MKB Review: Forget Me Never by Gina Blaxill

Title: Forget Me Never
Author: Gina Blaxill
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Release Date: September 27th 2012
Pages: 258
Read it in: 3 days
Source: Publisher!

You can buy it on Amazon.

Synopsis: Goodreads:

When Sophie's cousin Danielle dies after a fall from her balcony, the police dismiss her death as suicide. She had broken up with her boyfriend and had suffered from depression in the past. Sophie isn't so sure, however, and when she finds a memory stick in a pair of Dani's old jeans, some new photos and information come to light that point to something more sinister. Sophie and her friend Reece investigate further and soon find out that Dani was involved with something very dark and very dangerous. As Sophie and Reece become more and more deeply involved they put themselves in huge danger too, accessing secret data, facing kidnap attempts and worse. And as they uncover the terrible truth about what really happened to Dani, Sophie and Reece must also face their feelings for each other . . .

Review: Tempted by P. C. and Kristin Cast

Title: Tempted (House of Night #6)
Author: P.C and Kristin Cast
Release Date: October 23rd 2009
Publisher: Atom
Read it in: 1 day
Pages: 419
Source: Waterstones

You can buy it on amazon.

Synopsis: Goodreads:

Zoey needs a break after some serious excitement. Sadly, the House of Night school for vampyres doesn’t feature breaks on its curriculum—even for a High Priestess in training and her gang. Plus juggling three guys is no stress reliever, especially when one is a sexy Warrior so into protecting Zoey that he’s sensing her emotions. Wider stresses lurk too, and the dark force in Tulsa’s tunnels is spreading. Could Stevie Rae be responsible for more than a group of misfit fledglings? And Aphrodite’s visions warn Zoey to stay away from the immortal Kalona and his dark allure—but they also show that only Zoey can stop him. She’s not exactly keen to meet up, but if Zoey doesn’t go to Kalona he’ll exact a fiery vengeance on those closest to her. She just has to find the courage to do what’s necessary, or everything that’s important to her will be destroyed.

Review: Phobia by C.A Shives

Title: Phobia
Author: C.A Shives
Publisher: Firestorm Editions
Release Date: April 25th 2012
Pages: 238
Read it in: 4 days
Source: Book Tour/ For Review

You can buy it on amazon.

Synopsis: Goodreads:

Panic invades a quiet town at the discovery of a woman's dead body, bound and covered with poisonous snakes. The grisly homicide ignites the instincts of police consultant Artemis Herne, who must confront his own haunted past to uncover the frightening pattern of the killer. Every victim suffers from a phobia. And every murder transforms the victim’s worst fear into reality.

As Herne plunges into darkness and hunts for the truth behind the gruesome killings, he soon realizes that everyone has a fear to face.


My Review:

So, I started reading this and remembered a movie I watched that was scarily similar to it... Dread... So I got really worried... I was terrified of that movie! And this book was no different! The Healer as the murderer calls himself goes around turning peoples phobia's into a reality.. their death. 

Honestly, Phobia has had me gripped and I've loved reading every minute of it. The novel was very well written and addictive. I found myself talking out loud trying, just as the police consultant, Herne was, trying to figure out who was going to die next... who the murderer was... 

If you like crime books, that aren't boring.. .that are funny and clever and very addictive, then Phobia is definitely for you! Honestly after being a crime fan, recent crime books have let me down... Maybe Phobia has reignited my love for them. 

I was really impressed with the twists that made me 'oh my' out loud on a regular basis. I really did enjoy Phobia and thought it was well written. 

Wonderful book, wonderful plot, wonderful. No other words to describe it!

Rating: 5/5

Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

Title: Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1)

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Release Date: August 2nd 2012

Pages: 404

Read it in: 4 Days

Source: W.H Smiths

You can buy it on amazon.

Synopsis: Goodreads:

Meet Celaena Sardothien.
Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness.

In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake: she got caught.

Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament—fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin’s heart be melted?

My Review: 

This book has been the talk of the blogging community for the past month or so and I've wanted nothing more than to get my hands on it. The blurb was compelling and I was hugely interested in finding more out about Celaena, and I have to say I am largely impressed with Maas. 

Throne of Glass, was fresh, interesting and addicting. I loved reading every second of this story. I believe the characters were well developed and well written. Sarah clearly thought a lot about all her characters from Celaena to Katlin... 

The hype surrounding this book is one I'm glad I got caught up in. Although there is a love triangle, Celaena isn't like your average heroin. She's able to end the love triangle herself, sensibly - although, I would have loved for a relationship to have occurred between her and one of the boys... 

The magic element added into this tale about assassins and death was great also. It gave the book a little twist. I didn't honestly expect it when I began reading Throne of Glass, but certain elements early on hinted towards magic becoming a major part of this story. 

Sarah has written a beautiful novel, one that I am pleased to say I seriously loved!

Rating: 5/5 

Review: Switched by Amanda Hocking

Title: Switched (Trylle Trilogy #1) 
Author: Amanda Hocking
Publisher: Tor
Release Date: July 12th 2010
Pages: 293
Read it in: 4 days
Source: Library


You can buy it on amazon. 


Synopsis: Goodreads:


When Wendy Everly was six-years-old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. It isn't until eleven years later that Wendy finds out her mother might've been telling the truth.

With the help of Finn Holmes, Wendy finds herself in a world she never knew existed - and it's one she's not sure if she wants to be a part of.


My Review:

So I don't really know where to begin with this review... I really enjoyed Switched, it was new and different. I hadn't read a book about changelings (though I had heard of them) or Trylles (trolls) and yet the idea was all too familiar. "What if your entire world was built on a lie?" There are lots of books where this is explored... Just like the relation to things like 'The Princess Diaries' (which Hocking mentions in the book - said by Wendy (main character) - so she clearly knew there were similarities). Yet despite this, it was still a really good story. 


Wendy was attacked when she was 6 by her 'mother' who was convinced she was a monster who'd killed her son. Well, turns out her mother was partly telling the truth - about everything except the killing part. Wendy was a monster of sorts, she was a Trylle/troll (though she wasn't a monster in the scary 'I'm going to kill you all' and 'boo!' kind of way). Wendy's mother's son however wasn't dead - he appears in the story! Woop! And I must admit, I really like his character!


Then there is Finn who is a tracker, and I'm annoyed to no end by the stupid laws the Trylle have. There is always something getting in the way of two people who CLEARLY like each other. In this case, it's society. Let's just say the storks are at the bottom - Storks are Trackers, it's a joke between a lot of the characters. 


Anyway, there are plenty of characters in Switched, some you hate, some you love and some you just cannot make your mind up about. Like the Queen for example, I still don't know if I like her or not. She's just difficult!

The plot itself is interesting and I'd quite like to get my hands on Torn so I can see if I like where it's going... I'm impressed with Hocking's writing style as it was easy to read and the pace of the book was great. Fast when it needed to be, and slower when there wasn't anything to get excited about (like everyone going to bed? I mean, that's not exciting!) The story was paced very well. 


I really did like Switched, but did I love it? Not really... 


Rating: 4/5 

Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Just me! I'm still away!... 

Title: The Fault In Our Stars
Author: John Green
Publisher: Dutton
Release Date: January 12th 2012
Pages: 310
Read it in: 1 Day 
Source: Amazon


You can buy it on amazon.

Synopsis:

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now. 

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault. 

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.


Note: The above synopsis is slightly wrong, she was diagnosed with Stage IV Thyroid Cancer aged 13. 

Now onto the review:

Holy crap! I waited so long for this book! I pre-ordered it during John Green's live show when he announced it was available for pre-order. I was waiting so bloody long! Then my boyfriend got his copy before me and I was not impressed, however he waited for me to get mine before starting to read it! In one day I read the entire novel and was laughing and very nearly crying (in MANY parts) over and over again! Seriously, John Green didn't stick to one emotion for long in TFIOS!


Hazel is a character I seriously admire, to go through three years of that cancer and to still be as strong as she was is amazing - I know she's fictional and all, but that's not the point. I think Hazel was a very mature and down to earth character, even for someone with cancer and probably had to grow up way too soon - what with all the cancer meetings and crap at the hospital! Anyway. 

The relationship Hazel has with Augustus/Gus (nickname) was lovely. Truly lovely. To have someone there for you during a terminal illness, who won't leave you when things start to get bad, must be amazing - again, I am aware they are fictional characters! Gus and Isaac also are amazing, great characters and easily likeable - totally got a crush on Augustus!!! Isaac was pretty damn cool too *wink*

There wasn't really a character I disliked, though Peter was a douche - can't explain who he is or why! No spoilers! 

The novel was long awaited for and loved. I'm happy I pre-ordered my copy (orange sharpie signature!) and I can't wait to read John Green's other work!

Like I said to Andy, this book easily deserves the following star rating. It's got everything, and doesn't necessarily have a happy ever after ending, and so it's not a very cliché book - suprisingly. 

Just have to say: This Star Won't Go Out! The novel was dedicated to Esther Earl and I think she'd have truly enjoyed it!

Review: 5/5

Honestly would recommend this book to anyone, even if it doesn't seem like your cup of tea!

Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

A little note, awful quick I promise! I'm away from now until the 8th of August... Working at a Summer Camp with kids... Wish me luck! Anyway, it'll be book reviews for the next two or three Saturdays... SORRY! :)


Title: Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Walker Books
Release Date: September 6th 2010
Pages: 482
Read it in: 5 days
Source: Georgie


You can buy it on amazon.


Synopsis: Goodreads:


Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still. 

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos. 

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own. 

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. 

As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

My Review:

After borrowing 'Clockwork Angel' from one of my friends, Gee, I finally got round to reading and finishing it! Took me five days to read, and likely would have been read quicker if it wasn't due to the masses of college work I received! But no biggie! I read it, and loved it.

I found myself caught up in this Team Will vs Team Jem thing that I've seen circulating the internet so often since I became a blogger. I'm still not sure which Team I am on, though I know for a fact I love Jem and genuinely feel sorry for him. I love his character, though the same could be said for Will - so basically, I can't win either way!

Our main character, Tessa is an interesting one... By the end of the novel we still don't know her full story and it's painfully antagonizing not knowing! I like her story line though, though some of her opinions I don't agree with (but she is a female from the Victorian era... soooo...). Tessa's 'gift' is interesting, on the other hand I can't say I'd like to have it.

Shadowhunters were a new concept to me, but one that I found kind of confusing at first. But as soon as Nephilim were mentioned it quickly became a concept I was fully aware of! So yay! It got less confusing very quickly!

I really enjoying Clockwork Angel and I can't wait to get my hands on Clockwork Prince (I might even buy my own versions to have on my shelves once I have money...) So yeah! Excited!

Rating: 5/5

Review: Wilde's Army by Krystal Wade

Title: Wilde's Fire (Darkness Falls #1)
Author: Krystal Wade
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Release Date: March 13th 2012
Pages: 324
Read it in: around 4 days
Source: NetGalley / For Review


You can buy it on amazon. Originally posted on the reading pile.


Synopsis: Goodreads:


“There is no pain in this death, only peace, knowing I am going to die with the one I love the most.”—Katriona Wilde.

Katriona Wilde has never wondered what it would feel like to have everything she’s ever known and loved ripped away, but she is about to find out. When she inadvertently leads her sister and best friend through a portal into a world she’s dreamed of for six years, she finds herself faced with more than just the frightening creatures in front of her.

Kate’s forced to accept a new truth: her entire life has been a lie, and those closest to her have betrayed her. What’s worse, she has no control over her new future, and it’s full of magic and horrors from which nightmares are made.Will Kate discover and learn to control who she really is in time to save the ones she loves, or will all be lost?  


My Review:


I have really loved following Kate on her adventure, my boyfriend probably has a good gist of what is going on in Wilde's Fire, purely from my out loud comments that I thought I was saying in my head... oh well. Kate and her sister, along with her 'best friend' find a cave at the bottom of a lake/river, loads of water... so they swim to it only to find a portal, not a cave. Kate's life is changed forever here. 


I thought Kate was a character who was developed well, she acted as any normal person would in that situation, and it took her a while to adjust to her new world and her new future. Although, it  didn't take long for Arland to appear - image dreaming about someone for six years and then have them appear, out of no where? Scary, no? But it happens. And he is amazing. All kinds of amazing. Even when he wants to beat the bijibbers out of another character, he remains calm and collected - GO ARLAND. 


The world Krystal Wade has created was believable, despite the creatures, and as soon as they defeat the creatures I'm sure it will be a great place to live. Obviously, the e-book has a few issues, I notice that with a lot of e-books (usually with spacing...) but it didn't take anything away from the enjoyment of the book. 


I suggest each and every one of you go buy this e-book because I really enjoyed it. I can't wait to see what happens in Wilde's Army!


Rating: 5/5

Review: Die For Me by Amy Plum

So, here is another book review! Why did I choose Die For Me for Zombie Outbreak? Well, because it deals with a different kind of 'creature' called the Revenants. Might interest you!

Originally posted on The Reading Pile

Title: Die For Me (paperback) (Revenants #1)
Author: Amy Plum
Publisher: ATOM
Release Date: May 11th 2011
Pages: 344
Read it in: 2 Days
Source: Amazon


You can buy it on amazon. 


Synopsis: Goodreads:


In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.

When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

In this incandescent debut, newcomer Amy Plum has created a powerful paranormal mythology with immortal revenants. The Paris setting comes enchantingly alive as a relentless struggle between good and evil takes place in its streets. Rich with romance, atmosphere, and thrills, Die for Me will leave readers breathlessly awaiting its sequel


My Review:


So, like I've said. This book was recommended to me by Amazon and I bought it (just like I did with Unearthly) without reading any reviews, anything about Amy Plum, and I was sketchy about it. I read the blub and it sounded amazing! So I bought it. I figured since I was using a £20 gift card, it wouldn't matter so much if I didn't enjoy the book since I wasn't actually buying it. However, I loved it. I loved it so much, that it became August's book of the month. Let me see if I can explain why:


The term 'Revenants' was a new term to me. I'd never heard of any kind of supernatural creature called a Revenant, and thinking about it, I've never really come across a supernatural creature that is the same as a revenant. I really like the idea of someone who dies in the place of someone else and comes back at the same age you first died at? Brilliant. 


Kate Mercier is a great character. She isn't perfect, and she isn't a stupid girl who just falls in love with the first guy she see's even though he'll kill her. Or well, is bad news. Anyway! She loses her parents and basically goes into depression. Her older sister tries to help her, but can't. Kate escapes into the world of books and start to go out to read at the local café rather than sitting in her bedroom at her grandparents all day long. It isn't long until our main man makes an appearance. And then just keeps appearing. 


Vincent Delacroix... What a beautiful name! Vincent and his friends kind of annoyed me at first. Not really sure why. They just bugged me. But I slowly warmed up to them. Well,  I lie. I warmed up to Vincent pretty damn quickly! I'm glad Amy chose to keep Vincent mysterious for a while after he and Kate got together. It kept me wondering about what happened the first time he died. His story was so emotional... So genuine. Ah, I just love Vincent.


Jules! I cannot explain my love for this boy xD I get it, he's a player, but I really love the flirty, sexual tension between him and Kate. And the moments when Vincent is volant and Jules and him are arguing over Kate, even when he isn't volant! I just love these boys. I can see Jules becoming a very important character (more so if that is possible) in the next book. 


Charlotte + Charles. I'm gonna be honest and say I thought these two were dating at first.... I must have skipped over the part when Amy wrote about them being twins. Either way, Charlotte and Ambrose makes more sense!  I thought Charlotte was a really loving character, she was sweet and kind to Kate when Kate needed someone. Imagine walking into your boyfriends room and seeing him dead on his bed. Yeah. You'd need comforting. But it didn't seem as though anyone else was willing to do that. I don't really have an opinion on Charles. I mean he seems like a great character, and I was scared for him at the end of the book, and I felt sorry for him  when he tried to save the two children... But I don't feel like I know enough about him to form an opinion on him.


And unfortunately that's the same amongst most of the other revenants. I am just looking forward to Until I Die by Amy. I think it'll be amazing. I bought Die For Me completely on a whim, and it became one of my favourite books and earned it's place on my bookcase rather quickly. 


Rating: 5/5 

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Honestly, I don't know how to make the following post fit into Zombies... So I think I'm finally done with that... 

Anyway! Tuesday Shanice has read 'Divergent' and I think enjoyed it, so I thought I'd post my review! Enjoy!

Title: Divergent (Divergent Trilogy #1)
Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: Harper Collins
Release Date: May 3rd 2011
Pages: 487
Read it in: 3 days
Source: Won it

You can buy it on amazon.


Synopsis: Goodreads:


Beatrice "Tris" Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers in Veronica Roth's dystopian Chicago must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. To the surprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place in mortal danger. Veronica Roth's young adult Divergent trilogy launches with a captivating adventure about love and loyalty playing out under most extreme circumstances. 

My Review:


So many feelings right now! For Tris, for the author, for Tobias... Just so many feelings. I've been waiting so long to get my hands on a copy of this book, so when I received an email from Sally telling me I'd won a copy of it on her blog, I was over the moon! Finally, a book I wanted to read and would be able to read despite the lack of money! 


I was able to start reading Divergent a few days ago, but found due to exams it wasn't going to be easy to continue reading. So after my exam yesterday, I came home, sulked and then read Divergent. Then today, I did two practise essays and read just over 300 pages! Honestly, I didn't want to put this book down. Ever. It was so good! It was a fast paced book also, which meant I was reading quickly to keep up with the action, almost as if it was happening real time! 


Now then, in the future everyone is split into 5 factions. 

• Abnegation who believe in Selfishness
• Amity who believe in Kindness
• Candor who believe in Honesty and Truth
• Dauntless who believe in Bravery
• and finally Erudite who believe in Knowledge

And at the age of 16, everyone is put through an aptitude test which'll tell them which faction they'd suit! Then they get to chose at the choosing ceremony (but eek! it involves slicing open your palm and letting some blood drip into a bowl - depending on the faction you chose!). Of course, just like every dystopian novel, there is always a catch. The motto here is 'faction before blood' and unfortunately that means, if you pick a different faction to the one your family is in, you have to say goodbye.. for good.

Now, I didn't want to talk about the romance in this book, because I could talk about it for days... but I guess I have to! FOUR AND TRIS <3 You'll hopefully love the romance they have as much as I did. I'm a huge fan of Four because he was dangerous, and gentle and brave and just everything. 

It's got me thinking though, about which faction I'd be in... And I think I decided on Amity... I consider myself kind? I mean, I have my moments where I'm not... but I'm certainly not always the others... Amity seems to be the closest!

What faction do you think you'd be in? 

Rating: 5/5