The dead are rising - Review

The dead are rising by Jeff Norton

MetaWars book two

Available now

hachettechildrens.co.uk 

What's it about

At the climax of the first instalment, MetaWars; Fight for the future, Jonah Delacroix led the "Uploaded," the digital dead, from the faltering Metasphere virtual world into the light of the rival Changsphere world.

The Changsphere offers a safe haven for the Uploaded, and with more processing power than the Southern Corner could ever offer, the Uploaded begin to grow, develop, and yearn to be alive again. With the Changsphere offering competition to the Metasphere, more and more avatars take up residency in it. But the Uploaded begin to prey on live avatars, infecting them, and their users, with their personalities and becoming reborn in the real world. The dead are rising. 

Now reborn into the real world, the once dead avatars will not let anyone shut down the Changsphere - the source of their rebirth. Meanwhile, Jonah, Sam, and Axel struggle to keep the Metasphere safe from Granger's assault on the Western Corner, which is housed in the old subway lines under New York City. But Jonah struggles with whether they are doing the right thing: in fighting Granger, they face a more dangerous virtual world, where millions of Uploaded now roam freely, stalking users for their virtual avatars and their real bodies.

The dead are rising deals with the unintended consequences of Jonah's actions, and creates a frighteningly plausible future where the digital dead could be stored online and eventually reborn in new bodies.

Previous books in the series

Fight for the future - Book one (Review)

The dead are rising was every bit as good as the first book in this fantastic series, its full of just as much fast paced action and the story has taken a great turn.
I thought the idea of the Uploaded becoming hungry for life and usurping the bodies of people who are alive was a great one, it was a twist I didn't see coming but totally makes sense as something that could happen, it also kept the series fresh while still following the main plot of the Guardians trying to find and take over the four corners.
Norton managed to keep the balance just right between these two plots that eventually weave together perfectly and kept me entertained throughout, I really like how the relationship between Jonah and Sam is developing so slowly that they don't even realise its happening.
Its also great to see Jonah growing up, though he's still questioning his allegiances, he's becoming more head strong and turning into a leader, whether he wants to be one or not. And I still love Sam, she's so tough and clever and someone I'd always want on my side.
Another thing I enjoyed about The dead are rising, was the travel, Jonah and Sam visit more places and we really get to see more of the world and find out what its like in this future setting that the author has created and the contrasting lives of the people in it.
Fight for the future was an excellent debut and The dead are rising is a brilliant follow up, I cannot wait to see where we go in book three, that's if I can make the wait until May!

My thoughts on the cover
First off, I love that Sam has made the cover, Jonah might be the main character but I love Sam too and glad that she is being recognised. I also like that its keeping the theme of book ones cover and has been split in half, one side showing the real world and the other showing the Metasphere/Changsphere.

Favourite quotes

''Jonah!' yelled Sam, panic-stricken, angry at her friend for pushing her out of the window first. She thought back to what she had said to her father. He's doing what Jonah does. Putting himself in danger to help others.
She loved him for it and she hated him for it.'

'They found a door that led from the station directly out onto the street. It was chained from this side, and padlocked. Of course, Sam had a bolt cutter in her handbag.'

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Nail your books (3)

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

This weeks nail your books is inspired by current read Lola and the boy next door by Stephanie Perkins.

Here's the cover

And here's my nails

(click on the picture to see a bigger version.)

How to

• Sally Hansen miracle cure strengthener
• Barry M nail paint Peach melba
• Barry M nail paint Berry ice cream
• Misguided nail splash Missmatch
• Makeup academy Nail constellation Scorpio
• Barry M nail paint Limited editon 244
• Models own nail art pen Gold
• Models own nail art pen Pink
• Rimmel metal rush Purple rain
• Rimmel 60 seconds Rapid ruby
• Save the nail Wet look top coat
• Sally Hansen Inst-dri

-First off, of course I started with a couple of coats of base coat.

-Next I used three different colours to paint my nails, Peach melba, Berry ice cream and Missmatch (Orange).

-After that, I did two nails with Makeup academies Nail constellation, they're little coloured balls that stick to wet polish which you tip onto the nail and gently push down to secure.

-Then I painted two more nails with a glitter polish.

-And lastly I used nail pens and brushes and a nail dotter, to decorate my remaining nails with different patterns.

-And after all that I added a top coat and used Insta-Dri to dry them quicker.

If you've read Lola and the boy next door, you'll know Lola has a very eccentric style so I knew I had to try to do something to match that, hence all the different colours and effects, I think its something she might try, I stuck to mainly pastel colours so it didn't end up too garish and it gave me a great opportunity to play with my new nail brushes which arrived on the day I was planning to do this, fate or what! Its also the first time I've tried Makeup acdemies nail constellation and I love how it came out, though I discovered top coat takes the colour out of it a bit so next time I won't be applying any but I'm definitely going to be buying the others in the range.
All in all, I love how my nails came out.
What do you think? And if you decide to give any of this a try please come and show me your results!

UK vs THE WORLD (50)

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

Zombie's don't cry by Rusty Fischer

Living dead love story book one.

('Gli zombi non piangono' translates to 'Zombies do not cry.' - According to Google translate.)

Mist: I like both covers but the Italian cover definitel has a more creepy feel to it. I love the goth look of the girl on the UK cover but I'm not loving that yellow strip across the top, it kind of ruins the image a little. I love the patterns on the Italian cover though and the whole feel of it, Italian in for me this week.

Ninfa: The UK cover is kinda funky, though I can't see any zombie-like qualities in it. It's pretty and the "Horror" themed font is pretty cool, but the Italian cover seems a little darker, and I like the smudges of blood over the title as well as the creepy eyes and darkness of the model...I think Italy wins this time for me :)

Which do you prefer?

Prodigy - Extract

On 29th January 2013 Prodigy by Marie Lu will be released. It's the sequel to the fantastic Legend, you can see my review for Legend HERE if you'd like to find out more.
And today I'm really excited to share an extract from Prodigy and the book trailer with you!

Prodigy extract

Blog tour: The kiss off - Review

Check out the tour schedule here

The kiss off by Sarah Billington

The kiss off book one.

Available now. 

What's it about?

When sixteen year old Poppy Douglas writes a song about her ex-boyfriend Cam and ex-friend Nikki, she has no idea that her heartbreak is about to go global. 

A local band picks up her song from Youtube and soon she’s along for the ride with her own fanbase as they blow up on the local club scene and hit the international charts. Though it turns out leaving Cam behind isn’t as easy as she had hoped. 

Tangled in a web of unfinished homework, ill-considered sexting and a new lead-singer boyfriend, Poppy has a choice to make between the ex that inspired it all and the rock God whose poster lines the inside of half the lockers at school. But as she struggles to keep her emotional dirty laundry private, she learns that the truth can be hard to find when your life is in the headlines.

My review

The kiss off was a really fun novel to read, I loved Poppy's angsty voice, she's a bit of a moody teenager but completely likable.
I liked how the story started and how it panned out in the end, it was a great story that I enjoyed a lot.
I found the book really easy to get into and got through it quickly, not wanting to put it down.
As Poppy's new boyfriend suddenly starts becoming famous and she herself becomes well known, she has to deal with the bad side of it, like screaming fans, her private life becoming public and not getting time alone with Ty. The kiss off did a good job of showing that fame is not all glitz and glammer, there are down sides to it and as Poppy and Ty struggled with it, I was gripped to the book, hoping they'd be able to make it work as I really liked them as a couple.
I was pleasantly surprised by the ending, which I thought might go a different way but I was glad it never.
This is a book I'd recommend to all contemporary fans, it's YA but there's some swearing in it and some really funny moments.

My thoughts on the cover
I love this cover, it definitely gives a great feel for the book and I love how the title is on a concert ticket.

Favourite quotes

'Out of the corner of my eye, I was fully aware of Cam standing back, pretending he wasn't listening. But he was. He was listening to this older boy, probably a senior and a rock star with actual gigs tell me how awesome my song about Cam my cheating ex was. I tried to think of horrible things, of dying babies so I wouldn't smile too widely.'

'He kissed me right there in the street, with the sounds of conversation and laughter behind closed doors all around us.'

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Octonauts explore the great big ocean - Review

The Octonauts explore the great big ocean by Meomi

Available now

harpercollins.co.uk 

What's it about?

The Octonauts are researching underwater habitats around the world, when Tunip the Vegimal starts to wonder where he comes from. So begins another underwater adventure full of fun and surprises as the Octonauts take Tunip and his Vegimal friends on an exciting trip around the world, on a quest for his true home.

Mine and Oliver's review

The Octonauts explore the great big ocean is a greatly colourful book that not only has a wonderful story but it also has some lovely little extras on some pages like different kinds of shells and kelp cakes, extending the fun for little readers and making the book more interactive. I also love the glow in the dark page.
So much detail and colour has gone into all the illustrations, Oliver spent a long time studying them as we read through the story.
The book has a great moral that home really is where you heart is and what you make it and that it's great to have friends. Some lovely life lessons for children, I think.
We really enjoyed The Octonauts explore the great big ocean and will be looking out for more books and now Oliver wants to give the TV show a try!

Favourite illustration
Our favourite was definitely the glow in the dark page! Its really cool and the dark background makes it stand out from the other pages. There's a lot of detail and so much going on in the picture and all the Octonauts equipment is labelled. It's a great picture and would even make a lovely poster.

Find the authors
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Flickr
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Goodreads

Showcase Sunday (28)

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

10th Dec - 16th Dec

You might of noticed that I didn't post a showcase last week, that was because I got NO books! But I got a few this week and here they are!

I also had to change my filming location because where I normally do it is filled with Christmas presents!

Books mentioned

Bought

Aliens love Panta Claus by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort

Gift

Lola and the boy next door by Stephenie Perkins

For review

Confessions of an angry girl by Louise Rozett

The lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

Requiem by Lauren Oliver

eBooks

The boys of Summer by C.J. Duggan

AudioBooks

Friend is not a verb by Daniel Ehrenhaft

What did you get this week?

Fight for the future - Review

Fight for the future by Jeff Norton

MetaWars book one

Available now

hachettechildrens.co.uk 

What's it about?

In an unforgiving future, two warring factions - the MILLENIALS and the GUARDIANS - are locked in a brutal battle over control of an online virtual world called the Metasphere. Jonah Delacroix has always known which side he's on - the same side as his dead father. But when he assumed his father's avatar, he learns that things aren't as black and white as he once believed. He's catapulted into a full-throttle race through both worlds - but can he find the truth?

My review

Fight for the future is a constant thrill ride that kept me riveted from the first page all the way until the last. It's full of excitement and action right the way through as Jonah is thrust into the middle of a war and has to choose his side, but everything's not as black and white as you originally think, and as you follow Jonah on his journey you find out and become just as confused as he does about which is the right side.
The best boy heroes are always the ones that aren't perfect, and who make mistakes and Jonah fits the bill perfectly, I really enjoyed meeting him and getting to know him throughout the book, I think young boys would find him someone to look up to.
I loved the world Jeff Norton has built up and he gives some vivid descriptions that really made me feel included in the story, I love the idea of the Metasphere, it feels like a future we could live in and the problems that come along with it were really realistic too.
There are also some great secondary characters, I really liked Sam, in getting to know Jonah I think she's starting to question some things too and she has the potential to be a great character and a great love interest for Jonah, I would love if book two was written from her point of view too so we could see how she feels.
Fight for the future was a brilliant book and I really can't fault it, I'm so glad I have book two to start right away and find out what happens next in this promising series.

My thoughts on the cover
I really like this cover, I love the two contrasting worlds in the background, one being the real world and the other being inside the Metasphere with the red dragon really standing out, the cover just shouts the action that's contained in the book and the title stands out too.

Favourite quotes

'Each of Jonah's five senses slipped away as his mind was pulled deeper into the computer network. It would take his brain a moment to adjust to its new reality, a virtual reality. He closed his blind eyes, and was dimly aware of his real-world body slumping in his seat. Jonah wouldn't need it where he was going.

''There is no one else,' said Sam. 'There's just you and me. It's down to us, Jonah, the two of us. The attack on the Southern Corner is scheduled for tomorrow night. we have to lead it.''

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Bitter blood - Review

Bitter blood by Rachel Caine

The Morganville vampires book thirteen

Available now

www.allisonandbusby.com 

What's it about?

For years, the human and vampire residents of Morganville, Texas, have managed to co-exist in peace. But now that the threat to the vampires has been defeated, the human residents are learning that the gravest danger they face is the enemy within…

Thanks to the eradication of the parasitic creatures known as the draug, the vampires of Morganville have been freed of their usual constraints. With the vampires indulging their every whim, the town’s human population is determined to hold on to their lives by taking up arms. But college student Claire Danvers isn’t about to take sides, considering she has ties to both the humans and the vampires.

To make matters worse, a television show comes to Morganville looking for ghosts, just as vampire and human politics collide. Now, Claire and her friends have to figure out how to keep the peace without ending up on the nightly news… or worse.

Other books in the series
Glass houses - Book one
The dead girls' dance - Book two
Midnight alley - Book three
Feast of fools - Book four
Lord of misrule - Book five
Carpe corpus - Book six
Fade out - Book seven
Kiss of death - Book eight
Ghost town - Book nine
Bite club - Book ten
Last breath - Book eleven
Black dawn - Book twelve - Review
My review

Once again Rachel Caine shows that a series can still be great at book thirteen! Bitter blood was every bit as good as all the previous books in the Morganville vampires series.
In this latest addition we see a new story arc developing and meet some new, interesting characters and the series is still being kept fresh.
I really enjoyed Bitter blood and I liked that Caine is continuing to tell the story from more than one point of view, about 90% of the book is told from Claire but there are parts told by Shane, Michael and - my favourite - Myrnin. It's always great getting in the heads of the other characters and seeing how they're feeling about things that are happening and their part in the story. It was particularly fun getting a glimpse into Myrnin's crazy head!
I'm enjoying where the story is going and looking forward to seeing what's coming next in book fourteen.

My thoughts on the cover
I really like this cover, just like the rest, I'm glad they're keeping up the same theme and the gold colour is really nice.

Favourite quotes

'Ah, Morganville. Where dressing to hide bloodstains was just good daily planning.'

''You make me happy,' she whispered. She meant it literally - he'd just led her out of a strange, dark place and into sunlight, and the relief was so great that she felt tears in her eyes. 'So happy.''

Find the author
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Nail your books (2)

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

This week my nails were inspired by the first MetaWars book, Fight for the future by Jeff Norton.

Here's the cover;

And here's my nails;

(Click on the image if you'd like to see a bigger version.)

How to

• Sally Hansen miracle cure strengthener base coat
• Rimmel I love lasting finish Your majesty
• Rimmel lycra pro Heart on fire
• Save the nail wet look top coat
• Sally Hansen insta-dri

-As usual I started off with a couple of coats of base coat, base coat is important because it protects your nails, stops them from getting stained and can also make your nail polish last longer, I use a nail strengthener because my nails are pretty weak.

-Next I painted them silver all over.

-And when that dried I added the red diagonal strip along the top.

-Then I applied a top coat to seal the colour and used inst-dri to dry them quicker.

You can probably guess I took my inspiration from the MetaWars title on the cover. I don't have the most steady hands but I'm pretty happy with how the red came out, I mostly got them even lol. I had wanted to also put the symbols for the Millenials and the Guardians on my thumb nails but I still don't have those nail pens I'm lusting after and I couldn't do it with a toothpick!
What do you think?
And if you try it let me know how it comes out.