Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Series: The Wolves of Mercy Falls, Book One

Publisher: Scholastic

Format: Paperback

Published: 5^th October 2009

Number of Pages: 448

Book: Bought

Genre: Paranormal, Dark Romance, Urban Fantasy, Magic, Action, YA

Recommended Age: 12+

Contains: Violence, Mild Swearing

No Alcohol, Drug References

Author's Blog: Maggie Stiefvater

“The pack circled around me, tongues and teeth and growls.”

When a local boy is killed by wolves, Grace’s small town becomes a place of fear and suspicion.  But Grace can’t help being fascinated by the pack, and be one yellow-eyes wolf in particular.  There’s something about him – something almost human.

Then she meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away…

A chilling love story that will have you hooked from the very first page.

Review:

Grace was attacked by wolves as a child.  One saved her.  The wolf with the yellow eyes.  She found herself obsessed with the pack after her attack, obsessed with her yellow-eyed wolf.  And he seems obsessed too.  He watches her from the woods, all winter long.  Only, now a boy has been killed, and the town is out for the wolves’ blood.  Knowing she has to find a way to save them, Grace hurries home.  And finds an injured boy in her kitchen.  A boy with yellow eyes… 

But is love enough to keep the cold away…?

I picked up this book, expecting it to be like all the other werewolf, dark romances out there.  God, was I wrong.  Shiver was amazing, unlike anything I’d read before.  The plot, the characters, the world…  I just fell in love.  I was addicted, from start to finish.  And I was left desperate for more.

Grace was a brilliant main character: strong, brave and sweet.  She was obsessed with the wolves, and she knew that there was more to them.  She never gave up on her wolves.  I loved her for that.  And for her reaction to Sam…  Plus, I felt so sorry for her: her parents were never there, and she couldn’t think of a way to make them love her.  But them not being there made her so strong and independent, which were two of her best qualities. 

Sam was amazing.  He was a werewolf and he loved Grace so, so much.  He was just such a sweetheart and incredibly strong.  My own heart honestly ached for him, and everything he’d gone through.  All he longed for was to be human – he wanted him life back, his family.  I loved him.  And I loved that he had an egg fixation as a kid.  And, God, he was so, so romantic and very artistic.

Grace and Sam’s relationship was wonderful and completely believable.  It also had to be the sweetest thing ever.  They knew one another.  Sam watched Grace in wolf-form, protecting her.  Grace knew that he would never hurt her, that he would die for her.  Sure, it wasn’t a traditional start to a relationship.  But it was perfect and truly beautiful.  They were both so adorably obsessed with one another!  And so funny.  And so cute.  Sam the “delicate flower” to Grace’s “stoic” personality!

Even better: the ‘supporting characters’ were just as amazing!  Grace’s best friend, Rachel, was wonderfully hyper, and took to calling Sam “The Boy”: she was awesome!  Isabelle was kind of mean, lost and sarcastically funny; a character you start of not liking, but slowly change your mind about.  I could go on, but that might bore you all.

The mythology in this book was incredible, unlike anything I’d ever read about before.  The detail stunned me, the new facts stuck in my head and still haven’t left.  I’ve never read anything like Shiver before, and shudder to think how much thought and time must have gone into the details.  But the work paid off!  The mythology was what truly made this book stand out from the crowd.

What helped, also, was the writing.  The wonderful, wonderful writing.  It was breathtakingly beautiful, yet also insanely simple and fun to read.  Plus, it had my favorite narrative: dual POVs!  Having both Sam and Grace talk gave me a full insight into both their worlds.

Now.  I have read many a wolf books.  But this one was special.  Because, while I read, everything else just dropped away.  I felt the love, the sadness, the pain, the heartache.  I felt everything.  I could feel the wolf’s coat, the breath on my neck, the cold…  How many books can do that?

If you hadn’t gathered, I adored Shiver.  I did so many things whilst reading: laugh, grin, jump, smile at the sweetness, and I cried.  I loved the mythology, the romance, the friendship: everything.  I fell in love with Maggie’s writing.  I was left desperate for more.  Wild for more.   I’m just thankful I have Linger, ‘cause otherwise I’d be fearful for my mental health.

Star Rating:
4¾ Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

Finding Sky by Joss Stirling

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Challenges It's Taking Part In:

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Book Chick City)

Off the Shelf Challenge (Hosted by BA Reading Challenges)

Happy Reading

Megan

On My Wishlist (#15)

On My Wishlist is an awesome weekly meme hosted by Book Chick City that runs every Saturday.  It's a place where you can put up all the books you're desperate to read, but haven't actually bought them yet.  They can be old, new or forthcoming.    And, even better, everyone can join in with too, because there's a Mr Linky so you can put your post up.  All you have to do is click on the link below:

This has been done in kind of a rush, so it's only One Book long.  Then again, one's better than I've done in weeks!

Forbidden

By: Tabitha Suzuma

Published: 1st May 2011

Published By: Macmillan Children's Books

Found: On Amazon

Synopsis From Goodreads

She is pretty and talented - sweet sixteen and never been kissed. He is seventeen; gorgeous and on the brink of a bright future. And now they have fallen in love. But... they are brother and sister.

Now.  This is, obviously, a very controversial theme.  But from what I can gather from the reviews I've read:  It's amazing, and completely turns "right" and "wrong" on their heads.  Plus, it seems to be a very Jenny Downham type book, who is one of my favourite author.  Therefore, I really, really want to read it. 

That is my lonely wishlist.  I'll have to get my act together! ;)

What's on your wishlist this week?

 

Waiting on Wednesday (#23)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, and it's a weekly meme all about the books that are coming out soon that we really can't wait to read.

 

What I'm waiting for this week is easy-peasey.  All Out-In-2012 books.  And they are...

 

Dead To You

Author: Lisa McMann

Published: 7th February 2012

Published By: Simon Pulse

Found: On Goodreads: Young Adult Novels Of 2012

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It's a miracle... at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn't going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he'd be able to put the pieces back together. But there's something that's keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable...

Tell me that doesn't sounds drop-dead amazing!  And isn't the cover just goreous??

 

 

The Wood Queen

Series:The Iron Witch, Book Two

Author: Karen Mahoney

Published: 2nd February 2012

Published By: Corgi

Found: On Goodreads: Young Adult Novels Of 2012

Synopsis On Goodreads

I think the UK cover is different, but I love this one!  I adored The Iron Witch, so I can't wait to see where this story goes!

 

 

Gone, Gone, Gone

Author: Hannah Moskowitz

Published: 17th April 2012

Published By: Simon Pulse

Found: On Goodreads: Young Adult Novels Of 2012

Synopsis From Goodreads:

It's a year after 9/11. Sniper shootings throughout the D.C. area have everyone on edge, trying to make sense of the random acts of violence. Meanwhile, Craig and Lio are just trying to make sense of their lives.
Craig's crushing on quiet, distant Lio, and preoccupied with what it meant when Lio kissed him...and if he'll do it again...and if kissing Lio will help him finally get over his ex-boyfriend, Cody.
Lio feels most alive when he's with Craig. He forgets about his broken family, his dead brother, and the messed up world. But being with Craig means being vulnerable, and Lio will have to decide whether love is worth the risk. This, in my opinion, sounds absolutely incredible. 

 

Well, that's what I'm a-waitin' for.

 

What are you waiting for this week?

Flawless by Lara Chapman

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Format: Paperback

Published: 3^rd May 2011

Number of Pages: 272

Book: For Review from Bloomsbury*

Genre: Real-to-Life Fiction, Romance, Comedy, Contempory, YA

Recommended Age: 11+

Contains: Mild Swearwords

No Alcohol, Drug References

 

Sarah Burke’s life is about to get complicated.  She’s agreed to help her gorgeous best friend, Kristen, catch the eye of the hot new guy at school, only to discover that he’s actually perfect for her!  And to make matters worse, Sarah’s convinced that the guy of her dreams won’t be able to see past her unusually large nose.

Misguided matchmaking, hilarious escapades and genuine romance result in this sensational high school romcom.

Review:

Sarah has just met the perfect guy for her.  Smart, articulate, gorgeous: he’s everything she’s ever wanted and more.  But she’s agreed to help her best friend, Kristen, get him.  Sarah wasn’t expecting the scheme to go so far.  Is she willing to sacrifice everything – her own happiness, her future guy, her morals – for her best friend’s happiness?  For loyalty?

I loved this book so much!  The writing was incredible, funny yet clever.  It tackled some tricky teen issues – accepting your faults, morals – but in a light way that was completely enjoyable.  It was such a brilliant book of love, loyalty and mismatched relationships.  It was touching, even as it made me grin.  I just absolutely loved Flawless!  I can’t wait to see what Lara Chapman writes next – I have a feeling it will be amazing!

Sarah Burke was wonderful, absolutely awesome.  She had a big nose, but she tolerated it.  And when other people made fun of her, she stood up for herself.  Often in rather funny ways.  She was also a geek in a great way, a loveable way.  Plus she has just got to be the most loyal friend ever, in the whole wide world.  Well, that or a bit of an idiot.  I’m going with Option One.

Kristen was sweet and really protective of Sarah.  I loved her – her sense of humour, her protectiveness, her love of life.  She was just gorgeous – inside and out.  And she was made even more real by her insecurities.  Kristen was just drop-dead-brilliant.

The “perfect guy,” Rock, was gorgeous, smart, thoughtful, and family orientated.  He was just a real sweetie, and super intelligent as well.  And that was why I just could not figure out how he didn’t know who the writer was! 

The bond between Sarah and Kristen was really strong.  Sarah would do absolutely anything for her best friend – even give up the guy of her dreams, and suffer through watching the two of them flirt.  And Kristin would do anything for Sarah, and was just constantly standing up for her.  Their relationship was beautiful, special and an once-in-a-lifetime friendship.

Ok, so Flawless was simple and predictable.  It was nothing like my usual vampire-filled reads.  But, still, I adored this book.  It was totally amazing.  I was touched, amused, intrigued and always thinking.  The writing was just so honest and beautiful, the characters and situations so relatable.  I loved every word – devoured them, even – and truly think that everyone should read this.  Accepting yourself is just so important, and Flawless highlights this perfectly.  A wonderful, thought-provoking read, hidden inside an equally wonderful rom-com.  It taught me was that we all have a few things we’re embarrassed about, insecurities.  And that you can’t be happy if you don’t accept yourself.  I know that, when I’m feeling insecure, quotes from this book will be what I think about.

Star Rating:
4 Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mandelski

Drawing With Light by Julia Green
No and Me by Delphine de Vigan
The Chocolate Box Girls by Cathy Cassidy

Challenges It's Taking Part In:

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Book Chick City)
British Book Challenge (Hosted by The Bookette)

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from Bloomsbury in exchange for an honest review

The Boy Who Loved Bach by T.L. Peters

Publisher: Self

Format: eBook

Published: March 7^th 2011

Number of Pages: -

Book: For Review From Author

Genre: Realistic-Fiction, Coming-of-Age, YA

Recommended Age: 12+

Contains: Nothing Unsuitable

No Alcohol, Drug References, Violence

Available On: Amazon (Kindle), Barnes & Noble (Nook), Smashwords

Author's Blog: T.L. Peters

THE BOY WHO LOVED BACH is about a ninth grader at the top of his class trying out for the football team who just can't seem to remember the plays, much to the consternation and bewilderment of his coach and teammates, not to mention his girlfriend, all of which makes him miserable. But when Ed picks up the violin at the urging of his mother and learns to play Bach, his perspective changes.

Review:

Edward P. Studt is drowning in responsibilities.  He’s very, very smart – nerdy even.  But all he wants is to be on the football team.  So, as he moves from middle to intermediate school, he tries to achieve him goal: the football team and to go out with head cheerleader Heather Blake.  He has violin practice, football practice, homework and an English class where the teacher only assigns one A, so the competition is fierce between him and equally clever Georgianna Radcliff.  Can he manage everything?  Of all of them, football is – of course – the most important.  Until his violin teacher gives him Bach to play.  And then everything changes…

I really liked this book!  It just felt so authentic to me: like all the characters and events were actually real.  Ed could have been an actual teenager: I’ve met Eds.  And T.L. Peters managed to completely nail the difficulties of growing up: the uncertainty and the hard decisions.  I just loved this book, so thank you to T.L. Peters!

Ed was wonderful!  He was smart – super smart.  But all he wanted was to be on the football team.  He only played the violin because his mom made him: Bach changed all that.  I just loved his passion.  The way he approached everything was rather amusing too.  He was rather philosophical: he had a habit of looking at things and drawing conclusions – deep, wise conclusions that actually made a lot of sense.  Ed was a teenager, and he felt so real.  One-hundred per-cent real.

Denny Newbaker was Ed’s best friend.  He was great, and very funny; completely addicted to football.  Which was good, really, as he was a brilliant player. He was good to Ed, and the two of them really helped one another: Ed helped Denny with physics and Denny helped Ed figure out the football plays.  A perfect relationship!

Ed’s parents, on the other hand, had a rocky relationship.  They argued – a lot.  But, I think they loved each other, deep down.  Or maybe deep-deep?

The plot was one of self-discovery.  There wasn’t suspense or a paranormal in sight, but this book really was amazing.  We all know how awkward being a teenager is.  And T.L. Peters just got everything right.  From the pressures to the schoolwork to the romance.  It was beautiful.  Perfect.  I loved it.  And the writing was just wonderful, adding to the amazingness of the story.  Somehow T.L. Peters got it to sound like a real teenager narrating, and made me completely believe in both Ed’s genius and his average-teen-ness.  Ed came across as very clever, very mature, but at the same time, just a teenage boy like any other.  And I loved that.

The only downside?  The football.  I suck at sports anyway, and being British I have no knowledge of American Football.  It wasn’t the most interesting part of the book but it was Ed.  So, ok, it was slow and maybe a little overwhelming to begin with.  But it wouldn’t have been Ed to leave out the plays.  And, hey!  If I happen across an American Football game, I maybe might just know how to play! 

I felt everything Ed did, felt his passion.  This book was wonderful and I can’t wait to read more by T.L. Peters.

Star Rating:
4 Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

The Cardturner by Louis Sachar

Drawing With Light by Julia Green

No and Me by Delphine de Vigan

Challenges It's Taking Part In:

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Book Chick City)

2011 E-Book Challenge (Hosted by The Ladybug Reads)

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from author in exchange for an honest review

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Series: Bloodlines, Book One

Publisher: Puffin

Format: Paperback

Published: 25^th August 2011

Number of Pages: 432

Book: For Review From Penguin*

Genre: Paranormal, Dark Romance, Urban Fantasy, Magic, Action, YA

Recommended Age: 12+

Contains: Violence, Mild Swearing, Drinking

No Drug References

Author's Blog: Richelle Mead

Warning: Contains Spoilers From The Vampire Academy Series

Sydney protects vampire secrets – and human lives.

Sydney belongs to a secret group who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the world of humans and vampires.

But when Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, she fears she’s still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway.  What unfolds is far worse.  The sister of Moroi queen Lissa Dragomir is in mortal danger, and goes into hiding.  Now Sydney must act as her protector.

The last thing Sydney wants is to be accused of sympathising with vampires.  And now she has to live with one…

Review:

Ever since Sydney Sage helped dhampir Rose Hathaway, she has been shunned by the rest of her secret organisation, the Alchemists.  Their goal being to protect humanity from vampires, associating with a half-vampire is not helping Sydney’s case.  So when a job pops up, Sydney sees a chance to redeem herself.  Until she finds out that it involves living with a Moroi.  And not just any old Moroi – Queen Vasilisa Dragomir’s younger sister and only relative, who is a being targeted by rebels.  This will not help Sydney rid herself of the name ‘vamp lover’…  Of course, it doesn’t help that darker goings-on are happening in their new home.  Ones that could prove to be deadly…

I have to admit, when I saw that a spin-off series of Vampire Academy was coming out, I thought: “Oh!  It’s not going to be the same – can’t be the same – without Rose!”  I was, of course, a total fool to doubt the brilliance of Richelle Mead.  Sure, I missed Rose.  But Bloodlines just blew me away completely.  The characters, the action, the humour, the plot, the setting… everything was just perfect!  I loved every single moment, just zooming through the book at break-neck speed.  And, as I read, I just thought how much I wanted the book to go on and on and on…  Yeah.  It was just that good!

Sydney was awesome.  Eighteen, an Alchemist, Sydney was smart, practical and… well, awesome!  When she first appeared in Blood Promise, I wasn’t too keen on her.  But I got past the suits and righteousness quickly and realised I really, really liked her.  She has this wonderful, dry kind of humour about her: she made me laugh – and grin – a lot.  She was also wonderfully bad in social situations – she really didn’t get people.  It was hilarious!  So, ok, Sydney wasn’t a kick-butt guardian like Rose.  But she was smart, funny and would do anything for the ones she cared about – die for them, fight for them.  And, in that way, she was very much like our dear Miss Hathaway.  Oh, and I loved Sydney, if you hadn’t gathered.

Now for the ‘supporting cast’.  Jill: I’ve always loved her!  She’s so full of energy and often nervous, but she’s just so cute!  And all rambly!  But, in the events preceding this book, she’d had to go through so much – it was terrible…  (Intrigued, yet?)  And then we have Adrian Ivashkov.  I have always loved Adrian Ivashkov.  Now, this is how it went down:   Adrian enters the cast.  And, instantly, I’m laughing.  He’s just that brilliant.  And, even better, underneath the sarcastic, snarky, I’m-so-wonderful exterior is someone who is damaged, but amazingly sweet and deep.  This is blatantly obvious whenever he’s around ‘Jailbait’ – Jill for those who haven’t read the books.  I love him!  Oh, and Eddie Castille makes an appearance!  I really liked Eddie – always have, ‘cause he’s sweet and brave, and very sarcastic when needed – which, basically, is whenever Adrian is involved.

I’ll end with a sort-of badguy.  An Alchemist.  Keith Darnell.  Grr.  Sydney didn’t like him – at all.  And I hated him from the moment he walked in.  He was smug, arrogant and just rubbed me the wrong way. 

Bloodlines was super-fast pace and exciting!  Even when there was no action, it was so, so addictive!  And, as usual with Richelle’s books, I guessed some of the more basic twists, but there were more where my guesses were way off mark.  Like out-of-the-park incorrect.

Really, it was so cool to see the problem – and world – from the Alchemists’ point-of-view.  It was amazing to see more into the Alchemist organisation, their secrets and mission.  Even if I didn’t entirely like all of their beliefs and strict social rules.

And, true to all Richelle’s novels, I felt so much throughout the book.  I laughed – a lot – I held my breath, I hoped, I smiled, I felt like crying…  How does she make me feel every.single emotion Sydney does?

I need The Golden Lily.  ASAP.  Now.  Its release honestly can’t come soon enough!  Bloodlines ended on one of the worst one-sentence cliffhangers ever!  And, in the sequel, can we look forward to a few new love triangles?  We’ll just have to wait and see…  But, I’m tellin’ you now, I am packing my bags and moving here, to this wonderful, wonderful world.  I don’t think I can wait until next year!  So…  Bye!

Star Rating:
5 Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

Finding Sky by Joss Stirling

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Challenges It's Taking Part In:

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Book Chick City)

Vampire Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Parajunkee’s View)

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from Penguin in exchange for an honest review