The Potion Diaries by Amy Alward

Synopsis (from Goodreads) 

Pages: 320

Publisher: Simon and Schuster UK

Released: 2nd of July 2015 

When the Princess of Nova accidentally poisons herself with a love potion meant for her crush, she falls crown-over-heels in love with her own reflection. Oops. A nationwide hunt is called to find the cure, with competitors travelling the world for the rarest ingredients, deep in magical forests and frozen tundras, facing death at every turn.

Enter Samantha Kemi - an ordinary girl with an extraordinary talent. Sam's family were once the most respected alchemists in the kingdom, but they've fallen on hard times, and winning the hunt would save their reputation. But can Sam really compete with the dazzling powers of the ZoroAster megapharma company? Just how close is Sam willing to get to Zain Aster, her dashing former classmate and enemy, in the meantime?

And just to add to the pressure, this quest is ALL OVER social media. And the world news. 

No big deal, then. 

What I Have To Say 

When I first read this author, under her maiden name of McCulloch, I knew she was going to be good, after a little bit of honing. And I'm really, really happen that my instincts we right. Because as much as I liked the Oathbreaker books, this book had the perfection that I wanted. 

Also, these were a lot more fun than the Oathbreaker books- almost pure fun, but with enough tension and danger to make the series a wonderful read. Oh and a bit of cut-throat competition too.

This is not a book for people who want a serious read. It is written in a lighthearted style from the start, especially the bits with Princess Evelyn. This is definitely a must for fans of the Princess Diaries because it really has a similar sort of writing style and wacky adventures that I adored from Mia in my childhood. 

Night School: Endgame by C.J Daugherty

Synopsis (from Goodreads) 

My thanks go to Netgalley for providing me with this e-arc

Pages: 375

Publisher: Atom

Released: 4th of June 2015

Broken. Scattered. But not defeated.

The spy is gone but the cost has been high - the rebels at Cimmeria Academy have lost their leader and Carter West is missing. Nathaniel can taste victory. But Allie and the other survivors aren't done yet. First they have to get Carter back. Then they plan to make Nathaniel pay.

One way or another - the game must end.

What I Have To Say 

I don't think I have to say how much I love this series and how sad I am that it's over. But I felt this was a fitting end to the series. All the emotions appeared in this book. Happiness. sadness and fear for the characters. One of the best and worst things about the end of a series is that you know none of the characters are safe. 

I haven't talked about this before. but I have to have a paragraph in here about Zoe. Zoe is a beautiful character who the other characters all adore and protect and I can't help feeling happy that not only do the other characters put up with her but one of the main reasons that Ally likes her is because she has Asperger's. Most of the portrayal's of Asperger's  in fiction are negative and seeing a positive one is, honestly, it's quite hard to put the feelings into words. But it is a beautiful thing. 

I'm really not sure how anyone could have gone so long without picking up this series yet, because it really. really has everything. 

The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley

Synopsis (From Goodreads) 

Pages: 336

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Released: 2nd of July 2015

London, 1884. When Thaniel Steepleton comes home to find a new watch on his pillow, he has bigger things to worry about than generous burglars; he is a telegraphist at the Home Office, where he has just received a Fenian bomb threat. But six months later, the watch saves his life in a blast that destroys Scotland Yard, and at last, he goes in search of its maker. 

He meets Keita Mori, a Japanese immigrant who remembers the future. As Mori begins to tweak daily life in Thaniel’s favour, everything seems to be going well – until physicist Grace Carrow, attracted to Thaniel’s refreshingly direct, unstuffy nature, unwittingly interferes. Soon, events spiral beyond Thaniel’s control, and nothing is certain any more…

What I Have to Say 

I want to squeal and tell everyone about this book, which I loved so much and not just because of the adorable clockwork Octopus, Katsu (I want one!). I really enjoyed Thaniel's voice and the interesting phenomenon of him being able to see sounds as colours. Keita was also so adorable. He was so sweet towards the start! Of course anyone who's read the book know that changes because his name does not mean "forest" (sorry but mori is not "trees" as it says in the book but 森 which is "forest"). 

The ending was thrilling. There was so much excitement and tension that I didn't want to put it down! I really loved the battle of minds between Grace and Keita! 

But more than anything I think this book got me interested more in clockwork and what could be done with it. I knew that the Victorians could do an awful lot with clockwork but I've never really thought about quite how clever they were. I almost wish that electricity hadn't been invented because the developments would be incredible now. Although I suppose it helps if you can remember the future... 

Everyone must to read this book. 

The Memory Hit by Carla Spradbery

Synopsis (from Goodreads) 

Pages: 352

Publisher: Hodder's Children's Books

Released: 4th of June 2015 

On New Year's Eve, Jess's life is unrecognizable: her best friend is in the hospital, her boyfriend is a cheater. A drug-dealing cheater it would seem, after finding a stash of Nostalgex in his bag.

Nostalgex: a drug that stimulates memory. In small doses, a person can remember the order of a deck of cards, or an entire revision guide read the day before an exam. In larger doses it allows the user detailed access to their past, almost like watching a DVD with the ability to pause a moment in time, to focus on previously unnoticed details and to see everything they've ever experienced with fresh eyes. As Leon, the local dealer, says 'it's like life, only better.' What he fails to mention is that most memories are clouded by emotions. Even the most vivid memories can look very different when visited.

Across town Sam Cooper is in trouble. Again. This time, gagged and bound in the boot of a car. Getting on the wrong side of a drug dealer is never a good idea, but if he doesn't make enough money to feed and clothe his sister, who will?

On New Year's Day, Jess and Cooper's worlds collide. They must put behind their differences and work together to look into their pasts to uncover a series of events that will lead them to know what really happened on that fateful New Year's Eve. But what they find is that everything they had once believed to be true, turns out to be a lie ...

What I Have To Say 

I have to admit, I thought this would be more like Sleepless by Lou Morgan. Or at least more like the 100 Society. Because I really enjoyed the speed and this was a lot more flat. I didn't really get absorbed into the mystery and tension in the way I would have liked. 

Also the characters felt a little bland. Apart from the good portrayal of the abuse, I didn't really feel any connection to the characters. Hannah and Jess felt a bit too everyday as there wasn't really that many details about their everyday lives. 

It wasn't a bad book, I just didn't get into it enough I think. And I felt the conclusion came a little out of nowhere. 

Wild Song by Janis Mackay

Synopsis (from Goodreads) 

Pages: 209

Publisher: Piccadilly Press

Published: May 2015

Thirteen-year-old Niilo's unruly behaviour means his loving parents sent him to Wild School, a young offender's unit on an island in the Finnish archipelago. Angry at first, eventually he comes to enjoy being there and builds a close relationship with his mentor, Hannu, who helps him face his demons and overcome his lifelong fear of water. But when Niilo hears Hannu is leaving, he is so upset he decides to run away. Escaping is one thing, but living alone in the wild is completely different and it tests Niilo to the utmost, especially as his fear of water still haunts him.

With the help of a seal, Hannu eventually finds Niilo, but on the way back to Wild School Niilo is thrown into the water and experiences a revelation that will change his life for the better. 

What I Have to Say 

This story was magical. At the start, I wasn't sure what to make of it, but I loved all the things about Laplander tradition and the Sami people. It added something really interesting to make it more than a simple coming of age story. It turned it from a story of an unruly misfit into a story of truama, identity and a touch of magic. 

I've never known that much about Lapland or Finland, so it was all a new field for me. But now I feel I want to know more. I want to hear the songs that the Sami people sing. I think Mackay portrayed them really well in the book, she made them something magical and ancient while still understandable to the average reader. 

I really liked Hannu's character too. He was so good for Niilo. Often I don't like stories about therapy, but Hannu's stories and attitude really made it something. 

Also, the seal. Every one should read it just for the wonderful seal. 

The Snow Kimono by Mark Henshaw

Synopsis (from Goodreads) 

Pages: 419 

Publisher: Tinder Press

Released: 9th of April 2015

On the same day that retired police inspector Auguste Jovert receives a letter from a woman claiming to be his daughter, he returns to his Paris apartment to find a stranger waiting for him.

That stranger is a Japanese professor called Tadashi Omura. What's brought him to Jovert's doorstep is not clear, but then he begins to tell his story - a story of a fractured friendship, lost lovers, orphaned children, and a body left bleeding in the snow.

As Jovert pieces together the puzzle of Omura's life, he can't help but draw parallels with his own; for he too has lead a life that's been extraordinary and dangerous - and based upon a lie. 

What I Have to Say 

I think this book was a little too literary before. I felt there was a lot of unnecessary parts of it. And I feel that the scene with the ice at the start was a little annoying because there was never really a revelation to it. 

I felt that Jovert's character was just unnecessary, I liked some of the scenes with him in, but I honestly think it would have been a better book without him in it. He didn't really add much to the story and I was more interested in Omura's story. Jovert's parts were mostly just filler until we got back to Omura. 

But the writing was beautiful and when I was reading Omura's parts, I was completely enthralled. I loved the mystery of it all, the retrospection and sad feel of it. And I enjoyed the twists at the end, although there was one (which I won't spoil) which was a bit creepy. The twist about Omura's identity was really good and only slightly expected though. 

I probably won't read any more from the author, but I enjoyed this book. 

Sunbolt by Intisar Khanani

Summary (from Goodreads) 

Pages: 142

Publisher: Purple Monkey Press

Released: 17th of June 2015

The winding streets and narrow alleys of Karolene hide many secrets, and Hitomi is one of them. Orphaned at a young age, Hitomi has learned to hide her magical aptitude and who her parents really were. Most of all, she must conceal her role in the Shadow League, an underground movement working to undermine the powerful and corrupt Arch Mage Wilhelm Blackflame.

When the League gets word that Blackflame intends to detain—and execute—a leading political family, Hitomi volunteers to help the family escape. But there are more secrets at play than Hitomi’s, and much worse fates than execution. When Hitomi finds herself captured along with her charges, it will take everything she can summon to escape with her life.

What I Have To Say 

I requested this on a whim on Netgalley, not really thinking it would live up to how good it sounded, but it was one of those books where I've been pleasantly surprised. 

While being slow to really get into the plot, it developed into a lovely fantasy novel, with and interesting world that is fun to explore. I really want to see more of the magic system and the authority of the mages, because it seemed really interesting from what I saw. 

I think that this book was far to short to be honest. I barely had gotten absorbed in the world before it was over and I just wanted to read more. I want to know all of the unanswered questions about Hitomi's parents. 

I hope the next book is out soon!