Girl, Stolen

Review Time! I'm a tad behind on all my reviews but I just had to get this review up after finished the book very late last night! Girl, Stolen by April Henry is relatively speaking an old release however it's only been out here in Australia for 4 months - SO IT'S NEW TO US O_O Thanks to Walker Books for the review copy! :)

(Goodreads) How do you escape when you can’t see the way out?

Sixteen-year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of a car while her mother fills her prescription. Before Cheyenne realizes what has happened, the car is being stolen from the car park. Cheyenne is not only sick with pneumonia – she is also blind. Griffin, the teenage driver, hadn’t meant to kidnap her – he was just stealing a car for the gang. But once Griffin’s dad finds out that Cheyenne’s father is the president of Nike, everything changes – now there’s a reason to keep her. Will Cheyenne be able to survive this harrowing ordeal, and escape? And if so, at what price?

The Short Story? - A speedy read that completely floored me. Girl, Stolen sank it's hooks into me and refused to put me down! A heart-pounding story about a blind girl who gets kidnapped, Henry has written a sensation of a thriller! I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish this one! Every page was direct and written to force me to read faster and faster. Excellent characterisation with a very fitting and realistic setting. Girl, Stolen is a must-read!

The Long Story? - I wasn't sure what to expect when I read the blurb because with plots like these, the novel can be either really awesome or really lame. Luckily it was the former. Girl, Stolen is a very quick read yet it's probably got more power of readers than most YA novels that have over 400 pages. Henry is very direct with her writing and every sentence has an emphasis behind it. One of my favourite parts of the plot was the "blind girl" part. Getting kidnapped is bad enough but blind girl with pneumonia get's kidnapped? SOLD. A heart-pounding adventure from start to finish, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! I can't recommend this book enough to your all, it's probably one that you might overlook in a bookstore but seriously - IT'S WORTH IT!

The characterisation was another perk of the novel. Cheyenne was a fantastic protagonist for this kind of story. She hasn't had the best of luck with losing her mother, going blind and now getting kidnapped but even through the most nerve-wrecking situation she tries to keep calm and use what she has. She's smart, level-headed and she knows her limitation. If Cheyenne entered The Hunger Games, she'll win. The story is told from twin perspectives of Cheyenne and Griffin. Griffin accidentally kidnapped Cheyenne. He was only meant to steal the car but got the kid with it too. Griffin is not a bad guy but he's been mislead, abused and neglected. I liked how over the course of the novel, Henry develops Griffin as a character. Overall, the characterisations as truly well done, very realistic character with believable flaws and a heart-breaking back story.

In a nutshell - Girl, Stolen is definitely one YA novel every reader should read! It's perfect for a night in, quick, direct and unputdownable from cover to cover! Nicely narrated, excellent characterisation and a plot that has truly impressed me with it lack of sugar coating and originality. This is a realistic YA thriller that will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat!

What's it Worth? - Hand Over the Paycheck


Badass Bookie xx

Fated

Review Time! Fated by Alyson Noel marks the start of Alyson's brand new YA series called Soul Seekers. Alyson is the best selling author of the Immortal series as wells the spin-off Riley Blooms series. I wasn't a fan of Noel's Immortal series so I was a little hesitant when starting Fated but it didn't let me down! Thanks to Pan Macmillan for the ARC and finished copy!

(Goodreads) Strange things are happening to Daire Santos. Crows mock her, glowing people stalk her, time stops without warning, and a beautiful boy with unearthly blue eyes haunts all her dreams. Fearing for her daughter’s sanity, Daire’s mother sends her to live with the grandmother she’s never met. A woman who recognizes the visions for what they truly are—the call to her destiny as a Soul Seeker—one who can navigate the worlds between the living and dead.

There on the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico, Daire sets out to harness her mystical powers. But it’s when she meets Dace, the boy from her dreams, that her whole world is shaken to its core. Now Daire is forced to discover if Dace is the one guy she's meant to be with...or if he’s allied with the enemy she's destined to destroy.

The Short Story? - Fated took me by surprise, I wasn't expecting anything amazing but amazing was what  I got! Noel has combined a supernatural, saving-the-world plot with the cultural shenanigans of the American Indians. It wasn't perfect but it definitely was highly enjoyable. Loved the plot, the characters were very well developed and I very much enjoyed Noel's writing. Fated's got Badass Bookie's tick of approval ;)

The Long Story? - If the Immortal series is putting you off Fated, I can see where you're coming from but there is nothing to worry about. I stopped after reading book 2 of Noel's other YA series but Fated has really got me hooked and I'm eagerly awaiting the next one! The problem when incorporating cultural shenanigans into a novel is that it can sometimes get a little confusing. There were a couple of spots where I was reading words and thinking "okay, WHATTTTTT just happened?" however, those were rare and the plot as a whole was very well done! Started off quite slowly but the build up really suiting the setting and the characters. I loved the ending, very adventurous and enjoyable. Noel's wiring style is very good in Fated, I very much loved the narrative voice! Overall, a very solid start to a new series - I'm impressed!

I really like the characterisation. Lots of character building, especially for the protagonist - Daire. Initially I really wanted to slap some manners into her. She was such a rude girl! I think Noel was trying to play out the whole Hollywood Prima Donna and it was a great touch because it really highlighted the change in personality as Daire embraced her role as a seeker :) Dace was the most adoring guy! He's your typical YA good "guy". ANNNNNND for those girls out there who are possessive of their boys, THERE'S TWO OF THEM! Yes, Dace as a (evil) twin brother called Cade who looks exactly like him! More of them to go around! *High5* Noel! Overall, it was a well thought out characterisation, Daire's grandmother was really cool! :D

Overall, a very well written and refreshingly original YA paranormal! I'm very pleased with Fated and I can't wait where the sequel take's Daire and Dace. Honestly, I was prepared to be disappointed by Fated and yet it's surprised me with it's fantastic characterisation and solid plot. I definitely recommend this novel to readers who loved In the Arms of Stone Angels by Jordan Dane and YA Paranormal in general!


What's it Worth? - Hand Over the Paycheck


Badass Bookie xx

In My Mailbox #49

Morning! It's a overcast day here in Australia and I plan to spend it watching White Collar ( my new addiction) so it really doesn't matter to me - haha! Anyway, In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Basically we share the bookish contents of our mailbox! Badass Bookie only participates every fortnight because she's too lazy!

For Review -

Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris

Struck by Jennifer Bosworth 

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Sirensong by Jenna Black X 2

A Witch in Love by Ruth Warburton

ARC The Glimpse by Claire Merie

Slide by Jill Hathaway

Messy by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan X 2

( Thanks to HarperCollins, Random House, Walker Books, Pan Macmillan, Hachette Childrens, Allen and Unwin!)

Swapped - 

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Legacy by Cayla Kluver

Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

Pretty awesome two weeks right? As you can see, I got some duplicates this week and that's because something went wrong with the mail LAST WEEK ( with all the rain) but they all arrived safely <3 SO keen to read STRUCK - heard so much about it! Also looking forward to reading MESSY which is the sequel to Spoiled. THE GLIMPSE looks awesome, THE SELECTION = *happy dance* and finally! COLS <3 <3 <3 <3 Actually, I'm excited for all my books this week. Hopefully I can read them asap!

Link me!

Badass Bookie xx

Breakfast with the Bookie: How Not to Write Bad Reviews

Breakfast with the Bookie is a semi-weekly feature here @ Badass Bookie which is making a reappearance in 2012. Every other Wednesday morning, let's all grab our teas and coffees to gather and discuss and share our opinions! Everyone is welcome to join and make sure you leave a comment to state your opinion. Don't be shy!

This Week's Topic - How Not to Write Bad Reviews 

 It's been an age since I've done a Breakfast with the Bookie post and I think it's high time that I got back into routine! This week's topic is kinda of inspired by two things. 1) My own discomfort when it comes to writing a review for a book I didn't like and 2) Controversies revolving around negative reviews. Everyone remember "The Selection" Drama right? That whole episode was a little uncalled for because firstly, the review that started the whole shebang was fair.

What's the difference between a negative review and a bad review?

Well my grasshoppers, a NEGATIVE review gives honest opinions, even if that means criticism but also talks about things they did enjoy or at least talk about why they didn't enjoy the book.

A BAD review pretty much just slams the book. They're the ones that completely rip into the book or the author and pretty much just blabber about everything that went wrong but don't talk about why.

Bookie's Take - 

As book bloggers, many of us are given the awesome opportunity of getting review copies. Publishers send us books in exchange for an honest review. An HONEST review isn't a bad review. It's okay if you hated the book, seriously there are bound to be books that are just not your cup of tea but when you read one of those books the least you can do is write a solid review. Please don't "trash" an author or the book, don't discourage people to read. You don't like it? Fine, tell me why. THEN tell me if, is there any part your DID like?

What Shouldn't be Written -


1) "OMG worse book ever. The author clearly never went to school. This book is sooooo bad, characters were so fake. Don't read it, waste of time."

2) "Burn this crap. Waste of good paper. The only thing this book should be used for is toilet paper" 

What Should Be Written -


1) "To be honest, this wasn't my cup of tea. I didn't feel the plot because I felt it lacked action. However the writing was beautiful and the romance was very sweet."


2) "I couldn't really connect with the protagonist, the plot was a little bland and I honestly didn't feel for the romance. It wasn't what I thought it would be however I really liked ending."

Did I miss anything? Do you agree? How do you write negative reviews?

Badass Bookie xx

Spellcaster

Review Time! Spellcaster is the second book in Cara Lynn Shultz's Spellbound series! I really enjoyed Spellbound which was a very note-worthy YA debut of 2011. When I first picked this up, I couldn't wait to read it! You can purchase a copy at Booktopia | Fishpond | The Nile | The Book Depository. Thanks to HarlequinTeen for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Finding your eternal soulmate - easy.

Stopping a true-love-hungry evil - not so much…

After breaking a centuries-old romantic curse, Emma Connor is (almost) glad to get back to normal problems. Although... it's not easy dealing with the jealous cliques and gossip that rule her exclusive Upper East Side prep -- even for a sixteen-year-old newbie witch. Having the most-wanted boy in school as her eternal soul mate sure helps ease the pain... especially since wealthy, rocker-hot Brendan Salinger is very good at staying irresistibly close…

But something dark and hungry is using Emma and Brendan's deepest fears to reveal damaging secrets and destroy their trust in each other. And Emma's crash course in überspells may not be enough to keep them safe...or to stop an inhuman force bent on making their unsuspected power its own.

The Short Story? - Spellcaster was a solid read with good writing, a strong romance and some pretty awesome characterisation. I can't say I enjoyed more than Spellbound ( which was amazing) but Spellcaster was good. I had some problems with the plot but overall, still one of the better sequels I've read. If you like witches, rich kids and sizzling romance than you should put this series on your radar!


The Long Story? -  I had this major issue with Spellcaster and that kind of nagged at me throughout the novel. I didn't like the plot. It was good but it left me deflated and unsatisfied after reading Spellbound! If I had to put my finger on it - I would say Shultz was trying to write a story that just wasn't there. The ending of Spellbound really didn't call for a sequel because it finished off nicely but when I heard there was going to be one I assumed that it would have the same antagonist and kind of link with the first novel. I didn't like how Shultz tried to create a new problem, a new villain and how she "tried" to drive a wedge between Emma and Brendan with the trust issues ( overdone in YA but hey, at least it's not a love triangle). In my opinion, the new direction that she took the series in was a little tacky. She created this beautiful story about a curse that separates these two reincarnated lovers and yet she insists on writing  plots that kind of degrade this age-old curse. I would have liked to see a more dramatic plot. However this is just my agenda because Spellcaster had action, romance, a plot ( even if I didn't really like it) and what more could you ask for in a novel right? Beautifully written as well.

The characterisation was one of the highlights of Spellcaster. I liked the character development, Shultz has really made Emma and Brendan better characters then they were in Spellbound Emma is definitely tougher, she can throw a hell of a punch yet Shultz has kept the easy-to-like personality. In parts I thought Shultz tried a little "too" hard to make Emma funny but overall Emma was still a brilliant character. Brendan has really turned over a new leaf. He's still absolutely hot but now he's got a gentlemanly side as well and I like that. The romance between the two is filled with chemistry and I loved the kissing scenes, I wish these two cool kids will never stop kissing!

In a nutshell, I think I might be crazy because I just went through Goodreads reviews and everyone else is RAVING about Spellcaster! Maybe I wasn't in the mood for a paranormal? I definitely liked Spellbound better but honestly Spellcaster wasn't all that mad. So I didn't completely agree on the plot but there were some very enjoyable parts ( especially the kissing scenes and the adorable "I love you" scenes), I'm keen to see where Shultz takes the third book because I'm hoping for a rebound read! Despite the plot, it's still one of the better books I've read this year! :D

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


Badass Bookie xx

Going Underground

Review Time! I'm finally slipping back into a nice reading schedule although I still kinda pulling through a reading slump ( they're so hard to pull through!). Anyway, I've decided to read and review a book that's been sitting on my shelf for a while now because I feel bad for the neglecting them. Going Underground by Susan Vaught got picked, you can purchase a copy of the book from - Booktopia | The Nile | Fishpond | The Book Depository Thanks to Bloomsbury for the review copy! :)

(Goodreads) Del is a good kid who's been caught in horrible circumstances. At seventeen, he's trying to put his life together after an incident in his past that made him a social outcast-and a felon. As a result, he can't get into college; the only job he can find is digging graves; and when he finally meets a girl he might fall in love with, there's a sea of complications that threatens to bring the world crashing down around him again. But what has Del done? In flashbacks to Del's fourteenth year, we slowly learn the truth: his girlfriend texted him a revealing photo of herself, a teacher confiscated his phone, and soon the police were involved.

Basing her story on real-life cases of teens in trouble with the law for texting explicit photos, Susan Vaught has created a moving portrait of an immensely likable character caught in a highly controversial legal scenario.

The Short Story? - I'm completely floored by this bittersweet YA contemporary. Vaught has created this highly controversial scenario that deals with a very authentic teenager and his problems with the law. Firstly, the male POV is a real highlight and treat, Del is such an aspiring character. Beautifully written, deeply moving and thoroughly enjoyable. Going Underground is a very unique YA contemporary!

The Long Story? - When I first started Going Underground I wasn't too keen because I was in the middle of exam preparation, I was in a reading slump and I just wasn't in the mood for a serius contemporary read. So I put the book down and read something else. When I picked up Going Underground, my whole perspective of the novel changed. I really enjoyed, it's not really in my comfort zone but I enjoyed it. Vaught explores some deep issues in Going Underground including trouble with the law, sexting, child pornography and rape (heavy - I know). The plot is incredibly bittersweet, Del really has coped the worst of life and Going Underground is kind of a moving-on story and teaching readers that there is always hope. We follow Del through his everyday life and it's a very aspiring story. I don't want to get too deep into the plot and spoil it but contemporary fans would definitely dig this one.

One of the best things I like about this book was the protagonist - Del. Going Underground told from a males POV (perk) and Del was brilliant ( another perk). He's such an aspiring character, he's so so so strong. Life has really given him lemons yet he soldiers on. The turning point for Del was really his meeting with Livia, who is the love interest. This novel definitely doesn't focus of romance, in fact it plays a really minor part. The majority of the novel was about Del moving with his life, choosing what's best for him and fighting for it. I felt a real connection to Del as a character because he's a really sweet but completely misunderstood boy and his troubled past really does haunt him everyday. I really, REALLY though Del was a very well developed character :)

Overall, Going Underground wasn't my favourite contemporary read of the year ( that honour goes to The Fault in Our Stars by John Green) but it's definitely one of the better ones I've read. The male POV is refreshing and Del is a very authentic character. It's a very realistic scenario and covers some difficult topics that are usually unexplored in YA fiction. I'll definitely recommend Going Underground to YA readers who enjoys contemporary fiction about second chances and teen issues!

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


Badass Bookie xx

Fifty Shades of Grey - My Thoughts

Fifty Shades of Grey has been a huge controversial book that's taken the blogosphere by storm. From fan fiction to topping the Amazon Best Seller list, signing a movie deal, getting a contract with Random House and "electrifying" women all across America - E.L. James has came a longggggg way. To think this book started out as Twilight Fan Fiction no less!

To satisfy curiosity - I read the book, well, half of it. It wasn't bad seriously it wasn't BUT there are so many better ( and more appropriate) books out there. I'm giving it a break for now but anyway, I'm giving you my thoughts so far!

Thoughts on (the first 150ish pages of) Fifty Shades of Grey

Christian

First I was like ...

HE'S HOT

He's HOT AND RICH :O

MARRY ME!

and then I was like ....

OMG - WHAT IS THIS?

Distraction....WATCH THIS! LOOK AT THAT!

Word. 

Anastasia - First I was like ... 

Okay... I can deal with this chick. 

And then I was like ...

Dude - WHY ARE YOU WITH HIM? DEATH WISH? 

Where's YOUR SELF-ESTEEM? Women's Rights? De fuq?

Overall I was like - 

Honestly, it wasn't "bad". No seriously - THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS BOOK besides how screwed up the whole concept is. The writing is okay, the characters are better than Edward and Bella but this whole BDSM thing is wrong on so many levels! I fear for E's mental health, how in the world do you come up with a plot like this? HOW? 

Perhaps it wasn't written for people my age, you know teenagers who like have a life but honestly E's portrayal of BDSM is kind of sick and reading about it ... just wasn't my thing. I'm especially disappointed in Anastasia! I mean what kind of girl actually agrees to BDSM? EVEN IF YOU'RE A VIRIGIN!

Christian, had kind of a traumatising childhood ( at least I think so) and that's what got him into the whole BDSM thing in the first place. I really hope in the end, Anastasia "cures" him from this strange addiction. He's got sex appeal but then the whole kinky thing turns me off..

That's my take, no offence was meant. The book wasn't bad - it just wasn't for me :(

*EDIT : Just letting everyone know, I'm not discouraging anyone from reading this series. In fact - I PLAN TO READ THE WHOLE TRILOGY to give a more accurate opinion. No review will come but an opinion.

**EDIT : Guys I don't want you to think I'm judging people who are into BDSM. Hell, WHAT IF I AM ( but I don't know about it yet O_O)? There is no depth to this review so don't read too much into it okay? It's just me and my horrified rambles of reading a controversial book! PEACE. 

Badass Bookie xx