Tuesday 24 September 2013

Review for Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell 
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release: 10th September 2013
Genre: Contemporary, Coming of Age, Romance, YA, NA
Source: Bought





Goodreads Summary: 
"Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan. But for Cath, being a fan is her life — and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving. Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere. Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to. Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words. And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone. For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories? And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?"


Review
Fangirl is a book that I loved so hard that I feel like my review can never do it justice but I want you guys to read it so much that I’m going to try and put into words all of the feelings I had for this book. From the first few chapters it had already surpassed my expectations and they were already sky high to begin with. Whilst reading every so often I’d stop and say out loud “why is this book so good!?” I cried at the end for no particular reason other than the book had ended and I wanted more like a little kid on the way home from a day at Disneyland - I didn’t want the magic to end! Needless to say this is a new all-time favourite book of mine.

Fangirl is everything that I want the New Adult genre to be. It’s about navigating your first year at college when you’re socially awkward and meeting new people and sharing a room with a stranger fills you with social anxiety. It’s about longing for the ease of childhood and that nostalgia for the things you loved back then and finding it hard to give that part of your life up when everyone else has moved on. It’s about breaking out of your comfort zone. I loved the message that it’s okay to prefer fictional worlds to the real one and to love them worlds and be all nerdy about it. But I also loved how this book shows that your life, that your story is the most important one that there is.

Every character in Fangirl is so well developed. They are funny and charming and adorable and they each have their quirks that make them individual. Cath is one of the most relatable heroines I’ve ever come across. I understood her addiction to the Simon Snow series (which is this books fictional equivalent to Harry Potter) and I feel like if you grew up as part of the Harry Potter generation you’ll find yourself in Cath like I did. Cath has always seen herself as the unattractive, awkward twin compared to her confident sister Wren and when Wren decides that she wants to live out their college years as separate people leading different lives it really forces Cath to step out of her twins shadow and into the big wide world.

The secondary characters were also fantastic. I loved Reagan Cath’s cool as a cucumber roommate and the twins’ lovely Dad who’s fragile at the best of times and is going through empty nest syndrome. And then there is Levi. Oh Levi, Levi, Levi where do I even start with you? Levi is the nicest guy. He treats everybody he meets like they are the most important person he’ll meet all day. He greets everybody with a smile, even strangers. He’s funny and he genuinely loves life and people. Levi and Cath couldn’t be more different, they have nothing in common but I knew I wanted them together from the moment they are introduced. I absolutely fell in love with Levi and had the biggest smile on my face reading about him and Cath. I could not handle the adorable radiating off this book!

Charming, happy, nostalgic, adorable and geeky are only a few words I’d use to describe Fangirl. It made me laugh and cry and is without doubt not only one of my favourite books of this year but one of my favourite books ever. I enjoyed Eleanor and Park by this author but my love for Fangirl was on a whole other level. Stephanie Perkins, John Green, Sarah Dessen make room on your pedestal for Rainbow Rowell - one of the brightest rising stars in Young Adult Contemporary Fiction.

Sunday 22 September 2013

Letterbox Love (33)



Letterbox Love is a meme hosted by Lynsey @ Narratively Speaking for UK based book bloggers to showcase the books that they’ve received each week.

 Proof Copies for Review


World After by Susan Ee
This was a total surprise from the publishers and I'm so excited! I read and loved Angelfall earlier this year and I can't wait to read this!
This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
I have heard literally nothing but good things for this book and it will be Leila Sales' debut here in the UK. I've heard great things for all of her books and can't wait to check her out as an author.
Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano
I'm a big fan of Lauren's The Chemical Garden trilogy and so when I got this in the post I had to read it straight away. This new world is incredible! I've finished it and I'll have a review up soon so keep an eye out for that.
The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Jennifer has so many interesting sounding books out but I haven't picked one up yet! The Naturals sounds very Ally Carter like so I'm going to have to check this one out!

 For Review/ Bought


Because it is My Blood by Gabrielle Zevin
Finally! I'm so happy that this sequel has finally been published in the UK but it's been so long since I read the first book that I can't remember what happened at all. I might have to re-read if I have time or talk nicely to the Recaptains! ;)
Haze by Paula Weston
I really like this Aussie Angel series. I read the first book in January this year so everything is still pretty fresh and I'm looking forward to picking this up soon.
Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
I've read and loved Fangirl and Eleanor and Park. I didn't own Attachments. I had to buy it right? I want to read this before the year is over in between review books. 2013 has been full of Rainbow!
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
I read and liked the first book in this series but I wasn't crazy about it like some people seem to be. I've heard people say they enjoyed this sequel even more so I decided to buy it. I think I'll be adding this to my Halloween TBR.

 Netgalley/Edelweiss E-Books 
Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge 
This is a 2014 release being pitched as Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast. It sounds awesome and like something I would love! 
Model Misfit by Holly Smale 
Geek Girl was such a cute and fun read and I'm really looking forward to this sequel. 
Covet by Tracey Garvis-Graves 
On The Island was a book that I was absolutely addicted to. I can't wait to read this new book from Tracey! 

 As always thank you to the lovely publishing folk for the review copies. If you decided to do a Letterbox Love, Book Haul, IMM, Showcase Sunday, Mailbox Monday or whatever else featuring the books you got this week leave me a link as I’d love to check out your books too! ^_^ 

 Happy reading till next time!

Thursday 19 September 2013

The Booking by Numbers Q&A


Today it’s time for something a little bit different... 

Randomly the other day an idea for a fun Q&A came to me. I love doing bookish surveys and tags and have been seeing different ones around the blogosphere lately so I decided it would be fun to share my own! It’s a book Q&A about the books on your bookshelves with a bit of a fun twist! Here’s how it works.

Put the number of books on your bookshelf (or if like me you have hundreds of books break it down to 50, 70, 100 - however many books you’d like to play with) into a random number generator this could be via Random Org or simply by pulling numbers out of a hat. For each question draw a number and apply that question to the selected book from your shelf (or wherever you like to store your books.) For example if you pulled the number 11 you’d count across your shelf to the 11th book. It’s as simple as that!

I figured this would be a fun way to get a sneak peak at people’s bookshelves and learn more about the stories behind the books. I’d love to be nosy at what you guys have on your bookshelves so feel free to take part on your own blogs!

Booking by Numbers Q&A 

Book Number: 48 Book: Dead Silence by Kimberly Derting
Q1.) Have you read this book? If so what did you think of it?
Not yet. I will hopefully be reading it soon though as part of my Halloween TBR. I love this series and I recently learned that this is the last book. A few people have said that the ending isn’t really satisfying so I think that’s why I’ve been nervous to pick it up!

Book Number: 3 Book: Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie
Q2.) Why did you buy this book? Were you recommended it? Was it a random purchase?


This book was actually a Christmas present from my Nan. Peter Pan is probably my favourite Children’s Classic and I’d been pining for this edition for ages so it was a really nice present. Definitely something I’ll have on my bookshelf for the rest of my life.

Book Number: 23 Book: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Q3.) Based on what you know about this book which other book blogger would you recommend it to? 
EVERYBODY!!! I recently finished this book and I loved it so, so, much! To answer the question though I would recommend it to two bloggers Samantha from The Secret Life of a Bookworm because she recently read and loved Eleanor and Park and I think she’d love this one too. And Ellie from Musings of a Bookshop Girl because she really needs to read some Rainbow Rowell!

Book Number: 55 Book: The Essence by Kimberly Derting
Q4.) Who’s this books bookshelf neighbour?


Another Kimberly Derting book! The Essence is getting cosy with Everbound by Brodi Ashton and Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder. These books are on my TBR Sequel Shelf I really need to read them!

Book Number: 34 Book: Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan
Q5.) How many books have you read by this book’s author?
I have all of Sarah’s books but I have only read Unspoken and Untold. I really love this series so I want to get on to The Demon’s Lexicon series one day. I’ve also read The Bane Chronicles: What Really Happened in Peru by Sarah Rees Brennan and Cassandra Clare so including that my grand total is at three.

Book Number: 16 Book: Angel Fire by L.A. Weatherly
Q6.) Do you have any special memories attached to this book?


This is actually a very special book to me! Not only is it my favourite book from one of my favourite series but it was also the first book I was quoted in as a book blogger. It’s also signed and personalised by the author. I have all of these special memories with this book and every time I look at it I feel happy.

Book Number: 12 Book: The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling)
 Q7.) Is this book part of a series? If it is are you up to date with the series?
It will be eventually when the next book comes out. Am I up to date with it? No, seems as I haven’t read this one although it is on my Halloween TBR so all in good time!

Book Number: 1 Book: Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops by Jen Campbell
Q8.) Is this book something you’d typically read or is it out of your comfort zone?


This book is the first book on my bookshelf because it’s something that I like to dip in and out of every now and again. I’d say this is pretty out of my comfort zone, as the title suggests this is a collection of weird things that people have asked in bookshops and I don’t have anything else quite like it on my shelf!

Book Number: 26 Book: Dare You To by Katie McGarry
Q9.) Have you reviewed this book? If yes then share a link to it.
My review.

Book Number: 63 Book: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Q10.) Where did you buy this book from?
Okay, this is kind of creepy. I bought it from an independent book shop whilst I was on holiday in Cornwall. The creepy part is that it was roughly this time last year that I bought it! I also bought the sequel today. Weird.

Book Number: 76 Book: Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
Q11.) Roughly how long have you owned this book for?
Years! Before I started book blogging, so it’s been sitting on my shelf for at least three years and I still haven’t read it! I read and loved The Darkest Minds earlier this year so I’ll have to get on to this one soon.

Book Number: 40 Book: Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay
Q12.) Share the first sentence of this book.
“In the beginning was the darkness, and in the darkness was a girl, and in the girl was a secret.” Okay this definitely has me intrigued! Will have to pick this up soon!

Book Number: 60 Book: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Q13.) What’s your opinion on this book’s cover?


*Sighs deeply.* It’s… okay. The dress is weird but I like the striked out lines. HOWEVER the new cover designs for this series with the eyes are gorgeous! I’d really like to replace this one at some point but it’s such a shame that the publishers released the new cover in paperback not hardcover.

Book Number: 87 Book: More Than This by Patrick Ness
Q14.) In a few sentences describe this book in your own words.
I haven’t read this one yet so this is going to be hard.

This guy dies, he remembers dying, yet he is still here. Is he a ghost? Is he really dead? Is he in the afterlife? The guy doesn’t have a clue what is going on. You probably won’t have a clue what’s going on. But in the end you will be amazed and in awe as one always is upon finishing a Patrick Ness book.

END


I hope you guys had fun reading this and don’t mind that I wanted to try something different today. It was so much fun to do!

Monday 16 September 2013

Review for Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan

Warning
Untold is the second book in The Lynburn Legacy series and so this review may contain spoilers for the first book in the series Unspoken.

Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan 
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Release: 29th August 2013
Genre: Paranormal, Romance, YA
Source: Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review




Goodreads Summary:
"Free from bonds, but not each other

It’s time to choose sides… On the surface, Sorry-in-the-Vale is a sleepy English town. But Kami Glass knows the truth. Sorry-in-the-Vale is full of magic. In the old days, the Lynburn family ruled with fear, terrifying the people into submission in order to kill for blood and power. Now the Lynburns are back, and Rob Lynburn is gathering sorcerers so that the town can return to the old ways.

But Rob and his followers aren’t the only sorcerers in town. A decision must be made: pay the blood sacrifice, or fight. For Kami, this means more than just choosing between good and evil. With her link to Jared Lynburn severed, she’s now free to love anyone she chooses. But who should that be?"

Review 
Unspoken was a book that I read when I was unwell last year and so what this series is actually about was a little foggy in my mind on picking up Untold. I did however remember that painful ending (how could I forget!?) and was eager to get stuck into Untold to see what would happen next. The book begins with an extract from Kami’s newspaper ‘The Nosy Parker’ and provided a clever and subtle re-cap without interfering with this story which I greatly appreciated. We are then thrown into a deliciously creepy first chapter full of gothic horror and witty banter between the characters which reminded me of what I loved about Unspoken.

The Lynburn Legacy books have some of the best dialogue and character interaction that I’ve ever come across. Each character is bright and brilliant, even the secondary characters feel well developed and perform their lines to perfection. I love the relationships between Kami and her friends and their lively and intelligent exchanges with one another. I was completely charmed by every single one of them and loved how we got to see from everyone’s point of view at some point during the book.

Although I loved all of the characters Kami and Rusty are my absolute favourites. Kami is such a strong, resourceful, funny and intelligent heroine. She’s just your normal everyday girl yet she’s just as capable as any other paranormal heroine proving that you don’t have to have superpowers to be brave and stand up for what’s right. Rusty is a laugh a minute and lightens the dark and foreboding mood when needed with his wit and hilarious one liners.

Kami and Jared are without doubt one of my favourite YA book couples. Sarah Rees Brennan has the ability to turn me into a puddle of goo – I just can’t handle the adorbs! Despite Jared being a moody moo pretty much all of the time I can always understand him and his actions. Kami and Jared have a really special and unique relationship and they understand one another like nobody else. They know each other so completely. I swoon when they’re together and my heart breaks when they’re apart.

This series is very much character driven. The premise isn’t the strongest or the most unique nor does it have the fastest moving plot but it’s intriguing enough to hold my interest and the characters keep me turning the pages and are what make me want to continue on with the series. Once again Sarah Rees Brennan deals us another torturous ending (I’m pretty certain that she’s evil at this point) that’ll have readers desperate for the third book. Overall Untold was a solid and satisfying sequel that has once again left me wanting more.

Friday 13 September 2013

Review for Soulmates by Holly Bourne

Soulmates by Holly Bourne 
Publisher: Usborne
Release: September 1st 2013
Genre: UKYA, Contemporary, Sci-Fi, Romance
Source: Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review





Goodreads Summary:
"Every so often, two people are born who are the perfect matches for each other. Soulmates. But while the odds of this happening are about as likely as being struck by lightning, when these people do meet and fall in love…thunderstorms, lightning strikes and lashings of rain are only the beginning of their problems.

Enter Poppy, the 17-year-old cynic with a serious addiction to banana milk, and Noah, the heart-throb guitarist; residents of mediocre Middletown, sometime students, and…soulmates.

After a chance meeting at a local band night, Poppy and Noah find themselves swept up in a whirlwind romance unlike anything they’ve ever experienced before. But with a secret international agency preparing to separate them, a trail of destruction rumbling in their wake, (and a looming psychology coursework deadline), they are left with an impossible choice between the end of the world, or a life without love…"


Review 
Soulmates is a unique and compelling debut by fresh new British talent Holly Bourne – I was utterly blown away by it! “Soulmates” and “True Love” is a worn out concept in YA and yet Holly Bourne puts an exciting scientific spin on it. What if meeting your soulmate was a bad thing? Holly Bourne puts romance under the microscope and asks the eternal question “what is love?” In this contemporary love story with a sci-fi twist.

Despite being a fairly chunky novel I was immediately captivated by this story and never got bored nor did the book feel overly long. I think this was mainly down to the authors writing style; it was funny, thrilling, current and hugely readable. There were times when I laughed, sobbed, and was on the edge of me seat with anticipation. The book is told from Poppy’s perspective and there are alternate chapters told in third person following a secret society who seem to be keeping tabs on Poppy and Noah’s romance. I loved this extra insight and I was so curious to find out why Poppy and Noah were so dangerous.

Poppy was such a refreshing heroine. She’s snarky and a complete cynic when it comes to the idea of “true love” so nobody is more surprised than her when she meets Noah and they have an instant connection. Don’t get me wrong I’m not a fan of insta-love but for this particular story it worked in this books favour. What I really loved was that although Poppy and Noah had an instant spark their relationship still grew and developed over time as they got to know one another.

One of my favourite things about Soulmates was the scientific aspect to the book. Holly Bourne really examines what love is and the chemical reactions our bodies have to that loved up feeling. A lot of the science behind the book is actual facts and the nerd in me loved asking the big questions like “is love just an illusion?” “Is it a chemical reaction?” “Is there really a perfect person out there for everyone and if so what are the chances of finding them?” Soulmates looks at love from every angle and I loved how thought provoking it was.

Whilst reading this book my heart raced, I had butterflies in my stomach, clammy hands and a dry mouth. My diagnosis? I’ve fallen head over heels in love with Soulmates! Holly Bourne is a bright rising star in UK YA if you love books by C.J Skuse and Cat Clarke you won’t want to miss this extraordinary debut!

Tuesday 10 September 2013

Review for Hurt by Tabitha Suzuma

Hurt by Tabitha Suzuma 
Publisher: Definitions
Release: September 5th 2013
Genre: UKYA, Contemporary
Source: Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review





Goodreads Summary:
"Why? is the burning question on everyone’s lips. Why would a guy like Mathéo Walsh want to die? At seventeen, he is Britain’s most promising diving champion. He is a heartthrob, a straight A student and lives in one of the wealthiest areas of London. He has great mates and is the envy of everyone around him. And most importantly of all, he is deeply in love with his girlfriend, Lola. He has always been a stable, well-adjusted guy...

Until one weekend. A weekend he cannot seem to remember. All he knows is that he has come back a changed person. One who no longer knows how to have fun, no longer wants to spend time with his friends, no longer enjoys diving. Something terrible happened that weekend – something violent and bloody and twisted. He no longer knows who he is. He no longer trusts himself around people: he only wants to hurt, wound and destroy. Slowly, he begins to piece back the buried, fragmented memories, and finds himself staring at the reflection of a monster. 

Tormented, Mathéo suddenly finds himself faced with the most devastating choice of his life. Keep his secret, and put those closest to him in terrible danger. Or confess, and lose Lola forever..."

Review 
Hurt documents the downfall of Mathéo Walsh a boy with the world at his feet with a bright future in Olympic diving, an expensive education, good friends, and a beautiful girlfriend. Mathéo is on top of the world, which of course only means that he has that much further to fall. After one weekend so traumatic that Mathéo’s memory has literally blocked it out Mathéo awakens with the gut wrenching certainty that something earth shattering has happened, something that has broken and changed him. As Mathéo spirals into a sea of confusion and madness he needs to remember what happened that weekend - no matter how horrific - in order to pick up the pieces and begin to deal with the consequences.

Hurt begins with us getting a glimpse into Mathéo’s life leading up to that catastrophic weekend and I loved getting to see his life before and who he was for a comparison to his life afterward. I don’t want to go into certain details of this book because I don’t want to give anything away. Unravelling the tragedy of Mathéo is the real joy of this novel so please forgive me if this review seems a bit vague.

This book certainly kept me on my toes trying to figure out Mathéo’s secret. I suspected lots of different situations and different people and I thought I’d figured it all out by the end but I was completely surprised! My jaw literally dropped! I also felt uneasy liking Mathéo as you’re never quite sure whether he was the one who did something terrible, whether he was the victim, a witness or an accomplice. I also felt uneasy with the secondary characters in this book but the two shining lights in Mathéo’s life are his little brother and his girlfriend Lola who were two characters who I couldn’t help but love too.

After the absolute gem that was Forbidden Tabitha Suzuma’s next novel would always have a lot to live up to and whilst Forbidden is still my favourite Hurt was excellent in its own right and offers another emotionally compelling story that I’m still turning over in my head. Like Forbidden I was completely shocked by the ending. Hurt made me cry in a way that a book hasn’t in a long time. Beautiful, heart-breaking and tragic Hurt is a masterfully plotted story that has confirmed Tabitha Suzuma as one of the best UK YA authors for young adults.

Sunday 8 September 2013

Letterbox Love (32)



Letterbox Love is a meme hosted by Lynsey @ Narratively Speaking for UK based book bloggers to showcase the books that they’ve received each week.

 For Review


How to Love by Katie Cotugno
I hadn't heard of this one when it dropped through my letterbox but after reading the synopsis I was immediately excited! My Goodreads friends that have read it have all loved it so far so I'm very excited for this debut!
Amelia Grey's Fireside Dream by Abby Clements
I've read both of Abby's novels and have enjoyed them so I'm looking forward to this Autumn read! This sounds like the perfect book for getting cosy by the fire with as the nights start drawing in.
The Elites by Natasha Ngan (Proof Copy)
This is a debut that I have heard so much about! I've been looking forward to this one since early summer when I first heard about it and will be getting stuck in soon.
Goodbye, Rebel Blue by Shelley Coriell (Proof Copy)
I have a bit of a fascination with bucket lists. I think they can tell you so much about a person and what's important to them, so when I was asked if I wanted to review this one I jumped at the chance!
Fearsome Dreamer by Laure Eve (Proof Copy)
My friend Cait has been telling me how good this one is and I think it sounds incredible! I love the synopsis for this one and will be reading it very soon. It's another very exciting sounding debut!

 Bought/ Gifted


Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
YESSSSSS!!! New Rainbow Rowell come to Mamma! I had this one on pre-order
1.) Because I love Eleanor and Park.
2.) Because this book sounds like my life.
I've been so excited for Fangirl and I'm so thrilled to finally have a copy!
Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay
Beauty and the Beast is my favourite fairytale and so when I saw this reviewed on Sam's blog I knew I had to have it and it's been sitting waiting on my wishlist patiently and I finally decided to treat myself to it! Huge thank you to Sam for bringing this one to my attention! Check out the review here.
Deception by C. J. Redwine
This is another book that I had on pre-order. I read the first book last year and loved it! Definitely a must read for fans of Shadow and Bone and Throne of Glass!
The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (AKA J.K. Rowling)
I love HP and I love The Casual Vacancy. I've only just got around to buying this one because for a long time I thought that somebody was tricking me and that someone would pop out and be like "Just kidding! J.K doesn't have a new book out! You crazy fool!" I've since accepted that this is legit so I finally bought it. I think I'm going to add this to my October TBR for some Halloween Crime reading.
Arclight by Josin L. McQuein
This was gifted to me by the lovely Raimy! The cover for this one is so pretty and I really love the sound of it so I'm looking forward to getting stuck in! Thanks Raimy!

 As always thank you to the lovely publishing folk for the review copies. If you decided to do a Letterbox Love, Book Haul, IMM, Showcase Sunday, Mailbox Monday or whatever else featuring the books you got this week leave me a link as I’d love to check out your books too! ^_^ 

 Happy reading till next time!

Thursday 5 September 2013

Exclusive UK Cover Reveal for Shattered by Teri Terry and Giveaway!

I'm very excited to be bringing to you today a first look at the newly released cover for the third book in the Slated series SHATTERED by Teri Terry. This has to be my favourite UKYA Dystopian series and I can't wait for this book to be released next March! If the cover reveal wasn't exciting enough I also have the lovely Teri Terry sharing her thoughts on the cover and a UK giveaway for either Slated (book one) or Fractured (book two) for anyone who hasn't had the chance to check out this incredible series yet.

Without further ado here is the moment you've all been waiting for, the gorgeous cover for Shattered!


A Word From The Author 

I’ve been SO lucky with my covers with the Slated trilogy: I love them all.

There was a long story behind the Slated cover, and I’ve blogged about it before (http://www.notesfromtheslushpile.com/2012/02/slated-getting-it-covered.html). You can see there the different versions the cover went through, and how it almost didn’t happen when the photographer couldn’t be contacted and was only tracked down at the last minute.

The photographer did a photo shoot with the same model for the next covers. Fractured didn’t go through as much evolution as Slated, now that we had the basic look of the trilogy: the only thing that changed along the way was the choice of image. But when I saw the gorgeous cover to Fractured, while I loved it, it raised one doubt in my mind. Fractured has a broken glass effect around the edges: where were they going to go with Shattered that was beyond this?

I needn't have worried: I’m pretty sure the cover to Shattered is my favourite. Originally it was more white, then into warmer colours, and the change I suggested was making the colours cooler and going into blue – I was thinking making it cold, like shattered ice. I love the effect they’ve used.

And I’ve also interviewed Haley, the cover girl, herself! So if you ever wondered what it would be like to have your face appear on book covers around the world, check it out here: http://teriterry.jimdo.com/2013/04/11/what-is-it-like-to-be-on-a-book-cover-meet-hayley-slated-fractured-cover-girl/ 

 End 

I have to agree with Teri - I think Shattered is my favourite of the series too! I'm so glad that they decided to go with a colder look. I'm loving the shattered ice! What do you think of the cover?

Finally to celebrate the cover reveal the publishers are providing a copy of either Slated (book one) or Fractured (book two) to giveaway to one lucky UK based winner! To enter please read the rules and enter via the rafflecopter.

 Rules 
 To enter please fill in the Rafflecopter 
Open to UK residents only 
End date: Thursday 12th September 2013 
Winner will be contacted by email and will have 1 week to reply else another winner will be selected.


Good luck to everyone entering and thank you to Teri for putting this post together!

Monday 2 September 2013

August Round-Up and Book of the Month!


August's Book of the Month is Hurt by Tabitha Suzuma



I think I've had one of my best reading months ever this month as everything I read got either a 4 or 4.5 star rating! I read some excellent books this past month and I was all set on my book of the month and then I finished Hurt on Saturday night and it was a total game changer. I haven't cried over a book like I did over Hurt for a long time. I was so emotionally invested and I'm still thinking about it now days later. I swear that Tabitha takes joy in breaking her fans with those punch-in-the-gut endings of hers. I absolutely loved this book and will have a review up for it as soon as I can piece my thoughts and feelings into coherent sentences!


*** Because who passes up the chance to use a Benedict Cumberbatch GIF? Not I!!! *** 

Read in August 
69.) All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill (4*)
70.) Cruel Summer by James Dawson (4.5*)
71.) Angel Fever by L.A. Weatherly (4*)
72.) It's Raining Men by Milly Johnson (4.5*)
73.) Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke (4*)
74.) Severed Heads, Broken Hearts by Robyn Schneider (4*)
75.) Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan (4*)
76.) The Distance Between Us by Kasie West (4*)
77.) Hurt by Tabitha Suzuma (4.5*)

August Book Awards 
Best Plot: Hurt by Tabitha Suzuma
Best Writing: Severed Heads, Broken Hearts by Robyn Schneider
Best Cover: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke
Best Characters: Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan
Best Ending: Hurt by Tabitha Suzuma
Best Romance: Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan
Most un-put-down-able: Cruel Summer by James Dawson
Most Memorable: Hurt by Tabitha Suzuma
Best Moral: Severed Heads, Broken Hearts by Robyn Schneider

Top 3 Most Recommended Books: Hurt, Cruel Summer, It's Raining Men.

Books I’m Looking Forward to Reading/Being Released in September 
3:59 by Gretchen McNeil
The Elites by Natasha Ngan
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Briar Rose by Jana Oliver
Amelia Grey's Fireside Dream by Abby Clements
More Than This by Patrick Ness
Another Way to Fall by Amanda Brooke
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
The Reunion by Amy Silver
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

 What was the best book you read last month? And what are you looking forward to reading in September?
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