Saturday Spotlight: Winner Soul Beach ARC

Title: Soul Beach
Series: Soul Beach #1
Author: Kate Harrison
Publisher: Indigo
Publication Date: 1 Sep 2011

Synopsis: From Amazon

When Alice Forster receives an email from her dead sister she assumes it must be a sick practical joke. Then an invitation arrives to the virtual world of Soul Beach, an idyllic online paradise of sun, sea and sand where Alice can finally talk to her sister again - and discover a new world of friendships, secrets and maybe even love . . . . But why is Soul Beach only inhabited by the young, the beautiful and the dead? Who really murdered Megan Forster? And could Alice be next? The first book in an intriguing and compelling trilogy centred around the mystery of Megan Forster's death.

Review here

Winner selected by Random.Org

Lucky No. 7

Liz R

Review: Forbidden by Jana Oliver

Title: Forbidden
Series: The Demon Trappers #2
Author: Jana Oliver
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Publication Date: 5 Aug 2011

Synopsis: From Amazon  Riley’s beginning to think being a demon trapper isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Her dad’s been stolen by a necromancer, her boyfriend’s gone all weird and she’s getting warm and fuzzy feelings for someone who’s seriously bad news. It’s tempting to give it all up and try to be normal, but that’s not an option.
Because the demons have plans for Riley.
And they’re not the only ones.

REVIEW:

Please bear in mind that this is the second book in the series and therefore the review may contain spoilers for the first book.

I loved, loved, loved the first book Forsaken (review here) so I was really excited to get the second book, much squeeing ensued as I ripped open the envelope. Set in the not so distant future with the kind of economic collapse that is terrifyingly realistic. These books are like a dystopian supernatural cupcake with urban fantasy sprinkles, ready to be devoured in a single bite. 

I adore Riley's narrative voice, her snarky take on realism is pretty much along the same lines as the way my mind works (lol). There is a nice recap of the main events of the first book in the beginning allowing the imagination to drop straight back into Riley's world. The third person narration allows for alternate points of view keeping the multi-level plot under control.

There are still a lot of questions regarding certain characters, the way in which the story unfolded was truly surprising. Hints and misdirection are placed within the plot, it certainly kept me on my toes. I was surprised that Beck is only 22, he seems so much older with everything he has experienced; my heart really goes out to him. The direction Simon's character took was staggering. Help for Riley comes from some unexpected places. There are hidden depths to the characters, there is truly ingenious character development within this book even if some were not what I would have wanted. I especially liked the way in which Riley's school friend Peter developed in this book and the introduction of technology as an aid to the trappers was really down to him <3

Clever use of a Macbeth quotation made me question my perception of events. The incorporation of the theory that Lucifer is testing 'man's love of God' and that the demons increase in proportion to the population was really interesting and added depth to the story.

The way in which the plot developed toward the end of the book has left me slightly confused as to Riley's role in the battle between good and evil. The questions that need answering are just how important is Riley to the world and why. Shades of Armageddon are hinted at within the narrative, what is Riley's role in it???

Mystery, romance, the battle of good versus evil, dynamic action and thrilling tension. This book has it all.

Musical Moments: Book Inspires Song

Taken from press release:

Bestselling thriller writer Harlan Coben releases his first Young Adult novel SHELTER. The novel, the first of a series with high school student Mickey Bolitar, has inspired a haunting song by the singer and musician David Berkeley also entitled Shelter.

Harlan Coben has been a fan of David Berkeley’s for several years and mentioned one of his songs in an earlier novel CAUGHT. When Berkeley got in touch to thank him for the plug they two became friends and have often talked about collaborating on a project. It was on reading an advance proof of Coben’s novel SHELTER that Berkeley came to write his beautiful and heartbreaking song.

David Berkeley says:

“As a songwriter, I am often trying to create a musical story out of an emotion or an experience. With "Shelter," Harlan provided me with the story and experiences, and I had to just create a sonic mood that matched, using enough details to make it relate while still allowing the song to be broad. I was inspired by how big Mickey’s heart is, by his courage in the face of all the world throws at him. Once I got my head into his, the song basically wrote itself.”

Harlan Coben says:

"I love David's music so much that I had a character in my novel CAUGHT listening to him. The fact that SHELTER inspired David to write one of his most beautiful and haunting hit songs, well, I couldn't be more pleased.   The first time I heard the song, I started to well up."

Title: Shelter

Series: Mickey Bolitar #1

Author: Harlan Coben

Publisher: Indigo

Publication Date: 15 Sep 2011

Synopsis: From Amazon

Mickey Bolitar's year can't get much worse. After witnessing his father's death and sending his mom to rehab, he's forced to live with his estranged uncle Myron and switch high schools. A new school comes with new friends and new enemies, and lucky for Mickey, it also comes with a great new girlfriend, Ashley. For a while, it seems like Mickey's train-wreck of a life is finally improving - until Ashley vanishes without a trace. Unwilling to let another person walk out of his life, Mickey follows Ashley's trail into a seedy underworld that reveals that this seemingly sweet, shy girl isn't who she claimed to be. And neither was Mickey's father. Soon, Mickey learns about a conspiracy so shocking that it makes high school drama seem like a luxury - and leaves him questioning everything about the life he thought he knew. With this new series, Coben introduces an entirely new generation of fans to the masterful plotting and wry humour that have made him an award-winning, internationally bestselling author.

I am always saying music and books go together, this just proves me right [ ; D ]

Review: Betrayal by Lee Nichols

Title: Betrayal
Series: Haunting Emma #2
Author: Lee Nichols
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Publication Date: 5 Sep 2011


Synopsis: From Amazon


Emma Vaile is the most powerful ghostkeeper in centuries. Which is great when she's battling the wraith-master Neos, but terrible when she's flirting with fellow ghostkeeper (and love interest) Bennett. When ghostkeepers fall in love, the weaker one loses all power, and that's something Bennett is not willing to accept. Heartbroken and alone, Emma tries to lose herself in school. A new team of ghostkeepers has arrived - one a snarky teen boy, the other a visiting scholar - and Emma finds solace in training for the battle against Neos. But as the team grows stronger, they are threatened by an unknown force. As chilling and page-turning as Deception, this sequel will grab readers and hold them to the last page. No one is safe from suspicion as Emma closes in on the traitor.

Review:


Please remember this is the second book in the series and therefore the review may contain small spoilers for the first book. 

You already know I am utterly biased about this series because I really can place myself in the position of the main character, plus her narrative voice is so realistic. Although it is really necessary to read the series in order to understand the intricacies of the plot and interactions, there are nice little recaps placed into the narrative to refresh the memory.

What really stood out for me in this book is how stunning the character development is, even if some of it didn't go the way I would have wanted (lol). 

The title is a little trick in itself, as from the start I was questioning the motives and interactions of all the characters. It is easy for me to place myself in Emma's position but my guard was up for her from the start of this book. Not knowing who to trust makes her retreat into herself a bit, plus her relationship with Bennett is a roller-coaster of highs and lows. It is hard to reconcile the 2 halves of Emma's life sometimes, it is easy to forget that she is still a young teenager and not just an all powerful ghost-keeper. The way in which Emma is treated by the Knell is a reflection of this. 

Even though the title conveys that there is going to be a betrayal at some point within the plot I have to admit that when the revelation came it really did take me by surprise. I actually shock my head at the book, I just did not want to believe it. Lee Nichols peppers the plot with red herrings and misdirection skilfully. This book certainly is not predictable.

The framework for the plot is set out in the first book Deception the story progresses with dynamic action in Betrayal all the while allowing the characterisations to really shine through.

I have to say I am slightly disappointed in Bennett. Although the obstacles between him and Emma seem insurmountable, I really wish he had chosen a different way to try to overcome them. This maybe a deliberate plot development by Lee Nichols but I really wanted to slap him in this book. Silly boy.

*Semi Spoiler Alert* - I really hope they discover a way to let ghost-keepers be together without one of them losing their powers.

As I said in my review of Deception (here) this series is addictive. I am so glad I only have to wait until December for the third book. This series just rocks my socks off and not just because my name is Emma. It blends contemporary issues with paranormal romance *swoon*. Addictive and utterly brilliant. 

Trailer Tuesday: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Title: Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Publication Date: 29 Sep 2011

Synopsis: From Goodreads

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.
In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.
When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

 How amazing and a little bit scary does this look. I am really looking forward to reading it.

MG Monday: Guest Review: The Donut Diaries by Dermott Milligan

Title: The Donut Diaries of Dermott Milligan

Series: The Donut Diaries of Dermott Milligan

Author: Dermott Milligan ( Anthony McGowan)

Publisher: Corgi Children’s

Publication Date: 4 Aug 2011

Synopsis: From the back cover

My name is Dermot Milligan and I love donuts.
I have to keep count because my mum is threatening to send me to Camp Fatso if I don't shape up. And she's making me go to a demon nutritionist to sort out my diet. So this is my donut diary, where I write down what I've eaten and my FEELINGS - aaargggh yuck!
As if I don't have enough to deal with, what with starting Big School next week. (Note to self: Don't call it BIG SCHOOL!)

Review by Kain


I thoroughly enjoyed this book so much so that I finished reading it within a day! The reason I liked it so much is because it’s the English version of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Which I also thoroughly enjoyed!

The joke at the end with the alpha ape and the FHK is very funny. Also the way he calls secondary school “Big School” and all the Note To Self’s. His uniform was comical with the way it looks!

Even though this was a good book it was hard to review.

In My Mailbox 4/9/11 and 9/9/11

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren enabling us to share the book love. This week has been truly BOOKTOPIA. I got in from school on Friday to No mail which was a bit surprising lol BUT half an hour later as I was wandering inot the garage the next door neighbour appeared loaded down with parcel for me SQUEEEE

For Review:

The Adventures of the New Cut Gang by Phillip Pullman

(going to Kain for review and then the school library)

Between by Jessica Warman

(this sounds so good I have added it to my review list)

On Loan from the lovely Lynsey at Narratively Speaking

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

Amazon Pre-orders because I just can't help myself

Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

Fury by Elizabeth Miles

Won from The Book Memoirs

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison

10 Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

But I Love Him by Amanda Grace

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn

The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

Donated by Elle of The Book Memoirs for UKBT then the library

Before I Go To Sleep by SJ Watson

I also got a lovely pair of pink Converse from Steffi of Steffikins along with a gorgeous broach and gifts for the girls. Unfortunately, the Converse were slightly too big but the big girl is delighted, can you believe she has bigger feet than me already *sigh*

Gifted from the wonderful Sarah at Feeling Fictional

Postcard and Hershey's Kisses

(I had to take the photo a bit quick before the girlies got their hands on the choccies)

Donated to the library by the fabulous Jesse of Books 4 Teens

Glee: Summer Break by Sophia Lowell

Ondine by Ebony McKenna

For Review:

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

(sounds great)

Fire World by Chris D'Lacey

(the big girl has most of this series but hasn't really got into them - a few boys in the library have requested them so I am going to convince them to review them for me - a cunning plan)

Misfit by Jon Skovron

(ohhh demons YAY)

Finished Copy:

Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver

(so gorgeous and going straight into my library)

That's all I can say is that I am truly grateful to have such fabulous people and books in my life. To be able to take the finished copies into the school library is a lifeline for the pupils in the current economic situation. 

Thank you for stopping by - have a great week and HUGS to all of you.