Showing posts with label YA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label YA. Show all posts

Tuesday, 21 January 2014

Mini Reviews: Akata Witch, And Zahrah The Windseeker by Nnedi Okorafor

So here's my first mini review post.

I'm doing a 365 book challenge. I'm on book 18 which is "Don't Breathe A Word" by "Jennifer Mcmahon"

So, unto my reviews.

Akata Witch
Description
from Goodreads
Twelve-year-old Sunny lives in Nigeria, but she was born American. Her features are African, but she’s albino. She’s a terrific athlete, but can’t go out into the sun to play soccer. There seems to be no place where she fits. And then she discovers something amazing—she is a “free agent,” with latent magical power. Soon she’s part of a quartet of magic students, studying the visible and invisible, learning to change reality. But will it be enough to help them when they are asked to catch a career criminal who knows magic too

Review
You don't find a lot of paranormal (and young adult) African books so I was excited to read this and I'm glad I did.

The charcters (and the reader) are constantly reminded that the world doesn't revolve around them. No matter how important you (think you) are, the universe will go on without you.

The only thing I didn't particularly like was the resolution. It was too easy, considering all the foreshadowing.

4 Stars

Zahrah The Windseeker
Description
from Goodreads
the northern Ooni Kingdom, fear of the unknown runs deep, and children born dada are rumored to have special powers. Thirteen-year-old Zahrah Tsami feels like a normal girls life.- she grows her own flora computer; has mirrors sewn onto her cloths; and stays clear of the Forbidden Greeny Jungle.But unlike other kids in the village of Kirki , Zahrah was born with the telling dadalocks.

Review
An exhilarating read.

It was a bit slow at first but it picked up towards the middle. It was a great read.
Zahrah is a wonderful character and I was rooting for her all through.

There's a lot of Alice in Wonderland in the book.

4 Stars

Sunday, 5 January 2014

REVIEW: Love and Candy by Elizabeth Famous



Source: Free copy from Author
Publish Date: June 21st 2013
Publisher: The Miri Group
ASIN/ISBN: 9780989379106
Format: ebook
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Pages: 238
Date Read: December 19, 2013

Description
Samantha Montclare is not who she thought she was. Straitlaced and academically minded, she's knocked to her knees by an unexpected infatuation with the star of her local soccer team just as she discovers that her biological father is not the loving dad who raised her but a forbidding Italian aristocrat.

Within the social hierarchy of a wealthy suburban high school, Delaney Troy is so superior to naive Samantha that she can't speak to him without provoking obscene taunts from his friends. Delaney is gorgeous, but much of Samantha's fascination stems from his brazen honesty and bristling wit. His air of confidence inspires so powerful an interest he draws her in without even looking at her.

But how could she possibly date a guy like Delaney who insists he only wants to hook up -- and doesn't believe in love?
Will the scandalous truth about the circumstances of her conception threaten her happy home life?
Must she find a place in her life for an alarming new "father" just as she’s becoming an independent young woman?



Review
I have to admit that at the beginning I was worried about continuing this book. I was going to give it up because I didn't enjoy the last 3/4 review copies I read. Something made me continue and I'm glad I did.

I enjoyed this book. It's different from the usual boy meet girl, instant attraction, some drama, a lot of [un-steamy, overly-detailed] sex, a little more drama, more sex and they live happily ever after.
There was no insta-love and the book is very realistic. (Except for the whole openness with the parents thing.)

There's a happily ever after in this book (I hope) but it didn't follow the rest of the pattern.
Delaney & Samantha's "romance" (if you could call it that) is not the usual. There's a lot of uncertainty, feelings, arguments and so forth.

The author touches on and makes you think about bisexuality, open relationships, teenage romance, [statutory] rape and "unusuall" emotions/feelings that teenagers experience.
I like Delaney. He's a player but he's truthful. He's smart. He's a nice guy underneath his "hardcore" exterior.
He was always truthful with Samantha about their relationship and how he felt.

Samantha is difficult to like. She's a very complex character. She's mature in the sense that she doesn't allow herself to be bullied and she always speaks her mind. She's immature sometimes especially when it comes to her "relationship" with Delaney.

All in all, a good and enjoyable read. I expected fluff but this is good stuff.



Book Links

Author Links
Facebook || Pinterest || Website || Twitter (@ElizabethFamous)

Rating
4 stars

Recommended
I'd recommend this to anyone who likes realistic NA/YA.

Wednesday, 18 December 2013

REVIEW: The Birth of Vengeance by P.A. Ross



Source: Free copy from Author
Publish Date: May 28th 2012
Publisher: Scarlett-Thorn
ASIN/ISBN: B008732YPQ
Format: ebook
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Pages: 168
Date Read: December 17, 2013

Description
You've been beaten, bullied and betrayed but vengeance is at hand. One swift stab of a needle and the vampire formula will coarse through your blood. It will give you the immortal powers of the vampire for the night. Your fangs will bite and claws will rip at their flesh. No human will stand in your way. You will taste blood and feel the thrill of the hunt, but tomorrow you will be human again.

Can Jonathan Harper resist such temptation? He wants vengeance on a gang that have driven him to despair. The vampire formula can give him vengeance but at what cost.

This dark urban fantasy series embarks on an action packed adventure, as Jonathan must face the consequences of his decisions. “The Birth of Vengeance (Vampire Formula #1)” is the first novel in a series of new vampire books.


Review
This is probably one of my worst of 2013.

I give the author 2 stars for effort and for writing about vampires from a new/different angle and talking about a very important issue; bullying.

The story, the characters and the writing was all disappointing.
There was a lot of repitition, unnecessary details and inconsistencies (with the characters).

Jonathan was always going on and on and on about being bullied and wanting vengeance and feeling guilty for abandoning his friend.

Jonathan is a moody, uncertain character who is always whining. Even after all the training and everything. It got a bit tedious after a while.

The story in general just wasn't working for me and at the end, there was a failed attempt at throwing a curveball.
My reaction was: "oh please"

This story could have done a lot better.


Find The Book
Amazon || BN.com || Kobo || Smashwords

Find The Author
Goodreads: Paul Andrew Ross

Rating
2 Stars

Recommendation
This book wasn't my cuppa but you might enjoy it if you can get over the constant whining. It's supposed to be horror but it doesn't cut it for me.

Thursday, 21 November 2013

REVIEW: Once Upon A Road Trip by Angela N Blount


Source: Free copy from Author
Publish Date: November 01, 2013
Publisher: Artifice Press
ASIN/ISBN: 978-0-9895809-7-7
Format: ebook
Genre: Young Adult, Memoir
Pages: 370
Date Read: November 19, 2013


“Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere; and sometimes, in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself.”

Description
Eighteen-year-old Angeli doesn’t "fit in." She’s never been on a single date, and she lives vicariously through an online world of storytelling. With the pressures of choosing a practical future path bearing down, she needs a drastic change. Too old to run away from home, she opts instead to embark on a solo 2- month road trip.
But her freedom is tempered by loneliness — and anxiety tests her resolve as she comes face-to-face with her quirky internet friends.

Aside from contracting mono and repeatedly getting herself lost, Angeli's adventure is mired by more unoreseen glitches — like being detained by Canadian authorities, and a near-death experience at the hands of an overzealous amateur wrestler.
Her odyssey is complicated further when she unwittingly earns the affections of two young men. One a privileged martial artist; the other a talented techie with a colorful past. Bewildered by the emotions they stir, Angeli spurns the idea of a doomed long-distance relationship. But she is unprepared for the determination of her hopeful suitors. In the wake of her refusal, one man will betray her, and the other will prove himself worthy of a place in her future.

Angeli sets off in search of a better understanding of herself, the world, and her place in it. What she finds is an impractical love, with the potential to restore her faith in happy endings.

A true story with an unapologetically honest outlook on life, love, faith, and adventure -- Once Upon A Road Trip is a coming-of-age memoir


Review
Characters

There are a number of characters.
Angeli is the main character. She was well-meaning but was a bit overbearing and a know-it-all. I didn't really like her at the beginning but she turned out good at the end. It was truly a story of personal growth for her

I know, I know…there’s something cliché about that. The heroine initially wanting to clobber a protagonist male, but later realizing that he’s grown on her and she actually really likes him. Technically, I’m not supposed to find that appealing. But maybe real life is a lot more cliché than anyone wants to admit. Or maybe there’s just a fine, subjective line between the cliché and the poetic.

Don was a jerk. Zak started out being a jerk too, but he happened to be a nice guy. And I loved his sister. One of my favourite characters in the book.

Scott seemed to be okay. Not nice. Not a jerk but he ended up being a creep and a jerk.

Vince was "offish" and weird at first but I really liked him. And I felt for him. He was really sweet and protective. Sometimes a little overboard but generally a sweetheart. He explained later on in the story why he was acting weird and rude when he first met Angeli.

“I know you can take care of yourself,” he said, with absolute conviction. His vivid eyes probed hers. With the same underlying resolve, he lifted a hand and brushed her cheek with his fingertips. “I just think...you shouldn’t -have- to.”

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the style of writing. It reads like a novel and that made it enjoyable.

We follow Angeli on her trip across the US and even into Canada. Where she stays with people from her online writing community.

There's a lot of drama on the way. The story got really really interesting in the third part. The romance between Angeli and Vince was interesting. It wasn't first sight, I-just-met-you-but-I'd-climb-a-thousand-mountains-to-make-you-happy type of love. It built up as the story went on.

“There’s so much I don’t know, I think it’s been distracting me from what I do know. I know you have a good heart, an amazing mind, and the potential to do great things. I know I respect so many things about you. And...I like who I am when I’m around you.” She felt a smile forming on her face as she gathered her courage. “I guess what I’m trying to say is—if you’re still sure about this—then I suppose we can give it a try.”


Find Book
Amazon || BN.com || Goodreads || Kobo || Smashwords

Find Author

Facebook || Goodreads || Twitter || Website

Rating
4 stars

Recommendation
I really enjoyed this book and although it's targeted at young adults, I'd recommend this to everyone.

Saturday, 2 November 2013

Blog Tour: Unchosen by Michele Vail [REVIEW]


The Book

I thought the worst of my reaper training was behind me… turns out I was wrong. Dead wrong.

Molly Bartolucci has done a lot of growing up but after being accused of using illegal magic at her school for necromancers, reaper-in-training Molly is treading lightly. As the destined leader of Anubis’s Chosen, she needs to study hard, train harder, and stay out of trouble.

Uh, right.

It doesn’t help that she’s feeling more than academic about her melt-your-bones hot reaping instructor, Rath.
And if her relationship drama isn’t enough to drive her over the edge, she has to deal with mother issues, nosy little sisters, suspicious friends, and an unnamed force stalking her at school.

Then her family is attacked, and her bio-dad ends up comatose in the hospital. Now, Molly has to uncover who’s trying to hurt her loved ones—and all without the help of Anubis.
Amazon || Book Depository || Goodreads

Review

This is a great paranormal story.
I like the storyline and the characters are great.

Molly is very funny and sweet. She has an undefined relationship with Rath that isn't properly developed.

I haven't read the first book in the series (Undeadly) but I wasn't confused or lost or anything like that.
It was pretty easy to follow and understand.

There's a little action and there's never a boring moment in the book. I couldn't stop reading and I finished in under 2 hours.

There's a big twist and cliffhanger at the end. The next book seems interesting A great read and is highly recommended.
Especially if you're a paranormal fan that's tired of vampires and werewolves.

Rating
4 stars

Publisher: A Freeman Publication
Release Date: October 29th, 2013
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction


Favourite Quote
“You want good advice? If something big, bad, and ugly is chasing you, don’t trip. Dumb ass.” ~Secret History of Reapers, Author Unknown

The Author

Michelle Vail
writes young adult paranormal fiction about zombies and reapers.

She likes reading, dogs, cats, board games, ghost-hunting shows, and Halloween. She believes in magic, inthe impossible, and in the restorative powers of chocolate.

Michele lives happily-ever-after with her Viking and their family.
Facebook || Goodreads || Google Plus || Twitter || Website || YouTube

The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club

Tuesday, 29 October 2013

Promo: When The World Ends by J.J. Marshall [Excerpt]

About The Book

“We’re here as a terrorist cell looking to bring down the Board of Officials that essentially controls the entire Human Race. Those on Earth may have their own figures of authority in the Spheres but whether they ultimately live or die depends on decisions that the Board make. If we take them down then Humanity after they’re gone can only be better” At the dawn of the 22nd Century, the Earth is dead. A lethal alien organism has rendered the planet uninhabitable and a small fraction of humanity has retreated to Space and the Moon.

Those that remain on Earth are trapped in huge Spheres that encompass entire cities, tinted to defend against the deadly UV radiation that the atmosphere no longer protects Humanity from. 17-year-old Alec Corbett lives aboard the adapted International Space Station. One ordinary day in his mundane life he transforms his potential when he discovers information that could expose the corruption of the Board of Officials that now controls humanity. Armed with nothing but knowledge and his friend Jonah Jones by his side, Alec’s righteous judgement leads them on a merciless and unforgiving path. For there is one key problem – the information comes from his father Landon Corbett; a member of the Board. Pitted against his own flesh and blood, Alec finds himself in a unique position to end the Board of Officials’ dictatorship over Humanity.

However, all is not as it seems and as the stakes grow increasingly higher, Humanity reaches the brink of all-out-war. Only Alec and his group of friends can peacefully negate the situation, but it all depends on whether or not anyone will listen to a 17-year-old boy.

Amazon US || Amazon UK || AuthorHouse || BN.com || Goodreads || Kobo

Excerpt

‘They’re running out of space across the human empire’ Andrew said. His voice was deep and thick and Alec imagined that if he were to shout the sound would reverberate well. ‘Which is ironic considering we’re surrounded by it’.

‘It’s like they’re giving up on Earth’ Lola said. Her voice was laced with heavy traces of a Spanish accent and Alec wondered if she spoke the language. He hadn’t heard another language other than English…ever, he realised.

‘They are’ Alec confirmed. ‘They’re leaving them to it. As far as the Board of Official’s see it, people left on Earth have their Spheres and there’s just no room left’.

‘But the Spheres were never a long term solution’ Riley said. ‘In fact, they were never a solution at all. They were only supposed to be a temporary measure until more Moon bases were constructed. The Spheres aren’t sustainable; they’ll burnout after another ten years or so’.

‘By the sounds of it, it’s a sacrifice that the Board is willing to make’ Jay sighed heavily.

Their conversation was interrupted by a loud, metallic ringing. Alec looked around bewildered whilst everyone else turned to the handset that was fixed to the wall in the kitchen.

‘No one ever calls’ Andrew frowned, causing his glasses to slip down his nose slightly. ‘Not since we discovered that calls were always monitored’.

‘Must be important then’ Jay said, stepping from the carpet to the linoleum and picking up the receiver that hung from the wall. Alec recognized the attachment as something which he had once seen in an old-Earth film but he couldn’t recall the name of the device. ‘Hello?’ Jay said, taking the oblong-shaped gadget and holding it against the side of his head. One end reached towards his mouth whilst the other end was pressed against his ear.

Jay remained silent and listened, nodding to himself and saying ‘yes’ or ‘okay’ on the odd occasion. After a few minutes he thanked the caller and placed the device back on the wall.

‘Who was it?’ Riley asked unable to contain her anticipation.

‘Apparently this habitation just won a lottery which we were entered into on our last food order’ Jay said, his eyes dull and his voice flat. ‘Our reward is a place on MoonBase1’.

Everyone’s expression fell slack and they stared in disbelief.

‘It’s begun’ Alec realised. ‘They’ve already started the scheme!’

Jonah turned around and opened the front door. Out in the corridor people were already chatting excitedly, the hot words on everyone’s lips being ‘lottery’ and ‘MoonBase1’.

‘They’ve already called the people they’re going to transport’ Jonah said, unable to bring himself to state their true destiny.

‘We have to stop this’ Alec said adamantly. Every muscle in his body was clenched and everyone else had also tensed in anger against what the Board was planning on doing. ‘We can’t allow this to happen’.


About the Author:
"I am currently studying a B.Sc. Physical Geography Degree at the University of Reading in Berkshire, England, with the intention of pursuing a career in teaching secondary school pupils.

I was born and raised in England and am presently twenty years old. "When the World Ends. . ." is my first publication and I'm incredibly excited to be working with the people at AuthorHouse in bringing my story to real, tangible pages! Writing has always been a hobby and a passion of mine from a very young age; I can recall writing a novel on my first family computer which was inspired (as well as a being blatant rip-off!) of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. It was really this book; the first full novel I had ever read by myself, that inspired me to write for myself and to create worlds beyond our own and fictions that can redefine the past or give suppositions about the future.

I would list J.K. Rowling as one of my top inspirations, as well as the likes of Anthony Horowitz, Ian Banks, Charlaine Harris and Suzanne Collins. I also draw inspiration from T.V. shows and scriptwriters, such as Joss Whedon, J.J. Abram, Maurissa Tancheroen, Steven Moffat and Jane Espenson. Their work and the way that they construct characters and stories spur and challenge me to create my own little realities. So welcome to one of my little realities! I hope you enjoy it.
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Sunday, 15 September 2013

REVIEW: Winter Shadows by Casey Bond

The Book
Source: free copy courtesy of author
Publish Date: October 29, 2013
Publisher: Tate Publishing & Enterprises
ASIN/ISBN: 9781627467575
Format: ebook (pdf)
Pages: 183
Date Read: September 15, 2013

Description
There is nowhere to hide from evil. It's everywhere.

Winter Shadows is a coming-of-age story following Claire, a young lady who is struggling to find her place in the world after losing her mother to cancer. After a corrupt American government declares a pandemic and forces its residents into quarantine encampments, Claire and her father, along with other members of her church and community, go into hiding in a cave system in rural West Virginia. While coping with the losses of her mother, home, friends, sense of safety and normalcy, Claire begins to pick up the pieces of her past, finding a new normal despite the darkness that surrounds her.
While adjusting to a new environment, and the group of people she finds herself surrounded by, Claire is faced with several important decisions that will influence the path her life will take. Who can she trust? Who should she love? How can she survive? Forced to choose between Ethan's steadfast, mature love for her and the love of mysterious and dangerous Colin who appears, Claire learns the difference between infatuation and love. Claire finds herself by learning to bind together with those around her in order to survive. She becomes self reliant and strong.
Despite of her newfound confidence in herself, and the isolation in which she resides, evil is able to find its way to her. While fighting against it, she reestablishes her faith in God and opens her heart to the possibility of love.

My Review

The Cover
I love the cover. It's just so cool. The pictures reflecting in the shades is a nice concept.

The Characters
There are a lot of characters. Claire, Ethan and Colin being the major ones.
I like Claire. She's a strong heroine. She's so easy to like. Although, at the beginning, her constant complaining was so annoying.

Ethan is nice. I don't feel much concerning him

I wasn't excited about Colin coming into the story but he is an interesting character.

The character development was good and easy to follow.

The Story
The plot is strong. I was into the book from the first page.
There is a lot of suspense and you just want to know what happens next.
The characters and the situation they are currently in was a source of strength for their small community.
There's a lot of Christianity referenced in the book. In fact, Claire is a pastor's child

Generally
I'm not really a fan of dystopian but I've been reading the good ones lately. This is one of the good ones.
Apart from a few writing errors, I loved it.

Find The Author
Tate Publishing
Twitter
Pintrest
Goodreads

Find The Book
BN.com
Goodreads

Recommended To
The book is targeted at young readers but I think older readers would enjoy it. If you don't mind the references to Christianity.

Rating
4 stars

Friday, 13 September 2013

In The News: J.K. Rowling To Write 'Harry Potter' Spin-off For Warner Bros

Warner Brothers and author J.K Rowling have announced a new Harry Potter spin-off movie series based on Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

According to Rowling, "The new movie series is "neither a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the wizarding world,"

Warner Brothers explained that Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will focus on an original story and will be the first in a new film series. The movies will mark Rowling's first foray into screenwriting.
The series will focus on the character Newt Scamander, the fictional author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them -- which was a book referenced by characters in the Harry Potter series.

--from examiner.com

Are we excited or no. I don't know how I feel about this.
I've seen all the Harry Potter movies but I have read only one of the books and I can't remember which because it was such a long time ago.
I tried to get all the books in the series but the prices were too high.

Will there be books for the new series?

What do you think?

**image from Google search