when really is should be more robe like with sleeves (kefta).  Like I say tiny gripe!!

On starting this I was instantly grabbed by the plot, the characters and the setting.  I instantly wanted to know where the story was going and even found myself plotting out how the story could go (I was completely wrong by the way)

The story turns in a way that lead character Alina ends up meeting new people and going to new places.  I found myself completely relating to Alina and how she felt about new friendships.  Its plain to see that Alina questions why she is being treated different to how she has ever been treated before.  Also she see's the cattiness of girls and wonders what goes on behind her back.  I have totally been in this situation and to be honest I still don't know how to overcome it, so to read of how Alina deals with it was actually helpful!!

Another thing that we deal with in everyday life is the feeling of wanting to be special, to stand out on doing something or having a amazing talent.  I found it quite refreshing to read about a character learning of their special skill and instead of it making them the most popular person, it has a somewhat reverse effect.  I guess for me the story showed that the grass most definitely isn't greener.

Looking back now I see I shouldn't have been shocked but the turn of events of this story had me absolutely shocked.  I was actually pretty saddened that things didn't go quite as I envisaged.  I now see that everything goes as it should and just maybe my judgement should be questioned!!

The conclusion left me incredibly excited and desperate to see what will happen next.  Why is part two not out already??  While I wait for the release I shall be on the hunt for my very own kefta that I can wear, whilst I wait to my next instalment of Alina and the gang

Rating 5 Out Of 5

Published In The UK By Indigo Books

This Can Be Purchased HERE and from good book retailers

Sunday 16 September 2012

Letterbox Love (10)

Letterbox Love Is Hosted By The Fabulous Lynsey over at Narratively Speaking.  Its a fun way for us to showcase our weeks new books here in the UK
Book links will take you to Amazon UK



I haven't done one of these in agesss!  I've not really been reading a whole lot recently and so the blog has taken a back seat.  Life really has been in the way, but slowly I feel like I'm finding my feet again and my passion to blog again (hooray!)

I haven't had time to take pictures, but have everything is still linked!!

Recieved
I love this book & was thrilled to get a snazzy new copy

I've not actually read the first book of this series, but it does sound awesome!!
This sounds EPIC!!  I am so excited to start this!!

Many Thanks to the publishers for sending me these this week!!!

Wednesday 12 September 2012

Book Re-Release - THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER

With the eagerly anticipated release of the movie of THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER By STEPHEN CHBOSKY coming very soon, the people at Simon & Schuster UK have re-released the book with a gorgeous shiny new cover, exclusive to Waterstones.


'Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it, Charlie is attempting to navigate through the uncharted territory of high school. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and music - when all one requires to feel infinite is that perfect song on that perfect drive. Standing on the fringes of life Charlie has a unique perspective of the world around him, but there comes a time to stop being a wallflower and see what it looks like from the dance floor. This haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion has become a modern classic. Charlie's letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating and through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up.'

I for one cannot wait to see this movie & hope the adaptation is as fantastic as it looks.  One thing I know for sure is that this new cover ROCKS!!!

Tuesday 11 September 2012

Exciting New Release - THE DARK HEROINE

Today I got an email from those lovely folk at Harper Collins telling me about an exciting new release coming in October.  I Just HAD to share the news with you guys!!

The book is called THE DARK HEROINE By ABIGAIL GIBBS


This is the news that was shared with me - 

As the publishing industry continues to evolve in the face of the digital age, HarperFiction has discovered 18 year-old online sensation and debut novelist Abigail Gibbs, who has been posting The Dark Heroine: Dinner with a Vampire chapter by chapter on Wattpad.com. Having clocked up a phenomenal 17 million reads so far and amassed a huge global fan base online, this, crucially, will be the first time anyone can read the novel’s breathtaking ending.

The Dark Heroine follows sixth-former Violet Lee, who is swept up in a bitter feud between humans and vampires which has lasted centuries after witnessing a bloody massacre in London’s Trafalgar Square, and who becomes political prisoner to the brutally charismatic vampire prince, Kaspar Varn. Feisty, fast-paced and racy, Abigail’s maturity is breath-taking and the unfolding romance between Kaspar and Violet is utterly compelling.

I haven't been lucky enough to read the book yet, but am hoping I will get to devour this soon, watch out for a review soon!!!

Amazon LINK

Monday 10 September 2012

Review - Insignia By S.J.Kincaid

More than anything, Tom Raines wants to be important, though his shadowy life is anything but that. For years, Tom’s drifted from casino to casino with his unlucky gambler of a dad, gaming for their survival. Keeping a roof over their heads depends on a careful combination of skill, luck, con artistry, and staying invisible.

Then one day, Tom stops being invisible. Someone’s been watching his virtual-reality prowess, and he’s offered the incredible—a place at the Pentagonal Spire, an elite military academy. There, Tom’s instincts for combat will be put to the test, and if he passes, he’ll become a member of the Intrasolar Forces, helping to lead his country to victory in World War Three. Finally, he’ll be someone important: a superhuman war machine with the tech skills that every virtual-reality warrior dreams of. Life at the Spire holds everything that Tom’s always wanted—friends, the possibility of a girlfriend, and a life where his every action matters—but what will it cost him?

 


I must be honest - before starting this I hadn't really heard anything about the book.  Although I happily describe myself as a geek and have been known to be a gaming fan, but I've never been into fighting games or anything 'war' like so I wouldn't have actively looked for a book using aspects like that.  Well going by this book I have been seriously missing out!!

The story is set in our future (not so distant by the sounds of it) and we are in world war 3.  The difference though is that wars are no longing held on earth, but in parts of space.  The only fighting that really happens is in game form and that is where our lead character Tom comes in.

His life is pretty miserable - he moves frequently with his gambling Dad and the only thing he really has is his incredible ability to play video games.  Somehow he is head hunted through his gaming prowess and given the most amazing opportunity - to study and become part of the war effort.

This is where Tom really comes into his own.  He finally feels he belongs somewhere and is doing what he is meant to do, and so the story really begins.

I LOVE that this book takes on board that technology and gaming is our future and could quite possibly be the thing that keeps us safe in the future.  So much bad stuff is written about kids and their addiction to games, which yes can go too far but it doesn't seem to be considered that it actually gets people thinking and making them think in different ways to what they normally would.  The situations you face in a game tend to be totally different to what you see in day to day life.  Gaming really shouldn't be frowned upon as much as it seems to be and I loved the service this book pays to that.

Generally I am a fan of paranormal fiction, so books with a science fiction element don't get much of a look in.  This was in lots of ways so exciting, in that reading this seems somewhat feasible and that's quite a thrilling thought - that what you are reading is kind of possible!!

Another thing I LOVE is that the characters are flawed.  So many books you read are about these perfect people that are selfless and generally wonderful.  I'm not saying that these characters are bad, but they aren't saints and that makes them so much more relate able.

I was trying to think what I could compare this to and although its very unique I could see it as a Technology based Harry Potter, with a dash of Top Gun - basically put an incredible combination !!!  This is an Awesome start to what I truly hope continues to be an amazing series.

Rating 4 Out Of 5

Published In The UK By Hot Key Books

This Can Be Purchased HERE and from good book retailers