Temptation island - Review

Temptation island by Victoria Fox
Available now.
www.mira.co.uk

What's it about?
Welcome to Paradise. Only the rich are invited...only the strongest survive. But is it heaven on earth or a devil s playground? Fame. Money. Success. Lori wants them Aurora is being destroyed by them, and Stevie s got them at her best friends expense. These three women are all drawn unwittingly to the shores of Temptation Island, all looking for their own truth. But they discover a secret so shocking there s no turning back. It s wicked, it s sensational. Are you ready to be told? The island promises the one thing money can t buy - but the glittering waters drown dark secrets... The price is devastating.

My review

I have to say, when I agreed to reviewing this book I hadn't realised it was 600+ pages! I think it would've been a great beach read had it not been so long. As it's told from three points of view over a span of three years, it's more like three books in one. It starts with a young boy finding a body on the beach, then goes back to tell the three girls stories and the mystery unravels until we're back to the end to find out who the body was and how they got there.
To be honest, this book was so long, by 400 pages I'd lost some interest in finding out the mystery involving the body and all the other scandals that play out, I didn't find it completely gripping but it had it's moments.
Of the three girls Aurora was my favourite, she truly goes on a journey throughout the book and learns a lot about herself which was interesting to watch/read, I was of course hoping she'd come out the other side more mature and a better person, but I won't tell you if that happens!
Stevie and Lori were nice enough but they just didn't catch my attention like Aurora did, maybe my own rebellious past sparked a kinship with her lol.
It was written well enough and wouldn't put me off trying more books by the author in the future, she did a great job of wrapping all three stories up together. I think I'd have liked it a lot more if it had been shorter or maybe split into two books but I did like it.

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Sunday treats (10)

Sunday treats is a meme hosted here by me!

Each week I will be treating you to a hunky treat to drool over because after a week of hard work you deserve it!

To keep it loosely book related I'll post pictures of actors that have played roles in films or TV programmes made from books, unless a guys just so damn hot I have to post him anyway!

If you wanna join in then just post your own hot guy and come and link back so I can come and drool look.

I promise no boys were hurt in the making of this post.

And here's this week’s guy.

Alexander Skarsgård plays Eric in True blood, the TV adaptation of The Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris, he's been an actor since he was 8 and has been in tons of Swedish shows and movies!

Showcase Saturday (9) - Birthday edition!

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

25th June - 8th July

Sorry for the overuse of the word 'Really!'

Books mentioned

Bought

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire hunter by Seth Grahame Smith

Ancient Greece: A history by Geddes and Grosset

A need so beautiful by Suzanne Young

The three musketeers by Alexandre Dumas

Wintercraft by Jenna Burtenshaw

Bought with vouchers/birthday money

Lies beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Shadow bound by Rachel Vincent

A midsummer's nightmare by Kody Keplinger

A want so wicked by Suzanne Young

Birthday pressies!

Illuminated by Erica Orloff

Darkness before dawn by J.A. London

Soulless by Gail Carriger - All three from Natalie

Amy and Roger's epic detour by Morgan Matson - From Kelsey @ Enchanted books

The golden lily by Richelle Mead - From Ninfa

Shift by Em Bailey

Living things by Linkin Park (CD) - Both from Alice @ Best books

Rapture by Lauren Kate

Legend by Marie Lu - Both from Patricia @ Patricia's blog

Two way street by Lauren Barnholdt - from Laura @ YA indie princess

Pure by Juliana Baggott - From Cynthia @ Book reader addicts

For review

Angel dust by Sarah Mussi

God save the queen by Kate Locke

Alice in zombieland by Gena Showalter

Torn by David Massey

And here are the awesome earrings Donna from Book passion for life got me!

Thank you everyone for my pressies!

What did you get this week?

Before I wake - Review and guest post

Before I wake by Rachel Vincent

The soul screamers book six.

Available 6th July 2012.

www,miraink.co.uk

What's it about?
I died on a Thursday—killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul.
The good news? He didn’t get it.
The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school…
Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent “recovering,” she’s back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend.
But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won’t keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn’t just gambling with her own life….

My review

Once again Rachel Vincent has delivered another brilliant book! I really enjoyed Before I wake and can't wait for the final book in the series, With all my soul, though I will be sad to say goodbye to these characters.

Whilst I'd say If I die is still my favourite of the series, probably because of the shock value it came with, I still really enjoyed this instalment and watching Kaylee and Tod's relationship develop was great to read, even though it did feel very intense at times, I'm glad they have each other and I think Tod is way better suited to her than Nash. It was sad watching Nash trying to deal with everything though and I hope it all ends well for him.

Needless to say I am on the edge of my seat for book seven, where hopefully Kaylee and co will be kicking some demon butt!

The ending of Before I wake was so shocking and heart wrenching and I really can't tell what's in store for a certain character after what just happened to them - I'm trying to not give anything away!

So, if you liked the rest of the series, then pick this up now, you won't be disappointed.

Team Tod!

My thoughts on the cover

Oh, I've said it before and I'll say it again, these covers are gorgeous! I couldn't pick a favourite and I really like this one to, the fire is great as the series is really heating up but I don't know how they'll top it with the last cover!

Favourite quotes

'I ran my thumb over the back of Tod's hand. Just touching him made me feel more...real. More there. More alive.'

'His gaze burned into mine, like he could see past my eyes into parts of me no one had ever seen, and I knew I was seeing the same in him. No one else had ever seen him so vulnerable before, like if I pushed him away, he might crumble into pieces that could never be put back together again.'

Guest post from the author:

How I Became a Bookaholic: Rachel Vincent

I honestly have no idea what fuelled my love of books as a kid, but if I had to guess, I’d say it was having parents who were ALWAYS reading. My parents were still in college when I was born, and though I don’t remember that far back, I’m sure there was a ton of studying in our house. Some of the earliest things I do remember, though, are trips to the library with my grandmother and my mother’s collection of genre fiction. Books were always a huge presence in my life.

My grandmother fed me the classics from an early age. Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, Little House on the Prairie, A Little Princess. Heidi. Nancy Drew. The Hardy Boys. The Swiss Family Robinson. Later, her influence led me to The Bronte sisters and Jane Austen.

My mother, on the other hand, read mostly high fantasy and horror, and I gravitated to those as well. I cut my teeth on Stephen King and Robert R. McCammon, and later moved into murder/medical mysteries. 

Then, when Laurel K. Hamilton began writing the Anita Blake series when I was in high school, my mom fell into those and my love of urban fantasy was born.

I’ve been writing literally as far back as I can remember. I wrote and illustrated my own stories beginning at age five. I wrote short stories all through middle school, high school, and college, and I was an English major in college (emphasis in literature, not writing), so there were all kinds of papers to write and things to read. 

But I didn’t start writing with an eye toward publication until my husband actually dared me to write the novel I’d always talked about, way back in mid-2004. By then, I’d been married for seven years (I married when I was barely 19) and out of college for almost four. It took me ten months to write my first three books, then several months to polish that third (Stray, my 2007 release) with the help of a great mentor. I started querying literary agents en mass in the fall of 2005 and signed with my first literary agent the last week of November, 2005. I did a round of revisions on Stray for her, and she sent it out to six publishers on Jan 2, 2006. We got our first offer 11 days later. Then we got three more.

I haven’t looked back since. ;)

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The serpent's shadow - Review

The serpent's shadow by Rick Riordan

The Kane chronicles book three.
Available now.
www.penguin.co.uk

What's it about?  

Carter And Sadie Kane, descendants of the magical House of Life, are in pretty big trouble. Despite their bravest efforts, Apophis, the giant snake of Chaos, is still threatening to plunge the world into eternal darkness. Now the Kanes must do something no magician has ever managed - defeat Apophis himself. No pressure there then. Battling against the forces of Chaos, their only hope is an ancient spell - but the magic has been lost for a millennia. Will they find the serpent's shadow, or will they be led to their deaths in the depths of the Underworld?

My review

Once again Riordan has delivered another action packed book! If you're checking out this review, then you've likely read his other books and just want to know if this lives up to it's predecessors, well, it does. And if you haven't read any of his previous books, either in this series or his Greek mythology series', then where have you been?
The serpent's shadow is just full of constant action, exciting twists and turns and a great story, I really enjoyed it. It's wonderful watching both Sadie and Carter grow on their adventure and find love along the way, they're great heroes, I'd certainly call on them if I needed someone to save the world.
I've always loved what Riordan does with mytholgy, he stays true to it but modernises it at the same time which is what makes his books so unique, he makes it work really well and immerses the reader in his worlds.
And it's no different for his latest novel, being the third book in the series he's still managed to come up with lots of new ideas and keep the story going and I enjoyed the hints at what's coming next after the seemingly peaceful ending which never lasts long for our guys.
I'm seriously excited for the next book to find out what Sadie and Carters next adventure is.

My thoughts on the cover
At last! Sadie has made the cover. I really like Carter but I like Sadie to so I'm glad to see her make this fab cover, I love the big scary snake in the back and the red.

Favourite quotes

'She leaned over and kissed me.
I'd imagined this many times, but I was so unprepared I didn't act very cool about it. I dropped my protein bar and breathed in her cinnamon fragrance. When she pulled away, I was gaping like a fish. i said something like, 'Hum-uh-huh.''

'My eyes probably answered for me: No, please. Not ever. But I couldn't very well give him the satisfaction of my saying that out loud, could I? Boys can get so full of themselves.'

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What I read in... June

Here are the books I read in June!

(Links go to my reviews or Goodreads if I haven't reviewed them yet.)

Swing zone issue one by Jodi McClure

Before I wake by Rachel Vincent - Review will be posted on 7th July along with a guest post for the UK blog tour.

Temptation island by Veronica Fox - My review is written but I'm waiting on some question responses from the author so I can post both together.

The fury by Alexander Gordon Smith

Earth girl by Janet Edwards - Review up in August.

Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris

Dreams by Daniela Sacerdoti

Throne of glass by Sarah J. Maas

Destined by P.C. and Kristin Cast

Grave mercy by Robin LaFevers

What did you read?

Grave mercy - Review

Grave mercy by Robin LaFevers

His fair assassin book one.

Available now.

www.andersenpress.co.uk 

What's it about?

Young, beautiful and deadly. Trained as an assassin by the god of Death, Ismae is sent to the court of Brittany, where she finds herself under prepared - not only for the games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

My review

With the description of the book and Ismae being an assassin of death, I'll admit I expected this book to be 'bloodier' than it was and not so much focused on politics and intrigue, that's not to say I didn't enjoy it, I did, I just didn't quite get what I was expecting.
For me, the book started off really strong and hooked me right in but about half way I found myself getting a little bored as the plot seemed to drag on, but I was involved again by the end.
Ismae was nice enough, but not quite the strong character I wanted her to be, but she did find her way in the end and did what she thought was right. I found Duval to be a much stronger character and really liked him and admired his loyalty.
I thought the book was plotted out well, full of mystery that left me really wanting to know who the traitor was and what was going to happen next. And it was elegantly written, the whole idea was something new to me and I was interested to find out more and to see each persons views on what they thought was right.
Whilst I wouldn't say this is one of my favourite books of the year (so far) I am intrigued to read the next book and see where this series goes next.

My thoughts on the cover
Stunning, stunning cover, I'm a sucker for a great dress and that one is to die for! I love the way the skirt flows out and then the crossbow gives the girl a tougher edge, she's not just a girl in a pretty dress, she's dangerous, I love the castle in the background to.

Favourite quotes

'I pray to Mortain for the insight and clarity to see my way through the thicket of loyalties and alliances that surround me. I pray for the wisdom to discern His will in this matter. and most of all, I pray that I am not falling in love with Duval.'

'"Whenever you are ready, or if you never are, my heart is yours, until Death do us part. Whatever that may mean when consorting with one of Death's handmaidens."'

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UK vs THE WORLD (28)

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.                   Bulgaria

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Bloodlines book one.

('Кръвни връзки' translates to 'Blood ties.' - According to google translate.)

Mist: The Bulgaria cover is pretty but it's kinda plain and boring to. I much prefer the deep colours of the UK cover and the model looks more like the image I have of Sydney and the half a guy in the cover is intriguing. UK win!

Ninfa: I've always loved the UK cover, the stark contrast with the red background and the beautiful font of the title. I love the live version cause you can see the raised parts of the title as well, it's just a wonderful cover.
 The Bulgarian cover is lovely too, I like the tattoo on the cheek (though I prefer how it's done in the UK cover) but the model is a little too sweet looking to be Sydney in my opinion.
 All in all the Bulgarian cover is nice, but the UK cover kicks ass :)
UK wins.

Which do you prefer?

Throne of glass - Review

Throne of glass by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of glass book one.

Available August 2nd 2012.

www.bloomsbury.com

What's it about?

Celaena Sardothien is a daredevil assassin with unrivalled fighting skills. After a year’s hard labour in the salt mines of the kingdom of Adarlan, Celaena is offered her freedom on one condition—she must fight as handsome Prince Dorian’s champion in a contest sponsored by the king, facing the deadliest thieves and assassins in the land in a series of set-piece battles in the country’s stunning glass palace. But there is more at stake than even her life—for Celaena is destined for a remarkable future...

My review

I hadn't heard of this book when I was emailed by Bloomsbury about it, but it sounded just like my thing so I snapped up an early proof copy and was glad I did because I really enjoyed it.
First off, let me start with the main character Calaena, I loved her, she's so confident in her abilities and looks, but not to the point of arrogance, which is rare in YA books which I often notice have "plain Janes" who can't understand why the boy likes her. Not Calaena, she knows she's sexy and she knows she's lethal and she's not sorry for it either, the only time she'll be question a guy is when he doesn't like her, these were all traits I admired in her and she's also a loyal friend, she tries to come off unfeeling but underneath she's not and she's someone I'd love to have in my corner. And, she loves to read, always a plus for me!
I also loved Prince Dorian, *sigh* he was a good guy who see's who his father is and isn't afraid of him, he knows the man he wants to be.
Next, the story, this book reminded me of so many books at different times but had it's own voice too, it had a well woven plot that kept me entertained with lots of interesting characters and mysteries to keep me guessing. Maas did a great job with the ending, the book ended well and has left me intrigued for the next one.
The world building was another great aspect of the book, the author has really created a wonderful fantasy world full of places I'd love to visit, particularly the glass castle! I do hope the finished version has a map, this is one of those books that needs a map!

My thoughts on the cover
This cover personifies Calaena so well because she's such a bad ass lol The back has a picture of Calaena from the behind, wearing a dress, which is also really cool. I really like the colours used and the bold font, I think if Calaena designed the cover it would look just like this.

Sorry, no favourite quotes as I read an uncorrected proof which cannot be quoted from.

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Sunday treats (9)

Sunday treats is a meme hosted here by me!

Each week I will be treating you to a hunky treat to drool over because after a week of hard work you deserve it!

To keep it loosely book related I'll post pictures of actors that have played roles in films or TV programmes made from books, unless a guys just so damn hot I have to post him anyway!

If you wanna join in then just post your own hot guy and come and link back so I can come and drool look.

I promise no boys were hurt in the making of this post.

And here's this week’s guy.

Josh Duhamel has been in a number of movies, including all three films in the Transformers franchise, none that were books first (that I know of) yet!