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

Welcome to my new Reviewer!!

Today I am pleased to be posting the first of hopefully many reviews from a new poster.  Some of you already know her, but for everyone else I would like to introduce you to SUE (aka my MUM!!!)

Me, Toni Trucks (from Breaking Dawn) and Sue

She is also a big fan of reading and can frequently be found delving into my rather large book pile, which happens to contain all YA.  Its a win win situation for us, as we already get on like a house on fire (literally we were once in a house on fire) but this just gives us even more to bond over.

I hope you will all join me in giving her a VERY Warm welcome......!

Review - Fever By Lauren DeStefano

"Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion. But danger is never far behind.

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago―surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.

The Two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine's twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous―and in a world where young woman only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can't seem to elude Rhine's father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion… by any means necessary."  taken from goodreads

Without a doubt one of the books that captivated me the most last year was Wither, the first in the Chemical Garden trilogy.  Its started from just looking at the cover, which has to be my favourite cover in a long time.  Then the story was totally different to anything I had personally read before, it really stuck with me.  So when I knew ARCs were making the rounds for Fever the second part, I was beside myself.  I had countless twitter conversations trying to get myself a copy, that proved very fruitless until the lovely Lauren herself passed on my desperation to a fantastic American blogger, who kindly sent me her copy.  I was extatic and finished my current read as fast as I could, so I could get on to this read.  So that's how I got my copy (shortly after I got my hardback copy that I bought!!)  Now what I thought of it......

Another absolutely stunning cover.  Its not quite a gorgeous as the first, but that would be extremely hard to top.  Still I love all the little features that are highlighted by circles and actually go on to have significant meanings in the book.  It always gives me a buzz to spot the links!!

I was kind of expecting to be eased back into the story of Rhine and Gabriel - Uh uh!!!!  You are thrust straight into new dangers and horrors of this bleak new world.  I found myself feeling extremely creeped out and uneasy.  I have to say I wasn't feeling totally engaged by the new turns the book was taking and still 50 pages in, I was still not totally sold.

As the story evolves, the story shifts but gets no less sinister or freaky.  I was starting to question if the life Rhine left behind was really that bad, its funny what time between books can do to your memory as you do eventually remember Rhine had very good reason for running.

On finishing the book I felt a little disappointed that for me this book just wasn't as amazing as the first one, but this definitely had the second book syndrome in that you need to have this to get to the end, but it doesn't quite do what you want it too.
I'm so eager to read the final part to the series.  Generally on books I never want them to end, but I love the character of Rhine so much that I will kind of be pleased for her that her turmoil and strife will be over one way or another with the final instalment.  That by no means that I don't want to read more of Lauren's work - quite the opposite, I will still be her number one fan pleading her to write more!!

Rating 3 Out Of 5

Published In The UK By Harper Voyager

This Can Be Purchased HERE and from good book retailers

Trailer Excitement for THE INTERN

I'm currently reading The Intern By Dillon Khan, which I am loving.  It just happens to take place back in 2000, when I was just turning 16 and so happily reminds me of times past.


"When Jay Merchant lands an internship for the best job in music television, he is given a backstage pass to the biggest gig of his life. The velvet rope to the biggest VIP parties and hottest celebrities has been lifted and now he's got to capture it on camera. But with only six months to turn his intern dream into a real job, does he have what it takes? It's time to face the music..."






To Celebrate the release of the book, Puffin have created this incredible trailer - hope you enjoy!!!!

Books That Make Me Go Oooooh (40) The Immortal Rules By Julie Kagawa

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

The Immortal Rules By Julie Kagawa
Published In The UK By Mira Ink
Due For Release May 2012
Goodreads LINK
Amazon LINK

"In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for"

I've heard lots of amazing stuff about Julie's books recently, but as I often am late - I'm still to read and love her work.  This one though I am particularly excited to read.  It has all my favourite aspects - Dystopian, Vampires, Paranormal, Romance - Just wait to hear me joining this bandwagon!!!!

Top Ten Books I'd Play Hooky With

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly blog feature hosted by the awesome people at The Broke and the Bookish   

These are getting more and more tricky - I don't want to seem like I am repetitive, but I probably am!!!

•  All The Harry Potter Books By J K Rowling

When these came out EVERYTHING got dropped, just so I could finish them.  I would absolutely flake on everything to read these

•  Wither By Lauren DeStefano

This was such a gorgeous, yet disturbing read

• Clockwork / City Of Books By Cassie Clare

These are intoxicating reads

• The Taker By Alma Katsu

This kinda freaked me out in some ways, yet I am so eager to read more - I would so play hooky with this

• Divergent By Veronica Roth

I would happily live with these characters in my pocket

• The Hunger Games Books By Suzanne Collins

Suzanne knows how to write a great book!!

• The Study Series By Maria V Snyder

These are bliss!!

In My Mailbox (57)

In My Mailbox Is An Awesome Blog Post Idea Hosted By The Story Siren

All links will take you to Amazon

I'm still being a really bad blogger I admit.  My friend is still visiting so this is sadly coming second, but I will be back to blogging properly from the end of next week!!

 This week has been particularly EPIC, I got to meet the lead singer of a band I LOVE!!  They aren't that well known, but meeting him made me swoon!!

I was invited to a brilliant bloggers event with MIRA on Thursday - full report to follow soon!!

Also finally got to see THE HUNGER GAMES!!!!  As with all book adaptations I do still prefer the book, but this has to be one of the best transitions from book to screen.

RECEIVED

 From MIRA INK

So we each got given a goodie bag jam packed with beautiful books

My Soul To Take By Rachel Vincent

If I Die By Rachel Vincent

Pushing The Limits By Kate McGarry

Goddess Interrupted By Aimee Carter

Spellbound By Cara Lynn Shultz

Crave By Melissa Darnell

The Girl In The Steel Corset By Kady Cross

The Iron King By Julie Kagawa

Saving June By Hannah Harrington

 These I got from Spinebreakers - I took part in a survey and hoped to get the book, but also got £50 Itunes voucher - You should have heard me SQUEAL!!!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Fever By Dee Shulman

I got this from the fantastic people at Electric Monkey / Egmont

Code Name Verity By Elizabeth Wein

GIFT
 

The Wizard Of Oz Scanimation By Rufus Butler Seder
The Absolutely gorgeous Casey from Dark-Readers got me this amazing gift!!  She knows I am a big Wizard of Oz fan and found me this gem - What a STAR!!!

HUGE Thanks to everyone that sent me books this week!!!

Hope you all had fabulous weeks?!!

Leanne

xoxo

Top Ten Books On My Spring To-Be-Read list

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly blog feature hosted by the awesome people at The Broke and the Bookish  

I kind of wasn't going to do a top ten post this week, as life is pretty chaotic but when I saw what this weeks topic was I couldn't resist.....

1. Insurgent By Veronica Roth
Possibly my number 1 most wanted book this year - I need me some FOUR!!!

2. City Of Fallen Angels By Cassandra Clare
Very eager to see where this is going!!

3. Heart-Shaped Bruise By Tanya Byrne
I just got an ARC of this and can't wait to read it

4. Until I Die By Amy Plum
I need to read more of this series and the wonderful Parisian setting

5. The Hunt By Andrew Fukuda
I've had this for a while and am excited to read it!!

6. The Peculiars By Maureen Doyle McQuerry
This looks amazing!!  Hoping the story is just as amazing

7. Unravelling By Elizabeth Norris
This is sitting in my TBR pile, sounds great

8. A Million Suns By Beth Revis
I've had the US copy for a while, but haven't had the chance to read it yet - going to get to it soon

9. Partials By Dan Wells
This is great sounding - do love this style

10. The Selection By Kiera Cass
I love the look and write up of this!!!

Review - The Knife Of Never Letting Go By Patrick Ness

"Todd Hewitt is the only boy in a town of men. Ever since the settlers were infected with the Noise germ, Todd can hear everything the men think, and they hear everything he thinks. Todd is just a month away from becoming a man, but in the midst of the cacophony, he knows that the town is hiding something from him -- something so awful Todd is forced to flee with only his dog, whose simple, loyal voice he hears too. With hostile men from the town in pursuit, the two stumble upon a strange and eerily silent creature: a girl. Who is she? Why wasn't she killed by the germ like all the females on New World? Propelled by Todd's gritty narration, readers are in for a white-knuckle journey in which a boy on the cusp of manhood must unlearn everything he knows in order to figure out who he truly is." From Goodreads

I actually read this back in January, so am relying on my 'interesting' note keeping for the review.  That said this book really packs a punch and will stick with me for years to come.

The cover is quite understated in my opinion.  Obviously the knife is the very key thing and this is really highlighted.  But I didn't feel it told me a whole lot of what to expect.

My very first thoughts of this was 'WOW this is gonna be a unique read'  This is set in a world where people are very uneducated - no books even exist anymore, likewise of women.  The population is dwindling and the last of the youth is about to reach Manhood.
When you start reading the story is littered with very intentional spelling mistakes.  People have evolved and sadly so has speech and it is gotten BAD!!  I must admit the spellings did frustrate me somewhat.  I didn't think I was a huge stickler for good grammar, but it appears I am.
Having said that though all these little touches include you in their world, so after some thought this is such a clever write.

Easily my favourite character in the book is Manchee - Todd's very faithful canine companion.  Todd's relationship with Manchee is even more enhanced by the fact that they can hear each others thoughts.  As Someone that has 5 dogs, I can tell you I would give anything to be able to talk to them.  I adore my little princesses and can only imagine the closeness I would have to them if I could understand their thoughts.  The way Todd sometimes treats Manchee though really upset me.  I can't imagine being that harsh with anyone!

This is a truly heart pounding, edge of your seat read.  I was literally so worried about some of the characters or was deeply shocked by actions, that I couldn't put it down until I had read some sort of resolution to that part of the story.

This is only the THIRD book to ever make me cry.  It really does take a lot for words to effect me that deeply and Patrick definitely accomplished that.
I felt so many emotions on finishing it - I kind of hated Patrick for the roller coaster he put me in, I was shocked, disturbed, depressed, but also wanting to know how the story is going to go from here.  Part of me just wants to read the books already, but another part of me just doesn't know if I am ready to be in THAT place again.  This should come with a reading kit - caffeine, chocolate and tissues - YOU WILL NEED THEM ALL!!!

Rating 4 Out Of 5

Published In The UK By Walker

This Can Be Purchased HERE and from good book retailers

In My Mailbox (56)

In My Mailbox Is An Awesome Blog Post Idea Hosted By The Story Siren

All links will take you to Amazon

So I haven't been around much this week - sorry!!  Probably going to be much the same next week, as I have to spend as much time with my friend before she goes back home to Canada!!

 I got some more fab books this week though...

RECEIVED

 The Intern By Dillon Khan

I was thrilled to get this from the wonderful people at Puffin.  I love backstage kind of stories, so hope this is my type of read!

Heart-Shaped Bruise By Tanya Byrne

I got this from the fabulous people at Headline.  I have been talking to Tanya for ages now on Twitter and I've been so super excited to read this, so pleased to finally get my chance

BOUGHT

These were a result of an innocent wander around Foyles!!!

Hunger By Michael Grant

So I have Gone, but am still to read it.  But Michael was actually in store signing whilst we were there, so I jumped at getting the second part to the series and a cool autograph to go with it!!

The Fault In Our Stars By John Green

I actually haven't read any of his books before, but saw this fab signed edition and knew I would be stupid to leave it there!!!

Hope you had a fun filled week?

Leanne

xoxo

Books That Make Me Go Oooooh (39) Heart-Shaped Bruise By Tanya Byrne

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

Heart-Shaped Bruise By Tanya Byrne
Published In The UK By Headline
Due For Release May 2012
Amazon LINK
Goodreads LINK


"They say I'm evil. The police. The newspapers. The girls from school who shake their heads on the six o’clock news and say they always knew there was something not quite right about me. And everyone believes it. Including you. But you don't know. You don't know who I used to be.

Who I could have been.

Awaiting trial at Archway Young Offenders Institution, Emily Koll is going to tell her side of the story for the first time.

Heart-Shaped Bruise is a compulsive and moving novel about infamy, identity and how far a person might go to seek revenge."

This is definitely different, to what I would typically pick up off the shelves, but this has me very intrigued.  I am really interested to read something from the perspective of a possible villain.  I want to see how my head will deal with being in that mind set, you never know I may find my calling as a super villain!!!

Top Ten Dystopian Books

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly blog feature hosted by the awesome people at The Broke and the Bookish

Since last year I really have got myself a love of dystopian books, with them being my favourite reads now.  Thought this was the perfect opportunity to showcase my personal bests!!!

Divergent By Veronica Roth
I ADORED this and as many of you know I am married to the character of Four!!  So excited to meet him again in Insurgent

The Hunger Games Trilogy By Suzanne Collins
I may as well count these as one - seriously amazing reads and eager for the movie now!!

Wither By Lauren DeStefano
This book sucked me in - so good!!!

Dark Parties By Sara Grant
This was such a great read

Delirium By Lauren Oliver
AMAZING!!

Matched By Ally Condie
This is not every ones favourite, but I REALLY enjoyed it

Review - Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe By Shelley Coriell

"Big-hearted Chloe Camden is the queen of her universe until her best friend shreds her reputation and her school counselor axes her junior independent study project. Chloe is forced to take on a meaningful project in order to pass, and so she joins her school's struggling radio station, where the other students don't find her too queenly. Ostracized by her former BFs and struggling with her beloved Grams's mental deterioration, lonely Chloe ends up hosting a call-in show that gets the station much-needed publicity and, in the end, trouble. She also befriends radio techie and loner Duncan Moore, a quiet soul with a romantic heart. On and off the air, Chloe faces her loneliness and helps others find the fun and joy in everyday life. Readers will fall in love with Chloe as she falls in love with the radio station and the misfits who call it home." from Goodreads

I was asked to review this a few weeks ago and although having not heard of it before and it not particularly being the first book that would jump out at me from the bookshelf, something about it got my interest and I felt a need to read this book.  I am so pleased I did!!

Firstly the cover is very cool.  It tells you loads about the story, its bright so very eye catching and the model is very character appropriate.  I think this was a great choice!!!

The story starts with our lead character Chloe Camden.  She seems to have it all - she is very privileged, is popular & has awesome best friends.  Quickly though her life somewhat begins to unravel, both in school and at home.  Despite the rather angsty subjects dealt with Chloe manages to keep a very sassy teen image.  Her speech is totally correct with how you hear teens speak - although at times, the OMGs could be a little aggravating, they needed to be there and by the end of the book I couldn't have imagined the book without them.

I adored Chloe's ability to carry on and keep her head held high whilst she was going through a lot of turmoil and strife.  I found her to be such a positive and strong role model, that I wish I could have read about back when I was at school.

Before reading this I had never really thought about the world of radio and the work that goes into it both on and off air.  I loved getting this little insight into it and actually would love to see / read  more about it!!

On starting this I really wasn't sure I would like the characters or form any sort of connection to them, but I really did.  The characters all became like friends to me and I will miss them, not being in my literary world.
I'm so hopeful that Shelley will write more books with amazing characters like I found in this!!!

Rating 4 Out Of 5

Due For Release May 2012

Published In The UK By Amulet (Abrams And Chronicle)

This Can Be Purchased HERE and from good book retailers

In My Mailbox (55)

In My Mailbox Is An Awesome Blog Post Idea Hosted By The Story Siren

All links will take you to Amazon

This is rather a big week for me.  My best friend from childhood, that I haven't seen for 14 years has come to the UK, so we are having major catch up time.  Still got time for bookish ness though :D

Received

From Orion

 Crossing Over By Anna Kendall

This sounds very cool, shall read this as soon possible

From Harper Collins

Fateful By Claudia Gray

Very cool idea, this one is an exciting idea for me so eager to read it

Partials By Dan Wells

Soooo excited for this, going to read sooon!!

 I won this awesome SLATED bookmark & postcard from the lovely author herself Teri Terry

Hoping you all had lovely weeks too?

Leanne

xoxo

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

Books That Make Me Go Oooooh (38) Partials By Dan Wells

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

Partials By Dan Wells
Due For Release March 2012
Published In The UK By Harper Collins
Amazon LINK
Goodreads LINK


"The only hope for humanity isn’t human.

In a world where people have been all but wiped out by a virus created by part-human cyborgs called ‘Partials’, and where no baby survives longer than three days, a teenage girl makes it her mission to find a cure, and save her best friend’s unborn child.

But finding a cure means capturing a Partial…"




This couldn't be more made for me if it tried.  Sounds really exciting and enthralling too, plus we don't have long to wait for it either!!!  

Top Ten Favorite Covers

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly blog feature hosted by the awesome people at The Broke and the Bookish   

Not gonna lie, I am an absolute sucker for a pretty cover!!  On more than one occasion I have bought books on their looks a lone - how naughty!!!  Whats nice is when the story is just as good as the cover!!!

 Wither By Lauren DeStefano

Eyes Like Stars By Lisa Mantchev

Sisters Red By Jackson Pearce

The Replacement By Brenna Yovanoff (US)

Paranormalcy By Kiersten White

Fallen By Lauren Kate

Fever By Lauren DeStefano

Ghost Girl By Tonya Hurley

Deadly Hemlock By Kathleen Peacock (UK)

Cinder By Marissa Meyer

Lauren Oliver News

Yesterday I got a great message from The lovely people at Hodder And Stoughton with a couple of fun little Lauren Oliver bits.

Firstly Lauren has done a video especially for us UK fans




How awesome is that?? Made me smile from ear to ear!!!  Really hope she makes it over to the UK sometime in the future!!!

ALSO over on the Facebook page for the Delirium series (HERE)  There is a fun, interactive quiz to find out if you are ruled by your head or your heart??!!  There is even a chance of winning copies of Delirium and Pandemonium - GO HAVE A TRY!!

The Other Life By Susanne Winnacker Signed ARC Giveaway

I reported on the book launch of The Other Life last week (which you can read HERE) and promised I would be giving away a signed ARC copy.  Well I do keep my word and here is how you could win.

All you have to do is fill out the form below, YEP that easy!!!  GOOD LUCK!!!!

Review - The Demon's Watch By Conrad Mason

"Half-goblin boy Joseph Grubb lives in Fayt, a bustling trading port where elves, trolls, fairies and humans live side by side. Fed up of working at the Legless Mermaid tavern, Grubb dreams of escape - until a whirlwind encounter with a smuggler plunges him into Fayt's criminal underworld. There he meets the Demon's Watch and learns of their mission to save the port from a mysterious and deadly threat. Can Grubb and his new allies uncover the dark plot in time, or will they end up as fish food in Harry's Shark Pit?"

I have to admit reading this was a completely new, unique experience for me.  I know it may be hard to believe, but some how I have never really had the opportunity to get lost in a world like this.

The cover is just incredible.  I absolutely adore it, it tells you so much about the characters and the theme of the book.  I did find myself reading about the characters and checking the cover to see if they were how I pictured them.  I just can't speak highly enough of it.
Another great little touch is the placing of a map in the first page.  Once again this is so handy in placing where the characters are and how the land lies.

The book starts with the adorable character of Grubb.  He is half-goblin and really living a hard life of not being appreciated and being made to feel insignificant.  Despite all this he somehow carries this glimmer of hope in himself, that things may get better.  I loved this fact, its so encouraging to all that even though he is in a disadvantaged position he is trying and not giving up.

The story moves on to other characters and shows how they will fit in to the tale.  This gives a insight in to all aspects of the land and how they live.  All told with extremely thorough descriptions that paints a very vivid picture in your mind.

In between some chapters you even get little interludes, which were fantastic.  They were all like little short stories of the land.  These additions were possibly my favourite parts.  Some were comical, some were quite dark but it showed different views that were lovely to read of.

At times I did have trouble connecting with the story and the characters, but that is purely down to this being a whole new medium for me to read about.  By the end I was so involved and very intrigued to know where the story will go next.

This can only be described as a rip roaring adventure - you get sad moments, followed by laughs, mixed in with fighting and gore.  This book really does offer something for everyone and should be enjoyed by all!!!

If you are a fan of Pirates of the Caribbean or the works of Terry Pratchett, I think this book is made for YOU!!!

Rating 3 1/2 Out Of 5

Published In The UK By David Fickling Books

This Can Be Purchased HERE and from good book retailers

Title AND Cover Reveal: Matched Book 3 By Ally Condie

On Friday the wonderful Ally Condie not only revealed the title for the third part of her 'Matched' trilogy, but we also got the cover reveal for the stunning finale too.  The Final part will be called

REACHED

To me the title says coming to a climax, getting to a goal, coming to an end, etc so I'm confident this is going to be a fitting conclusion

And the cover is

How Gorgeous??  This is the US cover, so it is very likely that the UK cover will have a few little tweaks, but I can live with that.

I love the evolution of the covers going from a character being contained and sedate to smashing out of her constraints.  I'm so excited to see how this concludes!!!

In My Mailbox (54)

In My Mailbox Is An Awesome Blog Post Idea Hosted By The Story Siren

All links will take you to Amazon

This time last week I was having a blast in Stratford Upon Avon with some blogger friends.  Had an amazing time, so keep an eye out for my post on it soon!!!

Not only did I buy a few older books this week, but I also got sent lots of books to review - Kinda wish I had been sent a few more hours for my days too!!

BOUGHT

 Graveminder By Melissa Marr

This was one of my bargain buys, sounds really cool!

Revolution By Jennifer Donnelly

I've heard so many wonderful reports of this - must read it as soon as I can

Keys To The Repository By Melissa de la Cruz

This is a compendium to the Blue Bloods series, handy little book to have

Rosebush By Michele Jaffe

Another bargain buy, that sounds pretty cool

RECEIVED

Macmillan

After The Snow By S.D. Crockett

 This is a great sounding dystopian

Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend By Cora Harrison

I do love me some Jane Austen, and although different to her work this sounds fab

Mice By Gordon Reece

Awesome sounding read, that may be just a little unsettling for me

TOR

Torn By Amanda Hocking

I'm still to read Switched, but am thrilled to have the next part to leap on to

Headline

Book Of Summers By Emylia Hall

I really like the look of this, hoping to read it very soon

Amulet / Abrams And Chronicle

Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe By Shelley Coriell

I loved the sound of this, so was thrilled to be sent a copy - currently reading and Loving it!

ATOM

Infamous By Sherrilyn Kenyon

I still haven't got the first book of this series, but intend to get it when I can!!

Simon And Schuster

Unrest By Michelle Harrison

I am SOOOOO Excited for this book!  Did a little chair dance when I opened my parcel!!!

When You Were Mine By Rebecca Serle

I've been excited to read this since I heard about it in December, I'm loving the idea of it!!

Many Thanks to all the publishers that sent me books this week, You ROCK!!!!

Hope you all got lots of bookish treats??

Leanne

xoxo

The Peculiars By Maureen Doyle McQuerry Cover Reveal

Yesterday the lovely guys at Abrams And Chronicle (Amulet) did a big cover reveal for their upcoming title

The Peculiars

By 

Maureen Doyle McQuerry

"On her 18th birthday, Lena Mattacascar decides to search for her father, who disappeared into the northern wilderness of Scree when Lena was young. Scree is inhabited by Peculiars, people whose unusual characteristics make them unacceptable to modern society. Lena wonders if her father is the source of her own extraordinary characteristics and if she, too, is Peculiar. On the train she meets a young librarian, Jimson Quiggley, who is traveling to a town on the edge of Scree to work in the home and library of the inventor Mr. Beasley. The train is stopped by men being chased by the handsome young marshal Thomas Saltre. When Saltre learns who Lena's father is, he convinces her to spy on Mr. Beasley and the strange folk who disappear into his home, Zephyr House. A daring escape in an aerocopter leads Lena into the wilds of Scree to confront her deepest fears."

 Not only does this sound amazing, but it looks truly gorgeous too.  I would love this book on my shelf NOW!!  Sadly I have to wait till May - or do we???

The lovely Abrams & Chronicle are going to be giving away a very special Pre-publication copy to one lucky person.  All we have to do is get their facebook page to 1000 likes - Simple!!!  So Go follow now and be in with the chance to get this in your life soon!!!

A&C Kids UK Facebook

The Other Life By Susanne Winnacker Book Launch Event

Susanne with one of the cupcakes

One of the first ARCs I received out of the blue was The Other Life By Susanne Winnacker from the lovely guys at Usborne.  I hadn't heard anything about it prior to then, but from reading the little bit on the back I knew I was going to love it.  I got round to reviewing it in January and you can find my review for it HERE.
Early January I got a lovely but unexpected email asking if I would like to attend the book launch and meet the awesome author herself.  Of course I said a big YES PLEASE!!!
Next we got the news of where the event was being held - It was only at a swanky hotel in LONDON!!!  That made me even more thrilled to be attending!!

The pretty cupcakes

Like with the other events I have attending, my awesome Mum travelled up to London with me - what would I do without her?  Once I got there I met up with fellow bloggers Casey & Hayley from Dark Readers.  It was so nice to have familiar faces to walk through the door with, especially in such a fancy location.
We had to go in and speak to the main desk who showed us round to the library room, what an apt location for a book event.
Once inside I was taken a back by the gorgeousness of the room.  There were copies of the books on the shelves.  There was a table of cup cakes that had the signature butterflies on the top, beautiful food was being laid out on the tables and drinks lined the tables at the back of the room.  We even had our own waiter serving us drinks!!!!

Each of us were given the most awesome name tags EVER!!  Seriously it is just about the coolest item I have been given in a looooong time!!!
We were each introduced to Susanne, who is just about the cutest lady ever!!  She is so super friendly and we discussed our twitter chat of the Twilight casts hair - its not very good is it??!

Quickly more bloggers arrived which meant time for eating - Food time is Fun time!!!  I remember every little thing I ate, which I won't bore you with but I can say it was all rather delicious!!!
All of us sat around coffee tables and just generally chatted about books - there was a lot of book geeking going on.

After the food the Usborne team and Susanne did a little speech, which was lovely.  It was so nice to see and hear the bond that is built between author and publisher during their work together.  Getting to see just a glimpse of that is so special.

Our Goodie Bag

My Name Tag Of Awesome

 All of us attending was given a fabulous Usborne goodie bag that contained finished copies of the book, that we got to get signed.  I was actually kind of tricksey and brought along my ARC copy of the book to also get signed.

Me And Susanne

The event was now nearing to a close, but we had time to have a big group picture - Its majorly cute I have to say!!!
One last little treat we were each given one of the lovely cupcakes - this received a major Oooooh from all of us.  But me being the plonker I am had an accident before I even left the room.  Whilst putting on my coat somehow my cupcake went crashing on the floor and splattered face down - Major Face palm moment for me there.  There were a few cupcakes left and they kindly gave me a replacement - I am so sorry for my clumsiness though!!!

Once again Thanks to Susanne for her major kindness and to the lovely guys at Usborne for inviting me to such a wonderful event!!

Group picture curtesy of Usborne

Please Come back to my blog on Monday to find out how to win my signed ARC!!