REVIEW: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown didnt light any fires...

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown
Author: Holly Black
Pages: 419 pages
Star Rating: 3 stars

One word review: Boring

Okay, for a standalone this book really didn't have much going for it, the characters were flat and the little action that happened was poorly written. Now Holly Black is one of my auto-buy authors and I generally love her style of writing, but I just couldn't appreciate this book!

Firstly not much really happened, everyone knew from the beginning what the vampires were like inside the 'coldtowns' and we knew that she would get in and not get out again. There were very few twists in the story and even those were pretty much predicable; this was a real let down because it was hyped up so much!

Secondly the characters had no oomph to them; they were all monotone and pretty much dull, even the 'celebrity' vampires had little going for them, let alone the few human characters.

However the book had so much potential, if it had been worked better then this could have been ground-breaking, unfortunately it fell at the first hurdle.

minor absences...

Hello all my lovely readers,

This is just a little update on what's going on in my life at the moment and why I am away from my blog more than I would like.

Firstly I'm discovering a new way of life, I was a vegetarian when I started this blog however I am transitioning into veganism and this is taking a lot of willpower and focus, especially since I am attempting to loose weight  and increase my fitness. So yes this means early morning runs *in Britain... sigh* and meal prepping galore. This also means that I have less time to read and prepare blog posts since I do this mainly in the morning before lectures begin. However I am hoping that this will soon become routine and will let me free up more time to blog and read.

Secondly I am completing my dissertation for my Degree in Psychology and writing a 10,000 word dissertation is not easy! I have one month left to polish this up and I have done the foolish thing and agreed to several ventures between now and the deadline meaning I have even less time! Sometimes I wonder if I am a gluten for punishment and time restraints?!?

And finally I am going on hockey tour to Spain on Saturday (28th March) and although I am taking at least 5 books *keep your eyes out for this tbr list* I know that I wont be able to blog while I am there...however I will be keeping everyone up to date on Goodreads and Twitter so don't forget to check it out! I plan on tackling one of my challenges I set for the year while I am away and that is to start the Song of Ice and Fire Series, and with a 17+ hour journey each way *yes... we're going by coach!* I plan on getting a tonne read on the actual journeys if I cant while I'm in Spain itself.

So please be patient my lovely readers because I haven't forgotten you, I plan on doing a full run down of my excursions in Spain as soon as I get back; and hopefully a little insight into my personal research project for my dissertation if anyone is interested? I will also have some news on my upcoming choices in my education and career and hopefully have some book hauls and many... many reviews!

Helen x

REVIEW: Shopaholic Ties the Knot

Book: Shopaholic Ties the Knot
Shopaholic #3
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Page Count: 394
Star Rating: 5 Stars!

Picture your typical romance…girls meets boy…girl and boy move in together…girl spends boy’s hard-earned dollar…girl and boy move to New York…girl and boy get married…twice?!

 

By now, we know Becky like the back of our hands, so we should have guessed she would want two weddings! Or does she? When Luke proposes, Becky’s mum (bless her!) wastes no time in booking the local church, and even asks Becky to wear her own sausage-roll wedding dress. Now, Becky admits that her mum looked gorgeous in her wedding pictures, but there is NO chance she’s wearing that…thing!

 

So, as Becky and Luke return home to New York and Becky (naturally) shows off her new, huge, sparkly diamond, Becky’s mum and, of course, Janice from next door, start making all of the arrangements. Becky’s biggest worry seems to be whether to go for swans or Bishop’s hats or the napkins…yeah, right! Luke has arranged for Becky to lunch with Elinor, his natural mother (we know by this point that she’s a complete cow), and Becky is surprised to be introduced to ‘her’ wedding planner! If that ain’t bad enough (like Elinor would really stop there!), the wedding has been booked…at the Plaza Hotel!

 

So, naturally, the first thing Becky does is decide which wedding she wants, and cancels the other *cough*. Nah, we know Bex by now. Of course, both sets of wedding arrangements go ahead, in two countries, for the same day. I ain’t gonna ruin the surprise, but you’ll thank me for that one day…suffice to say, things get messy, but in a style that only Becky seems to possess, all is well at the end of the day!

 

Now, as with Shopaholic Abroad, although Becky is the main character, my heart belongs to another. Michael (Luke’s business buddy) has got to be the best character in this book, with his quiet support, his unwavering loyalty, and the conspiratorial smile he shares with Becky as he conducts the…wedding?...ceremony.

 

A page-turner throughout, Sophie Kinsella just keeps on giving with this instalment of her famous series…stay tuned, folks…it ain’t over yet! 

REVIEW: how this book 'tempted' me...

Tempted by P.C. and Kristin Cast
House of Night  book# 6
Pages: 319 pages
Star rating: 5 stars

One word review: Incredible!

'So…you’d think after banishing an immortal being and a fallen High Priestess, saving Stark’s life, biting Heath, getting a headache from Erik, and almost dying, Zoey Redbird would catch a break. Sadly, a break is not in the House of Night school forecast for the High Priestess in training and her gang.

Juggling three guys is anything but a stress reliever, especially when one of them is a sexy Warrior who is so into protecting Zoey that he can sense her emotions. Speaking of stress, the dark force lurking in the tunnels under the Tulsa Depot is spreading, and Zoey is beginning to believe Stevie Rae could be responsible for a lot more than a group of misfit red fledglings. Aphrodite’s visions warn Zoey to stay away from Kalona and his dark allure, but they also show that it is Zoey who has the power to stop the evil immortal.Soon it becomes obvious that Zoey has no choice: if she doesn’t go to Kalona he will exact a fiery vengeance on those closest to her. Will Zoey have the courage to chance losing her life, her heart, and her soul?'

Okay so finally a House of Night that I absolutely and incredibly loved from the House of Night Series, and it felt like they had taken on what readers had said and finally gotten rid of all the dang repetition! I mean they finally got the hang of informing everyone without having to actually type the words out again and again... a humungous improvement!!!

Now there is another major change in this instalment... multiple perspectives! Yes... they ventured into the realm and conquered it! I mean hands down they nailed out! Each character gave a clear and unique story and each had their own distinct voice... which many people really do fail to get right! Even though some people have said that this is not needed I highly disagree... with the amount of storylines now occurring within the series its needed... not only to know what the other characters are feeling but also to know what happens when Zoey isn't there... and it gives us a well earned break from Zoey's internal monologue; and yes even though we love Zoey... I can only handle her internal views for so long and this book really helped me get past that!

Okay, so I have to talk through the emotions that are flooded throughout this book... you have laughter (even though its only in small amounts compared to previous instalments), you have cringe worthy embarrassments and oh so many tears...the last chapter was read through streams and streams of them... so brace yourself!

I loved the pace and the darker direction this book is leading the House of Night and I love that its not all about Zoey and how the other characters are really fitting into everything... they are finally getting the page time they deserve without the constant repetition about who they were, where they cam from and what they were wearing!

Overall this was an amazing read and really lifted the quality of the series; definitely my favourite book of the series so far!

REVIEW: Shopaholic Abroad!

Book: Shopaholic Abroad
Shopaholic #2
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Page Count: 351

Star Rating: 4 Stars!

So…book number 2! Another witty, engaging book from Sophie. Here, the now (in)famous Becky has hooked up with Luke, and they are moving to New York!!! The land of shopping, the Mecca of shopaholics everywhere! When Becky and Luke visit New York on a ‘get to know the city’ expedition for Becky (as well as a few job interviews and meeting for American TV), and a long haul of meetings for Luke, Becky goes on a guided tour…for a bit. Once she’s seen the shops, though, she’s off…buying herself a new handbag, ridiculous amounts of make-up, and some random homemade greetings cards etc. (because let’s face it, foreign money ain’t the same as real money, is it?). Nay mind, though, eh?

 

But, shock horror! Someone has been following Becky! News hits the UK that Becky is an irresponsible shopper, owing huge amounts not dissimilar to the national debt…but who is the culprit? None other than Alicia Bitch Long Legs (obviously). I’m not gonna spoil things, but suffice to say that, naturally, Luke and Becky argue, and Becky goes home to the UK. But returning to Luke’s company, Becky can’t help feeling that something’s amiss…here comes the heroine to save the day!

 

Becky does move to New York eventually, but on whose terms? And does she go alone? 

This may sound like your run-of-the-mill, totally predictable book, but I have to say, it is so worth the read! Once again, Sophie Kinsella makes us believe that Becky is our BFF (despite that we wanna scream at her silly mistakes!).

 

 Now, I know Becky is the protagonist here, and I love her to bits, I really do. But the funniest character throughout this book has got to be…*drum roll*…John Gavin, Becky’s new bank manager. OK, so we’re supposed to hate him, but he is such a dry guy. For instance, the absolutely funniest thing in the WHOLE book has gotta be this:

 

“Thank you for your letter of 4 September, addressed to Sweetie Smeathie, in which you ask him to rush through an extension of your overdraft ‘before the new guy arrives’.

I am the new guy.”

 

This book is a natural progression from The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic, and manages to get through many more antics without losing its humour and style. Drawing us into Becky’s world seems to come naturally to Sophie, who writes with sheer charm. Definitely a cracker.

REVIEW: There wasnt really much being 'hunted'...

Hunted by P.C. and Kristin Cast
House of Night #5
Page count: 439
Star rating: 4 stars

One word review: ineffective

'It's all happening, though Zoey Redbird wishes it wasn't. She has her friends back, which is great. But a dark angel has taken over the House of Night, supported by the High Priestess Neferet. Not so great. This leaves Zoey hiding out with the (supposedly friendly) red fledglings in Tulsa's prohibition era tunnels. The not greatness continues.

 

Naturally, Zoey also has boy issues to stress her out, with a change to make up with super-hot-ex Eric. But thoughts of the archer that, semi-permanently, in her arms keep distracting her. The he shows up as Neferet's newest minion. Well, hell. Zoey and friends will need a plan to put things right, and soon, if she can just keep her head and her heart intact.'

 

So this wasn't my favourite instalment of the House of Night Series, but it definitely wasn't my least favourite, hence the 4 stars. This book is definitely worth the read, however the title is misleading, there isn't really much of a hunt within the book and previously the titles have managed to sum up with what happens in the books quite nicely, 'Marked' being where she gets turned into a vampire fledgling, 'Betrayed' where the bad stuff starts happening and she learns that those she trust are actually against her, 'Chosen' where she develops into a High Priestess in the making and 'Untamed' where her raw power starts to develop and the exposure of a dangerous fallen angel is thrown into the mix!- So I wonder why suddenly the name just doesn't seem to fit... however the names are forming a story of their own.

 

Now there are several reasons why I didn't give this book a 5 star... even though I thoroughly enjoyed it. Firstly it was really repetitive again; I mean like cummon, Zoey thinks of something, realises what it means and tells whoever just so happens to be with her (usually Aphrodite), then another person turns up (usually Darius) and she has to tell them all over again, then she has to tell the rest of the gang and then finally two or three chapters later she recaps it all over again in her mind... it gets a little patronizing when as a reader you can follow a plot but the authors don't seem to understand that we can?

 

Secondly, Zoey's relationships follow no realistic pattern; she fights to get Erik back, but she accepts Heath as her human consort and then throws Stark into the mix. The way Zoey's love interests jump around is extremely confusing, especially when she persuades one that they are a monster but then in the next breath tells them to take their shoes off and climb into bed... to just sleep. And then you have Kalona to concern yourselves with... who clearly has a strange infatuation with Zoey and even though she has persuaded herself that she doesn't like him her dreams and emotions say otherwise... which gets really confusing.

 

'Fast paced, funny and exciting'- Trashionista Review

 

Now only one aspect of this review can be classed as accurate, the book definitely has a comical aspect of it but the first three quarters of the book are spent in tunnels with very slow and sluggish development. I mean things happen of course, but nothing really gets moving until they are driven back to the House of Night. But I must admit that once the action starts it really is crazy good; I love the application of classes you learnt in the first few books suddenly becoming useful.

 

Now talking about good things in this book I have found some excellent aspects; firstly there is not a single element of religion trashing! Not anywhere... I mean they don't even mention other religions apart from the repetition that there is a nun that is helping them out! Which really was a breath of fresh air!

 

Secondly there was a lot of development of the characters you only briefly get to see before, Darius especially goes through an enormous change as a character; becoming closer to the action and having more page time! Now you also get to see a deeper side to the teachers at the House of Night, especially Dragon (whom we have briefly met before- and is slowly becoming one of my favourite sub-characters), Anastasia and Lebonia; together help Zoey in ways I can't begin to explain *well without ruining the entire book! Boo to that!*

 

And finally, the ending of the book was beautiful, you go from high intensity to a surreal moment where peace can conquer instead of brute force. I also loved the way that it could almost end the entire series right there... the evil has *supposedly* been conquered, and everyone is happy... except you know that they are not and now we just need to know what's going to happen next!

 

Okay so technically I wasn't even meant to start this book until next month, but I left 'Starcrossed' at my friends house and was desperate to read so I just wanted to carry on. So my plan is that now I am almost half way through the series I am aiming to complete it this month! I will also attempt to fit in a few more standalones; I have started Steel Heart and I am having mixed feelings at the moment but hopefully it will pick up. :-) I also have a few smaller standalones that I plan on completing this month *if I can... University deadline suck!*

 

So revised march TBR:

- the rest of the House of Night series

- Steel heart

- any additional standalones once steel heart is complete!

 

Another review from my guest blogger will be up today... so keep an eye out!

 

Don't forget to follow my blog and leave a comment! 

REVIEW: why the 'sin eaters daughter ate away my book love!

The SineEater's Daughter by Malinder Sailsubry
The Sin Eater's Daughter #1
Page: 336 pages
Star rating: 1 star

One word review: terrible

'I am the perfect weapon.
I kill with a single touch.

Twylla is blessed. The Gods have chosen her to marry a prince, and rule the kingdom. But the favour of the Gods has it's price. A deadly poison infuses her skin. Those who anger the queen must die under Twylla's fatal touch.

Only Lief, an outspoken new guard, can see past Twylla's chilling role to the girls she truly is.

Yet in a court as dangerous and the queen's, some truths should not be told...'

Okay, I know that this book has a huge fan base already but to me it just didn't hit it off... *sigh*... I was on a really big fantasy high when I started reading this and at the beginning I started to question why I was reading it!

Now I know that the first book in a fantasy series is all about the set up but jeesh come on... I mean I didn't feel like anything had happened by the 100th page so I put it down. Now I really don't like not finishing books but recently I've decided that if the book hasn't gripped me in any way by the end of the 100th page, I will put it down... mainly for the fact that my book shelves are currently overflowing with books from my TBR pile that I could be reading instead!

So what I gathered from the first 100 pages was that this is a mix between 'Shatter me' and The 'Throne of Glass' Series... imagine a girl who's touch kills and she is hired by the 'Evil' rulers to kill their enemies... this kind of theme is starting to get boring... *in my honest opinion*

Now this book wasn't totally terrible... there was some beautiful writing but it wasn't enough to make me want to finish the book unfortunately. Although this book had a lot of potential the first book was a real disappointment.

WEEKLY WRAP UP #1 March 2015

So I am overall really happy with this weeks book related progress; completing three books this week felt like a small accomplishment... especially since I am dealing with a lot of stress at Uni with my Dissertation due in within the next few weeks. So here's what I've been up to...

The books!

All the books I completed this week were from the House of Night Series; since I completed the first book in February I wanted to continue the series this month and I have now completed almost a quarter of the series.

Firstly I read 'Betrayed' and were absolutely in love... I read this in one sitting and couldn't wait to pick up the next book!

I completed a review for Betrayed and you can check it out here:

http://lionandtigerbooks.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/betrayed-never-broke-my-heart.html

Then I completed Chosen and were pumped for the next part! You can tell how much I loved it in the review:

http://lionandtigerbooks.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/why-this-book-was-definitely-chosen.html

However the next instalment didn't turn on the light like the others did... I felt it was too repetitive and had so much lost potential!

Check out the review:

http://lionandtigerbooks.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/review-this-book-was-little-too-untamed.html

My yearly challenge:

So at the end of this week I have completed 9 books since the start of my challenge which means I need to complete another 6 more this month to get back on track!

Plans for next week:

REVIEW: This book was a little too 'untamed'

Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast
'House of Night' book #4
Pages: 338 pages
Star rating: 3 stars

One word summary: Repetitive!

'Life sucks when your friends are pissed at you. Just ask Zoey Redbird – she’s become an expert on suckiness. In one week she has gone from having three boyfriends to having none, and from having a close group of friends who trusted and supported her, to being an outcast. Speaking of friends, the only two Zoey has left are undead and unMarked. And Neferet has declared war on humans, which Zoey knows in her heart is wrong. But will anyone listen to her?  Zoey's adventures at vampyre finishing school take a wild and dangerous turn as loyalties are tested, shocking true intentions come to light, and an ancient evil is awakened in PC and Kristin Cast's spellbinding fourth House of Night novel.'

Now of all the House of Night books this is definitely the worst so far... and that's a shame because the book should have been one of the best! The content of the book and plot turns had the potential to be amazing... if only it had been written a little better.

Firstly there was a tonne of repetition... and I don't just mean the same information (like the same story) over and over again but I mean sometimes the conversations were word for word... starting with 'well I told you this earlier...' and then starting the conversation all over again! I think if this was taken out, and replaced with the information that would have really pushed the story forward then this book would have easily been 5 stars. It would have left room for the stuff that should have been there!

Now there was a lot of insta-love, insta-hate and insta- forgiveness... now I am trying really hard not to spoil things but stuff goes down with Heath! With Erik! With a new guy! There was time and possibilities in this book to really work these out instead of being like... he's my soul mate... no he's my soul... wait he's my soul mate... Zoey shut the hell up and focus on battling evil!

There were a lot more focus on the religious side of things in this instalment... and for once the books don't vilify Christianity (including branches of Christianity) with the introduction of some really kickass nuns!

Now its been two books since we saw the wonderful Nyx personified, so of course there was a personification... and unfortunately it was extremely cliché and could have been done so much better! I mean come on... a woman appearing in a glow of light!

Now we are coming to the end of the review so lets talk about the end of the book... way too rushed! All the big stuff happened in less than three chapters... which should have been built up over the last half of the book. Characters reacted in ways that no normal characters would.

Overall if it wasn't for the fact that half the stuff was missed out and you could tell things were going to happen a mile away, this would be an amazing book! Still a good read and vital for understanding the rest of the series!

 

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Charity book haul... because it was for a good cause

I         am         terrible...

I         need       help!

 

Let's face it... I'm not getting any help with this!

So my wonderful readers I bring you my small charitable book haul; now I know that I am technically on a book buying ban *cries* but who can resist a newly stocked charity shops with bookshelves crammed with new and old books alike... and did I mention the buy one get one free sale... I swear I did :-)

 

So I have bought several books from my library sale case and from a local charity shop that had a wonderful sale... and no one can be angry for me giving money to charity... so no one be angry. Lets have a look at these books!

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

 

Now I believe that this is a non-fiction about a culture I know very little about... Geisha... and I am fascinated! This feels like a book to settle down with when you don't want a heavy paranormal romance or dystopian... and little to say I might actually learn something from this.

 

Abhorsen & Across the wall by Garth Nix

Books #3 and #4 of the 'Old Kindgoms Series'

 

Now I already own 'Sabriel' which is book one but I am yet to start this series... but I have heard nothing but amazing things! Booktubers have been raving about this series for God knows how long and its about time I settled into it! Now to just find the second book in a charity shop and I'll be set!

 

Fire after dark by Sadie Matthews

 

Now this is definitely not a young adult book... especially when the sticker on the front asks if 'Fifty shades left you wanting more'; now I am a huge fan of Fifty shade and have reviewed the entire series *I'll link below!* and I have read several other 'erotic' based novels before and this one sounds amazing!! I will be posting a review about this book as soon as its read because I'm starting to believe that after Fifty shades everyone is writing erotic based novels but they make it totally about the sex and struggle to find a storyline... hopefully the 'fire after dark' will show a different path!

 

Blue Moon by Alyson Noel

Book #2 of 'The Immortals' Series

 

Okay I own 'Evermore' but have never read it and frankly I don't know much about it; I know that it is a paranormal romance style of book and lets face it... I am on a paranormal romance hype right now... so we all know that these will be read soon!

 

World Ward Z by Max Brooks

 

We have all seen the wonderful Brad Pitt in the movie adaption of this book and that was before even knowing it was a book to start with! Now everyone knows that the books are always better than the movies... but this has a lot to live up to. With 'World War Z' being one of my favourite zombie movies of all time I am hoping the book will really knock me off my feet!

REVIEW: why this book was definitely 'chosen'!

Chosen by P.C. and Kristin Cast
Book #3 The House of Night Series
Pages:
Star rating: 5 stars

"Dark forces are at work at the House of Night and Zoey Redbird’s adventures at the school take a mysterious turn. Her best friend, Stevie Rae, is undead and struggling to maintain a grip on her humanity. Zoey finds herself in the very unexpected and rare situation of having three boyfriends. Mix a little bloodlust into the equation and the situation has the potential to spell social disaster. Just when it seems things couldn’t get any tougher, vampyres start turning up dead. Really dead. It looks like the People of Faith are tired of living side-by-side with vampyres. But, as Zoey and her friends so often find out, how things appear rarely affects the truth…"

So lets just say... things just got real! In this book you see Zoey struggling to get to terms with Stevie Ray who is now with the undead dead kids torturing the city and totally under Neferet's control! Not to mention Zoey's extremely complicated love life and when things go terribly wrong and Zoey discovers the truth she learns the hard way that no matter how nice a guy is on the cover... they can be pure hatred beneath!

Okay so there are clearly two storyline within this book... firstly Zoey is dealing with the whole undead dead kids situation... secondly is when the adult vampyres start dropping like flies and there is seriously some hate crimes going on!

So now Aphrodite is trying to get back in Nyx's good books and working alongside Zoey she starts working damn hard to get there... until the moment comes and Aphrodite can really make up for all her bad behaviour!

Now there are some sensitive topics covered in the book... mainly the loss of virginity and emotional abuse... however I think they are worked into the story so well that it softens the blow of tough topics. However I think that a lot of the major turns we could see coming which kind of let the book down a little bit but when P.C. and Kristen want to make an impact... gosh they now how to!

The third instalment is another fast paced, totally indulgent and oh so witty section of the House of Night! If for some reason you were even questioning whether to read the third instalment i'm not sure what is wrong?!? We're the first two novels disappointing? Would love to know your thoughts!

Look out the next instalment will be along shortly! Follow to get it straight to your email!

REVIEW: Betrayed never broke my heart...

Betrayed by P.C. and Kristin Cast
Book #2 House of Night
Pages: 310
Star rating: 5 star

"Zoey, High Priestess in training, has managed to settle in at the House of Night and come to terms with the vast powers the Vampyre Goddess Nyx has given her. Just as she finally feels she belongs, the unthinkable happens: human teenagers are being killed, and all evidence points to the House of Night. While danger stalks the humans from Zoey’s old life, she begins to realize that the very powers that make her so unique might also threaten those she loves."

 

So this is the second instalment of the 'House of Night Series' and I am still fascinated... this was once again a one day read for me. My initial thoughts were that this would be a typical sequel to a vampire novel and I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised... action packed but also a lot more subtle about the cliché factors that usually accompany teenage vampire fiction.

 

Now there is a tonne of new plots and twists that happen in this book and some you wouldn't see coming but some you new were getting there... and unfortunately some are that quick that if you blink you'll miss it! Now this will be a spoiler free review *like always* so be prepared for some shocking revelations! Of course if you haven't read this book and decide to carry on and read the next review there will be spoilers *you now the back of the book gives stuff away... sigh*.

 

Okay so there aren't that many new characters that are introduced in this instalment but the characters that are there get some kick-ass development, Zoey learns a lot about herself as person... and as a woman who is struggling with way too many men in her life... as well as some other high impact struggles.

 

So by now your all well aware of the Dark Daughters and the horrid way they we're run... well now they are run by Zoey and her 'nerd heard' and you definitely get to know the religious side of the Vampyre culture in a way you could never from just from the first book. Which is actually really refreshing!

 

So when friends that Zoey used to hang around with before she was marked starts dropping down dead and appearing to be vampyre attacks of course Zoey is head of the investigation... that is until her Imprinted human boyfriend gets taken and all hell breaks loose and Zoey learns a new level to her powers.

 

Well this is definitely a must read and I highly recommend this book!

REVIEW: 'Marked' sent me to another world

'Marked' by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Book 1# House of Night Series
Pages: 348 pages
Star rating: 5 stars

'So the bad news was that I'd have to move into the House of Night, a private boarding school, known by all my friends as the vampyre finishing school, where I would spent the next four years going through bizarre and annumable physical changes, as well as a total and permanent life shake-up. And that's on if the whole process doesn't kill me.

But the good news was that I wouldn't have to take the geometry test tomorrow.'

 

So this was an amazing book... first of all... scrap the crappy view of vampyres we've been fed in the past and think new, funny and absolutely fear-removing teenagers. Now add to that image a group of teenagers... a lost girl who has just been thrown into this strange and deadly world... a country girl with a twang in everything from her sayings to her clothes... twins who are the total physical opposite *one white one African America* who are soul sisters... a young gay boy who speaks like a dictionary and a 'hag from hell'... do you have that image in your head? Are you laughing at some of the conversations that could possibly arise? Good!

 

Now this books isn't all it says on the back... yes Zoey Redbird gets taken out of her overbearing 'People of Faith' family and thrown into the vampyre world full force... when Nyx *The vampyre Goddess* decides not only to Mark (the process at which the change into becoming a vampyre begins) but also to gift Zoey with some extra ordinary powers which doesn't always work out the best for Zoey.

 

Of course everything doesn't always go as smoothly as planned at the House of Night, when her human ex-boyfriend Heath turns up high and drunk with her ex-bestfriend to break her out of the House of Night true vampyresque behaviours ensue and leads to some pretty dire outcomes.

 

Although I have rated this instalment 5 stars there was a problem of insta-love... okay a guy walks in the room takes one look at you and suddenly your in love and by the end of the book your together and playing happy families... if that was only half the story!?!? Meet Erik Night... the usual fall in love guy in these sort of novels... tall, broad and very handsome... okay he has some extra features of course... he's an actor who wins some major kick ass competitions... of and he's 'hag from hell's' ex-boyfriend... which makes everyone's life a total cliché... *sigh*.

 

Although there were elements of problem with the book I loved the genuine knowledge P.C. and Kristin Cast demonstrated when describing some of the rituals and beliefs of other religious factions; especially the Cherokee elements of Lavender and other herbs involved in cleansing. It made me smile deep down in my well-read heart to know that for once the authors did their homework and looked up the small details that really pull a book together.

 

Overall the writing is utterly hilarious... there are moments of pure delight and then moments of raw emotion. You can tell that it is designed to be a long winded serious because there is a lot of set up however its needed for a 10+ book series not including the vast number of novellas and companion novels.

 

 

Now if you like the sound of this book then you should definitely pick it up:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marked-Number-1-House-Night/dp/034900112X/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1425516832&sr=1-4&keywords=marked

The book depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Marked-Cast/9780312360269

If you decide to read this book and like it... or generally want to read books that are similar to this then I'd definitely check out the rest of the series.

Another series which you may want to check out is Vampire Diaries; although this is aimed at slightly older reading that the first book of the House of Night Series still a delightful read.



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REVIEW: In the grip of the Iron Trial

The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
Pages: 295 pages
Star rating: 4 stars

'Never trust a magician...

Most kids Callum's age dream of having the natural talent for magic needed to get into the Magisterium- that's where they will learn to hone their skills and control their power in order to pass the first year's Iron Trial.

Not Callum Hunt. Call has been told his entire life that he should never trust a magician. And so he tries his best to do his worst- but fails at failing.

Now he must enter the magisterium. Its a place that's both sensational and sinister. And Call realises it has dark ties to his past and a twisty path to his future.

The Iron Trial is just beginning.

Call's biggest test is still to come...'

This book was amazing... okay not 5 star amazing but definitely a 4 star... I mean like wow!

Now I read the entirety of this book in one sitting... that's surrounded by children and moaning adults... but still this book kept me hooked! If I had to sum up this book it would definitely be... 'A new darker Harry Potter where the best of it doesn't happen to the main character.'

Lets introduce Callum Hunt... because of Callum's freakishly cold and surreal past he was left disabled and struggles to use his legs... he thinks this a draw back especially when he goes to take his entry test for the Magisterium... playing on this he doesn't realise that this becomes one of this greatest strengths!

Now in this world magic is somewhat known... well elements of it is...the dark war that has been raging is still a secret and the great battles are hidden in mountains. As you can imagine; the magic world isn't all its meant to be... there is a dark side to magic and when the hunt for a student that could turn the tides in a war comes to light... you automatically believe Callum will be the one. He is showing all the signs... power... control and a curious inquisition that doesn't believe in following the rules. So when it comes to announcing the student the book takes a delightful and quite funny turn of events and in my humble opinion you need to read it!

Okay lets face it... its not just because its a magical school that this book is similar to Harry Potter! There had to be a famous trio that happened to cause trouble together and become the greatest of friends... and so it is true for the Iron Trial. Now Harry's representative here is Callum Hunt, described in a too-similar way to Harry Potter in the Prisoner of Askaban. Now Hermione is replaced with the Tamara... the know-it-all girl with experiences of her own. And Ron replaced with Aaron... although Aaron is in no way just there for comic relief they all have their moments. Its a shame that they were so closely resembled to the Harry Potter trio as I would have enjoyed the start of this series even more if it wasn't so closely linked.

Now what really drew me to the book was the Authors... I have read from both Holly Black's and Cassandra Clare epic array of writings and I must admit you can tell the difference in their writing styles. One is more fast paced and one more detail heavy... but I think they compliment each other well in this book and hopefully it will be less obvious the more they write together!

Okay lets give the artist some recognition here... Alexander Chauret  designed the front cover and the beautiful chapter headings throughout the book and they were stunning... although some elements of the front still allude me (I.E. the giant cloaked man doesn't really get a mention in the book).

Now if you like the sound of this book then there are others that I would greatly recommend!

The Harry Potter Series *Obviously*; although the beginning is less dark than the Iron Trial I would definitely recommend this entire series to anyone!

The Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan; although this is set in entirely different setting *Greek Mythology and not magic* it still reads in a similar way and has the same feeling of growing into a new world!



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