My Bookcase

By popular demand (really for my friend Clover) and because I love to see other peoples bookshelves/cases myself.

We have 3 of these bookcases in my house, the girls used to have one each but as my pile of to-be read grew & grew, I combined  the younger 2 girls books and pinched a case for myself which was dismantled under pressure by my lovely hubby and then reassembled in my bedroom. Unfortunately it is by the hubs side of the bed, but I do gaze at it often with love and appreciation (the bookcase not the hubs, LOL)

The teddy bears were my girls 1st teddies they had when they were babies and I just love them (and the bears). They seem to think they  are far too grown-up to take these bears to bed with them now (very old at 9,7 & 5 LOL) So I get to have them on my shelf and remember when the girls were adorable babies and not the talkative monsters they are now :D

The pink gonk was a present from my hubs when we first starting courting :D The sign reads 'I may not be perfect but I am perfect for you' After 17 years together I think that he maybe right :D (certainly about the not being perfect - shush don't tell him - I don't want to shatter his illusions *can also be read as delusions*.

The top shelf of books is my hubs (he doesn't read a lot) I have already read the Wolf Brother series by Michelle Paver which he has sitting there waiting for him. I highly recommend the series if you haven't read it, Michelle did some awesome research for it. We have a few more series that we both read but obv I read before him :D The Skulduggery Pleasant Series by Derek Landy and The Secrets of Nichols Flamel Series by Micheal Scott. Both of which are now being passed on to the bookaholic 9 year old :D

The rest of the case is mine, mine, mine!!!!! Here are some close-ups :D

I have taken photos of the girlies bookcases and will post them at another time :D

Review: The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz

Synopsis: From Amazon

With the stunning revelation surrounding Bliss's true identity comes the growing threat of the sinister Silver Bloods. Once left to live the glamorous life in New York City, the Blue Bloods now find themselves in an epic battle for survival. Not to worry, love is still in the air for the young vampires of the Upper East Side. Or is it? Jack and Schuyler are over. Oliver's brokenhearted. And only the cunning Mimi seems to be happily engaged. Young, fabulous and fanged, Melissa de la Cruz's vampires unite in this highly anticipated fourth instalment of the Blue Bloods series.


Review:
Following the shock occurrences at the end of Revelations. We find Schyler on the run, choosing friendship of love :(

This is actually my favourite book of the series so far. Told in 3rd person narrative but alternating chapters focalized from the point of view of the 3 main female protagonists, Sky, Mimi and Bliss.

We already have quite a deep knowledge and understanding of Sky from the previous books so her chapters are mainly keeping the reader up-to-date with key aspects of the plot. While further examining her interactions and relationships.

I really liked the chapters focalized from Mimi and Bliss's point of view. Giving insight into their personalities and relationships while adding depth and dimension to their characters. Until this book I had harboured ill will to Mimi seeing her as only shallow and self-centred. Through her focalization we as the reader can appreciate that she has more than one side to her. The characters really come to 3 dimensional life. Dare I say, I even started to like her a bit :D Through her relationship with Kingsley we are able to fully appreciate the barriers she has created for herself.

The male protagonists seem to take a background role in this story, although their actions are pivotal to the plot development.

Through Bliss's focalization we are able to fully comprehend the nightmare she is experiencing. Her strength of mind/character is something to be admired. Due to circumstances beyond her control she is cast as the 'villan' yet we are able to sympathise with her. Personally I would like to know how she came to be in this situation in  the first place and also have the connection between Allegra & Lucifer fully explained???

As always the action is fast paced. The imagery is terrifically sensory - full immersion into the Blue Bloods World achieved ;) The interwoven tapestry of religion, history and mythology continues to flow seamlessly and adds a realistic element to the plot. There are some shocks and surprises in store, additional story-lines are picked up and developed.

As much as I adore the Blue Bloods series I do have concerns regarding Bliss in the finale of this book. I am hoping that it will be explained as the series continues.

I am now on a countdown to Keys to the Repository and Misguided Angels :)

Trailer: The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz

To tease you ready for the next review of this awesome series here is the book trailer:

How much do you want to read it now ;)

Review: Revelations by Melissa de la Cruz

Synopsis: From Amazon

For the Young, Fabulous and Fanged...All is never what it seems. Schuyler Van Alen's blood legacy has just been called into question: is the young vampire in fact a Blue Blood, or is it the sinister Silver Blood that runs through her veins? As controversy swirls, Schuyler is left stranded in the Force household, trapped under the same roof as her cunning nemesis, Mimi Force, and her forbidden crush, Jack Force. But when an ancient place of power is threatened in Rio de Janeiro, the Blue Bloods need Schuyler on their side. The stakes are high, the battle is bloody; and through it all Schuyler is torn between duty and passion, love and freedom. Romance, glamour and vampire lore collide in the highly anticipated third book in best-selling author Melissa de la Cruz's Blue Bloods series.

Review:

To use a UK commercial catchphrase 'it does exactly what it says on the tin' LOL

The secrets and mysteries are peeled back layer by layer, with a few (or more) shocks and surprises in store. Revelations cleverly picks up the threads of plot from Masquerade. These are definitely not stand alone books, if you haven't read the beginning of the series then you will not understand the intricacies of the plot and character interactions.

Written in 3rd person narrative, mainly focalised from Schyler's point of view (who we have grown to know/understand in the previous books). Schyler is so easy to relate to; an outsider in more ways than one. Within this story Sky's vampire powers are developed further but at what cost? You can also fully appreciate the dilemma she faces torn between her BF and 1st love.

The male protagonists especially seemed to gain a lot more depth of personality in this book, whereas they have previously played more of a background role.

Religion, history and fantasy are all woven together seamlessly into the plot. Topical issues such as the 'credit crunch' are entwined in the narrative adding a sense of realism. I especially adored the depiction of Lucifer. It has always baffled me as to why angels would have followed him in the beginning if he was a horrible/ugly/terrifying monster. Of course, he is all of those things but on the inside. This portrayal would certainly explain a lot :)

Reports are interspersed throughout the book adding intrigue and another dimension to the plot.

The start of the book deals mainly with plot building and character development. Quickly followed by fast paced action and drama culminating in a thrilling cliffhanger.
I was left pondering the questions:
1. Who decided on the bonds. How were they made in the 1st place. As it doesn't necessarily seem to work out for the best.
2. How were the vampire laws made?
Hmmm I wonder........

If you like supernatural romance/action/adventure with lots of fast paced action and ingenious plot twists then this series is a MUST for you ;)

In My Mailbox #4

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren
Just 3 books this week but they sure are awesome *happy dancing*

Synopsis: From Goodreads (thank you Clover)

When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton's type is girls named Katherine. And when it comes to girls named Katherine, Colin is always getting dumped. Nineteen times, to be exact.

On a road trip miles from home, this anagram-happy, washed-up child prodigy has ten thousand dollars in his pocket, a bloodthirsty feral hog on his trail, and an overweight, Judge Judy-loving best friend riding shotgun - but no Katherines. Colin is on a mission to prove The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which he hopes will predict the future of any relationship, avenge Dumpees everywhere, and finally win him the girl.

Love, friendship, and a dead Austro-Hungarian archduke add up to surprising and heart-changing conclusions in this ingeniously layered comic novel about reinventing oneself by Printz medalist John Green, acclaimed author of Looking for Alaska.

Synopsis: From Goodreads

Della’s over the moon when she kisses her long-standing crush at a party – but then she discovers her diary has disappeared...

When scans of embarrassing pages are sent to her mobile and appear on Facebook, Della’s distraught – how can she enjoy her first proper romance when someone, somewhere, knows all her deepest, darkest secrets?

Synopsis: From Amazon Thank you @atombooks for the ARC

Teenager Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything. Streetwise, tough and savvy, his quick sarcasm is renowned. But his whole world is suddenly turned upside down on the night his best friends try to kill him. Saved by a mysterious warrior, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters - immortal vampire-slayers who risk everything to save humanity - and he quickly learns that the human world is only a veil for a much larger and more dangerous one that's filled with all kinds of evil. However, before he can even learn the rules of this new world, his fellow students start turning into flesh-eating members of the undead. Nick knows he's in real danger and he soon has a lot more to deal with than starting high school: he's under pressure to hide his new friends from his mother and his chainsaw from the principal while trying to impress the girl he has a crush on ? all without getting grounded, suspended...or killed.

Who is going to make me jealous & tell me what they got ;)

The Sky is Everywhere Trailer

I read & reviewed this fantastic book a few weeks ago.

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson - please click the link if you want to read the review ;)

Published by Walker Books on sale 7/6/10

So to wet your reading appetite further here is a trailer for the book ;)

You will want it so much after watching it that you can immediately click the links below to order your copy ;)

Review: Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz

Synopsis: From Amazon
Preparations are under way for the ball of the century. But as any true Blue Blood knows, it's the after-party that counts. And the cunning Mimi Force is getting ready to make sure her masquerade ball is the place to be for the Young, Fabulous and Fanged. But Schuyler Van Alen has more on her mind than fancy dresses, even if her crush Jack Force, is sure to make an appearance. She's getting closer to finding out what's been preying on the young vamps ? and discovering the deadly secrets hiding under the masks...Rich with glamour, attitude and vampire lore, this second instalment in the Blue Bloods saga will leave readers thirsting for more.

Review:
Following the 1st Blue Bloods story we are thrown right in to the middle of the action from the beginning of this book. Schyler has travelled to Venice with Oliver in order to find her long-lost grandfather, Lawrence Van Alen, as per her grandmother's, Cordelia's, last request. You really do need to read this series in order to fully understand the plot twists and character interactions.

Unfortunately, Lawrence is not as Schyler imagined and after her unsuccessful 'mission' to Venice she returns to NYC. I adore Schyler's depth of character, she has the usual teenage angst dealing with friendships, falling in love, school, loss, etc on top of all these 'normal' things she has to adjust to her vampire nature while simultaneously being shunned by the prominent Blue Bloods due to her heritage.

As one mystery is unravelled within the narrative another takes its place. It has more plot twists and turns than a corkscrew roller-coaster and is just as thrilling (if you like roller-coasters - they make me sick but I thought it was a good analogue :0) A few red herrings are thrown into the mix getting the reader to question their assumptions about the plot, very, very clever plot building.

All of the prominent characters personalities and backgrounds are developed further. My dislike of Mimi increased exponentially the more I got to know her. The true extent of the relationship between Sky and Oliver is revealed (or is it). The reader is left to unravel the tangle that is the interaction of the characters. It certainly keeps you on your toes. Interactions and personalities are revealed, mistakes are made and further mysteries unravelled.The action is fast paced.

There are odd reports interspersed sporadically throughout the book. At first these appear to be random and unrelated to the main story, but are in fact another mystery to be solved :0)

The behind the scenes look at the modelling world was outstanding, you can tell from the narrative that Melissa de la Cruz has personal knowledge of these situations. Adding to the sense of realism within the narrative. Further enhanced by the description of the clothes and party, Melissa de la Cruz certainly knows her designer clothes, no wonder she writes for glamour magazines. The imagery was so sensory I felt completely immersed in the Blue Blood's world.

The addition of the Van Alen Family Tree at the end of the book was really helpful as a visual aid in keeping track of the key characters, their shared history and connections.

If the 1st book didn't have you hooked then this one certain will. As soon as I finished the last page I had to pick up the next book to continue the story. A terrific vampire series with a unique twist :0)