Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My Most Anticipated Book of the Coming Months:

    
    Title: Half Wild
    Author: Sally Green
    Publisher: Viking Juvenile
    To be Published: March 24th 2015
    Pages: 400
   

Goodreads Synopsis:

"You will have a powerful Gift, but it’s how you use it that will show you to be good or bad." 

In a modern-day England where two warring factions of witches live amongst humans, seventeen-year-old Nathan is an abomination, the illegitimate son of the world's most powerful and violent witch. Nathan is hunted from all sides: nowhere is safe and no one can be trusted. Now, Nathan has come into his own unique magical Gift, and he's on the run--but the Hunters are close behind, and they will stop at nothing until they have captured Nathan and destroyed his father.

Why I am eagerly anticipating Half Wild:

I absolutely LOVED the first book in this series, Half Bad. I haven't read Half Bad in a while but I remember loving how dark it was and the fact that the book focused on a male witch. It was quite different to other books I have read and the writing style was really enjoyable. I will be reading Half Bad soon and will hopefully have a review up for it, as I never reviewed it the first time I read it.

Have you read Half-Bad? What did you think about and will you be picking up Half Wild? What book are you must excited for?

Book Review: The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Title: The Retribution of Mara Dyer
Author: Michelle Hodkin
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: November 4th 2014
Pages: 470

Goodreads Synopsis:

Mara Dyer wants to believe there's more to the lies she’s been told. There is.

She doesn’t stop to think about where her quest for the truth might lead. She should.

She never had to imagine how far she would go for vengeance. She will now.

Loyalties are betrayed, guilt and innocence tangle, and fate and chance collide in this shocking conclusion to Mara Dyer’s story.

Retribution has arrived.

The third and final book in a trilogy is always my least favourite and this is still true for this series, however, it is probably one of my favourite final books, plot wise. I just love the story, its so unique and so different to the usual superhero stories. I never felt bored by the story as it was action packed throughout. However, I did have quite a few problems with this book, which really affected the rating I gave it. 

One problem I had with this book was the new P.O.V near the end of the book.For the majority of the book there is only one P.O.V. which is Mara's, however, towards the conclusion a second P.O.V. is incorporated, a male voice.  I found it really hard to differentiate between the two and kept having to go back to the start of each chapter to figure out which character was speaking. I wouldn't have had a problem with the new P.O.V. if it was effective, but I did not find the voice of the male character to be very believable as it was much too similar to Mara's. This was only a minor problem I had with the book and it didn't take too much from the story.

My main problem with this book, however, was the fact that this was not a satisfying conclusion. So many questions were left unanswered. For example, one character who was present for the majority of the book, just upped and left at one stage and there was no follow up or any other mention of the character. I don't understand the point of this character in the story. Why have this character the whole way through the story, have her dramatically leave, with no explanation of where she is going, and then not follow up on what happened her? I was sure that something awful would happen her but she just disappeared from the story as if Hodkin forgot all about her. The role of Abel Lukumi in this book was also questionable. There was some explanation of the Abel from Mara's grandmothers time but no real explanation as to what he was. He had no role at all in the present in this story except for a brief sighting by Mara. There were several hints to him but no real firm conclusion to his character. Everything felt a little unfinished. There was, also, no indication as to what the characters were going to do after the ending of the story. It was all left very open and I was sure there must be another book in the series only to find it this was only a trilogy.

While I did love the story I just wish everything was wrapped up a bit better. This book just left me with more questions than answers and that's why it received 3.5 stars.

I would still highly recommend this series as it is by far one of my favourites.

The Best Young Adult Books of 2013

As it is the last day of 2013 I decided today would be the perfect time to give a run down of the best young adult books I read in the year.

This list was going to be in order, then I realised I loved all these books so much that I couldn't possibly choose my favourite. So, let's begin.

BOOK ONE:

The first book on my list is the final book of the Infernal Devices Trilogy. I loved the story, loved the outcome and really enjoyed the series as a whole.

Title: Clockwork Princess
Author: Cassandra Clare
Published: March 19th 2013
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 570
Goodreads Synopsis: A net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. Mortmain plans to use his Infernal Devices, an army of pitiless automatons, to destroy the Shadowhunters. He needs only one last item to complete his plan: he needs Tessa Gray.

Charlotte Branwell, head of the London Institute, is desperate to find Mortmain before he strikes. But when Mortmain abducts Tessa, the boys who lay equal claim to her heart, Jem and Will, will do anything to save her. For though Tessa and Jem are now engaged, Will is as much in love with her as ever.

As those who love Tessa rally to rescue her from Mortmain’s clutches, Tessa realizes that the only person who can save her is herself. But can a single girl, even one who can command the power of angels, face down an entire army?

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment, and the tangled threads of love and loss intertwine as the Shadowhunters are pushed to the very brink of destruction in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.
BOOK TWO:

The next favourite read of 2013 was not one that expected to be on this list. I absolutely devoured this book. Loved the characters and the story line and Holly Black's twist on vampires.

Title: Coldest Girl in Coldtown
Author: Holly Black
Published: September 3rd 2013
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 419
Goodreads Synopsis: Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown’s gates, you can never leave.

One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is a wholly original story of rage and revenge, of guilt and horror, and of love and loathing from bestselling and acclaimed author Holly Black.

BOOK THREE:

This next book I actually only read recently even though it has been released since 2012. I was afraid to pick this book up as I am not a big fan of insta-love and everything about this book pointed to that. However, I did really enjoy this book. There were times when the love story was a bit overpowering for me but I enjoyed the story and loved the male protagonist Alex.

Title: Delirium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Published: February 7th 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 441
Goodreads Synopsis: Ninety-five days, and then I'll be safe. I wonder whether the procedure will hurt. I want to get it over with. It's hard to be patient. It's hard not to be afraid while I'm still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn't touched me yet. Still, I worry. They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness. The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't.

BOOK FOUR:

This was another book that I could not put down. I read this in nearly one sitting if I remember correctly. I love dystopian novels with kick-ass protagonists and this book is one such novel. I loved the character of Day, while not a huge fan of June. It was a fast paced novel full of twist and turns and plenty of drama, with a love story that didn't overshadow the plot.

Title: Legend
Author: Marie Lu
Published: November 29th 2011
Publisher: Putnum Juvenille
Pages: 320
Goodreads Synopsis: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem. 

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets. 

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills. 

BOOK FIVE:

When I first picked up this next book I was unsure about how I would feel about it. From reading the blurb I knew the book was narrated by death. At first I found it slightly confusing but as I read on I loved the narration style as it was so different from all the other books I have read. I am not an overly emotional person but this book had me sobbing. It was a beautiful and heart wrenching story that I recommend everyone to read.

Title: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusack
Published: March 14th 2006
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 552
Goodreads Synopsis: It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.

Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement. 

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

BOOK SIX:

This next book is another dystopian novel, with great characters and an excellent plot line. I have an in-depth review of the book which you can find here: http://theirishbookworm.blogspot.ie/



Title: Slated
Author: Teri Terry
Published: May 3rd 2012
Publisher: Orchard Books
Pages: 448
Goodreads Synopsis: Kyla’s memory has been erased,
her personality wiped blank,
her memories lost for ever.

She’s been Slated.

The government claims she was a terrorist and that they are giving her a second chance - as long as she plays by their rules. But echoes of the past whisper in Kyla’s mind. Someone is lying to her, and nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust in her search for the truth?


BOOK SEVEN:

The last but by no means least is The Darkest Minds. This was another book I devoured in about two sittings. It was action packed from the very beginning and the characters were realistic (ok, not the powers part, but in their actions). While this book had a little bit of a love story which is ok in my books, it wasn't the be all and end all. I really dislike books whose story line is the love story leaving no plot line and thankfully this was not one of those stories.

Title: The Darkest Minds
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Published: December 18th 2012
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Pages: 488
Goodreads Synopsis: When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.


Those were my seven favourite reads of 2013. What were your favourite books this year?

Book Haul - December 2013

Here are some of the books I have bought so far in December....

All of these books were bought in Chapters in Dublin, except for Graceling which was gifted to me by sister.

During my trip to Dublin I had to make a pit stop (or two) in Chapters bookstore. I had read reviews online about the store and just had to see it for myself. As someone who lives in a town with one teeny bookstore I was in heaven when I walked through the doors. The downstairs comprises of new books (lots and lots of new books), while upstairs contains a fairly large volume of secondhand books. My first stop was the secondhand books. I went straight to the young adult section where I managed to find a copy of Slated by Teri Terry in perfect condition for only 3.99:

This book tells the story of Kyla whose memory and personality has been wiped. Children under sixteen years of age who have been violent or involved in terrorist activities are sent to the hospital where their memories are wiped clean in order to give them a second chance to be a better citizen. However, everything is not what it seems and echoes of Kyla's past haunt her. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12743472-slated

The YA second hand section was not very large and this was the only book on my TBR that I found, and so, I retreated downstairs. Even though I bought the rest of the books in the "general", new book section I got all these books, except for The Final Empire, for discounted prices due to a sale that was on at the time. The best bargain I found in the YA section was this hardcover copy of The Diviners by Libba Bray for 4.99:

This book has been all over booktube and so I just had to pick it up. I am not too sure what the story details however I do know it is set in the 1920s in New York during the time of the speakeasies and so I just had to have it. You can find a description of the book and several reviews here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7728889-the-diviners?from_search=true

The next book I picked up was Forsaken by Jana Oliver (The first book in The Demon Trappers series). When I saw this for only 3.99 I had to get it of course. This was another book that was on my TBR list, mainly because the Goodreads book description reminded me of The Mortal Instruments series. 

This book is about Demons and of course "demon trappers". One such demon trapper being the protagonist 17 year old Riley. By the sounds of it (correct me if I am wrong) women are not usually allowed become demon trappers, however, due to the increasing numbers of demons in Riley's city she is welcomed into the guild. Find more info about this book here:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8534899-forsaken?from_search=true

One of my favourite purchases of this book haul was The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson:

Regan from Peruse Project (find her videos here http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy6Qlkv2hif7KPtmMmNUGUw) raved about this book and mentioned it recently in one of her book hauls. It is the first book in the Mistborn series. This book basically follows the story of what happens when evil triumphs good. The immortal Lord Ruler has oppressively ruled over the land for the past thousand years...and so the story begins. Find a far better overview of this book here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68428.Mistborn?from_search=true

Can I first just say how ugly this cover is? Never judge a book by the cover they say but with a name like "Dark Lover" and a review from "Vampire Genre" saying "these vampires are hot"....it was very difficult for me to buy this book. However, it was in my TBR and happened to be 4.99 so here it is:

All I know about this book is that it is about vampires and that it has a really high rating on Goodreads (4.24) hence why I bought it! Find a detailed synopsis here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42899.Dark_Lover?from_search=true

This next book is either loved or hated in the booktube community. The premise of the book sounded interesting and so for 4.99 I said why not pick it up:

In this world, at the age of sixteen everyone has an operation that turns you from an "ugly" into a "pretty" and from there on out the only job you have is to look pretty. Sounds good right? Well not for everyone. The protagonist's friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. Shay would rather live life on the outside and remain an "ugly". The protagonist learns about the harsh realities of the "pretty" world when Shay runs away, and the authorities tell her: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. Read the reviews here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24770.Uglies?from_search=true

This is another book I picked up after watching one of Regan's hauls:

I know very little about this book except that it is set in Russia (awesome) and involves magic (again, awesome). Find a far more detailed synopsis here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10194157-shadow-and-bone?from_search=true

Please excuse the following photo, for some reason this photo just would not upload correctly. This book was in my Goodreads TBR-but not right away list. However, I picked it up anyway as it was only 3.99 - How could I say no?

I know next to nothing about this book so here is Goodreads description: "While the other girls in the walled city-state of Baalboden learn to sew and dance, Rachel Adams learns to track and hunt. While they bend like reeds to the will of their male Protectors, she uses hers for sparring practice. When Rachel's father fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the city's brutal Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector: her father's apprentice, Logan—the boy she declared her love to and who turned her down two years before. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father's survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can't be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making. (qtd. by Goodreads.com)"

This last book I received as a gift for my birthday from my little sister (again, this was on my TBR):

In this world there are Gracelings who have special skills. The protagonist Katsa, is a Graceling whose special skill is her ability to kill with her bare hands....and that's about all I know about this one. As always here is the link to the book's Goodreads profile:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3236307-graceling?from_search=true

They are all my books that I have gotten so far this month. I just recently placed an order with the Book Depository (find them here http://www.bookdepository.com/). I don't expect to receive these until after Christmas so I should have another haul up around then.

Nollaig shona duit (Happy Christmas)

November Wrap-Up 2013

Hey guys. This is going to be a really quick overview of the books I read this month. I will be reviewing a few of the books in further detail. This month was a good reading month for me. I read a total of ten books. 

The first book I read was Divergent by Veronica Roth. 

Pros: Quick and easy read with plenty of drama. 

Cons: Irritating female protagonist, run of the mill young adult romance. 

Overall Rating: 3.5 Stars

Recommend: Yes.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13335037-divergent?from_search=true

The next book I read was the Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.

Pros: The female protagonist's humor, Christian

Cons: The love stories between the main characters, and some very irritating characters, namely Dimitri and  Lissa

Overall Rating: 3.5

Recommend: Yes. Mainly because I heard the second book is better, and the film will be released soon.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/345627.Vampire_Academy?from_search=true




Next book: Insurgent by Veronica Roth, the sequel to Divergent.

Pros: Again a quick read, mildly interesting, more world building

Cons: The "heroine" spends the entirety of the novel worrying about a boy and their relationship....

Overall: 3.5 stars

Recommend: Honestly, no. Especially when I know how terrible the third book in the series is.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11735983-insurgent?ac=1

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusack

Pros: The relationships between the characters, the story, EVERYTHING
Cons: Honestly, I loved this book so much I can not pick one.
Overall Rating: 5 stars
Recommend: 100 times YES!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19063.The_Book_Thief?ac=1




Prodigy by Marie Lu

Pros: The male protagonist, such an entertaining story
Cons: The Female protagonist
Overall Rating: 5 stars.
Recommend: Yes. This is the second book in the legend triology and each book is just as entertaining as the next.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13414446-prodigy?from_search=true




Wither by Lauren Destefano

Pros: Interesting dystopian story, female protaganist
Cons: The relationship between Rhine and Linden
Overall Rating: 4 stars
Recommend: Yes. I didn't rush out to buy the two other books in the trilogy but all in all it was an interesting read.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8525590-wither?from_search=true




The Selection by Kiera Cass

Pros: Aspen
Cons: Pathetic female protagonist, relationship between female protagonist and Prince Maxon, fluffy, girly, ridiculous
Overall Rating: 2 stars.
Recommend: No. Unless you enjoy girly books with little story and annoying, bratty girls who get what they want.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10507293-the-selection?from_search=true



A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrochers

Pros: None.
Cons: The characters, the lack of story, everything.
Overall Rating: 2 stars.
Recommend: No.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17786125-a-little-too-far?from_search=true





The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Pros: Everything. This was one of my favourite reads this month. I invested a great deal in the characters, vying for them from the off. The romance wasn't overbearing and the story was fast paced and interesting throughout the whole book.
Cons: None.
Overall Rating: 5 stars.
Recommend: Yes. I will be picking up the second book in the trilogy, Never Fade.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10576365-the-darkest-minds?from_search=true

My favourite book of the month was: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

Pros: My favourite aspect to this book was the female character Tana. She was extremely badass without being unrealistically so. The romance in the story again was not over powering and there were many different characters and relationships including gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgender which is thoroughly refreshing in a book.

Cons: That it is a stand-alone book.

Overall Rating: 5 stars.

Recommend: Yes.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12813630-the-coldest-girl-in-coldtown?from_search=true