Author: Lauren Oliver
My Edition: Hodder & Stoughton eBook
Publication Date: December 19th 2011
Notes: Delirium #1.5 (Short Story)
Pages: 144 approx.
Rating: See below review.

In the world of Delirium, love is a disease. And like all eighteen-year-olds, Lena and Hana must take the cure.

At the start of their last summer of freedom, they were the closest of friends. Until Hana made a decision that tore them apart... In Delirium, we heard from Lena. Now, Hana gets to tell her side of the story. And nothing is what we first thought.

Hana is a powerful, moving and beautifully told original eBook short story, with a shocking twist that will leave you with your heart in your mouth.

I came across Hana shortly after I'd finished reading Delirium and immediately wanted to read it. I had really enjoyed Delirium and I was definitely intrigued into reading a story all from Hana's perspective (she was definetly a likeable character in the first book). And I'm so glad I decided to read it, because it was great!

I really liked how certain events in Delirium from Lena's perspective were then taken from Hana's point of view throughout this book. We got to see her opinions and reactions to what was going on. And let me say, she isn't at all who she appears to be in Delirium! I'd quite liked Hana in the first book, but now that I've read this, let's just say I don't exactly see eye to eye with her anymore. I just did not see that cliffhanger coming! It is exactly as it says in the blurb - a shocking twist that will leave you with your heart in your mouth. I actually read the last few paragraphs a couple of times over just in case I had miss interpreted it wrong!

Overall I quite liked Hana as it gave an insight into the world of Delirium and the incidents involved from a different perspective instead of Lena's. Again, Oliver's writing just had that engrossing quality to it (plus, she definetly gets brownie points for pulling off that ending)!


Cover Corner: This is a really pretty cover! It's got a real delicate quality to it. I really like the colours involved and the way the author's name is positioned. The only thing that I'm not too sure about is the colour of the title. It's a rather bold red to be on a cover with mostly light, pure colours. It definetly stands out though so I don't think it's that big of a deal. Overall, a really lovely cover!

Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo

Showcase Sunday #4

Showcase Sunday is a meme hosted by Vicky over at Books, Biscuits & Tea where we showcase all of our recent book grabs.

Borrowed:

The Declaration by Gemma Malley (The Declaration #1) - I never really gave much thought to reading this book myself but when my friend told me she loved it, she gave it to me to borrow. I'm so glad I've read it now! It's a really unique take on the dystopian genre and I really liked the main character, Anna! Full review to come soon. ;)

A Million Suns by Beth Revis (Across The Universe #2) - I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Across The Universe and I was so glad that my friend also gave me this one to borrow. It was absolutely ah-mazing! I seriously think it was better than the first! A full, glowing review of this is to come soon too! :D

I'd like to thank my friend profusely for giving me these to borrow as they were both great reads! :D

What about all of you? What did you get this week? Leave links below and I'll stop by!

Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo

PS: Do you like the new design? It's from the same website as my last one and I love it! (:

Review: Delirium

Author: Lauren Oliver
Edition: Hodder & Stoughton eBook
Released: February 1st 2011
Notes: Delirium #1
Pages: n/a
Rating: See below review.

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love - the deliria - blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Yes, yes, yes, I know that most of you reading this right now will have read this book already. And yes, I know it was a crime that I hadn't sooner - considering how a lot of reviewers were giving it so much hype! Anyway, now that I have, I can finally say: Delirium? I completely agree!

Though overall it was a great read, I wouldn't say it added anything new to the dystopian genre. I couldn't help but compare some features to Matched (Ally Condie). The curfew, the forbidden love, not having a say in who you're going to marry, etc. Don't get me wrong, it was probably more exciting than Matched, but it just didn't have anything new and fresh.

I really enjoyed Lena as the main character. We really managed to see her development throughout the story and I just loved that side of things. I know a lot of people who have read this preferred Lena's best friend, Hana over Lena but I have to say I liked Lena just that little bit more. She went from being cautious and quiet to brave and strong and I really enjoyed how Lauren Oliver did this. She is a very skilled writer! Then there's Alex. Probably not my favourite love interest but he was definitely sweet! Lena and him suited each other. For future reference: Will Herondale from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare has my heart (and it is impossible to beat him. Sorry, Alex)! ;)

I'm not sure whether is was the writing style, the characters, the plot or just everything that kept me reading but I managed to finish this in just a couple sittings. I was totally engrossed and could barely resurface from Lena's world - I just had to know what was happening and what was going to happen next. And when the ending came around, I was left both breathless and upset! I really need to get my hands on book two to see what happens to both Lena and Alex.

In conclusion, Delirium by Lauren Oliver was a great read with distinctive characters and an engrossing writing style. Though it didn't offer anything new to the dystopian genre, it was still a perfectly fine romance read. I would still definitely recommend this to those that haven't yet read it!


Cover Corner: This will be a new edition to my reviews. After the rating I will talk about the cover of that book (my edition cover). This in no way affects the rating - it's just a little something I think will be fun! Then you can tell me your thoughts on it too! :)
The eBook cover pictured for Delirium is definitely not my favourite but the more I look at it, the more it grows on me. I like the splash of colour in the background and the colour and positioning of the author's title. The expression on the girl's face is also quite attention-grabbing, she looks almost sombre. I definitely think it would stand out in a bookshop, even though it's not perfect.

Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo

PS: Sorry for not posting much this week! You won't believe how busy I've been! Oh, and a mini review of Hana will be posted up sometime next week!

Review: The Hunt

Author: Andrew Fukuda
Edition: Simon and Schuster Paperback
Released: May 10th 2012
Notes: The Hunt #1
Pages: 293
Rating: See below review.

Against all odds, 17-year-old Gene has survived in a world where humans have been eaten to near extinction by the general population. The only remaining humans, or hepers as they are known, are housed in domes on the savannah and studied at the nearby Heper Institute. Every decade there is a government sponsored hunt. When Gene is selected to be one of the combatants he must learn the art of the hunt but also elude his fellow competitors whose suspicions about his true nature are growing.

As much as I want to say this was a brand-new debut which I loved every minute of, sadly it's just not happening. Believe me when I say I really wanted to like this book. The synopsis just had so much potential... but at the end of the day, this book just wasn't for me.

To tell you the truth, I'm not much of a fan of male characters narrating the storyline. I never seem to relate to them that well (am I just reading the wrong books or does anyone else feel this way)? In Gene's case, I just did not get on with him one bit. I think he was the main reason I just couldn't get into this story the way I wanted to. The one thing that I absolutely couldn't stand was the way he acted as though he was better than the "hepers" (aka humans). I just felt like screaming at him: You are just like them, you are a human too, Gene, so stop acting as though you are more superior! Ughh! I just could not believe his attitude towards the other humans at all - he didn't even tell them they were going to be Hunted. Argh! He just sat by and watched, no heads up, nothing! The only characters I actually liked were, infact, the other humans. Sissy and Ben especially. Sissy definetly knew how to handle herself and Ben was just so sweet!

Gene's love interest was also a big no-no for me. I did not like her one bit either. I actually just couldn't help but hope that he would be drawn to Sissy. But, of course, that just didn't happen. Most probably due to the whole I'm more superior attitude he had going. But maybe in the next book? I just think they would balance each other out pretty well... and she could kick his ass if he was ever cheeky which is a plus. It could be a possibility... We'll just have to wait and see, I suppose.

The overall plot wasn't too bad but I think Gene's personality just sort-of cancelled that out for me. Seriously, he was just so infuriating! I really hope that he will see sense in book two. And with the way this book ended, I think he really could! *happy dance*

One more thing worth noting. The chapters are really long! And I mean really long. It was quite awkward for me to find a suitable place to stop. Oh, and the ending! It definetly picked up there, and that cliffhanger? Woah!

To end on a high note... Good things this book had going for it: some of the characters (the humans anyway), good use of tension and an exciting ending. Also, alot of potential for book two (potential plot, love interest swap and attitude change) *crosses fingers* :)


Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo

Showcase Sunday #3

Showcase Sunday is a meme hosted by Vicky over at Books, Biscuits & Tea where we showcase all of our recent book grabs.

For Review/Gifted:

The Spook's Blood by Joseph Delaney - This book actually came recently in the mail as a surprise package from Random House! It looks pretty cool... and creepy! The only thing is that this book is a later book in a series so I'm not sure if I have to have read the whole series to understand it or if it can work perfectly fine as a standalone - it does have character profiles at the beginning... Do any of you know? I believe this book is released sometime later this year. Anyway, thank you Random House!

Destined by Aprilynne Pike - I received a copy of this book through the mail for review a while back and you can find what I thought about it here. I have absolutely loved this series from the word go and the final instalment was no exception! Five stars! Thank you for my copy, Harper Collins!

Purchased Ebooks:

Delirium by Lauren Oliver - I was browsing through iBooks when I came across this ebook for only £1.99, and with all the hype surrounding it, I decided to buy it as it had such a reasonable price. I'm so glad I finally managed to give it a read - it was great! However, the ebook cover pictured isn't my favourite... A review will hopefully be up soon!

Hana (Delirium 1.5) by Lauren Oliver - Shortly after finishing Delirium, I came across Hana as well for a reasonable price. I loved Hana's character in the first book but now that I've finished this one, let's just say I'm not the biggest fan of her anymore! I can't believe what she did! Now, here's where I've got a question for you all. Would you like me to post up a separate mini review of Hana, review it along with Delirium in the same post or just not even bother reviewing it? Please tell me what you think would be best below!

Thanks for stopping by my Showcase Sunday for this week! Please leave links to your own book hauls below and I'll pop by as soon as I can! :D

Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo

PS: Please vote for what you think on my new poll! :)

Review: 172 Hours on The Moon

Author: Johan Harstad
Edition: Atom Paperback
Released: April 5th 2012
Pages: 351
Rating: See below review.

There's a reason we never went back to the moon.

It was supposed to be the adventure of a lifetime. Mia, Antoine and Midori had different reasons to enter NASA's competition for a seat on the first shuttle to go to the moon in over forty years.

But while they all wanted to escape earth, they never realized there might not be a chance to come home...

When I first heard of this book, I put it on my wishlist straight away. I mean, how could anyone by-pass a book set on the moon?! What a great concept, right? Well, unfortunetly, though it was a unique and one-off read, I found it... lacking in quite a few areas.

I'll start off with the critism part of things. First off, the pace. At the beginning, it practically jumped from scene to scene. From Mia, Antoine and Midori's reasons for entering the competition, to them winning, to the training centre, to the take-off. It was almost like it was speeding too far ahead and leaving me behind. The training centre was the part that really threw me off, though. We never got to know what they actually had to do during the training. We maybe got one scene from Midori the first day they were all in the training room listeing to a lecture... and that was that. They were away to the launch site in the next dozen pages. However, I am glad to report that the pace was perfect once they had landed on the moon.

Another thing that I was quite let down about was the fact that during this jumping-between, it appeared that Mia, Antoine and Midori had already become friends. I was actually quite sad about there not being an introduction in the characters. We never got to read about their first impressions and how they came to like each other, etc. Another thing that felt too rushed was the romance. This is down to the exact same reason. The characters had already become friends and gotten to know one another without our knowledge so it appeared almost too much like an insta-love to me. Overall, I didn't really relate to any of the characters but at the same time, I didn't mind them either.

Mia is more headstrong and outspoken than Midori and Antoine but all of the characters compliment each other with their different personalities. Midori has suffered through bullying and Antoine, a break-up with his girlfriend. I actually was at one point sure I wasn't going to like Antoine because I thought he was going to turn out a little... stalker-ish (what with the telescope on the eiffel tower) but once I got to know him better, I didn't really mind him.

I'm not really too sure what rating I'm going to give this book. Though I felt more development in some areas would have made it more enjoyable, I did quite like the idea and mystery of what was on the moon. It was rather unique and that ending - what a shock! I'm sure I've not given this book enough justice because, despite the negatives I found, it still was quite enjoyable in some respects. Overall, 172 Hours on The Moon gets three stars from me.

Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo

Wishlist Releases for June and July!

Hey everyone! Today I had planned to write up a book review but instead, since it's the last day of May, I'd like to post up some upcoming wishlist releases for June and July! But don't worry, I won't forget about the review - this is just something to mix it up a bit! ;)
Sidenote: These are in no particular order! :)

Shadows Cast by Stars by Catherine Knutsson
June 5th 2012

Two hundred years from now, blood has become the most valuable commodity on the planet—especially the blood of aboriginal peoples, for it contains antibodies that protect them from the Plague ravaging the rest of the world.

Sixteen-year-old Cassandra Mercredi might be immune to Plague, but that doesn’t mean she’s safe—government forces are searching for those of aboriginal heritage to harvest their blood. When a search threatens Cassandra and her family, they flee to the Island: a mysterious and idyllic territory protected by the Band, a group of guerilla warriors—and by an enigmatic energy barrier that keeps outsiders out and the spirit world in. And though the village healer has taken her under her wing, and the tribal leader’s son into his heart, the creatures of the spirit world are angry, and they have chosen Cassandra to be their voice and instrument…

The Glimpse by Claire Merle
June 7th 2012

In a near future, society is segregated according to whether people are genetically disposed to mental illness. 17-year-old Ana has been living the privileged life of a Pure due to an error in her DNA test. When the authorities find out, she faces banishment from her safe Community, a fate only thwarted by the fact that she has already been promised to Pure-boy Jasper Taurell.

Jasper is from a rich and influential family and despite Ana’s condition, wants to be with her. The authorities grant Ana a tentative reprieve. If she is joined to Jasper before her 18th birthday, she may stay in the Community until her illness manifests. But if Jasper changes his mind, she will be cast out among the Crazies. As Ana’s joining ceremony and her birthday loom closer, she dares to hope she will be saved from the horror of the City and live a ‘normal’ life. But then Jasper disappears.

Led to believe Jasper has been taken by a strange sect the authorities will not intefere with, Ana sneaks out of her well-guarded Community to find him herself. Her search takes her through the underbelly of society and into the pits of the human soul. And as she delves deeper into the mystery of Jasper's abduction she uncovers some devastating truths that destroy everything she has grown up to believe, but she also learns to love as she has never loved before.

Dark Companion by Marta Acosta
July 3rd 2012

When foster teen Jane Williams is invited to attend elite Birch Grove Academy for Girls and escape her violent urban neighborhood, she thinks the offer is too good to be true. She's even offered her own living quarters, the groundskeeper's cottage in the center of the birch grove.

Something's not quite right about the school -- or is it Jane? She thinks she sees things in the birch grove at night. She's also beginning to suspect that the elegant headmistress and her sons are hiding secrets. Lucky is the gorgeous, golden son who is especially attentive to Jane, and Jack is the sardonic puzzling brother.

The school with its talented teachers and bright students is a dream for a science and math geek like Jane. She also loves her new friends, including hilarious poetry-spouting rich girl, Mary Violet. But the longer Jane stays at Birch Grove, the more questions she has about the disappearance of another scholarship girl and a missing faculty member.

Jane discovers one secret about Birch Grove, which only leads to more mysteries. What is she willing to sacrifice in order to stay at this school...and be bound to Birch Grove forever?

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
July 3rd 2012

Before Peter Pan belonged to Wendy, he belonged to the girl with the crow feather in her hair. . .

Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily doesn't believe in love stories or happy endings. Then she meets the alluring teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland and immediately falls under his spell.

Peter is unlike anyone she's ever known. Impetuous and brave, he both scares and enthralls her. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland's inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. Soon, she is risking everything—her family, her future—to be with him. When she is faced with marriage to a terrible man in her own tribe, she must choose between the life she's always known and running away to an uncertain future with Peter.

With enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it's the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who's everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies can live inside even the most loyal and loving heart.

How good do all of these books sound? If I had to pick the one I'm most excited about, it'd have to be Dark Companion - doesn't it sound absolutely amazing, and that cover? Gorgeous! I also really like the sound of Tiger Lily because, well duh - PETER PAN! And The Glimpse and Shadows Cast by Stars (what a unique plot, don't you think?) are both dystopian so... as an avid dystopian lover it's no question that I need to read them!
Ooooooooooooh, I can't wait!! xD

Are any of you waiting on June/July releases? Which ones? Do you also like the look of these books?

Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo