Previous Books -
YAY FOR MATCHING COVERS!
Check Out T.M. Goeglein ( Hands down, one of the most awesome authors ever!) - Website | Blog | Twitter | Youtube | Facebook
Badass Bookie xx
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
COVER REVEAL: Embers and Ash by Ted Goeglein
Guys, do you realise that I've posted four days in a row? I feel so proud of myself for actually sitting down and scheduling posts! *pats back* Today, I'm coming to you with a cover reveal! EMBERS AND ASH (August, 2014) by Ted Goeglein is the third and final book in the COLD FURY trilogy from Penguin Books. If you're a long time bookie, you would know that I absolutely loved the first book in the series! I do have a copy of the second but I'm yet to get around to reading it (my TBR is HUGE and my reading speed is really, really, realllllly slow this year). Anyhow, enjoy the pretty cover!
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Banish
Review Time! Banish is the YA debut novel of Australian author, Nicola Marsh, I was actually part of the blog tour for Banish (you can check out my posts - HERE) and I read Banish so I can post my review up with the blog tour post, CLEARLY that didn't happen because I was too busy (and lazy) to write it but I'm sitting down today to write it! You can purchase a copy of Banish from Fishpond | Booktopia | The Nile | Bookworld. Thanks to HarlequinTeen for the review copy!
The Short Story? - For me, Banish was little bit of a hit and miss. There were completely amazing parts and then parts that just fell flat. The plot was interesting however some parts were poorly executed and even though the book was a reasonably quick read, the pace was quite slow. However the characterisation was good, the backstory was interesting and the twist at the end - DID NOT SEE THAT COMING! A solid debut, I can't wait to see where the sequel takes us!
The Long Story? - I didn't exactly love this book but I can't say I didn't like it either. I liked the plot, it was interesting, the mystery aspect and the psychopath aspect really gave the book a killer punch (haha!). However I can't help but feel like the plot has been done before, it's a little bit of a supernatural cliche. Girl doesn't like magic, meets boy and falls in love, supernatural murderer on the loose, girl discovers her powers, embraces power. Marsh added her own touches but for me, it was a generic YA supernatural/paranormal plot. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it but I've read this kind of plot so any times, it's just not the kind of novel that will stick with me for a long time. That said, the ending was amazing, throughout the novel readers are left in the dark about how is this crazy psychopath and while I'm usually pretty good at picking out the hidden bad guys, I just couldn't get this one! Definitely wasn't one of the best plots I've read however the story was beautifully written!
The characterisation was good, like the plot, the protagonist was a little bit of a hit and miss as well. Sometimes she was badass and completely awesome however there were other parts of the novel in which she came off as whiny and a little bratty. Alyssa wasn't someone I could relate to therefore I couldn't really connect with her however I liked how Marsh gave her a backstory ( a pretty traumatising one at that) because it gave her a softer edge and opened me up to accepting her a little more. Ronan was a great character, I liked how Marsh stepped away from the typical popular, jock with a big heart stereotype for a love interest and instead picked an adorable, older and geeky one instead. It's more realistic and honestly, cute geeks are more appealing when you're addressing a bunch of book nerds right? I thought Alyssa and Ronan were really cute together, they had their rough patches but somehow they worked together. A good balanced love story!
In the end, would I recommend Banish to everyone? Yes I would however it definitely wouldn't be the first book I recommend. The series (at least I think it's a series, the ending suggest it is) definitely has potential and I can only see the quality of the story going up from here. It was a quick and enjoyable read, not as unique as I hoped it would be however stunning cover and a mind-blowing ending! Marsh's debut is a supernatural thriller with a killed edge, can't wait to see how Alyssa will grow as her adventures continue!
What's it Worth? - Squeeze Into the Budget
Badass Bookie xx
(Goodreads) Alyssa has one week to destroy her enemy, save her spirit... and save her soul.
After her ex-boyfriend commits suicide and her mum’s alcoholism sparks yet another psychotic episode, seventeen-year-old Alyssa Wood flees her small hometown of Broadwater and heads to New York City to stay with her bohemian aunt — a Wicca High Priestess.
Alyssa revels in the anonymity of a big city and her new life. Her grades climb, she has a new best friend, and a new guy: the sexy geek Ronan — a saxophone player who prefers jazz to pop.
But her newfound peace is soon shattered when she sees a dead body in one of Ronan’s music clips — and she’s the only one who can see it. Worse still, Alyssa recognises the body that has been murdered a week forward!
Alyssa doesn’t believe in the supernatural...despite her family’s Wicca background. So how will she overcome evil when it’s closer than she thinks?
The Short Story? - For me, Banish was little bit of a hit and miss. There were completely amazing parts and then parts that just fell flat. The plot was interesting however some parts were poorly executed and even though the book was a reasonably quick read, the pace was quite slow. However the characterisation was good, the backstory was interesting and the twist at the end - DID NOT SEE THAT COMING! A solid debut, I can't wait to see where the sequel takes us!
The Long Story? - I didn't exactly love this book but I can't say I didn't like it either. I liked the plot, it was interesting, the mystery aspect and the psychopath aspect really gave the book a killer punch (haha!). However I can't help but feel like the plot has been done before, it's a little bit of a supernatural cliche. Girl doesn't like magic, meets boy and falls in love, supernatural murderer on the loose, girl discovers her powers, embraces power. Marsh added her own touches but for me, it was a generic YA supernatural/paranormal plot. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it but I've read this kind of plot so any times, it's just not the kind of novel that will stick with me for a long time. That said, the ending was amazing, throughout the novel readers are left in the dark about how is this crazy psychopath and while I'm usually pretty good at picking out the hidden bad guys, I just couldn't get this one! Definitely wasn't one of the best plots I've read however the story was beautifully written!
The characterisation was good, like the plot, the protagonist was a little bit of a hit and miss as well. Sometimes she was badass and completely awesome however there were other parts of the novel in which she came off as whiny and a little bratty. Alyssa wasn't someone I could relate to therefore I couldn't really connect with her however I liked how Marsh gave her a backstory ( a pretty traumatising one at that) because it gave her a softer edge and opened me up to accepting her a little more. Ronan was a great character, I liked how Marsh stepped away from the typical popular, jock with a big heart stereotype for a love interest and instead picked an adorable, older and geeky one instead. It's more realistic and honestly, cute geeks are more appealing when you're addressing a bunch of book nerds right? I thought Alyssa and Ronan were really cute together, they had their rough patches but somehow they worked together. A good balanced love story!
In the end, would I recommend Banish to everyone? Yes I would however it definitely wouldn't be the first book I recommend. The series (at least I think it's a series, the ending suggest it is) definitely has potential and I can only see the quality of the story going up from here. It was a quick and enjoyable read, not as unique as I hoped it would be however stunning cover and a mind-blowing ending! Marsh's debut is a supernatural thriller with a killed edge, can't wait to see how Alyssa will grow as her adventures continue!
What's it Worth? - Squeeze Into the Budget
Badass Bookie xx
Monday, October 21, 2013
THE LAST GIRL: Q and A with Michael Adams (BLOG TOUR)
WHAT'S THIS? TWO POSTS IN A ROW? SOMEONE HAS HIJACKED THE BADASS BOOKIE. Just kidding, I'm just being super diligent this week! As part of the blog tour for The Last Girl by Michael Adams (Allen and Unwin), I've got a Q and A with the man himself today! Super stroked about having Michael on the blog, when I first received my copy of The Last Girl, I skimmed through the first couple of chapters and IT'S FANTASTIC. Can't wait to find time and dig in!
Quickies -
Early Bird or Late Owl?
Chocolate or Lollies?
Both. Choc outside and lolly inside. I speak of… the mighty Violet Crumble.
Black or White?
Black. White shows the dirt too much.
Dog-Ear or Bookmark?
Dog-ear. Especially when I see a sentence that I like. My books can look like accordions.
Pen or Pencil?
Pencil when I'm gently editing. Pen when it gets emphatic.
Twitter or Facebook?
Twitter. Short, sharp, silly.
Favourite Day of the Week?
Saturday. Wake up, hang with the family, make breakfast, take the dog for a walk, hit the garage sales... and then start writing.
Song That's Currently Playing (outloud or in your head)?
The Strokes. Welcome To Japan. I love the line: "What kinda asshole drives a Lotus?"
Book that should be turned into a movie?
Flicker. Theodore Roszak's trippy conspiracy thriller about the secret purpose of the movies. Darren Aronofsky, who made Black Swan, was gonna direct it at one stage.
Book that everyone else has read but me?
Book that everyone's read but me? All of them. You can climb my TBR list to the top of Everest. (I raise you, my TBR connects my location to Mars)
Opinion on Big Brother?
You’ll find some references to it in the book - George Orwell’s version, that is. In Danby's world it's been turned into a rap-movie call Big Bro and the lead character has been rebooted as Win-S. Though, now I think of it, the idea of telepathic intrusion certainly fits the nightmare that is the reality TV version.
Interview with Michael Adams
Quickies -
Early Bird or Late Owl?
Early bird. I have to get up at 5 for work each day. By choice: night owl.
Chocolate or Lollies?
Both. Choc outside and lolly inside. I speak of… the mighty Violet Crumble.
Black or White?
Black. White shows the dirt too much.
Dog-Ear or Bookmark?
Dog-ear. Especially when I see a sentence that I like. My books can look like accordions.
Pen or Pencil?
Pencil when I'm gently editing. Pen when it gets emphatic.
Twitter or Facebook?
Twitter. Short, sharp, silly.
Favourite Day of the Week?
Saturday. Wake up, hang with the family, make breakfast, take the dog for a walk, hit the garage sales... and then start writing.
Song That's Currently Playing (outloud or in your head)?
The Strokes. Welcome To Japan. I love the line: "What kinda asshole drives a Lotus?"
Book that should be turned into a movie?
Flicker. Theodore Roszak's trippy conspiracy thriller about the secret purpose of the movies. Darren Aronofsky, who made Black Swan, was gonna direct it at one stage.
Book that everyone else has read but me?
Book that everyone's read but me? All of them. You can climb my TBR list to the top of Everest. (I raise you, my TBR connects my location to Mars)
Opinion on Big Brother?
You’ll find some references to it in the book - George Orwell’s version, that is. In Danby's world it's been turned into a rap-movie call Big Bro and the lead character has been rebooted as Win-S. Though, now I think of it, the idea of telepathic intrusion certainly fits the nightmare that is the reality TV version.
The Long Ones -
1) Can you describe The Last Girl in three words?
Leaps off page.
2) The Last Girl is written from the perspective of a sixteen-year-old girl, what made you want to write from this perspective and was it difficult?
I wanted to write from Danby's teenage perspective because it's removed from my experience and it'd stop me from falling back into my own voice as an adult male. I wanted to make her up and then see what she'd do, how she'd respond, to the crisis. Having her as my main character also did make stuff harder for her because she hasn't had as much life experience. For instance, she hasn't yet learned to drive, which is a big hassle when you're trying to escape a suburb that's coming apart at the seams. Another thing is that I wanted Danby to be a character my daughter could relate to and respect when she's older. Ava is eight now. She'll be Danby's age in the near-future in which The Last Girl is set. I'd like her to read about a young woman who's smart and funny and flawed and brave and empathetic and independent. It was sometimes difficult to write Danby - but that's how I wanted it. My editors were good with making sure that her voice and language remained true to a teenager. I think things like lack of confidence, peer pressure, uncertainty about the future, a skepticism of parents, etc, are common to both boys and girls. So I used what I knew from my own experience. The rest I imagined.
3) Is there a story behind the names of the main characters?
There are stories behind some of the names of the characters. Danby's name is actually Danbyn. It's a name her parents - BrenDAN and RoBYN - made up for her because it was so supposed to symbolise that she was part of them forever. But we see how that's worked out - and why Danby rejects her full name. Her combo name also reflects the time she was born, back when we first had "Bennifer", which was the name coined when Ben Affleck was engaged to Jennifer Lopez. So it's a bit of a clue to when the book is set. Danby's surname, Armstrong, literally spells out what she needs to be - but it can also sound like an affirmation: "I'm strong." There are plenty of other names in the book - TV shows, song, bands, movies - that have some kind of relevance to the plot and themes. I'm hoping working them out is fun for some readers.
4) Is there a character that you can relate best to?
Danby, definitely. I've spent so much time in her head she's like a part of me. Which sounds weird, I know. But I love how she's always trying to figure stuff out, come out with a theory, a plan of action -- and how much trouble it gets her out of… and into.
5) Tell us a little about your writing process!
Wow, I had the vaguest idea - telepathic plague! - in 2008. Couldn't figure out how to make it work. Had a bit of a flash of inspiration in March 2011. Started writing in a notebook. Scribbles everywhere. But got a few thousand words down. Basically it was the opening scene. Dysfunctional family Christmas made so much worse when everyone can hear each other's thoughts. Hit a lot of obstacles because I hadn't planned much more than that. Cornered myself and Danby continually because I'd trap her in some godawful situation and have to figure out an escape. It looked so impossible that I considered taking her little brother out of the story entirely. I'm so glad I didn't because he proved to be the key to the trilogy. Anyway, I wrote it while working a full-time job and doing freelance on the side. By July 2012 I had a finished first draft of 111,000 words. My agent said I ought to cut it back to 90,000, which I did. A&U loved it - and then the rewriting really began. It's a long process. Satisfying but very difficult.
6) If The Last Girl was turned into a movie, who would play who?
For Danby, I think the Australian actress Eva Lazarro, who you might've seen in the TV show Tangle and in the new movie The Turning. She's 18, looks the part and she's a terrific on-screen presence. The book specifies that Nathan is of Sri Lankan heritage. It makes me wonder whether Ashton Agar, the young cricket player, can act because he’s kinda like my idea of Nathan. As for Jack, he’s a bit older. It'd suit Aussie actor Alex Russell. He was terrific in Chronicle. He's charismatic and has a dark and funny streak. It'd be fantastic if The Last Girl could be made into a moive in Australia with local actors and filmmakers. It’s not like we’ve got a shortage of talent and locations.
Purchase ALL OUR YESTERDAYS - Booktopia | Fishpond | The Nile | Bookworld
BOOK TRAILER
Badass Bookie xx
1) Can you describe The Last Girl in three words?
Leaps off page.
2) The Last Girl is written from the perspective of a sixteen-year-old girl, what made you want to write from this perspective and was it difficult?
I wanted to write from Danby's teenage perspective because it's removed from my experience and it'd stop me from falling back into my own voice as an adult male. I wanted to make her up and then see what she'd do, how she'd respond, to the crisis. Having her as my main character also did make stuff harder for her because she hasn't had as much life experience. For instance, she hasn't yet learned to drive, which is a big hassle when you're trying to escape a suburb that's coming apart at the seams. Another thing is that I wanted Danby to be a character my daughter could relate to and respect when she's older. Ava is eight now. She'll be Danby's age in the near-future in which The Last Girl is set. I'd like her to read about a young woman who's smart and funny and flawed and brave and empathetic and independent. It was sometimes difficult to write Danby - but that's how I wanted it. My editors were good with making sure that her voice and language remained true to a teenager. I think things like lack of confidence, peer pressure, uncertainty about the future, a skepticism of parents, etc, are common to both boys and girls. So I used what I knew from my own experience. The rest I imagined.
3) Is there a story behind the names of the main characters?
There are stories behind some of the names of the characters. Danby's name is actually Danbyn. It's a name her parents - BrenDAN and RoBYN - made up for her because it was so supposed to symbolise that she was part of them forever. But we see how that's worked out - and why Danby rejects her full name. Her combo name also reflects the time she was born, back when we first had "Bennifer", which was the name coined when Ben Affleck was engaged to Jennifer Lopez. So it's a bit of a clue to when the book is set. Danby's surname, Armstrong, literally spells out what she needs to be - but it can also sound like an affirmation: "I'm strong." There are plenty of other names in the book - TV shows, song, bands, movies - that have some kind of relevance to the plot and themes. I'm hoping working them out is fun for some readers.
4) Is there a character that you can relate best to?
Danby, definitely. I've spent so much time in her head she's like a part of me. Which sounds weird, I know. But I love how she's always trying to figure stuff out, come out with a theory, a plan of action -- and how much trouble it gets her out of… and into.
5) Tell us a little about your writing process!
Wow, I had the vaguest idea - telepathic plague! - in 2008. Couldn't figure out how to make it work. Had a bit of a flash of inspiration in March 2011. Started writing in a notebook. Scribbles everywhere. But got a few thousand words down. Basically it was the opening scene. Dysfunctional family Christmas made so much worse when everyone can hear each other's thoughts. Hit a lot of obstacles because I hadn't planned much more than that. Cornered myself and Danby continually because I'd trap her in some godawful situation and have to figure out an escape. It looked so impossible that I considered taking her little brother out of the story entirely. I'm so glad I didn't because he proved to be the key to the trilogy. Anyway, I wrote it while working a full-time job and doing freelance on the side. By July 2012 I had a finished first draft of 111,000 words. My agent said I ought to cut it back to 90,000, which I did. A&U loved it - and then the rewriting really began. It's a long process. Satisfying but very difficult.
6) If The Last Girl was turned into a movie, who would play who?
For Danby, I think the Australian actress Eva Lazarro, who you might've seen in the TV show Tangle and in the new movie The Turning. She's 18, looks the part and she's a terrific on-screen presence. The book specifies that Nathan is of Sri Lankan heritage. It makes me wonder whether Ashton Agar, the young cricket player, can act because he’s kinda like my idea of Nathan. As for Jack, he’s a bit older. It'd suit Aussie actor Alex Russell. He was terrific in Chronicle. He's charismatic and has a dark and funny streak. It'd be fantastic if The Last Girl could be made into a moive in Australia with local actors and filmmakers. It’s not like we’ve got a shortage of talent and locations.
From Left To Right : Ashton Agar, Eva Lazarro and Alex Russell.
About The Book
The end of the world happens in the blink of an eye
When The Snap sweeps the globe, everyone can instantly hear everything that everyone else is thinking. As secrets and lies are laid bare, suburbs and cities explode into insanity and violence. What might have been an evolutionary leap instead initiates the apocalypse.
Sixteen-year-old Danby Armstrong's telepathy works very differently. She can tune into other people but they can't tune into her. With only this slender defence, Danby must protect her little brother and reach the safety of her mother's mountain retreat. But it's 100 kilometres away and the highways are blocked by thousands of cars and surrounded by millions of people coming apart at the psychic seams.
Danby's escape is made even more dangerous by another cataclysm that threatens humanity's extinction. And her ability to survive this new world will be tested by a charismatic young man whose power to save lives may be worse than death itself.
Purchase ALL OUR YESTERDAYS - Booktopia | Fishpond | The Nile | Bookworld
BOOK TRAILER
About the Author
Michael Adams has been a restaurant dishwasher, television host, ice-cream scooper, toilet scrubber, magazine journalist, ecohouse lab rat, film reviewer, social media curator, telemarketing jerk, reality TV scribe and B-movie zombie. This one time, he watched bad movies at the rate of one per day for an entire year and wrote a book about the traumatic experience, which is called Showgirls, Teen Wolves and Astro Zombies. Michael lives in the Blue Mountains, NSW, with his partner, daughter, one dog, two cats and an average of three supersized spiders. The Last Girl is his first novel.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Siege and Storm
Review Time! Siege and Storm is the sequel to Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, my favourite book of 2012 (and one of my favourite books of all time). I was beyond excited to read this because as I said, I FREAKING LOVED THE FIRST BOOK. I actually finished this one really close to the release date but I'm lazy and busy so I haven't gotten around to reviewing it till now (my baaaad). You can purchase a copy of Siege and Storm from The Book Depository | Fishpond | Booktopia | Bookworld. Thanks to Hachette for the review copy!
The Short Story? - Bardugo doesn't fail to impress (and THANK GOD because the only thing worse that a bad sequel is a bad sequel to an amazing debut)! A riveting story that starts off from where Shadow and Bone left off, Alina takes us deeper into the enchanting and mistrusting world of the Grishas. Filled with twists, romance, action and adventure, Siege and Storm is one of those books that has something for everyone to enjoy. Beautifully written, a clever little plot and some incredibly real characters, it's a two thumbs up from me!
The Long Story? - I don't think I've ever read anything more beautiful than the prologue and epilogue of this book, the fairytale-esque narration was so soft and whimsy as opposed to the rest of the book which is a non-stop epic adventure. I don't even know where to begin with this book because it was pretty mind-blowing, although Shadow and Bone was better in my opinion, Siege and Storm had it's moments. The plot was amazing, the story has definitely taken a darker turn since the events of the last book. The stakes are higher, there is a war approaching and time is running out - everything about Siege and Storm, is faster, more dangerous and more thrilling. Not to mention, all the twists and secrets revealed, Bardugo cleverly fooled the readers in the first book and slowly but surely, she reveals the ugly truth underneath. Another turn in the story is the switch in love interests and honestly I'm not too happy, the romance was one of my favourite parts of book 1 yet I couldn't care less about it in Siege and Storm. I'm just glad it didn't take away from the plot (too much). Overall, definitely a thought out plot and very well executed!
The characterisation really compliments the plot ( or is it the other way around?), Alina's development as a protagonist was one of my favourite aspects of this sequel. She's come a long way from the orphan cartographer in book 1, her confidence makes her more appealing and she never fails to surprise me with her courage and leadership. To add to that, she handles pressure really well and she's just a genuinely an incredibly likeable character. Since Alina and Mal are in love now, we see a lot more Mal in this book and well, he's not my favourite character. It's not that he's not likeable but I just dislike him by default because I'm all #TeamDarlina. Mal just too ordinary but someone as extraordinary as Alina, he's too boring when compared to her and tends to be overshadowed therefore -meh. In my bias opinion, even as an evil jerk, the Darkling is still the sexiest and most interesting character (and I still think he should be with Alina - just go to the dark side already!)
Even with my nick-picking and bias opinions regarding certain aspects of the novel (ahem, Mal and Darkling), I still can't find anything major enough to take away from amazing book. I regret nothing and I will join the league of readers waiting impatiently for book 3 because the ending of Siege and Storm is a sure sign that book 3 is going to be NOTHING LESS THEN EPIC (than?). I highly recommend this series, I can rave on for days about the epicness of Bardugo's Grisha trilogy but instead I'm going to leave it and let you decide!
What's it Worth - Break Out the Piggybank
Badass Bookie xx
(Goodreads) Darkness never dies
Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.
The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.
The Short Story? - Bardugo doesn't fail to impress (and THANK GOD because the only thing worse that a bad sequel is a bad sequel to an amazing debut)! A riveting story that starts off from where Shadow and Bone left off, Alina takes us deeper into the enchanting and mistrusting world of the Grishas. Filled with twists, romance, action and adventure, Siege and Storm is one of those books that has something for everyone to enjoy. Beautifully written, a clever little plot and some incredibly real characters, it's a two thumbs up from me!
The Long Story? - I don't think I've ever read anything more beautiful than the prologue and epilogue of this book, the fairytale-esque narration was so soft and whimsy as opposed to the rest of the book which is a non-stop epic adventure. I don't even know where to begin with this book because it was pretty mind-blowing, although Shadow and Bone was better in my opinion, Siege and Storm had it's moments. The plot was amazing, the story has definitely taken a darker turn since the events of the last book. The stakes are higher, there is a war approaching and time is running out - everything about Siege and Storm, is faster, more dangerous and more thrilling. Not to mention, all the twists and secrets revealed, Bardugo cleverly fooled the readers in the first book and slowly but surely, she reveals the ugly truth underneath. Another turn in the story is the switch in love interests and honestly I'm not too happy, the romance was one of my favourite parts of book 1 yet I couldn't care less about it in Siege and Storm. I'm just glad it didn't take away from the plot (too much). Overall, definitely a thought out plot and very well executed!
The characterisation really compliments the plot ( or is it the other way around?), Alina's development as a protagonist was one of my favourite aspects of this sequel. She's come a long way from the orphan cartographer in book 1, her confidence makes her more appealing and she never fails to surprise me with her courage and leadership. To add to that, she handles pressure really well and she's just a genuinely an incredibly likeable character. Since Alina and Mal are in love now, we see a lot more Mal in this book and well, he's not my favourite character. It's not that he's not likeable but I just dislike him by default because I'm all #TeamDarlina. Mal just too ordinary but someone as extraordinary as Alina, he's too boring when compared to her and tends to be overshadowed therefore -meh. In my bias opinion, even as an evil jerk, the Darkling is still the sexiest and most interesting character (and I still think he should be with Alina - just go to the dark side already!)
Even with my nick-picking and bias opinions regarding certain aspects of the novel (ahem, Mal and Darkling), I still can't find anything major enough to take away from amazing book. I regret nothing and I will join the league of readers waiting impatiently for book 3 because the ending of Siege and Storm is a sure sign that book 3 is going to be NOTHING LESS THEN EPIC (than?). I highly recommend this series, I can rave on for days about the epicness of Bardugo's Grisha trilogy but instead I'm going to leave it and let you decide!
What's it Worth - Break Out the Piggybank
Badass Bookie xx
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
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!
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
(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
Monday, September 30, 2013
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS Cristin Terrill BLOG TOUR
Hey guys! Sorry for the lack of content on the blog lately (i.e. this whole year) but honestly I literally just study and do assignments 24/7 (only a slight exaggeration). However today to spice things up a little (i.e. actually post something). I have a Q and A with Cristin Terrill, author of 2013 YA debut ALL OUR YESTERDAYS. Super excited to read this one so I'm so happy to be part of this blog tour!
(You guys might have noticed I'm slightly late with this blog tour post! There was problems with the file and then I left for Sydney so unfortunately I haven't managed to get it up til now!)
Interview with Cristin Terrill
1) Describe All Our Yesterdays in Three Words.
Time + love + complications.
2) How did you come up with the plot for All Our Yesterdays? (it's such a unique and interesting concept I WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING)
The initial kernel of the idea for ALL OUR YESTERDAYS came from this one night when I was having trouble sleeping. I got up at about three or four in the morning and ended up watching The Terminator on TV. I was wondering how the story would be different if the killer robot from the future was the good guy instead of the villain, and then, because I write YA, I was wondering what it would be like if she was a teenage girl instead of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
3) What made you want to write YA?
I’ve never considered writing anything else! I’ve done a lot of work with teenagers throughout my life because I really feel a rapport with them, and I think that period of life is so intense and interesting. It’s just something I’ve always gravitated towards (although I wouldn’t relive my own teen years for the world!).
4) Character you feel you can relate best to? Why?
I probably relate the most to Em (although luckily my life is nothing like hers!). She manages to be both a cynic and an optimist at the same time, and I definitely see that in myself.
5) Is there a story behind the names of characters?
Marina Marchetti – Marina comes from Shakespeare’s Pericles. She’s a princess who loses everything, struggles, and eventually gets it back. This is actually mentioned in the book. Marchetti came from a television show I was binging on while writing, and I just liked the way it sounded!
James Shaw – James because it’s a very formal, upper-crust type name (with a ridiculous nickname, Jimbo, that Finn could use). Shaw is an homage to the Shaw family from The Manchurian Candidate.
Finn Abbott – I have no idea why Finn; that was just the name he came with in my head! I chose Abbott because it has a very wholesome, all-American sound that seemed right for Finn.
The only other name with a story behind it is the soldier who breaks Em and Finn out of prison. His name is Connor, which is, of course, a nod to The Terminator.
6) Are you planning to write any other books outside the series?
Right now I’m just concentrating on the sequel to All Our Yesterdays, but hopefully there will be more books to come!
7) Who would play the characters in a movie adaptation?
Unfortunately, my answer for this is a total non-answer! I used to work in the theatre, and I was in casting for part of that time. Because of that, I feel very strongly that the best actor for a role isn’t the one who looks the most like the character description but the one who brings the most authentic and surprising performance, and you never know who that’s going to be until you see them try it. So if the movie version of All Our Yesterdays does get made, I would just want the actors who most bring the characters to life. (But I’d love to know who readers think should be in the movie!)
8) Insider's Scoop? (Fun facts about the novel or it's process!)
Hmm, well, there’s one thing I put in the book that I’ve told literally no one else about, not even my agent or editor. Almost every time there’s a number in the book, it is or contains a four. This is my nerdy nod to the fourth dimension, which is time.
About The Book
"You have to kill him." Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.Purchase ALL OUR YESTERDAYS - The Book Depository | Fishpond | The Nile | Bookworld
Only Em can complete the final instruction. She’s tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present—imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside.
Marina has loved her best friend James since the day he moved next door when they were children. A gorgeous, introverted science prodigy from one of America’s most famous families, James finally seems to be seeing Marina in a new way, too. But on one disastrous night, James’s life crumbles apart, and with it, Marina’s hopes for their future. Now someone is trying to kill him. Marina will protect James, no matter what. Even if it means opening her eyes to a truth so terrible that she may not survive it. At least not as the girl she once was.
About the Author
Cristin Terrill is a young adult author and aspiring grown-up. She grew up semi-nomadic and graduated from Vassar College with a degree in drama. After getting her masters in Shakespeare Studies from the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon, she lived in London, Austin, Boston, and Washington, DC while working as a theatrical stage manager. Now she writes and leads creative writing workshops for DC-area kids and teens. All Our Yesterdays is her first novel.
Badass Bookie xx
Monday, September 9, 2013
EVERY BREATH Blog Tour - Q And A with Ellie Marney
Hey guys! As part of Ellie Marney Blog Tour for her latest YA novel, Every Breath (Allen and Unwin), she's stopping over at Badass Bookie for a quick Q and A today.
Purchase EVERY BREATH- Fishpond | The Nile | Bookworld
Badass Bookie xx
Interview with Ellie Marney
Quickies -
Early Bird or Night Owl?
I used to be a night owl, but in the last few years I’ve had to reprogram myself – nights were doing me in, and since my youngest son started sleeping well in the mornings, I’m an early bird. Five am is pretty damn early.
Chocolate or Lollies?
Ooh, dark chocolate please.
Coffee or Tea?
Tea – by the gallon. STRONG tea, like stand-your-spoon-in-it strong, with condensed milk.
Dog-Ear or Bookmark?
How embarrassing…dog-ear *blushes*
Twitter or Facebook?
Twitter (eep, all my FB friends will kill me now)
Song That's Currently Playing (out loud or in your head)?
Riptide by Vance Joy – we are ALL singing it. It’s almost getting annoying.
Book that should be turned into a movie?
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
Book that everyone else has read but me?
Fifty Shades of Grey
If I could collect one thing it would be...
Apart from books? Then…teapots. I would need a whole lot more shelves.
If I was a vegetable I would be ...
Leek. An eminently useful and flavoursome vegetable.
Opinion on Big Brother?
Do people still watch that?
Food For Thought -
1) Can you describe Every Breath in three words?
Home-grown Sherlockian shenanigans!
2) Every Breath has been marketed as a kind of teenage Sherlock Holmes - what can readers expect (will there be a body count)?
Indeed there will be! Actually, the body count is quite high for YA crime – maybe not Barry-Lyga-high, but getting up there. Readers can expect to see blood spilt, because it’s a murder mystery (one reviewer described Every Breath as ‘definitely not crime-lite’, which I loved!), but to offset that there’s the power of friendship and the promise of love…all amongst the gritty backstreets of Melbourne!
3) Would you say Every Breath is more Benedict Cumberbatch Sherlock or Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock?
I’m going for Cumberbatch, because I’m a bit of a classicist. You could add a generous dollop of Johnny Lee Miller as well, but actually the character of James Mycroft is not really a template of Sherlock as we know him. Mycroft is more…eccentrically himself.
I confess I watched a lot of s1 and s2 Misfits while I was writing Every Breath, so it’s kind of Melbourne Sherlock, Misfits-style J
4) Is there one character that you can relate most to?
Well, Rachel is from the country – I’m from the country; Rachel wears flannel shirts – I wear flannel shirts; Rachel can fix a water pump and climb onto the roof of her house….er, no, there the similarities end. I’m an awkward DIY-er, and I get awful vertigo, so no pump-fixing or roof-climbing for me.
Actually, the character I found the easiest and most natural to write by far was Rachel’s brother, Mike. He’s straight-forward and optimistic, a real country salt-of-the earth guy – I think he’s adorable!
5) Can you tell us a little about your writing process?
At the moment it’s a shambles – I never realised that the release of Every Breath would make me so busy! Usually I get up at 5am, before anyone else in the house wakes up, and go out to our little shed-slash-office and I write for about two hours, until I have to go in and get everyone ready for school. It is, um, very early, yes. Sadly I’ve had to use this time lately for answering emails and things – but the writing time is coming back soon, very soon! (If it doesn’t, my head will explode)
For me, the first part of the process is always about this massive deluge of unedited writing – a bit like vomiting out as many words onto the page as I can (to be completely gross about it). Then once I have this huge swollen unwieldy mess of a book, I put it away to spend some time thinking about it, before going back and shaping it and wrangling it into something publishable. The writing part feels good – almost cathartic – but it’s the crafting part that I enjoy the most: seeing something bright and sparkly come out of chaos.
6) If Every Breath was turned into a movie, who would play who?
Robert Sheehan (when he wasn’t gallivanting around the world in the company of Shadowhunters) would play Mycroft, for sure – see Misfits, above. He was totally the guy had in mind when I was picturing Mycroft while writing – except now Lisa White’s incredible cover has brought Mycroft to life so beautifully, so my mind does stray to that guy (who are you? You have awesome cheekbones!) when writing.
Rachel is harder. I imagine her as having the same kind of no-nonsense grit as Jennifer Lawrence - before the gloss of The Hunger Games, she played this determined, dirt-poor character in an amazing film called Winter’s Bone. So, yeah, more like that. But I don’t imagine Rachel looking like Jennifer Lawrence. More like…Ellen Page in Whip It, I think. But with blonder hair. And more flannel. And Blundstones.
Robert and Ellen, if you really want to make the movie, call me!
About The Book
Rachel Watts is an unwilling new arrival to Melbourne from the country. James Mycroft is her neighbour, an intriguingly troubled seventeen-year-old genius with a passion for forensics. Despite her misgivings, Rachel finds herself unable to resist Mycroft when he wants her help investigating a murder. And when Watts and Mycroft follow a trail to the cold-blooded killer, they find themselves in the lion's den - literally.
A night at the zoo will never have quite the same meaning again...
Purchase EVERY BREATH- Fishpond | The Nile | Bookworld
About the Author
Ellie Marney was born in Brisbane, and has lived in Indonesia,Singapore and India. Now she writes, teaches, talks about kid’s literature at libraries and schools, and gardens when she can, while living in a country idyll (actually a very messy wooden house on ten acres with a dog and lots of chickens) near Castlemaine, in north-central Victoria. Her partner and four sons still love her, even though she often forgets things and lets the housework go.
Ellie’s short stories for adults have won awards and been published in various anthologies. Every Breath is her first novel for young adults.
Badass Bookie xx
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