Review: Amulet Vol 1 by Kazu Kibuishi

BOOK INFORMATION

Title: Amulet
Series: The Stonekeeper #1
Author: Kazu Kibuishi
Genre: Middle School, Adventure
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Source: Brought
Published: January 1st 2008 by CRAPHIX

Summery: Graphic novel star Kazu Kibuishi creates a world of terrible, man-eating demons, a mechanical rabbit, a talking fox, a giant robot---and two ordinary children on a mission.

After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous. Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids' mom through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals.

Eventually, they enlist the help of a small mechanical rabbit named Miskit. Together with Miskit, they face the most terrifying monster of all, and Em finally has the chance to save someone she loves.

Why I read this Comic
All the graphic novels I have read have been of the adult genre containing a lot of graphic content that had a lot of sex, blood and fighting in them. So I decided to have a change and read a Middle Grade Comic that is a lot more PG .

The Plot/ Story Line
This book was the perfect remedy after dealing with an angsty read, it was fun and fast to read. I really liked the way the author dealt with death in the book, he didn't gloss over it because it was aimed for younger people. I also really liked the way the children were spoke to as adult and the writing never seemed dumbed down because it is a middle grade book. The adventure point of this story was really fun, I loved the world that Kazu Kibuishi created with Amulet and I can’t wait for it to expand over the next few comics.

Emily – Main Female Protagonist
Emily was a really strong young female protagonist, it was really nice to see a girl as the main characters in an book centred around adventure and discovery. I feel that she would be a really good role model for younger girls. I loved her character design, the way she was drawn was great and I loved that she was given red hair.

Read More

Review: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

BOOK INFORMATION


Title: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Series: Stand Alone
Author: Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Rating: ★ ★ ½
Source: Brought
Published: February 21st 2012 by Simon and Schuster

Summery:  Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison.

Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world.

When they meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the two loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special kind of friendship--the kind of friendship that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through their friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves--and about the kind of people they want to be.

 

“The summer sun was not meant for boys like me. Boys like me belonged to the rain.”

 

Why I read this book

I noticed this book was in so many top 10 book lists, so I decided to pick it up from The Book Depository.

What I thought of the book as a whole 

I thought this book was meh.

This book has wayyy to much hype surrounding it on Booktube and  Goodreads. Now, don’t get me wrong I don’t regret reading it, but I don’t think I will ever read it again. My No.1 problem with the book was that it had literally, no plot point. . . No Romance, No shockers, No Drama. . . Nothing. It sometimes felt that this entire book was 300 pages of a teenage boy moaning about being a teenage boy.

This book was really well written and did have many quotable lines, but it still didn't make up for how much the lack of plot bugged me. I would say read it if you can get a cheap copy on the kindle shop, however,  I don't think this it is a vital read. . . I was expecting this to have really powerful LGBT characters and themes, but that didn't come across well.

Aristotle - Main Male protagonist

I know what I'm about to say will shock plenty of you to your cores, I didn't like Aristotle.



He was probably one of my least favourite characters I've ever read. I often found myself feeling annoyed at how whiny and moody his character could be, he also seemed very selfish at times. . . I was also really annoyed at how his character development was handled, I didn't feel that he grew gradually throughout the story, it kind of happened all at once.

Read More

Review : Clipped Wings by Helena Hunting

BOOK INFORMATION
Title: Clipped Wings
Series: Clipped Wings #1
Author: Helena Hunting
Genre: New Adult
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Source: Brought / Net Galley
Published: March 4th 2014 by Gallery Books

This is an Adult book that contains sexual themes
Summery: An emotional love story that follows the touch-and-go relationship of Hayden and Tenley; two young people who desperately want to love and be loved but are afraid to completely let go of their pasts.

As Hayden and Tenley navigate their newfound but slightly unstable relationship, they want to trust each other, but Hayden is hiding a dark and shameful past that he doesn't ever want Tenley to find out about. And Tenley has secrets of her own that could make Hayden run away forever. When Tenley asks Hayden to put a beautifully elaborate tattoo across her back, the two form what they thought was an unshakeable bond. But when Tenley's past shows up on her doorstep, will Hayden stand by her side...or run?

Why I read this book

I had seen this book all over goodreads in the past few weeks, when I was searching new galley for there new releases I saw this and decided to request it. . . .  . And was excepted. After I started reading I decided to buy a physical copy of this book.

My thoughts on this book as a whole

I loved this book, I typically read fluffy light cotemporary's, so this was a step out of my comfort zone . . . As this was a darker contemporary than I am used to. I thought the plot was so original, I really enjoyed the back story's to the characters. The main characters Hayden and Tenley were given such depth. Helena Hunting really managed to capture the darkness inside them really well, she really showed the characters for what they really were, two broken people with flaws.

Tenley Page – Main Female protagonist

I loved Tenley,

I felt that Tenley was a really intricate female protagonist, she had a lot of different sides to her which gave her a lot of dimension. I really felt sympathy for her, and some of the tragic thing that had happened to

Read More

Showcase Sunday #2

Inspired by Pop Culture Junkie and the Story Siren, the aim of Showcase Sunday is to highlight our newest books or book related swag and to see what everyone else received for review, borrowed from libraries, bought in bookshops and downloaded onto eReaders each week. For more information about how this feature works and how to join in, click here

Books I have brought

This week I went a little crazy book shopping !!

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz : I brought this book from Amazon new, I’d seen it mentioned on many peoples “Favourite Contemporary Reads” blog posts and videos, so I decided to pick it up.

Status: Read ★ ★ ★ ½

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Mass: This book I ordered right after I had finished the first book in the Throne Of Glass series. I want to read this before the 3rd book in the series comes out in September.

Status: Unread.

Amy and Rogers Epic Detour by Morgan Matson: I purchased this book used from Amazon for £2.80, I was a little disappointed with the condition that it arrived in. This is the first Morgan Matson book I have ever read. . .

Status: Read ★ ★ ★ ★

Clipped Wings By Helena Hunting: I received an eBook from Net Galley of Clipped Wings to review. After reading about five chapters I decided to order a physical copy for myself as I was really enjoying it.

Status : Read ★ ★ ★ ★

Read More

7 Deadly Sins Book Tag

This tag was created by BookishMalayza on YouTube.

Greed

1) What is your most expensive book, and what is your most inexpensive book?

My most expensive book would have to be The Walking Dead Compendium by Robert Kerkman Vol 1 or 2. Both of these book cost around £30 each ($50) which is pretty pricey, But a good purchase because each compendium contains 8# of the comics. 

My least expensive book would probably have to be The Resistance by Gemma Malley, costing 1p from Amazon in hardback this was a complete bargain… It looks practically brand new.

Wrath

2) Which author do you have a love/hate relationship with?

The author I have a love hate relationship is L J Smith, I feel like she dragged on The Vampire Diaries novels way to long, however, I did really love the first two books in the series.

Gluttony

3) What book have you deliciously devoured over and over again, with no remorse whatsoever?

The In Your World duology by Jennyfer Browne, this book is so fabulously cute and sweet. . .  I just know whenever I read it,  I will be put me in a fantastic mood.

Sloth

4) What book have you neglected reading due to laziness?

The Confessions of Georgia Nicolson, I own almost all of the books in the series but just haven't got around to reading them. . . I have probably had them for about 6 years, pure laziness.

Read More

Novella Review: Cupcakes and Ink by Helena Hunting

BOOK INFORMATION


Title: Cupcakes and Ink
Series: Clipped Wings #0.5
Author: Helena Hunting
Genre: Contemporary, New Adult, Novella
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ½ 
Published: Feb 3rd, 2014 by Orion

Summery: Tenley Page is looking for a new start: a new city, a new apartment, a new life. Her plan is to keep to herself and stay focused. But leaving her past behind and starting over isn’t as easy as she thought. And neither is maintaining her solitude. As Tenley settles into her new surroundings, she finds herself drawn to Inked Armor, the tattoo studio across the street. But it’s the gorgeous, dark-haired tattoo artist who captures her interest. There’s something about his severe beauty that captivates her—and not just in her waking hours.

Covered in the ink he inscribes on other people’s skin, Hayden Stryker has made a career out of being a tattooist. He’s got his own business and a tight circle of friends. As far as he’s concerned, that’s all he needs. At least until his aunt, who owns the antiques and used book store across from his tattoo studio, hires a new employee. At first his intrigue is based on physical appeal; hot chick equals something nice to look at. But as he begins to catch glimpses of the fiery personality under the fragile, feminine exterior, his fascination with Tenley grows. Annoyed by his inability to control his fixation, Hayden decides the best way to cure him of the new obsession is to get to know the girl under her skittish façade.

But like the ink he wears as armor, Tenley has the ability to get under his skin and stay there

My thoughts

Cupcakes and Ink is a 60 page eBook novella, it is the prequel to the well known novel Clipped Wing. In this short sweet story we get to meet Tenley and Hayden, two tortured souls who are trying to find their way in life.
We get to see a nice little introduction into their character arks, and see what the writing style is like.
This novella was extremely short, I would suggest picking up the first novel Clipped Wings when purchasing this eBook as you'll probably want to start reading straight after finishing it. If you’re not sure whether to pick up the full novel this is the perfect little taster to see what it is like.

Read More

Book Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass

BOOK INFORMATION


Title: Throne Of Glass
Series: Throne of Glass #1
Author: Sarah J. Mass
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Action
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Source: Brought
Published: August 7th 2012 by Bloomsbury

Summery:  Meet Celaena Sardothien.
Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness.
In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake. She got caught.
Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament - fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin's heart be melted?

“My name is Celaena Sardothien. But it makes no difference if my name's Celaena or Lillian or Bitch, because I'd still beat you, no matter what you call me.”

Why I read this book

I read this book because I wanted to know if it would like up to all the hype it’s been getting on Goodreads. And, also this book has a serious case of cover porn going on.

What I thought of the book as a whole
Throne of Glass is one of the first Young Adult Fantasy novels I've ever read,  and it blew me away. I have tried to read fantasy in the past, but with the strange character names and the major world building it can be a little overwhelming. I truly believe this is the fantasy book to choose when first venturing into that genre for the first time.  The world that TOG was set in was really beautiful and magical. . . I really do hope this book gets made into a move or TV show, as I think it would be wonderful to see all the fantastical landscapes and clothing in real life.

Celaena Saradothian - Main Female protagonist
I thought Ceaena was a phenomenal female character, I really did find it easy to connect with her. Of course, It wasn't the whole killing people for a living that made her so relatable, it was the way she wasn't afraid to show her love for clothes and how much of a sweet tooth she had.

“She loved clothes- loved the feeling of silk, of velvet, of satin, of suede and chiffon – and was fascinated by the grace of seams, the intricate perfection of an embroidered surface”

Read More