Liebster Blog Love

So, a few days ago we found out that Fishy from The Reading Fish put us on her list of top 5 blogs she wanted to highlight for:

We want to say a big thank you to Fishy and carry on the blog love.

The Goal of the award is to spotlight up and coming bloggers who currently have less than 200 followers. The rules of the award are:

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.

2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.

3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.

4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.

5. And most of all - have bloggity-blog fun!

So To Spread the Joy, and Reward amazing Deserving Bloggers...here are my nominations...

Nix from Scorching Book Reviews Because in my world of YA I need to get my adult fix. Nix blog is in the middle of an amazing event and her reviews are just brilliant!! Nix is a great blogger and always happy to help.

Raimy-raw from Readapaptor because of the dino's haha and because she has a great passion for reading and has some amazing reviews. I also follow this blogger via twitter and we have some great booky chats.

TG from What I Read and What I Thought because of the great reviews. I also love the look of this blog, it feels so fresh and bright.

Hannah from Once Upon a Time, I love this blog name, it has a real book feel. The blog has a nice feel to it with some brill reviews.

And for my final blogger, which may be a little different: Laura from Cupcakes for Clara because I love the blog and I love Clara!! Laura is an amazing artist and I love that her blog always teaches me something new. If you are an arty or crafty person Laura's blog is the blog for you :)

So, these blogs are my picks, I hope you learn to love them as much as I do :)

Review ~ Wherever you go ~ Heather Davis

Title: Wherever you go

Author: Heather Davis

Published: 14th November 2011

By: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Source: Netgalley

First line: You’ve been by her side for six months but she still hasn’t noticed you.

Last line: And that is your last thought as you become part of the light.

Fave line: There are just too many, sorry!

Wherever you go had me gripped from the first line. A YA/paranormal novel it deals with a variety of issues from losing a loved one to teen depression to Alzheimer’s, divorce and the responsibilities that come with being a young carer. Reeling off such a list might give you the impression that this is a heavy read but in actual fact that is far from the case. I found this tale to be both thought provoking and heart warming and the way that Heather Davis writes tugs on the heart strings on more than one occasion!

The story’s main character is Holly who has recently survived a car crash in which her boyfriend Rob is killed. While she is still in the process of coming to terms with her loss, Holly also attends school and acts as main carer for her younger sister whilst her mother who is single works two jobs. She then also finds herself taking on the role of carer for her Grandfather who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Enter Jason, Rob’s best friend with whom she starts to strike up a relationship, although their recent loss means they both bring some pretty substantial baggage with them. Both however are oblivious to the fact that Rob has failed to move on from this life and now exists in their world as a ghost. For his part Rob finds himself forced to stand on the sidelines and watch everyone that he cares about grieving for him as well as watching the girl he loves move on to a new life away from him. That is until he realises that Holly’s Grandfather can see him. It is this realisation that sets in motion a chain of events that lead to a beautifully written and emotional conclusion as Rob tries to find his way out of this world and to help everyone around him find some kind of resolution.

The story is told from three perspectives, namely; Holly’s, Rob’s and Jason’s. I liked how each character was written in a different person i.e. Holly is written in the first person, Rob in the second and Jason in the third and I also liked the way that the three plots weave together using the different viewpoints. From the outside looking in you can see the burden that weighs Holly down as she struggles to hold everything together and you get frustrated by her mother’s ignorance to the situation, although perhaps it’s more about denial than ignorance. I also felt really sorry for Jason who had clearly been infatuated with Holly for a long time but who now resides in Rob’s shadow. Most heartbreaking I thought was the struggle that Rob experiences, especially as he watches Holly, Jason and his parents who are still mourning his death. Every line of his broke my heart just a little bit. I felt instantly attached to all of the characters in the story each of which has their own struggle. I also love the parallel between Rob and Aldo whereby Rob is prevented communicating with the outside world because of his current state and Aldo is able to foresee a time when he is in the same position as a result of his progressive condition. The bond that the two forge is really lovely to read. I also love the list that Aldo writes which contains the things he doesn’t want to forget – just beautiful.
I could actually keep on writing about this book forever. There are many other angles to this story but I don’t want to give too much away. I was transfixed from the outset and love the range of emotions that it evokes as you read it. As I said earlier, there are a range of issues that are dealt with and I’ve no doubt that many of these will strike a chord with the readers. I was therefore also impressed at the addition of the helplines at the back of the book. I think these could serve to be very useful.

I love this book completely, even though it left me in mourning for days!! Can’t wait to buy a copy of this for my bookshelf. One caution - It’s a weepie and you’ll need tissues!

5/5 – Just loved it.

Review ~ Dragon's Oath ~ P.C. & Kristin Cast



4 stars



Title: Dragon's Oath
Author: P.C. & Kristin Cast
Published: August 2011
By: Atom
Series: A House of Night Novella

Opening line: Anger and confusion stirred within Dragon Lankford.

Closing line: In the Otherworld, Nyx gazed down at Anastasia's fallen Warrior and wept.

Favourite quote: "I'm not going. I will never willingly leave you, my own. I'll be right here, growing and learning."
~Dragon~

We join Bryan Lankford in nineteenth century England, as a somewhat troublesome but more than talented teenager. Lankford is rather full of himself and thinks he can get away with anything he does that is until his father, a wealthy nobleman, has had enough, and banishes him to America with nothing but his sword. While on the docks waiting to leave Lankford is Marked a vampire and he boards a dragon-prowed ship to America, resulting in a new name and a new fate.

As he grows Dragon Lankford becomes a Sword Master, and learns there are challenges and perks one of which becomes Anastasia, the newest Professor of Spells and rituals at the House of Night. Anastasia becomes concerned about the effect Dragon is having on the other students and decides to cast a spell to let the vampires know that their future is not with the arrogant young fledgling. But Anastasia's spell has a side affect she wasn't expecting and when a dark power threatens the vampires she and Dragon grow closer.

I'm a fan of the house of night books and like most other fans I couldn't wait for this novella and after reading it it has me excited all over again and I can't wait for the next book to be released!
The writing in this books feels a little different from the main books but I think it worked well for Dragon's story. I think this novella is a brilliant insight into Dragon's life and it sure gives a new dimension to the other books. I must admit, I love the cocky Dragon but I love how he becomes vampire we know. And I can't wait to see how Dragon's tale will affect the next book.

I also love the art work in this book. It's not something we have really seen in the House of Night books but there is something magical about this book and the love story that evolves and the images add to the enchantment.