Tirade - Review

Tirade by Cambria Hebert

Heven and hell book three

Available now 

What's it about?

Betrayal burns. Death hurts and the clock ticks…

Minutes and hours stretch into days. How long can Sam survive being confined in Hell? I have a plan… a plan with a lot of holes. I need someone who can make up for my weaknesses, someone who possesses the power that I lack. Riley is supposed to be off limits. He’s dangerous, he’s mean and he’s not to be trusted. But I do. 

Beelzebub is on a tirade, bent on revenge. I took what he wants and sent him into the flames. I will wear the scars of his punishments forever. But scars don’t scare me anymore.

On my way to free Sam I find my true path, a secret place and new allies. But in Hell nothing is easy… and everything is cruel. The only thing left to do is survive.

Other books in the series

Before  - Book 0.5

Masquerade - Book one

Between - Book 1.5

Charade - Book two

Bewitched - Book 2.5

My review

I'm a big fan of this series so I was excited for the latest title and it didn't disappoint. Though I'd still say Charade is my favourite so far because of its shock factor, I still loved every bit of Tirade, it doesn't stop giving right the way through, the gang and Heven get into some hairy situations, it was a great ride watching them go through them and seeing how they handled the situations and came out the other side.
If you've read the previous books then you already know the writing is great as are the characters, Heven is getting stronger with each instalment and I'm looking forward to seeing how she comes out at the end of the next and final book and of course seeing how everything ends, particularly after the epilogue! And if you haven't read the previous book, then drop everything and do it because this is a great story set in an original world and did I mention Sam is super hot? Because I feel like that's an important point!
This is a must for fans of the series, you will not be disappointed but you might be left begging for book four.

My thoughts on the cover
This is not my favourite cover of the series to be honest, its just too digitised and doesn't look like a real person, it doesn't look like how I imagine Riley to be either but I like the eyes.

Favourite quotes

'His kiss was as intoxicating as ever, melting my bones until he had to support me against his chest or else  I would slip to the floor.'

'Gone was the insecure girl that would hide and cringe at the slightest noise. Gone was the girl who didn't think she was strong enough to face her fears. This girl had strength that matched our greatest enemies. This girl was no  longer shy and timid, but powerful and confident. My chest swelled with love for everything she had been and everything she had become.
This girl was mine.'

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UK vs THE WORLD (55)

UK vs. The world is a weekly meme I made up lol.

It's simlair to UK vs. US except the UK covers are battling it out with their foreign counterparts from all over the world, because who doesn't love judging books by their covers!

UK                           vs                        Italy

Night school by C.J. Daugherty

Night school book one.

('Il Segreto del Bosco. Night School' translates to 'The secret of the forest. Night school.' - According to Google translate.)

Mist: As much as I like the UK cover, there's just something about the contrasts in colour between the leaf and the background on the Italian cover that really catches my eye, the cover is both warm and cold at the same time. The UK cover is nice but its just as girl, the Italian cover has a bit more going to it and piques my interest.

Ninfa: I like both covers but I think this is an Italian win for me I love the little hint to the location of the story, with the leaf in the model's hand. The Italian title, "The Secret of the Woods" and the tagline, "Sometimes school can kill you" are just really cool, and I like the colours chosen and how the leaf just stands out from everything else.
The UK cover is pretty, and the tagline is also cool, but the Italian cover just has more going on for me Italy wins!

Which do you prefer?

Roar and Liv - Quickie review

Roar and Liv by Veronica Rossi

Under the never sky book 0.5

Available now

atombooks.net 

What's it about?

Before Perry and Aria, there was Roar and Liv.

After a childhood spent wandering the borderlands, Roar finally feels like he has a home with the Tides. His best friend Perry is like a brother to him, and Perry's sister, Liv, is the love of his life. But Perry and Liv's unpredictable older brother, Vale, is the Blood Lord of the Tides, and he has never looked kindly on Roar and Liv's union. Normally, Roar couldn't care less about Vale's opinion. But with food running low and conditions worsening every day, Vale's leadership is more vital—and more brutal—than ever. Desperate to protect his tribe, Vale makes a decision that will shatter the life Roar knew and change the fate of the Tides forever.

Other books in the series

Under the never sky - Book one

Through the ever night - Book two

My review

After finishing the first two books in this series I was more intrigued by the love story of Roar and Liv than than the main story of Aria and Perry, so I just knew I had to read this short story to find out more about them.

While it doesn't add a whole to the bigger picture of the main story it does give a lovely little insight to how their relationship was and how they felt for each other and then what happened leading up to when we meet Roar in Under the never sky. I really enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone who was as fascinated with Roar and Liv as I was.

My thoughts on the cover

I like how this cover fits in with the others but its simpler, making it stand out a little and away from the main story but still part of the series.

Favourite quote

'As we approach the beach trail, I spot two tall figures with pale hair up ahead and frown. It ruffles me a bit, not being able to tell apart my best friend from my girlfriend from this distance. But then one of the figures dashes across the sandy trail and jumps into my arms and I'm reasonably sure it's Liv and not Perry.'

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Through the ever night - Review

Through the ever night by Veronica Rossi

Under the never sky book two.

Available now.

atombooks.net 

What's it about?

Aria has struggled to build a life for herself outside Reverie. It hasn't be easy adjusting to life in the wilderness but that struggle has been worth it with Perry by her side. 

But Perry has other challenges. His people are looking to him for answers. Answers about what happened to his nephew and what's happening to their world. And they don't trust the priviledged Aria, one of the enemy, in their midst. 

Soon he'll be forced to chose between the tribe that looks to him for leadership and the girl that looks to him for love.

Other books in the series

Roar and Liv - Book 0.5

Under the never sky - Book one

My review

Through the ever night picks up a couple of months from where we left off in book one, Under the never sky. I enjoyed it as much as the first book and thought it carried on the story really well and it was good to see the characters growing into their new roles.
Aria and Perry were already pretty strong characters and can hold their own but in Through the ever night we see them grow even more, both individually and as a couple. I also really loved the friendship that hes developed between Aria and Roar as he was - and still is - a favourite character for me during book one. I have some suspicions about where that's going but I can't reveal them here because of spoilers!
The ending was both heartbreaking and pumped full of action that I felt the first book had been lacking, I really started to get hooked just as it ended lol
We also get to meet some new people, find out more about the plot and get some clues as to what will happen in book three as we end on a slight cliffhanger and personally I'm really excited for the next book.

My thoughts on the cover
Love it! I love the blue, the calm feeling it has, kind of like the calm before the storm and Arias confident stance.

Favourite quotes

'Perry held her against him. "I missed you," he whispered in her ear. He couldn;t hold her close enough. "I should never have let you go. I missed you so much."'

'She saw the flash of Perry's smile just before their lips met. Thier kiss was gentle and slow, and full of meaning. They had hurried through every moment since he'd met her in the woods. While they'd been at the Tides'. On the race to Reverie. Now they finally had a moment together without hiding or rushing. There was so much she wanted to say. So much she wanted to know.'

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UK vs THE WORLD (54)

UK vs. The world is a weekly meme I made up lol.

It's simlair to UK vs. US except the UK covers are battling it out with their foreign counterparts from all over the world, because who doesn't love judging books by their covers!

UK                           vs                  Germany

The vampire shrink by Lynda Hilburn

Kismet Knight book one.

('Kismet Knight, Vampirpsychologin' translates to 'Kisment Knight, Vampire psychologist.' - According to Google translate.)

Mist: Definitely a UK win for me this week, the German cover is just so uninteresting, there's not really much going on except for the pretty pattern at the bottom. I really like the colours of the UK cover, the back view of the girl with her head down and the rose sticking out of her lap, and even the sky line and moon, its just filled with mystery.

Ninfa: The UK cover is lovely, it has that Goth vibe that just goes hand in hand with a Vampire theme. Although it's a little predictable, it's still very lovely. The German cover is pretty but I just can't see the Vampire connection, or anything that would tell me what the story is about at first glance. UK wins.

Which do you prefer?

Under the never sky - Review

Under the never sky by Veronica Rossi

Under the never sky book one.

Available now

atombooks.net 

What's it about?

WORLDS KEPT THEM APART.

DESTINY BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER.

Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Her entire world confined to its spaces, she's never thought to dream of what lies beyond its doors. So when her mother goes missing, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland long enough to find her are slim.

Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He's searching for someone too. He's also wild - a savage - but might be her best hope at staying alive.

If they can survive, they are each other's best hope for finding answers.

Other books in the series

Roar and Liv - Book 0.5

Through the ever night - Book two

My review

Under the never sky is set in a future world that is so different to the one we live in now but is easy to believe and get lost in. I found the storyline to be very different to some other books I have read and Rossi has really come up with something unique here. Although the world is a very dangerous place to live in now, I couldn't help picturing it as beautiful at the same time, something the author made easy to do with vivid descriptions and great storytelling.

Though it was written really well and I enjoyed it, it was slightly missing that thing that got my heart pumping and making it difficult to put down, I didn't find the love story that gripping, I actually found myself more fascinated by the background love story of Roar and Liv and was wanting to know what will happen with them in the future.

But other than that, I did enjoy it, the author has created something new with her world of special people and I did like meeting them all. Aria is a strong young lady who from the start isn't afraid to stand up for herself and Perry is a great leader, they're well suited.
I'm looking forward to seeing more in this series and watching the characters grow.

My thoughts on the cover

I really like this cover, way more than the original which is the one I own. This just fits in with the story so much better and I love the colours, the text and the whipping wind you can see from the leaves flying about.

Favourite quotes

'She looked drawn, the skin beneath her eyes pale purple. Even tired she had a face made to be looked at. Finespun. Deliate. Beautiful. Perry shook his head, surprised by his own thoughts.'

'She squeezed him. "Your voice sounds like a midnight fire. All warm and worn in and golden. I could listen to you talk forever."'

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Awaken - Quickie review

Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

Awaken book one

Available now 

What's it about?

Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it’s to go to school or on a date, people don’t venture out of their home. There’s really no need. For the most part, Maddie’s okay with the solitary, digital life—until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren’t meant to be alone, he tells her. 

Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking. 

In this not-so-brave new world, two young people struggle to carve out their own space.

My review

Awaken is set in a very plausible future where everyone basically lives their live through their computers, rarely leaving the house when they don't need to. I felt it to be really believable, something I always find to be an important factor in books like these, if I can imagine the future as somewhere society might find itself in the future, I find it much easier to get into the book and ingratiate myself in the story.

Awaken opens up and explores a lot of questions about how we act as a society and how important computers are becoming in our lives. I really enjoyed this side of the book and it did make me think, I liked the characters too, they were interesting and I enjoyed their relationships. The rest of the book, however, fell a little flat for me, aside from a couple of car chases there just wasn't much action beyond that, it was a lot of talking and planning and at places, it kind of bored me so I'm not rushing for book two, I'll likely wait for the paperback but I do plan to read it and see where the story goes from here.

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Nail your books (5)

'Nail your books is a feature started by Cristina at The princess of storyland, where we share our book inspired manicures.

My latest manicure is inspired by the Under the never sky series by Veronica Rossi.

Here's the covers

(Click any of the images to see them full size.)

And here's my nails

How to

• Sally Hansen Miracle cure base coat
• Rimmel 60 seconds Sky high
• Rimmel 60 seconds Pulsating
• Barry M nail paint White
• Save the nail wet look top coat
• Sally hansen Inst-dri
• Nail brush
• Make-up sponge

If you've read the books then you know what the Aether is and that's what I've tried to create on my nails. If you haven't read them then the Aether is the sky, in the future the sky is very different, its swirled in different colours that come down in funnels during storms, this is how I imagine it to look. Pink and blue with swirls of white for clouds.
I'm actually really pleased with how this came out, the colours mixed and blended really well and I got the effect I was attempting.
What do you think? And if you give it a try, I want to see photos!

UK vs THE WORLD (53)

UK vs. The world is a weekly meme I made up lol.

It's simlair to UK vs. US except the UK covers are battling it out with their foreign counterparts from all over the world, because who doesn't love judging books by their covers!

UK                          vs               Australia

Falling to ash by Karen Mahoney

Moth book one.

Mist: The UK cover is nice and interesting but I love the Australian cover, it feels a little bit mature and the wings and butterflies are gorgeous. I do like the pattern on the UK cover but its an Aussie win for me this week.

Ninfa: Very similar colours, and very well chosen.
Personal taste makes me lean towards the AUS cover, I think it looks very stylish, and I like the model and the moth wings. The UK cover is also pretty but there's something a little unnatural about the model's pose that distract me from the whole thing, there also seems to be a lot going on and it makes it look messy.
This week AUS wins for me :)

Which do you prefer?

Introducing #penguinchats

Hi guys, today I want to tell you about something new from Penguin books!

It's called Penguin chats and is a brand new idea from Penguin intended to connect the incredible community of YA bloggers and readers with some of their most exciting YA authors.

A 'Penguin Chat' itself will be a 30 minute Q&A with a Penguin author on Twitter, using #PenguinChats and hosted by @PenguinUKBooks.

Kami and Margaret

The first Penguin chat will be on Sunday 27th January at 8pm GMT and will be with authors Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl!

They are the authors of the fabulous Caster chronicles, the film adaptation of the first book Beautiful creatures will actually be hitting cinemas worldwide next month!

Beautiful creatures

Is falling in the love the beginning . . . or the end? In Ethan Wate’s hometown there lies the darkest of secrets . . .

There is a girl.

There is a curse.

In the end, there is a grave.

Ethan never even saw it coming.

So, if your a fan of the authors or you're curious about the books, why not stop by the Penguin chat on Twitter on January 27th and ask them all those questions you've been dying to know the answers to!

For more info check out the Penguin blog.

Dead romantic - Review

Dead romantic by C.J. Skuse

Available 4th Feb 2013

doublecluck.co.uk 

What's it about?

Camille wants to find the perfect boy, with an athlete's body and a poet's brain. But when she's mocked at a college party, she kows there isn't a boy alive who'll ever measure up. Enter Zoe, her brilliant but strange best friend, who takes biology homework to a whole new level. She can create Camille's dream boy, Frankenstein-stylee. But can she make him love her?

My review

Dead romantic was a fun and twisted kind of novel, I really enjoyed it and laughed my butt off throughout.
Camille was an easy character to get along with and I liked her instantly, I couldn't help feeling sorry for her too, when she was feeling lonely and left out by her friends, I think we all had a time like that when we were her age. It was easy to understand why she went along with a harebrained scheme to make a boy of her own.
I also liked Zoe, I think it took a while to understand her but she was really nice, just a little socially inept, her and Camille made good friends.
As for the story, I thought it was really imaginative and I liked how the inspirations for it were mentioned in the book, it makes me want to go check them out. I had a great time reading this book, I love the authors humour, Camilles slightly immature outlook on love and relationships. It was loads of fun and didn't take itself seriously, its not every day grave robbing can be funny!
At first glance it seems like Dead romantic might be gory, what with all the dead bodies, or bits of them but its not, so don't worry if you're weak stomached, you can still read this one, which I urge everyone to do!

My thoughts on the cover
I love this cover, it gets the story across along with its humorous feel, I like the stitching and the lightening/electricity, its a very cool cover.

Favourite quotes

'It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen since I'd been alive. It beat all magic tricks I'd ever seen and all the cartwheels I'd ever done and finding a dead woman. Anyway, it was truly awesies.'

'My heart was going beserk. 'So you actually like... love me?' He nodded.
I frowned. 'Like Splodge loves Poppy love me?' He nodded again. 'Like Jack loves Rose? Like Peeta loves Katniss? Like Edward loves Bella?'
'Yes,' he said. 'I can't believe you didn't get the hint.''

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Showcase Sunday (32)

'Showcase Sunday' is hosted by Vicky at Books, biscuits and tea.

7th Jan - 13th Jan

Books mentioned

Swapped

The Vampire shrink by Lynda Hilburn

Gifted

Sapphique by Catherine Fisher

Nail dotters and tape -Thank you Natalie for being so awesome!

For review

Through the ever night by Veronica Rossi

Rise by Andrea Cremer

Wake and Lullaby by Amanda Hocking

Wool by Hugh Howey

The Beautiful creatures illustrated movie campanion by Mark Cotta Vaz

eBooks

Bought

Roar and Liv by Veronica Rossi - I picked up this little Under the never sky novella to read after I'm done with the two books currently out in the series.

What did you get this week?

Two year blogoversary giveaway

Can you believe it? My little blog has become a toddler already!

In the last twelve months I've racked up more than 75,300 views, written 96 book reviews, and had 46 guests, including some of my favourite authors.

In March I ran a charity book auction to raise money for the Downs syndrome association and in November I co-hosted UK appreciation month with Donna from Book passion for life, both events were a lot of fun!

But you didn't come here for that, did you?

To celebrate this event  and thank all my followers for sticking with me (Or to welcome some new ones if you've just found me through this giveaway) I've decided to give one lucky person a £50 Amazon voucher!!

PLEASE READ ALL THE DETAILS BEFORE ENTERING

-Giveaway is open to everyone!

-This is a follower giveaway so being a follower using GFC or networked blogs is the minimum requirement.

-All extra follows are optional.

-One winner will win a £50 Amazon UK voucher UNLESS you are an international entrant, you will win an Amazon voucher to your currencies equivalent of £50 on your countries Amazon.

-If your country doesn't have an Amazon site, you can either have the voucher for the UK site or I can order you £50 worth of books using Book depository.

-The winner will be announced in the rafflecopter form in this post and notified via email, so make sure you enter with one you check frequently.

-Fill in the form!

<a href="http://bookaholicsbkcl.blogspot.com/2013/01/two-year-blogoversary-giveaway.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb343/Misty_Price/blogoversary2_zpsf0daa976.jpg"/></a>

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pretty bad things - Review

Pretty bad things by C.J. Skuse

Available now

doublecluck.com 

What's it about?

"Wonder Twins" on the run--and running amok--in Vegas. Road Trip!

Paisley and Beau are boldface names again. Last time, paparazzi called them the "Wonder Twins," two kids found alone but alive in the woods of exotic New Jersey. Three days after their mom's death -- and before their dad's criminal misdeeds. 

Flash-forward to now: Their so-called lives? Suck out loud: Hating on their cougarized, Botoxic grandma, they're totally clueless about the location of ex-con Daddy. Till they discover a stash of old letters. That's when they decide to jack the Pontiac and hit the road. Holding up donut shops in Sin City might seem extreme, but if they can just get their pretty bad faces back on TV -- or TMZ -- they might wrap up their whole gaga saga with an Oprah-worthy reunion already

My review 

Although this was actually the authors first release, I read it last and have to say this is easily my favourite of the three books she has so far. Paisley's attitude and the gritty story pulled me in immediately and I actually stayed up until 2:30am and read the whole book in one night, something I rarely do, the reading it in one sitting thing, I'm kept up late by books all the time! I just couldn't put it down and knew I wouldn't sleep if I didn't finish and find out how it ended, if they found their Dad or ended up locked in jail.
I flew through the book so fast, I even forgot to note down quotes and had to go back after to get some.
I think Paisley can be a tough character to handle for some but I loved her, I loved how she won't take crap from anyone and how she can make holding up sweet shops sound like a good idea. She's tough, decisive and full of attitude.
Beau was a good character too but for me he was just overshadowed by his crazy twin but I liked how he developed during the book.
The story didn't let up either, it was constantly thrilling and full of situations where I didn't know what direction it was going to go. Personally I thought it ended a bit too open, I'd have liked it to be wrapped up a bit more, perhaps with an epilogue, but I still loved every bit of this book and am cursing myself for having not read it sooner.
Another (totally random) thing I liked, were the smells, different scents, not always good ones, are always added into the descriptions, far more than I've read in any other book and it was just something I liked. I also enjoyed the great descriptions of Las Vegas, for someone that's never been there, it was made easy for me to imagine, I would love to visit there someday.

My thoughts on the cover
First, I love the tagline! Its so something Paisley would say and the crazyness of all the random images reminds me of her too, though I don't think she'd choose pink lol.

Favourite quotes

'All these counselors had one mission: to get me to cry. and there was no way, even if they pricked my eyeballs with pins or splashed lemon juice into ever cut, no way was I gonna cry.'

'There's no point breaking your crayons over this, okay? This makes sense. If this makes the news, we'll get ourselves on those screens, on the screen outside Ceasers where we know he hangs out. Dad will see us. He was watching the Tron before Coupon Guy started on him. We get famous, we'll be one step closer to finding him.'
'We'll be one step closer to prison, Paisley. Can't you see that?'
'God, when did you become such a prude?'
'I don't know. Maybe the same day you slipped down into the moral abyss?''

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