Book Review: Matched by Ally Condie

Title: Matched (Matched #1)
Author: Ally Condie
Published: 2nd June 2011 (Penguin) 
Pages: 366

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow. [Via Goodreads]

My Thoughts:
GAAAHHHH! This book was so disappointing in so many ways! As well as hearing about this book, the main reason it did stick in my mind was the cover. I absolutely love the cover, the bubble the matching dress and bubble the idea of being trapped...yes! 

So as soon as I started this book it really did intrigue me. I loved the whole idea of how you find out your 'match', seeing them on a screen and then taking home a card which stores all the information about them. That part really got me, just imagining the whole build up to it. But for Cassia, her match doesn't appear of the big screen. It stays black because her best friend, Xander, is her match and he is in the same room! 

But then when she gets home to see Ky flash on Xander's card. Predictably, it is a 'glitch.' However, the question remains in Cassia's mind, since when does the Society make mistakes? Do they ever?

My main issue with this book was the danger. I didn't feel any sort of danger or threat whilst reading, maybe it just wasn't strong enough, but all I know is that Cassia, Ky and even Xander got away with so much without a punishment. The actions that were done to act as punishment were also quite small. From what I took in, I would of loved a bit more description about the Society as a whole, it wasn't really very clear throughout. 

I also didn't like Cassia's narration with her indecisiveness. It really bothered me with all her bouncing around. I can't stand it when feelings and thoughts bounce around so often! Yes, maybe it did show she was constantly thinking but I think there's always a limit. Going past that limit edges onto annoying. 

I was so completely disappointed with this book, I really thought it was going to be so much better, but sadly it didn't reach those high expectations. I don't know if I'll be reading the rest of this series or not yet!

Book Review: Where You Are (Bewteen the Lines #2) by Tammara Webber

Title: Where You Are (Bewteen the Lines #2)
Author: Tammara Webber
Published: March 14th 2013 (Razorbill)
Pages: 304

Emma, Reid and Graham's story continues in this sequel to Between the Lines, by bestselling author of Easy, Tammara Webber. Emma has pursued her dream - she's trying to live a normal life and attend university. But when a twist of fate means she encounters Graham again in New York, life promises to be anything but ordinary . . . [Via GoodReads]


My Thoughts: 
I read Between the Lines and wasn't all to pleased, especially because I read Easy beforehand and literally fell in love with it, so my expectations were high. 

But let me tell you this: I loved this book! The main dislike I had for the first book was Emma's "bouncing" of  feelings. She was just so irritating!! But in this book everything was so much more settled. Emma felt a little more mature and less childish. 

So after filming a film, what happens next? Promotion and the premiere! The best part about this book was the POVs from all four characters (Emma, Graham, Reid and Brooke!). Not only do we get their prospective on the situation but Webber went into great detail about their past, which I absolutely loved, especially with Graham since we hardly get to know him in the first book. 

I loved Reid's character development as well and it has got me super excited about reading Good For You. But from the Good For You blurb, it's sad to know that it's also a goodbye to Emma and Graham - I hope they'll make an appearance in the next one even though the focus isn't fully on them. Maybe a mention? ...Hopefully...?

"Reid turns to Graham. They're standing two feet apart - the tension rocking between them like punches thrown. And then suddenly Reid is completely at ease. 'Graham,' he says.
Graham's jaw remains rigid. 'Reid.'
Boys."

If you didn't like Between the Lines, give the series another shot and read the second one. It'll change you're mind over the series. Trust me!

Book Review: Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer

Title: Cress
Author: Marissa Meyer
Published: February 6th 2014 (Puffin Books) 
Pages: 560

Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard. 

In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. 

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. 

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can. [Via Goodreads]


My Thoughts:
When I first got a hold of this book, my first thought? This is a fat book! I didn't expect it to be as fat as it was, but am I complaining? Hell no! Yay for a fat book!

I don't know how Meyer is able to pull it off but she did. I am more impressed with the balance of characters! As we move on in the Lunar Chronicles more characters are introduced but each and every one of them were well balanced to make it an enjoyable read.

The spark of new romance is more than obvious in this twist of Rapunzel but that doesn't decrease the enjoyment of their mutual feelings - not sure if it topped the ending of Scarlet in the happily ever after department though!

Occasionally, I felt that the build up to the wedding was a bit of a pain, although that may have just been because I wanted the Cinder and Kai reunion because I love them together!! But then again, everything to the build up is super important: action packed with a twist I didn't see coming. It definitely kept me on my toes.

What's happening next? A war!

Should you read this book? Hell yeah!! 

Book Review: Façade (Games #2) by Nyrae Dawn

Title: Façade
Author: Nyrae Dawn
Published: September 24th 2013 (Forever)
Pages: 304

Can love save them? 

After her father commits a crime that shatters her family, eighteen-year-old Delaney Cross is tired of pretending everything is alright. Packing up her car, she sets out to find the people her father hurt. Her search leads her to places she's never been--and into the arms of Adrian Westfall. 

To the outside world, Adrian is a sexy, charming ladies man. But his playboy persona is just an act. Secretly his soul is tortured by a memory too painful to share. Only Delaney seems to see through his façade to the real man underneath. And for the first time in his life, Adrian feels he can begin to open up about his past.

Together, Adrian and Delaney share a passionate, carefree love they never expected to find. Yet both still harbor their own secrets. When the dark truth is finally revealed, will it bring them closer together, or tear them apart forever? [Via Goodreads]

My Thoughts:
After read Charade, I couldn't wait to read another book by Nyrae Dawn. I did not expect it all to pan out how it did! It was all so heart-breaking and a tear or two did appear :(

I was really interested in this book before starting it especially since it's about Colt's room mate - and from Charade, we got to see what a party animal he was. But now - Oh. My. God. The build up to the truth being laid out is killer, with an unexpected twist. As well as the two POV narrations, it was interesting to read about Adrian's past through flashbacks and also dreams, it created something quite powerful.

Something that did carry on from Charade is the nicknames. From Tiny Dancer for Chey to Little Ghost for Delaney. Strangely, I didn't really like the fact that Adrian gave that name to Delaney. I felt that that was more of Colt's thing and having Adrian using the same idea for the nickname made me feel like he has something from Colt that I only wanted Colt to have....Anyway...it's a pretty lame excuse for not liking it I know...

Just thinking about it now, the story kinda reminds me of a mash-up of Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines and My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick.THIS ONE IS A MUST! 

Book Reveiw: Let The Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger

Title: Let The Sky Fall 
Author: Shannon Messenger
Published: 5th March 2013 (Simon Pulse)
Pages: 416

Seventeen-year-old Vane Weston has no idea how he survived the category five tornado that killed his parents. And he has no idea if the beautiful, dark-haired girl who’s swept through his dreams every night since the storm is real. But he hopes she is.

Seventeen-year-old Audra is a sylph, an air elemental. She walks on the wind, can translate its alluring songs, and can even coax it into a weapon with a simple string of commands. She’s also a guardian—Vane’s guardian—and has sworn an oath to protect Vane at all costs. Even if it means sacrificing her own life.


When a hasty mistake reveals their location to the enemy who murdered both of their families, Audra’s forced to help Vane remember who he is. He has a power to claim—the secret language of the West Wind, which only he can understand. But unlocking his heritage will also unlock the memory Audra needs him to forget. And their greatest danger is not the warriors coming to destroy them—but the forbidden romance that’s grown between them [via GoodReads]

Thoughts:
Ok, so I read this book through Pulse It, which is a reading community made by Simon Pulse which shares free books online every month. With the lead up to Christmas they are releasing a free book everyday. I so recommend you check it out because I know I basically want to read all the books! Click here to find out more.

For those who enjoyed reading Under The Never Sky, this book is for you. I'm, yet again, stuck for words to even explain how much I enjoyed this book. The narrations were just so natural and the everything was just tied down so well.

Book Review: "Going Too Far" - Jennifer Echols

Title: Going Too Far
Author: Jennifer Echols
Release Date: 17th March 2009


Summary:
All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far...and almost doesn't make it back.
John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge--and over... [GoodReads]

 My Thoughts:
Something that struck me as I read the beginning page is that it goes straight into the action. You are thrown into the character of Meg, rebellious and so called bad girl. There isn't some long description which becomes boring before starting the book properly. However details are definitely there later in the story but links in well and is put in at the right moments.

Throughout the book there is a connection between the characters John and Meg. They seem to constantly challenge each other without knowing, pushing themselves further and further until they reach consequence which I cannot tell you . . . *cough* read the book *cough* Also the fact that John is a policeman give this book more of an edge of difference especially because of his age, but that maybe because I live in the UK, and the reasoning behind it all is definitely unexpected. Yet the age of them both come through, both some what lost in life. Meg's voice throughout the book is just great.


Covering topics about what drives us to be where we are, trust and also friendship. It does have some strong language and some content about sex so I would recommend this book to ages 15 plus.

Recommend or Not? Yep. I don't see why you wouldn't unless you are below the age of 15...A truly romantic roller coaster story


What did you think of the book?
Happy Reading

Book Review: "Take Me There" - Susane Colasanti

Title: Take Me There
Author: Susane Colasanti
Release Date: 29th May 2008

Summary:
Rhiannon is completely devastated after the breakup with her boyfriend. She wants him back.

Nicole's ex still wants to be with her, but she's obsessed with someone else.

James is hopelessly in love with Rhiannon, who doesn't see that their friendship can be so much more.

Will their desire to take a mean girl down a notch bring these three friends what they want . . . and more? [GoodReads]

My Thoughts:

I couldn't wait for my copy of "Take Me There" to arrive, after reading "When It Happens" and loving it. When I first picked up this book and started I thought it was a slow going book. I have to admit that I did put it down for a while as I felt that I wasn't "connecting" with it. However, when I did pick it back up I did enjoy it, I probably just wasn't in the mood for it.

Occasionally there were moments that were very slow going. Reason being that the three characters we follow are talking through each day but in their views which was sometimes repetitive.

Character-wise, all three of them took on different roles which did make the book interesting. Rhiannon as the desperate girl wanting the boy, James as the no one sees me that way boy and Nicole the cares for others and more private friend. 

Although I enjoyed this book there was one factor which I felt was not needed in the story. For me I thought Nicole was like a spare wheel and her story seemed the smallest of problems as it didn't really relate to Rhiannon or James, whereas their problems did. "Three is a crowd" is normally what is said. But saying this, this book is based largely  on the friendship and as Rhiannon, Nicole and James are best friends I think that it is logical to have all of their points of views seen, as the main characters.

As well as covering friendship, it highlights the high school crushes and relationships. Rhiannon just having broken up and can't get over it and Nicole having a crush on someone who is not tolerable, which is something relatable to every girl.


The ending of the book was something bitter-sweet. Ending in close friendship, but so many things in the ending make you question everything. You will either like or dislike the ending. For me it's slightly dislike because I JUST WANT MORE!!  A sequel maybe? ;)

Recommend or Not? I would say yes, but sadly I would say that it's not one of the best books I've read of Susane Colasanti. If you know you can't read slow moving books, I think that this book won't be for you.


What did you think of the book?

Read more about this book on the author's website here

Book Review: "The Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants" - Ann Brashares

Title: The Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants

Author:Ann Brashares

Release Date: 01/06/2002

Summary:

Following four best friends: Lena, Tibby, Bridget and Carmen as they spend the first summer apart. They come across a pair of jeans which fits all four of them despite their size differences and make a deal to share the "special" pants. Tibby stays home for the summer, Lena goes to Greece, Carmen goes to her dad's place and Bridget goes to a football camp.


My Thoughts
I am not a keen reader of third person books however I felt that this one was well balanced to keep me hooked; changing from character to character every few pages and connecting them, occasionally, with letters to one another.



For me, I would say that my favourite character out of the four of them was Lena. I found that Bridget was slightly annoying in that she was so determinded to get something that she would never get, Tibby was a nice character to follow as her new friend Bailey helps her make a documentary and although Carmen was great standing up for herself some of the times I felt that she should just be happy although she would make her point in the book well. I liked Lena the most probably because she showed how that you should tell someone if something was misread and the best things come from confronting and telling the truth. Also I think that she is the character that I see her in me.


I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the other four in the series!


Recommend or not? Yes, I think so! it's an easy read and quick to get through. I have been meaning to read this book for a long while now but haven't ever got round to it, but now I have, I'm glad I didn't shove it to the pile of "never gunna read books" :)


Happy reading :D


What did you think of the book?

Check out more about this book and the other three here

Book Review: I am Number Four - Pittacus Lore

Title: I Am Number Four
Author: Pittacus Lore
Release Date: 03/02/2011

Summary:
John is not an average teenager going to school. He's from a planet called Lorien which has been destroyed. John is one of the remaining six. But one, two and three have been killed by the Mogadorians, who are hunting them down, and now number four is on the top of the list, John is next.

My Thoughts:
This book is one of the best books I've read in a long time. It was an unexpected rollercoaster ride in that the story covers quite a few emotions.

At the beginning of the book it starts of with Number Four's background, like an intro before getting into the story fully. I think that the book managed to maintain a speed in which keeps the readers hooked. It's an easy read in that you don't have to think much about the story to follow so it was easy and quick to read through.

I think that the idea of the story being told in first person as John is something that is used very well in the story. The amount of information that you uncover at the same time as John makes the book more of a page turner. I guess you could say it feels more involved...? The idea of when he learns something you learn it too, it kinda makes it feel like you are there with him all the way.

The film "I am Number Four" starring Alex Pettyfer as John, does not do the book any justice. The film rushes everything in the book which is why you have to read the book. After reading the book, I can say I was honestly excited about watching the film, knowing it had Alex Pettyfer and Dianna Agron in it as well as the great contents in the book. But I was let down on how everything was shown in the wrong way and it seemed rushed so that it could get to the end of the book quicker. I ended up not even bothering in watching the rest of the film after half way!

Recommend or not? Take a guess? Yes! It is honestly the best book I have read out of my normaly genre type. Packed with a load of different emotions but not making it unbearable to read!!!


What did you think of the book?

I Am Number Four website here

Book Review: When It Happens - Susane Colasanti

Title:When It Happens
Author: Susane Colasanti
Release Date:1st May 2008


Summary:

Senior year. Sara wants two things: to get into her first-choice college and to find true love.

Tobey also wants two things: to win Battle of the Bands and to make Sara fall in love with him.

Dave, the boy Sara was hoping would realize she exists, moves in on Sara first. But Tobey is impossible for Sara to ignore. He gets the little things that matter to her and, most importantly, he feels like something real. Can a slacker rock star wannabe win the heart of a pretty class brain like Sara?

My Thoughts: When I first read the blurb on this book I could immediately think of someone who I would relate to this book. However I think that the blurb made me think that the contents would just go in a certain way. I would say it is misleading in some way.


I thought that this book would be much like a Sarah Dessen books due to the story, also because she recommended it and on the book it says that it is like her books, however it was very different in many ways. For starters I have to state that if you want to read this book there is alot of strong language is used in this book. I think that it is a nice change to read this book from two views instead of one which gave the characters more depth. 

 I really enjoyed this book. It's a simple story of a boy wanting a girl but she is taken so he has to get her to notice him. This book covers what you would call a "perfect" guy and a little bit of soul mates.


However as much as I enjoyed this book some of the situations which the characters were in were hard to think would actually happen, or maybe it's just that I live in the UK, like telling you teacher your love life...? I just find that odd, no matter how cool you think your teacher is I just think it's weird to tell them you dilemma's.


Recommend or not? A good girly-girly read and a sweet romance....Recommended :)

What did you think of the book?


Check out more about the authors I mentioned:
Susane Colasanti
Sarah Dessen