Kingdom Cold - Brittni Chenelle

Synopsis:

Attempted murder, that's how sixteen-year-old Princess Charlotte's engagement starts. It seems like the only thing she has in common with Prince Young of Vires is their mutual discontent.

When her kingdom's attacked, Charlotte's parents renegotiate her hand in marriage to a handsome stranger with a sinister plan. With the people Charlotte loves dying around her, and her kingdom's future at stake, the only person she can turn to is the prince she betrayed. But, should she save her kingdom or her heart? One must fall.

Review:

This book suprised me, I must admit that much at least. Part of me was expecting some cliche teenage romance story with a love hate start and all the usuals but I was knocked back when reading it as in fact it isnt that at all!

The story itself differs in perspectives, switching between several characters POV's at one point. Mainly it switches between Pricness Charlotte's and Prince Young's POV which you would expect as the story is primarily theirs. It follows the teenagers as they meet for the frist time since they were practically toddlers, this time it is for their wedding prepared by their families. Charlotte has no filter when it comes to Young, in the sense she has no issue in telling him how she really feels even if it may take a pinch of alcohol to losen her tongue.

Soon enought events happen which are written so perfectly, I was imersed and in love. We meet so many characters throughout the book all but one are really likeable for me just because I know what the other character is like. There is something truly compelling about each of the characters, all the way from our main characters Charlotte and Young all the way through to the secondary characters scattered throughout the book. Each characters plays their part and adds a certain note of realism to the story even though it doesnt follow the typical structure of a book. This element alone makes it my cup of tea and in the end i was bound to love the story anyway.  

Charlotte is young but she knows what she wants, she is protective and selfish and all of these things that are just natural to a girl in such circumstances but she if fierce and wonderful, I wish I knew her. Young is just a little older than Charlotte and hes brave and loyal, protective and kind, nothing like what people know him to be which is that he never smiles, like he's never happy but with Charlotte even though I'd hate to admit it if i were him, he is happy around her. Minseo is one of Young's older brother who accompanies him throughout the book is exactly like Young but theres something different to how he does it all that makes him nothing like his brother at all. 

The one thing I absolutely adore about this book is the journey and growth the characters show but that isn't the only best quality of Kingdom Cold and theres no chance of me choosing the best one. 

With each page you are subjected to the cruetly of being both a royal and human, Kingdom Cold is bound to build you up and break your heart and you wont even see it coming. Following the end of the book the only thing I could truly want, is one more very long moment within it,  it became somewhat of a natural feeling and a new home to me. Take me back. Brittni has crafted a wonderful story within 300 pages and I can not wait to see what else Brittni has in store for us. A definite 5/5 from me and a must read for any YA reader in need of another heart break. 

They Both Die At The End - Adam Silvera

Synopsis:

When Mateo receives the dreaded call from Death-Cast, informing him that today will be his last, he doesn't know where to begin. Quiet and shy, Mateo is devastated at the thought of leaving behind his hospitalised father, and his best friend and her baby girl. But he knows that he has to make the most of this day, it's his last chance to get out there and make an impression.

Rufus is busy beating up his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend when he gets the call. Having lost his entire family, Rufus is no stranger to Death-Cast. Not that it makes it any easier. With bridges to mend, the police searching for him and the angry new boyfriend on his tail, it's time to run.

Isolated and scared, the boys reach out to each other, and what follows is a day of living life to the full. Though neither of them had expected that this would involve falling in love...

Another beautiful, heartbreaking and life-affirming book from the brilliant Adam Silvera, author of More Happy Than Not and History Is All You Left Me.

Review:

I actually won a proof copy of this book through twitter I believe it was and I couldn't believe I had actually won it after all of the great things I had heard about it I was just excited to be finally experiencing all that was going to come from the pages.

So the synopsis tell you the first part of the book, both boys are now aware they are in their last day and are both experiencing 2 very different situations once the call ends. Mateo doesn't want to leave the flat, he's analysing all the ways he could die if he did in fact leave the flat but find himself on the app used by those in their last day and those who want to make a persons lasts day the best they can. There after many shots Mateo finds Rufus, to me they both automatically click, I knew instantly both of their days were going to be the best they could be but by this time I was already sobbing so I was just happy they fund each other.

I don't want to spoil anything for anyone so ill leave that there but this books takes you on a roller coasted of emotions, both of them are in their last day facing inevitable death butt hats okay because they have each other and are both brining the best out of the other. Thee are moments I've been on edge throughout this book I can safetly say I think I'm permanently emotionally affected by this book. I can't say whether that's a good or bad thing but maybe its both right?

Both characters are amazing, from 2 different ways of life, both very different from the other and totally unique and awesome. There's so much to this story that its hard to put into words. I guess most readers of the book know its theme, it focuses on death sure but I screams of how we must make the best of every day because unlike these 2 characters, we don't know when our time will come and we cant go regretting having not done more so we must take each day as they come and make them the best for ourselves.

I cried so man times throughout this book, I read it in one sitting and I'm never going to be fully over it. The boys in this story are so relatable and well written it breaks my heart to even read the title now. If Adam can write this well which he obviously can, I now want to read his other works, truly a masterpiece and something I will continue to think about for many more days even years to come. I wish I could give this book a 100/100 but I only go up to 5 so its undoubtedly a 5/5 for this and I hope anyone out there will be willing to pick up this book and go on this journey to the end of the line with Rufus and Mateo.

Something Beautiful - Amanda Gernentz Hanson

Synopsis:

Cordelia and Declan have been best friends since they were three years old. By the time they hit middle school, Cordelia—Cord, to Declan—is already feeling the blackness in her life as depression takes hold. Their mutual attraction to each other leads to a serious high school relationship, one with their foundation of friendship at the forefront. Cordelia seems to have her mental health under control. All appears to be well.

However, when Declan starts to accept his own fluid sexuality, it sets something in motion in their lives that is both beautiful and tragic as they learn to love each other for who they are.

Review:

I received this book as an e arc from Insta freebies, the synopsis just made me want to read it so I couldn't resist getting a copy.

In the book we follow Cordelia and Declan who have been friends since they were 3 years old and they are the best of friends, sticking with each other through thick and thin through the hard times and the good. You can easily see that their bond is unbreakable. I fell in love with both character instantly and so easily, they were innocent and adorable and its beyond adorable.

We follow the couple through time switching from the present to the past to present and so on until we reach the future. It's a perfect mix of past and present which helps you as a reader understand the characters and their lives and actions. We see Cordelia through breaking her arm, moving to England for months leaving Declan behind, then coming back and rekindling her friendship with him and then fall in love, there are so many more moments we witness all of which are beautiful. It was hard to stay dry eyed throughout this book it just poked so many times at my heart I could just about manage it.

The plot is beautiful, showing how fluid love and acceptance can truly be. Everything was incredibly hard to see coming, I was so emotionally attached to the characters I just wanted everything to be okay in the end. The plot was well thought out and written, the switches between times helped you as a reader understand what was happening at the present time and it was just a perfect read. I guarantee you as a reader will not be able to stay calm or dry eyed throughout the story, even as I finished I had burst into tears and just had to lie down for 5 minutes to collect myself.

I can't give this book anything less that 5/5 it was just perfect in everyway and a true representation of so many things. I recommend this book to anyone who can handle it, any YA lovers, anyone who wants a LGBTQ+ to read and pretty much anyone else. You experience happiness, love, acceptance and tragedy and to put it simply this book is exactly what the title says, Something Beautiful.         

Revenge of The Zeds - Stewart Ross

Synopsis:

The Soterion has been opened, but does it mean salvation or devastation? A horrific mutation in human DNA has resulted in a world where no one lives beyond nineteen. Cyrus and the noble Constants have opened the Soterion vault containing the Long Dead's secrets of science, art and possibly even the cure to the mutation. First, Cyrus must teach the Constants to read. But those he calls friends are falling prey to the greed and power knowledge can bring. Meanwhile, the barbaric Zeds are massing against them, determined to take the Soterion for themselves and destroy everything the Constants have built.

Review:

The second book in the Soterion Mission trilogy is just as gripping as the first, after being left internally screaming after finishing the first book, It was an easy call to quickly move on to the second book and continue the journey. I'm going to try and keep this review as spoiler free as I possibly can.

By the title alone I knew there were going to be hard times ahead for the Constants. Revenge of the zeds picks up almost exactly where we left off. In the first chapter alone their is the conclusion of a trial, funerals and the fate of Malik Timur's is found out by the Zeds. Its a pretty fast paced book yet alone chapter wise, it's perfectly paced this way and is action packed and gory. What I love about the book is that even though there are still moments of violence and action, we still get to see the quieter more thoughtful moments and its a lovely contrast and it still wonderful to see great characters being developed and seeing them interact and relate to each other.

When it comes to the characters of the book it was lovely to be back and seeing familiar characters like Sammy and Cyrus from the constants and Giv and Jamshid from the zeds. The one character who is new to us this book, is a character I didn't think I'd like but she grew on me quite quickly and her name is Malika Xsani who is the head of a different tribe of Zeds who you can really feel has determination and focus. There are many characters within this book, majority of them are new to us and that's because we get to see Cyrus become a tutor to members of Alba, he uses what is found within the walls of the Soterion to do so. What's great about this is how logically the character went about this and how well it was portrayed. Although Cyrus himself is not able toe read and write effortlessly and know the meaning of everything, he is the best they have so he is soon tutoring members of Alba whom he himself didn't pick bar 1.

I feel as though these books have lessons to learn within them and to me this book feels like it's about knowledge and how it is valuable, that it is powerful and it can be understood differently by  many. Some want knowledge in order to be able to share it with others, to make things better, but others see knowledge as something to be feared or something to be kept to oneself in order to maintain a position of power and importance. I feel as though the reference to and the plot itself backs this idea up.

This is a really good continuation of the story of the Constants and Zeds so it easily gets a 5/5 without a struggle. The ending is great, but as so many things are left unresolved there is a wonderful place for the next and last instalment. Thanks to the build up and ending of the book you are left needing the next book just to find out what happens and how so. It is yet again beyond words for me to tell you how I fully feel about this book and that I hope a lot of teenagers will pick this book up and absorb it.

Chasing Eveline - Leslie Hauser

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Ivy Higgins is the only student at Carmel Heights High School who listens to cassettes. And her binder is the only one decorated with album artwork by 80s band Chasing Eveline. Despite being broken-up since 1989, this rock band out of Ireland means everything to Ivy. They’re a reminder of her mom, who abandoned Ivy and her dad two years ago. Now the music of her mom’s favorite band is the only connection she has left.

Even though Ivy wavers between anger and a yearning to reconnect, she’s one-hundred percent certain she’s not ready to lose her mom forever. But the only surefire way to locate her would be at a Chasing Eveline concert. So with help from her lone friend Matt—an equally abandoned soul and indie music enthusiast—Ivy hatches a plan to reunite the band.

The road to Ireland won’t be easy, though. And not just because there is no road. Along the way they’ll have to win over their Lady Gaga-loving peers, tangle with some frisky meerkats, and oh yeah, somehow find and persuade the four members to play a reunion gig. It’s a near-impossible task, but Ivy has to try. If she can’t let go of the past, she’ll never be able to find joy in the present.

Review:

Chasing Eveline is the story of a 16 year old girl named Ivy, one day her mother got up and just left her, leaving her to be raised by her father even though he himself is dealing with the loss and abandonment.

Ivy has only 1 connection  with her mom and that is through her mom's favourite band from the 80s called Chasing Eveline. All of the songs take her to a place with her mother where the memories are fresh and they are happy.

Together with her friend Matt who himself is struggling with a break up, try to get Chasing Eveline back together and they try to get the band new love from teenagers in creative ways and it made my heart melt how determined they both are in these activities because it was just that important to them. In the end they meet a boy named Sean who they quickly become friends with due to his love for the band too. Up to this point as a reader you really don't know which way this book is going and let me tell you there's plot twists in there.

The best part of this entire book to me was that it was a realistic story told about a teen girl dealing with pain and grief. She was strong in her broken heartedness. She was strong and determined and so real. The ending of the book was perfect, I mean they struggle hard throughout so any sort of reward at the end was going to be worth it but the end was such a great reward for them. Its a story of friendship and love, family and acknowledgment and acceptance. Just pure brilliance.

I feel as though this is YA novel that anyone can read no matter their age. Its heart warming and heart breaking, food for the soul, sewn together with love and written so perfectly. I cried and laughed, I experienced emotions with these characters and their lives, a great book does this and Leslie has done an amazing job here.

For all of this alone it is a 5/5 from me and a recommendation to anyone, I believe there is so much more for me to say but I can't quite put it into perfect enough words to express it. I really hope that I can read more of Leslies work in the future because Chasing Eveline with stay with me.

The Devils Poetry - Louise Cole Blog Tour

Book Information

Title: The Devil’s Poetry

Author: Louise Cole

Release Date: 13^th June 2017

Genre: YA Thriller

Publisher: Kindle Press

Format: Ebook

Summary:

Questions are dangerous but answers can be deadly.

Callie’s world will be lost to war – unless she can unlock the magic of an ancient manuscript. She and her friends will be sent to the front line. Many of them won’t come back. When a secret order tells her she can bring peace by reading from a book, it seems an easy solution - too easy. Callie soon finds herself hunted, trapped between desperate allies and diabolical enemies. The Order is every bit as ruthless as the paranormal Cadaveri.

Callie can only trust two people – her best friend and her ex-marine bodyguard. And they are on different sides. She must decide: how far will she go to stop a war?

Dare she read this book? What’s the price - and who pays it?

Commended In the Yeovil Prize 2016, this is an action-packed blend of adventure, fantasy and love story.

Review:

When asked if I wanted to read this book, by the sounds of the synopsis alone I just couldn't refuse and I couldn't put the book down once I started reading. The book follows Callie she's 17 and the world she knows will be lost to war soon so when her and her friends go out to party to celebrate their last piece of freedom before being shipped off to war, she didn't know she could change all of that, with 1 book.

Soon enough she's in possession of a book that draws her in, a book forced upon her by a stranger who will become known as Jace, in a situation where she simply didn't have the time to refuse. She doesn't know it but she holds the power to save her friends from the oncoming war. This part of the story alone just made me want to read on and never stop.

At school the following day a new teaching assistant by the name of Mr Portman rings bells to Callie, she remembers him handing her the book and telling her to keep it safe, not to read it but just keep it safe but familiar face or not Callie feels vulnerable around him. Later that day Gavin and Amber who are Callies closest friends are walk home across the fields, Gavin leaves going his way home leaving the other 2 girls to carry on aross the Marchbanks' farm and that's when things truly kick off. Figures with white eyes come closer, backing Callie into the barn after Callie had made Amber run away because it was her they wanted, and all they want is the book that Callie doesn't have on her.

Everything pretty much kicks off at higher gears after that, I don't want to give away too much but Callie soon becomes involved with a group whom are the people who help stop the world going to hell (to be honest) There's a lot of nail biting moments and times where I've had to call out and do whale cries just because it was so great. It was a gripping book and I was simply unable to put it down. I have to admit I fell in love with Callie and Jace, it was an undeniable love between me and both of the characters, I didn't feel so attached to other characters but I felt emotions when they were involved.

Its hard to truly express how much I loved this book and I really cant wait to read more from Louise Cole, she has drawn me in and I simply cant back out. its an easy 5/5 from me, the book feels like a great book for anyone to read, its a perfect mix of suspence, action and love and friendship. I hope you'll check out the book and if you don't I hope you'll check out the other posts from the Blog Tour as the names of the blogs are below.

Goodreads Link for The Devils Poetry by Louise Cole
Amazon Link for The Devils Poetry by Louise Cole

About the Author - Louise Cole

Louise Cole has spent her life reading and writing. And very occasionally gardening. Sometimes she reads as she gardens. She can be seen walking her dogs around North Yorkshire - she's the one with a couple of cocker spaniels and a Kindle. She read English at Oxford - read being the operative word - and hasn't stopped reading since.

In her day-job she is an award-winning journalist, a former business magazine editor and director of a media agency. She writes about business but mainly the business of moving things around: transport, logistics, trucks, ships, and people.

Her fiction includes short stories, young adult thrillers, and other stuff which is still cooking.

Her YA and kids’ fiction is represented by Greenhouse Literary Agency and she is also published on Amazon as one of the Marisa Hayworth triumvirate.

Top Ten Books That Would Be On Your Syllabus If You Taught X 101

This weeks Top Ten Tuesday caused me to struggle, just to choose the topic I would teach, but after much deliberation I chose Diversity in Young adult.

These books were all on my top ten Tuesday list on the 21/07/15 due to them celebrating diversity. After much thought I didn't change any of them as they all celebrate a different part of diversity or helping us understand another part of the same type of diversity therefore creating a better, near perfect syllabus.

THE ART OF BEING NORMAL BY LISA WILLIAMSON

KERIS STAINTON: SPOTLIGHT ON SUNNY

 

 

 

 

LICCLE BIT BY ALEX WHEATLE

NONE OF THE ABOVE

 

 

THE ONE THING







OPENLY STRAIGHT








THE BEFORE NOW AND AFTER THEN








OUT OF ORDER






NO TILDES ON TUESDAY







THE WAY WE BARED OUT SOULS



Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted over at The Broke And The Bookish.

Breakaway - Kat Spears

Title: Breakaway
Author: Kat Spears
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: September 15th 2015
Available Editions: Hardcover and for review, EBook

Netgalley Synopsis:

When Jason Marshall's younger sister passes away, he knows he can count on his three best friends and soccer teammates--Mario, Jordie, and Chick--to be there for him. With a grief-crippled mother and a father who's not in the picture, he needs them more than ever. But when Mario starts hanging out with a rough group of friends and Jordie finally lands the girl of his dreams, Jason is left to fend for himself while maintaining a strained relationship with troubled and quiet Chick. Then Jason meets Raine, a girl he thinks is out of his league but who sees him for everything he wants to be, and he finds himself pulled between building a healthy and stable relationship with a girl he might be falling in love with, grieving for his sister, and trying to hold onto the friendships he has always relied on.

A witty and emotionally moving tale of friendship, first love, and loss, Breakaway is Kat Spears at her finest.

Review:

Well where do I begin? Yet another book in a whole day and let me tell you this, I was utterly surprised with how it ended and that's being very vague with how strong my feelings were. In this review, like most of my reviews I have to be honest, so sticking to that rule I must admit I liked the cover and was interested by the synopsis but after reading the book and looking back at the cover, thought to cover could of been more related to the story. This is my opinion and I admit the cover is nice but I think it could relate more to the story than it does.

I loved several parts of this book, mostly how it wasn't like other books I had read, it wasn't all based around a relationship between two teenagers, it was much, much more than that. I also loved how the book was based around one situation and then there were several mentions of several taboo subjects, it felt like the books was one step towards being somewhat, more open about these subjects. To keep this section short my last loved part of the story is the story progression, you were automatically into the story and always fully aware of what was happening.

Bringing up the characters I have to admit I was quite happy with the few characters there were, based around Jason, who's 17 and at the beginning of his book its becomes clear his sister has passed away, and is dealing with his mourning mother without support from his father. He is soon joined by his close friends Mario, Jordie, and Chick. Once you know all of them, you find it odd that they would be friends but the friendship works. The characters clash a few times but also have moments filled with jokes and laughter. When Raine comes into the main frame of the story, there are many moments of sarcasm and laughter.

Each character helps bring the story together, taking the reader on a journey through the eyes and mind of a teenager in a worn down house, dealing with love and loss. I have to admit I was hooked on the book within a few pages, and I was unable to put it down (the proof of this is sitting on wet grass for 45 minutes reading and getting hit with a basketball that was kicked for my dog to chase) I was expecting the story to last for more pages than it did and that was really my only problem with the book/story, it ended so soon just as I had gotten my ticket to get on the emotional roller coaster. If ever possible I would love a follow up book or two just to show their lives in the future maybe months or a year later than when this story ended.

I give the book a rating of 4.7/5 and recommend it to anyone who's up for a quick read or wants to see taboo subjects put into a new light to see from another perspective.

The Heartbreakers - Ali Novak

Title: The Heartbreakers
Author: Ali Novak
Publisher: SOURCEBOOKS Fire
Publication Date: 1st August 2015
Available Editions: Paperback and for review, Ebook.


Netgalley Synopsis:

"When I met Oliver Perry, I had no clue he was the lead singer for The Heartbreakers. And he had no idea that I was the only girl in the world who hated his music."

Stella will do anything for her sick sister, Cara—even stand in line for an autographed Heartbreakers CD…for four hours. She’s totally winning best birthday gift this year. At least she met a cute boy with soft brown hair and gorgeous blue eyes while getting her caffeine fix. Too bad she’ll never see him again.

Except, Stella’s life has suddenly turned into a cheesy love song. Because Starbucks Boy is Oliver Perry – lead singer for the Heartbreakers. And even after she calls his music crap, Oliver still gives Stella his phone number. And whispers quotes from her favourite Disney movie in her ear. OMG, what is her life?

But how can Stella even think about being with Oliver – dating and laughing and pulling pranks with the band – when her sister could be dying of cancer?

Ali Novak wrote her debut novel My Life with the Walter Boys when she was just 15 years old, and has since penned her next book, The Heartbreakers. First a hit on the online community Wattpad, her second novel has over 38 million reads and is loved by readers around the world.



Review:

this book caught my attention as I scrolled through the YA section of Netgalley. It caught my eye because of the description, I'm not quite sure why it caught my attention, it was just one of those 'this this sounds quite interesting' things, but I went ahead and requested for the right to read the book for a review, thankfully I got an email to say I had the right to read for review and I soon got down to reading it. It took me around 6 or 7 hours to read the book in total, event though it usually only take me half of that I had to keep re reading parts just in case I missed anything.


There were so many great parts to the book, I'm not even sure where to start. To keep this section short I had to pick the following three. The story had a great progression rate like the story never lingered on a day for half of the book, but just around enough time so that you were hooked on the book. There were equal amounts of time spent on each 'factor' of the main characters life so that one factor wasn't bought up and never shown again. The character number was small enough to keep track of each of them but not too high to get confused with who was who.

Keeping with the topic of The characters, the book is mainly focussed on the unfolding life of Stella, one of the 17 year old triplets alongside her bother Drew and ill sister Cara.  They story also focuses on the 4 members of a boy band called The Heartbreakers. Both groups of characters paths soon intertwined and begun a somewhat cheesy yet lovely story. Stella is a character who has moments of humour and up front truth, much like her, her sister is always up front and supportive of her siblings and a huge fan of the Heartbreakers, which many readers can relate too when it comes to bands and other things. Drew is the only boy of the triplets and is protective of his sisters and always supportive. Oliver is the lead singer of the boy band and the more spoken of character in the book, there are also other characters like JJ and Xander who happen to be other members of the band but their parts in the story but the story is focused mainly on Cara, Oliver and Stella.

Each characters has a part in the book but to keep the story on track they were very short but frequent so that we knew they were still somewhat important in the stories progression.


Much like other times, I read this book page after page, very few breaks and all in one, I was so hooked on where the story could go I couldn't put the book down. I had no problems with any part of the book, not miss understanding or confusion it was a great read and I'm so thankful for getting the right to read for review and I'm looking forward to more book from Ali Novak in the future.

I give this book a rating of 5 out of 5 and I highly recommend this book to anyone who is really into YA and somewhat cheesy love, any fellow book blogger reading this, I suggest you request this book to be read for review if you are into this sort of thing and fit the requirements for acceptance.