The Unidentified

Review Time! The Unidentified by Rae Mariz is a 2010 Debut, it's also a dystopian! The US cover is different but the story is the same! I've been wanting to read this for quite a while now and would like to thank Text Publishing Australia for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Fifteen-year-old Katey, aka Kid, goes to school in the Game—a ‘school’ run by corporate sponsors. Social networking is as natural as breathing, your online profile is everything, and striving to get ahead in the popularity stakes involves a careful navigation that could go wrong at any turn.

The corporations watch the students to spot the next trend and the kids vie with each other to be noticed and sponsored by the corporations. Being ’branded’ means celebrity status, not to mention financial freedom.

But what kind of freedom is it when you’re always being watched? And how important is it to be the coolest and most popular kid when your identity is owned by a corporation? When Kid witnesses a mock suicide staged by an anonymous group calling itself the Unidentified she begins to ask herself those questions.

The Short Story ? - A clever and well-written debut! A wonderful and well portrayed dystopian society, based on the influence of pop culture and teenagers. Clever, witty and insightful. A psychological novel about teenagers, their influences and what freedom is to them!

The Long Story ? - Okay, the short story was really hard to write because it's so hard to sum up this novel in three sentences! I'm still a little unsure about what to think of it. I enjoyed it, it was highly original and Rae has teenagers down pact. She pretty much summed up teenagers in and out in this amazing debut. Okay, let's break it up.

I really like the whole dystopian society that Rae has built. It was highly original and a society I actually wouldn't mind being part of. Basically the government has converted shopping malls into Game Centres ( aka school) where kids spend all day doing things they love and trying to rise in popularity. If you get sponsored then you're pretty much a celebrity and social networking is the key to success. It's a shallow society and pretty much sums up the life of teenagers.

The plot was confusing at times but it's not because it wasn't well-written more like it was too complex, I never fully understood how this society worked and some parts of the novel required a little re-reading. More than anything I felt that even though I really enjoyed it, I felt it was still a little lacking. I kind of finished the novel like 'great novel, loved it but...what exactly did I love?'. It's one of those novels that you just can't pick out what parts you like. It's a love it or hate it novel. It's also rather slow paced but it flows nicely, not a long novel either, you could easily finish it in one to two days.

I liked the characters, Kid was your stereotypical social outcast. I really liked her, she was shy, quiet but had punch to her as well, there were times where I wanted to shake her and say ' WHAT ARE YOU DOING' but for the most part, she's a smart cookie :P The minor characters were all intriguing and believable. The romance department was a little lacking, it wasn't well developed and the love interest didn't hold any appeal to me. I would liked to see a more of a scandalous romance :P However, The Unidentified ( who shall not be named) were brilliant, loved them. They were your ideal ' rebels'.

Overall, I really enjoyed the novel but could see spots of improvement here and there. It's really hard to pick out specific good parts since I really just enjoyed the novel as a whole. Picking it apart just ruins it. I would definitely recommend you guys to read it though, it's a fresh take on teenagers, controlling societies and life in gene real, this is really what being a teenager is all about. So we can add educational to the list of good things! Highly original, clever, witty and educational!

Rating - 4/5

Badass Bookie xx

Shade

Review Time! I'm going along with the flow, so read and review and than read some more. I participating in the Out With a Bang Readathon so I reading and reading and reading. I've got about four more debuts to read before the end of tomorrow. Unlikely, but I'll give it a try.

Love ties them together. Death can't tear them apart.
Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.
Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan's violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura's new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart...and clues to the secret of the Shift.

The Short Story ? - It was a surprisingly short book! Not literally but it took me a day to read it and with 300 pages I would have thought it should have taken me longer. I haven't read any reviews of Shade before I picked up the book and honestly I didn't know what it was about ( no blurb or anything) but I quite enjoyed reading something I was clueless about!

The Long Story ? - The best way I can sum up this book is - average. I simply don't know what to think of it other than it was good. The goods and bads balance each other and it just wasn't good or bad enough to be more than average. I actually googled other bloggers review on this book and many have said they loved it but it just wasn't anything special for me.

I enjoyed the book and found it very interesting, especially since it's a paranormal that focuses on ghosts instead of the usual vampires. The idea of the Shift ( everyone born after the Shift can communicate with ghosts) is very clever and I would  think a great deal of research and thinking was required for this YA debut. The writing was comfortable and the beginning of the book was really great. Another great thing about this book is that the pages fly, it was so easy to read that I didn't even notice I finished until there wasn't another page to flick. This brings us to the "bads" of the book.

Problem One, abrupt ending, it wasn't a cliff hanger it was just abrupt. The last few pages weren't even that exciting, no action in epic proportions or any proportion on my radar and yet it ended with I quote - "Wow". Um, talk about abrupt?

Problem Two, the plot was quite boring. I think that this would be one of those series' that gets better with each book. However, I feel that the author should have put a little more action into the first book and maybe given a few answers. Like baiting the readers. It just seemed a little dry to me, the idea behind the whole plot was clever with the Shift but the plot itself was like I said a little boring or dry.

Overall, I feel that putting aside the dry plot and the abrupt the ending the book was actually really good. If it has a little more action I think I would have loved it. However, under these circumstances I would say that the good and bad balanced out each other giving this debut an average rating, okay maybe a bit higher. Although, it could have been better it was still a great book and I think that if you looking for something original - read this :) Rating - 3.5/5

Badass Bookie xx

The Sky is Everywhere

Review Time! By the time you read this I will be a year older, because I was suppose to post this yesterday ON my birthday but it was really hectic since we also moved to a new house yesterday :) Anyway, back to books ( which I didn't get any for my b'day ) I still trying desperately to read all my 2010's in well, 2010. I think I have four more to go before the end of the year which is ... tomorrow.

( Goodreads) Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life—and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding

The Short Story ? - Well, I have to say that it turned out better than I thought it would! My friend read this book and pretty much ruined everything so I wasn't planning to read this but then I won a copy and it's was just tragically calling my name and I just had to Pick.It.Up.

The Long Story ? - I don't read, no, I don't enjoy reading books with the themes Death and Depression. I don't enjoy book with punchlines like " My path the healing my broken heart after my loved one died" or " I don't think I will ever be happy because such and such died". I read alot of contemporary but I usually avoid the death and depression ones. Which, my readers, is why I didn't really want to read - The Sky is Everywhere.

The 100 pages of The Sky is Everywhere was exactly that. Depressing to read, boring, no action, went around in loops but always ending with self-hating or self- pity. However, I've read so many good review on this debut and I pretty sure not everyone one of them is a pessimist or a sadist with self-esteem, so there must have been something good about the book right ? The writing was comfortable enough, the theme D&D made it seem uncomfortable but really Jandy is a wonderful writer, the characterisation was great but it didn't seem special enough to me.

Enter Joe Fontaine, love-interest, musician and french and the whole book changes. Joe wasn't a catalyst, suddenly it wasn't s hard to read this book because it wasn't depressing anymore. Lennie started to be something human again and it was like the sun broke through the storm clouds. It became something that I could read and more importantly review because it wasn't so depressing.

So when Joe took up  the job as a main character the whole book changed and it was from there that I really started reading the book, feeling connections and emotions between the characters and more importantly understanding why this book has been awarded so many great reviews.

The Sky is Everywhere is truly a remarkable book, the title itself has alot of depth to it but to see the changes is a character's personality, the journey from D&D to Hope and Love is really quite memorable. Joe was a catalyst to the book and more importantly he was pretty cute :) Although I got off to a rough start with this book, I ended up loving the ending. Rating 4/5

Badass Bookie xx

All Unquiet Things

Review Time! Another 2010 Debut that I have left til the last minute to read. I got this one from the local library which is well, my second home. It's got heaps of YA books! Well updated with new releases too! I wasn't actually going to read this book but when I saw it I couldn't help but pick it up...

Carly: She was sweet. Smart. Self-destructive. She knew the secrets of Brighton Day School’s most privileged students. Secrets that got her killed.

Neily: Dumped by Carly for a notorious bad boy, Neily didn’t answer the phone call she made before she died. If he had, maybe he could have helped her. Now he can’t get the image of her lifeless body out of his mind.

Audrey: She’s the reason Carly got tangled up with Brighton’s fast crowd in the first place, and now she regrets it—especially since she’s convinced the police have put the wrong person in jail. Audrey thinks the murderer is someone at Brighton, and she wants Neily to help her find out who it is.


As reluctant allies Neily and Audrey dig into their shared past with Carly, her involvement with Brighton’s dark goings-on comes to light. But figuring out how Carly and her killer fit into the twisted drama will force Audrey and Neily to face hard truths about themselves and the girl they couldn’t save.

The Short Story ? - All Unquiet Things is a complicated book to review. It explores the themes of loss, friendship, love and loneliness. It's written about a unsolved murder, the boy who can't cope and the girl who wants to know the truth. It's dark, it's haunting and it's full of mystery and suspense. It's not my usual kind of a read but it was good. ( sorta)

The Long Story ? - All Unquiet Things was kind of an experiment for me. I have never read a mystery/murder novel without boys, designer clothes and who's cheating on who. I guess Pretty Little Liars is as far as I have explored in the mystery/murder genre and let's face it, it wasn't even that depressing to read. I enjoyed Unquiet Things but I can't say that it was easy for me to read or that I really found anything memorable.

For me All Unquiet Things was too slow moving. There was so much unnecessary information  given at the start I was tempted to put the book down ( but I didn't, of course) I would have been happy with a who,what, where and why instead of a 80 page recount on everything Carly was and wasn't along with how heart-brokened Neily is.

I'm not into the whole death and depression theme in books and I have to say that the roots of this book started from exactly that. Neily was all about feeling sorry for himself, about how he couldn't help Carly and while some people might find that heart-touching and shred a few tears for him, I found it boring. However, once we got past the whole death and depression and got onto the solving the murder, it was very interesting.

I admire the author's ability to write this book. If it was me, I would have given up long ago. To plan a entire book out, to write a full 300 pages and frame a murder on a character so that it makes sense and fits in with everything is something very difficult and clever. So many secrets were unraveled during the progress of solving the murder, it became an addiction to flick the pages faster and faster.

I would have probably enjoyed this book more if I felt comfortable with the writing, it seemed to stiff to me. Too formal and serious, while it fits with the dark plot of All Unquiet Things, personally, I felt it was not comfortable.

Overall, it was a good book, but it could have been better. I loved the whole murder /mystery /detective /secret plot but the writing was uncomfortable for me to read and there was too much death and depression for my liking. Rating 3/5

Badass Bookie xx

The Carrie Diaries

Review Time! I bought the Carrie Diaries back in June/July/ August? Anyway, back THEN. I haven't watched alot of Sex and the City, just a few episodes here and there so I really wasn't sure if I would like the book but with a cover that looks this good I took a risk.

( Goodreads) Before Carrie Bradshaw hit the big time in the City, she was a regular girl growing up in the suburbs of Connecticut. How did she turn into one of the most-read social observers of our generation?



The Carrie Diaries opens up in Carrie's senior year of high school. She and her best friends -- Walt, Lali, Maggie, and the Mouse -- are inseparable, amid the sea of Jens, Jocks and Jets. And then Sebastian Kydd comes into the picture. Sebastian is a bad boy-older, intriguing, and unpredictable. Carrie falls into the relationship that she was always supposed to have in high school-until a friend's betrayal makes her question everything. With her high school days coming to a close, Carrie will realize it's finally time to go after everything she ever wanted.


The Short Story ? - The Carrie Diaries and I have come to a complicated relationship. I like the book, it was different from other books I have read but I just thought it was too serious for YA fiction. Although this is Carrie's story from her teen years I can't help but think that it would have made a better Adult Chick lit.

The Long Story ? - Let me break it down. I think that just because this is a book about Carrie's teenage years, it doesn't necessarily mean that it should be YA fiction. For a teen to read this book, they would have to be very mature, you would have to already know the about how life isn't fair and that sometimes we don't get our happily ever afters.

The difference between YA and Adult fiction is really quite simple. In YA the chance of a happy ending is pretty much certain, protagonists have their downs but in the end it's still a happily ever after. In Adult fiction, it's more realistic, authors tell fiction as the world is today. It can be cruel and ugly and not always a happy ending. In Adult fiction, it's reality. In YA? Its more of a dream that you want to believe in.

The Carrie Diaries I feel was way too realistic, too mature for the YA crowd to read. If you're an adult reading YA, sure go for it. If you're a teen reading YA, proceed with caution only if you can handle mature reading. In a way, I feel like the reason YA is so enjoyable is because it's like an escape from reality. Of course, I wouldn't know since I'm still a teen but that's how I feel...

However, in a way The Carrie Diaries was refreshing. It was like a slap in the face to wake me up from all the happy endings that I have read ( great, now I feel like a sadist) but it was very very real. Great book to read between the transition from teen to adult.

Apart from my thoughts of the book, the writing was really good. It was simple and mature just like Carrie.  The plot was pretty slow moving, 389 pages which only took you through very little action but it's just life, slow and fast depending on circumstances. The characterisation was very good, setting a book in the 1980's seems like something that's really hard to me but to create a character from the 1980's that's like really skilled. Candace Bushnell seems really young so I would think she wasn't a teen in the 1980's.

A highlight for me was the very last page, that's right, I liked the book but I loved the last page which acted like the link between The Carrie Diaries and The Sex and the City. Overall, it was a good book. refreshing and mature. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I was a bit older. Rating 3/5

Badass Bookie xx

Paranormalcy

Review Time! Continuing with my 2010 Debut Challenge I have finished Paranormalcy! Thanks to Angela @ Reading Angel who sent this to me!!! Now on with the review...

(Goodreads )- Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.



But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.


So much for normal.

The Short Story ? - The start of a brand new series with a strong, independent heroine, a cute and understanding  love interest and a world where paranormal is normal. Funny, exciting and full adventure, Paranormalcy is is a debut that you wouldn't want to miss.

The Long Story? - Kiersten White is a wonderful storyteller with a beautiful imagination and an endless amount of knowledge about the paranormal. In fact, I curious about how much research she had to put in for this debut. Informative and interesting about the 'stuff' that teachers will never teach you ( ie Paranormals 101). I have categorised this debut in my head under 'HOT GUYS' than 'DEBUT' than 'Interesting and enjoyable' and in that order :P

One thing among many that made this book memorable for was the fact that Evie liked the colour pink ( you go girl!) nah kidding, but that's part of the reason. How many heroine would admit that they like pink? The main reason was how strong Evie's voice was. Not literally (duh) but I would have sworn I was just an audience and Evie was running the show. Which is, if you had read my review on Last Sacrifice *pointed look*, a skill that I regard highly of. To be able to write so beautifully in first person, it is a rare achievement even among the best of writers. One other author that I can think off the top of my head how can do this is Richelle Mead, so Paranormalcy is right up there on my list!

Paranormalcy was unique and full of adventure. The reversal of the paranormal theme is to be credited as for most YA paranormals  start with main characters who know nothing about the paranormal world until she/he falls for a vampire or werewolf or banshee or yer you get the idea. So when I read the blurb of Paranormalcy I was delighted to find that Evie's strongest point wasn't ignorance. Sometimes the clueless girl cliche is just too overused, once in a while I like to read originality.

The characterisation of Paranormalcy was also a strong pointer. Kiersten, I salute you for casting none of the main characters as human. When you cast humans the story just loses it's appeal because it becomes another Twilight with different characters with different names.

Cute, funny and just a bit sarcastic, just the way I like it. Paranormalcy is full of adventure, romance, evil faeries and well, paranormal activity. BTW, it's got a goreeee-ours cover, which is the only reason I picked up the book in the first place but it was a win-win situation ( Evie and I worked it out). Watch out for the Hags, they sacred me ;) Rating 4.5/5

Badass Bookie

Anna and the French Kiss

Review Time! After all that "serious reading" you know murders, Adrian, romance, Adrian, action, Adrian, Adrian, Adrian & Rose and Dimitri . I wasn't ready to read more serious stuff so I put up a WANTED sign for a cute, light, romantic read and the next thing you know Anna and the French Kiss arrives at my door....

The Short Story ? - Looking for Romance in the most romantic city in the world? Can't afford a ticket? Grab a copy of Anna and the French Kiss for an affordable holiday. In stores now! ( I not advertising I telling you to read THIS book) Really cute, Really sweet, Really romantic, Really French. Qui?

The Long Story ? - You know Anna and I have alot in common, okay, just a bit, both of our french is limited to 'Qui' ( until Anna went French on me). However, I taking it as a sign that I going to meet a total french ( English/ American) hottie one day who has totally gorge-ous hair :P Hmmm what can I say about this book?

Well, Anna and the French Kiss is really really cute. If I had to describe the book in five words it would be 'Etienne St.Clair is a Hottie'. If you gave a another five it would be 'Etienne St. Clair is a total french hottie with great hair'. My final thought were Etienne St.Clair is really sweet ( and hot) and I think Anna and Etienne make a great couple.

The great thing about Anna and the French Kiss is that when you first pick up the book you can just feel that is going to be a happy ending. The other thing that great is that there's only one guy for Anna, it's definitely NOT a love triangle!!! You how great that is??? I love books with happy ending and the only way everyone can get a happy ending is if there is NO love triangle!

I really, REALLY actually enjoyed this book, it was one of those 'rare' books that I can say ' I enjoyed it very much' without  the unspoken 'but' tagging along at the end. Anna and the French Kiss is a great example of what good YA romance should be like - light, funny, cute and a guaranteed happy ending!

It's cute, it's funny, it's romantic and it's French. You are going to love this book! Rating 5/5

Badass Bookie xx

Nightshade

Review Time! Not part of Debs Event ( I think you guys get the Review Time! part now) I'm actually pretty impressed with how my 'take now as many debuts as possible' challenge, I have already read three this month soooo that's like 3 days = one book!!!! Anyway ....

The Short Story? - Another fantastic debut! Andrea Cremer is a wonderful writer of the paranormal fiction! Fast-paced, unpredictable ( literally) and beautifully written! Not to mention home of a beautiful cover! Credits go to Ren ( love you! Team Ren! ) who stole my heart!

The Long Story? -  When I first picked up the book I looked at the size and thought ' this is going to that me forever to read' with a total of 451 pages it is possibly the longest debut I have read this year, however it is also the one that held my attention the whole way through and made me want to flick the pages faster and faster because I was so caught in midst of the action and heated protectiveness and romance portrayed beautifully by Andrea Cremer!

The much used love triangle seemed like an entirely different case in Nightshade, not only did it break the laws of using cliches it took it to the next level and puts readers in shock about the unexpected twists and turns in the series of events. Fast- paced and exciting, the book threatened to leave me behind with the pace it set in which action and romance alternated one after another.

The emotion rang out strong throughout this debut, Andrea, you are a wonderful story-teller. Whenever, I read this book in public I received strange looks. I would laugh out loud, shut the book in frustration, cry in the part when "guy #1" got rejected  ( spoiler -free reviews here, you're just going to have to read this 'awesome' book :P)

Overall , it was one of my favourite debuts of 2010, Andrea Cremer is a wonderful author who has that ability of putting readers at ease even when we are reading about supernatural showdowns and territorial romances. it shows no resemblence to our everyday lives ( besides love, awwwww) but it still has that something that makes it seem normal. Beautiful, romantic, dark and brilliant! Rating -4.5/5

Badass Bookie xx

13 To Life

Review Time! Not part of 2011 Debutante Event! I said in my last review that I was trying to take down as many 2010 debuts as possible before the end of the year and I wasn't joking either, I am reading frantically!!! 13 To Life by Shannon Delany is a 2010 Debut ( see how supportive I am of Debutantes? I promise to buy all your books Debs!) AND I have to say it's probably one of my favourite too...

The Short Story? - W.O.W ( stands for Words of Wonder NOT World of Warcraft), beautiful and witty, mysterious and addictive. 13 to Life is as close to a perfect debut as it can get! ( kinda like Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg, also one of my favourite debuts)

The Long Story? Pietr is Russian, Dimitri from Vampire Academy is Russian therefore - I like Russians! So that was my first thought of the book. My second thought was - I don't get the title, my last thought was - I don't get the title AND my thought right now is I don't get the title! However, I'm not holding it against the book because the goods outweigh the bad.

So if you're wondering - why Badass, are you praising this book when you can find at least one flaw in everything you read ( except VA and MI and CA) the answer my dear readers is that it's simply so beautifully structured and written it's hard to NOT like it, Shannon Delany is probably one of the only authors I can thing of at the top of my head that writes 'comfortably' I don't know if it's just me or something but I find that sometimes when I read a book it's kinda awkward like wearing a new pair of shoes, it takes time to grow comfortable. This probably one of the main reasons that I loved this book.

Secondly, the romance in this book was really cute, I can not read a book without as least a tad of romance so romance is a must in my reading! The relationship between Pietr and Jessie was is one that is full of something that is deeper than teenage hormones, it seems wiser and sweeter and I can't wait to read it blossom in the second book!

Last but not least, I respect that although Jessie was kinda of the loser chick and Pietr was the new HOT guy at least it wasn't like Pietr was too popular ( ie Jock) so it was still kinda believable so no too cliche-y which is good because originality is the key to making history people! Rating 4.5/5 ( did I mention Pietr was Russian?)

Badass Bookie xx

Guardian of the Dead

Review Time! Not part of the 2011 Debutante Event! Just part of my job as a book reviewer! :P Anyway, 2010 is nearly over and well I still have so many debuts to read that I frantically trying to read them all before the end of the year, not impossible but very unlikely so I'm trying to take down as many as I can. I have been told that I have OCD ( by many people) maybe that has something to do with reading them all in 2010...

The Short Story ? - Something I like to call efficient reading! A history lesson, a background on Maori culture ( ie New Zealand native culture) AND a interesting and enjoyable debut! *fist pump* I feel smarter already!

Which cover to you like better I received a copy of the second one but I like the first one better.

The Long Story ? - Above all written literature it is the YA novels which roll enjoyment and learning into one pretty awesome book that I respect most of all, with the exception of witty books with hot guys ( ie. Mortal Instruments series or Clockwork Angel or anything be Cassandra Clare for the matter) and beautiful forbidden romances with hot guys ( ie Vampire Academy... 4 DAYS! START COUNTING DOWN PEOPLE!) and YA books in general ...with hot guys.

Guardian of the Dead can be categorised as one of those informative but interesting and enjoyable YA novels. Readers can explore the mysteries of Maori culture and traditions while reading an addictive fantasy debut, now, that is what I call smart reading.

I have to say that the first 100 pages or so were pretty slow paced. However, it was all worth it in the end! The Guardian of the Dead is probably one of the most memorable debuts I have read this year, it has a element that s extremely rare to come by these days ...originality. Ladies and Gent, I have to say that this is probably the only book that I can remember reading that has NO cliches. Okay so 'apparently the guy is hot' but really red hair ( auburn I can handle but apparently it's like red, the only guy I can imagine with red hair is that guy of One Piece with the scar on his face which isn't really a hottie) isn't the biggest turn on for me so you see even the guy isn't part of a cliche.

Hot guy or not aside, Guardian of the Dead is one of those books that will stick around for a long time after you have finished the last page. Strong Heroine, unique plot, highly respected literature ( for me) and a fantastic debut for Karen Herley. Rating 4/5

Badass Bookie xx

Claire de Lune

Review Time! I had the worst possible day today! I wasn't feeling well, then I get pushed down the stairs, got kicked in the ankle, had a breakdown in english class and now I think I sprained my ankle ( it's really swollen) ...great. So I apologize for not having a more interesting post but seriously I'm having a down moment.

The Short Story ? - 2010 Debut, about a girl who find out she is a werewolf on her sixteenth birthday. The sixteenth birthday idea is pretty cliche, but the story wouldn't feel right if it wasn't so cliche would it? Enjoyed the book and loved the name of the book, although I don't get what it has to do with the book ( no reference to Claire de Lune or even a piano????)

The Long Story ? - This debut was one that I had on my TBR pile and I have to say I was a tad disappointed. The whole plot just seemed too simple and didn't live up to my expectations. It was just not that special you know? I enjoyed reading and liked the plot and the characters but it was a little bit cliche? I don't what it is but something about the book just doesn't sit right with me. I think it has something to do with the whole werewolf concept ( read the book) that the author has bought in. I'm not really comfortable with it. Nevertheless, it was a nice change from vampires, the cover was beautiful, I loved how she portrayed Matt ( that is like the third Matt I have read recently) and like I said the plot wasn't all that bad either. It was a great book, truly, but I just didn't like the werewolf concept in this book...it just kills it* Rating 3/5

*SPOILER - werewolves are only girls in this world ( doesn't just kill the whole Jacob thing?)

Badass Bookie xx

Personal Demons

Review Time! Last night, I finished Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers, I received this copy for review last week so thank-you to Pan Macmillian! Lisa Desrochers is a 2010 debut author, Personal Demons is her first novel and these are my first impressions...

The Short Story ? - A satisfying read that was beautifully written. Fantastic plot, original and a great balance between the paranormal and the...normal. One of the better debuts of 2010!

The Long Story ? - The book is about a girl called Frannie who has special talents that both heaven and hell are fighting for. Luc is sent by hell to tag Frannie's soul, however heaven in the form of Gabriel would do anything to stop him. Of course along the way there is plenty of romance too.

I found that one of the best things about this book was the fact that the beginning wasn't long and boring. It started pretty much straightaway, meaning a) I didn't have to wait for the book to get interesting and b) readers are immediately clued in about the characters. Comfortable writing style that is easy to get use to, original plot, great ending and strong characters. I'm also impressed by the author's knowledge of vintage mustangs. Personal Demons does bring in the typical love triangle however surprisingly it doesn't have impact on me. It was difficult to choose between Luc and Gabe because while Luc's emotions are like an open book ( haha literally!!!. bad pun ;P)  Gabe's  emotions were kind of hidden from readers, I found  that I didn't get to understand Gabe as much as I would have liked to. A great deal of pun usage ( a little bit too much). However besides that the book was really good! I love how Frannie was portrayed as strong and independent, how Luc challenges our beliefs that all demons are evil ( or are they?) and how the author takes originality to a whole new level! Brilliant book that I highly recommend all lovers of the paranormal to read, again amazing debut! I definitely look forward to the next book in the series. Rating - 4/5

Badass Bookie xx

Princess for Hire

Review Time! I finished this book last Monday but because I wanted a full week of post I put of the review until today :P and since I'm technically asleep right now it's scheduled. You will find alot of my posts this week scheduled because I'm in school all week so deal with me please :P

The Short Story ? - 2010 Debut, very 'pink' and cute novel in a different way to The Summer I Turned Pretty, this one is cute because it's actually written for a younger age group I think, like romance in it is like a sixth grade romance ( Kiss, giggle, omg do you like me? I dump you after two days...yer that kind)

See what I mean bu really pink? I got the first cover! Which makes it even more kidlike!

The Long Story? - Like I said, this one was just a tad too childish for me BUT I liked it! It's been a long time since I have read a book that always ends with a happy ending and it so predictable!I remember when I was younger I use to read princess novels or fairy novels that always, ALWAYS end with a happily ever after. Oh, and the baddies are really bad! This is one of those novels and I enjoyed but I think I would have enjoyed more if I read it a few years ago maybe? Just a tad too young for me :) Great plot, cute characters ( not cute as in cute cute but as in kid like cute), the start was abit long, great ending and comfortable writing style once you get used to it. Even if it is a bit young I think I'm going to pick up the second book just because I want to relive the good old days! I recommend this to anyone who hasn't hit puberty yet I mean anyone who likes cute reads and who are in between the tween and teen stage or if you are forever right or something! Oh! and if you loveeeee pink!  Rating - 3/5

Badass Bookie xx

Werelove Dusk Conspiracy

Review Time (again)!  Hey guys guess what! I have finally finished this book after reading it for at least three month ( probably more), could be the fact that it was sent to me as a ebook and it takes me like so long to read one but anyhow. 2010 Debut (yay!!!!)

The Short Story? - Took me by surprise you don't get alot of paranormal werewolf stories set in the future. I had bad feelings that I wasn't going to like it but surprisingly I did!

The Long Story? - I'm going to straight to the point about this one. The love story in this was seriously the cutest thing ever but the plot went a little weird. Some strong points about this book is it evoke lots of strong emotions. The characters were very well brought out, adding the futuristic touch was nice too. However, the heroine was a pussy, which I did not like because I hate weak characters ( defeats the whole purpose of being the main character). The father was also really cruel. seriously if I had a father like probably run away before I even turn thirteen but it all fit nicely together. The writing style was a tad simple too however I really enjoy the book in general.A love a great romance and it was really the cutest thing in this book. You guys should really check this one out! Rating 3.5/5

Badass Bookie xx

Infinity

Review Time! Soooo I haven't much besides post reviews for these past weeks because I have been very, very lazzzzyyyyy. Um, I'm tryig to catch-up on my 2010 Debut Author challenge so this is another one. Sherrilyn Kenyon is actually an adult fiction author who is debuting in YA fiction. So it's still counted!!!

Short Story? - Excellent characters, reminded me of Mortal Instruments except it wasn't as funny! But still it made me laugh :) Oh, and it has like every paranormal specie you can imagine like a glass of jelly beans!

Long Story?- This book was really good! The writing style was nothing like mortal Instruments but because of it's sense of humor ( sarcastic and all that) it reminded me so so so much Mortal Instruments. The book as a whole was fantastic but the plot was really random ( in a good way). There are so many characters that pop out randomly and join in with the story, you would be like 'wow okay so there she goes'. Comfortable writing style once you adjust to it, very funny ( I laughed so hard about Nick's "shirt" issue) , great characters that you would immediately learn to like, the start was abit slow but as the book developes soon I found it hard to catch up with all that's going on. The thing that stood out the most was how random the whole book was ( no seriously it's like so random). Not the best debut but one of the better ones. Rating 3.5/5

Badass Bookie xx

A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend

Review Time! There isn't a mailbox post this week because I didn't check the mailbox or the library so I thought I will take the initiative to write one of my catch-up reviews! A Love Story is the debut novel of YA author Emily Horner, it's about a girls who has just lost her best friend and probably lost herself as well.

Short Story? - Tough review to write for this one, it was a great novel but it wasn't for me. Partly beacuse I didn't know what was going on for half of the book!

Long Story?- Right, so put your hand up if you knew the main character was a lesbian? Now, put your hand up if you didn't ? *puts my hand up*  So it was quite of shocker when I read for half the book and then realise the main character was a lesbian but not for the reason that you may think. I am all for gay pride so no nothing to do with the fact that she was gay but I was shocked because it took me half the book to realise ( it's pretty sad....) So I was quite upset that I may not be as smart as I like to think *cries* but anyway, I don't know if it is just me but I fell asleep while reading this (literally) it was cute and cuddly and make you wanna hug it and blow it a kiss but it was also extremely boring. Also it switched from past to present making it really hard to follow.So I usually don't read those depressing novels right? ( I don't read anything even remotingly about helpless heroines, although sometimes I pick up that I don't realise and read it anyway!) This wasn't really depressing but it was close to it, eh, I can't explain but it just wasn't for me, I mean I didn't like Wintergirls and I know people who love it so it's one of those weird ones that I just can not slip into. Great characters, cute story but the plot was quite boring, easy writing style, not to long and I don't know maybe you will like it better than I did. Rating 2/5

Badass Bookie xx

The Lonely Hearts Club

Review time! I finished The Lonely Hearts Club a week ago but since I schedule my posts I haven't posted it until now! 2010 Debut Author Elizabeth Eulberg is a genius! I loved this book! Continue on reading for my thoughts about this book ....

The Short Story? - Quick read that supports feminism view ( WE DON'T NEED A MAN, WE JUST WANT ONE !!!!) Independent thing rocks! Very funny and cute!

The Long Story? - This book is pure genius! I salute any author that can include music references into their books! I just think it's the cleverest thing in the world!!! I have to say this book taught a very important message, we don't NEED guys, we just want them. We are independent and don't need to be told what to do, feminism rules!!! Anyway, the whole concept of The Lonely Hearts Club (Beatles anyone?) is that these girls don't need a man and have sworn off guys because they are the scumbags of the world and all cheat on you blah blah blah (....) Anyway, really cute and funny, an amazing debut. For all the girls out there with broken hearts and are sick of boys, THIS ONE IS FOR YOU! Oh and Beatles fans! Quick and cute read, comfortable writing style, awesome characters, touching message and amazing plot, The Lonely Hearts Club is a must- read for every girl out there who don't believe there worthy (because you are! we are all beautiful :P) Anyway, just read it. Rating - 4.5/5

Badass Bookie xx

Hex Hall

Review Time! I stayed up til midnight to finish this one so if you don't read this review I will be very, very, very sad :P Anyway, I am finally working my way down my 2010 Debut Author TBR pile at a alright pace. Here's the thing with 2010 Debuts, you have to read them in 2010 or it's just not right and since august is nearly over I picked up my pace and started reading like mad!!! Now, I'm behind on my review books (arghhhhhhh)

Anyway, I LOVED this book! Here's the thing about me- I have to read a consecutive amount of good books after a awesome book or else I lose my reading faith for like three days (no joke) and I read Graceling (review coming up) then A Little Wanting song which was surprisingly good (Aussie!) and than Academy 7 ( review coming up!) then finally Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins and I have to say this just completes the stream of good books!

I found this book really easy to read (very easy).It was humorous, comfortable, teenage kinda writing. I find some books have very serious writing that is easy to read but makes reading it more like a job not a enjoyment (ie Twilight, enjoyed it but could have been better). This was just really quirky and witty and easy to read. That is the thing that stood out to me. I loved the plot, the start was great but the ending was rather abrupt, I would have liked to know what happened to Archer. The characters were really interesting, loved the cover and just a really great book. Probably, one of the better 2010 Debuts that I have read this year! Rating 4.5/5

Badass Bookie xx

A Little Wanting Song

Review Time! I finished this book last week but I am still behind on my reviews so arghhhhh!!! Anyway, A Little Wanting Song is a 2010 debut Novel and written by an Australian author! *squeal* I wasn't so sure about this one because I not a big fan of depressing novels and I had my doubys about this one but this one was just really amazing!

This novel was actually quite relaxing to read! It was not too long and very easy to read. A fantastic plot about finding yourself and being who you are. Being a true friend and living life to the maximum. A very easy to read writing style, set in rural Australia (yes, we don't have kangaroos jumping around everywhere! I for one live in a city :P) Anyway, love the whole book, truly it was so easy to get into and read!

For those of you who are just looking for a good book that isn't really hard core or too depressing this is the book! Seriously check this out!

Badass Bookie xx

Before I Fall

Another review! ( Sorry guys! I just have so many to get through, I will be make to normal posting bout next week :P) Anyway, 2010 Debut Author masterpiece! I abit behind on my challenge so it's good that I finished this one! Anyway written by Lauren Oliver for those who didn't know (I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who hasn't read it yet)

Well, this certainly was a change! I have been reading so much paranormal and "otherworld stuff" a contemporary was a holiday in a way! Now, I enjoyed this book quite alot actually, basically it was about a girl who dies (Sam) and after she dies she has to repeat her last day as a living over and over again. Us, readers go through her experience and watch how everyday she slowly makes changes, discovers herself and finds true love just a tad too late! It was really, really sweet and I got a bit teary at the end I admit! Great characters, deals with real problems, fantastic plot and amazing cover. The only downer is that I find some parts of the book too slow moving or repetitive. However overall, it was a great read! Rating 4.25/5

Badass Bookie xx