[Review] Begin, End, Begin: A #LoveOzYA Anthology

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Publication (dd/mm/yyyy): 24/04/2017

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: 336

Source: Library

Genre: YA - Anthology (12+)

Violence | Sexual Content | Profanity

My Rating: 

Solid collection of #LoveYA short stories 

My thoughts

This anthology makes me proud to be Australian. What a great collection of short stories full of lively and diverse characters and worlds! I had a hard time pulling away from some of these stories, and this was overall just a really great way of showcasing all the awesomeness that some current Aussie authors have to offer!

[Review + Giveaway] The Infinite Sea (#2) by Rick Yancey

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(#2, The 5th Wave)

The 5th Wave | The Infinite Sea | Untitled

Publication (dd/mm/yyyy): 16/09/2014

Publisher: Penguin Australia
Pages: 336

Source: Publisher for review + Bought
Genre: YA (14+) - Dystopian

Violence | Sexual Content | Profanity

Book Tunes
♪ x ♪

My Rating: 

Mindblowing

My thoughts

Warning! Spoilers if you have not read The 5th Wave!

THAT ENDING.

WHAT EVEN HAPPENED IN THIS BOOK?!?!?! I STILL HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS. I finished this book whilst on night shift at the hospital and I was just gaping from ear to ear, thinking that there must be more, that Yancey couldn't have ended the book like that. But he did, and now I--we--have to wait for the next installment... it's going to be excruciatingly painful and long. I hope it will be more than worth it.

[Review] The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

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(#1, The 5th Wave)

The 5th Wave | #2 | #3

Publication (dd/mm/yyyy): 07/05/2013

Publisher: Penguin Australia
Pages: 457

Source: Publisher (thanks Tina!)

Book Tunes
♪ Snow Patrol - Falling Empires ♪

Violence | Sexual Content | Profanity

My Rating: 

Full of tension and heart.

My thoughts

This book wasn't even on my radar until Nomes reviewed it. And Wendy. So of course it was then that I requested the book on Netgalley. Just when I was about to prepare myself to start reading it I received a physical copy for review in the mail. How’s that for timing?

I’m going along with the hype train: this book is GOOD.

[Review] Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

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(#2, Lunar Chronicles)

Cinder | Scarlet | Cress | Winter
 

Publication (dd/mm/yyyy): 17/01/2013

Publisher: Penguin (Puffin)

Pages: 450

Source: Publisher (thanks, Tina!)

Book Tunes
♪ Exploring & Travelling Theme from LOST ♪
♪ Icon for Hire - Fight ♪

Violence | Sexual Content | Profanity

My Rating: 

A satisfying sequel.

My thoughts

Scarlet is the second book in the scifi-fantasy Lunar Chronicles quartet by emerging author Marissa Meyer. This book follows both Cinder and Scarlet as their perilous adventures eventually lead them to finding and helping each other. Queen Levana’s army is growing ever stronger and the fate of Earth rests with a group of misfits—an estranged Lunar princess; a prison-break captain; a red-headed teenage girl, whose best friend might just be her gun; and finally, Wolf.

[Review] Cinder by Marissa Meyer--Book one in the Lunar Chronicles

* check out the "extras" section for giveaways! *

Title: Cinder {goodreads}

Authors: Marissa Meyer

Publication (dd/mm/yyyy): 29/12/2011

Publisher: Penguin UK: Puffin
RRP: $16.95

Source: Publisher sent for review
Precautions: 11+ - Mild violence/death
Series: #1 in the Lunar Chronicles

Pages: 370

My Rating:

Good read

Summary:

(From AU/UK pb)

A forbidden romance. A deadly plague. Earth's fate hinges on one girl . . .

CINDER, a gifted mechanic in New Beijing, is also a cyborg. She's reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's sudden illness. But when her life becomes entwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she finds herself at the centre of a violent struggle between the desires of an evil queen - and a dangerous temptation.

Cinder is caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal. Now she must uncover secrets about her mysterious past in order to protect Earth's future. Is she brave enough, and strong enough, to help save everything?

My thoughts: 

~ Final thoughts ~

Cinder is a grippngly intense sci-fi/dystopian reimagining of the well-known Cinderella fairytale. It's got the basics that make the ever-popular fairytale, but Meyer has cleverly turned it on its head.

Cinderella-'Cinder'-is a cyborg and a talented mechanic, whose prince charming is charming indeed; whose community is riddled with a deadly plague, as well as ongoing threats of war against the Lunars; whose identity is a complete mystery. And it is her true identity that may just be the savior of New Beijing and the world as they all know it.

All in all, CINDER is not to be missed! The first book in the Lunar Chronicles is action-packed and full of interesting ideas with an ending that will leave you wanting more.

~ MY THOUGHTS (in full) ~

If I do have children (if the Big Guy doth let it be so), and more specifically a daughter, this would be the type of book I'd love for her to indulge in. It's got so much appeal to girls, but Meyer's 'version' is much grittier and fantastical, with a heroine that kicks butt!

Cinder has great talent and inner-strength that shines through and through. Not even that--she's different in a way that makes her instantly exiled and unpopular, and while she never completely embraces these differences, readers will be able to sympathise with her insecurities.

Prince Kai is kind of your average pretty-boy Prince Charming. He's got the easygoing attitude and he and Cinder share similar ideals about the world. Even in the face of adversity, he tries his best to stand his ground. Readers will be sure to fall for Iko, Cinder's android buddy, and Peony, Cinder's (nice) stepsister--but you'll wish you hadn't after the events that unfold.

What also sprung out at me was the whole backstory with the Lunars and the New Beijing Commonwealth society. If you thought that cyborgs and androids in a Cinderella re-imagining was far-fetched, you'll be even more blown away when you are introduced to the Lunars. They're, quite literally, out of this world and insane!

Of course there is a romance between Prince Kai and Cinder, but there are barriers that disable them to be together. I'm totally rooting for them though! Even from chapter one I wanted them to end up together because they're just so cute, and two is better than one. :P

What didn't agree with me was the fact that I was able to guess a lot of the [ZING!] moments due to its predictability leading up to a moment. Also, the ending just left me with a strange feeling ... like it's unfinished and there's meant to be a special chapter latched on at the end. There is a sense of oncoming action and struggle, but we only get to see the lead-up to it, which is frustrating since we have to wait another year to find out what happens next!

The third person narrative worked fine enough, and I was able to feel Cinder's thoughts and feelings with ease. It took a couple of chapters to get the hang of the writing style.

Quotes:

* from the UK ARC and may differ to the final version

First lines

"The screw through Cinder's ankle had rusted, the engraved cross marks worn to a mangled circle. Her knuckles ached from forcing the screwdriver into the joint as she struggled to loosen the screw one gritting twist after another. By the time it was extracted far enough for her to wrench free with her prosthetic steel hand, the hairline threads had been stripped clean.

Favourites

(Peony will be joining Cinder and Iko as they go to the junkyard looking for machine parts)

"Reaching out, Cinder pulled her [Peony] back. "Careful, your dress."
     Peony surveyed her skirt, then the grime-covered shelves, then waved Cinder's concerns away. "Really, can I [come]? Sounds exciting."
     "It sounds dirty and stinky," said Iko.
     "How would you know?" said Cinder. "You don't have scent receptors."
     "I have a fantastic imagination."

(p. 33)

Buy:

* cheapest Australian e-store price

AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS

Fishpond * | Readings | Dymocks | Angus & Robertson | Borders | The Nile

INTERNATIONAL READERS

Amazon | The Book Depository

All links from Booko, because I'm too lazy to search each individual store anymore.

Extras:

Trailer

Other reviews of 'Cinder'

Alpha Reader: 4/5 stars {link}
inkcrush: "a wild ride" {link}
Nice Girls Read Books: 5 stars {link}
Stacked: "one buzzed novel that totally delivers" {link}

Giveaways and author events

* all giveaways are open as I post this



{International} Giveaway and Book Signing Recap @ Between the Covers
{International} Audiobook Giveaway @ IceyBooks
{US only} Audio Giveaway @ Karin's Book Nook
{US only} ARC Giveaway @ Shorties & Sweets
{US only} ARC Giveaway @ Popcorn Reads 
{US only} Audio Giveaway @ Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm
{US/CAN only} Book and Mirror Giveaway @ My Bookish Ways
{UK only} Book Giveaway @ A Dream of Books
{UK only} Book Giveaway @ Feeling Fictional

Virtual Book Blog Tour! (from writing to wontons to music)

I have received this review copy in return for an honest review.

Challenge: 2012 Debut Author Challenge

[Review] Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Title: Across the Universe

Author: Beth Revis

Publication: 4th January 2010 (UK)

Publisher: Penguin UK

Source: For review, thanks Penguin!
Age: 16+, there's some . . . sexual scenes. And some violence and serious themes addressed.

Pages: 400

My Rating:

Blurb:

AMY HAS LEFT THE LIFE SHE LOVES FOR A WORLD 300 YEARS AWAY

Trapped in space and frozen in time, Amy is bound for a new planet. But fifty years before she's due to arrive, she is violently woken, the victim of an attempted murder. Now Amy's lost on board and nothing makes sense - she's never felt so alone.

Yet someone is waiting for her. He wants to protect her; and more if she'll let him.

But who can she trust amidst the secrets and lies? A killer is out there – and Amy has nowhere to hide . . .

My thoughts: 

Thankfully both authors are totally rockin' and messaged back. :)

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Who doesn't love a novel that is absolutely plagued with mystery all throughout, leaving its readers guessing right until its thrilling and shocking conclusion? Who can resist a book that introduces readers to a strong base of characters that are hard not to love?

Holy Frex. I am once again left speechless. Across the Universe Blew. Me. Away.

First off, let me just thank Beth Revis for writing AtU, and Penguin Australia & Razorbill for publishing it. Never before would I have believed that I could actually fall in love with a novel that is classified as a sci-fi! But there it is.

Over a week has passed since my reading it, so I'll write a wrap-up of my thoughts in dot-point form.

Positives

• Perspectives
  Across the Universe is written in dual perspectives: Amy and Elders'. Both main characters' stories and backgrounds are enunciated and explored. :)
• The CharactersThese characters, and all others, have heart. They are so, so different to what I'm used to, but they all have qualities that somehow I can reach towards. I was akin to their intentions and their feelings.
• Amy: a seventeen year old girl from 300 years before this novel takes place, and has been frozen along with her parents on Godspeed. She has red hair, fair skin and green eyes. 
• Elder: the one next in waiting to be ruler of the people on the ship. He is sixteen, and like the rest of the population, has dark skin and hair. He is impulsive and adventurous, unlike Eldest. 
• Eldest: current ruler of the ship. Shrouded in a dark past, Eldest has a lot he is hiding from Elder. 
• Harley: "mentally ill" for being a free-thinker. He's an amazing artist, and I just loved him. 
• Pageturner
  At 400 pages, this one is a doozy, but I got through to the end rather quickly.
• Romantic
  Not even just the one between Elder and Amy. There is even capital 'R' Romantic in Across the Universe. The olden time Romantic. And I think it is this quality that I will be looking for in the future when trying to find more sci-fi YA novels. 
• Beautifully written  

Negatives

• The wait
  Revis hasn't even announced the second novel's release date. :(

Beth sure has me waiting on edge for the next book. This is going to be HUGE when it hits stores in early January!

Quotes:

"What can I tell them about Earth? How can I describe how the air smells different, how the earth feels richer, how you yourself are different, just from knowing the entire world is at your disposal? Should I start with the mountains always hidden in clouds and snow--or do they even know what those words mean: cloud, and snow, and mountain? I could tell them about the different kinds of rain, pouring rain that 's perfect for when you want to stay inside and watch a movie or read, or piercing rain that feels like needles in your skin, or soft summer rain, that makes your first kiss with your first love all the sweeter.
They look at me eagerly, wanting to hear about the planer I called home.
I begin with the sky." (pg. 152)

Buy:

Live in Australia?

Fishpond | Readings | Dymocks | Angus & Robertson | Borders | The Nile

Live elsewhere?

Amazon | The Book Depository

I have received this review copy in return for an honest review.

Series:

Not yet announced.

Challenge: 2011 Debut Author Challenge

Other Reviews:

• "...from now on I will watch Beth with anticipation."
  - Misty (5 stars)
• "Across the Universe is such an amazing and original read that I can’t praise enough"
  - Welcome to Larissa's Bookish Life (5 stars)
• "Across the Universe is a book that you will get lost in and completely forget about the rest of the world. Utterly captivating."
  - Nic, Irresistable Reads (5 stars)
• "Across The Universe is full of twists and turns, which made for an unpredictable plot and a fantastic ending!"
  - Mundie Moms (4.5 stars)
• "‘Across the Universe’ is a dystopian sci-fi romance extravaganza. . . epic and beautiful"
  - ALPHA Reader (5 stars)
  
  

I'd love to read your reviews! Leave a comment with a link to your review and I'll add it to the list. ;)

Learn more about Across the Universe and read more reviews at Goodreads! 

[Review] Girl Parts by John M. Cusick

Title: Girl Parts

Author: John M. Cusick [debut novel!]

Publication: August 2010 -- out now!

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Review Copy: ARC

Pages: 218

My Rating:

Blurb from Goodreads:  

"Hello, David. My name is Rose. It’s a pleasure to meet you. We are now entering minute two of our friendship. According to my Intimacy Clock, a handshake is now appropriate…"

David and Charlie are opposites. David has a million friends, online and off. Charlie is a soulful outsider, off the grid completely. But neither feels close to anybody. When David’s parents present him with a hot Companion bot to encourage healthy bonds and treat "dissociative disorder," he can’t get enough of luscious red-headed Rose — and he can’t get it soon. Companions come with strict intimacy protocols, and whenever he tries anything, David gets an electric shock. Severed from the boy she was built to love, Rose turns to Charlie, who finds he can open up, knowing Rose isn’t real. With Charlie’s help, the ideal "companion" is about to become her own best friend.
In a stunning and hilarious debut, John Cusick takes rollicking aim at internet culture and our craving for meaningful connection in an uber-connected world.

 My thoughts: Girl Parts is definitely guy YA lit; I enjoyed it, but it was flawed. The writing style was so different to what I'd become accustomed to, so it took a while to get used to it. Which is fine, and probably expected, since this book is for a different audience, and written by a male author.

It took until halfway through the novel to realise what the title Girl Parts was referring to. :P And I guess the sexual passages, while spread apart and slightly (very slightly) graphic, were necessary... since that's kind of a major part/point of this book. I think this is for 15+; I wouldn't be giving this one to a 12 year old, because of what I've briefly discussed.

Keeping in mind that this is a debut novel, there are obviously going to be issues with it, that will be ironed out (hopefully) with each coming release by Cusick. However, since I enjoyed this one, and it is guy lit, I'm rating it 4 stars with all of that in mind. This is completely new territory to me: guy YA lit, sci-fi-esque, with a guy MC and POV . . .


Another short review. School. All in all, I think this is worth a read. It will not win over some people, but I think there is promise-- Cusick drew upon an interesting concept and wrote an entertaining story about it. Plus, it's pretty short. I read it within the span of a day. :) Plus, the cover is gorgeous! I want to see a finished copy of this one-- I'd buy a copy.

Amazon | The Book Depository | Borders

Learn more about Girl Parts and read more reviews at Goodreads!
Girl Parts is John M. Cusick's debut novel.


Book Trailer:

Note: For the handful of people who stumbled across my giveaway post a few hours ago, just letting you know that it wasn't meant to be up until tomorrow. Hope you check back later!