Review: Matched

Matched (Matched #1) by Ally Condie

Published November 30th 2010 by Dutton Juvenile

Hardcover, 366 pages
Source: Bought from Bookdepository

"Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow."

- From Goodreads

 

6/10

I think I went into this book expecting a little too much. At first it was going fine, then I found myself bored. The last 60 pages or so was really exciting though so it sort of made up for it.

I love the world Ally Condie created. The society, the officials, the rules.. its fascinating.

The romance felt a bit forced at times for me. Like the only plot...
I want to know more about the society, the background of it!

But as I said the ending made up for the boring bits in the beginning and middle.

Now for those who have read it:

I really liked Xander and felt really bad for him. But love triangles always leaves me a bit bitter. Do you think she should have stayed with Xander? Or maybe taken him with somehow?

The red pill scenario was really great, I love how everyone follows blindly but at the same times is happy with their lives.

http://www.allysoncondie.com/
@allycondie
http://matched-book.com/
http://matched-trilogy.livejournal.com/

"I came up on the screen, too, Cassia. But he was the one you chose to see."
 

"Our time together feels like a storm, like a wild wind and rain, like something too big to handle but too powerful to escape."

 

Crossed (Matched, #2) by Ally Condie

 

Guest Review: Pleasure of a Dark Prince

Pleasure of a Dark Prince (Immortals After Dark #9) by Kresley Cole

As Reviewed by my Guest Reviewer Lauren

Published February 16th 2010 by Pocket
(first published January 1st 2010)
Mass Market Paperback, 431 pages

I Love this series, and really enjoyed this book. Although I must admit it was not one of my favourites in the series. It lost momentum a little somewhere in the middle (only a very little), but the beginning and end more then made up for it. 

My main reason for writing a review at this point is to warn anyone who is about to pick up this book that it is a series and at this point if you haven’t read at least a few of the previous books you are going to be at a serious disadvantage. This is one of those series that you don't necessarily have to, but its well worth your while starting at the beginning and savouring each consecutive book. 

I have, and consequentially enjoyed every moment of it! 

4/5 Stars

Review: Blood Faerie

Blood Faerie (Caledonia Fae, Book #1) by India Drummond

Published June 1st 2011 by Trindlemoss Publishing

ebook, 203 pages
Source: From the Author for a honest review.
You can buy it here or here

"Sentenced to death, Eilidh ran—away from faerie lands, to the streets of Perth, Scotland. Just as she has grown accustomed to exile, local police discover a mutilated body outside the abandoned church where she lives. Recognising the murder as the work of one of her own kind, Eilidh must choose: flee, or learn to tap into the forbidden magic that cost her everything. "

- From Goodreads

 

9/10

When Ms Drummond contacted me about her new novel Blood Faerie, I had no idea what an astonishing world awaited me! Faeries, crime, mystery, romance, suspense, fantasy all rolled into one to make an outstanding novel.

I mentioned in my review of Ordinary Angels “my mind would drift, but that might just be because too many things were happening at once in the story.” but not in this novel. It was perfectly paced and the story flowed effortlessly.

Eilidh and Quinton are fascinating characters that are richly described! I kept having visions of the Eilidh looking something like this:

Although the cover really captures her essence.

Quinton Munro has a "strong" feel to him, like he will protect you no matter what. Together these characters tell a story than I can’t wait to continue!

I liked that Eilidh isn’t a stereotypical pretty fairy with wings. I also enjoyed the crime scene and druid scenario.

I love the little bits where the Fae are introduced to technology and their responses to it!

Will most certainly read the next one in the series!

Spoilers:

Pretty shocked that Soar died, I thought he would be in the next one and there might be a triangle. But I love being taken by surprise and I'm not too fond of triangles.

I hoped Beniss would stay alive so she could mentor Eilidh.

http://www.indiadrummond.com/
http://www.facebook.com/india.drummond.author
http://twitter.com/#!/indiadrummond

"His mum had loved her ornaments, as she called them, but when she died, his dad waited about a week before boxing them up and giving them to a charity shop. “I loved your mum, Quinton,” he’d said, “but I hate them fuckin’ porcelain cats.”

Azuri Fae by India Drummond

 

Review: Delirium

Delirium (Delirium #1) by Lauren Oliver

Published February 1st 2011 by HarperTeen

Hardcover, 441 pages
Source: Bought at Bookdepository for $16.19

"Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love."

 

8/10

Another brilliant novel by Lauren Oliver! Her written is flowing, magical and so effortless. I loved the little bits on the Chapter pages, and found myself looking forward to the next rhyme or extract from the book of Shhh.

I loved the concept of taking love out of a society and seeing what is left. The world that was created, was interesting, dark, safe and creepy.

I loved the characters, they all had such strong personalities and depth. Lena was once again the "I'm not really pretty" girl, but I looked past that.

The book might have dragged a bit for my taste, but hey I still enjoyed it!

If you haven't read Before I Fall yet, and you enjoyed this book, I suggest you do so, it is truly a great novel.

I will most definitely read the next two books in the series, and I'm sure Ms Oliver will wow me once again.

http://www.laurenoliverbooks.com/

http://laurenoliverbooks.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/laurenoliverbooks

http://www.myspace.com/laurenoliverbooks

http://twitter.com/#!/OliverBooks

"Love: a single word, a wispy thing, a word no bigger or longer than an edge. That's what it is: an edge; a razor. It draws up through the center of your life, cutting everything in two. Before and after. The rest of the wrold falls away on either side." 

"I'd rather die my way than live yours."  

Pandemonium (Delirium, #2) by Lauren Oliver
 

 

Review: Ordinary Angels

Ordinary Angels by India Drummond

Published April 4th 2011 by Lyrical Press

Ebook, 157 pages

ISBN: 1616502584

Source: ARC from Author for a honest review

"Most of Zoe’s friends are dead, but she doesn’t mind because they died long before she met them. Then one Tuesday night an angel takes her salsa dancing and turns her world upside down. Grim reality closes in when she discovers a body in her company’s boiler room and Higher Angels accuse her best ghost friend of murder. Knowing she’s the only one who can stand against them, Zoe resorts to lying, stealing and summoning. In the end, getting blood on her hands forces Zoe to question herself."

 

8/10

This was a very well written début novel by India Drummond and it was a pure delight to read. Ms Drummond has a way of making mundane sentences sound beautiful and puts a new spin on the phrase "I see dead people"!

This novel has some fascinating mythological dynamics that pull you in from the get go. With fresh ideas and a great heroine who's life gets even more complicated when she goes on a date with an Angel.

My only complaint is that the book lost me here and there when my mind would drift, but that might just be because too many things were happening at once in the story. But it was action packed and lets not forget the smouldering love interest!

I can't wait to see what Ms Drummond does next!

http://www.indiadrummond.com/
http://www.facebook.com/india.drummond.author
http://twitter.com/#!/indiadrummond

“I’ve always found, Miss Zoe, when you have something that needs saying, the best thing is to get it on out there and done with. No worries. Old Henry’s heard it all. You haven’t gone and gotten yourself in trouble, have you?”

“Why does he ask for your phone number?” the new mailman asked, leaning forward as
though expecting to hear something important and secret.
“To ask her out. Are you stupid or something?” Simone’s uncharacteristic sharpness snapped
Zoe back to reality.
“Simone.” she whispered harshly.
“Well, really. What kind of dumb question is that?” Simone mumbled.

Familiar Demons by India Drummond

 

Review: Avalon High

Avalon High by Meg Cabot

Published 01 July 2007

Paperback 288 pages

ISBN: 0060755881

Source: Bought at Bookdepository for $8.09

"To newcomer Ellie, Avalon High seems like a typical American high school, complete with jocks, nerds, cheerleaders, and even the obligatory senior class president, quarterback, and all-around good guy. But it doesn't take Ellie long to suspect that something weird is going on beneath the glossy surface of this tranquil hall of learning. As she pieces together the meaning of this unfolding drama, she begins to recognize some haunting Arthurian echoes, causing her to worry that she has become just a pawn in mythic history. A powerful novel by the author of The Princess Diaries."

 

6/10

This was one of those feel good, easy to read, fast paced young adult novels that you should definitely read when looking for something light and fun.

Don't expect a in-depth Arthurian novel, but rather a entertaining and "clean" read. I loved the whole re-incarnate characters thing and I also really enjoyed Ellie's parents.

I also like when a twist happens and I didn't see it coming! I'll watch the Disney Movie although I hear its nothing like the book.

I can't say much more, as its not really a novel that can be discussed to no end, but I suggest you read it if this sounds like your type of thing :)

http://www.megcabot.com/
http://twitter.com/megcabot

"Kings don't sneak."
— Meg Cabot (Avalon High)

Be Warned! I here the Disney movie and the book are completely different! But here it is:

None :(

 

Review: Harvest Moon

Harvest Moon by Krista D. Ball

September 10th 2010 by MuseItUp Publishing

ebook, 1, 35 pages
Isbn: 9780986587

"Cursed, abused, and desperate to know her future, Dancing Cat sneaks a glimpse inside her tribe’s Sacred Bundle, a powerful source of spirit magic. Instead of the future, she sees her most powerful ancestor, Small Tree and incurs her wrath. Small Tree strips Dancing Cat of everything —her home, her identity, even her gender – and drops her in the middle of enemy lands.

Injured, and in a strange, new body, she is befriended by Bearclaw who is on a spirit quest. He offers her assistance and asks for nothing in return; a kindness Dancing Cat had forgotten existed. She struggles to weave a path around the obstacles of friendship, identity, and longing in order to survive her eventual return home to face even further punishment.

And she does it while wearing someone else's skin."

 

7/10

What a Romantic and gripping tale! A woman shunned and a man looking for answers that find solace in each other.

Mrs. Ball is a very talented writer and has a great way of making you feel like you know the characters, in such a short space of time. It normally takes me 50 pages to start liking characters, not 35 to feel for them! This in my opinion is a great feat.

As always with novella's I'm left wanting more and wondering about characters past and futures. I do hope we can see more of Dancing Cat and Bearclaw in the future!

I am truly honoured that I got to review this novella and such a unique historical romance will not be forgotten.

http://www.kristadball.com/
http://twitter.com/kristadb1
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Krista-D-Ball/201377490386
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3450130.Krista_D_Ball






And small teaser:

"A mixture of anger and fear flared inside her. She stormed over to the fur blanket and grabbed the sacred bundle, ignoring the stabbing pain in her side. Turning on her heel, she started walking in the opposite direction from the man who had saved her life, the frozen ground crunched under her moccasins. She’d rather leave him now than have him reject her once he discovered her lies."