Review: The Rain by Virginia Bergin

Title: The Rain.
Series: The Rain, #1.
Author: Virginia Bergin.
Publication Date: July 17th, 2014.
Publisher: Macmillan.
Format: Paperback, 384 pages.
Source: Provided By Publisher.
My Rating:



It's in the rain...and just one drop will kill you.

They don't believe it at first. Crowded in Zach's kitchen, Ruby and the rest of the partygoers laugh at Zach's parents' frenzied push to get them all inside as it starts to drizzle. But then the radio comes on with the warning, "It's in the rain! It's fatal, it's contagious, and there's no cure."

Two weeks later, Ruby is alone. Anyone who's been touched by rain or washed their hands with tap water is dead. The only drinkable water is quickly running out. Ruby's only chance for survival is a treacherous hike across the country to find her father-if he's even still alive.

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It feels like I haven’t written a review in about a year, although it has only been a couple of months. So, I apologise if I seem a little rusty! The Rain is set in a diary format and it is as if the main character is speaking directly to you, I absolutely loved this, as I don’t come across books like it very often! The Rain is a brilliant and pretty darn awesome post-apocalyptic novel with a really fantastic premise and interesting characters. Every time I go to get a glass of water now, I pause for a second and need to remind myself that it hadn’t happened in real life – not yet at least!

Ruby is our main protagonist and I actually started off liking her quite a lot, she seemed like a very typical teenage girl and was generally a pretty bubbly and interesting character. However, the more I read The Rain, the more I grew to dislike her. Ruby turned out to be an irritating, annoying, frustrating, big-headed, over dramatic, rude and mean character. The way she treated people, her family included, made me want to whack her over the head with the book. I know she’s only seventeen, but you would think, given the circumstances (and the fact that she’s nearly an adult) she’d mature a little, but she just got worse as the book went on. I don’t know whether this was Virginia Bergin’s plan all along, but Ruby was definitely not a character I would want to know!

Overall, The Rain was a really good book that I found really difficult to put down; I needed to find out what would happen next! Virginia Bergin’s writing is different and unique and I have to say I’ve definitely not read anything like it before. I loved the format the book was in, a diary written by Ruby and although I didn’t like Ruby’s character, it didn’t detract from the brilliance of the book. Virginia Bergin is a fantastic author and I can’t wait to read more from her in the future, I would also definitely recommend The Rain to any post-apocalyptic fan as it really is a unique read!

Quotes

Simon’s hands snatched round my middle and pulled me back. He pinned me to him.
My scream died in the air; it died and joined all the other screams. They live like ghosts, like echoes in the minds of the living.
My scream burst out and died and lungs refused - refused - to suck air in. I wanted to stop, to die with that scream.
‘Breathe, breathe, breathe,’ Simon kept saying. He was crying. He would not let me go.
Then it comes. Your lungs suck in air; your body decides for you. You will live.
You’re one breath away from her, then two, then three, then four, then five.
Mum, I am still breathing. - Page 72 & 73.

Whitby, outside, had started to whimper...and the sound of his crying, it was awful and I could feel I was about ready to totally yee-haa...and then...something kicked in, just for a second, about how..I dunno. How it’s so hard now to work things out it’s maybe easier to work them out with other people, but how being with other people is dangerous as well as safer...because you have to agree all the time...because if you don’t sort it out and you don’t agree, a lot of things can go wrong.
Basically people can die. [...]

My eyes were so tear-blurry I could hardly even see Whitby running after the car, barking. Please don’t leave me, please don’t leave me, please don’t leave me.
I could hardly even see him until he was just a tiny dot, sitting in the middle of the motorway, howling. - Page 304.

I had these thoughts – strange, but not scary – about how maybe there’d be so few people left now that the animals would set up a human zoo and bring their animal children to stare at us and tell them in Animalese to shush and not frighten us, and give us mobile phones to play with and feed us on tinned stuff and bottles of cola. Yikes! And try to get us to breed! Imagine spending the rest of your life trapped in a cage with Darius Spratt, being forced to try to like each other. – Page 343.

Review: Mutant City by Steve Feasey

Title: Mutant City.
Author: Steve Feasey.
Publication Date: May 8th, 2014.
Publisher: Bloomsbury.
Format: Paperback, 345 pages.
Source: ARC Provided By Publisher.
My Rating:



Fifty years ago, the world was almost destroyed by a chemical war. Now the world is divided into the mutants and the pure. Mutants must fight for survival in a scarred landscape, while the privileged pure live out a life of disease-free perfection.

Thirteen years ago, a covert government experimental facility was shut down and its residents killed. The secrets it held died with them. But five extraordinary kids survived.

Today four teenagers are about to discover that their mutant blood brings with it special powers. They are heading straight for Mutant City with rival factions close behind. One by one, they face the enemy. Together, they must stay alive . . .

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Mutant City is one of those books that I just didn’t expect to love as much as I did. Mutant City did take me a few weeks to read, as I’ve been in a huge reading slump lately, but I enjoyed every moment I was reading it! Although a few of the ideas in Mutant City aren’t exactly original; it’s a fun, fast-paced, and action-packed book that will ensnare the reader and keep them wanting to turn the pages to find out what’ll happen next.

Mutant City switches perspectives throughout the book, so each new chapter is in the view of a different character – I believe it switches between 5 or 6 characters throughout the book. At the beginning, this was rather confusing, and I found myself flipping back to the first few pages to find out which character was which. But by the time I’d read about quarter of Mutant City I was really engrossed and invested in pretty much all the characters.

Rush is one of the characters that we read the most about, and I really loved him. He’s a bit of a head-strong guy, but eventually learns to trust the new people he’s meeting. I just loved the amount of compassion he showed throughout the book towards the people he cares about. Brick is also another one of the main characters in Mutant City, and although there really isn’t that many chapters based solely on him, I adored his character too. He’s a big guy, as mentioned on many different occasions throughout the book, but he has a soft heart, and is just a really strong, caring and overall loveable character.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Mutant City and I think it truly is a brilliant and wonderful novel. The fact that you get thrown completely into the middle of Steve Feasey’s world does leave you a little confused, however it doesn’t take long to acclimatise and things become much clearer the more you read. Steve Feasey’s writing is fun and quirky, and although it’s definitely not perfect – I still absolutely adored it. I’d recommend anyone who loves a bit of Sci-Fi to read Mutant City, especially if you’re a fan of X-Men, as I’ve heard that they’re supposed to be quite similar! I believe Mutant City well and truly deserves the 4 star rating I gave it, and I can’t wait to see what happens next – as I hope there’s a sequel - because the cliff hanger ending was frustrating, but really awesome at the same time.

Quotes

‘The farm was established so I might look into mutant anomalies.’
‘Anomalies?’
‘Aberrations. Mutations so extreme that they defy scientific explanation.’ He paused to wet his dry, cracked lips.
Zander was beginning to wonder if the old man’s ramblings might be simply a result of the pain-controlling medication he was on. He glanced back towards the door, weighing up whether he should call one of the nursing staff.
The old man continued. ‘I’d heard rumours about mutants from the most extreme environments who had psychic powers and other weird abilities.’ - Page 31.

The stone he dropped, almost casually, out of the same hand landed perfectly in the small square of leather between the long thongs, and he twirled the entire thing about his head, the weapon making a low whoosh that got increasingly loud with each revolution. On the third turn he leaned into the throw and released one of the thongs so the stone flew out at a terrific speed, streaking through the air like a bullet. There was an audible crack! as the projectile connected with its target, followed by the sound of the crossbow clattering to the ground. For a moment Forkhand seemed unaware he’d been hit. He stood as a rivulet of blood flowed down his face from the centre of his forehead.
Then his eyes rolled up towards the heavens and he collapsed. Page 187 – 188.

‘Look who’s here,’ Rush said, nodding in Tink’s direction. Dotty took one look at the man, let out a less than friendly hurgh and walked out again, pausing in the doorway to fart loudly. ‘Well, what do you know?’ Tink said with a grin. ‘The miserable critter still hates me.’ - Page 286.

Review: Fool Me Twice by Mandy Hubbard

Title: Fool Me Twice.
Series: If Only..., #1.
Author: Mandy Hubbard.
Publication Date: June 5th, 2014.
Publisher: Bloomsbury.
Format: Paperback, 272 pages.
Source: Provided By Publisher.
My Rating:



Mackenzie is determined not to fall for Landon all over again. Not after he dumped her and got back together with his ex. But they are both at Serenity Ranch and Spa for the summer and she can’t just ignore him – especially after he takes a nasty fall and doesn’t remember ever breaking up with her! Now it’s her turn to dump him. And not without a little bit of fun first...

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Fool Me Twice is a ridiculously cute, sweet, funny and light-hearted book that’ll have anyone grinning like an idiot whilst they’re reading it. It’s full of hilarious scenes, practical jokes and romantic encounters – and although some of the scenes were a little cheesy at times, I didn’t really mind. Mandy Hubbard has a really bubbly writing style and outlook and I just loved her style of writing. Fool Me Twice is fun and quick read, and I’d really recommend any contemporary lover to pick it up and give it a go.

Mackenzie, or Mack, is our main protagonist throughout Fool Me Twice, and I really loved her character! She’s smart, witty, upbeat, funny, and caring. She has this ridiculously quirky personality and sense of style; she even dyed her hair red and blue for Independence Day! Mack was just a really loveable character that you can’t help but laugh along with, and I think if I met her in real life, she’d be someone I’d really want to be friends with. Overall I thought she was a really strong and interesting character and I was rooting for her to be happy right from the start.

Landon is the love interest throughout Fool Me Twice, and the guy Mack wants to get revenge on for breaking her heart. At first, I really didn’t like his character – he seemed too full of himself, and didn’t seem to care what so ever about how much he’d hurt Mack in dumping her the way he did. However, the more the novel progressed, the more I started to like him. It turns out he has this complete other side to him, and can be really sweet and fun. By the time I was nearing the end of the book, I was desperate for a happy ending and for the two of them to work things out and to be together. Talk about a change of opinion!

Although the majority of the characters acted and seemed much more like 16 year olds, rather than 18 (or nearly 18) year olds, it surprisingly didn’t faze me much what so ever. I have a bit of a pet peeve about characters that act stupidly, or if they really don’t act their age – but Mack, Landon and Mack’s best friend, Bailey don’t act like little kids at all - just slightly younger versions of themselves, trying to enjoy their last summer before they go off to University. As for the relationship between Landon and Mack, it was so sweet and beautiful. As much as she tried not to fall back in love with Landon, she just couldn’t help it, even after all did to her. She was willing to forgive and mostly forget the things that happened between them the year before, and at first that frustrated me, but as I read more and more, I found out I really didn’t mind so much after all.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Fool Me Twice. It’s definitely not a book to be taken too seriously, but was generally a really beautiful and kind of heart-warming tale with a lot of humour mixed in! Mandy Hubbard’s writing is fresh, funny and quirky, with a lovely ability to create a lovely backdrop to the story – I could picture the Ranch really clearly in my head! I flew through Fool Me Twice, reading it in just two sittings, and although it’s not perfect, I believe it well and truly deserves the 4/5 star rating I gave it. I can’t wait to read more books in this series and from Mandy Hubbard in the future – she’s definitely an author to keep an eye out for!

Quotes

“Is his horse always that hyper?”
Storm is dancing at the end of the reins, but Landon just maintains his solid grip and walks as if it’s no big deal that a thousand-pound horse is hopping around like a bunny on crack.
“Yeah, pretty much. He’s got his roping saddle on and Storm knows it. He’s such a hothead for roping.”
“Oh.”
“Should we bail?” I ask. “I mean, I don’t know the rules of engagement. Without the aid of explosives or whatever.”
“First, no, you do not let him run you off, and second, dude, explosives! We could blow up his junk!” - Page 39.

It’s out here on the trail where sometimes I think I see deep inside his soul, those moments he’s utterly content, and somehow I finally get him. It doesn’t mean we’re meant to be, doesn’t mean he won’t break my heart.
It just means deep in his heart, he’s something different. The guy who would gallop to the edge of a cliff to save you [...]. He’d share his last drop of water with you, or if your horse went lame, he’d offer you his own and then walk, even if his boots made his feet blister and the sun dang near killed him.
He might still dump you for another girl, but out here, under the never-ending sky, he’s mine. The guy I fall for over and over and over again. - Page 194 & 195.

My reverie is broken when Landon touches my knee, and I turn to him. He leans across the space between our horses, and my eyes slip closed just as his lips touch mine.
As the sun rises over the desert, we kiss. - Page 235.

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: Her Dark Curiosity by Megan Shepherd

Title: Her Dark Curiosity.
Series: The Madman's Daughter, #2.
Author: Megan Shepherd.
Publication Date: January 28th, 2014.
Publisher: Harper Voyager.
Format: Paperback, 368 pages.
Source: Provided By Publisher.
My Rating:



Back in London after her trip to Dr. Moreau's horrific island, Juliet is rebuilding the life she once knew and trying to forget her father's legacy. But soon it's clear that someone – or something – hasn't forgotten her, as people close to Juliet start falling victim to a murderer who leaves a macabre calling card of three clawlike slashes. Has one of her father's creations also escaped the island?

As Juliet strives to stop a killer while searching for a serum to cure her own worsening illness, she finds herself once more in a world of scandal and danger. Her heart torn in two, past bubbling to the surface, life threatened by an obsessive killer – Juliet will be lucky to escape alive.

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I have to say, I’m really enjoying reading retellings of novels lately, so much more than I expected too! The first book in this series is a retelling of The Island of Dr. Moreau, which unfortunately I have yet to read, and Her Dark Curiosity is a retelling of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde – which I have actually read many years ago. Her Dark Curiosity was an amazing novel filled with suspense and mystery that’ll keep you guessing all the way through! It’s been nearly a year since I read the first book, but with the help of useful information throughout Her Dark Curiosity and my review of the first book, everything came flooding back and I was once more engrossed in the world Megan Shepherd has written and distracted by the characters that she’s created and the trouble they get themselves into.

I recall having a love/hate relationship with Juliet in The Madman’s Daughter, but in Her Dark Curiosity she didn’t frustrate me as much, and I just generally liked her character much more. Juliet is definitely more of a bad-ass character in this novel; obviously the events that happened to her on the island in the first novel have strengthened her a lot. However, they’ve also hardened her a little more than I’d expected. A few of her decisions throughout the book, along with her reactions, kind of irritated me – but overall I think Juliet is an awesome and wonderfully developed character that I just can’t help but love. If I had the chance to meet her, I have to say I definitely would! Maybe we could discuss our mutual madness, or maybe her inability to make a sensible choice? Either way, Juliet makes some dangerous decisions and acts very irrationally on her hunt to find answers – but she’s still pretty darn awesome.

I’m always torn when it comes to what side I’m on when it comes to opinions on love triangles. Depending on how the love triangle is developed, I’m usually quite positive towards the whole situation – but there are times when the whole thing just frustrates me and I feel like throwing the book at the wall. Luckily for me, the love triangle in this series is brilliantly done and in this instance, I’m really not sure which side to be on – as I keep changing my mind! Juliet is in love with Montgomery and can’t stop thinking about him, even though he broke her heart – yet their relationship is sweet, caring and beautiful. Edward’s relationship with Juliet is so different in contrast – she’s adamant that she doesn’t love him, or care for him in that way – but there’s something about him that she’s drawn too. Maybe she’s recognising the animal within and knows that he understands her and accepts her in a way Montgomery can’t? I’m not sure, but their relationship is more primal and heady and makes me want to collapse into a chair swooning. I really can’t wait to see who she ends up choosing.

Overall, I really loved reading Her Dark Curiosity – it was fantastic sequel with twists and turns around every corner. Megan Shepherd’s writing is really brilliant and everything is so beautifully written and described. I really can’t find many faults with Her Dark Curiosity, which is why I believe it well and truly deserves the 4/5 star rating I’ve given it. I honestly can’t wait for the release of the third and final book in this trilogy; I really need to find out what happens next and where the characters end up! Megan Shepherd is an amazing author with an incredible ability to create not only amazing storylines but wonderful and loveable characters – even the enemies are brilliantly written! I’d recommend this series to anyone who’s a fan of historical fiction and mystery-thriller novels; even if you’re not well acquainted with historical novels (I’m certainly not!) So please, try and pick up this series – I’m sure you won’t regret it!

Quotes

I don’t know what instinct made me keep such a bloody memento of a murderer.
Call it sentimentality. Call it curiosity.
Just don't call it madness. - Page 38.

He smiled grimly, though there was no glee in to, as though for once he understood how heartbreaking this was for me. 'No serum can change who you are. Nor should you change. Genius or madness – it all depends on who’s telling the story.’ His hand stopped tapping, and that humanity flickered again in his eye. ‘You’re perfect as you are, my love.’
I took another shaky step away from him, fearful and confused, and hurried up the stairs. It didn’t matter. I couldn’t get away from his words.
He was right. No serum could cure who I really was – a Moreau, through and through. - Page 323.

Sometimes you have to embrace the darkness to stop it. - Page 333.

Review: Thirteen by Tom Hoyle

Title: Thirteen.
Author: Tom Hoyle.
Publication Date: February 13th, 2014.
Publisher: Macmillan.
Format: Paperback, 336 pages.
Source: Provided By Publisher.
My Rating:



Born at midnight in London, on the stroke of the new millennium, Adam is the target of a cult that believes boys born on this date must die before the end of their thirteenth year. Twelve have been killed so far. Coron, the crazy cult leader, will stop at nothing to bring in his new kingdom. And now he is planning a bombing spectacular across London to celebrate the sacrifice of his final victim: Adam.

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I have to say that Thirteen is one of the most unusual and strangest books I’ve read in quite a while! Although it took me quite a while to get through this book, about 9 days in total, it was nothing to do with the book itself. After finishing my last read, I found myself in a reading slump, and only managed to read a few pages at a time. However, I persevered and I’m so glad I did! To be perfectly honest, I’ve never read a cult related book before, and was a little reluctant to start Thirteen, as it’s usually not my style. But there was just something so enticing and interesting about the book that I just couldn’t resist (not to mention the cover design and yellow edged pages!). Thirteen is a fast-paced and action-packed book that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat and cringing at some of the dark and diverse scenes.

Adam is our main protagonist, and I have slightly mixed feelings about his character. I loved being able to read in a males prospective, and I thought he was really kind, sweet and innocent. He had this really adorable outlook on life and was fiercely protective of his friends, even standing up to bullies for them! However, I also thought he was really naive for his age of thirteen, nearly fourteen. I think this is mostly because of the fact that he’s a boy – as everyone seems to think they mature slower than girls (not that I’m judging!). Mostly though, I really liked his character, and although he’s probably not going to make it into my top 10 protagonists list, I thought he was a strong and likeable character that I enjoyed reading about and following his story.

Thirteen is split into two perspectives, Adam’s, and Coron’s – the psychotic and murdering cult leader that is trying to sacrifice Adam to cleanse the world of evil for a better world where he and his master shall reign. I loved reading both of their point of views and the whole aspect of this novel was unexpected and pretty brilliant and original! Reading Coron’s perspective was pretty bizarre and I had to laugh at some of the things that he came out with – he’s gone off his rockers and really delusional. I believe that Thirteen shows a really fascinating perspective into the whole theme of Cults. Especially about how easily people are coerced or drawn into these sorts of things. Something that irked me however, was the how abruptly the ending cut off – things seemed to be over in less than a page and there isn’t a whole lot of closure. Everything was building up to this final confrontation and I thought it just fell flat. I have so many questions milling around in my head; how does Adam convince the police of his innocence? What happened to the remaining characters, and what exactly happens to Adam now that the ordeal is over? Apparently there is a sequel in the works, and I’m eager to find out if my questions are answered and to see what might happen next!

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Thirteen – it was a really awesome and intriguing book that surprised me at every turn. Although Thirteen is classed as a YA novel, on one hand I’d say that it’s honestly more of a middle-grade novel. I think this mostly due to the characters, even though they’re teenagers. But on the other hand there’s a darker and more sinister side which makes me think it does fit into the YA genre - maybe it’s somewhere between the two? Tom Hoyle’s writing is funny, upbeat and quirky, but he also has the ability to create an air of seriousness to the whole situation. Thirteen is definitely not a perfect novel, but then again, I think they’re few and far between. It has its flaws; with confusing scenes and slightly jerky and robotic writing at times, but I’m very glad I read it. I’d recommend this book to anyone with an open mind, even if you’re not a young adult – I believe you’ll enjoy this book for what it is – an imaginative, thrilling novel with strong characters and a brilliant plot.

Quotes

'By the time he is fourteen, the boy has become a man... Thirteen is the last year of childhood... The boy must be killed before he is a man.' - Page 01.

Keenan spoke. ‘Before you die, I’ll tell you what you are. You are filth, but you are dangerous. Born at midnight at the millennium, two thousand years after the previous Imposter, you-‘
‘I wasn’t. I wasn’t,’ Adam tried to say. But he was.
‘You would stop Lord Coron, who will cleanse this world, from taking his real place, perhaps with me at his side.’
Coron? Cleanse the world? What was Keenan on about? This was mad!
Adam realized that these people where completely crazy. - Page 94.

Words ran around the top of the room: I will deliver you into the hands of brutal men who are skilful to destroy. You shall be the fuel for the fire; your blood shall be in the midst of the land. - Page 150.

Review: The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Forever Song.
Series: Blood of Eden, #3.
Author: Julie Kagawa.
Publication Date: April 15th, 2014.
Publisher: Mira Ink.
Format: Paperback, 384 pages.
Source: Provided By Publisher.
My Rating:



Vengeance will be hers.

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the ultimate question: is she a human or monster?

With the death of her love she has her answer.

Monster.

Embracing her inner darkness, Allie is now determined to hunt and kill Sarren, the psychopath who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long and Sarren is leading Allie’s dangerous fight to the one place she must protect at any cost – Eden, the last safe-zone on earth. Forced into a battle that it may be impossible to win, Allie is about to face her darkest days.
And, if she succeeds, she could face surviving forever alone.

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It seems like forever ago that I read and loved the second book in this wonderful trilogy. So I have to say I was a little apprehensive about starting The Forever Song, not just because it’s the conclusion to the story, but because I wasn’t sure how much I’d remember from the first two books. I didn’t have to worry for long though, because as soon as I started reading The Forever Song, everything came flooding back! The Forever Song was the most perfect and heart-wrenching conclusion to the Blood of Eden trilogy – I couldn’t have dreamt a more wonderful, beautiful and incredible ending.

Allison’s character has drastically changed since the first book in the series; she’s grown from this weedy, scared little girl, to a completely wonderful, strong, beautiful, loyal and badass woman. In The Forever Song, we get to see Allison’s dark, dangerous and murderous side – fuelled by anger and grief – and I really loved reading about her in that state of mind. It was so completely different from the other books, but just as incredible. Allie is definitely my most favourite female character that I’ve read about – I love her determination and her inner struggle with herself, to not become the monster she fears she’ll be. She’s headstrong, and erratic and often ruled by her emotions rather than common sense, but I think that just makes her even more of an amazing character.

Kanin is Allison’s sire, and a master Vampire. From the moment I was introduced to him in the first book in this trilogy, I loved him. Kanin is the most compassionate and deep and detailed secondary character that I’ve ever read about. He becomes a father figure to Allison, and there is a loyalty and connection between the two that goes beyond their blood tie. They’re family, and I’m one hundred percent sure that Kanin loves Allison like she were his own daughter, and the pride he has in her is incredible. I love Kanin’s character for all those reasons, and so many, many more.

Jackal is Allison’s blood brother of sorts – sired by Kanin years previously. He’s a sarcastic, rude, egotistical, self-involved, murdering and twisted character that you just can’t help but love - especially the more you read about him. In the first book, I hated him with a passion, but in the second I grew to love him in a weird and freaky way. And in The Forever Song, I loved him even more. He hasn’t changed since the first book, and is still awful and cruel, but there’s this comedic aura around him, and I can’t help but laugh at some of things he comes out with. You may question my sanity slightly, but read the books and judge for yourself!

Overall, I loved The Forever Song so much; I’m finding it ridiculously hard to put how I feel into words. I flew through the novel, desperate to find out what would happen next. One minute I was crying like an idiot, and the next I was laughing my head off. The Forever Song was dark, intense and filled with twists and sinister plans. I absolutely adore Julie Kagawa’s writing, she has this incredibly ability to not only create an intricately woven world, but to also make you feel like you’re right there along with the characters. She’s just absolutely phenomenal! I will be recommending this series to every single person I know who reads – I’ll be stopping people in book stores and shoving copies of the series in their arms and telling them to read it. It’s one of those series that just sticks with you, with every little detail clinging to your mind - not letting you forget it even when you’ve read the last page and put the book back on the shelf. If I could give The Forever Song, and the Blood of Eden trilogy, more than 5 stars – I would! I’d gladly give it a thousand stars, because it well and truly deserves it. If you haven’t picked up the first book yet, go do it now, you won’t regret it.

Quotes

This time, there was no doubt. No hesitation. Even if it hurt. Even though remembering Zeke ripped my heart into a million tiny pieces, I would not let this thing win. And if that meant fighting the monster until the end of time, that’s what I was going to do. - Page 61 & 62.

I remembered my Zeke: brave, determined, compassionate. The boy who hadn’t let the fact that I was a vampire scare him away, who had offered his heart to a monster, because he could see the human inside. The only living being I would ever open myself up to, because I’d trusted him.
Because I’d known he would never hurt me. - Page 127 & 128.

“I thought we had more time, even though I knew better. Life is so fragile, and someone can be taken from you at any time. I’ve always known that.” - Page 225.