Warrior Witch (The Malediction Trilogy #3) by Danielle L. Jenson

Published by: Angry Robot

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy, YA, Romance.

Tagline: Sometimes, one must become the unimaginable

Rating: ****

Warrior Witch picks up from the events of Hidden Huntress with a bang. Okay not literally, but you get the point. We're inserted back into the narratives of Cecile and Tristan, something that started in the second book, and it is hard to describe how this book made me feel. It's the last book. Kept continuously on my toes, I tried to force myself to finish this book in the brief slow parts, but when I was past them, then it was straight forward and easy going. 

We start with Cecile who's desperately trying to save the people of Trollus and of course, her husband. She's strong and fierce in one moment, and vulnerable the next. A perfect queen, even if she doesn't know it yet. Tristan on the otherhand comes across as a right pain. There's something about the gap between the books that has made me grow to dislike him. 

However. it's a good ending. A bit different, but good.

You can buy Warrior Witch from Amazon UK now.

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo

Published by: Flatiron Books

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Rating: ****

Meredith Russo is an absolutely wonderful writer who has created such a brilliant and incredible story that is needed in this day and age. Writing about a teen who is struggling with identity, Amanda, the protagonist, was born as Andrew but surgery has allowed her to be who she is supposed to be. However, Amanda has had issues fitting in. Not many people are open to the idea of going to school with her, or even dating her which has left the poor girl scarred. But things are about to change. Amanda is starting anew with her father in a new state and so her life is beginning again.

I found the book promising. One of my friends and fellow students recently wrote on the topic for a creative writing deadline and it was absolutely beautiful and so powerful. Again, for a book of this topic it is so rare for me to actually get past the first few pages, but with this one, I was captivated and could not put it down. I was in book-love with it and wanted to find out what was next in Amanda's life.

If I Was Your Girl can be purchased at Amazon UK now.

The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith

Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Genre: Young Adult, Realistic, Contemporary

Rating: ****

Eden's story is split into the four parts of her high school life. It's something that describes the proper process of life on the day she was raped, and the effects that have on her afterward. Yes, rape does sometimes cause the victim to act out as a method of coping, no it should not be taken lightly and Eden's fictional story can be considered a warning of how other people watching her downfall should not act.

The Way I Used to Be is a typical contemporary YA novel. It follows the basic codes of having the issue presented and how the protagonist must work their way around said issue to change and become a better person. However, Eden is no ordinary protagonist. Instead, her behavior spirals out of control as she sheds her band geek skin to become dangerous and a fan of unhealthy behavior. I feel that Amber Smith has written a book that is applicable to almost anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault, harassment and even rape due to the way the young teenage minds have to fight and resort to changing their behavior in order to cope with the sheer trauma they have endured. It isn't fun and it can't be fun to watch. 

What is alarming, though, is the fact that Eden's parents just class it as generic teenage hormones, something that it could be considered to be, but not if one considers the fact Eden is openly asking for help despite not wanting to say anything.

The Way I Used to Be is available to buy from Amazon now.

Race Girl (The Go Girls Chronicle #3) by Leigh Hutton

Race Girl (The Go Girls Chronicle #3) by Leigh Hutton

Published by: Port Campbell Press

Genre: YA Contemporary, Sports, Equestrian

Rating: ***

This has got to be a really weird book to review purely because of how it varies between being really good and quite blah. Of course, that can be because I might not be the intended target audience of the story (it's clearly meant for a younger audience). 

However, the story follows the life of Tully Athens and her endeavor to be like her idol, the great Michelle Payne. But there is a problem. Her family farm is no longer able to afford the basic luxuries that come with racing. Yet there is another issue. How can Tully ride when her mother only just died from a racing incident? 

My honest view of this was how amazing the story was at first. It was only until the middle of the novel that the novel took a nosedive into a ridiculous tale that made no sense at all. I could not, for the life of me, wrap my head around the many different plot twists introduced in the last 100 pages or so.

Therefore, I end my review with a link to buy the book from Amazon.

Truthwitch (The Witchlands #1) by Susan Dennard

Truthwitch (The Witchlands #1) by Susan Dennard

Published by: Tor

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Rating: four star

I absolutely love this book but I felt that there were moments that I wasn't too sure it deserved a five star rating. But I requested this, read it and then ordered the book so that means something right? Alright so I buy almost every book I review in a physical copy because I need to start my library somehow. You didn't come here to read that though so let's get to the review.

Dennard strikes rich in this book. She's created another fantastic series (Dennard wrote the highly successful Something Strange and Deadly Series) that has strong and impressionable female leads who make you laugh, smile and wish you could be them (minus the trouble of course). I was positioned to like both female characters, a rare thing but it was done so cleverly, and from there my life changed.

I was taken by the world in which they live in, their powers and how they came across using them. Safi and Iseult are very down to Earth, even Safi who is an aristocrat (not that you could tell). It was a very real and gritty tale that kept me on the tip of my toes as I tried to guess what the ending might be (a hint is that it is brilliant). But in the end I just went along with these two different women and rejoiced in the friendship they had. It was nice to see a bigger picture than two friends trying to escape the badguys and their futures.

I cannot wait for the next book. A huge thank you to Tor for letting me read this before the release date!!

Truthwitch can be bought from Amazon US and Amazon UK now.

The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

Published by: Harlequin Teen

Genre: YA Contemporary, YA Romance

Rating:****

The problem with The Problem with Forever is that it took forever to get to the good part.

Don't get me wrong. I've been a fan of Jennifer Armentrout for ages but this book did not appeal to me as much as her supernatural and fantastical series have. Maybe it's because I cast her into those genres or my love of the Lux series? Either way, I did not appreciate the book for what it was and that was disappointing.

Instead, the book focuses on the female protagonist Mallory, or Mouse as people of her past called her. She has endured a lot in her time on the book's Earth. But most of all, the surprising aspect is the way Armentrout approaches this dark past.

I was pleasantly surprised to read these snippets with emotion. Rarely do I get to read these scenes without feeling bored of them and that is the strange part. This novel made me care about Mallory/Mouse.

Yet Mallory's story takes a turn when she decides to attend high school despite her inability to perform via speech classes. Therefore, when a character from her past, a very important guy named Rider Stark, walks into her classroom, Mallory cannot help but feel trapped and excited at once.
The two characters reunite despite fellow classmates being wary of the relationship. It's a strange predicament. But as a reader, you can understand both sides of the argument.

It's a funny book with funny situations. I cannot fault it too much because it is a well-written novel. However I did knock it down a star due to my lack of interest in the novel.

Apologies Ms Armentrout. I do love your other books though!

The Problem with Forever can be purchased from Amazon UK.

The Rose & The Dagger (The Wrath & The Dawn #2) by Renee Ahdieh

The Rose & The Dagger (The Wrath & The Dawn #2) by Renee Ahdieh

Published by: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Genre: YA Fantasy, YA Romance

Rating:*****!

I LOVE THIS SERIES!

The capitals were definitely needed. The Wrath and The Dawn was one of my favourite books to read last year and the sequel did not disappoint.

It kicks off after the end of Wrath and boy did it get going.

As we might know, Shahrzad is not with Khalid, the man believed to be a monster but is actually the Caliph of Khorasan. Instead she is back with her family and the one person we all secretly dislike, Tariq (aka the childhood sweetheart). She should be happy. I could have been happy but Tariq is so set on destroying Khalid's rule that Shahrzad cannot go back to her previous life without difficulty. Technically she's a prisoner of war despite there being no locks on tent doors. However, like she did in the first book, she finds a loophole that allows her to plan.

I finished this book within twenty-four hours and was left wanting a third book (Ahdieh please answer our wishes and grant us one last trip). Overall the series has been a wonderful journey and if you're looking for a book to devour this summer, then the series is perfect. Plus the hardback cover is absolutely beautiful!

The Rose & The Dagger can be bought from Amazon UK now.

Unrivaled (Beautiful Idols #1) by Alyson Noel

Unrivaled (Beautiful Idols #1) by Alyson Noel

Published by: Katherine Tegen

Genre: Young Adult Romance, Young Adult Contemporary

Tagline: Welcome to the party

Rating:****

The book follows a few characters on their endeavour to win a competition. Through this, the reader encounters the mean ad celebrity filled streets of Los Angeles and there's a mystery/thriller as a famous actress goes missing.

So my main thoughts of this book was how much I wasn't sure if I didn't like it or not. Torn between wanting to stop reading it for fear of losing my sanity - it got to the point I was contemplating trying it later, or continuing it so I might just discover what the hell was going on.

However things did pick up. Thank god for that! But the sad news was that it picked up too late. For me, I became interested as the novel ended because that was when the true thriller/mystery aspect kicked in.

(A free copy was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley.)


Unrivalled can be purchased from all retailers, or on Amazon UK now.

Girls on Fire by Robin Wasserman

Girls on Fire by Robin Wasserman

Published by: Little Brown

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Publication Date: May 5th 2016 

Rating: ****

A huge thank you to Little Brown for letting me have an advance copy!

Told via two perspectives, Girls on Fire is a complex book that tells the story of how strong a friendship can be between two girls. 

Hannah "Dex" Dexter is at first described as a normal girl. She's quiet and smart and just the girl not many people would recognise unless its Nikki Drummond aka the school bitch calling her out for almost anything she can. Lacey on the otherhand is the opposite. As the new girl in town, she's already caught attention that isn't precisely welcome but throughout the novel she becomes a figure that we're pushed and positioned to go from liking to disliking. Back and forth on an endless cycle. 

The book starts with the suicide of Nikki's boyfriend which triggers the book into action like a pile of dominoes falling around the two girls in a vast maze. I admit I got confused and lost a few times because my heart wasn't in it. By pushing my way past the difficult parts, the book became easier to read and follow but parts just weren't interesting. Maybe that's just me, others will probably like the book much better than I did.

A four star rating was the best I could do. 

Girls on Fire will be available from May 5th in most bookstores.

The Taming of the Drew by Stephanie Kate Strohm

The Taming of the Drew by Stephanie Kate Strohm

Published by: Sky Pony Press

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Rating: Four Star

A huge thank you to Sky Pony for letting me read this in advance.

I wasn't too sure what to expect from this other than a retelling of Shakespeare in a contemporary way. My expectations were medium to low as I remembered that I'd requested this from Sky Pony. But as I devoured the book, I was impressed.

The Taming of the Drew follows Cass McKay as she plays the character of Kate from the Taming of the Shrew (Remember 10 things I hate about you? That's the same plot there minus Heath Ledger). It follows her ups and downs as a camper and actor and her joining up with fellow campers to cause chaos at the camp. It's quirky and funny. I didn't think it would be as much as it is but the book is genuinely fantastic.

Cass's world is rocked when she meets Drew. He's like the boy we all hate but secretly love. The pair of them literally become modern day versions of their characters and its all a little cliche as it goes along. We all know how it ends but I think the development of Cass as a character is quite good. She's not as annoying in the end. Yes that was my initial view of her but camp changes her. Life changes us all and it's just who we are. Strohm captures how even a summer can change a teenagers life and how the addition of annoying boys can be both good and bad.

The Taming of the Drew will be available to buy from the 5th April 2016.

Join Up (Island trilogy #3) by Tudor Robins

Join Up (Island trilogy #3) by Tudor Robins

Published by: the author

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Rating: Five Stars

A huge thank you to Tudor for letting me have an advance copy

I cannot believe the series is over. Cue the tissues because I absolutely adored this book and the series. Having told Ms Robins that her books are amazing and inspired me, I think this book is further evidence that horsey books need to be out in the world more.

Join Up concludes Lacey's life as she leaves the island and all it's inhabitants to spend the summer earning money for college and maybe discovering more about herself. The camp is for kids who want to learn more about horses, to have an experience of actually owning one for a few weeks without the responsibility of forever keeping one. It's a magical thing these camps. But Lacey takes it in her stride as she teaches her students and keeps up connections to the island. 

But things change. Life changes us all. Lacey meets someone who could potentially replace Jared in her heart and he might have four legs. Of course she finds another horse. He doesn't hold a flame to Salem but there's definitely something between him and Lacey that keeps her coming back for more and more. 

It's a weird situation I'm in. I want to say so much more about the book but I can't without spoiling the end. All I can say is that this is the series you need to read if you love horses. 

Join Up is available for purchase at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

See How They Run (Embassy Row #2) by Ally Carter

See How They Run (Embassy Row #2) by Ally Carter

Published by:Scholastic Press

Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Contemporary

Rating: Four Stars

Following on from the thrilling first novel in the Embassy Row series, Ally Carter crafts an intriguing story that carries on from the aftermath of Grace's revelations. The arrival of her brother in the Embassy sets her on an edge, one bigger than the troubles of the previous book, and things certainly don't get boring. Filled with a thrilling tale of who is to blame for her mother's death and whether she can trust anyone at all, See How They Run is absolutely fantastic. You're always kept on your toes.

I was pleasantly happy with this book. As sequels come, this continued on from the first without a need to recap everything every ten pages. Instead I felt slightly reminded and then thrust back into Grace's world and her endeavour to seek the truth about her mother and her life. The reasoning behind the four stars was because I felt there could have been a bit more to the book. There was a moment that felt quite unrealistic. I mean come on if someone was stabbed, then they should be injured longer than a few pages.

See How They Run can be bought from Amazon UK and Amazon US.

The Accident Season by Moira Fowley-Doyle

The Accident Season by Moira Fowley-Doyle

Published by: Corgi Childrens.

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal

Tagline: Accidents happen, our bones shatter, our hearts break, we stay alive.

Rating:**** (Literally scraped it)

What could I say about this book?

The protagonist is seventeen year-old Cara whose family have a period every year where something bad happens. It's literally thirty-so days of lots and lots of injuries caused by tumbling bridges, falling off a bed and more. But don't worry, noone thinks they're getting abused or anything which would probably be one of the things school might consider. Yet noone truly knows why their family are targeted and it's up to Cara to try and find some answers. Joined by bestfriend Bea and step-brother Sam, Cara goes on a big dramatic journey involving supernatural themes and a ghost student.

My actual opinion of the book is that it unfortunately got interesting towards the last five or so chapters. I struggled or rather avoided finishing the book because it wasn't that interesting. I know people who have absolutely adored the novel and sing it's praises but I can't.

I think one thing I enjoyed was the twist. But then that didn't do much. It was kinda blah at parts but there was a lot of imagery that made me see their ficticious world. There's so much inside Doyle's mind that I really really want her to write about (there's a lot of fairytales inside the book that are amazing!).

The Accident Season can be bought from Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Sea of Stars (Kricket #2) By Amy A. Bartol

Sea of Stars (Kricket #2) By Amy A. Bartol

Published by: 47North

Genre:Paranormal Romance, Sci-Fi, YA/NA

A huge thank you to 47North for letting me read this wonderful book.

Sea of Stars is a fantastic sequel. Most books following such a fantastic first are often rushed or boring because the author takes time to setup for the next or the final. Sea of Stars made me very happy as I was literally continuing on Krickets big adventure.

Following on from Under Different Stars, Kricket is evolving into a true citizen of Rafe and has so far denied most of her Alameedian heritage. Thankfully most of the bad stuff that happened to her in the first isn't over. She's getting stronger and we find out more about those abilities of hers.

War is happening. But it's a classic case of Cassandra with Kricket. You feel awful but understand why the Rafians react like that. It's just a very weird place the reader is placed in but we're completely aware of all sides to the story at that moment.

I admit I skipped a few pages on this book. I got a little bored with all the romance drama between the Alameedian guy (literally cannot remember his name right now) but I was more annoyed with the face she did nothing but run away or be rescued. Yes I know women on Rafe don't fight or anything but surely she could have been allowed to do something remotely active.

I think this is the end of my review for now. When I've read the third and final installment, I might change things a little on here.

Otherwise, Sea of Stars can be bought from Amazon UK or Amazon US,

The Fixer (The Fixer #1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Fixer (The Fixer #1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Published by: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Genre: Young adult thriller, contemporary, crime (almost)

Tagline: Any problem can be fixed for a price.

Sold as Scandal meets Veronica Mars, I was immediately intrigued by this book. And I have to say it was absolutely amazing! I'm a huge Scandal fan so reading this felt like one of those episodes and left me wanting absolutely more.

The Fixer focuses on teenage protagonist Tess Kendrick whose parents are dead. She lives with her grandfather on a ranch away from the hustle and bustle of Washington D.C. However this all changes when her sister manages to get her to move into the city and places her into a new world of politics and typical rich people problems as Scandal does. Yet as she starts at the fancy school for children of the higher up, she discovers she has a gift just like her sister.

Ivy Kendrick is a fixer. She finds and solves problems for the politicians, royals etc. She's a younger Olivia Pope in all simpleness. Tess and Ivy are typical sisters who have grown apart. There's a lot of tension between the two as expected but Jennifer Lynn Barnes makes it work. Okay so she makes it very natural and not at all over the top as some authors do.

But then there's that little problem. There's a theory that a death wasn't just a death and Tess copies her sister and delves into it headfirst whilst tackling school, family secrets and possible romance. She's not just any schoolgirl, she's a fixer like Ivy.

------
My overall opinion?

I absolutely bloody loved this book. Devoured in less than two days,  I found myself hooked on every word as the storyline developed into a fascinating and amazing storyline. I gasped and gripped my kindle throughout the shocking moments, the parts where I wanted to scream at the book and even when I was super happy about everything and nothing.

Tess Kendrick is an amazing protagonist. A strong female lead that we need more of in books targetted for young audiences!

***

The Fixer is available in hardback via Amazon UK with the paperback available from May 2016 but in the states it is available now.

Under Different Stars (Kricket #1) By Amy A. Bartol

Under Different Stars (Kricket #1) By Amy A. Bartol

Published by: 47North

Genre:Paranormal Romance, Sci-Fi, YA/NA

A huge thank you to 47North for letting me read this wonderful book.

Under Different Stars is a type of book I've not read for awhile. I mean, I've read a lot of fantasy romances and such aimed for that Young Adult audience but this series felt different. The protagonist is different to most and that was good and bad.

Kricket is an escaped teenage delinquent avoiding trouble so she doesn't have to go back to juvie. She's been careful, spent time hiding under the radar until she's finally old enough to be completely forgotten about. But there's a flaw in the plan.

One night she's targetted by two groups of men who tell her contrasting stories about who she really is. One claims she's a priestess and his intended consort, whereas the other wants to take her to pay for her crimes (or rather her parents). Confused, alone and wanting to escape this crazy, Kricket tries to evade these weird people who also say they're from another planet where she apparently belongs to.

Born of both worlds, Kricket Hollowell is left with a big decision. Should she go or stay? Who does she belong with truly? What should she believe or rather who?

But what surprised me the most was the love triangle or rather lack of. It's clear who Kricket loves and despite one man telling her she is his and the other not, it's a very basic feature found in nearly every book. I admit I was bored by this as the book blew me away otherwise. Yet it only added to the storyline because it's a different world.

Bartol writes a fantastic tale of intergalactic romance that makes us and the protagonist question who they really are and whether things are really as they seem (Recent photo of the woman from Mars could link to this.) It's another fantastic story from Bartol and it makes me wish for next installment of the Premonition series even more.

Under Different Stars can be bought from Amazon UK and Amazon USA now.

The Wanderers by Kate Ormand

The Wanderers by Kate Ormand

Published by: Sky Pony Press
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Release Date: September 1st 2015

I want to thank Sky Pony Press for sending me not just aa copy but an actual physical copy. 

The Wanderers follows the story of Flo, a young shapeshifter who transforms into a horse. But as a young sixteen year old, she has a lot of anxiety that comes with being a teenager especially one who now has to perform in the circus. Where are her parents one might ask? We don't exactly know. Its hinted that they're dead but Flo is alone. Her life is just the circus, it's all she's ever known. 

But as usual there's a boy involved. 

And he is adorable! I genuinely adored reading their relationship as it developed from friends to boyfriend and girlfriend by the end. I admit though there were parts I was a little iffy about. I just felt like there could be more to the romance or a little more something, yet that could be because I've been reading intense romance style novels like End of Days or Every Last Breath. It's different. But good different.

The circus show as they do in real life have threats. But for this particular pack, it's in the form of EOS aka hunters. The reader gets very little about them. Just snippets at first but that's okay because we're still learning about the world the book is set in. I genuinely liked the way it was so subtle and so not over the top in mentioning like Teen Wolf or other similar genre books/shows. It was simple.

I think overall the book was fantastic. I loved how quick and easy it was to read, especially considering I was reading it at seven in the morning or nine at night.There was no complex things that meant I had to stop and think and so that's why I really really liked the book.

The Wanderers can be bought from Amazon UK and Amazon USA from September 1st.

Remember by Shannon Dermott

Remember by Shannon Dermott

Published by: Wicked Truth Publishing

Genre: Young Adult. Fantasy, Romance

Tagline: Things hide in the shadows because of what's revealed in the light

I recieved this arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm conflicted over whether or not I like this book. 

I've read a few of Shannon Dermott's novels and I've just been as equally conflicted. But in Remember I felt as if the love triangle/square. whatever you want to call it, was really ridiculous and took priority over explaining what the hell was going on and why these guys were suddenly all over the protagonist.

I didn't actually finish the book. I lost interest and then tried to pick back up (hence the lateness of posting this) but maybe another day I might try and reread this and the  understand it.

But what I did really like was the attention to detail, how Demott became a teenager. I really really liked that! Everyone knows being a teenager is really awful, you're old enough to have responsibilities but too young to actually do what you want to do, so add to the mix a small town and that is our protagonist everyone. She's quite nerdy, but it's not like push up the big black framed glasses, it's subtle. Baggy shirts, marvel logoed shirts etc.

Yet that is then changed, Charlie or Charlize (super nice name!) starts to make an effort. Baggy shirts get a little tighter or fitted. She even buys a skirt at one point but it's part of the transition. Everyone goes through the stage of wanting to change up their style and to shed that awkward stage and I think Charlie does it well, okay maybe a little too over the top. But she's an alright kid.

Fire Colour One by Jenny Valentine

Fire Colour One by Jenny Valentine

Published by: HarperCollins UK, HarperCollins Childrens

Genre: Young adult romance, coming of age, 

Tagline: Love is the greated work of art

This book was absolutely fantastic. I read this on my commute to work and managed to devour the entire thing.

Iris is a fantastic character who has been kept from her father by a greedy and money-orientated mother and step-father. After a long time Iris's father is dying and wants his family around him as he slowly deteriorates. Iris's mother takes this as an opportunity to see how much money she can get out of him as apparently he collects rare paintings that are now worth quite a bit. However Iris gets a shock. Her father is actually quite cool and understanding that his daughter will be distant with him and even accepts her fiery secret.

What more can I say?

This book is amazing. I laughed and cried. Yes I cried on a packed bus. However I want to add that this a book for all ages and genders.


The book is available from bookstores from the 2nd July and can be bought on Amazon UK here and on Waterstones here

Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid

Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid

This is the first time I've read Adi Alsaid and I must say he is a mastermind of writing YA! I was at first a bit surprised to realise this was the same author of the roadtrip book released just last year, but needless to say I think I might continue to read his books. 

Never Always Sometimes follows two best friends, David and Julia who are literally like any normal best friends in that american highschool/college age and for Brits thats the college/university stage. But instead of making his characters so obviously in love with one another, Alsaid starts off with how they realise it and then develops it into something so much more. It was very realistic and I was overjoyed to read something very close to my own heart instead of a Katherine Heigl-esque book because she is the queen of cliche rom-coms. 

   

Therefore I announce that you must buy this book, I know I will be!