Monday 31 March 2014

Review: Wherwolves

Title: Wherewolves
Author: John Vamvas and Olga Montes
Publisher: Self Published
Genres: YA, Horror, Thriller.
Release Date: February 17th 2013
Pages: 304
Where Acquired:





Buy at Amazon Here 
- Best Book Price: £8.02 Kindle Price: £2.05 (as of when posted) 

UK Cover: 
17540116

Goodreads Description: 
Using a fun, explosive style, full of new slang and fresh dialogue, WHEREWOLVES is the story of a group of high school seniors, most “military brats”, who are headed for an army-type survival weekend.

The underdogs, Jeffrey and Doris, do not want to go as they fear for their safety among the disdain and cruelty of the popular students. Sergeant Tim O’Sullivan, their teacher, as well as their dysfunctional parents pressure them into going, but it is an unforgivable act by their peers that propels the pair to go. Likewise, Elie, a student resented because of his Arab roots, is even more determined to prove himself this weekend. In the background, a news report cautions of a wanted couple with alleged super-human strength supposedly brought on by a new drug on the streets.

In the woods, the students hike, hunt, camp, and soon act in unity as the forest brings them closer together. But does it? O’Sullivan leaves them alone for the night. The students bond, chant, tell campfire tales, and quickly lose their fears and inhibitions. HOO-AH! Though sexual tensions are high, it soon turns to violence and everything quickly turns sour.

When the kids start disappearing one after the other, the remaining begin to unwittingly “act like the natives” carving spears, ready to face whatever is out there. What has gotten into them?

Amid the blood-curdling growls and the gruesome deaths, the story’s underlying layers are revealed. We see how misconceptions, prejudice, greed, fear, and hatred bring out the worst and best in them.

What is out there? Can it really be werewolves


My Review: 
This book is thrilling and fast paced, the type that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat the whole time you are immersed in the novel. I loved the theme of army children and the way that this book reveals some very real problems that these children face in real life every day. It was nice to have a cast of characters where everyone has faults and no one is perfect, this is a very rare thing to come across in the world of books. This novel is very down to earth and realistic and I believe that this is what makes the book so spectacular and believable when the more paranormal elements kick in. There are so many twists to the plot that you never get bored and I have to say that the ending was one of the most thought through and realistic of any horror I have ever read, and one of my favourites. My only down point is that the novel is rather slow to begin and once the action kicks in, it ends too fast, but this only adds to the suspense and build up to that spectacular ending!

Quotes: 
Today, Instead of quotes - why not check out an excerpt of the book?
http://wherewolvestheblog.com/the-novel/

Rating: 




Have You Read This Book? 
How Did You Find It? 
Why Don't You Leave Me A Comment, Or a Link To Your Own Blog? 
I Would Love To Hear Your Views! 
-The Reading Rose

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Thursday 27 March 2014

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Tuesday 25 March 2014

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Bucket List


http://www.brokeandbookish.com/2014/03/top-ten-books-on-our-spring-2014-tbr.html 
This is a weekly Meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish Where Fellow Book Bloggers Share The Top Ten of The Given Subject.

Our Bookish Bucket List

1. Work in a library.
 http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/Graz_University-Library_reading-room.jpg
2. Catch up with the books I own but haven't read.
 http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Arts/Arts_/Pictures/2009/10/27/1256664530771/A-pile-of-books-001.jpg
3. Become a more successful, well known book blogger.
 http://wickedlilpixie.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/r-BOOK-BLOGS-SEARCH-ENGINE-large570.jpg
4. Have my own library for all of my books, box sets and DVD's .
 http://cdn.decoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Bermuda-blue-home-library-housing-a-Chesterfield-Sofa.jpg
5. Read the Eragon series.
 http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120217233320/inheritance/images/3/36/All_four_books.jpg
6. Keep up to date and buy every new Rick Riordan book that is released until he retires.
 http://static2.hypable.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Rick-Riordan-House-of-Hades-Reading.jpg
7.  Try to use my kindle more to save on storage space.
 http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02366/kindle_2366549b.jpg
8.  Inspire any future children to be bookish instead of just playing computer games.
 http://static.mumsnet.com/uploads/talk/201402/large-5509-children-reading-book.jpg
9. To make many bookish blogger friends.
 https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh010rEAPNdBp8VPDQuHgvOsYqpYwy2OAgCiQCD7Su4R2asehqpGsDXug6kIP37MkCp1Yuj4Kppym3LrTfhzXLDrtUnpV4fYrayppRTyP9O4rU2pWz2D4674UV24zOm0hgBLlNliPXbNE8/s1600/Book%20Blogger%20Convention%202011%20-%20NYC%20(25).jpg
10. Actualy give up on a book I am not enjoying instead of reading it anyway and boring myself.
 https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gkpAEnlrmGy3Qz9WHH1yi6vKjL_z8E-fbsDqx4p12BzozP5bUecNAX0OBX6gL-jpOs1E9lgwRf83kDSvlNrvc-9g16TeYZBNOjUKEAxxqpgS5ab3B6WkJSF0WAagoXjvFGnE3jjwRbnr/s1600/rubbish_bin_concept.jpg

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Tuesday 18 March 2014

Top 10 Tuesday: Top Ten Books On Our Spring TBR Pile

http://www.brokeandbookish.com/2014/03/top-ten-books-on-our-spring-2014-tbr.html
This is a weekly Meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish Where Fellow Book Bloggers Share The Top Ten of The Given Subject.

Top Ten Books On Our Spring TBR Pile

1. Allegiant -

17383918

2. Daylighters - Rachel Caine

15746882

3. Endure - Carrie Jones

9915707

4. The Selection - Kiera Cass

10507293

5. City of Fallen Angels - Cassandra Clare

6752378

6. City of Lost Souls - Cassandra Clare

8755776

7. The Iron King - Julie Kagawa

6644117 

8. Goddess of light - P.C. Cast

7768156

9. Shadow Of Night - Deborah Harkness

 13409513

10. Throne Of Glass - Sarah. J. Maas

13519397

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Author Interview: Cat Patrick

Author: Cat Patrick

Author Picture:
 http://novelnovice.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/cat-patrick.jpg

3 Other Books By Author: Revived, The Originals, Just Like Fate

Book In Question: Forgotten

Book Cover:
 10118459

My Rating:


Goodreads Description:
With the intrigue of "Memento" and the romance of "The Time-Traveller's Wife", "Forgotten" is the perfect YA novel.

Each night when 16 year-old London Lane goes to sleep, her whole world disappears. In the morning, all that's left is a note telling her about a day she can't remember. The whole scenario doesn't exactly make high school or dating that hot guy whose name she can't seem to recall any easier. But when London starts experiencing disturbing visions she can't make sense of, she realizes it's time to learn a little more about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.

Part psychological drama, part romance, and part mystery, this thought-provoking novel will inspire readers to consider the what-if's in their own lives and recognize the power they have to control their destinies.


Interview:


1.What inspired you to write Forgotten?

I was doing something in my kitchen and I forgot what I was doing--my daughters were five months old at the time so I was sleep deprived. I thought of amnesia, and how awful it would be. Then I considered what would happen if you remembered forward instead of backward...the idea for FORGOTTEN was born.


2. Have you got any other books planned for the future?

Yes, tons! My next book, REVIVED, comes out May 2012. It's about a girl who's part of a top secret government trial to test a drug that brings you back from the dead. I hope to come out with a new book every spring from now until my fingers don't work anymore. :)


3. What was your favorite part of Forgotten and why?

I love the cemetery scene--it gives me chills every time I read it. I just love that revelation: the moment when everything clicks for London.


4. If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

That's incredibly difficult! I love to laugh, so maybe Ellen Degeneres. I also have a strange obsession with Alan Rickman, so maybe him. He's pretty funny.


5. Who was your Favorite Character in Forgotten and why?
London, because I spent the most time with her, but I love all of them.


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Note From Me: I conducted this interview through email in 2011 for my book review column in my school newsletter, but i thought i would post it up here too.
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Sunday 16 March 2014

Review: Destined (Wings #4)

Title: Destined (Wings #4)
Author: Aprilynne Pike
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genres: Fantasy, YA, Paranormal, Romance.
Where Acquired: Amazon
Buy at Amazon Here
- Best Book Price: £2.88 Kindle Price: £3.59 (as of when posted)

UK Cover: 
12015268
There are 2 spectacular covers for this novel from elsewhere, and i can't decide between them, so i will post them both for you.
A Cover From Elsewhere (German):
19101467
(Polish):
13597216
Goodreads Description:

Laurel lived happily as an ordinary girl - until she discovered that she was a faerie.

Since then her heart has been divided between the magic realm of Avalon and the human world. Between the boys she loves the most; caring David and wild Tamani. But now a powerful enemy threatens Avalon and unless the faerie world can win out, there may be no choices left...

Laurel faces the fight of her life to save everything and everyone she loves in this spell-binding faerie tale of magic and mystery, romance and danger.


My Review: 
This is one of those series that i will remember forever. I was captivated from the start and finished the book in record time just to it's enchanting hold. The characters grew so much and i loved how the majority of the novel was set in Avalon (I would love to go there! one of the best book worlds in my opinion.) The battle against the trolls was immense and well described and the climax of the war with Klea's interference was spectacular. Klea is one very intelligent Villain, preferring tactics to brute strength, and this is what make her such an interesting character. I was entranced with Yuki's role in the war and her attraction to Tamani made me furious! *SPOILER ALERT* I am so so so so so so glad Tamani ended up with Laurel as i have been team Tamani from the start, i was prepared to pick up the peaces and take him for myself if Laurel rejected him though :P The conclusion of the series was well developed and finished perfectly (unlike some novels i have reviewed on here, namely wolves of mercy falls and under the dome) with a nice conclusion to tell you how everyone got on after a heartfelt author's note. I have never really been a big fan of David but that letter Aprilynne placed at the end was pure heart wrenching. This is one of the best series i have ever read, i honestly can't find a fault with this final book. i don't know why i left it so long before buying and reading this novel!
Quotes (lots today as this is one of my favorite series, i tried not to find any that ruin the plot too much though):
“I'm begging you, to come be with me." And she pressed her mouth against his and murmured against his lips. "Forever."

For a few seconds he didn't respond.

Then a groan escaped his throat and he thrust his fingers in her hair, pulling her mouth back to his with a fierce hunger."
 “I've loved you for a long time, ' she said. 'But there was always something holding me back. Maybe it was that I was afraid of an emotion that was so consuming. It still frightens me,' she admitted in a whisper.
Tamani chuckled. 'If it makes you feel any better, it scares the daylights out of me on a regular basis.”
 “Anyone can pluck a flower...true strength is knowing how to give it life.”
 “I think I could have won state today. Apparently, you put a troll on my heels and I turn into a superstar.”

Rating:




Have You Read This Book?
How Did You Find It?
Why Don't You Leave Me A Comment, Or a Link To Your Own Blog?
I Would Love To Hear Your Views!
-The Reading Rose

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Review: Firestorm (Weather Warden #5)

Title: Firestorm (Weather Warden #5)
Author: Rachel Caine
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Adult
Where Acquired: Christmas Present From My Great Uncle And His Family
Buy at Amazon Here
- Best Book Price: £4.78 Kindle Price: £4.68 (as of when posted)

UK Cover:
 6419540
A Cover From Elsewhere (French): 
 18686975
Goodreads Description:
Putting aside the personal chaos that has plagued her, rogue Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin must rally the remnants of the Weather Warden corps against a double threat-the Djinn who have broken free from Warden control, and a cranky Mother Earth who's about to unleash her full fury against the entire world.

My Review:
This book is the best so far in this series! lately i had been getting slightly bored of the plot but the whole end of the world, mother earth is killing us all thing was just fantastic! There was less Jo and David in this (although there were still many bittersweet moments that kept the romance element alive!) an more Jo saving the world. I loved Jo's growth into a more maternal role with Imara (amazing name!) and was devastated at the choices she was forced to make! Jo has to be one of the bravest book heroines! It was a shame Jonathan died though as i was a big fan of his, but at least we had a little more Luke in this book! I loved it that Jo developed the fire power and i am excited to see her develop this is further novels. however right at the end she lost all of her memory, just as i was thinking that this series may become dull again after the apocalypse was solved. That should make the next book interesting, albeit frustrating....

Quotes:
“You're dead," I repeated. "So why are you in my dream?"
He raised the bill of his olive drab ball cap with one finger. " Good question. Morbid, isn't it?"
"What?"
"Dreaming about dead people. Creepy. You ever see a therapist about that?"
"I'm not -" Even in dreams, I couldn't win an argument. Even when he was dead."
  “It's written in our DNA somewhere: our children first, the rest of the world second.”

Rating:


Have You Read This Book?
How Did You Find It?
Why Don't You Leave Me A Comment, Or a Link To Your Own Blog?
I Would Love To Hear Your Views!
-The Reading Rose

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Saturday 1 March 2014

Review: Grimm's Fairy Stories

Title: Grimm's Fairy Stories
Author: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
Publisher: First Published in 1812 So This is Unknown.
Genres: Classic, Fantasy, Children.
Where Acquired: Amazon Kindle Store
Buy at Amazon Here 
- Best Book Price: £8.48 Kindle Price: £0.00 (as of when posted) 

Cover:
 http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41VbZ%2BvxslL.jpg

Goodreads Description:
For almost two centuries, the stories of magic and myth gathered by the Brothers Grimm have been part of the way children—and adults—learn about the vagaries of the real world. Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow-White, Hänsel and Gretel, Little Red-Cap (a.k.a. Little Red Riding Hood), and Briar-Rose (a.k.a. Sleeping Beauty) are only a few of more than 200 enchanting characters included here. Lyrically translated and beautifully illustrated, the tales are presented just as Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm originally set them down: bold, primal, just frightening enough, and endlessly engaging.

My Review: 
This book was wonderful as it was brilliant to see where all of the classic fairy tales we all know and love originally came from. Some of the tales were exciting, some a little boring and some just plain weird! Cinderella was the one that stood out the most to me as it was so different from the original! she falls into a well and goes to a magical land where bread can talk, and there is not once prince in sight! This book was entertaining and fun and worth a read if you have a kindle because it is free!

Quotes: 
 “Mirror, mirror, here I stand. Who is the fairest in the land?”
“He who is too well off is always longing for something new.”
“One feather is of no use to me, I must have the whole bird.”

Rating: 


Have You Read This Book? 
How Did You Find It? 
Why Don't You Leave Me A Comment, Or a Link To Your Own Blog? 
I Would Love To Hear Your Views! 
-The Reading Rose

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Now For Something Different: Atlantis

Media Review
-Because sometimes it's good to have variety

TV
Title: Atlantis (Series One)
First Air Date: 28 September 2013
What Channel: BBC One
Genres: Fantasy, History, Adventure, Drama
Amazon Box Set Price: £15.25  (as of when posted)
Poster:
 http://i1.cdnds.net/13/32/618x335/uktv-atlantis-poster-2.jpg

IMDB Description:
Far from home, Jason washes up on the shores of the ancient and mysterious city of Atlantis.

Starring:
- Mark Addy (Hercules)
- Jack Donnelly (Jason)
- Robert Emms (Pythagoras)
Director:
Alice Troughton
Based On:
Greek Mythology

Review:
This TV show is a great take on the classic Greek myths of Hercules, Jason and Medusa. It is exciting and very funny, but serious in all the right places. I have a feeling this show could go on to be something great. Already known as the replacement for the much loved Merlin;
http://www.scifinow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/merlin-series-5-behind-the-scenes-5.2.jpg
and even though Merlin was a wonderful show, this series is a respectful replacement due to how good it was to watch. I was captivated from the beginning to the end and loved the way each episode covered a separate much loved myth.The chemestry between the three leading characters was hilarious and Mark Addy never fails to make me laugh! Jack Donnelly was the perfect hero with room for his chaarcter to grow and Robert Emms was the geeky sidekick who had the answer to everything!

Quotes:
 "Finding boredom in one’s work is to be relished. It means you are being paid to do nothing." - Hercules
"I never truly felt I belonged where I came from. I was always searching for something." - Jason
 "I would have to say the probability of us dying seems extremely high." - Pythagoras
 "There is no shortage of hope in the world. There is a shortage of brains." - Deadalus
 "Why do you look at me like that?" - Medusa
 Rating:


Have You Seen This Show?
How Did You Find It?
Why Don't You Leave Me A Comment, Or a Link To Your Own Blog?
I Would Love To Hear Your Views!
-The Reading Rose

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Review: Under The Dome

Title: Under The Dome
Author: Stephen King
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Genres: Horror, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Adult.
Where Acquired: WHSmith
Buy at Amazon Here
- Best Book Price: £6.80 Kindle Price: £5.99 (as of when posted)

UK Cover:
 http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81ULKF9ekBL._SL1500_.jpg

A Cover From Elsewhere (Czech):
11864616

Goodreads Description:
 There's a reason why Stephen King is one of the best selling writers in the world ever. He knows how to write stories that suck you in and are impossible to put down. The New York Times describes it as a 'relentless tidal pull' and Stephen King has done it time and time again with stories like The Shawshank Redemption, Misery, The Green Mile and The Stand.

In Under the Dome, he has produced another riveting masterpiece. The end of every chapter hooks you into the next, drawing you inside a psychological drama that is so rich, you don't read it, you live it.

It is the story of the small town of Chester's Mill, Maine which is inexplicably and suddenly sealed off from the rest of the world by an invisible force field. No one can get in and no one can get out.

The normal rules of society are suddenly changed and when food, electricity and water run short, the community begins to crumble. As a new and more sinister social order develops, Dale Barbara, Iraq veteran, teams up with a handful of intrepid citizens to fight against the corruption that is sweeping through the town and to try to discover the source of the Dome before it is too late 

My Review:
This Book was very slow to start, so slow in fact that I contemplated giving up many times. The first 500 pages covered virtually nothing and only covered roughly 3 days. However, I stuck at it and pushed through and now I am very glad I did. This was the biggest disaster I have ever read in a novel and trumped any apocalyptic plot I have read in the past! The characters were well developed and this made their stories even more heart breaking. The book was very graphic in many ways however and this was a bit of a turn off, but the drama all but made up for that. The plot that lead to the conclusion was amazing, and pretty much made the whole book! But the ending itself was so rushed and undeveloped it was a massive disappointment to me. I would have loved to have an epilogue showing 5 or 10 years on. And maybe even a few days after with forensic investigations and the discovery of all the corruptions! I did love the way King wasn't afraid to kill of favorite characters though, but I am mightily glad that all my person favorites like Julia, Rusty, Romeo, Barbie, Horace, Ollie, Norri and Joe all survived in the end!

Quotes:
 “If you don't control your temper, your temper will control you.”
 “Murder is like potato chips: you can't stop with just one.”
“She is a cat with a burning tail, an ant under a microscope, a fly about to lose its wings to the curious plucking fingers of a third-grader on a rainy day, a game for bored children with no bodies and the whole universe at their feet.” 
"Close your eyes and click your heals three times...because there's no place like Dome.” 

Rating:


Have You Read This Book?
How Did You Find It?
Why Don't You Leave Me A Comment, Or a Link To Your Own Blog?
I Would Love To Hear Your Views!
-The Reading Rose

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