Daughter of the Flames by Zoë Marriott

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Pages: 362
Publisher: Walker Books
Released: 3rd of March 2008

What if your deadliest enemy were the only one who could save you?
Inside an ancient temple in the mountains, fifteen-year-old Zira trains in the martial arts to become a warrior priestess who can defend the faith of the Ruan people. Bearing a scar on her face from the fire that killed her parents, the orphaned Zira is taught to distrust the occupying Sedornes. Terror strikes when the forces of the tyrannical Sedorne king destroy the only home she knows. To survive, Zira must unravel the secrets of her identity, decide her people’s fate — and accept her growing feelings for a man who should be her enemy.

What I Have to Say 

I love Zoë Marriott's style of writing so much. She's one of those writers who just writes such beautiful prose. The sort that you have to stop and reread because it was just so beautifully written. 

This novel was a really interesting look into identity, it really captures the confusion that must be felt when you suddenly find out that you're a completely different person. 

The presence of the Goddess was another really interesting thing that was played on. The amount that Zahira's life is just being controlled by fate was really cool. It was really interesting to see a novel where the main character isn't in control and it's less her actions as her reactions to what is happening. It really felt like divine intervention, like all Zahira could do was go along with it and trust to fate. 

Adorkable by Sarra Manning

 Synopsis (from Goodreads) 

Pages:  387
Publisher: Atom
Released: 24th of May 2012

Jeane Smith's a blogger, a dreamer, a jumble sale queen, CEO of her own lifestyle brand, and has half a million followers on Twitter.

 Michael Lee's a star of school, stage, and playing field. A golden boy in a Jack Wills hoodie. 

They have nothing in common but a pair of cheating exes. So why can't they stop making out?

 What I Have to Say

This book was such a good portrayal of a twitter addict! As a twitter addict myself, I could relate to it completely. Although, tweeting every five minutes and not a single mention of Twitter Jail seems a bit odd. :P 

Even though Jeane and Michael are so different you can emphasise with both and also see their faults. Even if you related to Jeane, you can see how self absorbed she is. And even though Michael seems sensitive and nice, you can see Jeane's point about the way he basks in his popularity. 

It's so interesting how it's written so that the reader isn't on either character's side when they fight.  Both have points, but at the same time both make mistakes based on judgements and prejudices. And it's not just the first impression type of mistake. It's all based on judgements they've formed over time which are hard to shake off.

Slated by Teri Terry

 Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Pages: 448
Publisher: Orchard Books
Released: 3rd of May 2012

Kyla’s memory has been erased,
her personality wiped blank,
her memories lost for ever.

She’s been Slated.

The government claims she was a terrorist, and that they are giving her a second chance - as long as she plays by their rules. But echoes of the past whisper in Kyla’s mind. Someone is lying to her, and nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust in her search for the truth?

What I Have to Say 

I loved this book so much! It was amazing! 

I really liked the way the author portrayed the other characters' attitudes towards Kyla and the other Slateds.  They act like she's a lot younger than she actually is and treat her like a child. This, added to how naive and childlike she acts, really shows what being slated does to a person. 

Even though it's mostly about the issues of being slated, it also looks at more relatable issues concerning new families with parallels with foster and adoptive families. The slateds get shoved into a family and expected to accept it,

There is also the fact that even though the slated process is advertised as a clean slate, the Slateds are judged on the fact that they are supposedly former criminals. It's interesting how it shows that there's so much more depth to the slated process than has been explored so far. 

The depth and mystery in this book is what I love about it. Even after finishing the book, there's so much left unexplained. Throughout the whole book there's a big deal about how Kyla is different from the other Slateds. It's obvious that she's been trained by someone. I want to know who it is because it seems she's been deliberately raised for this purpose. 

From cataloguing the area to the obvious experience that Kyla's had in stealth and deception, it's clear that we've barely scratched the surface of Kyla. 

I just want to read the next book now and find out more, because I want to know everything! 

Blogoversary Competition!

What's Up For Grabs

• The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

• The Lost Boy by Karen Mahoney - teaser.

• Various bookmarks picked up at events and four origami bookmarks I made myself

• Angel Fire badges

• Assorted Postcards picked up at events

• Karen Mahoney cover stickers

•  Frostfire fridge magnet

How to Enter

Just fill out the form below! Winner will be announced here on December 1st.
- International entries welcome.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kisses for Lula by Samantha Mackintosh

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Pages: 360
Publisher: Egmont
Released: 4th of June 2010

Lula Bird is gorgeous, funny and dreading her birthday because you can't turn 16 if you've never been kissed . . . so why does every boy in Hambledon run a mile the second she bats her eyelids? The fact is, they fear for their lives. Rumour has it Lula's been jinxed! And it's not as if that's her only problem: Lula thinks she has a stalker, her dad keeps sneaking out at night with a lady's handbag, and a mysterious theft is threatening to bring the town to its knees. . . . With only 5 days to go till her birthday, can Lula get the guy, solve the crime and jilt the jinx for good?

What I Have To Say

 

This book was so realistic. It captured the mind of a teenage girl perfectly and showed really accurately how small things such as never having kissed can become massive and world-altering when you're 15/16.

It also shows the way that the brain freezes when you like someone. How when you're trying to talk to someone and come across as witty and attractive, your brain refuses to co-operate and all that comes out is a mess of verbal vomit.

It was just such a funny book. The character of Lula was so well written and had such a great personality.

This is another one I recommend for a comfort or holiday read.