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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