REVIEW: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

Name: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making

Author: Catherynne M. Valente

Publisher: Corsair

Date published: 7th June 2012

Pages: 328

Source: For review

Rating: 4 teacups

Gather up your courage and your wishes; grab a little pinch of luck - and prepare to be swept away, in a ship of your own making, to a land unlike any other. September is a twelve-year-old girl, Somewhat Grown and Somewhat Heartless, and she longs for adventure. So when a Green Wind and a Leopard of Little Breezes invite her to Fairyland - well, of course, she accepts (mightn't you?).

When she gets there, she finds a land in crisis and confusion - crushed by the iron rule of a villainous Marquess - she soon discovers that she alone holds the key to restoring order. Having read enough books to know what a girl with a quest must do, September sets out to Fix Things.

As September forges her way through Fairyland, with a book-loving dragon and a partly human boy named Saturday by her side, she makes many friends and mistakes; loses her shadow, her shoes and her way. But she finds adventure, courage, a rather special Spoon, and a lot more besides . . .

[summary taken from Goodreads]

There is something really beautiful about Catherynne Valente's writing style.  Her wording and descriptions and the way she builds up her sentences are just stunning!  There were parts in the book where I felt that I had to go back and read some of it out loud or at least linger over the words just to fully appreciate it.  Bizarre - I know!  The style of writing featured definitely deserves top marks for its ornateness: it's as if the author smothered a plain sheet of paper with gems and jewels of scrawling ink, creating a breathtakingly beautiful masterpiece.  I could gush about her writing for ages, but I'll spare you...

I loved the way the book was set out: the third-person narrative was really effective and it truly felt like I was reading a childhood fairytale - with the witty narrator who tells the story adding a touch of light pessimism and suspense.  There's a true whimsical feel to the book, where you abandon your common sense and just believe everything Catherynne Valente tells you and I loved that aspect.

But it was hard for me to get into the book at the beginning and I was incredibly confused by what was going on. I thought: 'There is no hope if the rest is like this!'  Thank goodness everything fell into place later and I didn't need to concentrate too hard on every detail: I was a happy reader :)  My advice would be don't give up on it!

Throughout the book, I was introduced to a colourful array of characters: all quirky and eccentric in their own way.  The main character, September, is a brave, stubborn, courageous 12-year-old who I adored because of her maturity and willingness to stand up for friends and I didn't think she was 'Heartless' at all.  And how can I not mention A-Through-L, her companion the 'Wyverary'?  Apparently he is half-Wyvern, half-library!  Hmm... how can you debate with that? ;)  He was such a good friend and his determination to protect September was adorable. There were many others, from Saturday the blue Marid to Doctor Fallow the Spriggan - oh and there was the little pooka girl who seemed like the dearest, most innocent soul ever!  I felt like I was going to burst with adoration for her!

However, by the end I felt pretty overwhelmed and was just as tired as September.  Don't get me wrong - I loved every member of the bright, cheerful cast! - but I wish the number of characters was cut down to let me get to know each one in more depth - instead of spending a chapter with one and then flying off to meet the next.  The chapters were also a bit long for my liking, it was difficult to find suitable places to stop so make sure you have more time to spare when you read it.  On top of this, the overall book seemed too lengthy as well and while each chapter shaped the story as a whole, some of the chapters could have been shortened and merged with another.

Overall, a sweet whimsical story full of fun and laughter and courage and standing up for what you believe in.  The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland is a modern fairytale for teens, written exquisitely and ornately by a wonderful new author.  I'm looking forward to the next book in the series but I just hope that the flaws I mentioned won't be making an appearance in the following reads!

4 teacups for The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland

Remember to look out for the Fairyland blog tour which will be stopping by on Saturday 16th for an interview, guest post AND a giveaway!

Beverley xxx

REVIEW: Bunheads by Sophie Flack

Name: Bunheads

Author: Sophie Flack

Publisher: Atom

Date published: 1st March 2012 

Pages: 294

Source: Gifted

Rating: 

As a dancer with the Manhattan Ballet Company, nineteen-year-old Hannah Ward is living her childhood dream. She gets to be up on stage in front of adoring crowds every night. And while she might not be a prima ballerina yet, she's moving up the ranks and surely if she works hard enough she can make it happen.

But devoting her whole life to ballet leaves very little time for anything else: friends, family, school have all fallen by the wayside. Hannah doesn't mind, until a chance encounter in a restaurant brings Jacob into her life. He's cute, he plays guitar and he's offering a whole future that Hannah never considered. And now she must choose between her lifelong dream or what could be the love of her life...

[summary taken from Goodreads]

This is one of those books which I felt sad to be finishing.  I didn't want it to end!!!  Sophie Flack writes so beautifully: her style is simplistic yet elegant and I just felt completely absorbed into the whole story.  Every  detail is described so vividly, allowing me to feel as if I was peeking backstage into an elegant world of ballerinas and dance...

Ballet terms are scattered throughout the book and as I do ballet myself, I understood some of these but with the more complicated ones, I was probably as clueless as someone who doesn't dance.  This didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book, it actually made the story more authentic and graceful and I loved it even more for that reason <3  I'm not trying to be cheesy, but the reading experience of Bunheads was pretty magical: I felt like my younger self, the little girl who went to see ballet shows with her mother, eyes widening as the dancers moved swiftly from one side of the stage to another... A book that makes you nostalgic for your childhood has to be pretty good!

Many books about ballet are for younger kids so I was definitely glad to see one targeted at teenagers and young adults.  I loved reading from Hannah's point of view and it was obvious how determined she was to succeed in the ballet world.  She's a strong nineteen-year-old who seems clear on what she intends to do with her life and she's a tough cookie - after all, she has lived away from her parents since the tender age of fourteen!  But then, enter Jacob - a laid-back college student. I personally kind of hate him.  I didn't fall for his charm at all; I just couldn't connect with him.  Yes, he was sweet but he didn't seem supportive nor did he fully appreciate Hannah's love for ballet.  My furiousness peaked when he stormed out after they had sex because Hannah said she wouldn't be able to spend the rest of the day with him due to ballet rehearsals. Really, Jacob?  Really? Get a grip!  That is no way to treat a girl!

Thinking back, I suppose I didn't like him because he was just a normal guy in a beautiful, almost surreal setting.  He was normal, boring compared to the ballet dancers and even Matt - the rich guy who tries to woo Hannah with his gentlemanly charm.  If he was the male interest in an book set in secondary school, I guess I might have fallen for him...  But his normality cropping up and tearing away all the magic of the ballet just really frustrated me :(  

Bunheads has a real 'behind-the-scenes' feel to it and I loved exploring the theatre and 'watching' over everyday ballet classes, led by strict ballet mistresses.  It also revealed the nitty-gritty aspects of dance. The competition between each dancer was pretty tough and oh my, the bitchiness between the girls was definitely surprising!  Hannah had no 'real' friends apart from Bea: Bea was the only supportive one: the one who listened to her worries and cheered her up when she was upset.  There were some occasional poignant moments with Zoe but since they both usually competed for the same roles, their friendship was often put aside which really put into perspective how tough it must be for dancers everyday.  I actually grew quite protective of Hannah, even though she's four years older than me!  Maybe it was the fact that she had a lack of parental love when she was growing up and the constant pressure she was under to perform well.  It's a feeling I can't really describe but maybe if you read it, you'll realise what I'm talking about...

And I just couldn't write this review without mentioning the ending.  Let's just say I was a little disappointed by it but I think you either love it or you hate it, depending on your viewpoint so it's really just a matter of opinion :)

Overall, a beautiful, enchanting novel about self-discovery, competition and romance in the world of ballet.  If you're interested in the world of dance, then this is THE book for you - even if you're not, this is still a wonderful contemporary with a difference!  I've been having difficulty on how to rate Bunheads, considering the flaws I've mentioned.  However the elegant, glamorous nature and 'backstage feel' of this book teamed with the flawless writing of Sophie Flack and her creation of realistic characters allowed me to forget tolerate Jacob and to see that the 'finale' was inevitable, so TOP marks for Bunheads!

5 teacups for Bunheads!

P.S. Apologies for the long review! I know I said I wanted to cut down on the length of my reviews but I just could not summarise the magic of this book in a few paragraphs, hopefully it was fun to read :/  Feel free to virtually slap me if I bored you :)

REVIEW: Marshmallow Skye by Cathy Cassidy

Name: Marshmallow Skye (TCBG #2)

Author: Cathy Cassidy

Publisher: Puffin

Date published: 1st September 2011

Pages: 278

Source: Swapped

Rating: 5 teacups

Click HERE to read my review of Cherry Crush, the first book. WARNING: it's one of my early reviews which means it is very cringe-worthy indeed :P

SKYE TANBERRY is an identical twin, and she loves her sister Summer more than anyone else in the world. They do everything together, but lately Skye's been feeling like second-best - it's the story of her life. And when her friend Alfie confesses he's fallen for Summer, she pretends it doesn't hurt.

Skye wants to be her own person; but with an effortlessly cool twin, how can she? Will Skye ever step out of Summer's shadow and find her own chance to shine?

Another beautifully written instalment to The Chocolate Box Girls series by Cathy Cassidy.  This book revolves around Skye who constantly feels as if she lives in the shadow of her twin, Summer.  She's fed up of being a 'mirror girl' and second-best to her twin.  Why is everyone attracted to her sister more than her?  What makes Summer so special?  Then they find an old, dusty trunk in the attic full of pieces from the past: gorgeous dresses and petticoats, bracelets and accessories, a violin and a powder-blue birdcage.  This is only the beginning of Skye pulling away from her twin and 'finding' herself...

Skye loves all things vintage and she adores wearing the beautiful dresses - to the disapproval of her sister.  It is suspected that the trunk belonged to Clara Travers, a relative of the Tanberrys from the 1920s, who was engaged to a rich, older man but fell in love with a gypsy boy.  The day before her wedding, she swam into the ocean and disappeared without a trace.  But Skye is tired of trying to please Summer and insists on keeping on the old clothes, which leads to vivid dreams where she meets a boy... a ghost boy who she believes is Clara's gypsy lover...

Ok, I know that some boys are unattainable but you can't get more unattainable than a boy who lived about 90 YEARS ago!  I was really intrigued as to how to how the book would turn out and I really loved the supernatural aspect of the book.  The spooky twists definitely set it apart from other CC books and added more suspense and thrill but you won't be scared senseless ;)  The writing style in this seemed a little dreamy and the constant reference to marshmallows had me drooling :D

Aside from the mild spookiness, I loved the storyline where Skye felt more and more distant from Summer.  I think Cathy portrayed the relationship between the twins perfectly and I loved their close-ness and need for each other.  However, people often expect twins to be identical in all aspects and it was a shame to see Skye being overshadowed by Summer, simply because Summer exudes confidence and has the 'shining' personality.

I adored all the characters.  Skye has a thoughtful, mature voice and it was a pleasure to read her story - she's fun and quirky and sees the best in everyone which is what I love most about her.  She sure is a unique individual and I admire her for not conforming to other people's expectations.  I don't want to go into too much detail about Summer since her book is out soon but there were times where I got really frustrated with her 'I'm too good for you' attitude... The supporting characters Millie and Alfie certainly generated a few laughs from me.  Millie is your typical thirteen-year-old girl: experimenting with make-up and trying (too) hard to impress the boys - her eagerness to flirt was pretty hilarious.  Whereas Alfie's determination to win Summer's heart soon became utter stupidity and I couldn't help but chuckle at him when he chose to ignore the fact that Summer was just not interested hehe.  I loved Alfie - his cheekiness and desperation was just too sweet <3

And the ending... the ending was so damn cute!!!  I seriously wasn't expecting that and I'm super happy that Cathy chose to end it like that!  Bring on Summer's Dream! <3

Overall, a sticky-sweet concoction of growing up, believing in yourself and impossible romance!  You should definitely check this out, but remember to keep a bowl of marshmallows nearby when you're reading it!  It would be the perfect read for lazy days on the beach...

5 teacups for Marshmallow Skye!

Beverley xxx

Goodbye for a Few Days :(

I know, I know!  I've only just returned to blogging and I'm leaving again :(  It officially sucks!  But I'm only gone for a few days and then I'll be back again so my absence isn't that long this time - don't miss me too much haha :)

Tomorrow I'm setting off on a Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition and won't be back until Sunday night.  By then I will be so exhausted, I probably won't be able to blog so I'm hoping the Alfie the Sniffer Pup post will be up by Tuesday *fingers crossed*

I have two reviews scheduled during my absence -  Marshmallow Skye by Cathy Cassidy (Friday) and Bunheads by Sophie Flack (Sunday) so I hope you'll check them out and if you comment, I will return a comment on one of your posts when I get home!  (Thanks if you commented on the blog tour post yesterday, comments on your posts will be coming your way when I come back too!)

Wish me luck on my expedition!  I'm actually dreading it... the banter will be fun but seriously, do I really want to be woken up at 1am so that we can do a night move ie. move all our stuff and our tents to another site in complete darkness?

Trust me, I'd much rather stay here in your company :)

See you soon
Beverley xxx

Blog Tour: Familiar Ties by Naya Nikki

Today, the Familiar Ties by Naya Nikki Blog Tour is stopping by A Reading Daydreamer.  I'm intrigued by this book: it sounds like a really sweet read!  Below, there is an excerpt from the book which I hope you will enjoy and maybe afterwards you'll be intrigued too?

Synopsis: 

Max West is a widower raising Phoebe, his four-year-old daughter. Phoebe has to live with the fact that the day she was born is also the day of her mother’s death. As her fifth year without her mother approaches, Phoebe finds solace in her godmother, Amy Riley, and her daughter, Grace Crawford, another single parent family.

  Amy Riley is a successful fashion designer who spends most of her days raising her four-year-old daughter, Grace, while her wayward boyfriend is travelling the world making the next best film. As the fifth year without her best friend looms she finds comfort in her ex-boyfriend, Max, and his daughter, Phoebe.These two “broken” families have a tough week to face as the dreaded day approaches.

  However through their past, present and debatable future will their choices affect the outcome both parents clearly want and are simply denying? Or will Phoebe and Grace lose the only “whole” family they have ever known?


Excerpt:

“Amy,” Max warned, “You’re not going to just take pictures.”

He chuckled as he stood behind Amy, who was trying to figure out the new camera. Grace and Phoebe were posed perfectly on the sofa like little angels, big smiles showing rows of shiny white teeth, with the odd one or two missing. “You see,” he showed her. “There's this new, fancy thing called a timer. This means that all of us can be in the picture, including you.”

She playfully swatted him, as he jumped back, “Oh zip it.” She laughed, “I look a mess. Anyway I want a picture of you three for my desk, not me.”

Grace sat up as she swung her little legs off the edge of the sofa, her feet not even scraping the floor. “Come on, Mommy! Pwease?” She was missing her two front teeth and therefore she couldn’t pronounce her L’s properly. Amy thought it sounded so cute and secretly hoped that they’d never grow back.

How could she possibly say no to her little darling? She watched as Grace began to pout and bat her big, grey eyes at her. It was her infamous look that could make anyone fall for her, including her mother and her Uncle Max.

“No, not the pout,” she joked. “Anything but that, Gracie you know I can’t resist that cute little pout of yours.”

Once Max finished setting the timer, he curled his fingers around Amy's pale bangle covered wrist and pulled her towards the girls and the sofa. As they both sat down, on either side of the girls, he leaned over the girls’ heads to whisper, “I taught her that pout.”

“Yes, I know,” she replied. “Because that’s how you got Anna to fall for you.” She was about to laugh when she realized what she’d said. There was a moment of silence as both contemplated the loss of Anna. “Sorry,” she whispered to him. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

“It’s fine,” he whispered back, before he could say anymore Phoebe crawled onto his lap. He smiled and saw the splitting image of his deceased wife staring back at him. He didn’t mind that Anna was gone, because she’d left him the most precious of gift. Amy smiled as she lifted Grace onto her lap. Both parents shuffled closer together as a unit.

“How long do we have, Daddy?” Phoebe asked, as she snuggled into her father’s chest.

“Thirty seconds,” he answered. “Can you smile big for me?” he asked.

Phoebe nodded as she smiled her massive toothy smile and reached for Grace's hand. “You too, Grace!” Phoebe instructed her friend. “Smile really, really big!”

For a moment, Amy remembered Anna again. They’d both been only eight years old when they’d sat and posed for a different camera. Amy still had that picture on her bedside drawer, next to one of Phoebe and Grace as babies. 'Smile real big,' Anna had said as she’d tilted her head against Amy’s to become one.

The smile on Amy's face wasn’t a sad one anymore. She was fortunate that she could feel Anna’s presence, through her charming daughter.

As she looked at the camera, she hadn’t realized that Max had put his free arm around her waist, pulling them closer. The camera started to blink, indicating to be ready. “Ready?” she asked them. “On the count of three, okay? One…Two…”

“Three,” they all said together, smiling big for the camera, to produce the perfect family photo, to anyone who didn’t know them.

 ***

Author Bio:

Born and raised in London, England, Naya Nikki is a student who’s spent most of her life taming her creative streak through writing short stories. She’s signed her first contract with InkSpell Publishing to publish her first book “Familiar Ties.” The story follows the journey of two single parents whose daughters want nothing more than for them to become a happy family.

She is currently earning a degree in English with a minor in Creative Writing that will allow her to build her writing career. When she isn’t at the university, Naya loves nothing more than spending time with her parents and grandparents as well as meeting her friends for gossip sessions over some hot coco.

Hopefully you enjoyed reading the excerpt and it's compelled you to give it a try!  And thanks to the tour co-ordinator who let me take part!

Happy reading,

Beverley x

Fabulously British YA Books!

In celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, I thought I'd share my favourite YA books by British authors with you.  Starting the blog has actually led me to a lot of fabulous British books and I think they're often over-shadowed by books written by US authors so considering all the British-ness going on: the Jubilee AND the London Olympics, I wanted to put together this post for you.  I hope you enjoy reading this! (links lead you to my review)


Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale

This book pretty much changed my life and I just absolutely ADORED reading this!  Has to be one of the BEST books ever and is my most FAVOURITE novel of the year!  This is sheer perfection and you seriously risk missing out on something AMAZING if you don't read it NOW!  The premise of this novel is like no other and it's just so intriguing and fascinating that you'll keep wanting more!  Katie Dale is probably one of the best British debut authors and I will happily read whatever she writes next.  Click HERE to read an interview with the lovely Katie herself...




Skin Deep by Laura Jarratt

Another beautifully written debut novel.  This book is full of heart-break and friendships and first love.  I've never read a book like it and it is definitely unique; it's one book where looks don't matter or define you.  I loved loved loved the premise of it and I adored Ryan even more.  I so wish I knew a boy like him *sighs*.  All the characters are so easy to warm to and you can really feel their happiness, their pain and everything in between.  A bittersweet read that will make you appreciate what you have more <3  Keep writing, Laura - I can't get enough of your lovely writing style!




Torn by Cat Clarke

Another fabulous, flawless read.  It's a thrilling, fast-paced read that had my heart pounding like mad and Cat Clarke definitely knows how to keep her readers on the edge of their seat!  I mean, come on: a dead girl on a school trip?  Obviously, the book is gonna be INTERESTING!  Thrown in some complicated romance and hidden guilt and you have the perfect read!  I'm so glad I discovered Cat Clarke and that I didn't overlook this book :)  I really hope you will enjoy it as much as I did!


Sister, Missing by Sophie McKenzie

I'm a big fan of Sophie McKenzie and Sister, Missing is one of my favourites out of all the books she's written.  This book swept off my feet and carried me on a thrilling rollercoaster of adventure and non-stop action.  I read it in about two days and I just couldn't put it down.  I think I sat for hours on the sofa, completely absorbed in it and I lost track of time.  Personally, I think this is much better than the first even though I had initial worries that it wouldn't live up to Girl, Missing!  Bring on the next book: I can't wait to read it because it focusses on the youngest sister Madison!



The Look by Sophia Bennett

Don't be fooled by the pretty cover: this book is so much more than just fashion and modelling.  It's also about family, rooting for the people you love, growing up and making important decisions.  Sophie Bennett writes like a dream and I was hooked on Ted and Ava's story from page one.  It's such a gorgeous, heart-breaking novel and I empathised with each and every character.  Initially, I thought it would be light, fun and sassy and while it is incredibly glamorous, it also touches on deeper issues like cancer and facing your worst fears.  I must applaud Sophia for this wonderful book and I'm looking forward to more YA novels from her.  Don't forget to check out the interview with a twist she did for ARD..


Hope you enjoyed reading this!  These books are just a handful of amazing British books that I think you should definitely check out!

What about you?  Do any of the above books come under your favourites by British authors?  Feel free to tell me about your favourite British authors and books!


Beverley x

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