*Book Review* Perfected by Kate Jarvik Birch

Reviewed By: Siobhán
Format:  eArc
Pages: 304
Published: 1st July 2014 (ebook)
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Source:  Netgalley
Genre:  YA , Sci-Fi
Buy: Amazon UK I Amazon US I Book Depository

Description:

Perfection comes at a price.

As soon as the government passed legislation allowing humans to be genetically engineered and sold as pets, the rich and powerful rushed to own beautiful girls like Ella. Trained from birth to be graceful, demure, and above all, perfect, these “family companions” enter their masters’ homes prepared to live a life of idle luxury.

Ella is happy with her new role as playmate for a congressman’s bubbly young daughter, but she doesn’t expect Penn, the congressman’s handsome and rebellious son. He’s the only person who sees beyond the perfect exterior to the girl within. Falling for him goes against every rule she knows…and the freedom she finds with him is intoxicating.

But when Ella is kidnapped and thrust into the dark underworld lurking beneath her pampered life, she’s faced with an unthinkable choice. Because the only thing more dangerous than staying with Penn’s family is leaving…and if she’s unsuccessful, she’ll face a fate far worse than death.

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Cover Reveal: The Woken Gods by Gwenda Bond

Title: The Woken Gods

Series: N/A

Author: Gwenda Bond

Publisher: Strange Chemistry

Release: 3rd Sept 2013

Genre: YA Sci-Fi

Pre-order: Amazon UK I Amazon US I Book Depository. 

Description:

Five years ago, the gods of ancient mythology awoke around the world. 

This morning, Kyra Locke is late for school. 

Seventeen-year-old Kyra lives in a transformed Washington, D.C., home to the embassies of divine pantheons and the mysterious Society of the Sun. But when rebellious Kyra encounters two trickster gods on her way back from school, one offering a threat and the other a warning, it turns out her life isn’t what it seems. She escapes with the aid of Osborne “Oz” Spencer, an intriguing Society field operative, only to discover that her scholar father has disappeared with a dangerous relic. The Society needs it, and they don’t care that she knows nothing about her father’s secrets.

Now Kyra must depend on her wits and the suspect help of scary gods, her estranged oracle mother, and, of course, Oz–whose first allegiance is to the Society. She has no choice if she’s going to recover the missing relic and save her father. And if she doesn’t? Well, that may just mean the end of the world as she knows it. 

From the author of Blackwood comes a fresh, thrilling urban fantasy that will appeal to fans of Neil Gaiman, Cassandra Clare, and Rick Riordan. 

My Thoughts: WOW, WOW, WOW. OK from this cover alone I want to read this!!!!! The Ancient Egypt theme draws me in because I love everything to do with Ancient. The colours used are eye catching and bold so they will catch the readers eye while in a bookstore. And then the blurb? I mean come on!! Could that sounds any more amazing!!!!! I can't wait to get my hands on this book. 

Gwenda Bond is a contributing writer for Publishers Weekly, regularly reviews for Subterranean Online and Locus, and guest-edited a special YA issue of Subterranean Online. Her nonfiction work has appeared in the Washington Post, Lightspeed, and Strange Horizons, among others, and she has been a guest on NPR’s Weekend Edition. She holds an MFA in Writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts’ program in writing for children and young adults. Readers of Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet may know her as everyone’s Dear Aunt Gwenda. She lives in a hundred-year-old house in Lexington, Kentucky, with her husband author Christopher Rowe, and their pets: Hemingway the Cat, Polydactyl, LLC; Miss Emma the Dog-Girl, CPA; and Puck the Puppy, INC. 

 Gwenda can be found on the Internet on her website and on Twitter.

Like Totally Bookalicious??

1

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

Reviewed by: Siobhán
Format: ARC Paperback
Pages: 400
Published: 5th Jan 2012
Publisher: Puffin
Source: Publisher for Review
Genre: YA Retelling, SciFi/Dystopian
Buy: Amazon UK I Amazon US I Book Depository

Description:
A forbidden romance. A deadly plague. Earth's fate hinges on one girl ...CINDER, a gifted mechanic in New Beijing, is also a cyborg. She's reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's sudden illness. But when her life becomes entwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she finds herself at the centre of a violent struggle between the desires of an evil queen - and a dangerous temptation. Cinder is caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal. Now she must uncover secrets about her mysterious past in order to protect Earth's future. This is not the fairytale you remember. But it's one you won't forget.

Review:
Cinder is retelling of Cinderella but with a fresh and funky twist. Set in the future in New Beijing, this Cinder is a mechanic, slaving away to support her wicked Stepmother. However, Cinder is your ordinary home girl, she is a Cyborg! And when her stepsister Peony catched the plague, Cinder lifes is turn upside down and secrets from Cinder past are revealed!

Honestly when I first heard about this I was sooooo excited. I had heard nothing but good things about it and when I got a chance to review it I am over the moon. However, I personally found the beginning to be very slow and it didn't grip my imagination straight away but my gut told me to keep reading and when that happens I do it. And boy I am so glad I did. Cinder is like nothing I have ever read before. After the first 100 pages I was completely engrossed in the storyline that I simply couldn't put the book down.

Cinder is such a strong heroine. She is smart, strong, witty and really stands out against some of the YA Protagonist's that are in books just now. I really enjoyed the relationship she had with Iko the family android. It was a really fun and caring relationship and Iko is adorable! lol. When Cinder stepsister, Poeny gets sick she is devastated because Peony is the only one in her family that cares about her and Cinder truely loves Peony. It was heartbreaking reading the aftermath of it. However, being a such a strong character Cinder deals with everything even though she is scared. (So trying not to spoil anything LOL)

Of course being a YA it wouldn't be complete without a romance right? Well there is one kind of with Prince Kai. Now I personally didn't think this was a great part to the story.I get that its Cinderella you need a Prince Charming but Prince Kai just doesn't come across as a "Prince Charming" he lacks personality. But in a way that's good because the romance doesn't take you away from the actual story.

As I said, it was a slow start for me but once I got into it, it was unbelievable. It was truely different to anything that is out there at moment. The storyline was a bit predictable and I knew exactly where it was going but there was no denying that the ride along the way to there was freaking magical, exciting and full of drama that keeped me from the book down.

Marissa Meyer has delivered a fantastic debut novel. If this is how her debut is I am really excited about reading the next book. But I don't think I can wait until 2013 for it. So if you like your fairy tale retelling with a twist I urge you to give this ago!!

Rate: 4/5

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The Power of Six (Lorien Legacies #2) by Pittacus Lore

Format: ARC Hardback
Pages: 384
Published: 23rd Aug 2011
Publisher: Puffin
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi

Description:

We are the last defence. I've seen him on the news. Followed the stories about what happened to John Smith. To the world he's a mystery, but to me ...he's one of us. Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us, if we all still believe in our mission. There are six of us left. We're hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another, but our Legacies are developing and soon we'll be ready to fight. Is John Number Four - and is his appearance the sign I've been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who might be strong enough to bring the six of us together? They caught Number One in Malaysia. Number Two in England. And Number Three in Kenya. They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio ...and failed. I am Number Seven. And I'm ready to fight.

Review:
After reading I am Number Four (my review) I was super excited to read The Power of Six. So you can imagine my excitement when I managed to get an ARC of this.I was honestly doing a happy dance when my postman delivered it. However, when I started reading it I was very disappointed until about the last 100 pages then I really enjoyed it.

The Power of Six follows two different stories. It starts of with Marina, number Seven who lives in an Orphanage in Spain. She has been there for a while with her Cespian. However, her Cespain has lost sight in their gal and refuses to acknowledge anything do to with Lorien. We also still get to follow John (number Four), Sam and number Six on the run from the police and Mogadorians.


As I said I loved I am Number Four so I had really high expectation for this novel. I am Number Four was an explosive novel full of action and sadly The Power of Six was no where near as good. I found the story rather boring if I'm honest. I found the storyline very slow that it honestly took me two weeks to read. I just couldn't get in to the story I think it was the changing in POV. I am not the biggest fan to having more than one POV in a story and this really confused me alot. So for  me that really slowed thing down.The story line wasn't up to much. I kept waiting for something really exciting to happen and it wasn;t until the last 100pages or so that the story really picked up and got super exciting and full of action.

The characters I didn't really connect with them in this book. They are all still strong characters but I just couldn't get into their heads to like them that much. Especially Marina, I wasn't really looking forward to reading her story to start with because it was taking me away from John and his story but I did like how on a few occassion they two stories overlap and its pretty cool. We also get to hear Six's story. I really like Six I think she is the best character in the story. And I loved that there is the beginning of  love triangle between Six, John and Sam so I am looking forward to seeing how that turns out especially since John is already with Sarah.

Even though I wasn't into the story until near the end I am still really excited for the next book as the ending is just fantastic. Those last 100 pages made the book. Full of action which I love and the actual ending is like OMG I need the next book.






Rate: 3/5

Buy The Power of Six

Amazon {UK}{US}

7

April BotM: Uglies (Uglies #1) by Scott Westerfield

Format: Paperback
Pages: 425
Published: 3rd Jan 2006
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's
Genre: YA Sci-Fi, Dystopia

Description:
Tally lives in a world where your sixteenth birthday brings aesthetic perfection: an operation which erases all your flaws, transforming you from an 'Ugly' into a 'Pretty'. She is on the eve of this important event, and cannot wait for her life to change. As well as guaranteeing supermodel looks, life as a Pretty seems to revolve around having a good time. But then she meets Shay, who is also fifteen - but with a very different outlook on life. Shay isn't sure she wants to be Pretty and plans to escape to a community in the forest - the Rusty Ruins - where Uglies go to escape ' turning'. Tally won't be persuaded to join her, as this would involve sacrificing everything she's ever wanted for a lot of uncertainty. When she is taken in for questioning on her birthday, however, Tally gets sent to the Ruins anyway - against her will. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she could ever imagine: find her friend Shay and turn her in, or never turn Pretty at all. What she discovers in the Ruins reveals that there is nothing 'pretty' about the transformations...And the choice Tally makes will change her world forever.

Review:
I have been eying these books for well over a year. I kept meaning to buy the first one but something else always caught my eye. So I decided to buy a used copy on Amazon and yet it still sat on my bookcase for months. I am kicking myself now for leaving it so long. Uglies was a wonderful read.

Uglies is set in a future world where when you turn sixteen you go through an operation to turn you from Ugly to Pretty. Young Tally wants nothing more to turn Pretty. Her best friend Peris has already Pretty and she is now alone. One day she mets Shay and they form a friendship out of loneliness and grow very close. However, Shay doesn't want to turn Pretty so she runs away to the Smoke. Suddenly Tally's world is turn upside when she is forced to find Shay, turn her in to the Specials or stay Ugly forever.

At first I found this book very slow I think I had really high expections from this book and was just disappointed. However after about 70 pages into it I really started to enjoy it. I really loved Tally as main character. She is really fun to read. Always playing tricks and sneaking around. She was just really fun to read. We also see another side to her when she is forced to travel to the Smoke. She is alone and scared on her travels and when she gets there you really feel what she is feeling and how she is confused. I have to admit though I really didn't like Shay, I don't know what it was about her. You sometimes just don't click with a character. Although I do understand her at one point when she is jealous of Tally and David growing friendship. I really liked David. He is an really nice guy who falls for Tally when he meets her. The cast of characters overall and a very mixed bunch. The main and secondary characters bring something different to the story and its very interesting and keeps the story full of suspence.

As mentioned above I did find the start of the story a bit too slow and it left me slightly disappointed at first. However the once the story picks up. WOW its really picks up. Its full of action and suspense and the ending it just wonderful. I want to share the end quote because just love Tally attitude but I won't because it's a major spoiler.

I highly recommend this to anyone who likes their Dystopia fiction and to those who don't its a great starter book into the wonderful genre of YA Dystopia, its easy to follow yet packs alot of meaning. So if you haven't read Uglies yet then please get out there and give it a try.

Rate: 4/5

Visit Scott: [Website] [Facebook] [Twitter]

Order Uglies #1

4

April BotM: Delirium (Delirium #1) by Lauren Oliver

Format: Kindle Edition

File Size: 479 KB

Publisher: Hodder

Published: 3rd Feb 2011

Genre: YA Sci-Fi, Dystopia

Description:

There was a time when love was the most important thing in the world. People would go to the end of the earth to find it. They would tell lies for it. Even kill for it. Then, at last, they found the cure. Now, everything is different. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Haloway 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 then, with only ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable...

Review:

I had been interested in the book for month. I have only read a few YA Dystopian novels and its a genre that I am in love with. And Delirium is yet another fantastic novel that I loved.

Delirium is set in a not so distant future where Love - amor deliria nervosa -  is actually a disease that can be cured. At the age of 18 years old everyone has this cure and their life is pretty much mapped out by government. Lena is seventeen years old and is counting down thedays until she has gets the cure. Lena is terrified is wont work for her like her mother but she wants it done. Lena is a "good girl", she plays by the rules. So when she mets Alex all world change and everything she believes and wants changes.

Lena is a very interesting main character. She wants to be like everyone else who has the cure and can't wait for it happen. She really is a good girl with good grades and is just very likeable. She has a very tough past and that heartbreaking and its understandable why she wants the cure so much. However, she really comes out her shell when she mets the Mysterious Alex who isnt what he seems. I really liked Alex, he is funny and charming and he also has had a tough past and I felt it really brought the two of them together.

Delirium is a quite a quick read. It had been gripped from the start. However, towards the middle it slowed down a little bit and I found it hard going for a few chapters because nothing really interesting or important was happening. But it picked up again and well the ending it just amazing, fast paced and what a cliff hanger. I know some people hate cliff hangers. I don't I love them, Yeah they frustate me as I will now need to wait till the next book comes out but it keeps it interesting and in my mind.

Lauren Oliver has created a beautiful written novel that I am sure it going to be a massive hit. OK. its not a world I would ever want to life in but it does make you think what if? What if love was a disease that can be cured? It that good ? or bad? mmm.....

Rate: 4/5

 

Visit Lauren: [Website] [Blog]

Order Now!

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April Books of the Month

1st April - 30th April

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

There was a time when love was the most important thing in the world. People would go to the end of the earth to find it. They would tell lies for it. Even kill for it. Then, at last, they found the cure. Now, everything is different. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Haloway 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 then, with only ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Tally lives in a world where your sixteenth birthday brings aesthetic perfection: an operation which erases all your flaws, transforming you from an 'Ugly' into a 'Pretty'. She is on the eve of this important event, and cannot wait for her life to change. As well as guaranteeing supermodel looks, life as a Pretty seems to revolve around having a good time. But then she meets Shay, who is also fifteen - but with a very different outlook on life. Shay isn't sure she wants to be Pretty and plans to escape to a community in the forest - the Rusty Ruins - where Uglies go to escape ' turning'. Tally won't be persuaded to join her, as this would involve sacrificing everything she's ever wanted for a lot of uncertainty. When she is taken in for questioning on her birthday, however, Tally gets sent to the Ruins anyway - against her will. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she could ever imagine: find her friend Shay and turn her in, or never turn Pretty at all. What she discovers in the Ruins reveals that there is nothing 'pretty' about the transformations...And the choice Tally makes will change her world forever.

4

Wasteland (Kin Trilogy #1) by Patricia Williams

E-Book

Published:14th March 2011
Publisher: Smashwords.com
Genre: YA Sci-FI

Description:

Becca Wilkinson is a nobody, and those that are aware of her existence know her as "that quiet girl in the back of class", "loser", or her favorite- "that chick that killed all those people".

While most people at Leeville High have long forgotten Becca's role in the devastating car wreck that happened a year ago, she still has nightmares. Her memories are in fragments and what little she remembers doesn't make sense. Memories of hearing voices and moving things without touching them.

After the arrival of a mysterious stranger who claims they want to help, Becca will learn the truth about the accident...and herself

Review:

Let me just start with thanking the wonderful Patricia Williams for asking me to review this ebook. I had never heard of it before so when I read the description I knew I was going to at least like it. I didn't think I would fall head over heals in love with this superb Young Adult Sci-FI.

Wasteland follows Becca as she is trying to recover from a car accident that she caused a few month ago. She tries to stay invisible and just get through school. However, when the handsome and mysterious Luke starts at her school, her world will never be the same again.

Becca is one of those rare characters that you can like from start to finish. Some characters in books you can go off them throughout the story. However, with Becca she is just so likeable it hard not to like her. At the start of the story she is very shy and just wants to stay invisible but when she meets Luke she starts to come out of her shell and we see that she is a very strong teen who doesn't shy away from really hard and important tasks. Luke is introduced a little into the story (usually the Luke interest is there from the very start) Luke is very sweet, funny and quite complex. I really like the relationship that developed between Becca and Luke. Becca didn't like Luke at first and it not until about half way through that she realises she might. I thought it was clear that Luke liked Becca very early on.

The story is flows just perfectly. Its very quick read that will captivate you and leave you needing the next installement like yesterday. I read it over two nights. I would have finished in the first night. However, I kinda needed to sleep. lol.

So do I recommend that book? HELL YEAH! If you like Young Adult books that has an intense story and likeable characters then this is the book for you.

Rate: 5/5

Buy the Book via Smashwords




Visit Patricia's Site: Wasteland
Visit Patricia's Blog: triciatypes.blogspot.com  

The ebook I have still has the old cover and thats why I have added the old cover to my review. Here is the new Cover

I do like the new cover. However I still prefer the old one.

3

Cover Lover (22)

Matched (Matched #1)by Ally Condie 

In the Society, Officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die.

Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s barely any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one . . . until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow—between perfection and passion.

Crossed (Matched #2) by Ally Condie

1st Nov 2011

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky — taken by the Society to his certain death — only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia’s quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander — who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia’s heart — change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

I haven't read any Matched. Yet. I really wanted to but I am waiting until nearer the time of released of Crossed before I buy it. These covers are just sooo pretty and unique dont think I have seen anything out there that are anything like these covers. I like both covers. I don't think I can pick between them. Although I love the green dress. 

Order Matched


Pre-Order Crossed

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CLOSED: March Book Giveaway

0.4 by Mike Lancaster

It's a brave new world. 'My name is Kyle Straker. And I don't exist anymore.' So begins the story of Kyle Straker, recorded on to old audio tapes. You might think these tapes are a hoax. But perhaps they contain the history of a past world...If what the tapes say are true, it means that everything we think we know is a lie. And if everything we know is a lie does that mean that we are, too?

(see my review 0.4 )

To enter simply fill out form.
Book send via Book Depositary. Check the site to make sure they deliver to your country.
See HERE to check.

Closes 31st March

9

The Power of Six UK vs US

UK vs US

The Power of Six (Lorien Legacies #2)

by Pittacus Lore 

UK: 23 Aug 2011

US: 23 Aug 2011

Im not really crazy about this covers at all. I like the colours and thats about it. I will be waiting for the paperback edition for be released before I buy the book as I am the paperback I am number four.

Winner: NONE

What do you prefer?

1

Virals (Virals #1) by Kathy Reich

Pages: 454
Published: November 2nd 2010
Publisher: Arrow
Genre: YA Sci-Fi, Mystery

Description:

Tory Brennan, niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the Bones novels and hit TV show), is the leader of a ragtag band of teenage "sci-philes" who live on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina. When the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing on a nearby island, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever.

As the friends discover their heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes, they must combine their scientific curiosity with their newfound physical gifts to solve a cold-case murder that has suddenly become very hot if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer's scent.

Fortunately, they are now more than friends they're a pack. They are Virals

Review:

I want to thank Random House Publishing for sending me a paperback copy for review.

This was my first Kathy Reichs novel. I have seen the TV show Bones and I love it. However, I never really had an interest in the book. Until I was offered Virals for review. I read the decription and it sounded so interested and I jumped at the chance. And I wasn't disappointed.

Virals is about Tori (Temperance Brennans Neice) and her friends as the embark on a journey to solve a mystery cold case as well as revealing secrets that change their lives forever. At first I found the book hard to get into. I honestly don't know why. Sometimes book just don't grab from the start. However, about 50 pages in I was hooked.

Tori is such a breath of fresh of air to read about. Even though she is fourteen she was mature for her age and she didn't shy away  from the danger her and her friends encountered. In fact she was the one coming up with the crazy plans and wouldn't rest until the mystery was solved. She really does remind me of Temp from the TV Show.

Once I got into was very fast moving and very excited. I never know what was coming next. There is twists and turns, murder and mayhem. A great Young Adult Mystery with some Sci-Fi thrown into the mix. Looking forward to seeing where Kathy takes ouryoung Heroine and her buddies next.

Rate: 4/5

Kathy's Website: kathyreichs.comVirals Website: viralstheseries.com

  Pre-Order (UK)12th May 2011


Order Your Copy (US)

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