Review: Rules of Attraction

     

    

Title: Rules of Attraction
Author: Simone Elkeles

Series: Perfect Chemistry #2
Pages: 326

Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Release Date: Released (UK)
Source: For Review
Rating: 5 stars
100 Book challenge: #37

When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for the past year, he doesn't want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him in Colorado. When he meets Kiara Westford, a good girl totally unlike any of the girls he's usually drawn to, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she's too good for him. But will he put his pride aside when he realizes that being with Kiara might finally allow him to be his true self?

I adore Simone Elkeles' Perfect Chemistry but I will admit that I was fearful that Rules of Attraction could not live up to it. Luckily for me, it has the same sexy that was in Perfect Chemistry but enough uniqueness to make it really really enjoyable!

Carlos is just as crush-worthy as Alex. I cannot get enough of the Fuentes brothers. They are all a little rough around the edges but when you get the inside they are just wonderful. The relationship between him and Kiara develops slowly. The love/hate thing is one of my favourites in novels and Elkeles does it beautifully.

The book is a little predictable but it was so much fun. I cannot put down her books. I become completely immersed into the world she creates and I love it. Her writing style really draws you in.

If you enjoyed Perfect Chemistry, I am fairly certain you will also enjoy Rules of Attraction. Not quite as good as Perfect Chemistry but pretty damn close!

Review: The Immortal Rules

    

    

Title: The Immortal Rules
Author: Julie Kagawa

Series: Blood of Eden #1
Pages: 480

Publisher: MIRA Ink
Release Date: Released (UK)
Source: For Review
Rating: 4 stars
100 Book challenge: #39

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity. 

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn’t easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

I have faced facts. I am not a paranormal person. I find that I am more reluctant to read them and they tend to wow me less than, say, contemporaries. Vampires are a bit overrated to me. Dead, blood drinkers... sparkly. Julie Kagawa, however, has actually kind of made me like vampires. Well not like them, but books that have them in it. It was a fresh unique take on vampires and I am so excited to see where the series goes next.

Allison, the protagonist, is a really great heroine. She is strong, brave and can look after herself. She is also vulnerable and, at times, shows some of her insecurities. There is a love interest, who I really liked, but he was not the main focus. There was a nice slow burn which I enjoyed.

I found it a little slow to begin with but definitely picked up about 150 pages into the novel. There is a lot of world building and I did wonder for a while what direction "The Immortal Rules" would take but it definitely becomes clear as things so on.

If you aren't a huge fan of paranormals like me I would recommend giving this a try as it is a little different and combines both dystopian and paranormal. It is well written and has an interesting plot. Definitely recommend!

Book Haul {20/05/2012}

Review: The Look

   

Title: The Look
Author: Sophia Bennett

Series: None
Pages: 336

Publisher: Chicken House
Release Date: Released (UK)
Source: For Review
Rating: 4.5 stars
100 Book challenge: #24

When Ted is spotted by a model agency, she can’t believe it. At the same time her gorgeous sister, Ava, is diagnosed with cancer. With her world turned upside down, Ted has a lot of growing up to do, some of it in five-inch platforms. Can she be a supermodel and a super sister? Or will she have to choose between fame and family?

The Look was a fabulously written novel that seamlessly combined the world of modelling and the effect cancer can have on a family. The cover may be pretty and pink but the book is so much grittier and deeper and much much better.

Ted is definitely not a typical model but she is tall and a little unusual which makes her perfect for high fashion editorial modelling. Now I am by no means an expert on modelling but I adore America's Next Top Model so I pretend to know things. The depiction of the modelling world was done incredibly well and I was so fascinated by it.

When I read the summary I did wonder if it would be about a bratty girl wanting attention with modelling because her sister was sick but it actual fact it is so much more selfless than that. Ava was so encouraging and supportive and the love between the two of them is so inspirational and beautiful to read about.

The novel was pretty incredible. It has a wonderful family dynamic and the relationship Ted and Ava shared was just so moving. Bennett did a beautiful job of combining modelling and family life as well as dealing with the cancer subject. Beautifully done and highly recommended.

Discussion: Boys In Books

Romance is a key factor in a novel for me. I'm disappointed if I don't get one and I am constantly sniffing out the love interest. I love hot, sexy love interests. Who doesn't? But is that a realistic depiction of the majority of love interests in the real world? No.


Most boys are described as muscular, tanned, slim, attractive, smouldering eyes. I understand why writers do it. If I wrote a novel I'd love my male love interest to be nice and sexy, sure. Readers swoon at sexy!

But you know what? Readers also swoon at sweetness. They swoon at a boy that is charming and kind and funny. Cricket from 'Lola and the Boy Next Door' is one of the sweetest characters I have come across. And he's who I would choose over say Patch or Alex from Perfect Chemistry. The sexy ones also tend to be the bad boys. Bad boys are great in books. Bad Boy gone Good can even be great in real life. I'd much rather a good boy that treats me right though.

Am I saying male character should be ugly and unattractive? No. I'm just saying it would be nice to see them looking maybe a little gangly or not toned, or a little overweight or - um, what word would decribe all these things - oh yes, normal. As it is romance novels do tend to raise people's expectations, especially young girls, into thinking they will find love so easily and with a guy who looks like an model no less. I find realistic romance novels the most enjoyable kind and I'd love it if the male lead was realistic too!


If you have any recommendations for books that have realistic guys please let me know in the comments!

Review: Thumped

   

Title: Thumped
Author: Megan McCafferty

Series: Bumped #2
Pages: 352

Publisher: Corgi Childrens
Release Date: April 26th 2012 (UK)
Source: For Review
Rating: 4 stars
100 Book challenge: #40

THE CONCLUSION TO ONE OF THE MOST TALKED-ABOUT NOVELS OF LAST YEAR

It’s been thirty-five weeks since twin sisters Harmony and Melody went their separate ways. And now their story has become irresistible: twins separated at birth, each due to deliver twins…on the same day!

Married to Ram and living in Goodside, Harmony spends her time trying to fit back into the community she once believed in. But she can’t forget about Jondoe, the guy she fell for under the strangest of circumstances.

To her adoring fans, Melody has achieved everything: a major contract and a coupling with the hottest bump prospect around. But this image is costing her the one guy she really wants.

The girls’ every move is analyzed by millions of fans eagerly counting down to “Double Double Due Date.” They’re two of the most powerful teen girls on the planet, and they could do only one thing to make them even more famous:

Tell the truth.

To be honest, I was a little disappointed in Bumped, only because I expected so much from it. Despite that, I still wanted to finish the series, especially as there are only two books which is refreshing. Thumped was a really easy and, I am happy to say, better than Bumped in my opinion.

My enjoyment for Thumped could be to do with becoming familiar with the lingo of the "bumping" and "terminating" and other weird baby language used in everyday conversations. Or it just could have been better. I felt more connected to Melody and Harmony and enjoyed their stories more.

The plot was interesting as well. There was lots going on and I felt invested in it all, which I lacked when reading the first book. I was hooked from the beginning and I read it in one day!

It is clear Bumped and Thumped contain a message about teen pregnancy and sex. I personally didn't find it to be preachy but I am terrible at telling these sorts of things. It is an incredibly interesting topic though and at times it doesn't feel like a very distant future when this could happen.

The series was enjoyable to read and a really interesting and unique concept. If you like something a bit different then you may enjoy this!

Review: Under the Never Sky

   

Title: Under the Never Sky
Author: Veronica Rossi

Series: Under the Never Sky #1
Pages: 375

Publisher: Atom
Release Date: Released (UK)
Source: For Review
Rating: 4 stars
100 Book challenge: #32

WORLDS KEPT THEM APART. 

DESTINY BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER. 

Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Her entire world confined to its spaces, she's never thought to dream of what lies beyond its doors. So when her mother goes missing, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland long enough to find her are slim. 

Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He's searching for someone too. He's also wild - a savage - but might be her best hope at staying alive. 

If they can survive, they are each other's best hope for finding answers

I'd heard some really mixed things about Under The Never Sky before I picked it up. I think it really helped me to adjust my expectations so I ended up really enjoying this book. I am very glad to have picked it up!

The pacing at the beginning was too slow for me. The first 150 pages dragged and due to some bad reviews I considered DNFing it. I am SO thankful I didn't though because it got SO MUCH BETTER! The second half of the book was 5 star worthy. I wanted more more more! I could not put it down.

The characters Rossi created were fabulous, both the protagonists and the secondary characters. Aria and Perry were wonderful. I loved their relationship their banter. Perry's best friend was also a favourite of mine. They were well developed and all had little sub-plots which I loved.

The romance needs an honourable mention. No insta-love nor any of that let's only kiss on the last page business. A gorgeous slow burn. One of my favourite aspects of the book by far. Incredibly done!

I cannot decide whether it is more fantasy or dystopian. There was a lot to grasp in relation to the pods and whatnot but it was a little more fantasy than I expected.

All in all Under the Never Sky is a great read. The first half was about a 3 and the second half was 5 stars so I hope the series continues in the same vain as the last half. Highly recommended!

Review: Insurgent

    

Title: Insurgent
Author: Veronica Roth

Series: Divergent #2
Pages: 525

Publisher: Harper Collins
Release Date: May 1st 2012 (UK)
Source: For Review
Rating: 5 stars
100 Book challenge: #41

War looms in sixteen-year-old Tris’s dark dystopian world as disputes between the factions grow. Tris must now fight against all odds to discover the truth that can save her and the people she loves. Sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge – and the choices she makes will have devastating and unexpected consequences.

Divergent spoilers guys so go read Divergent then come back :)

I have been PINING for Insurgent since I finished Divergent last year and I have been doing so incredibly impatiently. Divergent is by far the best book I read last year and I'm pretty sure it is one of the best books I have ever read. Insurgent most definitely did not disappoint.

Insurgent starts where Divergent finishes off and you are thrown right into the midst of the drama. Insurgent is filled with secrets: some discovered, some created. A lot is learnt about the factions, especially Candor and Amity. It was something that I really hoped Roth would explore so I was really pleased.

You guys, THERE IS NO LOVE TRIANGLE!!!!!!! I am so insanely happy. It would have ruined everything. Things are not easy for Tris and Four though. They are like a normal couple, with normal issues, except there is a war raging on between factions. SO MUCH LOVE FOR THEM.

We also saw a new side to Tris. Divergent presented her as this badass girl who can kick butt like no other but Insurgent shows her vulnerability and that she can be fragile like everyone else. You know why? Because she is human. She is not perfect, she makes mistakes, but this is why I love her so much.

Lots of unexpected happenings went down. I'm serious. I was like WHAT? so many times that I can't count. Veronica Roth sure knows how to surprise us. And that ending??? Where is the next book? Let it be here soon. I need it now.

As you can see I have so much love for Insurgent. SO MUCH LOVE. I will admit that Divergent just pipped it to the post for me but it is was still damn close to perfection. Veronica Roth has a writing style that I read for days, it is so effortless. Just buy it and read it and love it because I know you will!