Sunday 25 November 2012

Electricity's in the Air - Revival by Jena Leigh

Revival (Variant #1)
By Jena Leigh

Rating: 5

She's fine," said Declan, defensive. "You're fine, right?"
She gave him a look. "Peachy."
"See? Both Alex and her astounding wit have made it here intact. Her sense of humour seems to be M.I.A, but I'm pretty sure that was a pre-existing condition.
” 


Fried T.Vs, busted espresso machines, destroyed computer labs and burning bookstores...all in a day's work for Alexandra Parker.

Alex tries hard to be normal - she really does. It's not her fault that electronics tend to explode or short circuit around her...or that weird guys with the ability to summon fire corner her at her local bookstore. 

But Alex soon discovers that this isn't a coincidence, or a figment of her imagination. Alex is a Variant - a brand of supernatural mutants, each with their own unique abilities.

There's Declan. Hot, vexing, witty and moody, Declan - like Alex - has control over electricity. He also won't stop at the chance to teleport (or 'jump') you to Ireland and expect you to find your way back. He claims not to care about Alex, but his look when she's with Nate is all:


Nate's ability is telekinesis - plus his natural charm and kind nature. Declan's opposite, he has secrets he doesn't want Alex to know - to do with a past she doesn't remember. He doesn't like Alex spending time with Declan, and you can just picture him saying:


Kenzie's Declan's sister, and with her mindreading powers this girl packs a punch! Coffee for Kenzie = life. She doesn't take any shit from the boys, either:


Along with the Variant gang - Declan, Kenzie, Nate and Brian - as well as her best friend Cassie, Alex grows into her newfound abilities. But she has no idea the danger that comes with them...nor the truth behind her parent's untimely death. 

I loved this book. Unique, with well-developed humour, 'Revival' gives a new spin on the mutant genre - bringing to life a cast of characters that you will not get enough of. Trust me; by the end you'll be wishing for more! I also liked how Alex developed as a character...turning from 'mouse' to 'lioness' in that scene with the Agency when she says something along the lines of:
undefined

Totally. Badass. :D


Best quotes:

 - “Where are we?" She sat up.
"My room at the cabin."
"Your room?"
He propped himself up on one elbow and shrugged his other shoulder. "Needed someplace soft to land. Besides...Now when you teleport without a destination you've got a fifty-fifty chance of either ending up in the lake, or in my bed. I have to say, I like those odds."
"Ha-ha.” 

 - “They sailed through the intersection...and only barely missed getting creamed by the cross-traffic.
Nate was smiling. "Did you see that?"
"Yes, Nathaniel." Kenzie had a white-knuckle grip on the door. "You have a bright future ahead of you as a wheelman for the mob. We're all so proud. Now focus on the road, please.” 

 - “You can't honestly be thinking about going back there," said Alex.
"Apparently my brother isn't only lacking in people skills," said Kenzie. "He's also lacking in common sense. Stupidity, however, he appears to have in abundance.” 

 - “You coming?"
She hesitated, weighing her options. Risk running back down the flaming aisles to find another exit? Or trust the guy who'd been stalking her all afternoon?
The fire spread to the nearby shelves. The heat was growing unbearable.
"You cut me deep," he said. "You'd actually choose a fiery death over the prospect of my company. I have to admit, that stings a bit.” 

Dizzy With Love

Dizzy
By Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry

Rating: 5


“It’s so strange how one choice can derail so many lives. It was so huge to me, I expected her answer to change everything, but it didn’t. I guess that’s life, right? You never really know what’s waiting for you. You never really know what’s going to happen or why. You just have to be able to deal with it. Big or small.” 

Dylan doesn't do relationships.
Ziah doesn't do break-ups.
Both don't do weddings.


When Dylan - one half of the 'Gibson boys' with their 'party hard' motto - hears that his brother Derrick is tying the knot, he flips. Girls aren't worth it. They'll never stick with you and, to be honest, Dylan hasn't met a girl that's worth sticking with. 



When Ziah finds out her sister is marrying the brother of 'party boy' Dylan, she's reluctant to help with the wedding. The last thing Ziah needs is guy worries, after the 'incident' with James and what with her goals for med school. Guys are not on the agenda.

But both Ziah and Dylan - differences aside - realise they're the only ones on 'Team Sanity' and the only allies they have are in each other. They joke about their siblings, about how dumb love is and of course how they would never be so stupid as to fall for anyone. Ever. And these conversations may just so happen to occur over coffee, whilst eating pizza or watching movies.

Not that they're friends - that idea being ludicrous! - but they're just Wedding Denial Buddies. That's it. Purely buddies.

A determination to avoid love at any cost may just be the pair's undoing, as emotions run high and laughter's on the menu in this novel that is sure to have you dizzy!

Wednesday 21 November 2012

Random Reads: Sire

Sire
By Thomas Galvin

Rating: 3.2


“Love triangles are a bitch," Angelica said.
"So are you," Caitlin murmured.


The vampire laughed. "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that.”



The first thing that comes to mind is not words. Not uplifting thoughts. 

Rather, the lyrics from the Veronica's song 4Ever:

"Come on baby we ain’t gonna live 4ever
Let me show you all the things that we could do
You know you wanna be together
And I wanna spend the night with you!
"


And if this book has taught you all anything it is not to spend any time with a vampire - regardless of whether or not he is going to live '4EVER' and look like a Ralph Lauren model. 

Plot is as follows...

We have one big, bad girl vampire who wants to feed on pretty teenagers and has a serious 'petty girlfriend' complex about guys who aren't her boyfriend. 

A.k.a "Mine, mine, mine, mine...MINE!"


We also have a vampire who falls in love with a human girl and they have alot of these moments:


Except these moments are sans-Chuck Bass ;)
Plus, of course, the human girl has her little group of besties. 


She's all: "Hey, gals, my new boyfriend of 24 hours is a vampire!" 

And they're all like: "Girl, say whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!"


Sire is a love story like no other (well, kinda) with hot vamps, evil vs good and a whole lot of college students who really need to watch a few horror movies. 


Seriously!

Because Rule #1 of horror movies is like, don't answer the door and when the lights start flickering.

Just stay where you are!

Gripping Reads - Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Half-Blood (Covenant #1)
By Jennifer L. Armentrout

Rating: 5+



“There’s nothing like a bunch of catty teenagers who could either kick your ass halfway across the country or set you on fire with a mere thought. That alone changed who people picked fights with or became friends with. And at the end of the day, it was always good to have a firestarter in your back pocket.” 



One girl. One boy. One destiny. 

Although I could touch on any of the wonderful characters J Armentrout has introduced in her stunning Covenant series - which has a wonderful take on mythology - I wanted to start with the one...the only!...Aiden St. Delphi.
'It was him - Aiden St.Delphi.'







As soon as I read that line I was all like, "Oooooh yeah. She's got it baaaaaad." But then I read about how pures and halfs (a.k.a Aiden and Alexandria) can't be together and I was all:


Oh no


What really annoyed me, though, was that no one seemed to have any faith in Alexandria. 


I mean - hello?! The girl survived on her own and killed two daimons, plus she saw her mother die. I think that means that she has more than proved herself. 

I think I wasn't the only annoyed one - Alexandria seemed pretty upset too. But Aiden would be all like: "No one here is your enemy, Alex, it's all in your head - I'm sure they all want to come over and have a tea party later on."


Sure, buddy... sure. Whatever you say. Everyody Loves Alex, right?!

This story gives readers a kickass heroine - not to mention tonnes of action, a brilliant new world and Armentrout's signature humour.Truly epic, Half-Blood as well as the rest of the series are definite must-reads.

Blood and Starlight - Kleenex Required

Days of Blood and Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2)
By Laini Taylor

Rating: 4.3

“Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a new way of living—one without massacres and torn throats and bonfires of the fallen, without revenants or bastard armies or children ripped from their mothers’ arms to take their turn in the killing and dying.

Once, the lovers lay entwined in the moon’s secret temple and dreamed of a world that was a like a jewel-box without a jewel—a paradise waiting for them to find it and fill it with their happiness.

This was not that world.”



This book...was PURE AND UTTER TORTURE. 

What did I want? AKIVA + KAROU TOGETHER


What do I get? ENDLESS CHAPTERS OF SEPARATION!!



Oh, and a bitter Thiago who needs to get a life and stop holding grudges. So, Akiva beat you in the non-official "Who's the hottest supernatural" contest - get over it!



How does it end? Here's a big fat clue...CLIFF. HANG. ER.


The line that killed me the most? It was:

Yeah? Okay," she said, staring up into the stars. "Let's see. You know how, at the end of Romeo and Juliet, Juliet wakes up in the crypt and Romeo's already dead? He thought she was dead so he killed himself right next to her?"
"Yeah. That was awesome." A pause, followed by "Ow," suggested elbow punctuation on the part of Mik.
Karou ignored it. "Well, imagine if she woke up and he was still alive, but..." She swallowed, waiting out a tremor in her voice. "But he had killed her whole family. And burned her city. And killed and enslaved her people.”


Grab a box of tissues. And prepare to be swept away.  

Quick Picks: Black City - Dark, Dangerous and Deadly

Black City
By Elizabeth Richards

Rating: 4.2

"The people of the city seem to have taken you into their hearts. I hear they call you the Black Phoenix? The 'boy who rose from the ashes."

Now...why does this sound so familiar?! (Hint: a certain young lady who was the 'girl on fire'. Seems like people are becoming awfully fond of setting themselves on fire to start rebellions!)

A great story, dipped in imagination with plenty of details to help immerse you in Elizabeth Richard's tantalisingly dark and twisted dystopian world.

Quick Pick ~ Mythology Mayhem

Oh. My. Gods (Oh. My. Gods #1)
By Tera Lynn Childs

Rating: 4.5


“I've survived beach bunny cheerleaders, a sluthunting , ex-boyfriend, and five years of cross-country camp. 

I'm not afraid of some throwback to ancient myth with astrocious highlights and a Barbra Streisand nose.” 


It's a Big Fat Greek Wedding...except, instead of matrimonial bliss, Phoebe and her mum will be experiencing mythological bliss.

Greek islands, balmy breezes, hot demigods, crazy stepsisters, friendship bracelets and IMing into the wee hours of the morning - this and more melds together in a fantastic YA story of change, mythology and making our own choices...as well as choosing our own Fate.

Two Scorching Hot Reads to Rock Your World!


Number #1:
Rockoholic
By C.J. Skuse

Rating: 3.9 


"I only got to see three songs, Mac..."

"That does not entitle you to take home the lead singer, Jody."
"I know."

"Most people settle for a T-shirt or a poster. Not Jody. Jody wants actual band members."


This book was a fruit salad - yummy, easy to digest though, at times, slightly jumbled. 

Jody's tale of her obsession with teen rock sensation Jackson, and her not-so-kidnapping-starnapping, is an easy story to like. With a loveable cast of characters from Mac, her best friend with a slight fashion obsession, to Mac's little sister Cree, with her love of snails. 


Spending time with Jackson turns out to be as much fun as babysitting a turtle on crack, and Jody has to face up to reality and the fact that sometimes our idols are far from perfect. 

Will the crazy ride end in tears or laughter - and can Jody kick her addiction to Jackson once and for all?




Number #2:
Scorch (Croak #2)
By Gina Damico

Rating: 5+


“Yeah, well, love doesn't always beat out the fear."

"Sometimes it does," he replied with a smile, pecking her on the nose.


"Christ, Driggs. You're turning into a Lifetime movie."
"Your defense mechanisms are captivating, as always.”



Holy reaper scythes covered in BBQ sauce - Gina Damico has done it again!

With her signature sarcasm, wit and artistic flair, Damico brings readers yet another wonderful literary masterpiece. Living up to the magic of Croak, Scorch is a wild ride of Reaper drama, kickassery and well-executed humour.

You have to love the Reapers. You just do!


Especially Lex and her Damning abilities which are all like:


And I have to give a special mention to the best relationship ever...Lex and Driggs! 


Seriously, every single time I spotted the word 'Driggs' on a page I was like:


Sad...but true.


My favourite quotes from Scorch:

#1: 
What colour was her scythe?"
"Sadly, I wasn't able to take the time to appreciate its subtle hues as it tore through my skin. 

#2: 
Hang on," Driggs said as Lex pulled out Bone's note. "She might be right."
Lex gave him a look. "You don't have to sound so shocked about it."
"But it happens so rarely. Like an eclipse. 


#3:
Fine!" he relented, giving her a dirty look. "But only if you stay in front."
She rolled her eyes. "My, what chivalry."
"To hell with chivalry. Your idea, you die first. 

Fangtastic - Blood Fever (The Watchers #3)

Blood Fever
By Veronica Wolff

Rating: 4.6

"They don't know what I do."
"Which is?"
"That in the body of a wee blond spitfire lies the heart of a warrior."


Drew's in the thick of it this time - girls at the Isle of Night are dropping like flies...turning up dead, maimed or at the bottom of jagged cliffs. Someone on the Isle is a killer. Someone is after blood.

Everything seems to point to Carden McCloud, the new vampire Drew managed to save from imprisonment - but Drew can't bring herself to believe that the roguish, charming Scot has anything to do with this. She's pinning her bets on the suave and deadly Alcántara, whose every glance turns her blood cold. 


And as for the others? Well, half the girls at the Isle have one suspect: Drew herself.

One thing's for sure - Drew's going to need more than a few shuriken to get her out of this one.

Fast-paced and laced with poisonous magnetism, 'Blood Fever' will have you sucked in until the last page.

Thursday 15 November 2012

My Goodreads Group is Celebrating 500 MEMBERS!!!

My Goodreads Not-So Austen Bookclub Group is celebrating 500 Followers with an all-out giveaway!

A big thank you to every single one of you who has joined this group - I hope you continue to grow in your love of good literature and to connect with others who are just as book obsessed across the globe!

So to celebrate, I am going to be hosting a giveaway from the 15th-16th of November! 

There are four EPUB booksets to choose from: (can be converted to be PDF if required)

Set 1:
- Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan
- Troy High by Shana Norris
- Madly by M. Leighton
- Crux by Julie Reece

Set 2:
- Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi
- My Love Lies Bleeding by Alyxandra Harvey
- Partials by Dan Wells
- The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Set 3:
- Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson
- The List by Siobhan Vivian
- The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa
- After Dark by Emi Gayle

Set 4:
- Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
- Touch by Jus Accardo
- Hollyweird by Terri Clark
- Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber


Enter below!

To go to my Goodreads Group click here!


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