Bookaholics book club: September 2013

6 Sept 2013

Same difference (38)

And

Through the ever night by Veronica Rossi

Exit kingdom was a recent purchase of mine and as soon as it arrived through my letterbox, I knew I'd seen that girl somewhere before! It took a couple hours of racking my brain and trying to envision her elsewhere and it finally came to me that she was also on the Through the ever night cover.
She's a lot more shadowed on TtEN and I think it gives her a lot more mystery, but she's still mysterious in both since she has her back turned to us, but on the Exit kingdom cover there's a guy walking away from her and that makes me wonder why, both covers are great covers really!
Which do you prefer?

4 Sept 2013

The testing - Review

The testing by Joelle Charbonneau

The testing book one

Available now

www.templarco.co.uk

What's it about?

Sixteen-year-old Cia Vale is honoured to be chosen for The Testing – a series of exams set by the United Commonwealth that selects the brightest young adults to become leaders of their war- stricken world. But when candidates start disappearing and Cia witnesses unimaginable horrors done in the United Commonwealth’s name it becomes clear that these are no ordinary exams, and Cia is forced to realise the truth: this is no longer about winning, but surviving.

My review

The testing was another great YA dystopia in a sea of YA dystopias. While it had its moments where it reminded me a lot of The hunger games, it certainly had something of its own too, I don't think the similarities were intentional, both books have the same themes which make it easier for the reader to relate certain scenes from The testing to scenes from THG - unless it was just me!

But, like I said, The testing has a quality all its own and I really enjoyed it. It had a great shock value to it at some points, some adrenaline fuelled moments and a very clever leading lady. I really liked Cia although every time she came across a 'situation' during her Testing she always had a handy childhood memory of doing something similar, like using the tools she's faced with or having already tasted all the wild plants they come across, so she always knew what to do, by the end it all just seemed too coincidental, she never had to figure something out completely or take a risk, she never had even a slight failure because she seemed to know everything. But maybe I'm just being cynical, I don't know. Still, I did really like her, she certainly seems like a handy girl to have around lol Her relationship with Tomas was sweet and the book was written so well that I was always tapped into her emotions, I was tense when she was in tense situations and I felt her anger so much at the end that I was gripping the book.

I can't wait to get my hands on Independent study where I think we'll start getting more into the politics of the Commonwealth and hopefully Cia will start sticking it to the man, so to speak.

Find the author

2 Sept 2013

Rule - Review

Rule by Jay Crownover

Marked men book one

Available 24th October 2013

www.harpercollins.co.uk

What's it about?

Opposites in every way . . . except the one that matters

Shaw Landon loved Rule Archer from the moment she laid eyes on him. Rule is everything a straight-A pre-med student like Shaw shouldn’t want—and the only person she’s never tried to please. She isn’t afraid of his scary piercings and tattoos or his wild attitude. Though she knows that Rule is wrong for her, her heart just won’t listen.

To a rebel like Rule Archer, Shaw Landon is a stuck-up, perfect princess—and his dead twin brother’s girl. She lives by other people’s rules; he makes his own. He doesn’t have time for a good girl like Shaw—even if she’s the only one who can see the person he truly is.

But a short skirt, too many birthday cocktails, and spilled secrets lead to a night neither can forget. Now, Shaw and Rule have to figure out how a girl like her and a guy like him are supposed to be together without destroying their love . . . or each other.

My review

Okay, first things first, to me Rule read just like a book that was originally self published but has been picked up and put into print without any changes, the writing doesn't always flow and has the feel of a first time writer to it.
Secondly, Rule is super hot and the book is still totally addictive! Although I sometimes struggled with the book because sometimes it didn't always mesh together smoothly, I found it hard to put down. I realise this review is starting to sound like a complete contradiction of itself but it was just one of those books that I loved and didn't love at the same time.
It as a lot of the same themes as some other NA books I've read, a big, strong, slightly over protective bad boy who gets around and a young, naive, virgin girl, along with a slightly over dramatic story and a crazy ex. So, if you've come looking for something new you may not find it here but it's still an enjoyable read.
It's told from the perspectives of both the leading characters so we really get to experience both of their feelings first hand and know what they're thinking. Personally I found Rule to be more interesting that Shaw, he's so self destructive and seeing him grow up and try to get a hold of his feelings made an exciting read.
Whereas Shaw, deciding to ditch the 'I'm such a good girl' act and changing her hair and clothes was kind of boring, she actually didn't change that much, except she finally stood up to her parents, which I had to give her a pat on the back for, but otherwise, she was just blah.
But then I do have a weakness for hot guys covered in tattoos, so its probably not a surprise that I preferred Rule!
All that being said, I'm actually looking forward to book two, Jet, and spending a few hours with another sexy tattooed man, who just happens to be lead singer in a rock band, yep, I'm already weak at the knees!
I'd also mention that I love the cover! Not just because of the hot guy, its just nice to see a NA cover that isn't a black background with a random bit of ribbon, wisp of smoke, or some other strange item on it.