Of Poseidon Audiobook by Anna Banks | Mermaid Romance Audiobook Review

Of Poseidon
Anna Banks (Narrated by Rebecca Gibel )
Genres: Fantasy, Supernatural, Romance
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: 22nd May 2012
Number of Pages: 324
Source: Bought from Audible.com

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Emma and her friend Chloe are spending vacation in Florida. When Emma (literally) runs into a hot guy named Galen on the beach, little does she know he’s a prince of the Syrena. Galen and Emma both feel something strange – is it attraction? – and Galen suspects that Emma might well be the girl he’s heard of – a human who can communicate with fish. What follows is a deadly scene with a shark in which Galen witnesses Emma’s gifts. He must know more about her, and follows her back to New Jersey, and high school, to find out for sure if she’s the key to saving his kingdom. Soon, Emma can’t deny her feelings for him, but can’t explain them, either – and both she and Galen must learn more about where she comes from and what her powers are before they can trust one another and their feelings. Told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humour, and waves of romance.

Of Poseidon starts off amazing, it’s funny, witty and different. I mean a shark attack scene which kills off one of the main characters within the first few chapters – shocking! However, after this scene the story loses the wit, the sharp comebacks and just becomes bland. It’s your typical ‘insta-love’ mermaid story; girl meets guy, thinks he’s hot, he’s not ‘normal’, she’s not ‘normal’, they have instant feelings for one another, the situation isn't simple so they can’t be together, situation changes but then leaves on a cliff hanger ending.

I’m not normally a reader who gets annoyed and bored by similar story line books but this one just didn't quite offer anything different or ‘special’ to make me want to keep listening to it. However, I did keep listening to the audio book in the hope that the sparky, witty aspects of the beginning few chapters would emerge again. Sadly they did not.

Overall this book was just ‘another book I read in 2013’, I didn't think there was anything unique with the story and I felt there was nothing special about Galen or Emma’s characters - I just found that I didn't care. I will however say that this book does seem to be loved by quite a few people though so I’d encourage you to try it yourself as you may think differently to me. Just maybe borrow it from your local library so if you don’t enjoy it you haven’t wasted any money.

The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking #1) | Book Review

The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking #1)
Patrick Ness
Genres: Young Adult, Dystopia, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction
Publication Date: May 5th 2008
Number of Pages: 478
Source: Bought from Kindle UK Store

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Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in an overwhelming, never-ending stream of Noise. Just a month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd and his dog, Manchee -- whose thoughts Todd can hear too, whether he wants to or not -- stumble upon an area of complete silence. They find that in a town where privacy is impossible, something terrible has been hidden -- a secret so awful that Todd and Manchee must run for their lives.

But how do you escape when your pursuers can hear your every thought?

The Knife of Never Letting Go really does not give much away with it's synopsis does it?
From the get go, this book is fast paced with action, horror and sadness thrown at you from every angle. At first I struggled to get into the story because of the intentional use of bad grammar and misspellings. However, after I had been immersed into the story these issues were gone and I personally felt that the use of bad grammar and misspellings really added to Todd's character and the story. It really helped to portray Todd's inability to read and write properly.

However, the winner for me in this book was Todd and Manchee's relationship and how Todd changes his mind about Manchee as the story develops. Any book that has a dog yelling 'squirrel' or 'poo, Todd, poo', has me won! Oh how my simple mind is easily pleased with toilet humour ^_^

This story has so many underlying issues that are introduced and developed that it's easy to forget all about them - inequality of genders, the question of spiritualism and the choice of morals, right or wrong. I'm very interested to explore these topics within the story of Chaos Walking further and I will certainly be picking up the next book in the series, The Ask and The Answer.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone | AudioBook Review

Daughter of Smoke and Bone - AudioBook Version
Laini Taylor (Narranted by Khristine Hvam)
Genres: Young Adult, Supernatural, Fantasy, Romance
Publication Date: September 27th 2011
Number of Pages: 424
Source: Audibles (Free 30 day trial)

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Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky. 

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war. 

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages - not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that colour. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out. 

When one of the strangers - beautiful, haunted Akiva - fixes his fire-coloured eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

I picked Daughter of Smoke and Bone as my Audibles free trial audiobook because of the good reviews I had seen via goodreads as well as my thoughts on getting 'value for money' as it was approximately 12 hours long compared to the common 6-8 hours long. I have to say that with hindsight I maybe should of picked a shorter one as my first audiobook experience as the length of this did make it drag a little as I was listening to about 2.5 hours a week. However, despite that I still think that this story was incredible and the narrator made this book for me.

The story of Daughter of Smoke and Bone takes us through the streets of Prague (loved this setting as I visited there early this year so I could fully re-imagine this setting within the book) and Marrakesh. With blue-haired Karou as our main narrator within this book we experience her normal life at art school with humans and then her personal life living with the Chimaera, who's appearance is a mix of human and animals.
As we discover there is more and more about the magical world of the Chimaera and her guardian's, Bristone, magical abilities which all centres around using teeth (yuck!). As the story develops, we soon realise that not all is simple in Karou's world and that external forces are content at taking away every she holds dear.

The twists and turns within this book were incredible and were not lost through listening to the Audiobook. I personally think the narrator's talent for voicing the different characters such as Brimstone and Zuzannah really made this book for me. I do however think that the Audiobook was slightly harder to follow when aspects of the story jumped from present to past though as this was difficult to distinguish until about a minute into the change. However, this was a small issue for me as I soon realised where the story was and started to understand it again quickly.

Overall this was an enjoyable audiobook to listen to and I would certainly recommend it as well as the Audibles service. I look forward to getting stuck into the sequel, Days of Blood and Starlight, as the ending to Daughter of Smoke and Bone was such a cliffhanger.

In general, I like using Audiobooks are they are great for listening to during my long commutes home from work everyday - listening to a story through my car speaker is not only company but it also always me to read more than I would normally have time for during a work day. I certainly will be listening to more in the future ^_^.

Viral Nation - Shaunta Grimes | Book Review

Viral Nation (#1 Viral Nation)
Shaunta Grimes
Genres: Young Adult, Dystopia, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction
Publication Date: July 2nd 2013
Number of Pages: 320
Source: Netgalley

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After a virus claimed nearly the entire global population, the world changed. The United States splintered into fifty walled cities where the surviving citizens clustered to start over. The Company, which ended the plague by bringing a life-saving vaccine back from the future, controls everything. They ration the scant food and supplied through a lottery system, mandate daily doses of virus suppressant, and even monitor future timelines to stop crimes before they can be committed. 

Brilliant but autistic, sixteen-year-old Clover Donovan has always dreamed of studying at the Waverly-Stead Academy. Her brother and caretaker, West, has done everything in his power to make her dream a reality. But Clover's refusal to part with her beloved service dog denies her entry into the school. Instead, she is drafted into the Time Mariners, a team of Company operatives who travel through time to gather news about the future. 

When one of Clover's missions reveals that West's life is in danger, the Donovans are shattered. To change West's fate, they'll have to take on the mysterious Company. But as its secrets are revealed, they realize that the Company's rule may not be as benevolent as it seems. In saving her brother, Clover will face a more powerful force than she ever imagined and will team up with a band of fellow misfits and outsiders to incite a revolution that will change their destinies forever. 

Read the Viral Nation excerpt: http://www.goodreads.com/reader/36883-viral-nation?return_to=%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F15985355-viral-nation

This book was an incredible read from start to finish - I was truly warped into this world and cheering on the good guys to win.

This book throws you straight into its bleak world within the prologue as we experience Clover and West's mothers death and a doctor with the virus suppressant knocking on the door just a moment too late. From then on in, we are constantly told of West's experiences of growing up and looking after his autistic sister, Clover, whilst their father is an executioner within the largest city left within America, Reno. As West and Clover have been on their own since their mothers death, they have understandably formed a significant bound between the two of them and this was portrayed extremely well within the book.

As we journey through the story through the eyes of Clover for the most part, I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about her autism and her constant struggle to remain calm and control her behaviour. I felt that Clover's autism made her character more interesting and her behaviour in certain situations added to the chaos of the post-apocalyptic world and the dystopian theme. I thoroughly enjoyed Mango's character as well, Clover's dog,  as he thoroughly certainly understands Clover and helps her to control her behaviour and thoughts. Clover's and Mango's relationship is a well crafted human and pet relationship which adds to the story rather than just being part of it - I love the cover with depicts the pair too.

As the story develops more and more characters are added and love interests emerge. I'm not keen on the romance within this book as the two relationships are a bit rushed and they seem to appear out of nowhere and then characters are all of a sudden 'I can't live my life without you now'. Luckily this didn't take away from the story and I just saw them as 'good friends' as nothing really happens between anyone anyway. I imagine more of these 'love interests' will be made within the books to follow as I can already imagine how this story may develop - I'm keeping my fingers crossed for lots of action between the good guys and the bad guys ^_^

The best aspect of this book for me personally was the world building and as a sucker for all things dystopian this book did not disappoint. I also loved the elements to this story: deadly disease spreads across America (no mention of rest of world - what happened to us Brits?); everyone must have a daily suppressant to keep the virus at bay; time travel- the suppressant was found within the future and brought back to save humanity; the present keep use information in the future to stop all crime before it happens; and lastly a revolution is beginning and those who aren't necessarily suspected are the one's leading the revolt.

Overall Viral Nation was a incredible dystopian novel and one I was very glad to have read. I am extremely excited to see what develops within the second book. I just need to know now how long it's going to be until I can get my hands on it ^_^

Faelorehn (#1 The Otherworld Trilogy) | Book Review

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

Faelorehn
Jenna Elizabeth Johnson

Book 1 - The Otherworld Trilogy

I never heard him come after me and even as I climbed the slope and stumbled onto our shaded back lawn, I didn’t look back. It was like the day the gnomes chased me all over again, but this time I was not escaping some horrible little creatures, I was fleeing from an incredibly good-looking guy who could very well understand me completely. I was either saving myself from that serial killer I always imagined lived down in the swamp, or I had finally gone over the deep end...

Meghan Elam has been strange her entire life: her eyes have this odd habit of changing color and she sees and hears things no one else does. When the visions and voices in her head start to get worse, she is convinced that her parents will want to drag her off to another psychiatrist. That is, until the mysterious Cade MacRoich shows up out of nowhere with an explanation of his own.

Cade brings her news of another realm where goblins and gnomes are the norm, a place where whispering spirits exist in the very earth, and a world where Meghan just might find the answers she has always sought.

Recommended for those who enjoy:
Supernatural revelations, Celtic myths and legends, discovering your true identity, beating the bullies,
friendships formed, teen romance blossoming.

This book was a particularly slow builder and the same aspects of the story kept being played out without much development each time. Despite this lack of development, I did find the book easy to read as it was simply written and therefore quick to read each page. I would say that this book is aimed at the 'Middle Grade' market though as I felt the content was very tame and the simple English used made it very easy to read.

I didn't warm to many of the characters as they were all too 'angsty' for me and the aspects of the characters which seemed to tie into the plot never actually did tie into the plot as the main character researched everything herself and then got her 'new friends' to help fill the blanks. This made the friends characters void to me and I didn't quite understand their responsibility to the story. I did however like the character, Aiden, who is Meghan's younger. He suffers from a learning difficulty and, considering this book is aimed at younger readers, I like that it wasn't afraid to include this within his character. I do feel that more could have been developed with the relationship between Meghan and Aiden though.

This book's strengths were its strong links to Celtic myths and legends and that its firstly introduced the to the reader and then developed to fit the story. This aspect was my favourite as I love anything supernatural history (e.g. Merlin) and this is the main reason this book gets it 3 star rating. The author has clearly carried out in-depth research in Celtic myths and legends and this comes through into the story.

The last quarter of this book, when the action actually starts and we discover the answers to all of Meghan's questions, seemed rushed to me and when some of Meghan's questions can't be answers I feel this is a disappointing method of holding back information in order to read the next book. I can't fault this in itself, however when a character just plainly states "I can't tell you that right now", it was all rather annoying!

I am unlikely to continue this series as although I did enjoy this book, I am not eager to discover more of the story. I do however believe this would be an excellent book for children/early teens that not avid readers.

Over to you:

Have you read Faelorehn, what did you think of it?
Should I continue with the series?

Stitch | Book Review

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

Stitch
Samantha Durante

Book 1 - The Stitch Trilogy

Her heart races, her muscles coil, and every impulse in Alessa's body screams at her to run... but yet she's powerless to move.

Still struggling to find her footing after the sudden death of her parents, the last thing college freshman Alessa has the strength to deal with is the inexplicable visceral pull drawing her to a handsome ghostly presence. In between grappling with exams and sorority soirees - and disturbing recurring dreams of being captive in a futuristic prison hell - Alessa is determined to unravel the mystery of the apparition who leaves her breathless. But the terrifying secret she uncovers will find her groping desperately through her nightmares for answers.

Because what Alessa hasn't figured out yet is that she's not really a student, the object of her obsession is no ghost, and her sneaking suspicions that something sinister is lurking behind the walls of her university's idyllic campus are only just scratching the surface...

The opening installment in a twist-laden trilogy, Stitch spans the genres of paranormal romance and dystopian sci-fi to explore the challenges of a society in transition, where morality, vision, and pragmatism collide leaving the average citizen to suffer the results.


Recommended for those who enjoy:
dystopias, The Hunger Games, Divergent Trilogy, Dollhouse, overcoming unequality, friendships, strong revelations, love, romance, teen romance, challenging the law

Cold Tea and Crumbs rating:  ★★★★★


My thoughts:

Over to you:

Have you read Stitch, what did you think of it? Enjoyed reading it or disliked it?

The 5th Wave | Book Review

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

The 5th Wave
Rick Yancey

Book 1 - The 5th Wave Trilogy

The Passage meets Ender's Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey.

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie's only hope for rescuing her brother - or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. TO give up or to get up.


Recommended for those who enjoy:
end of the world concepts, fighting for your life situations, alien takeovers, blossoming love, fighting chaos, living in a 'lawless' world,

Cold Tea and Crumbs rating:  ★★★★☆


My thoughts:
This book has been wildly adored across YouTube, Twitter, Goodreads, Tumblr and blogs so it was only right that I too picked it up to see what all the fuss was. Although it was a good read, I was slightly disappointed and didn't quite understand everyone's adoration of this story.

The story starts with narration from Cassie, a 17 year old 'hard-as-nails' teenager who is constantly questioning whether she's the final survivor of the alien attack. I thoroughly enjoyed this first portion as it was quick, witty and gritty, just how I like my sci-fi ^_^. The snappiness of this initial start was fantastic and although we were jumping in and out of the present and past whilst discovering Cassie's experiences since 'The Arrival' I loved that I was reading it just how someone would probably recall it all.

The story then continues to twist and turn with different characters narrating different portions of the story, I also liked this development within the story however, certain chapters were slow from other characters perspectives which faulted the story and made it feel a little clunky. I also didn't really enjoy the 'romance' scenes in this book and although it was monumental to the story, and the probable development throughout the series, it was all a bit 'blah'. I didn't really warm to the Evan Walker and in my opinion, once he was introduced, Cassie just lost all her 'grit' and 'chaos' which was what I loved about her.

Overall this story was good, it kept me quickly turning pages and certain twists during the story made my jaw drop to the ground. The ending was well rounded but with a 'half-final' ending I've not been left pacing the floor in anticipation for the next book. However as I'm curious to know what will happen next, I will pick up the second book.

Over to you:

Have you read The 5th Wave, what did you think of it? Enjoyed reading it or disliked it?
Who is your favourite character and what was your favourite scene?

City of Ashes - 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 Ashes
Cassandra Clare

Book 2 - The Mortal Instruments Series

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go - especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil - and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings - and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.


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

Wither by Lauren Destefano | Book Review

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

Wither
Lauren Destefano

Book 1 - The Chemical Garden Trilogy

By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children.

When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can't bring herself to hate him as much as she'd like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband's strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape -- before her time runs out?


Recommended for those who enjoy:
dystopians, end of the world concepts, love, romance, blossoming love, challenging the law, fighting chaos, living in a 'lawless' world,

Cold Tea and Crumbs rating:  ★★★★☆


My thoughts:
The world as we know it is no more, the US is all that is left after World War 3 but cancer and similar diseases now no longer threaten the human race. However in return, the subsequent generations only live until 25 (males) and 20 (females). No-one know why!

This story is incredible, the dystopian world is terrifyingly possible and the characters loveable, hateful and enjoyably annoying.

This book focuses on Rhine and her life as a sister wife within a wealthy mansion, a complete opposite to her previous life in Manhattan. Even though most of this story takes place within the same four walls, the story is gripping from start to finish. The clear focus for the series though, which I'm sure will be explored more as the series progresses, is the fight to find an anitdote for these early deaths.

Overall, a must for anyone looking for a more sinister version of 'The Selection Series'

Over to you:

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

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?

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?

Beautiful Chaos | Book Review

Please be aware that this is the third 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 and second book in the series before reading this review. Check out my review for Beautiful Creatures (Book 1) and Beautiful Darkness (Book 2).

Beautiful Chaos
Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Book 3 of 'The Caster Chronicles' series

Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected - and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What - or who - will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?

For Ethan the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself - forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.

Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.


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:
Unfortunately this book made me fall out with The Caster Chronicles series and it certainly lives up to its name - Chaos! I'd been warned that this book was slow and the least favoured book in the series by most people so I went in prepared for an 'average' book but it really was quite disappointing.

The positive aspects of this book were the events that take place which evolve around the universe wanting someone else other than Lena to 'pay a price' or 'make a choice'. I loved the introduction of Linkubus and think it makes Link's character even more humourous and loveable than he was in the previous two books (if that's even possible). The change in John Breed's character is also interesting and Liv of course is still her intelligent and quick thinking self which is one of the reasons that Book 2 Beautiful Darkness was so good in my eyes.

The negative aspects of this book were that it was quite predictable. Major events that take place in the book were pointed out and then thrown right in your face so you wouldn't miss them, which obviously meant you knew what was coming about 3-4 chapters before it actually happened. Also the ending was easy to predict and was even hinted at about midway through the story. I was quite frustrating that none of the characters seemed to grasp that it could be that - you let me down Liv!

Overall this wasn't a terrible book in the series however it was certainly just a linking book between Beautiful Darkness and Beautiful Redemption. I recommend reading it if you liked the first two books and want to finish the series. I you have read the first and second books and didn't really enjoy them then I'd say don't waste your time - Beautiful Darkness in my opinion is where the series peaks.

Over to you:

Have you read Beautiful Chaos, what did you think of it? Enjoyed reading it or disliked it?
Did you feel that Beautiful Chaos was a 'linking' book?

The Iron Butterfly Series | Book Review

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

The Iron Butterfly Series (Book 1 & 2)
Chanda Hahn

Book 1 - The Iron Butterfly

Imprisoned, starved and left with no memories, Thalia awakens to find herself at the mercy of an evil cult known as the Septori. Their leader has chosen Thalia as the test subject for a torture device of untold power, designed to change and twist her into something that is neither human nor Denai.

Escaping, Thalia finds an unwilling warrior to protect her and an unlikely Denai to befriend her. After find a home at the Citadel as a servant, Thalia's worst nightmare comes to life and she begins to show signs of power. Scared and unable to control her gifts, she tries to hide her past to fit in among the Denai. But the Septori want their latest test subject back and will stop at nothing to retrieve her, dead or alive.

Book 2 - The Steele Wolf

After finally settling into her new life at the Citadel, Thalia is reunited with her father, who is disturbed at the changes within her. Risking banishment, Thalia must work to prove to her clan and herself that she is still capable of leading them. The problem is, her memories haven't returned, and she cannot shake the feeling that she doesn't belong.

Thalia discovers that betrayal runs deep within her clan, just as she sets out to join Joss and Kael in doing the one thing she fears most: track the Septori to save Joss' kidnapped sister. Along the way, she must confront her own fears on a journey of self-discovery that will take her deep into the stronghold of Denai; as they travel to the ancient floating city of Skyfell.



Recommended for those who enjoy:
teen novels, teen romance, supernatural becomings, blossoming love, survival stories, fantasy fiction, discovering lost memories

Cold Tea and Crumbs rating:  The Iron Butterfly = ★★★★☆  The Steele Wolf = ★★★★★

My thoughts:

Over to you:

Have you read The Iron Butterfly or The Steele Wolf, what did you think of it? Enjoyed reading it or disliked it? 

Beautiful Darkness | Book Review

Please be aware that this is the second 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 book in the series, Beautiful Creatures, before reading this review.  Check out my review for Beautiful Creatures.

Beautiful Darkness
Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Book 2 of 'The Caster Chronicles' series

Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harboured ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen. 

Sometimes life-ending.

Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.


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:
Firstly, to sum up this book in one word it's 'WOW'. Continuing off where Beautiful Creatures (Book 1 in 'The Caster Chronicles') finished, this story grabbed me by about chapter 3 and I was hooked from then on in. To say that this book is miles better than the first is an understatement!

Following on from Lena's not quite so sweet sixteenth birthday and it's saddening end, Lena is understandably not the best company to be around, especially for Ethan, who just wants to support her and get her through this difficult time. Poor Ethan though, everything he does seems to be wrong and it's made all the more worst when John Breed turns up in town, hot on Ridley's heels, and seems to be manipulating Lena to ignore Ethan and spend her time with him instead. With her looming 'Claiming' now scheduled for her seventieth birthday, Ethan is worried about Sarafine's plans and if she'll succeed in turning Lena 'dark'.

When the trio (Lena, John and Ridley) go off in search for the Caster's Paradise (a place where Lena can truly be herself around others who too are 'different'), Ethan is shortly in tow fearing the worst for Lena as he is weary of John and his 'abilities' as well as Sarafine. With his friends there to help, Link and new character Liv, he quickly discovers more about the Caster tunnels that are below Gatlin and beyond and also uncovers more about his mother and her past within the Caster community.

Overall this book was a fantastic read, with so many different twists and turns. If I were to even mention one of them it would ruin the book for you. Some story developments were predictable but the one's that weren't had be gobsmacked and needing time to process the delicious surprise my brain had just discovered. Undeniably, a book worthy of 5 stars!

Over to you:

Have you read Beautiful Darkness, what did you think of it? Enjoyed reading it or disliked it?
Have you read any more of the series, do they continue to get better or does the story peak with book 2?

Beautiful Creatures Book and Movie Differences

The Beautiful Creatures story was developed into a movie in early 2013 which received mixed reviews from those who had previously read the book.

I actually watched the movie before I read the book and therefore may be coming from a different perspective regarding the differences between the book and movie. I think both have their good and less-good aspects, I prefer the book due to the story making more sense the way it is all 'stitched' together. I thoroughly enjoyed the character Ethan though in the movie and loved the humour that was added into it.

Full Beautiful Creatures book review.

Here's a run-down of the differences between the book and the movie for anyone who's wondering which to spend the time reading/watching (WARNING: spoilers are included as all differences are listed including the ending) and for those who want a remember before they read the second book in the series, Beautiful Darkness.

Character Differences

Book	Movie
Ethan Basketball player and all-around high school popular kid. He's craving to get out of Gatlin and is looking for something or someone to provide some kind of break from the mundaneness that is his small Southern town.	Popular kid who's 'in' with the 'in-crowd'. He's been dating Emily Asher a 'DAR' girl. No mention of playing basketball but there is a scene in which he's prepping for a track and field session. Wants to leave Gatlin and go to college.
Lena Drives a black hearse, carries around a notebook and writes in it regularly, wears all her sentimental 'trinkets' on a necklace.	Drives a yellow VW beetle, still writes but seems to be confined to her bedroom walls, no 'trinket' necklace.
Macon Dream stealing Incubus who is Lena's guardian and chooses to be light for Lena's benefit.	Magical and knowledge of the Caster community but never explained as to what his powers are or what he is.
Amma/Marian Amma is a 'carer/helper' towards Ethan and his family. Crossword enthusiast and a 'Seer' who's family have been aware and helping the Casters in Gatlin for centuries. Marian is the Gatlin librarian and 'Keeper' for the Caster library. She was also Ethan's mother's best friend and research partner.	The characters of Amma and Marian are connected into on 'Amma' who is still a 'Seer' and acts as a guardian to Ethan. She is also the Gatlin librarian and Caster library 'Keeper'. No mention of her love for crosswords.
Ridley Blonde 'cheerleader type' who is a Siren and can control people through her 'lollipop powers', especially men or boys! She's Lena's cousin, although they were more like sisters, and is a Dark Caster.	Sophisticated, manipulative dark haired Siren Dark Caster who's Lena's cousin. A lot more 'classier' and 'travelled' than described in the book.
Ethan's Mum & Dad Mother died in an unexplainable accident, had been 'friends' with Macon. Ethan's father is present but 'lost' after the mother's death. He comes out occasionally from his office.	Mother died in accident, had been 'friends' with Macon. Only brought up once or twice in conversation. Ethan's father is a complete 'shut-away'. He is never seen.
Missing Characters Lena's cousin Ryan, who is able to 'read' people and their intentions through a single look. Boo Radley, Macon's wolf-like dog, who acts as his eyes during the day. Follows Lena around. Ethan's three aunts and their cat Lucille.	All missing from the movie adaption.

Storyline Differences

Book	Movie
Deleted Scenes Lena's birthday party. Ridley aiding Ethan's father to launch himself off a balcony with her Siren ways. Snow ball school dance	Added Scenes When Sarafine appears to Macon in the church during the town meeting about Lena after the window smashing incident. Ethan's magical experiences at Ravenwood - His near death after a run-in with one of Macon's protection spells on the house and Macon's magical methods of retrieving Ethan's subconscious thoughts of his future. Ridley's claiming scene.
Changed Storyline Aspects in the Movie that differ in the Book
No 'Sixteen Moons' song. No mention of the 'strong' bond between Lena and Ethan that allows them to telepathically communicate 'Kelting' and Ethan feels like he's catching fire and losing breath when they kiss for a long period of time.The locket is less of a lead but rather just a background information prop, The locket doesn't lead them to finding the 'Book of Moons' and Genevieve's grave. No mention of the consequences of Lena's choice between the Dark and the Light, the death of the non-chosen side 'Light /Dark' family members. The movie also states that she has no choice and is cursed to go Dark no matter what because of the curse brought on my Genevieve's previous actions. In the movie Ethan is spelt to forget everything he has experiences and felt for Lena due to the implications of breaking the curse via 'losing a loved one'. Thus the whole scene where he 'remembers' Lena by the goodbye sign at the end of the movie is not in the book. Completely different ending, in the book Ethan actually dies from a knife wound inflicted by Sarafine and Lena uses the Book of Moons to bring him back just like Genevieve did in the past and this is how Macon dies rather than the movies 'change of appearance' reason for Macon's death.

Book Review | Beautiful Creatures

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

Beautiful Creatures
Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Book 1 of the 'Caster Chronicles' series

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

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:

Beautiful Creatures is a compelling tale narrated by Ethan Wate, a boy stuck in a 'middle of nowhere' Southern USA small town who longs to escape and discover the 'outside' word. Ethan's plans are to finish high school as quick as possible and then attend any college that will accept him, that is until Lena Duchannes moves to town and starts to stir up the small town folk and strange occurrences begin happening. Ethan's now more preoccupied with learning more about Lena and her secrets.

Ethan Wate and Lena Duchannes may be the main characters in the book but I personally 'warmed' to other characters more than these two. My favourite has to be Macon Ravenwood the loveable eccentric whose best interests are always in ensuring that Lena is safe, whether that is from the typical high school students or the more supernatural beings. I do however like that it's written from Ethan's perspective which is a welcome difference to the usual female narration.

The story is predictable most of the time but name me a book that isn't! I enjoyed reading Beautiful Creatures as it was an escape during my lunchtime breaks or an easy read before I went to sleep. It didn't take me too long to finish it, approximately 3 weeks when reading about 30 minutes a day. I actually chose to read this book after watching the movie and although I enjoyed it, I felt there were large elements missing from the movie and aspects of it that didn't seem to piece together properly. After reading the book and rewatching the movie, there is differently more meaning to aspects of it. Warning: The movie does not follow the book closely at all, there are a lot of aspects missing from the film and an altogether different ending! I'll be addressing these in a post to follow for those who want to  find out or to discuss. Stay tuned for that soon.

Over to you:

Have you read Beautiful Creatures, what did you think of it? Enjoyed reading it or disliked it? Whose your favourite character?

Have you read the book and watched the movie? Which did you like best?