Monday, November 28, 2011

An Important Message

Hey Guys,

Kylie here, Lisa asked me to quickly leave a message for you all. Her family decided to take a holiday for six weeks in China and the Chinese government has actually put a block on the blogger website. This is much to Lisa's dismay as she had insisted her family choose to holidays in Bali or even take a beautiful and relaxing cruise.

Due to this situation, Lisa has postponed the 2012 Debutante Event. On January 1st the very first post will go live and from then on things will be back to normal. Until then, things will be a little quite here at the Badass Bookie.

I am sure you all understand that this is something that couldn't be helped. Lisa will be back in no time at all, with many fabulous stories of her travels as well as the awesome event that is the 2012 Debutante Event.

If you have any questions or concerns, Lisa can be contacted on her email ( callmeghostgirl @ yahoo . com . au ). Unfortunately the Chinese Government have also blocked Twitter. She assures me she plans to shop A LOT to make up for her lack of Internet happiness hehe.

Thanks for your understanding guys,
Have a great holiday period and stay safe.

- Kylie (on behalf of Lisa the Badass Bookie)

Friday, November 25, 2011

Equinox by Lara Morgan Giveaway (Int'l)


Hey Guys! As part of the Lara Morgan Blog Tour, Walker Books Australia has kindly sent me a second copy of the book to giveaway! Fantastic series, Aussie YA Dystopian! Note: This is the second book in the series so you would have to somehow obtain the first book or just read this one ( it doesn't really matter!)

- International - Ends 25/12 - MUST comment on Blog Tour Post ( HERE ) - Extra Entries * Comment on Genesis Review +1 ( Here ) * Comment on Equinox Review +1 ( HERE ) * Follow Badass Bookie +2 * Tweet Giveaway +2

Fill out THIS Form.

Badass Bookie xx

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Bloodlines

Review Time! Richelle Mead is the international bestselling author of The Vampire Academy series which is one of my all time favorites. Richelle recently published Bloodlines which is the first book in her spin off. Many of you have read it and I’m probably one of the last to pick it up but read my thoughts! Thanks to Penguin for the review copy!


(Goodreads) When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.
 
The Short Story? – Mead never fails to impress! Bloodlines are an excellent start to a new series that’s bound to sate your craving for fantastic YA fiction! Set in the same world as Vampire Academy, Bloodlines is perfect for VA fans and readers looking for an unputdownable page-turner! An excellent plot that’s filled with mystery, drama and action. This one is a killer of a read!

The Long Story? – Honestly, I was a little scared to read this. I read that Adrian was the love interest in this novel and I COMPLETELY freaked. I didn’t really like Last Sacrifice because Mead gave Adrian a horrible, horrible ending. He didn’t get the happy ending he deserved but I would have rather have him sad and broken-hearted than thrust upon the first single girl available. When I first heard about Bloodlines, I was like ‘Oh no, it’s going to be like Jacob and infant!’ luckily for me it wasn’t. The romance in Bloodlines isn’t so much of a priority, there is a bigger build up and while the attraction is there – it’s not Insta-Love. I loved this plot, very complex and detailed. Events overlap each other and every little thing has a secret meaning. Packed with mystery and action, definitely worth your money! Not to mention the cliff hanger ending!

As far as characterization go, I really like the characters. I worked hard not to like Sydney because in a way I felt like she was replacing Rose and I ADORE Rose but I couldn’t hate her! Despite her borderline OCD nature, she’s so compassionate and kind-hearted! Readers are given more insight into an Alchemist’s life and we get to understand why they’re so important. In Bloodlines, we also get to know Jill and Eddie a little better, they definitely play a bigger part in this novel. Last but not least, Adrian. It’s obvious that he’s still hung up over Rose and his got all this heartbreak and I just want to smack Rose because Adrian doesn’t deserve this heartbreak! He’s as charming as ever and I just love the guy, he deserves a shot at being happy!

In a nutshell, read it, read it, read it! I ‘m so glad that I’ve overcome my initial fear of the novel because this was absolutely beautiful! Exciting, dangerous and action-packed, this is an excellent start to a new series that will captivate many YA readers. Fantastic character development, an excellent plot and an attraction that cannot be denied. Bloodlines is the paranormal romance to read this summer!

Rating – 5/5


Badass Bookie xx

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Equinox by Lara Morgan Blog Tour


Hello Lovlies! Today I'm hosting the last stop on Lara Morgan's Equinox Blog Tour. Equinox is the second  book in the Rosie Black Chronicles! I recently read and reviewed both Genesis and Equinox on the blog! Fantastic aussie dsytopian that will leave you craving more!

Interview with Lara Morgan

Quickies -

Skittles or M&Ms?  M&Ms of course, particularly the peanut ones.


Black or white? black because it’s slimming and I always spill sauce on white, seriously it’s embarrassing.


Coffee or Tea? Tea, tea tea tea.. I think I made my point.

Print copies or e-books? Print, it’s the smell isn’t it? ( Yes! The Smell of Books = Heaven *grabs a book and inhales deeply*

Dog-ear or Bookmark? Bookmark for sure, though I don’t judge those who dog-ear, just don’t bend it back!

Cats or Dogs? Dogs. I recently lost mine and miss him terribly. ( Awww, feel better <3)

Reading or Writing? Reading, because although I love to write it’s still really hard work and reading is all about the pleasure plus I’m inherently lazy and a champion procrastinator. I can convince myself that reading the gossip pages of the newspaper is ‘research’. Really it is!


Vampires or werewolves? Ooh hard one…. Vampires, no, werewolves, no…. can I have both?

Have you watched Vampire Diaries? Yes. *looks around to check for husband* I love that show.


Favourite Harry Potter Novel? I can never remember the names of them all. I think the fifth one, what’s it called? ( Order of the Pheonix - My favourite too!)

Book you most want to see turned into a Movie? Mine!! *cough* I mean, I’m really looking forward to Cassandra Clare’s City of Bones film coming out.
Favourite day of the week? Sunday. I make a pot of tea and spread the weekend papers out all over the table and drool over exotic travel destinations. It’s also generally the one day of the week I never work. Usually.

Your perfect breakfast consists of – irish breakfast tea (obviously), fresh mango with lime juice, thick fluffy pancakes with maple syrup and bacon. Bacon goes really well with the syrup, trust me.

Five things that make a book "good"characters with depth who make mistakes, pace, emotional honesty, action that reveals character as well as plot, male and female leads people can believe in, brevity

and...

Team Edward or Team Jacob? Jacob ( YAY!!!! Hoot Hoot!)


Getting to the Serious Stuff...



1) Describe The Rosie Black Chronicles in three words? Dystopian action romance.

2) How did you come up with the storyline for The Rosie Black Chronicles? As you can see from the world Rosie lives in, I’m greatly interested in how our future is going to be affected by climate change and our current social and political status so much of the story line was me thinking about how the place we live and the types of people we become can dictate what we do.

I believe the power of large corporations is on the increase and our personal freedom is decreasing so I wanted to explore what would happen to someone living in a world like that who was essentially powerless, how would they cope , what would they do if they became caught up in all that? It’s very much David against Goliath and the elements of what Rosie does to fight against this massive power came from there.  

3) Why did you choose to write YA Dystopian? Mostly it’s because I love dystopian fiction. I’m also really terribly pessimistic about the human race and our ability to learn from our mistakes. We keep making the same ones over and over, and we’re not doing enough about climate change so I think a future which is tighter controlled and restrictive especially in terms of water is all too possible.  I think it’s a result of being a teenager in the 80s with the Cold War and the threat of nuclear obliteration so there was a lot of worry for how our future might turn out, and none of it was too rosy. I was also haunted by George Orwell’s book, 1984, and obsessed with The Terminator films, so I’ve always harboured this fascination for a dark future coupled with an interest in space ships and other universes which was greatly inspired by Star Wars. The result of all that was The Rosie Black Chronicles.

4) Character you feel you can relate best to? Why? It has to be Rosie, because despite our age difference, she is my main girl and of course many elements of her come from my teenage self, though she is much braver than I ever was.  

5) Is there a story behind the names of characters? Names are funny things, when I choose characters names it’s all about the feelings. Rosie Black was not a name I struggled to define, she popped up in my head, the same thing with Pip. I have images of the characters in my head and a book of names and if I’m having trouble I’ll flick through the book until one stands out for me. The only character whose name has a story, as such, is Essie who actually came from a short story I wrote years ago (never published) about this space ship pilot named Esmeralda Black – basically she’s the same person.

6) Ar you planning to write any other books outside the series? Yes, but I can’t reveal anything yet as nothing is concrete, all I can say is it will be different.

7) Who would play the characters in a movie adaption? Such a hard question because the minute you put an actor’s name to a character it can be hard not to visualise them when you’re reading the book. That said though I think Caitlin Stasey, who played Ellie in Tomorrow When The War Began, could make a good Rosie. I’m not sure about Pip, that is a really hard one! I’d be interested to see who readers think would be good.


Highlight of The Equinox Tour - Literacy Clutter - Marketing Books
                                                      - Lara Morgan's Blog - Blog Tour Summary

The Rosie Black Chronicles - HERE

I'll be hosting a giveaway for a copy of Equinox tomorrow! So come back tomorrow to enter to win your very own copy!


Badass Bookie xx

Monday, November 21, 2011

The Scorpio Races

Review Time! I’m a on plane this Sunday for a six week holiday so I’m trying to take down as many books and reviews before that as possible. Not to mention the fact that I have the 2011 Debutante Event in December! The Scorpio Races is the start of Maggie Stiefvater’s new series! Thank to Scholastic for the review copy!

(Goodreads) It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die. 

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them. 

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.




The Short Story? – The bestselling author of The Wolves of Mercy Falls is back with another winner. Absolutely brilliant character development, a unique plot and beautiful, just beautiful prose! The Scorpio Races is both exciting and dangerous seductive. Flirting with death, killer horses and a fierce heroine, The Scorpio Races are not to be missed!


The Long Story? – Stiefvater isn’t one of my favourite authors but she’s one of the authors I truly admire. She has the most beautiful prose, her writing just flows! Lyrical and enticing, reading her books are a little piece of heaven! I admit that The Scorpio Races was a little hard to get into at the start. I like my books fast-moving with high speed car chases and good vs. evil and this novel really was a change of pace for me. The start of the novel was really heavily based on setting the scene and developing the characters therefore the actual plot was insignificant. However the story really progresses as we read and it’s very powerful and enjoyable! A good investment for a YA novel!


I’ve already mentioned how fantastic the character development is but I don’t think I’ve emphasized the point enough. It’s truly some pretty impressive development. It’s a slow but thorough development. By the end of the novel, I feel a strong connection to both Puck and Sean. Puke (aka Kate) is my sort of heroine. She’s fierce, stubborn, strong and courageous. She’s likeable and very independent. Sean is one of those boys who don’t need words to communicate. I really him because he didn’t come across as an overly handsome boy but one with decency and consideration. The romance between the two is also very slow, it wasn’t until the very end when one of them made a move but the wait was worth it. Some of the best characterization I’ve read!


If you’re a fan of Stiefvater or just a fan of fantastic writing, The Scorpio Races is the way to go. A captivating plot with unique qualities and a great deal of depth. Some of the most amazing character development I have ever read. Stiefvater efficiently creates her characters, giving them realistic background and personalities. Dangerously seductive and deliciously deadly, The Scorpio Races is the novel to read before the end of this year!


Rating – 4.5/5


Badass Bookie xx

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Equinox ( Spoiler - Free!)

Review Time! I recently reviewed Genesis the first book in the Aussie Dystopian series - The Rosie Black Chronicles by Lara Morgan. today I'm reviewing the brilliant sequel, Equinox! I'm also part of the blog tour so look out for my stop next week! Thanks to Walker Books for the review copy!


(Goodreads) It’s Rosie’s seventeenth year and she’s starting her first year at Orbitcorp Academy, but it’s not going to be all parties and pilot training. Helios hasn’t forgotten her – and she certainly hasn’t forgotten them. Bent on revenge Rosie is still working in secret to try to take them down. 

But a terrible miscalculation will send Rosie once more on the run, this time into the unknown lands of the north, Gondwana Nation, where word has it Helios is building something big. 

There will be a new friend and a new boy – the handsome and wealthy Dalton Curtis – who will surprise Rosie with a secret she can’t begin to guess. And Pip will return, but how does he feel about Rosie, and where has he been? 

Pursued again and on the run, Rosie might not have time to find out all the answers, but what she will learn is that a capacity for evil can be equalled by a capacity for good - and she will be forced to make a choice that will change her future forever.


The Short Story? - Another heart pounding adventure! This is a brilliant sequel filled with action, saving the world and a great romance! Morgan has written a YA for everyone to enjoy! Dystopian like nothing you have ever read before! Beautifully written, fantastic character development and an adventure that just keeps getting better! 

The Long Story? - I enjoyed this novel so much more than the first novel, Genesis. Two main reasons - a) The novel is shorter b) the romance definitely picked up! I have a feeling this is going to be one of those series that is just going to get better and better. Following the dystopian trend, social inequality and saving the world are huge elements of the novel. Fast-paced, great pace and filled with cat and mouse chases, if you like your novels jam-packed with no boring moments, this is the novel for you! I loved, loved, LOVED this novel! Beautifully written, a very well organised plot and very good setting, Morgan has written a structured YA novel that will definitely by a winner!

I am most thankful that the romance picked up! As a romance junkie I NEED my daily fix! A great love story, I'm smelling out a love triangle but I could be wrong. In any case, it would definitely make the novel even better! I've chosen my team and I'm sticking to THE man! That said, without the characters, the romance wouldn't be haven't been so good! Quite a lot of character development in this novel, I'm growing to really understand and like Rosie. She's not perfect and she makes silly mistakes but she's a teen and she's saving the world - cut her some slack! Pip is definitely one stunner of a badass! I'm still not really sure what he looks like but I love his sense of humour and his wit! Dalton, the new guy on the block as stolen my heart. He's nice, he's smexy and I'm totally Team Dalton! Great characterisation!

Authentically Australian and authentically YA, Morgan has written a destined bestseller! Follow Rosie on her adventures! Saving the world, evil geniuses, deliciously dystopian and an epic love story! Beautifully written, I can't wait to read the next book in the series after that KILLER ending! Do yourself a favour and pick up this fantastic YA novel!

Rating - 5/5

Badass Bookie xx

Friday, November 18, 2011

Tiger's Voyage (Spoiler Free!)

Review time! I’m trying to slip back into my reading routine after the stuff up because of exams and it’s hard! I just can’t seem to find the time (or heart) to read! Luckily I have wonderful books to ease me back into reading! Tiger’s Voyage is the third book in Colleen Houck’s New York Times Bestselling series! Thanks to Hachette for the review copy!


(Goodreads) In the third installment of the Tiger series, Kelsey Hayes pushes through the pain of lost love and strengthens her friendship with Kishan. Despite his strong feelings for her, Kishan has agreed to be her ally in helping her reunite with the man she still loves. Together, they seek to help Ren regain his memory and begin the search for the third magical gift—an object of power that will help break the curse that causes them to live part of their lives as tigers.



They board a luxury yacht and seek Durga's aid once again, who supplies them with her golden weapons. With Nilima, Mr. Kadam, Ren, and Kishan at her side, she soon learns that the task ahead will be even more difficult than the others. Confronting a dark magician, multiple dragons, and terrifying denizens of the deep seems easy when compared to facing the daunting task of stitching up her heart. Just when she thinks she's ready to set her feet on a new path, she is yanked back with a jolt to the one she's determined to leave behind.


The jarring tug-of-war that ensues for Kelsey's heart leaves her anxious and confused. Combined with the stress of almost being killed every other day, it would appear that saving the tigers is almost more than she can handle. Still, she presses on, knowing that a choice is looming on the horizon. One she cannot put off making for long.
 
The Short Story? – The saying ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ has never rang truer than with this series! I’m not a big fan of the covers but I love the books! Houck does not disappoint with the third installment in this remarkable series. Another epic fantasy with a strong and addictive romance. Beautifully written, a complicated and thorough plot. This series is truly a hidden gem waiting to be read! Bravo!

The Long Story? – Did you know Tiger’s Curse sat on my shelf for ages before I picked it up and thought “this is fantastic – MUST READ MORE” That initial fascination and addiction to this fantastic series has not faded, if anything this books have gotten stronger and stronger as we progress! I absolutely loved Tiger’s Voyage. Again, I have to praise Houck on her excellent research skills. To set a novel in a foreign country and base it around mythology and culture is a hard feat and Houck has done a brilliant job. Very detailed plot, filled with information and interesting facts about India. Readers not only follow the characters on an epic adventure but they are learning something new with each turn of the page! This is as good as it gets with epic fantasy. If you are hesitating about this series, DON’T! The Tiger Saga is one of my favourite discoveries of 2011 and Tiger’s Voyage was spectacular. A fantastic page-turner.

It goes without saying that for me, a novel without romance is not a novel at. I think it’s safe to say that The Tiger Saga has perhaps one of the best romances in YA fiction. Filled with drama, tension, heartbreak and pain – it’s a brilliant romance. Experience love triangles like you never have before. Phenomenal romance! Without the characters, the romance wouldn’t have been so good. Kelsey is one of my favorite YA characters. She’s smart, stubborn, strong and filled with love and compassion. She’s very well developed and definitely likeable. I feel like I’ve grown closer to her as the series has progressed. I was very disappointed in Ren at the end of the second book, it wasn’t his fault but he caused so much heartbreak for Kelsey, it hurt ME to read it. He really redeemed himself in this novel but I’m completely torn between him and Kishan. Initially I was Team Kishan and then Team Ren and now I’m stuck in the middle. They both have their goods and bads, keen to see where the final installment leads. Overall great romance and great characters!

In a nutshell, no matter how you look at it, this series is a must read! If you have been keeping up with the Tigers, Tiger’s Voyage is fantastic! Houck has written a fantastic series, comfortable, exciting and adventurous. One of the greatest YA romances that I’ve ever read and an epic fantasy that will not disappoint. This series is a winner and it’s breathtakingly brilliant! I salute Houck for writing a stunner of a good read!

Rating – 5/5


Badass Bookie xx