Monthly Reading Wrap Up | July 2015

July has been a very good reading month for me so far. I've had a few days off from reading just to watch my TV Shows and Movies, I've also taken a few days off due to suffering with a severe headache that made me lose concentration. However, I have found 2 of my favourite books of the year this month, which is a massive bonus.

Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines - 4 Stars

This was an incredibly quick, cute, steamy read. The characters were great, Blaire really had me rooting for her and I was pleasantly surprised by what happened, drama or not!

Never Too Far by Abbi Glines - 4 Stars

Never Too Far was a good sequel, but I did sometimes get a little bored. However, Abbi Glines does write great romance. So swoon worthy!

The Young Elites by Marie Lu - 5 Stars

Okay. This book was freaking epic! Adelina is a character that despite being an antagonist you completely root for her. She's twisted, dark and creepy, yet one fierce bitch! I honestly could not believe all those droppings of plot twists, left, right and centre. Too good. TOO GOOD!

Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider - 3.5 Stars

This book started off so well. I was hooked! The characters were great, relatable and completely lovable, however, things started to go down hill after 250 pages. It became a little predictable and the romance moved a little too quickly for my liking.

One by Sarah Crossan - 5 Stars

Oh, how beautiful this book was. A book written in verse about conjoined twins. So beautiful, so poetic. It was heart-breaking, yet inspirational. A truly phenomenal story or family, love and loss. I always find myself wanting to go back and re-read it.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz - 4 Stars

A LGBT book that I can completely recommend. It follows to Mexican characters in the 1980's, who befriend each other and find out the secrets of the universe. It's intelligently written with wit and drama. I simply adored it!

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater - 2 Stars / DNF'd

The Prologue and Chapter 1 were great, but everything fell flat from there. If you like slow moving stories then you may like it, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Remix by Non Pratt - 2 Stars

I didn't like this book at all! The characters were generic, childish and acted like spoilt brats. The book, despite being set in a music festival included hardly any music. It was more 98% getting drunk and having sex & 2% music. Also everyone likes to cheat on each other.

Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren - 3 Stars

This story had me split. Some chapters I LOVED, but others I HATED! The 2 authors have completely different writing tenses and it all became mumbo jumbo. It's Generic New Adult at its slightly average taste.




What books did you read this month?
Let me know in the comments.

Review: The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Title: The Young Elites
Author: Marie Lu
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Penguin UK
Published: February 5th 2015
Page Number: 368
Rating: 5/5

Summary:

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever, marked by a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Branded as a Malfetto - an abomination - she is cast out from all she has ever known and loved.

Adelina finds sanctuary with other Malfettos and discovers that the disease has left her with more than just a scar - she has a mysterious and powerful gift.

She is a Young Elite.

But Adelina's ability is stronger than any Young Elite before her. And unless she can control the vengeful darkness growing in her heart Adelina could be a danger to them all.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

 

REVIEW

 

 

This book could have easily been a dislike for me, since I wasn't a big fan of Marie Lu's debut novel, Legend. However, The Young Elites ended up becoming not only my second favourite book of the year, but also my all time favourite Fantasy novel.

I've always mentioned that I'm not the biggest fans of protagonists who are hero's. And one of the reasons that attracted me to The Young Elites was the fact that Adelina isn't a protagonist, but an antagonist. She's a good character who's powers come from darkness.

Marie Lu's writing has always captured my attention. It's not like any other authors I've read, it's beautiful and poetic, completely engaging and enthralling; something you can't take your eyes off even for a split second. And if I am being honest, I weren't one hundred percent sure it was going to work for The Young Elites, but it completely did. The time setting mixed with the characters and the city they lived in was enhanced by Marie's writing. I wasn't reading a book, I was reading a book and watching a movie at the exact same time.

The characters were fresh and exciting, completely compelling. Adelina was dark, twisted and creepy, but there was also this side to her that wanted everyone to like her. She wanted to be properly liked for the first time by people who didn't see her scar as something to fear.

“No one wants you to be yourself. They want you to be the version of yourself that they like.”

 

The book also followed two other characters that played a huge part in the novel: Raffaele and Teren. Teren is the hypocritical enemy, who everyone wants dead. He's vicious and will do anything to end the lives of all Malfetto's. And honestly? I LOVED his character. I think he's a little misunderstood, but I know his actions come from his own hatred. He doesn't like who he is and wants to be released from all his sins. And I understood that.

 

Raffaele was a character that entranced you and made you fall in love. Literally. His special power allowed him to capture the hearts of those around them, made them fall in love with him. And I'm pretty sure it doesn't end at fictional characters, because I fell for his charm and wit like everyone else.

 

There were so many plot twists that came unexpectedly and each and every one had me silent. I hadn't predicted them like I do when reading most novels and that proves just how great Marie Lu is. She knows how to twist and turn the story and weaves it into something completely different, new; something completely brilliant. And that ending had me on my knees begging for a copy of The Rose Society (Book 2), because there is know way I can't not know what happens. It's a must for me!

 

 

 

Buy the book (Waterstones) | Buy the book (Book Depository)

Side Characters That Deserve Their Own Stories | Top 5 Wednesday

Top 5 Wednesday was created by GingerReadsLainey

 

 

Dee from the Lux Saga by Jennifer L Armentrout

I've only read the first 2 books, Obsidian and Onyx, but Dee is easily one of my favourite characters in the series. She very relatable and just comes out with the most bizarre things, so I definitely think I'd like to see her have her own story, maybe even before the events in Obsidian.


Maggie from Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover wrote an epilogue (that's online) in Maggie's POV and now I know that I need Maggie to have her own book, or novella. Her character went through quite a lot in Maybe Someday and I'd love to see her be happy, moving on with her own life!


Ella-Claire and Alex from the Dumont Bachelors series by Macy Beckett

I loved Make You Mine and I have yet to read Make You Remember, but I absolutely adore the relationship between Ella-Claire and Alex. They both definitely like each other and I need to see their story, they're perfect for each other!


Megan from I Was Here by Gayle Forman

I LOVED I Was Here by Gayle Forman, in fact it's one of my favourite books of this year, but I can't help but crave for Megan's story. We saw Cody dealing with the effects of her best friend's suicide, so I think it'd be great to see Megan's story, especially the parts from where she suffers with depression.


Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter by J K Rowling

I know that not everyone loves Luna Lovegood, but I do. In fact she reminds me too much of myself. I'm a little bit weird, nothing here nor there, just balancing weirdly in between. With her quirky exterior I think she'd have a brilliant, entertaining story. Plus I'm kind of dying to know what happened with her and Neville.



Which characters do you wish had their own stories?
Let me know in the comments.

Review: Remix by Non Pratt

                                                  

Title: Remix
Author: Non Pratt
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publisher: Walker Books
Published: June 4th 2015
Page Number: 304
Rating: 2/5

Kaz is still reeling from being dumped by the love of her life...

Ruby is bored of hearing about it. Time to change the record.

Three days. Two best mates. One music festival. Zero chance of everything working out.

 

I've heard nothing but wonderful things about Non Pratt's writing, and I was so excited to read Remix. I'm not just a music lover, but I'm also a music festival lover as well, so I thought I would've really loved this book.

 

That did not happen.

 

Straight away I knew that I wouldn't like Kaz. She's one of those people who is in a constant daze after being dumped, but being dazed leaves them being stupid, childish and naïve. And that's what you got from her from Page 1 to Page 304. She didn't grow as a character, she just seemed to do things to make herself feel less guilty for being reckless.

 

And then we meet Ruby. At first she was a character I rooted for; funny and honest, which is something I love most in some people. However, she then turned into Kaz. All she did was moan, cry and then moan all over again. She was selfish and irresponsible, someone I just wanted to slap across the face.

 

I think my biggest problem with Remix was how unoriginal it was. Non Pratt included every music festival / concert cliché, and if I am honest the music festival was hardly even in the book. It was more like 2% music and 98% sex, arguments and getting drunk. Oh, and it's not a book if half of the secondary characters are cheating on their partners as well. (Can you note my sarcasm?)

 

Leaving the negative behind, focusing on the only positive about Remix. I did actually really like the tone of the book. It was light, fun and a little flirty.

 

Overall, I just wish that Non could have written characters that weren't spoiled brats who thought everything had to be about themselves.

 

 

 

Buy the book (Waterstones) | Buy the book (Book Depository)

 

 

Anticipated 2015 Pre-Orders | Top 5 Wednesday

Top 5 Wednesday was created by GingerReadsLainey

 

 



 

 

 

 

Sadly, there aren't that many books that I am dying to get my hands on. However, these four have been on my radar for a few months now and I am so excited for them to be released. If I could get ARC's of these books then I would die. No joke.

 

 

 

The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick - August 18th 2015

 

 

Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines - August 25th 2015

 

 

Lies About Truth by Courtney C Stephens - November 3rd 2015

 

 

November 9 by Colleen Hoover - November 10th 2015

 

 

 

What releases are you most excited for?

Let me know in the comments.

 

ARC Review: One by Sarah Crossan

"Heart-warming and inspiring. A truly phenomenal story."

 

Title: One

Author: Sarah Crossan
Genre: YA Contemporary / Verse
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Published: August 26th 2015
Page Number: 448
Rating: 5/5

Grace and Tippi are twins – conjoined twins.

And their lives are about to change.

No longer able to afford homeschooling, they must venture into the world – a world of stares, sneers and cruelty. Will they find more than that at school? Can they find real friends? And what about love?

But what neither Grace or Tippi realises is that a heart-wrenching decision lies ahead. A decision that could tear them apart. One that will change their lives even more than they ever imagined…

I'm not entirely sure how I am meant to express my love for this story into words. I finished this life changing novel this morning and I already want to pick it back up and reread it in its entirety. I first heard of this novel from Amber at themilelongbookshelf. She loved it and said it was easily one of her favourites, so I looked into the synopsis and found myself being completely interested in it.

When it arrived in the post, I knew that I wanted to pick it up then and there. I started it the morning after and finished it within three hours, with tears running down my face and a pack of tissues in my hand. I knew right then that this book had become not only my favourite book of the year, but one of my all time favourite books. It's not just beautifully written, but it has extremely diverse, yet relatable characters. Grace and Tippi may be conjoined, but their outlook on life - that their life isn't as bad as others -  was really fresh in YA. They didn't mope around or let their situation hinder them, they lived life as best as possible, and that attitude really adapted onto myself.

And it's not just Tippi and Grace that you grow to love. You begin to understand every character, and how Tippi and Grace affect their life. It reminded me of Wonder by R J Palacio. How August's disability didn't hinder their lives, but enhanced it, and that's what Grace and Tippi did for those around them. They opened their minds to something else, something different. And I loved seeing that take place because it made it real.

There are so many twists and turns in the book, but I don't want to spoil anyone on what happens, however, I will say, like Amber said to me "Have a box of tissues on hand, because you'll need them".

Pre-order the book (Waterstones) | Pre-order the book (Book Depository)

Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: The Raven Boys
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publisher: Scholastic
Published: September 19th 2012
Page Number: 454
Rating: 2/5

Blue has spent the majority of her sixteen years being told that if she kisses her true love, he will die. When Blue meets Gansey’s spirit on the corpse road she knows there is only one reason why – either he is her true love or she has killed him.

Determined to find out the truth, Blue becomes involved with the Raven Boys, four boys from the local private school (lead by Gansey) who are on a quest to discover Glendower – a lost ancient Welsh King who is buried somewhere along the Virginia ley line. Whoever finds him will be granted a supernatural favour.

Never before has Blue felt such magic around her. But is Gansey her true love? She can’t imagine a time she would feel like that, and she is adamant not to be the reason for his death. Where will fate lead them?

I was really looking forward to reading The Raven Boys since I have heard nothing but great things about the series. And since it was about Welsh Mythology, and I am Welsh myself I though that I would really, really like it, but I couldn't have been more wrong.

The Prologue and Chapter 1 were so interesting and they easily captured my attention. I wanted to know more. I needed to know more. But after that things started to get.....boring. Nothing was happening apart from the fact that we learn that Blue has a job and Adam skips school because his father hits him. That was it. There was nothing interesting going on to keep my attention, and by the time that I was on page 160, I had to give up. I couldn't force myself to continue reading a book I simply wasn't enjoying.

What I really liked about the book were Blue's eccentric family. They all harness psychic abilities, but they're all very unusual as well and I found them to be very charming. They reminded me of Nanny McPhee, not in a bad way. Just how their personalities were very similar. I also liked how Maggie showed that family doesn't always have to be of a blood relation, sometimes your best friends can be like your brothers and sisters.

I did, however, have a few problems with the Mythology in the book. Like I said, I am Welsh so I knew what Maggie was talking about, but when she started calling Owain Glyndwr, Glendower then things started to go wrong. Owain Glyndwr is a Welsh legend, so changing his name - even though it was so that people could pronounce it - just didn't sit well with me, I know it also didn't sit well with a friend of mine.

Overall, I would recommend this book to readers. But it does heavily depend on what books you like to read. So if you think you'd like this book, then go ahead and read it!

 

Buy the book (Waterstones) | Buy the book (Book Depository)

The Books I am Currently Reading...

I feel like I haven't written a blog post in a while, I guess that's because I really haven't. Like most blog posts mine are scheduled, so they're always written at least 2 weeks before hand. Sometimes I'll write and upload straight away, but that is hardly ever. With me being ill these past few days, I've not had the time to really write anything up. What I have been doing, however, is marathoning TV shows on Netflix (If you'd like me to write a Netflix Recommendations post, then let me know in the comments!).

 

Anyway. This morning I woke up pretty early and started to crave reading. I haven't read a book in about a week, so when I saw The Raven Boys on my shelf I just had to pick it up. Immediately I was drawn into the book and now I am 100 pages in. I really like it! It's really well written with unusual, quirky characters. I especially love Ronan.

I'm hoping to finish The Raven Boys tomorrow and then I'm hoping to finish the rest of the series by the end of next week. I may not finish it by then, but I'm just finally happy to be making a start on this series, which is based on Welsh Mythology. It actually feels good when they mention anything to do with Wales and I'm like "I know that. Ha!"



What are you currently reading?
Let me know in the comments.

Monthly Reading Wrap Up | June 2015

The month of June was definitely an unusual reading month for me. Within the first couple of days I finished 3 books, and then 2 or 3 days later I finished my 4th. Then things stumbled from there....I was more bothered about watching TV and Netflix than picking up a book, and when I did get around to doing that, I got bored! Nothing could get me out, I was in a reading slump.

All Lined Up by Cora Carmack - 4 Stars

I was pleasantly surprised with All Lined Up. I wasn't a big fan of Losing It, which was Cora's first book published, however, All Lined Up was an adorable treat. I read it in 4 hours and I fell in love with Carson. I love a bad boy, but he was a gorgeous gentleman and for once, I loved a good boy.

All Broke Down by Cora Carmack - 4 Stars

All Broke Down was a little more serious than All Lined Up, which I liked, especially since it added a depth to Silas' character. Silas appeared as a cocky player in All Lined Up, but I was happy to see that there was more to him than meets the eye. All Broke Down was also very, very steamy!

All Played Out by Cora Carmack - 4 Stars

If I am honest, I was disappointed with All Played Out. I had fallen in love with Mateo Torres from the teasers Cora was displaying online, but for some reason I couldn't connect with him at all. He was just a cocky, flirty player that loved sex. I did, however, love Nell. Nell was a character I could easily relate too, and it was great seeing how she grew as a character.

The Taking by Kimberly Derting - 5 Stars

All stop what you are doing because I have found my favourite book of the year! Yes, The Taking had now become my favourite book of the year and for all the right reasons. I'm not a Sci-Fi, Paranormal fan but The Taking immediately dragged me in and I finished it within a day. I loved the main protagonist, Kyra. She was relatable and the perfect mix of girly girl and tomboy. The relationship with Austin was.....heart palpitating. I'm excited to read the sequel, The Replaced.



What books did you read this month?

Let me know in the comments.