Book Promo [#17]: Dream Cast for Hidden series.

Ooh, Book 3 in the Hidden series is out soon is it?...
Clare & I have joined the YA blog tour: Countdown to 7th August
Some of you may be reading this may know already... I not, then thank you for reading my blog post today anyway! You can check out more of the countdown tour at countdownya.com
I've got the pleasure of having Clare Davidson as my special guest! Together, we've created a dream cast for characters which appear throughout the series.

Here's the wraparound cover which includes the blurb, spine & the cover- its absolutely stunning!

RELEASED 7th August 2014! (didn't you already guess?)

Series: ☑   Shrouded Soul is a young adult urban fantasy, with a large dash of mystery set in modern day England...

Entertainworm presents... Cat Thursday: Book Post For Cats...

Please be warned: there's less of a LOL factor in today's Cat Thursday... You will not find yourself falling off a chair, or any such consequence of LOLing. I don't know if you have actually giggled in one of these before, but if you'd like to try it there's many in the meme tag here... feel free to browse.

 Thanks for hosting Michelle @ The True Book Addict! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). 
This is my fourth Cat Thursday; thanks for having me again!

Book post does benefit cats, as Caleb found out when a parcel from Fi (in case her blog needs introduction, probably not) arrived.

At first, I read the letter. And did one of the things Fi instructed me to. Said hi to Caleb...

His reaction:

Reviewing... [67] Broken Bargain

The series continues, and the world builds up, now...

you may have to expect some comparisons between this book, second in the Hidden series, and the first book... while it doesn't contain anything I view as a Reaper's Rhythm spoiler-and certainly not for Broken Bargain- if this bothers you or you'd rather get the picture from the first book, please feel free to instead check out my Reaper's Rhythm review (link in box below), either way... thank you for checking out this post!

You may be wondering, if you're still here reading, whether to continue the series, having read RR, and I'd suggest you do, in short! Why? Read on!

Reviewing... [67] Source: Received in exchange for an honest review (thanks Clare!) Author: Clare Davidson Recommended for: Those who like plots which are particularly aided by driven characters, but aren't just controlled by characters... (wait, does that make sense? I hope it does?)If not, I said in the Reaper's Rhythm review:

Where Are The Books? Book Haul: Small 'Un.

Considering how long its been, how many books would you think I'd have got?
You know, 2 months, major book lover... What's your guess? Feel free to comment/tweet me your guess & how it compares ;)

This meme is run by Tynga's Reviews.

Entertainworm: How To Be The Best Townie You Can Be... (Mafia!)

This is just my own personal way- the way I play Asti (and now Kelley's) The Bookish Games- hosted at ohthebooks.com
. Even though it definitely doesn't guarantee you success (there's too many factors in Mafia etc.), it can make the game more fun & you know you're participated like a good player. Even if you don't win, there's still pride and you may win an award, not for winning, but for being your fantabulous self? I mean, you can talk to the ones who did win for better advice but for now, you'll have to take my word for it.
This is a rather awesome way to play...

Asti recently posted a fab quiz to see what your chances of winning The Bookish Games are... I took it, but I found it was fairly complex & one blanket answer didn't necessarily describe my actions. So I want to share my thoughts with you. I'm such a team player, like that. Won't you be a good townie too?

1. What's your strategy for Day One of the Bookish Games?

‘Keep tabs on everyone. I didn’t make that spreadsheet for nothing, right?’ Let me delve into this a bit more. Its not just my strategy in Day One, its a game long thing. Day One is one of the hardest to go off & normally an Innocent will be eliminated but it doesn't mean you shouldn't act. It later can make you suspicious. At least try & share suspicions. People, when they have more evidence at later days, should (ideally) be able to look at who defended who, even as early as that, and they are the clues. Nobody, apart from the mafia, knew anything.

2. Someone has accused you of being a baddie! How do you respond?

Reviewing... [66] The Ruby Airship

You may be wondering why I haven't posted a review for exactly three weeks, since Pandemonium. Well, you know it was supposed to be blogoversary events... it was cancelled & I could've got on with it, posting reviews for you guys. But a hiatus felt better, where's the celebration in the same ol' thing as always? So, I gave myself a break & didn't write as many as I normally would, I even read quite a few books I don't plan on reviewing at all. In total now, 7 of the books I've read this year I have no intention of reviewing. You're still owed some after today, don't worry (if you were, I know reviews aren't most popular, they are pretty standard as a general blogging rule).
On with the review of Sharon Gosling's The Ruby Airship now...

Reviewing... [66] Source: Received in exchange for an honest review (thanks Fox!) Publisher: Curious Fox Author: Sharon Gosling Reviewed by: Amy Bookworm  Recommended For: Anyone who likes discovering new cultures & their people in an almost roadtrip kind of setting*... its a historical though & steampunk so its on a Ruby Airship so... that's a really general statement. *almost as a substitute for worldbuilding from scratch, there is still worldbuilding & a fab sense of imagery)

I don’t quite know what The Ruby Airship was missing but it just didn’t intrigue me like Diamond Thief did. It definitely suffers a little bit from Sequel Syndrome, I was feeling like it did exist just as a bridge for future books as really, which is even more evident at the end where you realize there’s many things left hanging.
It didn’t feel as mysterious, I suppose is part of it. If Remy doesn’t know something, we find out because of Thaddeus. If Thaddeus doesn’t know something we find out because of J. If J doesn’t know something... You get the idea.

Clare Bridgeman Interview

(as we didn’t give Claire long to respond... here’s 

some more of her bio! Claire Bridgeman is a secondary
school English teacher living in Norwich, England with,
her husband, their 1 year old daughter Pearl, their
black fluffy cat and the fly infestation currently inhabiting
the conservatory. She has written many books but it was only
in 2013, at the age of 28, that she felt her work was good
enough to be thrust upon the general public. 
Bridgeman loves all things fantasy...)

Today I have author Claire Bridgeman of the Spellweaver chronicles with me... She'll be talking about her books, a fresh new series which awaits you... and me potentially, actually. But instead of reviewing, I decided just to have a chat with a lovely author! So thanks to Claire for coming today.
I hope you like the questions, and especially the answers, sit back... relax!
And we're ready-

&   General  &

·    QUICK! What's your name, where do you call home & what's chasing you (so you had to answer quickly)?

My name is Claire, I live in Norwich (Norfolk) and I believe I am being chased by my one year old daughter, Pearl....! Oh wait, she's gone to bed for a nap so I think the coast is clear!!

·   

The Sucked In Books WWW Wednesday

You still here? (wait, you've only started reading so let me rephrase- you're here even though this post is long overdue!.. have you been waiting for my return? If so, thank you.)
I think the best way to explain my absence (not the blogoversary events absence, you may have seen me tweet that it didn't get enough interest which is disheartening) is to show you what I've been reading...
You can probably tell that reading slightly over 1000 pages of books in a week still isn't the cause of no blog posts. I've been busy for other reasons, y'all are aware of how busy school can make you I'm sure. I haven't even been simming for almost two weeks so it's not really procrastination (that would be easy to fix).

So here goes!

WWW Wednesday's is hosted by Should Be Reading.

We just answer the following three (3) questions…

What are you currently reading?

Reviewing... [65] Pandemonium

Reviewing... [65] Source: Bought myself Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton  Author: Lauren Oliver Reviewed by: Amy Bookworm | Holly Peckitt (our other post is here) Recommended For: Anyone :)

The book starts with a Lena whose been in the Wilds, we quickly meet Raven. How did you feel about the way that she met Raven? It was a bit dramatic….

It was dramatic but the wilds are like that! I’m so glad that Raven chooses to save Lena but as we can see, Raven is a big softie inside. It was a great way to be introduced to her… Of course, with Lena in a difficult situation when they meet it’s hard to describe Raven at first & say we meet her XD So, later finding out about this hard exterior she has & which all need in the Wilds- including Lena is… interesting! Dramatic is one word but it’s so much more XD I think most readers will like the character of Raven; her & Lena are such different people. Raven could be like a substitute Mother; it partly seems that way! Lena learns from Raven…

She learnt so much from Raven. And you could see that whilst they did argue and clearly had their moments of anger, she has so much respect for Raven and obviously looks up to her.

Surviving in the wild is hard, it also seems like a disaster then when Lena is in the wilds she experiences less love; it’s a harsh reality & I miss the family relationships. The friendships just seem so fragile, can you agree with that?

I couldn’t agree more with that. Whilst Lena made the choice that she made, it kind of feels like although she is letting people in, she doesn’t form friendships like the one which she had with Hana. I really missed the relationship between them that was there in Delirium.

I definitely concur! She’s forced to form friendships; she can’t rely on her own, none in the wild can- it’s like a pack :P So, it’s very different. Even with Raven, who does become like a friend, it’s still like a co-worker kind of relationship. They give & get, would these two girls have naturally been friends otherwise? Obviously, I think not! Lena also definitely misses family, esp Grace (who I adore also!) so when she’s back in US you kinda wish it was nearer Portland; things have changed but how much? :P

Also, the way she meets Julian (maybe I’m getting ahead!) is very different to Alex. It’s less wild and impulsive; which is such a contrast to how she meets Raven, hehe.

The Way that Julian met Lena was completely different. Lena was thrown into a situation from which there was no escaping.

Maybe it’s more similar to the Wilds than I was thinking. I will always think the one between Alex & her was… wild. It was; you just wouldn’t expect to fall in love that way when love is forbidden.

Celebrations! 18 Months! (DAY ONE :D)

I know you don't have birthdays for 18 month year old babies & the same should be true of blogs but since I didn't celebrate being a year old I felt I had to do something for a year & a half. I didn't do it then as my blog didn't really deserve it ;)
This is JUST the beginning though, these celebrations are yet to properly unfold... I want to leave most of you in the dark *giggles*

I may have told you but now, FORGET.

I've read 90 books, I believe, since I began this book blog. Over 2/3 I've already reviewed & some are still awaiting reviews. I've met new people, so many new people, I can't count them all on my hands and feet. I love the authors/publishers I get to review for and the ones I communicate with for other reasons are just as fabulous. I've only had one exclusive as a book blogger opportunity but it was enough to show me how worth it is this really is.

There's many names I would love to run through & their corresponding souls I'd love to thank.

Reviewing... Contemporary! (Mini reviews #3)

I know I'm definitely known for short reviews (I'd love to be known for anything, so who wants to advertise that Amy Bookworm writes some stinking long reviews?) but today, shaking it up! Here's some mini-reviews, I hope you don't mind. They may not look mini but my ones (2&3) are definitely less than 200; it turns out my Mum does succinct naturally so that's short too! Hope you enjoy these reviews & find a book you'd like amongst more boyish humour, one for a little more chick-lit laughs & serious "issue dealing" contemporary.

Reviewing... in short! Sources -- JC: OUP. TPTD&awlol: Grabbed on Kindle from Amazon. H2SaL: Also Kindle ebook I bought from Amazon.

The Private Blog Of Joe Cowley

(Sidenote: This review is by my Mum, who loves OUP & since we got this from their Jan event she felt she ought to review it as a 'Thank You' so here it is; the main purpose of this post!)
Joe Cowley. What a great dude!! (and I’m NOT saying that because I’m a secret Captain Picard follower!!) The main description is “Adrian Mole meets The Inbetweeners”: MUCH better than AM (tho I can see the same theme of trying to get the girl, his dad excruciatingly attempting to be young again). And despite the toilet banter between the lads, it’s actually not really sex-obsessed like Inbetweeners. Only using “cock” as favourite expletive reminds me of it...

Countdown YA post: Interviewing Louisa Reid!

Hello my brilliances (suck it up, I'm being extra nice today which I shouldn't be, as it's the first day back after half-term to school so in theory I should be very GRUMPY, maybe :P)

Some of you may be reading this as you know I'm on the Countdown to 5th June YA tour! I not, then thank you for reading my blog post today anyway! You can check out more of the countdown tour there. Only 3 days left til'... Authors are getting very excited as most have still got a lovely publication date of June 5th! Congrats to them & any authors publishing soon anyway...
What am I doing for the tour, the less prepared (for this post) might be wondering? I've got the pleasure of having Louisa Reid as my super special guest! She's answering my hard questions (apparently they're hard but as I haven't had to answer them I'm a bit more objective XD)

Asking Louisa...

For the readers, what’s your name & where do you call home? 
I live in a little village called Rampton on the Fen Edge, ie on the outskirts of Cambridge, just before you get into the fens proper. I love it.

What's your favourite literacy location? 
East Egg - the glamour! (and the horror, of course)

If you had to read (and write) only one genre for the rest of your life, what would it be?
YA contemporary fiction without a doubt! (Also, that's the only thing I reckon I can write so the answer is inevitable). It's always been my favourite genre, ever since my Deenie days, and still is. I spent this weekend engrossed in Looking for JJ and Finding Jennifer Jones. Totally immersed. It was wonderful.

Reviewing... [64] Who Framed Klaris Cliff

Today I have another joint-review, Mother (Mrs/Mutti/Mum Bookworm) & I discuss a MG novel, Who Framed Klaris Cliff? Hope you enjoy! *hands out popcorn while you view our exchange*
Who did frame Klaris Cliff? Read it to find out!

Reviewing... [64] Source: OUP (bloggers event) Author: Nikki Sheehan Reviewed by: Mother & daughter (Amy wins for dragging Mutti in today! Recommended For: We'd say  especially for kids or preteens getting into reading! But, there's something for all the family.

Mutti Bookworm: So, today Amy & I are discussing Klaris Cliff : I read this actually after meeting Nikki Sheehan at an OUP event, and hearing her inspiration for the story: on reaching the climax of the story, I wondered how I hadn’t guessed the twist!

Amy: Well, I’m not actually surprised that I didn’t. It didn’t seem like something which would be used as a plot point- after all, it could easily have just been something that made Joe & his Dad who they are, so was for that reason. Overall, it’s an interesting idea regarding imaginary friends... One Mum may have jumped into quicker than I did but we both enjoyed it when we did read it :D

MB: The story’s theme is that Rogue Imaginary Persons are believed to be behind many crimes including murder, and has set up a system that any who “harbour” such dangers must have The Cosh (“an operation that fries your imagination”) The main character Joe & his dad live next door to the chaotic Cliff family: older sister Pooh, rough friend Rocky, overlooked seven-year-old, Flea, and the manic twins Egg & Wills, and “the usual number of parents”, stern doctor father, and secret smoker mother. I really love the interactions between the characters: Joe & his dad, both missing his mum who went away two years previously to “find herself”, and having to continue life without her return; the family dynamics in the Cliff family; and especially everyone’s thoughts and behaviour towards Flea, whose longtime Imaginary Friend Klaris becomes accused of a series of domestic crimes.

Entertainworm presents... Cat Thursday: Photographic Black Cat :P

Will Caleb be sharing the blog with other cats today? Or am I allowing my cat who has been lonely (missing coming on here, you see) to have this feature all to himself? Either way, I hope you're happy that a) this is a Thursday (and you may be on holiday like us English teens on half-term) b) there's cats here.
I may have mentioned Fi almost every time I've posted this month but she reminded me about the time I'd normally post a Cat Thursday (somebody notices my unsaid pattern the time I can't keep to it perhaps?)... that's around the second Thursday BUT no... Today is the last Thursday & I feel like you also deserve to see gorgeous, cute cat(s?)... Even one cat might do :P

 Thanks for hosting Michelle @ The True Book Addict! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). 
This is my fourth Cat Thursday; thanks for having me again!

"Hey, I'm not looking at the camera because... Why should I? You've been ignoring me for a few weeks over what you're allowed. I'm just going to pretend there's not a camera a few inches from my face!"
"OK, maybe I'll look at you but close my eyes! Hey, are you gonna poke me? FINE! I give in, I'll be in your post... I mean, I really did want to. All you had to do was be nice. Give me compliments like your friends do... Cats & books are such a good mix, aren't they?"

Reviewing... [63] Alex As Well

What if you felt like you had to prove your gender?
I wouldn’t like it but I could probably prove that my characteristics are typically more feminine ones, that my interests are more feminine and so on... That’s beside the point.

Reviewing... [63] Source: Curious Fox; for an honest review! Thanks to THE FOX :D Author: Alyssa Brugman Recommended For: You like books which are unique, aren’t afraid to be completely honest (in their perception, I understand it'd mean lots of research & a bit of guessing, we can allow artistic license though, I think!) & discuss issues(?)- these issues many authors, and in general many human beings, don’t go near enough to touch with a very stretched out toe... but maybe, you're this person who does dare to read it. If so, YOU. Definitely perfect for you.

Alex As Well isn’t just a story about an intersex teen, that’s not what it’s about.
No, the blurb, reviews and labels aren’t lying to you. I mean, Alex is boy and girl I suppose. The way this came across at first was that Alex compartmentalizes in her head that something is a girl thing, another thing a boy thing. Splitting up what girls say, what boys say.

It’s about good people, it’s about bad people.
Some of the themes have been told in YA before, others haven’t that I know of. It’s not just the gender exploration based bit, it’s other parts.
Alex As Well is about family relationships and socialisation in that; in fact... this book does put quite a weight on nature I suppose as it doesn’t seem like she’s been ‘nurtured’ to be a girl. Alex isn’t who she is as much as you’d expect because of her parents. Definitely not.

Marvel Madness: Females I Love

Hellooo-
OK, just to be clear (instead of continuing with a Marcus Butler like welcome). Females are often awesome & I love this, but there's some who are way more kickass than normal in fiction (in real life, there's not as many opportunities to be kick-ass; at least not in my life experience!). Some of these awesome females are in Marvel.
This post is no way saying females aren't normally or they only exist in Marvel. I'm a female, I'm not underestimating GIRL POWER. I'm not surprised they exist as they do in real life & as females are almost half of the human population... Yeah, we've got this covered.
Do you see tropes appearing though? Damsels in distress, love before all else, flimsy females? You know the kind of thing; making us seem less strong than our male counterparts mentally as well as physically! This is rare in SHIELD & other Marvel shows/comics I know/read (I mainly watch, sorry!)

Top Ten Books About Friendship

Firstly, I'm back (I guess? It's hard to tell in this... situation). Secondly, sorry that this post involves 3 books with main characters called Alex (but they're all different genders so...). Thirdly, yes... some books were mentioned in my last TTT (I guess I loved them). Oh, and I'm actually encouraging myself to post this as it was a month since that TTT & I've only posted one review since *hides* Unless you liked that review & aren't mad at me?
Talking of reviews, besides #1, these books/series I haven't reviewed which means I'm glad I've got to feature them now & I hope, if you pick up any of the books on this list, that you enjoy them.

Either way, for those who are interested in this list, without further ado:

hosted by The Broke And The Bookish...
Top Ten Books About Friendship
clicking on the book covers should direct you to its Goodreads page if all went right...

1. Perks Of Being A Wallflower- This is the only book/series here I’ve actually properly reviewed (it was my first review) & it blows you away. The friendship, too. Rocky Horror... Patrick, Sam, Charlie... even Mary Elizabeth. This book is a must-read & for friendship... it gets gold stars on that, too. READ IT. 
   
   
   

Reviewing... [62] Leopold Blue

Leopold Blue is given away on the first page (takes away some of the mystery, I do like the hunt sometimes to see how it relates). It's not perfect, like the book- of Meg's life. So, in that way, fitting.

Reviewing... [62] Source: Received through a Twitter Giveaway by HotKeyBooks. Author: Rosie Rowell Recommended For: Anyone interested in the close history, which shows us a culture which has since moved on, but is different from ours anyway (ie. UKYA readers, heads up!)

You know that feeling when there's many awesome books but there's one standing out for a ridiculously gorgeous cover? You can see where I'm going with this? So, part of the reason I was attracted to it was the gorgeous font, a leopold blue, contrast to the grey sky- supposed to be blue- with a plain girl, windswept hair & OK... you probably can see for yourself that's it's eye-catching.
Another: a vital part of our history is ingrained in this book. This isn't too historical (I'm not ashamed to admit I dropped History) but of two important periods- to me- personally- this holds one so it was going to be a hit on that level anyway, unless it was totally inaccurate to my knowledge. But for Rowell, knowledge was on her doorstep. I always love it when you find out afterwards that the author themselves knew more about this first-hand & from their direct surroundings than research found in books (which is awesome, though), internet & the such. So, I loved this aspect. Any period where there was civil rights movement around that time, or it had newly been affected by that, is a gem to me. I just love it, I love it when I have it in school, to write essays about (but not in History... HAH!) & I love reading about it- fictionally is amazing too.

Top Ten Characters Who Aren’t Afraid To Be Different

Obviously, not all characters are the same but there are some traits which occur time & time again while others pop up less often. I wanted to feature characters who either have different traits or just act different, anyway, which is what we love. I tend to find characters like these ones mentioned are ones which stick in my mind better anyway- I respect them & connect with them more. IF you’re an author, can I please encourage you to write characters who aren’t clichés? Ones with diversity, it won’t hurt!
After a misbehaved hiatus (nobody actually asked to see some of the posts I hinted I wouldn’t mind doing so I decided I’d stay away longer til’ I had better posts- I didn’t have to come up with ideas though thanks to the fantastic meme by The Broke And The Bookish)... Oh, I did also want to see if any of you would hold me to it & whether I'd have an increase in views on the Monday with people thinking I was back but actually it was the lowest for more than a week, so forget that!... Wishful thinking ;) I guess I've got a lot to gain from The Blog Notes Project by Amber #3 (you'll get it later on).

Top Ten Characters Who Aren’t Afraid To Be Different 

For once I actually managed to think of 10 (actually, I considered 2 others but they weren’t as awesome, clearly, in the battle of the characters XD)

1. Zeb from Secrets, Lies and Locker 62– This character just sticks in my head and its for a reason. This book actually shows religious diversity and outward appearance diversity. So, Zeb might seem really out about being different at school, with her gothic get-up but she’s a deep character & she’s definitely worth a mention (another! After the 2013 End Of Year Survey- q 11)

Reviewing... [61] Hidden

This is, with no shadow of doubt in my mind, the better start of Boland’s series’- this is a book which exceeded my expectations. Will it exceed yours?
You'll have to read it to find out...

Reviewing... [61] Source: Received for an honest review.  Author: Shalini Boland Recommended For: This book seems to captivate one type of reader for the former half the book and another for the latter half, I'm not too sure...

Hidden is definitely a book about vampires that I’d consider different and it works. I mean, even though there’s definitely insta-attraction at some point its explained well so its somewhat understandable. It, I’m just being vague to avoid wrecking the book for you, did seem gorgeous enough to warrant insta-attraction. Maddie certainly did discourage her own feelings and didn’t understand the supernatural; in fact this is another book where the protagonist experiences hate/love for somebody.
I found that, strangely, Maddie’s perspective wasn’t actually believable. I guess there’s something magical & transporting about the Victorian England and even more so the foreign lands.