GUEST REVIEW: The Queen Of The Tearling - Erika Johnasen

GENRE: Adult Fantasy
PAGES: 448
PUBLISHER: Bantam Press
FORMAT: Hardback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 5 Stars

SUMMARY

Kelsea Glynn is the sole heir to the throne of Tearling but has been raised in secret by foster parents after her mother - Queen Elyssa, as vain as she was stupid - was murdered for ruining her kingdom. For 18 years, the Tearling has been ruled by Kelsea's uncle in the role of Regent however he is but the debauched puppet of the Red Queen, the sorceress-tyrant of neighbouring realm of Mortmesme. On Kelsea's 19th birthday, the tattered remnants of her mother's guard - each pledged to defend the queen to the death - arrive to bring this most un-regal young woman out of hiding...

And so begins her journey back to her kingdom's heart, to claim the throne, earn the loyalty of her people, overturn her mother's legacy and redeem the Tearling from the forces of corruption and dark magic that are threatening to destroy it. But Kelsea's story is not just about her learning the true nature of her inheritance - it's about a heroine who must learn to acknowledge and live with the realities of coming of age in all its insecurities and attractions, alongside the ethical dilemmas of ruling justly and fairly while simply trying to stay alive...

REVIEW

I really loved this book! It had many flaws but I was so engrossed in the plot that I completely ignored them and absolutely loved the book anyway!

Kelsea Glynn is an amazing character! In fact she’s quite possibly of my favourite fictional characters (up there with Hermione Granger, Hazel Grace Lancaster and Celeana Sardothien!) She is strong (but not necessarily physically like Celeana, Tris or Katniss) ! I’ve never known a character with so much resilience! Despite the fact that attempts are constantly made on her life she stays determined and focussed on being a good queen and restoring the Kingdom. I found her incredibly inspirational! Kelsea doesn’t develop much over the book (she had her strength and courage from the beginning) but I still really loved her!

Out of all of the books I have read recently, I have found most of them predictable! However ‘The Queen of the Tearling’ had me gripped throughout trying to work out what was going to happen next! I really felt that anything could happen and that made my reading experience more thrilling!

My favourite genres are dystopian, fantasy and historical and I was delighted to find that this book is a combination of the three making it the perfect choice for me! Whilst being set in the future, the world was very simplistic and the whole book is centred around the Monarchy, giving The Queen of the Tearling a historical feel. There are a few fantasy elements too!

So this book is already set to become a film (starring the wonderful Emma Watson.) I think it would make a really awesome film and I would love to see the book come to life on screen!

- Priya.

GUEST POST: My Experience of 'The Fault In Our Stars'

I read the Fault in Our Stars by John Green around a year ago and I recently realised that I had yet to write a review for it.

(I’ve tried to make it as non spoilery as possible, but if you haven’t read the book and don’t me want to ruin anything, then go and buy a copy now and come back when you’re done)

So here it goes:

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is my favourite book by a mile.

I have this weird thing with favourite books. I sometimes find myself getting weirdly jealous of people who have a favourite book that is obscure and that not many people know about, because I wish my special book could be something special to me and not something I hear about everywhere I go. TFIOS (The Fault in Our Stars) certainly does not fit that description. And for that reason, I sometimes (rather selfishly) wish that TFIOS wasn’t so huge and famous.

Now don’t get me wrong, John Green is a totally amazing person who totally deserves to be so insanely successful, and if The Fault in Our Stars wasn’t so successful, I’d probably never have discovered more of the beautiful collection of John Green books (such as Paper Towns and Will Grayson, Will Grayson) or have been introduced to the Vlogbrothers and the amazing community that is Nerdfighteria! I wouldn’t be able to see my favourite book on screen and I wouldn’t have such a vast community of fans that I can talk to about the book. At school everyone has their thing. You have the girl that’s obsessed with Niall Horan, the Tom Hiddleston stalker, the girl who fangirls every week about Teen Wolf and the ones who rave about Korean music.

And I am the TFIOS girl.

I’m the one that tells everyone to read the book, who informs them about the rest of John Green’s books after they are left longing for more, I’m the one who surprises them by telling them John Green also vlogs with his brother or who updates them on movie news. And it’s great to be the TFIOS girl.

But still I wish that TFIOS could be my special thing.

It’s kind of hard to explain why, so I’m using a quote to do so. In the book, Hazel says:

“Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book. And then there are books like An Imperial Affliction, which you can’t tell people about, books so special and rare and yours that advertising your affection feels like betrayal”

Which sums up my view of TFIOS!

Now you’re either going to completely understand where I am coming from, or you’re going to think I’m ranging from selfish to insane. But one day you’ll find your thing and you’ll understand.

GUEST REVIEW: The One - Keira Cass

PAGES: 336
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins
FORMAT: Paperback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 5 Stars

SUMMARY

For the four girls who remain at the palace, the friendships they've formed, rivalries they've struggled with and dangers they've faced have bound them to each other for the rest of their lives. Now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen. America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown - or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realises just how much she stands to lose - and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

REVIEW

The Selection trilogy is one of my favourite series and is definitely up there with Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and Divergent! If you haven’t read the Selection stories I strongly suggest you do so! It’s amazing! You can also check out my review of the novella collection “The Selection Stories” here.

The Blurb for The Selection:

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

The selection is a mash up of Disney and Dystopia and it is a really entertaining series!

I can’t talk about this book without spoiling it so be beware of major spoilers and come back after you’ve read the book!

HAVE YOU READ IT? THEN READ ON!

GUEST REVIEW: The Witch of Salt and Storm - Kendall Kulper

PAGES: 384

PUBLISHER: Orchard
FORMAT: Paperback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 4 Stars

SUMMARY

Sixteen-year-old Avery Roe wants only to take her rightful place as the sea witch of Prince Island, making the charms that keep the island's whalers safe and prosperous at sea. But before she could learn how to control her power, her mother - the first Roe woman in centuries to turn her back on magic - steals Avery away from her grandmother. Avery must escape before her grandmother dies, taking with her the secrets of the Roe's power. The one magical remnant left to Avery is the ability to read dreams, and one night she foresees her own murder. Time is running short, both for her and for the people of her island who need the witches' help to thrive. Avery has never read a dream that hasn't come true, but a tattooed harpoon boy named Tane tells her he can help her change her fate. Becoming a witch may prevent her murder and save her island from ruin, but Avery discovers it will also require a sacrifice she never expected. And as she falls in love with Tane, she learns it is his life and hers that hang in the balance.

REVIEW

The Witch of Salt and Storm is all about Avery Roe, a girl descended from a long line of Witches. Due to her mother’s reluctance to take on the position, she is set to become the witch of Prince Island after her Grandmother dies. But first Avery has to unlock her powers which is no easy task as her mother is intent upon keeping her away from magic (and her Grandmother) so Avery has no way to learn about her magic!

It was really interesting to follow Avery’s journey through the book. Avery has the ability to interpret dreams and she is never wrong. When Avery foresees her death she realises her fate is inevitable and that her future can’t be changed (or can it? ;) )

As a fan of historical literature, I enjoyed the setting of this book and it was a big change from the normal books I read centred around modern teenagers or warped dystopian futures!

So this book already has the interesting elements of magic. secrecy, a historical setting and complicated family dynamics but it really gets interesting when love is added to the mix! Avery meets Tane (a tattooed harpoon boy) and you can probably guess what happens between them. I don’t come across many YA books without love triangles any more and I was happy to see that there wasn’t one in this book (as they often infuriate me!)

This book made me see witches in a new way (rather than as old green-skinned women leaning over cauldrons or British school girls from Hogwarts) and it shows the pain and sacrifice involved in being a witch!

Overall I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to fans of fantasy and historical books!

- Priya.

(http://priyapiggle.wordpress.com)

GUEST REVIEW: The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender - Leslye Walton

PAGES: 320
PUBLISHER: Walker Books
FORMAT: Paperback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 5 Stars

SUMMARY

Foolish love appears to be a Roux family birthright. And for Ava Lavender, a girl born with the wings of a bird, it is an ominous thing to inherit. In her quest to understand her peculiar disposition and a growing desire to join her peers, sixteen-year-old Ava ventures into the wider world. But it is a dangerous world for a naive girl - a world which may view her as girl or angel. On the night of the summer solstice celebration, the skies open up, rain and feathers fill the air and Ava's journey and her family's saga reaches a devastating crescendo.

REVIEW

I went into this book knowing absolutely nothing about it (I didn’t even read the blurb!) and I strongly suggest you do the same!

I picked up this book because I was drawn to the title “The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender” which sums up the book pretty well. The book was strange, odd and unique but also beautiful, tragic and haunting.

I’d definitely give this book five stars and add it to my favourites list! I would recommend it to YA fans who love fantasy/supernatural elements in books or to people who are looking for something fresh and unique!

I strongly suggest you read this book without looking at any other info but here is my short review anyway in case you choose to rebel and ignore my advice :P

Ava Lavender was born with wings. Yes, wings. The world doesn’t know what to think of her, is she an angel? Is she a bird? Or is she a freak of nature?

The book tells the story of Ava’s family tree starting from her great grandparents and every member of her family has a fascinating yet tragic story that will keep you constantly gripped throughout the book. Ava is no different! All the characters were incredibly compelling!

I absolutely adored Leslye Walton’s writing style! I have very little in common with Ava (especially as I don’t have wings!) but I found her incredibly relatable! One quote that particularly struck me was:

“I found it ironic that I should be blessed with wings and yet feel so constrained, so trapped. It was because of my condition, I believe, that I noticed life’s ironies a bit more often than the average person. I collected them: how love arrived when you least expected it, how someone who said he didn’t want to hurt you eventually would.”

This book also had one of the most beautiful endings I have ever read.

Seriously, READ IT! Read it now!

Photo by Priya

- Priya.

(http://priyapiggle.wordpress.com)

GUEST REVIEW: Ketchup Clouds - Annabel Pitcher

PAGES: 320
PUBLISHER: Indigo
FORMAT: Paperback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 4 Stars

SUMMARY

Fifteen-year-old Zoe has a secret - a dark and terrible secret that she can't confess to anyone she knows. But then one day she hears of a criminal, Stuart Harris, locked up on death row in Texas. Like Zoe, Stuart is no stranger to secrets. Or lies. Or murder. Full of heartache yet humour, Zoe tells her story in the only way she can - in letters to the man in prison in America. Armed with a pen, Zoe takes a deep breath, eats a jam sandwich, and begins her tale of love and betrayal.

REVIEW

Ketchup Clouds is about a girl who writes a letter to Stuart, a man on death row, and confides her secrets to him under a fake name (Zoe Collins) and address so no reply can be written to her.

So before I read Ketchup Clouds, I saw a lot of negative reviews that put me off the book, but I have to say I really enjoyed it! Ketchup Clouds kept me hooked all the way until the last chapter wanting to discover the details of Zoe’s secret and discover the fates of the rest of the characters! Ketchup Clouds will draw you in from the first sentence and won’t let you go until the end of the book!

Dear Mr. S. Harris,

Ignore the blob of red in the top left corner. It’s jam, not blood, though I don’t think I need to tell you the difference. It wasn’t your wife’s jam the police found on your shoe.

The whole book is narrated by Zoe and the reader follows her struggle with her guilt. I found his aspect of Zoe incredibly relatable and I’m sure most readers would feel the same way. (I’m sure everyone has done something bad that they have regretted, but have been scared of telling the truth and facing the consequences and therefore have kept it a secret and lived with the burden. I know I have!)

I know what it’s like… Mine was a boy. And I killed him. Three months ago exactly… No one has a clue and I’m walking around like that boy, Scot Free, saying all the right things and doing all the right stuff, but inside I’m sort of screaming,”

One of the things I found most interesting about this book was the way it explored capital punishment. Both Stuart and Zoe are guilty of taking a life and both greatly regret what they did. Stuart has been honest about his crime and is being ‘rewarded’ with the death penalty, whereas Zoe’s dishonesty lets her walk free. Ketchup Clouds allowed me to think deeply about the American justice system.

Stuart was also a really fascinating character who was very important to the story. While he never responds to any letters Zoe writes, Zoe becomes increasingly closer to him over the course of the novel she goes from writing “Dear Mr S Harris” to “My dearest Stu”.

I’m not the biggest fan of love triangles as I often find the girl or boy at the centre to be very selfish. This one was particularly infuriating because of a certain little development on page 89 that I really don’t want to spoil! Let’s just say you’ll be very surprised! (But seriously don’t let the love triangle put you off the book!)

Zoe’s family were a really interesting part of the story. For example her little sister Dot is deaf so she uses sign language, something I’ve never seen in a YA book before!

Also this book included some fandom references such as cats called Lloyd and Webber and multiple Harry Potter references such as when she says to Stuart:

“Harry Potter has a scar and glasses and you have a scar and glasses and he never got any post either. But then all of a sudden he received a mysterious letter saying he was a wizard and his life was miraculously transformed.”

Overall Ketchup Clouds is a great read that I would recommend to all fans of young adult literature, especially those looking for something different and unique!

- Priya.

(http://priyapiggle.wordpress.com)

GUEST REVIEW: The Selection Stories - Kiera Cass

PAGES: 272
PUBLISHER: Harpercollins
FORMAT: Paperback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 3.5 Stars

SUMMARY

It's swoon meets the Hunger Games in THE SELECTION series! Two captivating Selection stories - 'The Prince' and 'The Guard' plus an early sneak peek at 'The One', Q&A with Kiera Cass and more...'The Prince': Before America arrived at the palace to compete in the Selection, there was another girl in Prince Maxon's life. A captivating view into the heart of Prince Maxon before he fights to win America Singer's love. 'The Guard': Raised as a Six, Aspen Leger never dreamed that he would find himself living in the palace as a member of the royal guard. An inside look at Aspen's life within the palace walls - and the truth about a guard's world that America will never know.

REVIEW

The Prince and The Guard are two novellas in the perspective of the two main love interests Maxon and Aspen (BOO.) The Prince is set near the beginning of the selection and in the novella, Maxon meets the selected girls for the first time. The Guard is set around the time of an emotional event in The Elite (that I don’t want to spoil)

If you haven’t read The Selection, I thoroughly recommend that you do so! It’s probably best if you avoid reading my review if you don’t want to be spoiled! This review will contain spoilers for The Selection, The Elite, The Prince and The Guard… you have been warned! ;)

So here it goes: 

As a big fan of The Selection and The Elite (Check out my thoughts on The Selection and The Elite) and a devoted member of the Prince Maxon fanclub, I had high hopes for this book.

It did not disappoint!

Click through to read more!