Because of Low

Review Time! Yes, you didn't read that wrong. I'm actually pumping out something today that isn't a blog tour post! I'm going to rub two brain cells together and finally WRITE THIS REVIEW. Because of Low is the second book in the Sea Breeze series by Abbi Glines. However something nifty about these books is that they can be read out of order since they're technically companion novels not a series (I can vouch since I read these out of order). You can purchase a copy of Because of Low from The Book Depository | Booktopia | Fishpond | Bookworld. Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Set in the steamy coastal Alabama town of Sea Breeze, an interconnected group of older teens hook up, break up ...and much, much more. Marcus Hardy had hoped to enjoy a year away at college while he put the summer he'd rather forget behind him. But instead, he's jerked right back his home town of Sea Breeze due to a family crisis. The only bright spot to returning is the hot redhead who sleeps over at his place several times a week. There's just one thing though - she's sleeping in bed with his new roommate, Cage York. Willow "Low" Foster needs a place to live. Running to her best friend Cage's apartment every time her sister kicks her out isn't exactly a long term solution. But Cage has a new roommate and suddenly sleeping over at his apartment isn't such a bad thing. Not when she gets to see those sexy green eyes of Marcus's twinkle when he smiles at her like he wants her there. There's one problem though, Cage is under the disillusion that when he's through sowing his wild oats, he's going to marry Low - an assumption Marcus intends to change. But when his carefully laid plans come crashing down with a revelation he never expected, Marcus will have to choose between Low or his family. Because once the truth comes out ...there's no other choice.

The Short Story? - There is an addicting quality about Abbi Glines' NA romances and this rings true for Because of Low as well. I couldn't put the book down, never been one to consider myself a sucker for a romance, this one was totally a guilty pleasure. It's cliched and predictable yet there is something addictive about the promise of a happy ending. Great plot, filled to the brim with drama and sizzling chemistry. The characters were fantastic, a little far-fetched and way too good-looking to be true but a girl can dream! Definitely my favourite book of the series and one of my favourite NA novels!

The Long Story? - It seems like all I've been reading lately are NA romance novels so it's easy for me to pick out the good and the bad from the mediocre. Because of Low is definitely one of my favourites out of the ones that I've read. The thing with NA novels is that the plots are really cliched and predictable. I could tell you what happens from just reading the back cover however there is something compulsive about the promise of a happy ending and I find myself reading these novels anyway. Because of Low was unputdownable, despite the fact I knew what was going to happen before the characters even knew what was going to happen, the intense drama and the incredibly hot attraction between Marcus and Low kept me on the edge of my seat! Because of Low was a guilty pleasure for me, easy to read, addictive and buzzing with chemistry. It's the perfect book for some alone time!

The characterisation is a little skeptical, the town of Sea Breeze, Alabama, has way too many good-looking for this book to be true (or maybe not, I've never been), however, this girl ain't complaining. After finishing Because of Low I found that I really liked the pairing of Marcus and Low, both characters are incredibly laid back and even though I know they are fictional characters, I felt the attraction and love between them was real. Low was the most adorable character ever, she was so sweet and real and her friendship with Cage was so beautiful I was completely and undeniable envious. Marcus was the southern gentlemen that only seems to make an appearance in books. He was definitely of the good guys, respectful, good-looking, can cook and a sweetheart. The back stories of the characters seemed a little forced however for this kind of novel - it worked. Overall, I'm very happy with the characterisation.

Because of Low is one of those books that you would love to hate but can't help but love. I'm not going to lie, the writing isn't the best, the plot isn't unique and the characterisation isn't anything overly amazing however somehow the book worked. I absolutely loved this book because the romance and chemistry between Low and Marcus was so fierce and real, it made everything else fade into the background (that and the fact that I'm a sucker for drama-filled novels). I would definitely recommend picking this one up, if you're hesitant about the NA genre, give this one a go because it's definitely one of my favourites of this budding genre!

What's it Worth? - Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

Breathe

Review Time! So you guys might have noticed that my blog has looked a little empty these past few weeks...well thats because I've been in Germany! I've been in Germany for the past three weeks and they were honestly the best three weeks of my life! BUT back to the review! Simon and Schuster Australia recently published Abbi Gline's Sea Breeze series and today I bring you the review of the first book, Breathe! You can purchase Breathe from The Book Depository | Fishpond | The Nile | Bookworld. Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Sadie White's summer job isn't going to be on the beach life-guarding or working at rental booths like most kids her age. With her single mother's increasing pregnancy and refusal to work, Sadie has to take over her mother's job as a domestic servant for one of the wealthy summer families on a nearby island.

When the family arrives at their summer getaway, Sadie is surprised to learn that the owner of the house is Jax Stone, one of the hottest teen rockers in the world. If Sadie hadn't spent her life raising her mother and taking care of the house she might have been normal enough to be excited about working for a rock star.

Even though Sadie isn't impressed by Jax's fame, he is drawn to her. Everything about Sadie fascinates Jax but he fights his attraction. Relationships never work in his world and as badly as he wants Sadie, he believes she deserves more. By the end of the summer, Jax discovers he can't breathe without Sadie.

The Short Story? - While I'm loyal to my YA genre, these sizzling NA novels are definitely my guilty pleasure! Filled with drama, summer and an epic love story, there is little not to love about Abbi Gline's Breathe! Perfect for the summer weather, Breathe is a light, beachy read that will melt your insides. Intense, steamy and exciting, I enjoyed this novel a whole lot more than I'm prepared to admit. I'm not typically a huge romance reader but even I can't resist Abbi Gline's notorious bad boys and happy endings!

The Long Story? - I couldn't put this book down guys, I was carrying this book everywhere with me. Upstairs, downstairs, to school, to sport, out with friends, if there is one book that can turn you into a compulsive reader, it's this one. I didn't really expect to enjoy Breathe because although these romances novels are my guilty pleasure, there is something a little "too" cliched about the rockstar falling in love with the help. However, I absolutely loved this book from cover to cover. The plot was dramatic, easy to pick and filled with steamy chemistry between Sadie and Jax. This series is just such a feel good series, they're light and filled with romance, I didn't expect to come back from reading this with some deep insight on life. These are "just for fun" books and these are the books I would recommend for the summer. Feel good, sizzling, summer romances and no one writes better summer books that Glines. Beautifully written, I thoroughly enjoyed the alternating perspectives between Sadie and Jax, with romance novels like these it's always nice to read the story from both perspectives! Unputdownable, Glines doesn't disappoint with this series debut!

The characterisation was well done although it definitely wasn't the stand out of the novel. I find that the general trend with novels of the NA genre is that while the plots are strong, the characterisation is a little weak. This was seemingly the case with Breathe. I'm not saying I didn't love the characters because I absolutely adored both Sadie and Jax but they almost felt too shiny, the flaws a little too generic. Nevertheless, Sadie was an absolute sweetheart, down to earth, incredibly compassionate and caring and very mature. Jax was your typical bad boy, player due to emotional trauma at a young age but then meets this incredible girl who he falls in love with and then changes all his player ways and happily ever after. That said, I fell head over heels in love with him, the good looks, the sweet personality - boys in books > boys in real life. I also really liked all the other characters that appeared throughout the novel, the small town community as a whole was really good looking and JUST AWESOME. I want to live here!

Breathe definitely won't be everybody cup of tea since we're not all suckers for a good romance but I'm absolutely positive that 99% of you who pick this up will love it to bits from start to finish! I can't wait to read the rest of the series! Well written, great plot and amazing romance, there is honestly nothing that I disliked, it's such a feel good novel, light and fun - this is the perfect beach read! Two thumbs up, this one you won't regret!

What's it Worth? - Break Out the Piggybank

Badass Bookie xx

Walking Disaster

Review Time! Walking Disaster is the companion novel to Beautiful Disaster by Jaime McGuire! Actually it's the same story but told from Travis's perspective but since I don't have the word for that, I'm going to call it a companion novel. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of the book to review so here's my review! You can purchase a copy of the book from The Book Depository | Fishpond | The Nile | Bookworld. Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the review copy!

(Goodreads) How much is too much to love? Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. Just when he thought he was invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Jamie McGuire's New York Times bestseller Beautiful Disaster Abby had her say. Now it's time to see the story through Travis's eyes.

The Short Story? - It goes without saying that if you loved Beautiful Disaster, you're going to love Walking Disaster! The story is even better the second time round, all the romance, drama and danger with the added bonus of a bad boy narrator! Told from the perspective of Travis Maddox, readers get the infamous bad boy's side of this extraordinary tale of romance! Seductive, edgy and exciting, McGuire takes us back into the world of Abby and Travis but this time through the eyes of Travis. Absolutely brilliant, this is definitely my guilty pleasure.

The Long Story? - Walking Disaster is essentially a love story. The undeniable attraction between Travis and Abby is the bigger picture. There are moments of action and danger but ultimately, this is an epic love story. I'm not going to lie, when I first read the blurb for Walking Disaster I thought it was a little cheesy and cliched. I mean, the bad boy falls for the good girl? I have never read that before! However when I picked up this book, I couldn't put it down! There is an addictive quality about the plot, I'm not normally a sucker for romance novels but Travis and Abby have that kind of attraction that really *makes* a novel! Walking Disaster is MY guilty pleasure, I hate that I loved this novel but I did! It was predictable but it had drama and excitement, it was a great love story! Well written, Walking Disaster is for all those readers out there who enjoy a brilliant love story.

It funny how a change in perspective can shed new light on characters. Walking Disaster might be the same love story as Beautiful Disaster but from Travis's perspective - it's almost like two very different books. It's definitely harder to connect with Travis than Abby because well, he's a guy and guys are confusing. However it was so interesting to see his side of the story. Travis is insecure and possessive, his whole bad boy reputation is just protection. He's vulnerable and afraid to love. Then he meets Abby and they have this instant connection. It should terribly cliched but this is a beautiful characterisation, very well done on McGuire's part. Walking Disaster is essentially Travis's book but that doesn't mean we lose perspective on the other characters. It was refreshing to see the same characters from Beautiful Disaster through the perspective of someone else and I seeing Abby through Travis's eyes. Great characterisation!

All in all, Walking Disaster was beautiful. It's the kind of book that affects the readers on an emotional level. Despite how cliched and cheesy the blurb makes this novel sound, this is one of the best romances that I've read. It's powerful, addictive and the chemistry is there. McGuire's Walking Disaster is a fantastic follow up to her bestselling Beautiful Disaster. Addictive and enticing, Walking Disaster does not disappoint!

What's it Worth? - Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

The Evolution of Mara Dyer

Review Time! The Evolution of Mara Dyer is the eagerly anticipated sequel to YA author, Michelle Hodkin's 2011 debut The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. I was so excited to read The Evolution of Mara Dyer, I absolutely loved The Evolution of Mara Dyer ( you can read my review HERE). You can purchase your own copy of The Evolution of Mara Dyer from Fishpond | The Nile | Booktopia | Bookworld. Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Mara Dyer knows she isn't crazy. She knows that she can kill with her mind, and that Noah can heal with his. Mara also knows that somehow, Jude is not a hallucination. He is alive. Unfortunately, convincing her family and doctors that she's not unstable and doesn't need to be hospitalised isn't easy. The only person who actually believes her is Noah. But being with Noah is dangerous and Mara is in constant fear that she might hurt him. She needs to learn how to control her power, and fast! Together, Mara and Noah must try and figure out exactly how Jude survived when the asylum collapsed, and how he knows so much about her strange ability...before anyone else ends up dead!

The Short Story? - Just as I thought the series couldn't get any better Hodkin pulls a wildcard and WRITES THIS! Fast-paced and overloaded with twist and turns to leave you shocked and at the edge of your seats, The Evolution of Mara Dyer is 500 pages of action and mystery filled goodness all wrapped up in a pretty cover. Brilliant plot, phenomenal and heart stopping ending, fantastic characters and beautifully written, Hodkin I salute you for the epicness that is The Evolution of Mara Dyer!

The Long Story? - The first thing I thought upon finishing The Evolution of Mara Dyer was - what did I just read? And my second thought was - DID THAT JUST HAPPEN? I can't even find the words to describe how shocking the ending of the novel was, Hodkin dropped not one but TWO bombshells and I don't know how to survive the wait to book 3. Exciting and completely unpredictable, The Evolution of Mara Dyer completely exceeded my (high) expectations for it. While I loved every moment of reading The Evolution of Mara Dyer, just like in Book 1, I was incredibly confused in parts of the book. I find that this is usually the case with books that aren't quite paranormal but there are supernatural elements to it. I felt that the book was so complex that the plot just left me behind. It's really one of those books that you have to be in the right set of mind to read and it took me a while to figure that out but once I did, I JUST COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. Absolutely amazing, Hodkin truly outdid herself with this spectacular plot line, I can't wait to see what she has planned for us for Book 3!

Characterisation. Two words - Noah Shaw. Can we please just have a minute of silence and recognise how perfect Noah Shaw is? Physically and otherwise. This boy is the reason why girls have high expectations of guys and then realise that BOYS LIKE NOAH SHAW DON'T EXIST and grow really depressed. He's so charming and witty yet at the same time, he's such a considerate and caring person. He loves Mara and every small gesture of love made me swoon a little. The ending broke my heart and I refuse to believe that it happened (deliberately being vague. YOU MAD?) because if it did what's the point of the story carrying on? Mara. I have so much sympathy for this girl. She's truly a great protagonist and I felt a really strong emotional connection to her. I could feel her frustration and helplessness as the people around her refuse to believe her and think she's crazy and I'm just glad that she has Noah there to support her. It's a beautiful romance that they have.

I'm sure all you cool people out there have already read this series and if you haven't - you're not cool. This is seriously one of the most intelligent and unpredictable series' I've ever read in the YA genre, Hodkin is a brilliant writer and I have no doubt that whatever she puts on paper will turn into a bestseller. I can't wait to continue with Noah and Mara's adventures (hopefully!) in the next book. The Evolution of Mara Dyer is a MUST READ!

What's it Worth? - Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

Poison Princess

Review Time! The Poison Princess is the first book in The Arcana Chronicles by Kresley Cole, the best selling author the Immortals After Dark series. This is a 2012 YA Debut which was how the novel initially caught my eye ( that and the gorgeous cover!). You can purchase a copy of the book from Fishpond | The Nile | Booktopia | Bookworld. Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the review copy!

(Goodreads) She could save the world—or destroy it.

Sixteen year old Evangeline “Evie” Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future—and they’re still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.

But she can’t do either alone.

With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can’t totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?

Who can Evie trust?

As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it’s not always clear who is on which side….

The Short Story? - Story started out a little slowly and cliched but when things picked up, they really PICKED UP. Interesting concept of combining legends of the tarot cards with a post apocalyptic zombie tale. When the characters moved past the initial stereotypical personalities and developed as individuals, they became absolutely brilliant. The Poison Princess is a novel that takes time to ease in but overall very enjoyable and unique! I really enjoyed it!

The Long Story? - This is one of those books that you either love or hate. I've read a lot of raving reviews about it and a lot of DNF recounts and I can see where both sides are coming from because for a while I thought I was going to put the book down as well but I pushed through and I was rewarded with a phenomenal ending. I'm not going to lie, the start was really boring, really cliched and I didn't have a lot of respect for either Jackson or Evie but as the novel progressed the plot picked up, the became less shallow and more structured. There is a lot going on in the book and at the start, I had a hard time wrapping my head around it. It's a interesting concept but it's so complex to read this novel, you really need maximum concentration. The writing was pretty good and the ending was just mind-blowing. I can already see that book two is going to be better than book one so push through because it's definitely going to be worth it!

The characters started out a little too cliched. The rich cheerleader with the amazing boyfriend, good grades and everyone in her pocket meets the poor bad boy from the wrong side of town who also happens to be super good looking and a womanizer. I'm not one to shun books for being cliched but this is a little too far cliched so I was a little iffy about the characterisation. However once the story progressed and the characters started to develop, they started to grow on me. The further we got into the book, the more Evie started to develop and by the end she really was quite a badass. Jack, isn't your typical bad boy. For one, he is actually a BAD BOY meaning he is a jerk and he probably WOULD burn your house down and that was refreshing. The two of them have a strange relationship but there is no denying the chemistry between the two.

The Poison Princess is definitely one of those books that you either love or hate or love and hate. It's not the best book but I still think it's worth a read. While the start was a little boring, the ending was spectacular and I have no doubt that book 2 will be even more awesome! If you're looking for something different, give Poison Princess a go!

What's It Worth? - Squeeze Into the Budget/ Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

Beautiful Disaster

Review Time! Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire was published by Simon and Schuster Australia in August, originally self published as an Ebook, Beautiful Disaster is one of the first to be categorised as a "New Adult" novel. You can purchase a copy of the book from Fishpond | The Nile | Booktopia | Dymocks | Angus and Robertson. Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the review copy!

(Goodreads) The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University's Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

The Short Story? - I'm absolutely taken back by how much I LOVED this book! I almost hate myself for liking this book so much because it's a cliched college love story that's been redone over and over again but at the same time, Beautiful Disaster has that "wow factor" that makes it impossible to put the book down! The plot was comfortable, the characters were enticing and the writing style wasn't all that bad either. If you're like me, put aside your prejudices and JUST READ because this book is absolutely amazing!

The Long Story? - I'm not going to lie - I'm a book snob. I do not read self published novels and I probably would have never read Beautiful Disaster if it wasn't picked up by Simon and Schuster. Even more, I'm always hesitant when reading previously self published books ( i.e. 50 Shades of Grey). I went into Beautiful Disaster cringing and expecting the worst - 3 hours later - book finished and ABSOLUTELY ADORED. I can not explain how much I loved Beautiful Disaster because it's an illogical kind of love, there isn't anything that stood out but all together the novel was just incredible! The plot is quite cliched, the good old opposites attract and college love tag lines, throw in a little drama and steamy romance scenes and you have Beautiful Disaster in a nutshell. However the novel was just SO MUCH MORE. It was such a comfortable and the chemistry between Travis and Abby was just amazing! It's got the "wow factor", this book is just beyond words!

The characterisation was great, despite the quite cliched opposites attract romance tag line, I really liked the two love interests. Abby was a great protagonist, initially I didn't know what to think of her because she's was so ridiculously cliched. The sweaters and pearls and the rule following, the ultimate good girl. I don't know about you but I really don't like the good girl characters, they always seem so boring and I totally don't buy into the fact that they get all the hot, bad boys! Luckily as Abby and Travis start hanging out, Abby loosens up and shows her less than honourable past! That's when I fell in love with Abby as a character! Travis was a great love interest, despite being overly cliched in the bad boy department, his personality development was really a job well done, I could sympathise with him and connect with him. Both characters were great, not the best but definitely likeable!

Beautiful Disaster is one of those novels that people might call a guilty pleasure. Honestly, I can't pick out one thing that really stood out to me but when all the elements of the novel are put together, something happens and the novel is just unputdownable! I LOVED this novel, more than I can say ( or would like to admit) but if you love steamy romances and bad boys, Beautiful Disaster is definitely worth checking out! For lovers of the Perfect Chemistry trilogy and YA bad boy romances!

What's it Worth? - Break out the Piggybank

Badass Bookie xx

Wentworth Hall

Review Time! Wentworth Hall by Abby Grahame is a 2012 YA Debut that was published by Simon and Schuster Australia in July. Described as Downton Abbey meets Gossip Girl, I was really looking forward to this one since I'm a fan of both TV shows! You can purchase a copy of Wentworth Hall from Fishpond | The Nile | Booktopia | Dymocks | Angus and Robertson. Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the review copy!

(Goodreads) It’s 1912, and eighteen-year-old Maggie and her mother have just returned from a year abroad where Lady Darlington has had a baby boy, James. But he is not the only addition to the house. They have also brought back Therese, their new French tutor, as well as welcomed the orphaned teenage twins, Teddy and Jessica, who have just lost their father aboard the Titanic. This adds to an already crowded house of Darlingtons and staff, all of whom have a penchant for gossiping about their employers.

As time passes, it becomes clear that Teddy and Jessica would rather be anywhere else and that Maggie is a different person from the one who left Wentworth. Her family’s financial future rests with her finding the best husband—and her parents are sure that is Teddy.

When scandalous satires start appearing in the newspaper with details that closely mirror the lives of the Darlingtons, the family is determined to find the culprit and keep their affairs under wraps. But at Wentworth Hall, nothing stays secret for long…

The Short Story? - I can definitely see the similarities to Downton Abbey! Beautifully written and deliciously scandalous, Grahame's YA debut is filled with dirty secrets, secret agendas and unexpected betrayals between the beautiful and the damned. Following the lives of the rich and powerful, Wentworth Hall is your insider's guide to what life is really like behind closed doors. Notoriously twisted, Wentworth Hall is the perfect for those who like their historical fiction with a little bit of drama!

The Long Story? - I *really* enjoyed Wentworth Hall but there was this one aspect of the novel that really annoyed me. It was too short. Normally I like short novels but Grahame has created such an amazing premise for the novel, it was such a shame to see it end so soon. It's not even a series! BUT that's just a personal preference thing. Onto the review, Wentworth is a very solid debut that will definitely appeal to fans of both historical fiction and contemporary. If you like scandals, dirty secrets and lots of drama, Wentworth Hall is definitely one to pick up. The length of the novel doesn't really allow much room to "beat around to the bush" so if you like your novels direct and straight to the point, put this one on your radar. There is also a mystery element to the novel that I really enjoyed. The romance wasn't a major part of the novel which seems to be the focus of most historical fiction and I found the lack of romance quite unique. If you're a fan of Anna Godberson's YA novels, Wentworth Hall is right up your alley!

One of the downsides of a short novel is that it doesn't give the author much time to develop characters. In this case, it's not exactly a concern because Wentworth Hall is more plot-based than character-based. However I would have liked to see a little more depth in the characters. One of the things I liked about the novel was how the spotlight was shared among the characters, Wentworth Hall doesn't really have a protagonist, everyone is equal and that was quite original. My favourite characters were probably Therese or Maggie, these two girls were quite developed so I could connect with them, especially Therese. I felt like their personalities were more compatible with mine and that allowed me to understand them better than the other characters. Overall it was a good characterisation, it's definitely not as in depth as other books but it wasn't really a problem in the bigger picture.

Wentworth Hall is one of those novels that have many different plots that interweave into a bigger picture. The plot is detailed and it has all those elements that make a novel enjoyable. A little mystery, drama, betrayal and romance. Filled with delicious scandals and dirty secrets, Wentworth Hall is the insider's story of the not-so-glamourous lives of the beautiful, rich and powerful! If this sounds like anything you would enjoy, check it out!

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

Badass Bookie xx

Deadly Hemlock

Review Time! I'm been in the worst reading slump lately and no matter how much I *try* to read, I can't! I think I've developed ADD and some form of dyslexia that prevents me from reading :( Anyway, Deadly Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock is a 2012 YA Debut that I was SUPER excited to read!!! Thank-you Simon and Schuster for the review copy :)

(Goodreads) Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.
Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf. 

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control. 

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk. 

The Short Story? - Peacock is bring the wolf pack back into DA HOOD! Jumpstarting the slowly dying YA paranormal genre, Deadly Hemlock is HANDS DOWN one of my favourite werewolf reads of all time! With a great cast of characters, a unique plot with the right mix of mystery, action and romance and a fantastic and refreshing narrative voice, Deadly Hemlock is a remarkable debut that had me hooked from cover to cover! Fans of the supernatural? Grab a copy of Deadly Hemlock!

The Long Story? - In this dark age where I haven't been able to get into any book, Deadly Hemlock called out to me. I finished it in less than a day which is a record for me - that's just how good it was! With a killer plot ( pun intended) and Peacock's refreshingly comfortable and unique narrative voice, I absolutely devoured this book. It's no secret that I love a little bit of mystery and romance in my novels, throw in a murder or two and I'm SOLD. Deadly Hemlock had the perfect combination mystery, romance, action and drama. It's such a complex plot that explaining it in this review does it no justice! The only word that I can think to describe it is beautiful. Deadly Hemlock is a beautifully haunting debut that really sells the YA PNR genre, I can't wait to read the sequel!

The characterisation was great. I absolutely loved Mac, honestly one of my favourite protagonists. She's down-to-earth, level headed and more importantly she always sees the good in people and it's not like she's a damsel in distress either. She's tough but she also knows what her limits. She's not trying to play hero, she's just trying to work past the death of Sarah. Kyle was a great love interest, I thought he was  very good boyfriend material and I really liked he's protective personality. He obviously really loves Mac. However Jason was the real scene-stealer. There was this bad-boy, tortured quality about him that just CALLED out to me. Definitely a neat cast of main characters!

In a nutshell, I really don't know how I can get you all to read this book without sounding like a complete psychopath. Hopefully I sold you because this is definitely one debut that stood out from the rest! Refreshing,  I very much enjoyed the fact that the romance was the focus of the novel, THERE WAS A BIGGER PICTURE. Deadly Hemlock completely blew me away with it's beautiful narration, complex plot and amazing characters! Two thumbs up! :)

What's it Worth? - Break Out the Piggybank


Badass Bookie xx

Changeling

Review Time! Changeling marks Philippa Gregory's YA Debut. Philippa Gregory is the bestselling author of The Other Boleyn Girl and couple of other adult historical fictions. Although I haven't read any of her other novels, I was so psyched to start reading Changeling! Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Italy, 1453. Seventeen-year-old Luca Vero is brilliant, gorgeous—and accused of heresy. Cast out of his religious order for using the new science to question old superstitious beliefs, Luca is recruited into a secret sect: The Order of the Dragon, commissioned by Pope Nicholas V to investigate evil and danger in its many forms, and strange occurrences across Europe, in this year—the end of days.  
  
Isolde is a seventeen-year-old girl shut up in a nunnery so she can’t inherit any of her father’s estate. As the nuns walk in their sleep and see strange visions, Isolde is accused of witchcraft—and Luca is sent to investigate her, but finds himself plotting her escape.   
  
Despite their vows, despite themselves, love grows between Luca and Isolde as they travel across Europe with their faithful companions, Freize and Ishraq. The four young people encounter werewolves, alchemists, witches, and death-dancers as they head toward a real-life historical figure who holds the boundaries of Christendom and the secrets of the Order of the Dragon.

The Short Story? - Changeling is one of those books that you either love or hate because it all comes down to - do you like Historical Fiction? As a lover of historical fiction, Changeling was right down my street! A beautiful historical setting, two very interesting protagonist and an alluring plot filled with mystery. Gregory has written a solid debut and I can't not wait to see what she has planned for us next!

The Long Story? - It's a really short book, 250 pages give or take so there aren't really any pages to spare for batting around the bush. I'm thoroughly impressed with Gregory's ability to set the scene, build characters and develop an intriguing in such few pages! The plot came off as very solid, there was mystery, drama and romance. It's weird because Changeling was like a collection of small plots interweaved into a bigger picture. Luca is an inquirer who goes around Italy solving mysteries and serving justice and in Changeling he solves two mysteries and the novel finished with him heading back no the road to solve he's next mystery. Gregory's debut is definitely different and her writing is very rich and detailed. Highly recommend this to lovers of Historical YA fiction :)

Personally I thought the characterisation let the book down a little. They were really great characters but there were some cases where I though they were too stupid to live. It felt like Gregory deliberating stupidified them to keep the story going. As the novel progressed, this became less frequent until the characters become intelligent cookies, so that was great! Changeling is told from the alternative POVs of Luca and Isolde. Luca and Isolde were good protagonists, I liked how Gregory has given them personalities that fitted with the period of time Changeling was set it. Both characters were level-headed and kind however I think the character l liked the most most was Isolde's best friend - Ishraq. OMG, this girl is totally badass! Educated, too cool and know show to fight! My hero <3 Overall, it was a good cast and I would like to see them all develop in the sequel! :)

All in all, Changeling was a very enjoyable read. Aside from my slight problems with the character at the start, I think Gregory's YA debut is thoroughly enjoyable and definitely very different! If you're fan of historical fiction, Changeling is definitely right down your alleyway! Filled with drama and mystery and the touch of romance, I can't wait to see what the sequels brings! :)

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


Badass Bookie xx

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

Review Time! The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin was a 2011 YA Debut. However it was only published in Australia in February this year. The cover of this book is just gorgeous and I'm not going to lie - I wanted to read the book just because of the cover although the blurb sounded pretty good too! Purchase your copy at The Book Depository - US Edition/ AUS Edition. Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. It can. She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed. There is. She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love. She's wrong.

The Short Story? - The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is one of those books that really does your head in. It completely twists everything and blurs the line between reality and fantasy. I think YA psychological thriller is a more accurate description for the book. Edgy, dark and chilling, Hodkin's debut is really something original. Beautiful characterisation, mind-blowing plot and a narrative voice that completely consumes the reader!

The Long Story ? - This is really one of those novels that you either love or hate. Luckily I tend to love psychological thrillers and those supernatural reality books. I can honestly say that I really did enjoy The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. It's not exactly a comfortable read for someone to read because you can't just tune out and let the words take you away. YOU HAVE TO CONCENTRATE or else you get lost. Hodkin really twists your head, I had to get someone to clarify the last 100 pages for me because I was not sure I read it right. The plot is edgy and chilling - complex and completely mind-blowing. It's quite a slow pace but in this case it worked because if the story moved any faster I would have gotten lost. Filled with mystery and suspense, Hodkin strings readers along for the grand finale and WASN'T IT GRAND! What a cliff hanger ending! If you loved Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma or Shift by Em Bailey - this one is for you!

The highlight of this book for me was the characterisation. Mara was one disturbed ( and cray cray - maybe?) girl but the illusion of normal she creates is just WOW! With such a traumatising past and such a deadly secret, Mara is one of the most intriguing characters I have come across in YA fiction. I really like how Hodkin has portrayed her, the smartish, normalish girl with the dangerous gift. I want to see where Hodkin takes Mara next. AND THEN we have Jace Wayland reincarnation in YA contemporary. Noah Shaw - can we get a SWOON? He's just amazing! Extremely beautiful, extremely witty, extremely vain and extremely funny! BUT this guy's got a sweet side too and that just makes THIS much more irresistible! Seriously one of my favourite couples of the year ( so far!) Great characterisation!

What else can I say? You're either going to love or hate The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer because this is one book too extreme for middle ground. Edgy and engrossing, it's addictive and completely twisted. The psychological thriller debut is something original and unique - filled with mystery, suspense and a touch of supernatural - The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is mind-shatteringly amazing. You will finish the book and think - WHAT DID I JUST READ? But nevertheless a novel I recommend to everyone!

What's it Worth? - Hand Over the Paycheck


Badass Bookie xx

Fated

Review Time! I realise it's been a while since I've posted a review! I've been buried under a pile of work that's been piling up and I'm finally digging myself out of it! Fated by Sarah Alderson was a February YA release, her 2011 debut Hunting Lila made it to my top 10 of last year and I was excited to read this one! Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the review copy!

(Goodreads) What happens when you discover you aren't who you thought you were? And that the person you love is the person who will betray you? If your fate is already determined, can you fight it? 

When Evie Tremain discovers that she’s the last in a long line of Demon slayers and that she’s being hunted by an elite band of assassins –Shapeshifters, Vampires and Mixen demons amongst them – she knows she can’t run. They’ll find her wherever she goes. Instead she must learn to stand and fight. 

But when the half-human, half-Shadow Warrior Lucas Gray - is sent to spy on Evie and then ordered to kill her before she can fulfil a dangerous prophecy, their fates become inextricably linked. The war that has raged for one thousand years between humans and demons is about to reach a devastating and inevitable conclusion. Either one or both of them will die before this war ends. 

If your life becomes bound to another’s, what will it take to sever it?



The Short Story? - A solid read. I liked Hunting Lila better but nevertheless Fated was an enjoyable read! A couple of things here and there that I would have changed but overall a very solid read. Alderson has ticked all the requirements of a good paranormal romance - I was looking for a little more originality with the romance aspect but the world-building definitely makes up for it! Fantastic novel, if you're a fan of "the star-crossed lovers" plot - this one is for you!

The Long Story? - I liked it but it didn't take my breath away like Hunting Lila - I felt it was too ordinary. I expected... more. After reading Hunting Lila which was truly brilliant, I felt Alderson has taken a step back with Fated. Don't get me wrong, it was enjoyable and exciting but for an author who wrote such a original debut to slip into "YA PNR" ranks - it's kind of degrading! However I have to praise Alderson on her world-building skills! In terms of a paranormal romance, I think she's really nailed to originality factor! Her supernatural beings are unique and I loved how she's woven the unnatural into a small town and in turn created an epic setting for a showdown between the hunters and the hunted! In terms of a plot, it was exciting, predictable yet fun and the ending suggests an awesome sequel which I can't to read!

I had a problem with the characterisation. I would have enjoyed Fated a lot more if I felt I would connect with the protagonist. It saddens me to say that I couldn't relate to Evie at all. She was just so angry ALL THE TIME. She's not a happy person and while the backstory suggests that she doesn't have a reason to be, I would have liked to see a little more light and shade in her personality. Quite frankly, I don't know why Lucas was in love with her because she was - for the lack of a better word - a bitch. Maybe this is what they call 'blind love' but I just didn't see the appeal in her! I DID like Lucas though! He had control over his emotions and he had that 'dark and mysterious' appeal and what he did for Evie ( why?) was really sweet! The romance was a nice touch, would have liked to see a little more build up but it was cute!

Overall, it was a fantastic novel but a little flawed. I really thought the characterisation let the novel down.   If I liked Evie, I would have liked the novel so much more! However it was a great plot and like I said, the world-building was spectacular. It's original and it will stand out among other YA paranormals. I'm sure whatever Alderson has planned for us next in this series will wow me because she's a truly fantastic writer!


Rating - Squeeze into the Budget* 


Badass Bookie xx


*This one comes down to personal preference that - read the review THEN read another review and then another before you decide whether it's worth your money.

Everneath

Review Time! I finished Everneath a week ago and couldn't bring myself to write a review. See, Simon and Schuster Australia is running this competition where you upload a video review of Everneath. The prize is $250 to the bookstore of your choice. I debated whether I should post a video review but in the end I didn't! A) Because I'm already just gush and B) What about my air of mystery? :P Thanks to S and S for the review copy though!

(Goodreads) Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever. 

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists. 

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen. 

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...



The Short Story? - Based loosely on the Greek Myth of Persephone, Ashton has written a spectacular debut that's bound to be enjoyed by fans of both paranormal and contemporary YA! Dark, seductive and well-written, Ashton has taken a well-known myth and given it a YA twist. Filled with love, lose, heartbreak and letting go, Everneath is a highly entertaining debut that will appeal to lovers of all things YA!

The Long Story? -  I really enjoyed this book but I just can't seem to find the words to describe it. While it's classified as a Paranormal Romance, it focused more on the human side of things and less on the paranormal. Everneath deals with letting go, love and sacrifice and while the idea of Everneath (the underworld) rings true throughout the whole novel, it definitely isn't focus. I can almost consider Everneath has a Contemporary Greek Myth retelling. That said, I loved how Ashton developed the underworld, Everneath is utterly intriguing! Taking the original idea of the Underworld, Ashton has turned it into something completely new and given it new qualities. The novel wasn't perfect, a few things needed tweaking but overall it was very very well written. Ashton has a wonderful prose and reading Everneath was very comfortable. A story in which you could easily lose yourself in!

As far as characterisation goes, I had a love/hate relationship with Nikki. I loved her but some of her decision were really bad, I feel that if she hadn't made silly choices - she could have saved both Jack and Cole a great deal of heartbreak. She means well, she has a very likeable personality but some her actions just annoyed me. I loved, LOVED Jack, I'm not sure a guy like him exists outside the pages of a YA novel but I wish he did! Very sweet, completely in love with Nikki and captured my heart! On the other hand Ashton has portrayed Cole as a jerk - he has his sweet moments but overall very jerky jerk. A no-no for me because that's a completely one-sided love triangle - IT'S NOT A FAIR BATTLE! I hope to see Cole portrayed differently in the sequel because while it's a great love triangle, it's not a fair one! Overall, good characterisation - realistic. Flawed characters are always the most believable ( and human).

Everneath is a paranormal novel that borders alongside contemporary. I didn't love - it was more like lots of fond feelings mushed together - it but it was highly entertaining and I'm certain many of you would LOVE LOVE LOVE it! The Greek Mythology side of the novel would definitely appeal to many of you as it appealed to me. Good characterisation, a great plot and wonderfully written. Overall, it's a solid read!


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


Badass Bookie xx

Silence

Review Time! Silence is the third book in the internationally best-selling series, Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick which is one of my favourite series ever! Thanks goes to Simon and Schuster Australia for sending me a review copy and a signed/ personalized copy! I will cherish it forever and pepper it with my undivided love :)

(Goodreads) The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever.

The Short Story? – My favorite book of the series so far, Fitzpatrick has really outdone herself! Our favourite couple Patch and Nora is back for another awesome installment of kick ass action. Heated, fast-paced and filled with romance, Silence does not disappoint all the Hush, Hush fans out there. An excellent addition to a highly acclaimed series, Silence is an unforgettable read that will have you craving for more!

The Long Story? -  I’m so glad I loved Silence because honestly I found Crescendo not up to standard and a little lacking. I was completely blown away by Hush, Hush and when I read Crescendo I thought ‘what did I like about this series again?’ However after reading Silence I can guarantee you that you won’t be disappointed. Hush, Hush was amazing but Silence was phenomenal. The plot picks up from where it ends in Crescendo and it just keeps getting better!  I think one of the things I like about this novel is that Nora and Patch are finally ‘together’. Finally after two books of struggle and differences, they have pushed everything aside to be together. That itself is something worth rejoicing. There are also unexpected development in the war between the fallen and nephilim. As always, Fitzpatrick writes beautifully and the novel flows. An extraordinary novel!

There isn’t much to say about the characters that we don’t already know. After all, to be developing a character three books into a series calls for serious bad writing. All I can say is that I’ve grown to like Nora more. Originally I thought of Nora as a little clingy and whiny, she wasn’t an ideal heroine and reminded me of Bella Swan (who is probably one of my least favorite heroines ever, I enjoyed Twilight but it was poor characterization for a protagonist). However throughout the progress of the series, I’ve grown to like Nora more and in Silence she has proven that she does have a backbone and that she is capable of heroic acts. Patch is just *swoon*. Nuff said. He is the definition of the typical YA ‘bad boy’. Plus he is so badass ;)

Everything in consideration, I can’t think of any reason why you would want to miss this phenomenal novel! Fitzpatrick does not disappoint with the latest installment in her Hush Hush series (WHICH everyone should have read by now!). Beautiful, complex and romantic, Hush Hush is one of the pioneers of YA paranormal romance. Utterly compelling and unforgettable, why not start the New Year with a beautiful tale about a girl and a gorgeous fallen angel?

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

Badass Bookie xx