Okay, here's the deal. I love lending out books. To me, grilling your friend on what they like in a book (or what they think they'd like in a book if they're a non-reader) and going through your bookshelf to find suitable choices then forcing them to borrow one (or a few) is a great pastime. So I really don't get when people say they hate lending out books. While I'm here like:

 

They're over there like:

 

 

Or, in extreme cases:

 

 

I'm a firm lender-outer (let's pretend that's a word and roll with it). I love the fact that more people than just me are reading and loving that copy of a book. There's another crack in the spine, more thumb marks on the pages. The story is being shared, just like I feel stories should be.

And if the book comes back with a small coffee stain on a page or a small tear at one corner? It's only proof! Proof that more people have flicked through it and loved it and given it their attention. Proof that the story has been read.

Also, what's more smile-inducing than when you've picked out a winner for your friend - a book they really enjoyed? You feel like a five star librarian!

Are you a lender-outer? Or not so much? Why?

Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo

None of the above images or gifs in this post belong to me. I claim no possession for any of them.

Review: The Boy with the Tiger's Heart

Author: Linda Coggin
Edition: Hot Key Books Paperback
Released: 4th September 2014
Series: n/a (Standalone)
Pages: 229 approx.
Links: Goodreads | Author's Blog | Buy the book!

The wild is danger. The wild is fierce. The wild is freedom.

Raised by dogs and feared by humans, Nona must run from the authorities with the only people she can trust: a frightened boy called Caius, a mixed-up boy called Jay - and a bear by the name of Abel Dancer.

A haunting and unforgettable modern fable about bravery, untamed places, and what it is that makes us human.

I really don't know how I feel toward this book. It was completely not what I was expecting yet I wouldn't say I disliked it.

During the time I was reading it, I just felt slightly detached - I wasn't enthralled in the storyline and dying to pick the book up every time I put it down. I also felt like I missed the deeper meaning behind the story and the themes specified in the synopsis that the book was meant to explore. Sure, I hate the idea of a world where nature and animals are viewed as a threat but it wasn't put across in a way that made me overly emotional - which I would have liked, being the nature and animal lover I am. I also didn't really pick up on the theme of what it is that makes us human which is a real pity because that was one of the main reasons I picked the book up.

However, though the story felt a little weak to me, the characters were very intriguing. My favourite character was by far Jay. I loved the idea behind him. I also liked Nona, though I felt she never quite explored her full potential. Caius also added a different dynamic to the story with his background but I couldn't quite shake the fact he more or less just felt there. I also would have liked Nona and Abel Dancer's relationship to have been explored more because, as we know, I love human/animal relationships in books.

Maybe if you read this, you'll understand where I'm coming from. Though it wasn't one of the strongest novels I've read and I didn't particularly enjoy it, there was just something in the story that didn't repel me. It's a pity that I, personally, didn't feel the themes were explored thoroughly in the storyline - as I'm sure that would have been a portion of the book I loved. As it is, I'm really not sure what to make of this book. It was a unique read, but didn't quite reel me in.

TWO AND A HALF TOADSTOOLS TO THE BOY WITH THE TIGER'S HEART!

Huge thank you to Hot Key Books for sending me out a review copy of this book!

 

Happy Reading,

Rachel xoxo

Exciting February Releases!

I'm not one to follow book releases but I came across a few exciting releases this month and thought I'd share them all with you.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

10th February 2015

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of
those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

The Glass Arrow by Kristen Simmons

10th February 2015

In a world where females are scarce and are hunted, then bought and sold at market for their breeding rights, 15-year old Aya has learned how to hide. With a ragtag bunch of other women and girls, she has successfully avoided capture and eked out a nomadic but free existence in the mountains. But when Aya’s luck runs out and she’s caught by a group of businessmen on a hunting expedition, fighting to survive takes on a whole new meaning.

Dove Arising by Karen Bao

24th February 2015

Phaet Theta has lived her whole life in a colony on the Moon. She’s barely spoken since her father died in an accident nine years ago. She cultivates the plants in Greenhouse 22, lets her best friend talk for her, and stays off the government’s radar.

Then her mother is arrested.

The only way to save her younger siblings from the degrading Shelter is by enlisting in the Militia, the faceless army that polices the Lunar bases and protects them from attacks by desperate Earth-dwellers. Training is brutal, but it’s where Phaet forms an uneasy but meaningful alliance with the preternaturally accomplished Wes, a fellow outsider.

Rank high, save her siblings, free her mom: that’s the plan. Until Phaet’s logically ordered world begins to crumble

                                           A Wicked Thing by Rhiannon Thomas

                                                       24th February 2015

One hundred years after falling asleep, Princess Aurora wakes up to the kiss of a handsome prince and a broken kingdom that has been dreaming of her return. All the books say that she should be living happily ever after. But as Aurora understands all too well, the truth is nothing like the fairy tale.

Her family is long dead. Her "true love" is a kind stranger. And her whole life has been planned out by political foes while she slept.

As Aurora struggles to make sense of her new world, she begins to fear that the curse has left its mark on her, a fiery and dangerous thing that might be as wicked as the witch who once ensnared her. With her wedding day drawing near, Aurora must make the ultimate decision on how to save her kingdom: marry the prince or run.

I think these all look fantastic and I can't wait for them to release. I hope that these publication dates refer to the UK as well as the USA because I don't want to wait even a little longer!

Are you excited for these? What February releases are you looking forward to?

Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo

January Wrap Up and Book Haul!

As part of my 2015 goals, I'm bringing you the first of (hopefully) twelve monthly wrap ups!

This month I managed to read fifteen books - which I'm very proud of. Especially since I had prelims and managed to balance the time between studying and reading (which I've never been able to do for the three years I've been sitting prelims and exams).

The fifteen books I read (in chronological order) are as follows:

Click HERE to access their goodreads pages!

Entwined - 3 stars | Snow Like Ashes - 4 stars | Fire & Flood - 4 stars

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown - 2.75 stars | Vampire Academy - 3 stars | Frostbite - 4 stars

Silverfin - 3 stars | Shadow Kiss - 4 stars | Crown of Midnight - 3 stars

United We Spy - 4 stars | The Darkest Minds - 3 stars | The Glass Sentence - 4.5 stars

Fearsome Dreamer - 3 stars | The Sin Eater's Daughter - 3.5 stars | An Island of Our Own - 3 stars

 

So the highest rating from me this month went to The Glass Sentence by S.E. Grove - a fantastic novel. You can read my review for it HERE. I also wrote a review for The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury that you can read HERE. Other reviews I wrote in January for books I read toward the end of 2014 can also be found HERE, HERE and HERE. I'm very proud of the amount of reviews I managed to write in the month of January. Another highlight of January was taking part in the Suzy P. blog tour where I hosted an author guest post, which you can read HERE. I also wrote my first discussion post of the year - Simultaneously Liking and Disliking a Book...

At the beginning of the month I also posted up my blogging and reading goals for 2015. Unbelievably, I've managed to complete one (get a library card and start using it) and picked up my first graphic novel (my goal for 2015 being to read a few so I've not quite completed this one yet). I also completed 12 of the 50 tasks set by the 2015 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge.

Read a book that became a movie

Read a book published this year

Read a book written by someone under 30

Read a book with non-human characters

Read a book by a female author

Read a book with a one-word title

Read a book you can finish in a day

Read a book set in the future

Read a book with magic

Read a graphic novel

Read a book by an author you've never read before

Read a book you own but have never read

Though it wasn't a particular goal, I also read three books by British authors (these being Fearsome Dreamer, The Sin Eater's Daughter and An Island of Our Own). I'm rather happy about this because I've been meaning to read more UKYA and, just simply, more books from British authors for a very long time. It feels good supporting home-grown talent!

So, yes, January was the best month in a long, long time for me reading and blogging wise. Now, on to the books I received throughout the month.

 

The Boy with the Tiger's Heart by Linda Coggin | Received for review by Hot Key Books
 The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury | Gifted by Scholastic (have reviewed)
An Island of Our Own by Sally Nicholls | Gifted by Scholastic (will review)
Midwinter Blood by Marcus Sedgwick | Library book
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein | Library book
Flip by Martyn Bedford | Gift from friend
The Way Inn by Will Wiles | Surprise review book from Harper Collins
The Bees by Laline Paull | Surprise review book from Harper Collins
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas (not pictured) | Library book
Silverfin: The Graphic Novel by Charlie Higson and Kev Walker (not pictured) | Library book

Big shout out and huge thank you to the publishers (and Cat!) for sending some books my way this month!

 

How's January treated you? How was it reading and blogging wise?

 

Happy Reading,

Rachel xoxo

Review: The Sin Eater's Daughter

Author: Melinda Salisbury
Edition: Scholastic Paperback (Early Copy)
Release: 5th February 2015
Series: The Sin Eater's Daughter #1
Pages: 333 approx.
Links: Goodreads | Author's Website | Buy the book!

I am the perfect weapon. I kill with a single touch.

Twylla is blessed. The Gods have chosen her to marry a prince, and rule the kingdom. But the favour of the Gods has its price. A deadly poison infuses her skin. Those who anger the queen must die under Twylla's fatal touch.

Only Lief, an outspoken new guard, can see past Twylla's chilling role to the girl she truly is.

Yet in a court as dangerous as the queen's, some truths should not be told...

Though this book started out well for me, after a while, there were a couple of problems which surfaced that I just couldn't overlook. However, before I go into more detail, let me just say this: I did enjoy this book and can easily see it being a big hit in the near future with a lot of different people.

Let's start out on a positive note. There were three aspects of the book which really stood out to me. These were the writing, the setting and the way the Gods came in to play in the storyline. All three of these I truly adored. The writing had an almost melodic quality to it and simply seemed to flow, pulling me through page after page. The setting portrayed a medieval feel and, being the fan of castles, big dresses and court drama that I am, well, it went down a storm. And the idea behind the Gods Naeht and Daeg also really interested me and I really enjoyed their roles in the storyline and the way they came into play.

Unfortunately, my problems were very much character based. And it's a really pity because I'm sure I would have probably loved this book otherwise. However, I do believe this all came down to my personal taste in characters so don't be put off by what I'm about to say. I started off liking the main character, Twylla, but, as time went on, I couldn't overlook her selfishness. Now, she isn't the type of selfish you're used to seeing, she's more of the subtle variety and, though I do believe she doesn't always know that she's being selfish, her actions and decisions just begun to irk me after a while. I also wasn't fond of Lief or the prince because I just didn't know what to make of them. The one character I did surprisingly like was Dorin. However, what's to say the characters won't develop and become more to my liking in the next books?

Yeah, that's another thing. I feel like this book would have worked well as a standalone but, now that I know it's going to be a trilogy, I'm really in-between about what I want to do. Should I continue? I'm not sure. Despite my problems, there were some things I really did enjoy.

Overall, The Sin Eater's Daughter was an enjoyable story. The writing was lovely and I loved the time period and atmosphere the author captured by it. And though I didn't find the characters that much to my liking, I do still recommend this book because I feel that came down to my personal tastes alone and I wouldn't want to see anyone giving this book a miss when I know a lot of people will love it.

THREE AND A HALF TOADSTOOLS TO THE SIN EATER'S DAUGHTER! :)

A big thank you to Scholastic for sending me an early copy of this book!

 

Happy Reading,

Rachel xoxo

Suzy P Blog Tour: Author Guest Post!

In honour of the release of the final book in the Suzy P. trilogy, Suzy P, Forever Me, Suzy P. has taken to the blogosphere to go out with a bang. Today I'm lucky enough to be part of the lovely blog tour and be able to share an author guest post with you all. Enjoy!

Suzy P is back in Suzy P, Forever Me, the third novel in the Suzy series about fourteen-year-old Suzy Puttock, who somehow manages to land herself in trouble and embarrass herself wherever she goes!

This time, Suzy’s made a promise she can’t keep. And it’s kind of a big promise. To her entire school!

She’s promised super-famous band The Drifting will be performing at the Collinsbrooke fundraiser – yup, big fat uh-oh. And as if trying to sort out that mess wasn’t enough, she’s got Dad’s surprise birthday bash to contend with, and Dad is showing definite signs of a midlife crisis…

Suzy always manages to find herself in daft situations. Here are some of the signs that you might be like Suzy yourself…

1. Your life is one long series of embarrassing events.
2. Your family drive you nuts on a daily – actually, make that hourly - basis.
3. You never think before you speak and always end up with problems as a result.
4. Your hair is out-of-control curly and never behaves.
5. You regularly wish you could abandon your younger sibling in an orphanage.
6. You love hot chocolate with marshmallows, and think it helps any problem.
7. You believe dresses and skirts are not to be trusted.
8. You’re super grateful you have a fantastic boyfriend and great mates to help you through the tough times.
9. You firmly believe sleeping in tents should be avoided at all costs.
10. You’ve dropped your underwear on the head of someone you’ve never met before.

Can you identify with Suzy P? How alike are you? Share your similarities with us on Twitter @suzyputtock.

Suzy P, Forever Me, Suzy P and the Trouble With Three and Me, Suzy P by Karen Saunders are available to buy online and from all good bookshops. If you’d like to find out more about the books or the author, do visit Karen online at www.karensaunders.co.uk, ‘like’ her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/karensaunderswriter or follow Karen on Twitter @writingkaren. Suzy tweets too, @suzyputtock, so don’t forget to follow her, too!

A couple years ago, I read and LOVED the first book of the series, Me, Suzy P. (review HERE), so I really do whole-heartedly recommend giving it a go!

Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo

Review: The Glass Sentence

Author: S.E. Grove

Edition: Viking Hardback
Released: 12th June 2014
Series: The Mapmakers Trilogy #1
Pages: 489 approx.
Links: Goodreads | Series Website | Author's Website | Buy the book!

It is 1891. Almost a century ago, the Great Disruption threw all the continents into different time periods, from prehistory to the far future. It remade the world. Explorers took their lives into their hands; mapmaking became a fine art, a mixture of science and magic.

Sophia Tims comes from a family of explorers and cartologers. Eight years ago, her parents went on an urgent mission, and never returned. She lives with her brilliant, absentminded uncle Shadrack, the foremost cartologer in Boston, who is teaching her everything he knows. Then Shadrack is kidnapped. And Sophia, who has rarely been outside of Boston, is the only one who can search for him. Her new friend Theo, a refugee from the West, comes along. From the moment the two of them get on the train, their lives are in as much danger as Shadrack's - because he has entrusted Sophia with the most important artifact in his collection.

She has only seen the world through maps. She had no idea they were so dangerous.

The Glass Sentence is one of the most complex and intricate books I've ever read in my lifetime and I absolutely loved it. Every moment I spent reading it, I was in complete awe of the world and plotline being crafted in front of my eyes and the sheer scale of detail and thought that S.E. Grove must have put into creating it. It was an astounding story and one that could only have been written by a master storyteller.

The world in this book is overwhelming in its complexity and richness - you will never have read a book with a world even remotely similar to this one before, I assure you. Every time I picked up this book, I'd flick through the pages at a deliberate slower pace, soaking up every stray detail of the world I could find and storing it away in a treasure chest in the back of my mind, revelling in the sheer and utter intricacy of it all. Grove's writing, the way she describes the world and builds it up until you feel lost in the pages, is one of the most entrancing styles I've come across. I think I'll still be processing this world in days to come.

Though Sophia is of a middle grade age, the book does not read like middle grade at all. I truly believe anyone of any age could find something to admire and love in this book, if not everything about it. However, I really liked the way Sophia's age came in to play in the storyline. It gave the story a layer of child-like imagination and fantasy. I loved how serious and determined and caring Sophia was yet still with a childish boldness that made her question everything around her. There were also a great variety of side characters who I couldn't help but adore because they were all so different from one another.

I really don't get why this book isn't being screamed about from every rooftop everywhere. It really deserves way more attention - which, after reading, you seriously think it would be drowning in already! I can't wait for the next book. I can only wonder at how it will delve into this unbelievably developed world and reveal yet some more of its secrets!

To conclude, The Glass Sentence is a stunning debut from an author who implements imagination like nothing you've ever seen. I still find it jaw dropping how complex and original the world is and how the plotline propels the story forward in a way which makes the whole book seem like something so special. If I've convinced one of you to read this book, or even to consider it, I'll be very happy indeed. An astounding novel.

FOUR AND A HALF TOADSTOOLS TO THE GLASS SENTENCE!

Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo