Shut Out

Review Time! Shut Out is the second book by Kody Keplinger who wrote The DUFF ( which is one of my favourite books all time!). This is a "just because" review so I don't need to review it, it wasn't sent to me from publishers but I WANT to review it! Thanks to Lillie @ Read My Mind who gifted me with an ARC! ( Honestly, she's one nice blogger!)

(Goodreads) Most high school sports teams have rivalries with other schools. At Hamilton High, it's a civil war: the football team versus the soccer team. And for her part, Lissa is sick of it. Her quarterback boyfriend, Randy, is always ditching her to go pick a fight with the soccer team or to prank their locker room. And on three separate occasions Randy's car has been egged while he and Lissa were inside, making out. She is done competing with a bunch of sweaty boys for her own boyfriend's attention.



Lissa decides to end the rivalry once and for all: she and the other players' girlfriends go on a hookup strike. The boys won't get any action from them until the football and soccer teams make peace. What they don't count on is a new sort of rivalry: an impossible girls-against-boys showdown that hinges on who will cave to their libidos first. And Lissa never sees her own sexual tension with the leader of the boys, Cash Sterling, coming.

The Short Story? - I wouldn't have expected anything less from Keplinger! Another amazing rom-com that will surely keep you up til the wee hours of morning! Beautifully written, funny, witty and realistic Shut Out is what every teen needs to read! What's better than an old-fashioned boy vs. girl rivalry? For fans of Stephanie Perkins, Keplinger is going to be your new best friend!

The Long Story? - I love Keplinger because her books always holds content that's relevant to the lives of growing teens. Sexuality, friendships, boys - it's realistic fiction, yet it's very very funny! I've always liked the idea of Boy vs. Girl - which is the dominate sex? DUN DUN DUN. The plot of Shut Out was very funny and clever. The concept of ending a rivalry with a sex strike but backfires turning it into a Boy vs. Girl rivalry? Pure Entertainment! Not to mention the great romance, the sizzling chemistry between Cash and Lissa had me hooked. Well-written and infused with humour, Shut Out is definitely a novel you wouldn't want to miss!

I still looking for a book with a protagonist called Lisa. Lissa ( short for Melissa) is close but not CLOSE ENOUGH! I want to be special like all the Jessicas and Laurens out there! Anyway I really liked Lissa. Really she works at the library, cares for her family and friends and she's nice and sweet! What's not to love? What more is that she's level-headed and she thinks before she acts and she doesn't drop everything for a boy! Very likable character! Randy...your typical cliched footballer. Cash - gorgeous. It's a sort-of love triangle because Lissa is with Randy but she loves Cash? So I wouldn't really consider it as a love triangle! Great cast, loved all the girls ( and the boys too)!

I'll finish off by saying - Shut Out was brilliant! Filled with romance, wit and humour, I was hooked from the first page! Kody Keplinger is a brilliant writer with a fantastic YA voice, I can't wait to see what she has install for us next! Highly entertaining, I would definitely ditch Friday nights to stay in and read this! Shut Out is a novel about a rivalry gone wrong. Amazing!

Rating - 5/5

Badass Bookie xx

The DUFF

Review Time! The DUFF by Kody Keplinger is a 2010 YA Debut, it was one of the debuts that I didn't discover until the start of this year :) I'm kicking myself for not reading this earlier because I loved, LOVED it! Thanks so much to Amelia @ Imagination in Focus and Lillie @ Alise on Life for sending me copies ( yes, I got two on the same day! Kind of a funny story...)

(Goodreads) Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face.



But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.


Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone


The Short Story? – I don’t know how anyone can give The DUFF anything less than a 5/5! This is probably the best contemporary I have read this year! I loved everything, EVERYTHING about it! The plot, the characters, the writing, Kody Keplinger has written a remarkable debut that stands out from the rest. Cute and funny, The DUFF explores everything teen, from dysfunctional families to sexuality! A Must-Read!


The Long Story? - I consider myself more of a paranormal girl but lately I have been reading sooooo many contemporaries! I just finished Lola and the Boy Next Door (review to come this week-ish) and I wonder why am I not a contemporary girl? The DUFF is one of the best contemporaries I’ve ever read, it’s on my favorites shelf yet I’ve seen mixed review about it?

The first thing that caught my eye about The DUFF was the concept of ‘Enemies with Benefits’ I mean we always, ALWAYS hear about Friends with Benefits (in fact isn’t there a movie out now?) but enemies? Colour me intrigued. So then I picked up the book and I couldn’t put it down! It made me laugh, it made me angry, it made me “want” to cry (apparently I’m heartless – no tears) and it made me want sad, one thing for sure – Keplinger has a way with words to bring out raw emotion in readers! Lots of romance, lot’s of laughter – for fans of Anna and the French Kiss! I loved the concept of The DUFF ( Designated Ugly Fat Friend), I have no idea how Keplinger came up with The DUFF but it’s a rom-com with an excellent message, nobody’s perfect and everyone feels like The DUFF sometimes ( god, I feel like The DUFF right now…) It’s a keeper!

The characterization was fantastic! Bianca is one of my favorite characters of the year! She’s not perfect (I don’t know why protagonists have to be flawless, the ugly truth is you are never going to find someone who’s flawless) but she’s strong and she doesn’t let other people push her around! Wesley is a hunk, a very sexy hunk. Bianca how did you land yourself with a guy like Wesley, should I dye my hair red? Wesley is more than a pretty face though, he’s sweet, a little cocky (but we love them like that right?) and he’s just another lost little sheep. Bianca and Wesley both come from dysfunctional families and I guess that’s where they connection begins but it’s an epic romance!

What can I do to get you to read the book? A trade maybe? If you read this book, leave a comment telling me to read a book of your choice that WILL make me cry? How about that? The DUFF is one not to be misses (I’m actually serious…) I loved it, my friends loved it (yes, I had to share *shudders*) and you will love it! One of the best rom-com, contemporary, teen novels out there!

Rating – 5/5


Badass Bookie xx

The Naughty List

Review Time! Okay I’m going to make this whole week a Review Catch-Up week so that next week when Debut of the Month is I’m not going to fall even further behind with my reviews! This is a “just because” review, I’m reviewing this one just because I want to tell you guys how awesome it is! Thanks to Jess @ She Known as Jess BlogSpot for this awesome read!

(Goodreads) As if being a purrfect cheerleader isn't enough responsibility! Tessa Crimson's the sweet and spunky leader of the SOS (Society of Smitten Kittens), a cheer squad-turned-spy society dedicated to bringing dastardly boyfriends to justice, one cheater at a time. Boyfriend-busting wouldn't be so bad . . . except that so far, every suspect on the Naughty List has been proven 100% guilty!



When Tessa's own boyfriend shows up on the List, she turns her sleuthing skills on him. Is Aiden just as naughty as all the rest, or will Tessa's sneaky ways end in catastrophe?


The Naughty List. Is your boyfriend on it?
 
The Short Story? – Cute and funny, this rom-com is going to rock your socks off! For lovers of Anna and the French Kiss and Kody Keplinger novels, The Naughty List is the next best thing! Funny, cute, fluffy and one for the romance junkies, The Naughty List will make you laugh and cry (okay the ending made me cry). Definitely one for all the girls out there!

The Long Story? – This novel is so “American”, for an Aussie girl like me, its pure entertainment! Cheerleaders who double up as spies who catch cheating boyfriends, hot basketball playing boyfriends, bitchy girls trying steal your boyfriend, lockers ( okay, I have one of these) and cafeteria food! Boyfriends, boyfriends, boyfriends! It’s like watching a teenage drama :) I loved the plot of The Naughty List, it’s funny, cute and a light read that can be enjoyed by all! It’s a little clichéd with the whole cheerleader and jock thing but for me that’s what makes it a fantastic novel. Old-fashioned stereotypes make the best novels. Why make it all complicated with the ugly duckling and the school golden boy when you can just KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). My advice for all the girlies out there is to ditch your date and read this book instead :)

The characterization was fantastic! Tessa is a fantastic protagonist, she’s like a ball of energy and she’s so positive! She’s kind, sweet and funny, one of those girls you can’t help but love! Aiden is perfect boyfriend material, he’s smexy, considerate and a total sweetheart. How many guys would cry for you? Together, I can finally understand what it means when someone says “Golden Couple”. Christian, the guy who’s trying to tear Tessa and Aidan apart so that he can have Tessa for himself is for the lack of a better description…a total creep. He’s a hot creep but still he’s so creepy! Borderline stalker and how can someone be hot if they’re not a musician or a jock or not human? Totally kills the whole point of YA fiction: P

The Naughty List is a novel every girl will love and enjoy! It’s clichéd, it’s a little silly but it’s rom-com and just because, it’s allowed to be clichéd and a little silly! Well-written, fantastic plot and an epic romance, I can’t wait to read the sequel! Do yourself a favor and get yourself a copy, it’s totally awesome :P Bookie approves!

Rating – 5/5


Badass Bookie xx

Demonglass

Review Time! I've been so slack with my reviews lately that it's shocking, I currently have five books ( four now) to review and Demonglass has been on the pile for at least a month now! I'm so lazy!!! Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins is the second book in the Hex Hall series which is brilliant! Anyway...

(Goodreads)Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.


That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.


Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.


But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

The Short Story? - I loved it. If you liked Hex Hall, you're going to love Demonglass! This is definitely one of those series where the books get better as the story progresses! Fantastic romance, great characters and a captivating plot. Funny and quirky, one of my favourite reads of the year :)

The Long Story? - Since I'm reviewing this novel just because, you have to take my word that this is a seriously awesome series! The novels are just the right amount of romance, humour and adventure! It's one of those books that you just can't hate! I liked Demonglass even more than I loved Hex Hall, I think it had something to do with the fact that there was more romance ( I think there might be a love triangle developing) and also the the story was set in England which is always a bonus add that to the list of hot boys and funky creatures that go bump in the night and you have Demonglass! Lots of action and adventure, enjoyable from start to finish and very cute. Killer ending, I really can't wait to see where the story goes in Spellbound but Demonglass was too awesome to describe!

Characterisation was brilliant! Sophie is one of my favourite characters all time! She's funny, sarcastic, charming and brave. Easy to connect to and it's a instant friendship, she's the kind of girl you'll want to be friends with! Archer our love interest is a man of mystery and is also fluent in sarcasm. Sexy, charming and he has the whole bad boy shebang down pact! Cal, our other "potential" love interest is shy, really hot and a sweetie which really makes it hard for me to chose one guy to side with but I do have a feeling that Cal's going to be the underdog :( which makes me want to scream ' I'm Team Cal and don't you dare give up on Soph!!!' Minor characters really add to the story, we have our mean girls and our villains as well as our best friends. Great cast!

I really love Hawkins writing style. It's rather unique and very comfortable to read. Sophie have a very strong narrative voice and it's really "teen". Hawkins got the teenage talking style downpact, I recently read Clarity and like Kim Harrington, Hawkins has the attitude and sarcasm just perfect. I have hidden suspicions that these authors are really vampires who are stuck during adolescents ( just saying...)

Overall, Demonglass was enjoyable, it bigger and better than Hex Hall which was awesome. Great plot, fantastic characterisation and very strong narrative voice. Compelling and engrossing, it's definitely a series worth checking out, one of my favourite sequels of the year, I can't wait to read Spell Bound after that killer ending!

Rating 5/5

Badass Bookie xx

Firelight

Review Time! A while back I won a giveaway and received a copy of Firelight by Sophie Jordan. It's been on my wishlist for quite a while so I was very excited to recieve a copy :) I'm counting this one towards my bucket list challenge. Thanks to Laura @ All of Everything for the copy!

(Goodreads) A hidden truth. Mortal enemies. Doomed love.


Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.


Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

The Short Story? - A fantastic start to a series with great potential! Sophie Jordan's YA debut is fantastic! Completely original down to the fact that our protagonist is a Draki ( you don't know what that is do you? *wiggles eyebrows*) Exciting plot, refreshingly new take on the paranormal and romance like no other!

The Long Story? - I love the starcrossed romance in this novel. The undeniable attraction between Jacinda and Will is so powerful yet they can't be together as one is the hunter and one is the prey. I've seen authors who totally blotch the Romeo and Juliet romance technique but Jordan wrote the romance perfectly. Passionate and real, this is what paranormal romance is meant to be!

I came across a reader today who said that even though she loves paranormal romance in YA it's turning a little into recycled trash, I understand where she's coming from. We're having the same characters and the same plot with different names and settings. It's getting a little boring quite frankly. Jordan has written this wonderfully exciting and captivating story. Fast-paced and edgy plot centred around Jacinda a draki whose forced to flee into the mortal world. It's an original plot with original characters and action-packed to the brim! I was left sitting on the edge of my seat and hanging off every word!

Characterisation was pure brilliance. Jordan has introduced this new race of species called Draki into YA fiction, half-dragon and half-human, they're the ultimate hybrids :) Jacinda our protagonist is special, she's a fire-breathing draki and this special ability is what led to everything else that happen es in the novel! I've grown to love Jacinda as a characters, she's brave, loyal and I understand her frustration of not fitting in. Will is a fantastic love interest, observative, sexy and completely irresistible! I hope to learn more about Cassian in the next novel because I think I smell a love triangle....

Firelight is a brilliant start to a series with great potential! Exciting, captivating and beautifully written. This is paranormal romance at it's best!

Rating - 5/5

Badass Bookie xx

Angelfire

Review Time! Angelfire written by Courtney Alison Moulton is a 2011 YA Debut, that I've been dying to read! I read it a few weeks ago but I'm lazy and slack and haven't bothered to review it til now :P I would like to thank Shannon @ Stalking in Bookshelves for sending me a lovely hard covered copy for April RAK! Oh! And counting this towards my Bucket List Challenge.

(Goodreads) When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.


A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.


While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember.

The Short Story ? - A fantastic debut! Fast-paced and action-packed, one of the most adventurous novels I have read! Brilliant characters, gripping plot and beautifully written. Angelfire is a paranormal debut you wouldn't want to miss! Looking for a summer read? You found one!

The Long Story ? - I was absolutely thrilled to find this book waiting for me on my doorstep, it's one of the debuts that I've had my eyes on for a long time. I initially heard about this novel from Kristi @ The Story Siren who plans the 2011 Debut Author challenge. Thanks again to Shannon for the RAK ;)

The plot would probably be the highlight for me. It was a rather slow start but for the novel to flow well and for readers to understand what's going on, it was necessary. I sometimes feel that paranormals are the hardest books to write because not only do you have to tell a story but you have to explain the story behind the story as well. In this case, the story behind the story was told at the start. So after we all warmed up to the idea of Angels and Demons, we're pretty much taken on a roller coaster ride. Non.Stop.Action. I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat! Lot's of action, lot's of fighting and lots of romance! You'll never get bored with this one!

The characterisation very well-developed. Our protagonist, Ellie, was badass enough to be my sister! On a emotional level I can really understand some of the stress and pain Ellie goes through as she decides between wanting a normal life and saving the world from evil, she's a strong heroine that I've grown to admire. Will, her smexy guardian is exactly that, sexy as hell! He's got the protective streak down pact as well as the good looks, hopefully we get to see more of Ellie and Will's blossoming romance in the sequel ( Wings of the Wicked)

Overall, Angelfire is an extraordinary debut that I would strongly recommend to lovers of action and paranormal. Even if you don't normally read paranormal, I encourage to check this one out! I prefer to read paranormal romance that's more romance than paranormal but this action-save the world stuff is really great too! Kick-ass plot, fantastic characters and beautifully written!

Rating - 4/5 ( I would have like to see a little more romance, personal thing so don't let it stop you from reading this awesome debut!)

Badass Bookie xx

Radiant Shadows

Review Time! Last month I left my Bucket List challenge review to the very last minute so I decided that I'm going to do my February review earlier on, meaning today! If you checked out my January Review you would know that for the challenge I have a different review formatting!

Name - Radiant Shadows ( Wicked Lovely #4 )

Pages - 340 pages

Publication Date - April 20th 2010

Publisher- Harpercollins
Rating 3/5

(Goodreads) Hunger for nourishment. Hunger for touch. Hunger to belong.

Half-human and half-faery, Ani is driven by her hungers.

Those same appetites also attract powerful enemies and uncertain allies, including Devlin. He was created as an assassin and is brother to the faeries' coolly logical High Queen and to her chaotic twin, the embodiment of War. Devlin wants to keep Ani safe from his sisters, knowing that if he fails, he will be the instrument of Ani's death.

Ani isn't one to be guarded while others fight battles for her, though. She has the courage to protect herself and the ability to alter Devlin's plans—and his life. The two are drawn together, each with reason to fear the other and to fear for one another. But as they grow closer, a larger threat imperils the whole of Faerie. Will saving the faery realm mean losing each other?

Why I picked this book ? - As I explained in my sign up post, I'm taking the challenge as the motivation to read all the sequels I haven't gotten around to reading! Before I started blogging, I used to read anything I want, whenever I want. I still get to read books I want but the choices are still somewhat limited :P ( not complaining though) so this challenge is the perfect excuse to read all the books I wanted to read but didn't get to!

Was it worth it ? - Honestly, I don't know. I love this series and this book was great but I can't help thinking that this one was one of the more boring ones.

Brief Thoughts ? - For me, Radiant Shadows wasn't up to the standards of the other three books. I somewhat felt that the author just threw two random characters in and wrote up a storm. Ani and Devlin were both briefly introduced in the first three books but they definitely weren't significant parts of the series. I can't help think that this book could have been more focused on characters with bigger roles in the previous books.

However, the writing was great as always! Dark, sinful and seductive. The plot was alright, it had action and it ties to the first three books, I didn't find it as interesting but nevertheless it was good. I loved Seth and Sorcha's part in this, their Mother & Son relationship is really starting to blossom which is great to see! Hardly any Aislinn and no sign of Keane or Donna.

This book mainly focused on the Dark Court. I felt I developed a soft spot of Irial who is a totally sweetie. After reading Ink Exchange I was all for Team Niall but after reading Radiant Shadows, I'm not so sure. they're a re both handsome and sweet in their own way!

Overall, Radiant Shadows wasn't quite up to the standards of the previous books however it was still enjoyable to a point. I felt that if Ani and Devlin were supposed to play a major part in the this novel they should have had bigger roles in the previous books but ...that's just me =)

Would I recommend it ? - ehhh, yes! It's a really great series and I 'm not going to let something like this come between me and the faerie courts!!! You should totally read it ;)

Badass Bookie xx

Rules of Attraction

Review Time! This is an "official" part of my Bucket List Challenge! I thought I might post a review today since I haven't actually written a review for the challenge this month ( official part anyway) and it is the 31st of January! It's also why I have a different review format!

Name - Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles
Pages - 324 pages
Publication Date - April 27th 2010
Publisher- Simon and Schuster
Rating 4/5

(Goodreads) When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

Why did I pick this book?- I read the first book in this series, Perfect Chemistry last year when someone recommended it to me. She mentioned that it was a tad corny but I loved it! SO, when Rules of Attraction came out last year, I JUST had to read it! However, I was swamped with review books ( still am) so I never got the chance to read it. However, I using this challenge as an excuse to read all the books I never got around to!

Was it worth it? You bet it was!

Brief Thoughts? - Honestly, I still think I liked Perfect Chemistry better, although Rules of Attraction was good too! The trilogy follows the 'love life' of all three brothes Alex, Carlos and Luigi, Rules of Attraction told the story of Carlos and Kiara love. The writing and plot was excellent as always, the romance was totally cute and the passion between Carlos and Kiara was what made the book memorable.

Um, the whole point of these books is to I guess, point out that 'opposites DO attract'. The interchanging perspective from Kiara to Carlos, Carlos to Kiara was an excellent way of showing the undeniable attraction between them. Bottom line - the romance is to DIE for.

Quite frankly, I'm a tad prejudice, I've fallen in love with Alex so no one can measure up to him :P So, to sum it up - romance = to DIE for, plot = cute but lacked a bit of action, charatcerisation = perfect, I couldn't have done it better and cover = why don't you decide for yourself...

Would I recommend it? - Definitely! The best part is that you don't even need to read the book in order, each book is about a different brother although the three books crete a big picture. If you're a sucker for romance, this ones for you!

Badass Bookie xx

Nevermore

Review Time! I've been dying to review this book! It's an "unofficial" part of my Bucket List Challenge meaning I gain nothing whatsoever from reviewing this besides your lovely comments :P *hint hint*

(Goodreads) Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it

The Short Story ? - One of those books that grab onto you and never let you go. I currently in a state of depression because the publication date of the sequel is still unannounced. This book was originally part of my 2010 Debut Author Challenge, however I never got around to reading it until last week? Such a shame...

The Long Story ? - I wasn't planning on reading this book when I first saw the size of it. It's HUGE like more than 500 pages huge. Sure, I wanted to read it but there was always the thought ' I could read two books in the time I read this one...is it worth it?' Especially since this is one of those books that I picked to read not for review purposes, this one was just for fun.

In the end I decided to read it because - I have this thing for opposite attracts and stories involving goths. I find Goths absolutely fascinating ever since I read Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley :P Anyway, I am very thankful that I did pick it up because IT IS TOTALLY AWESOME!!! No exaggeration, I loved, loved, loved, loved this book! I think it's safe to say that this is one of the best 10' debuts and my new favourite fantasy!

The characterisation in this book was absolutely amazing! Each character in this book was carefully created, every personality was different and I felt a deep connection to both Isobel and Varen. I developed a soft spot for Varen who is a total sweetie, you wouldn't be human if you didn't! The whole book evolves around the fact that Varen pretty much hates his life ( for good reasons) and escapes to this dreamland where he wants to stay forever...until he meets Isobel.

Which leads me to my next point - the romance in this book is fantastic! I love romance, I live for it and Varen and Isobel's relationship is jut too cute. Both trying to fight the urge to be with each other only to let it pull them closer together? awwwww, it's really just that cute <3 Another thing I liked about the romance is that there is a development. I can't tell you how many books I've read where girl and guy fall instantly in love. Um, I pretty sure you don't walk up to someone and say' I want to spend the rest of life with you' in the first five minutes of meeting. In Nevermore, there was a hating stage, to a attraction stage, to a friends stage, to a more than friends stage and then we get a glimpse of couple stage before chaos strikes! I took the bait and I'm hooked!

All in all, this is a great book that YOU should read and you can't even doubt my word because I gain nothing from this review besides your lovely comments *hint hint* The writing is comfortable, the imagination is individual, the plot is great, the Poe theme is great and the romance is to die for! So listen up! If you don't read this book...it's your loss! Rating 5/5 ( deserves nothing less!)

Buy it now - The Book Depository

Badass Bookie xx

The Book Bucket List Challenge Sign-Up Post

Hello my lovely readers, I apologize for the lack of "posts" in the last three days. I have been taking a little vacation away from my blogging duties :P However, I came by this challenge hosted by yaReads. Which is one of my favourite new blogs ( ever since they got that google follower thingie so I can actually keep up to date). So Ladies and Gentlemen, I have decided to take part in ...

The Book Bucket List Challenge

"The Book Bucket List Challenge was created to give you the chance to get to all those books that you’ve wanted to read for ages but never found the time to. Or, if you’re a reviewer like myself, it gives you the gift of free will – to read a non review book because till now you’ve had to focus only on your TBR pile."

Choose your level -
Level 1: 4 books in 2011
Level 2: 8 books in 2011
Level 3: 12 books in 2011

I'm partcipating in Level 3 to read 12 books in 2011.

Some of the books I want to read include -

- Pegasus by Robin McKinley
- My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent ( read yesterday - not included into challenge count)
- My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
- Dead is Not an Option by Marlene Perez
- Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr
- Hourglass by Claudia Gray
- Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
- Eyes like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
- Linger by Maggie Shiefvater
- Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
- Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles
- Fire by Kristin Cashore
- Illusions by Aprilynne Pike

 

Most of these are sequels to books that I have read over the years but haven't had the chance to catch up since I started reviewing for publishers. So I'm making the time this year to read them all!

You can sign up for the challenge - HERE

Badass Bookie xx