Paranormalcy - Book Review

Paranormalcy – Book Review

Kiersten White

YA Paranormal Romance

Synopsis:

Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie’s always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal.

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures. So much for normal.

Review:

I really enjoyed Paranormalcy. Compared to other YA paranormals I thought it had a fresh concept and it was both well written and entertaining. I particularly liked how the main character – despite being a tough as nails bad ass – only used weapons that were pink and sparkly. She was such a girl!

The story begins with Evie. A teenage girl who, due to her ability to see through the glamour’s of paranormal creatures, is the youngest human member of the IPCA – an agency in charge of controlling and policing paranormals. However her life within the IPCA is a lonely one but everything changes the night she meets Lend. A strange and mysterious boy who is labelled a ‘never been seen before’ kind of paranormal.

However despite her instant attraction to Lend, Evie can’t help but wonder if he is somehow connected to the sudden up-rise of paranormal murders across the world. But as Evie is to learn, she has bigger problems to worry about.  Stalked by a feeling stealing faerie, haunted by a power she can’t control and soon to be faced with a truth that will flip her entire world upside down…Evie is about to discover the true meaning of paranormal.

This book really was an entertaining read. As a main character Evie really rocks. She’s witty, feisty and her desire and attraction for all things normal is both sweet and very amusing. For example she is a teenager who dreams of actually going to school. However what with being raised within the confines of the IPCA she is also very streetwise and mature which makes a great contrast to her teenage fantasies of romance, proms and shopping!

Lend was also a really great character. Deep and mysterious – I also liked his ability to look like any person (or celebrity) that Evie desired. Also despite his hidden agenda, he was a sweet and caring character and made a good love interest for Evie.

The plot itself was also intriguing and all the smaller sub-plots kept the story moving at a nice pace. Character development was clear to see and I enjoyed how Evie’s perception of paranormals changed as the story progressed.

So overall Paranormalcy made for a wonderful read and one I would recommend people check out. Especially those of you who like reading about strong heroines who like to accessorize their tasers with rhinestones! 4 Stars!



Whisper - Blog Tour and Interview

Whisper by Chrissie Keighery

Blog Tour

Author Interview:

1)     What was your inspiration behind Whisper and how long did it take you to write?

In 2009 I was at a writer’s festival, launching my last novel for Young Adults, Outside In. The venue I was given was a noisy breezeway. It was very difficult to make myself heard to the students milling about. It was ironic then, that a group of deaf students accompanied by an interpreter were the ones who actually ‘heard’ what I was saying.

After that, I felt very drawn to watching interpreters at other author talks. Sign language is pretty beguiling visually.

Having a coffee with my Australian editor, Hilary started telling me about a family that fascinated her. Both parents were deaf but both of their children could hear. From there we started to talk about the idea of creating a deaf character.

I have to say, I was very naïve about how much I was taking on. The research alone took me three months. There was so much to consider that at times I felt overwhelmed. The whole process of researching and writing Whisper took eighteen months… by far the longest period I’ve ever spent on a book.

2)    While writing Whisper did your characters behave as you wanted them to or did they ever change the direction of the story?

My characters rarely behave! The thing is, I guess I don’t want them to. To me, the process of writing a book is more about uncovering a story that’s buried somewhere rather than creating it. If character’s all behaved that process could become quite boring.

All of my main characters changed from my original perceptions. The changing was the part, I think, that helped them become three dimensional.

3)    What was the biggest challenge you faced while writing Whisper? And which was the hardest scene for you to write?

I was very concerned at times to be writing a deaf character while I’m not deaf myself. Many times I lost confidence in being able to depict Demi’s life without becoming a preacher! I can’t bear books that try to force feed wisdom – and I didn’t want to be the writer of one.

The hardest scene to write was the scene where Demi is at a party with a hearing crowd and someone switches off the light. By that stage, I was falling in love with her… and I felt so cruel to make her go through that. Even now, I find it hard to read that scene aloud without choking up.

4)    Can you tell is anything about any new/future projects of yours?

This year I’m writing four books. Three are for a new series called Girl Vs the World. They’re for a slightly younger audience, but I think they’re brave books that go into areas of adolescence that aren’t discussed in a straight forward way in fiction very often.

I’m also writing a YA Romance… I have my L plates on again for that one.

5)    Can you offer any advice to all the aspiring writers out there?

My first book was published nearly twenty years ago. The last seven years have been really productive for me, but there were definitely some lean times in there. Lots of tears when I got rejections. My philosophy, given that I really knew writing was something I desperately wanted to make my career, was to do something every day to advance my style and understanding. Which actually (sorry about this!) means to spend time writing! There’s no way out guys. Reading can definitely help but it’s the time spent writing that makes us writers.

6)    And finally, just to add in a bit of random… What’s your favourite childhood book? And who is your favourite villan?

Oh what a mean question! To have to choose…

My mum used to read to me and my sisters from ‘When We Were Six’: a book of poetry by A.A. Milne. I still adore those poems, though when I chase my kids reciting them I’m not sure they share my passion.

The Banksia Men from ‘Snugglepot and Cuddlepie’ were pretty freaky. Nasty sods, the lot of them. They were modelled on Australian Banksia cones. Look, it’s hard to describe… here’s one carrying a poor gumnut baby. You can see what I mean!

Thank you so much Chrissie for answering my questions. Whisper is a truly thought provoking read and I really do recommend you guys all check it out! You can find my review of it HERE.

Seraphina Blog Tour – Interview with Rachel Hartman

Questions and Answers with Rachel Hartman

1)     What inspired you to write Seraphina? And how long did it take you to get from the first word to publication?

My first idea for Seraphina came when my parents divorced after more than thirty years of marriage. Their situation got me thinking: what it must be like to marry someone and then, years later, find out your spouse was someone different than you thought. Seraphina’s father discovered his wife’s secret only when she died in childbirth. My early drafts of Seraphina dealt much more directly with the fallout from that. Over the years that part of the story receded and I was able to focus on more interesting questions about Seraphina herself, and how this heritage would affect her when she left home. I began that first draft when I was pregnant with my son, who has just turned nine. It’s been a long road, but a good one.

2)    If you could meet any Character from the book, which one would it be and why? (personally I’m stuck between Orma and Lars)

I am so pleased to see Lars getting some love! He is one of my favourites as well. If I could only choose one, however, at this particular moment I feel inclined toward Orma. He’s such an interesting mixture, at once alien and familiar. I would like to talk to him about art. Tomorrow, though, I might prefer Princess Glisselda. I feel like I know all these people, and they are old friends already!

3)    What was the biggest challenge that you faced while writing Seraphina?

Being patient. Writing is slow work, at least for me, but that’s the least of it. I didn’t realize how much waiting there would be. You wait to hear back from agents, and then you wait to hear back from editors. I turn 40 the day before the book comes out in North America. If someone had told me, nine years ago, that I would be 40 before the book came out... well, I hope I would have had the presence of mind to say, “How old will I be if I don’t do it?”

4)    The cover of your book is gorgeous! Did you have any say in its design?

I had no say whatsoever in the cover, and I am glad of that fact. I love both my covers, UK and North American, and I am particularly fascinated by how they can be so different and yet both suit the book so well. If I’d had a hand in it, we’d have been robbed of a chance to see other people’s interpretations, and the world would have missed out on some lovely images.

5)    Can you give anything away about what we will see in the sequel? And when will it be released?

I’m so bad about spoilers! I always think I’m saying something completely innocuous, when in fact I’m giving everything away. I believe it’s safe to say, however, that the second book contains Abdo, quigs, and war, in varying amounts. The work proceeds apace, but I write slowly and my (wonderful) editor is a bit of a perfectionist. We both agree that excellence trumps speed. We will work as hard and fast as we can, in other words, and I feel confident it won’t take another nine years. I am probably not the kind of writer who can crank out a book every year, however.

6)    And finally, what was the best piece of advice you were given back when you were still an aspiring writer?

I took a single writing class at university, and the one thing that stuck with me   was a quote from Annie Dillard: "It is no less difficult to write sentences in a recipe than sentences in Moby-Dick. So you might as well write Moby-Dick." There are a number of ways one could interpret that statement, but I took it to mean: don’t be timid. Don’t hoard your big ideas or save them for later. Use them now. You’re not going to run out. I’ve found that to be wondrously true.

~

Thank you so much Rachel for answering my questions. I totally loved Seraphina and you guys can check out my review of it HERE!



Chain Reaction - Book Review

Chain Reaction– Book Review

Simone Elkeles

Book #3 of the Perfect Chemistry Trilogy

YA Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Like his brothers, Luis Fuentes is a risk taker; whether he's scaling the Rocky Mountains or dreaming of a future as an astronaut, Luis is always looking for the next thrill. Nikki Cruz lives her life by certain rules -, don't trust a boy who says "I love you", boys lie to get their own way and never date a boy from the south side of Fairfield. Then she meets Luis at his brother Alex's wedding and suddenly she's tempted to break all her rules. Getting Nikki to give him a chance is Luis's biggest challenge, until he finds himself targeted by the head of the gang that nearly destroyed his brothers' lives. Will Luis's feelings for Nikki be enough to stop him from entering a dark and violent world that could prove to be the ultimate risk?

Review:

I truly loved Chain Reaction! Although after thoroughly enjoying the first two books of the perfect chemistry trilogy, I had no doubts that this third and final book would be an equally fantastic read. With romance, bad boys and a little bit of action thrown in – this book makes a perfect summer read!

Unlike his two older brothers, Luis Fuentes has always been the golden child of the family. Handsome, smart and charismatic he keeps himself out of trouble by funnelling his excess energy into extreme sports and loose girls. But then he meets Nikki Cruz. A girl who is beautiful, sarcastic and keeps her heart locked safely behind a steel plated door.

Instantly Luis feels drawn to her but Nikki isn’t interested in Luis’ flirtatious, playboy ways. However just as Luis’ charm begins to win her over, dark secrets start to unravel and suddenly Luis finds himself the newest member of the Latino Blood –the violent gang that nearly killed his brother Alex and terrorized the neighbourhood. But as Luis is to learn, the gang is more than an obligation, it’s his birthright – and it will cost him everything he has ever loved and worked for, including Nikki…

I really have loved this series! The characters are all amazing, the drama is intense and I think its brilliant how Alex and Carlos got to make cameo appearances in this last and final book. The romance and relationships are just so well written and even though the books all tie together, they are each uniquely their own story.

As with Simone Elkeles other books, Luis and Nikki come from two very different backgrounds and each lead very different lives. Nikki growing up in the suburbs of the rich upper-class while Luis and his family stem from the hardworking poorer neighbourhoods where every penny counts. However watching how their relationship developed was both very sweet and highly entertaining.  Nikki is a girl who likes to take care of herself and unaccustomed to girls turning him down, Luis loves the challenge that Nikki brings.

Yet I also enjoyed how this book had slightly darker roots than its predecessors – its plot thick with intrigue caused through Luis connection to the Latino Blood Gang. However the story also touched on themes of trust, friendship, loyalty and family which woven together paved the way for a great ending, not just for this book but the trilogy as a whole.

Naturally it made for a really satisfying read and I whole heartedly recommend this series to everyone! Although I have to admit, the first book remains my ultimate favourite (what can I say – I’ve been team Alex all the way) however Chain Reaction was a brilliant read chocked full of steamy goodness! 4 Stars!

Also if you aren’t familiar with the series, please check out my reviews of the first two books, PERFECT CHEMISTY and RULES OF ATTRACTION!

Before I Wake - Blog Tour and Character Interview - Tod!

Rachel Vincent

Before I Wake - Tod Character Interview

Hi Tod, thank you so much for talking to me today. (major squee!) Eh hem, anyway welcome to whispering words! I know me and all your other fan girls really appreciate you being here today.

Q: So let’s jump straight in, can you tell us what was going through your mind when you made the decision to become a Reaper? And considering how things worked out for you do you regret your decision?

Tod: I was thinking that this was the only way I could tell them that how I died wasn’t Nash’s fault. And they needed to know that. I’ve never regretted becoming a reaper, but there were definitely days during those first couple of years when I thought about quitting. When the isolation and tedium made me start questioning the point of my own existence. But things are so much better now. Having friends, family, and Kaylee around has shown me how worthwhile my afterlife can be, and I hate to think I almost robbed the world of the awesomeness of my continued existence. ;)

Q: If you could, would you choose to swap lives/places with Nash?

Tod: No. I’ve done what I can to help him, and I’ll always be there, if he needs me—whether or not he’ll admit it—but he has to live his own life, and I have to live my own afterlife. We travel different paths, and maybe that’s not the way it was meant to be, but that’s the way it is. We both have to accept with that.

Q: Other than invisibility and teleportation, are there any other job perks to being a reaper?

Tod: Those are the big ones. But perpetual youth—and in my case, aesthetic appeal—is also nice.

Q: What is your favourite Pizza topping?

Tod: I’m a fan of the pepperoni/pineapple combination. Sweet + savoury = yum. Speaking of which, Kaylee and I are the pepperoni/pineapple of couples, don’t you think?

Q: So Tod, tell us... do you have a secret beauty routine or are you naturally this gorgeous?

Tod: I can’t take credit for what you see. I am the fortunate beneficiary of good genes. Karmically, that almost makes up for the fact that I’m dead.

Q: And finally, if you could ask Rachel Vincent to do one thing for you what would it be?

Tod: Lay off the fighting evil thing and give me and Kay a little more time alone. Specifically, time alone when lives don’t hang in the balance. That’s a lot of pressure, you know. ;)

Ahh, *Swoon* Thank you very much for answering my questions today Tod. If you would all like to see Tod again, you can find him lurking between the pages of Rachel Vincent’s newest book in the soul screamer series, Before I Wake which is out now. Check it out!

The Gathering Dark - Book Review

The Gathering Dark – Book Review

(US title – Shadow and Bone) (Book #1 of the Grisha Trilogy)

Written by:

Leigh Bardugo

YA Fantasy

Synopsis

The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.

Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?

The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfil her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.

But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?

Review:

A story set in a world inspired by the architecture and culture of tsarist Russia, A Gathering Dark was utterly fantastical! The characters were amazing, the plot twists had me gasping and the entire setting was simply magical – if Ravka was a real place, I would be moving there now! It truly was a brilliant read.

For hundreds of years the barren wasteland of the Shadowfold has been a source of fear and despair for the people of Ravka. Created by dark magic, it separates the port towns from the capital city, cutting off trade routes and food supplies with its dry desert of impenetrable darkness and flesh eating monsters. But when Alina Starkov, a solider/map maker for the army is attacked during her regiments crossing of the Shadowfold, the worlds hope of ending the darkness is suddenly rekindled when Alina discovers that not only is she a Grisha – a person capable of wielding great magical power - but she is a wielder of light. An ability that has been considered nothing more than legend for thousands of years.

Now taken away from her simple life and her best/only friend Mal, Alina is taken to the royal palace where she is thrust into the rich and powerful world of the Grisha. Here she learns to control her powers, training in the hope that one day she will have the ability to bring down the Shadow Fold. However Alina’s attraction to the Darkling, the great and powerful leader of the Grisha earns her more than a few enemies, especially when he seems to return her feelings. But the Darkling has an agenda of his own…

I really did love this book, although I have to say that the first few chapters are a little heavy going. This being high fantasy, there is a lot of information to take in such as the various types of Grisha, army rankings and general locations of cities within the world. However I have to say Leigh Bardargo wrote everything amazingly. I did follow most of the set up and while there was a little bit of information overload, most things were easy to remember thanks to the map and helpful list of Grisha rankings set out at the beginning of the book.

Alina is a strong and very relatable protagonist. She struggles to accept all that has happened to her, doing her best live up to the expectation and responsibility that has literally been thrust upon her. As the book progresses, her confidence and trust in herself grows and she truly begins to understand the difference her power can make to the world.

The other characters were also very interesting and well developed. The Darkling in particular was mysterious, handsome and undoubtedly dangerous – which of course made him very swoon worthy. Alina’s attraction to him is totally understandable. However there is also Mal, Alina’s childhood friend who is funny, compassionate and with his roguish good looks – a little bit of a flirt. He’s a character you can’t help but like and overall Leigh Bardugo has created such a fabulous cast of characters.

In regards to the romance, while both the Darkling and Mal act as potential love interests there isn’t really much of a love triangle – at least not in the traditional sense. While reading the book it was impossible to guess what would happen next as there was so many sudden, total 180 degree spin, flip it all upside down plot twists which I really liked it. It just made both the story and the romance impossible to predict and I loved every minute of this book.

So to wrap it up The Gathering Dark was a brilliant read and one that I highly recommend to everyone. It’s a book that will keep you on your toes and certainly keep you turning pages. All I can say is that the next book can’t come soon enough! Magical, beautiful and darkly enticing, this epic fantasy is a five star read! Check it out!

Whisper - Book Review

Whisper – Book Review

Chrissie Keighery

YA Contemporary

Synopsis:

Fifteen-year-old Demi's world is shattered when she is left profoundly deaf by a sudden illness. Everything is different now, and Demi must learn to adapt to a new school, new friends and even learn a whole new language.

Whisper is a coming-of-age tale, about discovering who you are and where you fit in life. About friendships and first love and, most of all, learning to love the person you are.

Review:

Whisper is a truly touching novel that really opened my mind to the world around me. It forced me to consider how unique each person is and although we live in a multicultural society where everything is supposedly equal, this book highlights the discrimination and misunderstandings many others still have towards those who society view as “different”. 

The story begins with sixteen year old Demi who, after surviving a serious case of meningitis had her world shattered when the illness left her completely and irreversibly deaf. Now two years on she is still learning how to adapt to her new life of silence and sign language. She’s scared and insecure, and feels distanced from her old friends and family. Also other than her 3 year old nephew, no one seems to know how to act around her anymore. Therefore with her old way of life now lost to her, Demi makes the brave decision to join a school exclusively for the deaf where she begins to learn acceptance, confidence and the ability to judge people based on who they are, and not what they look like…

This book really moved me on so many levels. For example when Demi first arrives at her new school, she finds her fellow classmates odd, over the top and was even embarrassed to be seen with those who wore what she describes as ‘ugly’ cochlear implants and hearing aids. However as she gets to know and befriend them, Demi stops noticing their outward quirks and starts to realise that despite their deafness, inside their just normal teenagers with the same insecurities, dreams and problems as everyone else.

The characters were all very well written. Demi particularly was a great protagonist and it was interesting to read how she learned to cope with her deafness. She struggled with friendships as she felt ostracised from her old her friend’s - who only seemed to pity her. But felt closer to her new deaf friends who, despite having only known her a short while – understood her on every level. However I liked how as the story progressed, Demi learned to balance and draw on the best of both worlds.

Stella was another interesting character. Born deaf she has a dislike for ‘Hearies’ as she calls them, but she is also very righteous and inspirational. She does her best to stand up against audism however, as Demi wasn’t born deaf and still remains close to many ‘hearies’ she and Stella have a rocky friendship but slowly, they both learn to work together to achieve great things.

There was also an element of romance and I liked how despite peoples prejudices, Demi’s love interest Ethan didn’t care that Demi was deaf, proving to her that she was just as capable of having a normal relationship as anybody else.  

Mostly what shocked me about this book though was the bullying and discrimination that deaf people have to face. The injustice of some scenes really made my blood boil at how ignorant people can be but at the same time there were some really sweet scenes that I felt balanced the book out nicely. Especially the scene with Demi’s young nephew who wrote her a note that says;

“I am sore thit your eyas don’t work. I love you eniway.”

Those few words just about broke my heart. I love that in their innocence children can say the most profound things. And I also liked how eager the children were to learn sign language, especially as the author Chrissie Keighery describes the movements of sign in such a way that it was easy for me to put the book down and try them myself.

So overall a truly brilliant read. Emotional and thought provoking, Whisper is a story that will remain with you long after the last page is turned. 4 stars!

*Also guys please check back towards the end of the month where I will be participating in the Whisper blog tour where Chrissie Keighery will be stopping by to answer some questions! J

Throne of Glass - Book Review

Throne of Glass– Book Review

Sarah J Maas

YA Fantasy

Synopsis:

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men—thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the kings council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.

Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she’s bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

Review:

I absolutely, completely and totally loved this book! The story, the characters, the setting and even the romance, every part of it was wonderful!

As most of you guys already know, I’m a huge fan of fantasy fiction but I must admit, after hearing all the hype around the blogsphere about how amazing Throne of Glass is, I was a little bit sceptical of whether it would live up to expectation. However I can now say that my expectations were totally shattered! This book is everything I thought it would be plus much, much more. It definitely falls into my list of top five all time favourite YA fantasies!

Eighteen-year-old Celaena Sardothien was once Adarlan’s most feared Assassin, until a deadly betrayal led to her capture and lifelong imprisonment in the harsh slave mines of Endovier. For twelve months she has suffered and laboured there, surviving through impossible odds through her determination and sheer will to stay alive. But when the Crown Prince of Adarlan arrives with a proposition for her that could earn Celaena back her freedom, she jumps at the chance to leave despite the possible life threatening catch to the Prince’s offer.

To regain her freedom, Celaena must battle it out with 24 other mercenaries in a competition to win herself the title of Kings Champion and become the royal household’s official assassin.  But when some of the other competitors start turning up murdered, horribly mauled and disfigured by something unknown, Celaena begins her own investigation that leads her down a path full of magick, adventure and insidious plots. And along the way the young assassin is about to discover, there may be more to her destiny than she ever possibly imagined…

One of my favourite things about this book was its characters. Celaena particularly was just an amazing protagonist and she really made the story great for me. Sarcastic, witty and tough as nails, I also loved that she had a girly side and could be quite vain at times, especially with her weakness for fancy clothes and trinkets.

Prince Dorian was also delicious to read and I enjoyed watching how his courage developed as he grew more confident in standing up to his father. However it was the Captain of Guard, Chaol who I really loved. Handsome, thoughtful and kind, the relationship between him and Celaena was moving, sweet and so often entertaining.

Yet watching the love-triangle form between Dorian, Celaena and Chaol was simply nail biting. It’s clear to see that both men really grow to care for her even, each loving her in different ways for different reasons.  I really can’t wait to see where the romance goes in the next book although I confess, Dorian’s cute but I’m definitely team Chaol!

The secondary characters, from the other competitors to the evil Duke and manipulative King were also very well crafted. Each one having their own secrets and hidden agendas, all of which made for a very layered plot that certainly kept you guessing. I also enjoyed how the author, Sarah J Maas wove magick and fae lore into the story and combined with the constant trials of the competition, it kept the pacing of the book at a nice even level.

Also although it left many questions unanswered, as well as ending on a teasing promise of things to come, I did feel like the book ended where it should – on a happy and satisfying note.

So overall I just loved this story and can’t wait to get started on the e-novellas – The mini prequel stories of Celaena’s adventures before she was captured. Fantasy fans or anyone who particularly enjoys other authors such as Maria V Snyder, Tamora Pierce of Garth Nix, guys this book is so for you! Totally and utterly recommended! 5 Stars!