Review #8 Season of Second Chances by Brighton Walsh

Released: 5th December 2013
Publisher: Carina Press
Age Group: New Adult/Adult Fiction
Pages: 74
Buy the book here: Amazon

Synopsis

When a storm strands Claire Hanlin in Chicago on Christmas Eve, the last person she expects to come to her rescue is Logan Dawes, the man she almost married two years ago. The chemistry between them is dangerously potent, but with nowhere else to go, Claire accepts Logan's offer to stay with him for the night.

Back in the home they shared, surrounded by reminders of Logan and his young daughter, Claire begins to realize how much she misses the family she almost had. After a few cups of Christmas cheer, she falls right back into her ex's arms—even though she knows it means setting herself up for heartbreak all over again.

The magic of the season has thrown him together with the woman he's never stopped loving, and Logan's not about to pass up this gift. He's not the workaholic he was two years ago—his family comes first. Now all he has to do is prove it to Claire, before the snow stops and she flies out of his life for good.

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Review

I received this book as an advanced E-Copy Via net galley early December, and with it coming out on the 5th, had to jump straight into it. I didn't really know what to expect as Net Galley marked this book in the "New Adult" genre, and after doing a little research on this new genre I discovered "New Adults" is aimed at 18-25 year olds. (Later I went on to contact the Author via Facebook to see if this is being published in a physical copy and was informed it's not actually "New Adult")

I began to read the book and started learning about the two main protagonists, Logan and Claire and their troubled past. As I kept reading the book jumped from world building and character development to rather raunchy scenes, and thinking back to the age bracket (although I am not a mother) thought I wouldn't want my eighteen year old reading this material...I however (at age 27) was enjoying it. I did have a little bit of negative criticism but hate that word and would rather class is as "constructive" from a reader's POV.
As the book is only 74 pages long I can't give a full review and go into too much detail without giving away the whole plot...and that is one of my criticisms.

This book/novella needs to be taken back to the bare bones, stripped and made into a full blown novel. It has the beginnings of something rather fabulous but as a reader I always wanted more. I wanted more in depth knowledge about the characters, not just the main ones, but even about Sophie, Logan's daughter. I wanted to learn more about their past, not just why they broke up, and I wanted their rekindle romance to move at a slower pace..it felt a little rushed.

That aside, this book had me hot under the collar at times and it's just as well I don't have a physical copy of it as it would have pink pages rather than white, because of all the highlighting I did of favourite parts. I breezed through 9 chapters in an hour and the book only has 13, so if your looking for a quick and easy read on a cold winter's night I would recommend this book. Pick it up and it will soon have you reaching for some ice to cool you down.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars...Smokin Hawt!

Review #5 Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Released: 7th June 2011
Publisher: Quirk Books
Age Group: YA, Adults
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 352
Author's Website: Ransom Riggs
Buy the book here: Amazon

This review contains spoilers!!

A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND.

AN ABANDONED ORPHANAGE.


A STRANGE COLLECTION OF VERY PECULIAR PHOTOGRAPHS.


It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways it becomes clear that Miss Peregrine's children were more than just peculiar. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for a good reason. And somehow - impossible as it seems - they may still be alive. A spine tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens and anyone who relished an adventure in the shadows.


I went into this book with great anticipation. I'd heard great things about it from fellow Youtubers and so I bought it specially with my birthday money, which for a 26 year old is measly I have to say. So me and my £5 went to my local bookshop and picked up a copy of this book. I couldn't wait to read it and found myself keep flicking through the pages. Not necessarily looking at anything in particular I just felt the need to devour it then and there. But I took it home and carried on with my other "planned" reading.

When this book was voted for on my poll, I was thrilled and was glad it was drawn to be the March book of the Month, and I could finally sink my claws into it. I found the beginning to be fast paced, a bit like Wings was. It jumped straight into the storyline and informed the reader of all the history that had taken place before this book. This helped me get into the story, and I find if that first chapter doesn't capture my imagination, I don't hold out much hope for the rest of it. The story telling of the characters (there's quite a few of them) was made easy for the reader as well. Sometimes having a lot of characters can confuse me as a reader, but this was dealt with very well in this book.

The book was filled with both anti-climatic parts but also suspense. I found it had an equal balance of both and so made the reader want to continue turning the pages, which is a key aspect. The ending however I though could have used a little condensing, for me it was dragged out a bit too much, but that is just my personal opinion.

The way in which Ransom writes is so descriptive he really draws you into his world. There were rumors surrounding this book that Tim Burton was going to make it into a film, but after reading Ransom's website this is fact not fiction. There is also a sequel being written, which I will be buying to see what peculiar adventures we will see next.

I award this 3 out of 5 Stars ~ Peculiar, but fascinating.

Ingo by Helen Dunmore

Released: 2nd May 2006
Publisher: Harper Collins
Age Group: Children's
Genre: Mermaids/Fantasy
Pages: 336
Author's Website: Helen Dunmore
Buy the book here: Amazon

Everything is wet and shining with mist. The rocks hidden, the sea bidden. Everything slippery and dangerous...the sea is pulling me like a magnet.

Swimming, surfing, exploring - Sapphire and her brother Conor enjoy life by the sea in cornwall. But why does Conor start disappearing for hours on end? And who is the mysterious girl talking to him on the rocks? Following Conor down to the cove one day, Sapphire discovers Ingo - an exciting and dangerous world beneath the waves, where all you breath is adventure...


I found myself drawn to the cover of this book on many occasions and stopped to ask myself why. But I couldn't answer my own question - that is until I finally picked up a copy of it from my library and read it. Ingo is the first book in the series telling the tale of Sapphire and her brother Conor. She notices Conor keeps disappearing until one day she follows him and discovers he is talking to a girl, Elvira. Sapphire starts to feel the call of the ocean and meets a boy called Faro. But Faro and Elvira aren't air people, they are mer-people.


This is a lovely charming tale and had me on the edge of  my seat to find out the ending. The book has been written very well and keeps you guessing without giving too much away. It definitely left me wanting more so I will be planning to read the other books in the series. After viewing the authors website I was also drawn to some of her other novels which have intrigued me, so they will also make their way onto my ever expanding TBR pile.


I have awarded this book 3 out of 5 Stars ~ Delightful  

Gifted ~ Out of Sight Out of Mind by Marilyn Kaye

Released: 2nd February 2009
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Age Group: YA
Genre: Ghosts
Pages: 240
Buy the book here: Amazon
Website including other books: Gifted Series



Amanda Beeson, Queen of Mean has everything. Nice house, the latest fashion and is part of a popular clique. Together with her friends Amanda likes to pick on Tracey Devon, nerd, unpopular and might as well be invisible. Amanda doesn't understand what it like to be Tracey until one morning she waked up and finds herself in Tracey's body. Amanda soon realizes not only is Tracey ignored at school but she's also ignored at home. But that was always the case. As she reads a few pages from Tracey's diary she discovers that she used to be the apple of her parents eye, and used to have friends. That changed when her parents had septuplets. Seven identical baby girls who needed lots of attention, pushing Tracey out of the frame. Amanda knew that Tracey attended a "Gifted" class at Meadowbrook Middle School, but its not until she lives Tracey's life she discovers just how gifted Tracey is. She has the ability to become invisible, so Amanda realizes if she ever wants to get her body back she has to make Tracey seen and heard.

A very good book that kept me guessing from beginning to end. I will be borrowing the future books and adding them to my shelf. Well worth the read and especially if your looking for a quick read as this only took me half a day to complete.

I have rated this book 3 out of 5

Review #4 Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate Dicamillo

Released: 8th May 2001
Publisher: Walker Book LTD
Age Group: All Ages
Genre: Children's
Pages: 182
Author's Website Including Other Books: http://www.katedicamillo.com/
Buy the book here: Amazon
Awards Recieved:

• Newbery Honor Award
• Book Sense of the Year Award
• New York Time Best Seller

When ten-year-old India Opal Buloni moves to Naomi, Florida with her father, she doesn't know what to expect - least of all, that she'll adopt Winn-Dixie, a dog she names after the supermarket where they meet. Before long, Opal and her father realize - with a little help from Winn-Dixie - that while they've both tasted a bit of melancholy in their lives, they still have a whole lot to be thankful for.


I had seen the film of this when I was younger and hadn't realized it was a book. I bought the book as soon as I had seen it in a bookstore but put it on my shelf knowing one day I would get around to reading it. Here I am now 26 and I've picked it up and finally read it. For this I have to thank myself really for thinking of Movie March (book-film adaptations) for had I not thought of it, it may still be on my shelf now. At 181 pages it was a really quick read for me, and being a children's book the font and margins in the book are quite large. I have the film cover copy of the book and inside there are eight pages of photos from the movie. (On Youtube I will be doing a collective review of both movie and book)

As I had already watched the film a few times I knew which direction the book was headed with the story, and remembered the basic outline of what happened, but it was nice to read the book and then re-watch the film to compare the differences and unlike most book to film adaptations I am pleased to say there weren't many. The book is very charming and is a perfect story to read to children, but can be enjoyed by people of all ages. If you have seen the film before reading the book, the book will help give you a better understanding of what's actually happening and explores each of the characters in a more in-depth way.

I don't have any faults with this book and when I'd finished it put a smile on my face and made me say aww. It really is a lovely book. My award of 3 stars is because I felt it could have gone on for longer and it left me wanting more and that is the only reason. Young or Old? This book is for all of you.

Review #3 Wings By Aprilynne Pike

Released: 30th April 2009
Publisher: Harper Collins
Age Group: Middle Grade/Young Adult
Genre: Faerie/Fantasy
Pages: 360
Other titles in the series: Spells #2, Wild #3, Destined #4 (out 26/04/12)
Buy the book here: Amazon





Laurel has always lived as an ordinary girl - but now something is happening to her. Something Magical. 
In this enchanted tale of magic, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.





As soon as I began to read Wings, I had no fear of the story taking a long time to develop. For me personally, I feel it went too quickly! It went a little like this: (Do not read if you want my ranting to put you off the book!)

Chapter One: We meet our two main characters, Laurel and David. We learn that Laurel has left her old home and moved to a new home and that her father has purchased a book store. Laurel goes to a new school and meets David who volunteers to show her around. In this very short, same chapter, I as a reader felt like they had formed a best-friend like bond within the second day of her going to school, and for me that is as far from reality and how things work at any school, especially with the "Cliques" that are formed in schools nowadays. Kids that have been going to school for years are desperate to try and fit in and yet here is our main character Laurel forming such a strong friendship within two days and hanging out with the rest of David's gang.

Chapter Two: As if that wasn't enough, by the second chapter I felt they were slowly falling in lust with each other. There was a bond there that was stronger than any normal friendship.

I can continue with a lot more ranting but I won't. Aside from the fast paced form of this book. After the first few awkward chapters were out of the way, Aprilynne Pike introduced us to what the story was really about. We meet a few other characters which are easy to bond with. We learn Laurel is more that meets the eye, and we are imagining this magical world that Aprilynne wants us to see.
A love triangle is formed by the end of the book, and after some moments of suspense and intrigue as to what might happen... the book ends leaving you wanting to read more.

As the characters of Laurel, David and Tamani grew I fell more in love with them. I was wondering whilst reading "If I was in her situation, who would I pick?" and I still don't know the answer now. I think if I was made to choose I would pick David, but after book two It could change to Tamani, we will just have to wait and see...

There has been a lot of speculation about this book being turned into a film staring Miley Cyrus. Well this book was published in 2009 and where the year of publication doesn't really matter, I personally don't think they will make it into a film.
That said however, throughout the book I couldn't help but think who I would want to play the role of Laurel. I could easily picture Miley Cyrus being Laurel, and I do like Miley's films. I also could see the part being played by AnnaSophia Robb who starred in Because of Winn Dixie and Bridge to Terabithia. As for the male roles of David and Tamani, I don't have any ideas...at the moment.

I have given this book 3 out of 5. Would have been more, but a bit too fast paced for me at the beginning. By the end of the book it was worth the read, and I would read it again.

I will be reading book two, Spells, during my Magical May Month, so be sure to check back for the review and to see who will be picked...David or Tamani. And be sure to look out for the voting poll during April becuase you can help decide one of the books I'll be reading during Magical May.

Wings is the first book in the faerie series by Aprilynne Pike. The latest book, Destined is due to be released on 26th April 2012.

Review #1 Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief By Rick Riordan

Review

 I wasn't recomended this book but it's one of those I had to read because I wanted to see the film. I found the book to be very imaginitive and I've always been interested in any type of mythology, but now becaue of this book I want to research further into Greek Myhology.
  Unfortuately I don't have the blurb for this book to be able to post it, cause I bought it for my Ereader. So I'll just jump right into the review.
  Percy Jackson believes he is just this ordinary kid that has ADHD and Dyslexia. His best friend at Yancy Acadmedy is Grover who is on crutches. But after an attack by a fury, who happens to be one of the teachers, Percy freaks out. Grover takes him back to his mother's where they get in the car and head of to Half-Blood Hill, a camp for Demi-Gods. I won't tell you too much more for ruining it for you, but he discovers who his father is and his journey with Grover and Annabeth, who is the daughter of Athena, is to find Zeus' lightning bolt before the end of the summer solstice. It's a great "Things are not always what they seem" kind of stories.
  This was a good light-hearted read that left me wanting to read the next book, Percy Jackson & the Sea of Monsters. Watching the film afterwards ruined the story a little for me as I think the filmakers butchered it and didn't stick to the storyline at all, such a shame. The book is a must read though, It's very insightful.  3 out of 5