The Indigo Spell

Review Time! The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead is the third book in the Bloodlines series, a spin-off the bestselling Vampire Academy series, which is being turned into a movie (yay!). I'm a huge fan of the VA series and I've enjoyed the first two books of the Bloodlines series, you can purchase a copy of The Indigo Spell from The Book Depository | Fishpond | The Nile | Bookworld. Thanks to Penguin for the review copy!

(Goodreads) In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.

The Short Story? - My favourite book of the series so far, The Indigo Spell was nothing short of amazing! This is definitely two steps forward for Mead, a spectacular plot filled with action, suspense and danger. Beautifully written, a compelling narrative voice and fantastic development in the characterisation department - I'm so proud of Sydney! However the romance definitely took the spotlight, FINALLY Mead throws the readers a bone! A pleasure to read from cover to cover, Mead does not disappoint with the latest edition to her spin off series!

The Long Story? - Although I enjoyed The Golden Lily very much, it was nothing compared to my love for The Indigo Spell. You guys are lucky I'm not blabbering and talking mush right now because my feels for this novel are ALL OVER THE PLACE. The plot was nothing short of perfect - what The Golden Lily lacked in action, Mead has doubled in The Indigo Spell. Multiple plots weaved together to create a bigger picture, there was something enticing for everyone. A little mystery, action, suspense, tension, drama and let's not forget - romance. I was initially against the idea of Adrian and Sydney but The Indigo Spell has proven to me that they CAN work. I'm so happy that everything is working out and that things are HAPPENING instead of just kinky chemistry between the two. THIS, is the reason I fell in love with Mead's novels, her beautiful balance in her plots, compelling narrative voice and the ease of the prose! Entertaining and exciting, The Indigo Spell is not one to be missed!

Although The Golden Lily made a lot of headway in the characterisation development, I think The Indigo Spell really hit the nail on the head. I wasn't the biggest fan of Sydney to begin with, partly because of her relationship with Adrian ( who I used to think belonged with Rose) and partly because her personality wasn't very likeable. I find that it's very difficult for me to connect with characters that have a very serious personality and Sydney was the poster child for serious. She has come so far from Bloodlines and she's really turned into someone I have grown to adore and respect! I can't wait to see further development in Fiery Heart! If Adrian wasn't perfect enough to begin with, he is now. I would be lying if I said that I didn't think Sydney has changed Adrian for the better. He is still as sassy and charming as ever but he's so much more now. Adrian Ivashkov is just perfect!

Fans of Richelle Mead definitely have something to look forward to in The Indigo Spell, one of my favourite books of the year so far, I couldn't put it down! New elements, new romance, new friendships and new developments, The Indigo Spell is the book of fresh beginnings. Wonderful characterisation, excellent plot developments and a blossoming romance, Mead's The Indigo Spell is original, entertaining and seductive. Beautifully written, I await impatiently for the release of Fiery Heart!

What's it Worth? - Break Out the Piggy Bank 

Badass Bookie xx

Prodigy

Review Time! Prodigy by Marie Lu is the long anticipated sequel to Legend, a phenomenal 2011 YA Debut. You can read my review of Legend - HERE (It's really good!!!). I was so excited to read Prodigy and it was an added bonus that I read it so soon after I finished Legend so the story was still fresh! You can purchase a copy of Legend from The Book Depository | The Nile | Fishpond | Bookworld. Thanks to Penguin for the review copy!

(Goodreads) June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

The Short Story? - Inspired by Les Miserables, Lu's dystopian YA series is an absolute stunner! With the perfect combination of action and romance, Prodigy exceeded all my expectations for the series! Beautiful character building, well written and the plot was exploding with secret agendas, twists and turns! A land mine of a plot, a beautifully flawed yet strong romance and two characters that stole my heart in their own ways. Lu has truly outdone herself with this extraordinary sequel to a phenomenal debut. Prodigy was completely and utterly amazing!

The Long Story? - One of the worst things that can happen with a series or trilogy is a downhill story. You don't want to read a mind blowing debut and then a completely lacking sequel. Fortunately in this case, Prodigy met all my expectations and then some! I absolutely loved it! There was drama, tension, action, mystery and to wrap it up, a romance tagline. It was just the perfect combination of everything that I love all between a beautiful cover. Well written and brilliantly planned, it's going to be pretty hard to beat a plot like this, I feel sorry for whatever book I have to review next! I also loved the introduction of new characters, the new turn of events AT THE VERY END are going to be very interesting. Undoubtedly, the next book is going to be even more amazing than Prodigy and I can't wait for it! Lu has done a spectacular job with this dystopian YA series, truly a polished gem!

To fall in love with a book, you must fall in love with the characters first and I fell head over heels in love with both June and Day. Initially I was a little hesitant about the characters because they're awfully young for such a dramatised plot, I mean at 15 I wasn't starting revolutions or saving the republic however both have shown outstanding maturity and ugh, I just love them soooo much! June, it's astounding how much she's grown since Legend, she's really had it tough and the way she's dealt with everything is just so brave! Day, apart from being incredibly good looking was so perfect. He wasn't too nice and yes, in parts he was a little bit of a jerk but the way he always pulls through and his love June is so sweet! One of the best coupling in the YA genre, I couldn't be any happier! Although I love June and Day together, I can't help but wonder whether there will be anything between June and Anden. It probably won't be a love triangle but the best romances are the ones that survive all the obstacles!

I like to think of myself as a reasonable book critic, I always try to see the positive and the negative and in this case, I just can't find a negative! I enjoyed it immensely and while it wasn't The Gathering Dark ( which is my favourite book in the entire world!), Prodigy was as close to perfection as I'm willing to say! I highly recommend checking out this series, definitely worth a read! Lu better have something mind shattering planned for book 3 if she wants to meet all my high expectations! Two thumbs up for Prodigy!

What's It Worth? - Hand Over the Paycheck/ Break Out the Piggy Bank

Badass Bookie xx

Legend

Review Time! Legend by Marie Lu is a 2011 YA Debut which makes it - quite old. I hadn't had much luck with this book with two copies getting lost in the mail until I finally got my hands on a copy! Legend has been picked up by Hollywood and will be made into film! YAY LET US CONQUER HOLLYWOOD TOGETHER. You can purchase a copy of Legend from Fishpond | The Nile | Booktopia | Bookworld.

(Goodreads) What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

The Short Story? - I really enjoyed this book! I did have a few minor problems with the novel but overall I can definitely see the appeal of Legend to the YA market! Lu is a brilliant writer and Legend is a stand out among the dystopian genre with it's intense action and beautiful romance. Loved the alternating perspective and great world building. Highly recommended to fans of edgy YA dystopian! Expect a cat and mouse game with an expected twist!

The Long Story? - I don't know why but I got the impression upon picking up the book that I wasn't going to enjoy it, luckily I was wrong and I *did* enjoy it. There were aspects of Legend that seemed a little generic and predictable but on the whole it was a refreshingly original addition to the dystopian genre. I liked the cat and mouse aspect of the novel and I liked the bombshells Lu dropped right at the end. I didn't start off loving the story, it was a little slow and I just didn't see badass aspect of the novel I was expecting but as the novel progressed I saw a lot more action. Legend actually ended up being one of those books that I found very hard to put down! The romance was very well executed as well and more importantly - NO LOVE TRIANGLE. I also loved the world building, I've always had a fascination with the military and to combine that with a futuristic society and a criminal on the wrong side of the law - Lu really did put a lot of thought into the plot. Definitely not a waste of time, I can't wait to read Prodigy!

Initially I didn't know what to make of June, she was so distant and unemotional that it was hard to "get" her as a character. However at the same time it reflected quite well the theme of a controlling society. She wasn't allowed to let her emotions get in the way of serving the republic. As the novel progressed June did become more approachable and when Day came into the picture I *really* started to like her. I also loved the prodigy aspect of June, some people might argue that perfection is boring but June isn't perfect and being a prodigy only made her a unique and extraordinary. While I did end up loving June it was really Day that made the novel for me. His fierce love for his family and his devotion to doing whatever was possible to help them is deeply moving. However it was Day's older brother John who stole my heart. OMG this gorgeous boy stole me heart and then broke it with his sacrifice for Day, that loyalty between the brothers is a true bromance! Great characterisation on Lu's part!

If you don't mind a little bit of a wait at the start of the novel, Legend is one to pick up. Filled with intense action, romance, betrayal and secret agendas - the futuristic world of the republic is more twisted than words can describe. Fantastic characters and beautifully written, June and Day are definitely up to something and I can't wait to find out what in the sequel! Two thumbs up for Legend!

What's it worth? - Hand Over The Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

The Golden Lily

Review Time! The Golden Lily is the second book in the Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead which is a spin-off series from her bestsellingVampire Academy series ( which I LOVE). I know a lot of you have already read this but I thought it would be better to read this closer to the release of Indigo Spell which comes out next month! You can purchase a copy from Fishpond | The Nile | Booktopia | Bookworld. Thanks to Penguin for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she’s been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California–tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age–old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don’t die. But it’s her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney’s loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart?

The Short Story? - It ain't no Vampire Academy but it's getting there! I'm finding myself to overcome my disapproval for Sydrian and actually starting to well, like them together! The plot could have done with a little more action but I feel like it was a solid book and it definitely contributed to the series as a whole. Loved the character development and as always, Mead's writing is like liquid gold! Definitely not a waste of time and I can't wait to see where Sydney and her gang are headed to next!

The Long Story? - A little bit of a back story, I am strongly against the idea of Sydney and Adrian. I feel like the fact that Adrian is moving on is disrespectful to the idea of him and Rose together, it kinda cheapens the previous romance - THE romance that I was pining for and I don't like that. After reading The Golden Lily I feel like I understand the chemistry between Sydney and Adrian a little better which means I not as against them together, I guess I AM warming up to this romance! In terms of the plot for this novel, it definitely wasn't as strong as Bloodlines, in parts I even found it a little boring. Quite slow and there wasn't even a body count! I respect that Mead probably wrote The Golden Lily is as a stepping stone between Bloodlines and The Indigo Spell and it was more of a characterisation book and that was probably a good idea in terms of me warming up to Sydrian but doesn't do much for the plot itself. That said, things do happen in the book that might shock but I just found it s tad bit predictable. Like I said, it ain't no Vampire Academy but it's getting there!

I feel like the focal point of The Golden Lily rests in it's character development category which was something that I really enjoyed. I loved the experience of growing closer to the characters but also getting a feel of the chemistry between Sydney and Adrian which I found a little lacking in Bloodlines. I was never a big fan of Sydney, she was the type of girl I would avoid, she just worries too much and she's so organised and beyond her years! She's kinda a socially awkward bean. However I did grow to admire her in this novel and the small changes in her really make a huge differences. She's a little more chilled now which makes her a little more human! Adrian is Adrian and if you know me, you know I love Adrian to BITS. He's just charming and the complete opposite of Sydney but somehow together they work. Also its' more of a blooming romance at the moment, they're not "official" but it's plainly obvious that they're SOOOOO into each other! Loved the Dimtri cameos and everyone else was brilliant too!

I wanted to keep this review a little vague because it's not a first in the series and I don't want to ruin it for anyone of you who are looking to read Bloodlines and The Golden Lily. In a nutshell, I was looking for a little more in the plot department but I got everything I wanted from the characterisation department so it wasn't too bad! On top of that I can see an epic romance in the making and being one of my favourite authors of all time I'm sure Mead has something spectacular planned for us all for The Indigo Spell!

What's it Worth? - Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie

The Farm

Review time! Okay you guys have NO idea how big my review pile is right now, I am at least 20 books behind and I'm making my way through at snail pace. The Farm by Emily McKay is YA debut novel ( or at least that's what Goodreads tell me). It was one of those books just popped out of no where, not much hype, it was just THERE and it was GOOD. You can purchase a copy of The Farm from Fishpond | The Nile | Booktopia | Bookworld Thanks to Penguin for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Life was different in the Before: before vampires began devouring humans in a swarm across America; before the surviving young people were rounded up and quarantined. These days, we know what those quarantines are—holding pens where human blood is turned into more food for the undead monsters, known as Ticks. Surrounded by electrical fences, most kids try to survive the Farms by turning on each other…

And when trust is a thing of the past, escape is nearly impossible.

Lily and her twin sister Mel have a plan. Though Mel can barely communicate, her autism helps her notice things no one else notices—like the portion of electrical fence that gets turned off every night. Getting across won’t be easy, but as Lily gathers what they need to escape, a familiar face appears out of nowhere, offering to help…

Carter was a schoolmate of Lily’s in the Before. Managing to evade capture until now, he has valuable knowledge of the outside world. But like everyone on the Farm, Carter has his own agenda, and he knows that behind the Ticks is an even more dangerous threat to the human race...

The Short Story? - If you liked Julie Kagawa's The Immortal Rules, I highly recommend The Farm by Emily Mckay. While the books are very different, the world building shows similarities. Set in a post apocalyptic world over run by blood-sucking vampire hybrids, this is a story of survival, saving the world and family love ( and other types of love too). Fast-paced, edgy and dangerous, if you like your heroes in pairs and completely down to earth, The Farm is just the book for you!

The Long Story? - I went into this novel not knowing what to expect, it arrived on my doorstep one morning and I picked it up, read it and was completely blown away! It's a fairly long book and there was a little bit of a wait for the story to pick up but once it picked up, IT REALLY PICKED UP. McKay's debut is almost like a post apocalyptic road trip WITHOUT the music and WITH the blood sucking vampire hybrids waiting to kill you every night. The Farm is different, edgy, gritty and more than anything it's exciting. Survivor on the road with a body count, vampires and an unlikely bunch of teens ( and there much older vampire protector/dude that's just there). McKay's The Farm is absolutely spectacular!

Another aspect of the novel I loved beside the whole road trip from hell aspect was the characterisation. McKay has not only explored a supernatural aspect with her debut but she also touches base on many issues like autism and teenage pregnancy. The Farm is told from multiple POVs. Lily who is essentially the protagonist is a brilliant character. I strongly admire her love for her autistic sister Mel, it's really tough especially for an 18 year old girl yet Lily knows all about love, sacrifice and perseverance. I also really enjoyed the parts of the novel written from Mel's perspective because they didn't really make sense, the whole thing was in riddles yet some how it fitted with the atmosphere of the novel perfectly. Carter who is Lily's love interest in the novel also got his own chapters and I loved how we can see a relationship from both parties, it just makes it more authentic and interesting. Overall McKay truly outdid herself with the characterisation!

The Farm is a hauntingly beautiful story to match an equally as beautiful cover. A phenomenal debut from McKay I can't wait to see what she has install for us next. Definitely pick this one up because aside from the totally awesome roadtrippy plot, the characterisation and writing is completely and utterly amazing. I don't regret reading this one at all! Two thumbs up for post apocalyptic vampires that don't sparkle!

What's it Worth? - Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

The Rise Of Nine

Review Time! I totally lied when I said I would be back last week because as you can see, there is STILL a lack of posts on the blog! It's just been so busy lately, with travelling and school, blogging really HAS taken a backseat but I PROMISE I will be back SOON. The Rise of Nine by Pittacus Lore is the third book in the Lorien Legacies series. You can purchase a copy of the book from Fishpond | The Nile | Booktopia | Dymocks | Angus and Robertson. Thanks to Penguin for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Until the day I met John Smith, Number Four, I'd been on the run alone, hiding and fighting to stay alive.

Together, we are much more powerful. But it could only last so long before we had to separate to find the others. . . .

I went to Spain to find Seven, and I found even more, including a tenth member of the Garde who escaped from Lorien alive. Ella is younger than the rest of us, but just as brave. Now we're looking for the others--including John.

But so are they.
They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They caught me in New York--but I escaped.
I am Number Six.
They want to finish what they started.
But they'll have to fight us first

The Short Story? - The Rise of Nine was so good that it put me in a reading slump (and I'm still suffering). Pittacus Lore, you've done it again. You've managed to rise above all my high expectations. The Rise of Nine was absolutely phenomenal, this is definitely my favourite book of the series by far! Filled with action, conflict and intense drama, this edgy and fast-paced YA sci-fi will leave you craving for more! A complex and action-packed plot, fantastic characters and some major world-saving, The Rise of Nine is a must read!

The Long Story? - I have so much love for this book that I have to choose carefully what I write or the whole review will be a pile of mush and exclamation marks. There are not enough words to describe how amazing this book is. The plot is so well developed and I love how Lore manages to write through the perspectives of so many characters without confusing readers. The alternating perspectives between Four, Six and Seven really makes the novel seem more intense. It's a well planned plot thats both complex and exciting. It's fast-packed and action-packed yet somehow Lore manages to squeeze in moments of friendship and love. Reading The Rise of Nine is like riding the world's fastest roller coaster without a seatbelt on. If anyone knows how to write a good sci-fi, it's Pittacus Lore.

There is a significant amount of character development in this novel mainly due to the introduction of more characters. John ( Four) is more of less the same and he's definitely one of those characters that you can't help but adore. Marina ( Seven) is coming out of her shell! We get to see a stronger and more independent Marina in The Rise of Nine and it's so refreshing. Six, I just have so much love for her! She's badass, tough and confident and more importantly she's a really nice girl. She's definitely my favourite character! Nine, initially I wasn't a huge fan of Nine because he was a little bit of a jerk but as the novel progresses, you get to understand him better and he really grows on you. Ella ( Ten), cute as ever! And Eight, this guy cracks me up and he is just one of those characters that you automatically fall in love with! Overall, a really great cast of characters, my only complaint is that I STILL HAVE NOT MET FIVE.

If there is one book that deserves to be read, it's The Rise of Nine. YOU HAVE TO READ IT! This series is absolutely amazing and I would highly recommend everyone to pick it up. The Rise of Nine was everything that I expected it to be and more, action-packed plot, fantastic characters and wonderfully written. Easily addictive, highly entertaining and never fails to impress, The Lorien Legacies is sci-fi at it's finest. A must-read!

What's it Worth? - Break Out the Piggybank

Badass Bookie xx

Freshmen Year and Other Unnatural Disasters

Review Time! Freshmen Year and Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin is a 2012 YA Debut! Now I'm feeling absolutely horrible right now because this was sent to me for review back in March and EVERY MONTH is gets left behind! Not to mention it's a fantastic book too! You can purchase copies of your own at The Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Fishpond | The Nile. Thank-you so much to Penguin US for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Kelsey Finkelstein is fourteen and FRUSTRATED. Every time she tries to live up to her awesome potential, her plans are foiled – by her impossible parents, her annoying little sister, and life in general. But with her first day of high school coming up, Kelsey is positive that things are going to change. Enlisting the help of her three best friends — sweet and quiet Em, theatrical Cass, and wild JoJo — Kelsey gets ready to rebrand herself and make the kind of mark she knows is her destiny. 

Things start out great - her arch-nemesis has moved across the country, giving Kelsey the perfect opportunity to stand out on the soccer team and finally catch the eye of her long-time crush. But soon enough, an evil junior’s thirst for revenge, a mysterious photographer, and a series of other catastrophes make it clear that just because KELSEY has a plan for greatness… it doesn’t mean the rest of the world is in on it.

The Short Story? - A light and fluffy debut that will bring you plenty of laughs! Zeitlin's Freshmen Year and Other Unnatural Disasters is a coming-to-age novel filled with disastrous events, a friendship like no other and a hilarious protagonist that quite possibly has the worst luck ever! A refreshingly cute YA showcasing an authentically teen narrative voice, Freshmen Year and Other Unnatural Disasters is perfect for readers looking for a light coming-to-age novel filled with sweethearts, disasters and laughs!

The Long Story? - So much love for this novel! I honestly didn't think I was going to enjoy Freshmen Year and Other Unnatural Disasters as much as I did! This is definitely a debut targeted at a younger audience however it's one that can be enjoyed by everyone. It's a very light and fluffy novel, it's one of those novels that you read just for fun. There really isn't a deeper meaning to the novel besides entertainment for me because I guess I'm not a freshmen and I've already experienced starting high school. However I did find that I could relate aspects of the novel and I'm sure many of you could as well! Freshmen Year and Other Unnatural Disasters really took me make to freshmen year and all the drama of starting high school because it's a huge deal. The novel also discusses a lot of issues such as sexuality, social hierarchy and friendship problems. Highly recommended for readers of all ages!

I really liked the characterisation in Freshmen Year! I felt all the characters are very easy to connect with because we've all been in that position in our life where we have to start something new and scary.  Kelsey was a great protagonist! She's definitely not perfect but she is an authentic character. I feel like in YA fiction, it's really rare to see characters that are truly "authentic", sometimes authors develop these characters that just seem kind of fake. They might be flawed but it's a superficial flaw. While with Kelsey and her friends, all their flaws were very real and I could relate to them better because they're my flaws too! Kelsey can be self-centred and selfish but that's me too! One of my favourite things about this novel was the fact that the romance was a very small minority and that's is so rare in YA these days! There are boys in the novel but the novel is definitely more about friendship than boys and that's an important thing to remember!

In a nutshell, Freshmen Year and Other Unnatural Disasters was a fantastic debut! I can't wait to see what Zeitlin has planned for us next because I thoroughly enjoy her writing style. If you're looking for a fluffy one sitting read, Freshmen Year and Other Unnatural Disasters is the book to choose! Fantastic plot, great characterisation and overall just a brilliant feel-good debut! For readers of all ages to enjoy, Freshmen Year and Other Unnatural Disasters is definitely worth the read!

What's it Worth? - Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

No Such Thing As Forever

Review Time! No Such Thing As Forever by Ali Conin is the first in a series called Girl Heart Boys that Penguin has recently acquired. They are novels about real life relationships and romance so none of the sugar-coated happy endings that frequent YA fiction. They're more like companion novels rather then a series I think... Anyway, thanks to Penguin for the review copy!

(Blurb) Real love. Real lives. The real thing . . .Four girls, three boys, turning 18. Get set to follow their eventful final year at school.

Cass is Ms Monogamy. Ashley is a player. Donna is a party girl. But what about Sarah? Her friends tease her for being uptight, but she's waiting for The One. Now she's found him, but is he forever - or is Sarah just his summer fling?

The Short Story? - Cronin just about broke every cliche about YA contemporary romance. No Such Thing As Forever is far from your typical YA contemporary yet it's every bit as beautiful and enjoyable! A bittersweet love story about real teens dealing with real problems in the real world. Gritty and confronting, No Such Thing As Forever is perfect for those who look to venture into the ugly side of teen romance! Beautiful!

The Long Story? - No Such Thing As Forever is pretty self-explanatory. There is no such thing as forever! That is the ugly truth and while we all want to fall in love in high school with cute boys and then have babies with them - that's just YA "fiction". Cronin's No Such Thing as Forever really explores the "real" teen world where guys are jerks, girls are nasty and where love is pretty much non-existent. Cronin has incorporated several very confronting issues about growing up in the plot including sex, family, relationships, friendship and love. It's a real gritty kind of novel, no sugar-coating, it's the ugly truth with a bittersweet THE END. It's not the novel that I would normally pick up and read but I very much enjoyed it. It's refreshing, it's unique and Cronin has a beautiful narrative voice. I highly recommend No Such Thing As Forever for those who like "dark-ish" contemporary!

Overall, I liked the characterisation. I really liked Sarah, she was dependable and nice and I think many readers would find her easy to relate to. There was this chunk of the book where Sarah became overly obsessed with Joe and I know Cronin intentionally made her that way to portray the clingy girlfriend but that's not my thing. That obsession made Sarah do stupid things and blinded her and I really wanted to just shake her and say "OPEN YOUR EYES". However, Sarah was definitely a good protagonist. Sarah's friends play a major role in the novel and I thought that was great because friends are so underrated in teen romance when really, it's friends over boys - ALWAYS. The importance of friendship is definitely one of the highlights for me because my friends mean the world to me and Sarah really values her friends so we're like TWINSIES.

In a nutshell No Such Thing as Forever is a novel that you should definitely put on radar because it's unique and authentic and it's enjoyable. No Such Thing as Forever is a bittersweet story about a girl and a boy and the love story that was never there. It's about opening your eyes, setting your priorities straight and learning the importance of friendship. It's about growing up, love, sex, alcohol, drugs, sexuality. Cronin has absolutely everything in her plot! Go read it! :)

What's it Worth? - Squeeze into the Budget/ Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

Disharmony

Review Time! Disharmony by Leah Giarratano is an Australian 2012 YA Debut. Released on the 23rd of May, the novel is available for purchase at Fishpond | The Nile |  Booktopia! If anyone is looking for an fantastic Aussie YA - definitely check out Disharmony! Thanks to Penguin for the review copy!

(Goodreads) A psychopath... an empath... a genius. 

Three siblings who will save the world – or destroy it.
They know nothing of each other. They know nothing of the Telling. 
But they’ll need to learn fast if they’re going to survive...

A gripping new series about a collision of worlds, the power of destiny, and the darkness in us all...

The Short Story? - A novel that will satisfy both male and female readers of all ages! Giarratano has brought back YA fiction without the heavy romance tag-a-long. A very appealing plot and a solid ending, I thoroughly enjoyed this "out of the ordinary" debut! Told from alternative perspectives, the novel gives a brilliant insight into two very different lifestyles and craftily intertwines the lives of two very different teenagers. If you're looking for a supernatural read with unique approach Disharmony will please!

The Long Story? - I went into the novel not known what to expect and I finished the novel feeling really satisfied with what I've read. Giarratano's YA debut is definitely something different and unique. The plot is quite complex and really weaves the supernatural with the ordinary. The whole story revolves around these three siblings the Psychopath, the Empath and the Genius. These sibling save the power to change the world for the better and the worse. The novel was quite slow moving, a little too much world-building and character-building I think. It's good that Giarratano's put so much effort into settling readers comfortably into this world of fiction she's created but the pace was just slightly too slow. There wasn't much action for the majority but it finished really strong. I loved the ending and especially the cliff hanger it kind of finished upon. Definitely one I can recommend to both male and female readers because romance is far from the storyline. I enjoyed it, there was room for improvement but overall a solid debut!

The characterisation was very well done. Maybe a little too well done with the slow pace but nevertheless the novel offered plenty of opportunities to connect with the characters. Disharmony is told from alternating perspectives of the Psychopath - Luke and the Empath - Samantha who are twins that were separated from birth. The twins knew nothing of each other until 3/4 of the way through the book and they lived very different lifestyles. I loved how Giarratano has built up this wonderful gypsy world for Sam to grow up in and this harsh, brutal Juvenile Detention centre upbringing for Luke. It really fits their whole Psychopath and Empath take. Luke doesn't seem like a Psychopath to me, he has high tolerance of bullying and pain but to me he seems like a slightly disturbed nice kid. I'm keen to see where Giarratano takes him in the sequel. Sam is lovely, very compassionate and she holds her family and friends close. We didn't meet the Genius until the very end and he still remains a mystery but from what I can see, Giarratano will undoubtedly develop his characters very well as well!

All in all, it was a very strong debut. There were aspects such as the pace that I didn't like but the majority of the novel was fantastic. I loved the world-building, I loved the unique plot and I love the characters. Giarratano has debuted into the YA market with a remarkable novel that's bother original and compelling. Even slow pace I found it very hard to put the novel down! One to put on your radar - Disharmony will appeal to readers of all ages and sexes.

What's it Worth? - Squeeze Into Your Budget/ Hand Over Your Paycheck


Badass Bookie xx

Born Wicked

Review Time! Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood is a 2012 YA Debut. Jess was actually of my debutantes of the year so I feel this special kinship towards the book ( of course - that doesn't mean this is not an HONEST review!) However, I was really excited to read this - the cover is gorgeous and I hoped the story was too! Thanks to Penguin for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave. Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra. If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.

The Short Story? - A solid debut that combines two of my favourite genres into one brilliant novel! Set in the 1800's Born Wicked is unlike any other witches tale you've read. Spotswood's enticing debut is filled with twists and turns, unpredictable developments, a beautiful romance, loss and sacrifice. Beautifully written, this historical fiction with the touch of the supernatural is a treat to read!

The Long Story? - Gorgeous cover but completely deceiving. I was expecting your average high school chick meets dude tale not some 1800's witches tale ( I mean she's wearing a SHORT DRESS). I'm glad I was wrong because Spotswood combination of historical fiction and the supernatural created a brilliant debut! The story was fabulous but there were elements that could didn't suit my taste. It was one of those plots that grew on you, the pace was a little slow for my taste. I know Spotswood had to write her debut so it fitted with the era but I like my novels with action and adventure and the novel lacked the two. As I read on, it did get more interesting. And eventually I was hooked and unable to put to put the book down! Born Wicked had twists and turns, unpredictable developments, love, loss and sacrifice. More importantly there was a bigger picture than just some teen romance ( which is always nice). I have a clear idea of where the story is heading and I can't wait to read the sequel! Original, Spotswood has taken on witches from a completely new perspective!

There were characters I like, characters I didn't like and ones that I couldn't figure out. Cate was one of those I couldn't figure out, she's a lovely girl but her personality is so ...bland. I know it's the 1800's and she has to look after her sisters but still, there is no fun in this girl. Over the course of the novel she does loosen up a little and her relationship with Finn helps too but she's 16 and she acts like she's going to mid-life crisis (constantly). Finn was probably my favourite character, I can't quite picture him as good-looking but he's really sweet and considerate and a totally 1800's gentlemen. Maura was annoying, immature and not a very nice person. She was stuck-up, jealous and I'm surprised Cate didn't slap because if I was her sister, I totally would. Everything that goes wrong is pretty much her fault. On the other hand, Tess was a real sweetie - the nice sister. I can't wait to see how she develops in the next book because she's completely grown onto me. Overall the characterisation was pretty good, some flaws but I'm sure Spotswood will work on it in the sequel!

In a nutshell, I find that I'm more severe in judging this book than with others. This is probably because I had expectation before I read the book instead of going in clueless. There were a couple of spots in that didn't work for me and the characterisation was a little lacking but overall, it was a very engrossing debut! I really enjoyed it once I got into it, the novel is brilliantly original and addictive especially towards the end. If you're looking for a unique supernatural YA, Born Wicked would be a recommend read! :)

What's it Worth? - Squeeze into the Budget/ Hand Over the Paycheck


Badass Bookie xx 

The Catastrophic History of You and Me

Review time! The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg is a 2012 YA Debut and just a heads up - Jess is actually my February Debut of the Month so check out her debutante profile and giveaway ( Signed ARC + Poster) after you read this review! Today is the AUS release date! Thanks to Penguin for the ARC for review :)

(Goodreads) Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever. 

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally. 

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after. 

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?



The Short Story? - An undeniably bittersweet novel about heartbreak, getting over him and coming to terms with death. Rothenberg has written an incredible debut filled with beautifully prose, witty dialogue and some completely hilarious characters. A unique spin on the afterlife and funny take on teenage heartbreak, The Catastrophic History of You and Me is a treat for us all!

The Long Story? - *sigh* It was...everything I thought it'll be and more. A very satisfying read! I loved everything about The Catastrophic History of You and Me, Rothenberg has truly written a remarkable debut! A very unique plot with a refreshingly original take on the afterlife. The novel is a lot more serious than the blurb led me to think yet it maintains the light and airy atmosphere. Wonderfully bittersweet, Brie's story is not a happy one but it's touching and completely unputdownable. The idea of dying by broken heart really made me laugh, there is nothing funny about death but... well, I laughed okay? Funny, comfortable and beautifully written, a fantastic contemporary!

The characterisation was very well done! I completely adored Brie - you gotta love her! Everything from the disney references to the cheesy nicknames ( pun intended), she was a great protagonist. She's funny, kind and a tad sarcastic. Some of her post-death choices weren't so great but let's all cut her some slack, she died of a BROKEN HEART! That's double sucky :) And her mistakes helped develop her into a better character. Wonderful character development! Patrick, our guid to the other side is funny with a capital 'f'. Quite a looker, hilarious and adorably sweet - he stole my heart! A wonderfully characterised novel!

After reading The Catastrophic History of You and Me I went into a week long reading hangover, the novel was so awesome I couldn't bring myself to read anything else! Rothenberg has written novel complete with the whole shebang, a unique plot, fantastic characters, beautiful prose and funny dialogue! I can't wait to see what Jess has install for us next after her winner of a debut! One not to be missed!

What's it Worth? - Hand Over the Paycheck/ Break Out the Piggy Bank


Badass Bookie xx

The Fault in Our Stars

Review Time! Okay, who hasn't read this book yet? I swear since it's release last month - EVERYONE has read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green! I admit this is my first John Green and well, if the rest of them are anything like this one, I must dip into my savings buy them all! Thanks to Penguin for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now. 

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault. 

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

The Short Story? - One of the best contemporary novels I've ever read! A fulfilling novel that's wonderfully, beautifully, refreshingly bittersweet. Realistic, raw and heartbreaking, John Green has written a modern classic in the making! This will the novel people talk about in 60 years. Unputdownable from cover to cover, The Fault in Our Stars will make you cry, laugh and cry some more! Bravo John Green!

The Long Story? - Read this book in private, preferably behind a locked door. YOU WILL CRY. Trust me, I'm the least moved person ever ( I didn't even cry in The Notebook!) but I bawled like a baby reading The Fault in Our Stars. John Green is a master of literature. Like Laini Taylor and J.K. Rowling, he isn't just an author, he is an artist, a story-teller, a unique individual with a gift. Green has beautiful prose, very unique and even in the most serious of situations filled with humour. If anyone can make a girl who hates sob stories ( read- me) love a MAJOR sob story it's him. The Fault in Our Stars is filled with humour, raw emotions and a love story that will you leave in tears. Heartbreakingly beautiful, Green deals with may serious issues that haunt society everyday in this work of fiction. He has written an extraordinary contemporary about life, death and everything in between. Be prepared for the best tear-jerker of the century!

This is perhaps one of the best characterisations I've ever seen (or read). We always talk about our favourite YA couples, well this is one of my favourites - Hazel and Augustus. Their story isn't one with a happily ever after but it's so raw, beautiful and filled with love.  Both characters suffer from cancer and they meet through a cancer victim support group. I clicked instantly with Hazel, she's so so brave and she's a downright funny girl! Suffering from cancer, she doesn't have the life of a normal teen yet she makes the most of it! Augustus is just wonderful. He brings out the best in Hazel and she brings out the best in him - that is love. He's the perfect gentlemen, insufferably sweet and very very very witty. (A Jace Wayland reincarnation with personality modification perhaps?). Some of the best characterisations I've read!

If you got anything out of that rubbish review ( filled with too much gushing hey?) you know that I LOVED The Fault in Out Stars. For girl who probably hates nothing more than a contemporary sob story, that's like the highest form of a compliment. John Green only writes the best of the best. You will be a fool to pass up on this one. The Fault in Our Stars is not to be missed. It's an absolute keeper so go buy yourself a copy (or two!)

What's it Worth? - BREAK OUT THE PIGGYBANK ( like NOW!)


The Fault in Our Stars currently has a 4.71 Rating on Goodreads, 8902 people have rated it - do you think we'll lie?


Badass Bookie xx

Cinder

Review time! First year of 2012 and the honor goes to Cinder by Marissa Meyer, who’s release date is actually today (in the US) anyway :) I *positive* that Cinder is in stores already for all Australian residents. Cinder is a 2012 YA Debut therefore this is also the first book to be counted towards my Debut Author challenge! Thanks to Penguin for the ARC!

(Goodreads) Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future. 

The Short Story? – A futuristic re-imagining of my favorite childhood fairytale – Cinderella. A remarkable debut that will leave its imprint in 2012. Utterly original and completely un-put-down-able, Meyer has taken a classic and turned it into an epic adventure of massive proportion. Beautifully written and wonderfully characterized, this is a dystrophic fairytale that calls for an immediate sequel!

The Long Story? – WHAT A SUBERB DEBUT! Meyer has really kicked off the year for me, Cinder was amazing. One of the most original re-imagining I have read, beautiful creation of a dystrophic society, Meyer detail to her post-WWIV world is just extraordinary. Technologically advanced, the society isn’t like the clichéd controlling, brain-washing societies, we’re always reading in YA fiction. This society is interesting, it has personality, it has ROYALTY (instead of the general ruling body or whatever) and it has a handsome prince. New Beijing is a groovy place to live and it’s an excellent setting for the start of brilliant series. Cinder isn’t a re-telling it’s a re-imagining so while some parts are similar to the fairytale, the majority of the book has been changed so that it’s definitely not a fairytale you except a 5 year old to read! I don’t want to go into the plot too much because I don’t want to spoil it but it’s very nicely shaped, it’s a well-thought out plot and all the loose ends are tied neatly by the end of the book leaving only a cliff hanger to hook you into the anticipation for the next book!

The characterization is most original. Cinder, our main character is a cyborg and at the start I had a prejudice against her. I was under the mistaken impression that Cyborgs were robots and the thought of a Cyborg kissing a Prince and saving the world, quite frankly, horrified me. As I read on, I discovered that a Cyborg was in fact human with robotic part, a little like an amputee with a fake arm etc. SO FALSE ALARM. When that was cleared up I could really see what well developed character Cinder really was and in the end I really loved her. She’s really sweet and I can see why Kai would grow to love her. Prince Kai is our ‘love interest’; I’m really hoping that the romance picks up in the next book because Cinder was more of a development of affection process. Nevertheless, Kai would make a great boyfriend so I hope they totally get together!!! Also, Meyer has made the stepmother and stepsister REAL mean; seriously, there were a few times I wanted to cry for Cinder (since she can’t.) We have villains and heroes, what more do we need for a cast of characters?

Start the New Year with a book you know is going to rock! Cinder exceeded my expectations and completely blew me away. A memorable debut that is a must-read of the year, Meyer has turned a childhood favorite into a fighting evil, saving the world kind of book with a blossoming romance that’s had me hooked! A futuristic society, a deadly plague, a love story, Cinder is a dystrophic fairytale that leaves readers wishing for a happy ending!

What’s its Worth? – Hand over the Paycheck/ Break out the Piggy Bank

Badass Bookie xx