Author: Julie SykesEdition: Curious Fox Paperback
Released: 12th September 2013
Series: No, standalone
Pages: 297 approx.
Links: Goodreads | Author's Website | Buy the book!
How do you live by the rules if you don’t know what they are?
Amber’s lost her memory. She doesn’t even know her real name. The only clues to her identity are a beautiful amber necklace and a broken mobile phone. She’s determined to learn the truth about her past life, and the secrets she’s hiding, but how many rules will she break along the way?
Amber’s lost her memory. She doesn’t even know her real name. The only clues to her identity are a beautiful amber necklace and a broken mobile phone. She’s determined to learn the truth about her past life, and the secrets she’s hiding, but how many rules will she break along the way?
In all honesty, I didn't really know what to expect from Amber. The synopsis left a lot to the imagination and I'd never heard or read of the author previously - so, opening it, all I was hoping for was a nice, enjoyable read, and that's exactly what I got.
I believe this is Julie Sykes first novel for older readers and, I've got to say, I hope she delves into the YA genre more. I really enjoyed Amber. After the amount of heavy dystopian books I'd been swimming in, it was a nice change. I adored that it was a standalone - the storyline wasn't majorly complex because there was no need to set up any sub-plots for further books. Of course there was mystery - that's a guarantee when you have a main character with amnesia! - but most is resolved, we aren't left with frustrating loose ends! It was definetly a refreshing read and just what I needed at the time.
I got along well with the main character, Amber. She was neither annoying nor whiny but, rather, intriguing. She's quite the mystery and you are just constantly waiting to see if she'll remember something, anything throughout the course of the novel. I did like her though. She was smart and realistic. As nice as Dan - another prominent character - was, toward the end of the book, I started finding him more and more irritating and, well, getting in the way. I think only people who've read the book will get that last sentence, sorry! ;3
Anyway. To conclude, Amber is the perfect novel for a light, rainy day read. It's not overly complicated and introduces us to a nice bunch of characters that each add a little something to the story. I'm going to round it up to four stars because, though I didn't dislike anything about it, it didn't blow me away. I recommend it to readers who enjoy light mystery and have lately found themselves drowning in heavy, complex books. I applaud Sykes for bringing out her first Young Adult novel and hope she does it again! :)
FOUR STARS!
Huge thanks to Curious Fox for sending me out this book to review!
Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo
PS: The cover is absolutely gorgeous! :O
This doesn't really sound like my kind of thing but I'm glad you enjoyed it :) I might pick it up if I see it in the library, and thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteAwe, that's a pity - there's much more to it than what the blurb conveys if that changes your mind any? At least if you do manage to pick it up from the library and don't like it, it's not as if you've bought it.
DeleteYou're very welcome! :)
Yeah the summary is very vague. I can think of many possibilities as to what could happen. This sounds like a good novel especially when you've been reading more action-packed stuff like dystopia. Anyways HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! (just as a last note haha ;P)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed going into it blind-folded - I didn't have high expectations! :)
DeleteHAPPY NEW YEAR, FRANCOISE! :D
RACHELRACHELRACHEL *giant hugs* I've missed your blog so much! I love your new design - well, it's new to me, hehe. It's so good to be back.... I missed blogging more than I realised! I might have to take the occasional week off but I'm still going to be posting more :) Hope you had a great Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI've only heard about this book on Amber's blog (Amber by Amber, hehe) so I'm really glad you enjoyed it too. It sounds really good and something that I'd enjoy. It's good that you got along with the main character - there's nothing worse than whiney characters >.< It's a shame that Dan was annoying but at least he was only getting in the way towards the end. I'll definitely keep my eye open for this one! Sounds like a good novel for getting out of a slump!
Oh and I agree: the cover is gorgeous :D Yay for standalones!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Hope you have a great 2014<3
YAY! YOU'RE BACKKKKKKKKKKKK! *catapults toward you* I did have a great Christmas - thanks for asking! - I hope you did too!<3 :')
DeleteYeah, I've only seen it on Amber's blog too - it's not very popular around the blogosphere... yet! ;) Agh, whiney characters! Hate them. > :(
HAPPY NEW YEAR! xD