"Recently Read" Round Up! Reviews of Wintergirls, The Elites, Independent Study

I've been a bit behind with reviews lately, despite having finished a few books, so to catch up I've given you three reviews for the price of one! Here are three of the books I've read recently with a mini-review of each one. I hope you enjoy!


Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Published: 19th March 2009 (Marion Lloyd)
Pages: 278
Rating: 5*

My thoughts: I was both excited and nervous to read this book. I'd heard amazing things about the author but had never read any of her books. I've also known a few people close to me with eating disorders so reading a book about a girl battling an ED was something I wanted to do but was also hesistant of. Would it be accurate? Would it be emotional? With this book it was both.

Halse Anderson has written an incredibly honest book which I could instantly recognise as something that has been well researched and beautifully executed. The book is written from main character Lia's POV and you get to read some of her deepest and darkest thoughts as she battles against anorexia. I was relieved to find it wasn't sugar coated or sensationalised or made to be anything that it's not, it was just one very honest and open account of a girl's fight to stay alive.

I loved the relationships between the characters and I think a lot of people will relate to Lia's family situation. There were a fantastic range of personalities that stirred up every emotion, from rage, to making your heart melt! It wasn't always an easy read but it's one that comes highly recommended, and I can't wait to read more by this author.

The Elites by Natasha Ngan

Published: 5th September 2013 (Hot Key Books)

Pages: 368

Rating: 4*

My thoughts: I'd been dying to read this book and it had been sitting on my wishlist for a while, so when I spotted it for a bargain price I just had to snatch it up. The Elites follows Silver - an Elite working to protect the council. Set in a futuristic city cut off from the outside, residents are fitted with birthchips that can used to be track activity.

A lot of my love for this book comes from my love of Silver, who is a wonderful main character. The author has managed to make you really root for her. She's a bit of an underdog for a few reasons. She makes a few mistakes which made her instantly relatable - I like it when characters mess up and aren't perfect all the time! She's also victimised for being a  "Red" - someone of Chinese ethnicity. The Elites does a great job at tackling racism and portraying discrimination in Silver's society.

There's a fantastic range of characters, both good and bad (and some you're not sure about!). I really liked Butterly, although he was the one character I wished I knew more about. The book jumps around so you get to see lots of people's points of view which I liked. It gave you a chance to see all sides of what was happening which really ramped up the tension. Each chapter has a title which gave you a hint of what was to come. I liked this little touch most of the time, but there were maybe a few instances where it gave away something that could have been a surprise.

The writing in The Elites was beautiful and atmospheric. It was the perfect novel to escape into. It's one of those books where the descriptions of the food leave you salivating! I'd definitely read more by this author. A must for dystopian fans.

Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau
Published: 1st January 2014 (Templar)
Pages: 383
Rating: 4*

This is the second book in The Testing series so I'd shy away from this mini-review if you haven't read book one!

My thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed The Testing so I was excited to start on the sequel, which sees Malencia Vale face the new challenges of university, as well as the gruelling tests that come with it.

Firstly, it was great to be reunited with Cia. I loved her in book one because she's so incredibly smart, and once again she gets a chance to shine in Independent Study. The book is set after the Testing as she moves on to university with the hope of gaining an internship in her preferred specialty. As with all sequels, I was worried it would feel a bit repetitive. But with Independent Study, it really felt like a progression. The challenges Cia must face are bigger and you see her under pressure. She also has to face more moral dilemmas as well which was interesting to see.

I loved the growing sense of unease and rebellion throughout the book. It's not in your face like it is in some other dystopian novels I've read. It's very subtle and leaves Cia having to figure a lot out for herself. The pacing was spot on as the book gradually builds up the tension. You know something is coming but you don't know what. There were several twists that took me completely by surprise, so the pay off for waiting was well worth it. Those who read the previous book will know there are things Cia needs to rediscover, so that really helped ramp up the tension as she tries to figure out just what has happened to her in the past.

Once again there are a great bunch of characters, with Cia meeting new people at university. Trying to figure out who was trustworthy was just as hard for me as it was for Cia! In fact one of my favourite things about Cia is that she doesn't really care about what other people think, she goes with her own judgment and relies on herself a lot rather than other people. I think Charbonneau has done a great job at making Cia likable and warm, despite the fact she focuses on herself a lot. It's never a bad thing. I enjoyed the continued relationship with Tomas and her interactions with new characters such as Ian.

The writing in this book was just as impressive as the first. I love how smart and clever everything is. I've only marked it down a star compared to the first book due to the fact I loved that one so much, but this comes a very close second. I think the only thing I could mention that brought the rating down was maybe the pacing as it took a little while for the action to get underway. Overall this is a series I've loved being part of.

Waiting on Wednesday (#26): Graduation Day by Joelle Charbonneau

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine and gives bloggers the chance to highlight upcoming releases we're excited about.

Graduation Day by Joelle Charbonneau

Published: 1 June 2014 (Templar)

Buy the book: Amazon|Hive|Waterstones

Why I'm Waiting: I just finished Independent Study so I'm dying to get my hands on the next installment! This has been one of my favourite dystopian series because I adore the incredibly smart writing and brilliant twists. I love Cia as a character and can't wait to see what happens next. Bring it on!

Teaser Tuesdays (22nd April): Indpendent Study by Joelle Charbonneau

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: • Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"The watch on my bag reads four in the morning as I lock the door and hurry down the stairs to whatever awaits. Doors slam."

- page 102, Independent Study (The Testing, #2) by Joelle Charbonneau

July's Book of the Month!

 Book of the Month!

At the end of each month I look back over the books I've reviewed in that time (not necessarily read or released in that month) and pick a favourite. So now August us upon us it's time to choose a book of the month for July! And for the first time ever I am having joint winners, because I just can't choose!

So my books of the month for July are...

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau!

This is one of my new favourite books! So many clever ideas and a fantastic main character, it really stood out for me against other books in the genre. Don't miss it!

Read my full review

Dare You To by Katie McGarry!

 I adored Pushing the Limits but I think Dare You To topped it! I fell in love with Ryan and Beth made such a refreshing change to other female characters in YA. An intense story you don't want to miss.

Read my full review

Check out my Dare You To playlist

Geekhood: Mission Improbable by Andy Robb!

I laughed and laughed, and laughed some more. The most accurate portrayal of teenage life with realistic characters who love to flaunt their Geekhood. This book was even better than the first (and I loved that!).

Read my full review

July was such an incredible month and I think all the reviews I posted were positive which was what made it so hard to choose! Here's hoping August brings some great books as well.

Waiting on Wednesday (#6) Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted over at Breaking the Spine and gives bloggers a chance to highlight future releases we're looking forward to!

Independent Study (The Testing, #2) by Joelle Charbonneau

Published: January 2014 (Templar)

Amazon|Goodreads

I won't post the plot summary for this as it's spoilery if you haven't read The Testing, but needless to say after my review of that book this week (which is already one of my favourite books of this year!) I'll be counting down the days until this one!

 

What book are you waiting on this week? Let me know in the comments!

Review: The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

Author: Joelle Charbonneau Website|Twitter
Published: 1 August 2013 (Templar)
Format: Paperback (Proof copy)
Pages: 384
Buy the paperback: Amazon|BookDepository

Source: Received proof copy from publisher in exchange for an honest review

Plot Summary (from Goodreads):
Sixteen-year-old Cia Vale is honoured to be chosen for The Testing – a series of exams set by the United Commonwealth that selects the brightest young adults to become leaders of their war- stricken world. But when candidates start disappearing and Cia witnesses unimaginable horrors done in the United Commonwealth’s name it becomes clear that these are no ordinary exams, and Cia is forced to realise the truth: this is no longer about winning, but surviving.
 
My Review:
When I first came across The Testing I knew I had to read it. I'm a huge fan of dystopia and anything marketed as "for fans of The Hunger Games" completely grabs my attention! I was fortunate enough to get sent a copy of this book to review. The Testing follows Cia as she approaches her graduation, and with it the chance of being entered into the Testing, a brutal challenge where the chosen few compete to gain a place at university.

Having read so much YA dystopia (because it's a genre I adore so much!) I'm always a little apprehensive going into a new novel, because I worry they'll all feel similar or the best ideas have already been done. The Testing really proved to me that there is still originality out there and the ideas in this book blew me away. I loved that the focus was academic. The characters chosen for the Testing are smart and have huge potential. I love seeing Cia use her brain to move forwards in the process. Each of the challenges she faces are complex and daunting, and I think you have to give the author huge credit for dreaming up these wonderfully intricate challenges that were incredibly clever. The writing was so sharp and intelligent.

I loved the world building in The Testing and the post-apocalyptic environment the story takes place in was unique and well developed. I really enjoyed reading about the history of the United Commonwealth and how it has been ravaged by war. There was so much attention to detail. The nation is split up into colonies and Cia comes from the Five Lakes Colony which has always been a bit of an underdog and gets looked down upon by people from other colonies. I think that made me root for Cia even more because she's representing her colony throughout the story.

Cia herself is a really likeable main character. I loved seeing the relationship she has with her father and brothers, and even the tense relationship with her and her mother was really fascinating. I think one thing that really drew me to her was the value she places on friendship, which we see early on as she has to face leaving behind her friend Daileen. All throughout The Testing Cia is faced with the dilemma of deciding who to trust, and I loved her ability to really look out for people even when she should be looking out for herself. I think the first person present tense narrative really helped me feel what she did and connect with her, too.

I adored the pacing in The Testing which was just perfect.There was so much action and more twists and turns than I could count. It seemed like every chapter ended on a cliffhanger which made it impossible to put it down! The suspense keeps up all the way throughout the book but the two halves have very different feels to them. The second half of the book is a real survival story and I can see why there are comparisons to The Hunger Games after reading that. I think it will definitely appeal to fans of Suzanne Collins' trilogy.

There's a sprinkling of romance in The Testing with Cia getting close to Tomas, a fellow Testing candidate. I loved that it wasn't shoved in your face. It was a really sweet relationship with two people facing some truly trying circumstances and having to look out for one another and growing to really care for each other. Like I mentioned before, the story is full of moments where Cia has to decide who to trust and seeing the relationship between her and Tomas play out was gripping.

There were some really harrowing moments in The Testing and I think that was where it really stood out for me as a dystopian novel. The situations Cia ends up in are so brutal and the fates of some of the characters were so heartbreaking. I was taken aback many a time by the betrayal and lies and conspiracies, but I love it when a book really takes me by surprise. It felt like no matter how hard I tried to guess what would happen I was never prepared for what was around the corner!

The Testing has a fantastic ensemble of characters and I loved getting to know all of them. I loved how the Testing candidates bonded and stuck together, whilst at the same time trying to figure each other out. I loved the complex characters like Zandri and Ryme and the ones that really won my affections like Malachi.

I feel like I've said so much already but I can't finish up this review without mentioning the ending! The climax to The Testing was incredible and left me absolutely dying to read the next installment. I felt like I'd gone on a complete rollercoaster ride reading this book. I was shocked, sad and scared for the characters throughout the story. It's a story that will definitely stay with me!

The Testing is definitely a dystopia that can stand out from the crowd and hold its head high. The writing was phenomenal and the ideas were so intricate and smart. I really became wrapped up with the characters and felt the emotions they did as I read. I can't recommend this one highly enough and I'll be watching the clock waiting to get my hands on book two! The Testing is most definitely a new favourite.

Rating: 5*
What to read next: Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau, book 2 in The Testing trilogy
Books like this: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Legend by Marie Lu

News Round Up! 15th June

It's Saturday which means it must be time for another news post! Here's my latest recap of YA related stories that caught my eye this week.

Paramount have acquired the film rights to The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau. The book is published in the UK in August by Templar, and having just finished it I can guarantee it's one not to miss if you're a fan of dystopia! You can read more about the book and the acquisition on Deadline.

The paperback edition of Tethers by Jack Croxall is now available. Half of the royalties made from the sales of the paperback edition will be going to M.E Research UK. You can read more about the decision to raise money for an M.E charity over on Jack Croxall's website. As an M.E sufferer myself I'm really excited to see an author supporting such a worthy cause! You can check out my review of Tethers right here.

The schedule for Leakycon Portland was revealed this week! The Harry Potter conference takes place at the end of June and will feature several YA authors contributing to panels and signings as part of Leakycon Lit. You can check out the schedule at this link.

A character poster featuring Percy from the upcoming adaptation of Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters has been released. Check out the poster over on Fandomsnews.com.

The trailer from the second part of The Hobbit film adaptiation - The Desolation of Smaug - was revealed this week. Watch the trailer below!

British Mortal Instruments fans will be happy to learn that the release date of City of Bones has been moved forwards to the 21st August, which matches the new U.S release date.

And the cover of the third installment in the Bane Chronicles has been unveiled. See the cover for Vampires, Scones, and Edmund Herondale over on EW.com.


Which of these news stories has got you excited? Let me know in the comments!

Friday Finds: 26th April

FRIDAY FINDS is hosted over at Should Be Reading and showcases the books you ‘found’ and added to your To Be Read (TBR) list… whether you found them online, or in a bookstore, or in the library — wherever! (they aren’t necessarily books you purchased).

This week I did some major reorganising of my Goodreads shelves (which is way more satisfying than it should be!) so I've allowed myself to start adding books to an exclusive "looks interesting" shelf and keeping my "to-read" shelf for books I either own, have on hold at the library or are in a series I already started. That way my to-read list doesn't get to clogged up. I'll be featuring books from both my actual "to-read" and my "looks interesting" shelf in Friday Finds as both lists cover new discoveries. So let's get cracking!

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
What I Didn't Say by Keary Taylor
The Edge of Always by J. A. Redmerski
Ink by Amanda Sun

The Testing was a book I discovered through Twitter. I'm really excited to read this one as it's billed as "for fans of The Hunger Games" and those are always books I adore <3 Next up is What I Didn't Say which I grabbed as a free Kindle download. I added The Edge of Always after finishing the first book The Edge of Never and really enjoying it. And Ink by Amanda Sun was covered on the Mira Ink blog which I really enjoy reading. This looks like a really unique book.

What have you added to your to-read list this week? I'd love to hear from you! Let me know in the comments and if you have a blog then link me to your Friday Finds and I'll be sure to check them out.