***Review*** The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow

The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow

Released:  February 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Series: Yes, this is book one in the Secret Diamond Sisters series
Format: Digital ARC
Source: From Netgalley
Find at:  Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Barnes & Noble
Author Site: Michelle Madow

Many thanks to Netgalley and  the Publisher for my review copy, this is in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Savannah. Courtney. Peyton. 

The three sisters grew up not knowing their father and not quite catching a break. But it looks like their luck is about to change when they find out the secret identity of their long-lost dad—a billionaire Las Vegas hotel owner who wants them to come live in a gorgeous penthouse hotel suite. Suddenly the Strip's most exclusive clubs are all-access, and with an unlimited credit card each, it should be easier than ever to fit right in. But in a town full of secrets and illusion, fitting in is nothing compared to finding out the truth about their past.

My Review

This is the first book I have ever read by Michelle Madow, I do have another of her books lurking somewhere on the kindle and I will certainly be rooting that one out soon. 

I have to say I did enjoy this book, it's fun and easy reading and one you can just escape to.  The style of writing flows nicely between the three main characters, who I add have three very different personalities.  It's fun it's fresh and I will definitely be reading the next in the series which I have seen is out later on in the year.

This book is a mash up of Gossip Girl in Vegas.  You have the glitz and glam of Vegas with the elitism of Gossip Girl.  Two worlds collide and make up a very excitable and interesting read.  Lots of interesting characters to keep you amused.

If I have to be critical I would say that the naivety of the girls, who are thrust in this world of glitz and glam did just grate on me a bit, I felt like shouting wake up and smell the uber rich coffee girls.  When it comes to boys them seem to be taken in by the boys charms, I would have really kicked their asses if they'd have pulled any tricks with me!  

I like the bitchiness this world creates, the rivals and the newbies clash somewhat.  Where there is money, there is rivalry. 

I would recommend this book, I have never been to Vegas and it gave me a really wonderful rich and colourful description.

Overview
A colourful and vibrant look into the privilege Vegas teen circle.

My Thoughts on the Cover
I have to be honest this one doesn't automatically grip me.  I can see all the relevance to the book but I will say it would be one I wouldn't look twice at in the bookstore.  It seems like there is too much going on and the title and author name do not stand out enough for me.

***Review*** Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly

Deep Blue by Jennnifer Donnelly.

Released: 1st May 2014
Publisher: Hachette Childrens Books
Series: Yes #1 in the Waterfire Saga
Format: Digital ARC
Source: From Netgalley for review
Find At: Goodreads | Amazon UK | The Book Depository

Author Site:  Jennifer Donnelly

 Many thanks to Netgalley and  the Publisher for my review copy, this is in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Waterfire Saga is an epic new series set in the depths of the ocean where six mermaids seek to save their world.

Written by Carnegie Medal winning author of A Gathering Light, Jennifer Donnelly.

When Serafina, a mermaid of the Mediterranean Sea, awakens on the morning of her betrothal, her biggest worry should be about reuniting with handsome Prince Mahdi, her childhood crush. Instead she finds herself haunted by strange dreams foretelling the return of an ancient evil, and dealing with the deaths of her parents as assassins storm the betrothal ceremony, plunging the city into chaos.

Led only by her shadowy dreams and pursued by the invading army, Serafina and her best friend Neela embark on a quest to avenge her parents' death and prevent a war between the mer nations. In the process they discover a plot that threatens their - and our - world's very existence.

My Review

I first heard about this fabulous book when I went to the Book with Bite event back in the beginning of the year.  The plot line really captured my attention and I had it down on my wishlist.  I was really thrilled to be able to review this one.  It sounded just perfect for me.

When you first read this you have to consume quite a bit of world building, I will also warn you that there are quite a few names and references to remember, this can be a little dragging at times.  I think this is the main reason why I didn't give this book top marks.  I like the story to be able to flow for me, but this didn't happen because of this.

I think because of all the hype surrounding this book I may have been a bit critical of it.  I think perhaps I felt there was something missing and at times I did find I struggled to connect with this book.  But aside from that I do think it is worthy of a read and I would recommend it if you quite fancy reading a book with mermaids.

The start was brilliant, really had me gripped, the middle was ok and the ending was great.  Maybe felt a little disjointed in places but I think perhaps it may be needing a second read to get my head around all the world building and jargon.  I did at times feel the main character was a bit silly, but once I got in to the story I ignored it a little.

Overall  I think it was an interesting read and I would certainly like to read book two in the series when it comes out. 

My Thoughts on the Cover
It certainly captures my attention.  It really is a pretty and spectacular cover that can only positively enhance the book.

Overall
An underwater adventure not to be missed




 

Cover Reveal - Collide by Melissa West

Today Melissa West and Entangled Teen are excited to reveal the cover for Collide, the thrilling conclusion to The Taking series releasing in December 2,2014! Check out the gorgeous cover, exclusive excerpt, and enter to win an eARC!

 

About the book:

Collide by Melissa West (The Taking #3)

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Publication date: December 2, 2014

Military legacy Ari Alexander has survived alien spies, WWIV, and a changing world order. But when the new leader of Earth uses Jackson—the only boy she's ever let herself care about—to get to her, Ari has no choice but 

to surrender. To free Jackson, she agrees to travel to the national bases to train others to fight. 

What she discovers is a land riddled with dying people. Ari has the power to heal by turning the fighters into aliens—half-breeds like her. If she succeeds, together, they have a chance at overthrowing the alien leader, Zeus. But if she fails, everyone she holds dear will be wiped away forever.

Once again, everything Ari’s come to believe is thrown into question. In a world of uncertainty, loyalties are tested, lies are uncovered, and no one can be trusted. If Ari and Jackson have any hope at survival and at preserving a life for the future, they must fight the final war with their eyes wide open.

Find Collide Online:

Amazon | Goodreads 

Exclusive Excerpt:

“Wake up!”

I feel as though someone has pinched my mind, shaken my brain around, and asked it to work again. I try to open my eyes, but they’re heavy and clouded and I begin to worry that maybe they are open. I just can’t see.

“Wake up!”

I flinch at the sound, so close to my ear, yet far away. Or maybe it’s my understanding that’s far.

“Ari. We’re out of time. Wake up!”

My mind flashes into focus, but I don’t open my eyes. I can feel, sense, everything around me. The beeping sounds that alternate in succession. The breathing in and out of the person beside me, yet I can’t make out who the person is. Even if it’s a he or she. But what I can sense is danger, danger so intense that the hairs on my arms are at full attention and the xylem in my body has sparked, causing me to instantly want the person beside me dead. If he or she—it—is dead then I am free to escape, even if I have no idea what or who I am escaping from.

“Fine. Just call this payback.”

I have one second to realize that the person is Cybil, before a gut wrenching pain slices through my left arm. My eyes snap open and she’s in front of me, so pale and rattled that she looks like a ghost of herself. I glance down at my arm to see that Cybil ripped out my IV and is now holding it in her hand like a toy.

“I warned you. Look. This likely triggered an alarm. We have to get out of here. Right now.”

I try to nod, but my body is sluggish and I’m not sure that I’ve moved at all. Cybil loops her arm under my back to help me sit up, and instantly the room begins to move in and out of focus. “What happened to me?”

“They happened. Now move.”

I start to climb off the table I’m on, when Cybil’s eyes round out and her body begins to quake. “Cybil? What is it?” I reach out for her, just as her body collapses to the ground and a metal door behind her slides open. Two men dressed in thick white suits rush in, followed by a shorter man. A man I recognize.

“Hello, Ari. Nice to see you awake,” Kelvin says. Kelvin Lancaster. I remember him from the talks with Earth, how he seemed to be in control, how everyone around him acted uneasy in his presence. Like he was more enemy than friend. I start to respond to him, when I feel a sharp pinch in my arm. I look up to see another white-suited person behind me, syringe in hand. I try to push the person away. I try to open my mouth to scream. But suddenly my lips feel tingly, my arms limp. I focus back on Kelvin, on the grin on his face, and then the world around me disappears, and I’m once again alone in the darkness.
 

About Melissa: 

Melissa West writes young adult and new adult novels for Entangled Teen and Embrace and Penguin/Intermix. She lives outside of Atlanta, GA with her husband and two daughters and spends most of her time writing, reading, or fueling her coffee addiction.

She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and a M.S. in Graphic Communication, both from Clemson University. Yeah, her blood runs orange.

 Connect with Melissa at www.melissawestauthor.com or on Twitter @MB_West.

Find Melissa Online:

Website | Twitter | Facebook 

Giveaway

 Want to win your very own eARC of Collide?  Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.  Good luck everyone!

 

***Review*** And All The Stars by Andrea K Host

And All The Stars by Andrea K Host

Released:  1st October 2012
Publisher: Andrea K Host
Series: No
Format: Digital ARC
Source: Netgalley
Find at:  Goodreads | Amazon UK

Author Site: Andrea K Host

Many thanks to Netgalley and  the Publisher for my review copy, this is in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Come for the apocalypse. Stay for cupcakes. Die for love. 

Madeleine Cost is working to become the youngest person ever to win the Archibald Prize for portraiture. Her elusive cousin Tyler is the perfect subject: androgynous, beautiful, and famous. All she needs to do is pin him down for the sittings. None of her plans factored in the Spires: featureless, impossible, spearing into the hearts of cities across the world - and spraying clouds of sparkling dust into the wind. Is it an alien invasion? Germ warfare? They are questions everyone on Earth would like answered, but Madeleine has a more immediate problem. At Ground Zero of the Sydney Spire, beneath the collapsed ruin of St James Station, she must make it to the surface before she can hope to find out if the world is ending.

My Review

I happen to love love love apocalypse books. Granted the bulk of those I've read have been post apocalyptic, so to read a book that is set during the happenings was a different spin for me.  The blurb had me hooked I loved the line about the apocalypse and cupcakes.  

Even though  I managed to take in all the detail, and believe me there is plenty of detail to the story, I still felt that there was something missing for me.  I did enjoy this book but I didn't love it.  Hence the three stars.  Would it be worth reading?  I would say yes, if you want something a little different in the apocalypse genre then I would say it's worth picking up.  The air of mystery does keep you turning the pages, it makes you wonder what the heck is happening.  I wouldn't say the story is fast paced,  I think I missed that with this book, I do like a story to keep me on the edge of my seat.

I enjoyed the attention to detail and the way it describes what is happening around Madeline.  For someone going through an unknown situation she copes remarkably well.  Would you be able to do the same?  Make you wonder doesn't it.......  I have to say it was nice to see the bonds forged by the characters as they had to navigate the difficult situation.  

Overall
Made a nice change to have a different angle on the whole apocalypse theme

My Thoughts on the Cover
I do really like this cover, it captures the main element of the story.  I would definitely pick this up in the book store.

***Review*** What Once We Feared by Carrie Ryan

What Once We Feared by Carrie Ryan

Released:  14th May 2013
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Series: Yes, #0.5 in the Forest of Hands and Teeth series
Format: Kindle e-book
Source: Bought
Find at:  Goodreads | Amazon UK

Goodreads Synopsis:

When the zombie apocalypse hits and the dead begin to rise, Jonah and his friends are on a class field trip downtown.  Panicked, they make a split-second decision to seek shelter in the Overlook, an apartment complex built like a fortress on the edge of town.  But as they begin to face the realities of what it will take to survive, they realize that while making the decision of where to run was easy, living out the consequences of that decision may be impossible.  From Carrie Ryan, the New York Times bestselling author of the Forest of Hands and Teeth books, What Once We Feared is an original digital short story about facing a world that is forever changed and in which survival means more than merely escaping the undead.

My Review

Imagine being given a big bar of chocolate, taking one bite and then having someone snatch it away from you.  This is how I felt.  I absolutely adore the Forest of Hands and Teeth series, my friends get so sick of hearing me rave about it.  So when I came across this short story, I didn't think twice about buying it.  But back to the chocolate, even though the bar got snatched away the tiny square tasted lovely.  Just having a taste of this series again was lovely.  I am disappointed the short story was very short, and I felt it very rushed.  Now give me more chocolate Carrie Ryan!!!!!

Back to the story..... it was nice to see another side to this series, it kind of made me wonder how I would cope in these circumstances.  I think I would be the first one to fall prey to the zombies.  Dani at Pen to Paper can vouch for that as my sprint across London trying to catch our train was enough to nearly kill me off.  Had there been zombies chasing us....... maybe I might have run a bit faster, but I certainly wouldn't have dropped my bag with my 14 books in it.  Sadly I may have to have bashed a few zombie brains with it.  I liked the characters in this book, they were a good mixed bunch of teenagers who have to pull through an zombie invasion.   The first part was detailed and exciting the last part almost felt like the author had been called to eat her dinner and had to sign off quickly.  

The question is would I have bough this book knowing how short it was and how rushed it was at the end?  The answer is yes, because I love this series so much even a small taste of chocolate is better than none at all.

Overview

I love this series, still my favourite but felt this short story was too short and rushed at the end.

My Thoughts on the Cover

Dark and creepy and certainly suits the book.  I would be drawn to this cover! 

***Review*** Gravity by Melissa West

Gravity by Melissa West

Released: 18th December 2012
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Series: Yes, #1 in The Taking series
Source:  Netgalley
Format: Digital ARC
Find at: Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US | The Book Depository

Author Site: Melissa West

Many thanks to Netgalley and  the Publisher for my review copy, this is in exchange for an honest review.

  Goodreads Synopsis:

 In the future, only one rule will matter:

Don’t. Ever. Peek.

Seventeen-year-old Ari Alexander just broke that rule and saw the last person she expected hovering above her bed — arrogant Jackson Locke, the most popular boy in her school. She expects instant execution or some kind of freak alien punishment, but instead, Jackson issues a challenge: help him, or everyone on Earth will die.

Ari knows she should report him, but everything about Jackson makes her question what she’s been taught about his kind. And against her instincts, she’s falling for him. But Ari isn’t just any girl, and Jackson wants more than her attention. She’s a military legacy who’s been trained by her father and exposed to war strategies and societal information no one can know — especially an alien spy, like Jackson. Giving Jackson the information he needs will betray her father and her country, but keeping silent will start a war.

My Review:

This one started off really exciting but somewhere just after quarter of the way through I stared to disconnect with the characters.  Past that point it went off the boil really quickly, which is a real shame as it had such promise.  I feel so gutted actually. I was really looking forward to getting my teeth into this one.

The synopsis sounded just up my street, ticked all the boxed.  But sadly I won't be carrying on with this series as I barely struggled to finish the first book.  And that is not a good sign.  I normally find that book one wows me and book two has a hard time following up.  But I'm not going to even go there.  It took me such a long time to will myself to get through this first book.

I'm afraid I didn't really like the main character Ari and I failed to connect with her.

Sorry Melissa West I didn't like this book.

Overview

Very disappointed and even more so as it was about aliens, and I love aliens!!

My Thoughts on the Cover

I do love the cover, I would certainly be drawn to this in the book store.  The only thing I think could be improved was the font type and maybe make the writing stand out more.

Book Blitz: Unraveled by Julie Daines

Unraveled by Julie Daines

Release date: February 2014 
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc. 
Genre: YA Fantasy/Farytale 
ISBN: 9781621086277 
Buy Links: Amazon |  B&N (audiobook) | Covenant Communications: 


Synopsis

When sickness swept through Bronwen’s family, it took the life of her father, brother, and sister, and left her permanently crippled. On the stormy eve of her sixteenth birthday, a faerie-witch gifts her a pair of enchanted shoes. Bronwen slips them on and is healed--but only when the shoes are on her feet. Her grace and beauty catches the eye of the king’s son--Urien, a handsome young man who prides himself on having everything perfect. When Rhys, an old acquaintance and Captain of the Guard, recognizes Bronwen, he threatens to tell Urien her secret. Desperate to keep her deformity hidden and not to lose the love of handsome Urien, Bronwen quickly finds herself tangled in a web of lies and deceit.

This or that Question

Beach or Pool? Neither. There’s a reason I’m so white. Give me a forest or mountains.

About Julie Daines: 
Julie Daines was born in Concord, Massachusetts, and was raised in Utah. She spent eighteen months living in London, where she studied and fell in love with English literature, sticky toffee pudding, and the mysterious guy who ran the kebab store around the corner. She loves reading, writing, and watching movies—anything that transports her to another world. She picks Captain Wentworth over Mr. Darcy, firmly believes in second breakfast, and never leaves home without her verveine. Social Media Links: Twitter: | Facebook | Blog  | Book on Goodreads: Unraveled Author on Goodreads

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