Saturday, February 12, 2011

The Book of Tomorrow + Giveaway

Review Time! Last month, I received an ARC of 'The Book of Tomorrow' by Cecelia Ahern, Bestselling author of P.S. I Love You. It's actually not a YA novel but the protagonist is sixteen so when a review request popped up, I couldn't turn it down! I would like to thank Hapercollins and Leah for sending me a copy all the way from the US!!!

(Goodreads) Tamara Goodwin has always got everything she's ever wanted. Born into a family of wealth, she grew up in a mansion with its own private beach, a wardrobe full of designer clothes and all that a girl could ever wish for. She's always lived in the here and now, never giving a second thought to tomorrow. But then suddenly her dad is gone and life for Tamara and her mother changes forever. Left with a mountain of debt, they have no choice but to sell everything they own and move to the country. Nestled next to Kilsaney Castle, their gatehouse is a world away from Tamara's childhood. With her mother shut away with grief, and her aunt busy tending to her, Tamara is lonely and bored and longs to return to Dublin.When a travelling library passes through Kilsaney Demesne, Tamara is intrigued. Her eyes rest on a mysterious large leather bound tome locked with a gold clasp and padlock. What she discovers within the pages takes her breath away and shakes her world to its core.

The Short Story ? - Quite frankly I was scared to start the book because it wasn't YA and I wasn't sure I would like it but it turned out to be really good. No sugar coating needed ( or used), it was different from anything I have ever read but it was a good change, great plot too!

The Long Story ? - I pretty much of a YA hard core, aside from the occasional PNR I don't read anything other than YA. I stick close to home so when I picked up The Book of Tomorrow, it was outside my comfort zone. I spent many nights looking at the cover but never turning the page, afraid that I wouldn't like it and then I would have to write a mean  review.

A week ago, I told myself to man up and just read it. So I did and ... Adult fiction is pretty much the equivalent to an older YA fiction. The writing is more mature but it's nothing I haven't read before, the teen with the messed up family? Common cliche but The Book of Tomorrow was much more than that. I probably would have ended hating if it was just a dark contemporary but it wasn't. It was fitted better into the mystery genre and I loved!

The plot of The Book of Tomorrow was great, I admit the start is a wee bit boring but in defense of this book, I find the start of most books bo-ring so don't not pick up the book because I said the start was boring. However, as I slowly but surely progressed along, I started getting really into it. Like I said it's a mystery so there were lots of secrets throughout the book, secrets that are delicious and unpredictable! The secrets ad suspense really drive you to read faster and faster so in a way, it's addictive ;) Also, it's got a nice touch of reality mixed with the supernatural ( no vampires, scouts honor). In all, it's a very unique plot!

However, for me the writing was the cherry on top, if everything else was great, the writing was fantastic! This is the first of Cecelia Ahern's books that I have read and wow, can she write! It's common knowledge that authors a pretty distinctive writing style, even when they try new genres. Some have a humorous style, some have a formal style, some have a serious style but this is the very first time, I have read a piece of written work that is so unique. It's had to describe Cecelia's writing style but it's..half serious and half formal and she's brilliant with wordplay! Great use of metaphors etc.

Overall, The Book of Tomorrow was truly remarkable. Whether you're a YA reader like me or a Adult fiction native, it's a brilliant book that can be enjoyed by everyone! Great writing, fantastic plot, killer suspense and a hard-not-to-love heroine with a strong voice! Bookie approves ;) Rating 4.5/5

Giveaway - Harpercollins have kindly offered one reader (1) ONE finished copy of The Book of Tomorrow. Please read rules carefully or you will be disqualifed.

- International
- MUST leave a comment on my review
- Must fill out this FORM
- Extra Entries not required
- Ends 28th February

Badass Bookie xx

42 comments:

  1. I have been seeing this around the blogs lately. I can agree that I wouldn't have wanted to read it either. It looks rather daunting. It's great to know you enjoyed it. Makes it sound promising!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well I have to say I'm a big YA reader too and pretty much stick to that genre. I am willing to try new books though, and I'll give it a shot even though it starts slow.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I fell in love with this cover, but I don't really know what to think about the book... It sounds good actually, thanks for your review :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. +JMJ+

    To be honest, I came here because of the word "Giveaway" in your title, but I entered only because of your review. =) I've never tried Cecila Ahern and never felt the desire to (despite several recommendations), but there's something about this book that draws me. And when you said that it worked for you despite not being the kind of book you usually read, I decided to give it a chance, too. Thanks for this opportunity!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for your review !! I've heard great things about this book .. It reminds me that I still have to read her other book : PS I Love You !! The movie is awesome !!
    Thanks for your giveaway and for making it international ;) It's great since I'm French !!=)
    Merci ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. never heard of this book, and at first I think it's quite boring, as you said that it is not a YA book. But I get intrigue when you said that it's not that boring, so I think I will love this book;))

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am really curious about this book. Thanks for your review! And thank you for this giveaway! I am looking forward to read this book :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I like great plots and I don´t really mind straying from my usuall YA genre, it´s refreshing. Thanks for the review and for the giveaway, count me in

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you so much for this review! I liked reading it! And even if this book isn't YA, I think I'd love to read it! :)

    It's so nice of Harper Collins to offer a copy for a giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I've been seeing great reviews of this book - including yours of course!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for the review; the book sounds intriguing!

    skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hey! First off, I need to say that I love the cover!<3 It's the kind of cover that makes me choose this book in a bookstore even when I don't know anything about the book itself. But your review it's great and helpful, I'm really looking forward to reading it. Sounds like a nice change for me! So thanks for the opportunity to get it.;)
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  13. I like that you said it was somewhat of a mystery.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This sounds like an interesting read.
    Ann

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you for your great review! I have to read this book as soon as possible. It sounds really interesting!

    Giada M.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I have been seeing this around the blogs lately & I honestly, still don't really know what to think about the book but I’m always willing to try new books ^^

    Thanks for this giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I've never read anything this author.. but I have curious.. I love this review..

    tks for this int giveaway!

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  18. I've been wanting to read this, too, but was nervous because of it not being YA. I haven't read anything adult really. Haha. Thanks for the chance! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I've been seeing mixed reviews on this one, but the book idea sounds really good:) Thanks for the review!
    -Danna

    ReplyDelete
  20. This sounds like a captivating book with it's many surprises and unexpected turns! I was very happy to read that it's written beautifully in a unique style which really intrigues me. This makes it a definite for my tbr list!

    Thank you for a terrific review! I'm glad you too a chance on this non-YA book and really enjoyed it!

    ReplyDelete
  21. i have heard a lot of things about this and I'm really interested in it. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm glad it's something different. I definitely need different in between the lots of same heh~~


    Sniffly Kitty
    Sniffly Kitty's Mostly Books
    Loving the Reviews Challenge

    ReplyDelete
  23. THANK GOD NO VAMPS BOOKS ARE ON OVERLOAD NOW A DAYS!!!LOL

    ashtreygonesmokeya@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oooh, this one sounds really cool. And I totally get what you mean, adult fiction sometimes scares me a little. I do read it sometimes, but it just doesn't compare to YA. I'm going to be so weird when I'm 80, still reading YA, ahahaha.

    The cover is pretty cool too! And I'm glad to hear it's supernaturally inclined, since otherwise I probably wouldn't read it!

    Lovely review Lisa. :) And thank you for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I totally understand how your feelings on picking up on Non YA books. I have a hard time getting into such books myself but Cecilia Ahern is a wonderful writer. I would love to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  26. It won't hurt if I try a non-YA book. Just by reading your review, I'd definitely check this out. Thanks for the giveaway!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. This looks interesting, hope my library decides to pick this up soon. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  28. As per your review this book certainly seems to have it all !

    Makes me want to give it a try so I have entered the drawing.

    Thanks.

    Carol T

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I am very excited to read this book

    bookflamereviews@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I've been wondering about this book, and now because of your review I definitely have to check it out.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Great review, I have this book from the library and plan to start it soon. I am glad you enjoyed it!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Your review was interesting. It was not giving spoilers but made the book intriguing to me. Now I want to know what's in the book!

    By the way, the cover's pretty. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  33. great review. makes me want this book even more

    ReplyDelete
  34. Cecelia Ahern is probably the only "chick-lit" I will read without hesitation. I fell in love with Where Rainbows End (Love, Rosie) and liked P.S. I Love You. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love the cover! And your review seems interesting. I really want to read it! Thank you for this giveway.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Nice cover. I definitely want to read this book. Great review.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love this book so much! It is such beautiful book about love, friendship and family. I like all Cecelia's books. I would love to win this ARC.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I love this kind of story! And this book makes me remember of "Summer in Paris", which has a plot like this one :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. The plot sounds interesting and as I read, you think it's brilliant, so I wouldn't mind reading this. Count me in:)

    ReplyDelete
  40. It sounds interesting. I will love to read it, great review you did there :)

    ReplyDelete