November’s Readers Choice

Readers Choice is my brand new feature where readers of the blog can vote for which book off my To-Be-Read pile they would like to see me read and review the following month. For more details check out my introduction post here.

November’s Readers Choice is Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

"How do you defy destiny?


Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.


As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart."

This month’s Readers Choice is coming to you a bit late as last week I was unexpectedly busy and didn’t have time to blog at all. My review for The Taker will be up soon though and I am finally bringing to you this month’s winner! I can’t believe how close November’s vote was, Starcrossed literally won with only one extra vote with Divergent hot on its tail! Then The Sky is Everywhere came in at a very close third! It looks like all of you are huge fans of November’s nominees so I really will have to get to some of them soon!

As mentioned in last month’s post this is my last Readers Choice of the year. With it being Christmas next month and my birthday in January I’m taking a little break from this feature but rest assured that it definitely will be returning in February because I really enjoy doing it! I’m basically going to be getting the blog ready for the year ahead so I’m taking a break from some of my regular features to be able to fit in some Christmas and end of year things! So there is no vote this time round that will return in Feb but as usual I will read and review Starcrossed this month and who knows hopefully you may see some reviews of some of the other nominees before the new vote comes along! From some of the comments you guys left you’ve definitely made me want to check out a few of these ASAP!

So that’s all from me, keep your eyes peeled for reviews for both The Taker and Starcrossed coming soon and I will be back with some new exciting titles for you to choose from in the New Year :).

Review for Frost by Marianna Baer

Frost by Marianna Baer
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Release Date: September 13th 2011
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller
Rating: 4/5 stars
Source: Bought

Goodreads Summary:
"Leena Thomas’s senior year at boarding school begins with a shock: Frost House, her cozy dorm of close friends, has been assigned an unexpected roommate: confrontational, eccentric Celeste Lazar. But while Leena’s anxiety about a threat to her sanctuary proves valid, it becomes less and less clear whether the threat lies with her new roommate, within Leena’s own mind, or within the very nature of Frost House itself. Mysterious happenings in the dorm, an intense triangle between Leena, Celeste, and Celeste’s brother, and the reawakening of childhood fears, all push Leena to take increasingly desperate measures to feel safe. Frost is the story of a haunting. As to whether the demons are supernatural or psychological...well, which answer would let you sleep at night?"

Review
What appealed to me most about Frost is how it’s quoted on the back of the book as being a “twenty-first-century spin on the usual gothic ghost story.” It’s true that a lot of ghost stories are told from a historical time period and so I was looking forward to reading something new and unique with Frost.

Frost begins with a group of friends retuning to boarding school for senior year all psyched to have bagged Frost House as their dorm, a cosy Victorian house secluded from the rest of the school. Leena falls in love with the big old house straight away and has high hopes for senior year and turning the house into a home. But things immediately start to take a turn for the worst when the friends are assigned an unexpected roommate- intense and eccentric Celeste Lazar. Soon enough strange and disturbing things start happening in Frost House. A series of malicious and sick events reveal that something or someone wants Celeste out and Leena to stay forever. But what’s behind these strange events? Is it a haunting? An increasingly disturbed mind? Or something else entirely? Those are the questions that race through the readers mind whilst reading this book.

What I loved most about Frost was how original the haunting itself was. Instead of the usual threats and scares Leena is made to feel strangely safe in Frost House whilst everything else in her life falls apart. The house reminded me of a possessive boyfriend alienating everyone and everything Leena loves until it’s just her and the house left. In some ways I found that even scarier than your typical haunting with Leena lulled into a false sense of security whilst what’s happening in the house destroys her friendships and her sanity. That being said Celeste- Leena’s damaged roommate- witnesses a very different kind of haunting with pictures thrown off walls and mysterious burns and bruises appearing on her body. The two opposite hauntings made for some very scary reading and added to the overall mystery of what was really going on in that house.

The only thing that I didn’t enjoy about the book was the romance. David- Leena’s love interest- is very much a suspect during this book, that along with his strange relationship with his sister Celeste, meant that I just couldn’t trust or like him. However I didn’t pick this book up for an epic romance I picked it up to be scared so that didn’t bother me too much. I also give props to Marianna Baer for indulging us in some sexy times! Marianna doesn’t shy away from some hot and heavy moments something I always respect when it comes to Young Adult books.

Frost is the kind of book that does exactly what it says on the tin. You go into this expecting an intense and creepy thriller and that’s exactly what you get. Frost kept me up late at night racing through its pages trying to get some answers. And it finished in a way that tied everything up but also leaves you to interpret what you think happened in that house too. Overall Marianna Baer has created a fantastic contemporary debut thriller and I’m looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

The Return of In My Mailbox!

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

Those of you who follow the blog will know that I’ve taken an IMM hiatus over the past few months whilst I was having computer problems. But now that I have a new laptop and it’s a new month I’m so excited to be bringing back to you In My Mailbox which you can now expect again regularly. I was going to do a huge catch up post with all of the book I received when I was away ( I got some really awesome ones) but it would literally be a monster post, pages and pages. And so instead I thought I’d just start a fresh with the books I got this week. You can also expect some possible IMM Vlogs in the future I just need to sort out the technicalities! But for now I bring to you this week’s books!

Tempest by Julie Cross (ARC copy out 5th January 2012 in UK)
This one sounds so good! It sounds a bit like a Time Traveller’s Wife for teens and the finished cover is gorgeous if you haven’t seen it yet click on the title and the link will take you to the books goodreads page where you’ll be able to see for yourself!
Crossed by Ally Condie
This one’s out in a couple of weeks and I feel so lucky to have a finished copy already! I loved Matched so I’m looking forward to seeing the story continue in Crossed.
Wonder by R.J Palacio (ARC copy out March 2012 in UK)
I think this proofs cover is really funky and to be honest I like it better than the finished copy! I actually finished this one last night and WOW. There are no words. This one is about a brave and wonderful boy named August who has a deformed face. Review for this amazing book will be coming soon!
Last Christmas by Julia Williams
Yay for Christmas books! I love chick-lit Christmas stories and this one sounds fab. The lovely Amanda at One More Page actually sent me this one for review as I will be taking part in her exciting Count Down to Christmas.

I didn’t buy any books this week so all books featured where sent to me for reviewing purposes. For more information on any of the books featured just click on the title and the link will take you to the books goodreads page. Big thank you’s to all the lovely people who sent me books this week. If you’ve read any of the books I got this week and want to leave me a comment letting me know what you thought please do and make sure you leave me a link to what you got in your mailbox. Here’s to another week of fantastic reading ahead :-)

Book of the Month! Featuring Scares, God and Autumn…

Welcome to October's book of the month and monthly round up! This is a feature to sum up for you my reading and recommendations for the past month and to share with you the exciting things that have been going on on the blog and books I’m looking forward to in the following month.

October's BotM is...Angel Fire by L.A Weatherly!

This month’s favourite read was so easy to choose. Angel Fire was a stunning sequel that I absolutely loved. I’m not usually a big fan of huge books I can find them a bit intimidating as I can get bored pretty quickly of the same story but despite Angel Fire coming in at over 700 pages I couldn’t get enough! This book has fab characters and a swoonworthy male lead definitely a series to check out if you haven’t already. You can find my review for the first book Angel here and Angel Fire its sequel here.

Best Plot: Angel Fire by L.A Weatherly
Best Writing: The Taker by Alma Katsu
Best Cover: Sweetly by Jackson Pearce
Best Characters: Angel Fire by L.A Weatherly
Best Ending: Angel Fire by L.A Weatherly
Best Romance: Angel Fire by L.A Weatherly
Most un-put-down-able: Frost by Marianna Baer
Most Memorable: The Taker by Alma Katsu
Best Moral: An Autumn Crush by Milly Johnson

Books read this month
63.) Angel Fire by L.A Weatherly (5*)
64.) An Autumn Crush by Milly Johnson (4*)
65.) There is No Dog by Meg Rosoff (2.5*)
66.) Sweetly by Jackson Pearce (4.5*)
67.) Frost by Marianna Baer (4*)
68.) The Taker by Alma Katsu (4*)

Top 3 Most Recommended Books: Angel Fire, Sweetly, An Autumn Crush

Bookish Highlights of the month
I got my winning streak back on this month and won 3 fab giveaways for 3 signed books including Angel Fire, Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick and Who's Afraid of Mr Wolfe? by Hazel Osmond. I also hosted a fab giveaway myself for my favourite book of the year so far Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I also had L.A Weatherly herself stop by the blog for the Angel Fire blog tour which was amazing and I done a really fun Halloween reading recommendations post which I really enjoyed putting together.

Bookish Lows of the month
None :) Oh except I would have liked to of read a few more books I could have read more than just 6!

Book’s I’m looking forward to in November
November is the month for dystopian and Christmas releases and there are so many that I’m excited for. Dystopian wise- Crossed by Ally Condie, Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi and The Pledge by Kimberly Derting. Christmas book wise- Any Dream Will Do by Maria Duffy, The Secret of Happy Ever After by Lucy Dillon and It Started With A Kiss by Miranda Dickinson. I’m also really looking forward to The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler as I’m sure is everybody! ( All links lead to the books goodreads page)

So there you have it my October reading summed up for you guys. Have you read any of the books I’ve read this month? What were your thoughts on them? Leave me a comment and let me know and don’t forget to treat yourselves to Angel Fire – You won’t regret it! Here’s to another month of fab reading ahead and finally making a start on my Christmas To-Be-Read pile!

Review for Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

Sweetly by Jackson Pearce
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Release Date: 6th October 2011
Genre: Young Adult, Fairy-tale Re-telling, Paranormal Romance
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Source: Received from the publisher for review

Amazon Summary:
"As a child, Gretchen's twin sister was taken by a witch-like monster in the woods. Ever since, Gretchen and her brother, Ansel, have felt the long branches of the witch's forest threatening to make them disappear, too. When their stepmother casts Gretchen and Ansel out as teens, they stumble upon a sleepy Southern town and are invited to stay with Sophia Kelly at her sweet shop. Sophia moulds candied magic: coveted treats that inspire confidence, bravery, and passion. Life seems idyllic and Gretchen and Ansel finally start to forget their haunted past - until Gretchen meets handsome local outcast Samuel, who gives Gretchen a reason to fear Sophia: girls have been vanishing at Sophia's annual chocolate festival, taken by the insatiable 'witch' of Gretchen's nightmares. Can Gretchen save herself, the girls of Live Oak, and Sophia? Of one thing, Gretchen is certain: a monster is coming, and it will never go away hungry."

Review
I’ve been pining for Sweetly ever since I first heard about it, what with THAT cover and THAT synopsis, that the story of Hansel and Gretel has to be one of my favourite fairy tales, and that Jackson Pearce and the first book in this series Sisters Red are made of awesome. With Halloween approaching I thought “A story about witches and candy? This has got to be the most perfect Halloween read!” and now that I’ve finished this book I’m happy to say I was right!

What I love most about Jackson’s books is that she strips fairy tales of their princesses, princes and happily ever afters and gives us a dark, gritty, fairy tale the way they were told in the good old days. And even though she stays true to the originals roots and the story’s morals she also makes them completely her own and brings something fresh and modern to the table so that every time I pick up one of her books it’s like I’ve never heard the story before. Think you know the Hansel and Gretel story? Think again.

Although the book is about brother and sister Ansel and Gretchen, Sweetly is told strictly from Gretchen’s point of view and I immediately connected with her as our heroine. Twelve years before the main story starts Gretchen loses her twin sister in the forest surrounding their home to a witch. Not only is she traumatized after being in such a situation but she and Ansel are also silently blamed by their mother and father for losing their sister. Gretchen hides behind books and other people’s stories to escape from her own life and the guilt she feels at being the surviving sister. I loved Gretchen so much and found her to be such an inspiring heroine as throughout the book she grows stronger and becomes so much more than that scared little girl we meet at the beginning. Gretchen’s a fantastic role model when it comes to facing your fears and I loved following her journey.

Sweetly is only a companion novel to Sisters Red but regardless I thought the stories tied together very nicely developing the world further for a possible sequel or second companion novel. Above all I was most impressed with Sweetly’s plot and the many twists and turns that Jackson throws at us. I loved the mystery surrounding Sophia and I felt so many things towards her whilst reading, sometimes I loved her, sometimes I hated her, something I felt sorry for her and sometimes I was even scared of her- that’s a lot of feelings for just one character! The mystery of the missing girls and the strange compulsion of the chocolatier made for a deliciously creepy read that suited my Halloween mood perfectly.

I was completely surprised by this books ending. I was gripped to this book from the start but the last half of the book I absolutely raced through I was so desperate for answers to the many mysteries and they didn’t disappoint! The only thing that made this book less than perfect for me - if I’m being picky - was the romance. I would have liked just a little more chemistry between Gretchen and Samuel but that aside I really can’t fault it. Sweetly is a delicious treat and probably the best fairy tale re-telling that I’ve read. Highly recommended.