Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Synopsis (from Goodreads) 

Pages: 304

Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton

Released: 17th of July 2014

Dying sucks – and high school senior Ember McWilliams knows firsthand. After a fatal car accident, her gifted little sister brought her back. Now anything Ember touches dies. And that, well, really blows. Ember operates on a no-touch policy with all living things – including boys.

When Hayden Cromwell shows up, quoting Oscar Wilde and claiming her curse is a gift, she thinks he’s a crazed cutie. But when he tells her he can help control it, she’s more than interested. There’s just one catch: Ember has to trust Hayden’s adopted father, a man she’s sure has sinister reasons for collecting children with abilities even weirder than hers.

But when Ember learns the accident that turned her into a freak may not have been an accident at all, she’s not sure who to trust. Someone wanted her dead, and the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she is to losing not only her heart, but her life. For real this time.

What I Have To Say

For the first few chapters, I really hated this book. It was slow, rather dull and I really just didn't want to read it. But it is a great example of why you shouldn't give up on a book too quickly, because once things started happening, I started to really enjoy it.

So basically the story is about Rogue from the X-men if she had a little sister to take care of. That's not a bad thing. I like Rogue and I liked Ember just as much, especially while she was trying to control her gift. It was also a really good exploration of how a girl might feel when she's become her sister's carer only to have her taken away.

There was also a lot of other emotion (Ember is really screwed up) as well as a lot of mystery and suspense that made it a really intriguing read. I'm really looking forward to the next book. 

3.5 stars

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

Synopsis (from Goodreads) 

Pages: 664

Publisher: Simon and Schuster UK Children's Books

Released: 24th of September 2014

Darcy Patel has put college and everything else on hold to publish her teen novel, Afterworlds. Arriving in New York with no apartment or friends she wonders whether she's made the right decision until she falls in with a crowd of other seasoned and fledgling writers who take her under their wings…

Told in alternating chapters is Darcy's novel, a suspenseful thriller about Lizzie, a teen who slips into the 'Afterworld' to survive a terrorist attack.

But the Afterworld is a place between the living and the dead and as Lizzie drifts between our world and that of the Afterworld, she discovers that many unsolved - and terrifying - stories need to be reconciled. And when a new threat resurfaces, Lizzie learns her special gifts may not be enough to protect those she loves and cares about most.

What I Have To Say

I wasn't sure how this book would really work. I honestly thought that Darcy's book would be the only interesting parts. But it was by Scott Westerfeld, who's one of my favourite authors so I thought I'd give it a shot. 

It actually really surprised me. At times I was more into Lizzie's story and was reading quickly through the Darcy parts to get back to it. But at other times it was the other way around. And then there were times when I got so into each part that I forgot that something dramatic was happening in the other part.

On the whole, I think I liked Darcy's story the best as it showed a lot of Darcy's worries about being in the adult world. I was especially interested in the fact that it showed someone who chooses a path other than university, as this isn't something that's seen often. 

The way this was written just made it so much more interesting. It wasn't a contempory romance about a young debut author, it wasn't a paranormal thriller about hot hindu death gods. It was two books in one. And it did it brilliantly. 

Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

Synopsis (from Goodreads) 

Pages: 279

Publisher: Hodder and 

Released: 1st of January 2014

It's time to meet your new roomie.

When East Coast native Elizabeth receives her freshman-year roommate assignment, she shoots off an e-mail to coordinate the basics: television, microwave, mini-fridge. That first note to San Franciscan Lauren sparks a series of e-mails that alters the landscape of each girl's summer -- and raises questions about how two girls who are so different will ever share a dorm room.

As the countdown to college begins, life at home becomes increasingly complex. With family relationships and childhood friendships strained by change, it suddenly seems that the only people Elizabeth and Lauren can rely on are the complicated new boys in their lives . . . and each other. Even though they've never met.

What I Have To Say

As novels go, I'm surprised there aren't more written about the transfer from high school to university. Or in fact from teenagehood to adulthood in general as it's a very important time in anyone's life. But off the top of my head, I can only think of three, one of a teenager not going to college and two who do. I think it's a real shame there aren't more.

Roomies was not the best of these. Although I feel it would be a perfect read for someone to read the summer before they go to Uni, as it's a great guidebook through the anxieties of that time, the story just didn't do that much for me. 

I almost feel it would have been better had it just been the character's emails to each other, though I am possibly a little bias as I love books like that, because the two characters have such strong voices and I was more interested in the emails than anything else. 

All my criticisms aside, I would be interested in seeing a sequel of how EB and Lauren get on at University. 

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Pages: 384
Publisher: Picador
Released: 10th of September 2014

DAY ONE

The Georgia Flu explodes over the surface of the earth like a neutron bomb.

News reports put the mortality rate at over 99%.

WEEK TWO

Civilization has crumbled.

YEAR TWENTY

A band of actors and musicians called the Travelling Symphony move through their territories performing concerts and Shakespeare to the settlements that have grown up there. Twenty years after the pandemic, life feels relatively safe.

But now a new danger looms, and he threatens the hopeful world every survivor has tried to rebuild.

STATION ELEVEN

Moving backwards and forwards in time, from the glittering years just before the collapse to the strange and altered world that exists twenty years after, Station Eleven charts the unexpected twists of fate that connect six people: famous actor Arthur Leander; Jeevan - warned about the flu just in time; Arthur's first wife Miranda; Arthur's oldest friend Clark; Kirsten, a young actress with the Travelling Symphony; and the mysterious and self-proclaimed 'prophet'.

 What I Have to Say 

 

I think there are a couple of reasons I didn't like this book as much as I thought I would. It was really hyped up by a lot of people on Twitter, so I was expecting something special and I think most people have had things that haven't lived up to the hype. Also, I don't think I was in the mood for something so slow. After I'd got into the style of it, I started to really enjoy it, but I do think I would have liked it more if I'd read it at a different time. 

There are some books that are slow. They are boring and the sentences drag and you really just don't want to read them. But Station Eleven is one of the ones that's slow in a good way. It's sedate. You read it at a relaxing pace and you enjoy the relaxed pace. As I said, it took me a while to get into it. But I could tell that it was good quality in the first half, even when I wasn't in the mood. 

The story jumps around a lot and that's also a bit weird. But it's just something that you have to get used to. It was really beautifully written though. I loved Kirsten and the idea of the newspaper being made and traded around. The ending bothered me a little, I wanted to find out what happened after since it cut off a little suddenly. I hope there's a sequel, because not finding out would be really sad. 
 
It's a very beautiful story, so if you have it on your TBR definitely leave it until you're ready. 

Book Haul #4

Summaries from Netgalley and Bookbridgr respectively.

Bookbridgr

 

 Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

Dying sucks – and high school senior Ember McWilliams knows firsthand. After a fatal car accident, her gifted little sister brought her back. Now anything Ember touches dies. And that, well, really blows. Ember operates on a no-touch policy with all living things – including boys.

When Hayden Cromwell shows up, quoting Oscar Wilde and claiming her curse is a gift, she thinks he’s a crazed cutie. But when he tells her he can help control it, she’s more than interested. There’s just one catch: Ember has to trust Hayden’s adopted father, a man she’s sure has sinister reasons for collecting children with abilities even weirder than hers.

But when Ember learns the accident that turned her into a freak may not have been an accident at all, she’s not sure who to trust. Someone wanted her dead, and the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she is to losing not only her heart, but her life. For real this time.

This sounds really, really cool. I really hope it is as good as it sounds.  Thanks Hodder!

Netgalley

 

Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick 

 

Britt Pfeiffer has never been that adventurous, but that's about to change. Wanting to impress her ex-boyfriend, Britt convinces best friend, Korbie, to take a trekking trip with her. But when a freak storm leaves the girls stranded they seek shelter in a cabin, where they find two knights in shining armour. Or so they think.

Britt quickly realises that the girls need to get off the mountain, fast. In exchange for her life, she is forced to guide the boys down, and as they set out on a harrowing journey through the cold and snow, Britt realises the only way to escape with her life is to pretend she is on their side. But is gorgeous, sexy Mason an enemy or an ally? Tension mounts, and it's only a matter of time before things turn deadly . . .

I've never read any Becca Fitzpatrick before but I've heard she's good, so I'm looking forward to it. 

The Memory Keepers by Natasha Ngan

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Pages: 343

Publisher: Hot Key Books

Released: 4th of September 2014

"No one can take your memories from you... can they?"

Seven is a thief with a difference - he steals downloadable memories from banks and memoriums to sell onto London's black market, trading secrets and hidden pasts for a chance at a future of his own. He makes sure he keeps some special stuff back to 'surf' himself though - it's the only real form of entertainment he can afford. But one night, as Seven is breaking into a private memorium in a wealthy part of London, he is caught in the act by one of its residents; Alba, the teenage daughter of London's most famous criminal prosecutor. Instead of giving him away, Alba promises to keep Seven's secret - as long as he allows her to go memory-surfing herself. In doing so, they discover a hidden memory about Seven's past, revealing a shocking secret about Seven's childhood, the government and a mysterious experiment known as The Memory Keepers...

Now Seven and Alba will have to race against time to unlock the maze of The Memory Keepers - but can they keep themselves out of harm's way before the London Guard - and Alba's father - catches up with them?

What I Have To Say

I was so happy that there were early copies of this being sold at YALC. I've read Ngan's other book The Elites and really enjoyed it (review when I get a chance) so I had high hopes for this. I didn't realise that I would like it so much more.

The world shown in The Memory Keeper's was very well thought out. It was so well built and and really felt believable too, which is possibly because of the disturbing similarities with ours, I could potentially see our world becoming like that in the future.

I also really, really liked the characters. Alba was so sweet and Seven so mysterious. And both of them felt really real with good backstories and issues. The other characters like Alba's mother and Dolly were also interesting.

The thing I liked most though was how many twists and turns there were. Seven's character naturally gave room for a lot of reveals, but some of the others characters really surprised me.

I'm sure a lot of people are getting sick of Dystopia, but this one is really worth reading.

Confessions by Kanae Minato

Synopsis (from Goodreads) 

Pages: 240

Publisher: Mulholland Books

Released: 14th of August 2014

Her pupils killed her daughter. Now, she will have her revenge.

After an engagement that ended in tragedy, all Yuko Moriguchi had to live for was her four-year-old child, Manami. Now, after a heartbreaking accident on the grounds of the middle school where she teaches, Yuko has given up and tendered her resignation.

But first, she has one last lecture to deliver. She tells a story that will upend everything her students ever thought they knew about two of their peers, and sets in motion a maniacal plot for revenge.

What I Have To Say

This was another really dark book. I really loved the ending. It tied up really well and was just so manipulative. It also was cool to read a book where there was only really Mizuki who was anything close to a good person and even she had a bit of a dark side.

The thing I liked the best though was the different styles of writing used. The first two chapters were my favourite, the teacher's parting speech and Mizuki's letter. Though I also liked Shuya's letter/ blog post. Their voice were just very interesting.

This is a story of messed up characters. Of revenge and the dark side of human nature. It delves deep into the Japanese concepts of ijime (bullying) and hikikomori (a person who  shuts themselves away from life/ the world) . It's not a story for the faint-hearted but definitely an interesting look into the human condition. 

The 100 Society by Carla Spradbery

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Pages: 317

Publisher: Hodder Children's Books

Released: 4th of September 2014

For sixth-form student Grace Becker, The 100 Society is more than just a game; it's an obsession. Having convinced her five friends at Clifton Academy to see it through to the end, Grace will stop at nothing to carry out the rules of the game: tagging 100 locations around the city. With each step closer to the 100-mark they get, the higher the stakes become. But when the group catches the attention of a menacing stalker - the Reaper - he seems intent on exposing their illegal game, tormenting Grace with anonymous threats and branding their dormitory doors with his ominous tag.

As the once tight-knit group slowly unravels, torn apart by doubt and the death of a student, they no longer know who to trust.

With time running out, Grace must unmask the Reaper before he destroys everything she cares about for ever...

What I Have To Say

So the blurb made this book sound fairly dark, but I wasn't quite expecting it to be as dark as it was. I love dark books and this is no exception. Once I got into it, I finished it in about a day. It was just so good!

The characters were maybe a little flat, except for Trick and Grace who I felt were much more well rounded. Regardless, I didn't think the lack of character affected the sympathy I felt for them at all.

It was a nice set of characters though, there were a range of characters, stereotyped or not, all of them adding something to the group and working well together with their attempts to join the 100 Society.

As long as you like dark books, you can't go wrong with the 100 Society. It's got mystery , suspense and interesting friendships, all the things that make a good book.

4.5 stars!

Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Pages: 352

Publisher: Mira Ink 

Released: 1st of August 2014

One girl could change four lives forever…

Mysterious Leila, who is on the road trip of a lifetime, has a habit of crashing into people’s worlds at the moment they need someone the most.

There’s Hudson, who is willing to throw away his dreams for love. And Bree, a runaway who seizes every Tuesday—and a few stolen goods along the way. Elliot who believes in happy endings…until his own goes off-script. And Sonia who worries that she’s lost her ability to love.

Hudson, Bree, Elliot and Sonia find a friend in Leila. But Leila’s trip could help her discover something bigger — that sometimes, the only way to find what you’re looking for is to get lost along the way…

What I Have To Say

This is everything that you look for in a good road trip story. Epic adventures, quirky characters and spontaneity at every turn. I think that's what's great about road trip stories. Anything can happen. 

I loved the different narrators. I liked Leila a lot, but I do think that the story (or stories) wouldn't have been half as good if it hadn't changed voice every few chapters. 

Elliot was my favourite. He had that sassy humour that I love from characters, even if his story was probably one of my least favourite. Bree was another voice I really liked. She felt very real in her avoidance of real life and desire to keep moving. 

This is definitely a good read for the summer.

Seize the Tuesday!

The Making Of the Solitaire Cake

For those of you that don't know, Waterstones Birmingham High Street, kindly agreed to let me make a book cover cake for the launch of Alice Oseman's Solitaire. So I thought I'd make a post showing exactly how I did it.


I started with a basic sponge cake and added chocolate fudge buttercream icing, then covered it in fondant icing (with a ton of food colouring to make it black).

I had a lot of luck with the chocolate balls I found, 'cause they were almost the same colour as the book. To get them into the right shape I cut a heart shape out of grease proof paper and laid it on top of the cake.

So then it was just a case of putting the writing on, which was probably the hardest bit. Luckily, I found a tip online to use a toothpick to draw out the letters first.

What do you think? Have you ever tried to do book-themed baking. I'd love to hear your stories. 

Book Haul #3

Got some great books this week. Take a look.

Synopses from Bookbridgr and Netgalley respectively.

Netgalley

Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid

One girl could change four lives forever...Mysterious Leila, who is on the road trip of a lifetime, has a habit of crashing into people's worlds at the moment they need someone the most. There's Hudson, who is willing to throw away his dreams for love. And Bree, a runaway who seizes every Tuesday-and a few stolen goods along the way. Elliot who believes in happy endings...until his own goes off-script. And Sonia who worries that she's lost her ability to love. Hudson, Bree, Elliot and Sonia find a friend in Leila. But Leila's trip could help her discover something bigger - that sometimes, the only way to find what you're looking for is to get lost along the way...

Finished this yesterday so posting my review on Monday. Thanks Mira Ink!

Confessions by Kanae Minato

When Yuko Moriguchi’s four-year-old daughter died in the middle school where she teaches, everyone thought it was a tragic accident.

It’s the last day of term, and Yuko’s last day at work. She tells her students that she has resigned because of what happened – but not for the reasons they think.

Her daughter didn’t die in an accident. Her daughter was killed by two people in the class. And before she leaves, she has a lesson to teach…

But revenge has a way of spinning out of control, and Yuko’s last lecture is only the start of the story. 

Another book I finished yesterday and my first adult book in a while. Thanks Hodder!

Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

The countdown to university has begun…

When Elizabeth receives her first-year roommate assignment at the beginning of summer, she shoots off an email to coordinate the basics: TV, microwave, mini-fridge. She can’t wait to escape her New Jersey beach town – and her mum – and start life afresh in California.

That first note to Lauren in San Francisco comes as a surprise; she had requested a single. But if Lauren’s learned anything from being the oldest of six, it’s that you don’t always get what you want, especially when what you want is privacy.

Soon the girls are emailing back and forth, sharing secrets even though they’ve never met. With family relationships and childhood friendships strained by change, it suddenly seems that the only people Elizabeth and Lauren can rely on are the complicated new boys in their lives … and each other.

This looks so good. I'm really looking forward to reading it. Thanks so much Hodder.