Rules of Attraction

Review Time! This is an "official" part of my Bucket List Challenge! I thought I might post a review today since I haven't actually written a review for the challenge this month ( official part anyway) and it is the 31st of January! It's also why I have a different review format!

Name - Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles
Pages - 324 pages
Publication Date - April 27th 2010
Publisher- Simon and Schuster
Rating 4/5

(Goodreads) When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

Why did I pick this book?- I read the first book in this series, Perfect Chemistry last year when someone recommended it to me. She mentioned that it was a tad corny but I loved it! SO, when Rules of Attraction came out last year, I JUST had to read it! However, I was swamped with review books ( still am) so I never got the chance to read it. However, I using this challenge as an excuse to read all the books I never got around to!

Was it worth it? You bet it was!

Brief Thoughts? - Honestly, I still think I liked Perfect Chemistry better, although Rules of Attraction was good too! The trilogy follows the 'love life' of all three brothes Alex, Carlos and Luigi, Rules of Attraction told the story of Carlos and Kiara love. The writing and plot was excellent as always, the romance was totally cute and the passion between Carlos and Kiara was what made the book memorable.

Um, the whole point of these books is to I guess, point out that 'opposites DO attract'. The interchanging perspective from Kiara to Carlos, Carlos to Kiara was an excellent way of showing the undeniable attraction between them. Bottom line - the romance is to DIE for.

Quite frankly, I'm a tad prejudice, I've fallen in love with Alex so no one can measure up to him :P So, to sum it up - romance = to DIE for, plot = cute but lacked a bit of action, charatcerisation = perfect, I couldn't have done it better and cover = why don't you decide for yourself...

Would I recommend it? - Definitely! The best part is that you don't even need to read the book in order, each book is about a different brother although the three books crete a big picture. If you're a sucker for romance, this ones for you!

Badass Bookie xx

Haven Re-create Cover Contest ---> My Entry

Hey Guys! Amelia over @ Imagination in Focus is hosting a Haven Re-Create Cover Contest! The best part is the Kristi Cook, the author, is actually going to be picking the winner!!! I normally don't enter these contests because a) I'm too lazy to actually create something and b) most of them are US ONLY. Anyway check it out -

ORIGINAL COVER -

(Goodreads) - One month into her junior year, sixteen-year-old Violet McKenna transfers to the Winterhaven School in New York’s Hudson Valley, inexplicably drawn to the boarding school with high hopes. Leaving Atlanta behind, she’s looking forward to a fresh start–a new school, and new classmates who will not know her deepest, darkest secret, the one she’s tried to hide all her life: strange, foreboding visions of the future.

But Winterhaven has secrets of its own, secrets that run far deeper than Violet’s. Everyone there–every student, every teacher–has psychic abilities, ‘gifts and talents,’ they like to call them. Once the initial shock of discovery wears off, Violet realizes that the school is a safe haven for people like her. Soon, Violet has a new circle of friends, a new life, and maybe even a boyfriend–Aidan Gray, perhaps the smartest, hottest guy at Winterhaven.

Only there’s more to Aidan than meets the eye–much, much more. And once she learns the horrible truth, there’s no turning back from her destiny. Their destiny. Together, Violet and Aidan must face a common enemy–if only they can do so without destroying each other first.

Kristi was also one of Debutantes, you know, just putting it out there!

MY COVER -

What do you think?

Badass Bookie xx

Nevermore

Review Time! I've been dying to review this book! It's an "unofficial" part of my Bucket List Challenge meaning I gain nothing whatsoever from reviewing this besides your lovely comments :P *hint hint*

(Goodreads) Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it

The Short Story ? - One of those books that grab onto you and never let you go. I currently in a state of depression because the publication date of the sequel is still unannounced. This book was originally part of my 2010 Debut Author Challenge, however I never got around to reading it until last week? Such a shame...

The Long Story ? - I wasn't planning on reading this book when I first saw the size of it. It's HUGE like more than 500 pages huge. Sure, I wanted to read it but there was always the thought ' I could read two books in the time I read this one...is it worth it?' Especially since this is one of those books that I picked to read not for review purposes, this one was just for fun.

In the end I decided to read it because - I have this thing for opposite attracts and stories involving goths. I find Goths absolutely fascinating ever since I read Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley :P Anyway, I am very thankful that I did pick it up because IT IS TOTALLY AWESOME!!! No exaggeration, I loved, loved, loved, loved this book! I think it's safe to say that this is one of the best 10' debuts and my new favourite fantasy!

The characterisation in this book was absolutely amazing! Each character in this book was carefully created, every personality was different and I felt a deep connection to both Isobel and Varen. I developed a soft spot for Varen who is a total sweetie, you wouldn't be human if you didn't! The whole book evolves around the fact that Varen pretty much hates his life ( for good reasons) and escapes to this dreamland where he wants to stay forever...until he meets Isobel.

Which leads me to my next point - the romance in this book is fantastic! I love romance, I live for it and Varen and Isobel's relationship is jut too cute. Both trying to fight the urge to be with each other only to let it pull them closer together? awwwww, it's really just that cute <3 Another thing I liked about the romance is that there is a development. I can't tell you how many books I've read where girl and guy fall instantly in love. Um, I pretty sure you don't walk up to someone and say' I want to spend the rest of life with you' in the first five minutes of meeting. In Nevermore, there was a hating stage, to a attraction stage, to a friends stage, to a more than friends stage and then we get a glimpse of couple stage before chaos strikes! I took the bait and I'm hooked!

All in all, this is a great book that YOU should read and you can't even doubt my word because I gain nothing from this review besides your lovely comments *hint hint* The writing is comfortable, the imagination is individual, the plot is great, the Poe theme is great and the romance is to die for! So listen up! If you don't read this book...it's your loss! Rating 5/5 ( deserves nothing less!)

Buy it now - The Book Depository

Badass Bookie xx

The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove

Review Time! The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove is written by Lauren Kate who also wrote the Fallen Trilogy ( Fallen, Torment & Passion). I didn't like Fallen but I loved Torment so I guess you can say Lauren and I have a love-hate relationship :P I wasn't entirely convinced I wanted to read this until I saw the new cover....

(Goodreads) A steamy Southern beauty makes one fatal mistake.
Natalie Hargrove would kill to be her high school’s Palmetto Princess. But her boyfriend Mike King doesn’t share her dream and risks losing the honor of Palmetto Prince to Natalie’s nemesis, Justin Balmer. So she convinces Mike to help play a prank on Justin. . . one that goes terribly wrong. They tie him to the front of the church after a party—when they arrive the next morning, Justin is dead.

From blackmail to buried desire, dark secrets to darker deeds, Natalie unravels. She never should’ve messed with fate. Fate is the one thing more twisted than Natalie Hargrove.

Cruel Intentions meets Macbeth in this seductive, riveting tale of conscience and consequence.

The Short Story ? - Whoever, blurbed this book hit the jackpot! Cruel Intentions meets Macbeth? Amen! I going to tell you straight up that - I LOVED this book! The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove is one of the best dark YA fictions I have read! Dark, twisted and addictive, you should read this ;)

The Long Story ? - The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove is one of those books that tip the balance one way or the other. It simply doesn't sit in the middle, you either hate or you love it. It all depends on whether you are a fan of extreme 'highschool' fiction. If you love the cheerleaders, the prom, cheating boyfriends and dirty secrets, you're going to love this book. If you're not so much of a fan? Give it a try, I thought it was fantastic!

I personally love reading typical "highschool" fiction, I love the whole shebang, from cheating boyfriends to cheerleaders to prom! I love the social ladder, I love the cliques and I love the whole rich kids cliche :) When I read the blurb of The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove, I was hooked. The only thing better than poor little rich girl ??? Poor little rich girls who would kill to get what they want ;)

However, something else that held my appeal for the book is the meaning behind it. It's hard to explain but it's satisfying to read books with morals behind it. I can't work out exactly what the moral behind this is ( careful what you wish for? think before you act?) but it's a typical Shakespeare tragedy. In a way this is the first time I have come to appreciate tragedies, I never really quite understood the whole buzz with Macbeth but after reading this...I feel like we've finally connected.

The plot of this book is clever, dark and completely realistic. You may think the death of J.B. may have been a little far- fetched but I would think differently. A stupid prank gone wrong after a couple of drinks? Typical teenager behavior. The whole book was cleverly written, something that started simply as a desperate need to become high school loyalty turned out to be something darker and much more serious.

The characterisation may have been a little cliched. Good-looking, rich, selfish teenagers? Cliched YA fiction but each character had a very interesting personality. I particularly liked how Lauren portrayed Natalie, confident and powerful on the outside but fighting a losing battle against her past on the inside.

However, more than anything, I loved the ending. I have read review where people have said they hated the ending but I loved it! It's how the cookie should crumble! The fall after the sweet revenge, it was deliciously dark and it suited the theme of this book. I give extra credit for the clever idea of writing the epilogue in third person, I found that I found the book most enjoyable in the last few chapters and the epilogue was just the finishing touch, it was like trying the knots at the end of each unanswered question.

Overall, The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove is a great book that I think everyone should read. Filled with sweet revenge, a dark seductive plot, beautiful writing and a great characterisation. It's the perfect book to read on a long night in. It's dark, it's twisted but it's addictive! Rating 4/5

PS - I love the new cover, it follows the same "theme" as the covers of the Fallen Series, the gorgeous dresses, the same font and everything!

Badass Bookie xx

Blessed Tour + Giveaway

Cynthia Leitich Smith is the New York Times and Publishers Weekly best-selling author of ETERNAL, TANTALIZE, and BLESSED, all Gothic fantasies from Candlewick Press. She also has written several YA short stories as well as books for younger readers.


TANTALIZE was a Borders Original Voices selection, honored at the 2007 National Book Festival, and The Horn Book called it "an intoxicating romantic thriller." A graphic novel adaptation of TANTALIZE is in the works.
ETERNAL was a YALSA Teens Top Ten nominee, featured at the Texas Book Festival, and Publishers Weekly said, ".readers should be hooked by this fully formed world, up through the action-packed finale." It debuted at #5 on the New York Times best-seller list and #13 on the Publishers Weekly best-seller list.

BLESSED crossed over the two casts. The Horn Book cheered: "Quincie has a zest for life that shines through as she balances supernatural duties with schoolwork and running her family restaurant, the vampire-themed Sanguini's. Romance blossoms, too, as she and her beloved werewolf, Kieren, prove their devotion to each other under deadly duress. A hearty meal for the thinking vampire reader." And Kirkus Reviews said the novel was "wild and ultimately fascinating.the pages fairly smolder in describing their [Quincie and Kieren] attraction to one another."

Cynthia may be found on the Web at HERE, Blogger, LiveJournal, facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

GUEST POST - Secondary Characters

The glory goes to the hero, the scorn to the villain. The protagonist and (sometimes) antagonist drive the plot.

How do we get to know those characters? Their setting, sure! Background, absolutely!

But perhaps nothing brings the main characters to life more than the second stringers, the supporting actors in their lives.

That’s definitely true of my Gothic fantasy series—Tantalize, Eternal, and most recently Blessed. The casts of those first two novels crossover in the third, and re-introducing them was perhaps the most entertaining part of writing the new novel.

Secondary characters mirror individual qualities of the hero. Illuminate them. Secondary characters challenge the hero. Fuel their growth. Secondary characters comment on the main characters. They help tell the readers what we need to know.

I’m talking about more than walk-ons or background folks. But rather the people or monsters that make a specific difference, even though they’re just beyond the spotlight. They’re characters fleshed out enough to almost fuel stories of their own.

Blessed features a large cast—with characters returning from the previous titles and some new ones too. I’m going to talk just briefly about a few of my favorites.

The twins—Freddy and Harrison. One human, the other a neophyte vampire. Both were raised as children of human servants of the undead, the latest in a long line from that chilling tradition.

Freddy is all style and panache, a former event planner, the perfect choice to step in as Sanguini’s make-believe vampire chef for the midnight toast. After so many years lingering on the border of the underworld, he’s eager to stand with the heroes and make a difference for good.

Harrison is the reason Freddy didn’t escape the shadows sooner. He longed for undeath, coveted it, and even betrayed his master to drink the blood of a lesser eternal. He’s wry, sarcastic and pessimistic, shockingly self-interested. But how much of it is posturing?

The two play competing honorary uncles of sorts to Quincie, and both are a huge improvement over her actual uncle, Davidson from Tantalize.

Sabine and Philippe. She’s the queen of the damned, and he’s her loyal consort.

Sabine’s goal is to kill more people than heart disease, and yet, if it’s in her best interests, she’ll fight with the good guys. This vampire queen has a tragic past, though. As a one-time French aristocrat, she chose undeath to escape the guillotine.

Philippe’s story is more murky, but he’s courteous and elegant, the consummate host. We do know that he was badly scarred in a fire and his cane emits an electric charge.

While both of these baddies fear the Big Boss, that doesn’t mean they’ll bow to Quincie, even if she is traveling with the guardian angel Zachary at her side.

Nora, the new chef, becomes the surrogate grandparent that Quincie lost when Vaggio was killed in Tantalize.

And then there’s the Morales family. Quincie gets to know them in a whole new way when Meara and Roberto become her legal guardians.

Like all of us, Quincie P. Morris is defined large in part by the characters in her life.

Thanks Cynthia! Wondeful post, I can't wait to read Blessed, this post has definitely given me more of an insight on the novel! I LOVED Tantalize!
 

GIVEAWAY

 

US ONLY - ONE (1) Winner will receive -

 

ENDS 4th of February

Please leave a comment below with your email address to entered. +2 for followers! Please add it up for me!

Badass Bookie xx

In My Mailbox #21 ( the 7-8 week edition)

Hello fellow readers! I'm back with a 7-8 week edition of In My Mailbox ( hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren) I apologise for this late late edition, due to certain circumstances ie. broken internet connection ( which is still not quite working), moving homes, 2011 Debutante event and just life in general IMM has taken a long break :P Anyway -

The 6-7 week hurl -

For Review -

-Anna and the French Kiss by Stephenie Perkins

-Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel

-Wereworld bu Curtis Jobling

-Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

-Between the Shades of Grey ARC by Ruta Sepetys

-Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin

-Nightshade ARC by Andrea Cremer

-Daniel X : The Manga by James Patterson

-Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

-Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

-The Book of Tomorrow ARC by Cecelia Ahern

( A big thank-you to Penguin, Pan Macmillian, Hachette, Allen and Unwin and Leah @ Harper Collins USA )

This week's hurl -

For Review -

- Awakened by P.C. + Kristin Cast

- Delirium by Lauren Oliver ( AFC - Advanced finished copy, clsoest thing to an ARC here where ARC production is at minimal level :P)

- Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner

- The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate ( re-print with a new cover, the hair is actually a brown but my camera flash made it look like a yellow)

- Masquerade by Melissa De La Cruz

( Thank-you to Random House and Hachette for this week's reads! Ps - I <3 Random House's express delivery :P)

Also make sure you check out my Debut of the Month Posts with Lorraine Zago Rosenthal author of Other Words for Love.

GIVEAWAY - Other Words for Love Finished Copy - US ONLY 1/31 ( HERE) 

Lorraine's Debutante Post - HERE

That's it for me this week!

Badass Bookie xx

Awakened

Review Time! This must be the longest series EVER! Awakened is currently #8 in the House of Night series which has no ending in the foreseeable future. I'm proud to say that I have read all of them, it's one of the few series' that I have been able to stay up to date with :) Thank-you Hachette for the review copy!

US vs. UK/AUS ( pick your poison :P)

(Goodreads) *spoiler alert!* At the start of Awakened, the pulse-pounding eighth installment of the bestselling House of Night series, Zoey has returned, mostly whole, from the Otherworld to her rightful place as High Priestess at the House of Night. Her friends are just glad to have her back, but after losing her human consort, Heath, will Zoey—or her relationship with her super- hot Warrior, Stark—ever be the same? Stevie Rae is drawn even closer to Rephaim, the Raven Mocker with whom she shares a mysterious and powerful Imprint, but he is a dangerous secret that isolates her from her school, her red fledglings, and even her best friends. When the dark threat of Neferet—who is coming closer and closer to achieving her twisted goal of immortality—and Kalona returns, what will it take to keep the House of Night from being lost forever, and what will one desperate girl do to keep her heart from being irreparably broken



The Short Story ? - The problem with writing reviews to sequels of sequels of sequels is that it's hard not to give anything away and still try to make sense to those who haven't read the books, let's just say I'm trying my best :) Fantastic as always, cute, dark, full of action and vampyres! I can't wait to read the next book, after the ending!

The Long Story ? - To be completely honest, I thought Awakened was not quite as exciting to read as some of the previous books, slower paced, less action, less romance and basically less of everything. It could very well be everything to do with the fact that the characters were taking a 'vacation' from fighting evil after the last book but being me, I like all my books with not a single boring moment.

Something to know about the series? It's written from the perspective of almost every character. It's like reading a collection of smaller stories bind up to create the bigger picture. Therefore, it makes some characters personal lives much more interesting others. I won't lie and say that I didn't flip through to read a "certain" characters love life before flipping back to read the whole book :)

The writing is comfortable to read and I admire P.C. and Kristin's synchronised writing style. Some books written by two authors that I have read just don't fit together properly because both authors have different writing styles. This wasn't a problem with Awakened so I'm thankful. It's also has the vocabulary suited for teenagers so that it's easy for us to read and understand.

While I say that awakened is somewhat slower paced than some of the earlier books, it was still action packed! There was a little forbidden love, a little forever and always love, some deaths, some twists and turns and someone who refuses to stay dead ( much to my distaste, no offence *hint hint*) :P

Characterisation was fantastic as always, a great mixture of characters with different personalities, someone evil, someone good, someone mean and someone funny :) I love the way how all the characters connect with each other one way or another, whether they are enemies, friends, old lovers, new lovers or family!

Overall, Awakened fitted perfectly into the series. I personally thought it was a little slow paced but then again, I'm ME! I would highly recommend those of you who like action packed, paranormals with lots of hot vampyres to read this! I can't wait for the next book, Destined! Rating 4/5

Available - The Book Depository 
Badass Bookie xx

Low Red Moon

Review Time! I received a copy of Low Red moon for review before Christmas but with all that's been going on ( moving house, birthday, holidays plans) I haven't been able to read it until last week! Thank-you Allen & Unwin!

( Goodreads) The only thing Avery Hood can remember about the night her parents died is that she saw silver—deadly silver, moving inhumanly fast. As much as she wants to remember who killed them, she can't, and there's nothing left to do but try to piece her life back together. Then Avery meets the new boy in school—Ben, mysterious and beautiful, with whom she feels a connection like nothing she's ever experienced. When Ben reveals he's a werewolf, Avery still trusts him—at first. Then she sees that sometimes his eyes flash inhuman silver. And she learns that she's not the only one who can't remember the night her parents died.Part murder mystery, part grief narrative, and part heart-stopping, headlong romance, Low Red Moon is a must-read for teen paranormal fans. As breathless as Twilight and as spooky as Shiver, this is a book to be devoured in one sitting—by an acclaimed YA author making her paranormal debut under the pseudonym Ivy Devlin

The Short Story ? - I'm 'pretty' sure that this is a re-imagining of Little Red Riding Hood. Twisted, mashed-up and without the whole 'what big teeth you have' shebang but the similarities are there nevertheless. I can't quite put my finger on whether I liked this book or not.

The Long Story ? - I wish I can say that I was immediately pulled into the story, but I wasn't. Overall, I would have to say that I did enjoy this book but I had to work for that enjoyment. It just didn't come easily for me, the best explanation I can give is that - it's like working really hard on a project, you enjoy some parts but hate other parts and then when you finish you think 'hey, that wasn't so bad'.

Some of you might know that I 'strongly dislike' books where grief, death or depression is a main theme. I don't click with those books and when I read ten words into the book and realised that grief was a HUGE part of this novel, the warning bells went off in my head.

In my opinion, the author has tried to weave themes into this book that just don't work well together. I can't but feel that I would have enjoyed Low Red Moon alot more if she had left out the paranormal twist. Ben, the love interest is a werewolf but that's about as significant saying his great grandfather is Irish. The whole book would have been better without the complication of Ben being a werewolf, I love paranormals but in this case the plot was already difficult to follow and adding werewolves to the mix just pushed it a little too far.

The plot was hard to follow in some places but the romance was really sweet and meaningful. I loved the immediate attraction between Ben and Avery, the connection they felt between each other and the devoted love Ben showed that made me tingle. I give credit for the fact that Low Red Moon is love-triangle free.Low Red Moon gives 'Love at First Sight' a whole new meaning ;)

The writing was very beautiful. Lyrical, soft and comforting I just wish it wasn't so focused on grief...I also give credit for originality. Sure, it sures similarities to Little Red Riding Hood but it was unpredictable. I wouldn't have seen the ending coming. The cover art is beautiful and effort the printing press put into making the header and footer read to match the cover is praise-worthy.

Overall, Low Red Moon is one of those books that sits smack-bang in the middle of the scales for me. There are parts that I wished I hadn't read at all but the parts that I thoroughly enjoyed made up for it. The good and bad balanced each other out. I would keep an eye out for this one, keep it on your TBR pile but don't hold your breath, I have heard mixed reviews about ;) Rating - 3/5 ( enjoyable, hard work but you just might fall in love with it)

Available - The Book Depository

Badass Bookie xx

2011 A-Z Reading Challenge Sign - Up Post

So much for only signing up for the 2011 Debut Author Challenge! But this one sounds really good ...tempting and bribery involved! The 2011 A - Z Reading Challenge is hosted by Steph @ Book Junky! Sounds fantastic so you should totally join!

"Read 26 books this year ( easy right )

One for each letter of the alphabet.

Plus for every book on my list I read there will be another giveaway...

Thats 26 giveaways that you are automatically entered for and all you have to do is particulate"

 
My list includes - ( may change)
 
A - Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
B - Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris (!!!)
C - City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
D - Delirium by Lauren Oliver
E - Entwined by Heather Dixon
F - Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs
G - Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
H - Haven by Kristi Cook
I - I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
J -  ?
K- ?
L - Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker
M - My Soul to Keep by Rachel Vincent
N- North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley
O - Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers
P - Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg
Q - { The} Queens Lady by Eve Edwards
R - Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr
S - Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
T - The Lipstick Laws
U - Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
V -  Vamprie Diaries by L.J. Smith
W - Warped by Maurissa Guibord X - XVI by Julia Karr

Y - You Against Me by Jenny Downham Z - Zombies vs. Unicorns by Various Authors


 

( So close to a full 26!!! Arghhhhhh)
 
Anyway, great challenge!
 
Badass Bookie xx

Pretty Little Liars

Review Time! Recently I received an unsolicited review copy of Pretty Little Liars, I had already read the entire series so I wasn't planning to review it but Season Two of Pretty Little Liars is about to start of channel GO! So I decided to re-read it and review it!

Paperback cover

( Goodreads) Three years ago, Alison disappeared after a slumber party, not to be seen since. Her friends at the elite Pennsylvania school mourned her, but they also breathed secret sighs of relief. Each of them guarded a secret that only Alison had known. Now they have other dirty little secrets, secrets that could sink them in their gossip-hungry world. When each of them begins receiving anonymous emails and text messages, panic, sets in. Are they being betrayed by some one in their circle? Worse yet: Is Alison back? A strong launch for a suspenseful series.

The Short Story ? - Gossip Girl with an edge. All the boys, money and designer shoes only that 'A' would kill to stay anonymous. Literally. Exciting, addictive and full of mystery and suspense. Gives a whole new meaning to dirty secrets ;)

The Long Story ? - I guess I'll give you a "short story" of the whole series because, it's all pretty confusing. Basically years after Ali disappeared 'A' appears and she knows everyone's darkest secret. Secrets that were meant to be buried when Ali disappeared. So the whole plot is based around this mysterious 'A', of course Sara throws in a few twists and turns, deaths and heart-attack worthy secrets along the way to discovery ;)

This book is absolutely addictive! All the drama and dark secrets just makes you want to turn the pages faster and faster. I admit that I skipped ahead to the end of the book first before going back to read it ( I just can't control myself...) Clever and well planned, I admire Sara's organisation when it comes to planning a series of events. Mystery novel are extremely difficult to write, because unless you plan out the mystery and the solution it could very well turn out to be a disaster!

The writing style of Pretty Little Liars is unique. It's told from the perspective of all four main characters. So throughout the whole book you catch a glimpse of the lives ( and secrets ) of all four girls. In a way it makes readers feel omniscient and omnipresent, you are taken into each of Aria, Spencer, Emily and Hanna's lives, you're put into the midst of the drama, you're trying just as desperately to figure who in the world is 'A'. It's almost like you're part of the book!

However, the thing that stood out for me was the perfect mix of believable and unbelievable weaved throughout the book. The secrets? Dirty, extreme, scandalous but possible. The personalities of the characters? Every girl's got one or the other, whether you're sweet, rebellious or plain confused, I can guarantee you can relate to at least one of the girls! The twists and turns and the deaths? Unbelievable what's the fun of reading fiction is it isn't 'extreme' ;) The all powerful 'A'? Anything is possible when high school is ruled by gossip....

Highly addictive, beware of dirty secrets, suspense that can kill and 'A'! Pretty Little Liars is the book to read when you find that reality is too boring! All the glam of the Gossip Girl with 'killer' twists! Love your dose of gossip and dirty secrets? Looking for a new addiction? Pick up the Pretty Little Liars!

Available - The Nile / The Book Depository

Badass Bookie xx

Debut of the Month - All About Other Words for Love + Giveaway

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Book Profile

Debut - Other Words for Love

Author -  Lorraine Zago Rosenthal ( Profile )

Genre - Contemporary

Release Date - 11th of Jan 2011

Available - The Book Depository / The Nile

“When an unexpected inheritance enables Ari to transfer to an elite Manhattan prep school, she makes a wealthy new friend, Leigh. Leigh introduces Ari to the glamorous side of New York—and to her gorgeous cousin, Blake. Ari doesn’t think she stands a chance, but amazingly, Blake asks her out. As their romance heats up, they find themselves involved in an intense, consuming relationship. Ari’s family worries that she is losing touch with the important things in life, like family, hard work, and planning for the future.

When misfortune befalls Blake’s family, he pulls away, and Ari’s world drains of color. As she struggles to get over the breakup, Ari must finally ask herself: were their feelings true love . . . or something else?“

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Review by Sarah Andersen @ YA Love Blog

Let me see if I can describe my feelings for this book using “other words for love.” I ADORE this book. I am DELIGHTED by Lorraine’s debut novel. Other Words for Love has ENCHANTED me. Yep, I’m gushing, but this book begs to be gushed over! (And as an English teacher I’m always looking for ways to expand my vocabulary )

I was thrilled when this arrived in the mail and immediately bumped it to the top of my reading pile. I knew I’d enjoy this as soon as I started reading; Lorraine’s writing flows with ease. Plus, I connected with Ari as soon as she began describing her best friend Summer. Summer is described as the girl who has it all–stylish clothes, gorgeous hair, good grades, etc. Ari is smart and pretty as well, but she doesn’t always see herself in this way, especially when she’s around Summer. It doesn’t help that Summer ALWAYS has a boyfriend and Ari never does. I connected with Ari because in high school I was constantly wondering when the heck I’d finally get a boyfriend. I had a couple friends like Summer who were often bragging about their boyfriends, which left me feeling, well, rotten and sort of insecure. Ari, though, holds her head high and doesn’t complain. She simply wants to find somone who will love her the way her sister’s husband, Patrick, loves her sister. Don’t we all want that? To find someone who will love us for who we are? This element of the story will hook teenage girls (and adults!) because many of us have felt like Ari.

The dynamics of the many different relationships in this book are wonderful. Ari’s relationship with her mother is good, but definitely strained at times. Ari’s older sister, Evelyn, made a few mistakes growing up. Ari’s mom now looks to Ari as the daughter who will go farther and make something of herself. Talk about pressure! When I was reading, I always knew her mom meant well, but there were times that her mother made me even more grateful for my mom. This tension causes Ari to rely on herself more and become more independent.

Ari and Blake’s relationship is written superbly; it’s very believable as a first-love relationship. They’re completely enraptured with each other, but nervous about making the wrong moves as well. Ari’s hesitations about becoming more serious with Blake are written with care; I remember feeling the same nerves and worries. Ari, even though she’s wrapped up in everything Blake, develops more self-esteem and independence. I kept cheering their relationship on, and even forgot about the telling summary description. Lorraine did such a fabulous job writing Ari’s rollercoaster life, that I know girls will learn from this and respond with high praises. Not all relationships end in marriage, and teenage girls especially need to understand this. Quite a few of my female students have come to me after their long-term relationships ended needing someone to talk to and asking for advice. I’m definitely handing them a copy of Other Words for Love.

I excitedly give Other Words for Love five stars. This is a beautiful book that teen girls should read and teachers and librarians need in their libraries. If you enjoyed Sarah Dessen’s Someone Like You and/or Judy Blume’s Forever, you are sure to enjoy this debut novel. I’m very much looking forward to reading more of Lorraine’s novels.

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~ Giveaway ~

Lorraine has kindly offered ONE (1) Hardcover Finished Copy of  'Other Words for Love' to one of you readers. I can't help but to be envious... I haven't read the book myself but it sounds like a great love story. I must get my own copy!!!!

Rules for Entry - ( Simple, two strings attached)

- US ONLY

-  Leave a comment on this post or Lorraine's first post

- Fill out this FORM

- Ends 31st of Jan

Badass Bookie xx

Aussie YA Challenge 2011 Sign- Up Post

I swore that I was going to only enter the 2011 Debut Challenge and then I entered the Book Bucket List Challenge and now I signing up for the 2011 Aussie YA Challenge. I guess it's only right that I enter this since, I am Aussie :P 

" Australian participants - Read at least 12 young adult books by Australian authors from 1st January, 2011 to 31st December, 2011.



International participants - Read at least 6 young adult books by Australian authors from 1st January, 2011 to 31st December, 2011.


They can be old or new titles, however no re-reads.


It is open to everyone. You don’t have to be a blogger but you MUST POST A REVIEW. Reviews can be posted anywhere - Blogs, Goodreads, Shelfari or non-bloggers can even do a guest post on a blog like mine.


You can join anytime. The challenge runs from 1st January 2011 to 31st December, 2011.


There will be prizes throughout the year and guest posts and interviews from some awesome Aussie authors. "

My list includes -

Bold - All the ones I own

Tomorrow When the War Begian by John Marsden
Good Oil by Laura Buzo
Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar
Saltwater Vampire by Kirsty Eagar
Embrace by Jessica Shirvington
Six Impossible Things by Fiona Wood
Swerve by Phillip Gwynne
Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
Beatles Meets Destiny by Gabrielle Williams
Mercy by Rebecca Lim
Little Paradise by Gabrielle Wang
Everything Beautiful by Simmone Howell

My fellow readers, I strongly encourage to join this challenge! Believe or not, Aussie YA fiction is actually really good! Sure, the US has some good stuff ( okay fantasic stuff) but we're not bad either! Aussie pride, we're educatd people, we don't all live in the outback ;)

I read some amazing stuff like The Book Thief, A Little Wanting Song and Finnikin of the Rock!

Now go and join and support AUSSIES!!!!!

Badass Bookie xx

Debut of the Month - All About Lorraine Zago Rosenthal

Debutante Profile

Name - Lorraine Zago Rosenthal
Debut - Other Words for Love ( Goodreads )
Genre - Contemporary
Website - HERE
Twitter - HERE

Lorraine Zago Rosenthal was born and raised in New York City. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in education from the University of South Florida. She also earned a master's degree in English, with a concentration in American and British literature, from Northern Kentucky University. In addition to writing fiction, Lorraine enjoys reading, exercising, watching movies, and spending time with her husband. Other Words for Love is her first novel.

Dream Debutante Dress -

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The Insider's Scoop on Lorraine Zago Rosenthal

1. I can type over 100 words per minute. This is a very handy skill for a writer.

2. I have an absurd amount of knowledge about the film industry. Ask me a question about an actor or a movie, and I’ll probably know the answer.

3. I was born and raised in NYC, but I’ve also lived in Florida; Washington, D.C.; and Cincinnati.

4. Whenever Sweet Home Alabama is on TV, I always watch it—with commercials—even though I own the DVD. This is how much I ♥ that movie.

5. When I finish writing a novel, I miss my characters. Seriously. But it’s okay—after they’re gone, I always find more.

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Thanks Lorraine for the interesting facts! I can't help envy your 100 words/minute supoer power. I type as slow as a snail ( which is why posting this is taking so so so long, apologies) Anyway, come back tomorrow to find out more about Lorraine's debut, Other Words for Love ( which sounds amazing, no exaggeration needed). It's cute, romantic and I honestly haven't read it YET so I can't say!

Badass Bookie xx

The Book Bucket List Challenge Sign-Up Post

Hello my lovely readers, I apologize for the lack of "posts" in the last three days. I have been taking a little vacation away from my blogging duties :P However, I came by this challenge hosted by yaReads. Which is one of my favourite new blogs ( ever since they got that google follower thingie so I can actually keep up to date). So Ladies and Gentlemen, I have decided to take part in ...

The Book Bucket List Challenge

"The Book Bucket List Challenge was created to give you the chance to get to all those books that you’ve wanted to read for ages but never found the time to. Or, if you’re a reviewer like myself, it gives you the gift of free will – to read a non review book because till now you’ve had to focus only on your TBR pile."

Choose your level -
Level 1: 4 books in 2011
Level 2: 8 books in 2011
Level 3: 12 books in 2011

I'm partcipating in Level 3 to read 12 books in 2011.

Some of the books I want to read include -

- Pegasus by Robin McKinley
- My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent ( read yesterday - not included into challenge count)
- My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
- Dead is Not an Option by Marlene Perez
- Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr
- Hourglass by Claudia Gray
- Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
- Eyes like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
- Linger by Maggie Shiefvater
- Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
- Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles
- Fire by Kristin Cashore
- Illusions by Aprilynne Pike

 

Most of these are sequels to books that I have read over the years but haven't had the chance to catch up since I started reviewing for publishers. So I'm making the time this year to read them all!

You can sign up for the challenge - HERE

Badass Bookie xx

Loved the Debs Event? Well, you're gonna love this...

After my 2011 Debutante event came to an end, I thought - 'Seriously, I'm going to feature 12 authors when there are like 90 more debutantes this year?' It was a shocking thought and I was determined to do something about my small contribution... and that's when I made my mind up about this brand new monthly feature called ...

What is it? A Two Day Feature on one Debutante per month. It follows the same layout as the 2011 Debutante event meaning there will be a giveaway...

 Who ? Your 2011 Debutantes / male equivalent to a Debutante which is ???? The Debutante will be featured in their month of publication.

When ? Every 15-16th of each month

Why ? Because 12 is just not enough ( although they will always hold a special spot in my heart...) Doesn't 24 sound so much better?

What you can do ? Tweet tweet! Blog it! Face book it! Grab the person next to you and tell them about it! Spread the word!

Sorry no prizes for this one ( I can just hear you all deflating, but hey isn't my undying gratitude enough?) However you can always put this on your blog -

<center><a href="http://badassbookie.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://oi53.tinypic.com/2hqbcbn.jpg" /></a></center>
 Actually it's just my new button design but...hey wouldn't you want to put one on your blog????
 Now OUR FIRST FEATURE OF THE MONTH is ...
 
 AND FOR THOSE WHO LIKE IT VERTICAL?

 WOW!!! How cool is that? I'm so sad...BUT come back on the 15th and 16th of this month!
 Badass Bookie xx

Across the Universe

Review Time! For those who don't know the 2011 Debut Author Challenge is up and running and this is my first review! Back in August I was lucky enough to receive ARC of Across the Universe by Beth Revis for review from Penguin. This was a huge deal because unlike the US we don't have alot of ARC distributions. Anyway, Beth was also one of Debutantes from by Debutante Event so you can check out her posts - HERE and HERE.

A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder.

Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.

Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.

Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

The Short Story ? - I don't know what to say but that this debut blew me away! Across the Universe was everything I thought it would be and so much more. It was simply beyond this world ( haha get it? My bad pun strikes again...) Refreshing, original, romantic, you should read this book.

The Long Story ? - Honestly, I'm not that big of a fan of sci-fi. I don't enjoy space travel and every time I pick one up I can only think of Buzz Lightyear and Star Wars. So when it first arrived in the mail I was still unsure whether I wanted to read it or not SO I pulled out my laptop and did a google search on the book. The keywords Romance, DYSTOPIAN and 2011 Debut convinced me that - I HAD to read this book.

I decided I wanted to read this book closer to it's release date so last week, I pulled out my ARC, put aside my prejudice against space travel, forgot abut Buzz Lightyear and Star Wars and just read this book. I read and read and read until there was no pages left and that's when I released I actually enjoyed this book.

I love books with - a) romance b) no love-triangles c) original plots and d) cute boys. Across the Universe had romance, no love - triangles, a SUPER original plot and cute boy ( singular, I think I'm in love with Elder, I'll fight Amy for him).

What's the best part of this book? The Romance for sure. It's so different from anything I have read. I can count on one hand how many times Elder and Amy even touch but the change between perspectives, giving readers a glimpse of both character's thoughts was enough for me to go 'awwww how cute'. To make it  even better there was not a single love-triangle. The biggest literacy letdown in YA fiction for me in 2010 is way to many love-triangles. Why can't we just have soul mates or true love? It makes it so much easier to read, you know it's going to be a happy ending.

Beth Revis, I salute you for your admirable courage to take Dystopian to a whole new level. What is Dystopian?  The protagonist lives in a controlling society and then rebellion happens. (  That's my 11 words description on a increasingly popular genre) However, when there's murder involved? Wow, that's when it turns from interesting to exciting.

The pace of this novel I felt was a bit slow for me, I like my novels fast paced with not a single boring moment but the excellent characterisation was enough to make it up for me. The physical and emotion characterisations of the characters couldn't have been created more perfectly. I couldn't help but admire Amy strength and courage. Nor could I help myself when I fell in love with Elder.

Across the Universe had changed my judgement about space travel novels, given romance a whole new definition and taken Dystopian to a whole new level. Addictive, romantic and to be enjoyed by all. Across the Universe is a 2011 must read. Rating 4.5/5

Badass Bookie xx