Review: The Recruit by Robert Muchamore

The Recruit by Robert Muchamore

Author: Robert Muchamore Website|Twitter
Published: 3rd April 2014 (Hodder Children's') new cover edition - orginially published 2004
Format: Kindle e-book (review copy)
Pages: 352
Buy the book: Amazon|Hive|BookDepository
Buy the e-book: Kindle|Kobo

Source: Received free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Plot Summary (from Goodreads):
Number 1 bestselling series, CHERUB celebrates its 10th Anniversary with brand new covers!

Now is your chance to start right back at the beginning with The Recruit.

A terrorist doesn't let strangers in her flat because they might be undercover police or intelligence agents, but her children bring their mates home and they run all over the place. The terrorist doesn't know that one of these kids has bugged every room in her house, made copies of all her computer files and stolen her address book. The kid works for CHERUB.

CHERUB agents are aged between ten and seventeen. They live in the real world, slipping under adult radar and getting information that sends criminals and terrorists to jail.

For official purposes, these children do not exist.

My Review:
This is one of those series I've been reading to read for a while, and the tenth anniversary finally gave me the oppurtunity to dive into the first book in the Cherub series! The story follows James who is a bit rebellious, and after a string of unfortunate incidents finds himself on a journey from troublesome schoolboy to undercover agent for a secret government agency.

There's an awful lot to like about The Recruit. I think the gritty, British feel to it really helped. James is in a bit of a rubbish situation with a mum more worried about selling shoplifted goods than she is about him and a nightmare of a sort-of-step-dad. I think with the books being written a few years ago there was a bit of nostalgia for me (references to Playstations etc.) but I loved that, and so much of it was recognisable.  I liked that the author doesn't shy away from bad language as well, as the cast of kids in the book felt a lot more true to life that way.

James himself was a fantastic lead. He's a bit hopeless which I think will make a lot of people warm to him and possibly relate to him, but he really shines when it comes to his mathmatic ability so you can see the potential in him and it leaves you really rooting for him. I enjoyed seeing his relationships with the other characters, particularly his younger sister who you can tell her really cares about, and the developing friendships with fellow recruits. I liked that he's a bit younger than the majority of YA characters I usually read about, as there's still a bit of childlike innocence and naivete with him. With the series containing several books, I think it'll be great to see him grow up alongside all the other stuff.

I love books about spies, government plots and undercover detective work, so this really hit the spot in terms of genre. I loved the set up of Cherub, and I think it lets you escape into James' world to the point you end up being jealous of some of the cool stuff he does. There's a lot of build up which I think comes from this being the first book in the series. The real danger and main focus of the plot doesn't kick in until about two thirds of the way through, but I was never really bored. I was relieved when I got to that point, though, and things finally started to pick up pace.

I can see huge potential for this series, and I've actually already grabbed a copy of book two to read. I can't wait to get stuck in! If you love books like Insignia by S. J. Kincaid or the Harry Potter series, then I'd definitely recommend picking up these books. I loved getting swept along with James as he discovers his potential. I thought the writing style was fantastic and there's some great humour in there. I'll definitely be reading more by this author.

Rating: 4*
What to read next: Class A by Robert Muchamore, book 2 in the Cherub series
Books like this: Insignia by S. J. Kincaid, Spy School by Stuart Gibbs, Harry Potter and the Philospher's Stone by J. K. Rowling

Review: Trouble by Non Pratt

 Trouble by Non Pratt

Author: Non Pratt Website|Twitter
Published: 6 March 2014
Format: Paperback
Pages: 384
Buy the book: Amazon|Hive|BookDepository
Buy the e-book: Kindle|Kobo

Source: Bought

Plot Summary (from Goodreads):
A boy. A girl. A bump. Trouble.

Hannah’s smart and funny ... she’s also fifteen and pregnant. Aaron is new at school and doesn’t want to attract attention. So why does he offer to be the pretend dad to Hannah’s unborn baby?

Growing up can be trouble but that’s how you find out what really matters.

My Review:
As 2014 debuts go, I think it's safe to say that Trouble was up there as one of my most anticipated releases. The book tells the story of teenager Hannah who finds herself pregnant and on her own. Luckily the school new boy Aaron is on hand to play father to her unborn child.

I loved this book. Like a lot. A lot, a lot, a lot. I love realistic fiction that can take on subjects others may shy away from, and teen pregnancy is something I have not read a lot about, so I was excited to see how it was done. And the result? It was done brilliantly. Trouble doesn't sensationalise teen pregnancy, nor does it come across as judgemental. Hannah's situation is not blown up in to some big drama. It felt real, honest, and had the perfect balance of humour, heart and emotion thrown in. Everything about it was just spot on. It never felt like an issue book, it was a book about a great girl and the ups and downs she goes through in all areas of her life. I'm a huge fan of YA contemporary and would urge everyone else who is to pick up Trouble, because it's a perfect example of why this genre is so great!

Then there's the fantastic characters. Take Hannah. We meet her as this girl who is confident around boys, but not in a way that is anyway frowned upon. She's just a typical teenager. She fights with her mum and drinks at parties, but she's sweet and funny and felt so real and likable. Non Pratt has created some wonderful characters who both reminded me of people I met at school, or made me wish I'd met people like them at school. And Aaron - where do I start with Aaron? I love him, and I'm pretty sure everyone who reads Trouble will too.

Trouble alternates between Aaron and Hanna's POV and what works so well is that they both have separate things going on their lives - their own secrets and pasts - but their two stories intertwine so beautifully. I loved how natural the bond between them was - it never felt forced. I loved that they both had this respect for each other which meant they never pushed the other to tell them anything they weren't happy talking about, and that they could completely relate to each other despite how different their situations are.

Throughout the book there's a lot of focus on family and I adored the relationship Hannah had with her sister and grandmother. I think a lot of young people will relate to Hanna's frustrations with her mother, especially at the beginning of the book where there's these constant fights over homework! One of my favourite parts was the friendship between Hannah and Katie and how it changes over time. I could really relate to a lot of those moments where things are becoming different between them.

I had a huge amount of respect for the writing. The school environment the book takes place in was so spot on and so much of it was recognisable, not just through the brilliant characters but the brilliant pop culture references. I think sometimes reading YA it's easy to start picking apart the scenes that would never happen in real life, but I couldn't find any in Trouble. In fact I couldn't find anything I disliked about it. It's probably as close as it comes to a perfect book!

There is so much more I could say. Basically I will be shouting about this book from the rooftops for a long time to come. When I finished Trouble, I kept turning the pages wanting more and more. I just didn't want to leave those characters whose lives I had become so invested in. At the same time, I loved that it left me feeling like that. I think it's so special to have a book that lives with you long after you've closed the pages.

Rating: 5*
Books like this: How to Love by Katie Cotugno

Review: Sister Assassin by Kiersten White

Sister Assassin by Kiersten White

Author: Kiersten White Website|Twitter
Published: 19 February 2013 (HarperCollins Children's Books)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 241
Buy the book: Amazon|Hive|BookDepository
Buy the e-book: Kindle|Kobo

Source: Borrowed from library

Plot Summary (from Goodreads):
She never chose her deadly gift but now she’s forced to use it. How far would you go to protect the only family you have left?

Annie is beset by fleeting strange visions and a guilty conscience. Blind and orphaned, she struggles to care for her feisty younger sister Fia, but things look up when both sisters are offered a place at Kessler School for Exceptional Girls.

Born with flawless intuition, Fia immediately knows that something’s wrong, but bites her tongue… until it’s too late. For Fia is the perfect weapon to carry out criminal plans and there are those at Kessler who will do anything to ensure her co-operation.

With Annie trapped in Kessler’s sinister clutches, instincts keep Fia from killing an innocent guy and everything unravels. Is manipulative James the key to the sisters’ freedom or an even darker prison? And how can Fia atone for the blood on her hands?

My Review:
I'd been wanting to read this author for a while, so when I was at the library and both this and Paranormalcy were staring at me from the shelves, I snapped them up. I started this one first because it was shorter! Sister Assassin (published as Mind Games in the US) follows Fia and Annie, two sisters who are being trained to use their special abilities.

Instantly I fell in love with the writing style. The book alternates between Annie and Fia's perspective, and it was Fia's POV that I particularly enjoyed. She has a very unique inner monologue with her thoughts running at a hundred miles per hour. I think it helped me feel for her as well because she's carrying a lot of worry and guilt. It just gave her a really distinctive voice throughout the book and it was fascinating getting inside her head when there are so many thoughts rushing around.

Before starting Sister Assassin, I'd been keen to read more books that had a focus on the relationship between sisters. That was another thing I loved about this book. I thought the relationship between Fia and Annie really pulled at the heartstrings. They both want to look out for each other and protect each other and that bond between them was really strong. I thought it made for a really interesting dynamic that Annie is the elder sister, yet is the one who has to be protected because she's so vulnerable.

There were some great action scenes where Fia has to fight, and I liked the idea that the girls were being trained to use their schools. I think it will appeal to fans of books like the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter. Whilst it made for some exciting scenes, I was hoping to find out a bit more about the bigger picture. I left the book not really understanding why Annie and Fia were in the situation they were in. I think the mystery was intentional in places, but some parts just left me confused and wanting to know more.

The book alternates between chapters set in the present and past, with some chapters taking place years beforehand. The flitting back and forth in time was great as an introduction to the girls and their history, but as it carried on I started to lose my place in the world and the story and if I put the book down for a while, I'd lose track of what period of time we were in when I returned to it.

It's a hard book to review, because I did like it. I loved the characters and it held my attention. It's quite a short book and by the end I started to realise I wasn't going to get some of the answers and clarification I was hoping for, because it just ran out of pages. So I enjoyed being caught up in the story but I was left a bit confused. I haven't ruled out reading the next book in the series, but I think I'd need a reread before progressing.

Rating: 3*
What to read next: Perfect Lies by Kiersten White, book 2 in the Mind Games series
Books like this: Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter

Review: Department 19 by Will Hill

Department 19 by Will Hill

Author: Will Hill Website|Twitter
Published: 1 September 2011 (HarperCollins Children's Books)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 509
Buy the paperback: Amazon|BookDepository
Buy the e-book: Kindle|Kobo

Source: Bought

Plot Summary (from Goodreads):
Jamie Carpenter's father is dead, his mother is missing, and he was just rescued by an enormous creature named Frankenstein. Now Jamie is pulled into a secret organization responsible for policing the supernatural, founded more than a century ago by Abraham Van Helsing. . . . Department Nineteen takes us through history, across Europe, and beyond - from the cobbled streets of Victorian London to prohibition-era New York, from the icy wastes of Arctic Russia to the treacherous mountains of Transylvania. Part modern thriller, part classic horror, it's packed with mystery, mayhem, and a level of suspense that makes a Darren Shan novel look like a romantic comedy.

My Review:
This was another book I bought before Leakycon as Will Hill was going to be speaking there. I read a free short story set in this world and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to dive into this one. Department 19 follows Jamie Carpenter as he is suddenly swept into the secret world of a government department set up to control vampires.

I read a lot of vampire novels so when I find something with a unique twist it makes me happy and Department 19 definitely had that! I love anything to do with spies and government agencies that give you plenty of action and this is what this book delivered by the bucketload.

Department 19 starts off with a great prologue where we glimpse the incident which killed Jamie's dad. From then on we learnt that Jamie has been moved around a lot because of his dad's reputation and the fact he was accused of leaking government secrets. I immediately liked Jamie and had a lot of respect and sympathy for him, because he clearly wants to clear his father's name.

What was great is that throughout Department 19 you get chapters which go back to the 1800s where you see the origins of this secret government department. I love those little flashbacks and how the whole history of the world was developed so brilliantly. You aren't just told about them, you get to actually see what happened which is way more exciting. The book doesn't stick to Jamie's POV so we get to see what's happening with other characters which was great.

During the course of the book we meet female vampire Larissa who was one of my favourite characters because she's just so intriguing! There's a real connection between her and Jamie which I liked. She listens to him when the other people around Jamie have a tendency to talk down to him and patronise him. I loved that we really get to delve into Larissa's backstory as well, because thete's a lot more to her than meets the eye and she's not just your typical baddie.

I think the coolest part of Department 19 is how it takes ideas of vampires that already exist in literature and integrates them into the story and the world. So Dracula and Frankenstein are real characters who had a place in the history of the department. And seriously, Frankenstein was my one of my favourite characters which seems like a weird thing to say!

It's quite a long book so it took a while to get to the build up, but the ending was fast paced and crazy and a bit more emotional than I was expecting! I really loved the unique world and I'm excited for the next book (even if it is even longer!).

Rating: 4*
What to read next: The Rising by Will Hill, the second book in the Department 19 series
Books like this: Insignia by S. J. Kincaid, The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson, Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Review: The Savages by Matt Whyman

The Savages by Matt Whyman

Author: Matt Whyman Website|Twitter
Published: 6 June 2013 (Hot Key Books)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 288
Buy the paperback: Amazon|BookDepository
Buy the e-book: Kindle|Kobo

Source: Bought

Plot Summary (from Goodreads):
They'd love to have you for dinner . . .

Sasha Savage is in love with Jack - a handsome, charming ... vegetarian. Which wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for the fact that Sasha's family are very much 'carnivorous'. Behind the family facade all is not as it seems. Sasha's father rules his clan with an iron fist and her mother's culinary skills are getting more adventurous by the day. When a too-curious private detective starts to dig for truths, the tight-knit family starts to unravel - as does their sinister taste in human beings . . .

My Review:
I bought this book to take to Leakycon where Matt Whyman was one of the guests. The Savages follows the Savage family who have a taste for a eating humans, as eldest daughter Sasha breaks away from family tradition and becomes a vegetarian.

Whilst I was at Leakycon, everyone was referring to this book as "the cannibal book" and that's probably the easiest way to describe and remember it! The fact The Savages are cannibals isn't something that's outrageous or shocking in this book, it's just a normal part of everyday life for The Savage family which is what makes this book a real joy to read and not something totally terrifying!

There was a lot to love about this book, but the characters were by far the best part. The Savage family are bizarre and hilarious, and each character has something unique that really draws you to them and the dynamic between the group was fantastic. For me, my favourite character was Sasha, whose about turn to vegetarianism in support of her boyfriend Jack becomes the backbone of the story. I loved that she's a teenager who's trying to carve out her own identity and discover herself, and despite the ridiculousness of the central story, her desire to express herself and become independent was one any young person will be able to relate to.

Then there's Ivan, Sasha's younger brother who is your typical boy prankster. His intelligence and sharp tongue really made me laugh, despite the fact he lands himself in hot water a lot when his pranks go dangerously wrong. He's obviously striving for a bit of attention and recognition. Baby Katya added some hilarity to the story too.

I liked the way the story was narrated. There's a sort of omnipresent narrator so we get to flit between each of the characters in the Savage family. I really liked the way it was done and the movement between each character was fluid and seamless. We also get an outsiders perspective, for example we get the point of view of Vernon, a private detective trailing Titus Savage to see what he's up to.

The narration also flashed forwards at points to give you a hint at what was to come, which is something I don't always like in a book, but which worked well in this case. It really piqued my attention. There's also this constant reference to baby Katya's first "feast" which is something that drives the plot forwards because it feels like that's what the book is working towards.

The Savages is quite a short book and a light, quick read but it provides plenty of drama and fun. The twists at the end took me completely by surprise so I couldn't put it down. It sounds a bit weird to say this, but one of the first words about the book that popped into my head as I was reading was "charming" and then I wondered if it was a bit weird to call a book about cannibals charming. But I'll stick with it. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for something a little bit different!

Rating: 4*
Books like this: The Radleys by Matt Haig

Review: Geek Girl by Holly Smale

Geek Girl by Holly Smale

Author: Holly Smale Website|Twitter
Published: 28 February 2013 (HarperCollins Children's Books)
Format: Kindle e-book
Pages: 378
Buy the paperback: Amazon|BookDepository
Buy the e-book: Kindle|Kobo

Source: Bought

Plot Summary (from Goodreads):
Harriet Manners knows a lot of things.

She knows that a cat has 32 muscles in each ear, a "jiffy" lasts 1/100th of a second, and the average person laughs 15 times per day. What she isn't quite so sure about is why nobody at school seems to like her very much. So when she's spotted by a top model agent, Harriet grabs the chance to reinvent herself. Even if it means stealing her Best Friend's dream, incurring the wrath of her arch enemy Alexa, and repeatedly humiliating herself in front of the impossibly handsome supermodel Nick. Even if it means lying to the people she loves.

As Harriet veers from one couture disaster to the next with the help of her overly enthusiastic father and her uber-geeky stalker, Toby, she begins to realise that the world of fashion doesn't seem to like her any more than the real world did.

And as her old life starts to fall apart, the question is: will Harriet be able to transform herself before she ruins everything?

My Review:
Geek Girl was a book I've been wanting to read for a long time, partly because anything with the word geek in the title completely has my attention, and partly because other bloggers had been raving about it. When it came up on Kindle Daily Deal I snatched it up! Geek Girl follows geeky Harriet as she is plucked from obscurity and thrown head first into the fashion world.

I knew I was going to love this book right away because I was already giggling within the first few pages. Books that make me physically laugh are so rare and so the humour in Geek Girl was refreshing and became one of my favourite things about the book. I spent the whole weekend devouring it and came very close to sticking a "do not disturb" sign on my door because I just did not want to be interrupted whilst reading!

Part of the reason I adored the humour in Geek Girl so much was because Harriet herself was so hilarious. Her voice throughout the book was so witty and the way she describes her experiences and little anecdotes made me laugh so much. I loved that she's a little bit hapless and clumsy and one of the best things about Harriet is that despite all her disasters throughout the story, she still remains a completely believable character. What's happening to her is crazy but ultimately I could completely believe the story and that is really important to me. Obviously, given the title, Harriet is incredibly smart, but she's also so likable and nice and someone you'd really want to be friends with which is one of the biggest compliments I can give a character!

The ensemble of characters surrounding Harriet were just as brilliant. She lives with her dad and stepmum Annabel and I loved the family dynamic between them. Harriet and her dad are so similar and I adored the scenes where it was the two of them trying to figure their way out of situations. Annabel also was the perfect antidote to the two of them as she's the voice of reason and common sense so they all balance each other out in the end! I loved the up and down friendship between Harriet and Nat which I think will be relatable to a lot of people. When you're fifteen it's so easy for jealousy to get in the way of things are for you to blow everything out of proportion. I recognised their friendship immediately. The boys in this book were great too, from swoon-worthy model Nick to bumbling, fellow geek and Harriet stalker Toby.

The plot of Geek Girl sees Harriet spotted and whisked off to become a model, despite loathing the fashion world and being much happier watching documentaries. Harriet herself sees it as a chance to change herself after the taunting she gets at school for being a geek. I loved the balance of crazy, hysterical plot and realistic teen issues. We've all been there when you start to question who you are because you are teased about it. Some of the moments Harriet has at school were so reminiscent of my own experiences that I really connected with her in those moments. I think the underlying themes and tones of the book are immensely positive and it's all about learning to embrace who you are. I really appreciated the rubbish decisions Harriet makes as well because making mistakes is how you learn! And she learns a lot over the course of the book.

The book had lots of short chapters and every so often you'd get a chapter beginning with a list because Harriet loves lists, and as a list-lover myself books with lists in automatically make me love them a bit more! The fast pace of the book made it utterly addictive as well. I just couldn't put it down because it was so much fun and there was constantly something happening.

There are probably a billion and one things I've forgotten to mention in this review, because trying to remember all the amazing things about a book this awesome is hard! I absolutely adored it. I loved Harriet, I loved the story and I thought the writing was just perfect. It was a quick read but one that really packed a punch and it was exactly the kind of fun read I needed, but I liked that it had its serious moments as well. It was the perfect balance. I'll be recommending this book to pretty much anyone I talk to from now on and the fab news is that there are more Geek Girl books! The sequel Model Misfit comes out this month and I can't wait to read it.

Rating: 5*
What to read next: Model Misfit by Holly Smale, the second book in the Geek Girl series
Books like this: Geehkood: Close Encounters of the Girl Kind by Andy Robb

[Blog Tour] Review & Giveaway: The Girl Next Door by Selene Castrovilla

 Today I'm excited to be hosting a stop on The Girl Next Door blog tour hosted by A Book and A Latte PR . Read on for my review of the book plus an awesome giveaway!

The Girl Next Door by Selene Castrovilla

Author: Selene Castrovilla Website|Twitter
Published: 24 May 2013 (ASD Publishing)
Format: Kindle e-book
Buy the paperback: Amazon US|BookDepository|Barnes & Noble
Buy the e-book: Kindle US|Kindle UK|Kobo|iTunes

Source: Received free copy in exchange for an honest review as part of the blog tour. Thanks to the author and A Book and a Latte tours!

Plot Summary (from Goodreads):
Two teens are forced to make some very grown-up decisions when one of them is diagnosed with terminal cancer, twisting them into an unpredictable nightmare. Best friends since toddlerhood, Samantha and Jesse grapple with the realization that they are actually in love. What now? Beautifully written while handling a very heavy topic, Castrovilla addresses the universal question: In a world where the worst can strike at any time, how can we ever feel safe?

My Review:
The Girl Next Door tells the story of Sam, whose best friend Jesse is dying of cancer. With time ticking away, the two of them must tackle their feelings for each other and make the best of the time they have together.

Now I'll admit, I love a sad book. I know some people can be put off about books which are going to tug at your heartstrings and turn you into an emotional wreck, but books that move me and tackle real, dark subjects are always high on my list. And The Girl Next Door is a sad book. The opening few chapters are quite bleak, and once I read that the main character Sam's dad is a 9/11 victim on top of the fact that her best friend is dying of cancer I was nervous. I knew this was going to be a tough book to read, but instantly I felt for the characters and the situation they're in and was able to get wrapped up in a powerful, emotional and heartwarming read.

The book is told from Sam's point of view, so we get to see how she deals with the prospect of losing her best friend. I liked that nothing was sugar-coated, and that we get to see the real low points of Sam's struggle. As well as tackling Jesse's cancer, the author has also taken on the issue of depression with Sam getting help to deal with her feelings about Jess dying. I was really glad to see that subject approached, and it made me really sympathise with Sam and what she is going through as well. I think it proved that sometimes you have to look after yourself and be selfish! I could relate personally to that situations, as I've been ill myself (although thankfully nothing as serious as cancer) and those around me have also felt the blow of having to live with and care for someone with a chronic illness. It's something that affects everyone.

But the book definitely isn't all bleak! At the end of the day it's a love story, and Sam and Jess have some incredibly sweet moments. I loved their little heart-to-hearts as they discuss their feelings for each other and the future, and their "seize the moment" attitude was something that really resonated with me. I always love a good friends to more-than-friends story. You can tell that Sam and Jess already have this amazing chemistry and trust between them. Plus there's some steamy scenes between the two of them. Jess is scared of dying a virgin, and so there's a fair few sex references/scenes in there. I thought they were really well done and it was so sweet seeing their relationship develop and the two of them really making the most of the time they have together.

One of the book's real strengths was definitely the characters. I loved Sam's mum who's a writer, and Maria, Jess's crazy housekeeper. Plus Sam's little brother Ted was adorable! He dresses up in his sister's clothes and plays with dolls. I want to see more characters like Ted who break the mold and are accepted for who they are.  I also thought the strained relationship between Jess and his mum Gwen was a great plot line. She's really struggling to cope with Jesse's cancer and the two of them have never really been close. Seeing them facing some challenging circumstances really allowed the two characters to develop.

The Girl Next Door is quite a quick read, but the story and the characters really root themselves in your brain. I think you really come away from the story with an appreciation of life and those around you, and it makes you want to seize the moment and look out for yourself. Yes, it's sad, but there are some lovely uplifting scenes to balance it out. The writing was brilliant, and I'd definitely be interested in reading more by this author.

Rating: 4*
What to read next: Saved by the Music by Selene Castrovilla
Books like this: Before I Die by Jenny Downham, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

About Selene Castrovilla

Selene Castrovilla is an award-winning teen and children’s author who believes that through all trends, humanity remains at the core of literature. She is the author of Saved By the Music and The Girl Next Door, teen novels originally published by WestSide Books and now available digitally through ASD Publishing. Her third children’s book with Calkins Creek Books, Revolutionary Friends, was released in April. She is also a contributing author to UncommonYA.  Selene holds an MFA in creative writing from New School University and a BA in English from New York University. She lives on Long Island with her two sons. Visit her website www.SeleneCastrovilla.com for book excerpts and more information!

Author links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads

Selene Castrovilla teams up with The AVM Foundation

Selene is pleased to team with the Anthony V. Mannino Foundation helping young adults in their fight against cancer. She will donate $1 for each book ordered during THE GIRL NEXT DOOR's Blog Tour!

Selene will send a free autographed copy of THE GIRL NEXT DOOR to anyone who donates $25 or more to the foundation (click here to donate!). For your purchase to count and/or to show proof of donation, just send a screenshot or receipt of your order or donation, along with your shipping address if necessary, through "Drop me a line" in the "Latest News" section of her website, selenecastrovilla.com.

The AVM Foundation Mission:

The Mission of The Anthony V. Mannino Foundation is to financially assist young adults in the age group of 18-26 while they are undergoing their cancer treatment.  We also want to help development support programs to aid this unique age group, with their special needs, as they battle cancer. 

We found that Anthony's age group of 18 plus, doesn't have the emotional or financial support that other age groups do. We are also aware of the unique situations that this age group faces and want to help those adolescents and their families.

Giveaway! 

Grand prize is a  Kindle Fire + THE GIRL NEXT DOOR ebook (US only), and 10 second prize winners will receive an ebook copy of THE GIRL NEXT DOOR (International). 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the tour!  

September 9th

Katie's Books (Interview & Review)

A Book and a Latte (Excerpt)

September 10th

Books Over Boys (Feature) 

Happy Book Lovers (Review)

September 11th

Dear Teen Me (Feature)

Read For Your Future (Review)

September 12th

Books, Authors, Blogs (Guest Post )

Musings From An Addicted Reader (Review)

September 13th

Books and Needlepoint (Review)

alwaysjoart (Review)

September 16th

Writer's Alley (Interview)

Oops! I Read A Book Again (Review)

September 17th 

The Storyteller's Scroll (Guest Post)

Dana's YA Bookpile (Review)

September 18th

YA Reads (Interview) 

My Library in the Making (Review)

September 19th

Once Upon a Twilight (Review)

Total Teen Fiction (Review)

September 20th

The Unconventional Librarian (Guest Post)

Mythical Books (Review)

Review: Paper Aeroplanes by Dawn O'Porter

Paper Aeroplanes by Dawn O'Porter

Author: Dawn O'Porter Website|Twitter
Published: 2 May 2013 (Hot Key Books)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 304
Buy the paperback: Amazon|BookDepository
Buy the e-book: Kindle|Kobo

Source: Bought

Plot Summary (from Goodreads):
It's the mid-1990s, and fifteen year-old Guernsey schoolgirls, Renée and Flo, are not really meant to be friends. Thoughtful, introspective and studious Flo couldn't be more different to ambitious, extroverted and sexually curious Renée. But Renée and Flo are united by loneliness and their dysfunctional families, and an intense bond is formed. Although there are obstacles to their friendship (namely Flo's jealous ex-best friend and Renée's growing infatuation with Flo's brother), fifteen is an age where anything can happen, where life stretches out before you, and when every betrayal feels like the end of the world. For Renée and Flo it is the time of their lives.

My Review:
I have been wanting to read this book for a long time, and the author Leakycon was the kick up the backside I needed! Paper Aeroplanes tells the story of Renée and Flo, classmates who end up drawn into a fast friendship.

I LOVED this book. There are so many things I loved about it but the characters - oh my gosh - they were fantastic. The book is told in first person, alternating between the two girls point of view. Renée and Flo are so recognisable, realistic and genuinely brilliant. The two of them are quite different which I loved. Renée is the rebel, smoking and skiving off school, whereas Flo is the more level-headed, quiet one (I'm totally a Flo not a Renée). They're not friends at the beginning of the book so their friendship is one we get to see grow and develop. I adored how they just sort of gravitated towards each other. They were totally meant to be friends. It was great to see how Flo and Renée's relationships with their other friends play out as well. I absolutely loathed Flo's friend Sally who is an absolute cow (in my book journal where I make notes whilst reading I actually wrote EVIL SALLY in all caps) but it made me root for Flo even more. Plus Renée's friends are just on a different planet to her. I just want to talk about how much I love Renée and Flo and how much I ship them as friends. It's so refreshing to get that invested in a friendship! I need a Renée in my life.

From the beginning it's clear the two girls each have quite a lot going on in their home lives. Renée  has lost her mum and is living with her clueless grandparents and a sister who is struggling to cope. Flo on the other hand is dealing with her parents separating and having to look after her little sister, who her mum seems to have abandoned. I just felt so much for both of them and how they battled through their rubbish situations. Seeing them bond over their crappy lives was just so heart-warming, because they needed each other.

I've mentioned how realistic the characters but the whole book is just filled with relatable situations. The book is set during the girls' GCSE year, and all those worries from that time in my life came flooding back to me! There are boy worries, exam worries, body worries - all those things that make you look back on. I got so nostalgic reading this book! What I adored about Paper Aeroplanes is that it doesn't shy away from anything. There's all the grizzly teenage awkwardness that most books gloss over or omit completely. Yes there's sex and swearing and booze but it was so refreshing to read a book that talks about body hair and periods. Because those things, embarrassing as they may be, are things that happen to teenage girls and I was so happy to see that actually addressed for once!

Talking of embarrassing, this book absolutely had me with all the embarrassing situations Renée and Flo end up in. If you've ever looked back on your own teenage years and cringed then reading this book will make you feel 100% better. I would read these scenes and laugh, because I know those feelings and those situations. Even the more serious moments, like Renée thinking she's totally in love with a useless boy, my heart just went out to her because we've all been there! There's this one scene where Renée and Flo are discussing their embarrassing body problems and I just grinned and then wished I'd some one to discuss things like that with. Plus I love that these girls eat chips and crisps and make tits of themselves and do things that real teenage girls do.

And if that wasn't enough nostalgia then the fact the book is set in the nineties brought a few smiles. I was very young when this book was set, but things like reading Smash Hits magazine and playing cassettes and VHS tapes always make me smile. Plus it's so awesome to read a book set in a time before Facebook and mobile phones. The title comes from the paper aeroplanes the two girls use to share notes with each other, and Renée keeps a load of notes of what's been happening in her life. Remember a time before Facebook statuses? I miss that time!

The book is set in Guernsey (somewhere I'd love to visit!) and I loved the setting and how it provided that close-knit way of life. As a Brit, the pop culture references were all comfortingly familiar, like the mentions of Wotsits and Sunny Delight (ugh I remember when that stuff was big in the 90s and I thought it was vile!) and Blur coming on in the car.

I loved all the attention to detail and how even the smaller characters had big roles to play. I was really drawn to the storyline with Renée's sister Nell, and Flo's relationship with her mother and brother was just as gripping. Even evil Sally had my jaw dropping with some of the moments she has.

Whilst the novel had amazing characters and was very character driven, the plot always had my attention. There was so much drama and plenty of moments that I just did not see coming. Flo and Renée's friendship didn't always run smoothly and so I was sitting there flying through the pages to see what would happen and whether things would work out. I was hooked to the drama happening in each of their families. There were moments that tugged at the heartstrings and shook me up, as well as those that made me giggle. It was just a book I could completely lose myself in. I honestly want to recommend this book to everyone. It's such a clever, witty, brilliantly executed novel that I want you all to go and buy it right now. It will make you relive your teenage years (or comfort you if you're still going through them!) and draw you in to the lives of two incredible characters.

I'm looking back on this review and I'm sure there are things that I've missed. For a three hundred page book it left me with so much to talk about. I can't wait to re-read it, which I'm sure I will do again and again. Plus there's going to be a sequel! I'm so freaking overjoyed about that. I can't wait to spend more time with the girls.

Rating: 5*
What to read next: Goose by Dawn O'Porter is currently in the works.
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Review: Dare You To (Pushing the Limits, #2) by Katie McGarry

Dare You To by Katie McGarry

Author: Katie McGarry Website|Twitter
Published: 7 June 2013 (MiraInk)
Format: Kindle e-book
Pages: 470
Buy the paperback: Amazon|BookDepository
Buy the e-book: Kindle|Kobo

Source: Bought

Plot Summary (from Goodreads):
If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all...

My Review:
I absolutely adored McGarry's first book - Pushing the Limits - and I've been dying to read Dare You To ever since I finished that and read the sneak peak in the back. When it was made available for 99p on Kindle Daily Deal I grabbed it and couldn't wait to start! Dare You To follows Beth Risk who ends up being swept away from her friends and into a new life. There she meets school baseball star Ryan who has a penchant for dares, asking out Beth being one of them.

This is the second book in the Pushing the Limits series but it can be pretty much read as a standalone. If features appearances from Echo and Noah (who take centre stage in the first book) but the focus is on Beth and her story, and although she's introduced in book one, I don't think you'd miss out anything by not having read it.

Dare You To is told in alternating chapters between Ryan and Beth. The book opens with Ryan and his baseball teammates playing dares (as the title would suggest!) which is where the two main characters meet. They don't start off on the best footing and for the first few chapters the book flits between the two characters with little interaction of the two. I loved discovering more about Ryan and Beth's characters in these opening chapters.

Beth herself is an incredible character. I love that she is not perfect - far from it - but I really liked seeing that side of her that is full of attitude. She swears, drinks, smokes - you name it. But whilst she's this rebellious, outspoken character she also had an incredible vulnerability to which is touched on a lot in Dare You To. The relationship between Beth and her mother is heartbreaking and tackled some really hard-hitting issues. Beth is completely a victim of some pretty rubbish circumstances and really felt for her. The decisions she has to make throughout the story are so tough! But what's great about Beth is that she's smart, and she makes you laugh. There's so much more to her, and she develops so much during the course of the book. I loved the journey she went on and how the changes she went through endeared me to her even more!

I was totally a fan of Ryan too *swoon*. He may be the school baseball star, but it was his hidden writing ability that made me fall for him. The book is set during senior year and so Ryan has to face up to his future, and I think a lot of people will be able to relate to the choices he has to make. In Ryan's case, he must choose between playing baseball or following his academic potential. I thought the exploration of the pressure Ryan was feeling from his parents was really well done. It's all about self-discovery for him. Ryan also has some family drama going on and I loved the plot line surrounding Ryan's brother.

This may be a love story but it's far from your light and fluffy romance. Dare You To is an intense read that I found myself being completely swept up in. Not only do Beth and Ryan have their own personal demons to face up to, but the way they handle their feelings for each other makes for a pretty intense relationship too. I adore the way Katie McGarry can conjure up this fantastic chemistry between her characters. I felt it for Echo and Noah in Pushing the Limits and I definitely got it when it came to Beth and Ryan. The sexual tension was incredible and they definitely had that spark!

People who have read Pushing the Limits, like me, will probably have been waiting to see what would happen with Beth and Isaiah. I suppose I expected them to be together, but Dare You To addresses their friendship and relationship perfectly and I think things were nicely wrapped up between them so that I understood why this story focuses on Beth and Ryan's relationship.

I've already talked about how much I loved Beth, but I thought there were some great themes addressed in Dare You To when it came to her. One was trust, and how Beth's ability to trust those around her has been tainted by her past. It was so sad to see her internal battle to trust people like her uncle Scott, her mum, Ryan and even best friend Isaiah. I loved the way the book looked at family, and how Beth and Ryan both have to conquer their family issues and how when you're a teenager, the weight of responsibility to hold everything together can be overwhelming. I really loved the friendship moments as well, from Beth and Isaiah's friendship to her ability to make and regain friends at her new school. I really loved Beth's friend Lacy and the dynamic between Ryan and his baseball buddies (and their teenage boy dares!).

I was absolutely absorbed in Dare You To and every time I put it down I just couldn't wait to get back to it. I love how it doesn't shy away from things like drink and drugs, abuse, sexuality and that it's full of true to life swear-y teens who get up to no good. Whilst it's an intense read, it's also an enjoyable one, because of the amazing characters and the fantastic chemistry. There were a lot of twists that had my heart in my mouth and I couldn't wait to find out what happened. Plus Ryan is my new favourite boy. Yes please. Katie's McGarry's books are definitely up there on my "must read" list and I'll be counting down the days til the release of the next installment (Crash Into You -Isaiah's story).

Rating: 5*
What to read next: Crash Into You by Katie McGarry
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Review: Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner

 Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner

Author: Sally Gardner Website|Twitter
Published: 3 January 2013 (Hot Key Books)
Format: Hardback
Pages: 288
Buy the paperback: Amazon|Waterstone's|BookDepository
Buy the e-book: Kindle


Source: Borrowed from library

Plot Summary (from Goodreads):
When his best friend Hector is suddenly taken away, Standish Treadwell realises that it is up to him, his grandfather and a small band of rebels to confront and defeat the ever present oppressive forces of The Motherland.
Friendship and trust inspire Standish to rise up against an oppressive regime and expose the truth about a planned moon landing in this original and spellbinding book.

My Review:
Maggot Moon tells the story of Standish Treadwell who lives in Zone 7 with his Gramps. His parents and best friend have disappeared, a common occurrence where Standish lives, and the government is preparing the population for the upcoming moon landing.

This book was unlike anything I've ever read. It took me a while to get my head around sine if what was happening because there's some very bizarre combinations of ideas, but once I was a few chapters in I was so caught up in Standish's world and his adventures that I just didn't care. I was hooked!

What really drew me in to Maggot Moon was the wonderful writing style. Gardner has this way of describing things in such a way that you'd never think of using those words or that metaphor yourself, but as you read it you suddenly realise that it's the phrasing was not only beautiful but completely spot on. I spent the whole time reading Maggot Moon just in awe of this fantastic, vivid writing style.

Immediately I fell in love of Standish, the main character who narrates the story. He's bullied and belittled at school by both his fellow students and his teachers because of his inability to read and write. I really did feel for him but not in a patronising way. I was more sad that the other characters were missing out on such a genuinely good person. And Standish is smart. He has this wicked imagination and he's intelligent enough to use the fact people misjudge him and his level of intellect to his advantage so that he can have the last laugh.

The relationships between Standish and some of the other characters were some of my highlights of Maggot Moon. I loved his friendship with Hector and adored the fact that Hector sees Standish for who he really is. The book flits between past and present so we get to see a bit of their friendship before Hector disappears which I liked. The two of them spend their time planning their dream trip to the planet Juniper and you definitely get carried away with their innocence and imagination. The relationship between Standish and his Gramps was super sweet too. They've been through so much and only really have each other.

There are some pretty brutal scenes in Maggot Moon and definitely some moments where I just couldn't believe the treatment of Standish and the people around him. The regime in power make for pretty good villains and I ended up completely rooting for Standish because he was up against a pretty horrible enemy. But there are also so many touching moments where the characters fight and find things to be happy about. The balance was perfect/

The book takes place in a sort of post-war, dystopian alternative universe. Standish and Hector live with their families in a run down part of town where the outcasts are sent to live. They have a curfew and there are all sorts of conspiracies flying about which means they can't always trust their neighbours. It took a while to settle into that world because the information is very slowly teased as Standish gradually introduces us to his world. It was certainly one of the most unique dystopians I've read which was a real breath of fresh air.

Maggot Moon is also really nicely set out as a physical book (it's another one I was sad to return to the library!). The chapters are nice and short which kept it pacy and made it easy to pick up and put down (not that I wanted to put it down!). It also had a series of illustrations dotted throughout the book which told their own gruesome story. It was a really interesting touch to the book.

I think Maggot Moon is a book that is hard to describe because it is so unique, and the best way to make your mind up about it is to go out and read it! It's a book that impressed and captivated me and is like no book I've ever read, but I would definitely want to read more books like it. At the end of the day it's a beautifully written tale of friendship, survival and standing up for yourself and a book I'd highly recommend.

Rating: 4*
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Review: Starlet's Run (Starlet Series, #2) by Carla J. Hanna

Spoiler warning! This is the 2nd book in the Starlet series and will contain spoilers from the 1st book Starlet's Web. You can read my review of that book here instead. You have been warned!

Starlet's Run by Carla J. Hanna

Author: Carla J. Hanna Website|Twitter
Published: 10 November 2012 (CreateSpace)
Format: Kindle e-book
Pages: 322
Buy the paperback: Amazon
Buy the e-book: Kindle|Kobo

Source: Received free copy from author in exchange for an honest review

Plot Summary (from Goodreads):
Hollywood actress Liana Marie Michael finds out that loving someone unconditionally, without losing who she is in the process, does not always have a convenient ending or an easy to memorize script.

As the path unfolds in front of her, Lia challenges the demons and destruction of her past, which had kept her like Alice in Wonderland, frozen in time and unable to escape the heavy web of expectation shrouding her heart. She needs more than the promise of true love to help her prevail. Exhausted from indecision, should she listen to what others think is best for her? What should she choose?

My Review:
I received this book at the same time as the first book, and because the end of Starlet's Web was so dramatic I was really excited to start the next instalment! Starlet's Run starts out with Marie in hospital waiting to undergo treatment on her tumour.

What worked really well in this book was the emotional drama. I've become really invested in Marie as a character and with her life potentially in danger I really cared about what happened to her. One of my favourite parts of the book were the email conversations between Marie and Pierre, the other test subject. They were both going through the same thing I and I loved the way they shared their hopes and fears with each other. I could really feel the emotions they were going through.

One of my favourite parts of Starlet's Run was the trip Marie takes with her family to Montana. I loved exploring her Native American Indian roots and getting to meet other members of her family. I think the family dynamic and the family relationships are really interesting. This series is clearly very character driven. I still loved Marie's dad and stepmother and I liked their developing story in this book.

I had some problems in the first book with the relationships and romance elements of the book. This was a problem for me in Starlet's Run and that was mainly down to Manuel. I got so fired up about him. Throughout the story he is sulky and throws tantrums every other minute about Marie's life in the spotlight. I thought he was way to possessive and that the relationship between Marie and Manuel wasn't really that healthy. They're determined to spend their future together but I just couldn't help feeling they'd be better off apart. The two of them are also one of those lovey-dovey couples who just have to declare their love for each other all the time and that soppy stuff isn't really my cup of tea.

I still really enjoyed the exploration of Marie's celebrity lifestyle and it was really great to see her on set and working in Starlet's Run. She still has this mad, crazy life and I really feel for her and all the stuff she has to go through. Some of it is really horrifying, like when film producers panic because her skin is too dark. There's also the threat of blackmail and it was really interesting seeing Marie tested like that. I loved that the author has tackled those issues, though. It was really refreshing seeing the darker sound of the industry.

As the story is now focusing on Marie now she's out of school, it can be classed as NA. I think fans of New Adult would really enjoy these books. The relationship between Marie and Manuel has definitely stepped up a notch for those who like their contemporary romance intense.

I can tell these books have real potential and the characters are really interesting. I just have to put the romance to one side so I can enjoy the story. I have the net book lined up to read and I'll definitely be starting it soon. I'm interested to find out where the series is going.

Rating: 3*
What to read next: Starlet's Light by Carla J. Hanna, the 3rd book in the series
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