Beautiful Redemption Book Review | Full Review for The Caster Chronicles Series

Please be aware that this is the fourth book in a series. I attempt to not include spoilers and references to events and important character information in any of my reviews, however it is recommended that you have read the first, second and third book in the series before reading this review. Check out my review for Beautiful Creatures (Book 1), Beautiful Darkness (Book 2) and Beautiful Chaos (Book 3).

Beautiful Redemption
Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Book 4 - The Caster Chronicles Series

Ethan Wate has spent most of his life longing to escape the stiflingly small Southern town of Gatlin. He never thought he would meet the girl of his dreams, Lena Duchannes, who unveiled a secretive, powerful, and cursed side of Gatlin, hidden in plain sight. And he never could have expected that he would be forced to leave behind everyone and everything he cares about. So when Ethan awakes after the chilling events of the Eighteenth Moon, he has only one goal: to find a way to return to Lena and the ones he loves.

Back in Gatlin, Lena is making her own bargains for Ethan's return, vowing to do whatever it takes -- even if that means trusting old enemies or risking the lives of the family and friends Ethan left to protect.

Worlds apart, Ethan and Lena must once again work together to rewrite their fate, in this stunning finale to The Caster Chronicles series.


Recommended for those who enjoy:
gothic teen novels, teen romance, supernatural becomings, blossoming love, 'coming of age' transitions, freedom from being stuck in one place, fantasy fiction

Cold Tea and Crumbs rating:  ★★★★☆


My thoughts:
The final book in The Caster Chronicles series. It's all over :-( This final book was once again slightly slow but the lack of 'things' actually happening built suspense and the ending was not disappointing. Tears were shed at the ending.

My full review of the series and more of my thoughts on the final book are discussed in the video below.

Over to you:

Have you read Beautiful Redemption, what did you think of it? Enjoyed reading it or disliked it?
Who is your favourite character and what was your favourite scene?
What do you think overall of The Caster Chronicles Series?

The Selection | Book Review

This review contains no spoilers and no reference to events or character information that may ruin your reading pleasure.

The Selection
Kiera Cass

Book 1 - The Selection Series

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself-and realises that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.



Recommended for those who enjoy:
love, romance, humour, teen romance, blossoming love, diversity across classes, royalty, fashion, bitch-fights, love triangles, 'bettering yourself', challenging the law,

Cold Tea and Crumbs rating:  ★★★★★


My thoughts:
First off lets discuss what this book is in a nutshell.

1) A contest - Hunger Games-esque, however must less survival orientated and rather about 'winning' the heart of Prince Maxon. America the lead character however, does get drawn as a 'selected' from an extensive number of people and a television programme camera crew does follow all the 'goings on'. Also got to add that the character Gavril who is the presenter in The Selection reminds me very much of the presenter, Caesar Flickerman, in Hunger Games. #justsaying

2) Huge makeovers a la America's Next Top Model. Need I say anymore?

3) The Bachelor-esque scenerio - Every 'Selected' girl is trying to win the heart of Prince Maxon and of course some girls have their claws out ready to win the prize at any cost!

So with those three references detailed, I have to say that this book was a winner in my eyes! I thoroughly loved the idea and concept of this book and felt like it translated into such a fabulous read. I love all the characters and obviously loath Celeste - as everyone does I'm sure ^_^

The struggles within this book are described so clearly, in particularly America's relationship with Aspen - who is of a lower caste than her.  It really makes you champion for 'equal rights' for all, meaning that America should be able to choose who she wants to fall in love with and also how she decides to spend her time. Her profession is already chosen, the country is forbidden to learn the history of the region, a strict curfew is imposed for everyone by the law, teen 'love, romance or sex' is forbidden and the punishment is death. It's no wonder that rebels are uprising across the country.

With rebels attacking communities across the land, even the royal palace, this book makes you question everyone's motives and if they are hiding something or if they're involved with the rebels. Aspen? King Clarkson? Silvia? Marlee? Celeste? This first book really sets a fantastic scene for the ongoing story of who will Prince Maxon choose for his Princess and the country's Queen, the 'will they won't they' scenario with America and Aspen, and the ongoing dilemma posed by the rebels. But how will the story develop in The Elite (Book 2) and beyond, I guess there is only one way to find out. ^_^

Over to you:

Have you read The Selection, what did you think of it? Enjoyed reading it or disliked it?
Who is your favourite character and what was your favourite scene?
Do you distrust anyone? Who? Why?

The Lunar Chronicles (Cinder, Scarlet & The Queen's Army) | Series Halfway Review

This review contains no spoilers and no reference to events or character information that may ruin your reading pleasure.

Cinder
Marissa Meyer

Book 1 of the 'Lunar Chronicles' series

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

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

Cold Tea and Crumbs rating:  Cinder ★★★☆☆

Scarlet
Marissa Meyer

Book 2 of the 'Lunar Chronicles' series

The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth...

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison - even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wold, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wold unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

Cold Tea and Crumbs rating:  Scarlet ★★★★★

The Queen's Army
Marissa Meyer

Book 1.5 - Accompanying short story for the 'Lunar Chronicles' series

It is time. The boy must leave his family to serve in the Queen's army. To be chosen is an honor. To decline is impossible. They boy is modified. He is trained for several years, and learns to fight to the death. He proves to the Queen - and to himself - that he is capable of evil. He is just the kind of soldier the Queen wants: the alpha of his pack.

Cold Tea and Crumbs rating:  The Queen's Army ★★★★☆


Recommended for those who enjoy:
fairytales with a twist, romance, royalty woes, self-discovery, supernatural becomings, blossoming love, freedom from being stuck in one place, fantasy fiction


My thoughts:

Read Chapter 1 of Cress (Book 3 in the Lunar Chronicles)

Over to you:

Have you read Cinder, Scarlet or The Queen's Army, what did you think of them?
Enjoyed reading them or disliked them?
Whose is your favourite character?
How do you think the story will develop in Cress (due 2014), book 3 of the Lunar Chronicles?

30 Day Reading Challenge | #30DayRead

Hi guys.
Hope you are all well.

Different type of post from me today.
I have decided to join a group of BookTubers and challenge myself to complete the '30 Day Reading Challenge' which was created by the lovely Ricquetta from nerdintranslation and shoutame.

Ricquetta is challenging herself to complete an impressive 30 books in 30 days, go girl! and shoutame has chosen to complete 6,000 pages within 30 days which is an impressive 200 pages a day. ^o^
Now I'm not able to commit myself to achieve these amazing goals as I have work commitments as well a variety of events within the 30 days but I have chosen to challenge myself to complete 3,000 pages. That's an average of 100 pages per day and in order to complete this goal I have picked a number of books on my TBR.

Stay tuned for weekly updates on my progress which will be posted on my YouTube channel and here on my blog. Also check out the other BookTubers and bloggers joining in for all things #30DayRead challenge related:

nerdintranslation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-DObsq8oGM

shoutame: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI8NeIj8KPo

readsusieread: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4HGvGqCTv0

BookishThoughts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUxsP6Th9bw

marlinelina: http://www.youtube.com/user/marlinelina

pixiewriter: http://pixiewriter.com

amyinthebluebox: http://www.youtube.com/amyinthebluebox

xTheShadowRealmx: http://www.youtube.com/user/xTheShadowRealmx

ohcakey: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW0blQRMYK8&feature=youtu.be

TheCollectedWorks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_QMwveoUgg

RachaelReviewsAll: http://rachaelreviewsall.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/30-day-book-challenge.html

Persuaded to join in? Link your channel and/or blog below in the comments and don't forget to keep up-to-date with all the chat relating to the 30 Day Book/Reading Challenge using the hashtag #30DayRead on Twitter.

City of Bones - Mortal Instruments Series | Book Review

I attempt to not include spoilers and references to events and important character information in any of my reviews, however please be aware that the video does make reference to the end of this book. A link is available to skip this section of the video.

City of Bones
Cassandra Clare

Book 1 - The Mortal Instruments Series

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a body has died. or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....



Recommended for those who enjoy:
supernatural, demons, vampires, werewolves, monsters, humour, gothic teen novels, teen romance, blossoming love, discovering a 'forgotten' past, fantasy fiction

Cold Tea and Crumbs rating:  ★★★★★


My thoughts:

Over to you:

Have you read City of Bones, what did you think of it? Enjoyed reading it or disliked it?
Who is your favourite character and what was your favourite scene?

Kos, Greece | A Holiday with lots of Reading

Hey guys, I'm back from my relaxing holiday in sunny Kos where temperatures were around 28C degrees daily. I spent most of my days lounging around the pool and immersing myself into the following stories below. I had such an enjoyable time and thoroughly loved exploring the small island of Kos. Expect book reviews to follow.

A Day at the Office | Book Review

This review contains no spoilers and no reference to events or character information that may ruin your reading pleasure.

A Day At The Office
Matt Dunn

Julie kissed Mark at the office Christmas party. She doesn't seem to remember, but he's not been able to forget. What better day to jog her memory than Valentine's Day?

Calum's found the girl of his dreams on the internet. Trouble is, he's not been completely honest about himself. Tonight he's meeting her for the first time. But will it also be the last?

Nathan's organised his usual Anti-Valentine's party for the office singletons. Sophie's going - again. Though this year, if she gets her way, they might just be leaving together.

One office. Five lives. On the most romantic day of the year.

A Day At The Office is the latest novel from best-selling romantic comedy novelist Matt Dunn, author of The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook.


Recommended for those who enjoy:
the 'i heart' series by Lindsey Kelk, love, romance, humour, blossoming love, failure at love, funny moments, bitch-fights, love triangles

Cold Tea and Crumbs rating:  ★★★☆☆


My thoughts:
Love Actually meets Valentine's Day.

This book is a brilliant and witty read and tells an 'out of love' story well without desperation and wallowing being the main aspect of the story. I'm not usually into 'searching for love' stories as I get frustrated with moaning characters that haven't found 'the one' however this story wasn't like that at all. Yes the characters were all unhappy and 'out of love' but the telling of the story added so much lightness and humour to this element of the story that even I was able to enjoy it.

The mix ups and situations which occur in the book are fantastic. My favourite scene being when Sophie is bra shopping and her shop assistant is very 'helpful' ^_^ Another great aspect of this book is the London setting and from having worked around that area for a while myself, I found myself reminiscing of my experiences and you can definitely tell it's written by a London lover.

This book had me constantly laughing out loud and I think it would make a good movie, a la Love Actually. Definitely worth a read if you're looking for something light and funny.


Over to you:

Have you read A Day At The Office, what did you think of it? Enjoyed reading it or disliked it?
What are your thoughts about multiple perspective books?