Dark Heart Forever

Review Time! Dark Heart Forever is the first novel in the series written by Lee Monroe, the second novel Dark Heart rising was released this month or early next month depending on where in the world you are! This one came for review from Hachette last year but I haven't had the chance to review it til now! Thanks for the copy!

(Goodreads) Jane Jonas is nearing her 16th birthday and troubled by unsettling recurring dreams where the same mysterious boy her age comes to her, telling Jane that they are each other's destiny. Her mother is increasingly anxious about Jane's disruptive sleepwalking episodes, but for Jane her dream world and reality are about to collide ...When she develops a friendship with an enigmatic stranger in town, the blond, uber-cool Evan, it's exciting, it's new, and Jane wants him more than she's ever wanted anybody - until her mystery dream boy gets in the way. Now Jane is caught between two worlds: one familiar, but tinged with romance and excitement; the other dark and dangerous, where angels, werewolves, and an irresistible stranger are trying to seduce her ...

The Short Story ? - Dark and captivating paranormal romance that's highly original and exciting! A brand new love story overlapped with an haunting paranormal landscape. An admirable heroine and two handsome boys equals one of the most interesting love triangles I've read yet! Original, exciting and full of the unpredictable!

The Long Story ? - The first thing that caught my eye about this book was the cover...how gorgeous is it? It fits with the novel which is more than I can say about other novels I have read that yes, have a beautiful cover and yes, are fantastic but they have nothing to do with each other. I went and goodreads the novel and there were lots of mixed reviews about it. It's one of those novels that you'll really like or you'll be extremely disappointed with.

I really enjoyed it. There were parts that I wish that I could change but overall it was a great read! The highlight for me would be the romance. It was an original love triangle. I usually stay away from love triangles because a) they're getting old b) I like happy endings for EVERYONE but this was a pretty one - sided love triangle. It's a romance where you won't feel sorry for the underdog because of this "twist". It's a romance that will leave you thinking ' wow, that's not what I expected....'

In turn, the romance plays a significant part in the plot. The novel is quite slow moving and most of the action is packed into the last third of the book. It's a novel that immediately introduces the paranormal touch so we don't have to sit through another cliched Twilight human/non-human forbidden-I'm-not-good-for-you-but-I-can't-stay-away beginning. It's highly original and while most of it is set on Earth ( which part is still a mystery, America or UK), Lee Monroe has created a new world where some of the novel is set.

Last but not least, the characterisation is really good! Jane ( don't judge her by her name!) is a strong, admirable heroine who is completely different from any other protagonist I have read. She's been through some bullying issues but was still strong and ready to defend her family. Lucas is complete sweetie, cute, compassionate and totally into Jane even though he won't admit it! Evan on the other hand, is a hot Aussie ready to steal away Jane's heart! I struggled to chose between the two until the very end when the choice became very obvious!

Overall, Dark Heart Forever is an enjoyable romance that will leave you wanting for more! Great characters, a plot full of twist and secrets and a romance worth remembering! Bookie recommends Dark Heart Forever to everyone looking for a nice summer ( or winter!) read!

Rating - 4/5

Badass Bookie xx

Where She Went

Review Time! Where She Went is the sequel/companion novel to Internationally Bestselling Debut, If I Stay by Gayle Forman. I'm under the impression that you can read this novel as a stand-alone since they're told from different characters and aren't really connected. Thanks to Random House for the review copy!

(Goodreads) It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.


Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future–and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.


The Short Story ? - A deeply moving love story that stole my breath away! The long awaited sequel to If I Stay is one of the best, most heart-felt stories I have read this year! A novel about love and loss and the beauty of music. Beautifully written, enriched characters and a love story so heart-breakingly beautiful, it goes without being said that Where She Went is a winner!

The Long Story ? - Quite frankly, I didn't like If I Stay very much. Firstly it was a dark contemporary and secondly some of the content was quite graphic in the blood and gore kind of way. I wasn't so sure that I was going to read Where She Went until I found out that it was set three years after If I Stay and told from Adam's perspective. Male lead + Mystery break up = Good Book.

I cried my heart out when I read this book. It's was just that moving, I'm usually annoyed with lyrical writing and books about self-pity protagonist but this was different. Adam deserved his own story, I wanted to read about his grief, how hard it was for him to cope without Mia, what their break up had done to him. It was an captivating experience, dealing with someone else's pain. Gayle's writing is absolutely beautiful, I admire her ability to write so well from a male's perspective but as well has her choice of vocabulary and figurative speech.

The plot was short and long, short because the bulk of the novel was written about events that happened during a 24 hour period. Long because it was rather slow moving - in a good way though, Gayle's really taken everything into perspective giving readers a clear view of everything. Just like If I Stay, the novel alternated between snippets of the present and the past. What I really liked about the novel is that every event that happened held a little it of significance. Unlike some novels that where some events happened just for the sake of filling up pages, every page meant something, it was detailed and every words, every place, every event meant something to either Mia or Adam.

The same characters we were introduced to in If I Stay are brought into Where She Went as well. However the novel is pretty much based around Adam and Mia so that the other characters hold really minor significances. We don't see so much character development as it's more like a deeper insight into Adam, our main characters who was only briefly introduced as Mia's love interest in If I Stay. Quite frankly I didn't pay so much attention to him in If I I Stay but now I wish I had because I'm totally head over heels in love with this man! Luckily I have my own copy of If I Stay so I can!

Bottom line, Where She Went is a deeply moving novel that every romance should read! I don't care whether you skip If I Stay or read them one after another but I strongly encourage you to pick up Where She Went. Beautifully written, achingly heart moving, a monster tear-jerker and one of the greatest love stories ever. Bookie approves!

Rating 5/5

Badass Bookie xx

What Happened to Goodbye

Review Time! What Happened to Goodbye is Sarah Dessen's latest novel. I'm sure you've all heard of her right? She's the author of The Truth About Forever, Just Listen, The Lullaby and lots more! I would like to thank Penguin for sending me a review copy!

(Goodreads) Another town. Another school. Another Mclean. Ever since her parents' bitter divorce, Mclean and her father have been fleeing their unhappy past. And Mclean's become a pro at reinventing herself with each move. But in Lakeview, Mclean finds herself putting down roots and making friends—in part, thanks to Dave, the most real person Mclean's ever met. Dave just may be falling in love with her, but can he see the person she really is? Does Mclean herself know?




The Short Story ? - What Happened to Goodbye is a coming-to-age novel that reflect on many issues real teenagers face everyday, all around the world. Great characters and clean cut, a novel for everyone to enjoy. Fantastic writing that's both comforting and wholesome! Realistic and relate-able, What Happened to Goodbye is a novel about friendship, family and rediscovering who you are!

The Long Story ? -  I'm not a fan of Sarah Dessen's books, it's not that she doesn't write good books because she does but I just don't like what she writes about. All her books deal with real teenagers and I'm not a fan of "real" writing, I know of bloggers who love "real" contemporary but quite frankly I find them annoying and borderline boring, what's the point of fiction, if it' so real? Keeping that biast view in mind, let's continue....

I enjoyed it. But it' not my favourite Dessen novel. I honestly thought it was a great book, very clean-cut and wholesome. A novel that would have a parent approval sticker on the cover. The characters are more neglected than rebellious and it's relate-able. Thousands of kids have a hard-time dealing with parent divorces and Mclean is an excellent example of a child who's been torn up by a bitter divorce. So torn up to the point that she doesn't want to be who she is, to a point where she would rather pretend to be someone else and live their life.

The writing is one of the great things about the novel. Sarah has an amazing YA voice, its comforting and  wholesome. Very easy to read and understand. The vocabulary is pretty basic but Sarah comes up with the best lines and figurative imagery. I wish I had marked a quote to show you guys but ...I haven't. Some of the best writing I have read!

The characterisation was another great thing about the novel. The character were all very well portrayed, very real and easy to relate to. One of the best things about the characterisation is that the physical appearance of the characters aren't cliched! Dave, our love interest is quite plain looking from what I gathered but is secretly a genius. The secondary characters play an important part in Mclean's character development. In a way they were the reason she changed to be someone better!

What Happened to Goodbye is a novel that I enjoyed but still thought that there were areas for improvement. It's a novel about family, friends and the importanance of facing problems instead of running away, a novel about finding yourself. I really wished that I enjoyed the romance because that's the only thing that's stopping me from giving it a 5/5 rating! I would recommend this novel to anyone looking for a quiet read, perfect for summer!

Rating - 4/5

Badass Bookie x

Starcrossed

Review Time! Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini is an 2011 YA Debut, I've been dying to read this books and I'm so honoured to receive an ARC from Pan Mac, you guys are absolutely amazing! Absolutely LOVE the cover ( first thing I noticed about the book, don't judge me, I judge the book :P). Anyway, let's get started shall we?

(Goodreads) Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.


As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

The Short Story ? - Greek Mythology is the bomb! A passionate romance, an ancient curse, a plot full of action...are you bought yet? Should I go on? Fantastic characterisation, beautifully written and some devastatingly hot guys ( Hector's mine, so back off, find your own hunk). A stunner of a Debut! Josephine, we're glad to have you onboard ( yes, today the YA community is a cruise ship)

The Long Story ? - I honestly didn't know what to expect with this one. I was dying to read it because of the cover but I didn't actually know what it was about. The blurb said Percy Jackson ( brilliant) for girls and that's totally not true!!! It's so much more interesting ( in the girl drama department), the storyline is more complex and it's clearly written for an older crowd, bottom line - Starcrossed is a great love story that gives forbidden a whole new meaning!

The one thing I can't stop thinking ( and dreaming about, not even kidding) is the characters. Some of the best characters EVER, Helen our very own supernatural protagonist is one hell of a badass. We see alot of character development in her throughout the length of the books. She's portrayed as a shy, head down, background blending, girl who doesn't really belong anywhere because she's "supernatural" ( I'm really taking this Non-Spoiler thing to the heart guys). After she meets Lucas, she's learnt to appreciate who she is and works up the courage she never knew she had and by the end of the novel she's really an independent girl I've grown to like and admire.

The romance is another great thing about this debut. The whole novel is pretty much based around this forbidden romance between Lucas and Helen because of this ancient curse between these "people". You can feel the sizzling passion between the two and Josephine you write fantastic "kissing scenes" ( and I actually mean kissing scenes when I said that). Along with the main love story there's also a little bit of love going around with some of the minor characters. All the characters are unbelievably good-looking ( *fist pump*) and I'm totally in love with Hector!

The plot was great as well! It's a little slow to warm-up to and Before-Lucas Helen did annoy me a little, she could have been so much more....However, enter Delos Family and bam! Fast-paced non-stop action, twist and turn and more secrets then ...me? Addictive, dark and gripping story that will hold onto you and never let you go! Definitely a OSR ( One Sitting Read) although it's about 500 pages long so you might have to wait til the weekend to read this or you'll find yourself in a book hangover!

Starcrossed is one debut you don't want to miss! Fast-paced plot, forbidden romance and some of the best characterisation I've read lately. Lover of all things Greek or just looking for the perfect read? Do yourself a favour and stop hunting down your next read since Bookie's found it for you!

Rating 5/5

Can't wait for the next one!

Badass Bookie xx

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

Review Time! I'm sorry I've been a little lack lately with posting reviews and stuff but I STILL in the midst of exams! I haven't been reading as much as I would like and the books I have read are waiting to be reviewed! I finished The Adoration of Jenna Fox a while ago and it's literally pains me to leave it there unreviewed so I'm taking time of studying to do so!

( Goodreads) Who is Jenna Fox? Seventeen-year-old Jenna has been told that is her name. She has just awoken from a coma, they tell her, and she is still recovering from a terrible accident in which she was involved a year ago. But what happened before that? Jenna doesn't remember her life. Or does she? And are the memories really hers?


This fascinating novel represents a stunning new direction for acclaimed author Mary Pearson. Set in a near future America, it takes readers on an unforgettable journey through questions of bio-medical ethics and the nature of humanity. Mary Pearson's vividly drawn characters and masterful writing soar to a new level of sophistication

The Short Story ? - A haunting novel about a girl who used to be called Jenna Fox. A new take on science-fiction, a plot full of twists and turns, a mysterious past that leaves readers eager for more. The Adoration of Jenna Fox is a beautifully written novel about what the future could bring...Loved it!

The Long Story ? - The Adoration of Jenna Fox is quite an old release and I've been wanting to read it for some time now, thank-you to Allen and Unwin for the review copy, much appreciated! People have mistaken this as a Dystopian but it's not really, it's futuristic but it's not based around an controlling society. Therefore it's science fiction but not dystopian :P

The plot is based around here the development of medical ethics and it's all really engrossing! It's clever and clearly a great deal of research went into the novel. It's rather slow moving at the start and since the novel is told from Jenna's perspective, readers know something isn't right but it's not told what's wrong with Jenna until half way through the book! It's really quite original, I would have never guessed it and I don't want to spoil it for you guys either so you just have to read the novel! The ending is a little sad as well :/ and a minor love story as well! It's everything packed into one book!

It's a little bit of a coming-to-age novel as well. Although it's alot to do with sci-fi, it's also a novel about personal development and finding who you are. I'm not all that much of a fan of "dark contemporary" but Jenna's "issues" connect with the "wrongness" about her and it's all very interesting! The Adoration of Jenna Fox has really great characterisation! Jenna's attends this little school with four other kids and they're 'wrong' in a way that's makes them easy to connect to because nobodies perfect. It's a novel about the flaws in perfection.

I would strongly recommend The Adoration of Jenna Fox to anyone whose looking for a novel that's different, captivating and touching. It's a novel that draws emotions out of you, from the tears to the anger. Jenna's a character that everyone can relate to, just a girl who hasn't found a purpose yet. Haunting, mysterious, touching and original. Who is Jenna Fox?

Rating - 4/5

Badass Bookie xx

Debut of the Month - All About The Pull of Gravity + Giveaway

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

Book Profile

Debut - The Pull of Gravity ( Goodreads )
Author – Gae Polisner Genre – Contemporary/Literary
Release Date – 10th of May 2011

Avaliable - The Book Depository / The Nile
While Nick Gardner’s family is falling apart, his best friend, Scooter, is dying from a freak disease. The Scoot’s final wish is that Nick and their quirky classmate, Jaycee Amato, deliver a prized, first-edition copy of Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men to the Scoot’s father. There’s just one problem: the Scoot’s father walked out years ago and hasn’t been heard from since. So, guided by Steinbeck’s life lessons, and with only the vaguest of plans, Nick and Jaycee set off to find him.

Will they find what they set out for, or merely discover the crappy truth about best-laid plans?

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

The Insiders Scoop ( Author's Secrets)

Since I’ve already shared some stupid personal facts, thought I’d share some stupid book facts. Maybe they’re less stupid. That’d be cool. ;)


1) Germination: The first spark of an idea for the story in The Pull of Gravity came years ago when I read an article about an obese guy who had set out to walk from California to New York in an effort to lose weight. I was like, “that’s cool, but dude, what about your family?” Nick became the fictional son whose dad was taking off on a similar (though shorter) quest, to be told from Nick’s perspective. Of course, the story *totally* morphed from there. But, the original working title of the book on my computer was Fat Man Walking.


2) Cool coincidence? The name of the Scoot’s father who Nick & Jaycee search for is Guy, a pretty unusual name, right? When I was researching rare, first editions of Of Mice and Men for the book – which had to have the exact conditions in mine to make it as valuable including be inscribed by John Steinbeck – I found one in a rare books store in England on line. The inscription on the inside from Steinbeck? To a man named Guy.


3) Admiring Nod: One of the important things that happens in the story when Nick and Jaycee reach the hotel in Rochester is a direct homage to a book called Don’t Take Teddy by Babbis Friis-Baastad, the first novel I read cover to cover and could not put down when I was eight years old.


4) Wink & a Nod: The “scary” scene on the bus on the way home from Rochester is an inside joke to my first agent who made a suggestion I wouldn’t follow.


5) What’s in a Name? I don’t know how most my characters’ names come to me, but I do know why I picked Nick’s last name to be Gardner. If you read the book and are curious, you can email me, and see if you can guess why.

~Giveaway~

This month we're doing it a little differently, Gae and I discussed it and instead of giving away a copy of The Pull of Gravity, we've decided to giveaway 15 minute Skype visit for winning reader who has read TPoG; 30 minute Skype visit for book club who has read TPoG. Gae is also giving away a totally awesome SWAG pack for US bloggers ONLY. Who doesn't love chatting with authors? Plus, how good does The Pull of Gravity sound????

Rule of Entry -

- Open Internationally ( Skype) US ONLY ( SWAG Pack)
- MUST leave a comment on this post or Gae's first post
- Must fill out this THIS FORM
- Must be over 13 to enter
- Extra Entries are not required
- Ends June 5th 2011

Badass Bookie xx

Debut of the Month - All About Gae Polisner

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

Debutante Profile

Name – Gae Polisner

Debut - The Pull of Gravity
Genre – Contemporary/Literary
Website – HERE
Blog - HERE
Facebook - HERE
Twitter - HERE
Trailer - HERE
When I was little, I wanted to be a writer. I wrote endlessly as a kid and a teen (poetry and short stories), and into college. Of course, in addition to being a writer, for a short time in the early 80’s, I also wanted to be a medical examiner. Okay, that was a small blip in a large sea of ideas and mostly Jack Klugman’s fault. Please tell me you know who Jack Klugman is. . . (HERE)


Then I decided I would be an advertising exec, and I got my undergrad degree in marketing/mass communications. That sucked in real life (er), so I went to law school instead, which sucked in another way: it sucked every bit of creativity right out of me. Still, I’ve practiced divorce law and family law mediation ever since (I have loved being a mediator). About a decade ago, while practicing law part-time and raising my two young boys, I decided to try to get back to my writing. I wrote two women’s fiction manuscripts that got me agented, if not published (grrr…), so The Pull of Gravity is my debut novel, but my third manuscript.

Besides being a lawyer and writer, I’ve worked in special events, television (briefly and lowly, don’t ask), and as a flower seller at the Cadillac Bar in NYC.

Yeah, really don’t ask.

Dream Debutante Dress -  I know, I know, forgive me. I went with the all out princess bride thing. I just can’t resist some well-done tulle and flowers. Look at that neckline. Somebody, please, if you love me, buy me this dress.

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

Note From a YA Debutante ...

Here are some utterly random and mostly stupid facts about me from long before I became a published writer:


- When I was really little, my family rode horses a lot. My mother, especially, was an avid and skilled equestrian. One of my first times riding alone at a dude ranch, I ended up on a horse named Zero, who promptly galloped off the path and into a heavily-treed forest with me dangling and screaming and hanging on for dear life. Like I shouldn’t have already guessed that from his name.


-Speaking of names, when I was 8, I got this fabulous life-sized doll named Brittle. Well, I named her Brittle. Um, I guess after Peanut Brittle? (WTH?). Soon after, one of her arms fell off. Then her leg. Then the other arm. Then I changed her name to Bridget, to no avail.


-More speaking of names: mine, Gae, became somewhat of a hardship around 4th grade (Imagine, “Are you gay?” a gazillion times a week). My parents told me they thought it was a beautiful name, but that if I wanted to, I could change it. My first three choices were Daisy, Sunshine, and Mabel. Yeah, that would have helped. *rolls eyes*


- On to spies and brushes with fame. . .Yeah, I know, total non-sequitur. For several years of my childhood, my family would have Passover Seder with Don Adams from Get Smart fame. He was totally hilarious with the adults, but did not appreciate one bit the kids asking over and over again if he really had a shoe phone. So, I still do not know the answer. Which is hard to bear.


-More fame: My sister was in CATS on Broadway in the mid-late ‘80s. After that, every SINGLE time I met anyone who knew my parents, the first question inevitably out of their mouth would be, “So, are you the one in CATS?”

-When I’m not writing, I’m an avid swimmer. Last year, I became addicted to Open Water swimming. From June – October I stretch on a wetsuit at 5:30 every morning and do a 1 to 2 mile swim with a group of like-minded kooks in the Long Island Sound. Last July I swam my first 5K. I am NOT athletic in the least (trust me on this), so it really was quite the feat. My only other life goal besides writing good books and being a good wife, mother and friend, is to perfect my Shakira ass shake before I’m too old. I’m getting closer (yes, to both the ass shake and the too-old).


Maybe now they’ll ask my sister if she’s the one who wrote The Pull of Gravity. ;)

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

So everyone meet Gae, our May Debutante! Gae is a wonderful name :) My teacher has a sister called Gae and she gets really angry when students use the word "gay" in her class ( random but that's the first thing I think of when I think of your name). I'm not sure how much better Sunshine or Mabel would have been but Daisy's not a bad name ;) I'm a horrible swimmer so 5K is like marathon to me, I nearly dies when I had to swim 400m. Alright Lovelies! Come back tomorrow to learn more about The Pull of Gravtiy! PLUS a FANTATSIC giveaway!

Badass Bookie xx

Winners of April Giveaways!

Hi Guys, just announcing the winners to my April Debutante Giveaways!

SIGNED Enclave Winners ...

#87 - Giada M

#105 - alastaircookie

The Year We Were Famous Winner ...

#4 - SusieBookworm

All winners have been contacted and have 48hrs to reply!

Badass Bookie xx

Divergent

Review Time! I was going to post this earlier this week but due to the problems Bloggers has been having and Exam week zooming up next week, I haven't been able to until today :) I'm so excited to review this book, it's a 2011 YA Debut by Veronica Roth that's been optioned for film already! Thanks to Harpercollins for the review copy!

(Goodreads) In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.


During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

The Short Story ? - A cross between The Hunger Games and Matched, lovers of all things Dystopian, this ones for you!!! All the action of the Hunger Games and the controlling society and epic romance of Matched, Divergent gives you the best of both worlds! A badass heroine, a romance worth remembering and a plot that will steal your breath away!

The Long Story ? - I'm not sure what I expected from Divergent because I refused to let myself read reviews before I read the book myself. I LOVED Divergent, it's right up there along The Hunger Games #1 as my favourite dystopians ever. I have so many things to say about the book, my thoughts are going haywire!

I going to start with the plot. It's definitely the highlight of the novel for me because it's a dystopian with a purpose. I love survival- based Dystopians, in The Hunger Games it was a matter of life or death ( literally), in Divergent it was a matter of getting into a faction or living as a factionless, what do both books have in common? A badass heroine, a predator and prey plot with a complete twist at the end and completely loaded with fast-paced action! Addictive and exciting, I was hooked  from the very first page, I was torn between finishing the book asap and putting it down to savour it slowly because it was so good! Gripping characters, killer ending and a brilliant society!

The characterisation was brilliant too! Trise was a fantastic protagonist, fearless yet a little shy, she's someone I have grown to admire. Portrayed as shy and timid at the beginning, readers see a huge change in her character after she chooses to be Dauntless. Our main love interest Four ( there's a story behind his name) is hard not to fall for. He cute, he's brave and he cares for Trise. Some of the best romance I read in a long time. It' the kind of romance that everyone wishes for ;)

Lastly, I want to praise Veronica Roth on her fantastic writing! She has a distinctive voice, her style is comfortable to read and her choice of language makes Divergent unique. We as YA readers are lucky to have her writing fantastic books for us! I look forward to the sequel ;)

A beautifully yet controlling society, an epic romance, a badass heroine and a gripping plot that will never let you go! Bookie recommends Divergent to all you lovers of Dystopian and everyone else too! Forgot Vampires and the supernatural read futuristic!

Rating - 5/5

Badass Bookie xx

Falling Under

Review Time! Falling Under by Gwen Hayes is a 2011 YA Debut, I have been waiting forever to read this after I saw the cover last year. How pretty is it? I would like to thank Penguin for sending me a review copy, I'm most grateful!

( Goodreads) Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams.


As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.


And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

The Short Story ? - A dark, engrossing love story with a fresh take on the paranormal. A wicked plot, a memorable heroine and a forbidden love. A novel that won’t leave your thoughts long after you finish the last page! Looking for a new addiction, something to ponder? Pick up a copy of Falling Under.


The Long Story? – Everyone’s keeps saying this novel is a lot like Twilight, uh tell me again, when did Demons become even remotely similar to sparkly Vampires? So they both have forbidden love stories and Haden calls Theia “Lamb” but hey, it’s not like authors can’t use the word “Lamb” in a novel just because Stephanie Meyer wrote it in Twilight. Besides, I really enjoyed this novel while, Twilight only just impressed me (all the hype ruined it). If it’s the comparison to Twilight that’s stopping you from picking up this book, you’re just being silly.

The plot well, its a little clichéd with the new bad boy in town falling for the quiet good-two shoes and then tries to push her away because of his dark secret. However, that aside it’s really well written and the plot is fantastic! The “Under” Gwen has created is an extravagant nightmarish landscape, throw in a deadly villain, some psychics, a few passionate kisses and you have the ultimate YA paranormal. Fast –paced and action-packed, Falling Under completely captivated my attention!

The characterization was good, both protagonists were well-developed. As readers, we see a lot of change in Theia, she grows more confident and brave as the book progress one. Haden on the other hand was perfect in the first place and didn’t need any development. I’m really glad that there wasn’t a love triangle, I really don’t think I can cope with another love triangle in any paranormal. Gwen writes excellent kiss scenes or even just romantic scenes in general, from personal experience and lot of talk with authors, it’s agreed upon that the kissing scenes are the hardest to write and Gwen did such a fantastic job, I just had to put this in ;) You know being a romance junkie and all.

I can’t force you to read the book but I strongly recommend you do! This is the start of a fantastic series, one that I will have my eye one! A fantastic debut ( to match a fantastic cover),dark, engrossing, addictive and romantic. Looking for a read from the darker side? Bookie approves!

Rating 5/5

Badass Bookie xx

In My Mailbox #27

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, it's where we all show the bookish contents of our mailbox! This week would be my week of EPICNESS, best books ever ;) I write IMM every two weeks so this is a two week hurl!

For Review -

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

You Against Me by Jenny Downham

Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr

What Happened to Goodye by Sarah Dessen

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Morganville Vampires 4-10 by Rachel Caine

( Thanks to Harpercollins, Random House and Peguin!)

Won -

Tyger Tyger by Kiersten Hamilton

( Thanks to Cindy @ Princess Bookie )

Gift -

SIGNED ARC of Strings Attached by Judy Blundall

( Thanks to Nancy @ Ravenous Reader . I was tweeting how there wasn't enough contest offering String's Attached and Nancy, tweeted me that she had an extra copy she wouldn't mind sending to me!!! Thank-you so so so so so much Nancy :P)

Also Received -

- Some Morganville Vampires Swag from Breakfast with Rachel

- Forgotten by Cat Patrick Post-It Notes

( Thanks to Jen @ Egmont who sent me four, instead of just one!!! and Rachel for her awesome swag!)

Badass Bookie xx

Breakfast with Rachel Caine Recount!

If you don't know already the tenth book of Rachel Caine's bestselling Morganville Vampires series, Bite Club comes out this month! Actually it's already out so if you haven't got a copy, you should head to your nearest Barnes and Noble or something!

In order to promote her new book, Rachel is doing an Australian Book Tour!!! I was so excited ( and honoured) to be invited to an exclusive Penguin Breakfast with Rachel Caine Event!!! It was held on Wednesday morning and well read my recount?

So mum and I woke up at5:30 so that we could make the one and a half hour drive up to the hotel where the event was held. There was some traffic on the motorway so when I arrived at the hotel, everyone was already talking and eating and it was really awkward!!! Anyway, luckily Dad bought m this new IPhone cover which had bunny ears on it and that served as a good ice breaker as everyone talked about how cute it was :P Thanks Dad!

I soon settled in and although I made a whole list of questions and rehearsed what I was going to say ( no joke) when I saw Rachel Caine JUST SITTING THERE, I froze and turned shy and nervous :/ I sat next to Rachel Caine guys, RIGHT NEXT TO HER :)  

Brett ( Brit's Friend/ Driver) Brit @ Nice Girls Read Books, Rachel Caine, Me and Mel @ Spellbound by Books

So we ate breakfast which was really yummy, I (sorta) pegged my hash brown at Felicity, the awesome publicist over at Penguin, totally embarrassed and sorry about that! We gossiped it a little, the usual bookish talk, Rachel told us about the most recent Writer's Retreat where they tried to stage a reality TV show, which turned out to be a fail, because they all got along so well!

  

We then went on to interview her, my favourite question and answer would be ' How would you describe The Morganville Vampires in five words ? '  and in which she replied with ' The Mafia with Fangs' ( That's four words but NOW will you read the book?) She also clues us in on what to expect in Last Breath, number 11 in the series! She also told us a little about her writing routine etc. It was all so interesting!

We finished with a signing and some photos, Rachel also offered us some totally awesome bookmarks and a Morganville official resident cards! Afterward, Rachel did a signing at Dymocks but I couldn't make it as I had to perform a Yoga Routine back at school :/ I'm a little bummed that I didn't get to spend some time with my fellow bloggers - Brittany @ Nice Girls Read Books and Melissa @ Spellbound by Books! ( I've linked you guys to their post!!!)

Jealous Much? =)

Badass Bookie xx

Die For Me

Review Time! Die for Me by Amy Plum is a 2011 YA Debut, if you haven’t heard about it yet, hate to break it to you but you’ve been living under a rock! Huge thank-you to Atom for sending me an ARC which is a HUGE deal when you’re living in Australia! Where should I start? I have so much to say but I don’t want to bore you to tears. Okay, got it, let’s go…

(Goodreads)My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love?

The Short Story? – Ladies and Gentlemen, on the 10th of May, a new star will be born. The angels at Atom bought me the good news and I’m here to tell you! We shall all head to our nearest Barnes and Nobles and pick a copy of Die for Me and sing Hallelujah! Best paranormal debut of the year! A passionate romance, a gripping plot and characters that will steal your breath away! Let’s all read Bookie’s review and rejoice! *throws confetti*

The Long Story? – It’s common knowledge that I’m a romance junkie, yes? I don’t judge books by their cover (I do but that’s not the point) but I judge it by the romance! What makes a good book? No love triangles, handsome love interest and a happy ending. I’m happy to report that Die for Me ticked all those requirements. Vincent (God bless you Amy for not naming him Victor) and Kate is perfect for each other. It was a love at first sight thing, I didn’t even question whether Kate might be better off with some other characters because they are meant to be. More than that, it was an interesting romance, one that kept readers on the edge of their seat. Although the romance was undeniable between the two leads, the road to a happy ending wasn’t easy!

Another highlight of the novel was the fantastic plot and storyline. It’s a paranormal but it’s vampire free, if that’s what you’re thinking! You would never guess what kind creature that goes bump with the night frequent the streets of Paris, brownie points for picking something original to write about Amy! Action-packed, fast-paced and unpredictable, I was compelled to turn the pages faster and faster, not stopping til I had finished the book! Did I mention it was set in Paris?

Finally some of the best characterization I have ever read! I’m truly impressed with Amy’s ability to portray such wonderful characters that I have grown so attached. They’re like friends to me and I feel sad knowing I won’t be meeting them again until 10th of May 2012. Each character is uniquely developed, personalities are different and the only thing they all have in common is that they’re all beautiful (well, most of them) and I’m not complaining either!

Bookie recommends every YA readers out there to read this debut! Extravagant and spectacular, dark and engrossing, this is one novel that will be talked about long after its release. Amy Plum has written a beautiful love story that would have stolen my heart away if I had one if I hadn’t given it to Ian Somerhalder already! Refreshingly original, devastatingly romantic and utterly amazing. This will be the brightest start of all!

Rating – 6/5 (not a typo)

Badass Bookie xx

Interview with Jessica Shirvington + Giveaway ( Ten Winners, Two Books Each - Int'l)

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

Hello Everybody! I'm doing a 'Bookie and the Land Down Under' feature which showcases Australian Authors! Today, I have Jesscia Shirvington, author of the Violet Eden Chapters here with me for an interview! Hachette has also kindly offered ten sets of both Embrace and Enticed to you lucky winners!

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

Jessica Shirvington is the author of THE VIOLET EDEN CHAPTERS.

Jessica lives in Sydney with her husband of nine years, FOXTEL presenter and former Olympic sprinter Matt Shirvington, and their two daughters. She has previously founded and run a coffee distribution company, Stella Imports, in London, and before that was involved in the management of restaurants Fuel Bistro and MG Garage in Sydney. Today, Jessica is a full time mum and author.

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

Interview with Jessica Shirvington

Quickies ~

Skittles or M&Ms?

M&M's

Black or white?
Both
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee
Print copies or e-books?
Print copies every time!
Cats or Dogs?
Dogs
Reading or Writing?
That's like saying sex or orgasm. Both!
Vampires or werewolves?
Vampires
Have you watched Vampire Diaries?
Yes
Book you most want to see turned into a Movie?
Hunger Games (which it is going to be!)
Favourite day of the week?
Friday, because every Friday my hubby and I take our daughters to swimming lessons and then we all go out to have lunch as a family. It's perfect!
Your perfect breakfast consists of -
Poached eggs, crispy bacon, sourdough toast and Heinz spaghetti (gross - I know!)
Five things that make a book "good" - ( ie Chocolate reference, strong heroine, good-looking boys, love triangles, happy endings)
Love
Fights (physical or verbal!)
Time constraints
Sacrifice
Sarcasm

and...

Team Edward or Team Jocob?
Edward *hiss*


Questions ~

How did you come up with the storyline for the Violet Eden Chapters?
It just kind of steamrolled me actually. I started with the name Violet, wanted to work with the angel hierarchy and the rest happened from there.

What made you decided you wanted to write a YA novel about Angel Mythology?
YA was a no brainer. I read YA myself, I love the genre and think it is some of the best and most honest writing out there. Angel mythology allows for so much scope with the supernatural themes and I really found myself submerged in the research - I couldn't imagine writing about anything else at the time.

Your take on angel mythology is very original, how much research was required before you could write Embrace?
Thanks very much. There was a lot of research involved - for example each power is somehow linked to a myth or story to that rank of angels and every opportunity I have to link something back to a historical tale - I try and use. When I read a book that is anchored by mythology I find the book can affect me more - that is what I hope to do by entwining mythology into my stories.

Which character do you feel you can relate best to?
Violet. Writing in the first person means that her character and I have grown very close. I feel like I know her inside out and although I wouldn't always do the same things she does, or make the same choices - I can certainly relate to why or how she does.

What's the story behind Violet, Lincoln and Phoenix? Did you just come up with them or are they named after someone you know?
There are certainly elements of people I know in all the characters - as a writer I think you have to be able to pull of what you know but no character or name is in any way a representation of any one person I know.

Favorite scene in the Embrace?
The cliff climb and jump. A pivotal moment for Violet and one that will always stay close to my heart.

Can you tell us anything about the sequels?
ENTICED has just come out so it is available now. Violet is continuing on her journey to becoming her destiny - or not. There is a whole band of new characters that arrive from NY and both Violet and Steph strike up new friendships. But it's not long before Phoenix returns and when he does he shows Violet that the connection between them is stronger than ever.

In the race to get to the Grigori scripture, they find themselves in Jordan and Violet and Lincoln are forced to face a truth they never saw coming.

As for EMBLAZE, I am just finishing it at the moment, so I can't tell you too much yet, other than things definitely heat up - literally!

Do you have any plans on writing other books outside this series?
Yes, I do. There are a couple of other ideas I am pottering around with. Writing the Violet Eden Chapters is taking most of my time at the moment but I look forward to giving more attention to those ideas down the track.

Who would play Violet, Lincoln and Phoenix in a movie adaption?
No idea. Really! Who do you think?

Since you asked....

Violet - Christian Serratos

Lincoln - Chace Crowford

Phoenix - Ian Somerhalder ( you can't go wrong with this Hottie!!!!)

~ Giveaway ~

The awesome T. at Hachette has offered TEN ( that's a 1 and a 0) sets of both Embrace and Enticed. We'll be giving 8 sets to AUSTRALIAN Readers and 2 sets to INTERNATIONAL Readers. Please read rules of entry carefully!

Also, if you in live in Australia, Dymocks is giving a free copy of Embrace with every purchase of Enticed! Two for the price of one!!! Only while stocks last!

Rule of Entry -

- 8 Australian Winner and 2 International Winner

- MUST leave a comment on this interview

- +1 for Followers ( Old and New)

- +1 for Leaving Comment on Embrace Review ( HERE )

- +1 for Leaving Comment on Enticed Review ( HERE )

- +1 Sidebar Link

- +1 Tweet Link -  @BadassBookie Giveaway of Embrace and Enticed by Jessica Shirvington ( TEN WINNERS) International Ends 5/25 - http://tiny.cc/dltoi

- MUST fill out this FORM

- Ends May 25th

Badass Bookie xx