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Giveaway: Win One of Three Books!

Sunday 29 May 2011
Yay! Booktastic Reviews is doing its very first giveaway! Woohoo! I'm going to keep it really simple for my first giveaway so I am not doing extra entries or anything like that but it would be greatly appreciated if you could post about this on your blogs.
Here are the three books that you can chose from...


Lock & Key by Sarah Dessen: Ruby Cooper likes to expect the worst. That way, she's never disappointed. Abandoned by her mother and forced to leave the house she calls home, Ruby is facing too many changes. Her world has been transformed into a life of luxury by her long-lost sister, but all Ruby wants to do is leave - she can make it on her own. Even Nate, the gorgeous boy next door, can't seem to change her mind. Will Ruby realize first impressions don't always count? And that sometimes, people can surprise you, so it's OK to let the closest ones in...

The Raspberry Rules by Karen McCombie: Greetings! I'm Rowan Love. A few things have been bothering me...

  • Am I really annoying?
  • Was it a mistake to sew felt squirrels on to a pair of knickers?
  • Can I get away with wearing sequins, ribbons and two shades of pink nail varnish to school?
  • Has my best friend ditched me?
  • And is writing rules for my life on my raspberry-pink bedroom wall a wierd think to do?

Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin: She knows what he is. But she can't be sure what he's done.

The only thing Avery Hood can recall about the night her parents died is that she saw silver - deadly silver, moving inhumanly fast. As much as she wants to remember who killed her parents, she can't, and there's nothing left to do but try to piece her life back together. Then Avery meets the new boy at school. Ben is mysterious and beautiful, and Avery feels a connection with him like nothing she's ever experienced. Ben is also a werewolf, but Avery trusts him - at first. Then she sees that sometimes his eyes flash an inhuman silver. And she learns that she's not the only one who can't remember the night her parents died...

T&Cs:

- UK and Ireland participates only.

- You must be 12 or over.

- This competition closes on Sunday 5th of June.

- The winner has 48 hours to answer my email or they will forfeit the win to another participant.






My Name is Mina by David Almond

Friday 27 May 2011
Mina is different. She's slightly strange and a little mad. She has loads of opinions and stories to tell, so she dedicates some of her time to writing her memories in a notebook.

Writer: David Almond
Publishers: Hodder Children's Book
Recommended Age: 12+
Rating: 3/5

What a strange book. I don't even know what to think about it. Apparently it is a prequel to a novel called, Skellig, so maybe if I had read that then I would have got this story a little better. I am not saying it was terrible, just rather strange. I think that is what the author is wanting, though.
Mina, the main character, is slightly mad and strange, herself and the diary she keeps, just proves it. She is rather shy but has many opinions.
Has anyone out there read this book and agree with my review?

Rachel xx :)



Pony Club Rivals by Stacey Gregg

Tuesday 24 May 2011
A little while back I finished the first three books in the Pony Club Rival series by Stacey Gregg and so I've decided to post about all of them in the same post. If you like the sound of these books after reading the first synopsis, it might be a spoiler to read the second and third one, if you don't mind though, be my guest!

Book #1 (The Auditions): Georgie Parker has always dreamed of attending "all stars" Blainford Academy, the most admired equestrian boarding school in America, so when her chance finally comes along can she show everyone that she has what it takes to be a great rider?

Book #2 (Showjumpers): Blainford Academy isn't easy, as thirteen year old Georgie Parker is now well aware of, but can she show the competitive girls in her classes that she has her place in the "all stars academy" and that she can beat them at their own skill?
Since meeting James Kirkwood, Georgie has found herself smitten but when James had asked her to stay over at his mansion during the holidays, Georgie had no idea what was in store...

Book #3 (Riding Star): Georgie Parker has always longed to be an eventing rider like her famous mother, Ginny Parker, but when her dreams are delayed she has to take up a different sport, polo. But polo is looked upon as a man's game so can Georgie show everyone that girls have what it takes?

Recommended Age: 9+
Author: Stacey Gregg
Rating: 4/5


Yes, yes, yes, you've guessed right. I love horses! So of course I loved these books. I can't really tell you much more than I loved the plots each book had, I enjoyed reading about the characters (and the horses obviously!) and I am awaiting the arrival of the next book in this fabby series that is not yet out! I do hope that you will try these books and if you are horse crazy I think if you gave these books a go, you would enjoy them greatly!

Rachel xx :)

PS: Do you think this blog should host giveaways (by asking you this, I am not promising a giveaway or anything though, I would really like to do one though)?



The Ashleys by Melissa de la Cruz

Wednesday 11 May 2011
Meet the Ashleys - rulers of Miss Gamble's Preparatory School for Girls, gorgeous, rich, impeccably dressed, and, of course, all named Ashley.

Meet Lauren Page - pretty, but slightly geeky, she's been going to the same school as the Ashleys for as long as she can remember, and they barely notice she's alive.

But her parents got the trend wrong when they chose her name, because Lauren is so obviously an Ashley. And this year, everything is going to change...

Genre: Chick Lit
Recommended Age: 12+
Publishing Company: Simon and Schuster
Rating: 4/5

This is definitely a girly read, maybe for slightly younger readers than me but I still found it rather enjoyable!
I've had this book for ages but I had somehow managed to dismiss it for a long time. Well to be honest I think I gave it a go but forgot to finish, but this time I did and I found it quite a light and pleasurable read!
If ever there was a character that was a bully, it would be Ashley Spencer (the main Ashley). She is definitely horrible to Lauren (my favourite character). She doesn't want to give up the title of queen bee, especially to a new and improved Lauren Page, no way. Ashley Li, in other words, Lili is practically Ashley's servant and Ashley Alioto, better known as A.A., can sometimes be moody (but she's probably the nicest Ashley).
The only thing that let this book down was the ending. It wasn't anything like I had planned (even though sometimes that's a good thing, but in this case not) and it disappointed me. I would still encourage girls to give this a go!

Rachel xx :o)

PS: Just feel like giving my followers a shout out! Thanks for following! :D



Virals by Kathy Reichs

Monday 9 May 2011
Tory Brennan isn't your usual high school pupil. She's adventurous, cunning and just slightly brilliant. Now living on an island with her dad and four best friends, Tory doesn't expect much adventure to come her way... That is until she finds a dog tag, a crusty, old, forgotten tag belonging to someone back in the past. During her research into the dog tag, Tory and her friends stumble upon an unsolved mystery, but as soon as they start snooping, they are faced with dangers greater than ever expected. Someone out there is trying to keep them quiet, does that mean killing them just to keep their secret?

Not only is it hard enough to solve a mystery, but when they find a sick wolfdog in a secret, closed off lab they know they have to help. Not soon after saving the wolfdog each of them start to feel slightly strange. What's happening to them? Now they have two mysteries to solve, but can they do it?

Genre: Adventure, Forensic Science, Mystery.
Recommended Age: 13+
Notes: Use of mild language.
Rating: 5/5

This book is plain brilliant, a lovely change from all the romance novels that I've been reading lately! Viral is based around forensic anthropology which, I feel, is a nice touch to a mystery novel.
One of many likeable factors in this book, are the characters. Each individual sets off the book perfectly, and I think I would feel some part of the book was missing if one of them wasn't there. It is really hard to pick a favourite character in a book, this one especially. I love all of them. The main four just a tad more. Oh yeah, and the little wolf pup! The main character, Tory Brennan is niece to famous forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (the main character in Reich's books for adults) and so she has some skills for anthropology. She is quite tomboy-ish and confident and I like that about her. She doesn't care for flowery dresses or sparkly necklaces, she thrives on adventure. I don't really want to go into more detail about any of the other characters incase you want to find out about them yourself but I feel I have to tell you about one more. Hi, short for Hiram is one of Tory's best friends and he has a love for gadgets. At some parts in the book, I found him quite comical - he was the only one that put a smile on my face.
I'm recommending this book for teenagers for the simple reason it contains some use of mild language (but nothing too bad!).

Rachel xx :)

PS: I would also like to apologise again for the wait but I really will try to post more often! :D