Earth girl - Review

Earth girl by Janet Edwards
Earth girl book one.
Available 16th August 2012.
harpervoyagerbooks.com

What's it about?
2788. Only the handicapped live on Earth. While everyone else portals between worlds, 18-year-old Jarra is among the one in a thousand people born with an immune system that cannot survive on other planets. Sent to Earth at birth to save her life, she has been abandoned by her parents. She can’t travel to other worlds, but she can watch their vids, and she knows all the jokes they make. She’s an ‘ape’, a ‘throwback’, but this is one ape girl who won’t give in.

Jarra invents a fake background for herself – as a normal child of Military parents – and joins a class of norms that is on Earth to excavate the ruins of the old cities. When an ancient skyscraper collapses, burying another research team, Jarra’s role in their rescue puts her in the spotlight. No hiding at back of class now. To make life more complicated, she finds herself falling in love with one of her classmates – a norm from another planet. Somehow, she has to keep the deception going.

A freak solar storm strikes the atmosphere, and the class is ordered to portal off-world for safety – no problem for a real child of military parents, but fatal for Jarra. The storm is so bad that the crews of the orbiting solar arrays have to escape to planet below: the first landing from space in 600 years. And one is on collision course with their shelter.

My review

Being the space geek that I am, I knew I had to try this as soon as I heard of it, even though it's all set on Earth and they don't go into space at all because the lead character physically can't, lol.

I knew this sounded like my kind of book and I'm so glad I was right, it was a brilliant debut and I'm now dying for the rest of the trilogy!

Earth girl is set in a completely plausible future where a the portal has been invented that allows humans to planet hop in seconds, meaning they've colonised lots of other planets and hardly anyone lives on Earth anymore.

This was one of those books that I could tell from the first page I was going to love it, I loved Jarra straight away, she has a great no nonsense attitude and a sarcastic edge that I love in characters, probably because I'm highly sarcastic myself. She tells her story to me as if I live on one of the other planets - which are people she hates by the way - and even though sometimes she explains things to me like I'm stupid or ignorant, it just made me like her more, and it did set up the world beautifully and explained everything, I never got confused. I also loved Jarra's passion for history and how she never acted big headed despite knowing things the rest of her class don't. And of course I enjoyed following her journey, she starts off kind of immature and with a one sided view of the world, but it changes as she see's things from another perspective, and of course when she meets Fian who I also loved!

The stroy itself was also really interesting and stayed exciting, I was seriously hooked right the way through, I love the world and characters that the author has imagined and I had no trouble envisioning the scene myself. There were some parts that could've felt repetitive but the fabulous writing avoided this and kept the book fresh.

So, in conclusion, this book is a total keeper and I'll be grabbing myself a finished copy for my shelf when it's released and I'll be recommending all my friends do the same - that would be you! - I cannot wait for the next book in the series to see what else is in store for Jarra.

My thoughts on the cover

This cover is stunning, it has a great mix of colours and I love the girl standing off to the side overlooking it all, the whole of the backdrop is gorgeous.

Sorry, no favourite quotes as I read an uncorrected proof copy.

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UK vs THE WORLD (32)

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

Serpent's kiss by Melissa De La Cruz

Witches of the east book two.

Mist: The US cover is a clear winner here for me, I just LOVE the shades of green, as you can tell I like green lol I really like the netting around the girl, it really sets of her golden skin tone. The girl in the UK cover is too pale and generally the cover isn't anything special.

Ninfa: I'm not a fan of the UK cover, it's just a little random and doesn't tell me anything about the story. I find it a little boring to be honest and not something I would pick up if I saw it at a book store.
I kinda like the US cover though, the green colour is reminiscent of a snake (so it picks up the serpent part of the title) and it's a little magical, like a fairy princess asleep, waiting to be awakened.
US wind for this one :)

Which do you prefer?

Unfed - Review

Unfed by Kirsty McKay

Undead book two.

Available now.

www.doublecluck.com 

What's it about?

The good news: Bobby survived her Undead school trip. Bad news: her best mate, Smitty, is missing. Bobby knows she's got to find him even if it means risking it all and going out into the starving-zombie-infested wastelands again. Even if it means taking fellow survivors including a couple of old frenemies along for the ride. And even if the zombies are not the only ones who are chasing them this time.

Previous books in the series (Links to my review)

Undead

My review

Unfed is just as funny and entertaining as book one and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The pace is quick and picks up throughout and kept me turning the pages. I was worried that Unfed might be too similar to book one, Undead, since this book once again sees Bobby running away from the zoms but Kirsty McKay managed to keep it fresh and different, there was a little more to what's going on in Unfed, so I didn't feel like I was just reading the same book again.

I absolutely love Bobby's inner monologue and the banter between the characters, it's just my kind of humour and I was laughing my butt off through the whole book.

I have to say though, during the guys search for Smitty and Bobby's Mom there were times when things happened a bit too conveniently and were unbelievable, like a random walkie talkie showing up out of nowhere, just when the guys need it. But these things were easy enough to overlook since the book is nice and light and is still full of lots of Zombie action.
The storyline is also expanded on in Unfed and we're starting to get a view of the bigger picture, it's not just a gore-fest lol.
If you liked book one then needless to say you will like this too and after you'll be just like me, dying for book three!

My thoughts on the cover
This is a great cover, it matches in well with book one, always a plus and I like all the crime tape across the title.

Favourite quotes

'Smitty? The voice behind me makes me twist round awkwardly, and my feet almost slip from under me. A hand catches me under the elbow.'

''Miss me?' He's  smiling but his eyes are deadly serious.
I can feel the heat coming off his body. I open my mouth to make some wise guy retort, but I'm all out of clever. I want to kiss him, I hate that I want to. I hope he makes me do it anyway.'

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Blog tour: Pushing the limits - Review and guest post

Pushing the limits by Katie McGarry

Available now.

www.miraink.co.uk 

What's it about?

So wrong for each other...and yet so right.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

My review

I've had plenty of literary crushes but never on a couple, not until I read Pushing the limits! I completely fell in love with both Noah and Echo, alone and as a couple, their chemistry throughout the book is electrifying and they work so well as a together, I read on bated breath, my fingers crossed that they'd get a happy ending together.
Both start off this book with their own problems that lead through an emotional journey through the book, I honestly couldn't put it down until I found out how everything turned out, Katie McGarry did such a spledid job with the emotional scenes that I just felt everything they were going through and by the end I felt like I'd travelled the road with them.
As we come to understand what has gone on in the past we really get an insight into these characters about their fears and weaknesses and also their strengths and how they find strength in each other, I couldn't think of two fictional characters more suited to each other. I really loved watching their relationship develop, as they struggled to understand their feelings for each other and how they were there for each other and became better people by the end, not that they were bad people in the first place but a great love can change a person.
The writing was spot on throughout and this is a brilliant debut, I really can't think of more to say as I have no bad words about the book, but I will leave you with the advice to read it as soon as you get a chance and I cannot wait for the next story to come from this author.

My thoughts on the cover
I think there are a lot of mixed feelings for this cover but personally I like it and prefer it to the US cover, I like the stark colours and the gritty title, it fits the book great.

Sorry, no favourite quotes as I read an uncorrected copy that cannot be quoted from.

Guest post
How I became a bookaholic
By Katie McGarry

When I was a teenager, I read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. I still remember staying up all night to finish. When I finally put the book down, I stared heavy lidded at the clock that read 2:35 am. All I wanted to do was pick the book back up and read it again. I got the characters—I understood them. I related to how hopeless they felt, how huge the world seemed, and how no matter what they did their actions never seemed to help the situation they were in.

After reading that book, I became overwhelmed with the urge to write stories of my own. Since high school, I have had periods when I write and periods when I don’t, but the stories have never stopped spinning in my head. A couple of years ago, I found myself in the position where I finally had time to write so I did. Pushing the Limits was one of the first stories I told when I emerged from my writing shell and I’m so excited that I get to share Echo and Noah with the world.

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Earthfall - Review

Earthfall by Mark Walden

Earthfall book one.

Available now.

www.bloomsbury.com 

What's it about?

Sam wakes to see strange vessels gathered in the skies around London. As he stares up, people stream past, walking silently towards the enormous ships which emit a persistent noise. Only Sam seems immune to the signal. Six months later, Sam is absolutely alone. In his underground bunker he has food and water for a couple of days. He has no choice but to venture above. Spotted by a flying drone, Sam escapes, but not before the drone slashes him with a barbed tendril. That night, drenched in sweat, Sam realises without medical supplies the wound will kill him. This time above ground he is less lucky. Cornered again, Sam thinks he has reached the end - then the drone is shot down in a hail of machine gun fire. In five minutes Sam learns two things: he is not alone; the drone injury should have killed him instantly - yet he is still alive. The battle for earth is about to begin.

My review

Earthfall was an exciting book that kept you in suspense and was shrouded in mystery throughout. I admit it got a bit confusing when the truth was all coming out but I think I had it figured out by the time I turned the last page lol. This is definitely one for younger readers (it's target audience) but is also an enjoyable read for adults.
I liked Sam, he's a typical boy hero, but felt his training later on was glossed over and I found it a bit unbelievable that he was able to fight as he did when, from my view, he doesn't seem to have trained or worked out much at all since those months are kind of just skipped, possibly to keep the book short, I don't know.
He is very smart and quick thinking though which were more believable qualities and things that I liked about him. I think there's potential for a love interest in book two which I'm looking forward to seeing more of.
The writing itself is very descriptive and Mark Walden does a really good job of telling his story, keeping me hooked in and leaving me wanting to see what happens next now the tables have started to turn.
I found the actual story intriguing and believable, even with the confusing bit, maybe I just wasn't paying enough attention lol. It was closed off neatly but I still have lots of questions. It's something I would recommend for someone looking for a quick read.

My thoughts on the cover
I really like this cover, it's kinda creepy and I love the green! The alien ship reaching down to the guy should be scary but I like how he's standing tall, ready to do battle.

Favourite quotes

'There were times when he teetered on the brink of despair, but he never gave in to it. Instead he just got smarter and faster, managed to stay just one step ahead of the Drones. There was no alternative really; it was that or simply curl up and die.'

''Sam,' Rachel said, and he turned towards her. 'Be careful.'
'Careful's my middle name,' Sam said. 'Actually it's not, it's Patrick, but you get the idea.''

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We'll always have summer - Review

We'll always have summer by Jenny Han

Summer book three.

Available now.

www.penguin.co.uk 

What's it about?

One girl.

Two brothers.

The biggest decision of her life . . .

Just when she thought she had all the answers . . .

Isabel has only ever loved two boys, Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher.

One broke her heart; the other made her happier than she ever thought she'd be. But each brother is keeping a secret, and this summer Isabel must choose between the Fisher boys, once and for all. Which brother will it be?

Previous books in the series (Links to my reviews.)
The summer I turned pretty
It's not summer without you
My review

This is the final book in the Summer series so as you can imagine I was excited to see how it all ends and Jenny Han didn't disappoint with this final instalment. It's as breezy and easy to read as it's predecessors' and I really enjoyed it.

At first I was a little disappointed that it picked up two years from the end of book two but soon realised that was because it followed the same format as the other books and flicked back and forth so you do still see what happened in the time in between and get a full understanding of what's happened and how we're at the point that we're at now. I actually liked this way better than if it had been told straight through because all the books fit in together.

I also liked that there are a few scenes told from Conrad's pov, like there were ones from Jeremiah's in book two, it let us know what he's been feeling and thinking about, now and the past.

All along I've, of course, had my suspicions of how it might go and my 'team', so I was on edge throughout the book waiting to see if I was proved right or wrong, I won't tell you if I was but I was pleased with how it ended, though I'd liked to have seen more of the end, it's the only part of this book I found slightly lacking, the rest though was great. It was lovely to see Belly and the boys all grown up and getting a hint of where they're planning to go with their futures.

The whole Summer series was really enjoyable and I'm looking forward to whatever the author comes up with next as I'll be getting whatever it is as soon as it releases!

My thoughts on the cover

Of course, this matches the other covers and it is really pretty, I love the horseshoes and wedding bells that signify this is really the end where Belly makes her choice, and the pink is also really pretty.

Favourite quotes

'It's a known fact in life, you can't have everything. In my heart I knew I loved them both, as much as it is possible to love two people at the same time.'

'Just for that moment, the thought that I might never see him again... it felt worse than death.'

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Showcase Sunday (13)

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

6th August - 12th August

Soooo, no video this week because I only got one book! My preordered copy of Glitch by Heather Anastasiu came through, I'm really excited to get to this one as it sounds just like my 'thing' and I love that cover!

What did you get this week?

Blog tour: Masque of the red death - Guest post

How I became a bookaholic

by Bethany Griffin

My local library holds a book sale twice a year. I know I was very young, the bag my mother gave me was huge in my arms…,the sale was held outside, I remember there was a big fountain, and I remember my mom handing me a paper grocery bag and telling me that I could have as many books as I could fit into the bag. It was one of the greatest moments of my young life.

So, obviously I blame my mother. My bookaholic tendencies are completely her fault. She got tired of reading picture books when I was very small and started reading chapter books with me. Early favorites were the Chronicles of Narnia, Little House on the Prairie, and the Prydain Chronicles. Even after I was able to read my mom and I would have a book that we were reading together and I would have a book I was reading to myself. I’m not sure how deeply I understood the books we read (we tackled LOTR when I was 4) but I was never afraid of big books.

During my early school years we visited the library at least once a week. They had a ten book limit so I would carefully choose 10 books each week. As I got older I spent a good deal of money at the local bookstore. So, I guess there was never a time that I wasn’t reading, collecting, purchasing or possibly hoarding books! 

Masque of the red death

Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

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Blog tour: Torn - Interview

Hey guys, today I would like to introduce to you David Massey, debut author of Torn.

A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to actually meet David in person for an interview, thanks to the lovely people at Chicken house who arranged it for us! so, here's how it went down!

About the book

What made you want to write a book set in the middle of a war zone?

-Originally I wanted to write something with Valkyries - warrior women from Norse mythology who carried the souls of slain warriors to Valhalla - something that was real world but with a slightly other world feel to it. It did change a lot from that idea but still had the feel of war and something a little otherwordly.

Ellie becomes a medic and 'signs-up,' why do you think she has such a need to help people?

-I think because she has a deep concern for people and at the time she had seen statistics for young people in the army and was seeing just how many people were dying over there, so she wanted to help. 

If there was a soundtrack for Torn, what song do you think would fit it best?

-Folding stars by Biffy Clyro is what comes to mind first, I would listen to that a lot when I was writing it and it's a track I just think fits the book really well, especially as it mentions Elinor.

 Tensions are often high in the book, with a lot of battle scenes, were the intense scenes difficult to write?

-I don't think they were really, I found them easy to write. For me, the hardest thing was writing a girl, particularly with the romance side of things.

Ellie seems to have an instant connection with Husna and becomes very protective. Do you think he reminded her of her brother?

-Yes, I think he does, that's why I mentioned him [Jake]. Husna is younger than her brother but I really liked that relationship.

About you

You obviously seem to know about the weapons and technology the army uses, Did you have to do a lot of research before?

-Yes, a lot of my research was done on the internet but I also had some experience when I worked in Africa at a radio station, feeling the atmosphere and I saw young soldiers with guns there.

Why did you decide to write a female narrative instead of male?

-Because there were already so many books out there like this that were told by male characters, and I think because the subject was war, I wanted to tell it from a female. 

Torn is your debut novel, had you always wanted to write?

-Well, I suppose really I'm a musician but that's such a hard market to get into, I mainly just play for myself now.

What's next for you?

 -I am working on another book, it's set in Uganda, it's about some kids that are on a trip in Africa and are kidnapped... and that's all I can say about that right now.

I loved the comraderie between the characters, was this based on any real friendships you have?

-I suppose it was at the end of the day, some came from my kids and some from people I've worked with here and in the States, but the rest is made up!

Random

What's your favourite fruit?

-Banana 

CDs or MP3s?

-MP3s, they're easier. 

Why is a boxing ring square?

-(Laughs) I don't know!

If you could go to outer space, which planet would you visit?

-Mars, because it is a possibility, they're already making plans to go there.

Are you a Bookaholic?

-I suppose I am! I don't think I'm as much of a Bookaholic as you but I do read a lot of books.

 And there you have it, I just want to say a huge thank you to David for meeting with me and being a guest here at Bookaholics, we may not have figuring out why a boxing ring is square but he was a genuinely nice guy and I hope you'll all pick up a copy of Torn!

David Massey is the author of TORN by Chicken House Books. When he is not writing his next novel he plays lead and classical guitar and runs an internet business with his wife, Debi. When he’s not doing any of those he’ll be thinking about walking Harvey or wondering where his next coffee is coming from...

You can chat to David on Twitter or find him on Facebook.

Torn - Check out my review HERE

Afghanistan. In the heat and dust, young British army medic Elinor Nielson watches an Afghan girl walk into a hail of bullets. But when she runs to help, Ellie finds her gone. Who is she? And what's happened to her? What Ellie discovers makes her question everything she believes in, even her feelings for the American lieutenant who takes her side.

Torn - Review

Torn by David Massey

Available now.

www.doublecluck.com 

What's it about?

Afghanistan. In the heat and dust, young British army medic Elinor Nielson watches an Afghan girl walk into a hail of bullets. But when she runs to help, Ellie finds her gone. Who is she? And what's happened to her? What Ellie discovers makes her question everything she believes in, even her feelings for the American lieutenant who takes her side.

My review

Normally I wouldn't pick up a book that's set in a war zone, but after reading the blurb for Torn I just felt that it would be different and knew I wanted to give it a try.
At 259 pages this was a really quick read for me and I breezed right through it engrossed in the story, it was different to other books like this, sure it had a message but there was a story and relationships and a little romance, I really enjoyed it and think it will appeal to young readers.
I think I'll first point out that I would've liked the romance to be a little more in depth, but other than that I really enjoyed the book, Ellie is a great caring character who genuinely just wants to help people, you know she's scared by the position she is in, but she goes ahead and gets on with it for the greater good, I really loved watching her unlikely friendship with Husna, and how protective she became over him.
The story itself was intriguing and there was a lot of excitement and mystery with highs and lows that kept me riveted throughout.
Torn is an exciting read full of suspense and I will be recommending it to my friends.

My thoughts on the cover
This cover really stands out, I like the bright orange cover and all the extra details, like the helicopter and the barbed wire, it really gives a sense of the book.

Favourite quotes

'Day one is almost over, I'm still alive and despite my exhaustion I'm beginning to think I might just make a real soldier.'

'"Elinor, when this tour is over I'll make it my mission to find you." He smiles. "and I've never failed a mission yet."'

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