Behind the Pages

View the original review on my blog:




What an emotional ride. Thrilling, fast paced and completely engaging the entire time. The sequel to Stitch is one you don't want to miss out on. The only thing I can say now after reading this is, WHERE IS STRUCK?! (aka, book 3)

We finish Stitch on one massive cliffhanger One jaw dropping cliffhanger to be exact. Now starting Shudder, we don't miss a thing. Getting straight back to where we were in the story, just a mere 3 days after where we finish Stitch, everything is coming back to us and we are just as on edge as before. There are more things brought into this book that we don't see in Stitch. In Stitch, we become part of Alessa and go with her everything that has happened and that is to happen. We go with her to get her life back on track from the Stitch and to bring the Rebel's plans into motion with Issac. Now in Shudder, we get more information on this world and how Paragon came to be. We are introduced to a few new characters and some we have seen glimpses of before, Nikhil, 14, Phoenix and Joe. In this book, we see what they are going through and where they are. Nikhil and 14 in a prison, Phoenix in a hospital, visited by all Paragon's producers, directors etc, and hearing about Joe from Alessa and Issac. Even from the prequel , we get the inside scoop on the Producers and the big shots running Paragon.

For most of this book, we are with Alessa and Issac as they try to find a new base camp for the Rebels. This felt a little slow for me, but the mysterious creatures that kept hunting them brought the pace up and kept us intrigued as we learn about the past and what they hope for in the future, as well as the romance between the two. Even in this book, most main characters start to get on your nerves, and you even start to dislike some of them. Not in this though, we love Alessa and Issac even more that we do in Stitch. Our connection with them grows and we delve deep into the book and cling onto every word they say and everything that they face together. These characters continue to surprise us with how strong they are emotionally and physically, as well as their drive to do everything that they can for the better future, as well as getting to see their loved ones at the end of this journey.

The change of "scenes" (not really POV's because it's in third person, but anyways....) was flawless, even though there are multiple scenes to go between, Samantha does not miss a single beat and we pick up right where we left off, as if we hadn't even left those characters for a few chapters. No confusion, no time gap or event gap at all, everything flows perfectly and we love every second we get into a new "scene", just like as if we were the rest of the population watching the Dramas.... All I can really say is, well played Samantha!

Some of the things were a bit predictable. It was this case with the end of the book, but even though it is, it doesn't make you disappointed when you come to find out in the end of the book. It just makes you want Struck even more, because you knew what was going to happen, even though you don't want it to and you NEED to know what is going to happen next. Just like what happened when we reached the end of Stitch.

Even though this book was completely engaging, I just wish that there was a bit more world building when it came to Phoenix being visited in the hospital by all the producers while they tell their story and their part of how Paragon came to be, and with Alessa and Issac when they are looking for the new base camp. We get a brief view of what everything looks like, but not like we did in Stitch. We start to miss that in this book, especially when we want to know what everything is like on the outside, as well as on the inside with the producers and directors.

My own little problem was that I wish I had more time to read this book. I had to stop myself between chapters because of so many other things going on that I just didn't have much time to read. When I started back up in between chapters, I knew what was going on, but I lost the pace that was built up while I was really getting into the book. This is not a fault with the book, but my own little fault because of the time. I didn't get into this book as I knew I could have when starting the book. I could see myself really getting into the book, but then something happens that dragged me out of the book and back into reality..... Damn. :(

4.5

3.5

4.5

4.5

View the original review as part of the Intangible blog tour and download the free bookmarks:





3.5

There are a few reasons why this is a 3.5. I really liked this book and I would definitely recommend it. I think the only reasons why this book got a 3.5 was for my own personal preferences in books. Although, this is usually the case when I give a book a rating like this. I was on the fence with either a 4 or a 3.5 for a while after I finished the book, but then there is nothing wrong with a 3.5.

If you all know my by now as most of you might, I love my books where it always keeps you guessing and you entwine yourself with the main character/s that you start to act and feel as they would do. Because this book was third person, I find that most authors can't seem to gain that kind of connection in this perspective. It's a hard thing to do, and I have only seen a small few books that have done it. It's either a hit or a miss. Unfortunately this time, it was a miss on this part. Yet you were constantly hooked throughout the whole book, that makes the third person seem like me being picky (ok I am being picky but still!)

Another reason (why I'm being picky) is because of how unpredictable it all is (with a Seer in the picture, I know), but it's not just that, it's because we weren't given an introduction to their gifts or anything in their life. It's all just put there, and I felt like I was supposed to know all this, yet I didn't and that left me a little disappointed until the middle of the book where I felt I started to understand everything, and I could relax.

So, no more being picky, I really did like this book and I started Imaginable right after it. I love the characters and how everything we've really grown up hearing about in myths etc are real in this book, right down to the little legends. Not for all of the characters that these legends are true, but we learn that at the end of the book. All of the elements of this book flow so well together that it really is something that could happen. Even though I could predict the whole book, nothing felt like it was old or got boring. I wanted to continue reading. I could see the whole book playing inside my head, every scene, every page of the book. The plot was captivating, and kept sucking us in the whole time. Although, it had it's downfalls, it was a very good book and I can't wait to get stuck into Imaginable!

Want a sneak peek of Imaginable? Continue on below for an excerpt! Oh and Intangible is available in Paperback!

View the original review as part of the Naturals blog tour and download the free bookmarks:





I find myself sitting here looking at the screen, looking back at my Sony Reader, and thinking what to write for this review. There is so much to this book that makes it great, but then the only thing wrong with it, has always been a good thing. And this is a good thing, but it does something to this book that pulls it down from what it could be and what it should be. Let me try to explain.

First off, here is something you should know:

Natural --> a human who is born
Chosen One --> a human who is made

Warning. There might be spoilers here on out... so just in case:

Our protagonist, Tess, is a Natural. In her present (our future) life is:
1. War is happening
2. Females are considered a weakness
3. Females are unable to give birth to a child without the child and mother dying during birth
4. Everyone is known by a number
5. The eldest female child is to work at Tempelton, the Chosen Ones training centre.

With Tess, she has completely guarded herself. She has shown little, to no emotion to anyone in her life, in fear of what could happen. To love. When I spoke before, about there being something in this book that is always considered good, yet in this book, it was a bit of a downfall for it. I always talk about in review, how important I think it is that we become like the main character by the way that we think. As we get used to this world, we become just like Tess. Fearful for what could happen if the wrong choice is made, yet hidden behind an expressionless mask (something she inherited from her father). We move almost lifelessly through this book. Even though it is entertaining, and although we are pulled through lifelessly we still get sucked in to continue reading, and want to continue reading. We get so much of the hidden and controlled Tess in the start of this book that, when she starts to loosen up, we don't seem to be loosening up as much as she does. We want to be having a bigger reaction to most of the things that are going on in this book, like we did at the very beginning. But as everything continues, we fall into the reality of things in this world. We start to somewhat crumble, towards the end of the book, where we see some action and learn the truth about Tess.

I love the writing style of this book. This is what makes us connect with Tess so quickly, considering the circumstances of this world. This also contributes to how much of a zombie we feel we have become when we read this book. We get so taken by what happens that we just continue to go through the novel, and we wonder where the pages have gone, and from what happens in most of the book, we realize that we have never once been bored. The pace was the same throughout the book, even when switching to her father's letters, and going back in her past as well.

I love how we get to read her father's letters to her. It connects us so much more with Tess, that we feel for his loss and want to find out more about him. With the rest of her family, we see how sad she is over Emma and her choices as well as Louisa, as well as her anger towards Robert. We hear of Tess' mother quite a bit here and there in the book, but like Tess, we don't feel a connection to her and dismiss her as what she is. It is heartbreaking what Tess does to Louisa at the end of this book, but then, you know that you would do the same thing.

Then there is James, someone who we think we know, but then completely surprises us. As a Chosen One, he doesn't act like one at all. But then, we realize at points in this book that he really is and we get hesitant....even though we completely fall of him! Oh, a man who loves books :D I had kinda hoped that there would be more to James' scar story than there was, but I was satisfied in a way as well (considering what was happening at the time the scar story was told :O )

The biggest shock of all comes at the end of this book. At first we don't seem to process it at all (just like Tess), but then it settles in and we see what needs to be done, and what has been done all along. Although, this raises a whole heap of more questions, we are content with the ending, yet craving for the second book, Naturals.

There is so much more I can talk about with this book. Yet, it is something that needs to be read to fully understand it. I can't put it into words..... Looks like you're going to have to read Chosen Ones, if you haven't already ;)

View the original review and download the free bookmarks on my blog:



After devouring the first two novels in this series, I was excited yet nervous to read this. Forsaken and Awaken were both amazing books and I desperately hoped that Chosen was going to be as good. No question about it, this book was just as amazing as Forsaken and Awaken.

There is action in this book the whole way through, and we are constantly being pulled through. All of the problems I had in the previous books have vanished. We don't get told that Fin is "hot", and there is nothing that everyone keeps on hiding for her, well, nothing that doesn't add the suspense (in a good way). We don't get annoyed in any way in this book and we are thrilled and excited the whole time.

We meet a whole lot of new characters, as well as see a change in some old characters. When we think we've seen all the amount of mythical creatures that there could be, there is still a whole heap that we haven't seen... well until this book that is. We meet all the Nereids and the Furies.

I can't really say much about this book that doesn't seem to give away the best parts. We see Stasia grow even more, and see her do some pretty cool stuff. The end is where we see the most action happen as well as how developed and powerful her powers are. We are shocked with the events that happen at the end of this book, so many different emotions are felt at the end of the book that we are overwhelmed.

We feel so proud of Stasia after her big battle. We feel like we're an audience watching her prove herself in the final stages of this book. We cheer her on through everything and we fall in love with Stasia and Finn together (read the book to find out exactly what!).

The epilogue of this book is amazing. If this book was the last in the series, it would be a perfect ending. Yet it still leaves room for what can happen next, as well as we wonder what happened to Selene, as well as if Keto will still be the same as she is at the end of the book.

Overall, can't wait to read the next book, and this book AND series is a must read! One I will definitely buy from Amazon to have on my shelf :)

3.5....

View the original review as part of the Fractured Soul blog tour and download the free bookmarks on my blog:





ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY LOVE THIS BOOK!

This is the most enchanting series I have ever come across. With the first two books laid out flawlessly, the wait for Fractured Truth is unbearable. Every part of Fractured Soul is remarkable and an indescribable journey for us and for Llona. I found only one fault in this book (to my personal opinion is a slight one), but more of that to come....

We continue off from where Fractured Light ended. Llona is at Lucent Academy with May and we are staring to get familiar with the series again. From reading Fractured Light a while ago, I easily got into this book and back on track with the whats-what and whos-who.

Even though we know those like Llona, May and Christian, we see changes and developments in them as well as meet a whole new set of characters as well that we fall in love with. We see our old favourites go through major struggles and hardships and it tears at our seams, along with showing why we fell in love with these characters in the first place.

It's hard to write this bit without spoilers but I'll give a shot. In this book, Llona has the biggest struggles. We see her go through every change and every phase, as well as her thoughts and actions get us further inside her mind that make us connected with her and what could be called, her 'other side'. It is this inner struggle, what we love Llona even more and want her to overcome this. Her adventurous streak shows clearly again and we love this heroine and her strength and courage to do what's right as well as her plight to uncover the truth.

The pace is good, it picks up when needed to. In the bits where the pace picks up, we find that it doesn't go up by much, but it is enough to get our hearts pumping and butterflies out when called for. It's great, because just after something major happens and the pace slows down, we don't feel like the book is getting really really slow and find it hard to read. It's done in such a way that, you want to keep on reading and reading, even in the bits between all the action! (Although there is a lot of action in this one)

What I really love about this novel, is that we can't seem to guess what is going to happen next. We don't even have time to think about what is going to happen! But sometimes, I found that I guessed something, straight after reading it and then the next sentence revealed what was right, or wrong. This made me get a bigger reaction because of just being able to guess what is going to happen, then to be revealed a moment later.

Ok, so I spoke about the small downfall earlier. I know, this might not make much sense, but when you read Fractured Soul, you will understand what I am talking about. Here goes..... I wish that there was more of a development at the end with Christian. The emotion for Llona, didn't really give it much justice for what happened, I wanted to be able to be completely moved and emotional from this event, but the development of it just wasn't enough and there should have been more. In short, it didn't give the situation justice.

View the original review, the guest post with Karen Healey, and the free downloadable bookmarks for When We Wake on my blog:





This is truly an awesome novel. To all you Beatles fans out there, get ready for this book. Even if you're not a fan of them, there is something to love about When We Wake. If you are a fan of the Beatles, this book takes you deeper into it, with all the references to their songs as well as their meaning. If you don't, there isn't anything to worry about, everything still is understandable just without the deeper meaning that comes from the songs that fans would know. The world that we get thrown into is captivating and makes us question, as all dystopians/sci-fi do, about what the future really holds.

My first inital response to this novel was the sudden changes in the future and the past. While reading, we get a new little paragraph with Tegan talking about this future that she is in but from a past-tense, if that makes sense. There are these scattered throughout the book, most of the time, I questioned the relevance of this, because it just pulled away from the story, when we are trying to understand all that is happening, as well as these little bits don't seem important to add.

What this book really needed to boost it up that bit more into a 5, was more detail on the world. Both of them, we are brought straight away into her last day which is still our future, 2027. How do we know that this world is the same as the one we live in today? Where does it differ? This also continues on into the future of 2127, where we first see some of the differences, but not detailed, which is what we need to see to be able to capture this new world in our thoughts. Yes, we hear about the new issues with this new world (and the new-old world Tegan first came from), but the detail on the surroundings of the land could be more in depth.

I love the characters in this book (Bethari is my favourite minor character), and I don't have a problem at all with the same-sex acceptancy of this new Australia/World, but from when we first heard of it being nationally accepted, it was then thrown into our face most of the chance that happened until half-way or so into the book. It was just a bit much, to make it seem like, just because the issue in the novel was accepted, doesn't mean that from then on, every second character had to be attracted to the same sex.

One predictability was Tegan and Abdi's relationship, although, it seemed at the start that she was only fascinated by his resemblance to her past love. Makes me wonder if this is really her main point of love/lust in Abdi. I didn't like the way that Tegan and Dalmar had really only been dating for one day, yet they both claimed they loved each other. You all know my resentment to this kind of thinking, that the actual "asking out" by the boy does not indicate for the girl to automatically "love him" as what seems to be a kind of thanks for the asking out. This is what it feels like at the start when Tegan always talks about Dalmar, especially to Bethari.

I love the idea that Karen has used for the Cryonics and the Tardigrades (explained in detail by Karen in the guest post above), it is something that has such a possibility of coming into our world and into our future that this book makes everything a little more life-like. There were some parts (mainly the end) that you don't expect until they jump right at you. The action at the end of the novel also adds to your shock and surprise at what is really happening behind closed doors.

Wow, that ending was explosive. A great finish to this book, leaving you wondering if there is going to be a second, or if this is a stand-alone. This, however, doesn't stop us from asking all the questions about what happens now to all the other characters and to what ultimately happened to the government's plan. This book mixes what we wish for in the future, and what may actually become the future into a gripping finale and leaves us thinking for hours on end after finished.

View the original review on my blog:



Hopkins has done it again with a romance that epitomises what love really is. The beautifully written sequel that has you gripping every page and heartbroken at the tale of these two soul mates.

If you’ve read my review of Temptation, the first book in this trilogy, you would know how much I loved it. What I love most about this series is how it is so different, yet similar to a lot of other love stories. It is so similar because of the love aspect of two falling madly in love and they can’t be together. The difference? Well, just the teeny tiny reason that Noah is Amish and now Rose has become Amish so they can be together. Oh, this IS the meaning of forbidden love. And another thing.... the second book is just as good as the first!

When you finish Temptation, you get an excerpt from Belonging, and you know exactly what is going to happen. So when you start Belonging, you are waiting for it to happen. What you don’t expect is to watch Rose within the community for a while, as well as how she copes and what battles, emotionally and physically that she has to face. We go through heartbreak with her and Noah, as well as know what is coming up in their future... we wait.

Ok, you might be thinking that it might be a bit boring just going through the Amish lifestyle with Rose, but it is the complete opposite. We see through three different perspectives, Rose, Noah and now Sam as well. We sometimes see things that are going to happen, and then sometimes we need to guess at what we think is going to happen. But even when we are in Rose’s perspective (as we are most of the time), we don’t get bored of the Amish life. You’ll find that even though Rose is trying to become Amish, she still finds a way for something to happen, not even intentionally. When reading, you find that you are wishing for certain things to happen that could make their lives easier together.

I really don’t like her dad (David) and Sam (Justin gets peer pressured into it so he doesn’t count really) in this book. What they do is inexcusable, no matter how old Rose is. Especially what they do, coming to the end of the book. I WAS SHOCKED. How could a parent do something like that! Ok, everyone can relate in some teeny tiny way, but that is what makes us have the reaction that we do. I love the way that Karen (Hopkins) can create the same feeling in her characters, and draw the reaction from something happening, in the way that a teenager (well anyone really) would understand and relate to.

I love that Summer is introduced into this story, she is a character that changes everything in this book. When you think about it, without her, Rose probably wouldn’t have coped as well as she did, Sam wouldn’t turn out to be the person he ended up turning out being (in the end), and through her, none of what happened would have been the same and we end up loving Summer as a best friend. From Sam’s actions,
I do, but then I don’t, want him to find love for himself. Especially after what Rose does to help him (even in small ways) and then he goes and does something that betrays her.

As events come to life, we see that the world of the Amish isn’t as perfect as it was seemed. We see some horrible things happen throughout the book, that we might not have thought would happen in their “world” compared to our English world. We
get a glimpse of it in Temptation, but we don’t even spare a second thought on it until it all comes together in Belonging. One part, where it is mentioned (not directly) we think we know exactly what they are talking about. Then further on in the book, we are fully known to this.

The only thing I have to say about the ending was that I wished there was more of a struggle in the end between Rose and her Father (it’s hard without spoilers), with the spirit we see in Rose throughout the whole two books, we would have wished that it was seen here as well. When you start to think that you want a bit more “action” when you are getting close to the end, the mother-load lands. The last few chapters are (excuse my Aussie) “chock-a-block” with hair raising, spine tingling, eye squinting, jaw dropping, eye widening action to leave us hanging for the final in this series. I don’t even think that I can get over what happened, and it is a struggle not to reveal anything.

View the original review on my blog:



4.5.....

This is a spectacular sequel to Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft. The sequel does not disappoint as we are once again swept off our feet into Audrey's world, along with her battles through love, life, witch-iness, sisterhood and evil-masterminds-who-may-be-my-father.

What I really love about this book, is how the series doesn't start to get old. What I mean is, book two, is just about as good as book 1. There are shocks and twists as well as understanding and forgiving, yet don‟t forget spells and love.

I wish that there were more of Audrey's Guides in this book, especially recipes, there is one for hot chocolate yet to compare to the chocolate cake from before? I just wished that this book was more guide-y.

I love that there is a kind of role reversal here for Audrey and Meg. It gets the two to form a stronger bond because they see what each other actually feels like out of their comfort zone and in different situations. And, I love how Audrey is so keen and tied up to her man. Any other heroine, when presented with a very fine looking male that is clearly interested in them, would fake not wanting to do anything but in the end they ALL fall. Audrey is different, she is strong minded and has the will and determination to stick by Julian, even though he isn't there and that she can't tell him everything. Yes, she does acknowledge to herself how gorgeous Ramon, and who wouldn't? How many fictional characters do you all drool over haha

I wish Audrey and Meg bonded a little more together, we don't see much of her, and even though we know she is going through a rough time, we feel like we should see more of her to really know what she is feeling and to get Audrey really into the big sis role with her.

Sadie really shocks me in this book, I'm not sure if I still seem to like her as much as I did in the first book. She seems to be battling which side to go onto, good or evil, and we can see it clearly throughout this book. I didn't expect what happened to most of the other witches in the community, and I was shocked, at both what happened, what they become, as well as the actions taken by those in the hospital.

Audrey‟s grandmother is hard to pin. I do like her, at times, and then every other time I don't. It's because she is so un-accepting of Meg (and Julian), that makes me not like her as much. She is still your granddaughter, still your blood, whether infused with witch-iness or not, there is no excuse for excluding her. I really wish Audrey would have confronted her about this as well and stick up for her sister.

I love the way that this book all came together, as well as bring back family and adding a heaping of love to the mix. Baked to perfection and drizzled in oozy-gooey goodness, and best served with a warm heart.

This review can originally be found on my blog, with an interview with Jordan as part of the blog tour. Thanks to Harlequin Teen Australia for a copy of this novel for review.





I did have expectations for this novel, but then at the same time I didn't want to as well, incase I gave too much to expect. My second novel by Dane, and it has been my favourite. I can tell that this is going to be a series that questions what is to come in the future, as well as what is to become of us as well.

I love how this book is full of imagery. Every step of the way, we can picture exactly what is happening, every detail made out in each scene, mixed with our own interpretations. The vivid colours and buildings, shown both from Gabriel's depictions from his drawings, as well as from just the story-telling really bring this all to life, as well as the very realistic fact that we can relate easily to the characters.

The constant change in perspective, may seem to make us lost. It doesn't. All the characters are blended perfectly into each other that only sometimes, we get a little lost because of a completely new character that is introduced. Some of the characters are just plain sick. Like seriously people? HOW THE HELL CAN YOU DO SUCH A THING! (read and find out exactly what), thinking about it now, it seems like a bit much to include, but then when you read, it really does fit. Rayne's sister is a serious nut-case. There is a fine line between family and groups (in my mind...cults). The whole Church cover-up was a bit of a stretch though, and franctly, it does limit the reader group. Many religious people would be offended in a way by this, even though it is a cover-up and their whole reaction over the book could be based on this point alone.

The love connections are very easily spotted..... Basically from as soon as you meet both characters and they start interacting in some way, you can tell. What I really liked, however, was finding out about Gabriel more. Yes, we want to find out about the other Indigo Children as well, but because Gabe is one that is known as the more mysterious, we can't help but be intrigued about his past more than the others.

The shock-horror ending, isn't much of a shock (well to me) because of why? predictions! (does that mean that I have a little Indigo Child in me? haha). I could guess from when Gabriel was talking about his parents what was going to happen, sorry, who should happen. It is a moment that makes us want to find out exactly what happens next, as well as how it will all end as well.

3.5/4

4.5