Review: Royal Wedding - Meg Cabot

Royal Wedding by Meg Cabot, published by Macmillan on 2nd July 2015

Goodreads synopsis:
A brand-new new adult instalment of the most popular YA series in all the land! Princess Mia is engaged to be married, but since when in Mia's life did anything go to plan?! Fall back in love with Mia in this new book for older readers.

Review:
As a massive fan of The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot, I screamed with joy when I heard that she would finally be revisiting Mia Thermopolis aka Crown Princess of Genovia and giving all us readers an update on what's happened in the life of everyone's favourite Princess. 

Having grown-up with a teenage Mia, I loved seeing her now as a (fairly) confident twenty-five year old woman.  She may be older but she is still the same funny and wonderful Mia and yes, Fat Louie is still by her side.  My prayers were answered by the fact that she and the irresistible Michael Moscovitz are also still a couple and the scenes that the two of them share in the book were definitely my favourite bits.  They are so utterly adorable together and it's great that they are high school sweethearts who are even more in love with each other now.  Ahhh!  I'm feeling all gooey inside now. 

Cabot brings back all the other characters too that we know and love, including best friend Lilly and Tina Hakim Baba, as well as her formidable Grandmere.  It actually makes a lot of sense to have Mia with the same circle of friends because being a Princess a lot of people do not genuinely know the real her or they want to become friends with her just because of who she is.  This means that fans get treated to some classic Mia/Lilly moments, as well as some pretty hilarious conversations between Mia and her irrepressible Grandmere. 

There are some very fan-pleasing moments in the book, including a huge surprise near the end.  I'm so happy that Meg Cabot truly does justice to this wonderful series and keeps Mia's legacy in-tact.  I desperately want more now! 

'Royal Wedding' is a fantastic addition to The Princess Diaries series.  Although an adult novel, rather than YA, I think this perfectly suits fans of the books who have, like Mia, grown-up and want to see what happened to their favourite gang of friends. 

This is a five star Royal read!    

Review: Trial By Fire - Josephine Angelini

Trial By Fire by Josephine Angelini, published by Macmillan Children's Books on 28th August 2014

Goodreads synopsis:
This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying many of the experiences that other teenagers take for granted...which is why she is determined to enjoy her first (and perhaps only) high-school party. But Lily's life never goes according to plan, and after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly Lily is in a different Salem - one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruellest of all the Crucibles is Lillian . . . Lily's identical other self in this alternate universe. This new version of her world is terrifyingly sensual, and Lily is soon overwhelmed by new experiences.

Lily realizes that what makes her weak at home is exactly what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. It also puts her life in danger. Thrown into a world she doesn't understand, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone, and a love she never expected.

Review:
This is quite a difficult review to write because I loved Josephine Angelini's Starcrossed trilogy and have been anticipating this new series for ages now.  Unfortunately 'Trial By Fire' and I got off to a bit of a shaky start and never really recovered by the end of the book.

The first in the new Worldwalker trilogy centres around the main character Lily, who is allergic to everything.  This means that her life is restricted by all the things that she can't do.  Lily lives in Salem and after a difficult situation at a party with her best friend Tristan, she ends up disappearing.  When she wakes up she is in a different Salem altogether where her whole existence begins to change and she discovers things that she could only ever have dreamt of before.

Two things feature heavily in this book: witches and parallel universes.  I don't have a good track record with books about witches at all for some strange reason, even though I'm always hopeful that a story will make me change my mind.  Sadly, 'Trial By Fire' didn't.  I found it too heavily leaning towards fantasy and although the world building in the book was extremely well done, I just couldn't connect to the story itself or the characters.  It was only when I got about half-way through that things started to pick up and I became more engaged.   

Lily is normally a character that I would have loved but I never fully warmed to her or her predicament.  The romance which developed between her and Rowan was  a bit lacklustre and not enough to get me wanting to pick this book up either.

I'm really disappointed because I was dying to read this one and was expecting to be raving about it but this book and I just didn't click. 

The second in the trilogy 'Trail of Tears' will be published in 2015.  I haven't made up my mind yet whether I want to continue with Lily's journey but I know there are lots and lots of fans of this book out there who loved it, so if you think it sounds like your kind of read then please give it a go.    

Review: In the Age of Love and Chocolate - Gabrielle Zevin

In the Age of Love and Chocolate by Gabrielle Zevin, published by Macmillan Children's Books on 31st July 2014

Goodreads synopsis:
Anya Balanchine is a teenager with the responsibilities of a grown woman. Now eighteen, life has been more bitter than sweet for Anya. She has lost her parents and her grandmother, and has spent the better part of her high school years in trouble with the law. Perhaps hardest of all, her decision to open a nightclub with her old nemesis Charles Delacroix has cost Anya her relationship with Win.
Against the odds, the nightclub becomes an enormous success, and Anya feels like she is on her way and that nothing will ever go wrong for her again. Until a terrible misjudgment leaves Anya fighting for her life ...

Review:
I was thrilled to get my hands on a copy of this book because I couldn't wait to see how Gabrielle Zevin was going to conclude Anya Balanchine's story.  After having gone through so much and faced both love and loss, I wasn't sure if Anya was going to get a happy ending or not so I started reading this with a small sense of trepidation but also a huge amount of confidence that Zevin would give her trilogy the right ending. 

Anya is now eighteen and has become the owner of a nightclub The Dark Room with her former nemesis Charles Delacroix.  Her relationship with Win is over and life is changing, finally for the better.  It was great to see Anya trying to legitimise the Balanchine crime family at long last and give them something positive to focus on for the future after having been on the wrong side of the law for so long.   

At the heart of this series has always been the personal character development of Anya herself.  She has lost so many people that she has loved and cared about but she is incredibly tough and never gives in which are qualities that I admire about her.  She has also taken her responsibilities towards her younger sister Natty very seriously and wants to ensure that she gives her a better future than she had herself.  I love their sibling bond and the closeness that the sisters have always shared. 

There were some exciting and unexpected last minute twists in the plot which I thoroughly enjoyed.  There is also a dramatic ending to the story which caused my jaw to quite literally drop open.  The Birthright trilogy features romance, friendship and familial relationships but also presents a wonderful depiction of Anya's fall and rise from a young girl to a woman in her own right.          

Review: Killing You Softly - Lucy Carver

Killing You Softly by Lucy Carver, published by Macmillan Children's Books on 3rd July 2014

 

Goodreads synopsis:

After the tragic events of last term, Alyssa arrives back at St Jude's to a school full of freaked-out students. They are wary of her ability to remember every tiny thing they do, and Alyssa's beginning to feel lonely and ostracized. Then she gets an email, seemingly from a secret admirer. He teases her about her photographic memory and challenges her to prove how good it really is. At first Alyssa is intrigued and likes showing off her talent, but as her admirer's challenges get darker and more extreme and there is a murder in the nearby town, she realizes she's in too deep. Now her memory might be the only thing that can help her understand the killer and save her from the same fate ...

 

 

Review:

This is the second book in the series about main character Alyssa and the girls of St Jude’s Academy.  Alyssa’s photographic memory comes in handy when a local girl dies and she begins to find unusual links between the two of them.  She’s unable to resist investigating the death, when she starts to receive taunting clues and messages, indicating that someone is playing a taunting game of cat and mouse with her. 

 

This series reminds me so much of the TV show ‘Unforgettable’ which is about a female detective with perfect memory recall.  This is a trait which Alyssa shares and makes each mystery even more interesting because you know that even the smallest detail could be the one that breaks the puzzle and solves the case.  There are several passages throughout the book where Alyssa has to think back on things that have happened or conversations that she has had with people.  I always try to pay careful attention to these because I’m desperate to spot the clues that are vitally important.

 

Interspersed with the murder mystery, are scenes between Alyssa and her boyfriend Jack, who is still as adorable as ever.  She is definitely one lucky girl!   

 

The ending of the book was so surprising!  I thought it was incredibly well potted and it really got me thinking hard to try and put all the clues together.  I love books which are so full of twists and turns that by the end I still have no idea who might be responsible.  This conclusion definitely provided a lot of shocks.

 

I’m not sure if Lucy Carver is planning another book about Alyssa but I hope so because this is shaping up to be a fantastic YA series, featuring lots of my favourite things to look for in a story – drama, intrigue and mystery with a fab boarding school setting and a great cast of characters. 

Review: The Rain - Virginia Bergen

The Rain by Virginia Bergen, published by Macmillan Children's Books on 17th July 2014

Goodreads synopsis:
One minute sixteen-year-old Ruby Morris is having her first proper snog with Caspar McCloud in a hot tub, and the next she’s being bundled inside the house, dripping wet, cold and in her underwear. Not cool. As she and Caspar shiver in the kitchen, it starts to rain. They turn on the radio to hear panicked voices – ‘It’s in the rain . . . it’s in the rain . . . '

That was two weeks ago, and now Ruby is totally alone. People weren’t prepared for the rain, got caught out in it, didn’t realize that you couldn’t drink water from the taps either. Even a drip of rain would infect your blood, and eat you from the inside out. Ruby knows she has to get to London to find her dad, but she just doesn’t know where to start . . . After rescuing all the neighbourhood dogs, Ruby sets off on a journey that will take her the length of the country – surviving in the only way she knows how.

Review:
I love end of the world and apocalyptic disaster books.  I was hooked on the initial description of 'The Rain' which described it as a story about survival in the face of a truly terrifying natural disaster.  What would you do if you discovered that there was something in the rain which could kill you?  How would you survive without water?  This is the predicament faced by the characters in the book.  This initially sounded really great but unfortunately, although there were some elements of it that I enjoyed, I didn't particularly like the overall tone of the book or some of the character choices that were made.

The thing that stood out for me the most was the unusual and quite quirky narrative voice of the main character.  Fifteen year old Ruby is facing the end of life as she knew is but she still manages to find time to fixate on the fact that she snogged the gorgeous Caspar and doesn't have to go to school.  I know this might be more realistic than somebody suddenly discovering that they have incredible survival skills and can be the one to save the world, but for me, I just found it a bit annoying and shallow.  Ruby is such an unlikely heroine.  She makes mistakes and gets herself into trouble and seems to only manage to survive by luck alone.  She isn't someone that I would want by my side if the world was ending.

I also thought that the slightly humorous and extremely quirky narrative didn't always meld well with the dire situation that Ruby was facing.  The story got extremely strange in places too, such as when Ruby is taking part in the looting of shops, not for food and fresh water mind you but for jewellery and fancy clothes.   

Overall, I loved the concept for the book and I think the idea of the rain being contaminated was brilliant and one which could have made for a stunning story.  Unfortunately, I didn't love Ruby or the blend of humour with apocalyptic disaster and this made it a bit of a struggle to get to the final page.   

Review: Cuckoo Song - Frances Hardinge

Cuckoo Song by Frances Hardinge, published by Macmillan Children's Books on 8th May 2014

Goodreads synopsis:
When Triss wakes up after an accident, she knows that something is very wrong. She is insatiably hungry; her sister seems scared of her and her parents whisper behind closed doors. She looks through her diary to try to remember, but the pages have been ripped out. Soon Triss discovers that what happened to her is more strange and terrible than she could ever have imagined, and that she is quite literally not herself. In a quest find the truth she must travel into the terrifying Underbelly of the city to meet a twisted architect who has dark designs on her family - before it's too late...

Review:
This is the second book I've read by Frances Hardinge, after 'A Face Like Glass' which I adored.  Although I didn't enjoy this one quite as much, there is no doubt that Hardinge really knows how to craft a story which immerses you completely within it's pages and which whisks you away from reality. 

'Cuckoo Song' is a creepy fantasy about Triss, who's not Triss.  She wakes up after an accident with strange longings and cravings.  She knows who she is but at the same time she doesn't.  She recognises her mother, father and younger sister Pen, but the latter seems to look at her with true hatred and Triss can't understand why nothing feels quite as it should.  As the story progresses, it twists and turns deeper into the fantasy realm where the truth about what really happened to Triss is stranger than anything I could have ever imagined. 

Family is an important theme in the book.  After the death of their son during the war, Triss's mother and father want to keep her at home, safe with them, but their behaviour is suffocating.  Triss can't grow up while they are constantly fussing over her and trying to stop her from going to school or having any friends.  Their attention is poisonous without them even realising it.  The relationship between Triss and her sister Pen was one of my favourite things about the book.  It starts off fractured and almost broken but things change for both of them and they begin to gain a better understanding of one another.

The story is a delicious blend of magic and fantasy which will entrance readers as they follow Triss on a journey of self-discovery and reconciliation.  Although not my favourite of Hardinge's books, I was still in awe of the unique and original plot which kept me glued to the pages.   

Review: Flame - Amy Kathleen Ryan

Flame by Amy Kathleen Ryan, published by Macmillan Children's Books on 7th January 2014

Goodreads synopsis:
Waverly and the other members of the Empyrean have been scattered, and their home ship destroyed. The mission to rescue their parents didn't go quite as planned, and now they're at an even greater disadvantage: trapped with their enemies on the New Horizon, trying to find a way to survive. Will Seth's health hold out long enough to help Waverly topple their enemy? And will Waverly find a way to unite her friends before the final battle? Nothing is certain and every second is a risk in this explosive finale.

Review:
'Flame' is the concluding part of Amy Kathleen Ryan's Sky Chasers series.  It's also one of the best sci-fi books set in space that I've ever read.  Every detail is brilliantly depicted and the very real human struggle for survival makes for compulsively addictive reading. 

Waverly and the other residents of the Empyrean are now facing life on-board the New Horizon spaceship and are struggling to adjust to being under the rule of the manipulative Anne Mathers.  Waverly, along with Kieran, are both being used as pawns by those that want to rule the ship and find themselves caught in the middle of a dangerous power struggle.  Each chapter is alternatively told from their point of view, along with Seth, who we last saw isolated and alone on the Empyrean.  Sick and in terrible trouble, Seth becomes a hunted fugitive as he seeks to stay alive.  Each character is well and truly tested to the limit in this final instalment, as life and death truly are both on the line.

Amy Kathleen Ryan doesn't take her foot off the peddle once as the action hurtles along at full speed.  I was totally absorbed and immersed in the world she's created and sad to reach the final page of what has been a rollercoaster adventure.  The whole trilogy has been full of excitement, explosive action and unexpected twists and turns with brilliant characters who have been faced with a series of impossible decisions to make.        

This book is a wonderful end to the series and I would never have guessed when reading the first book 'Glow' how everything was going to eventually work out.  Nothing was as I expected.  Tense and nerve-wracking, 'Flame' did justice to a tremendous story arc which never once failed to deliver.       

Blog Tour: Helen Eve's soundtrack to Stella

Today I'm hosting a stop on the blog tour for Helen Eve's debut novel 'Stella' which has recently been published in the UK by Macmillan Children's Books.  Having read this already, I can confirm that it's a delicious spin on the quest for popularity, set to appeal to fans of Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars.    

Helen has put together a fabulous guest post today featuring her own personal picks for a 'Stella' soundtrack.  Each song represents some of the characters in the book. 

STELLA soundtrack

Stella’s song – Fix Me, Nicola Roberts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AYprQqMOH0

Katrina’s song – My Dilemma, Selena Gomez

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PHK6wnohnA

Song – Disco Love, The Saturdays

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmncQGy_7Lk

Mary-Ann’s song – Hands, Jewel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfsS3pIDBfw

Lila’s song – Cherrybomb, The Runaways

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9dvwVMsGn8

Ruby’s song – Mean, Taylor Swift  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYa1eI1hpDE

Caitlin’s song - Popular, Wicked 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVlB2Bo8UCE

Syrena’s song – Naughty, Matilda  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKm1h0X6CB0

Siena’s song – Wild Horses, Cassi Compton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63XfksZLEbY

Jar of Hearts, Christina Perri
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v_4O44sfjM

Youth Group, Forever Young

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzdt9vBvSDE

Lovestoned, Justin Timberlake

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUuKvHHt8Sk

The Stars’ theme

Swinging London Town, Girls Aloud
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTIlU9Dc170

Stella and Luke’s song

Unusual You, Britney Spears
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR-ZKII-Ajw

Memorial

Breathe, Taylor Swift
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnXrfksTjZ8

As part of the blog tour you can also check out Wondrous Reads where Helen has created her dream cast list for Stella. 

Review: Because It Is My Blood - Gabrielle Zevin

Because It Is My Blood by Gabrielle Zevin, published by Macmillan Children's Books on 19th August 2013

Goodreads synopsis:
Since her release from Liberty Children's Facility, Anya Balanchine is determined to follow the straight and narrow. Unfortunately, her criminal record is making it hard for her to do that. No high school wants her with a gun possession charge on her rap sheet. Plus, all the people in her life have moved on: Natty has skipped two grades at Holy Trinity, Scarlet and Gable seem closer than ever, and even Win is in a new relationship. But when old friends return demanding that certain debts be paid, Anya is thrown right back into the criminal world that she had been determined to escape. It's a journey that will take her across the ocean and straight into the heart of the birthplace of chocolate where her resolve--and her heart--will be tested as never before.

Review:
It seems ages since I read the first book in this series about Anya and her family.  I couldn't wait for the sequel and I'm pleased to say that it was just as enjoyable as the opening instalment was. 

Anya has been released from Liberty Children's Facility and is finally able to re-join her family.  She wants life to go back to normal but everything around her seems to have changed.  Anya is a fantastic main character.  I admire her strength and courage and her determination to do whatever is best for her family and friends even if it means she may suffer as a consequence.  She will go to any lengths to protect her sister Natty and brother Leo and sometimes has to make incredibly difficult choices to ensure they remain safe.   

Her romance with Win is one of my favourite things about the books.  He seems to understand her in a way that no one else does and even when she questions his feelings for her, there's no doubt in my mind that he would do anything for her. 

Throughout the book Anya learns more about the Balanchine chocolate business and about the tangled web of relationships that lie behind it.  Up until this point she has almost been like a pawn in a bigger game but now she seems ready to step up and take her rightful inheritance.  Half-way through the story she ends up in Mexico learning how to farm cacao and this leads to a whole new cast of characters who I enjoyed reading about.

'Because It Is My Blood' was such an enjoyable read and a great book two.   I really love the Birthright world and I became completely immersed in the character's lives.  The only problem now is the long wait to find out what happens next!

Review: Debutantes: In Love - Cora Harrison

Debutantes in Love by Cora Harrison, published by Macmillan Children's Books on 1st August 2013

Goodreads synopsis:
It’s 1924. Leaving their beloved Beech Grove Manor to go to London for the season, Poppy and Daisy Derrington know that they must shine as debutantes.

Since a girl cannot inherit her father's estate, the sisters have to marry well or face being left penniless.

But it’s not money or marriage that interests them. It’s music, cinema, literature, fashion, parties, love – everything that is shiny and new. Trapped by the dusty traditions of their class, Daisy and Poppy must choose between family duty and the bright lights of the roaring twenties.

Review:
The second book in Cora Harrison's Debutantes series focuses on the two middle Derrington sisters, Poppy and Daisy, as they arrive in London for their debutante season.  I was a big fan of the first book about the Derringtons and their home Beech Grove Manor, as it reminded me of some of my favourite books when I was growing-up by Noel Streatfield.  It had the same charm and easy manner about it which always appealed to me, plus I adore books about large families and sisters in particular. 

The story is set in 1924 and so we get the era of the roaring twenties.  Life and society are changing rapidly, with art, music and literature coming to the fore.  The book touches on the divide between duty and passion and between following the same well trodden path or carving out a new future, outside of the rigid confines of society.        

Beech Grove Manor is left behind as much of the action takes place in London.  It was interesting to see how Daisy and Poppy functioned away from their more familiar surroundings and how they strived to build lives for themselves, while at the same time attempting to follow their dreams.  The focus is on affairs of the heart and while Poppy and her childhood friend Baz begin to explore a new dynamic to their friendship, Daisy worries that she must marry well to ensure the Derrington future.  Daisy has always been and continues to be my favourite character.  I love her passion for her film-making, as well as her dedication to her family and her struggle to balance both is at the heart of the book. 

Cora Harrison is on to a winner with this lovely series.  The books are attractive on the outside and in and I'm wholeheartedly looking forward to the next instalment about the Derrington sisters.  I wonder if the time is approaching for Rose, the youngest of the siblings, to get her own story.   

Review: Briar Rose - Jana Oliver

Briar Rose by Jana Oliver, published by Macmillan Children's Books on 12th September 2013

Goodreads synopsis:
For Briar Rose, life is anything but a fairy tale. She's stuck in a small town in deepest Georgia with parents who won't let her out of their sight, a bunch of small-minded, gossiping neighbours and an evil ex who's spreading nasty rumours about what she may or may not have done in the back of his car. She's tired of it all, so when, on her sixteenth birthday, her parents tell her that she is cursed and will go to sleep for a hundred years when the clock strikes midnight, she's actually kind of glad to leave it all behind. She says her goodbyes, lies down, and closes her eyes . . . And then she wakes up. Cold, alone and in the middle of the darkest, most twisted fairy tale she could ever have dreamed of. Now Briar must fight her way out of the story that has been created for her, but she can't do it alone. She never believed in handsome princes, but 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.

Review:
'Briar Rose' is a southern retelling of the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty. It's about a young girl who on her sixteenth birthday is doomed by a curse which threatens to rob her of everything she holds dear unless she can find a way to break it.   

I thought I was going to love this book.  I'm a massive fan of Jana Oliver's previous series The Demon Trapper's Daughter and I couldn't wait to read this as soon as I first heard about it.  The plot sounded brilliant, I love fairy tale retellings and I fell in awe of the book cover but I'm disappointed to say that the actual story I really struggled with.  I normally finish books quite quickly but this one took me over a week to read, a sign that I just wasn't hooked by the actual telling of the tale. 

It's quite an unconventional retelling and actually bared very little resemblance to the traditional version of Sleeping Beauty. The blurb of the book therefore seemed to be slightly misleading.  I wouldn't necessarily have minded this if the story had been amazing but for the most part I often found it strange and confusing, particularly when Briar enters the dream world.  Nothing here is familiar and everything seems foreign and dangerous.

I thought that the romance in the story would perhaps have redeemed things for me but unfortunately I wasn't won over either by the bond between Briar and her childhood friend Joshua.  As individual characters they were okay but together I didn't feel the spark between them.  I actually preferred the scenes between Briar's best friend Reena who tries to help her and a local boy called Pat who also finds himself pulled into the dream world. 

I'm sad to say that this book just wasn't for me although I kept on hoping until the very end that something would happen to turn it around for me.  Regardless of this, I'm still a huge fan of Oliver's work and I will certainly be reading more by her in the future.       


 

Review: Gloss - Marilyn Kaye

Gloss by Marilyn Kaye, published by Macmillan Children's Books on 6th June 2013

Goodreads synopsis:
Fashion, music and attitudes are changing, and there's nowhere in in the world more exciting. Sherry, Donna, Allison and Pamela have each landed a dream internship at Gloss; America's number-one fashion magazine.

Each girl is trying to make her mark on New York and each finds herself thrown head-first into the buzzing world of celebrity, high-end fashion and gossip. But everything isn't as glamorous as it seems - secrets from the past threaten to shatter their dreams.

They're finding out that romance in New York is as unpredictable and thrilling as the city itself.

Review:
'Gloss' is set in New York, 1963, where four girls have the opportunity of a lifetime to make their mark at the offices of a fashion magazine.  If you ever fancied interning at Teen Vogue or dream of becoming a fashion journalist then this book will be right up your street. 

Each of the four girls in the story: Pamela, Allison, Sherry and Donna, are very different and unique.  I liked Sherry who seems to take just about everything in her stride but I particularly enjoyed the chapters flashing back to Donna's life a year before.  She was my favourite and I thought it was great how she really matured into her own person by the end of the book.  I enjoyed the sense of excitement and anticipation that emanates from each of them.  They have an incredible opportunity to learn, grow and stretch their wings in New York of all places. 

I absolutely loved the setting.  I adored the back-drop of the Big Apple and I thought the idea of writing a story set in the sixties worked perfectly because it showed how different the attitudes to women were at that time and how they were not seen as career women but as belonging to the domestic sphere.  Sherry is a good example of this.  She has her whole future mapped out for her - go to college, marry her childhood sweetheart, become a wife and mother - until she begins to discover that there may be other things out there for her too.  She has unwittingly conformed to others expectations but her eyes are well and truly opened during her tenure at the Gloss offices.  It was also interesting to see how men treated women in the sixties and how they didn't necessarily value a woman's' ideas in the same way they would a man. 

This was a good and fairly quick read combining several of the things I love - New York, fashion and journalism, with a unique historical fiction twist. 

Blog Tour: Gloss - Marilyn Kaye

I'm hosting a stop on the blog tour for Marilyn Kaye's new book 'Gloss' today.  If you love fashion, New York and the 1960's then you need to get your hands on a copy! 

I have an extract from chapter one of the book to share with you.

Gloss chapter one

Blog Tour: Unremembered - Jessica Brody

Today I'm hosting a stop on Jessica Brody's blog tour for her phenomenal book 'Unremembered'.  Jessica was kind enough to answer some of my questions.

I've just finished reading Unremembered and loved it! What was your inspiration for the book?

Thanks so much! I’m so happy that you enjoyed it! A few years ago, I read a newspaper article about a teen girl who was the sole survivor of a plane crash. I was instantly fascinated by the story. Namely because they had no idea why she survived when no else did. I started brainstorming reasons as to why she was so lucky. One particular reason (a rather intricate, science-fiction-inspired one) stuck in my mind and refused to leave. It continued to grow and blossom until I had an idea for an entire trilogy. A trilogy that starts with a mysterious plane crash and a single survivor.

I can't wait to find out what will happen to Sera and Zen next. Can you give fans any hints?

Tee hee! Let’s see if I can come up with a few good ones without giving away too many spoilers about the first book for those who haven’t yet read it! UNFORGOTTEN begins 6 months after UNREMEMBERED ends. Sera and Zen have been living in the “secret place” that they travel to at the end of book 1. But they soon discover that this “place” isn’t as welcoming as they thought it would be. And the people who are looking for Seraphina have created a unique new “weapon.” One that she will be very difficult for her to defeat.

Phew! That was hard!

Which character in Unremembered did you enjoy writing the most?

I have to say Cody, Seraphina’s 13-year-old foster brother.

This genre was brand new for me. My first time venturing into the world of sci-fi. And as all my contemporaries were comedies, it was oftentimes a challenge for me to write something darker and more serious. Cody, however, is the comic relief of the novel. So writing him was like a little link back to my comfort zone. I always felt like I was “home” when I wrote him. And it gave me the opportunity to make fun of myself a little. While Sera’s storyline is rather dark and mysterious and all these harrowing things are happening to her, Cody can always be counted on to lighten the mood with a comedic crack.

This book is quite a change of pace from your previous work. Why did you decide to write something in this particular genre?

Well, I’ll start off by saying that I definitely didn’t abandon the contemporary genre. It’s still a genre I adore writing and I actually have another contemporary standalone book coming out in the US in Summer of 2015 that will be really fun. But the idea to try my hand at science fiction was really about flexing my creative muscles and seeing how far I could take a character outside of “normal teen life” and still create a compelling emotional journey for her and the reader. In the end, all my books (regardless of genre) tell stories about discovering who you are and dealing with what life brings you (because that’s universal.) In UNREMEMBERED, all I did was insert this struggle into a science-fiction setting where I could exaggerate the “who am I” question. As a writer it’s fun to be able to create an extraordinary world, drop a character in, and see what she does.

During the editing process I imagine that several scenes must have been cut from the book. Which was the hardest to leave out?

Seraphina has many unique, superhuman abilities in this book. There was one scene that I wrote (that I really loved) in which her doctor at the hospital discovers one of these abilities and calls to talk to her about it. It’s how she first discovers this particular ability. (And it’s a cool one!) I eventually ended up cutting it because it just felt like too much. She was already dealing with so much and learning so much about herself that I feared it muddled the story to add another detail at that point. So I cut the scene. But don’t worry, the ability is still there, she’s just not going to discover it until book 2. 

Which other titles would you recommend for those that enjoyed Unremembered?

Just the other day I learned a new term: “Biopunk.” I was fascinated when I found it in a review of UNREMEMBERED, since I’d never heard of it before, and immediately had to look up what it meant. It’s essentially a genre of science fiction that focuses on the unintended consequences of human experimentation and biotechnology. Which, in the end, is exactly what UNREMEMBERED is about. I’m excited to be part of this new growing trend in YA literature. And especially excited to be in the company of some amazing authors who, like me, are clearly fascinated by how science can change us, and how it can make for a thrilling story.

Some good ones in the YA genre include: ORIGIN by Jessica Khoury, MILA 2.0 by Debra Driza, BETA by Rachel Cohn, and EVE AND ADAM by Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate.

Review: Unremembered - Jessica Brody

Unremembered by Jessica Brody, published by Macmillan Children's Books on 28th February 2013

Goodreads synopsis:
A catastrophic plan crash leaves one survivor: a girl with no memory.

Who is she?  Where does she come from?

Nobody knows and no one comes forward to claim her.

Haunted by a looming threat she can't remember and plagued by abilities she doesn't understand, she struggles to recall who she is. But every clue leads to more questions. And she's running out of time to answer them.  Her only hope is a boy who claims they were once in love.

Alone and on the run, who should she trust? And what if she discovers that she is safer with a past that stays unremembered?

Review:
I was originally drawn to 'Unremembered' after I saw it described as a perfect read for fans of The Hunger Games, The Bourne Identity and Inception.  Being a big fan of all three, I had a feeling that this was going to be my kind of book and luckily I was right!  It has action, adventure and suspense in bucket loads, mixed with just a pinch of sci-fi and will, I'm sure, appeal enormously to readers who enjoy plenty of thrills and spills.  I finished it in one evening because it was so superb that I could not put it down.

The premise was intriguing from the start.  A girl survives a plane crash which kills everyone else on board.  Found floating in the middle of the ocean, she is rescued and taken to hospital.  However, when she wakes up, she has no memory of who she is and where she came from.  Taken in by a foster family, she struggles to make sense of everything around her and cannot provide people with any of the answers to the questions they keep asking.  That is until a strange boy tells her that he knows her and can reveal her true past.

The story is gripping and the plot complex.  I had to concentrate quite hard in the second-half to make sure that I didn't miss any crucial plot points.  I loved the fact that I had no idea what was going to happen next and I was kept guessing about the main character's true past, until the moment of the big reveal.  It's wonderful to be truly surprised instead of being able to predict the outcome of a book.  I can't say too much about the story itself because I'm so worried about giving something away, but needless to say it's absolutely brilliant and a very clever mind twister. 

Jessica Brody has mixed lots of different genres together, from sci-fi, to romance, to action thriller, but it works brilliantly and there is something to appeal to everyone.  At times, I can get a little tired of books always being part of a trilogy, but for once I'm glad to say that there is still more to come in the series with 'Unforgotten' due to be published in 2014.

News: Special extras for Vortex - Julie Cross

To celebreate the release of 'Vortex', the second book in Julie Cross's time travelling series, My Kinda Book are hosting lots of special extras for readers to enjoy.   Visit their website or click on one of the links below for some exciting extra content.

Read the first chapter of Vortex

Read a diary entry from Jackson's agent training

Read a deleted scene from Tempest and Vortex

Uncensored extra content from Tempest (must be 16 or older to read)

Jackson Meyer has thrown himself into his role as an agent for Tempest, the shadowy division of the CIA that handles all time-travel-related threats. Despite his heartbreak at losing the love of his life, Jackson has proved himself to be an excellent agent. However, all that changes when Holly—the girl he altered history to save—re-enters his life. And when Eyewall, an opposing division of the CIA, emerges, Jackson and his fellow agents find themselves under attack and on the run. 

I haven't read 'Vortex' yet but as soon as I do, I'll be sharing my review of the book!  Have you read it yet?  If so, let me know in comments what you thought.

Hotly Anticipated Reads 2013: Macmillan Children's Books

Macmillan are one of my favourite publishers and I always look forward to seeing what new books they have out each year.  There's always plenty to get excited about!  Plus they are the UK home of Meg Cabot whose books I absolutely adore.

Here's a selection of some of the titles they have in store for us lucky readers in 2013!

All links go to Goodreads where you can add them to your wishlist

Vortex by Julie Cross, published 3rd January

Jackson Meyer has thrown himself into his role as an agent for Tempest, the shadowy division of the CIA that handles all time-travel-related threats. Despite his heartbreak at losing the love of his life, Jackson has proved himself to be an excellent agent. However, allthat changes when Holly—the girl he altered history to save—re-enters his life. And when Eyewall, an opposing division of the CIA, emerges, Jackson and his fellow agents find themselves under attack and on the run.

One Crow Alone by S.D. Crockett, published 31st January

The long, bitter winters are getting worse, and a state of emergency has been declared across Europe. In Poland, the villagers are subject to frequent power cuts and fuel shortages. After the death of her grandmother and the evacuation of her village, fifteen-year-old Magda joins forces with the arrogant, handsome Ivan and smuggles her way onto a truck bound for London - where she hopes to find her mother. But London, when they reach it, is a nightmarish world, far from welcoming. Riots are commonplace and the growing chaos is exploited by criminals and terrorists alike. Magda's mother is not to be found, and as the lost girl struggles to come to terms with her changing situation, she eventually becomes friends with a rag-tag group of travellers planning a new home and future. They will need all the cunning and know-how they possess as they realise that the frozen wilderness of Britain has become just as lawless as the city.

Unremembered by Jessica Brody, published 14th March

Sixteen-year-old Jena is the only survivor of an explosion on a plane. She wakes up in hospital to find that she has no memory. The only clue to her identity is a mysterious boy who claims she was part of a top-secret science experiment. The only adult she trusts insists that she shouldn’t believe anything that anybody tells her. In a tense and pacy novel exploding with intrigue and action, Jena must work out who she is and where she came from. Eventually she will learn that the only thing worse than forgetting her past is remembering it.

Because It Is My Blood by Gabrielle Zevin, published 11th April

Reluctant heir of a Mafia boss. Star-crossed lover. Paparazzi darling. Hitman’s target. Anya Balanchine’s amazing story continues in the second part of the Birthright trilogy.

Abandon: Underworld by Meg Cabot, published 25th April

Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn't dead.  Not this time.

But she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey.

Her captor, John Hayden, claims it's for her own safety. Because not all the departed are dear. Some are so unhappy with where they ended up after leaving the Underworld, they've come back as Furies, intent on vengeance . . . on the one who sent them there and on the one whom he loves.

But while Pierce might be safe from the Furies in the Underworld, far worse dangers could be lurking for her there . . . and they might have more to do with its ruler than with his enemies.  And unless Pierce is careful, this time there'll be no escape.

Goddess by Josephine Angelini, published 6th June

She must rise, or they will fall . . . Helen's powers are increasing—and so is the distance between her and her mortal friends. To make matters worse, the Oracle reveals that a dangerous traitor is lurking among them, and all fingers point to Orion. Still unsure whether she loves him or Lucas, Helen is forced to make a terrifying decision, or risk all-out war.

Comment and let me know which books you're most looking forward to in 2013!

Review: Echo - Alyson Noel

Echo by Alyson Noel, published by Macmillan Children's Books on 22nd November 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
Daire Santos has already saved her grandmother's life and her soul. But at a cost: the Richter family has been let loose in the Lowerworld. Daire and her boyfriend Dace Richter must work together to find them before chaos ensues and the balance between good and evil is destroyed. As their relationship deepens, Dace's evil brother Cade grows stronger than ever, building his power and forcing Daire and Dace to confront the horrifying prophecy that has brought them all together. It will leave Daire no choice but to claim her true destiny as Seeker, but only by making an unthinkable sacrifice.

Review:
'Echo' is the second book in Alyson Noel's Soul Seekers series.  After being sucked in by the gorgeous cover, I loved catching up with Daire and Dace and their lives in the small town of Enchantment.  Although I enjoyed 'Fated' which was the first instalment, I did think it suffered quite a lot because it had to set up so much of the story, as well as the spiritual aspects that I got bogged down in so much detail without really learning as much about the characters as I would have liked.  This time around the plot is infinitely better and the pace really picks up.  The characters' world has now been established so Noel can concentrate on placing her protagonists in difficult and often dangerous situations and seeing how they fare.

The story focuses on Daire and Dace's determination to rid the Lowerworld of the Richters. They will do almost anything to protect the other but Cade stands between them and Daire learns a shocking truth about him which will shake the foundations of their relationship.  Daire's role as Seeker is explored in more depth and I loved all the spiritual details that Noel manages to combine into the story.  I found all the bits about animal spirit guides really interesting.      

I felt like I grew to understand a lot more about Daire, her destiny and her relationship with Dace.  In the first book I thought Dace was very underdeveloped and I didn't completely buy into their connection.  This time around with the narrative being shared between them, I began to see the spark they share and the chemistry that's always bubbling away whenever they are anywhere near each other.  There's a wonderful scene in the latter half of the book which speaks volumes about their love and which gave me a definite warm melting feeling inside!

Along with all the characters from 'Fated', a new face is introduced, Phyre.  She seems to be hiding a lot of secrets and I'm looking forward to finding out more about how she fits into everything and the role she will play. 

If you love romance, mysticism and adventure then this is definitely the book for you.  A brilliant read, the ending was incredible and I can't believe I've now got to wait until July 2013 for the next in the series 'Mystic'. 

Review: Spark - Amy Kathleen Ryan

Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan, published by Macmillan Children's Books on 2nd August 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
Waverly and Kieran are finally reunited on the Empyrean. Kieran has led the boys safely up to this point, and now that the girls are back, their mission seems slightly less impossible: to chase down the New Horizon, and save their parents from the enemy ship. But nothing is truly as it seems…Kieran’s leadership methods have raised Seth’s hackles— and Waverly’s suspicions. Is this really her fiancé? The handsome, loving boy she was torn from just a short time before? More and more, she finds her thoughts aligned with Seth’s. But if Seth is Kieran’s Enemy No. 1, what does that make her?

 

Review:
I loved Amy Kathleen Ryan’s debut novel ‘Glow’ which I read last year and I’ve been eagerly awaiting the next book in the series ever since.

The story catches up with the crew of the Empyrean who are still trying to rescue their parents from onboard the New Horizon. In the meantime, Kieran is in charge of the ship and Waverly is still trying to come to terms with what happened to her onboard the enemy ship.

I ended up feeling very differently about a lot of the characters in this book. My opinion of Seth and Kieran almost changed around completely. Seth is now the one who seems strong and noble and good, whereas Kieran’s actions are often questionable. I went from wanting Kieran and Waverly to be together, to wishing that she would see the real Seth as he seemed much more suitable boyfriend material. I loved the way that Amy Kathleen Ryan isn’t afraid to turn things on their head. Her characters may not always be likeable but that is a quality to be admired because they are always real and like real human beings they make mistakes. They don’t always do the right thing or behave in the correct way.

‘Spark’ is brilliantly plotted, imaginative and original. Every single detail is covered and the plot is forever leading you down a path you are not expecting. The story is also shocking at times and some events had me on the edge of my seat and tearing through the pages to find out what was going to happen next.

The ending was fantastic and has left me eager for the next book, 'Flame' which should be out in 2013.  ‘Spark’ was an out of this world read and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Sky Chasers series to anyone looking for a gripping and exciting series of books!

Review: The Demon Trappers: Foretold - Jana Oliver

The Demon Trappers: Foretold by Jana Oliver, published by Macmillan Children's Books on 2nd August 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
Riley’s always known that Beck had a chequered history, but she’s not prepared for what it actually means to be in love with a guy with this many dark secrets. Now that he’s finally admitted to himself that he’s in love with her too, there’s no more hiding the truth about his past. And as it turns out, fending off a demon apocalypse is nothing compared to what’s to come...

Review:
Wow!  I sat for five hours straight reading this stunning final instalment in The Demon Trapper's series by Jana Oliver.  It was utterly brilliant!  There was simply no way I could put it down until I reached the end.  Jana Oliver must be praised for delivering an ending which will thrill all fans of these fantastic books.  This is a series which has just kept getting better and better.

The story focuses predominantly on the relationship between Riley and Beck.  At long last we get to look into Beck's past and discover why he's been holding himself back from Riley for so long.  Journeying to the town where he grew up, I enjoyed enormously the insight into why Beck has become the man he is.  It explained a lot about his character and personality and if possible endeared me to him even more than before.  I love Beck and everything about him!  I like the fact that the book provides a proper conclusion to them as a couple and there were some scenes that I loved so much they made my heart thump wildly!

I was really pleased with the fact that Oliver dealt with all the plot strands that have been building since the beginning and nothing was left dangling and unfinished.  The concluding part of the story features the showdown between heaven and hell which is explosive and action-packed.  This series has definitely gone out on a high, although I of course would still love to read more of these truly amazing books. 

After five hours I turned the final page with a huge smile on my face at the most perfect ending imaginable.  I could have easily stayed there for another five hours and read the book all over again.  If you're already a fan of this series then I guarantee you will adore 'Foretold' and if you haven't yet discovered these books then you shouldn't wait any longer before you get your hands on them.