[Review] When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

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Publication: 30/05/2017

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Pages: 380

Source: Bought

Genre: YA {Contemporary}

Violence | Sexual Content | Profanity

Book Tunes

♪ Landon Pigg - Falling In Love At A Coffee Shop ♪

My Rating

5/5 stars

My thoughts

2017 has been a glorious melting pot of POC (People of Colour) and #ownvoices YA releases and I am so okay with that! One of the more iconic books of the year is When Dimple Met Rishi - it seemed as though everyone and their cats were reading it! And I knew I would adore it too, but I'll admit I felt reluctant to delve into it at first: after all, you can only ever experience a book for the first time once. It took me HALF A YEAR to finally pick this one up. Insanity! I don't think I could have loved When Dimple Met Rishi any more than I did! This one is definitely a keeper!

[Review] Shoebox Funeral: Stories from Wolf Creek by Elizabeth Voltz

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Publication: 27/06/2017
Publisher: Animal Media Group

Pages: 265

Source: Publisher for review

Genre: Non-fiction / memoir

Violence | Sexual Content | Profanity

Book Tunes

♪ Disney - You've Got a Friend in Me ♪

My Rating

5/5

My thoughts

Shoebox Funeral is a carefully crafted compendium filled with precious memories and anecdotes of a childhood spent on a farm. The experiences of Elizabeth Voltz and her ten siblings and parents are shared with delicate eloquence, making this memoir an absolute gem. I loved reading about the myriad many animals that lived on the farm over the years; while their deaths brought about much distress, it was heartwarming to know how well-loved they had been, and the resounding influence that they had on Elizabeth's upbringing is inspiring. 

[Review] The Agony of Bun O'Keefe by Heather Smith

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Publication (dd/mm/yyyy): 05/09/2017

Publisher: Razorbill Canada

Pages: 224

Source: Netgalley

Genre: YA {Contemporary | Historical}

Violence | Sexual Content | Profanity

Book Tunes

♪ Kimya Dawson - So Nice, So Smart ♪
♪ Ingrid Michaelson - Home ♪

My Rating

5/5

My thoughts

Warning: suicide, sexual abuse, parental abuse/neglect, swearing, fighting, racism, prostitution and homophobia. 

You know that euphoric, lovely feeling you get deep inside when you meet someone incredibly special, and you know that you will do anything to keep them in your life because life has suddenly been split into two, before and after? Meet Bun O'Keefe. If I could choose to bring a literary character to life so that we could be BFFs, she would be one of the top contenders - she's smart, witty, quirky, sweet and loving (to a fault), forgiving, adorable and incredibly, endearingly weird.

Bun has been brought up in one of the absolute worst environments ever, and it shows in her behaviour. She was just 5 years old when her father left, ever since then it's just been her and her obese mother who likes loves lives to shop (see: obsessive hoarder). Living in a dirty, dusty and cluttered home, random knick-knacks and junk form piles alongside the walls. When her mum tells her to "Go on! Get out!", she steps outside and soon finds "Busker Boy" on the street, who takes her in and out of the cold. He brings her home, where she meets many interesting twenty-somethings, and so begins a heartwarming slice-of-life story about finding where you truly belong in the world.

[Review] The Special Ones by Em Bailey

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Publication (dd/mm/yyyy): 01/06/2016

Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont

Pages: 319

Source: For review

Genre: YA {Contemporary}

#LoveOzYA

Violence | Sexual Content | Profanity

Book Tunes

♪ The Pierces - Three Wishes ♪

My Rating

5/5 stars

My thoughts

Dear A @ Hardie Grant Egmont (and everyone else),
I suck.
Sincerely, Cass

This book, guys! This book... *looks away and hides in the corner, curled up in foetal position*

Preface time! I actually requested this book for review, over a year ago before its publication, which the guys over at Hardie Grant Egmont graciously accepted and so I had a beautiful finished copy of my own to drool over! I don't receive any review copies anymore (which is good for my nerves), but even at that time I was barely communicating with publicists. It was only because an email had come in with a list of upcoming titles that I took the plunge and requested this book because I had previously read Em Bailey's Shift {my review} and wanted to try another book by her before casting her away entirely. And I'm so glad that I gave her another shot, but that's not the point here. The point is, I'm a terrible book blogger and I don't deserve new review copies until I've cleared out my to-be-reviewed and to-be-read (TBR 2x)! Please, all of you, just stay away for now. .__. I don't need you added more books to the madness that has consumed my room!

[Review] Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall

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Publication (dd/mm/yyyy): 07/07/2016

Publisher: Chicken House

Pages: 272

Source: Library

Genre: YA {Contemporary}

Violence | Sexual Content | Profanity

Trigger warning: self harm

Book Tunes

♪ Ingrid Michaelson - Die Alone ♪
♪ Goo Goo Dolls - Iris ♪

My Rating

5/5 stars

My thoughts

US Cover

My heart is (still) in a frenzy. Under Rose-Tainted Skies was absolutely perfect back when I read it in March, and I could not be more grateful that there is a book like this out in the world. I had been wanting to read this book for a while and had been holding out to buy the US version of the book because I find it to be infinitely superior to the UK edition, so I was able to read this book courtesy of my local library. This one is a must-buy for me as I will certainly want to read this again in the future.

[Review] My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier

Publication (dd/mm/yyyy): 26/01/2016

Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Pages: 398

Source: Bought
Genre: YA - Contemporary (14+)

Violence | Sexual Content | Profanity

Book Tunes
♪ Arctic Monkeys - One For the Road ♪

My Rating: 

Intense, thought-provoking

My thoughts

5/5

HOLY SHIT. I have not been so hideously disturbed since Gone Girl. If this is the kind of writing that Justine Larbalestier is capable of, I'm certain that her other novels, particularly Razorhurst, will not disappoint. If you're looking for quality Aussie YA fiction sure to keep you up at night, look no further!

[Review] Lair of Dreams (#2) by Libba Bray

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Publication (dd/mm/yyyy): 26/08/2015

Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Pages: 613

Source: For review
Genre: YA - Historical (14+)

Violence | Sexual Content | Profanity

Book Tunes
♪ Emily Brown - Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of These) (Cover ♪

My Rating: 

Captivating - what a thrilling read!

My thoughts

OMG, 'LAIR OF DREAMS' WAS SO GOOD! This is an example of a really good sequel to a series! It has its own storyline and plot, and the characters are developed well, in that the author didn't depend on the first book to serve as their only characterisation. The overarching plot of the series has vastly widened, opening up towards grander things in books to come!

[Review + Giveaway] Queen of Shadows (#4) by Sarah J. Maas

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Publication (dd/mm/yyyy): 01/09/2015

Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pages: 645

Source: Bought
Genre: YA - Fantasy (14+)

Violence | Sexual Content | Profanity

Book Tunes
♪ Ginny Blackmore - Holding You ♪
♪ Christina Perri - Human ♪
♪ Björk - Army of Me (Remix) ♪

My Rating: 

Gripping, emotional, edge-of-your-seat read

My thoughts

Sarah J. Maas never fails to amaze me with her gripping storytelling - one of such rarity, managing to captivate me time and time again with bone-chilling, edge-of-your-seat, tantalisingly glorious twists and turns, and unfaltering writing style. 
Her heightened ability to create characters that stick, cling and crawl under one's skin seems to be a weapon of its own. I cannot, will not manage ever to remove Aelin nor Aedion nor Rowan nor Chaol nor Dorian nor Nehemia nor Sam, out of my heart and mind. I know I am not alone in this, a reader whose connection to the characters found in a book made profound, palpable and real and lovely... For me it is something I cannot find often in tv or movies. As a sequel, the fourth book in the Throne of Glass series, it stands triumphant. I am still reeling from the experience, excited for the day to come when my real life friends to whom I've recommended this series get around to reading this so they too can engage and fall in love with the characters, the writing and the author as much as I have.

[Review] A Court of Thorns and Roses (#1) by Sarah J. Maas

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(#1, A Court of Thorns and Roses)

A Court of Thorns and Roses | Untitled

Publication (dd/mm/yyyy): 05/05/2015

Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pages: 419

Source: Bought
Genre: YA - fantasy (16+)

Violence | Sexual Content | Profanity

Book Tunes
♪ Major Lazer - Powerful (feat. Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley) ♪

My Rating:

Tantalisingly swoonworthy

My thoughts

How do I express exactly what and how I feel for this book? Okay, let's start with this simple and undeniable fact: I am a huge fan of Sarah J. Maas' books. I think her storytelling is on point, her writing style is lovely and eloquent and effective, her use of dialogue, tension, suspense, conflict and astute development of her characters just work perfectly together, grabs me in the heart every single time, leaving me gasping, emotionally spent from the experience. Her grasp on the human condition translates perfectly into her heroines. I loved Celaena's (Throne of Glass series) rough edges, her will to live above all else and her vulnerabilities. I absolutely love that she empowers her female characters, gives them roles that matter and feel real and they are never the same as when we first met them. That is the mark that a truly magical thing has taken place in your story: your characters have undergone irrevocable changes. 

A Court of Thorns and Roses is a loose fairytale retelling of Beauty and the Beast involving an ancient war between faeries and humans. It is a heart-wrenching story about love, family, survival, power and humanity. It follows 19-year-old Feyre’s journey as she is plucked from her miserable impoverished home in the mortal lands after she plunges an ash arrow into a wolf during one of her hunts, not knowing that it was actually a faerie. Unknowingly she has broken an age-old vow made between the two, but instead of killing her there and then Tamlin, an influential and powerful faerie, has decided to take her into the Faerie Realms, into the Spring Court where he resides. There Feyre learns more about the war and her sort-of captors, and finds out there is more to Tamlin than he’s letting on… and maybe she holds the key to saving her family from devastation.

[Review] I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

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

Publisher: Dial (Penguin)
Pages: 371

Source: Bought
Genre: YA (14+) - Contemporary

Violence | Sexual Content | Profanity

Book Tunes
♪ Jessie J - Sweet Talker ♪

My Rating: 

A masterpiece

My thoughts

Jandy Nelson's debut novel, The Sky is Everywhere, was one of my absolute favourite debut novels of 2010. Its strong depiction of the ailing effect of music and love in the midst of a grieving period in a young teen's life quickly landed the author a place on my list of authors I will follow no matter what. In that book she showed a unique sensitivity and delivered a beautifully-woven story that I could not forget.

Her sophomore title, I'll Give You the Sun, surpassed her debut by far. I cannot even begin to describe how invested I had become with the story and the characters; everything was so powerful, so emotional, so beautiful. Contemporary YA will always be my home genre and I think I'll Give You the Sun just confirms to me that Jandy Nelson can do no wrong. 

[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] Heir of Fire (#3) by Sarah J. Maas

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(#3, Throne of Glass)

The Assassin's Blade | Throne of Glass | Crown of Midnight | Heir of Fire | Untitled

Publication (dd/mm/yyyy): 11/09/2014

Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pages: 560

Source: Bought
Genre: YA (16+) - Fantasy

Violence | Sexual Content | Profanity

Book Tunes
♪ Evanescence - Bring Me To Life ♪

My Rating: 

THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING!!!

My thoughts

Warning! Spoilers if you have not read Crown of Midnight!

This book. Man, this book was DEEP. Maas pulls so many powerful punches in Heir of Fire; without question, even more than she did in Crown of Midnight (and that's saying something because that book was flipping intense!). I feel so strongly about this book, and my thoughts are kind of all over the place, so I'm glad that I did write notes right after I finished reading it initially. I've since read another book in between to try and gather my thoughts, but still I don't know.

[Review] The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

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Publication (dd/mm/yyyy): 13/03/2014

Publisher: Bloomsbury UK
Pages: 437

Source: Publisher for review
Genre: YA (14+) - High fantasy

Violence | Sexual Content | Profanity

Book Tunes
♪ x ♪

My Rating: 

Brilliantly written

My thoughts

Somehow, after knowing what happens in Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight, revisiting Celaena BEFORE the salt mines of Endovier brought forth a whole new perspective and a newfound appreciation for Celaena's character AND Sarah J. Maas' writing and vision. I LOVED that I was given the chance to reread the novellas in a print paperback format. I believe the experience was somehow different and richer because of it.

[Review] Ask the Passengers by A.S. King

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Publication (dd/mm/yyyy): 23/10/2012

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Pages: 290

Source: Bought
Genre: YA (14+) - Contemporary, GLBT

Violence | Sexual Content | Profanity

Book Tunes
♪ Lilyjets - Perfect Picture ♪

My Rating: 

Startlingly honest and bold

My thoughts

I'll just come right out and say it. I loved this book hardcore. I devoured it, one of those nothing-else-exists-until-I-finish-this-book kinds of books. Of course, I expected nothing less of A.S. King. I kind of have a golden track record with her novels (see below).

(The Dust of 100 Dogs | Please Ignore Vera Dietz -- still haven't reviewed because there were too many things to say that I was overwhelmed and now I'd have to reread it so there. | Everybody Sees the Ants)

Ask the Passengers was insightful and felt wholly unique and fresh in this glorious way that only A.S. King seems able to achieve. The writing is raw and punchy; if you're no stranger to King's writing you'll know what I'm talking about. The main character, Astrid, reminded me of Daria from the MTV show Daria: smart, kickass, sarcastic, kind of an oddball but awesome in her own ways, and most importantly she takes it upon herself to not give a damn what other people think because they're all morons.