10 Oct 2012

UK vs THE WORLD (40)

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
The Valley book two.
('Il gioco dei fantasmi' translates to 'The game of ghosts' - Accordging to Google translate.)

Mist: These are both nice covers, I like the brighter colours a bit more on the UK cover, so I think maybe I prefer that one but I love the kind of elfish look the girl has on the Italian cover but it doesn't have much else to it, I really like the landscape of the UK cover so UK win for me.

Ninfa: These covers are very different in feel, the UK one looks like a fiction book, I like the colours and the Winter view at the bottom, it makes me think of Alaska somehow and remote frozen parts of the world.
 The Italian cover has a completely different feel. The tag line reads "Who protects the secrets at Grace College?", so it's a very paranormal feel and it confused me at first so I had to read the blurb of the book. Turns out the second cover is spot on with the feel as it is a YA paranormal story.
 Easy peasy then, Italy wins :)

Which do you prefer?

8 Oct 2012

What I read in... September




Here are the books I read in September, as you can see,it was a very slow month for me as I was distracted doing other things but hopefully I can make it up in October.
(Links to my reviews or Goodreads if I haven't reviewed the book.)
Rules ofattraction - 5/5 -and Chain reaction by Simone Elkeles -4/5

What did you read?

5 Oct 2012

Charade - Review


Heven and hell book two.
Available now. 

What's it about?

The second novel in the Heven and Hell series.
Dying at the hands of a psycho was a shock. Having my life returned to me by an angel was incredible. Being named a Supernatural Treasure and being given Sam as my guard was pretty darn awesome. Acquiring a debt for it all—well, I should have seen it coming.
Now here we are, fighting demons from Hell, caring for a boy that I just don’t trust, and traveling to faraway places to return a treasure to its rightful place. Nothing is as it seems. Everyone wears a mask; everyone puts on a charade. It’s up to us to separate the truth from the lies and reality from fiction. A hard task when my new reality involves fallen angels, witches and dragons… and did I mention Hell?
Anchoring me down through it all is Sam. Sam, who must face tragedies of his own and is put to the test again and again.
If we fail in our task, life as we know it—life as you know it—will end. Forever.
Other books in the series (Links to my review)
Masquerade - Book one.
My review
I really enjoyed book one, Masqerade, so I've been looking forward to reading Charade, and I have to say it was even better than the first!
Right away, there's a lot of mystery surrounding the book, new characters and strange happenings galore and just as I was starting to think I wanted some answers I was hit with a huge twist that had me gasping so loud on the bus I attracted some strange looks! Masquerade really was a bumpy ride from start to finish and I was hooked all the way through.
I love Sam and Heven, their bond is something to be reckoned with! They're just so in love but not in a sickly sweet way, I enjoyed reading them together and felt the pull when they were apart, and the ending was hard to read.
Hebert has done an excellent job keeping the story alive in book two, I was constantly on the edge of my seat, gripping onto my kindle, this is anything but a 'bridge' book that just takes you from book one to book three, so much happens, and I suspect there is so much more to come.
I don't want to say too much more because I'm going to end up giving something away but if you liked book one then you HAVE TO pick this up, you won't be disappointed.

My thoughts on the cover
It has a gorgeous picture of Sam on it, what's not to love? I really like the gold colour of his eyes and the text stands out so well against the dark background.

Favourite quotes
'After a while I pulled away and took in her unfocused and soft eyes. Let Cole compete with that, I thought to myself.
There is no competition, Heven replied.
Damn mindbond.'


'If you cannot breathe, I will breathe for you. If your heart will not beat, mine will beat harder. If you do not live, neither will I.'



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4 Oct 2012

When she woke - Review


Available now
www.harpercollins.co.uk 

What's it about?

Hannah Payne’s life has been devoted to church and family, but after her arrest, she awakens to a nightmare: she is lying on a table in a bare room, covered only by a paper gown, with cameras broadcasting her every move to millions at home, for whom observing new Chromes – criminals whose skin colour has been genetically altered to match the class of their crime – is a new and sinister form of entertainment. Hannah is a Red; her crime is murder. The victim, according to the State of Texas, was her unborn child, and Hannah is determined to protect the identity of the father, a public figure with whom she’s shared a fierce and forbidden love.
When she woke is a fable about a stigmatized woman struggling to navigate an America of a not-too-distant future – where the line between church and state has been eradicated and convicted felons are no longer imprisoned and rehabilitated but chromed and released back into the population to survive as best they can. In seeking a path to safety in an alien and hostile world, Hannah unknowingly embarks on a path of self-discovery that forces her to question the values she once held true and the righteousness of a country that politicizes faith.
My review
This book was a complete surprise when it arrived through my letter box one morning, I'd never heard of it but right away knew it sounded great and I had to read it and I'm so grateful to the lovely lady at HarperCollins who sent it to me because I really enjoyed it.
When she woke really is a thought provoking book that touches on a lot of subjects, all in brilliantly plotted, dramatic read. Not only is it a great story but it poses questions about its main subject, abortion, along with politics, religion and criminal justice.
I was glued right up until the last pages as I watched Hannah's journey unfold and went back with her to find out how she had ended up in her position and I couldn't help emphasizing with her right the way through, she's already a strong woman but becomes stronger throughout the book in other ways and I admired her integrity a lot.
The world building was done really well, When she woke is set in the not so distant future so technology is slightly more advanced and Jordan managed to write it in so flawlessly that I didn't believe once that this wasn't the way the world will be in the future as the advances weren't over the top.
The idea of the Chroming system was also really intriguing, in a world where prisons are becoming too full, people are 'Chromed' so their skin is permanently a different colour to match their crimes, so even though they aren't in prison, they become outcasts as they are 'named and shamed' so to speak, something that can been seen as too harsh for some but fitting for others and its one of the things that really gets you thinking with this book. Is it really humane to do that to people? Don't criminals deserve it? And lots of other questions like that.
There's also a lot of talk of religion in this book, but its not pushed on you, its part of the world as religion is being used to 'control' people and again it opens up a lot of questions.
I'd recommend When she woke to anyone looking for a thought provoking read and even if your not, its a great journey to read and a brilliant book that'll have you up late turning the pages to see what unfolds next for Hannah.

My thoughts on the cover
This cover is nice but not necessarily anything special, the girls vacant stare is kind of creepy to be honest and I'm kind of disappointed her skin isn't red like it is in the book. But the fresh colours are nice and I like the font.

Favourite quotes
'Kayla gave Hannah's leg a forgiving squeeze. "Love's a bitch, isn't it? Spoils you for being on your own."'


'But. For a day and a night, he would be hers, and she wanted it to be perfect, a shining jewel she could carry with her into the blank expanse that was her future.
It wouldn't be enough. It would have to be enough.'

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3 Oct 2012

UK vs THE WORLD (39)

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.                   Turkey
('Uyandığında' translates to 'Wake up.' - According to Google translate.)

Mist: I'm torn between these two, for cosmetic reasons I love the UK cover but the Turkish cover fits the story but its not very attractive, in the book the girl has red skin so she's not represented properly in the UK cover but I like the light colours and the font so I guess its a UK win for me if I have to choose.

Ninfa: I've heard good things about this book but I'm a little unimpressed with the covers unfortunately.
 The UK cover is just like any other fiction cover out there and the model seems too sweet and innocent for what the book blurb describes.
The Turkish cover is very "Crime Noir" and again, doesn't really make me want to pick up the book.
 I think this time covers have failed the book, as neither encompasses the story line very well. Personal taste would move me towards the UK cover, but this time I don't think either can truly be winners...

Which do you prefer?

Blog tour: The color of Grace - Character interview

The Color of Grace Tour Button

Quickie interview.

What was the first thought that ran through your mind the first time you spotted Grace?
 -Well, after that blank-brain moment where you can't think much past "wow," I was pretty like "I'm in big trouble now" because I had this sense she was the one, you know.
 What is it about architecture you find so interesting?
 -Have you ever seen that movie, Mean Girls, where Lindsay Lohan is asked why she likes math and she answers, "because it's the same in every language"? Architecutre is kind of the same for me, except without the girly Lindsay vibe she put into the sentiment. I like how you could be anywhere in the world and still see something familiar, like the pyramids, or the Eiffel tower, The Great Wall of China, the Statue of Liberty, or Stonehenge.  I think it would be amazing if I could create something that could be known worldwide and throughout the ages.
What ran through your mind the night Grace showed up at your window?
-Midnight booty call?  No, no, I know she's not like that.  But the guy in me had to admit I did hope for a second there.  Then I saw her shivering without her coat and I just knew something was wrong...and no matter what it was, I would fix it.
Do you think you'll ever make up with Todd?
-Who?  Joking!  Actually, I still talk to him occassionally. I even thanked him for stabbing me in the back because in the end, everything ended up a lot better for me than it did for him. But we'll never be besties or anything. 
What do you see for the future with you and Grace?
-How does that one song go?  **Hums "Going to the Chapel..."** What can I say, when I meet the one, she is the one!

Ryder’s Character Profile

Name:  Ryder Yates

Age: Senior at Southeast High School

Height: “six feet even” --According to the basketball roster.

Hair color: “Silky-straight, sandy-colored hair…with the shaggy bangs pushed to the side just far enough to see out from under them.” --Grace

Eye color: “He had the greenest eyes I’d ever seen, a pale, sparkly, jewel-kind of green, like the birthstone for August. Peridot. Yeah, he had peridot green eyes.”  --Grace

Dating Status: “He had a girlfriend.” --Grace

Distinguishing traits: “A scratch ran across his knuckles from his pinkie to his middle finger. The thumbnail had a bruise under it, as if he might’ve hit it with a hammer. They were one hundred percent boy hands. Nothing girly or feminine about them.” --Grace

Likes:  “Architecture.” --Ryder

Personality: “I think he’s totally blind to social status. In fact, I bet he’d befriend just about anyone. But that group leaches off him and clusters around him so tight he really doesn’t have a chance to see the rest of us through the trees.” --Alaina

Catch phrase: “I don’t know. Read it somewhere, I guess.” --Ryder

Best line: “You’re the type I want to be my last. You know...the settle down and marry sort. If you’re my first, then I won’t get to—I don’t know—sow any wild oats or anything.” --Ryder

Why should he get the girl? “I think it has something to do with my big green eyes.”  --Ryder

Check out my 4* review

Meet sixteen-year-old Grace Indigo:
Hey. When my mother remarried after thirteen years of being a widow, I had to move to a new town and enroll in a new school. Suddenly thrust into an entirely different kind of life, I just wanted to go home. I didn’t want to meet new people, didn’t want to leave my old friends, didn’t want to become a third wheel to my mom and her husband...and I really didn’t want to see Ryder Yates again. Ugh, I still don’t know why I turned down that too-good-to-be-true boy who flirted with me when we were attending separate schools.


But honestly, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. It was worse.

Who knew becoming lost in a new life could help a girl find her true colors?

30 Sept 2012

Showcase Sunday (20)

'showcase Sunday' is hosted by Vicky at books, biscuits and tea.

24th Sept - 30th Sept

It's been another quite week for me as I continue to curb my book buying and requesting review copies in an attempt to catch up on the ones I have, I only got one book this week:
The Christmas spirits by Whitley Strieber which was a random book I was sent for review but I actually already read and reviewed an ecopy last year that the publishers sent me, you can see that review HERE if you want to.
I also got myself a cover for my Kindle since its already picked up a few scratches in my bag and I don't want my baby to get ruined!
And I also got season 4 of Fringe on DVD which came out this week! Since its a DVD I won't picture it but I'm so excited I figured I'd at least mention it! lol

What did you get this week?

27 Sept 2012

Same difference (33)


The summer garden by Paullina Simons - Tatiana and Alexander book three.

Mist: I have to say, hands down I love the Debutantes cover the most here, the colours are just stunning, whilst I do like the sepia on  The summer garden and the girls green eye, its nothing next to the Debutantes cover which is just so pretty and girly.

Which do you prefer?

26 Sept 2012

UK vs THE WORLD (38)

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.                     US
Gone with the respiration book two.

Mist: Both of these covers are pretty gorgeous but I think the US cover narrowly wins for me, I just like the colours better, the UK cover is more dramatic but I do like the stormy sky.

Ninfa: I must say the UK cover is a little off for me, it looks like the guy was photo shopped badly next to the beautiful woman and unfortunately that kinda puts me off the whole thing. The plus side of this cover for me it's pretty much just the lovely dress :ptongue I do like the US cover though, it's very pretty and feels historical and romantic.I don't love either of them, but having to choose I'd go for the US as it's something I would probably pick up, even just for curiosity's sake :)smile

Which do you prefer?
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