Review: The Spell Book of Listen Taylor by Jaclyn Moriarty

The Spell Book of Listen Taylor by Jaclyn Moriarty

Author: Jaclyn Moriarty. Website, Blog

Published: 1 April 2011 (Young Picador)

Pages: 490

Buy: Amazon, Waterstone's, Book Depository

Source: Bought from Oxfam Books.

Plot Summary:
 Since Listen Taylor's dad started dating a Zing, her life has gone from unusual to downright weird. The delightfully mad Zing family live in a world of unexplained projects, coded conversations and state-of-the-art surveillance equipment - all to protect the Zing family secret, one so huge it draws them all, including Listen's dad, to the garden shed for meetings every Friday night. And Listen isn't invited. But Listen also has things she'd rather keep hidden - a secret too heartbreaking to share and an unconventional spell book (with a spell to make a vacuum cleaner break and another to make someone eat cake? ) that might be the answer to her problems.

My Review:
Before I jump into my review, I think it's important to give a little history about the background of this book. Upon researching it a little further, I discovered that The Spell Book of Listen Taylor is a young adult adaption of the book I Have a Bed Made of Butetrmilk Pancakes - an adult book written by Jaclyn Moriarty. I haven't read the original so I can't compare the two, but I think it's interesting and is something that definitely explains some of the things I thought whilst reading the book. You can find out more about the differences between the two books here.

This book tells the story of several characters - Listen and her dad, her dad's new girlfriend Marbie, Marbie's sister Fancy and her daughter Cassie, and Cassie's schoolteacher Cath. Listen's story focusses on her starting year 7 and the ups and downs that brings. On the way she discovers a mysterious spell book which she turns to throughout the year.

I really liked Listen's story. I think we can all relate to starting secondary school and the huge shift that brings. I found myself wishing the story was more about her, probably because it was what I was expecting with her name being in the title, but also because she was a really compelling character. She's definitely the most sane character within the book. One of the problems with the older characters in the story was that there were just too many eccentric characters. I'm all for strange and wacky, but I found myself slightly distracted by just how barmy some of the adults were!

The first half of the book dragged a little for me. I love Moriarty's quirky writing style, but as the book went on I just kept waiting for the point where everything would fall into place. It seemed all these characters had random stories that didn't really fit together and at times I'd just get plain confused.

However, the second half totally saved the day. Things finally started coming together and my faith in Moriarty's story-telling was restored! The way the mysteries unfoled was very reminiscent of Becoming Bindy MacKenzie (the third book in Moriarty's Ashbury/Brookfield series) and for the last 100 pages or so I couldn't put it down. I didn't see any of the twists coming and I was really excited when stuff started to be revealed.

I think this book could have done with being 100 or so pages shorter, and I was disappointed that some of the background characters were forgotten towards the end. I really liked the conclusion to Listen's, story though, and I finished the book with a smile on my face.

I didn't quite live up to the Ashbury/Brookfield series to me, but it was still well worth a read.

Rating: 3*
What to read next: Feeling Sorry for Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty, book one in the Ashbury/Brookfield series.
Books like this: Becoming Bindy MacKenzie by Jaclyn Moriarty.

Review: Writing Advice for Teens: Creating Stories by Mike Kalmbach

Writing Advice for Teens: Creating Stories by Mike Kalmbach

Author: Mike Kalmbach. Website, Twitter
Published: 24 April 2012 (CreateSpace)
Pages: 174
Buy: Amazon, Kindle, Book Depository

Source: Received free copy from the author to review.

Description: (from Goodreads)
When all you have is a blank page, it's often tough to begin writing.

Writing Advice for Teens: Creating Stories aims to help you overcome that initial hurdle by making it easy for you to write down simple, focused ideas and craft them into stories.

However, coming up with ideas is not enough. Teen writers need to understand basic story structure so they can avoid typical writing problems.

Filled with plenty of tips, advice, and examples to help any teen writer, the first book in the Writing Advice for Teens series focuses on getting ideas down quickly and pounding out that first draft. After following the advice and using the techniques outlined in this book, you should understand how to bring the stories locked in your mind to the surface.

My Review:
I was sent a copy of this book by the author after I expressed interest in the book on Goodreads. I, myself, am a writer so I was really excited to get a look at this book! I've been writing seriously since I was about 19 and reading this book made me realise how much I could have used this when I was a teen.

The book provides writing tips on everything from writer's block and dealing with distractions, to how long your book should be and how to create interesting characters. This book is tailored towards teens and provides age approriate advice. An example of this is some really great tips on what school subjects and extra curricular activities would be handy for aspiring writers. The book also focusses on distractions that would be a problem for teens, and how to fit in writing around things like school and homework. The author also provides references to books such as Harry Potter, which helps make the advice relatable to the target audience.

Overall, though, the writing advice in this book would be useful to anyone. There are lots of exercices placed throughout the book designed to spark ideas. I found myself learning an awful lot about things I've been doing wrong and finding some new things I can't wait to try out! The book is easy to read - not at all intimidating or wordy. There's a glossary of words at the back and any important information is displayed in boxes on the page, making it easy to pick out any key points.

I'm very much someone who has to work hard at writing - it doesn't come naturally to me as it does with some people. This book made me feel like that wasn't a problem at all and had great advice about how I can work towards the goal of becoming a writer. I found it to be very encouraging whilst at the same time preparing the reader for the difficulties of writing and getting published. The tone was friendly and I really enjoyed reading it.

If you're an aspiring writer (old or young!) then there's an awful lot to be learnt from this book - I'd highly recommend it!

Rating: 4*
What to read next: Writing Advice for Teens: Editing by Mike Kalmbach. (coming October 2012)
Books like this: Your Writing Coach by Jurgen Wolff

Review: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Author: R.J. Palacio Website, Twitter
Published: 1 March 2012 (Bodley Head Children's Books)
Pages: 320
Buy: Amazon, Kindle, Waterstone's, Book Depository
Source: Borrowed from library.
Plot Summary: (from Goodreads)
I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?

My Review:
This book tells the story of August, who having been homeschooled his whole life is about to start fifth grade - his first ever experience of real school. He's grown used to the stares and comments about his facial disfigurement, but entering a building full of kids who speak their mind and judge quickly provides even more hurdles for August to face.

I really liked this book. I think the thing to remember with this book is that whilst not everyone can relate to August's specific problem, the issues raised in this book are still pretty relatable on the whole. Everyone has been teased because of something about them, or has witnessed teasing around them. It's a pretty cruel world sometimes and people aren't very nice! And although August is somewhat of a unique case, the problems he faces in this book aren't always unique to him.

One of my favourite aspects about the book was the way that the story was told from several characters' point of view. We start off seeing the world through August's eyes, which is a real eye-opening, sad at times, inspirational at others view of the world. Then the book moves around and tells the story from the eyes of his sister and school-friends etc. which was a really enjoyable way to read the story. Each character has their own views on August and getting each person's perspective and getting to see their own flaws and problems was brilliant. I particularly liked hearing about August's sister Via and his friend Jack Will. All the characters had their own things going on and I loved that we got time dedicated to each one.

The overall tone of this book isn't all sad. There's some really great messages weaved into the story about friendship, and the obstacles we all have to face, but it's not at all preachy. I loved seeing how all the kids coped with the bullying that went on in the school and how they viewed their friendships with each other. This book definitely captured that child-like innocence! There were plenty of times I had a huge smile on my face and by the end I was laughing along as I read.
A great contemporary story about friendship and family that'll leave you feeling fuzzy inside. A definite must read.

Rating: 5*
What to read next: The Fault in our Stars by John Green.
Books like this: House Rules by Jodi Picoult.

Review: The Rock Star's Daughter by Caitlyn Duffy

The Rock Star's Daugher by Caitlyn Duffy

Author: Caitlyn Duffy. Website, Twitter
Published: 5 July 2011 (Lovestruck Literary)
Pages: 319
Buy: (free downloand) Kindle, Smashwords

Source: Free download from the Apple iBooks store.

Plot Summary: (from Amazon)
When Taylor 's mom unexpectedly dies the summer before Taylor starts her junior year, she receives a crash course in fame. She has no choice but to join her father and his new family on their summer concert tour before she has even had a chance to mourn the loss of her mother. Life as the daughter of a rock star seems like it would be enviable, but Taylor can't figure her dad out. He seems like a supportive authority figure (even if he's kind of a fashion tragedy) , but she is collecting a growing pile of evidence that he's a liar and a cheat. Her stepmother, Jill, can’t seem to decide if she wants to treat Taylor like a girlfriend or a nuisance. Having had no time to grieve and say goodbye to her childhood before being thrust into the limelight, Taylor is suddenly finding herself in situations she could have never imagined before this summer.


My Review:
So I got this book after browsing the Apple iBook store on the lookout for freebies. This was available for free so I got it, scanned the first few pages and suddenly I was hooked! I couldn't stop reading.

This story is about Taylor who, after losing her mum, is forced to spent the summer with her rock star father. He's never been present in her life - only supporting her by sending money to her mum and paying for her boarding school fees, so their relatiosnhip is practically non-existant.

I really liked Taylor and despite the ridiculousness of the situation she finds herself in, you could still really feel for what she's going through. Her dad has remarried and so she finds herself with a new stepmum and stepsister to get to know. I loved her personality, though, and her view of the world. She was a really captivating main character.

The story was a lot more interesting than I was expecting, too! Taylor has to trail around with her dad's band as they tour the U.S which means visiting new cities and getting to know the only other people her age on the tour - including Jake, the token eye candy. Their relationship wasn't the main focus of the story but I liked that it sort of ran in the background.

Overall I really enjoyed the book. There's plenty of adventures and ups and downs along the way. With the rock star lifestyle comes the dilemmas of alcohol, drugs and boys and even the adults are battling their demons, but it's all written from Taylor's point of view and I think her views on these subjects are what makes it interesting. I loved the writing style which kept me gripped and I was really happy with how the charatcers changed and grew throughout. I'm really glad I stumbled across this book!

It's Y.A meets chick-lit - a perfect summer read for a bit of escapism into the celebrity lifestyle!

Rating: 4*
What to read next: The Believer's Daughter by Caitlyn Duffy, the second book in the Treadwell Acadamey series..
Books like this: 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson.

Review: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Author: Maggie Stiefvater. Website, Twitter
Published: 5 October 2009 (Scholastic)
Pages: 448
Buy: Amazon, Kindle, Waterstone's

Source: Bought.

Plot Summary: (from Amazon)

Grace is fascinated by the wolves in the woods behind her house; one yellow-eyed wolf in particular. Every winter, she watches him but every summer, he disappears. Sam leads two lives. In winter he stays in the frozen woods, with the protection of the pack. In summer, he has a few precious months to be human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again. When Grace and Sam finally meet they realize they can't bear to be apart. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human - or risk losing himself, and Grace, for ever.

My Review:
This is the first book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy. I picked it up for a bargain £1.99 after I read the blurb and looked up the book on Goodreads. I hadn't read anything by this author but it caught my attention and for that price I couldn't resist!

The book tells the story of Grace, who has been fascinated by the wolves living in the wood at the back of her house ever since an encounter with them as a child. She's drawn to one wolf in particular - one with yellow eyes who, when human, is a boy named Sam. The story is told from both Grace and Sam's perspectives as they both search for each other after meeting for the first time when Sam was a wolf. When they finally meet as humans they develop a close relationship as they battle to keep Sam warm and human.

I really loved the unique twist on werewolves that forms the basis of this story. The wolves shift when their temperature drops too low (hence the title of the book!) and it was just a really interesting take on werewolves that made the story feel fresh. It leaves this threat hanging over the characters throughout the story - the fact that winter is approaching and it means that the wolves time as humans is limited, which made it a really gripping read.

The relationship between Grace and Sam was what absolutely won me over with this book. It was unlike any relationship I'd read before - totally in a good way! There was no "does he/she like me" or anything like cliched like that. These two were already so comfortable with each other and just utterly perfect together and had this amazing chemistry that made me adore reading about them. Their bond is so special and they fit so well together that it's just an absolute pleasure to spend time with the characters. It was one of those books I didn't want to finish because I was just so in love with everything about their story!

As individuals, too, Grace and Sam are great characters. I liked that you got the story told from both their perspectives so you could get inside both of their heads. I think Sam's chapters were my favourite because he's such a special character. He's so vulnerable and sweet!

The writing in this book was so beautiful, too. The descriptions of the wolves, the weather and the emotion between Grace and Sam was just breathtaking.

If you like supernatural stories with a twist, or just a really good, non-slushy, beautiful love story between two awesome characters then this book is a must. I adored it!

Rating: 5*
What to read next: Linger by Maggie Stiefvater, the second book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy.
Books like this: The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong, Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Review: Intangible by J. Meyers

Intangible by J. Meyers

Author: J. Meyers. Website, Twitter
Published: 29 January 2012 (CreateSpace)
Pages: 348
Buy: Amazon, Kindle,

Source: Received an e-book copy from the author to review.

Plot Summary: (from Goodreads)
Twins Sera and Luke Raine have a well-kept secret—she heals with a touch of her hand, he sees the future. All their lives they’ve helped those in need on the sly. They’ve always thought of their abilities as being a gift.
Then Luke has a vision that Sera is killed. That gift they’ve always cherished begins to feel an awful lot like a curse. Because the thing about Luke’s ability? He’s always right. And he can’t do anything about it

My Review:
I have a lot of books to read at the moment, including a steadily building pile of review copies, but this book jumped out at me as something I'd like and so it found itself at the top of the queue! The book follows twins Sera and Luke as they deal with their life, knowing they have powers they cannot share with anyone but each other. With Luke having visions of terrible things to come, it becomes clear that something is going to have to give.

Firstly, I absolutely loved the relationship between Sera and Luke. Not only are they twins, but they have this special bond with both of them having powers - Sera can heal people and Luke can see the future. My favourite scenes were when the two of them were together and their personalities bounced off each other. I'd find myself laughing along with their jokes and it made the whole reading experience that bit more enjoyable!

The book is written in third person and showcases different characters' points of view, a technique that was extremely well done in this book. The narratives flowed from one person to the other perfectly and smoothly, and it gave the chance for every character to have their moment to shine and for the reader to witness all the unfolding drama happening in each character's life. I really loved how it was written and the characters were all really interesting, from Marc who can hear people's thoughts to the mysterious vampire Jonas.

There was lots of tension as you get to glimpse the future through Luke's visions and then wait for them to unfold. I read the last 100 or so pages from the edge of my seat, unable to put it down as I waited to find out what happened! And plenty of action at the end to make the pay-off worth it.

I really loved the world this book takes place in with all the supernatural characters. There was a really good balance between the real and the fantasy, I thought, and it had all the right elements to it.

If you like supernatural or urban fantasy books then this is definitely one to check out. I adored it!

Rating: 5*
What to read next: Intuition by J. Meyers - a bonus Intangible short story available for free here.
Books like this: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling, Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris.

Review: The Calling (Darkness Rising book #2) by Kelley Armstrong

Spoiler warning! This book is the second book in the Darkness Rising trilogy, which follows on from the Darkest Powers trilogy. If you haven't read The Gathering, The Summoning, The Awakening or The Reckoning then look away now! Reviews of all four books are on the Reviews page. You have been warned...

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

Author: Kelley Armstrong. Website, Twitter

Published: 5 April 2012 (Atom)

Pages: 336

Buy: Amazon, Kindle, Waterstone's

Source: Borrowed from a friend.

Plot Summary: (from Goodreads)

Maya Delaney’s paw-print birthmark is the sign of what she truly is—a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly anyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it’s only a matter of time before she’s able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now, Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they’re kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.

My Review:
This book picks up right after where The Gathering left off, with Maya and the others on the helicopter being evacuated from a fire ravaged Salmon Creek. It soon becomes obvious that something isn't quite right with the evacuation and the story suddenly becomes a tense, exciting fight for survival.

I absolutely loved this book; even more than The Gathering! You find out a lot more about Maya and her hidden abilities, and more excitingly you start to learn more about some of the background characters. I was really excited to learn more about Sam and Nicole in particular. I'm always really pleased when there's more to a character that originally meets the eye!

The characters spend a lot of this book in constant peril which really amps up the tension. Unlike the previous book, I didn't get bored once and was gripped throughout. There's plenty of twists and turns throughout and everyone's loyalty comes into question. Seeing Maya explore her new found powers was really exciting too and she got some really great action heroine moments. There's just something about her character I really like especially her sense of humour and the way she interacts with the male characters - like she's an equal to them.

A really exciting second instalment in the Darkness Rising trilogy with plenty of action and surprises that kept me glued to the page.

Rating: 5*
What to read next: The Rising by Kelley Armstrong, the third book in the Darkness Rising trilogy - coming 2013.
Books like this: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong.

Related news: Kelley Armstrong reveals cover for The Rising.

Review: The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

Author: Kelley Armstrong. Website, Twitter.

Published: 7 April 2011 (Atom)

Pages: 384

Buy: Amazon, Kindle, Waterstone's

Source: Borrowed from a friend.

Plot Summary: (from Goodreads)
Strange things are happening in Maya's tiny Vancouver Island town. First, her friend Serena, the captain of the swim team, drowns mysteriously in the middle of a calm lake. Then, one year later, mountain lions are spotted rather frequently around Maya's home and her reactions to them are somewhat . . . unexpected. Her best friend, Daniel, has also been experiencing unexplainable premonitions about certain people and situations.

It doesn't help that the new bad boy in town, Rafe, has a dangerous secret, and he's interested in one special part of Maya's anatomy - her paw-print birthmark.

My Review:
This book follows on/runs alongside the Darkest Powers trilogy but from reading this book, I can't see that you need to read that trilogy to enjoy this one. I'd really recommend those books anyway, though! And there's a few crossover characters and references you'd pick up on only if you've read the Darkest Powers books. Nothing in this review should spoil them though. Now, on with The Gathering!

Maya lives in Salmon Creek, as isolated medical research town with a tiny population. After losing her best friend, Maya is trying to get back on track and enjoy her life again.

Firstly, what struck me about this book was how different it felt to the Darkest Powers trilogy. The writing and the feel of it just felt a lot more gentle, and the pace especially was a lot slower. I really loved Maya from the start, though. She's such an interesting main character and I really enjoyed reading about her and her closeness to her animals, her friendship with her best friend Daniel and her relationship the with new boy Rafe. I think she's far from your typical teen girl heroine; she's not overly girly and she doesn't go gooey over boys. She's confident and has a good relationship with her parents and as the book went on you got to see some of her flaws which I really liked. Daniel, too, was a really great character and I loved finding out more about him and his background

I found the plot really engaging. It was clear from the beginning that there was more to the town and the people than met the surface, and throughout the book you got this sort of uneasy feeling. It was great at keeping the suspense for a while but towards the latter stages of the book I found myself really wishing for something to actually happen and for the big reveal to hurry up already, because all the action and drama comes very late on. It was worth it when it came but for 50 pages or so beforehand I was getting a bit bored just waiting and waiting.

Overall though I absolutely loved it. I really like Kelley Armstrong as a writer, based on what I've read previously, and it was great to dive into a new trilogy and new characters. This book had a really great ensemble of characters, exciting twists and lots of suspense.

Rating: 4*
What to read next: The Calling by Kelley Armstrong, the second book in the Darkness Rising trilogy.
Books like this: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong.

Review: My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher

My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher

Author: Annabel Pitcher. Website, Twitter.
Published:  29 September 2011 (Indigo; Mass Market Paperback edition)
Pages: 240
Buy: Amazon, Kindle, Waterstone's
Source: Borrowed from library.

Plot Summary: (from Goodreads)
Ten-year-old Jamie hasn't cried since it happened. He knows he should have - Jasmine cried, Mum cried, Dad still cries. Roger didn't, but then he is just a cat and didn't know Rose that well, really.

Everyone kept saying it would get better with time, but that's just one of those lies that grown-ups tell in awkward situations. Five years on, it's worse than ever: Dad drinks, Mum's gone and Jamie's left with questions that he must answer for himself.

This is his story, an unflinchingly real yet heart-warming account of a young boy's struggle to make sense of the loss that tore his family apart.

My Review:
This book is all about Jamie and follows his life after he moves away from London following the death of his sister. It's a really sweet, poignant book that deals with some pretty tough issues, but it's absolutely wonderful.

Jamie as a main character is everything you want. He's coming up to his tenth birthday and loves Spider-Man and his pet cat Roger. He likes drawing and hot Ribena. He's literally adorable! The book is told from his point of view and you get his perspective on everything which is so effective. The book deals with such strong issues such as terrorism, bullying, racism and eating disorders but all told through Jamie's eyes, with that childlike innocent view kids have on things. I sometimes have problems with child POV when the writing doesn't feel realistic, but this absolutely does.

It honestly made me want to reach inside the pages and give Jamie a massive hug which shows how attached to the story I got! I know not everyone likes reading books dealing with so much sadness but this book is aimed at readers of all ages, including younger children, so it's not too daunting or miserable.

A really charming, beautiful read. I'm giving it four stars because I don't think it's the kind of book I'd read again and again, but it's definitely a book that everyone should read at least once.

Rating: 4*
What to read next: Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher, released November 2012.
Books like this: Small Change for Stuart by Lissa Evans.

Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Author: Julie Kagawa. Website, Twitter
Published: 21 January 2011 (Mira)
Pages: 384
Buy: Amazon, Kindle, Waterstone's

Source: Borrowed from library.

Plot Summary (from Goodreads)
Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

My Review:
This is the first book in The Iron Fey series and cropped up on my radar thanks to Goodreads recommendations. As soon as I saw it I put it on hold at the library thinking it looked pretty good. The story follows Meghan as she goes from worrying about not having enough money and her mother not noticing her, to having to deal with a missing brother and the discovery of a whole other world.

I'll start with the positives! This book is very pretty, both the cover and the chapter designs. I know, I know, never judge a book by its cover, but it's a very nice looking book! The book takes place partly in the mortal world and partly in Faeryworld or the "Nevernever" and I really loved the vivid descriptions of all the magical locations. Meghan is guided through the world by a very cool cat named Gremalkin who is totally the highlight of this book. He's funny and sarcastic and really adds an edge to the story.

Overall, though, I struggled a bit with the vast amount of information there is to absorb in this book. There's a whole load of fantastical creatures to get to grips with, a myriad of locations the characters journey to and lots and lots of terminology. If you're really into your fantasy then I don't imagine this will be too much of a problem but for me it was a bit much. I'd find myself having to go back and re-read whole paragraphs to make sense of everything and sometimes the characters moved around so fast that I'd lose track of where they were. I could have done with a bit more of the beginning of the story to ease me into the book.

I had problems with the romantic sub-plot, too. I didn't find it all that believable, even though I saw it coming from early on in the story.

I didn't hate it, though. I liked the world the book is set in and the ending had me wanting to grab the next book. I think it's a series I'd have to put time aside to really immerse myself in instead of being a quick, light read.

Rating: 3*
What to read next: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa, the second book in The Iron Fey series.
Books like this: Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer, City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.

Review: Crossed (Matched book #2) by Ally Condie

Spoiler Warning! This is the 2nd book in the Matched trilogy. If you haven't read Matched then avert your eyes, or read the review of Matched, the first book in this trilogy, right here!



Crossed by Ally Condie

Author: Ally Condie. Website, Twitter.

Published: 24 November 2011 (Puffin)

Pages: 367

Buy: Amazon, Kindle, Waterstone's

Plot Summary: (from Goodreads)

THE SOCIETY CHOOSES EVERYTHING.

THE BOOKS YOU READ
THE MUSIC YOU LISTEN TO.
THE PERSON YOU LOVE.

Yet for Cassia the rules have changed. Ky has been taken and she will sacrifice everything to find him.

And when Cassia discovers Ky has escaped to the wild frontiers beyond the Society there is hope.

But on the edge of society nothing is as it seems . . .

A REBELLION IS RISING.

And a tangled web of lies and double-crosses could destroy everything

My Review:

Wow. I've just finished this book and honestly it's blown me away. Crossed picks up first with Ky, then Cassia as we find out where they both are following the ending of Matched. What's great about this book is that it is written from both Ky and Cassia's perspective throughout, with chapters alternating between the two of them. I was so, so happy to get more insight into Ky's character! After Matched, I felt there was so much more to him; that we'd only scratched the surface of his character and I was right.

Throughout the book, Cassia and Ky are trying to reunite after being separated. On top of that is this powerful undercurrent of tension with news of a rebellion on the horizon, and the two of them learn more and more about the Society as they travel. What struck me about this book is that the tone felt very bleak at times, and that's not a bad thing. It's incredibly moving and as we watch the characters face such harsh realities. There's secrets, jealousy and suspicion which is heightened by their situation which kept me in suspense all the way through.

The writing is what really won me round though. Condie is so poetic with her writing, and the whole style of this book is just beautiful and the characters are so deep and believable. It's one of those books I find myself just immersed in and I didn't want it to end! This is definitely one of my new favourite trilogies.

Rating: 5*

What to read next: Reached by Ally Condie, the final book in the Matched trilogy, coming 2012.

Books like this: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, Divergent by Veronica Roth, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K Rowling.



Review: Evernight by Claudia Gray

Evernight by Claudia Gray

Author: Claudia Gray. Website, Twitter
Published: 1 April 2009
Pages: 327
Buy: Amazon, Kindle, Waterstone's

Plot Summary: (from Goodreads)
She's been uprooted from her small hometown and enrolled at Evernight Academy, an eerie Gothic boarding school where the students are somehow too perfect: smart, sleek, and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn't fit in.

Then she meets Lucas. He's not the "Evernight type" either, and he likes it that way. Lucas ignores the rules, stands up to the snobs, and warns Bianca to be careful—even when it comes to caring about him.

"I couldn't stand it if they took it out on you," he tells Bianca, "and eventually they would."

But the connection between Bianca and Lucas can't be denied. Bianca will risk anything to be with Lucas, but dark secrets are fated to tear them apart . . . and to make Bianca question everything she's ever believed.

My Review:
This book tells the story of Bianca, who is just about to start at Evernight Academy, a creepy Gothic boarding school in the middle of nowhere. I picked this book up at my local library, not having heard of it before. After looking it up on Goodreads (the fountain of all book knowledge!) I decided it looked worth a read.

My first reactions to this book were based on Bianca and how likable she is. She's shy and awkward after a life of being stifled by over-protective parents, and terrified about starting somewhere new with people she doesn't know where her parents are just about to start work as teachers. I think it's a situation that's very easy to sympathise with (even empathise with, for those of us who are still shy and awkward!) and so that got things off to a good start. I really liked the descriptions of the school, and the author references novels such as Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and Dracula which adds to the whole background of the story. The first half the book had me eager to know what would happen, as the tension was building and it was clear there'd be a big reveal.

Unfortunately, that's when things fell flat for me. About halfway through the book you get to the big dramatic moment and it was completely ruined because the reader had been misled, in my opinion. The book is written in the first person from Bianca's perspective, and to keep huge chunks of her life (that become important to the rest of the story from that point on) secret for the first half and then throw them in halfway through as a dramatic reveal felt really jarring. The second half of the book then seems to be narrated by a completely different character to the one I'd come to know in the first half. It wasn't the reveal I was expecting which I suppose says something, but it disappointing to feel mislead like that as a reader.

I can't totally write this book off though. I really liked the story (minus that reveal) and there were further twists in the tale that worked really well and I still want to read the next book in the series after finishing Evernight.

If you like teenage romance, high school drama and books about vampires then it's still worth a read.

Rating: 3*
What to read next: Stargazer by Claudia Gray, the second book in the Evernight series
Books like this: The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Review: City of Lost Souls (Mortal Instruments book #5) by Cassandra Clare

Spoiler warning! This is the 5th book in The Mortal Instruments series. Avoid this review if you haven't read the previous books, or better yet take a look at the review of City of Bones, book 1 in The Mortal Instruments series, right here! 

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Author: Cassandra Clare. Website, Twitter.
Published: 8 May 2012 (Walker)
Pages: 560
Buy: Amazon, Kindle, Waterstone's

Plot Summary: (from Goodreads)
The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing–but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.

My Review:
When I first started reading this series I had no idea just how much I was going to end up loving it. After the huge cliffhanger at the end of City of Fallen Angels I've been eagerly awaiting the chance to get my hands on this book and find out what happens!

Firstly, I want to mention the tone of this book. It feels a lot darker than the previous instalments, and not just because Clary and the gang facing even huger obstacles before. The whole book feels a lot more intense and touches on slightly darker subject matters than previous books.

One of the main things I noticed was the stepping up of the relationships. Cassandra Clare has done amazing job throughout the series of making you really invest in the romantic relationships of the main characters, and in City of Lost Souls it was no different. The book spends a lot of time flitting back and forth between Clary and her feelings for Jace, Simon and Isabelle, Magnus and Alec and the ongoing tension between Jordan and Maia. There's plenty passionate scenes between the couples (one couple gets a shower scene, one couple a bedroom scene, and many fits of intense snogging) and sexual tension runs pretty high throughout the whole book. It's a shipper's dream!

As well as that there are some other moments that touch on subjects such as substance abuse and unwanted relationships, but it's not a bad thing. It just shows that these books have grown up and got darker as the story goes on, which I would want from any series I've spent this much time with.

As for the plot, it's just as gripping and exciting as the past books, with Jace's disappearance to deal with and the looming sense that something bad is coming. Clary has grown in to a full on Shadowhunter who can handle herself, and so her action scenes are even better than before.

And of course I have to mention the brilliant characters.  Everyone gets their chance to shine in this book, with Alec, Izzy and Simon all having their own issues to deal with alongside Clary's storyline. Not forgetting the fact I finished this book with a million and one Magnus quotes I wanted to look up. He's absolutely brilliant!

Possibly a tie with City of Glass for best book in the series so far. Roll on book six!

Rating: 5*
What to read next: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, the first book in the prequel Infernal Devices series.
Books like this: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K Rowling.

Review: The Reckoning (Darkest Powers book #3) by Kelley Armstrong

Spoiler warning: The Reckoning is the third book in the Darkest Powers trilogy, therefore I'd avert your eyes if you haven't read the first two books! In fact, if you haven't read the first two books then I order you to go and hunt them down now. I said now, what are you still doing here?! ;) or read my review of The Summoning  or The Awakening. If you've read The Summoning and The Awakening then feel free to scroll down...

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

Author: Kelley Armstrong. Website, Twitter

Published: 6 April 2010 (Orbit)

Pages: 400

Buy: Amazon, Kindle, Waterstone's

Plot Summary: (from Goodreads)

Chloe Saunders is fifteen and would love to be normal. Unfortunately, Chloe happens to be a genetically engineered necromancer who can raise the dead without even trying. She and her equally gifted (or should that be 'cursed'?) friends are now running for their lives from the evil corporation that created them.

As if that's not enough, Chloe is struggling with her feelings for Simon, a sweet-tempered sorcerer, and his brother Derek, a not so sweet-tempered werewolf. And she has a horrible feeling she's leaning towards the werewolf...

Definitely not normal.

My Review:

The Reckoning picks up right where The Awakening left off. Chloe and her friends are on the run, having escaped from the clutches of the Edison Group. They've found refuge, but for how long?

My best piece of advice would be to try and read all three Darkest Powers books together as they take place over such a short space of time, and have the feeling of one story split into three chunks. There are, however, plenty of re-caps if (like me) it's been a while since you read the previous instalments.

I really enjoyed the conclusion to the series, especially the relationships between the characters and their resolutions. We've seen hints at Chloe's feelings in the previous books and those hoping for some romantic plot twists in this book won't be disappointed. The action was great, really fast paced, but I think there was a whole load of possibilities to explore the world more that weren't taken which was a bit disappointing. But we get to see more of Chloe and her powers, as well as Derek's battle against his condition as gets closer to total transformation. In fact, Derek in general is a particular highlight of this book and probably my favourite character!

The Reckoning wraps up things enough for it to feel like an enjoyable, worthwhile read and I was satisfied enough at the end of the book. I read this book almost entirely in one sitting so if you're looking for a way to kill a wet, rainy afternoon then this is perfect. I'm really excited to read other work by Armstrong after finishing this series so I think that's a sign of success!

Rating: 4*

What to read next: The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong, the first book in her Darkness Rising series.

Books like this: The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare.