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.

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.

Of Metal and Wishes by Sarah Fine

Of Metal and Wishes by Sarah Fine

I just love the cover!

Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Genre: Young Adult Sci-Fi, Romance, Fantasy

I felt as if this book could have been longer or at least expanded into a series.

Following the life of young Wen whose mother recently died, the reader is transported into a factory life where things aren't good for the protagonist. Wen's father is the surgeon of the industrial estate and he's run up quite a big debt for the family of two to try and work off. So much so, that he places Wen in danger unintentionally with the recent arrival of new workers otherwise known as the Noor (think the Huns from Mulam). However one worker Melik, is educated and kind. Wen gets on with him and the two have a connection. Yet there's a catch. A ghost lurks the factory. A rumoured dead worker who haunts and protects Wen from unknown dangers but it gets too Phantom of the Opera for me.

The ghost and Wen have an understanding though Wen really really really wants to know who it is. (Curiousity killed the cat) But with the uprising of accidents involving the new Noors, Wen gets suspicious. Could the ghost have something to do with it? Or is there other elements involved?


Of Metal and Wishes can be purchased in the UK via Amazon here and readers in the USA can buy it here.

Partials (The Partials Sequence #1) by Dan Wells

Partials (The Partials Sequence #1) by Dan Wells

Published by: Balzer + Bray

Genre: Young Adult dystopian, sci-fi

Tagline: The Only Hope for Humanity isn't Human

I only got through  18% of the book before I closed down the app and stared out the window for the remainder of my journey into Manchester from where I live.

The book follows the aftermath of some sort of virus that prevents babies from living after a set amount of days and so the youngest member of the area they reside in is 13 maybe 14 years old which is slightly worrying. However that's not the weirdest part, that comes when the reader discovers all females from the age of sixteen must try to become pregnant which rings the freaky alarm bell loud and clear. 

Therefore Kira who I assume to be the protagonist goes about her days as a medical intern and whatnot. I didn't get far enough to be bothered to learn more about her. She's kinda meh in all fairness. What happened to badass female characters in a dystopian world? But she's got a love interest *sigh*. I honestly could not care what happened to her, I was just annoyed that I had spent time wasted on the book I thought would be amazing. 

The book can be bought on Amazon UK here, Waterstones here and on Amazon US here

Summer Update #1

Finally. It is Summer!

Yes it is finally June which means University is over until late September and I am able to read and review as much as I can (Whilst working and of course writing). Therefore I will announce my main books of June/July which will be what I consider the A-List books (think the book version of Avengers, Mockingjay part 2 etc) that are books by my favourite authors. Sprinkled with those will be other books, not necessarily B-List but books by authors I haven't discovered just yet or haven't been brave enough to read during term time.

So let the games begin!

Planned Reading:

A Royal Wedding (Princess Diaries book #11) by Meg Cabot Done

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1) by Sarah J. Maas

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

P.S. I Still Love You (To All The Boys I Loved Before #2) by Jenny Han

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessan

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh Done

Angel Fall (Penryn and the End of Days #1) by Susan Ee Done

Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke (Prisoner of Night and Fog #2) by Anne Blankman