REVIEW: Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

Name: Dance of Shadows

Author: Yelena Black

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Date published: 14th February 2013

Pages: 389, Paperback ARC

Source: For review (from publisher)

Rating: 3 teacups

Vanessa doesn’t believe that her sister is a runaway. She wouldn’t leave her family behind without saying a word. The only way Vanessa can discover the truth behind her mysterious disappearance is to follow in Margaret’s footsteps, but to do so she risks her sanity and maybe even her life . . .
Vanessa Adler is one of the talented few to get a place at the acclaimed New York Ballet Academy. Between backbreaking rehearsals for the school’s production of The Firebird she desperately tries to find out what happened to her sister before she vanished. There are rumors that the pressure of performing the lead role, the same role Vanessa is now rehearsing for, drove her mad. Other girls have gone missing too. Can the role be cursed? Vanessa’s new relationship with leading-man Zep only seems to complicate things further. What is he hiding from her and can she really trust him?

[summary taken from Goodreads]

My Review 

Dance of Shadows has left me in a rather conflicted mood.  Stunning cover art aside, the book was not without flaws and unfortunately fell short of my expectations.

I was instantly drawn by the concept of ballet and mystery combined in a world of supernatural.  The dance aspects of the book were simply stunning: each step described in intricate detail.  I was completely engrossed as Vanessa - the protagonist - pirouetted and releved across the pages.  Unfortunately, the supernatural elements did not appear until later on.

Which brings me nicely on to the pacing of the mystery.  It was dragged out far too much, to the point that the tediousness of it made me ask myself if I wanted to carry on, and it doesn't really pick up until the last third of the book.  I found this rather frustrating as I was led to believe by its marketing that it was 'deliciously dark' but there were only supernatural hints here and there before that mind-blowing finale.

Before I tell you my thoughts on the ending, I must mention the characters.  I didn't instantly like Vanessa.  There's nothing about her that makes you really connect with her.  She was a little... flat.  And also quite stupid.  There were moments where I wanted to shake her in disbelief and shout at her how obvious some things were.  And that love triangle... Some I can handle but this one didn't convince me.  Zep was too cliched in a dark and mysterious way and Justin wasn't stretched to his full potential.

Now, on to the breath-taking finale.  It almost made up for the previous flaws.  Almost.  It was eerily atmospheric and enticingly evocative.  Yelena Black has a talent for conjuring the most stunning of images within a reader's mind and I was fascinated and gripped by the unfolding events.  If the whole book had been at this standard, I would be giving it 5 stars.

Dance of Shadows turned out to be an interesting book but unfortunately did not live up to the high expectations I had for it.  I only came to the realisation at the end that it is the first in a trilogy so despite being curious as to what happens next, I'm not sure if I can go through another instalment which only ticks all the boxes at the very end.  If you plan on picking up Dance of Shadows, I would advise that you don't expect it to be fully supernatural.

3 Teacups for Dance of Shadows

*Thanks to Bloomsbury for providing me with an ARC*

Sticky Note: I'm going to be away for a week (it was a very last minute thing!) so apart from this review, the blog is going to be pretty inactive!  Apologies about this but I hope you guys are having a lovely summer :)  Also, I think I'll have WiFi so you will probably find me on Twitter if you miss me too much :P

REVIEW: Ferryman by Claire McFall

Name: Ferryman

Author: Claire McFall

Publisher: Templar

Date published: April 2013

Pages: 336, Paperback

Source: For review (from publisher)

Rating: 3 teacups

When Dylan emerges from the wreckage of a train crash onto a bleak Scottish hillside, she meets a strange boy who seems to be waiting for her. But Tristan is no ordinary teenage boy, and the journey across the desolate, wraith infested wasteland is no ordinary journey.
Life, death, love-which will Dylan choose?

[summary taken from Goodreads]

My Review

A love story like no other.  Indeed.  The tale that Claire McFall has crafted is truly original, unique and at times, breathtaking.  The premise is fresh and wildly imaginative and I was immersed in the haunting world of McFall's vision of the 'afterlife.'  Ferryman stands out as a one-of-a-kind read but unfortunately, despite its potential, I did not fall for it as much as I anticipated.

While the premise is absolutely wonderful, I felt that the storyline was somewhat lacking.  The concept of Tristan being Dylan's 'ferryman' who guides her to the other side following her death is striking but I found that their journey failed to grab my attention.  I expected something breathlessly mind-blowing but it didn't deliver and I would read on hoping that something big would hit me.  The climax, I suppose, is reached near the end but by this time, I wasn't concerned for the outcome.

What usually makes up for a storyline that doesn't grip me is the cast of characters.  However, I didn't connect with Dylan at all and felt largely indifferent towards Tristan, the love interest, who are the main characters.  I wasn't convinced by their 'love' and I didn't understand how it could be as strong as they seem to claim it to be.  I didn't root for them as a couple and there was no emotional investment in them either.

Despite all this, Claire McFall showed that she has huge potential with her enticing way with words.  My only fault about her writing is that there were often large chunks of description that caused my impatient self to skim read and skip passages.  Other than that her prose has a hauntingly mesmerising tone to it.

Ferryman did fall short of my expectations but I appreciate that others may enjoy it more than me.  As a debut novel, it highlights the creativity and out-of-this-world imagination of Claire McFall and I am eager to see what she will offer us next.

3 Teacups for Ferryman!

*Thanks to Templar Publishing for the review copy!*

Beverley xx

Blog Tour: The Rules for Disappearing Review + Giveaway!

Today is my stop for The Rules for Disappearing blog tour, hosted by Shane at Itching For Books! I have a review to share with you all, as well as a giveaway! To check out the rest of the tour, click here.

Jen's Review

The Rules for Disappearing
by Ashley Elston
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Release Date: May 14, 2013

The one thing that stands out for me when I first heard about The Rules for Disappearing was the fact that it's about the Witness Protection Program. I had never read anything like it before, so I was instantly curious and itching to read it. This book, more than ever, is a mystery. But more importantly, I felt that it was stronger as a romance, and a self-realization type of story. While this book was an entertaining read, it's not the most memorable.

One of the main factors that slowed down this book for me was that the overall plot of the story is interesting, but the pace gets slower as the reader gets closer and closer to the end. You'd expect the opposite: a mystery leading up to a fast-paced climax of the story, but personally for me, I was getting sleepier by each page. I loved the concept of the Witness Protection Program, but the mystery wasn't all that amazing. We got introduced to the story behind it all, and it was one of those "Okay, nodding my head, I'll go along with it, but I don't NEED to know what's happening" type of situations. It was fun to read about, but not gripping or heart-racing in any way. And the ending? So disappointed. It ended so abruptly, and the mystery was solved way too easily, leaving the reader wanting more of a mind-blowing resolution.

What's more strange, is that I absolutely LOVED the romance-- it's the strongest point in the whole novel-- but I didn't like the main character, Meg, independently. Meg alone is a sullen character, and she literally has no self-control. Sure, I understand that she's tired of moving so much and that she should keep to herself, but just because meeting a cute boy in a new town does NOT mean you can lose all control and fall in love with him, especially when you're under strict WPP rules. However, I'm glad this romance happened because it's seriously so sweet; I could taste the sugar on my tongue whenever they were together! Ethan, the love interest, doesn't hesitate to help and find out about Meg, and he was just the kindest, most endearing male specimen ever. SWOON, much?

In all, while the plot and mystery were pretty slow-going, the romance did it all for me. The romance was what kept me reading, and it's really something you don't want to miss out on if you're a romance junkie (like me). The Rules for Disappearing doesn't have the most memorable plot, but it is still a fun, quick mystery.

3 teacups for The Rules for Disappearing!

*Thanks to Disney Hyperion, Netgalley, and Shane for providing me with a review copy!*

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy reading!
Jen xx

Blog Tour: The Nightmare Affair Review + Giveaway!

Hi everyone! I was luckily enough to land a spot in The Nightmare Affair blog tour hosted by Shane at Itching For Books! Today I have a review for you all and a giveaway for two signed copies. Check out the rest of the tour here.

 Jen's Review

The Nightmare Affair
by Mindee Arnett
Publisher: Tor Teen

Release Date: March 5, 2013 (US)

Pages: 367, Hardcover

Source: For review via Netgalley/Blog Tour

Rating: 3 Teacups

The Nightmare Affair caught my attention immediately after I read the synopsis for it. The concept of Nightmares, a murder mystery, and taking place at a boarding school completely drew me in. The Nightmare Affair was one of my most anticipated reads of 2013, and it was a bit of a letdown, but nonetheless a good read. This novel had its strong points, like the concept and plot, but things like characters and romance didn't work well for me.

First and foremost, I was not disappointed by the thing that drew me in in the first place: the concept. Arnett definitely intrigues the reader with a unique, never-before-seen idea of yes, witches, demons, and sirens, but also Nightmares. I'll let you to find out exactly what Nightmares are, but it was described very well and I loved how different it was apart from the usual paranormal we see today. It's fresh and a definitive plus side to the book. The way of explanation wasn't done the best; it was a bit in the form of info-dumping, but hidden in the way of a teacher explaining to the main character, Dusty. Not only was the idea of Nightmares fantastic, but the plot was paced pretty well. I always wanted to know more. I was constantly eager to find out who this killer was. The twist in the end was unexpected, unless I'm totally unobservant. Alas, these are the only things I enjoyed in The Nightmare Affair.

One of the prominent issues with my enjoyment for The Nightmare Affair was the lack in character depth. In other words, I had a really hard time connecting with Dusty, Selene, or Eli. They were all fun, entertaining, and exciting characters, but I never felt empathetic towards them on any emotional level. I had no feeling towards them. Surely, they are not memorable in any way. For me, they were just kind of there in the story, nothing more. Along with that, was the romance. The romance wasn’t believable or deep as well; it was a nice touch, but not really… necessary.

On a side note, The Nightmare Affair writes like it's meant for a younger YA crowd, which may also explain Dusty's slightly childish tone and character. She's a bit of a naïve character, but it didn't bother me much (it may for others!). Also, the conclusion of the story felt very similar to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (minor spoiler? Sorry!), and it wasn't all that satisfying. I'm curious to see if there will be a sequel, as it isn't settled very well. However, the ending didn't really leave me wanting more.

My final thoughts: The Nightmare Affair has its many flaws and many imperfections here and there, but thankfully, the original, fresh idea saved it's butt for sure. It's worth a try if you love a lighter mystery with a different paranormal concept that's never been done. If you can look past the plain characters and romance, give this one a go!

3 Teacups for The Nightmare Affair!

*Thanks to Netgalley, Publisher, Itching For Books, and author for providing the review copy!*

Check out the trailer for this book!

Giveaway!

Want to read this book? Enter the giveaway for TWO signed copies of the book! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy reading,
Jen xx

Blog Tour: Flight Review + Giveaway!

Hi everyone! Today I'm happy to be taking part in the blog tour for Alyssa Rose Ivy's The Crescent Chronicles series. I have a review for the first book, Flight, and an awesome giveaway to share with you all. Thanks to AToMR Tours for letting me be a part of this tour! Check out the rest of the schedule here.

Jen's Review

Flight

by Alyssa Rose Ivy

Publisher: Self-pubbed

Release Date: August 15, 2012

Pages: 270, ebook

Source: For review from author/blog tour

Rating: 3 Teacups

Sometimes you just have to take flight.
A summer in New Orleans is exactly what Allie needs before starting college. Accepting her dad’s invitation to work at his hotel offers an escape from her ex-boyfriend and the chance to spend the summer with her best friend. Meeting a guy is the last thing on her mind—until she sees Levi.
Unable to resist the infuriating yet alluring Levi, Allie finds herself at the center of a supernatural society and forced to decide between following the path she has always trusted or saving a city that might just save her.

[summary from Goodreads]

First intrigued by the New Adult genre, Flight caught my attention from the start. I had read plenty of New Adult contemporaries, but none that were supernatural. I was curious to see how it would all play out. Sadly, Flight was a novel that nearly didn't work out for me at all. This story had poor character development and romance, but luckily, the supernatural creatures bumped it up a star for the last half of the story.

One of the major turnoffs in this novel was that it read like a straight-up contemporary for the first 30% of the book, and for me, that was way too long for it to get to the point of the story. I was pretty much thinking this: "Um, hello? I thought I was supposed to be reading a supernatural story..? I don't see anything supernatural at all… This is NOT what I signed up for." And when the supernatural elements were FINALLY introduced, there wasn't really a plot going on, necessarily, or problem/conflict, until the last quarter of the book. I guess what I'm trying to say is, the plot isn't very well organized.

The insta-love in this story seriously made me want to tear all of my hair out. Levi, the male protagonist, also known as a player, fell in love with Allie (our female protagonist) almost instantly. He fell in love with her mostly because of the physical attraction. Now, I usually take a deep breath and let a relationship like this form into something deeper and actually wait for the love to change into something real rather than something physical. I was waiting, waiting… ! Nothing of this sort happened. It remained a physical attraction the entire time, or at least, there was never a deep, believable romance between Levi and Allie. As for the characters themselves, they didn't really stand out at all, among all of the other characters I've read about in my history of reading.

As I mentioned above, the one thing that saved this book was the supernatural creature, Pterons. It's not TOO creative-- they're basically shape-shifters (not going to spoil what kind though). I enjoyed this concept, and it was interesting to read about. I found myself wanting to know what happened next and what exactly the history of the Pterons was. Flight was also a very quick read, which I didn't mind.

In all, I'm glad I tried out Flight, as I have finally fixed my curiosity for this book. While numerous parts of this book didn't work out for me, the supernatural element did, which I am eternally grateful for. I would recommend Flight to New Adult lovers who wouldn't mind some insta-love and for readers who just need a quick read to pass time.

3 Teacups for Flight!

*Thanks to the author and AToMR Tours for providing me with a review copy!*

Giveaway!!

Win a print copy of FLIGHT and FOCUS set – US/Canada Only and (10) eBooks of FOCUS – International. 

: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy reading,
Jen xx

REVIEW: Timeless by Michelle Madow

Name: Timeless

Author: Michelle Madow

Publisher: Dreamscape Publishing

Release Date: November 14, 2012

Pages: 230, Paperback

Source: eARC for review from author

Rating: 3 Teacups

IT'S A RACE AGAINST TIME.
In Remembrance, Lizzie and Drew changed the course of fate so they could be together. 
In Vengeance, Chelsea set fate back on its original, deadly path. 
Now, strange things keep happening to Lizzie. Things that are omens of darkness to come. A curse has doomed her to die an early death, just as she did in her past life. To make things worse, even if she can figure out who cast the curse, it's irreversible. There's only one option left for her to save herself. It's crazier than anything she's heard yet, and to do it, she'll need Drew and Chelsea's help.
Because to make things right, they must go back to when it all began …

[summary taken from Goodreads]

Jen's Review

To be honest, Timeless, the last installment in this fun, time travelling romance saga, felt like a complete add-on story. It didn’t feel like it was connected quite correctly with book one. All of the characters were of course, the same, but the ending with Remembrance was fine; Timeless's plot felt like an extra story that wasn't necessary. There was a major change in topic in a way, as well. While the first book was solely focused on reincarnation and loosely based off of Taylor Swift's music video, Timeless was a completely different story. It was more like a murder mystery to me. Nonetheless, while the plot didn't make much sense, it was still entertaining and intriguing.

Another problem I had with Timeless was the shift in character. Chelsea, Lizzie's ex-best friend, becomes her worst enemy after what happened in book one. In book two (ish, more like a novella), the story is told from Chelsea's point of view, talking about her wrath and anger towards Lizzie. In Timeless, Chelsea changes dramatically in her role AGAIN. It made Vengeance (book two) seem utterly pointless. Why couldn’t she just stay as Lizzie's enemy? Or friend? CHOOSE A SIDE, CHELS.

The last main problem I had was the ending-- it didn't end too abruptly, but it was rather simple. Drew, Lizzie, and Chelsea are jumbled up in this big time-travelling mess and all too soon and easily, they solve the problem just by negotiation. I would have loved to see more action! I was left a little disappointed.

Despite all of the problems I had with Timeless, I still had fun reading it. I was never bored, and it kept me amused. I liked the happy ending, and it definitely leaves the reader with a smile on their face. I definitely have to thank Michelle for writing such a cute series inspired by Taylor!

3 Teacups for Timeless!

*Thanks to Michelle for providing me a copy for an honest review!*

Mini-REVIEW: Vengeance by Michelle Madow

Name: Vengeance

Author: Michelle Madow

Publisher: Dreamscape Publishing

Release Date: December 8, 2011

Pages: 66, Paperback

Source: For review from author

Rating: 3 Teacups

How far would you go to get revenge?
When Chelsea Givens discovered that her ex-boyfriend Drew dumped her to be with her former best friend Lizzie, she'd never felt so betrayed in her life. Then her new friend Shannon tells her she can help set things right. Chelsea's willing to listen, but what Shannon wants her to believe -- that she shared a past life with Drew -- is impossible. And what she wants her to do to get him back … well, it's downright crazy. 
Could Shannon be telling the truth? And if she is, what lengths will Chelsea go if it means making Lizzie pay? 
Find out in Vengeance, the second part of the Transcend Time Saga.
*Vengeance is the short story that bridges the events in Remembrance and the final novel in the Saga.

[summary from Goodreads]

Jen's Review

Being a relatively short story from Chelsea's-- Lizzie's best friend-- point of view, it was fun and interesting to see the story her way. I think that the overall plot was well-paced and while it was a little mediocre and not over-the-top-exciting, Vengeance was an adequate read that fits between the first and last installment in the Transcend Time series.

Aside from the competent plot line, I think that this story was entirely negative. Let me explain. Chelsea, as mentioned before, is Lizzie's best friend. I'm not going to spoil anything, but she is extremely angry with Lizzie, and basically, this entire story illustrated Chelsea as an unfaithful best friend, as well as cruel. All Chelsea wanted was to get back at Lizzie for what she did. It really downplayed Chelsea's character, and made me hate her more than I did before. However, I think that this was Madow's intention, so it's actually good that I hated her.

The story doesn't exactly end on a cliffhanger, but the reader definitely wants to know more by the end. In my opinion, I think that Vengeance is a completely necessary read, even it's a novella/short story. It would have been great if it was longer! In all, Vengeance was a satisfying read that wasn't too little, but wasn't too much, either.

3 Teacups for Vengeance!

*Thanks to Michelle Madow for providing me with a copy to review!*

REVIEW: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Name: Everneath

Author: Brodi Ashton

Publisher: HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray

Release Date: January 24, 2012 (US)

Pages: 370, Hardcover

Source: Audiobook Library

Rating: 3 Teacups

"Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she's returned--to her old life, her family, her boyfriend--before she's banished back to the underworld . . . this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.
Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance--and the one person she loves more than anything. But there's just one problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen.
As Nikki's time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's queen."

[summary taken from Goodreads]

Jen's Review

I've always loved learning about Greek mythology, so when I found out that Everneath is based off of the Hades and Persephone myth, I've been excited ever since. Truth be told, Everneath is my first retelling story that I've read about Hades and Persephone! Sadly, however, I found many flaws in the story that I couldn't enjoy much. The characters were flat and boring, and there was that cliché paranormal love triangle aspect going on. The only thing I really enjoyed was the plot and world-building.

THE OH-SO-DREADED LOVE TRIANGLE

You all know what I'm talking about. That love triangle that typically happens in paranormal romance stories. Well, here it shows up in Everneath (I know it's greek mythology, but I'm counting it as paranormal). Guys, I used to like love triangles. I still do. If they're done correctly and not annoyingly. It was pretty aggravating in Everneath, unfortunately. None of the boys were flattering in my opinion, and it just did not work for me.

BORING, AND FLAT AS A PANCAKE

Nothing is worse than characters that aren't entertaining and fun to read about! I couldn't connect to any of them, and there was no spark. I was especially disappointed with Jack--the fact that Brodi Ashton made him a cliché boy. The football player, floppy brown hair… Can we get something new here?  And Nikki was so indecisive that it just ended up annoying me. None of the characters stood out.

AWESOME WORLD

I have to say, the plot and world-building was quite great. The world was very believable for me, and I kept wanting to know more about it. Along with the Everneath world itself, the plot delivered exciting twists. The storyline was able to keep me reading until the end.

All in all, I was quite disappointed with Everneath. I expected a lot more out of it, but didn't get what I wanted. It's decent, but it definitely won't be a memorable read that will stay with me. Although, if you're looking for a greek mythology story, I would still recommend giving this one a try!

Audiobook Review: I definitely suggest reading the book, physically. The audio wasn't my favorite--the narrator sounds a little too robotic and caused the character to sound like she was droning. Acceptable, but it could have been better.

3 teacups for Everneath!

REVIEW: Forever Mine (Moreno Brothers #1) by Elizabeth Reyes

Name: Forever Mine (Moreno Brothers #1)

Author: Elizabeth Reyes

Publisher: Self

Release Date: 6th September 2010

Pages: 335

Source: Bought

Rating: 3 stars

Seventeen-year old Sarah’s life is turned upside down when her single mom is sent to jail. She’s forced to move, leaving behind everything she’s ever known, including her best friend Sydney. Lost and bitter in a new school, her one goal is to save money and move back home. Then she meets Angel Moreno.
Enigmatic but gorgeous, Angel is almost too good to be true. Except for one thing, his archaic belief that guys and girls can never be “just friends”. The problem? Sarah’s best friend Sydney is not a girl.
With their unexpected romance intensifying to places neither ever experienced, how long can Sarah keep Angel in the dark about the guy waiting for her back home?

[summary taken from Goodreads]

First of all: Eeeeeeeee!!!!!!! I finished reading my first book on my new Kindle!

Beverley's Review

I wasn't expecting a lot from Forever Mine.  It was free on Amazon and seemed like a nice read so I bought it mainly so I could try out my new Kindle.  I didn't even think I would finish it but guess what?  I finished it in two days, which is pretty good for me.

I haven't read a lot of books which primarily focus on romance so this was a little different for me.  What I didn't really love about this was the insta-love.  Come on, you set eyes on the girl then immediately know you want her?  I would have enjoyed a build-up instead of a sudden spark I wasn't sure I was convinced with.

I really liked most of the characters.  Sarah was a bit of a weak protagonist: the problem could have been resolved much quicker and easier if it weren't for her running away from everything.  However, I had a soft spot for Angel.  He's protective and a little too intense but you can see he has good intentions at heart.  I enjoyed their relationship as it progressed but there was still a sceptical part of me which questioned if Angel was actually in love with her.  It was all, 'Sarah is so different' but Reyes never showed me how or why Angel thought she was so special.  Did he just want to get in her pants?

The secondary characters added some fun to the story.  Alex, Angel's brother, was such an outrageous flirt that I found myself giggling at his words.  Romero and Eric were awesome too with their playful banter and drunken antics!

A lot of the book was pretty mediocre.  The writing wasn't anything spectacular.  It was quite simple and not very descriptive.  I spotted quite a few grammatical errors too which irked me a little but it wasn't too major and didn't affect my enjoyment of the book too much.  Despite the flaws, I was compelled to read on and keep turning the pages so it was quite addictive!

Overall, Forever Mine was a nice, light read.  It is perfect for when you're in a reading slump and you need something less serious and heavy to enjoy.

3 teacups for Forever Mine

REVIEW: The Diviners by Libba Bray

Name: The Diviners

Author: Libba Bray

Publisher: Atom Books

Release Date: 18th September 2012

Pages: 592

Source: From publisher (for review)

Rating: 3 stars

It's 1920s New York City. It's flappers and Follies, jazz and gin. It's after the war but before the depression. And for certain group of bright young things it's the opportunity to party like never before.
For Evie O'Neill, it's escape. She's never fit in in small town Ohio and when she causes yet another scandal, she's shipped off to stay with an uncle in the big city. But far from being exile, this is exactly what she's always wanted: the chance to show how thoroughly modern and incredibly daring she can be.
But New York City isn't about just jazz babies and follies girls. It has a darker side. Young women are being murdered across the city. And these aren't crimes of passion. They're gruesome. They're planned. They bear a strange resemblance to an obscure group of tarot cards. And the New York City police can't solve them alone.
Evie wasn't just escaping the stifling life of Ohio, she was running from the knowledge of what she could do. She has a secret. A mysterious power that could help catch the killer - if he doesn't catch her first.                                        [summary taken from Goodreads] 

Beverley's Review 

Firstly, I must admit I'm not a huge fan of the supernatural genre... ghosts, spirits, the idea of things being there although you can't see them freaks me out.  So I surprised myself when I asked to review this.  However, I can tell you that delving into the 'dark' side was worth it this time.  While it wasn't perfect, the thrill and suspense gripped me and compelled me to turn the pages.

When the book landed on my doorstep, I was horrified to learn that it was about 600 pages long.  Being a slow reader, I sincerely hoped it would be interesting enough for me to get through the many, many pages without feeling utterly bored or wanting to give up on it.

Libba Bray takes no haste in immediately launching the reader into 1920s New York and she throws you into a vibrant world where underneath, an evil force is stirring.  The beginning was a little confusing for me: leaving me unsure of what to expect and I thought the first 100 pages could have been cut down.

Unfortunately, the third person narrative didn't work well for me.  I did come to appreciate each character but it lacked the depth I needed to connect with them further.  There was also too much happening for my liking.  Each chapter would switch and tell you about a different character and since it's so long, it became quite overwhelming.  I understand Libba Bray may have done this to make it more intriguing and mysterious but it just wasn't to my tastes.

However, I actually found myself really enjoying the supernatural element.  Yes, I refused to read it in darkness but I loved how it would sometimes make my heart skip a beat and my hands grip the book tightly.  The entertainment factor is similar to that of an eerie, ghost film so just don't read this before going to bed!

I cannot write this review without praising its originality.  I've never read anything like it and the way Libba Bray weaves so many different people and their stories together is truly amazing.  Her writing is so eerie and evocative it almost seems as if every page is alive, mirroring Manhattan's colour and vibrancy.  She has such a way with words, crafting the most extraordinary settings and plunging you into the 1920s.  You will have to read it for yourself to gain an appreciation of her writing and I'm glad to have been on thrown on to this 'journey.'

Overall, The Diviners is a gorgeously written book full of mystery and suspense that will leave you breathless by the last page.  Despite its flaws, it is an enjoyable book that will make you laugh and gasp and look around you warily at the same time.

3 teacups for The Diviners

*Thanks to Atom for providing me with a review copy*

REVIEW: Beneath the Glitter by Elle & Blair Fowler

Name: Beneath the Glitter

Author: Elle & Blair Fowler

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: September 4, 2012 (US)

Pages: 288, Hardcover

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Rating: 3 Teacups

From internet stars Elle and Blair Fowler comes a scintillating new novel that takes readers Beneath the Glitter of the glitzy L.A. social scene.
Welcome to a place where dreams are made.  And where nothing—and no one—is ever what it seems.
After their make-up and fashion videos went viral on YouTube, sisters Sophia and Ava London are thrust into the exclusive life of the Los Angeles elite.  Here fabulous parties, air kisses, paparazzi and hot guys all come with the scene. Sophia finds herself torn between a gorgeous bartender and a millionaire playboy, and Ava starts dating an A-list actor.  But as they’re about to discover, the life they’ve always dreamed of comes with a cost.
Beneath the glitter of the Hollywood social scene lies a world of ruthless ambition, vicious gossip…and betrayal.  Someone close to them, someone they trust, is working in the shadows to bring the London sisters falling down. And once the betrayal is complete, Sophia and Ava find themselves knee-deep in a scandal that could take away everything they care about, including the one thing that matters most—each other.

[summary taken from Goodreads]

Jen's Review 

Having watched Elle & Blair's beauty videos on Youtube for more than a year now, I am a huge fan of both of their videos, and so I didn't hesitate at the chance to read their debut novel. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect--it's not like I should judge before I've even read the book (that's just RUDE!). I went into it expecting a light, fun, drama-filled read, perfect for lounging by the pool. That's exactly what I got, but I was pleasantly surprised with the depth of some of the situations. BENEATH THE GLITTER had its ups and downs for me, nonetheless it all balanced out to be a pretty good novel.

The Good Stuff:

• The characters. I think that the characters were all super fun and enjoyable.  They could have been developed more (there's always room for improvement!), but what I got was good enough to be likeable. I found it extremely amusing with the fact that Sophia & Ava are pretty much Elle & Blair themselves. I genuinely saw themselves in the characters in the story.
• Lots of description! I loved the description and detail for the story. Though sometimes it was unnecessary, it created a very vivid world of LA for me.
• Cute chapter titles. Though this doesn't matter much, I found the chapter titles to be entertaining, and it just added to the cute and funny factor for this story.
• The sister-bondage. The relationship between Sophia & Ava was very precious and I adored their growth in working together as business partners, and as sisters. It's heartwarming.

The… Not So Good Stuff:

• The plot. Sure, the plot was drama-filled, but it wasn't really working out for me. Being just short of 300 pages, BENEATH THE GLITTER took me much too long to read. It was really slow from beginning to end (okay, there was ONE scene that was intense),  and I kind of felt myself pushing through the novel. It's a bit repetitive, even.
• The amount of STUFF going on. I just said the plot was kind of boring, and it kind of was. But there was also  too much stuff going on. I would have liked it if the story stuck to one main problem. We've got boy problems, London Calling, photography, sister problems, love triangle (ish), the pet shelter, etc. It kept jumping back and forth, and honestly, I think the story would have been more organized if it was toned down a little.
• The AMOUNT of characters in the story. At one point, it got a little overwhelming. There are SO many characters, from the main, to the love interests, to the side characters. GAH.
• THE ENDING. My goodness, the ending is frustrating me right now as I type. It's so confusing, there HAS to be a companion/sequel to it. I'm not saying it's exactly a cliffhanger, but it's discombobulating and there were quite a few questions left unanswered. It's frustrating!

So, there you have it. My thoughts. The plot really derailed my overall enjoyment of the story for me. However, I'm pretty happy with the way the story turned out, and I am still looking forward to whatever Elle & Blair have in store for their readers. If you liked Lauren Conrad's L.A. CANDY series, you are sure to enjoy this one as well. A cute, Gossip-Girl-esque novel that is entertaining and light-hearted.

3 teacups for Beneath the Glitter!

                   *Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin for providing me eARC to review*

REVIEW: Torn by David Massey

Name: Torn

Author: David Massey

Publisher: Chicken House

Release date: August 2nd 2012

Pages: 259

Source: For review from publisher

Rating: 3 stars

Afghanistan. In the heat and dust, young British army medic Elinor Nielson watches an Afghan girl walk into a hail of bullets. But when she runs to help, Ellie finds her gone. Who is she? And what's happened to her? What Ellie discovers makes her question everything she believes in, even her feelings for the American lieutenant who takes her side.

Beverley's Review

I must admit I wasn't entirely sure I'd enjoy this. It was actually a surprise from Chicken House so I didn't request it.  I usually shy away from books about war since I find them quite grim and deadly, and the topic just makes me really queasy.

However, I was pleasantly surprised by Torn.  It did have quite a grim tone throughout, with some lighter parts here and there.  I must applaud David Massey for recreating a very vivid picture of life in a war zone.  What I liked most about this book was the description and the image of war Massey presents us with.  Everything was so vivid and graphic that I could picture everything in my head.

We meet Elinor 'Ellie' Nielson on her first day as a war medic in Afghanistan and we're thrown into the action and turmoil alongside her and the rest of the patrol members.  I didn't warm to Ellie instantly but I quickly came to admire her for her fearlessness.  She has a great personality and is very kind-hearted, putting others before herself.

The book gets off to a fairly slow start and I was a little confused as to what the story was building up to.  The synopsis doesn't tell you much and I was left wondering if anything exciting was going to happen.  The plot did have potential but I don't think it was exploited as well as it could have been.  The build-up to the climax was a little flimsy so when the 'truth' was finally revealed, I reacted pretty neutrally.  Unfortunately, only the last third picked up the pace but the action and combat was definitely thrilling.

There was a subtle romance in the book between Ellie and the American lieutenant, Ben Jackson.  However, I wasn't convinced by their chemistry.  I know it would have been inappropriate for them to strike up a deeper romance but I would have liked it to appear earlier in the book.

Overall, Torn creates a very realistic picture of life in war and it was interesting to read about the lives - and the danger they are put in - of soldiers.  However, the plot was a little flimsy in places and some of the characters were difficult to connect with.  If you're someone who likes war stories, you may find you will probably enjoy this more than I did.

3 teacups for Torn

*Thanks to Chicken House for the (surprise ) review copy!*

REVIEW: Milledgeville Misfit by T.L. Gray

Name: Milledgeville Misfit

Author: T.L. Gray

Publisher: Vabella Publishing

Release date: 31st Jan 2012

Pages: 178

Source: For review from author

Rating: 3 stars

Fourteen-year old Juniper "Junebug" Summerville loses her parents and her ability to talk in a car accident. Against her silent protests, she is sent to live in a remote swampland infamous for its ghosts, federal prison and insane asylum.

 As Junebug struggles with her emotional scars, she begins to heal with help from six other orphans at Dearborn, a once famous Milledgeville Plantation. Just as she begins to enjoy the peace she’s long desired, she finds herself in a fight for her sanity when she stumbles upon a tear in the fabric that separates the possible
from the impossible, and she must choose which to believe.

 Milledgeville Misfit is a young adult novel that deals with grief and healing, and has an ending that leaves the reader with the choice of what to believe.

[summary taken from Goodreads]

Review

'Don't judge a book by its cover.'  I think this definitely applies to Milledgeville Misfit.  Most people would probably overlook it as it's not very eye-catching or intriguing.  The cover is so grey and dull and it really doesn't do the content justice.  

Now on to the book itself.   The opening was very enticing, where the main character Juniper invites the reader to listen to her story.  It was fairly promising and I hoped that the book would continue to captivate me in this way.  However, I'm afraid I guessed the twist early on and felt it was pretty obvious - I'm wondering if the author made it easy to guess on purpose.  This took away the suspense and I didn't find myself sitting at the edge of my seat.  It was quite slow-paced as well and I was beginning to wonder if anything 'big' was going to happen.  Thankfully I didn't give up on it and it picks up the pace in the last third of the book where it gets more exciting and thrilling.  I would have preferred it if there were more twists and action toward the beginning and middle of the book to keep me interested.

The premise isn't entirely unique but the way the author dealt with it made it much more fascinating.  The last two chapters were kind of out of the blue and quite ridiculously unbelievable, but this added to the lingering mystery element of the book.I'm still a little surprised by the ending, which is truly thought-provoking and like no other.  

Maybe because I figured out the mystery so soon, I didn't really warm to Juniper or the other 'orphans' straight away.  I pitied Juniper because no one deserves to suffer what she had to go through and I understood her frustration but I didn't feel that urge to reach over and give her a hug.  She just didn't feel 'real' enough but she grew on me towards the end.  I did like the other orphans, especially blue-eyed Daniel who was always so protective of Juniper.  He was the love interest and the author touched lightly on romance but it doesn't feature heavily in the book.  I adored little Abby too and her innocent playfulness and I liked pink-haired Alex's quirkiness and love for animals.  There isn't a large cast of characters, making it easy to get to know each of them.

The last third of the book had me hooked unlike the preceding chapters.  Despite knowing the 'truth', it still hit me hard in the face when the author revealed it and I loved the sense of urgency, which I was so hungry for since the start.  It was thrilling and captivating and I just wish this had been more consistent.

Milledgeville Misfit is a worth-while read full of mystery and guessing.  As much as it is a thriller, it also deals with family, loss and love.  I particularly enjoyed these aspects of the book: watching Juniper flourish from a vulnerable teen into a successful young adult as she continued her journey to find where she belonged.  Despite several flaws, T.L. Gray effectively intertwines these themes to create an intriguing, psychological novel with a hard-hitting ending.

3 teacups for Milledgeville Misfit

Thank you to T.L. Gray and her publisher for the review copy.

REVIEW: Wuthering Hearts by Kay Woodward

Name: Wuthering Hearts

Author: Kay Woodward

Publisher: Andersen Press

Date published: 7th July 2011

Pages: 216

Source: Gifted

Rating: 3 teacups

A modern spin on a much-loved classic.

When Robert arrives in town with his film-star looks and mysterious background, he sends Emily's heart a-flutter. It's almost enough to take her mind off this year's school play... miserable old Wuthering Heights. Urgh. But Robert wastes no time in stamping all over Emily's dreams. Is there no escape from his spectacular mean 'n' moodiness? While Emily is trying to make up her mind what she really thinks of the new boy, no one else stands a chance.
It was never this tricky for Cathy and Heathcliff.

I'm glad I finally got round to reading Wuthering Hearts: it certainly lightened my day!  It's aimed at a younger audience but I did like reading it, however I didn't love it mainly because it's a bit too childish for me.  I'm sure I would've enjoyed and appreciated much more if I had read it when I was younger.

I liked how Wuthering Heights is entwined throughout the novel and it certainly is a clever way to introduce younger kids to classics.  The book starts off with Emily complaining about having to do Wuthering Heights for the Christmas play and I'm sure most of you will be able to relate to her reluctance.  I haven't read Wuthering Heights but I've tried many times to read other classics like Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice but I just can't get into them.  Anyway, I'm digressing.

Eventually, Emily realises that she can't change things so she tries her best to get the lead role.  I really admired her for this because she ploughs on with life even when she doesn't particularly want to.  She's a typical 14-year-old girl but she's also kind and feisty and has the sort of qualities you'd want in a friend!  And then Robert comes along... dark, brooding Robert.  He is incredibly frustrating and I personally kind of hated him for treating poor Emily so horribly even when she offered him her kindness.  I wanted to grab Emily and shake her by the shoulders: 'Why do you fancy this guy?!  You're too good for him!'  But I think Kay Woodward has portrayed first crushes really well: I mean, who hasn't ever fallen for the wrong boy?

The book gets more interesting as it goes on and I laughed at Emily's attempts to impress and please Robert.  I was thinking: 'This boy is so not worth it!' but it reminded me of when I was 13 two years ago and how you're just entering your teens and the world is so scary and big and there's always a boy mixed in to make things even more complicated.

One of the disappointing things about this book was the climax where Robert's 'identity' is revealed.  It only covered one page which made it feel more like an anti-climax and it could have been explored much further.  It felt a bit too rushed so it didn't really sink in unfortunately.

Overall, a sweet, up-lifting book full of laughs - perfect for little sisters or when you're in need of a light book to read! Thanks to Luisa for sending me my copy :)

3 teacups for Wuthering Hearts!

Beverley x