Reviewing... [16] Dangerous Reality

Malorie Blackman month is done with Char @ From The Shadows I Review. Check this awesome blog out for more Malorie Blackman stuff SOON! :D

Reviewing...[16] Author: Malorie Blackman (I wonder why...) Source: Library Recommended?: I'm not sure I'd exactly recommend it but I'm sure its a case where younger readers need to give it bookish love :)  Can you sort that for me?... HUH? :D

I was sort of bordering between 2.5 and 3 stars for this one as I can't really think of as much to say...
I finally decided on 3 stars as it did hook me from the one-page 1st Chapter. I did get an idea from page 1 of the book and that was nice even it didn't all ring true after that. It wasn't just 'there's not something right here...' as detail was put into other things that maybe only confused me! :L

Dominic wasn't exactly a reliable narrator. He was quite honest but sometimes it got confusing as you didn't understand it- the drive from the character just didn't work as effectively in this book. Human nature was explored and it was interesting to discover Dominic's motives and also his disability. I did pretty much wish that Dominic was my little brother. Then again if I was I'd probably stop him doing half the stuff as urgent as it was!

The technology is at least slightly more realistic (I gather that this is because it was written as futuristic but I've been wrong!) I mean technology being a slight failure as it's quite advanced mechanically...

I can't fault that as I don't think it'll mean it's as dated as other books! 

It should be a classic for younger readers to pick up :L
I'm definitely not the recommended age group but even so I liked the cinched end- it's not exactly happy but there is a sense of resolving & I'm pleased to say... I'm not confused anymore & I did read it for Malorie Blackman month (which is now over!)
I'm quite glad I did read it.

Amy Bookworm (@Amy_Bookworm) rated this book: 

Hope you are all having a fabulous Easter!... Just in case you were wondering for Malorie Blackman month my average rating was 4 stars (this isn't far of her goodreads average of 4.08) & I rated with a review 6 books.

Follow me & I'll follow you back to celebrate this wonderful time of year with bookish love!

Reviewing... [15] Dead Gorgeous

Malorie Blackman month is done with Char @ From The Shadows I Review. Check this awesome blog out for more Malorie Blackman stuff... NOW! You hear me? :D

Reviewing...[15] Author: Malorie Blackman (I wonder why...) Source: An Ebook lend! Recommended for: I-want-to-be-a-lil'-spooked-but-not-a-lot!

So, firstly... I recommended it to those anti-crapping-pants people pretty much... So does this mean that it's not realistic enough to be scary? HAHA.
No. It could be considered scary but more the sub-genres... Miss Dawn & Miss Eve *shudders* Malorie can fantastically create characters who are really original... She does this partly by creating mystery but not overdoing it. Liam was pretty mysterious but not the best character in Dead Gorgeous. I think he was a little bit protective and sort of had you’d expect a ghost’s experience to be like. she realizes she’s the only one who can see him. The most scariest thing wasn't the medium aspect of Nova (and perhaps other characters) but the other element...

Taking from blurb again: she’s hiding a secret of her own –
one she’s desperate to keep from her family.

There were definitely themes I hadn't seen during Malorie Blackman month (or anywhere else for that matter!) but about 85% through I started realizing this was more a YA... And it was written like YA, Trust Me. Once again I've expected a light read & I haven't got one. I should've realized how this book could differ so much from predictions... For starters, how many ghost stories do you know that use the line 'like when my toes learn to chew gum!' or anything of that beautiful nature?
This isn't a heavy read as you may have guessed from that- its sort of middle-depth (she says knowing that at least the themes aren't preachy if a tad repetitive)...
Oh, how many things can I say I liked? A britainization of phrases used is a plus: "Nova put in her twopence worth". And obviously surprises. Who isn't hooked by them?
I thought the ending was fulfilling; I sniffed a little at Miss Dawn's 'Of course not'. I doubt anybody can really see this book's rollercoaster unless they've read it. Predict it? No, sirree.
Don't expect Raye to not shock you. And Andrew... *whistles*
Characterization: 11/10! :D
Once again, Liam didn't seem as special to me as he should've been. I liked him but if I was Nova I'd have reacted a lot differently. Did I mention I don't think I can talk to ghosts?
No...? Basically it's realistic. But not really scary as I can't.

Amy Bookworm (@Amy_Bookworm) rated this book: 

3 Things [5]: Name (Duplicates)

Sometimes I read a book and I think 'that’s a unique name' but what I really mean is that’s a unique name in real life.
You just don't stumble upon Xavier's very often. I don't think there's any at my school. Well maybe there is 1/2000. Did we just miss out? I can't really remember the Xavier from the Halo Series even if I can remember Xavier from the Benedict brothers! So I couldn't really contrast them... But here are some I can (I don't know why they are all guys, are there more girl names?):

#1- Liam:

Why Liam first? Because it's the most popular. Liam's seem to choose the wrong girl by some of these books I've read... In A Little Birdie Told Me Liam was a slight idiot. He confused Mira and confused us too! But I don't think he was really rotten. Not like the punch-throwing, pain who really has issues in What's Up With Jody Barton? He was seriously my least favourite character! I haven't finished Dead Gorgeous* but I've gathered that he has pretty good intentions most of the time (I'm not sure about both of the previous Liam's motives). You think I'm done listing Liam's? A minor (at least so far, I've read about 10% of this book) character in Dangerous Reality* is also called Liam and quite frankly I'm not going to consider him! I'm just stating the fact that:

Liam is a popular name in fiction (it's like the 'James' of fiction... There's not many James' in fiction, are there?)

I'm starting with the sixth & seventh because it's not rude/confusing:
An amazing person who has alot of feelings for others and wants what's best for his loved ones. Very caring and kind towards people has a heart. Always there, extremely loveable and one too keep, one who most people love and admire as much as i do too. someone to change your life for the best.
An extremely handsome and highly intelligent guy. A Liam is never to be underestimated. Though at times a bit of a badass and tough around the edges, he has a soft and sweet inside. Beware though, because he is a definite lady's man. A Liam breaks many hearts without even trying. Liam's are also highly artistic and musically inclined. They can accomplish anything they set out to do.
Amazing applies to Liam #1 & Liam #3 only. I think they all are emotional and I haven't seen them with their loved ones much... I would give Liam #1 the mark if any.
With caring, loveable and having a heart also not applying to Liam #2 I'm starting to lose faith in this Liam. Does no Urban Dictionary contributor think some Liam's are just disgusting? I would give #Liam 3 the 'life changing' mark...
I know they've all been called handsome and I'm pretty sure only Liam #2 isn't intelligent.
Badass? *scoffs* More like an awkward flea. OK, maybe not entirely... But if a ghost isn't, what is (he only gets 0.5 to be fair to both the other Liam's who scored 1!)? And Liam (#2) in What's Up With JB is a horrible person if ever I saw one. I wouldn't entirely want any of those Liam's for their flaws.
*kicks Liam #2 out for losing massively compared to the other Liam's*
There is half a point between the remaining Liam's... Liam #1 takes the lead but it's not over YET!
Soft and sweet? OK, nobody calls that... Lady's man? Hmm... Not too sure but from what I know Liam #1 has the girlfriend. Does that mean Liam #3 can't break hearts? He so can. They both can.
Artistic best describes Liam #1 and he's better at achieving (so far) what he sets out to do... He may also end up with different things but let's face it... Liam #3 hasn't left the Manor Hotel yet. Sucker (I jest but guess who won...?)

Is the Birdie Liam? Well, he won! *applauds*

#2- Oscar:

The most ironic thing about using Urban Dictionary is seriously this. I think there's a chance an Oscar wrote it. What do you think? "The master of all humans, the person who has control of the world, and the coolest person in the planet." I can't deny that I'd call Oscar in Candor an Oscar.
On the blurb Oscar introduces himself... "I am the perfect teenager. My girlfriend is the hottest girl in school. I get straight As. I am class president."
Class president? Master...? He's the perfect teenager... That's pretty... cool? He can be in control of humans, he's not the master in a way like his Dad. He manages a facade and he's a really dynamic, realistic character who I remember!
Oscar in The Dark Side Of Night is all introduced through the synopsis. "Everybody knows a boy like Oscar." Do they? 
"He’s popular at college, fun and good looking."
...I've described him beyond that, Oscar really isn’t that peculiar, he’s not the jock-next-door, just the boy. The boy who likes free running.

Back to Urban Dictionary...

Definition 13 refers to Oscar as a verb: 'to pull a lie off so great that it's worthy of a nomination'
I like the 8th because I can exactly imagine that amazing smile on either Pam's Oscar or the other Oscar. So here you go, "Usually a guy with an amazing smile and hair with words that can make you melt. Cool, sexy as hell, fun, smart, very persuasive and totally knows what he is doing but also highly dangerous and can be a player. Amazing guitar skills and personality. Usually a friend that you can trust and count on."
Very persuasive you say? Uh, yeah... They both are! And 100% dangerous, fun, smart... I'd disagree with player but they mention guitars? Is that all they mean? I'd add that in! I personally would trust & count on them.

But the awkward for most Oscary goes to...
Oscar in... (here's a piccie of him on the cover)

#3- Andrew

It's Malorie Blackman month so here's a fun fact: she's used the name Andrew twice in two different books (and it wasn't like both were minors either)! So these different characters both have rather unpleasant mothers, does that mean she practically re-made one character she liked! It's an interesting thought...
Andrew in Dead Gorgeous* Vs Andrew of Trust Me*...
So we'll use a few Urban Dictionary definitions to settle this dispute  It firstly says, "Ultra cool, Usually hot or at least sort of cute. Awesome sense of style, music, and humor. Sexy, awesome kisser"
I wouldn't call either of them 'ultra cool'... I'm sorry. Perhaps they are hot and it appears kiss well but what else does Urban Dictionary say? The fifth is a bit of an extension, "A good Andrew is a rare type."
Ah... now I see... It's rare to be a good Andrew? That's true. I wouldn't call them good. Fantastic in different degrees of ruthlessness but good?
I've cut out about a hundred words and I'm back to the same definition... Some may not apply to either but here you go (key): Trust Me Andrew Dead Gorgeous Andrew
"He gets into crazy situations but gets out without a scratch and stays calm. He's almost always got a plan and is great at on-the-spot thinking. He's very smart but not in a nerd way and is very good at everything he does yet doesn't often admit his talents. He's got great taste in music and dresses differently but its still cool. He's always full throttle until he feels like crashing, then he will sleep where he falls. Andrew doesn't care what people think of him because he and everyone that knows him knows he is immortal and godlike but rarely looks down on others. That's because Andrew is a god and is the most awesome person you can ever have the honour of meeting and is unforgettable."
Lastly, it's 22nd definition that has a merit-  He's the life of a party, even if he's not invited. ... He's the stuff of legends.
I think the 'highlighting' speaks for itself... Congratulations on being 'The Andrew'...

*this book is written by Malorie Blackman

Reviewing... [14] Hacker

Malorie Blackman month is done with Char @ From The Shadows I Review. Check this awesome blog out for more Malorie Blackman stuff SOON! :D

Reviewing...[14] Author: Malorie Blackman (I wonder why...) Source: CHRISTMAS :D (again). Recommended for: YOU. Yes, You. Wait... Are you a hacker? Steer clear!

Who can resist the apprehension that comes with HACKER? Unlike ANTIDOTE (which I thought it'd be similar to) it has its laughs and probably is aimed at slightly older as it was deeper and more emotional. So I wouldn't give my first impressions a gold star, or any star for that matter! I presumed that the Dad wouldn't be there as Vicky's hacking skills were tested to their limits... And also, I can't exactly call Vicky a computer genius even though its clear she's not quite from the 21st century... Gib, protagonist #2 (Victoria's brother), doesn't know a single thing about the world wide web...

^ Despite all this, I was still very much like that ^

With the modernized (I could even go so far as to futuristic) cover, and blurb (includes design) I expected the technology to be advanced enough for it to be more complicated...
But would that type of complicated be typical Malorie Blackman?...


No! It wouldn't.
There were ethnic issues and also it was a female who is in danger but is facing it... They are thematic even if I didn't expect them here (hey, they weren't in ANTIDOTE... remember my comparison?)
It's Vicky, female hacker (get rid of your prejudice now :P), who is danger of being in even worse trouble than her Dad is in! I'm not entirely sure by the ending how that would completely help prove their victimized Dad innocent but it obviously did in some way otherwise it wouldn't have ended... I think it could've been a lot longer to wrap it up and be more conventional but it is enough that this is has such character strength!
I liked this, it appears, for the parallel opposite reasons to ANTIDOTE, hey? I picked that up for it's male protag and now I'm just as attracted by Vicky's voice- and don't forget her obviously true-to-life interactions with the other characters!

Amy Bookworm (@Amy_Bookworm) rated this book:

Reviewing... [13] Trust Me

Malorie Blackman month is done with Char @ From The Shadows I Review. Check this awesome blog out for more Malorie Blackman stuff SOON! :D

Reviewing...[13] Author: Malorie Blackman (I wonder why...) Source: Library. Recommended for: High-schoolers/crossover (her paranormals/dystopias for this age are more relevant should I say?)

I know it's a good book when I don't find that chapters are a veil hanging over... When I'm riveted by the very essence of the world and the characters even if most are extremely unlikable! This may be a world where there are another type of Vegetarians* but for once I found myself actually realizing how morally correct that is.
Jayna is completely radiant in her flaws and she makes this book seem a lot more genuine. Trust me is clever as it really helped me to believe in Jayna about as much as you believe in yourself- its as if I can her mental state and not my own. She had a few antagonists and I won't lie, they were VERY censure and I have the urge to give them that 'tude right back!

The Harrisons! Da da-da da-da da-da da da-da-da-daa...

At first I thought the Harrisons were pretty much static characters, as I assumed they were a 75% minor part of 'Trust Me' I was happy... Until I found out I'd be having anger in my soul, I hated his boxed-up not-passive-cos-they'd-rather-be-a-bother (I almost hated him equally).
All these characters were part of an intense story arc which I loved immensely. The ending was unprecedented and I liked it a lot. I feel as if it was fastened together- it impressed me! This book may pluck out your heart strings and only give them back when you've read the last page. Read this very recommended book.

*you know... I'm a Twilight neutral- I'm a Trust Me Fan. Excuse the 'reference'

Amy Bookworm (@Amy_Bookworm) rated this book: 

Book Blogger Confessions (#2) - Sidebar RANT

Book Blogger Confessions returns and will come again in April! This is my inaugural meme that posts the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month, where book bloggers "confess" and vent about topics that are unique to us. Feel free to share, vent and offer solutions (politely).

Hosted by For What It's Worth and Midnyte Reader

What is important in design for the blogs you follow? What features/elements do you appreciate? What are big turn off's?

...Appearance. You've seen this blog, right? Obviously design isn't something I focus on (apart from the GIF's of course- just check out my reviews)! At least I don't think it is...
The only important thing is there can't be too much in the sidebars and if the sidebars are too wide or things from the sidebars overlap into the main blog it just looks sloppy. I like sidebars that understand that less is more. I quite frankly will not look for something specific in sidebars like GFC if I think I'll end up scrolling almost endlessly. Perhaps the sidebars won't be an issue... GFC isn't at the bottom? Thank heavens.
I'm going to overlook things which just... are so random. I appreciate the automated scroll thing that some bloggers use to display a range of other blog buttons (you can find out how to do it here (caffeinated book reviewer). But blog buttons aside, what else do see shoved into the sidebar (please say they are in sidebar/footer... You put them all into the header? Ugh!)
(Key: Œ€ = less than 1 but not always necessary |  = equal OR more than 0 |  ü = great (if numbers are specified I mean within those limits, it means I like it concise!) | û = not useful | MD = most disliked point)

1. Social networking buttons or buttons that say stuff like ‘tweet me’ than link to the place where you can do said thing (it’s not common for them to be like mine but hey...)
ü  ‚ MD - Google+ (especially when it's a substitute of a blogger about me or account... don't advertise that bigger than any others... unfortunately it often is!)

2. Buttons/lists with links to recent/important posts/pages (includes blog archive but I also like specific to certain posts lists/buttons)
ü should link to approx.  (give/take- but no long label lists please!) MD - too many labels (best to add buttons for main ones- you can click via post to see a label if it matters!)

3. Guide to ratings
ü MD - it being more than half way down probably annoys me...

4. Groups/challenges a blog is part of/participating in
ü  MD - massive, not thumbnails (more likely to overlap into main blog unless sidebars are really wide!)

5. Polls
ü Ž MD - also don't like these to be buried- how can you get votes?

6. Blog search tools
ü  MD - it doesn't need to be there from start, best on big blogs otherwise may not be utilized

7. Following stuff.
ü ③ MD -  Wordpress. No Follow simply :P Don't talk to me about the google issues. If I stick my fingers in my ears it'll be no issue?

8. Shelves/books (ie. Currently reading)
ü MD -   if more than one I like it to look like the goodreads embedding things- you don't need to embed, obviously, all your shelves on goodreads?)

9. Stats for the blog
 (sometimes better in footer! It fits more there & I like it more... just me?)  MD - big graphs, more into maps if anything...

10. Comment/tweets/statutes etc. shown
ü  MD - too much irrelevance.

11. Quotes
û ❷ MD - BIG FONT.

12. 'Team ... ' graphics (and series graphics)
û MD - the amount... Normally blogs have lots or none.

13. Ads (including book ads)
Ž MD - add it on everything ever. Ugh... per book = Amazon, Book Depository & if you want to support local bookstore that too. Don't advertise loads of randomness or books everywhere, authors or not.

...That pretty much brings a close to the list of pros & cons of stuff in the footer/sidebar. What is important also is the header... I can tell you the same applies to headers as covers... People judge by the headers in part. Especially as that is where the blog name goes. Before you click onto a blog you'll have seen the name often... If it's lengthy or easy to overlook (I like an inbetween, awkward I know) I'm unlikely to follow... Unless of course it's a follow/follow in which case you're unlikely to bother me even if the header doesn't fit onto the laptop screen because it's so large (I obviously care about appearance).
I have no problems with following others in return- if they look like a nice book blog (I look at the content as I've mentioned) I'm likely to click that follow button as quick as lightning... Just make sure that I can find GFC there!... Sorry wordpress!

Hope this helps (:

Book Promo [#3]: Noble Conflict

Thanks to fellow participant Char who reviews from the Shadows for allowing me use of this!

Malorie Blackman (who wanted to be an English teacher when she was growing up) writes books (her children/crossover books win awards) and scripts- 70+ of her books have been published... And here's one of them... You'll have to wait though, it's the book next to be published by her!

RELEASED SUMMER 2013!

Series: ý 

 

| Malorie's site |  Do you like the sound of some of the books I've reviewed so far here? Well you might like this book! Here's the blurb: Years after a violent war destroyed much of the world, Kaspar has grown up in a society based on peace and harmony. But beyond the city walls, a vicious band of rebels are plotting to tear this peace apart. It is up to the Guardians - an elite peacekeeping force - to protect the city, without ever resorting to the brutal methods of their enemy. When Kaspar joins the Guardians, he has a chance encounter with a rebel - a beautiful girl named Rhea. Haunted from that moment on by strange visions and memories - memories that could only belong to Rhea - he realises he hasn't been told the truth about what the rebels really want, and what he's really fighting for. ~Noble Conflict by Malorie Blackman

Purchasing

As of yet it has a goodreads page and its clear a hardcover is coming but what formats will it be in? No other formats are on Amazon yet so you'll have to pre-order for £9.74 (which is the same at Waterstones) or hope NetGalley gets it! Even though I've not all the same amount of keenness on ebooks after a pavala yesterday! Obviously the pro's of ebooks (little mini-topic here) are the cheap price, the amount you can have easily & the speed they are available to read at... But all of those are only in most cases.
The issue involved a library ebook (Dead Gorgeous). It came in ePub. That was OK but then I discovered it couldn't be converted using calibre because of DRM (a tweet at that moment). Then I downloaded the  OverDrive app that means Kindle Fires can support EPUB & MP3. But was that helpful? No. Just a big issue with adobe IDs & the library.
Do you think its the library? Or the publisher? Do you think either are just a tiny bit biased & dislike ebooks compared to physical books? Is that why they make it awkward for us Calibre?
I suppose if somebody did want to be a book pirate ebooks would be easier... But there are plenty of great free ebooks NOT to pirate! Publishers, you don't have to give your away for free. We might buy them anyway or get them from the library.
The bottom line is this: There are definitely cons to e-books.

Oh, and... Support Malorie Blackman! (Even more, please XD)

Reviewing... [12] Thief!

Malorie Blackman month is done with Char @ From The Shadows I Review. Check this awesome blog out for more Malorie Blackman stuff SOON! :D

Reviewing...[12] Author: Malorie Blackman (because we're dedicating month to her books which are all very highly acclaimed...). Source: CHRISTMAS :D Recommended for: Teens and under...

 @Amy_Bookworm rated (no tweet available)

Sometimes when you look at your reading experience of a book in retrospect you realize you bit off more than you could chew... You didn't expect the unexpected.
I wolfed this down. Hindsight doesn't make that more true.
Ideally there would have been a twist earlier than 80% of the way through but for some reason I was hooked before that. The rest was less unpredictable unfortunately- I had a sense of Deja Vu (just because this isn't the start of my Dystopian journey at all) with some of the dystopian elements which is sort of a positive as it did mean that it was more vivid. I would have expected a bit of a different scene for the world in the 2040's but little areas of the book helped the reader to understand why it was like this; just withholding a vital piece of information until more than three quarters of the way through... It tells you something that even though I might not have done things the same way I still loved it...

Perhaps I didn't fall of my chair (I was reading on my bed anyway... 
that tired when you won't sleep)

Even despite not being the most unique in terms of plot (how many times do characters have to try & change the past which isn't great?) her storytelling skills are exemplary. How do you manage to pull of a plot that was partly given away (oh, synopsis you helped)? FESS ALL!
To be completely fair the futuristic element of this book isn't common in Malorie Blackman's books so it was a great addition to her variety of books. Girl, you rock that dystopian town (/genre)!

The characters were totally real and important to this book, entwined. I loved seeing the balance between loyalty and distrust in such a clear way. Lydia was an excellent- and believe it or not, was twelve- protagonist. She developed really brilliantly. Same as Fran who for some reason was just so cute. I normally only collect book boyfriends but guess what? I'm collecting little sisters now too!
Wait... can I have a little brother too? Aww, Danny!
The characters were all really realistic and their actions were really... Just...

Yes, I want one... UP TOP Malorie Blackman ~ for your characters emotion!

3 things [4]: Top 5's

These lists are in no particular order just a narrowed down list mentioning my Top 5 in... You guessed it: three categories! Hope you enjoy this addition to the '3 things' (series? perhaps!)
* leads to review on goodreads

Top 5 List #1: Protagonists – 1st person

Charlie (Perks*)
Need I say why Charlie is amazing? Apparently my English teacher needs to hear it. A certain souvabitch is stealing Charlie’s spotlight. You guessed it- she thinks Holdem Caulfield’s style of writing to a reader is unique and to be studied. So I have to read it. And finish it, which I’ve tried to do before. And failed.

Scarlett March (Sisters Red)
In this fairytale retelling there are two sisters- and the POV’s alternate but I seem to remember Scarlett more? Perhaps because as the retelling would go Rosie definitely wouldn’t be Little Red Riding Hood. So is that a good enough reason for me to not give them a joint spotlight?

Cole (WoMF)
I don’t know why I like him but I remember him slightly more than Sam. That’s sort of worrying but hey...

Jemima J.
I didn’t give this many stars but as I thought of this I realized I did enjoy her voice and her voice didn’t get boring. She may have gone through some stuff that I didn’t fully understand straight away but then realized but I think this is just how she spoke... When an individual has an eating disorder it’s not always obvious to them and I think that’s why it was handled like it was. I don’t often remember if books are written in 1st/3rd much after reading unless the voice is good- so y’know, her voice was good. And one of the reasons I don’t stick to YA (uh-huh, it wasn’t Bridget Jones!)

Oscar (Candor*)
I don’t actually recall if Candor was in 1st person perspective or not... But I think it was. Candor is a world that I really got into, perhaps even more than Delirium and Oscar was flawed, odd and very much a voice I think you’ll like. Just as much as I did.

Top 5 List #2: Book Boyfriends (human):

Box (TBT)

I am ignoring the fact that the only guy I could find with dark,
curly hair other than the Jonas brothers was the dude playing a
Mortal Instruments character. I haven’t read that series so...
MEEEEEEH!

If this 6-book series came to the screen (perhaps in a TV series like Delirium ;) I can hope!) this is what he’d look like (and I am ignoring the fact that the only guy I could find with dark curly hair other than the Jonas brothers was the dude playing a Mortal Instruments character. I haven’t read that series so... MEEEEEEH!
I'm pretty sure that actor won't appreciate a guy with (probably dyed) long white hair calling him 'fly head' & dissing him but hey... It'll have to be done to make Box just as lovable on screen as in the books.

Sean (TLG*)

Sean is in The Lost Girl which is a book I read recently and he is absolutely... absolutely... indescribable.

Green eyes, baby.

He is a huge support to Eva, helping her gain her name and doing much more. It's hard not to melt with a boy like this...

Peeta (HG)

Don't they say a picture speaks
a THOUSAND words

Well... There is a reason that photo is from Catching Fire- I don’t want you to think I only like Peeta because of the Hunger Games movie! I think the reason I love him is more because of the other ones!

That picture is worth 1000 words. 

Because it's from Catching Fire which I am dying to see and know I can't. Yet.

Zach (GG)

Oh. The. Blackthorne. Boys. I haven’t actually read a book where he is taken but I do believe somebody, other than his mother, will probably get their claws into him. He might be cryptic but spies have to be, don’t they? The Bad Boy Facade? Well... That’s just an extra. Extra potential you have young Zachary... even though you insist on calling a certain someone ‘Gallagher Girl’.

Ryan (Mercy)

We very much wanted Mercy to reconnect with Ryan, didn’t we? I may not have finished this series... Unfortunately... But seriously I will. There is nothing much I can say. He is awesome, Mercy forgets this.

Top 5 List #3: Paranormal Book Boyfriends:

I don't have a caption but I'll say this: If you have any
 queries on the images used in this post mail me.

Luca (DHS) 

Werewolf. ‘Nuff said.

Jason (DE) 

Does he have magic? Yes. Is a wizard? No.

Xavier Benedict 

Savants are perhaps sort of human in the regards that they don’t shapeshift, they don’t drink blood and they don’t go to Hogwarts... But seriously? Telepathy & healing aren’t abilities one stumbles upon in books that aren’t paranormal. Hence why Xavier, with all his wit, charm and Timberlands, is definitely a paranormal book boyfriend.

Uriel Benedict 

 As I’ve already said... I sort of have claims to Uriel. I may not be exactly be in South Africa (aha, sorry a teaser!) but y’know... I can relocate. Uriel is described as the golden boy... Angelic blond streaks, positive thinker (but probably- being a savant like Xavier- a realist, of course paranormal characters can be realists); skilled at recalling memories- he doesn’t really belong to this generation of boys. Oh yeah, that’s right. He may be a little old for this minor... Sadness.

Jasper (Twilight) 

You are going to murder me. But this list wouldn’t be a list without a vampire. We can do without the wizard (Ron Weasley) especially as this IS a case where I like him for the movie. I think it’s better to include Jasper who I just like... Just because I like him. I’m sure Jasper doesn’t really sparkle. I haven’t seen the movies so if I’m just wishful thinking... It shall stay that way. K?

Kaaaay.

Book Promo [#2]: Afterlife Academy Cover Reveal

Hope you all had a good world book day yesterday :P My English teacher was ill on WBD... Irony.
But enough of that... This post isn't about English teachers... I'm pretty sure Jaimie Admans isn't an English teacher. Her name is on a YA book now (not just Adult) so what does that make her?

AN AUTHOR!
And this happens to be her...
Jaimie's Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

Jaimie is a 27-year-old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, drinking tea and watching horror movies. She hates spiders and cheese & onion crisps. She has been writing for years, but has never before plucked up the courage to tell people. She writes mostly chick-lit and young adult. Kismetology is her first novel and there are plenty more on the way!

RELEASED 15TH MARCH 2013!

Series: ý 

 

Do you like Young Adult paranormal romantic comedy? That's what this is-- here's the synopsis!  Even being dead isn’t enough to get you out of maths class.  Dying wasn't on sixteen-year-old Riley Richardson's to-do list. And now, not only is she dead, but she's stuck in a perpetual high school nightmare. Worse still, she's stuck there with the geekiest, most annoying boy in the history of the world, ever.  In a school where the geeks are popular and just about everything is wrong, Riley has become an outcast. She begins a desperate quest to get back to her perfect life, but her once-perfect life starts to unravel into something not nearly as perfect as she thought it was. And maybe death isn’t really that bad after all...  Welcome to Afterlife Academy, where horns are the norm, the microwave is more intelligent than the teachers, and the pumpkins have a taste for blood. ~Afterlife Academy by Jaimie Admans

Lastly, thanks to Giselle @ Xpresso Book Tours for allowing me to be part of this cover reveal! Girl power, right there! Yes, the reason this post has the Women Challenge tag is because... the 8th of March is International Women's Day! We'll be seeing more of Jaimie after the release! Another fantastic release of a book you can grab for the first time TODAY is Young Moon by Sharon Sant- I wish them luck with their recent releases!
Want to support Indie authors who just happen to be lovely ladies? There you go!

Reviewing... [11] A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E

Malorie Blackman month is done with Char @ From The Shadows I Review. Check this awesome blog out for more Malorie Blackman stuff SOON! :D

Reviewing...[11] Author: Malorie Blackman (because we're dedicating month to her books which are all very highly acclaimed...). Source: CHRISTMAS :D Recommended for: Mostly kids but hey... anyone really! You like action? You like spies? Confidential information being unearthed?

As you should be more than aware I have more than just A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E at my fingertips. So what stopped me from picking the others up at first or was A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E just at the top of the pile (seen above... uhh, right...)?
Well, with all due respect it wasn't the cover (gee, the Noble Conflict cover- that's good!) Simplicity has its beauty and I do like photographic covers but I've seen books with covers that appeal more to me...
And yet, I read this one first!
Solely, I think, for the fact the MC is a guy! A cute Elliot-named guy whose Mum has a handful of haters...

Those first thoughts aside, it was a good start to the month! The adventure is quite captivating and the threads of mystery running through are what makes it so realistic. You can believe that they don't know certain things even if some of it was semi-predictable. I only thought certain aspects were possibilities and hey... Intuition. It's a winner :P I am bearing in mind that this is probably for younger readers (the length tells me that) so they are likely to have the revelations come as shocks to them. It was a mix of complicated and simple and it was enjoyable! Elliott is probably a young high schooler so will appeal to primary school kids that are ready to 'grow up'. We all remember that...
Elliott probably has grown up before his time so is an ideal 'hero' figure for this novel. His voice is easy to understand but full of emotion which makes it even more stark and straight away it is clear that this is innovating (or at least to me it's fresh).

From beginning to end I was like:

You know that feeling when you just picked up a good book?

Book Blogger Confessions (#1) - Giveaways

Giveaways.
Confessions, umm... no giveaway, sorry! There is one down below though. That's always nice...
This is the topic of a meme (which you won't see weekly, it runs every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month).

Hosted by For What It's Worth and Midnyte Reader

Trust me to join when it's a really long topic... (I like things that abbreviate to 'BBC' as you can see)

As a blogger, how do you feel about extra entries, required entries etc? Do you have a system to choose/announce winners and keep prizes organized? What method works best for you when hosting a giveaway? (Rafflecopter/Google Doc's or other) What do you do about people who enter your giveaways but don't follow instructions exactly? Have you ever had problems hosting a giveaway sponsored by an author or publisher who is supposed to send the prize to the winner and doesn't? How have you handled these issues?
I mostly see Rafflecopter (although that is a blogger thing, so vloggers use different methods) and I haven't used it to run any giveaways but I've embedded Rafflecopter giveaways on my blog with permission of the creator & helped host it before... I don't take credit for any organization or financial input (yeah, my blog doesn't take money...) It would bug me deeply if I found out that anybody cheated in anyway... I don't mean the publisher/author. I have full faith in them... I love Indie authors & I am always glad when I get to support them.

As a prize winner - what do you do if your prize never arrives? Do you contact the blogger or just let it go?
I'm probably incredibly awful at any other giveaways other than goodreads, I haven't entered many since beginning my tweeting journey so y'know... I'm a great blogger :P I mostly tweet about freebies/discounts in ebooks & that means that I grab lots myself (and occasionally get a review request).
Anyway, back to the question... That has never happened to me. I've only ever won (and known about it) goodreads giveaways - prizes always have arrived! :D
I'd probably let it go if it was only one prize but if it was a whole pack I wouldn't- you don't want a 'fake offer' to be gaining a blogger publicity. I would want to push it just in case.

You know the book promo for tethers I had? Well, if you haven't already, grab it- it's free on Amazon today! Spread the word please and if you review this brill book tweet Jack who is great at RTing!