#203 Book Review: Wildlife

Wildlife
Release Date: 1 June 2013
Author: Fiona Wood
Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads

Summary:

Boarding for a term in the wilderness, sixteen-year-old Sibylla expects the gruesome outdoor education program – but friendship complications, and love that goes wrong? They’re extra-curricula.

Enter Lou from Six Impossible Things – the reluctant new girl for this term in the great outdoors. Fragile behind an implacable mask, she is grieving a death that occurred almost a year ago. Despite herself, Lou becomes intrigued by the unfolding drama between her housemates Sibylla and Holly, and has to decide whether to end her self-imposed detachment and join the fray. 

And as Sibylla confronts a tangle of betrayal, she needs to renegotiate everything she thought she knew about surviving in the wild.

A story about first love, friendship and NOT fitting in.

Cover:
So cute! I love how the title of the book is written like the clouds, the blue sky and the two pairs of shoes in the bottom of the cover. It's simplistic but adorable!

Story:

Life? It's simple: be true to yourself. The tricky part is finding out exactly who you are...

While I haven't read Fiona Wood's Six Impossible Things, I adored Wildlife, the companion to Six Impossible Things. In Wildlife, we meet Sibylla, a girl who before going to the outdoor education program, managed to do two 'incredible' things; getting her face plastered on a huge billboard and kissing the most popular guy in her school!

Wildlife ventures around the themes of friendship, love and grief. Fiona Wood's writing is witty, beautiful and tackles the life of teenagers excellently. The setting is perfect to explore the characters and I love how Fiona Wood can capture the emotions of her characters so well. The book is written from dual POVs of Sybilla and Lou. Since I haven't read Six Impossible Things, I had no idea who Lou is or what she is like in the book but in this book, Lou becomes friends with Sybilla and their friendship is sweet and beautiful. Also, I can't help but smile when I noticed that Fiona Wood made a reference to Melina Marchetta's Looking for Alibrandi!

Characters:
I think this is the strongest element of the book, the way Fiona Wood explores the characters, revealing the layers of their emotions and feelings one by one. In the beginning of the book, we know that Lou is grieving. As a way to handle her griefs, she writes journal entries and reading her journal entries broke my heart. They are honest, filled with grief but also show a process of Lou healing her heart. In some of her journal entries, she also talks about her friends (and if I'm not mistaken, they are the main characters in Six Impossible Things) I really liked Lou's character and how she blends in with Sibylla and her friends later on. Sibylla is also an enjoyable character to read about, from the awkward moments she had with the boy she likes, her witty-bantering with Michael, her friend, and her cute conversations with Lou. Sibylla's friend, Holly, isn't a particularly likeable character to me but I do like her friendship with Sibylla. Michael, on the other hand, is such a cute nerdy boy! I love his new-found friendship with Lou and his long friendship with Sibylla. Ben is an alright character, he can be annoying at times but his moments with Lou are quite adorable.

Overall:
Do you ever think of the wildlife as a place to heal your wounds, to find out who you are and to form relationships and friendships with people? Wildlife is a great novel which ventures around these themes with realistic characters who you can't help but adore and love. If you love contemporary books with beautiful and realistic story of friendship and love, then you definitely don't want to miss out reading Wildlife!

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Wildlife!

Thank you Pan Macmillan Australia for the review copy!

#201 Book Review: The Eternity Cure

The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2)
Release Date: 1 May 2013
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads

Summary:

In Allison Sekemoto's world, there is one one rule left: Blood Calls to blood.
Cast out of Eden and separated from the boy she dared to love, Allie will follow the call of blood to save her creator, Kanin, from the psychotic vampire, Sarren. But when the trail leads to Allie's birthplace in New Covington, what she finds there will the change the world forever - and possibly end human and vampire existence.

There's a new plague on the rise, a strain of the Red Lung virus that wiped out most of humanity generations ago - deadly to humans and vampires alike. The only hope for a cure lies in the secrets Kanin carries. If Allie can get to him in time...

Cover:
Love it! After the changes in the US covers of The Immortal Rules and The Eternity Cure because the girl in the original US cover of The Immortal Rules does not portray Allie as an Asian girl, I love how Harlequin Teen Australia fixed the issue and manages to keep the second book's cover similar to the first one!

Story:

Blood calls for blood...

Julie Kagawa never disappoints, this is the one thing I have been sure about after reading Kagawa's The Iron Fey series and the first book in the Blood of Eden series. I did read some mixed reviews on The Eternity Cure and it made me slightly worried about reading the sequel but alas, The Eternity Cure proved me wrong. I enjoyed the sequel immensely although not as much as the first book.

What I loved most about this book is the journey Allie has to face to find her creator/sire, Kanin. Unlike The Immortal Rules where Allie finds a group of humans and therefore, many characters are introduced, this book focuses on Allie, Kanin, Zeke, Jackal and Sarren, the psycho-vampire. I have to admit, the first half of the book did not quite grab me as the last half but as usual, Julie Kagawa's writing is action-packed, exploring the concept of the cure, blood bond between Allie, Kanin and Jackal and the romance between Allie and Zeke. The ending, though, was very unexpected but made me excited for book 3! It was perhaps more shocking than the ending of The Immortal Rules!

Characters:
Allie is still an awesome heroine who I adored from the first book. I think the main reason why I enjoyed this book is Kagawa's exploration of her characters' development. I love Allie's dedication to find Kanin because I love and admire Kanin so much to the point that I thought he was going to be a love interest for Allie in the first book! (I am secretly hoping this will maybe happen....eventually?) Allie's encounter with Jackal is quite surprising. All I remembered from the first book was that Jackal is an evil vampire but I underestimated his character. There is one part where I thought Jackal never did change, that he was still evil but he proved me wrong. While Jackal's actions in the first book are still etched in his character, his actions in this book balances his 'wrong-doings' in the first book. I can see why Kanin decides to change him to a vampire. Kanin himself, with his calmness, wisdom and words made me love him more. Reading about his character gives a strong impression of his maturity compared to Allie and Jackal, perhaps because he is a Master and he is much older than the two. Zeke, on the other hand, also develops and proves to Allie that he still loves her no matter what. His relationship with Allie is sweet, romantic and heart-warming. Meanwhile, all I can say about Sarren is he is one psycho-vampire (and stop saying little bird!)

Overall:
So you love The Immortal Rules? Then you will love The Eternity Cure! This action-packed sequel further unravels the story behind the Red Lung virus, its cure and the meaning of blood bond between a Master and his 'children'. With amazing character development, Julie Kagawa is back with a great second book in the Blood of Eden series!

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for The Eternity Cure!

Thank you Harlequin Teen Australia for the review copy!

Check out the book trailer below!

#199 Book Review: This Is What Happy Looks Like

This Is What Happy Looks Like

Release Date:9 April 2013

Author: Jennifer E. Smith

Publisher: Hachette Australia

Source: Publisher for Review

Format: Paperback

Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia

More Info: Goodreads

Summary:

It's June - seventeen year-old Ellie O'Neill's least favourite time of year. Her tiny hometown is annually invaded by tourists, and this year there's the added inconvenience of a film crew. Even the arrival of Hollywood heart-throb Graham Larkin can't lift her mood. But there is something making Ellie very happy. Ever since an email was accidentally sent to her a few months ago, she's been corresponding with a mysterious stranger, the two of them sharing their hopes and fears. Their developing relationship is not without its secrets though - there's the truth about Ellie's past...and her pen pal's real identity. When they finally meet in person, things are destined to get much more complicated. Can two people, worlds apart but brought together by chance, make it against all the odds?

Cover:
SO CUTE! The title font, with the huge yellow 'Happy', the sun background, the guy and the girl holding hands on the boat, they are a great representation of the book! Love it!

Story:

If fate sent you an email, would you answer?

After reading The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight early last year, I was ecstatic when I knew that Jennifer E. Smith had an upcoming novel which sounds just as cute as her previous one. I delved into the book with high expectations but I ended up being slightly disappointed. It's a cute read, but I didn't love it as much as The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight.

The beginning of this book is probably the bit that I loved the most out of the whole book. It was cute, adorable, lovely and I couldn't stop reading. Why? Well because they were actually a string of emails exchanged between Ellie and Graham who have never met each other before. It was all a coincidence which started with a funny email from Graham to Ellie about his pet pig, Wilbur. Doesn't that sound so cute? A movie star with a pet pig Wilbur? While these email exchanges were so interesting, when the story actually started with narratives from Graham and Ellie, it went downhill for me. There is nothing wrong with the story itself but I guess I found it unrealistic and a bit flat. The romance itself was slightly frustrating at times but it was cute and fluffy!

Characters:
The aspect of the book which actually made me enjoy the story are the characters, particularly Ellie and Graham. Ellie herself is not your typical 'fangirl' who would go crazy when discovering that a famous actor is going to come to their town. She is cool-headed and writes the cutest emails ever! (Graham included as well!) Graham is quite adorable too and I understand the pressure and stress he has because of his job as an actor. The thing I adored most between the two characters are definitely their email exchanges. They are so adorable I wish someone would email me the way Ellie and Graham email each other!

Overall:
If a random stranger accidentally emails you and he is in fact, an actor, what would you do? This Is What Happy Looks Like is a cute and fluffy read even though the story itself wasn't quite as enjoyable as I thought it would be. The thing I loved most about this book is definitely the email exchanges between Ellie and Graham! If you love a fluffy and cute read (plus a bonus addition of a pet pig called Wilbur), then you definitely should check this book out!

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for This Is What Happy Looks Like! (I guess it's more like 3.5?)

Thank you Hachette Australia for the review copy!

#198 Book Review: The Goddess Inheritance

The Goddess Inheritance (Goddess Test #3)
Release Date: 1 March 2013
Author: Aimee Carter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads

Summary:

During nine months of captivity, Kate Winters has survived a jealous goddess, a vengeful Titan and a pregnancy she never asked for. Now the Queen of the Gods wants her unborn child, and Kate can't stop her--until Cronus offers a deal.

In exchange for her loyalty and devotion, the King of the Titans will spare humanity and let Kate keep her child. Yet even if Kate agrees, he'll destroy Henry, her mother and the rest of the council. And if she refuses, Cronus will tear the world apart until every last god and mortal is dead.

With the fate of everyone she loves resting on her shoulders, Kate must do the impossible: find a way to defeat the most powerful being in existence, even if it costs her everything.

Even if it costs her eternity.

Cover:
Gorgeous! Love the girl's blue dress and that background. This might be my favourite cover out of all the Australian covers of the series!

Story:

Love or life. Henry of their child. The end of her family or the end of the world. Kate must choose...

After reading The Goddess Interrupted last year, I have been anxiously waiting for the sequel to release because I need to know what happens to Kate and Henry after that ending! While I didn't love The Goddess Interrupted as much as The Goddess Test, I'm glad that The Goddess Inheritance wasn't disappointing!

The Goddess Inheritance is about choices which Kate has to make in her life. The main 'enemy' in this book is Cronus, who strangely desires Kate while brewing a war against the gods. Kate and Henry's fragile relationship is further challenged, with the addition of their child. The story itself is mainly focused on Kate trying to save Henry, her child and also stopping Cronus from defeating the gods. What I particularly enjoyed from this book are the moments between Kate and Henry. Their relationship has faced a lot of challenges but they are finally able to overcome these challenges with their love for each other.

Characters:
In The Goddess Interrupted, I was sometimes annoyed with Kate. She has some 'trust' issues, particularly about Henry and that becomes a huge obstacle for their relationship to grow and develop. However in this book, Kate finally is able to trust Henry and love him freely without any doubts and uncertainties. Kate has certainly grown and developed throughout the course of the series, approaching problems in a strong way which she would not have done in the previous 2 books.  Henry, on the other hand, also grows from the previous 2 books, starting to be more open and showing his affections more often towards Kate. I also enjoyed reading about the other Gods although Cronus is a character I feel conflicted about. He's 'evil' but I feel pity for him throughout the story.

Overall:
The Goddess Inheritance is the satisfying conclusion to the Goddess Test series! In this book, Kate and Henry must undergo a final challenge before they can love each other freely without any obstacles. If you love re-tellings of Greek mythology (particularly a certain Greek god called Hades), then you definitely should check out this series!

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for The Goddess Inheritance!

Thank you Harlequin Teen Australia for the review copy!

#194 Book Review: Between the Lives [ARC]

Between the Lives [ARC]
Release Date: 1 May 2013
Author: Jessica Shirvington
Publisher: Harper Collins Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads

Summary:

For as long as she can remember, Sabine has lived two lives. Every 24 hours she Shifts to her ′other′ life - a life where she is exactly the same, but absolutely everything else is different: different family, different friends, different social expectations. In one life she has a sister, in the other she does not. In one life she′s a straight-A student with the perfect boyfriend, in the other she′s considered a reckless delinquent. Nothing about her situation has ever changed, until the day when she discovers a glitch: the arm she breaks in one life is perfectly fine in the other.

With this new knowledge, Sabine begins a series of increasingly risky experiments which bring her dangerously close to the life she′s always wanted... But just what - and who - is she really risking?

Cover:
I like how there is a thin line, dividing the girl as if the girl has 2 sides in her and the blurry background effect. I think it suits the book quite well!

Story:

What if you had to live 2 different lives?

As a huge fan of Jessica Shirvington's The Violet Eden Chapters, I was really excited for Jessica's newest book that is not set in the world of The Violet Eden Chapters. I am still anxiously waiting for book 5 in the series, particularly after what happened in Endless (book 4), but I'm glad that Jessica wrote a new book which I really enjoyed!

Between the Lives is a story about a girl living 2 different lives. Sabine, our main protagonist, 'shifts' every 24 hours to her other life where she still has the same name, but surrounded by different family and friends. This concept sounds absolutely interesting. It's unique and I love the way Jessica explored this concept in the book. But of course, living 2 different lives in itself is strange so when Sabine experiences a glitch, she becomes determined to unravel the mysteries behind the 'shift', to the point that she might end up having the ability to simply choose living in one life and forsake her other life. Jessica's writing is as usual, gripping and I really enjoyed the way she explores the concept of the 'shift'. The romance, on the other hand, balances the mystery so well. The ending was bittersweet and I'm not sure if this is a series or a stand-alone but I'd be incredibly happy if Jessica decided to write a sequel!

Characters:
Sabine is a character I can easily relate to. Her suffering, her pain of living 2 different lives and her need to keep up appearances even though she hates it make her desperate to find out how the 'shift' truly works when the glitch happens. Sometimes the things she does are quite extreme and this is where I introduce you to Ethan, the guy who keeps Sabine balanced, 'sane' and believes her concept of living in 2 different lives. Ethan is an amazing character who truly cares for Sabine although he himself is a mystery. The relationship between Ethan and Sabine is sweet, beautiful and can be quite intense at times. When I found out the truth about Ethan, I was really surprised. It wasn't what I expected at all and it broke my heart. But all is well in the ending and I am completely thankful for that!

Overall:
Can you imagine living 2 different lives? Between the Lives explores this intricate concept with a touch of romance and mystery. If you love Jessica Shirvington's The Violet Eden Chapters, then you should check out Between the Lives! It's different to the series but still has Jessica's amazing writing that you will love!

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Between the Lives!

Thank you Harper Collins Australia for the review copy!

PS: Keep an eye out for teasers that I will post on Twitter ;)

#191 Book Review: Everbound

Everbound (Everneath #2)
Release Date: 14 February 2013
Author: Brodi Ashton
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads

Summary:

Two months ago, the tunnels of the underworld came for Nikki Beckett. That night, Nikki's boyfriend, Jack, made the ultimate sacrifice, taking her place in the Everneath for eternity.Every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused. All Nikki wants is to save him before it's too late, but no matter how hard she tries she can never reach him. Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his Queen - and the one person least likely to help. But surprisingly, Cole agrees to take Nikki to the Everneath himself. As they descend into the hart of the Everneath, Nikki and Cole discover that their journey will be more difficult than they'd anticipated, and more deadly. Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack - even if it means making a terrible sacrifice of her own...

Cover:
Look at that smoky effect! I absolutely adore it, and also the girl's black dress. Love how the cover still matches Everneath's cover!

Story:

How far are you willing to go to save the boy you love?

Here would be Nikki's answer: go to Everneath and ask Cole, the boy who changed her life (in a bad way?) to go with her. When I read Everneath last year, I was absolutely entranced with the whole story and a certain bad boy called Cole. The Greek mythology re-telling was creative and the ending of Everneath made me anxious for Everbound. I'm glad to say that Everbound is a satisfying sequel!

The whole story basically tells Nikki's journey to Everneath to save Jack with Cole and Max. Along the journey, Nikki occasionally has flashbacks to her memories with Jack which actually act as a guide for her to find him. I really like how we get to see and learn more about the Everneath in this book. Although Jack is not physically next to Nikki, he is still in the book as a part of Nikki's memories. My favourite part of the book is definitely towards the ending and the ending raises the stake higher, preparing us for the next book in the series!

Characters:
I have a confession. I honestly think that the main reason why I love this series is Cole. Sometimes I feel bad for loving him and hoping that he ends up with Nikki because Jack is such a sweet and nice boyfriend. But we all know that bad boys have their own certain appeal. Throughout the book, I thought Cole changed and that he has become somewhat sweeter and nicer towards Nikki and her idea of saving Jack but the scene towards the ending changed my perception of him. Cole has not changed, he is still the same tortured bad boy with his love for Nikki and that tugs my heart. His love for Nikki is genuine although his way of showing it and making her love him may be conceited at times. Nikki, on the other hand, made me annoyed a few times in the book. She loves Jack but the way she acts around Cole sometimes give the wrong signals, as though she is interested with Cole. In the first book, the ending made me conflicted between Cole and Jack but I actually found Jack a bit dull in Everbound. Yes, he is sweet and nice but that's all there is to him. So I guess I love Cole more. However, I do think that the characters are well-written!

Overall:
Can Nikki survive her journey in the Everneath and save Jack? Everbound is the bittersweet sequel to Everneath. As Nikki makes her way in the Everneath with Cole, Jack remains a solid part of Nikki's memories and well, the ending left me breathless and absolutely excited for the next book! Fans of Everneath will definitely enjoy Everbound!

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Everbound!

Thank you Simon & Schuster Australia for the review copy!

#190 Book Review: Scarlet

Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2)
Release Date: 17 January 2013
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Penguin Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads

Summary:

Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. The police have closed her case. The only person Scarlet can turn to is Wolf, a street fighter she does not trust, but they are drawn to each other. Meanwhile, in New Beijing, Cinder will become the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive - when she breaks out of prison to stay one step ahead of vicious Queen Levana. As Scarlet and Wolf expose one mystery, they encounter Cinder and a new one unravels. Together they must challenge the evil queen, who will stop at nothing to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner...

Cover:
Gorgeous! Love how fierce Scarlet's red cape looks. I actually like this cover more than Cinder, there's just something about that cape that appeals so much to me!

Story:

This is not the fairy tale you remember. But it's one you won't forget...

I remember reading Cinder one year ago and how I fell head over heels for Meyer's striking debut novel. A re-telling of Cinderella, set in New Beijing with Cinder as cyborg? Count me in! While I can't really remember what happened in the book, I am glad that my memory reconstructs itself after reading Scarlet. But this time, it's not Cinder only who is the main character, it's also Scarlet!

As you can see, Scarlet is also based on the re-telling of Red Riding Hood. While there are traces of the original story, Meyer cleverly spins the fairytale into a new exciting tale while joining the arcs of Cinder and Kai's story from Cinder. The book is written from different POVs, sometimes from Scarlet, Cinder and also Kai. I love how Scarlet and Cinder's story intertwine in this book. The story is filled with actions, excitement and of course, romance although there were times when I felt the story dragged a little bit. The romance is more concerned with Scarlet and Wolf but nevertheless, I'm satisfied and the ending makes me so excited for Cress!

Characters:
There's not much to say besides the fact that I love all the characters in this book. Well to be precise, I love the protagonists in this book. I adored Scarlet from the first moment I met her in the book and even adored her more in the scenes between her and Wolf. Wolfie! I mean Wolf. There's just something about Wolf, even though he might not be someone you can trust so easily, that tugs my heart. I also like a certain character called Thorne, which you'll meet in this book! I still adore Cinder and how she starts to embrace her recently-discovered background but I'm annoyed with Prince Kai, I mean Emperor Kai, especially towards the end of the book! And Queen Levana, I think I came to hate her even more in this book. She is so evil!

Overall:
Miss Cinder and the swoon-worthy Prince Kai? You get to see them again in Scarlet but this time, our girl is the one and only....Scarlet! (Pun-intended?) As Scarlet journeys to find her grandmother with the awesome Wolf, her story becomes intertwined with Cinder's and it's definitely a story you won't forget!

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Scarlet!

Thank you Penguin Australia for the review copy!

#188 Book Review: Prodigy

Prodigy (Legend #2)
Release Date: 30 January 2013
Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: Penguin Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads

Summary:

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long. 

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

In this highly-anticipated sequel, Lu delivers a breathtaking thriller with high stakes and cinematic action.

Cover:
Love the bird logo with light blue and black background! It's simple yet really suitable for the book. Plus, it also matches the cover of Legend!

Story:

Vengeance, rebellion and a new beginning...

After waiting for a year, I am glad to say that Prodigy is a brilliant sequel to the beloved Legend. Prodigy continues right from the ending of Legend where Day and June joins the Patriot group. The story is still told from alternating POV between Day and June which I always enjoyed reading in the first book.

Marie's writing continues to bedazzle, delivering a fantastic action-packed sequel which progresses the events of the story further. I have to admit, there were times when I wasn't quite hooked into the story but the pace picked up again and the ending broke my heart completely. NEED CHAMPION, the third book, so badly!

Characters:
In Prodigy, we are introduced to a few new characters such as members in the Patriot group of rebels and also Anden, the new Elector. While Day and June are still my favourite characters, Anden finds its way in the book as a new image of the Elector. He seems entirely different to his father, much more kind and gentle. The characters are always so well-written and I really liked how Day and June have developed since Legend as main characters. I'm really interested to see what path lays ahead for Day, June and even Aiden in the sequel!

Overall:
Prodigy is the heart-stopping sequel to Legend, delivering an action-packed story through Marie's brilliant writing. Day and June, can I please just say that you both are perfect for each other? Absolutely can't wait for the third book, particularly after that bittersweet ending!

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Prodigy!

Thank you Penguin Australia for the review copy!

#187 Book Review: Just One Day

Just One Day
Release Date: January 10th 2013
Author: Gayle Forman
Publisher: Random House Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads

Summary:

When sheltered American good girl Allyson 'Lulu' Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem de Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

Cover:
I like the soft feeling of the cover, with a girl staring outside the windows and how we can't properly see the reflection or what the girl sees from the window. And the watch! Love how she's wearing it because it's actually stated in the book too!

Story:

One day of excitement, adventure and heartbreak...

Gayle Forman's If I Stay and Where She Went are the two of my most favourite contemporaries of all time. Forman's writing has that soft, touching, beautiful and heart-breaking touch that never fails to render my heart completely into the story. In Just One Day, Forman beautifully delivers a story of a girl's self-discovery through a journey of love, heart-break and friendship.

First and foremost, I might have loved this book even before I read it because of the setting! It's EUROPE! The place where I would love to travel! Allyson, who is travelling with her best friend Melanie in Europe, meets Willem when he performed Twelfth Night with a group of actors in England. Willem invites her to a one day trip in Paris with him, calling her 'Lulu', and that, is the beginning to Ally's journey of self-discovery. While I don't usually enjoy Shakespeare since I have only read his texts for school, I have come to appreciate him more in this book. Shakespeare is often quoted and can be seen as a pivotal factor of Ally's life after her one day trip with Willem. I am thankful that I've read Twelfth Night as well because it becomes an additional factor for me to connect with the book. Forman's writing resonates profoundly throughout the whole story. She captures the setting and the tone of the story so beautifully. But dear goodness, the ending made me desperate for the sequel. I need to know what truly happens to Willem the day she left Lulu!

Characters:
I have to admit, connecting with Allyson or 'Lulu' in the beginning of the book wasn't easy. She begins as a character who has many insecurities and is unsure of what she wants. She's rather quite uninteresting, until she starts to 'colour' the book with her encounter with Willem. After he left, Allyson slowly starts to grasp her life, breaking free of the confines and pursuing what she truly wants. There are times when Allyson annoyed me a little but I love how much she has grown throughout the book. Willem, on the other hand, is a sweet, charming but mysterious guy! He's the type of guy who takes your watch away from you so time doesn't exist for you and that time is fluid. He takes Allyson on a whirlwind trip to Paris but left her the next day. Why? Why? Why? I could have asked that question a billion times but will never know the answer until I read Just One Year. But the scenes in the book with Willem are so beautiful. I truly do adore his character although I need NEED to know about his past and everything about him! While there are other characters in this book who played quite important roles in Allyson's life, the characters that stands out the most are definitely Allyson and well, I can't help it, Willem!

Overall:
Through a journey of love, adventure, heart-break and embracing one's self, Allyson's growth as a character is beautifully captured by Gayle Forman's writing in Just One Day. With the gorgeous setting of Europe and a cute but mysterious laid-back actor Willem, Just One Day is a story that will touch and break your heart at the same time and a must read for fans of Forman's books!

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Just One Day!

Thank you Random House Australia for the review copy!

#186 Book Review: Walking Disaster [ARC]

Walking Disaster (Beautiful #2) [ARC]
Release Date: 4 April 2013
Author: Jamie McGuire
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads

Summary:

Can you love someone too much?
Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes.

Cover:
Love that gorgeous butterfly! Although the cover is not exactly matching with Beautiful Disaster's cover, it really reflects Travis' book!

Story:

Beautiful disaster....through Travis 'Mad Dog' Maddox's eyes...

After reading and getting addicted to Beautiful Disaster last year, I was incredibly excited to hear that Jamie McGuire would write a book from Travis' POV. Beautiful Disaster is written entirely from Abby's POV and knowing that Walking Disaster would be from Travis' POV, I knew I had to read it! And wow, getting inside Travis' head is an intense but unforgettable experience.

While I knew what to expect in Walking Disaster since it still covers the same story plot as Beautiful Disaster but just written from Travis' POV, Jamie McGuire's writing still managed to hook me into the story. I wasn't addicted to the story, compared to Beautiful Disaster but McGuire's writing captures Travis' voice completely and reading from Travis' POV now gives a complete experience to the story of Abby and Travis' relationship. Travis' thoughts, from the beginning of his encounter with Abby, until the beautiful epilogue are revealed and even though it felt more intense than Abby's voice, the story felt completely whole with Travis' POV of the events in Beautiful Disaster.

Characters:
When I read the first half of Beautiful Disaster, I didn't quite liked Travis. In the beginning, he just seemed like the ultimate bad boy but the beginning of Walking Disaster  revealed a lot about how Travis came to be as a character. After reading Walking Disaster, I grew to understand Travis more than I did in Beautiful Disaster. Even though there are times when Travis becomes quite scary, I can see that he truly loves Abby and also the sweet reason behind why he calls her 'Pigeon'. What feels strange though is that after reading from Travis' POV, I find Abby a little annoying in the middle of Walking Disaster, particularly in one scene. It feels like an opposite effect compared to Beautiful Disaster, where I understand Abby's actions more than Travis. However, the epilogue wraps the story sweetly. Oh, and I think I came to adore the Maddoxes more in this book!

Overall:
Love Beautiful Disaster? Then you definitely don't want to miss Walking Disaster, a whole book completely dedicated to exploring Travis' thoughts during the events in Beautiful Disaster. Jamie McGuire's writing absolutely captures Travis' voice and reading Walking Disaster makes the experience of reading about Abby and Travis' intense relationship whole and complete!

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Walking Disaster!

Thank you Simon & Schuster Australia for the review copy!

#185 Book Review: The Indigo Spell

The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3)
Release Date: 12 February 2013
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Penguin Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads

Summary:

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she struggles to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she finally tracks down the elusive, enigmatic Marcus Finch – a former Alchemist who the organisation denies exists, and who lives in shadows, on the run. With Marcus's help, Sydney realises that the group she's been loyal to her whole life has been hiding the truth from her. Is it possible that her golden lily tattoo might have more power over her than she thinks?

As she struggles to come to terms with what that might mean, Sydney is compelled to use her growing magical powers to track down an evil magic user who is targeting powerful young witches. Using magic goes against everything she always thought she believed, but she realises that her only hope is to embrace her special blood – or else she might be next.

Forging her own way is harder than Sydney ever dreamed. Maybe by turning off her brain – and following her heart – she'll be able to finally figure out where she belongs.

The hotly anticipated third installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series.

Cover:
Look at Sydney, Marcus and Adrian! All three in one cover. That looks amazing. I also love Marcus' tattoo. Really helps me picture that indigo pattern when his tattoo is discussed in the book!

Story:

To follow the rules...or to follow your heart...

If you remember reading my review of The Golden Lily, then you'll know how much I worshipped that book because of a certain amazing character called *cough* Adrian Ishvakov! While I did not quite worshipped this book as much as The Golden Lily, The Indigo Spell is still a brilliant installment in the Bloodlines series!

The story revolves around Sydney learning different types of magic spells because of a particular 'problem' and finding Marcus Finch, who reveals a lot about his story. Oh and of course, Richelle Mead picks up the romance from the point of frustration from The Golden Lily to STEAMY AND EPIC! While I really enjoyed the story, I find the introduction of Marcus Finch in the story quite bland. Sure, he is good looking and a rebellious Alchemist at that, but he lacks the appeal that Adrian has 100x (or even more!). As usual, Mead's writing is completely kick-ass, fun and awesome at the same time! The ending is not quite a cliffhanger but it sets up the plot for the next book! 

Characters:
Sydney, Sydney, Sydney...hate to admit this but I am really frustrated with you in the beginning. The thing about you trying to draw the line between Alchemist and Moroi, even ignoring your heart is really sad! You've been at it since book 2 but thank goodness, all is well in the end. I like how you finally embrace the feelings in your heart!

ADRIAN! I have nothing to say besides your perseverance and love for Sydney are truly admirable. Adrian here, resolves to keep fighting for his love for Sydney which is touching! And I love how he can be witty, sweet and charming at the same time!

The other characters from book 2 are back here as well, with the addition of Marcus Finch and his 'friends'. Personally, I don't like Marcus Finch. He doesn't hold that appeal that Adrian strongly has in this book. Glad to hear that Sydney is also not attracted to him since her heart belongs to...*cough* a certain loveable Moroi!

Overall:
Did the ending of The Golden Lily left you breathless? Well, The Indigo Spell is surely going to remedy that and leave you wanting for more instead of breathless! The brilliant third installment in the Bloodlines series, with a perfect combination of romance, action and (can't help but say this) Adrian's wittiness and charm will not disappoint fans of the series!

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for The Indigo Spell!

Thank you Penguin Australia for the review copy!

Here's my favourite quote from the book!

"Just something kicking around in my head. Reminds me of you. Fiery and sweet, all at the same time. A flame in the dark, lighting my way." - Adrian ♥

#182 Book Review: Level 2

Level 2
Release Date: 2 January 2013
Author: Lenore Appelhans
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads

Summary:

Felicia Ward is dead. Trapped in a stark white afterlife limbo, she spends endless days replaying memories, of her family, friends, boyfriend...and the guy who broke her heart. The guy who has just broken into Level 2 to find her. Felicia learns that a rebellion is brewing, and it seems she is the key. Suspended between heaven and earth, she must make a choice. Between two worlds, two lives and two loves.

Cover:
Looks amazing. I like how the cover gives off the feeling of this afterlife limbo because it's full of white colours. The circle dots surrounding the girl makes this light illusion and allows the focus on her too!

Story:

Stuck in the afterlife limbo, replaying memories sounds like you're still alive...right?

I've heard of Lenore Appelhans before I actually know that she has a debut novel coming out in 2013. Lenore is a lovely and awesome blogger and I really love her posts. Knowing that she also writes makes it even more amazing. I was absolutely excited to read Level 2 and yes, let us give Lenore a huge round of applause for her promising debut novel!

I have to admit, in the beginning I was very confused with the setting of the story. Felicia is in an afterlife limbo but what is this afterlife limbo like? Why is she there? What's with the replaying memories thing? I had so many questions by just reading the first few pages. Lenore had me wondering from the start what the concept behind Level 2 is. When things are slowly unravelled, I was utterly fascinated with the premise. The name Level 2 itself actually refers to this afterlife limbo Felicia is currently in so it's interesting to know that there are other levels in the afterlife that has yet to be explored! I haven't read a book quite like this before. We have action and romance all combined into one exciting story. The romance is sweet and even though there are 2 guys, it's not a typical love triangle. The ending made me absolutely excited for Level 3!

Characters:
I really like all the characters in this book. I particularly feel really sad for Felicia since she's dead but stuck in limbo and replaying her memories when she was alive instead. Felicia loves Neil, but she also has feelings for Julian. Neil is a sweet guy although probably much more innocent compared to Julian. As you can see, there are two guys in this book and I have to say, Julian's THE guy for me! I disliked him in the beginning since he broke Felicia's heart but as the story flows and as Felicia replays her memories with him, I like him more and more. Felicia tells herself that she's in love with Neil but I have a feeling that Julian plays important role in her heart!

Overall:
What if you're stuck in the afterlife limbo, replaying your memories all over again? Level 2 is the promising and exciting debut novel from Lenore Appelhans. With unique concept and great action, you definitely don't want to miss this book! Absolutely can't wait for Level 3!

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Level 2!

Thank you Allen & Unwin for the review copy!

#174 Book Review: Dance of Shadows [ARC]

Dance of Shadows [ARC]
Release Date: February 2013
Author: Yelena Black
Publisher: Bloomsbury Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond
More Info: Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads:

Dancing with someone is an act of trust. Elegant and intimate; you're close enough to kiss, close enough to feel your partner's heartbeat. But for Vanessa, dance is deadly – and she must be very careful who she trusts . . .

Vanessa Adler attends an elite ballet school – the same one her older sister, Margaret, attended before she disappeared. Vanessa feels she can never live up to her sister's shining reputation. But Vanessa, with her glorious red hair and fair skin, has a kind of power when she dances – she loses herself in the music, breathes different air, and the world around her turns to flames . . . 

Soon she attracts the attention of three men: gorgeous Zep, mysterious Josh, and the great, enigmatic choreographer Josef Zhalkovsky. When Josef asks Vanessa to dance the lead in the Firebird, she has little idea of the danger that lies ahead – and the burning forces about to be unleashed . . .

Cover:
Absolutely gorgeous. First up, I like the smoky and firey background. I love how eye-catching the girl's red dress is, how flower petals seem to fly up from the dress and how her pose is very enticing. The girl looks similar to how I imagine Vanessa looks like!

Story:

Welcome to New York Ballet Academy, an elite ballet school for the talented ones...

It is every ballet dancer's dream to attend New York Ballet Academy. It's where people from different places come together; to enhance their ability to dance and fully let themselves immerse into the art of ballet. However, mysteries surround the Academy and Yelena Black's dark and enticing story brings you a tale of deadly dance with a touch of paranormal...

Dance of Shadows is a dark, taunting yet somehow an eerily gorgeous story. Reading this book allows me to reminisce my memories of learning how to dance ballet and all the hard work in training. I can really connect with the experience of dancing ballet in this book. Yelena captures the intense and beautiful feeling of dancing ballet and the 'sacrifice' needed to bond with the dance. What makes this book intriguing is the touch of paranormal and mystery. Ballet is no longer just a beautiful art but it is also dark and terrifying. Through Yelena's writing, she magnifies ballet as though it is a living thing. The book also explores the life of a ballerina and how tough it can be for them. What I particularly adored from this book is actually Yelena's descriptive explanation of ballet. It is detailed and thorough that I can imagine myself dancing in this elite Academy.

Characters:
I have to admit, the characters in this book are not very likeable. Vanessa is alright. I understand what she's feeling but I find it hard to connect with her. I sometimes hated how she acts and the decisions she made throughout the story. Although, when she dances, I forget my issues because Vanessa is a very talented dancer. Her dance makes the dance itself alive and I can't help but be entranced by it. As you can read from the summary, she 'attracts' 3 men; Zep, Justin and Josef. The main love interest in the beginning is Zep and although he is described as this gorgeous, beautiful dancer, I did not like him. His charms did not appeal to me at all and his relationship with Vanessa is so sudden and strange. Justin himself is similar to Zep. He carries this aura of mysteriousness and I can't understand why he acts that way around Vanessa. Josef is at first, interesting although when we discover his story, it feels flat to me. However, Vanessa's friends are all okay and they are pretty enjoyable to read about in this book!

Overall:
Can you imagine attending an elite Ballet Academy, only to discover that something truly mysterious is hidden beneath its reputation? Dance of Shadows is an enticing mixture of the art of ballet, darkness, romance and paranormal. While the characters are not very enjoyable to me, what I thought stood out most from this book is Yelena's descriptive exploration of ballet and its beauty. If you love books about dancing, then this book might just be for you!

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Dance of Shadows!

Thank you Bloomsbury Australia for the review copy!

Check out the book trailer below!