Sunday 29 March 2015

His Dark Materials Readalong - The Collectors

I forgot to tweet and blog that I was relistening to this yesterday. I got myself in a bit of a state with my computer and today, after my other half attacked it and made it workable again, did I realise and am now writing this quick blog post up!

If you read my review on when I listened to this the first time (review is here, by the way), I wasn't that thrilled by it so when all of us taking part of the #HDMReadalong decided to include this, I thought it might be interesting to go back and see if it was better the second time round! 

The Collectors is set within the world of His Dark Materials and, at the same time, not. And because of this, it's hard to figure out whether I like this or not. 

On one hand, I can't help but think Philip Pullman wrote this and then, halfway through, decided to include the elements of this. But, at the same time, the elements he used with hinted at and wasn't in your face, something I really liked on this second listen. 

I think the problem is that when this audiobook (and now, eNovella) was released, it was heavily hinted that this would give a look at Mrs Coulter's life and it doesn't do. It hints at a character very similar to her (and it could be her), but it is never confirmed. It's hinted at. 

It still has the strong feeling of Susan Hill's The Man In The Picture. It is a nice short story and a nice-ish addition to the His Dark Materials world. Might not be an "essential" read for fans, but it will take a few rereads/relistens before I warmed to it, but am glad I relistened to it! 

Anyone Seen the New Harry Potter Cover?

As you guys know, Bloomsbury and other publishers round the world are publishing the first illustrated version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone later this year. Now, I had a bit of a mixed reaction over some of the illustrations I have seen but you have to admit, the cover is beautiful! 


Saturday 28 March 2015

His Dark Materials Readalong - Lyra's Oxford

As part of the #HDMReadalong, I reread Lyra's Oxford by Philip Pullman. It was an odd experience to reread something I haven't read in a very long time. And with my memory, I knew bits but not all of it.

The book is a collection of things. One short story, a map of Lyra's Oxford, a postcard and leaflet of a cruise ship.

I remember getting very excited when this first came out and devoured it very quickly. This time round, I tried to take it slow. I read it within 3 days.

The story - Lyra and the Birds - was different from what I remember. First of all, it was MUCH SHORTER than I remembered. And when you read it and compare it to the rest of the His Dark Materials trilogy, it doesn't seem to fit. It takes after the events of the series, but Lyra doesn't feel like she's aged and it seems odd to me for some reason.

There are hints to the mysterious Book of Dust that Philip Pullman has been working on for YEARS (pages 46 and 47), and I get the feeling this was meant to be a tease for Book of Dust that would becoming out in a year's time, but Book of Dust took longer to write so, when we get news on this getting published, it might be a good idea to reread this.

The postcard written Dr Mary Malone to one of her nun friend, Angela Gorman, gave tiny details about her, but it was the postcard she picked which was interesting. It showed four locations, which have huge importance to the series as a whole.

The leaflet of a cruise ship is the only thing I don't understand. If someone could tell me it's importance, that would be great as I haven't the foggest.

While this was a lovely book and a nice reread, I'm unsure over how I feel about it. It feels like it's hinting to something that hasn't happened yet. Plus, I feel like it's a tiny bit of a con. When this first came out, it was £9.99 and all it had was a short story of 40-odd pages and some titbits, which seems like a ripoff to the fans of this series. But you can get it secondhand now for not that much so that's ok.

All in all, I'm not sure if this is a worthy addition to the series. Maybe reading Once Upon A Time In The North will change my opinion...

Wednesday 25 March 2015

Pick My Next Read

Normally, I don't normally post my videos for Bookish Brits up here but I thought, with this video, I'll make an expectation.

In this video, I ask for the Bookish Brits subscribors to pick my next read. And now, I am throwing it out there to you guys as well!



As you can see from the video, I have 12 books - TWELVE!!! - books to choose from and barring two or three books that I am going to read in the coming weeks, NO MATTER WHAT, I know you guys have excellent taste in books. So, am showing you the video and hoping you guys pick a good book to read.

Plus, if this is a success, I will do it again (I know I do this via Twitter sometimes, but doing it via YouTube or blog would be fun as well!)

Ok, boring stuff now, you have till 6pm this Friday to vote as am going to record the winner on Saturday so I can upload it on Sunday. You can comment here or on the YouTube page and you can pick more than one book in your comments, but I will be going for the book with the most votes so don't hold it against me if I choose the wrong book.

Oh, the list! It is (in case you are too lazy to watch the video) is this:

PERCY JACKSON AND THE LIGHTENING THIEF by Rick Riordan
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES by Sarah J MaasTHE BONE SEASON by Samantha ShannonCITY OF FALLEN ANGELS by Cassandra ClareGRASSHOPPER JUNGLE by Andrew SmithTHIS BOOK IS GAY by James DawsonTHE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie StiefvaterTHE MINIATURIST by Jessie BurtonFANGIRL by Rainbow RowellA GAME OF THRONES by George RR MartinI'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN by Jandy Nelson


And that's it! Was going to write a blog post about my reading slump using gifs of Gloria from Modern Family (my latest DVD obsession!), but it's a tad late now so might save it for the weekend. But I shall leave you with this gif...


Thank you for reading/watching/voting and everything else!

Sunday 22 March 2015

GoodRead - Mistress of Souls

I'm not sure what made me return to the world of Michelle Zink's Prophecy of the Sisters. I think there has been some news linked to her son (which I have read and am totally on Michelle's side over. What to know more, go to her website and read the story up), and I thought "Sod that! I want to support her" and I did consider writing a blog post about this thorny topic. But I thought "Actually, if I reviewed her writing, that will work also... will it?"

Ok, it might not, but I went to my kindle and blitzed this, the second in the Prophecy of the Sisters enovella spin off, we follow Alice after the events of Prophecy of the Sisters (this eNovellas takes place between the first and second books in the Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy). Alice is alone in Birchwood, New York. She barely eats. She spends most of her time in the Otherworlds where the Souls welcome her and the demon Samael gives her companionship. But something unexpected happens. Something that surprises even herself. Her sister's fiancee, James, and her feelings towards him.

I forgot how much I enjoyed Michelle's writing. It's easy to read and yet, it has this Gothic quality to it that fits this Victorian setting. And she made me get excited for this series again - a series I never finished (reading slump in 2012 really threw me and I haven't got books 2 or 3 in this trilogy. I know, I suck).

It was also interesting to read from Alice's point of view. While Lia was our heroine and who was meek yet strong of will, Alice was loud, headstrong and yet the "bad girl" in this situation (till the end of Prophecy of the Sisters, when she did something unforgivable). But here, we see a different side of Alice. A more fragile, lonely girl who is just trying to find herself and to find acceptable from the people around her. But she's not exactly doing the right way...

While this doesn't redeem her, I found I understood her a little better, and I feel believe enough to go back to this series and try again. If not, read the third and final eNovella in this spinoff series, Rise of the Souls that takes place after the trilogy's end (which I have on my kindle). But yes, I liked this and I will be returning to Michelle's writing soon...


#re3 - Clockwork

As you probably know, I have been in a reading slump (something I hate! Will write a blog post on this in the future) so I have been, the past few days, reading very short stories/novellas to get out of it and I have, so far, managed to read two (The Fisherman's Net by Laura Lam and now, Clockwork [or All Wound Up] by Philip Pullman). And, barring my Harry Potter #re3 challenge, this is my first #re3 of the year so, yes, LET'S GET CRACKING WITH MY #RE3 QUESTIONS!

WHY DID YOU REREAD CLOCKWORK?
Reading slump. I fell into it and I just wanted to read something quite short till I got back on my reading feet. Plus, as part of the His Dark Materials Readalong with a few other bloggers, I wanted to read Philip Pullman before I reread Lyra's Oxford and The Collectors and read Once Upon A Time In The North.

WHAT WAS YOUR HONEST OPINION OF THIS BOOK WHEN YOU FIRST READ IT?
When I audiobooked this the first time, I really enjoyed it. I liked how, even though this was a middle grade book, how layered it was. How it hinted at little things and they grew over the short space of time the story took hold. Plus, I had discovered this book just after I discovered Northern Lights and The Subtle Knife so nothing could fault it at the time.

WHAT IS YOUR HONEST OPINION NOW THAT YOU HAVE REREAD THIS BOOK?
I can see that this is a middle-grade book. I am too old to read this, but I liked the little hints that mature readers got (for example, what happened to Fitz at the end of the book).

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO TELL US?
Unlike the audiobook, there is some sections of the story that is put in boxes (like footnotes) and you have to read them at just the right moment so it doesn't upset the flow of the story. But in the audiobook, they are slotted in perfect and as they are very short, it never felt upset and distracting.

BECAUSE OF THIS BOOK, WILL YOU REREAD ANY BOOKS WITHIN THIS SERIES?
As this is a standalone, no. But I am going to read Lyra's Oxford, The Collectors and Once Upon A Time in the North as part of the His Dark Materials Readalong as I am going to read more from this author. I might read Philip Pullman's younger-aiming books in the future. Maybe The Firework-Maker's Daughter...

Friday 20 March 2015

SMILE - My Dear Human...


Saw this on Pinterest and yes. I owned a cat in the past and yes, this is so true!

Tuesday 17 March 2015

GoodRead - The Fisherman's Net

I had fallen into a bit of a reading slump in the past few weeks. I have picked up several books and then always put them down again. I just can't seem to click with anything. So, out of sheer "what the heck", I looked for something short to read. Something that could kick start my reading again.

And this is what I picked.

In this, The Fisherman's Net is a fable set in the world of Laura Lam's Pantomime. In this fable, a fisherman buys a trinket in the market. It is only several days later that he realises its true wealth and soon, he becomes a wealth fisherman. One day, he catches something that shouldn't exist. Something that begs to be released. Something he's not sure he can let go...

Ok, I love Laura Lam's Pantomime and I have every intention to read Shadowplay (which is sitting angrily on my kindle) so reading the second short within the Vestigial Tales, I knew, was more for world building.

And this was world building short. It is a fable parents tell their children. Even though, at the start of the story, it warns us that every person that reads it comes away with a different morale, which I found huge intriguing. If anyone else read this, could you let me know what you thought the story's morale was. I would love to compare.

It is short, which is ok. It is a fable (notice that this word is being repeated a lot in the post) so they should be short. But for some reason, I wish it was a tad longer (yet I have seen reviews that say it was the perfect length). I think it's because quite close to the end, it introduces a character that intrigues me greatly. Maybe if I ask nicely, Laura might write something about this character/creature on her blog...

While this isn't necessary story to read with the Micah Gray series, it's was a nice addition, which you guys could probably read within 10 minutes (I took longer - reading slump). I think this has got me a little more excited over reading Shadowplay and the Vestigial Tale that is on my kindle, The Card Sharp (don't own the third story, The Tarot Reader, as this has a character that is introduced within Shadowplay and I don't want to read that till after Shadowplay).

PS - sorry if this review isn't as helpful compared to my others, my reading slump has kinda knocked my reading/reviewing out of me. Which sucks. But I will get back into the swing of things. Just you watch me...!

Sunday 15 March 2015

Can I Talk About My Fears Over Politics?

I wanted to write this post a few weeks back when there was 100 days to go before the General Election. But, like me wanting to read & review Noble Conflict by Malorie Blackman & Bombmaker by Claire McCall in time for the Scottish Referendum, it failed. I still have these books giving me death glares...

But I wanted to write this post for quite some time. But it was only at UK YA Book Awards when Sya from Mountains of Instead (a blogger I haven't seen in YEARS! And one of the first to help me find my blogging feet) asked my thoughts on the Referendum. She knows I have opinions of politics and it's a dangerous subject to get me started on. And I was honest in my answer: while I wanted Scotland to stay within the United Kingdom, I felt it was for Scotland to decide and we had to respect the decision. But I had fears. If Scotland became a separate state, I feared it would try to go running when it needed to take baby steps. And if Scotland stayed with the United Kingdom, Scotland had to fight for more powers. Stephen from Dark Readers got involved in this talk saying, while travelling, he was asked about the referendum. He was in China at the time.

But this chat made me go "I need to write this post. I want to talk about this. It might not make sense, but let me get this out of my system."

So, here I am, writing this post and hoping it makes sense.

In a few weeks times, we will be having a General Election in the UK. And I have no idea who I am voting for.

Now, before all you politicians come rushing to my house and banging on my door, shouting that I must vote and I must vote for you, let me get this out there now.

I have EVERY INTENTION to vote. I know how lucky I am to vote. I know there are countries all over the world where people can't vote. I know there are countries where men can only vote because women are seen as "inferior" (something I have huge issue over. Two of the strongest people in my life are women and they are no "inferior"! Plus it was how many years since women were chaining themselves to railings and throwing themselves under horses in the UK?). There are countries and organizations in the world where people can vote but there is only one candidate and this is seen as fair (it isn't). I am very lucky. I know this.

But it's who I'm going to vote for that's the problem. I'm not sure who I'm going to vote for.

Again, before politicians come rushing to my house and demand I vote for them (please don't. I get scared very easily when I get "doorstepped"), I have an issue which is why I'm unsure of who I'm going to vote for. And this goes back for years, I think, for most people.

The fact that I don't feel like I can trust or put my faith in politicians.

There, I said it. I have doubts and no one is calming me down. And whenever I watch/listen/read a political debate or news article, I suddenly remember Animal Farm by George Orwell, a book I studied for my GCSEs.

In Animal Farm, the animals overthrow the farmer and decide to take control of the farm themselves. The pigs, who seem to be the most intelligent, take control and use the sheep as their propaganda machine(along with another pig,Squealer [a spin doctor]). In the beginning of the book, the sheep say the words, "Four legs good, two legs back" (this is to remind the animals that man walks on two legs, therefore, he is the enemy whereas animals walk on four and are friends). However, as the pigs become more corrupt, the line begins to change. But the end of the story, the line becomes "Four legs good, two legs better." showing that "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others".

There is a moment in the book where the animals look at the pigs and then at the human visitors (who are there for a reason I won't say in case of spoilers) and they couldn't tell the two species apart.

I know Animal Farm was George Orwell bring the issue of the Russian Revolution in 1917 and then on the Stalin dictatorship and has no bearing on our government, but when I look at politicians, I hear the sheep bleeping "Four legs good, two legs bad... four legs good, two legs better."

I think most people feel that most politicians now are only in politics to benefit their own goals, rather than putting the country and the voters first.

Have we become disillusioned by the government? I fear most of us have.

A good example of why is the TV debates. The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky came forward with a proposal for 3 sets of TV debates, which would have 4 parties: Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and UKIP. And while 3 parties agreed to this, one party didn't. The Conservatives and the Prime Minister complained that the Green Party should be included and, if they weren't, neither would they. So the broadcaster changed their proposals to include the Green Party and, because of other parties outcry, included the SNP (Scottish National Party) and Plaid Cymru. This lead to parties in Northern Ireland getting angry and, while all parties agreed. the Prime Minister said he would only do one debate, leading people to wonder if he only wanted the Green Party included because he didn't think the Green Party would be invited, therefore the debates wouldn't go ahead...

And it's just these actions that people call into question. All the leaders of the main UK parties have said or done things which have brought members of the public to question them. Nick Clegg over tuition fees (something he talked about in an interview on Channel 4's The Last Leg), Natalie Bennett over that interview with LBC where she forgot details of her party's policies and, rather than admit that she forgot, she lied and said she had a bad cold (something that appeared very quickly and suddenly) and Nigel Farage has been known for making statements that people have reacted strongly against. And people have strong opinions over leader of the Labour Party, Ed Miliband.

Like I said, no one is exactly calming my doubts.

And I have doubts about what the parties are going to do as, I sense, this will be a hung parliament. Which means two or more parties will have to form a coalition. And if it's two very different parties, it's going to be interesting and worrying times ahead.

I mean, I want to know what each party plans for the NHS, education, the elderly, benefits, LGBT, etc. And this is to name a few things I am worrying about. But has a party sat down and explain their future plans?

Not really. Well, not enough for me.

Plus, watching politicians on PM Questions, Question Time or on Twitter, I feel like I am watching preschoolers at time. But no one's turning round to them and go "Sit in the naughty corner and think about what you've done!".

I know that this might sound like me ranting and raving. But I'm just getting my fears and doubts out of my head so when I do sit down and read their policies, I don't have that sarcastic voice in my head going "Oh, really?" or that scared little voice going "Yes, but this will only last for a year then it will be deep cuts/protests."

Ok, am going to stop now. I feel like am rambling. But I just want to say that I will be voting. But I would like the politicians to put their voters and the country first, rather than them going "My party is bigger than yours!" in the same way kids go "My dad's bigger than your dad".

Monday 9 March 2015

New TMI Covers

Last week, Walker Books revealed that they were going to release new covers of The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. And they look pretty cool!


To me, These covers are more grown-up and shall appeal to new adult readers and crossover readers. The cover designs are, to my knowledge, is done by the same person who did the album cover for Coldplay's Ghost Stories and we love love that design. Cassandra herself love the designs and that pleases me.

Plus, as someone who needs to read the latter trilogy in the Mortal Instruments/Shadowhunters Chronicles (I view them as two trilogies), I need to get my rear in gear and read!







Sunday 8 March 2015

UKYABA

Last night was surreal. In a cool and freaky way. 

Before I go into why that's my first line of this blog post, let me explain last night. Last night was the first EVER UKYA Book Awards, an award that has "been set up in recognition of the services given by authors and publishers by the book-blogging community." Which was awesome because we book bloggers love a meet up where we can drink, eat cake and stare lovingly/stroke lovingly/buy like savages books. 

So, yesterday, I (with my Other Half and a book-reader Pal - both of whom are slightly traumatized now. Sorry.) went to London (Waterstones: Kensington High Street - yes to those of you who shopped there. Downstairs was closed for this event!) and we got ready for this event. 

And almost at once, felt like I should have dressed up. I saw Laura from Sisterspooky, Stevie from SableCaught and Stephen from Dark Readers and went "I should have worn a suit. Try and look cool and suave! Oh well, too late now...!"

So, after saying a quick hi to a few bloggers and check my Other Half and Pal were ok, the awards began. And it was award giving time and each award was given out by someone from a publishing house sponsored by each award, and if not, an author represented the publishing house - James Dawson represented Hot Key and Jonathan Stroud represent Penguin Random House (and you should have heard the gasps when host and mastermind of the UKYABA, Andy Robb, introduced him). 

So, before I go further, let me show you all the awards and all the links (The winners will be in BOLD!)

Champion Vlogger (sponsored by Mira Ink) – QueenofContemporary/BookishBrits/BenjaminofTomes/DarkReaders
Champion of Social Media (sponsored by Bloomsbury) YAYAYeah/Bookclub Forum/Winged Reviews/Pewter Wolf (THAT'S ME!)
Champion of Diversity in YA (sponsored by Hot Key) - YAYAYeah/Queer YA/Pewter Wolf (Move along, nothing to see here!)/Luna's Little Library
Champion of Content (sponsored by Faber and Faber) – Luna's Little Library/Readraptor/Serendipity Reviews/Mountains of Instead/BookPassion for Life
Blogger’s Blogger (sponsored by Catnip) – Milelong Bookshelf/Writing from the Tub/Books4Teens/SisterSpooky/BookAngel Booktopia/Readaraptor/Serendipity Reviews/Overflowing Library/Winged Reviews/Pewter Wolf (Shhh...! That last one doesn't exist! It's a picture of a Squirrel)
Blogger of the Year (sponsored by Walker) – Books4Teens/WondrousReads/Serendipity Reviews/Overflowing Library/YAYAYeah
Champion Newcomer (sponsored by Little Tiger Press) – Tales of Yesterday/Chrissi Reads/Perks of Being a BookGirl/Always that BookAddict

Oh... yeah... I MIGHT have won an award. I think there was a mistake, a miscount of votes, a 


Oh. Well, I won't get an award. I mean, I have watched far too many episodes of How To Get Away with Murder to be given an award! I mean...


Wait! What? What?! WHAT?! 

So, yes, I won an award. And I can not remember what happened after I heard my name called. I think I went "WHAT?!", then asked Andy if he counted the votes right (he had...) and then had to do a tiny speech. A speech I can't remember. I think I said "Thank you". I think. My Other Half recorded my speech (he's going to share with my family and he thought I had planned my speech. Because yes, I plan things. Has he never seen my blog?!) and I haven't seen what I said.

But yes. I won. You are reading an Award-Winning Blog! OMAFG!!!

Ok, I need to write a tiny thank you before I go on.

Thank you.

Thank you to all the publishers who think my blog is cool enough to go "Do you want to read this?" or "Can we talk about this?" or "Come to an event!". Thank you to the authors who write books that make me laugh, gasp, throw books across rooms and fall into reading slumps, go in mourning/aftershock or scream "I NEED THE SEQUEL AND I NEED IT NOW!!!". Thank you to the book blogging community who welcomed me into this YA community when I was unemployed and wrote reviews just so I kept sane while looking for work all those years ago. Thank you to all my friends who went "I think you need to take a blog break. Come out. Have something, we call, fresh air!". Thank you for my family who are always there, kept me sane and who were always there, no matter what. Thank you to my Other Half, who loves me even though I have far too many books and makes me do "book culls" when I have "one or two too many". Thank you to you guys, who read the blog, comment and just are cool. Thank you.

And, what is lovely about this awards was no one felt bitter. I was thrilled to be nominated it and had no idea I would win so when someone in a caterory I was also nominated it, I was so excited and thrilled for them! Screw me and my little blog, that person deserves that award! No one did a fake "I'm so pleased that you won and not me" smile we see in nearly every awards. This is one of the many reasons why I love the YA book blogging community - we support and love each other!

Anyway, after the awards were given (and two of the winners nearly did a Gwyneth Paltrow & Halle Berry and no one did a JLaw!), we finished the night chatting, staring at books (and given permission to buy a few books. I have three beauties - I Was Here by Gayle Forman, Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley by Shaun Hutchinson [a book George from George Lester forced into my hands and went "You will love this! This will get you out of your reading slump!" (my Pal also wanted this so she can borrow this after me!) which I blame him SOLELY on as I read the Half Bad trilogy]. And we were given a book (that am going to stay quiet over as it's not going to come out in September).

And chatting to old and new blogger friends (HI EVERYONE! YOU WERE AWESOME AND I WANA HUG YOU ALL!!!) and given Stephen from Dark Readers that very awkward moment where we didn't know whether to shake hands, hug or try and act cool (we hugged. OF COURSE WE HUGGED! I HUG BOOK BLOGGER PALS! Plus, the fear in their eyes is always an added bonus - KIDDING! KIDDING!!!) was wonderful! I forgot how much I miss chatting to you all in real life and not via facebook or twitter!

Last night was great fun, surreal and just wow. Thank you Andy for setting this up. Thank you to everyone who got involved! Thank you to everyone who came and had a blast! Thank you thank you thank you.

Not sure how to end this post. I could enter with a YouTube video I listened to while getting ready to go (Forget by Marina and the Diamonds). I could enter with a photo of me and the other winners with our awards (but there are so many on Twitter, Instagram, Vine, Facebook, etc). I could just end it now (but where would the fun in that be!). But I will end with this photo and another thank you - thank you. And remember...

Monday 2 March 2015

GoodRead - Half Wild

I finished this yesterday evening, and I had to sit and let it sink in before I dare consider writing this review.

After the events of Half Bad (not read my review or seen my 60 second review video for Bookish Brits? You know the drill), where Nathan meets his father so briefly, Nathan is a now a full adult witch. And still on the run from the White Witches.

He needs to find his friend, Gabriel, then try to save Annalise from the powerful Black Witch, Mercury. All the while, trying to control his Gift and watching as Soul O'Brien has taken control of the council of White Witches. War is coming as Soul is planning to take more control and is expanding his war against Black Witches into Europe.

War is coming. The question is, what will Nathan lose?

Right, I have to say this before I go any further. I loved Half Bad.  I LOVED IT SO MUCH! So much so that, within a very short space of time, I read the eNovella prequel and the sequel. THIS IS SUPER RARE FOR ME! I usually get excited and then have to wait a year for the next book, which gives me time to calm down and get my expectations to a nice level so I can enjoy and love the book.

Not this time. And because I LOVED Half Bad, I guessed that, while I'll love Half Wild, I won't love it as much... So I braced myself.

This is a very different book. It feels more brutal and bloody compared to Half Bad. If Half Bad was Harry Potter on acid, then I think Half Wild is Mockingjay on acid as well.

Both books have a feel that war is coming and the planning that goes behind war. But, unlike Mockingjay, which only took one book to look into the war, Half Wild throws us into war in the latter part of book 2 of her trilogy, leaving one more book to make all the heck hit the fan (not going to swear here!).

If you disagree with me, read the last 10 or so percent of this book and get back to me. This left me in a book coma all yesterday and today. And I start a new book amost immediately! DAMN YOU SALLY!!!

The writing in this is still very unique. It feels very Sally Green and I can't fault her in it. It's one the book's strongest points! And the way Sally is tackling the love triangle is interesting - it's there but it isn't the main focus. It's gently simmering in the background and I love that!

I still have a few tiny problems. One of them was Annalise. I can't help it with her. I keep thinking of her as Viola Davis in How To Get Away With Murder (love that show!) so I have to keep them serpeate. But I don't buy the relationship between her and Nathan (yes, this book converted me to the Nathan/Gabriel). I think it's because I was going "Nathan, are you really in love with Annalise? Do you love her because you love her? Or is it because, outside your family, she's the first White Witch who treated your like a human being rather than a experiment?"

But a worthy sequel. I can not wait for how Sally wraps this up (and we have to wait till next year. NEXT YEAR?! HOW AM I MEANT TO WAIT THAT LONG?!). Can I preorder it now or should I start begging Sally for book 3 now?