Review | Fracture by Megan Miranda

Title: Fracture 

Author: Megan Miranda

Release Date: January 17th 2012

Publisher: Bloomsbury 

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal  

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 272

Format: Paperback

Rating: ★★

Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she’s far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can’t control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?

Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she’s reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy’s motives aren’t quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature—or something much more frightening? Source Goodreads

Review: I seem to be on my own when I say that I didn't really enjoy this book. I scroll down the reviews on Goodreads and see either glowing four or five stars with lengthy reviews that follow, but I didn't really get it.
This book caught my attention as soon as it was released. The description had me hooked and the hint of a paranormal twist forced me to pick it up. I wish I could say that it lived up to my high expectations.

Fracture reminded me, in terms of both the plot and the writing style of a Point Horror book. If you don't know what that is then it was a form of teen fiction "back in the day" with a quick but not too in depth plot. Funnily enough I love Point Horror and tend to pick them up whenever I find them, but the difference is that I'm expecting that brief encounter with the plot, the distance between the reader and the characters and basically the rubbish story, and I use rubbish in the most affectionate term possible. (you know rubbish as in those chick flicks that you love to watch but deep down you know that they really aren't that good?! I know you know the ones.) I wish I could hold Fracture in this warm fuzzy part of my heart where all my Point Horror books live but I can't. Teen fiction has come a long way since then and I have become accustomed to expect a lot more from a book.

I also became slightly irritated by the authors use of delaying the mystery. I'm sure that you know the one. Where one character knows all the answers but the character that we're reading from the perspective of is too busy freaking out over something or another to finish asking, even though that's the main reason that they are there. I have no idea why authors do this as for me it doesn't feel natural. I feel that if I was in the same situation and someone had all the answers, I'd want to know! I end up yelling at the book, "tell me already!!!" haha. Maybe it's just me.

In saying that Fracture wasn't "that" bad. It wasn't terrible, it just wasn't for me. It took me a while to get though it as the plot didn't grip me, well at least not until the last 70 pages or so and the ending just left me feeling rather blerrr... Fracture was also a very short book that I should have flew through, but I felt that through the haste of the book I lost that all important connection with the characters. I couldn't even connect to the love interest, which is a shock for me as I usual fall madly in love before that main character even realises that someone else exists. haha.

Overall for me the plot was a little bland. I felt that the paranormal aspect was short lived and the main focus was upon the meaning of life and certain worthiness of one individual living over another instead of the action packed mystery that I was expecting. I personally rate it rather low because I just couldn't love it no matter how many time I try to force myself to. In saying that I wouldn't tell you not to read it. Just because I didn't enjoy it doesn't mean that you wont. This could turn out to be one of you're favourite books and who am I to tell you not to read something?! 

Review | The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E Smith

Title: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight 

Author: Jennifer E Smith

Release Date: January 2nd 2012

Publisher: Poppy/Little Brown 

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary 

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 236

Format: Hardback 

Rating: ★★★★★

"Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan’s life. She’s stuck at JFK, late to her father’s second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley’s never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport’s cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he’s British, and he’s in seat 18C. Hadley’s in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver’s story will make you believe that true love finds you when you’re least expecting it." Source Goodreads

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight (or SPLFS for short, though it doesn't really make any sense) is a rather tale telling the story of two characters over the course of 24 hours who meet before a flight from America to London. 

Now I've never read a book set over 24 hours, nor have I read much contemporary fiction but I've got to say that I was impressed. As the book is only 236 pages long it is undoubtably a really quick read but the amount of insight into the story and the characters alike was incredible. I really enjoyed getting to know Hadley and Oliver and watch their relationship blossom (not really a spoiler since that is what the book is about) and the little adventure that unfolds along the way. The side story in regards to Hadley and her father was just wonderful and very important in Hadley's growth and understanding of love and relationships. 

Overall SPLFS was a really great read, perfect for summer or anytime when you need a little pick-me-up. Now I don't normally like to compare two completely different books/authors but I've got to say that this book is what I expected Stephanie Perkins' Anna and the French Kiss to be. A light hearted read with wonderful heart warming characters that you'll want to revisit over and over again. 

Review | Beastly by Alex Flinn

Title: Beastly 

Author: Alex Flinn

Release Date: December 29th 2009 (originally Jan 2007)

Publisher: Harper Teen

Genre: Young Adult, Fairytale Retelling, Paranormal

Series: Kendra Chronicles

Pages: 300

Format: Paperback

Rating: ★★★★★

"A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright--a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.

You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll stay this way forever--ruined--unless I can break the spell.

Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly." Source Goodreads 

I first heard of Beastly when the movie was released in 2011 and I was intrigued by an adaptation of my favourite Disney movie. (yes the story of Beauty and the Beast goes much further back than Disney but we're sticking with my first experience) Now I adored Beauty and the Beast, I watched it uncountable times as a child (and an adult. shhh.) and I was a little apprehensive as to where Alex Flinn would take the story. Looking back now I needn't have worried because Flinn did a perfect job with Beastly.  


I've read a few fairytale retellings and I've got to say that a lot of the times I was guessing ahead and predicting every possible outcome of the plot. Because of this I was led to believe that's just how retellings should be. But I was wrong! That's not what is meant to happen. I know the tale of Beauty and the Beast better than anyone I know but Flinn's spin on the story was refreshing and original but still kept to the true story in ways that kept true to my heart. 


We start Beastly in an online chat room, a concept that for me was sort of baffling but I soon got over the shock and the brief encounters of this chat room ultimately added another dimension to the plot. We're then take back in time to before the main character is turned into a beast. Kyle Kingsbury is a mean,  hateful person with an ugly heart but with beautiful good looks. Until one day when he meets someone who changes his physical features to match his personality, beastly. Because of these abnormalities Kyle's father sends him to live in a 5 story secluded house in Brooklyn with his maid Magda to keep him away from the prying eyes of the general public, and to prevent further embarrassment. 


The only predictable part of the story was the growth of the main character which was executed perfectly causing me to fall in love over and over again with someone I wouldn't have looked twice at. Throughout the book I had no idea where the story was going, I didn't expect the many twist and turns and I was hooked from the first few chapters. The pacing wasn't what I would call fast, but it was addictive. I would say that it was more calm, thoughtful, depressing in a sense but more hopeful, one of those books that you want to wrap your heart around and give all your love. Too soppy... maybe but I just loved this book. 

There are so many wonderful character in this book, though none of which I'm going to mention because I want you to form your own opinions, but I challenge anyone not to let these characters suck you in.

Alex Flinn has created a world that I would return to over and over again. She's taken a story that holds a dear part upbringing and instead of causing disruption she has shown me another world while staying true to important messages raised in Beauty and the Beast. And if your wondering, as with the Disney movie, I still prefer the beast over the man. 

Review | Legend by Marie Lu

Title: Legend

Author: Marie Lu

Release Date: Feb 2nd 2012 (originally Nov 2011)

Publisher: Puffin

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, 

Series: Legend

Pages: 295

Format: Paperback

Rating: ★★★★★

"The United States is gone, along with its flooded coasts. North America’s two warring nations, the western Republic and the eastern Colonies, have reached a breaking point. In the midst of this broken continent and dark new world are two teenagers who will go down in history....
Born into the slums of Los Angeles, fifteen-year old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. A mysterious boy with no recorded image or fingerprints. A boy who should no longer exist. A boy who watches over his family until one evening, when the plague patrols mark his family’s door with an X—the sign of plague infection. A death sentence for any family too poor to afford the antidote. Desperate, Day has no choice; he must steal it.
Born to an elite family in Los Angeles’ wealthy Ruby sector, fifteen-year old June is the Republic’s most promising prodigy. A superintelligent girl destined for great things in the country’s highest military circles. Obedient, passionate, and committed to her country—until the day her brother Metias is murdered while on patrol during a break-in at the plague hospital.

Only one person could be responsible.

Day.

And now it’s June’s mission to hunt him down.

The truth they’ll uncover will become legend." Source Goodreads

Legend is written from the perspectives of the two main characters June and Day. Both characters are from polar opposites of the dystopian society. Day who is the most wanted criminal who is wanted for murder and June is sent on a mission to track down her brothers killer. Little do they know that when these two worlds merge the society in which know starts to crumble at the edges. 

This story was fantastic. A definite 5 star book combining a great plot, brilliant characters, and two amazing perspectives. Now it is dystopian so we expect conflict between the government and unfair living conditions but Marie Lu takes this story somewhere else. Now don't get me wrong theres still the conflict but she shows us more about life behind the scenes than the one dimensional 'government bad' portrayal that we are forced to follow in most dystopians. The use of the two separate perspectives was very creative and extremely well executed in ways that many authors tend to miss. We got to see this story unravel from the points of view of both the "good guys" and the "bad guys." Ok I can't go into my reasons for this because I would break the first rule of book blogging No Spoilers, but trust me in this, it was very well done! 

The plot was amazing. I loved it. I was unsure to start with but the more information Marie Lu trusted me with the more I needed. The plot contained the usual aspects of a dystopian story line but with so many twists and turns to keep me engaged throughout and I loved every second. The characters we wonderful and throughout I was routing for both with the ever looming impossible happy ending. All the way through Legend you are completely aware that someone is not going to get what they want but is like watching a train wreck that you cannot turn away from. Cringe worthy but addictive. 

We cannot leave this review without mentioning the romance. Ahh the romance. I won't say much apart from that I really enjoying watching this believable romance form. No insta-love. Phew. Just two people bonding over a common "interest."  

Overall a great start to what I'm predicting is going to be a great series. Marie Lu made a perfect start to this series. I'm already routing for the characters, I have no idea what's going to happen next and every now and then I find myself drifting back into her world. I would say that if you love dystopian then you need to try this one, if you don't well give a go anyway, you might be pleasantly surprised.

The second book in the series Prodigy is due for release early next year and I'm already eagerly anticipating getting my hands on it. If like me you cannot wait, but think you can handle a teaser then here's a link to the first chapter. If I'm honest I don't think I could handle it so I'm going to give it a miss, but if you're more strong willed than I am then go for it! haha. 

Happy Reading! 

Review | Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Title: Insurgent

Author: Veronica Roth

Release Date: May 1st 2012

Publisher: Harper Collins

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, 

Series: Divergent

Pages: 525

Format: Paperback

Rating: ★★★★★

"War looms in sixteen-year-old Tris’s dark dystopian world as disputes between the factions grow. Tris must now fight against all odds to discover the truth that can save her and the people she loves. Sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge – and the choices she makes will have devastating and unexpected consequences." Source Goodreads

Ahh Insurgent has got to be the most eagerly anticipated book of 2012 or at least for me anyway. As soon as I put down Divergent mid way through 2011 I was craving the second in the series. I can now safely say that this wait was definitely worth while. I was not even a little bit disappointed. Every second of Insurgent had me hooked and kept me constantly guessing about what on earth was coming next. I can proudly say that for me this book was perfect. And that ending... blew. my. mind! 

Insurgent takes off immediately where we left Divergent, right slap bang in the middle of all the action with not even enough time to take breath. This pace did not stop at all. Even those points where I thought Roth was about to give me a breather she threw me right back in the centre of all the chaos. Which although it doesn't sound like it, was such a refreshing change from a lot of what I have been reading lately. I finished Insurgent in just over a day because I just couldn't put it down which is also a rarity. 

The characters are still as relatable as ever before, in fact you could say even more so. Though I have heard a few people who seem to dislike Four in this book, but to those people I just stare at open mouthed. haha. I loved him! I absolutely adored where Roth took her characters in Insurgent. Their development was extremely well done, if not at times slightly repetitive (my one and only gripe) and I found their choices in relation to those ever increasing plot twists to be very unpredictable. 

Now for the most important question (for me anyway) is if it was as good, better or worse than Divergent? I've got to say that it was so much better. I loved Divergent, but Insurgent was just on a completely new level. Veronica Roth raised the bar with Divergent in 2011 but raised it even further this year, leaving me in complete awe of her fantastic writing skills and in amazement for what she has in store for us next. I'm still trying to absorb the whole story and allowing everything to slowly sink in but for now I'm still half in the WTF shock stage...

I hope you get around to reading this one soon, and if you already have then what did you think???

Happy Reading Guys. 

Katie

Book Related Loveliness

You may have already spotted this picture on twitter as I posted it a couple of hours ago, but for those of you that don't follow me (though I can't see why not... ok yes I can... boring!) I thought I'd share it with all of you here as well. 

I sent my husband off to Asda today to pick me up some cookies because, yes I am a needy wife, and not only did he come back with the aforementioned cookies (asda's bakery special nom nom) but he came home with the book that was on yesterdays Wishlist Wednesday. *cue awwwwww*

Slated by Teri Terry

I should also mention that even though I mentioned it on here and on Twitter quite a few times over the past 24 hours I only mentioned it to him once, in the supermarket, when I first spotted it myself. Not only do I now own what I am let to believe (by my amazing powers of prediction) to be a fantastic book but I have not broken my current book buying ban. Win win! 

What are you currently reading? 

Did today have any special surprises in store for you as well?

Happy Reading guys! 

Katie

Wishlist Wednesday

I don't normally partake in Wishlist Wednesday but this week a book made it's way into my life and I just couldn't resist. Wishlist Wednesday is hosted by Dani over at Pen to Paper who also has a wonderful youtube channel so please go and check both out if you haven't done so already.  

I spotted a book in our local supermarket today that I'd never even heard of before but it definitely caught my attention. I'm almost sure that you've all already heard of it and I'm just behind the times, but ahh well. haha. It's also one of those times where I wish that I wasn't on a book buying ban...

Slated by Teri Terry.
Kyla’s memory has been erased,
her personality wiped blank,
her memories lost for ever.

She’s been Slated.

The government claims she was a terrorist, and that they are giving her a second chance - as long as she plays by their rules. But echoes of the past whisper in Kyla’s mind. Someone is lying to her, and nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust in her search for the truth?

This story is so intriguing and I predict faced paced... ok I'm not really sure about that one but I really hope so. Anyone care to get it for me so I don't break my book buying ban? haha. Nahh only joking, but I've definitely added it to my ever growing wishlist. 

If you've already read it I would love to know what you think, with no spoilers of course. 

But for now, happy reading!