Review: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Title: Fangirl.
Author: Rainbow Rowell.
Publication Date: January 30th, 2014.
Publisher: Macmillan.
Format: Paperback, 459 pages.
Source: Provided By Publisher.
My Rating:



Cath and Wren are identical twins and until recently they did absolutely everything together. Now they’re off to university and Wren’s decided she doesn’t want to be one half of a pair any more – she wants to dance, meet boys, go to parties and let loose. It’s not so easy for Cath. She would rather bury herself in the fanfiction she writes where there’s romance far more intense than anything she’s experienced in real life.

Now Cath has to decide whether she’s ready to open her heart to new people and new experiences, and she’s realizing that there’s more to learn about love than she ever thought possible...

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Fangirl has been one of those ridiculously hyped up books that everyone and their mothers seemed to have read and loved. When I first started reading Fangirl, I wasn’t really sure what to make of it, Rainbow Rowell’s writing style is incredibly different from everything I’ve ever read before, and there is a lot more dialogue throughout the book than I’ve ever come across. I’d glad to say I really enjoyed reading Fangirl, and yes, I did fangirl myself a little bit throughout the book. As much as I loved it though, I wouldn’t say it’s the more incredible novel I’ve ever read – and as much as I can see where all the hype has come from, there are just some things that just niggled at me. However, the overall effect and amazing plotlines and characters kept me constantly turning the pages, eager to find out what would happen next!

Cath is our main protagonist, and to be perfectly honest, at first, I really didn’t like her character much at all. I’m not entirely sure why, and I’m finding it pretty hard to put into words my reasoning, but I have a feeling it was to do with the fact that she reminded me so much of myself. Characters I read in novels NEVER remind me of myself, and I usually hate comparing myself to them – because hey, that’s an esteem killer. But there were just too many similarities to ignore. Cath is a reader, a fanfiction lover and writer, she’s shy, would rather stay at home than go out partying, has only a small handful of friends and is relatively smart – I could go on! We just seemed to share so many of the same traits that I found it quite unnerving – but as the book progressed, I grew to really like her character, which unnerved me even more. Cath’s downright refusal to do a lot of new things did kind of irritate me, and I felt I was constantly willing her to grow a pair. But the further you get into Fangirl, the more out of her shell Cath becomes – and it was really brilliant to read more and more and to see her transformation to a slightly more confident college student.

Levi is the love interest throughout Fangirl, and I absolutely adored his character! Levi is the guy who jokes about everything and generally loves being nice to absolutely everyone. It doesn’t tire him out; in fact it just seems to energise him. His character is so up-beat, cheerful, sweet, kind and ridiculously funny – I was constantly laughing at some of the things he came out with. I just couldn’t get enough of his character! He’s not usually the type of guy in books that I tend to like, but he’s just so adorable, I couldn’t help but love him. And yes, Levi, I was rooting for you throughout the entire book!

Cath and Levi’s relationship gets off to a rocky start, at first she thinks he’s annoying and frustrating, but eventually a small friendship starts to blossom. I don’t think Cath even realised she had fallen for Levi until the something happens between them – and I thought that was beautiful. I loved reading scenes with them together, they have this easy and calm relationship, and Levi is able to bring out a relaxed and playful side of Cath that she barely ever gets to see.

Wren is Cath’s twin sister, and by gosh did I dislike her. ALOT. I get that Wren wants a bit of distance, to try and become more of an individual, and I respect that. However, Wren was really rude and downright nasty towards Cath for pretty much the entire book. It’s like she completely shut her out of her life, and I really hated that – you’d think you could try and spare maybe just five minutes to talk to your sister, let alone your twin. Luckily by the end of the book, Wren’s character does a 180, but I still wasn’t keen on her at all. Art is Cath’s and Wren’s dad, and the parent that raised them. I really loved his character, he was so funny and cool. Art was an erratic character, and I loved reading about his relationship with his daughters, Cath especially. The character development in Fangirl was fantastic, and although I didn’t like Wren’s character, she was still solid and interesting.

Overall, I loved reading Fangirl; it was an amazing story with wonderful characters and a plotline that I just couldn’t get enough of. I even fell madly in love with Simon Snow and the story world Cath is obsessed with. I think it would be incredible if Rainbow Rowell actually recreated and published the world of Simon Snow, as I think it’d be incredibly popular! Rainbow Rowell’s writing is beautiful and detailed with this wonderful unique texture to it that I’ve not come across before. Although I thought Fangirl was a far from perfect novel, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and speed through it, even though it’s quite the hefty book! I just couldn’t put it down, and kept just telling myself; ‘Just until the end of this chapter’ and then ‘One more chapter won’t hurt’. The only thing that frustrated me was how abrupt the ending was, not everything was as tied up as I hoped it’d be, and occasionally scenes would stop mid-way through, which I found extremely frustrating. However, I believe Fangirl well and truly deserves the 4.5/5 star rating I gave it, and I’d recommend any with a love of contemporary romance (and Fanfiction!) to give this book a go, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!

Quotes

"No," Cath said, "seriously. Look at you. You’ve got your shit together, you’re not scared of anything. I’m scared of everything. And I’m crazy. Like maybe you think I’m a little crazy, but I only ever let people see the tip of my crazy iceberg. Underneath this veneer of slightly crazy and socially inept, I’m a complete disaster." - Page 192.

Reagan was sitting up at Cath's desk when Cath woke up.
"Are you awake?"
"Have you been watching me sleep?"
"Yes, Bella. Are you awake?"
"No." - Page 302.

She closed her eyes and kissed him below his chin, behind his jaw, where he was soft and almost chubby, like a baby. He arched his neck, and it was even better than she’d hoped.
"I like you," she said. "So much. I like you here."
Cath brought her hands up to his neck. God, he was warm – skin so warm and thick, a heavier ply than her own. She slid her fingers into his hair, cradling the back of his head.
His hands mimicked hers, pulling her face up to his. “Cath, if I kiss you now, are you going to leap away from me?”
"No."
"Are you going to panic?"
She shook her head. "Probably no."
He bit the inside of his bottom lip, and smiled. His bowed lips didn’t quite reach the corners.
"I like you," she whispered.
Her pulled her forward.
Right. There was this. Kissing Levi. - Page 401 & 402.

Review: The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Title: The Winner's Curse.
Series: The Winner's Trilogy, #1.
Author: Marie Rutkoski.
Publication Date: July 3rd, 2014.
Publisher: Bloomsbury.
Format: Paperback, 368 pages.
Source: Provided By Publisher.
My Rating:



Winning what you want may cost you everything you love.

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. Kestrel has other ideas.

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in Arin, a young slave up for auction. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him - and for a sensational price that sets the society gossips talking. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

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The Winner’s Curse is one of those novels that it so hyped up, that you start to worry that when you finally get around to reading it – it won’t live up the high expectations you’ve set. Luckily, this really wasn’t the case for me! The Winner’s Curse is a really unique and brilliantly written novel with an incredibly detailed and wonderfully developed storyline that draws you in and keeps you ensnared until you’ve turned the very last page. I almost immediately fell in love with the world Marie Rutkoski has written and I loved reading about the war and all the conflict that has been brewing for years. I found myself torn between the two sides in the story; the Valorians and the Herrani. Just when I thought I’d decided which side I was rooting for, something (or someone!) would do something to completely shift my opinion. I still don’t have a firm answer to the question!

Kestrel is the general’s daughter, and a wonderfully developed and intriguing character. I loved her pretty much right from the beginning. Kestrel is smart, witty, and rebellious and has this independent streak in her. Although she’s interested in her father’s military career, she doesn’t want to join. And although she would like to get married, she doesn’t want to settle and become a complacent house-wife. Kestrel just wants to keep who she really is; a musician and an idealist, and she truly believes that if she joins the military to please her father, or gets married, she’ll loose who she really is. Kestrel’s determination and the spark of life and willpower in her are what make her so fantastic; she was a brilliant character – unlike any I’ve ever read about before!

Arin just happens to be a slave Kestrel buys on a whim from the market one afternoon. I had rollercoaster feelings about Arin’s character throughout The Winner’s Curse. During the beginning of the novel, I thought he was an interesting character, but not overly likeable. When the novel progressed some more, I really started to like his character and grew quite attached to him in my own weird sort of way. He wasn’t one of the characters I absolutely fell in love with, and he’s personally not really my type – but he was sweet, kind, compassionate and really seemed to care about his people and his cause. There were a few instances where I thought he seemed like a complete ass, and acted like one too – but hey, no one’s perfect!

Kestrel and Arin’s relationship develops slowly and cautiously throughout The Winner’s Curse – which I thought fit the storyline perfectly. The romance is definitely not a huge part of the novel, as it focuses more on the battle aspects, the war and complications – but I loved it all the same. Neither of the pair is willing to admit their growing feelings for each other, although it’s plainly obvious how they feel. There are so many complications, and barriers that naturally try to keep them apart, and I really felt for them – their relationship was doomed not to work before it even started. They’re from completely different worlds, yet they understand each other in a way that no one else seems too. I thought their relationship was really beautiful and the ending of The Winner’s Curse really killed me.

Overall, I absolutely adored The Winner’s Curse – it was a phenomenal, action-packed novel that’s full of twists, turns and scenes that I never expected. Marie Rutkoski’s writing is so beautiful and intricately detailed that I could just picture myself right alongside the characters she’s created. My only complaint about The Winner’s Curse is that there were quite a few times where I felt like the storyline dragged and became slightly boring and slow to read – but luckily these times eventually did pick up and I could continue on with the wonderful story. I believe it well and truly deserves the 4.5/5 star rating I gave it, and I’d highly recommend this novel and/or Marie Rutkoski’s writing to anyone who’s a fan of fantasy and forbidden romance. I honestly can’t wait for the release of the second book in this trilogy so I can get my hands on it – I really need to find out what happens next, where everything goes and where all the characters end up!

Quotes

Arin smiled. It was a true smile, which let her know that all the others he had given her were not. - Page 111.

It took some time before Arin realized he was humming a dark tune. For once he didn't stop himself. The pressure of song was too strong, the need for distraction too great. Then he found that the music caged behind his closed teeth was the melody Kestrel had played for him months ago. He felt the sensation of it, low and alive, on his mouth.
For a moment, he imagined it wasn't the melody that touched his lips, but Kestrel.
The thought stopped his breath, and the music, too. - Page 179.

“You’re not mine.” Arin said.
And he kissed her.
Kestrels’ lips parted. This was real, yet not simple at all. He smelled of woodsmoke and sugar. Sweet beneath the burn. He tasted like the honey he’d licked off his fingers minutes before. Her heartbeat skidded, and it was she who leaned greedily into the kiss, she slid one knee between his legs. Then his breathe went ragged and the kiss grew dark and deep. He lifted her up onto the table so that her face was level with his, and as they kissed it seemed that words were hiding in the air around them, that they were invisible creatures that feathered against her and Arin, then nudged, and buzzed, and tugged. - Page 323.

Review: Red by Alison Cherry

Title: Red.
Author: Alison Cherry.
Publication Date: January 2nd, 2014.
Publisher: Quercus.
Format: Paperback, 320 pages.
Source: Provided By Publisher.
My Rating:



Top student. Beauty queen. Girlfriend of the hottest football jock. Felicity’s got everything. And it’s all down to her red, red hair.

Felicity lives in Scarletville, the world’s only redhead sanctuary, where red hair is celebrated, protected – and the key to success.

But Felicity has a secret. A red hot secret. And if anyone finds out, she’s finished.

Because Felicity’s a natural blonde.

And in Scarletville, blondes need not apply.

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I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I first started reading Red, something quirky and funny maybe? The whole concept and idea around the book is pretty ridiculous, yet fantastic and really funny at the same time. Red was a really exciting read, with an interesting plot and bubbly writing style. I’ve never read anything like Red before; it’s completely unique and kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next. I’ve read quite a few reviews that said this novel was absurd, and I agree with them in a way, it is absurd – but that’s part of the charm of the novel and I loved every minute that I was reading it!

Felicity is our main protagonist in Red, and I absolutely adored her character. She’s under a lot of pressure from her mother to be the best she can be, and to win the Beauty Pageant that Red focuses on and I couldn’t help but feel extremely sorry for her. Felicity has tried to contain who she really is; someone who hates the competitions and the lies. Someone who loves art and just wants to be herself, even though she feels she can’t be. I felt like I really had a connection with Felicity’s character and thought she was really relatable. All my siblings have red hair, and although I’ve never disliked my dark-brown hair, I can understand how Felicity just wants to fit in with her family.

I loved how all the secondary characters were really well developed and all had their own personalities and different quirks, even if I didn’t like their characters much at all. Jonathan is the boy that changes everything for Felicity and I loved him right from the beginning. Jonathan saw who Felicity for who she really was, and didn’t question it. He was a really adorable character; shy, kind, caring and all around loveable! Moving onwards - I really disliked Felicity’s mother, Ginger - she drove me round the bend and I visualised shoving her off a cliff on more than one occasion. I found it incredibly hard to comprehend how Ginger could go on shoving her own dreams onto her daughter. I understand that Ginger just wanted her daughter to fit in and have lots of opportunities, but she made her entire life a complete and utter lie – it was almost as if she couldn’t love her daughter properly unless she kept dying her hair. The whole situation was filled completely with drama and angst and was pretty messed up – but I suppose that’s what made the book what it is.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Red – it was a light, refreshing read with a really wonderful look into the stereotypes in the world. With its wonderfully written characters and overall drama – it’s definitely a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Alison Cherry’s writing was really brilliant and beautiful with the perfect amount of humour and seriousness mixed together to create a fabulous novel! I’d definitely recommend Red to anyone with a sense of humour (even if you’re not a redhead), although I wouldn’t recommend anyone to take it too seriously, as it’s obviously not meant for that – apart from maybe the morals of the story. The only reason Red is getting a 4.5/5 star rating instead of a 5/5 star rating is because I kind of wished the ending had been a little more resolved. I thought there were a lot of loose ends that I thought need tying up and it was all kind of abrupt. However, none of this deters from the fabulousness of this novel. I can’t wait to read more from Alison Cherry is the future; she’s definitely an author to keep an eye on!

Quotes

The mayor’s undersized orange mustache twitched like an agitated chipmunk, and Felicity had to work hard not to snicker. - Page 05.

There had been so much sweetness and longing in his expression.
Nobody had ever looked at her that way.
She hadn’t even known she wanted that kind of attention until now, but suddenly she wondered how she had ever managed to live without it. - Page 65.

Felicity looked up and met his eyes. They were warm and gentle and full of unconditional acceptance. She knew he was seeing her – really seeing her – and that he liked what he saw, red hair or not.
She put the booklets down on the trunk of her car.
And then she kissed him. - Page 308.

Review: The 100 by Kass Morgan

Title: The 100.
Series: The Hundred, #1.
Author: Kass Morgan.
Publication Date: August 29th, 2013.
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton.
Format: Paperback, 323 pages.
Source: Provided By Publisher.
My Rating:



No one has set foot on earth in centuries – until now.

Ever since a devastating nuclear war, humanity has lived on spaceships far above Earth’s radioactive surface. Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents – considered expendable by society – are being sent on a dangerous mission: to re-colonize the planet. It could be their second chance at life... or it could be a suicide mission.

CLARKE was arrested for treason, though she’s haunted by the memory of what she really did. WELLS, the chancellor’s son, came to Earth for the girl he loves – but will she ever forgive him? Reckless BELLAMY fought his way onto the transport pod to protect his sister, the other half of the only siblings in the universe. And GLASS managed to escape back onto the ship, only to find that life there is just as dangerous as she feared it would be on Earth.

Confronted with a savage land and haunted by secrets from their pasts, the hundred must fight to survive. They were never meant to be heroes, but they may be mankind’s last hope.

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I’d not heard anything about The 100 until it arrived on my doorstep a little while back. I wanted to wait until everyone had finished reading it, and bypass all the reviews just for a little while, so I could make my own, unbiased opinion. I wasn’t expecting too much from The 100 as the ratings I’d seen looked a little disappointing, but I’m so glad to say I was very pleasantly surprised. The 100 was a really fantastic, fast-paced and action-packed book that I just couldn’t put down!

The 100 is told in the perspectives of our four main characters; Clarke, Wells, Bellamy and Glass. All of these characters are so unique and different and I loved them all. I loved how, throughout the book, there were plenty of flashbacks, letting the readers know what the characters had been done before being detained – and eventually, how they all got there. The 100 is a real page-turner and I loved pretty much everything about it, and actually found it quite difficult to find fault with.

Ladies first! Clarke was a really strong-willed and determined character, and I just adored her right from the beginning. Arrested for treason, Clarke is still haunted by her past – and was a medic in training before her detainment. I loved a lot of Clarke’s different traits, but the one I loved most was her ability to look past peoples faults, and things they may have done in the past – and see the person they really are. I just thought she was an amazing character. Glass escapes the ship right at the beginning of the novel, and at first I just thought she was a coward, but you learn overtime the things she’s had to deal with, and I instantly changed my opinion. I thought that Glass was weak, but as it turns out she was an incredibly strong and interesting character, and I loved being able to read about the life up on the ship, as well as on earth.

Onto the boys! Wells got himself contained to be with the girl he loves, and to protect her from anything dangerous on earth – no matter what would happen to him in the process. If that isn’t true love, then I don’t know what is. He made some pretty terrible mistakes, but you can tell that he only did them to try and protect his girl, and I really loved his character as well. Not only was he a mentally strong person, but he was also extremely forgiving and loving – he was just fantastic. Bellamy was a strange character, and he seemed a little too full of himself in my opinion. He has his own reasons for jumping aboard the ship to earth, his little sister, as he’d do anything to protect her. This whole thing made up for his arrogance and inability to connect with anyone other than his sister. I liked his character though, but I won’t be jumping on the Bellamy loving band wagon any time soon.

Overall, I really loved reading The 100 and I could only find a few, very small flaws, hence the 4.5/5 star rating, instead of a 5/5. Even though I loved the characters, I thought that they could have been developed a little more – and also I thought that the world-building could have been developed a little more, with more details and specifics. These little flaws though didn’t detract from the beautiful writing and fantastic storyline that I just couldn’t get enough of. Kass Morgan has her own unique and wonderful writing style that’s engaging and had me hooked right from the very beginning. And BOY, that cliff-hanger ending had me cursing the book and whacking it against my head at the same time. I can’t wait to read the next instalment in this series, and anything else Kass Morgan may write in the future – she’s definitely an author to keep an eye on!

Quotes

She heard voices everywhere. They called to her from the corners of her dark cell. They filled the silence between her heart-beats. They screamed from the deepest recesses of her mind. It wasn't death she craved, but if that was the only way to silence the voices, then she was prepared to die. - Page 01.

Humans had abandoned Earth during its darkest hour. It wouldn't care how many died trying to return. - Page 55.

“Of course I know.” Thalia looked at Clarke with a mixture of frustration and pity. “But I also know what he risked to come here.” She smiled. “He loves you, Clarke. The kind of love most people spend their whole lives looking for.”
Clarke sighed. “Well, I hope, for your sake, that you never find it.” - Page 106.

Review: Briar Rose by Jana Oliver

Title: Briar Rose.
Author: Jana Oliver.
Publication Date: September 12th, 2013.
Publisher: Macmillan.
Format: Paperback, 470 pages.
Source: Provided By Publisher.
My Rating:



Briar Rose believes in Fairy Tales. And now, because of a family curse, she’s living one. Doomed to fall asleep for one hundred years on her sixteenth birthday, Briar has woken up in the darkest, most twisted fairy tale she could ever have dreamed of – miles away from the safe, boring small-town life that she has left behind.

Briar must fight her way out of the story, but she can’t do it alone. She always believed in handsome princes, and now she’s met one her only chance is to put her life in his hands, or there will be no happy ever after and no waking up...

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Briar Rose is an incredibly dark, twisted, sexy and unique re-imagining of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale with plenty of different plot twists to keep anyone on their toes! I went into reading Briar Rose with reasonably high expectations and was completely blown away by the whole thing. Briar Rose is a fantastic and wonderfully written novel, with just the right amount of action and romance! The entire way through Briar Rose I was completely captivated and had no idea what would happen next. There are so many unique and fascinating details in Briar Rose and everything is incredibly well thought out – I just couldn’t get enough of the story.

Briar Rose is our main protagonist, and I absolutely adored her character. Not only was she really relatable and fun to read about, but she was also funny, kind and generally a really thoughtful person. Briar is obsessed with fairy tales, and loves everything about them – which is why the whole situation was so ironic in a way and kind of funny in a way. Briar has always yearned for adventure and to be swept off her feet by a prince and carried into the sunset, and suddenly all of her dreams seem possible when she’s catapulted in to this dark and twisted fairy tale.

Joshua is the guy who’s totally off-limits to Briar, not because he’s involved with someone else – but because their parents forbid it. Joshua is complete and utter sweetheart, and I loved his character right off the bat. I thought it was amazing how much he’d risk just to be near Briar, even just to talk to her. It’s completely obvious how smitten he is with her right from the beginning, and I thought his affection was really adorable. Not only was Joshua funny, kind, caring and sweet, he was also a really firm, and well developed character that you just can’t help but love.

Overall, I thought Briar Rose was an extra-ordinary novel that I just couldn’t put down. I sped through the book so quickly, even though it was over 400 pages! Jana Oliver is a brilliant writer, with a unique and wonderful writing style that really captures your attention and draws you into her world. I can’t seem to find a single fault with her writing at all. The only thing that stopped this book being a 5 star read, instead of a 4.5 was mainly because of the reactions the characters had to magic and fairy tales in general. I thought that the characters parents, and the characters themselves, bought into the whole situation way too easily – and really didn’t doubt it at all. I mean, if someone came up to me and told me something was happening like in Briar Rose, I’d probably laugh. However, this didn’t change how great I thought this book was. I can’t wait to read more from Jana Oliver in the future, and I think it’d be amazing if she created another book like Briar Rose, but with different characters and a different situation.

Quotes

Over the years this curse will remain vigilant, growing in strength, changing course as needed. Then, when the time is right, it will fulfil its calling. Sate its near-human desire for revenge.
No mercy. No second chances. Only more tears to feed the bitterness. Page 01.

‘Helloooo? You still there? Let me guess, you were redecorating the castle, right?’
It was Reena’s way of poking fun at Briar’s ‘obsession’, as she called it. It was her father’s fault: when Briar was four, he’d read her ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ at bedtime. She’d come away from that experience with a true love of fairy tales and a morbid fear of wolves. From there she’d gone through the Disney phase where all the fairy tales ended happily ever after. Now she was solidly in the Brothers Grimm camp, where happy endings usually required a few corpses just to even things out. - Pages 16 & 17.

They crushed the creatures as fast as possible, but it was no use. The tide of centipedes scrambling over each other to get a taste of human was overwhelming. It was ironic. All her mother’s protectiveness had been a waste of time: her daughter was about to become supper for a ravenous family of magical arthropods. - Page 254.

Review: Obscura Burning by Suzanne van Rooyen

Title: Obscura Burning.
Author: Suzanne van Rooyen.
Publication Date: December 7th, 2012.
Publisher: Etopia Press.
Format: Paperback, 300 pages.
Source: Provided By Author.
My Rating:



The world's going to end in fire...and it's all Kyle's fault.

Kyle Wolfe's world is about to crash and burn. Just weeks away from graduation, a fire kills Kyle's two best friends and leaves him permanently scarred. A fire that Kyle accidentally set the night he cheated on his boyfriend Danny with their female friend, Shira. That same day, a strange new planet, Obscura, appears in the sky. And suddenly Kyle's friends aren't all that dead anymore.

Each time Kyle goes to sleep, he awakens to two different realities. In one, his boyfriend Danny is still alive, but Shira is dead. In the other, it's Shira who's alive...and now they're friends with benefits. Shifting between realities is slowly killing him, and he's not the only one dying. The world is dying with him. He's pretty sure Obscura has something to do with it, but with his parents' marriage imploding and realities shifting each time he closes his eyes, Kyle has problems enough without being the one in charge of saving the world...

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Obscura Burning is a really fantastic and incredibly interesting novel that will have any sci-fi lover hooked from the first few chapters. Suzanne van Rooyen created a great, wonderful and unique story line that kept me constantly turning the pages – I just didn’t want to put it down! There are so many twists and turns throughout Obscura Burning, which were amazing – and I loved how real the whole thing seemed – even though it was sci-fi! The smallest of decisions could set off a completely different chain of events throughout the book, and you get to experience them all with the main character. Although Obscura Burning was little confusing at times, and I found it a little hard to follow, it was pleasure to read and I loved every minute that I was reading it.

Kyle Wolfe is our main protagonist and he is gay – at least, he’s pretty sure he is. I’d like to say quickly, that if you’re not interested in, or don’t like LGBT stories in general, I really wouldn’t recommend this book. Although there aren’t any graphic scenes or much romance throughout this book at all – but there are plenty of references. Moving on! I really loved Kyle’s character, he was a really down-to-earth guy, and even though the book was written by a woman, it didn’t show through on to Kyle’s character in the writing like I’ve seen before in the past. Although a little messed up and definitely confused about a number of things in his life, Kyle was a solid, interesting, smart and generally a caring guy and very well developed. There was also this dark and mysterious edge to his because of his memory loss, which made him even more likable.

Even the secondary characters throughout Obscura Burning were amazingly well developed. Danny is Kyle’s boyfriend, and I liked his character a lot at first. He was kind, sweet and seemed to really care about Kyle. However, as the novel progressed, my dislike of him grew quite a bit – he became a little self-centred (even though he had his reasons) and I really questioned some of his decisions and motives. Overall though, he was a nice character to read about, even if I had my doubts about him. Shira is Kyle’s and Danny’s best friend and from the start I wasn’t really that keen on her at all. She was also a little self-centred, and I didn’t get the impression that she cared much about Kyle at all – even as a friend. It seemed like she actually pitied him, but that’s probably just what her character was like. Lastly, is Mya; a girl Kyle meets in both parallels; in one they become best friends and in the other she’s completely different and cruel. I really did love Mya’s character though (in the reality where she and Kyle are friends); she was kind, caring, sweet, funny and treated Kyle like a normal person – unlike pretty much everyone else in their tow – and she was definitely my favourite secondary character!

Overall, I thought Obscura Burning was a really well written and absolutely mind-blowing and extra-ordinary novel, with an ending that left me stunned and shocked to my very core. I had no idea how the story would end; and I must have come up with tons of different possible outcomes - but I just didn’t see the ending coming! I believe it well and truly deserves the 4.5/5 star rating, and if it weren’t for a few of the things I’ve mentioned, it would have definitely earned that extra half-star. Obscura Burning is a dark, twisted and mysterious novel that I’m sure anyone will be drawn into, even if they’re not a huge sci-fi reader. Susanne van Rooyen’s writing is really beautiful and in a league of its own, I’ve never read anything like it before. I can’t wait to read more from Suzanne van Rooyen in the future, she’s definitely an author to keep an eye on!

Quotes

There’s nothing worse than a doctor’s waiting room, than that dread of anticipation liquefying your insides. Spent enough time around shrinks as a kid. They always asked why. Why did you set the fire? Because I like it. But why? I didn’t know then, but maybe I do now. Because there’s real power in controlling something that beautiful and that destructive. - Page 94.

She’s going through hell? As if me getting burned was a walk in goddamn Armadillo Park. Hell is getting beaten up by your dad every night because your mom works the night shift. Hell is feeling less of a human being for liking boys. Hell is being suffocated by the guilt of cheating on someone you love. Hell is second- and third-degree burns, new dressings, needles and nurses, morphine, and split fucking reality that makes you wish you were dead. That’s hell for you, Mom. - Page 129.

"Hey, Miss Death and Feathers, at least I'm not the one banging my dead friend's boyfriend." - Page 216.

Review: Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder

Title: Magic Study.
Series: The Chronicles of Ixia, #2.
Author: Maria V. Snyder.
Publication Date: June 7th, 2013.
Publisher: Mira Ink.
Format: Paperback, 384 pages.
Source: Provided By Publisher.
My Rating:



Discovering her fate could prove deadly...
Yelena Zaltana has been found guilty of possessing magical powers. The Code of Behaviour that rules the land of Ixia states she must be executed.
Escape is her only hope.

But when the freedom Yelena has fought for is once more in jeopardy, she must use her magic to survive.

With only one year to prove herself, Yelena’s future is uncertain and when magic is involved one mistake could mean sudden death.

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I really enjoyed reading Poison Study, the first book in this trilogy, and I have to say I was a little hesitant and apprehensive about starting Magic Study. I was mainly worried that it wouldn’t compare to the first book, but boy was I wrong! Magic Study went above and beyond my expectations and was just as good if not better than the first book. If you love fantasy, action, adventure, magic, well developed characters and bad guys – then I’m sure you’ll absolutely adore this series, just as I have. I’d recommend these books, even if you’re a little worried about the genres.

Yelena is our main protagonist, and I really love her! When we were introduced to her in the first book, I was a little unsure what to think of her – but now, I really wish she was real so I could meet her. You’re able to see Yelena grow throughout Magic Study and I loved how we learned more and more about her past in this book. It was so much fun to read about her developing and starting to learn how to control her powers, as it wasn’t the main focus in the first book. Yelena is a smart, fun, hard-working and a hot-headed girl who sometimes has a problem with her temper – but I love her all the same. She’s been through a lot since she was kidnapped as a child, and it was emotional to read about how everything still affected her, even a year or so later.

Valek makes another appearance in this book, and I’m so glad he did. I love Valek’s character so much, he’s dark and brooding, but has a really sweet and caring side that he rarely shows. I think Valek and Yelena are a perfect match for each other and I love their relationship so much; it’s sweet but passionate at the same time. There are also quite a few new characters that make appearances in Magic Study, and unfortunately I can’t talk about them all – however they were all really strong and well developed characters. I don’t think I came across an underdeveloped character in this book at all, and there were plenty to read about! It was great being introduced to them all, and learning about their personalities over time.

Maria V. Snyder’s writing is really amazing, and I love pretty much everything about it. My only problem was that, once again, the ending was a little rushed and I did wish it could have been a bit longer. Other than that though, the book was perfect and I thought it was really fantastic! I rarely give books half star ratings, but I thought that it was smack bang in the middle of a 4/5 and a 5/5, and I couldn’t decide at first which to choose – so I went with a nice and comfy middle; 4.5/5 stars. I think it well and truly earned the rating I gave it and I really can’t wait to read the third and final book in this trilogy and see what happens next and where all the characters end up! I’m also definitely going to be picking up the spin-off series, which is set in the world of Ixia, as I just can’t get enough of it!

Quotes

"Living is a risk," I snapped at him. "Every decision, every interaction, every step, every time you get out of bed in the morning, you take a risk. To survive is to know you're taking that risk and to not get out of bed clutching illusions of safety." - Page 244.

He made a weak attempt to look innocent, but I knew better. "Should I guess how many concealed weapons you have or should I strip search you?"
"A strip search is the only way to be absolutely certain." Valek's deep blue eyes danced with delight.
I took three steps and was wrapped in his arms, where I belonged. No worries here. No troubles here. Just Valek's scent, an intoxicating combination of musk and spice. - Page 285.

"Why did Mother ask you to help me rescue Gelsi?" I asked Leif.
"She thought I could assist you in some way. Instead, I had tried to-"
"Kill me? You can join the 'I Want to Kill Yelena Guild.' I hear they have six members in good standing. Valek is president since he had wanted to kill me twice." - Page 398.