GoodRead - Fuse

Over the break for New Year (where I had no internet or 3G as I was in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE!), I read Pure by Julianna Baggott and, while enjoying it, got quite creeped out with it (I still think it's one of the most scary post-apocalyptic novels I have read. Ever!). When I was sent this, the lovely Ben from Headline sent me an ARC of the sequel, Fuse. And, after some time recovering from Pure, I started to read it, though at arm's length (as I feared that if I read it close to my face, a Groupie or one of the Mothers would come out and try to kill me!)

With the world divided into those in the Dome - the Pure - and those outside the Dome when the bombs went off - the wretches, things are dark and morbid. When Partridge - a Pure - escaped from the Dome and met Pressia, a wretch, their worlds get turned upside down and he end is no where in sight. 

And now, the Dome wants Partridge back. At whatever cost. Snatching children wretches and making them "Pure", even though the enhancements are no way suitable for children so young, and all they can say is one message: "We want our son back. This girl is proof hat we can save you all. If you ignore our plea, we will kill our hostages one at a time." To save lives, Partridge has to go back into the Dome and into the clutches of the Dome's ruler, his father. 

Meanwhile, Pressia, Bradwell and El Capitan must decode secrets that could set the wrecthes free from the fusing safely. 

But how far will those fighting Willux go to stop him? Over land? Over sea? Over body? Or mind? 

Now, I'm going to admit this here and now: I am very much torn over this book. I do like it and yet, at the same time, I have issues with it. Well, one issue, mainly. 

Let's start with the pros. The writing is wonderful. It's Julianna's writing that kept me going. It's so lyrical. It just works. And for character development. The characters - all the characters - change so slowly and carefully that, by the time you get to the end of the book, you are surprised that the characters changed so much. You don't see the changes in an instant. The changes are subtle. 

The plot and the ideas Julianna put forward are quite scary. I said earlier in the review and in my review for Pure that this series is one of the scariest post-apocalyptic series I have come across. And, while this book didn't have me as scared as Pure (because I had no idea what Pure was about), Fuse sets up ideas which are frightening and set me on edge while reading as these ideas seem possible. The whole world that Julianna writes is very much in the realm of possible and that's why I see these books as dark and scary. 

Cons. *sighs* I have one huge con and one little con. Let's start some. This book is DARK. And morbid. There will be times where, if you're not in the right frame of mind, where you will go "Why am I reading this?!" You have to be in the right frame of mind. If not, this book/series is going to be a struggle for you. 

My second con is length. Yes, I know that I said the character development is subtle and that is due to the book's length, but there were times over the two week course I read this where I honestly thought "Is this chapter REALLY important to the point?". I honestly thought a good 50 or so pages could have been cut out. I found it hard to keep my bounce on reading this when I would look at what I had left and think "I'm never going to finish this."

But finish this I have. And I still don't know how I feel about this. I think this book will be one of those books I will be thinking about for a while so my instant reaction might be clouded. But I do know I want the third and final book in the trilogy (it's been announced that it will be called Burn) and I am getting excited over movie news to this series. But I'm still on the fence with this at time of writing this. 

SMILE - Be Awesome Instead

I have no idea how I came across this (Facebook?) so I have no idea who to thank. But thank you. 

Now, this is a sign to start watching How I Met Your Mother!

COVERS!!!

Why hello! Thank you for popping over on this wet Sunday. Why am I writing this on a Sunday, I hear you ask? Well, COVERS! I've been a bit slow on the Cover front and I thought I would show some new covers that have been revealed and go "OOOH! SHINY!" over them.

First of all, is Zoe Marriott's The Night Itself. This will be the first book in a trilogy entitled The Name of the Blade. The Night Itself is about Mio, who steals her grandfather's priceless katana to make her fancy dress costume. But in doing so unleashes an ancient evil onto the streets of modern day London and only Mio can stop it... Cool, huh? I only got into Zoe with Frostfire so this is gonna be awesome. And here is her cover:

Sticking with Walker Books, the cover of Rob Lloyd Jones's Wild Boy have been revealed a few days ago. This book, set in Victorian London, follows a travelling circus who have a Wild Boy - a boy completely covered in hair. A boy who watches people and spots things no one else does. A boy who who gets accused of murder and must run, not only from the Police, but towards the truth... I can't wait to read this!

Sticking with red coloured covers (just trying to keep the follow going), Strange Chemistry unveiled its May publication, Zenn Scarlett by Christian Schoon. Zenn is training to be a exoveterinarian (a vet for aliens). Her training on Mars is going really well... until animal escapes start happening, which Zenn finds herself blamed for. And then her father vanishes...

And last, but by no means least, is the second novel from one of my fave authors of last year, Tanya Byrne. Follow Me Down follows Adamma, who is forced to leave her glossy high school in New York to a dusty boarding school in the UK. Things look awful, until she meets Scarlet and the two instantly hit it off. Best friends, until a guy comes between them. The battle lines are drawn. And then Scarlet runs away. But she didn't just run away because she didn't get the guy... right?

What do you think about these covers? You like? You not so sure? My thanks for the covers go here, there and everywhere. Mostly Hannah from Walker Books for the Wild Boy cover and Laura (aka Sisterspooky) for her posts on The Night Itself, Zenn Scarlett and Follow Me Down.

Surprise International Contest!

SURPRISE!!! 

As you are probably aware from the sidebar that I have gone over 100 followers/friends/spammer/whoever you are. I have also got a stupid number of people following me on Twitter and a tiny number of Pinterest and Goodreads (I'm very picky on Goodreads, I've noticed). So, as a small thank you for following me on this weird journey of reading, I thought a thank you was in order. So, here is a international contest to win £13 British Pounds of books from The Book Depository!

Yes, I know £13 is an odd number but as we are in 2013 (and 13 is my lucky number), seems a good number to pick for this contest!

To enter, you must fill in the form below. That's it really. The contest will close at 3pm UK time this Sunday (10th February) and then I will be emailing the winner the news that they have won and asking for what books they want. So, my lovelies. Enter and good luck!

Oh, if you are unsure if The Book Depository ship to your country, PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU ENTER.

Good luck everyone!!!

Hot Key Books and Templar Book Blogger Event

On the Saturday just gone, I was at the Hot Keys Book and the Templar Books Book Bloggers Brunch. And after having to handle some small London Underground troubles (the Circle Line wasn't working due to maintence repairs so I walked there. In London. Pass strange street names that made me laugh), I got there and had a wonderful time. It was lovely to catch up with some bloggy pals I have me in previous events (and I scare on Twitter & Facebook), meet some new bloggers (who are just as hyper about books as I am), talk to the lovely people at both Hot Keys and Templar and, after having both publishers chat to all of us about exciting books in their "Spring Line" (that's from now till June/July), chatting to some authors and getting hyper over some books that just sound wonderful.

So, to everyone, from Hot Key and Templar staff, blogging pals old and new and to the authors who made me go "I MUST READ THE PRETTY!", thank you for a great few hours. I got some funny looks on the train home, but it was a blast.

Now, for the main point of the blog, BOOKS! Or, some books that have SERIOUSLY wetted my reading appetite and I think you guys will love! It's a real mix bag so... let's get cracking!

THE QUIETNESS by Alison Rattle (OUT NOW-ISH)
Let's start with a surprise one as, when Hot Keys were talking about this book, I was all "oooh!" as it sounds a bit different to my normal reads, but it didn't grip me. Until I heard the term "baby-farming". I'm not going to go into what that term means, but here's the basics of the book: In London 1870, two girls lead very different lives. Queenie longs to escape the slums tat she's grown up in, where life is a struggle, no matter what she does. Ellen, on the other hand, lives a privileged life, but is lonely beyond words. Soon, their worlds crash together and their lives will change in unspeakable ways...

RED INK by Julie Mayhew (OUT NOW)
Another surprise for you, but from all the whispers I've heard from those who have read this, this is a must from the books we were shown/given. Melon is struggling to come to terms with the sudden death of her mother, who was knocked down and killed by a London bus. Only holding "The Story" - a fairytale, if you will - close to her heart, Melon begins to see the world for what it is. And begins to see sides to her mother that she never saw before and never thought could exist before...

FERRYMAN by Claire McFall (OUT NOW)
It's the cover that got me. It's shiny. And the idea of a train crash. And that the author was just as hyper as us bloggers when we chatted to her. So, yeah, I wanna read it. Anyway, the story: Dylan emerges from a wreckage of a train crash, she believes she's the only person who survived. Expect she isn't, according to the boy on the hill. She's dead, and he has to take her through the wraith-infested wasteland to the Afterlife. But what happens to them on this journey might change all that... [FYI, Claire is writing her second novel which tackles Scottish Independence and terrorism. Yep, am excited for that one as well.)

DEATH AND CO by D.J. McCune (MAY 2013)
All Adam wants is to be normal. Is that so hard? Yep. You see, he's a Luman, one of the members of spirit guides who guide dead souls into the afterlife. And when this job is non-negotiable (thanks parents!), Adam finds it hard to be normal. He can't go on dates in case he has to leave half way through because of a job. He can't hang out with friends if he has to lie to them on why he missed their last meet-up. And homework... the less said, the better. So when Adam discovers he has a rare gift that could undermind everything a Luman stands for, he'll have to make a choice...

THE SAVAGES by Matt Whyman (JUNE 2013)
Some of you guys, I suspect, know who Matt is. He has written several adult novels and is agony uncle for BBC Radio 1's The Surgery. So, you think this will be dealing with tough teens issues, right? Er... not exactly. Chatting to Matt made me laugh my head off and go "This book is so dark and twisted, I HAVE to read this when I can!". The Savage family look like a "typical" family. Expect, they're not. They're hiding a dark secret. So, when Sasha starts dating Jack, a vegan, her family react badly. And when a curious detective begins snooping around, how long will the secret stay secret?

FRIDAY BROWN by Vikki Wakefield (JULY 2013)
If anyone ask if this is linked to Mrs Brown's Boys, I'm not sure how to react. Probably laugh then throw the book at you. No, this should be well known to your Australians as its won a high-profiled award - the Adelaide Festival Award for Literature 2012 - and now, we're getting in the UK. Friday travels the endless roads of the Australians. But when her mother dies, Friday starts running. Running from a family curse that might or might not be real. And trying to running to the current of life that, before she would be swept away, Friday is struggling to stay afloat. But when something terrible threatens, Friday Brown must stop running from her past and she must fight...

THE GHOST BRIDE by Yangsze Choo (AUGUST 2013)
When I saw I was given this, I think I made a noise. A squeal? A gasp? Why, I hear you ask. Well, this sounds scary. Perfect for the summer months! Anyway, when Li Lan is asked to marry the wealthy Lim family, her father agrees. Only, the Lim's son is dead. She will be a ghost bride. As Li Lan tries to come to terms with her ghostly would-be suitor, she finds herself having desires to the Lim's new heir. But it's the nights she should be fearful of. At night, she finds herself drawn into the Chinese afterlife, filled with ghotly cities, paper funeral offerings, vengeful spirits. If she's not carefully, she will be trapped there forever...

MAUREEN JOHNSON
If I didn't mention the news of Hot Key publishing Maureen Johnson for the next few years, you would probably have a go at me. So, Hot Key is going to publish Maureen Johnson. And they have a huge back catalogue to publish. They are going to publish Maureen's debut novel, The Key of the Golden Firebird, are going to publish the third and fourth books in the Shades of London series (and they have confirmed that  they will try and keep the cover as similar to the HarperCollins covers), and all the books in the Suite Scarlett series. They might be publishing more over the course of the next few years but these are GOING TO GET PUBLISHED IN THE UK!

There's more, but am going to stop now. I want to read and I want to know your reactions. So, what do you guys think? Do any tickle your fancy?

GoodRead - Callum

I know some of you guys are huge Noughts and Crosses fans. So the fact I say I haven’t read any books (barring An Eye for An Eye a few years back) might shock. “And you call yourself a YA book blogger” I hear one or two of you cry (I still find that odd. Being called a book blogger. And yet, I accept it now whereas a few years ago [and at the Hot Key Books/Templar book blogger event a few days ago], I would be very “Oh no! No, I’m faking it! No one’s twigged yet but I’m here for the free cake!”). Well, I do have every intention to read Noughts and Crosses (it’s on my kindle) after someone at my temp job recommended it to me. And I am going to reread An Eye for an Eye when I do so. But, I wanted to read something fast, hence why I read Callum.

Callum is a “What If” story. Told from Callum’s point of view, he tells the story of what if… what if, instead of deciding one important decision in Noughts and Crosses (as I haven’t read, you will have to pardon my lacking of information), he decided something different. Would his fate be the same as in Noughts and Crosses? Or would it be completely different? Now, “What if” is a dangerous thing to ask any storyteller in whatever medium. Hence why there are so many “what if?” books/TV shows/movies out there. It sits in the person’s brain and then, that all they can think about. “What if…?”

Sorry, am rambling. Anyway, as you know I haven't read the series but this is very much a fan read. If you're a fan of the series, you will love it. More Callum and Stephy? I sense you guys want that! As someone who knows very little of the series, I did find certain things the characters mentioned a bit of a "Huh?" moment, but I really enjoyed the story. I read it in over an hour and was a little upset when the story came to an end (HOW COULD IT END THERE?!) And with a teaser of Noughts and Crosses at the back, I devoured that. I'm quite excited to read Noughts and Crosses now. But that will have to wait for a while, sadly. So many books, so little time...

I wish the story was longer, but yes, I thoroughly enjoyed Callum. I will be checking out more of Malorie Blackman in the near future...

GoodRead - It's A Magical World

You may blame Laura (aka SisterSpooky) and my grandparents for me having this. Laura has become a fan of Calvin and Hobbes since last year when someone told her she would love them. And that person was right. I chat to Laura on and off about Calvin and Hobbes for the past few months. And then, for Christmas, I was given a WHSmiths giftcard from my grandparents and I treated myself to a Calvin and Hobbes collection. I always liked the cover to It's A Magical World so I bought it.

So, Calvin and Hobbes. One boy and his toy tiger trying to make sense of the world around. Make sense with moral and ethical questions about life, growing up, friendship and bigger questions such as avoiding bathtime, eating vegetables and turning any game in Calvinball.

This is a collection of comic strips, which was published in newspapers all over the world (with Sunday's edition being in colour) and I LOVED them. I smiled, snorted, laughed and related to my life most of the situations that featured in the book. I just loved how Bill Watterson made Calvin and Hobbes fun and relatable and yet, at the same time, poking fun at the world around them with humour (both child-like and grown-up).

It was only after my first day of my two day DEVOURING session (and laughing myself stupid - that's right, two days!) that I discovered that this is the LAST collection and it contains the last EVER Calvin and Hobbes strip, which is very bittersweet to most fans and yet, is perfect! I want a print of that on my wall somewhere! That last page was one of my faves within this collection. I just adore it!

Laura, if you are reading this, you have made me a fan of Calvin and Hobbes. So much so, I have ordered another collection to devour (I can't take my time over them. I WON'T! TOO GOOD!): The Essential Calvin And Hobbes (A Calvin and Hobbes Treasury), which Laura has read and actually reviewed (click here if you want to read her reactions and click here to read her post, declaring her love for the boy and tiger...). So, yeah, loved it! If you can get your hands on this (or any of the Calvin and Hobbes), do it!

PS - I know this isn't a real Calvin and Hobbes picture, but I saw this on Pinterest (yes, am Pinterest. If you want to follow me...) and I HAD to show you! I love it (am using that word a lot in this review. Normal service will resume next time. Honest!)

Source: themetapicture.com via Andrew on Pinterest

SMILE - It's Monday? Again?

My thanks to Tumblring Melissa!