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The Hunt by Amy Meredith

Saturday 29 January 2011
Eve Evergold has supernatural powers. The last time she used them was when her town was in the hands of someone dangerous. When mysterious happenings start to arise in her town she starts to feel that her powers are called for. What or who is behind all of this and can she stop them?
Luke has only recently moved here but Eve and him have become close. Eve sometimes thinks about Luke, is she starting to like him? Will her and Luke ever be more than friends... ?

Genre: Supernatural/Horror
Pages: 263
Recommended Age: 12 +
Release Date: 2010
Overall Rating: 5/5

I am beginning to think that Amy Meredith has no flaws. I loved this book! Meredith has truly got me glued to her Dark Touch novels and I can not wait to read the next book in this gripping series. I really recommend that you read it.
The title, The Hunt should sort of give you an idea what this book will be about. Something is hunting humans. Something that Eve would rather not think about. But when people she knows are attacked Eve starts to unravel terrible secrets. Can she along with her best friend Jess and gorgeous new boy Luke stop all of this before it is too late?
If you have not already read the first novel in Meredith's novels I strongly advise that you do. If not then you probably will not know what I am talking about right now.
A really good quality in this book is that you get to know more about the characters. A character twist (that I was hoping was going to happen) was that Eve and Luke started to think about each other in a more than friendly way.
Luke is the new boy in the town and ever since he saw Eve's powers in the first novel it had brought them closer together, but in this novel you start to see a little spark between them. Unfortunetly this book left you on a cliffhanger between them so I will need to dive right into the next book to find out what happens.
This book is also a light read. I finished in a day!

Rachel xx :)

PS: Review of the next book in this series will be up soon!



Shadows by Amy Meredith

Friday 28 January 2011
Eve Evergold is a typical fifteen year old girl. She loves shoes, purses, make up, fashion magazines and boys, so when two new mysterious boys come into town how can she resist? But then strange events start happening to people around her. Then she discovers she has supernatural powers and she will need to use them to defeat someone dangerous... Could it be someone she knows?

Genre: Supernatural/Horror
Recommended Age: 12 +
Pages: 281
Release Date: 2010
Overall Rating: 5/5

I have never read a supernatural based book before so I did not know what to expect from this book. Whenever I used to go into a library or a book shop I did not ever think to look into the supernatural or horror section. I always seemed to avoid them because I did not think it was my type of thing but thanks to Amy Meredith it now is!
I enjoyed Shadows so much that it was not long before I had devoured the whole book. I read it over two days. The novel is so gripping and well written that I loved every minute of it - even the scary parts!
Fifteen year old Eve Evergold (what a great name) is the main character. She is brave, caring and considerate. She loves Jimmy Choos and fashionable purses and her best friend Jess. Eve is in her first year of high school when she discovers her supernatural powers, but when people around her start acting strangely Eve realises that she must use her new powers to defeat whoever is responsible for all of this. But this is proved difficult when she finds herself drawn to a handsome, mysterious stranger...
I absolutely love this cover! It is almost teasing how mysterious it is. It gives you a feeling of what this book will be about. Overall I give this book a 5/5 because I loved it, I hope if you read this book you will too!

Rachel :)

PS: I am also going to review Shadows sequels The Hunt and Fever.




Swapped by a Kiss by Luisa Plaja

Thursday 27 January 2011
"Rachel hates her life.

When her on/off boyfriend David goes to a music festival she decides to surprise him- but she gets a shock of her own. Not only does she find David kissing someone else, but it's their friend Jo! Super-lovely, super-loved, all-round-perfect Jo.

Rachel runs away, wishing she could leave her life behind - and she suddenly finds herself in Jo's body! Can she keep this swap a secret? Can she unravel what's really going on? Can she get to grips with Jo's out-of-control curly hair?

And if she discovers that being in someone else's shoes isn't all it's cracked up to be, can she ever be herself again?"

Genre: Teen Chick Lit
Pages: 344
Cover Rating: 5/5
Publisher: Corgi Books/Random House
Character Rating: 4.5/5
Recommended Age: YA/Teen
Overall Rating: 4/5

Sweet, comical and sprinkled with Plaja magic, Swapped by a Kiss is a fun and girly read. Great storyline, think Freaky Friday but in black and white.

I love the characters in Swapped by a Kiss. My favourite characters are probably Jo and David. Jo because of how she manages to keep up the image of Rachel and David because he never really gives up on Rachel even though she can be a bit grumpy and snappy around him.

At some parts of this book I got a little bit confused when it came to Jo in Rachel and Rachel in Jo etc. I also felt like skipping to the end to see what happened but I don't think I would count that as a negative point, more like a good author that keeps you wanting more! I recommend this book to YA who like a good chick lit and I give it four stars! :)

Rachel :)

Thanks for sending me this copy Luisa! :D



Teaser Tuesday: Swapped by a Kiss by Luisa Plaja

Tuesday 25 January 2011
Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at Should Be Reading.

- Grab your current read.
- Open to a random page.
- Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Swapped by a Kiss by Luisa Plaja: "David liked Jo. It was obvious."

I know that isn't much to go by but if you really want to know more you should go out and buy yourself a copy! :) I am loving it so far, review of it will be posted up hopefully soon.

Rachel :)

PS: Review of The 13 Secrets is now up on Chicklish ;)


Reviews Coming Soon

Saturday 22 January 2011
Reviews coming soon to Booktastic Reviews...


Swapped by a Kiss by Luisa Plaja

Shadows by Amy Meredith

The Hunt by Amy Meredith

Fever by Amy Meredith

Boys Don't Cry by Malorie Blackman

Sorry about the bad quality photo, it was with my webcam. Reviews of these books will be up - once they're obviously read, lol - when I have finished reading The 13 Secrets for Chicklish :o)

Rachel xx :)

PS: I don't think I am going to do Weekly Wanted this week because I can't think of any books that I want :-/




Teaser Tuesday: The 13 Secrets by Michelle Harrison

Tuesday 18 January 2011
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

- Grab your current read.
- Open to a random page.
- Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"He's had to unblock the pipes three times since the winter to get back all the stuff it's stolen."

"Evidently the creature knew it was being spoken about, for it belched in her direction and then squelched further into the pipes and out of sight, leaving the smell of rotten eggs in it's wake."

Rachel xx :)

PS: Review of Wreckers by Julie Hearn is now up on Chicklish :) Oh yeah, The 13 Secrets by Michelle Harrison will also be posted up on Chicklish when I am finished reading it :)


Weekly Wanted: Wishlist Wonders #2

Friday 14 January 2011
Weekly Wanted is a weekly 'meme' that myself and best friend, Amber from The Mile Long Bookshelf host. We hope you join :)

RULES
1. Post up 3 books that you can't wait to read or wish for.
2. Post up the synopsis/blurb.
3. Post up a picture of the front cover.

Cherry Crush by Cathy Cassidy

Cherry Costello’s life is about to change forever. She and Dad are moving to Somerset where a new mum and a bunch of brand-new sisters await. And on Cherry’s first day there she meets Shay Fletcher; with suntanned skin and sea-green eyes he’s the kind of boy who should carry a government health warning. But Shay already has a girlfriend, Cherry’s new stepsister, Honey. Cherry knows her friendship with Shay is dangerous – it could destroy everything. But that doesn’t mean she’s going to stay away from him...


He's After Me by Chris Higgins

His smile faded and our eyes held and that's when it happened. A charge passed through me, like an electric shock. Anna meets Jem when her life is falling apart. He is everything Anna needs him to be. Her dad may have run off with a younger woman, her mum may be a wreck and her younger sister, Livi, is swerving off the rails -- but as long as she has Jem, Anna will be OK. But Jem has a history. And Anna soon finds out that he's obsessive, controlling and unpredictable. Before long, Anna wants out. She's seen what her dad did to her mum and is not going to let another man ruin her life. But if Jem can't have her, he'll have the next best thing. Anna needs help. And in the end it comes from the most surprising place of all ...


Kiss, Date, Love, Hate by Luisa Plaja
Cover not released yet!

Lex Murphy's group of friends have all dated, hated, ignored and lusted after each other for the last few years. If only there was a way of matching people perfectly to avoid all the unrequited love, dumping and drama! Then Lex's friend George is given a mysterious Sims-like game by his software-testing dad which involves building character profiles in the categories of Life, Looks and Love. Lex and George populate the game with avatars for all their mates, making a few 'wishful thinking' adjustments to the settings - and find that the next day these tinkerings have come true! But how long can this new calm, loved-up atmosphere continue...?


Rachel xx :)



Teaser Tuesday: Wreckers by Julie Hearn

Tuesday 11 January 2011
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

- Grab your current read.
- Open to a random page.
- Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Wreckers by Julie Hearn:

"Having said that, I didn't see Danzel's brilliant idea coming. None of us did."

Review of Wreckers will be posted up on Chicklish as soon as I am finished reading it :) Chicklish is a great webbie, you should visit it! :D

Rachel xx :)


**Weekly Wanted: Wishlist Wonders Update**

Sunday 9 January 2011
Weekly Wanted: Wishlist Wonders is a new meme that my best friend, Amber and I have recently made. If you would like to see the post containing all the information then click HERE :) OK, now on to the couple of updates I need to tell you about...
Firstly, Amber has made a Linky for Weekly Wanted so that other participants can visit your Weekly Wanted: Wishlist Wonders post :) Click HERE to go to Amber's blog :)
Secondly, a fellow book blogger, Jean, has very kindly made us a badge for Weekly Wanted. Go on, put it on your sidebar, lol. Thank you so much, Jean, I love it!



Rachel xx :)




Reviews Coming Soon

Saturday 8 January 2011
Reviews coming soon to Booktastic Reviews are Reckless by Cornelia Funke and Swapped by a Kiss by Luisa Plaja :) I am also expecting some other books too but they haven't arrived yet. Before I get on to those novels though I need to read two other books and review them for a different blog. Just thought I would let you know!

Rachel xx ;)



Weekly Wanted: Wishlist Wonders #1

Friday 7 January 2011
Recently alot of book blogs have been taking part in a weekly "meme" so one of my best friends, Amber from The Mile Long Bookshelf and I decided to make one up too. Please take part! :)

RULES:

1. Post up 3 books that you can't wait to read or wish for.
2. Post up the synopsis/blurb.
3. Post up a picture of the front cover.

Easy enough rules to follow, lol :) Here is my 3 books for this week...

Arrow by R.J Anderson

"Rhosmari trembled as the Empress walked over to her. ‘Oh, do not struggle. There is nowhere for you to escape,’ the Empress said, her voice silken and sweet. Then she unsheathed a small dagger from her waist. ‘This will only hurt a little...’

Rhosmari has lived her whole life on a sheltered chain of faery islands. But with the Empress's power growing, and her desire to enslave the entire faery race becoming a reality, Rhosmari knows she must fight back..."



Boys Don't Cry by Malorie Blackman

"You're waiting for the postman - he's bringing your exam results. University, a career as a journalist... a glittering future lies ahead. But when the doorbell rings, it's your old girlfriend; and she's carrying a baby... your baby.
She's had enough and now it's your turn.
What would you do?
What if you were left holding the baby?"


Girl Missing by Sophie McKenzie

"Lauren is adopted and eager to know more about her mysterious past. But when she discovers she may have been snatched from an American family as a baby, her life suddenly feels like a sham. Why will no one answer her questions? How can she find her biological mum and dad? And are her adoptive parents really responsible her kidnapping her?

Lauren runs away from her family to find out the truth, but her journey takes her into more and more danger - as she discovers that the people who abducted her are prepared to do anything to keep her silent..."


We would appreciate it if you would put our names, Rachel and Amber and our blog links, http://onceuponabook-rachel.blogspot.com/ and http://themilelongbookshelf.blogspot.com/ so people who want to take part know we are the hosts :) We would also like it if you put the rules in your post too so bloggers who want to take part know the rules :D

Rachel xx :)



Shadow by Michael Morpurgo

Tuesday 4 January 2011
"This dog is not like other dogs. She is more like a friend than a dog, a friendly shadow that does not want to leave us. You never lose your shadow."

Aman and his mother don't know what to do. They are in dangerous territory and all they want is to travel to Manchester, England to be safe. On the journey they are joined by a Springer Spaniel who they decide to name Shadow. Can Shadow show them the road to safety? Can Aman and his mother ever get to England?

Publisher: HarperCollins
Number of Pages: 281
Cover Rating: 5/5
Recommended Age: 11+
Rating: 4/5

Shadow is a great read! Yes, it is a light read but I still found it enjoyable. The novel has three different points of view, one being Aman's and the others being Matt (Aman's best friend) and Matt's Grandfather. You are probably wondering why it's not only Aman's story but at the beginning of the book it starts out with Matt and his Granfather talking about what is happening with Aman. Aman is telling his story. If you read this book (which I hope you will) you will understand what I am talking about.
The main storyline is about a Springer Spaniel, Shadow, who helps Aman and his mother on their dangerous journey so she is my favourite character. Throughout the novel Shadow sticks by Aman through the times where he needs her most. I think Morpurgo used a Spinger Spaniel for Shadow because Spinger Spaniels are very affectionate, loyal and smart. You can't picture a labrador or a chihuahua playing Shadow, can you? Another quality that I like about Shadow is that she might not be big but she is brave.
I love the cover of Shadow, for one, the dog is so cute! It is also a great idea that you get to see the dangerous part of the novel in the background by showing army helicopters and fighters. The reaching out and holding hands shows how emotional this book is going to be as well.
I recommend this book to 11 year olds and older because it is quite a light read. That is if you are an enthusiastic reader. Animal lovers will probably like this novel too. The reason I haven't mentioned a genre is because I basically can't decide what group it goes under. Maybe adventure? Hmmm...
My expectations of this book were that it would be OK but I found I enjoy it better. It might look a bit younger than you usually read but why not read it? I have read quite a few of Michael Morpurgo's books and some of them even made it into my favourites, War Horse and Adolphus Tips certainly did! I think Morpurgo has a unique knack for writing so that is why I am recommended Shadow to you!

Rachel :)



Matched by Ally Condie

Monday 3 January 2011

"Watched by SOCIETY, Trapped by RULES, Freed by LOVE?"

Seventeen year old Cassia Reyes has been brought up in a strict Society. A Society that makes all of her decisions, who she will love, what she will wear, where she will work... On the night of her Match Banquet she is matched with one of her friends and it seems like there could be no better Match but when she finds herself falling in love with another boy Cassia decides that she wants to make some decisions of her own.

"And that's when her whole word begins to unravel . . ."

Publisher: Penguin Group
Genre: Romance
Number of Pages: 366
Cover Rating: 4/5
Age Group: 13 + (YA)
Special Feature/s: Interview with Ally Condie
Rating: 3/5

Matched by Ally Condie is a hard book to review because I really don't know how I feel about it. I think it is set in the future because it has a Society, air trains etc. It took me quite a lot of chapters until I got into the book but I still found it a bit boring. Towards the very end was when I finally got right into it and wouldn't take my eyes off of it for a second. In conclusion Matched by Allie Condie has recieved an OK from me.
On a more positive note, the characters' personalities are shown pretty well through some elements of the setting (e.g. When Cassia goes to her Matching Banquet she gets to choose a dress of a bright colour. She chooses a green dress which gives us the images of her being a light hearted, quiet girl). I have two favourite characters in this novel, the first one being Cassia. I like Cassia because of the bravery she shows in sticky situations and also how caring she is towards her friends by not hurting their feelings. The other character in my favour is Cassia's original Match, Xander. He has bright blue eyes, blonde hair and is quite handsome. He is one of Cassia's best friends (even though he is her Match) and is very generous, gentle, sneaky and loves playing games.
I would reccommend this to Young Adults but I am not sure what Young Adult group would like this. All I can say is give this a try and see if you like it, or not. This would be the right time to tell you that there is a sequel, Crossed which will be coming out this year. Maybe because this book is part of a trilogy I will enjoy Crossed even better.

Rachel :)