Book Haul #7 - September 2013

I don't think you can even call this a haul.

Book Haul #6 - August 2013

So in the month of March I managed to obtain a collection of 24 books! Below is a list of all the books I got and how I got them.

Review: Sever by Lauren DeStefano

Title: Sever

Author: Lauren DeStefano

Publisher: Harper Voyager  

Release Date: 14th February 2013

Format: Paperback (320 pages)

Series: The Chemical Garden Trilogy 

Synopsis from Goodreads:

With the clock ticking until the virus takes its toll, Rhine is desperate for answers. After enduring Vaughn’s worst, Rhine finds an unlikely ally in his brother, an eccentric inventor named Reed. She takes refuge in his dilapidated house, though the people she left behind refuse to stay in the past. While Gabriel haunts Rhine’s memories, Cecily is determined to be at Rhine’s side, even if Linden’s feelings are still caught between them.

Meanwhile, Rowan’s growing involvement in an underground resistance compels Rhine to reach him before he does something that cannot be undone. But what she discovers along the way has alarming implications for her future—and about the past her parents never had the chance to explain.

In this breathtaking conclusion to Lauren DeStefano’s Chemical Garden trilogy, everything Rhine knows to be true will be irrevocably shattered.

If you thought FEVER was bad, prepare to meet it's maker. SEVER by far has to be the worst conclusion to any book series I have ever read. There aren't enough offensive words in the english vocabulary to describe just how much I loathe Rhine. She is definitely one of the worst female protagonist's in YA and let's be honest the women of YA aren't that cracking. WITHER, at least the first half was an interesting book with a strong premise but it ultimately fell flat. I read FEVER purely out of curiosity as to where DeStefano would take the story and all I read was a load of nonsense, that was purposeful for SEVER but was still dull to read. SEVER is not worth your time or money, only read if you're willing to waste precious hours of your life. 

I didn't truly despise the series as whole otherwise I wouldn't have read on and I'm not slating it (well, maybe a little.) Lauren DeStefano is a talented writer with interesting prose that at times can be engaging and beautiful it's her actual story and ideas that let this series down. If she had taken the series in a different direction it could have been phenomenal but unfortunately we're left with this ... mess. Overall I really regret reading this series and wouldn't recommend it.  

1 Star

Review: What Happens Next - Colleen Clayton

Author: Colleen Clayton

Publisher: Poppy

Release Date: 9^th October 2012

Format: Hardback

Rating: 5 stars. (6 if I could)

Synopsis:

Before the ski trip, sixteen-year-old Cassidy “Sid” Murphy was a cheerleader (at the bottom of the pyramid, but still...), a straight-A student, and a member of a solid trio of best friends. When she ends up on a ski lift next to handsome local college boy, Dax Windsor, she’s thrilled; but Dax takes everything from Sid—including a lock of her perfect red curls—and she can’t remember any of it.

Back home and unable to relate to her old friends, Sid drops her college prep classes and takes up residence in the A/V room with only Corey “The Living Stoner” Livingston for company. But as she gets to know Corey (slacker, baker, total dreamboat), Sid finds someone who truly makes her happy. Now, if she can just shake the nightmares and those few extra pounds, everything will be perfect... or so she thinks. (via Goodreads.com)

Review: 

I just want to stand on the roof and scream to the heavens about how much I LOVED this book.  Never before have I been left feeling quite as blown away, heartbroken and uplifted all at the same time. Colleen Clayton has managed to write a brilliantly and heartfelt book about one of the most terrible things that can happen to a person.
It was so easy to fall head over heels in love with the characters and they’re stories- that were so well written and really reached out and left a long term impression on me. It’s not an easy book to read, the emotions are so raw and powerful and so realistic because these things could quite easily happen to anyone. But despite that, the book is also about learning to trust again and finding love and light in the most unexpected of times. You really get sucked into the book and the impression it left on me will last for a very long time. As much as it is heartbreaking and achingly real- I cannot stress how BEAUTIFUL the book also is. For anyone who has been through difficult and traumatising situation I hope you find this book and let it be a beacon of hope.  But for anyone else, I also urge you to read it because it’s a real hidden jem. Witty, poignant and toughing, What Happens Next is a beautiful book that has left a mark on my heart and will stay with me forever.

 K x 

Book Haul #2 - April 2013

I've been reeling the books in again! I've managed to gather up a mass of 18 books this month, which is pretty cool considering I turned 18 this month too.

No ARCs/Proofs this month, everything has been bought.

Review: Reached by Ally Condie

Author: Ally Condie

Publisher: Penguin

Release Date: 30- November-2012

Format: Paperback

Synopsis: After leaving Society to desperately seek The Rising, and each other, Cassia and Ky have found what they were looking for, but at the cost of losing each other yet again. Cassia is assigned undercover in Central city, Ky outside the borders, an airship pilot with Indie. Xander is a medic, with a secret. All too soon, everything shifts again. (Copied from Goodreads.com)

Rating: 4.5 stars. 

Review: I had thoroughly enjoyed Matched and Crossed so I was naturally excited for the last instalment of the book.  What I love most about this trilogy is Ally Condie’s writing, she spends a lot of time building up her characters and their development throughout the novel. By the end of the 3 books you feel as if you really know them inside and out. Although there are several big plot arcs in the book a lot of it is character focused and although this is evident in her other books, it can be slow going at times- especially if you’re looking for an “explosive” ending. Each chapter is in the point of view of Cassia, Ky and Xander, the narrations give the reader strong and powerful reactions to the situations they go through. 

As the life they once knew continues to change dramatically, Cassia, Ky and Xander have to each make decisions that will decide their future. The conclusion to the Matched trilogy does the whole series justice, it’s poetic and gives such a strong message. If you loved the first two books you should have no worries about the last one. Ally Condie’s writing allows you to get sucked into that world so that even if you’re not the biggest fan- I don’t think you’d have a problem finishing the last book.

It may not be as enthralling as some of the other YA books about but it’s poignant, powerful and the writing is beautiful. Well worth a read.

Kathleen x          

Review: Lengend by Marie Lu

Title: Legend

Author: Marie Lu

Publisher: Penguin  

Release Date: 2nd February 2012

Format: Paperback (295 pages)

Series: The Legend Trilogy 

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Cover: For once I’m actually glad they changed the covers. The original UK cover had a girl on a rooftop and everything was all golden. Then the covers were changed so that they were pretty much exactly what the US covers looked like, which is good because I actually prefer them as they are a lot more simple and make me think of the DIVERGENT covers in the context of the symbols. Also that and the fact that I hate models on covers.