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.

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 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!!

The Unearthly series (up to date so far) by Laura Thalassa

The Unearthly series (up to date so far) by Laura Thalassa

Book one: The Unearthly

Okay first thing I have to ask is why in almost every paranormal series based and set around a boarding school for 'gifted' students all have that protagonist who is absolutely beautiful but has that Bella Swan complex? It gets old quick and to be frank it's tragic.

The book itself as a whole is really good. I enjoyed it a lot and last week which was when I read it, I didn't know I was searching for a book like this with a fairly decent plot. Her love interest, Andre is the King of the Vamps, he's not that attractive, he's just a really really annoying overprotective and comanding man who basically deserves a slap (or a million).

Book two: The Coveted

This was such a strong sequel! I actually felt like doing a quick dance when I finished this. Normally I get really annoyed because the sequel isn't that good or it's just terrible but this completely blew me away. I got more and more into the world Thalassa created and kept developing. My only complaint? The Devil, the crime fiction that crept in and finally the adoptive mother of Gabrielles. I'd think the fact she died in the first book and then was talking to her made no sense.

Book three: The Cursed

And she escapes the Devil. Gabrielle by now must be a highly unfortunate soul who's also very fortunate. The Devil keeps appearing in this book, obviously because if she dies once more then she's his forever (ew). It spurs on and on, the big sex scene between Andre and Gabrielle which doesn't happen. FYI. It's all a bit out of hand in this book but all I can say is applaud the author because I want that next book!

The Katerina trilogy by Robin Bridges

The Katerina trilogy by Robin Bridges

I loved this series. I was drawn into it with the Russian politics and large families mainly because of my love of Anastasia and the mystery surrounding the Tsar and his family. 

This book did not disappoint! Every minute of it I was hooked. I loved the necromancing and the splitting of the court to dark and light especially the would they, won't they match of Katerina and George. I wept a little at the end. Just one tear. But yeah I can't say anything that would summarise my experience of this trilogy other than just read it.

Where She Went (If I Stay #2) by Gayle Forman

Where She Went (If I Stay #2) by Gayle Forman

After reading If I Stay I had to read the sequel. I had to find out what happened to Mia and Adam and what had become of her since that accident.

I was amazed and a little skeptic to read it from Adam's point of view, especially when you really fall for his character in If I Stay because how could you resist him? But still he's such a great character and I enjoyed seeing the accident through his eyes and the aftermath of it. I was super shocked to see what had happened to Mia but it made sense, Gayle Forman really made it connect to the first whilst still making it  a brilliant sequel. If someone asked me which I prefer the most, I would say both. They're equally attention grabbing and beautiful books that made me cry and laugh and wish for what Adam and Mia have.