Caterfee Reviews: fantastic

Showing posts with label fantastic. Show all posts

Wednesday, 12 September 2018

Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber

Caraval by Stephanie Garber is one of those books that has had the literary industry, particularly the Young Adult genre, in a state of excitement for a debut author.

Published by: Flatiron Books

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Tagline: Remember, It's only a game

Rating: *****

Sold to the readers with an exciting blurb of:

Whatever you've heard about Caraval, it doesn't compare to the reality. It's more than just a game or a performance. It's the closest you'll ever find to magic in this world . . .

Welcome, welcome to Caraval―Stephanie Garber’s sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game.

The Review:

First, of all, I was beyond impressed with this novel. With tickets to meet Stephanie in Manchester, I admit I only read her novel two days prior to the event which meant the book would be firmly in my mind, or erasing the memory of my reading for university. However, this meant that I was forced into a situation I am hardly ever in. The dreaded moment where your best friend had read the novel before me.

But I found the tale of the two sisters quite entertaining. I had my ups and down, a few moments of messaging said friend for spoilers because it had me on the edge of my seat guessing. All in all, the novel was fantastic. Especially considering all the reviews and positive reception it had, and still is being given.

Yet, I was lucky enough to have met Stephanie on her UK tour in Manchester. Her conversation with fellow readers, writers and bloggers was incredibly inspiring. Different to the some of the authors I've met in these situations, I felt as if hers was probably the most inspiring and relatable. If only my writing career could be as successful as hers.

Additional Information/titbits:

Caraval can be purchased at almost every major bookseller across the world - Stephanie Garber has confirmed this through the recent publications across Europe. Please be aware that there is six alternate covers which makes it super fun to see which one you'll end up with.

Tuesday, 15 March 2016

Me Before You (Me Before You #1) by Jojo Moyes

Published by: Viking

Genre: Contemporary, Romance

Rating: *****

Warning: This book is a tear-jerker.

Me Before You is a heartstring-tugging book that will make any reader sob as they reach the final pages.

Lou Clark isn't the sharpest tool in the box nor is she one for wanting to leave her hometown. Instead she's content with working the same job she's had for years, serving coffee in an old cafe and knowing that she'll probably never marry her longtime boyfriend. She's so very different from any female lead than I've had the privilege of reading and that's why I felt even more drawn to this book.

Will Traynor on the otherhand has had the time, money and privilege to leave his hometown and do what he wanted before the accident. Something that left him permanently disabled and in need of someone to look after him.

But there's more to the story. Lou has barely six months to try and cheer Will up and see if he might change his mind about Dignitas.

Me Before You is a story about two individuals who want the other's circumstances to be different. Its a story that will change the world of anyone who reads it. I cannot get over it and nor can I forget suppressing tears on the bus home from work.

The book can be bought from any major retailers especially since the film adaptation will be out in cinemas soon.

Tuesday, 3 November 2015

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.

Thursday, 24 September 2015

Cold Burn of Magic (Black Blade #1) by Jennifer Estep

Published by: Kensington

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Rating:****1/2

Cold Burn of Magic is set in an alternate Earth where we have magical and mythological creatures and powers. It's fantastic (pardon the pun there!)

Lila Merriweather is just another girl with magical powers who has her fair share of problems. In Cold Burn of Magic, she's unique, different and has a big secret task to do. As bodyguard to the ever so attractive Devon Sinclair (typical YA books!) Lila represses her emotions for Devon in order to remain focused and ontask. Her life isn't the average teenagers, she's got so much on her plate that I question her ability to add this potential relationship despite secretly wanting them to get together.

But Estep doesn't rush or push her characters to romance. Instead she lets them build up the passion, the chemistry to a very appropriate time ie when something bad happens etc. It's not about the romance to Jennifer, it's the story.

The characters are introduced in a very mafia mob style. Not just the once you're in, you're stuck, but the way in how close knit the families are. Yet there's the other side to the mafia. The competition side is highly portrayed in the book very similar to Harry Potter's house rivalry. There's actually a competition that is eerily alike the Twiwizard Tournament.

As a fan of Estep and in particular her Gwen Frost series (which are amazing mythological series), I found Cold Burn of Magic exactly the same. They read so easily, so compelling and leave you wanting the next and the next until the series has ended and you're left wanting more still. I rarely read books like this. I just wish there were more. It's a fantastic first book. I was entertained and captivated. I just wish I'd read it earlier.

CBoM is out now and can be bought from Amazon UK or Amazon US

Monday, 13 July 2015

Royal Wedding (The Princess Diaries #11) by Meg Cabot

Published by: William Morrow Paperbacks

Genre: New adult, romance

One stage of my reaction to the announcement of the book

When I heard there was a new Princess Diaries novel last year, I cried tears of joy, happyness and excitement. I've grown up reading Meg Cabot. I read her adult books through my mother (who probably didn't realise I was reading the Boy series or Queen of Babble whilst she was working or not near me). Nonetheless I grew up reading her. Embarassingly I got into the Princess Diaries later than I should have. I was busy with Jinx, the Mediator series (Jesse <3) and Airhead. But as I cracked open the nnth book (i was a late reader and got them in the wrong order) I found myself reaching out for my library card and ordering the series.

Months later and I managed to get ready for the tenth book which we all assumed to be the last (and thank the lord it wasn't). Oh how I wept over how Michael and Mia got back together, laughed through Lana's neverending dialogues. I just loved the life of the dysfunctional POG (Princess of Genovia). Of course we all knew there was something about JP that didn't add up but still we held faith in our clumsy and awkward princess.

It worked out though!

The eleventh book is targetted for a more adult audience as us Princess Diaries readers have matured and grown into young woman who are secretly still wondering what would Mia do. Yes I question my choices through seeing how book characters would choose them. But Cabot hasn't lost her touch. I smiled and cried through the book. *Spoiler* I'm more ashamed that Frank is dead. I LOVED Frank and Helen!! *End Spoiler*

But Grandmere is still the same. We couldn't have a book without her. And there's more of a realistic theme to the books. Readers will witness firsthand the problems of a couple separated by work but Mia and Michael manage to make it happen. They even have a surprise. But overall, all readers will reminisce about the good old days where we used to be able to read about Mia and we managed to glean information about what it's like to be older.

Now we're left wanting to go back to those days where everything was brilliant and innocent. But at least this book channels those emotions into making you want that twelfth novel. Especially with the addition of a little sister. But again who knows what will happen to the Genovian royal family or with the Royal Wedding.

Royal Wedding is available from Waterstones here and on Amazon UK here.

US readers can purchase the book here.

Wednesday, 8 July 2015

The Wrath and The Dawn (The Wrath and The Dawn #1) by Renee Ahdieh

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

Genre: Young Adult romance, retelling, fantasy

This has got to be one of the biggest books of the year in terms of debuts and overall.

A retelling of Arabian Nights where Shahrzad tells her husband tales to keep herself alive, Ahdieh unknowingly wrote the book that I had been waiting most of my short life for. I was blown away by such a wonderful retelling, hell I even bought a copy of Arabian Nights so I could read the stories she told in more detail. However what made the book stand out even more, was the fact the book drove away my writers block.

The Wrath and The Dawn follows the tale of Shahrzad, a sixteen year old girl who sacrifices herself to marry Khalid (a prince). The stitch however is that Khalid's brides always seem to die at sunrise which leads to a rumour that he is a cruel man etc. Shahrzad though goes into the union with intentions to kill Khalid as he killed her friend. It's one of those moments where the reader can be found on the tips of their toes wondering whether she'll succeed or not.

Nonetheless something does happen. I'm not specifying what because it's a big spoiler. But throughout the book, the reader is left gasping and hooked. Honestly. You will devour this book. It's chemically brilliant. I just couldn't put it down and when I did, I ended up buying it so I could continue to paw through this wonderful book.

Therefore I will end the review at this.

The Wrath and The Dawn can be purchased on Amazon UK here and in the US here.

Sunday, 15 February 2015

Atlantia by Ally Condie

The woman who created the Matched trilogy now brings us Atlantia which is a fantastic book. I was drawn into the world of underwater life and shocked that they weren't mermaids as I originally thought. They're just humans living in a bubble in a basic explanation. However the book has a huge sister betrayal, death and a lot of weird stuff going on that makes it worth reading.

Overall however it's a book that keeps you guessing and second guessing what is going on until the end which almost blew my mind (Gone Girl keeping that number one spot) but I was just kinda let down as well. Trust me it's delivered well, the book is fantastically written. If I had to say more then I think I would give away a hell of a lot of spoilers, therefore I will leave this book in your hands.

Wednesday, 17 September 2014

The Madman's Daughter series (So Far) by Megan Shepherd

The Madman's Daughter series to day by Megan Shepherd

I was skeptical to read this series. It just sounded like another of those retellings and absoltuely boring. It was only because of Cinder and Epic Reads that I actually thought okay here we go.

I am SO glad I did. This is a fantastic book. I was thoroughly entertained and hooked instantly. The twists and Victorian setting was well done and accurate. Just wow.

The second book is set after the events of the first. Again I was kind of worried about second book syndrome but it wonderfully didn't, instead it almost blew me away! I just need that third book asap!

Sunday, 18 May 2014

Shattered (Slated #3) by Teri Terry

Shattered by Teri Terry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

by far one of the most gripping and interesting ya novels I've read. So glad for Louise telling me to read it as I'd dismissed it so many times before but after reading it, I'm just not sure what could compare to such a brilliant storyline

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Saturday, 17 May 2014

Avoiding Alpha (Alpha Girl #2) by Aileen Erin

Avoiding Alpha by Aileen Erin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

okay I received an arc of this and it honestly made my day to receive it because I loved the first. This one carries on from the first and was full of cutesyness and a good entertaining story. Admittedly it was quite short a book (or maybe it was how I devoured it) but it honestly entertained me and I can't wait for the third book to come out in October!!

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The White Queen (The Cousins' War #1) by Philippa Gregory

The White Queen by Philippa Gregory
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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The 100 (The Hundred #1) by Kass Morgan

The 100 by Kass Morgan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

if it had that extra bit to it, that magic then I'd have given it 5. The book was rather bland and the multiple point of views weren't that hard to follow. However saying that, I would have killed to have more details about this "radioactive and dystopian Earth"

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