Review - City Of Lost Souls By Cassandra Clare

Spoilers from previous books are possible

"Jace is now a servant of evil, bound for all eternity to Sebastian. Only a small band of Shadowhunters believe he can be saved. To do this they must defy the Clave. And they must act without Clary. For Clary is playing a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing is not just her own life, but Jace's soul.

Clary is willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust him? Or is he truly lost?

What price is too high to pay, even for love?" taken from Goodreads

Where do I begin with this wonderful book......

Firstly the Cover, I really like this and think the models on the front really capture the likeness's of Clary and Jace, and if I didn't know of the books would of felt inclined to pick the book up just on the cover alone.

We start off immediately where City of Fallen Angels ended, in this the 5th book of her Mortal Instruments series but saying that all of Cassie Clare's Mortal Instruments book are excellent stand alone books, with cliff hangers if you want to read just one.

 In these books, for anyone that hasn't read the previous books in the Mortal Instruments series, we have Magic, Werewolves, faeries, Warlocks, all set in modern day America, plus various European countries. Also Young love, Mature love, Gay love, and even a bit of incest, but these are just a tiny part of this 539 page book.

I can't tell you anything of the book in any great detail, as I'd be giving you spoilers and literally this is such an action packed book, every couple of pages would bring a spoiler!!! We get to see more of the characters in depth, and find out why some are as they are nowadays. We also see more of Jocelyn in this book and we have some new characters.
Cassie has also written them in a more adult theme, and there were some scenes that made me go Oooohhhh!!!! Maia, Alec and Magnus, will never be quite the same in my eyes.

To me, Clary is my daughter District YA, Jace is her partner and Simon our next door neighbour (although I'd like Simon to be her partner) and I of course am Jocelyn. I read the stories and we become them, I'd love to give you a story that I can liken from my past that would emulate their story, but alas we really never had that much excitement. Mind you having said that when I was 10, we went to live in Australia and en route we stopped in Cairo, we were warned before leaving the ship on no account to go to the Cairo museum as in the last couple of months before we arrived, two people had been taken to the Museum by fake policeman and been murdered. I was sitting in an outdoor cafe with my parents and little brother when a policeman came up and started to speak in very good English, and said he would like to show us around the Cairo Museum!!!! My Dad told him to push off, with that a cab pulled up and the Policeman grabbed my Mums arm and tried to get her into the cab, with the cab driver trying to push my brother and myself into the back on the other side!!!! My Dad did no more than punch the Policeman as hard as he could in the  face, grabbed my little brother and told us too run, run, run. I had my Mums hand and we could of won the Olympics, we ran so fast. We had a number of people running after us, police, cab driver and a number of Egyptian men, but we got to the boat, and they were shouting and screaming at us.... Luckily the boat left a couple of hours later, and these men stayed on the quayside until we left. My Dad would definitely of been Nephilim. But that is the wonderful thing with Cassie, she writes so descriptively and with such enthusiasm that that you do become the characters or at the very least find ways to relate to them.

I'm going to meet Cassie on the 26th May, and really can't wait to tell her what a superb writer she is, I think she would be my perfect dinner companion, and I want to know if in real life she has as much energy as her characters. The only thing that would make her books better is if she brought them out chapter by chapter, so we didn't have to wait another year for the next edition.

In my opinion The Mortal Instrument books are my favourite books of all time, and she deals with various issues in such an enlightened way.

Rating 5 Out Of 5

Published In The UK By Walker Books

This Can Be Purchased HERE and from Good Book Retailers

Review By SUE

Review - Dead Rules By R.S.Russell

When Jana Webster dies in a tragic accident, she finds herself transferred to 'Dead School' in the afterlife, where students fall into distinct cliques. Risers (good kids who died innocently), Sliders (bad kids, who have one foot tied to earth) and Virgins (there are fewer than Jana would expect). Jana's boyfriend and love of her life - Michael - is still in the land of the living. Michael is Romeo to Jana's Juliet and as the story goes... even death can't keep them apart. Tired of waiting for him to kill himself over his grief of losing her, Jana decides she needs to do it for him. To kill Michael she'll need the help of a dangerous and sexy Slider - Mars Dreamcoate. But Mars has a goal of his own: he wants to save a life to atone for having taken one in a drunk-driving accident. And to complicate matters, he was trying to save Jana when she died and saw what was really going on when her 'accident' happened. Jana decides to do whatever it takes to get Michael back, and nothing - not even Mars' warm touch or the devastating secret he holds about her death - will stop her.  - taken from Goodreads

The first I actually heard of this book, was when I received it in the mail.  From looking at the cover & then reading the blurb I was definitely excited.

The cover is very dramatic.  The girls face and features are so eye catching and almost sinister looking without having anything remotely scary about it.

On starting this I have to admit I was hugely confused.  It was kind of like I was dropped into the middle of a story with no explanations - its like you are expected to already know what has passed.  So from the start I have to say I had trouble connecting to the story.

Then came my next lot of what I can only call confusion came, the characters were so blase about their current situations.  Something seriously HUGE has happened to all of them and especially the main character Jana is essentially just 'oh well nevermind' I just could not grasp this attitude.

But this all blends in eventually and you realise the story is basically a black comedy / drama.  The way some of the kids have to 'live' is very darkly comical - you almost feel guilty for giggling to yourself.

The story really got going for me towards the end, I found I was more intrigued and wanting to know the conclusion of the story.  The end kept in with the black humour theme - you definitely couldn't say it was a happy ending for all.

This was an interesting story that had mirrors to the book series Ghost Girl and to the TV show Dead Like Me - both of which I loved, so there were definitely some parts that I really did enjoy.

Rating 3 Out Of 5

This Is Published In The UK By Quercus

This Can Be Purchased HERE and from good book retailers

Review - Unrest By Michelle Harrison

'Seventeen-year-old Elliott hasn’t slept properly for months. Not since the accident that nearly killed him. Sometimes he half-wakes, paralysed, while shadowy figures move around him. Other times he is the one moving around, while his body lies asleep on the bed. His doctors say sleep paralysis and out of body experiences are harmless - but to Elliott they’re terrifying.

Convinced that his brush with death has attracted the spirit world, Elliott secures a job at a reputedly haunted museum, determined to discover the truth. There, he meets the enigmatic Ophelia. But, as she and Elliott grow closer, Elliott draws new attention from the dead. One night, during an out of body experience, Elliott returns to bed to find his body gone. Something is occupying it, something dead that wants to live again . . . and it wants Ophelia, too . . . '

I first heard that Michelle was going to be releasing a YA set book when I was lucky enough to meet her last year at a bookshop signing.  I'd heard everyone raving about her '13' series - which I own but am still to read (I'm so slow!) but I was still extremely excited and thought what a great way to introduce me to her work - reading in a style I'm more familiar with.  I'm thrilled to say I LOVED it!!!

The cover is absolutely genius!  Its very subtle, but so effective.  It just shows that loads doesn't have to be happening for it to still make an impact.  Bravo to the art team!!!

The book starts with a very creepy chapter that pretty much sums up what you are about to read - this is some unsettling stuff and had me instantly gripped.

As you read you are given snippets of Elliott's life, some of which is very normal then others very paranormal - for me this made the story relate able but then fantastical giving just the right balance to get you into it, and considering the possibilities of what has happened to the character.

I LOVED the place that Elliot ends up working at.  I so wish there really was this museum - I would be there A LOT!!  Past Lives gets a huge thumbs up from me.
Plus the home location of Elliott is actually fairly close to where I live - I had a major geek out over that - I could have passed Elliott in his fictional world!!!

I had times of not necessarily knowing where the story was going, but this just made reading the story even more enjoyable.  It just made me want to read it even more, meaning less time for real life stuff, whoops!!!

I must admit I did guess the twist at the end, but only JUST before it happened, so I spent plenty of time in suspense.  It was super clever and not obvious for me at all - I do love a surprise!!

For me this has to be one of the best UK set YA books I have read in a very long time.  I adore Michelle's writing style and am praying that she has more YA fiction to come in the future!!!

Rating 4 Out Of 5



 Published In The UK By Simon And Schuster

This Can Be Purchased HERE and From Good Book Retailers

Review - Fateful By Claudia Gray

'A tragic tale about falling in love on the world’s most infamous ill-fated sea voyage as heroine, Tess, discovers darker secrets that lie beneath the doomed crossing… and a hidden brotherhood that threaten to tear her lover from her forever.

The RMS Titanic is the most luxurious ship ever built, but for eighteen-year-old Tess Davies it’s a prison. Travelling as a maid for the family she has served for years, Tess is trapped in their employ amid painful memories and family secrets.

When she meets Alec, a handsome upper class passenger, Tess falls helplessly in love. But Alec has secrets of his own… and soon Tess is entangled in a dangerous game. A sinister brotherhood that will do anything to induct Alec into their mystical order has followed him onboard. And Tess is now their most powerful pawn.

Tess and Alec fight the dark forces threatening to tear them apart, never realising that they will have to face an even greater peril before the journey is over….'' taken from goodreads

I'm the Mum of District YA, otherwise known as Sue, and was very kindly given Fateful to read by my daughter Leanne. The first I saw of this was when she was received the book from the very kind Harper Collins, I immediately grabbed it to be the first to read it. I've always been very interested in the Titanic story, so much so that I went to the O2 last year to see the Titanic exhibition, which was amazing, so when I saw the brilliant cover on the Fateful novel, it really grabbed me to read it.

The cover shows a young blonde woman standing on the deck of a ship, wearing a red silk gown, with a full moon behind her, and just below the moon is an ominous looking Iceberg, which really says it all!!!!

Fateful in my opinion is Downton Abbey meets Supernatural, its an easy read with highs and lows. Claudia Gray writes her book with scenes that are easily understood, you walk the streets, cabins with a real understanding of the area your in.

In my youth I actually travelled to Australia and back to England on a ship, so could really relate to the characters feelings of being in an isolated, small area for a very long stretch of time.  A lot of the feelings I had at the time resurfaced & got me thinking of things that happened, not all of them carefree and happy, but that is a whole other story.

The book starts on April 12th 1912, and revolves around Tess a teenage maid to the impressive Lisle family. Tess has decided to start a new life, hopefully a better life in America with the Lisles, a rather complex family. You see how her hard life working for the Lisles is, and I felt Claudia Gray transported me to that time. Tess works so hard, I really embraced her character and when she meets Mikhail, who wants harm to come to her, its a case of reading the pages quicker to make sure shes okay.
Then there is the beautiful Alec, who you want to be the opposite of Mikhail, poor Tess all alone, you want her to be helped.
We all know the story of the Titanic, and obviously the outcome, but this adds to Fateful, because you know there's only 5 days for this situation to end one way or the other, and and as the days are counting down in the book I found myself willing Tess along.

All along reading the book I kept thinking of Upstairs, Downstairs and also of the 1950's film of Titanic, and was so pleased when I read the Authors notes at the end of the book, found she'd had both of these in mind, whilst writing Fateful. The book has Love, Intrigue, Mystery, Supernatural element and in my opinion was a really good read.

Rating 3 1/2 Out Of 5 

This Is Published In The UK By Harper Collins

This Can Be Purchased HERE and from good book Retailers

Review - Every Other Day By Jennifer Lynn Barnes

"Every other day, Kali D'Angelo is a normal sixteen-year-old girl. She goes to public high school. She attends pep rallies. She's human.

And then every day in between . . .She's something else entirely.

Though she still looks like herself, every twenty-four hours predatory instincts take over and Kali becomes a feared demon-hunter with the undeniable urge to hunt, trap, and kill zombies, hellhounds, and other supernatural creatures. Kali has no idea why she is the way she is, but she gives in to instinct anyway. Even though the government considers it environmental terrorism.

When Kali notices a mark on the lower back of a popular girl at school, she knows instantly that the girl is marked for death by one of these creatures. Kali has twenty-four hours to save her and, unfortunately, she'll have to do it as a human. With the help of a few new friends, Kali takes a risk that her human body might not survive. . .and learns the secrets of her mysterious condition in the process." from goodreads

I was mega excited when I received this book to review.  I've had Jennifer's previous books on my shelf for a while, but as often happens I just hadn't gotten to reading them yet.  In some ways I think this could be a positive thing as I wasn't reading it expecting other characters to pop up or another storyline to be there.

The cover is awesome.  I love the idea of the blood filled hour glass - such a subtle yet sinister cover image.

I'd never thought of an idea like this before and so it was a very new reading perspective for me.  When you think of it, it would be so hard to adjust to having super human powers one day and the next being just a mere mortal.  You could imagine yourself getting into sticky situations when its definitely not the right day to do so.

I actually found the story somewhat reminiscent of Buffy the Vampire Slayer - a very normal looking girl, that can do extraordinary things.  I did find the urges of Kali more like Faith though - the renegade Slayer who lived for the kill.
The descriptions are particularly vivid and brutal, which had me going Ewwww a few times.  Secretly though I do like a gross out session now and again.

Jennifer has a great way of tidying up the back story in a quick way, but done early on.  I often find it frustrating when you keep going back over old ground or when you are out of the loop on something.  Big thumbs up to Jennifer!!

The world of Kali is quite like ours today, but with supernatural creatures thrown into the mix.  Obviously that is a fantasy element, but this didn't feel like a fantasy story to me at all and I think that fact made it even more enjoyable to me.  It was a place that was somewhat relate able too and not totally foreign.

The book takes quite a unique turn for a YA book in my opinion and I really enjoyed this.  I didn't see it coming and a surprise is always fantastic!!!

The only thing is, I was left wondering if there is more to come and I still don't know.....Is there????

Rating 4 Out Of 5

Published In The UK By Quercus

This Can Be Purchased HERE and from good book retailers

Review - Everneath By Brodi Ashton

"Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld...this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists. Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen. As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's..."  taken from Amazon UK
 

I received this just before Christmas from Simon & Schuster in exchange for an honest review.  I held off reading it too quickly as I had a few other books to fit in first.  Boy I should have dropped everything and started this immediately.  Let the gushing commence......

Such a stunning cover.  That dress - I would sell my soul for that dress.  Its just incredible and such a beautiful starting place for this book.  I also love that you don't see the full face of the girl.  There is just enough to pique your interest, without you having to pick up the book and thinking the book is about the girl on the cover. 
I love the dark smoke at the bottom too.  Gives a very sinister feel. 
The cover has an almost velvety feel, such a nice book to be holding for the duration of your read.

This is a kind of retelling of the Greek legend of Persephone (gees that is hard to pronounce)  Obviously I know of some of the Greek myths, but I am by no means an expert.  So reading of Persephone was basically a whole new story for me.  I have no idea if not knowing the story impacted on my reading of it at all, but I was sucked in straight away and don't feel it was a negative at all.

The story is told from two angles.  Before she entered the Everneath & after.  Telling the story this way meant getting information slowly.  It made the story a whole lot more understandable and gave you time to get your head around what was being said.  It was also a great way of building the tension, mystery and intrigue.  It was all these factors that made putting the book down so hard.  I actually managed to read this book in two sittings, which trust me I NEVER DO!!!

One thing that did frustrate me somewhat & pretty much frustrates me with all my reads is the lack of communication.  Why can people not talk??!  These characters just don't seem to realise that spilling your guts is so much better than sitting and suffering - but the suffering makes the read a whole lot more enjoyable and I won't be sending it to room 101 for now!!

For me this has to be one of the most exhilarating reads I have read in a long long time.  I was left praying that there would be a sequel because if the end was the actual END I would be heartbroken.  It actually left me feeling how I felt after watching a certain episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (mega sad) - luckily for us we have two more parts to come!!!

This Book should come with the Book equivalent of a Nicotine patch though - its THAT addictive!!!

Rating 5 Out Of 5

Published In The UK By Simon And Schuster

This Can Be Purchased HERE and from Good Book Sellers

Review - Name Of The Star: Shades of London By Maureen Johnson

"Thrilling ghost-hunting teen mystery as modern-day London is plagued by a sudden outbreak of brutal murders that mimic the horrific crimes of Jack the Ripper.
Sixteen-year-old American girl Rory has just arrived at boarding school in London when a Jack the Ripper copycat-killer begins terrorising the city. All the hallmarks of his infamous murders are frighteningly present, but there are few clues to the killer’s identity.

“Rippermania” grabs hold of modern-day London, and the police are stumped with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. In an unknown city with few friends to turn to, Rory makes a chilling discovery…
Could the copycat murderer really be Jack the Ripper back from the grave?"

UK Cover

This has been on my To Be Read pile for a while now, thanks to the lovely Jenny at Wondrous Reads giving me an ARC copy.  I've been dying to get round to and finally did - I was not disappointed!!!

I ADORE the UK cover.  The girls face is half hidden behind her hair and she has a very antique style face.  You can feel the sadness in her eyes.  And then with the old style London scene beneath it just sets you up for the story ahead.
The US cover is also very fitting and unique.  But to me it just doesn't have the same wow factor!!

US Cover

The story starts off with a gruesome discovery and the setting of a rather disturbing London.  The story then quickly shifts to the story of Rory, an American girl who is moving to the UK with her parents.  She's being sent to a boarding school in the London, whilst her parents will be living in Bristol.  I practically forgot about the discovery at the beginning of the book & found it an enthralling story about this girls life.  I felt all the isolation she was feeling and the anxieties of making new friends.  I could easily have read a book about this girls day to day normal life.  But then things started getting more paranormal and sinister, I do love that style so this was rather thrilling.  More gruesome things happen and you really end up in a spin wondering what is going on.

Reading this you really can feel how much affection Maureen feels for England.  She must have absorbed every aspect of our culture and put it in this book.  The humour in the book is quite black too, its so English!!!

I enjoyed this so much, its actually the quickest I have read a book in quite some time.  I really hope there is plenty more of this series to come!!

Rating 4 Out Of 5

Published In The UK By HarperCollins Childrens

This Can Be Purchased HERE and at good book retailers

Review - Bloodlines By Richelle Mead

This is a spin off series and some spoilers for the Vampire Academy series are possible


"When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning."

I was originally expecting quite a different cover for the UK release, but at sometime the designers must have decided to use the same as the US release.  I actually think this was a pretty good decision.  Everyone knows I am not a fan of faces on covers, but I kind of expect to see them on Richelle's books now and it works.  I particularly love the tattoo design on who would be Sydney's face.  Strangely though I'm not tempted to get this tattoo, like I wanted a Molnija mark.

I've been a big fan of the Vampire Academy books for a long time now.  Obviously I was happy to see that series get a resolution, but also bummed that it was over.  Imagine my excitement when I heard of a spin off series!!!  I loved that it was decided to develop Sydney's character more.  She was pretty awesome and seemed like she had more layers.  This book really does show that.  I was also excited to read more of the vampire Academy world, but from a different perspective.  It really was fascinating to read.

I really enjoyed how Sydney's character changed even further.  You could see how she starts off very controlled and regimented, even after her adventures in the VA books she was still trying to be what people wanted her to be.  This does take somewhat of a turn and its so empowering.  Rebellion is so fun to read!!

I was quite surprised by the inclusion of a bullying storyline.  Bullying is a huge hate of mine, having been through it myself.  It actually broke my heart a little to read that it even happens in a 'vampire' world.  I guess I did become quite involved with the story!!!

It was fantastic that there were whole new stories and characters, yet old characters popped up here and there.  Kind of like seeing old friends unexpectedly whilst shopping.

The book concluded with one whole story being resolved, yet leaving room for more questions and stories to evolve.  I can't wait to see what comes next!!

Rating 3 Out Of 5

Published In The UK By Puffin / Razorbill

This Can Be Purchased HERE and at good book retailers

Books That Make Me Go Oooooh (15) Fateful By Claudia Gray

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


Fateful By Claudia Gray
Published In The UK By HarperCollins Childrens
Due For Release In The UK March 2012
Amazon LINK


"A tragic tale about falling in love on the world’s most infamous ill-fated sea voyage as heroine, Tess, discovers darker secrets that lie beneath the doomed crossing… and a hidden brotherhood that threaten to tear her lover from her forever.
The RMS Titanic is the most luxurious ship ever built, but for eighteen-year-old Tess Davies it’s a prison. Travelling as a maid for the family she has served for years, Tess is trapped in their employ amid painful memories and family secrets.
When she meets Alec, a handsome upper class passenger, Tess falls helplessly in love. But Alec has secrets of his own… and soon Tess is entangled in a dangerous game. A sinister brotherhood that will do anything to induct Alec into their mystical order has followed him onboard. And Tess is now their most powerful pawn.
Tess and Alec fight the dark forces threatening to tear them apart, never realising that they will have to face an even greater peril before the journey is over…"

For many years now I have had quite, shall I say morbid fascination with the Titanic.   The whole idea of this stunning ship that was supposedly unsinkable, meeting its demise on its very first journey is absolutely amazing & ironic.  Now to add in Claudia Gray's fabulous imagination and some paranormal twists, makes for an even more exciting and intriguing tale.  This really is right up my street!!!!

Books That Make Me Go Oooooh (8) The Carrier Of The Mark By Leigh Fallon

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




The Carrier Of The Mark By Leigh Fallon
Due For Release In The UK 27/10/2011
Published In The UK By HarperCollins Childrens Books
Amazon LINK

"When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. She makes close friends with the girls in her class, her relationship with her dad is better than ever, and she finds herself inexplicably drawn to gorgeous, mysterious Adam DeRis.
Adam is cold and aloof at first, but when Megan finally breaks down the icy barrier between them, she is amazed by the intensity of their connection. Then Adam reveals a secret about the magical destiny that will shape both of their lives but also threatens to tear them apart…"

I've not seen a great deal of publicty for this book, but recently saw the cover and thought some more investigating was due!  This sounds pretty darn fab!  I know some people may be getting a little fed up of the paranormal / romance / fantasy genres, but for me it never gets old!  Really looking forward to grabbing a copy of this!!

Review - The Dark Divine By Bree Despain

"A prodigal son. A dangerous love. Haunted yearning...Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared and her brother Jude came home covered in his own blood. Now that Daniel's returned, Grace must choose between her growing attraction to him and her loyalty to her brother. As Grace gets closer to Daniel, she learns the truth about that mysterious night and how to save the ones she loves, but it might cost her the one thing she cherishes most: her soul."

I've been wanting to read this for some time now, but firstly never got round to purchasing it.  Then I found it in a charity shop and it would have been a crime to leave it on the shelf.  Then its been sat on my to be read pile for ages & a couple of weeks ago I picked up the sequel to this, so just thought lets get this started.  I'm glad I did!!!

This has a really beautiful eye-catching cover.  I'm not entirely sure why, but this just screams paranormal to me and I love it.  As I've said in other posts I really don't like seeing models faces on covers, so the lack of pleases me no end!!  The use of the colour purple is amazing too & does come up in the book, so it was a connection I was glad of.

The first thing that I really connected with in this book was the kind of brother envy.  Everyone loves Graces brother Jude and I have exactly the same with mine.  Hell I adore my brother too, but sometimes its just a little heartbreaking when your friends ask where your brother is & whats he up too?  Also how perfect he is.  Its hard enough for us girls to be up to scratch sometimes and these perfect brothers just show us up.
All that aside though, you pick up what a happy family Grace comes from & what a solid unit they are.  It makes you think they are kind of unbreakable which is not entirely accurate.

The book kicks straight off with an unraveling mystery.  I did feel like I was watching Lost again as just when you felt a question might get answered you'd be left with another.  However the mystery's to unravel, all be it slowly but they do very satisfactorily.  I really did enjoy the building of the story.  And this leads well into a heart rending revelation.  Something that actually made me feel quite sad.  It was so clever and beautiful, always a thumbs up from me.

I found having this set with a religious family quite interesting and different.  Paranormal stories don't always go with religion but this did it well.  It was fascinating seeing how the community react.

The conclusion to the story was well formed.  It answered everything I wanted to know and gave me a few sharp shocks.  There was also plenty of room left for the sequel which I am so excited to get started on in the near future.

Rating 3 1/2 Out Of 5

This Is Published In The UK By Egmont Books

This Can be purchased HERE and at all good book stores

Review - The Replacement By Brenna Yovanoff

"Mackie Doyle is a replacement - a fairy child left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago, to replace the baby when it was stolen away by the fey. So though he lives in the small town of Gentry, Mackie's real home is the fey world of tunnels and black, murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. Now, because his fey blood gives him fatal allergies to iron, blood and consecrated ground, Mackie is slowly dying in the human world. Mackie would give anything just to be normal, to live quietly amongst humans, practice his bass guitar and spend time with his crush, Tate. But when Tate's baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably back home to the fey underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem, where he must face down the dark creatures, rescue the child, and find his rightful place - in our world, or theirs"

This was actually the first ARC I was given during San Diego Comic Con.  I'd just seen blogs written about it days earlier, so it was fresh in my mind.  When the lady got it out of the box for me I could have danced - I was so psyched!!  I'm just so sorry it has taken me so long to read it, but I got there & boy did I enjoy it!!

As always I start with my thoughts on the cover.  As I had a US ARC I have the amazing cover with the pram & scary ironworks dangling over it.  This has to be one of the creepiest covers ever & I LOVE IT!!!  Its so atmospheric & gives such a good indicator of the theme of the book.
That said I do really like the UK cover too.  I mean what girl doesn't like looking at a cute guy???  And he is kind of how you imagine the lead character to be, so great choosing on the model.

When I read on the blurb this was very Tim Burton'esqe I was again really excited, as I love Tim Burton's work.  I have to say I totally agree with that.  This is very quirky, unusual, off balancing & in places very dark.  For me it was a great change to the usual YA books I read.
This was also very different in that it has a male Narrative.  That hardly ever happens in the books I tend to read & again it was a really nice refreshing change.  I would definitely like to read more from a boys point of view.

A small thing I really loved about the book, was that it had chapter titles.  Again this doesn't happen all that often in YA books & for me I found it great.  It gives you a sneaky idea of what the upcoming chapter has in store.  I love it!

The book does plod a little at times, it has growing intrigue which is both exciting and frustrating.  You do get the feeling you want to shout 'WHATS GOING ON???' But in this case that is how the characters are feeling too, so it really does put you on an even par.

I found the story in some ways relate able - I know that sounds strange (as far as I'm aware there isn't a sinister underground where I am living) but in the fact of nearly everyone I know is trying to find their place in the world & where they fit in.  I think this would especially ring home to teenage readers & maybe even give some answers, as towards the end of the story some of these questions are worked out by Mackie.

I can officially say I was SO SCARED towards the end of the book.  For me it took a somewhat sinister turn, and I literally had to remind myself to breathe.  I did enjoy that though, not often books bring out that reaction in me & in a weird way it was fun (what is happening to me o.0)


This is a fabulous first book by Brenna.  I'm really excited to see what she comes up with next & really hope to read more of this dark sinister world

Rating 4 Out Of 5

Published In The UK BY Simon & Schuster Childrens Books

This can be Purchased from HERE & all good bookstores

Review - Paranormalcy By Kiersten White

Confession Time Again....I didn't actually know what this was about when I got it & even started to read it.  I knew it was YA & must have a paranormal theme to it, just down to the name (So perceptive me!!)  This was way different to anything I could have imagined & I LIKED it!!

Again I'll start with the cover.  Absolutely stunning, really love it.  Apart from the fact that the lead character is blond & the girl on the cover is blond I don't really see any other indications as to what the book is like.  From the cover you would expect quite a dark tale & to me this really wasn't.  The story even made me giggle a few time!!

This is such a great idea for a story.  I would say the story is a cross between Buffy the Vampire Slayer & X-Files, that makes an awesome story base in my mind. 

It was a little hard for me to get into at first, but mostly that is my fault for not finding out about the story first.  Once I did though, I had no problems.  It was actually really nice to read a paranormal story that was different & kind of quirky.  

What I really enjoyed about the story was that Evie (the lead character) was a reluctant hero.  So many books you read, the 'heroes' are so gun ho & ready to get themselves in dangerous situations, but for once the character didn't want too.  All she wants is a normal life & I found this far more relate able than a lot of the other stories out there.  That said it doesn't mean there isn't plenty of action, because believe me LOTS happens. 

Evie's love interest (yes there is still love interests) is quite unique & totally awesome.  I highly approve of him!!

This is a GREAT first book & I'm really eager to find out where this is going to go, with the sequel coming out later in the year.  I'm also thrilled to have a new series to get into!!

Rating 3 1/2 out of 5

This Can Be Purchased Here

This Is Published In The UK By Harper Collins Children's Books