Thursday 28 April 2011

Thanks

I would like to say a massive thank you to Safari Poet for her kind help, even though we are complete strangers she helped me learn how to do this:~

Add a different colour to my blog posts!! I'm not that grate on the comp and I'm still learning about all this blog design. Even when I didn't get how to do it first time round Safari Poet talked me through it twice more!

Hopefully my blog will start to improve and I'm so thankful to those who offer their help and support!

Bumped Review


Bumped (Bumped, #1)
1.5 out of 5 stars

Title: Bumped
Author: Megan McCafferty
Published: April 2011
By:
Source: Netgalley

When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents are forced to pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and had never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Until now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in religious Goodside, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to bring Melody back to Goodside and convince her that “pregging” for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.

When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.



Opening line: I'm sixteen. Pregnant. And the most important person on the planet.

Closing line: But at this very moment, I feel like the most important person on the planet.

Favourite quote: "What is it with everyone questioning my spermhood?"

~Jondoe~

I think I may struggle with this review a little because I found the book hard to read.
Our main characters are twin sisters Melody and Harmony who until recently didn't know each other. Separated at birth Harmony has been raised in Goodside where everyone believes in God and Melody had been raised on the Otherside where she has been groomed to 'bump' for money.
They book synopsis above tells you everything about the plot line so I will just stick to my thoughts on this one!
I found it hard to keep up with the sisters in the beginning because of the similar names, I often found myself confused and rereading parts (and I'm in my late 20s). Each chapter jumps back and forth between the sisters and I found it difficult to develop a connection between the two, as well as with other characters in the book.
I found the futuristic language in the book so hard to understand at times and really couldn't grasp what what being said or what was going on. It had me thinking at times maybe I'm too old for this lingo and maybe younger readers will totally understand it and lap it up.
And then I found myself thinking of the content of the book. The book deals with some adult themes such as sex, youner-age sex, prostitution (girls are made to have sex), baby-buying and so on. I would find it difficult to sell this book to teenagers as in the UK our teen section starts at 13 and we don't have YA sections.
I'm also confused as to why/how this book is to be a series. I thought it ended well enough to be a stand alone book.

As always my reviews are my own opinions/thoughts about a book and in no way do I wish to discourage you from reading anything. What some people dislike others will love.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ebook edition.

 

Wednesday 27 April 2011

Happy Birthday to Me Review


Happy Birthday to Me (Birthday Trilogy, #1)
3.5 out of 5 stars


Title: Happy Birthday to Me
Author: Brian Rowe
Published: April 2011
Author request


Seventeen-year-old Cameron Martin has a huge problem: he’s aging a whole year of his life with each passing day!

High school is hard enough; imagine rapidly aging from seventeen to seventy in a matter of weeks, with no logical explanation, and with prom, graduation, and the state championship basketball game all on the horizon. That’s what happens to Cameron, a popular pretty boy who's never had to face a day looking anything but perfect.

All Cameron wants to do is go back to normal, but no one, not even the best doctors, can diagnose his condition. When he finds love with a mysterious young woman, however, he realizes his only hope for survival might be with the one person who started his condition in the first place...



A paranormal story with a difference!

Opening line: The nightmare was real

Closing line: The future

Favourite quote: "You've pulled some stunts in my day, but attempting to fornicate all over Homer and Charles Dickens? You've shamed me and my library for the last time..."

~Mrs. Gordon~


I was asked to review this book by the author and I must admit I wasn't looking forward to it at first, I really don't like the front cover but you should never judge a book by its cover! I the book in just a few hours before bed and actually it was a nice little read with some loveable characters.

The book follows the story of Cameron the popular seventeen year old who is the star of the basketball team and is dating the hottest girl in school. He seems to have everything but one morning he wakes up and realises he is aging and soon learns he is aging a year a day.

I didn't mind Cameron to much before he started aging, he was the typical popular guy around school. But once he starts aging we are shown a completely different side of him as he goes on a journey of self discovery. I really warmed to him and started to feel sorry for him as his life seemed to be coming to an end.
The secondary characters are of course important in any story and I really like Wesley who is Cameron's best friend. Sometimes I thought the worst of Wes but he great in the end!! Cameron's family also play a large part in the story and I love all the different reactions from them, I love his little sister. And now for the other 'main character'... Liesel. I just don't understand why she isn't in the story that much! She actually plays a very important part in Cameron's life and we don't see that much of her until the end of the story.

For a short story Happy Birthday to Me is a nice read that doesn't has you completely hooked but there was enough of something to keep me reading and wanting to know what would happen to Cameron. I love the hospital scene and just wish there had been more of this throughout the book.
I thought the book ended well so I'm intrigued to see what is going to happen in the next two books

My thanks to Brian for providing this copy for review.

Tuesday 26 April 2011

Laini Taylor's blog

If you follow In My Mailbox you will have seen these two images on IMM 7:~


    


So 2 weeks ago I was sent 3 black envelops all on different days. The first contained white feathers, the second a black mustache and the third a gold beaded necklace. After the third package another black envelop arrived containing a copy of Daughter of Smoke and Bone.  
Author Laini Taylor saw me tweet about this and has used these images over at her blog and explained how these envelops and items came about. You can read all about it over at her blog by following the link below:~


Sunday 24 April 2011

In My Mailbox 8

















In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted every Sunday over at The Story Siren. A great meme which allows bloggers to share what they receive/buy/borrow each week.







I would like to thank author Tom Clempson, whos debut book, One Seriously Messed-Up Week, will be released in June, for sending me this amazing cake! It is by far the best thing the post lady has ever handed over!!! I had given up cake, chocolate and sweets for lent and after demanding cake and sending death threats Tom found out about this he was kind enough to send me cake :) I think Tom is a funny, lovely, kind hearted person who has sent me this cake because lent is now over and not because he wants me to stock and sell his books in the bookshop! Thank you Tom :)




Now for the books!
For Review





Title: Abandon
Author: Meg Cabot
Released April 2011
Published by: Macmillan

Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.
But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.
Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.
But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.
(text from goodreads)





Title: Minster Creecher
Author: Chris Priestley
Released: October 2011
Published by: Bloomsbury


Can a monster and a boy every really be friends?

1818. London.

Billy is a street urchin, pickpocket and petty thief.
Mister Creecher is a monstrous giant and a man who terrifies all he meets. Their relationship begins as pure convenience. But a bond swiftly develops between these two misfits as their bloody journey takes them ever northward on the trail of their target . . . Victor Frankenstein.
(text from book cover)






Between


Author: Cyndi Tefft
Title: Between
Released: June 2011


It just figures that the love of Lindsey Water's life isn't alive at all, but the grim reaper, complete with a dimpled smile and Scottish accent.

After transporting souls to heaven for the last 300 years, Aiden MacRae has all but given up on finding the one whose love will redeem him and allow him entry through the pearly gates.

Torn between her growing attraction to Aiden and heaven's siren song, Lindsey must learn the hard way whether love really can transcend all boundaries.
(text from goodreads)


Bought

Dead Beautiful (Dead Beautiful, #1)


Title: Dead Beautiful
Author: Yvonne Woon
Published by: Usborne
Released: May 2011


On the morning of her sixteenth birthday, Renée Winters was still an ordinary girl. She spent her summers at the beach, had the perfect best friend, and had just started dating the cutest guy at school. No one she'd ever known had died. But all that changes when she finds her parents dead in the Redwood Forest, in what appears to be a strange double murder.

After the funeral Renée’s wealthy grandfather sends her to Gottfried Academy, a remote and mysterious boarding school in Maine, where she finds herself studying subjects like Philosophy, Latin, and the “Crude Sciences.”

It’s there that she meets Dante Berlin, a handsome and elusive boy to whom she feels inexplicably drawn. As they grow closer, unexplainable things begin to happen, but Renée can’t stop herself from falling in love. It’s only when she discovers a dark tragedy in Gottfried’s past that she begins to wonder if the Academy is everything it seems.Little does she know, Dante is the one hiding a dangerous secret, one that has him fearing for her life.
(text from goodreads)


So that's what I got this week, what did you get in your mailbox?
Happy Reading!!!



Saturday 23 April 2011

Hereafter Review


Hereafter (Hereafter, #1)
4 out of 5 stars



Title: Hereafter
Author: Tara Hudson
Published: June 2011
By: Harper Collins
Edition: ebook






Thank you to NetGalley & Harper Collins for this edition.

Opening line: It was the same as always but different from the first time.

Closing line: I always would choose the hereafter, when it was a hereafter spent with him.

Favourite quote: "You're constantly giving me the best gifts, even if I don't realise it at the time".

~Amelia~

Best ghost story I've read!!

Existing as a ghost Amelia can't remember anything about herself other than her name and small parts of her death. She had no memory of how she died or why she died. She is wondering aimlessly in the afterlife believing she has no purpose, that is until she meets Joshua, or should I say until she saves Joshua.
After an accident that causes Joshua's car to drive over the bridge Amelia has some kind of connection with him that allows him to live.
After saving Joshua's life the two soon become friends and the relationship grows as they try to find out who Amelia was when she was alive. But this new relationship is not without it's problems which includes Joshua's grandmother and his own destiny as well as Eli who is trying to make Amelia his apprentice in the afterlife.

I really enjoyed this book. Hudson is a great new edition to the world of paranormal romance.
I really warmed to Amelia and loved how her story unfolded as she and Joshua worked together to piece her 'life' together. As her story is revealed she begins to feel emotions again which is something she didn't think she was capable of any longer.
As the two learn more about Amelia Joshua's own destiny is revealed to him which is a shock to say the least. But it seems Joshua's grandmother wasn't just telling ghost stories after all.

Hereafter is the perfect start to a new paranormal series and Hudson sure knows how to keep reading and wanting more. I'm looking forward to seeing what lies in store for Amelia and Joshua.

Monday 18 April 2011

Wild Child Review


Wild Child
3 of 5 stars



 
Title: Wild Child
Author: Mike Wells
Published: March 2011
Format: ebook







Opening line:~ "Let's swim over to the cliffs," Briana said.

Closing line:~ And then he would walk.

Favourite quote:~ "Brie?" he said softly.
She stopped splashing. "Yeah?"
"I love you"

~Kyle & Briana~

A quick but gripping read!

What was meant to be a nice relaxing day out at the lake for Kyle and Briana soon turns into the stuff of nightmares. After Briana is left for dead after a terrible accident out she comes across a hidden cave with water so magical it heals her injuries. But the water takes a stronger hold on Briana, she needs to drink and bath in the magical pool often to keep her injuries from returning.
The pool soon becomes a thing of interest after Kyles crazy father tests the water and it proves to be, well, different from normal lake water. Kyle and Briana do their best to keep the pools location a secret but everyone is asking questions!!

I read this book within a hour and I must admit at first I though I wasn't going to like it but as the story progressed I warmed to the characters and found myself worrying what would happen to Briana.
For a short read the author gives you just enough of everything, character build up, back story, and wow, what an ending!!! I was shocked, sad and happy all at once with how this little story ended and found myself thinking of Kyle and Briana after I had finished reading.

I know that Mike Wells was asked to make this story longer at first and part of me can understand why. Once I had finished I thought of all the avenues he could have explored. That said, I'm glad he stuck to his guns and kept Wild Child a short read because in all honesty it all ready has everything it needs.
Wells has created a well balanced story that keeps you guessing.

Sunday 17 April 2011

In My Mailbox 7



In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted every Sunday over at The Story Siren. A great meme which allows bloggers to share what they receive/buy/borrow each week.





For Review


Wild Child











Title: Wild Child
Author: Mike Wells
Published: March 2011
Format: ebook

Briana Fox is the wildest girl in school. She and Kyle have been friends for a long time..., almost lovers. When Briana challenges Kyle to a swim across the lake, she's injured in a terrible accident, but also discovers a mysterious substance in an underwater cave. What seems to be a magical yet harmless "power drug" turns out to have unexpected properties. Briana soon becomes dependent on it for her very survival. When two government agents get wind of their discovery, they will stop at nothing to force Kyle and Briana to reveal its source
(goodreads)




Happy Birthday to Me




Title: Happy Birthday to Me
Author: Brian Rowe
Publication: April 2011
Formate: ebook

Seventeen-year-old Cameron Martin has a huge problem: he's aging a whole year of his life with each passing day. High school is hard enough; imagine rapidly aging from seventeen to seventy in a matter of weeks, with no logical explanation, and with prom, graduation, and the state championship basketball game on the horizon. That's what happens to Cameron, a mischievous pretty boy who has never had to face a day looking anything but perfect.

It starts with a slowing metabolism, followed by gray hair, wrinkles, and a painful back. Within days his girlfriend dumps him, his plastic surgeon father forces him to get a facelift, and his terrifying high school develops a crush on him. All he wants to do is go back to normal, but no one, not even the best doctors, can diagnose his condition.

ow will he cope? Will he even survive? He'ss faced with the greatest challenge of his life, and there's no way of knowing if he'll live to see graduation, or even the next day!
(goodreads)


 

I was sent 3 black envelops last week all on different days. The first contained white feathers, the second a black mustache and the third a gold beaded necklace. After the third package another black envelop arrived containing a copy of Daughter of Smoke and Bone.  
Has to be the best marketing have have come across so far while I have been at the bookshop!!







Title: Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
Publication: September 2011


Featuring necklaces made of wishes; an underground shop dealing in teeth; magical tattoos; a wishbone on a cord, DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE is a thrilling story about Karou and her secret life as an apprentice to a wishmonger. Karou manages to keep her two lives in balance. On the one hand, she is a seventeen-year-old art student in Prague; on the other, errand-girl to an inhuman creature who deals in wishes and is the closest thing she has to family. Her life is surrounded by mysteries she is desperate to unveil.
(goodreads) 




Wherever You Go
From Netgalley

Title: Wherever you go
Author: Heather Davis
Publication: November 2011
by: Harcourt Children's Books


Seventeen-year-old Holly Mullen has felt lost and lonely ever since her boyfriend, Rob, died in a tragic accident. The fact that she has to spend most of her free time caring for her little sister and Alzheimer’s-stricken grandfather doesn’t help. But Holly has no idea that as she goes about her days, Rob’s ghost is watching over her. He isn’t happy when he sees his best friend, Jason, reach out to help Holly with her grandfather—but as a ghost, he can do nothing to stop it. Is his best friend really falling for his girlfriend?
As Holly wonders whether to open her heart to Jason, the past comes back to haunt her. Her grandfather claims to be communicating with the ghost of Rob. Could the messages he has for Holly be real? And if so, how can the loved ones Rob left behind help his tortured soul make it to the other side?
Told from the perspectives of Holly, Jason, and Rob, Wherever You Go is is a poignant story about making peace with the past, opening your heart to love, and finding the courage to move forward into the light.
(goodreads)


Gift

Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy, #1)

Title: Assassin's Apprentice
Author: Robin Hobb
Published: March 1996
by: Harper Voyager


Young Fitz is the bastard son of the noble Prince Chivalry, raised in the shadow of the royal court by his father's gruff stableman. He is treated like an outcast by all the royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has him secretly tutored in the arts of the assassin. For in Fitz's blood runs the magic Skill--and the darker knowledge of a child raised with the stable hounds and rejected by his family. As barbarous raiders ravage the coasts, Fitz is growing to manhood. Soon he will face his first dangerous, soul-shattering mission. And though some regard him as a threat to the throne, he may just be the key to the survival of the kingdom.


So that's what I got this week! What did you get??
Happy reading!!



Saturday 16 April 2011

Red Riding Hood Review






Title: Red Riding Hood


Author: Sarah Blakely-Cartwright & David Leslie Johnson (screenplay)
Release date: 24 February 2011
Published by: Atom Books

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed by Callum Dalloway






Opening line: “From the towering heights of the tree, the little girl could see everything.”

Closing line: “She made her choice and brought her lips to his.”

Favourite quote: “The world went quiet. Then Valerie heard an intricate voice, a medley woven from sounds both male and female, human and animal. A composite of every voice she’d ever known, it vibrated deep within her. The Devil’s voice.”

“Once upon a time... there was a girl, and there was a Wolf.”

I should begin by saying that this book is not the original work the upcoming film was based on, it was written from the screenplay and was intended to “deepen the world of the characters” allowing more time to be spent in the little moments, and more background to be given.

The book itself is very easy to read, and I did not find the beginning to be slow or difficult to get into. Valerie – Red Riding Hood herself! – is a young girl from a village enslaved in fear of the Wolf. She is constantly described as the outsider (which does start to become a little tedious) and feels different to the rest of the village.

Her character is likeable, and the conflicts she faces within herself (as well as with her family and friends) are excellent at bringing depth to the story and setting the time of the tale. She is clearly the heroine from the beginning, but there is a great deal of satisfaction when she finally puts on that famous red cloak and truly connects with the fairy tale!

There is plenty of romance and sexual tension for readers to get involved with, and although I don’t want to mention Twilight, the indecision between blacksmith Henry and the enigmatic Peter is slightly reminiscent of Meyer’s work. However, it is different enough to not be a distracting likeness.

I found this book to be on the surface, very obvious and predictable, yet, I wanted to continue reading to make sure there was no twist in the tale approaching, or that the revealing descriptions were red-herrings! You will not be disappointed by the blurring of transparency with mystery.

There are a few moments of suspense in the book, as well as some changes of perspective, which helped give the world dimension away from Valerie’s point of view. I also think Blakely-Cartwright has a very relatable style of writing, especially when it comes to pinning down certain emotions the characters are feeling, her descriptions are excellent!

My only real complaint would be that the story inevitably moves towards an ending, which the book does not provide. There is a cliffhanger of sorts, and there is still no clear revealing of who the Wolf is in human form! I have found that there is a bonus chapter to be made available on 16th April, conveniently a day after the film is to be released...

This book has succeeded in whetting my appetite for the film even more than before I began reading, and provided an enjoyable adaptation of a Grimm brother’s classic. I would definitely recommend it, but would have to stress the fact there is no conclusion, requiring download of the final chapter or viewing of the film!

For the record, my money’s on Grandmother...

Tuesday 12 April 2011


Mimus




Title: Mimus
Author: Lilli Thal
Release date: September 2005
Pulished by: Annick Press

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed by Nix as part of the translation month over at the Mostly Reading YA blog.




I love this book and wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone. This medieval fairytale was as charming as it was captivating. Prince Florin is lured to the enemy’s kingdom by a letter, supposedly from his father, telling him to come join in the celebrations for a successful peace treaty. Upon arrival, it becomes apparent that all is not as it seems and Florin is left speechless at the sight of his Father, and his fellow noblemen, in shackles. Theodo gives Florin to the Jester Mimus to train, with the threat of punishment for his father if he doesn’t comply with the twisted Kings demands. Over the coming months, Florin is humiliated, whipped and starved by his captor, but the seemingly grumpy Jester manages to keep him from severe harm. When Florins subjects infiltrate the castle, things start to look a little brighter for the little Mimus. Can he really escape the daily toil of life as a Jester and constant threat of execution, or will the rescue attempt fail and leave them all dead.

This book was beautifully written. However, the formal language can be quite tiresome and sometimes the endless descriptions slowed down the pace of the book a little too much. It took me a while to be sucked into the storyline, as the beginning is incredibly slow, but once it took off it was hard to put down. Mimus is a fabulously complex character whose motives, even after reading the book, I don’t fully understand. At first, he seems like a grumpy old man who simply didn’t want a young apprentice. As time went on, I began to wonder if he just didn’t want to see another young boy be subjected to the same fate as he was. Mimus worked Florin hard, but ultimately he stopped him being whipped. He stroked his head when he had nightmares and eventually helped him escape. Mimus sees a little boy on the path he is very familiar with. He needs to train him quickly in-order to help Florin avoid the hard lessons that he suffered. He isn’t a man with very many social skills, which makes him seem quite difficult at times, but he is a product of his isolated upbringing as a Jester. At times Florin does do things that the Jester struggles to cope with, but as a man used to being alone, having his fate depend on the behaviour of a small child irks him a little.

Florin is a wonderfully strong little boy. He survives by curbing his natural impulses to lash out and, quite simply, plays a very clever game. He gives Theodo exactly what he wants, no matter the price his pride takes, to keep his father safe and hope for eventual rescue. His fall in status is beautifully written, but he stayed as dignified as a Prince in his manners and attitude. Occasionally his adolescence got the better of him and he ends up in trouble (the worse being at the dungeon masters hands) but he learns fast and seems to grow up even faster. It broke my heart a little when reading the humiliation that a teenager had to suffer at the hands of a grown man. Overall, he grew from a boy into a man during the course of the story and the end narrative, telling of the nightmares that still plagued his nighttime hours, proved that no matter how unaffected he might have seemed during his ordeal, his time at the hands of Theodo left its mark.

This is a tale of a boy who is taken from his home and placed into the most humiliating servitude. The relationship that builds between him and the cantankerous Jester is borne of necessity, pity and loneliness. The ending shows that, although they were forced together, the result was a solid friendship that demanded unquestioning loyalty and self-sacrifice. I loved it – and I want to see the sequel (read it and you will see what I mean:D)

Sunday 10 April 2011

In My Mailbox 6

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted every Sunday over at The Story Siren. A great meme which allows bloggers to share what they receive/buy/borrow each week.

For Review:~

City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments, #4)

City of Fallen Angels
Cassandra Clare
Must thank Walker Books for sending me this copy to review :)


The Gathering (Darkness Rising, #1)

The Gathering
Kelly Armstrong
Thanks to atom for sending me this copy to review.


The Death Defying Pepper Roux

The Death Defying Pepper Roux
Geraldine McCaughrean
Thank you Oxford University Press for this signed edition :)
The Death Defying Pepper Roux has been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal!!


Borrowed:~


Finding Sky
Joss Stirling

For Give-away

Delirium (Delirium, #1)

Delirium
Lauren Oliver

Hodder sent me 5 copies of Lauren Oliver's Delirium for give-aways! Look our for ways to win a copy this week.

 



Tuesday 5 April 2011

Review: The Poison Diaries


3 Stars




Title: The Poison Diaries
Author: Maryrose Wood
Series: Poison Diaries
Published: May 2010
By: HarperCollins Children's Books






Opening line:~ Grey skies; the rain came and went all morning.

Closing line:~ I am alive

Favourite quote:~ "If there is one thing I have learned from loving Jessamine and even from the evil tasks you have made me do, it is that all forms of life are worthy of compassion. There is no life without death, true, but needless killing is an abomination."
~Weed~

An intriguing story!

I was captured from the start of this book because of how different it is to anything I have read recently.
Jessamine lives with her father in a run down isolated 'cottage' on the out skirts of the Alnwick Castle grounds where she is often left alone when her father is called away to tend to the sick with his natural remedies. Thomas Luxton, Jessamines father, is obsessed with his plants and even more so with his poison garden which no one but he is allowed to enter.
Jessamine often finds herself feeling lonely, that is until Weed, a strange sort of boy, is bought to her home.

I liked that this story was based around botany and at times it made me think of the world of Harry Potter. Don't misunderstand me though, I am in no way comparing The poison Diaries to the Harry Potter books, they are completely different. But with the way the plants, both good and evil, speak to Weed it gave the book a real magical feel.
I will admit it took a while to into the story but there was something in the writing that had me hooked. Wood's descriptive detail and authentic use of language gave the story a whole other meaning that kept me reading into the early hours

I really warmed to Jessamine and her coming of age storyline and I gained an instant soft-spot for Weed.
Even more so as his character developed throughout the story with the help of Jessamine. He grows from the wild, strange boy into a man with new a meaning and outlook on life. His 'gift' is an intriguing one which only adds to this tale of love and poison.
The twist at the end of the story will certainly shock some readers but if, like me, you recognise the workings of an evil genius you won't be shocked!
I am looking forward to the next instalment, Nightshade, which promises to be even darker!!

Sunday 3 April 2011

In My Mailbox 5

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted every Sunday over at The Story Siren. A great meme which allows bloggers to share what they receive/buy/borrow each week.

Sorry I didn't get chance to do In My Mailbox last week I had a crazy week! So this is what I received over the past two weeks:


Bought:~


Darklight
Lesley Livingston

&

The Poison Diaries
Maryrose Wood

The latter book was actually chosen by my boyfriend as I couldn't decide which book to buy myself.


In the post:~


Summer and the City
Candace Bushnell





Department 19
Will Hill

I all ready have a paperback of this book but as you can see this is a signed hardback edition :)



Won:~




Believe
Erin K. Germain

I won a copy of Believe over at goodreads. Erin sent a signed copy of her book along with a book-mark and a lovely note, as you can see :)


From the amazing netgallery:~

Hereafter (Hereafter, #1)

Hereafter
Tara Hudson

Bumped

Bumped
Megan McCafferty

Circle Nine

Circle 9
Anne Heltzel

Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer (Twisted Tales, #2)

Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer
Maureen McGowan



Cinderella: Ninja Warrior
Maureen McGowan


So, that's what I got over the last few weeks! Hope you got some great books too!!
Happy reading everyone!


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