The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds #1) by Alexandra Bracken

Published by: Disney Hyperion

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian, Paranormal/Sci-Fi
Rating: *****

The Darkest Minds follows the story of Ruby, a now sixteen-year-old girl who's life changed dramatically when she was ten. Unsure of what happened, her ten-year-old self is dragged away from her home and thrust into Thurmond, a place that is eerily similar to the concentration camps of World War Two. However, with the younger generation mysteriously succumbing to various illnesses, and in one case actually dying, the reader is immediately left with questions that can only be answered by reading the series.

I found the book compelling. It had been a long overdue read since fellow blogger and longtime friend, Louise of Reading the Riot Act, recommended the book to me almost two years ago. Yet, it was only after reading Bracken's newest novel, Passengers, that I felt as if I wanted to finally read more of her writing, and the book that had been raved about everywhere.

It's different. I found myself thinking of Yancey's Fifth Wave through how certain elements of the dystropian world were presented to the reader. However, don't confuse the two books as similar. They're completely different and just amazing in their own right.

I find that the more I try and tell you why you should read it, the more I have to stop myself due to the issue of spoilers. That being said, I believe you should all go to the library, or just buy the book and decide for yourself how beautiful this book truly is.

The Darkest Minds can be purchased from Amazon UK now.

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.

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 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.

Tone Deaf by Olivia Rivers

Tone Deaf by Olivia Rivers

Publisher: Sky Pony Press

Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance, Music

Rating: ****

Tone Deaf is literally every fangirl's dream book in the sense that the main character gets to spend time with a famous band. I mean who wouldn't want to do that?

Ali Collins is different though. She used to be a prodigy but now she's deaf and stuck in a home with a father who hates her disability and will try anything he can to belittle or hide the fact that she isn't like him. It's only until she goes to a concert with her friend and wins a backstage tour that she meets Jace, the lead singer of Tone Deaf, a very popular band.

He acts spoilt and awful to Ali until another encounter between the two of them leads to Ali coming on tour with him and learning that first impressions aren't everything. Sound familiar? That's because its a little Pride and Prejudicey in parts. But don't let that deter you. It's a good book. I really enjoyed it and found myself rushing to read the final pages before I got off the bus.

There's something about it that will make the toughest of hearts feel for the characters. It also contains very serious topics and illnesses that are now becoming more and more talked about like abuse and deaf. Think Nial from ANTM or ABC (Freeform)'s Switched at Birth.

Tone Deaf is published May 3rd via Sky Pony Press.

Wandering Wild by Jessica Taylor

Wandering Wild by Jessica Taylor

Publisher: Sky Pony Press

Genre: YA, Contemporary

Rating: ****

Wandering Wild is a very different story that revolves around wanderer Talia and her brother Wen. Living a life away from what other might, the duo travel state to state as they work cons and earn money in unethical and illegal ways.

In all honesty I forgot I requested this and when it appeared in an email, I was reminded of what made me want to request it. The sheer-non fiction elements of this, that people do live this way and it interests me to read, if fictionate, accounts of lives like this because it makes you wonder whether or not there is someone out there like this. 

Talia is both likeable and not. Her attitude is understandable and her behaviour is just right for a young woman of her age and position in the world. It's got to be hard to be alone, no mother or father and forced to carry on with the amount of anger for that said mother. But she carries on. Despite knowing bad things that are about to happen in her life, Talia remains strong even when she wants to break down.

It all changes though, when she meets Spencer Sway. 

He's kind and studious but can work a con just like Talia can if given enough time to prepare. They're a weird and doomed duo that it breaks your heart assuming nothing good can ever come of them being together as the book develops into something I didn't expect to read.

Again being honest, I didn't think I would enjoy this but I did. It was a true page-turner and will make a great impact on the fiction charts, or at least it should.

Wandering Wild will be published on May 3rd by Sky Pony Press.

For the Record by Charlotte Huang

For the Record by Charlotte Huang

Published by: Delacorte books for Young Readers

Genre: YA contemporary

Rating: ****

Tagline: Standing out isn't the same as fitting in

Chelsea, the newest frontwoman for known band Melbourne, has just begun a new life. Previous to joining the band she was just a contestant on some talent show reminiscent of X-Factor or Britain's got talent, etc etc. 

Melbourne have been on the music scene for a few years. They're famous for their old singer Hollis who after leaving the band for mysterious reasons or rather to just go to Vassar. Forced to take Chelsea on, they're about to embark on a US tour that will teach her so much more about the world. 

But as usual there's a romance in the book. A few to be rather honest. 

What comes with fame is the arrival of celebrities into Chelsea's life. One celeb in particular is a young teen heartthrob who makes her feel so good at first until the relationship becomes a little weird. (My words). I wasn't too keen on her romantic endeavours. They felt so forced, so wrong but maybe that was how Huang was writing it to be like.

I did enjoy the book. It was a quick read, something I devoured on the train and made me feel a bit better before I had my dissertation presentation. 

For the Record can be bought from Amazon UK and Amazon US now.

Christmas TBR & Update before the New Year

Christmas TBR & Update before the New Year

December Books:

(What I'm trying to read anyway)

• The Mysteries of Udolpho by Anne Radcliffe Dissertation
• Crimson Peak by Nancy Holder Dissertation
• Beowolf (J.R.R Tolkien adaptation) Pleasure read
• Truthwitch by Susan Dennard ARC
• Soundless by Richelle Mead ARC

Updates:

Unfortunately as a third year student my time is now being swallowed up by the amount of coursework I need to do and the upcoming deadline of my dissertation (and the other one). That being said I think I will be able to post a few updates but if you're looking at my Goodreads page and perhaps wondering why I've not been posting anything I'm reading, then it's because I will most likely be buried underneath piles of papers. 

I have drafted a few reviews, not much but I am hoping to get back online properly by mid January (if things go to schedule!).  Please please please bear with me!

Lock & Mori (Lock & Mori #1) by Heather W.Petty

Lock & Mori (Lock & Mori #1) by Heather W.Petty

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Genre: YA, Mystery, Retelling

Rating: ****

Lock and Mori was the type of Sherlock retelling that I think I was dying to read but didn't know. I found the book to be a simple and wonderful reworking of the popular Arthur Conan Doyle tales that I actually hadn't experienced in both print and fanfiction form. 

The book follows the unfortunate life of James Moriarty otherwise known as Mori by our lovely Sherlock, but James is no ordinary human. They're female cursed with a masculine name. However Mori is having a tough time. Her mother just died and her father isn't exactly coping in the best way, add in a few mischievious brothers and then we have a big problem.

Sherlock changes Mori's life though. He adds the sweet to the bitter and they have such a weird but cute relationship. It's something that I wish one day I could have, that easy-going banter and conversations where they just play their deductive games. It's just so cheek squeezingly adorable. 

But the reason I didn't give this a five star rating is just because some parts just didn't add up. I felt that some matters were a little illogical for a pair of high school students to get away with, but if you read the book, and I do reccommend it, then you will see what I mean.

Otherwise the book is available to purchase from Amazon UK and Amazon US now. 

Burn Girl by Mandy Mikulencak

Burn Girl by Mandy Mikulencak

Published by: Albert Whitman and Company

Genre: YA, contemporary, romance

Rating: ****

Burn Girl is the type of book I read every summer purely because it provides a getaway from reality. It's like reading Sarah Dessen, everybody reads Sarah Dessen in their lifetime because she writes wonderful stories about characters who are different and have pasts or troubles that they need help or support with.

Arlie's scarred. Her face is disfigured thanks to her stepfather and his accomplices when they blew up a Meth lab. Her mother has just died of an overdose, yet Arlie suspects there's more to the story and to top it off, she's being forced to live with an Uncle she didn't know existed until now. 

Her new school isn't kind. What school is? But Arlie gets by through her best friend and the kindness of her newly discovered Uncle. But that isn't enough turmoil for the poor girl. Instead the dreaded stepfather returns claiming her mother owed him money and now Arlie has inherited the same debt and must pay it off.

But what can a sixteen year old do? She's got no job or access to the kind of capital that the stepfather wants. In the same time as his reappearance, she's got her own problems like school, boys and her home life. The poor girl is so traumatised that she can't even taste or smell, and it's all this idiot's fault.

It's a tough cookie of a story and maybe that's why I liked it so much. Mikulencak writes a very gritty and interesting story that put me in Arlie's perspective and admire how she overcame a lot in what could be considered a short period of time. A very strong lead indeed.

Burn Girl 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.

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

Published by: Balzar + Bray

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Rating:****

Dumplin' is the book every teen should read. Heck I think most adults should give it a read! Willowdean Dickson is a self-proclaimed fat girl. She knows she's fat and she's okay with it. (Hurrah for a book about a character who is comfortable with their body). Her mother on the otherhand isn't okay with it. She's an ex pageant winner and now judge of the yearly small-town pagaent. Willow then decides to enter it after lots and lots of debating it.

Add in a lot of general fallouts with the best friend  and boy problems mixed with a large dash of the outsiders grouping together and you've got a fantastic book. I really really loved it and it made me feel a lot more comfortable in my own skin because the characters were truly something.

The book has got to be one of my favourite ones ever. I was amazed by how Murphy created this character who was quirky, funny and overall someone I wish I knew or met during my own awkward high school years. 

Dumplin' can be bought at Amazon UK or 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,

Immaculate by Katelyn Detweiler

Immaculate by Katelyn Detweiler

Published by: Viking's Childrens

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Tagline: She didn't ask for a miracle

This was super duper weird. Like when Clary Fray thought Jace Morgenstern was her brother weird. Okay minus a bit of incestuous thoughts but how can a girl be pregnant without having sex?

It simply isn't possible unless we of course turn to Christianity and it's darling son Jesus. Yes Jesus was born to Virgin Mary. The protagonist of this novel is called Mina which is close enough. 

Mina is a fantastic student, she's signed up for classes to further herself for college (university for us Brits) and basically has her life sorted out. She's even got what appears to be a good boyfriend. That is until she meets a creepy old lady named Iris who goes on about Mina being the chosen one and asks Mina to accept something. By this point I wasn't sure what this book was on about or what was going to happen. And so I beared with it, got into the book until yesterday when I finished it. Oh lord was I confused at the ending. 

But it was something different which was what I was after.

It can be found on Amazon UK here, Waterstones here and Amazon US 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!

The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent

The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent

What possibly could I say to get you to read this book?

How about the fact that it's from the author of amazing series such as Shifters and Soul Screamers? If that doesn't work then maybe this review might. 

The book inserts the reader into an almost apocalyptic world, I had the feeling I was stuck in the last of Us world minus the zombies and a bit more civilised and noone wanting to kill you. However you get the gist of everything Vincent wants you to get and more. The characters are wonderful, very easy to get, understand and relate to whilst being entertaining and clearly able to be envisioned in your mind. 

I was blown away by this book. I only finished it last night and I couldn't even sit down and read some other arcs. That is very rare. 

The Stars Never Rise is out June 18th 2015 and should be available at most bookstores in the UK.

Go buy this book because it's amazing!!

Exquisite Captive (Dark Caravan Cycle #1) by Heather Demetrios

Exquisite Captive (Dark Caravan Cycle #1) by Heather Demetrios

Okay so this book starts rather slow but bear with it!

I was thoroughly entertained within this book and the ending made it even more wonderful because that cliff-hanger is bloody brilliant.

 More to come soon

Nowhere But Here (Thunder Road #1) by Katie McGarry

Nowhere But Here (Thunder Road #1) by Katie McGarry

So this book is like most of McGarry's novels. A romance novel with elements of danger and excitement because everyone loves a badboy.

Of course McGarry doesn't just focus on that element, instead she delves deeper into real-life issues and brings them to light, making all audiences reading the books feel connected, that they have some awareness of what to do in a similar situation. However if one doesn't like that, then there's always the distraction her books bring which in the upcoming summer will be fantastically timed.

The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su and Kate Rorick

The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su and Kate Rorick

If you haven't seen the highly popular webseries Lizzie Bennet diaries, then this is the book for you. It's literally the written version of the series. Absolutely identical to the show, the book reminded me of how I used to bingewatch the show. 

Wednesday Riders (Island Trilogy #2) by Tudor Robins

Wednesday Riders (Island Trilogy #2) by Tudor Robins

I ABSOLUTELY ADORE TUDOR ROBINS! Yes the caps lock was needed for this. She's an amazingly nice author who I've been able to talk to about advice on publishing and her story as an author. But she's incredibly talented and writes brilliant books that make you fall in love with the world it's set in. 

Wednesday Riders was given to me as an arc but sadly due to university I only just finished reading it now. But do not despair, it picks up straight after the first novel Appaloosa Summer and you're transported straight back into the throw of things. I laughed and cried through the novel and was left wanting more.