The Time Will Come #21

The Time Will Come is a weekly meme hosted by Jodie at Books For Company where we can spotlight those books that we've had sitting unread on our shelves for too long. Books that we really want to read but never seem to get round to.

When I first joined up to Goodreads I was recommended this book, and bought it because it sounded cute and I thought the title was quite funny. I've had it well over a year now and still want to read it, but I don't know when I'll get a chance to pick it up. It is a modern-day retelling of Cinderella set in New York. Lucy has a crush on the popular jock and is dying to be asked out to dance at prom. It looks cute and predictable but I like the sound of it, for a day when I want an easy fluffy read.

If I Have A Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince by Melissa Kantor.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Wicked stepmother? Check. Evil stepsisters? Check. Miserable life? Check.



Lucy Norton’s life has all the makings of a Cinderella story. Her dad’s always away on business, leaving Lucy with her cruel stepmother and bratty stepsisters. She’s burdened with chores, and has a hard time fitting in at her new school. So when she sees Connor Pearson, the star player on the varsity basketball team, Lucy hopes her destiny has finally changed. With everything else going on in her life, doesn’t she at least deserve to get the handsome prince?


Melissa Kantor’s enchanting novel proves that sometimes the happy ending isn’t quite the one you’d expect. Lucy’s about to discover the truth about finding her real Prince Charming… and finding herself.

Waiting On Wednesday #6

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine where we can spotlight those books not yet released that we are eagerly waiting for.

This week I'm waiting for Balthazar by Claudia Gray. I just loved the nice-guy character of Balthazar in the Evernight series. He was easily one of my favourite characters in these books, and after being left heartbroken and alone again at the end of Book 4 Afterlife, I am so glad to see that he is getting a spin-off book. It's another chance to read about him again, and hope that this time he does find love. It looks as though we will also see glimpses into his long past as a vampire tortured by guilt.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Haunted by memories from his first days as a vampire, Balthazar has spent hundreds of years alone—without allies, without love. When he emerges from his isolation to help Skye Tierney, a human girl who once attended Evernight Academy, Balthazar has no idea how dangerous it will be. Skye’s psychic powers have caught the attention of Redgrave, the cruel master vampire responsible for murdering Balthazar and his family four centuries ago. Having learned of Skye’s powers and the remarkable effect her blood has on vampires, he plans to use her for his own evil purposes. As they stand together to fight the evil vampire, Balthazar realizes his lonely world could finally be changed by Skye...just as Redgrave realizes that he can destroy Balthazar once and for all by taking her for his own.
In a story filled with forbidden love and dark suspense, one of the most beloved characters in Claudia Gray’s New York Times bestselling Evernight series will captivate readers with his battle to overcome his past and follow his heart.
 
Awww. Unfortuantely I'm going to be waiting for a long time- this one isn't published until March 2012
 

In My Mailbox 26th June 2011

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren.

It's been another good week for me- here is what I bought, borrowed and blagged this week...

Bought:

                  

• Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. I had seen this book about the blogosphere but hadn't really paid too much attention to it. I had wrongly assumed that it was a non-fiction book and wouldn't really be my sort of thing. Then I saw Amber's review at Down The Rabbit Hole and immediately HAD to have this book. As soon as I got my hands on it, I flicked through the genuine odd photos throughout the book which have been used to tell the story. I just love the creepy floating girl on the cover.
• Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers. High-school bitchiness, this has been getting some fantastic reviews.
• On The Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. Again, everyone is raving about this book, so I have to read it!

Audiobooks:

• The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan. A Companion novel to The Forest of Hands and Teeth which I am reading now and loving. Zombies!   :D
• The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan. The sequel to The Dead- Tossed Waves.
• Beauty Queens by Libba Bray. This sounds like so much fun- 50 pampered beauty queens are stranded on a desert island after a plane crash and left to fend for themselves. At first glance it looks like she has ammunition strapped across her, but it is actually a row of different coloured lipsticks!

These are from http://www.audible.co.uk/- a company linked to Amazon.

From the Library:

• Where She Went by Gayle Forman. I absolutely loved If I Stay so I really want to read this one to find out what happens next to Mia and Adam. I'm going to read this one next!
• Die For Me by Amy Plum. Supernatural romance set in Paris. I love the sound of this book, and want to read this one next as well! Also, how gorgeous is this cover?!

Those were the books I got this week. What did you get?

Happy reading!

x

I'm an Aunt!- A Personal Post

I haven't been posting a lot for the past couple of weeks (sorry about that!)- but I have an excuse! It's been a busy time for me at work, working 42 hours a week, and we are short staffed at the moment so I seem to have been rushing about twice as hard. At the end of the day I'm usually so exhausted and my brain is so fried that the thought of stringing a coherent sentence together is too much, and just collapsing into bed is much more appealing!

I've also just become an Auntie for the first time and have been busy meeting my gorgeous new nephew Aaron James.

He is seriously the cutest little thing in the world. Now that I've got the ball rolling, I thought I'd share some other random facts about myself as well:

• I'm addicted to chocolate and drink a lot of tea.
• I have a thing for sunset pictures- it's something about the reddish, orangey, purpley colours that does it for me.
• Red is my favourite colour.
• My lucky number is number 2.
• I adore musicals and could happily watch Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables and others over and over again. A few weeks ago I went to see Legally Blonde: The Musical in London and it was fantastic!
• I would love to go travelling one day- my dream destination is Australia.
• I'm a bit of a sun-worshipper. Whenever the sun is out (which is rarely) I love to just lie out and absorb the rays. I hate the winter when it's cold and dark all the time.
• I'm lazy- I love to sleep in late when I can.
• I'm very shy in person, especially when meeting new people and never know what to say. I worry that sometimes this leads to me getting mis-interpreted as stuck-up. But I'm really not I promise!

So that's me. I'll be back now writing properly for the blog again. I didn't know what to expect when I started the blog, it was sort of an experiment and I never thought it would get this far. I'm not very good with computers and have sort of fumbled my way through so far (confession- I still don't understand twitter at all), but I absolutely love blogging, and now spend all my time talking about books with fellow bloggers who are the nicest people in the world, and I have so much fun. I'm hoping to completely redesign the blog in the next few weeks so look out for it.
If you're still reading thanks for getting this far, and have a good weekend.
x

The Time Will Come #20

The Time Will Come is a weekly meme hosted by Jodie at Books for Company where we can spotlight those books that we've had for ages and never get around to reading.

Tempted by P.C and Kristin Cast- House of Night series Book 6

I was reading this series about a year ago, got up to book 6, and then decided that I needed to take a break from it for a few weeks. That was over a year ago, and I still haven't picked it up again now. I kind of want to see how the series ends, but there are so many other books out now that I want to read first. I will finish it at some point though... probably.

Review: Trial By Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Book 2 in the Raised by Wolves series


I liked this even better than the first book. I thought that it had a lot more going on- the characters are more fleshed out, and there is a lot more tension and action. Actually, just when you think that the trouble is all over, that all the battles have been fought and everything is going back to normal, another complication springs up, and everybody is in danger all over again.


This books starts off not long after the end of book 1. Bryn has broken from Callum's pack and is now the alpha of her own small pack with her own territory, determined to run her pack fairly and justly. Since werewolf girls are so rare and Bryn's pack has 9 of them, she becomes the target of political scheming from the other werewolf packs. Bryn is highly aware of how vulnerable her pack is- it is a very small pack consisting mainly of children being led by a teenage, human girl. Rival leader Shay especially has his eye on the prize of Bryn's pack, and sets in motion a chain of events to try to take her down.


Bryn finds a wolf from a rival pack, Lucas, tortured and bleeding on the porch of her house begging to be accepted into her pack instead of Shay's. But Bryn has to decide whether she can trust him- whether he has been sent by Shay as an act of agression, whether Shay is using Lucas as a political pawn to gain access to Bryn's territory, or whether there is another underlying threat to Lucas's presence. Bryn has no right to claim him, but her natural desire to be different from other werewolf alphas, and to help those that she sees being abused leads to her delaying and considering the best course of action for the situation. Should she hand Lucas back over to Shay to be tortured, or claim him and risk a war? As a coven of hunters with psychic powers determined to destroy all werewolves also moves close to Bryn's territory, she has her hands full trying to cope with assault from all sides.


Again in this book though, as in book 1, Bryn's boyfriend Chase is a very 2 dimensional character, he is just there- just Bryn's boyfriend Chase, occasionally leaping forward to her defence, and not contributing a lot else- the strong silent type I guess. Chase is always there for Bryn though, whether she needs someone to fight to defend her, or just someone to hold her and tell her that is going to be ok, or to comfort her after a bad dream. I also love Bryn's two best friends, musical-loving Devon, and feisty gun-wielding Lake, two people who you would never think would get on, but who actually complement each other perfectly, and make an excellent 2nd and 3rd in command for Bryn. Together they are a perfect team.


This series is completely engrossing, really delving into the idea of a pack mentality, and pack bonds of loyalty, protection, dominance and belonging. Even though they are not related they are all family to each other. I love the snarky humour between the characters, and the fast pace of the plotline, the constant sense of danger and threat, but all wrapped up in this warm pack bond. I really want to see where the story is going to take Bryn in book 3.




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Review: Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon

Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I went into this book with just a vague knowledge that it was a young adult book, something supernatural and with a simmering romance plot. It is all this, but it's also very eerie and haunting and a compelling mystery book full of suspense, with plenty of twists and surprises. The background mythology of the story is based on old legends with reference to the classic philosophers, and feels very believable.


Renee's grandfather sends her to Gottfried Academy after the mysterious death of her parents. This strange old school is very gothic and with a heavy influence on philosophy. Renee is to learn subjects like Latin, Philosophy and Horticulture. Renee is instantly drawn to isolated bad-boy Dante, and he feels an attraction to her as well. They start sneaking around and spending time together. The relationship between them was quite beautiful, and at times quite strained, but it works and there is a definite connection there.


The book reads very much like a mixture between Harry Potter and Twilight. I swear some of the lines between Renee and Dante are taken right out of Twilight, and the emotions described are very much the same. I have a feeling that if you didn't like Twilight you won't like this either. But the relationship is very intense, and the feelings between them felt genuine. You also have the similarity to Harry Potter with the idea of the new girl at the mysterious and unusual school, where the unexpected can happen, with all these unusual classes.


This is not a light and easy read. The deaths of Renee's parents at the beginning set this book up as a hard and tragic tale, and throughout all the events and mysteries you never know what is going to happen and if the characters are going to make it through. Death drives the story all the way to heart-wrenching twist at the end. The shock reveal ending explains why Renee and Dante have such a chemistry, and explains some of the mystery of the school, and the legend of the curse upon it.


This is a very unique idea, that works well and makes for a very readable story. Highly recommended.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
At Gottfried Academy, just one kiss will take your breath away. After Renee discovers her parents dead in what appears to be a strange double murder, she is sent to Gottfried Academy, a remote and mysterious high school dedicated to philosophy, 'crude sciences', and Latin: the Language of the Dead. Here she meets Dante, a dark and elusive student who harbors a deadly secret, but to whom she feels inexplicably drawn. Despite himself, Dante cannot control his attraction to Renee either and their desires gradually deepen into a complex and dangerous romance. But Dante's not the only one with secrets...Gottfried Academy has a few of its own. When Renee begins to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a former student, she begins to realize just how deadly these secrets are...Dark romance meets haunting murder mystery in this captivating tale of love, death and destiny.



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In My Mailbox 19th June 2011

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

I managed to stick to my book-buying ban for one whole week (go me!)
My TBR list increased again by 3 books this week- here's what I got this week-

From the Library:

• Huntress by Malinda Lo. I really want to read this, it sounds fantastic. A prequel to Ash (which I haven't read yet but also looks fantastic). Here's a link to it's Goodreads page- if you're interested you can see what it's about.

For Review:

• Between The Land And The Sea by Derrolyn Anderson. Supernatural story with mermaids. Goodreads.
• The Moon And The Tide by Derrolyn Anderson. Book 2. Goodreads. Both these books look so good.

Both received with thanks from the author.

Those were the books that came into my house this week. What did you get?

Happy reading!

Review: Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Hereafter by Tara Hudson


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is an excellent ghost-story romance from a debut author. Amelia has been haunting the river where she died, unable to remember anything about her life except for her first name, and unaware of time passing. One day she saves a boy from drowning in the same spot that she did, and, unlike the rest of the world, he can see her and touch her. Joshua and Amelia are naturally curious about each other, and quickly become friends. Joshua starts to help Amelia to see the world around her again and uncover the mystery of her death, and as they spend more and more time together, they start to fall in love. Amelia and Joshua compliment each other really well, both helping to draw the other out of their shell more, and help each other out. I really felt a real connection between them, and they both grew in confidence around the other. I was riveted from the first page, and loved how things are only revealed gradually. The writing just flows and I always wanted to keep reading, just a little bit more.


There is a whole mythology of the afterlife, spirits that can possess unsuspecting victims, and a group of human seers who have the ability to see the ghosts around them and are intent on exocising the spirits that haunt the bridge- including Amelia. One of these spirits is a particularly nasty ghost named Eli who haunts the bridge and has influence over the spirits crossing over. He can see a power in Amelia and wants her for himself, as his "apprentice" to gather the souls who die near the bridge.


This is a really engrossing romantic ghost story with a dramatic twist. I loved this and wanted the story to keep going so that I could read more Amelia and Joshua! I was sad for the main character, I loved the romance, I laughed at the jokes, I was scared at the drama. The book doesn't end on a cliffhanger, but there are still many unanswered questions by the end, and with Amelia being a ghost there are obvious complications with their relationship. Summed up in 3 words- Haunting, dramatic, romantic. How long 'till the sequel?!




ARC thanks to HarperCollins Publishers and netgalley.com




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Book Trailers for 'Hereafter' by Tara Hudson

I loved this book- read my review of it here

The Time Will Come #19

The Time Will Come is a weekly meme hosted by Jodie at Books For Company where we can spotlight books that we've had for ages and really want to read but never get round to, as newer books get read first.

I bought The Replacement when it first came out back in January and I was really excited to read it back then. Since then other books keep jumping the queue, and it has since got put back to the back of the shelf. I really like the look of this book about faeries and a changeling child, but I have so many books now, I have no idea when I will get a chance to read it.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, Mackie comes from a world of tunnels and black, murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattoed princess. He is a replacement - left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago when it was stolen away by the fey. Now, because of 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 into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem, where he must face down the dark creatures and find his rightful place - in our world, or theirs.

Review: Wake by Lisa McMann

Wake by Lisa McMann


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Book 1 in the Dream Catcher series


This book is based around the idea that main character Janie accidentally falls in and out of people's dreams whenever she is close by someone sleeping. This is a huge problem for her when other students fall asleep at school or snooze on the bus, or when the residents at the care home for the elderly where she works suffer with particularly bad nightmares. While she is witnessing a dream her body appears to be having a seizure, and she can suddenly find herself blind and unable to move. Nobody knows what she can do, and Janie struggles to keep it that way. She has seen it all- the falling dreams, the standing-in-class-naked dreams, people's secret desires and fears.


Each chapter starts off with a date and time of day, and as the story also keeps jumping backward and forward in time, I had to keep checking back to check the dates to see at what stage in Janie's life I was reading about. The first couple of chapters are filled with falling in and out of different dreams, which at first felt a little confusing and repetitive. Yet despite this, once this story got going I really enjoyed this.


The writing is very stilted, almost like reading a screenplay. For example:

"August 30, 2004


It is the first day of school. Janie and Carrie are juniors. They wait for the bus on the corner of their street. A handful of other high school kids stand with them. Some are anxious. Some are terribly short. Janie and Carrie ignore the freshmen. The bus is late. Luckily for Cabel Strumheller, the bus is later than he is. "

This detached style of writing actually suits the story though, because Janie herself is very detached from everything and everyone, putting up with an alcoholic mother that doesn't notice if Janie is there or not, and not having any real friends. She is very isolated. Her only real goal is to just keep going, avoid being noticed, and to work every spare minute she can so that she can get into college. Once I got used to this different writing style, and the actual events of the story started to take off I started to get really into it, and to really root for Janie.


The main character Janie is so strong-willed and does not let anything get to her. She is determined to just get through the problems in her life without being thought of as a freak. Janie's friend Carrie is too wrapped up in her own life to think that Janie might be suffering. Then there is Cabel, who is sweet, but doesn't really know what to make of Janie at first. Their relationship is slow to build and all their secrets come out gradually. It turns out that Cabel doesn't have a great home life either, and they seem to understand each other and support each other without really doing anything. Their frustrations with each other build up in tension and despite the third person narrative were actually really sexy! My favourite part of the book was near the beginning when Cabel notices Janie walking home late at night without her shoes. He offers to give her a ride home on his skateboard to save her feet. Both are them are really awkward and neither of them say anything or mention the incident again for months afterward, but I think it sets the tone as to the kind of thoughtful guy Cabel is.


Overall, this is a short read (I read it easily in less than 24 hours), that is very different, with an unusual premise, and an introverted but ultimately likeable main character who grows in confidence and attitude through the course of the book. Despite thinking of herself as a freak, and unlovable, Janie does find a connection in the mysterious Cabel- who it turns out is hiding some secrets of his own. I want to read the next book now, to find out what will happen to them next!




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In My Mailbox 12th June 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly event hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren, where book bloggers can talk about the books they've gotten the past week- whether bought, borrowed, swapped or given for review. This feature was started to increase interaction between bloggers and increase our awareness of all the new books coming out.

Wow- I got so many great books this week. I'm so excited about all of them and I honestly don't know which one to read first!

Bought:

• Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles. I still haven't got round to reading the first book Perfect Chemistry yet, but I have a feeling that I'm going to love it, so when I saw this on offer I couldn't resist.
• Blood Red Road by Moira Young. I have read so many good reviews on this book that it kind of skipped the queue on my wishlist! This is about a girl and her family living in a barren desert. The girl leaves on a mission to rescue her kidnapped brother, and falls in love. This is the US hardback of the book. I thought the UK cover was really ugly (and I'm picky!)
• Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade. I've had this on pre-order for ages- since I first heard that there was going to be a sequel! I loved the first book The Ghost and the Goth and I've heard that this is just as funny and touching, so I can't wait to read it.

From the Library:

• Divergent by Veronica Roth. Again, I've heard so many great things about this book, and I never would've looked at it twice without so many awesome reviews from bloggers. I can't wait to read it now! This is set in a dystopian society.
• Unearthly by Cynthia Hand. I've wanted to read this since it first came out- now I have it! This is a supernatural story about angels.
• Wild by Aprilynne Pike. Book 3 in the 'Wings' series (this was published under the title Illusions in the US and other parts of the world). Continuation of the story of Laurel, David and Tamani. I know it's controversial but I am Team David on this one! This book is very VERY pink- seriously, the picture does not do it justice!
• Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion. A zombie romance- seriously! Yep, zombies taking a break from eating brains to fall in love. I want to read this! I heard rumours of a film of this in the pipeline (is this true, can anyone verify?) and I've wanted to read this for a long time, but when I heard said rumour, I had to reserve it. I need to read it before the film comes out!

For Review:

• She Smells the Dead by E.J Stevens. This looks like a spooky supernatural read about a girl whose "psychic awareness of ghostly spirits is threatening to ruin her life" (Goodreads)
• Spirit Storm by E.J Stevens. Sequel to She Smells the Dead. Both these books received with thanks from the author.

Those were the books I got this week. What did you get?
Happy reading!

Review: Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin

Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin


My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Low Red Moon is a fast easy read. The action happens really fast, Avery falls desperately in love with Ben really fast, and reconciles with her estranged Grandmother really fast. This is a new(ish) take on werewolf fiction, mixed in with the mystery of the death of Avery's parents, kind of mixed in with a re-telling of the fairytale Little Red Riding Hood.


Avery Hood has always lived in the forest with her parents, a bit of an outsider. The setting of the book is perfect- this small out-of-the-way town in the middle of the woods with all these eerie myths and legends about the wolves in the deeper forest. Avery knows the woods and has always felt safe in them in the past. The book is told from Avery's point of view, plunging straight in with the drama, describing in the first line of the book how she she was found with her murdered parents, covered in their blood, and with no memory of what happened. She has to go and live with her Grandmother, who she hasn't really spoken to much since there was an argument with Avery's father. There is a mystery surrounding the deaths of Avery's parents, and her memories only come back to her very gradually. She starts to remember seeing a flash of silver, and then piece by piece other things start coming back to her.


Then she meets Ben, the hot new boy in town. Ben and Avery eye-hump each other for about 10 seconds before they both decide that they both desperately want each other and will love each other forever. Ben's eyes flash silver when he is feeling a strong emotion, and he can't remember anything about the night Avery's parents died either. There follows the inevitable "I love Ben", "Do I trust Ben?", "I love Ben", "I hate Ben" struggle before the truth is finally revealed in a dramatic finale.


Good Points:

*The characters are good- I like Avery who tries so hard to fit in, and I like her grandmother, who obviously cares about Avery a lot and has been hurt by the rift in their families.
*The setting. The woods, the small close-knit town with it's own stories and superstitions.
*It's well written and the story flows well, keeps your interest and makes sense.
*The werewolf mythology. It's there and explained well.
*The book itself is very pretty

Bad Points:

*The speed of Ben and Avery's 'relationship'.
*The motivation of the town serial killer. Really?!


This is recommended if you run out of any other supernatural YA teen fiction to read first. It's okay.




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The Time Will Come #18

The Time Will Come is a weekly meme hosted by Jodie at Books For Company where we can spotlight books that we have had sitting on our bookshelves for too long. Books that we really want to read but never get around to reading.

This week my book is Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton. I got given this for Christmas, and I think it looks great, and really interesting. It's paranormal, it's got a romance, it looks like something a little different, but it's still just sitting on my shelf because I have way too many books to read at the moment. I have a stack of newly published books from the library that I have to get through, plus review titles that I need to read as a first priority. But one day I'll get round to reading this I hope!

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.



Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming.

Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

If I Stay by Gayle Forman


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


You know how, when you're watching a soap opera or a drama on the TV, and one of the characters says something like "I love you- isn't everything just perfect?" or "can life get any better?", you just know that someone's gonna die, or some massive tragedy is about to happen? This is exactly the feeling you get with this book. Chapter one starts off showing us a window into a perfect family, planning their perfect day... followed by the car accident that will change everything. Mia wakes up outside the car watching herself critically wounded be lifted from the wreck of the car.


The rest of the story is told over 24 hours from Mia's bedside in Intensive Care. Mia is badly wounded and in a coma, her family is gone. Unseen by everyone Mia watches over her body as her extended family and friends wait at the hospital for news of her progress. The narrative is peppered with memories from Mia's past- her memories of the birth of her baby brother, summer camp, the first date with boyfriend Adam. In showing us Mia's life, the author just highlights everything that she has lost. If she chooses to stay we can see how her life will change dramatically.


I loved reading about how close Mia was with her parents- the stories that they told, and little anecdotes. Her funny little brother. How Mia and Adam grew close through their shared love of music, and the choices that they faced with Mia on the verge of picking a college. The relationship between Mia and Adam is so sweet, and felt so real. By the end of the book, I really felt that I knew Mia and Adam in real life.


I absolutely loved this book- it was just perfect. I spent Sunday morning reading this and absolutely bawling my eyes out. If I'd had the next book Where She Went I would have started reading it then and there. This book will change your attitude toward life and your ambitions, and the story will stay with you for a very long time- I know it will for me. Moving, heartbreaking, sweet, and brilliant.




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In My Mailbox 5th June 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly event hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren, where book bloggers can talk about the books they've gotten the past week- whether bought, borrowed, swapped or given for review. This feature was started to increase interaction between bloggers and increase our awareness of all the new books coming out.

This week I bought 2 books-

• Nightspell by Leah Cypess- I thought that this was a sequel to Mistwood (which I have but still haven't read yet). It's actually a stand-alone companion novel to Mistwood. But I don't really mind- I'm just drawn to that gorgeous cover! A few words from the cover stand out to me "warrior Princess", "haunted kingdom", "vengeance". I'm intrigued.
• Trial By Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes- sequel to Raised By Wolves which I read recently and really liked. Book 2 in YA werewolf series.

Those were the books that I got this week- what did you get?

Happy reading!



The Time Will Come #17 sequels edition!

The Time Will Come is weekly Thursday meme hosted by Jodie at Books For Company where we can spotlight those books that we've had sitting on our shelves for too long. Books that we really want to read but never seem to get around to reading.

Sequels!

Ok- I have a really bad habit of reading the first book in the series, loving it, buying the others, and then never getting round to reading them! It's a kind of book 2 block! It seems like once I've had a taster of the series I'm happy and then easily distracted by something else. I really enjoyed the first book, and really want to read the others, but suddenly the rest of the series doesn't seem as interesting as this brand new series I've found! Actually most of the books on my to-read list or wishlist are book 1 of a series. Why do I do this? Wouldn't it make more sense to finish a series and THEN start a new series? I don't know.

These are SOME of my book 2s- all where I have really enjoyed the first one.



               

Book 2 in the Parasol Protectorate series



Book 2 in the Gone series         

Book 2 in the Theatre Illuminata series



Book 2 in the Wondrous Strange series



Book 2 in the Immortals series



Book 2 in the Hollow Kingdom Trilogy-

I've had this one for about 3 years!



Book 2 in the Millenium Trilogy



Book 2 in the Gallagher Girls series



I'm sure I will get round to reading some of these books... eventually!

Does anybody else suffer from book 2 block?!