Book Review: Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have) By Sarah Mlynowski

THE DETAILS:

Pages: 368

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary

Release Date: 07/06/11

Publisher: Harper Teen

I bought this online. 

(Mine has a different cover though)

THE BLURB:

2 girls + 3 guys + 1 house - parents = 10 things April and her friends did that they (definitely, maybe, probably) shouldn't have.

If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn't jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe "opportunity" isn't the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: "Lied to Our Parents"). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up "Skipping School" (#3), "Throwing a Crazy Party" (#8), "Buying a Hot Tub" (#4), and, um, "Harboring a Fugitive" (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them.

In this hilarious and bittersweet tale, Sarah Mlynowski mines the heart and mind of a girl on her own for the first time. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart . . . one thing-she-shouldn't-have-done at a time.

MY REVIEW:

I was really looking forward to reading 'Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have) By Sarah Mlynowski. I really enjoyed reading books from her 'Bras and Broomsticks' middle school series, when I was younger and I thought this would be a cute, light & fluffy kind of read too. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I would have liked to. It's not that it wasn't a good book; I just don't think it was for me.

This book was a fairly quick read. I read it during the holidays and it was stormy outside, so I'm not sure how I would have gone with it if I was working and had to put it down and pick it up later. This wasn't really the kind of book that you get addicted to because you want to know what will happen next. The plot was a little all over the place and while there was one story-line, there were a lot of other little disjointed things that happened along the way.

I didn't really like the main characters as much as I think I should have. I just kept thinking they were really immature and really irresponsible. I know that it was for the purpose of the story, but I didn't feel like I could identify with the characters at all. The story was a little scandalous, so I can imagining fans of 'Gossip Girl' and 'The Hills' enjoying this book. I liked that the characters weren't overly judgmental of each other. This was the one mature thing. I honestly probably would have been a little more judgmental in some of those scenes...

This book tackles the issue of abandonment and divorced parents. I really liked the way these parts of the book were written and the way that flash backs and correspondence regarding the family were dispersed throughout the story. This was probably what kept me interested in the novel. This book also shows us why we have rules and that responsibility is a big deal.

Overall, 3.5/5 stars. This novel did bring a smile to my face a few times, but I don't think it was really suited to me. I would recommend this book to someone enjoys teen shows like 90210 and is looking for a quick read.

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie

Book Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

THE DETAILS:
Pages: 336
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary
Release Date: 12/04/2012
Publisher: Orion
Got it from Mum for Xmas.

THE DESCRIPTION:
Eleanor is the new girl in town, and with her chaotic family life, her mismatched clothes and unruly red hair, she couldn't stick out more if she tried.

Park is the boy at the back of the bus. Black T-shirts, headphones, head in a book - he thinks he's made himself invisible. But not to Eleanor... never to Eleanor.

Slowly, steadily, through late-night conversations and an ever-growing stack of mix tapes, Eleanor and Park fall for each other. They fall in love the way you do the first time, when you're young, and you feel as if you have nothing and everything to lose.

THE REVIEW:
This book has been out for a little while. I had heard a few good things here and there, but I had too many books to read already, so I just never got around to buying it. I received a copy of 'Fangirl' for review last year and really liked it. Then, a couple months before Christmas came I saw a really good review for this (sorry I can't remember which blog, so I can't share the link) and I wrote it on my wishlist straight away. I ended up getting the novel for Xmas and it's the 2nd book I have picked up to read in 2015. On Sunday night I thought I would pick it up and read a chapter before bed. At 2:00AM I was still reading 'Eleanor & Park', debating whether or not to put the book down and go to sleep already. I did eventually put the book down and get some much needed sleep, And, finished reading it the next day.

Firstly, can I just say that this is probably the quickest I have read a book in such a long time. Once upon a time, if you were looking for me, you'd find me stretched out on my bed reading. I still enjoy reading, but I find that I have to remind myself that I actually own books. I found 'Eleanor & Park' to be so addictive and I thought that switching between the POVs of Eleanor and Park in such small sections kept my attention.

I really enjoy Rainbow Rowell's writing and I couldn't help giggling at some of it. I found both the characters to be really easy to like and thought they were very realistic. From the outside cover, this book might seem like it's just some teen romance, and it is, but it is also a lot more than that. Usually when characters get in arguments or don't act very confident I can get a little annoyed with them, but in 'Eleanor & Park' I felt like I could understand the characters so I had no qualms with the way they acted.

This book was not just about first loves and young love, but it also covered some deeper topics. Things like meeting your parents expectations, judging people, being kind to others, family, gender roles and domestic abuse. I thought it was really interesting to see the differences between Eleanor and Park's home life and to see how the characters reacted to finding out some of these differences. I think this book will make a lot of people feel grateful for what they have and reconsider what they say about others.

The novel was also set in the mid-eighties which I thought was pretty cool, because I have a lot of eighties movies and music. I did "get" most of the references as far as music was concerned, but I had no clue what they were talking about when they discussed comics. If you aren't into any of those things, I don't think it should really matter. Maybe 'Eleanor & Park' will be introducing hoards of young people to The Cure and The Smiths...

Here is one of my favourite quotes from the book:
"She couldn’t repay him. She couldn’t even appropriately thank him. How can you thank someone for the Cure? Or the X-Men? Sometimes it felt like she’d always be in his debt. And then she realized that Park didn't know about the Beatles."

I was a little thrown off by the ending. I don't want to give too much away in regards to the ending, but, it was a bit of a "What?!" moment. I am cool with the ending now, I think. I just thought I would mention it, so you kind of know to expect a "What?!" ending. If you read on a little further, Rainbow explains the ending...

As far as the cover is concerned, I am not really into it. I get that it matches the story perfectly, and I think it's NICE. However, there is nothing about it that is overly inviting and the cover definitely isn't what encouraged me to pick this up. I know covers aren't supposed to be everything, but if it's going to be the thing that helps a reader decide what to buy then  it's definitely important...

Overall, I think this book deserves a 5 out of 5 and a favourite. I think it's a great read and I would recommend it to a lot of different people. I think I liked this more than 'Fangirl' and I can't wait to read more buy this author! Also, I hope she writes a sequel to this one...

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie

Book Review: Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen

THE DETAILS:
Pages: 296
Genre: Adult Fiction, Magical Realism
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Release Date: 21/01/2014
A Christmas Present from Mum.

THE DESCRIPTION:
The first time Eby Pim saw Lost Lake, it was on a picture postcard. Just an old photo and a few words on a small square of heavy stock, but when she saw it, she knew she was seeing her future.

That was half a life ago. Now Lost Lake is about to slip into Eby’s past. Her husband George is long passed. Most of her demanding extended family are gone. All that’s left is a once-charming collection of lakeside cabins succumbing to the Southern Georgia heat and damp, and an assortment of faithful misfits drawn back to Lost Lake year after year by their own unspoken dreams and desires.

It’s a lot, but not enough to keep Eby from relinquishing  Lost Lake to a developer with cash in hand, and calling this her final summer at the lake. Until one last chance at family knocks on her door.

Lost Lake is where Kate Pheris spent her last best summer at the age of twelve,  before she learned of loneliness, and heartbreak, and loss. Now she’s all too familiar with those things, but she knows about hope too, thanks to her resilient daughter Devin, and her own willingness to start moving forward. Perhaps at Lost Lake her little girl can cling to her own childhood for just a little longer… and maybe Kate herself can rediscover something that slipped through her fingers so long ago.

One after another, people find their way to Lost Lake, looking for something that they weren’t sure they needed in the first place:  love, closure, a second chance, peace, a mystery solved, a heart mended.  Can they find what they need before it’s too late? 

At once atmospheric and enchanting, Lost Lake shows Sarah Addison Allen at her finest, illuminating the secret longings and the everyday magic that wait to be discovered in the unlikeliest of places.

THE REVIEW:
If you have been reading my blog for a while you will know that I am a big Sarah Addison Fan. I was so excited when I got this book for Christmas. I ended up tossing another book aside and picking this one up instead. I felt like this book was the perfect summer holiday read and just like all the other Sarah Addison Allen books I have read; I wished there was more...

To me picking up a Sarah Addison Allen book is like reuniting with an old friend. The writing style is so familiar and charming that I find it really easy to get into, And really difficult to put down. While reading 'Lost Lake' I ended up staying up a lot later than usual one night because I just needed to find out what happened.

The main character was Kate, yet there are chapters dedicated to telling the story of many of the other characters. Usually this would annoy me as it stalls the main story line, however Addison Allen's characters can be likable  and I am intrigued by their pasts. If the characters have done anything wrong or have unfavorable traits, you are usually positioned to understand why and like them regardless.

Kate was the sort of character that the daydreamer in all of us could probably relate to. She has a good heart, but she's a little lost. The Lost Lake was a bit of an adventure and and escape for her. This was the "last holiday" for Kate and the other characters. I would love to go about all the other characters and my thoughts on them, but then my post would probably end up as long as the actual book.

The book had the usual Sarah Addison Allen element of Magical Realism, which is probably my favourite thing about her novels. Rather than writing about small town mythology or family secrets, the author chose to write about big events that changed peoples lives and caused these unexplained happenings. There was also a lot of talk about signs in this novel. It seemed to me that the characters had already made up their minds before the sign and the sign just served the purpose of reassuring them.

Lost lake was also about friendship and the family that you choose to be surrounded with. Eby treated her friend Lissette like a daughter and Wes like a son/grandson. The guests who stayed at Lost Lake were old friends that stayed at the lake every vacation like it was tradition. The people of Suley all valued the Lake and treated Eby like an old friend.

Overall, I think this book deserves 5 out of 5 stars and a Favourite. I really enjoyed this novel and I can't wait to pick up her next book when it comes out early this year. I highly recommend 'Lost Lake' and all the other Sarah Addison Allen novels to anyone who will listen (or read) !

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie

Book Review: Popular- A Memoir by Maya Van Wagenen

INFO:
Pages: 259
Genre: YA Non-fiction
Australian Release Date: 15 April 2014
Publisher: Penguin
Sent to me for review.
Price: $16.99

BLURB:

A true story

'School is the armpit of life - and my school is no exception.'

From hair-dos and girdles to pearls and posture, Maya does whatever Betty says - no matter how difficult or embarrassing.

When Maya Van Wagenen finds a 1950s Guide to Popularity she embarks on a unique social experiment: for one school year she follows the advice of its author, teen model Betty Cornell.

She's determined to see her experiment through, for better or worse.

MY THOUGHTS:
When this book came in the mail I was so pleased. The cover and the caption "Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek" are so ME. I guess it's kind of an understatement to say that I really was excited to crack this book open... I didn't really know what to expect, yet my expectations were naturally high. Was this book everything I hoped it would be?

The author's inscription(I hope that's the right term) reads "To all those who've sat alone at the edge of the playground. This book is for you". I'm sure every person must have felt this way at some point, some more than others. This definitely made me want to read the book more.

Because the book is a "true story" and is told through journal entries it's a little hard for me to review it. Sure there is writing style, the writer's outlook on things, the analysis about what it is to be "popular" and the positioning, but I can't review the plot or the characters, And non-fiction (no matter how interesting) is not usually something I read... This book is also probably a little younger than what I would usually read. On the press release it says "11yrs +" and the main character is turning thirteen in the story. (The author is now fifteen years old). This is such a great feat for such a young author!

I think what Maya did was awesome and took some guts. Turning your non-existent social life into an experiment like that... Wow. I especially liked that the self-help book she used for her experiment was from the 1950s. The vintage nerd in me thought that was absolutely awesome and I loved reading excerpts from Betty Cornell's book (I am seriously considering buying it now that it has been re-released). I'm sure all of the vintage gals following my facebook page may find this aspect of the 'Popular' to be super-duper cool too. It was really interesting to see how Maya interpreted the advice in Betty's book and also how that translated in the real world.

Maya is so honest in this book. It was like a real journal. Though it was well written and obviously a lot neater. I think Maya really captured the adolescent angst of a thirteen year old girl and that she was extremely brave publishing her private thoughts for the world to see. Ill-fitting undergarments, crushes, skin problems, bad hair days and body image issues are all included in 'Popular'. I think most girls/women can relate to this and will find some of Maya's own popularity tips to be quite charming and sometimes funny.

I thought it was really interesting to learn about Brownsville, Texas. I have never really thought about what life was like on the border of Mexico and how dangerous it would be. It was also interesting to learn about Maya's family and to see how she managed to follow the guide book on a low income.

The one thing I wasn't really happy about was the ending. Not so much what did or didn't happen, because it's not like Maya can choose that. I guess I just didn't really like the conclusion that she came to about popularity (or rather making friends). I'm not saying it isn't true, but I just wonder how much this was influenced by the environment and other circumstances (must not spoil events...).

Overall, I gave this book a 4 out of 5 stars. While I really enjoyed the book and read it really quickly it is not my favourite genre and it was one YA book that definitely felt young (almost too young- and I read YA all the time). I also wasn't in love with the ending. I know these are all things that Maya can't control so I feel bad for marking a book down based on these things. Especially seeing as Maya has done such a brave and awesome thing by writing this book and doing this whole experiment. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for something decent to read and especially those vintage enthusiasts that will know all to well what it is like to be wear a 1950s outfit in a 2012 world.

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie

Book Review: 'Fangirl' by Rainbow Rowell

THE DETAILS:
Pages: 459
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary
Australia Release Date: 01/04/2014
Original Release Date: 10/09/2013
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
RRP:  $16.99
Received from publisher for review.

THE DESCRIPTION:
Cath and Wren are identical twins, and until recently they did absolutely everything together. Now they're off to university and Wren's decided she doesn't want to be one half of a pair any more - she wants to dance, meet boys, go to parties and let loose. It's not so easy for Cath. She would rather bury herself in the fan-fiction she writes where there's romance far more intense than anything she's experienced in real life.

 Now Cath has to decide whether she's ready to open her heart to new people and new experiences, and she's realizing that there's more to learn about love than she ever thought possible ...

MY THOUGHTS:

I can't remember if my review request for this on Netgalley was accepted or not (I haven't been on Netgalley in a long time), but if it did, then I am a complete idiot for waiting all this time (As you can see there is quite a difference in AUS and USA release dates) to read something so awesome. I had heard that this book was good before reading it, however it was the title and the premise that intrigued me the most. Obviously there are many of you in the USA or other places that might have already read this novel, but it doesn't come out till Tuesday for us Aussies. As usual it's going to be a spoiler free as-much-as-it-can-be-without-becoming-vague review.

Meet Cather. Cather is a serious fangirl who loves to write. She is obsessed with the fictional 'Simon Snow' series and has all the paraphernalia to prove it. I think a lot of people who participate in a fandom of any kind and at any level will appreciate this book. Cather compares the book with the movie, wears fandom t-shirts, struggles to justify her obsession with her roommate and thinks of Gemma T Leslie (the author of the 'Simon Snow' books) as a kind of god. I know that some of you bookworms will concur that these things are all too easy to relate to. And, a smart move on the behalf of Rainbow Rowell because creating a protagonist that readers can relate to is definitely the first step in creating a darn good piece of fiction.

Cath is also a little anti-social and can get anxious about little things. She doesn't want to ask stupid questions, so she avoids it completely even if that means she hardly ever leaves her dorm room. She has some interesting perspectives on different aspects of life and while she can crack some witty jokes she often gets a little puzzled over some things because she seems to have reserved the "general knowledge" department of her mind for Simon Snow and friends. Now surely I'm not the only blogger who can relate to that.

While Cath is at university to take advanced writing classes she constantly finds herself back in her dorm room writing fan-fiction about Simon Snow instead of working on her actual projects for class. Cath is quite good at fan-fiction and she has a lot of followers waiting on her every word. Cath begins to find out the hard way that she does have to learn to put her fandom aside at times to work on more important things, and, that creating an original work can be more complex than she had originally thought.

Cath's family is a little messed up. Okay, little is an understatement. Cath, her twin sister Wren and their father have all suffered since the girls' mother left. It just goes to show what a huge impact abandonment can have on a family and that it can still affect them many years later. Rowell lightly skims the surface of issues relating to living with a person who has a mental illness and the effects of binge-drinking and alcoholism.  I also feel like the names Cath's mother chose for the girls is almost symbolic of her feelings towards them. (Sorry if that doesn't really make sense. I promise it will once you read the book)Cath and Wren's feelings regarding the 'Simon Snow' books also show us that the books have at times been there for Cath and Wren the way  that their mother couldn't.

Wren and Cath are identical twins that can be told apart by haircuts and a pair of spectacles. Wren and Cath used to be close, but this year they are beginning to drift apart. In one way it is a good thing, because Wren was definitely dominant and Cath leaned on her too much. Though I do feel sorry for Cath and understand why she is so dependent.

And now meet Levi. Levi is Cath's roomate Reagan's ex. Levi and Reagan are just friends and they study a lot together. Cath meets Levi on her first day at college and she's not really sure of him. Over time Cath begins to learn what a sweet guy Levi is and that he would do anything for anyone. He is a bit of a "Farm Boy" and to her surprise; a complete opposite to Cath. In this book the relationships do get you to question what "love" is. Even though Levi is not Cath's first boyfriend it definitely seems like he is.

Levi also has some issues with reading. He can read, but he doesn't feel like he really absorbs any of the information. I kind of love that the author included this because I sometimes feel this way about some non-fiction/technical things. If it's not in simple terms sometimes the words just fly over my head and I always thought that that was due to a lack of concentration, but maybe it's just not always the best way to be taught. And, I liked that this was addressed in a book about writing and reading because it's a small reminder that not everyone is good at reading and that we shouldn't take our ability to read for granted.

As for the writing... I absolutely adored Rainbow Rowell's writing style. This novel was told in third person which took me a little while to get used to because I haven't read one of those for a while! I fell in love with Rowell's quirky characters and storyline. I felt like she captured all of the awkward bits perfectly and that the story was totally quotable. There were also plenty of awesome references - nerds rejoice! And, also loved the excerpts of Simon Snow stuff.

Here is one of my favourite parts:
"When she looked back at Levi, he was dancing, too. Exactly the way she would have imagined him dancing if she'd ever tried. Too long and too loose, running his fingers through his hair. (Dude. We get it. Extreme widow's peak.) His eyes were absolutely gleaming with mirth. Putting out light."

Overall I rate this 5 out of 5 stars and a FAVOURITE. I feel like I have discovered reading all over again after reading this and this is definitely something I would pick up again soon if I didn't have a TBR pile that was bigger than me. This feels like nothing I have ever read before. I wish Rainbow Rowell would make the Simon Snow books a reality so that I could read them.
I am wishing for a sequel to 'Fangirl'.
I am wishing for a t-shirt that says 'Team Levi'.
I am wishing for a movie adaptation.

(I guess I will just have to start with the rest of Rainbow Rowell's books and see how I go with those first. That's usually what I do once I fall completely head over heels for fiction. )

What can I say. The perfect book for the bookish girl.

Also... I recommend this to pretty much anyone unless you hate Young-Adult fiction with female protagonists.

I apologise for any spoilers, overly vague notes or ranting that eluded my ever-not-so-clever editing eye.

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie

P.S. Did you Know that there is a whole heap of 'Fangirl' Fangirls out there in the big wide web? (Probably Fanboys too...) And, that some of them make Fan-art and/or write Fan-fiction. That's a special kind of inception, that is. Check out Rainbow Rowell's Pinterest Account to see coffee cup artwork, comic strips, edited photos and even nail art inspired by this awesome novel, created by fans of 'Fangirl'.

Book Review: The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead (Bloodlines Book 4)

INFO:
Pages:
Genre:
Release Date:
Publisher:
Received from Publisher for Review

THE SYNOPSIS:
Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives.

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure — and re-education — looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this smoldering fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

MY THOUGHTS:
I wasn't as excited to read 'The Fiery Heart' as I usually would have been with any other installment of the great 'Bloodlines' series. My reasons for this vary between a very intimidating TBR I have had looming over me, various other tasks I have been wanting to accomplish and the weird "hype" for this novel. In ordinary circumstances I would have wanted to read this book as soon as I got it.

When I say "weird hype" I am talking about the youtube trailers. They are not the best quality book trailers I have ever seen and whenever I saw one, the words 'over dramatic teenage vampire soap opera' sprang to mind. The book trailers had me expecting that Sydney and Adrian would finally be together and it would be love-letter soppy with a hint of Adrian drama. I was going to be majorly disappointed in Richelle Mead if she did this to the series. Luckily  it turns out that the book trailer was the only thing that was over-dramatic and that the novel didn't stray too far from the rest of the series.

When I finally got around to reading 'The Fiery Heart' I did enjoy it, but I just didn't have the time to dive into it completely and finish the book right away. I haven't read much this year or last year, so my reading pace at the moment is not really anything to judge this novel by. 

As for the actual writing... Richelle Mead has written this one differently by alternating POVs between Sydney and Adrian (well, at least I don't remember her doing this in the past...) I liked this because I thought it was nice to see things from Adrian's Point-of-View for a change. Adrian and Sydney are both making big changes and Adrian is growing up a lot. It was nice to see. Not because anyone should have to change themselves for someone, but because it was making them into better people. 

I also noticed that Richelle Mead likes to use the word "crushing" a lot.  Well maybe not a lot but once a writer uses a word in a way i wouldn't expect, more than say 2 times, I remember. sorry, I can't help it...

Like all of the other books there was the shock factor. In the 'Bloodlines' books the "enemy" can come from a very unexpected source. There was also a pretty equal measure of human and vampire drama, which (if you have read any of my other fantasy reviews you will know) I love this in YA Fantasy fiction. It just goes to show that if you are buying a book for your teenage sibling, relative, daughter or even yourself that it's not going to be completely removed from the real world. There are always lessons that can apply to real life and messages in the text to be thought about.

The un-conventional 'Bloodlines' family continues to grow and evolve during 'The Fiery Heart'. We also have a few small reunions and some introductions. As usual I don't want to spoil too much here, but I just feel like it makes the whole Bloodlines/Vampire Academy world so much more realistic. 

I also thought that Sydney's personality has changed considerably along with her beliefs during the series. And, it made me start to wonder how deep the connection between personality and beliefs go. 

And finally, that ending! Why do I continue to engage in these relationships with series that just leave me on a cliffhanger?

Overall, the usual 5/5 stars  for a Richelle Mead book. It was all feeling kind of mediocre until that cliff-hanger! And, now I guess I will just have to wait for the next sequel as patiently as I can... Please tell me I don't have to wait until next year! Also, if you have not read 'Vampire Academy' or 'Bloodlines' I definitely recommend it, unless you hate vampire books.

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie

Book Review: 'The Elite' by Kiera Cass (The Selection #2)

THE DETAILS:
Pages: 323
Genre: Fiction, Young Adult Dystopian
Release Date: 23/04/2013
Publisher: Harper Teen
Bought Online.
2nd book in 'The Selection' series
Click Here to read my review of the 1st book.

THE BLURB:
The hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Timesbestseller The Selection.

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Iléa.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

MY REVIEW:
If you have read my review of the first book in the series 'The Selection' you will know that 'The Elite' was definitely a highly anticipated book for me. I was however a little apprehensive because I was worried that (like most sequels) this would be a bit of a disappointment. While I can't say that I loved this book as much as the first one, I can say that I am still hooked and definitely can't wait to find out what happens in the third installment of 'The Selection' series.

I don't know if this is just me and my busy schedule (you know: all those hobbies), but I feel like I have come across a whole heap of slow reads lately. I didn't really start anything that made me want to read like a crazy person during the last year and this book just happened to be one of those. The pace definitely sped up a bit toward the end and I don't know if that was just sheer determination to finish the book or if it was actually starting to get interesting.

In this book we learn about how the competition isn't just a competition of Maxon's heart or a higher status and money. Each of the girls are auditioning for a position and will have duties if they are to become princess. It wasn't all organizing parties and making speeches either. The girls had to stand by and witness some horrible things. So this book definitely does continue to push the message that royalty isn't as pleasant as we all think it is, but I definitely think this is overly amped up by the dystopian environment.

We also learn that the kingdom itself has many horrible secrets. I liked the idea of this because it reminds me of all the conspiracy theories about the government that exist in real life. And, we start to question one of the rebel groups motives. Are they really as evil as they are made out to be? Though towards the end of the group a rebel group attacks and it's a tad gory. I couldn't seem to keep up with which group was attacking though. I felt like they needed distinguishing colours or something.

I was not a fan of the America and Aspen's secret romance in this book. It seemed pretty conclusive in the end of the first book that America was not going to be giving Aspen any second chances and that she was going to focus on the competition. The girl could not make up her mind though and she kept flitting from one to the other, having arguments, And, getting extremely jealous when either of them spent time with another.

Overall, I think this deserves 3.5 out of 5 stars. I still want to read the next book, but I don't have high hopes for it. I think this book was pretty interesting, but it felt like America had too many obstacles to overcome (some of them self inflicted)  that there was just too much going on for me to want to pay attention for too long.

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie

Review: 'The New Moon With The Old' by Dodie Smith

THE DETAILS:
Pages: 377
Genre: Adult Fiction, Contemporary/General
Published: 1963
Publisher: corsair
Series: no
I bought this book online.

THE BLURB:
When Jane Minton arrives at Dome House as a secretary-housekeeper, she finds herself sharing the comfortable country home of four attractive young people. Their handsome widower father, Rupert Carrington, too occupied with his London business to see very much of them, merely provides for them generously and leaves them to cultivate their talents -- which they energetically do. Richard, the eldest, is a composer; Clare, whose true talent (if it can be called that) has never disclosed itself, attempts to paint; Drew is collecting material for a novel to be set in the Edwardian era; and Merry, still at school, already works hard towards a stage career. Jane Minton, warmly welcomed into this happy household, feels her luck is too good to be true. And it is certainly too good to last. The delightful private world of Dome House is fated to break up. 

It is Jane who learns from Rupert Carrington that he is in danger of prosectuion for fraud and must leave England. He asks her to break the news to his children -- who must now fend completely for themselves -- and do what she can to help. She is very willing to, for his sake as well as theirs, as she is greatly attracted by him. What happens then makes an engrossing and unpredicable story, for the Carringtons are not usual young people, and it is, perhaps, their own basic originality which draws to them unusual adventures, in which humor and more than a touch of strangeness are often inextricably blended.

MY REVIEW:

I was really excited to read these (yes there are more of them) Dodie Smith books when they were re-released. I really enjoyed 'I Capture The Castle' and had been hoping for a while that some publisher would make some shiny new covers and release them again. While I did enjoy some things about this novel I'm wondering if maybe there was a reason that these books have been so hard to come by...

This is definitely not the sort of book I usually review. I feel like the age of the book should somehow prevent me from doing so. 'The New Moon With The Old' was written in a period that I am unfamiliar with literature-wise. Also, having been written by the author of the famous 'I Capture The Castle', I feel that this book has some hidden importance and that I may be discounting a metaphor or some other feature of literature without realising it (Dodie is a very smart woman and I'm just not THAT advanced a reader). Regardless of any of these worries I have decided to continue with a review anyway, based on the fact that I have not reviewed anything for too long.

I really liked the characters, the settings and the scenarios the characters entered. I liked all of the characters. I think I liked Merry and the father the least, but I still  enjoyed what they brought to the story. I felt like each of the scenarios were unique and entertaining in their own way and that the places the characters went were equally unique. A young man who applies for the job of a companion for an old lady under a gender-neutral name, gets the job and is shipped off to her house where modern technology (and by modern I mean what would have been modern in the sixties) is unheard of. The elderly woman won't do anything her mother wouldn't allow, even after her mother died. You can't tell me that doesn't sound a good story!

At first I didn't really get the title of the book, but by the end it definitely makes sense. Here is a whole family of people that have been affected by this one major event and are now leading completely different lives because of it. It seemed that everyone in the story began to look for a way to help out the family by looking after it, by making money for it, Or, by removing themselves from the equation altogether. It is always interesting to see how different characters handle situations and the entire novel was based on that.

As with the last Dodie book I read (yep I'm going to call them Dodie Books now) I thought the writing was nicely done. It was descriptive without dragging on, It was expressive and it kept me wanting to read. For some reason though, it wasn't addictive enough for me to want to pick the book up as soon as I had put it down. I felt that part of this was due to the fact that the author would skip between a character right at a moment when the story was starting to get interesting and I'd have to start all over again (meet a new character, learn the settings etc) when I really just wanted to go back to the first character. I think I would have preferred if the author had of skipped between characters more frequently, but I know others who wouldn't have.

I have heard of Dodie's "Other Books" (AKA not 'I Capture The Castle' ) being branded as similar-too-but-no-where-near-as-good-as 'I Capture The Castle'. I disagree. I think that the main similarity here was that there was a large slightly quirky family in financial trouble because of the father who is in trouble with the law. The writing is similar, but that would be because it is the same author. The comparisons end there. The whole concept of starting fresh and running away is completely different.

My one major problem with the book was that I felt it to be unfinished. Career-wise each of the characters seems to be sorted by the end of the novel, but what about their love-lives. There was one character that has vague promise of romance, another where I assumed there may be a romance, one is a definite, the other doesn't want it (or does she?), and one is completely forgotten about (was it a non-event?). So I think I would have liked some of these (especially those accompanied by question marks) to have been defined a little more clearly by the end.

Overall, I think this is worth a 3.5 out of 5. I really enjoyed the story and I really liked the characters, but I was not overly happy about how the story ended. Well, not so much about how it ended, but how it wasn't really finished properly. Because 'I Capture The Castle' was such a good book, I think I will continue on with the other Dodie books I have bought.

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie

Book Review: Wildlife by Fiona Wood

THE DETAILS:
Pages: 384
Genre: Teenage Fiction, Contemporary
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Release Date: June 2013
Series: It isn't part of a series but one of the characters (Lou) is in another book called 'Six Impossible Things'
I got this for review.

THE DESCRIPTION:
Life? It’s simple: be true to yourself.
The tricky part is finding out exactly who you are…

In the holidays before the dreaded term at Crowthorne Grammar’s outdoor education camp two things out of the ordinary happened.
A picture of me was plastered all over a twenty-metre billboard.
And I kissed Ben Capaldi. 

Boarding for a term in the wilderness, sixteen-year-old Sibylla expects the gruesome outdoor education program – but friendship complications, and love that goes wrong? They’re extra-curricula.

Enter Lou from Six Impossible Things – the reluctant new girl for this term in the great outdoors. Fragile behind an implacable mask, she is grieving a death that occurred almost a year ago. Despite herself, Lou becomes intrigued by the unfolding drama between her housemates Sibylla and Holly, and has to decide whether to end her self-imposed detachment and join the fray. 

And as Sibylla confronts a tangle of betrayal, she needs to renegotiate everything she thought she knew about surviving in the wild.

A story about first love, friendship and NOT fitting in.

THE REVIEW:
This was one of those surprise review books that I just received, was kind of annoyed that I had another book on my To-be-read list that I didn't request, but read straight away because a really good author liked it and it says so on the front cover. The cover also drew me in (bright coloured socks) and the idea of reading another contemporary novel excited me since the last book I had read was a little bit morbid. I really liked the book and I'm so glad that the publisher decided to send it to me without asking first (because, I might have said, "no, sorry I have too many books to review and missed out on this).

I think this novel (especially with the bright purple socks on the cover) is the type of novel that many people may brand as "fluffy". While there aren't any dragons or vampire slayers, fluffy is something that this novel most certainly is not. Emotional yes, but not fluffy. This book tackles some "deep" issues and the characters fight some (metaphorical) demons of their own. In this book characters deal with death and loss, they find out what it means to be a good friend and they think about sex...

I thought the author of 'Wildlife' was very smart in the way she included information about sex in the book. If you were a mother and you wanted your teenage daughter to think seriously before taking "that" step, you would give them this book to read. The novel doesn't exactly push the reader away from the idea, but it makes you think a bit more about it. There's also a bit about peer pressure and sexual education which I always approve of in a teen novel.

This book is mostly about friendship. It's about making new friends, letting go of old ones and finding out who your real friends are. I liked how the author made it so that the reader and the character were almost on the same page at the beginning, so that it's almost like you have the revelation along with them. I think everyone will be able to relate to the toxic friendship that occurs in the novel and will like the drama that ensues.

I really liked the way characters were created and I enjoyed the alternating opinions of Lou and Sibylla. The one thing that really frustrated me with characters though was that I they weren't really described well. I knew what Ben looked like, what Lou looked like (however I didn't find out until the end of the book) and I new that Sibylla was pale. I thought Michael was a cool character and I hope that the author decides to include him in another book in the future.

The writing was my favourite aspect of the book and it really drew me in. This is one of those books that is just filled with so many quotes and expressions that were funny yet relatable. I felt like I could quote something from nearly every page (especially in the beginning). For example "Hey, at least we were older than  Romeo and Juliet"... I liked how the teenage "scene" was created and how Sibylla talks about the kids "discovering" older music like  David Bowie because I think that is pretty accurate with some teenagers.

I was a little disappointed with the ending because it didn't quite go where I wanted it to go. I think that the ending wasn't bad though and it certainly wasn't unrealistic. Really the ending they chose was probably the best one for each of those characters.

Overall, I think this novel is worth 5/5 stars. I'm not going to class it as a favourite because there were some parts of the novel that I don't necessarily want to re-live. I think this novel is a great depiction of teenage life and that there are some great messages that come across. I really liked the characters and I hope that the author uses some of these characters (but not Holly!) in another novel in the future.

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie

Book Review: Desires of The Dead by Kimberly Derting

THE DETAILS:
Pages: 358
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Headline, Harper Collins
Release Date: 15/02/2011
Series: This is the second book in 'The Body Finder' series
Got it for my birthday from a friend.

THE BLURB:
VIOLET AMBROSE'S SECRET IS OUT
Violet has a curious gift: the ability to sense the echoes emitted by murder victims. Only her boyfriend Jay and her closest family know. But when she locates the body of a missing boy sought by the FBI she puts herself firmly on their radar.

NOW SHE'S BEING WATCHED
As if dealing with regular calls from the FBI isn't enough, threatening notes are being left on her doorstep, and she feels disturbing echoes around the home of Jay's new best friend. Violet needs answers fast...

WHO CAN SHE TURN TO?
Violet should feel closer to Jay now he's moved from best friend to boyfriend, but she hasn't told him what's worrying her. She tells herself she's protecting him, but is their fledgling relationship strong enough to cope?

As Violet faces her fears alone she uncovers dark truths that lead her to danger...

MY REVIEW:
'Desires of The Dead' was a book I had big expectations for. And, by big expectations I mean that 'The Body Finder' made it onto my Favourites list and that this book was highly anticipated. While I did still enjoy the book there were parts of the story that annoyed me greatly and it did take me a long time to get through those bits of the story.

I was really happy to see that Jay and Violet's relationship was progressing at the start of the book as I thought they made a great couple. I was not happy for very long after that though, because I found myself getting very frustrated with the way that Violet would treat him. Violet starts to realise just how much of an effect Jay has on other girls and she begins to worry an awful lot about how much she can tell him- not because she doesn't trust him, but because she doesn't want him to worry and to tell her family. It felt like Jay was the only one putting anything in to the relationship  and that the only good thing I can really say about their relationship is that they at least know their sexual education (sorry for any spoilers this may/may not allude to).

So for the majority of the middle section of the book I was closing the book, scowling and putting it down. I did not really feel like reading about how much Violet's love life was crumbling because she didn't know how to communicate with her boyfriend. I felt like the actual plot of the book could have gone unaffected if Violet had of told Jay things earlier. Really there is nothing Jay could have done to change the way things played out. I also think I could have imagined Violet and Jay having a fight or disagreeing about her keeping her secret, which wouldn't have bothered me as much as the fight she was having because she wasn't even communicating in the first place.

Violet's secret is a big issue in 'Desires of the Dead'. Violet is finding it difficult to decide if she would let her secret out or not. Personally I think Violet should be very careful about who she reveals her secret to (that's probably because of all of the 'Charmed' that I have been watching) and I think Violet feels that way too. I'm happy with how Violet handled that and I can say that it is one aspect of the book that I can at least say that I am happy with.

I think the last five or so chapters of the book really saved the story and made me want to read the sequel. Prior to those last chapters I was not feeling interested in reading any of the sequels. I don't think that this book was anywhere near as good as the first one though and that the ending didn't completely redeem the bad qualities of the book.

I'm still a little wary of a couple of characters and wish that some things could have been a little less unresolved. I would have liked to have felt a little more sure about things, but I guess that's what sequels are for...

I also realised that this probably wasn't the best book to jump right into after reading a heap of girly contemporary novels. 'The Body Finer' series is definitely not for the faint-hearted and regardless of how affected you are by novels with these kinds of subjects I think you'd probably enjoy these a bit more if you read something  fantasy first.

Overall, this book can have 3.5 stars out of 5. I hope that the sequels are an improvement on this and that Violet learns how to communicate...

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie

Book Review: Epic Fail by Claire Lazebnik

THE DETAILS:
Pages: 309
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: August 2011
Bought it on: Kindle

THE BLURB:
ill Elise’s love life be an epic win or an epic fail?

At Coral Tree Prep in Los Angeles, who your parents are can make or break you. Case in point:

As the son of Hollywood royalty, Derek Edwards is pretty much prince of the school—not that he deigns to acknowledge many of his loyal subjects.

As the daughter of the new principal, Elise Benton isn’t exactly on everyone’s must-sit-next-to-at-lunch list.

When Elise’s beautiful sister catches the eye of the prince’s best friend, Elise gets to spend a lot of time with Derek, making her the envy of every girl on campus. Except she refuses to fall for any of his rare smiles and instead warms up to his enemy, the surprisingly charming social outcast Webster Grant. But in this hilarious tale of fitting in and flirting, not all snubs are undeserved, not all celebrity brats are bratty, and pride and prejudice can get in the way of true love for only so long. 
Synopsis from Goodreads

MY REVIEW:

Lately I seem to have found myself in a bit of a contemporary reading phase and I remembered that I had this book stored on my kindle and it looked cute... 'Epic fail' is a retelling of the 'Pride and Prejudice' story we all know so well and a book that I thought would be a fun quick read. I didn't expect much more from it though.

As far as retellings go this was pretty well done. Most of the characters fitted the same bill and they were easy to recognise as their names started with the same first letter as the Jane Austen version. Each character seem to perfectly suit well, except for the mother of the girls as I thought she acted a little too intelligent compared to the old mother in the original story. I just couldn't picture this woman being a principle, but then again retellings aren't necessarily the same as the original, but I just liked the original so much...

This tale was set in LA and Derek's parents were famous, which makes sense in this story as there wasn't really another way for there to be such a difference in wealth like there was in the original story. I know that many people will find it far fetched. The thing about Derek was that I couldn't quite picture the modern Mr Darcy. I couldn't help it, but throughout the whole novel I was thinking of this guy clad in Victorian gear while everyone else was clad in mini dresses and board shorts...

As far as the actual story telling went I found that I really enjoyed it. There were some funny parts and even though the story was really cheesy at times it was one of those novels that actually makes you feel so I liked that about it. You can rewrite a great story, but you still have to do a good job to make it at least half convincing.

My main problem with the story was that there didn't seem to be much of a reference to the title (unless I missed it) and even though the title pretty much explains itself I think it would have tied in so much better. Secondly, I thought the ending was a bit anti-climatic. I thought maybe they got together too quickly? and, I don't know it just panned out there wasn't really any huge declaration of love like I was expecting...

Overall, I think 4 out of 5 stars. It was entertaining, but I was really disappointed by the ending. It you like Jane Austen retellings or other contemporary novels I think you''d enjoy this, but I wouldn't encourage you to have it in your high priority end of you TBR or anything...

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie

Review: The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead (Bloodlines # 3)

THE DETAILS:
Pages: 401
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Fantasy
Release Date: 12/02/2013
Publisher: Razorbill, Penguin
RRP: $19.99
Received from Publisher.

THE BLURB:

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she struggles to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. 

Then she finally tracks down the elusive, enigmatic Marcus Finch – a former Alchemist who the organisation denies exists, and who lives in shadows, on the run. With Marcus's help, Sydney realises that the group she's been loyal to her whole life has been hiding the truth from her. Is it possible that her golden lily tattoo might have more power over her than she thinks?

As she struggles to come to terms with what that might mean, Sydney is compelled to use her growing magical powers to track down an evil magic user who is targeting powerful young witches. Using magic goes against everything she always thought she believed, but she realises that her only hope is to embrace her special blood – or else she might be next.

Forging her own way is harder than Sydney ever dreamed. Maybe by turning off her brain – and following her heart – she'll be able to finally figure out where she belongs.

MY REVIEW:
I was so excited when I received 'The Indigo Spell' in the mail. As much as I was enjoying my current reading book, I wanted it to be over quickly so that I could catch up on the lives of my favourite characters. As always I was very pleased with the latest installment of vampire drama and cannot wait for the next book to come out - It's probably only like a whole year away!

The most important thing for most people who read these novels is the amount of Syndrian involved. Was there any Syndrian? And, I know it sounds sappy of me to think of that aspect of the novel so highly, but it seems like Richelle Mead just keeps on putting it off. There was a bit - I will tell you that much and it was very different to anything I could have imagined, but it was still believable (as much as it can be believable in a world filled with spirit dreams and magical tattoos). For those who don't know what Syndrian means:
1. It means Sydney and Adrian and the moments they have together
2. Why are you reading this? If you don't know who they are I strongly recommend that you go read this 'Vampire Academy' Review or this 'Bloodlines' Review.

 Another thing Mead's readers have been waiting on is Sydney to finally question some of her beliefs. She did question her beliefs more than I would have thought possible. A new problem now arises as Sydney wonders if she is losing herself as well as her beliefs. It makes you wonder more about your identity/personality and how those things are affected by your values.

In nearly every review I've ever done of a novel by this author I've repeated myself by saying how I was surprised by some of the things that happened. This novel was no different. There were some things that seemed like obvious clues that Sydney didn't pick up on, but it turns out they weren't really leading anywhere anyway. And, yet there were other things that I didn't notice and at the end of the book saying to myself "What? No, I didn't think so... really?"

I think the character development really shows in 'The Indigo Spell'. There were a few situations that showed just how much maturity the characters had gained. It's nice to read a series where the reader not only learns more about the character, but witnesses the characters growth. Jill especially showed more maturity than she has previously.

Another interesting thing I've noticed about this series is the meaning of family. In these novels it isn't the biological family that is the most important, but the family that the character surrounds themselves with. I imagine it is going to be very sad if/when Sydney loses her field job. I really like the unconventional family environment in these books because I agree with it. I love my parents and my sister, but my mother has friends that are more like family to me than some of my biological aunties are.

There are so many messages hidden in 'The Indigo Spell'. As well as the usual vampire politics and racial or political messages that are part of any of Mead's vampire books 'The Indigo Spell' was about learning to save yourself, learning to speak your mind, and learning that expectations don't always match up to reality. I felt like these messages were shown differently to how they usually would.

Overall, 5/5 stars and a favourite. I can't wait to see what happens next. If you haven't already read these I strongly recommend the 'Vampire Academy' series and the 'Bloodlines' series.

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie

Book Review: What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang

THE DETAILS:
Pages: 342
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy/Sci-fi
Release Date: 01/10/12
Publisher: Harper Collins
Received book from publisher
RRP: $19.99

THE DESCRIPTION:
Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t . . .

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable-hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet . . . for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

THE REVIEW:
I requested 'What's Left of Me' based on nothing more than a book trailer and a synopsis. I really liked the idea that two people lived in-side the same body, sometimes fighting for ownership and this novel definitely didn't disappoint. 'What's Left of Me' is Kat Zhang's first novel and the beginning of 'The Hybrid Chronicals'.

Both of the characters in this book were very likable, but different to each other. Addie didn't like to stand out and was always trying to be good. She didn't want to harm anyone or be harmed and I liked that about her. Eva was a bit more out-spoken and reminded me a bit of Dr Brennan (on 'Bones' TV Show). I think that it's important for this kind of story for both characters to be likable.

The story-line in this novel wasn't fast paced, but there were questions that entered my mind that made me want to read more. I wanted to know more about hybrids, more about the characters and more about what was going to happen to them. This was a typical-first-novel kind of book, but I did enjoy what I read and I am excited to find out what happens later on in the series.

I think a few readers will be annoyed with the book because of it's lack of romance/humor. The novel remind me an awful lot of 'Bloodlines' in that regard as foundations are laid down in this book, but nothing overly exciting has happened yet and no sort of resolution has really been reached.

I think many readers - before actually reading the book - are going to think that this sounds too much like 'The Host'. Yes, there are an awful lot of similarities, but the books are not to be mistaken for each other. The reason for Melanie and Wanda to share the same body in 'The Host' is due to an alien invasion, but in 'What's Left of Me' Addie and Eva are born into the same body. The novels take place in vastly different settings; Melanie/Wanda are mostly living underground in 'The Host', whilst Addie/Eva spend most of 'What's Left of Me' hanging out in a clinic. I think having read 'The Host' first definitely made this novel an interesting experience. It's interesting how the two different story worlds handle the issue and what crazy (sometimes conflicting) ideas can these different authors come up with.

One thing I really enjoy about these types of novels is that the characters can see how the government manipulates the characters. It means a whole lot of drama and secrets. And, it makes you question your own government/authority.

Overall, I think this novel was fairly well written and worth 5/5 stars. It's not a novel that I would be in a hurry to read again (so no new favourites today). If you enjoy books with a bit of a Sci-Fi touch, then I'd definitely recommend this to you.

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie

Review: Revelations by Melissa de la Cruz (Blue Bloods #3)

THE DETAILS:
Pages: 288
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Fantasy
Originally Released: 31/10/2008
Publisher: Atom
Bought this book online.

THE DESCRIPTION:
For the Young, Fabulous and Fanged. All is never what it seems. Schuyler Van Alen s blood legacy has just been called into question: is the young vampire in fact a Blue Blood, or is it the sinister Silver Blood that runs through her veins?

 The stakes are high, the battle is bloody; and through it all Schuyler is torn between duty and passion, love and freedom. Romance, glamour and vampire lore collide in the highly anticipated third book in best-selling author Melissa de la Cruz s Blue Bloods series.

MY THOUGHTS:
After really enjoying 'Masquerade' I decided to forget my reading list (sometimes I think I shouldn't even bother writing one) in exchange for some more 'Blue Bloods' drama. While I did really enjoy the book, I'm not sure that it was good enough for me to post-pone other reading plans.

This book seemed to be a whole lot less exciting than 'Masquerade' and I don't know why. I seemed to be reading at a much slower pace this time around. I did have a lot less time to be reading, but I figured that an exciting book would mean that was not a problem. I guess it didn't help that the story starts at a point where it feels like I missed something. Like the whole last book and a half were building up to this moment that the author decided to skip past, the characters act like it's no big deal (at first) and then Schuyler has a small flashback to help us understand. Talk about starting off on the wrong foot!

Some major stuff did happen this time. Like really major stuff. And, that was great because It did feel a little like the first two books were lacking in the action department. And, it's a whole lot of consequences-first-explanations-later which was awesome because I think a lot of readers will relate to situations where they make mistakes and learn the lessons after it's too late.

There was a bit of sugar-coating where social issues are concerned too. This novel gets you thinking about who you can trust and about whether people who do bad things are really at fault (is there a bigger problem like black-mail or mental illness that caused them to do something horrible?). This time Melissa de la Cruz got it right (In the first novel of the series, the sugar-coated issues were pretty laughable).

Overall, I rate this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. Because, the book ends on sort-of a cliff-hanger I would love to delve into book four, but after it took me so long to get through the first two thirds of 'Revelations' I've decided to get back into my review books and give Schuyler and her friends a rest.

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie