Book Review - Oriana's Eyes

Title: Oriana's Eyes
Author: Celeste Simone
Series: Great Oak Trilogy (book 1)
Publisher: iUniverse
Release Date: 24 Feb 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1440187247

Synopsis
As a pure-blood Winglet, Oriana isn't supposed to look at a half-blood much less speak to one. Half-bloods are the lowest of all races at Odon's University, because they are half Winglet and half Finlet. But when a half-blood, Dorian, locks eyes with her in the hallway, Oriana can't help but be intrigued by his daring nature. After sneaking out to the garden in the middle of the night to talk to him, Oriana knows she can't let her feelings go. She fears not following Odon's rules, but the more she sees Dorian the more she wants to break them all. When Oriana's idea of perfection crumbles she seeks a way out of the imprisoning University that threatens not only her happiness, but her very life. Dorian promises he has a plan to take her far away, but Oriana doubts they can escape Odon's all-seeing eye. Oriana isn't sure what she fears more, being stuck in the University or finding out what lies beyond its walls. 


My Review
I was sent a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Oriana is a pure-blood, a Winglet and lives in the University, a place of white walls, structure and order. Everyone learns to follows Odon's rules, to stay quiet and focused. But Oriana is different, she has never really believed in Odon's rules, so when a half-blood (Dorian) smiles at her, instead of reporting him, she meets him in the gardens after dark. He introduces her to a new way of life, and although scared of breaking the rules, she feels a pull towards another life.
I got into this book really quickly, the structure sounds complicated with pure bloods, half bloods, part bloods, winglets and finlets, but it is well explained and easily structured so I had no problem keeping up.
The world of the university created a vivid image in my head, It was cold and scary and sent chills up my spine. The world of the Great Oak however was like coming home, again I could picture every branch, ladder and field along with the characters. It created the image of a beautiful fortress built within the trees that I would love to visit. It sounded so magical and I loved being swept away. 
Oriana is a great character and I felt like I was going on the journey of discovery with her. She isn't the stuck up rebel, she isn't the little lost girl, she comes across as a real person, finding out who she is and growing as a person. She laughs, she cries, she feels lost and makes friends. She makes mistakes and fights for what she believes in, she is very well written and is very realistic. 
I love Dorian, slightly mysterious at first but fiercely loyal. Complex, good looking, strong and smart, but prone to rash behaviour he also seems very 3D. 
Azura is my favourite character - she is sassy, smart and not afraid to speak her mind. Hard to break the ice with, but once you're in, she looks out for you and sticks with you.
The story is fast paced, packed with action, but also deals with the background of the world and characters making it feel more believable. 
At one point I thought the bad guy gave up a little too easily and I was disappointed, but then something else happened and the situation was explained more and I felt like it worked. 
I'm glad I accepted this book and will be looking out for the next part.
A cross between Dystopian and Fantasy, this book will take your breath away.


My Rating
I would give this book 9.5/10 - captivating and exciting, this book will take you into a whole new world and sweep you off your feet. 

Beth Revis Across The Universe Giveaway

Beth Revis, author of best selling novel 'Across The Universe' is hosting an awesome August Giveaway. It's a creative contest.

The idea is that you create something based on the book, whether it be a t-shirt, write a song, paint a picture etc.
The prizes are awesome and her books are too, so I couldn't resist. However I am not that creative, well I am but my problem is I can think up loads of great ideas but they never come out right.

So I decided to make the best of what I have. Working in a library has it's advantages as I have resources available to use and display boards to fill.

I am in charge of the Teen Section and I have a display board that I try to change every few weeks/once a month and it was due for a change so I thought why not do a display dedicated totally to Beth Revis.
Here is what I did:

That is the finished product! I was quite happy with how it turned out.
The board was smaller than I remembered so i couldn't get on as much as I wanted, but I created all the lettering on the computer, chose colours then printed. I then cut out each individual letter.

I downloaded a book cover and blurb and cut them out. And a picture of the author herself (you can just see it in the middle of her name).

I then searched for a picture of 'Godspeed' the Spaceship from the book and a summary of what the ship does.

I have requested 8 copies of the book so people can take it out and enjoy it. 3 have arrived as you can see on the shelves.

In what is a limited space in the library anyway it actually stands out quite nicely and I'm hoping all the copies will fly off the shelves.

So what do you think?

Check out Beth Revis' blog for more info about the book and for fun posts and tips on writing.

Book Blogger Hop: August 12-15th & FF (30) & TGIF (13)

 
 Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy-for-Books and is an awesome way to for book bloggers to interact and find each other. Such a wonderful idea! There's a new question every week that all the participating blogs have to answer.

This week's question is:
“Let’s talk crazy book titles! Highlight one or two (or as many as you like!) titles in your personal collection that have the most interesting titles! If you can’t find any, feel free to find one on the internet!”

My Answer: I don't seem to have many strange or interesting titles in my collection. However, working in a library I come across all sorts of strange titles. Here are some of the ones that made me either laugh or go 'What?!?!':

- The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat by Oliver Sacks  ( WTF? You what?)
- How Much Poo Does An Elephant Do? (Why would you want to know that?)
- The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse by Robert Rankin (LOL love it!)
- Cows In Action: The Moo-lympic Games by Steve Cole (there's a whole series with similar titles, so random!)


There are probably loads more, but that's all I can think of at the moment.




Follow Friday

Follow Friday is an opportunity to discover and follow other book related blogs! Want to join? Check it out atParajunkee.

This week's question feature is from Steph Likes Books

Q. How has your reading habits changed since you were a teen? or If you are still a teen what new genres are you in love with currently? 

 

My Answer: I read a lot more now than I did as a teen, but that's mainly because I don't have coursework or homework to do instead. Also I went through a faze as a teen where I would have 3 books on the go at once, one for school breaks, one for bedside reading and one to carry round with me. I am more focused now and try to stick to one at a time, I actually get through them quicker this way. Although technically I have started having two on the go as I have one physical book (hardback/paperback) and one that I'm reading on my computer as PDF's for reviews.

TGIF!

This meme is hosted by GReads!

This Friday's Question:

Author Block Party: 

If you could gather a handful of authors to hang out with, 

who would you choose?

 

My Answer: This would be the biggest party in the world! A block party, I'd take over the streets. Here is my list of invites (in no particular order):

 

- Maggie Stiefvater

- Suzanne Collins

- Rachel Caine

- Derek Landy

- Alexander Gordon Smith

- J.K Rowling

- Lemony Snicket

- Garth Nix

- Aprilynne Pike

- Sarah Ockler

- Y S Lee

- Cecelia Ahern

- Steve Feasey

- Meg Cabot

- Ally Condie

- Beth Revis

- Veronica Roth

- Alison Croggon

- Kate Constable

- Louise Rennison

- Christopher Paolini

- Malorie Blackman

- Michelle Paver

- Alyson Noel

- Joseph Delaney

Again there are probably more, but that's enough to get the party started don't you think? :D

 

 

Happy Hopping, have a great weekend everyone!!! 

 

 

Don't forget to enter my Blogoversary Giveaway Ends Tuesday 16th August. International

Book Review - My Name Is Memory

Title: My Name Is Memory
Author: Ann Brashares
Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks
Release Date: 20 Jan 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0340953518

Synopsis

Daniel has spent centuries falling in love with the same girl. Life after life, crossing continents and dynasties, he and Sophia (despite her changing name and form) have been drawn together-and he remembers it all. For all the times that he and Sophia have been connected throughout history, they have also been torn painfully, fatally, apart.
But just when Sophia (now "Lucy" in the present) finally awakens to the secret of their shared past, the mysterious force that has always separated them reappears. Ultimately, they must come to understand what stands in the way of their love if they are ever to spend a lifetime together.

This review may contain spoilers!

My Review
I was looking for a book for a customer on the shelves at the library when I saw this. The cover grabbed me and I am a fan of Ann Brashares (from her Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants books) so I picked it up for a closer look.
The book sounded good, a bit of a cross between 'Fallen' by Lauren Kate and 'Everlasting' by Alyson Noel. As I like both of those books I thought it was worth a shot. It looked like it was going to be a good book.
The book for me started off quite slow. It is split between two perspectives - Daniel and Lucy's.
Lucy's is narrated from the present time. She sees Daniel at school - he is the good looking mysterious stranger that she is drawn to but never gets to speak to. They have one night (prom night) where they meet for real and get talking. Daniel tells her that she is the next reincarnation of a soul he fell in love with thousands of years ago - the same soul he meets in each life time and falls in love with. Thinking he is crazy she runs. The story then continues on through her life - college etc, but Daniel is still always on her mind and she starts to find out extraordinary things about him.
Daniel's chapters start right back to his 'first life' in something like 520 AD. Each chapter goes through one of his lives - briefly where and when he was born - what sort of family/lifestyle and how he meets and falls in love with 'Sophia'. (her first name sticks with him throughout)
I did find the past lives quite interesting and I liked the wide range of lifestyles and traumas they suffer once more keeping them apart.
I did find myself getting into the story and then I realized I couldn't put it down because I had to know what would happen to these two. Could they ever really be together or would something keep them apart again. I was starting to really enjoy it and was glad I had picked it up. I even told my friend that she should read it when I was done. I had completely got into it and loved it.
The book then got very exciting around page 300 and I couldn't put it down. I was desperate to finish so I could find out what happened. I completely got lost in it. 
That's when the magic disappeared. About 3 chapters from the end It kind of washes out. After reading 400 pages I expected a good solid ending, but what we are left with is very open with no real closure at all. After falling so fast into the book and really getting into it, I just felt let down. 
Up to that point I would have marked it 9/10, but the ending ruined it for me. It really did feel like the whole book led up to this moment and then just stopped. Left me feeling really unsatisfied and frustrated.


My Rating
I would give this book 6.5/10 - promising start, good story idea, great back-ground research but the ending is a let down. disappointing. 
The actual story is worth reading, just bear in mind it doesn't have closure! But still worth giving it a go.
 

1 Year Blogoversary Giveaway & Teaser Tuesday

 Grab a slice of cake, boogie round the kitchen and celebrate! 

At least that's what I'm doing. My blog is 1 year old today. :D

I would like to thank all of my followers for your continued support. I wouldn't be where I am today without your support and I am truly grateful. 
It doesn't seem like that long since I set up my little blog, clueless as to how it worked but passionate about books. Eager to share my love of books with the world. The blogging community has become like an extended family. Everyone is so friendly and there is always help on offer. Now a year on, my blog is going strong, I have made some good friends, and read loads of great books. I'm still not totally sure how it all works, but I'm getting there. LOL 

So to say thank you for all your support, I am holding a Blogoversary Giveaway.

Up for grabs is a choice of some of my tops read from this year.

- Wild (Illusions) by Aprilynne Pike
- Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
- The Agency: A Spy In The House by Y S Lee
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- Hereafter by Tara Hudson
- Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
- Divergent by Veronica Roth
- Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

ONE winner will be able to choose ONE book from the options above.

If I cross 500 followers before the end of the Giveaway I will add a second winner!

So how to enter?

To enter put your details in the Linky List below, that's it, simple as that.

Here are the rules: 

1) Competition opens Tuesday 9th August
2) Competition closes on Tuesday 16th August Midnight GMT
3) Enter your Name, E-mail and Blog Link in the Linky List Below (email will be hidden)
-If you do not have a blog, link to your twitter or Facebook account instead.
4) You Must be a Follower to enter!
5) One Name will be selected at random from the list.
6) Contest open wherever the Book Depository ship :D
7) Winners will be contacted by e-mail
8) Winners will have 3 days to reply or another winner will be selected.

Spread the word and have fun. :)

Spreading the word will not give extra entries but is highly appreciated. :D

Good luck to everyone.


Teaser Tuesday

TEAser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, just do as following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include any spoilers so as not to ruin the book for others!

Make sure to share the title and the author so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR piles!

My Teasers: My Name Is Memory by Ann Brashares

- 'Looking back, even from this great distance, I don't think I could have done anything else.'

Page 91

- 'I hope I'm wrong,' Ben said, and his eyes were compassionate. 'But I think he remembers.'

Page 130


What are your teasers?

Summer Giveaway Hop Winner Announced!

So my Summer Giveaway Hop has come to an end and I would like to thank all of you who entered.
I had 75 entries in total, so thanks everyone.

So let's get on with it and announce the winner.

The winner was picked using Random.Org number generator.

The lucky number picked was:

 This means the Winner is  

Dani @ Refracted Light
 

Dani has been emailed and has 3 days to respond. Big Congrats and Thanks go to  Dani

She has won these :

For those of you who didn't win or missed it entirely don't worry there will be more Giveaways soon so check back for more chances to win.

It is my 1 year blogoversary tomorrow so Am planning on doing something for that. :D

Thanks to everyone who entered.

Happy Blogging. :D

Book Review - Shimmer

Title: Shimmer
Author: Alyson Noel
Series: Riley Bloom (book 2)
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Release Date: 15th March 2011
ISBN: 9780330530385

Synopsis
Having solved the matter of the Radiant Boy, Riley, Buttercup, and Bodhi are enjoying a well-deserved vacation. When Riley comes across a young ghost named Rebecca, Riley soon learns Rebecca's not at all what she sees. The daughter of a former plantation owner, she is furious about being murdered during a slave revolt in 1733. Mired in her own anger, Rebecca is keeping the ghosts who died along with her trapped in their worst memories. Can Riley help Rebecca without losing herself to her own nightmarish memories? 


My Review
As you may know I am a fan of Alyson Noel and so couldn't resist getting a copy of her newest book. Having finished the 'Immortals' series I was eager to get back into the her writing and so grabbed Riley Bloom. I liked Riley in 'Evermore' and enjoyed book 1 'Radiance' in this series. 
Riley is 12 (eternally) she died in a car crash with her parents and after hanging around the earth plane for a while with Ever, she moved on. Now in the 'here and now' she has a job. She is a 'Soul-catcher'. Her job is to persuade other ghosts and spirits to move on.
In book 1 she tackled a group of ghosts that no one else could handle. Now she is basking in her glow (literally - ghosts glow when they complete a goal - do something good). Sent for a short vacation with her spirit guide Bodhi they head for the beach, but whilst there Riley meets a young girl named Rebecca. Rebecca is also a ghost, and although she may looked sweet and innocent, she packs one hell of a punch. She has some ghostly skills that test Riley's determination, strength and courage.
Again I loved the original idea of this and was curious as to how it would all turn out.
Bodhi is again his cautious self, and the pair still seem to fight about everything. But I love his reasoning and determination.
Riley is quite stubborn and quick to judge, but you see her develop as a character and mature a bit in this book. Although still blatantly disregarding the rules, she does things for the best.
Rebecca sent chills down my spine and her world of anger sounded like something from my worse nightmares! I could picture it all, the good and bad. These books will literally take you to another world.
This book is quite short at only 176 pages so was great for a lazy Sunday morning read. I'm looking forward to book three. 


My Rating
I would give this book 8/10 a lovely, captivating quick read.

Quote Love (20)

Quote Love is a new meme hosted by 'Midnight Twilight'. It's kind of like Teaser Tuesday from Should Be Reading, but with this one you can choose any quote from any book, not just the one you're currently reading. The quote can be thought provoking, or funny, or just really powerful, it's all up to you which kind of quote you choose.


Here is what you have to do to participate:
1) Choose one of your favorite quotes.
2) Post the quote, and write what you like about it.
3) Make sure to put the title and author so if someone else likes the quote they can check out the book.
4) Post your link on Midnight Twilight's Post.

So here is my quote for the week:

Besides, it isn’t in my nature to go down without a fight, even when things seem insurmountable. (from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins)

I'm not going to go on about all the things that could be troublelling me. There are a few, but I decided that I will not back down or let them overwhelm me. I will pull myself and those around me up and tackle things head on. And so far it is mostly working.
Always an optimist anyway, this is my natural reaction to life anyway, this quote just reinforces it.


Enjoy your weekend!

Don't forget to enter my Summer Giveaway Hop - closes tomorrow (7th August) International. 

Book Review - Eleventh Grade Burns

Title: Eleventh Grade Burns
Author: Heather Brewer
Series: Chronicles of Vladimir Tod (book 4)
Publisher: Speak
Release Date: 10 Aug 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0142416471

Synopsis
It’s another awful year at Bathory High for Vladimir Tod. Joss, a professional vampire slayer and Vlad’s former friend, has moved back to town. The powerful vampire Dorian has an overwhelming desire to drink Vlad’s blood. And his archenemy, D’Ablo, has brought Vlad’s Uncle Otis to trial for crimes against vampires. So much for dating.

My Review
I don't know what it is about these books but I am drawn to them. This one came in the library as a new book on Friday and I grabbed it and brought it home. I really enjoyed book 3 so was looking forward to this one.
Vlad is now 16, he has survived deadly battles, heartbreak, exams and broken friendships and things are only going to get more difficult.
Otis is being trialed for crimes against vampires and everyone is convinced it's a death sentence. Vlad is trying to get over his breakup with gorgeous girl Meredith whilst figthing his growing feelings for Snow. Not only that but Joss is returning and is out to finish the job.
Vlad has matured very well and is more willing to step up for his actions in this one - but still true to typical teenager - has his sulking moments and break down moments. You really get a feeling of connection with him. He is adorable and honest, and trying to do what is right.
I love Otis - i think he is my favourite character. Ever mysterious yet loving and supporting. 
We also meet a new character - Dorian a strong vampire with special abilities and a strange thirst for vampire blood. He is scary yet strangely alluring. 
The plot in this one is very good and fast paced, full of action and gives you an insight into the life and backgrounds of this story.
It ends with a real 'OMG!' moment and I can't wait to grab the next one. Sadly it's not available in the library so I will have to try to order it somewhere which will take me longer.
The series gets stronger as it goes on and at the back of this book, the author hints at a series or at least a book told from Joss' side of the story. This would be awesome!

My Rating
I would give this book 9/10 action packed and spine tingling. A must read!  
  

Book Review - Pastworld

Title: Pastworld
Author: Ian Beck
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Release Date: 5 July 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1408802267

Synopsis
Pastworld is the greatest theme park ever devised. London - the real London - transformed into a living, breathing recreation of the Victorian era.
To Eve, a lifelong resident of Pastworld, horse-drawn carriages and gas lamps are modern technology. Eve doesn't even know she's living in a simulation - until she is forced to flee the only home she's ever known, and to confront the truth about her city and herself.
To Caleb, a tourist visiting Pastworld, the theme park is the perfect antidote to the stifling conformity and regulation of 2048. The gritty wildness of the past is thrilling - until he finds himself at the scene of a murder, holding the knife, and suddenly becomes a fugitive from an antiquated justice system.
And in the midst of it all, in the thick London fog, a dark and deadly figure prowls, claiming victim after victim. He's the Fantom, a creature both of the past and of the future, in whose dark purpose Caleb and Eve will find their destinies combined 


My Review
I run a teen book group at the library and they were getting bored of all the vampire/werewolf/paranormal romance thing. So when I spotted this book I thought they should try it.
They read it and returned it the next month and the majority of the group really liked it. One of the girls (whom I share similar tastes in books with) told me I should read it, so I saved a copy to read.
To be honest I wasn't particularly looking forward to it, the plot sounded very strange and a bit nonsensical. But I decided to give it a fair try and sat down with it.
I was immediately hooked into this world, You meet Eve - a young, dazzling girl who has grown up with her carer Jack, she goes everywhere with him and is not allowed out on her own. As she gets older she wants more freedom, but Jack refuses to let her out on her own. He says there is danger out on the streets, danger that will be attracted to Eve in seconds.
When a visitor comes to the house, Eve discovers that Jack is in grave danger because of her being there, and so decides to run away to protect him.
What she doesn't realize is that the world she lives in isn't real. The book is actually set in 2048 and this part of the world is a giant theme park. Set up to look like Victorian London, as people moved in and became a part of 'authentic Victorian life' it seemed so real. 
When Caleb and his father travel to 'Pastworld' they run into danger, Caleb's father is kidnapped and Caleb is accused of murder, he goes on the run and meets up with Eve.
They also both cross paths with Bible J - a street thief with powerful connections.
There is also the 'Fantom' a mysterious man, based on Jack the Ripper, who becomes more real than they could ever imagine - when dead bodies show up people start to panic.
Together Eve, Bible J and Caleb must work to stop Fantom before he kills too many.
I was hooked into the story and could see it all in my mind. The characters had so much life and depth that I felt like I had known them for years. 
There was mystery, intrigue, a light love story, adventure, and a great new story.
The writing is very easy to read and  flows well. It divides between extracts from Eve's journal to scenes with the police as they try to catch the Fantom, to the Fantom himself and to Bible J and his adventures, this works really well and gives you a whole over-view of the goings on and makes you feel like you are more involved in the story.
I really enjoyed this book, way more than I ever thought I would. I love the idea of a Giant Theme Park - recreating a slice of the past in today's world - very clever. - the only thing I would say though is that it has some quite graphic violence in it - not to be read whilst eating your lunch (put me right off my sandwich) so maybe for older teens and adults only.


My Rating
I would give this book 8.5/10 - breath-taking, a book that will take you into a whole other world. Fascinating, well researched and totally gripping.