The Reading Pile #2

I have so, so many books to read!

Recently I've had three new purchases, but I thought I'd also share with you a couple of books on my Kindle that I'm also dying to read:

The Luminaries - Eleanor Catton
This book was recommended to me by a colleague, and then I heard all the hype and decided I might go for it. I finally did when I spotted it in Tesco for £3.85. Then I looked to the right and saw...

Half Bad - Sally Green
Yes, this was also in Tesco for £3.85, but because I bought these two together they only cost me £3.50 each. Considering the RRP on them is £9.99 and £7.99, I think I've got a really good deal there. I've been reading a fair bit on the blogosphere about this one, and although it kind of reminded me of Beautiful Creatures (as a heads up, I've only seen the film so this could be incorrect as I know the film differs a lot from the book), I think it will stand up on its own.

Glamour in Glass - Mary Robinette Kowal
The sequel to Shades of Milk and Honey, which I utterly devoured. This was a Kindle Daily Deal, so I snapped it up sharpish. I hope this is as subtle and calming as its' predecessor.

Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn
Apparently this is being made into a film? I have no idea whether that's true or not, but if it is the case, I need to read it ASAP. Again, this has had a lot of attention and so It automatically went on my radar.

The Maze Runner - James Dashner
It's been on my Kindle for a little while now because once again it was a Daily Deal, and if it's on my wishlist, I have to buy it while it's cheap. Another book I have to read before I see the film. It's no good seeing the film if you can't compare it to the original in my opinion.

Have you read any of these books yet? What did you think?

Review: Prom Impossible - Laura Pauling

Cassidy (most American name ever? quite possibly!) is coming into her senior year at school and she already has it all figured out. She's going to bag the man of her dreams this year, and she's going to the prom with him. There's just one catch, he doesn't know that yet, and because he's a nerd, he needs a good push to see the light.

Characterisation was massive in this book; Cassidy is a motor-mouth habitual liar with determination and a fair bit of wit. Some of her comments make you giggle aloud, and the situations she gets herself in seriously make you cringe. When they said it was a modern day Shakespearean comedy, they weren't joking, because there are love triangles and misunderstandings galore. Cassidy was annoying at first, especially when she tried to be funny and when she panicked about nearly everything, but the thing is, I remember being exactly the same at that age. I think this is a perfectly written teenage mind, just given very interesting circumstances to think on.

This was an impressively fast read that makes you think on it every time you have a second. You can't help but wonder what on earth Cassidy will do next, and how she's going to fix it, or make it worse as the case may be. The plot is fairly straightforward in the way that it leads up to the prom, and I loved the way as the year went on everything got more and more complex, and more stressful for Cassidy.

I thought Prom Impossible would be a typical teenage read with nothing really grounding it, but  it pleasantly surprised me by actually dealing with far more things issues than just boys. It actually thinks about what teenagers would think in a situation and gives them the reasons why. It teaches that sometimes parents and aunts do things because they care, not because they want to embarrass you or hurt you, which was something I sometimes needed to be reminded of as a teenager, though possibly not at 17-18. It also teaches that lying is really, really bad for you, especially when you lie and then try to cover it with more lies. This was something plenty of my friends needed to be taught.

As for romance, because essentially that is what you're reading this for, there are all types considered in this, from the fawning of a love not reciprocated to the pounding heart that is lust, to the soft, steady type of love that comes up on you when you least expect it. As for the men, Zeke was my favourite, as he's utterly supposed to be. The reformed bad-boy type with a penchant for turning up at exactly the right time is exactly what a teenagers dream of; they get the image without all the flaws.

A good, fun read with a lot of drama and a lot of cringey situations, perfect for teens and perfect for a lapse into your teenage self if you're not one. 8.5 out of 10, purely because the voice took a while to get used to and to actually like.

Prom Impossible on Goodreads

This book was gifted to me as a review copy via Xpresso Book Tours.

Review: A Creature of Moonlight - Rebecca Hahn

All her life, Marni had felt close to the woods and despite her Gramps's warnings she had entered them every day and returned to him. The last time someone returned from the woods, it was her mother, carrying a baby which was not altogether human. The woods are now closing in, seeking out its' lost child. Life for Marni as a simple flower girl is about to get a lot more complex. The secrets she had forgotten and the world she has been hidden from for so long are about to immerse her once again.

With its host of princesses, courts and magical creatures, a complicated plot and a lot of back-story, this has got to be one of the best thought-through fair-tales I've ever read. The magical elements tie in really beautifully to Marni's own story, and how Marni changes and grows throughout the book. Seeing the character arc clearly is a big deal in my book, so it was great to see Marni being true to herself and to see Edgar's slight arc happening as well.

What is truly a marvel is that although the book is short, there are numerous characters and many of them are well developed, for example, Edgar, Gramps, Annell, the Dragon, the King and the Queen. Marni is clearly a strong-willed and vibrant girl, but underneath all that her two identities are warring and her attachments in both worlds cause her considerable turmoil. It was nice to see how she dealt with this, is what could be said as a very practical approach. Although it is obvious that Marni is not one of us, we feel respect for her and understand the way she thinks, so she's a protagonist you can empathise with despite her otherness.

Plot-wise, the first part was slightly difficult to get in to. Maybe it was Marni's style of speech, or maybe it was that the blurb had told me so much I didn't feel the need for the back-ground, I'm not sure. As sophisticated as the story was, I found that the pacing wasn't as good as it could have been. The book is split into three parts; part number one leads up to the cataylstic event, part 2 rushes on, building momentum all the way to part 3, where unfortunately the pace stops dead.

Although this then leads to huge revelations integral to the complexity of the plot, as well as an ending which will leave readers quite satisfied, for me the main part of the third section did not hold enough suspense or purpose. The contented, languorous days described in this part translate directly to the reader, so instead of finishing explosively, this book simply let's out a sigh of happiness at its perfect circular structure. That is another point altogether; nothing much actually ends up changing, everything seems to be a case of diverting a disaster and then happily ever after.

I would have liked to see more of a crescendo and uprising, even if it meant that main characters would die or events would be altered drastically. Maybe I've read too many dystopias, but would a face-off with the King, or the dragon, or both, be too much to ask?

Although this is a beautifully written book, and a really thought-provoking story complete with a few surprises, it didn't entirely grab me by the throat. The book is enjoyable, but possibly not for people with short attention spans, so I am afraid that the lack of pace brings my rating right down to a 6 out of 10.

This book was kindly gifted for review by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Book Blitz: The Gatekeeper - J.A. Templeton + Giveaway

The Gatekeeper by J.A. Templeton
(Otherworld Series #1)
Publication date: May 1st 2014
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult, Paranormal Romance

Synopsis:

Ever since I can remember, I've had strange dreams that always came true, and experienced terrifying powers that set me apart from everyone else.

It’s not until my eighteenth birthday do I begin to understand what those dreams mean. When my grandfather is attacked and left for dead, I am thrust into the Otherworld—a medieval-like land of beautiful immortals with amazing gifts. One of these immortals has stolen the key between the realms, and it is up to me, Brynne Davies, the next gatekeeper, to reach the key before the power struggle that exists in the Otherworld occurs on earth.

Complicating my task are the members of the Royal House of Parthas, especially the king’s brother, the handsome Murdoc, Warlord of the king’s army, and then there’s the charming Fae prince who seems to always be one step ahead of me.

Time is running out for me to find the key and close the door. If I don’t, the world I left will never be the same…because of me.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14289574-the-gatekeeper?ac=1

Purchase:

Will be found here come release day: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=The+Gatekeeper+Templeton&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3AThe+Gatekeeper+Templeton

AUTHOR BIO

I wrote my first young adult novel over ten years ago, and took a slight detour from writing YA to publish nineteen adult romances. Now, I'm following my heart and writing in the genre I've been passionate about for so long, and about characters who don't exactly fit into any specific box.
Aside from writing and reading, I'm obsessed with history, love research, traveling, and riding motorcycles with my hubby, my first and only love, who stole my heart when I was fourteen and he was eighteen (yes, he robbed the cradle). I am also a medium, which gives me a unique perspective when writing about the paranormal and characters like Riley, who can see, hear, and feel spirits.
I'm passionate about books, and I'll never tire of writing love stories.

Author links:

http://www.jatempleton.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/JA-Templeton/124655067647202?ref=hl

https://twitter.com/JATempleton

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5005267.J_A_Templeton

GIVEAWAY
To win an ebook copy of The Gatekeeper, please fill out the rafflecopter below. This giveaway is open internationally. The prize will be sent out after May 26th, as that will be the end of the Blitz.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz: Blood Magic - T.G. Ayer + Giveaway!

Blood Magic by T.G. Ayer
(SoulTracker #1)
Publication date: April 28th 2014
Genres: New Adult, Urban Fantasy

SYNOPSIS:
My name is Mel Morgan and I’m a Tracker. I find people for a living. The people I help have no idea I know exactly how they feel because I’ve lost someone too. If only I could have found the one person I’ve been looking for all these years.
My current case is no ordinary abduction. Before long I’m neck deep in blood magic – the worst kind. I need the help of a necromancer if I’m to free the kid. Doesn’t mean I have to like it. When sexy djinn Saleem asks for help things get a little hot to handle. But how can I say know? Dodging demons and sorcerers are just part of my day job.



Here's a short excerpt of what you can expect from the book:

"So you'll arrest me because I spoke to a guy? Mighty protective of you, Detective." I smiled, injecting a little charm into the turn to my lips. "I always knew there was a reason you followed me around twenty-four seven, Detective. I just never realized it was because you had the hots for me."
A snort of laughter emanated from his dark-haired partner and I tilted my head to address him. "So who are you supposed to be? You the latest sorry sucker they found to babysit this fool?" I pointed a thumb at Fulbright who choked with fury at my words. Not that being polite to Fulbright had ever been my strong suit.



Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21900110-blood-magic?from_search=truePurchase:
--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Magic-SoulTracker-The-Series-ebook/dp/B00JX8UC8K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398458803&sr=8-1&keywords=Blood+Magic+ayer

AUTHOR BIO
I have been a writer from the time I was old enough to recognise that reading was a doorway into my imagination. Poetry was my first foray into the art of the written word. Books were my best friends, my escape, my haven. I am essentially a recluse but this part of my personality is impossible to practise given I have two teenage daughters, who are actually my friends, my tea-makers, my confidantes… I am blessed with a husband who has left me for golf. It’s a fair trade as I have left him for writing. We are both passionate supporters of each other's loves – it works wonderfully…
My heart is currently broken in two. One half resides in South Africa where my old roots still remain, and my heart still longs for the endless beaches and the smell of moist soil after a summer downpour. My love for Ma Afrika will never fade. The other half of me has been transplanted to the Land of the Long White Cloud. The land of the Taniwha, beautiful Maraes, and volcanoes. The land of green, pure beauty that truly inspires. And because I am so torn between these two lands – I shall forever remain cross-eyed.



Author Links:
http://www.tgayer.com/https://www.facebook.com/TGAyerAuthorhttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5726831.T_G_Ayer

GIVEAWAY!

To win this lovely amethyst necklace, please fill the rafflecopter below. a Rafflecopter giveaway