Showing posts with label Headline. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Headline. Show all posts

Thursday, September 20, 2012

The Last Echo

Review Time! The Last Echo is the third book in The Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting. The Last Echo was published in June 2012 by Headline in Australia. This series is absolutely amazing and I was so excited to read this! You can purchase a copy of the book at Fishpond | The Nile | Booktopia | Dymocks | Angus and Robertson. Thanks to Hachette for the review copy!


(Goodreads) In the end, all that's left is an Echo.

Before, Violet's morbid ability to sense the dead led her to uncover dark murders and long-buried secrets in her small town. Now that she's working with a special investigative team, Violet hopes she can help even more people--whether by saving a life or catching a killer.

Although she's relieved to finally be honest about what she can do, her instant connection with her mysterious partner, Rafe, is both confusing and unsettling, and their unique bond creates tension with her boyfriend, Jay. When she discovers the body of a college student murdered by "the collector," Violet refuses to give up on the case. With her own relationship on the line, Violet doesn't realize that the serial killer is looking to add to his collection and that she may have caught his eye. Will the life Violet has to save be her own?

The Short Story? - Derting does not disappoint with the highly anticipated third book in this heart pounding series! Filled with mystery, suspense and action, The Last Echo is hauntingly beautiful. A dark and twisted plot, characters that you'll love and a narrative voice that's rich and powerful, Derting couldn't have done a better job, continuing Violet's adventures as she grows to understand her "body finding" ability!

The Long Story? -  This is probably my favourite novel of the series so far. The Last Echo was just absolutely amazing. Violet's engagement in the plot was deeper than ever and as a character she's just developed so much from where she started. The plot was definitely my favourite part of the novel, it was so detailed and twisted and attention-grabbing. Derting's plots are always morbidly interesting with mystery and suspense. Her writing is beautiful, it's a comfortable read once you've adjusted to the third person perspective and to the strong narrative voice. In terms of romance, this novel was a little lacking which isn't exactly a bad thing but Jay and Violet's relationship is so wonderful, it seemed like a shame that Derting didn't play it out a little more. All in all, it's still a brilliant novel, if you're a follower of the series, you should read it as soon as possible and if you're not a follower, this series is absolutely amazing!

As I mentioned previously, Violet as  a character has developed so much in this novel. She's more engaged into the plot in terms that she's getting a better understanding of her talent and she's using it for a greater good. She's a lot tougher in this novel, in previous novels I have found that Violet occasionally suffers from the Bella Swan Syndrome where she's a damsel in distress but in this novel, she's really taken it upon herself to save herself and I really liked that about her. Rafe definitely plays a bigger role in The Last Echo, I'm intrigued to see where Derting takes his relationship with Violet in the next novel because there is so much chemistry between two yet Jay is so perfect for Violet. I really wished Jay had a bigger role in this novel, he really just wasn't all there and that was really a shame because I love Jay as a love interest. Overall, good characterisation!

In a nutshell, The Last Echo is definitely a book that comes with a tick of approval! Derting is such an amazing author and this series is the very definition of unique! A YA thriller with a touch of the supernatural, The Body Finder series will leave your heart pounding. The Last Echo was such an excellent read, great character devlopement in Violet, fantastic plot that was interesting and engaging and as always fantastic prose from a talented author! This is not to be missed!

What's it Worth? - Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight


Review Time! The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith is a YA contemporary release that the whole YA blogosphere has eagerly anticipated for a long time! FINALLY in January the release came upon us :) Thanks to Hachette for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A. 

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.


The Short Story? –A quick, cute and completely bittersweet novel about love at first sight. Jennifer E. Smith has written a heart moving love story that spans over the course of 24 hours. Beautifully written, an adorable plot and two characters that make me want to believe in destiny! Thumbs up read!

The Long Story? – I think I want to marry the next guy I sit next to on a plane ;) Smith makes me want to believe in love at first sight! I really enjoyed TSPOLAFT, it everything the hype made it out to be, if there was a little more humor it would have been heaven! BUT, the novel wasn’t THAT funny – actually it covered some quite heavy topics. Smith has developed a wonderfully bittersweet plot filled with romantic encounters of two teens that meets by fate (I think). This is a love story, no vampires, no werewolves, no saving the world. JUST love between two human teenagers who happen to meet. It’s hopelessly romantic!

What a cute characterization! TSPOLAFS focuses on two teen who happen to meet (by fate – I think) at a airport. There are other characters in the book but they’re of no importance – really! Hadley our protagonist is a teenager dealing with the divorce of her parents and the fact that her dad is getting remarried. Hadley is strong, she keeps all her emotions inside and while she is bitter about her parent’s divorce she really just keeps it to herself. The best thing about Hadley is how normal she is! She’s an ordinary teen, like me and yet her story is so special! We can all relate to her! Oliver is everything that I look for in a guy, he’s a gentlemen, he’s hilarious, good-looking but also kind. The pairing of Hadley and Oliver is really top class! Fantastic Smith!

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is romance in it’s true form. This was romance before Twilight – where guys were human! YOU will love this, YOU will laugh, YOU might cry but YOU definitely should seek the opportunity to read it! Smith has written a winner of a contemporary, she’s written a love story about how love should be. I BELIEVE in LOVE at FIRST SIGHT!

What’s it Worth? – Hand Over the Paycheck/ Break Out the Piggybank

Badass Bookie xx