A New All Time Favourite // ARC Review: Blood and Sand by C.V. Wyk

Title: Blood And Sand
Author: C.V.Wyk
Publication Date:January 17th 2018 
Publisher: Tor Teen (Macmillan)
Part of a Series?: Yes, Book 1 on 2 of the Blood and Sand Duology
I Got A Copy Through: Macmillan Intl (THANK YOU!)
Buy Links: Amazon US || Barnes and Noble || The Book Depository || Wordery || Foyles || Kobo || Books A Million || Chapters Indigo || Google Books

Blurb Description: FORGED IN BATTLE...FROM THE DUST OF THE ARENA...A LEGEND WILL RISE
The action-packed tale of a 17-year-old warrior princess and a handsome gladiator who dared take on the Roman Republic―and gave rise to the legend of Spartacus...
For teens who love strong female protagonists in their fantasy and historical fiction, Blood and Sand is a stirring, yet poignant tale of two slaves who dared take on an empire by talented debut author C. V. Wyk.
Roma Victrix. The Republic of Rome is on a relentless march to create an empire―an empire built on the backs of the conquered, brought back to Rome as slaves.
Attia was once destined to rule as the queen and swordmaiden of Thrace, the greatest warrior kingdom the world had seen since Sparta. Now she is a slave, given to Xanthus, the Champion of Rome, as a sign of his master’s favor. Enslaved as a child, Xanthus is the preeminent gladiator of his generation.
Against all odds, Attia and Xanthus form a tentative bond. A bond that will spark a rebellion. A rebellion that threatens to bring the Roman Republic to its end―and gives rise to the legend of Spartacus...
The story continues in Fire and Ash, coming in 2019 from Tor Teen. 

WELL HELLO NEW ADDITION TO MY FAVOURITE BOOKS EVER LIST.

Let’s be honest – you can hear all kinds of GREAT things about a book through hype or from your favourite reviewers, but everybody’s reading experience is personal. Which is why, despite ONLY having read four and five star reviews about Blood and Sand, I was a little skeptical going in. (I’m skeptical about everything, though. #PessimistLife)

And yet, C.V. Wyk’s debut novel BLEW MY MIND and had me SERIOUSLY INVESTED in her characters and at the edge of my seat, waiting for more.

Which reminds me, IF SOMEONE COULD KINDLY HAND ME THE SEQUEL NOW, IT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. HONESTLY.

Let’s break this down. MY THOUGHTS:

1.       The pace of this book was STUNNING. It was fast paced but not brutal and there was never a dull moment. I loved who C.V. Wyk unravelled and created this world, made us fall for her characters and their need to be free from their chains and IT WAS SUCH AN INSPIRING, WONDEROUS, BRILLIANT STORY.

2.       I ABSOLUTELY LOVED ATTIA AND HER WARRIOR SPIRIT. She was truly an epic, unafraid, weapon wielding badass who let absolutely NOTHING stand in her way and nothing dampen who she was. Her pain was raw, her healing from her tragedy was beautiful and GOD SHE WAS JUST SUCH A WONDEROUS CHARACTER TO FALL IN LOVE WITH.

3.       This book was set in Rome and there were Gladiator brothers, scandals, politics, slaves and everything FELT SO AUTHENTIC AND YET, there was no brutality, making this book suitable for younger readers as well. Also, SPARTACUS WAS FEMALE. THIS BOOK HAD A FEMALE BADASS REBEL AND UGH IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL.  

 

4.       The fierce undefeated gladiator, Xanthus, who is also the Champion of Rome was an ADORABLE MUFFIN AT HEART and it took me all of one chapter in his point of view to fall for him. I LOVED HIS PEACEFUL SPIRIT, HIS LOYALTY and most of all, HIS RESPECTFULNESS TOWARDS ATTIA. Yes for boys in literature that show that nothing is MORE IMPORTANT THAN CONSENT.

5.       The ending, the last scene and WHAT IT ALL MEANS FOR BOOK TWO was mind blowing. I also don’t THINK that a certain aspect of the ending will remain in book two and I’m really hoping for that.

6.       The only minus point to this book was the AMOUNT OF SECONDARY CHARACTERS (like Xanthus’ gladiator brothers) that were introduced so fast, I didn’t get to know them and I BARELY remember their names. (There was a dude with ‘a’ and another with ‘I’? I don’t KNOW?)

Should you read this book?! YES. RIGHT NOW. GO. READ. IT.

An absolute masterpiece from a debut author that will make you fall in love, make you hope, leave you in awe and inspired by it's wonderful cast. 5 GLOWING, SWORD SHAPED STARS.

C.V. Wyk is the author of BLOOD AND SAND, debuting from Tor Teen in winter 2018. Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Wyk now resides on the east coast along with a precocious mini poodle and demanding guinea pig. 

In her not-so-spare time, she enjoys playing MMORPGs, kayaking, coding, hiking, staring listlessly at blank walls, and nursing a totally healthy coffee addiction. 

Find Wyk online at www.cvywyk.com.

What are some of your favourite historical fantasies?

Blood and Sand is already the SECOND Roman Inspired fantasy I've read this year and I've LOVED both of them. 

Do you have any more recommendations for me?

Whatt have some of your favourite 2018 books been?

 

Whimsical and Consuming // REVIEW: Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle #3)
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publication Date: October 21st 2014
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Part of a Series?: Yes, Book 3 on 4 of The Raven Cycle
I Got A Copy Through: Scholastic India (THANK YOU!)
Buy Links: Amazon IN || Barnes and Noble || The Book Depository || Wordery || Flipkart || Snapdeal || Infibeam || Foyles || Waterstones || WHSmith || Kobo || Books A Million || Chapters Indigo || Google Books

Blurb Description: The third installment in the all-new series from the #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater!
Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs. 
The trick with found things, though, is how easily they can be lost.
Friends can betray.Mothers can disappear.Visions can mislead.Certainties can unravel.

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IN AWE of Maggie Stiefvater and the whimsical, magical books she writes. She brings magic into the normal, which is the main reason I have LOVED her Raven Boys Quartet to date. That is, until Blue Lily, Lily Blue.

I went into the third book of the Raven Cycle MORE THAN A YEAR after I read The Dream Thieves and I immediately got pulled back into the intrigue, the dreams, the magic and the hunt for Glendower. I couldn’t believe HOW MUCH I’d missed Blue and her Raven Boys and all the whimsicalness that came with them.

And yet, about 200 pages into the book, I suddenly found that the pace of the book had dropped radically, and that I was forcing/ pushing myself to read further because this book was DRAGGING. A lot of the sub-plots suddenly felt unnecessary (a whole murder set up? Really?) and I honestly didn’t know what to make of it.

So, let’s split this up:

THINGS I LIKED:

1.       THE WHIMSICAL WRITING STYLE: If you’ve read a Maggie Stiefvater book, you KNOW her writing style is unlike anybody else’s. A story like The Raven Boys wouldn’t work if her writing didn’t personify every magical and strange thing happening in the book and I will FOREVER be in awe of how Maggie Stiefvater writes.

2.       BLUE AND HER RAVEN BOYS: I AM OBSESSED WITH THESE FOUR TEENAGERS, their friendship, their loyalty and their devotion all while being such different people by themselves. I absolutely loved this one phrase Blue used to describe their friendship, because I FEEL THE SAME WAS WHEN I READ ABOUT THEM: ‘Consuming.’ This series and this friendship is consuming and I can’t wait to read the final part.

3.       THE ANGST: Like I kept saying (yelling, really) on Goodreads, ALL THE CHARACTERS IN THIS BOOK DESERVE TO BE KISSED. There is so much angst, and I absolutely love the build-up but I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE DAY THAT ALL OF THEM JUST. KISS. THAT. PERSON. THEY’VE. BEEN. WANTING. TO. KISS.

THINGS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:

1.       THE PACE: Like I mentioned in the very beginning, as I reached the end of this book, the face fell, and it fell RAPIDLY. It couldn’t shake the feeling that nothing was happening, and that things we’re just being dragged out until The Raven King. I liked the book, but I WISH IT HAD BEEN PACED BETTER.

2.       WHERE WAS NOAH, EVEN? I couldn’t shake the feeling that Noah was MISSING through the course of the book. While we focused so much more on Colin Greenmantle and his wife (WHAT WAS THAT ENDING? I DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN THEM) and the ladies of 300 Fox Way and there was a certain death which I DON’T UNDERSTAND EITHER (How? Why? WHAT?) because it was too whimsical but I felt like we lost out on so much Noah Czerny, one of my favourite Raven Boys.

Do I like this book and this series? HECK YES

Will I be reading The Raven King? As SOON as I possibly can.

I only wish that Blue Lily, Lily Blue was better paced and had more Noah but I hope that the finale in simple perfect.

New York Times bestselling author of The Shiver Trilogy, The Raven Cycle, and The Scorpio Races. Artist. Driver of things with wheels. Avid reader.

All of Maggie Stiefvater's life decisions have been based around her inability to be gainfully employed. Talking to yourself, staring into space, and coming to work in your pajamas are frowned upon when you're a waitress, calligraphy instructor, or technical editor (all of which she's tried), but are highly prized traits in novelists and artists. She's made her living as one or the other since she was 22. She now lives an eccentric life in the middle of nowhere, Virginia with her charmingly straight-laced husband, two kids, two neurotic dogs, and a 1973 Camaro named Loki.

Have you read The Raven Cycle? What do you think of it?

Who is your favourite Raven Boy? 

Don't spoil it for me but DID YOU LOVE The Raven King? Is it everything I'm hoping it will be?

 

Perfect In Every Sense Of The Word // REVIEW: It Only Happens In The Movies by Holly Bourne

Title: It Only Happens In The Movies
Author: Holly Bourne
Publication Date: October 1st 2017
Publisher: Usbourne Publishing
Part of a Series?: No, A Standalone
I Got A Copy Through: Usbourne Publishing (THANK YOU!)
Buy Links: Amazon IN || Amazon US || Amazon UK || The Book Depository || Wordery || Foyles || Waterstones || WHSmith || Kobo || Google Books

Blurb Description: Audrey is over romance. Since her parents' relationship imploded her mother's been catatonic, so she takes a cinema job to get out of the house. But there she meets wannabe film-maker Harry. Nobody expects Audrey and Harry to fall in love as hard and fast as they do. But that doesn't mean things are easy. Because real love isn't like the movies...
The greatest love story ever told doesn't feature kissing in the snow or racing to airports. It features pain and confusion and hope and wonder and a ban on cheesy clichés. Oh, and zombies... YA star Holly Bourne tackles real love in this hugely funny and poignant novel.

If you haven’t already seen me ranting OBSESSIVELY about Holly Bourne and all the books she’s written so far, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

Holly Bourne writes the MOST REALISTIC TEENAGE GIRLS in her gorgeously awkward and equally hilarious and most importantly, FILLED WITH FEMINISM books that will make you sit up and pay attention because the WORLD NEEDS MORE OF THESE KINDS OF BOOKS.

Yes, see, I RANT OBSESSIVELY ABOUT EVERYTHING RELATED TO HOLLY BOURNE.

Case in point: This Tweet:

BEST. THING. I'VE. EVER. READ. 

Thank you for this, @holly_bourneYA - We NEEDED THIS IN A BOOK (or all of them)#OnlyInTheMovies pic.twitter.com/F2523mYdzZ

— Aditi (@AditiNichani) October 12, 2017

I hadn’t even finished the Spinster Club series when the title was revealed for It Only Happens in the Movies and without even knowing what this story was about, I knew I would be reading it. Then, as if Holly Bourne + NEW BOOK wasn’t enough to sell me on reading this book, Usborne went and put ACTUAL FOOD on the cover of this book and I WAS SO EXCITED I HYPERVENTILATED around my room (Bookworm Cave) for a long time.

It Only Happens in the Movies definitely met my expectations of what I expected my latest Holly Bourne book to be like, even though it was more mature and a little different from The Spinster Club Trilogy.

Let’s break it down:

THINGS I LOVED:

1.       THE COVER: It’s yellow and happy and it has POPCORN on it? I honestly just wanted to eat popcorn through the entire time I was reading the book but YAY FOR FOOD ON BOOK COVERS. THEY’RE THE BEST. And so uplifting.

2.       ALL THINGS FEMINIST AND BRILLIANT: This book analyses MOVIE TROPES FROM A FEMINIST POINT OF VIEW ALL WHILE BEING AWKWARDLY HILARIOUS. Could you really ask for more? Each chapter starts off with a movie trope that we are SO USED TO WATCHING (Eg: The Bad Boy that reforms himself JUST FOR YOU) and then breaks it apart to something that Only Happens in the Movies. It will make you think every time you watch another movie, it will make you think regardless. It is BRILLIANTLY done, even if I am overusing the word because It Only Happens in the Movies DESERVES every bit of praise I give it.

3.       ZOMBIE FEMINIST BRIDES: Ever heard of them? No? I don’t blame you. I spent all the time reading this book in awe of everything about it. A zombie bride in the movie our main characters were shooting raged against the patriarchy as a zombie and it was BRILLIANT. It was funny, and even the ZOMBIES MADE YOU THINK ABOUT THE UNEQUALITY IN THE WORLD WE LIVE IT.

4.       STRONG FEMALE FRIENDSHIPS: If there’s one thing that Holly Bourne’s The Spinster Club series and It Only Happens in the Movies has in common is these strong, brilliant and REAL female friendships. I love reading about these in books because I have the privilege of having them in real life and it just makes seeing them in books so much more affirming.

5.       AUDREY AND HARRY: I loved BOTH of Holly Bourne’s main characters in this book. Audrey was a spectacular narrator, trying to find her own way with her family and dealing with the difference in the world that the movies show you and what she’s been experiencing. Harry, though I would have loved to also see this from his POV was your typical, charming boy and they were SO MUCH FUN TO MEET.

Honestly, you guys, THIS IS THE BOOK YOU DIDN’T EVEN KNOW YOU WERE LOOKING FOR. It’s awkward, hilarious, real, filled to the brim with feminism, cute boys and girl power. It Only Happens in the Movies is perfect in every sense of the word and YOU NEED TO BE READING THIS. 5 stars. 

Holly Bourne writes YA novels and blogs about feminist issues. Her favourite things to complain loudly about are: the stigma of mental health, women's rights, and the under-appreciation of Keanu Reeves' acting ability.

Holly's first two books, Soulmates and The Manifesto on How to be Interesting, have been critically acclaimed and translated into six languages. The first book in the 'Normal' series, Am I Normal Yet?, has been chosen as a World Book Night book for 2016 and has inspired the formation of Spinster Clubs around the country.

Before becoming a full-time author, Holly was editor and relationship advisor for a charity website.

Have you read any of Holly Bourne's books? What do you think of them? 

What are some of your favourite books that highlight all things feminism? 

What is your opinion about Food on Book Covers? Are you a lover or a hater?

I'd love to talk movies, food and feminism with all of you!

 

Meet The Authors: Tracey Neithercott, Author of Gray Wolf Island - Character Interview + Giveaway

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to the last day of Meet The Authors October. Finals start on Monday for me which means I'll mostly be exiting the blogging cave for at least the next week (unless I'm feeling brave and think I can do both studying and blogging) and entering the studying cave of last minute prep, anxiety and trying to remember whatever I can.

Which is not the point of today's Meet The Authors post at all. I have with me today the AMAZING Tracey Neithercott, debut author of Gray Wolf Island who has done on of the MOST FUN CHARACTER INTERVIEWS I've done in a while! (Or Ever?)

Now, there's two Tracey Neithercott giveaways going on on my blog - one is INTL and the other is US, just to include everyone.

Click here to enter the INTL Gray Wolf Island Giveaway.
Scroll down to enter the US one!

 *After some awkward fumbles and no doubt slightly embarrassing moments, clears throat to begin interview*

Aditi: I like your tattoos. I've always wanted one (or many) but I've never been able to decide what to permanently etch onto my body. Which was your first tattoo and what does it mean to you?

Elliot: Did you talk to Ruby about this? Because if she told you my tattoos are nostalgic, you should know she doesn’t even understand the correct definition of the word.

Ruby: It’s the sentiment, Elliot.

Elliot: Nostalgia is wistful longing for the past. I’ve been longing for Gray Wolf Island my whole life, but it’s only ever been my present and future. No, my first tattoo—a wolf for Gray Wolf Island, on the right side of my torso—is badass. I wasn’t even 18 and legal to get a tattoo at the time, but I found a guy who knew a guy. You know what that makes me?

Ruby: Don’t say it.

Elliot: A rebel.

Ruby: He’s really, really not.

Elliot: Get out of my interview, Ruby.

Aditi: My sources tell me that you're a great fan of linguistics. What's your favourite part about it and could you give us the origin and meaning of one of your favourite words - in any language?

Elliot: I started studying the treasure before I could even point to Gray Wolf Island on map. Mostly because Thornes are destined to discover it one day.

Gabe: Says nobody but Elliot Thorne.

Elliot: I know I’m destined to find it the way I know the treasure exists. And part of my studies were with my mom, who was called in by Wildewell’s most famous treasure hunter, Bishop Rollins, to translate the markings on one of the Star Stones. Everyone thought they were runes, but everyone is obviously an idiot. They’re nothing like the runic alphabet.

Ruby: You’re such a badass, Elliot.

Elliot: Anyway, I’m not really into that whole thing anymore. Language and words and all of that. But if I had to choose—like if someone forces me in an interview—I’d say it’s the Welsh word hiraeth. I read an article about it a few years back, how it’s a word with a definition that doesn’t really exist in English. Closest we can come is a deep longing for a place you’ve never been. A place that may never have existed.

Ruby: You feel it, don’t you? About the island.

Elliot: Yeah. I have a hiraeth for Gray Wolf Island.

Aditi: If you had to eat three of Gabe's dishes for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Elliot: Well, he makes really great pancakes.

Gabe: Of all the stuff I’ve cooked for you guys…

Elliot: I like pancakes. I’d also eat his chef salad for the rest of my life—one of the three meals should be slightly healthy so I don’t die when I’m 20. I’d also eat his mac ‘n’ cheese forever. He puts crispy bits of bacon in it.

Gabe: First off, that’s prosciutto, not bacon. Second, what about my paella? I rock that thing.

Elliot: It’s good. Everything Gabe cooks is good.

Gabe: Good.

Charlie: I’d want your paella for my last meal. Not that I’d be in a position to need a last meal. I mean, everyone eventually eats a last meal. It’s, like, a human thing. But I don’t think I’d need to request one from a jailer or anything.

Elliot: Aditi asked me the question. And I want Gabe’s pancakes, chef salad, and mac ‘n’ cheese.

Aditi: Let's talk about the mysterious Gray Wolf Island. When was the first time you heard about it? How long has your family been The Thornes who would find the treasure?

Elliot: I heard about it before I was born. So many stories passed down for so many years—that’s the sort of thing you understand before you take your first breath. And everyone knows my family is destined to find the treasure—they found an old shoe back in 1876. If that isn’t proof a Thorne will find a treasure, I don’t know what is.

Ruby: An actual treasure?

Elliot: So maybe everyone doesn’t believe a Thorne will find the treasure, but I do. It’s a pull inside me. I can feel the treasure out there—miles off the coast of Maine and nearly in my backyard. I’ll find it. I know I will.

Aditi: What would be some of the first things you buy/ do if you find treasure of Gray Wolf Island?

Elliot: Well, we wouldn’t actually keep the treasure. I’m sure whatever is buried there has great historical significance and belongs in a museum.

Charlie: That defeats the entire purpose of a treasure hunt. 

Anne: Unless the purpose is the treasure hunt.

Elliot: You can’t keep priceless artifacts. That’s totally irresponsible.

Ruby: Such. A. Rebel.

Aditi: Since you're such a voracious reader, do give me a few treasure hunting TV/ Movie or Book recommendations that you think will get my in the spirit?

Elliot: Well, you could watch The Goonies, which I liked when I was a kid because of the treasure hunt (obviously) and the fact that it was a bunch of kids who found it. Even at 10 I knew age didn’t make a difference in a person’s ability to find a legendary treasure.

Anne: Well said! Though it does make a difference in their ability to sail a boat to the island hiding the treasure.

Elliot: There’s The Curse of Oak Island on the History channel, but those guys still haven’t found the treasure. I bet I could find it, if I could find a way up to Nova Scotia.

Ruby: Your confidence in your ability to do everything better than everyone else astounds me.

Charlie: I think you’re really starting to win Ruby over.

Aditi: And finally, Is there a significant other (or even someone you just like for now) in your life? Would you take him or her treasure hunting with you? And what would your ideal date with this person be? (Names aren't needed)

Elliot: There might be someone…significant.

Anne: There is.

Elliot: Okay, yeah. There is. And of course I’d take her treasure hunting. I already did.

Ruby: You’re such a Thorne. You took nobody treasure hunting. I took all of you.

Anne: Maybe just talk about the date part of the question?

Charlie: That’s literally the last thing I want to hear Elliot talk about.

Elliot: Aditi, can you remind these interlopers that this is my interview? Because it’s my interview.

Gabe: No way could you plan a better date than I can.

Elliot: I can plan a date, Gabe. It’d be summer. I’d take her to the beach at night—late, when the sky’s a crisp black. I’d bring my comforter, and we’d lay down next to each other.

Gabe: I know where this is going.

Ruby: It better not be going there.

Elliot: Can you two stop talking? We’d lay down next to each other. I’d probably hold her hand because it’s better that way. And we’d stare at the sky, waiting for it.

Ruby: For what?

Elliot: The Perseid meteor shower. We’d watch it side-by-side, and when it was over, I’d walk her back to her house so she wouldn’t get lost.

Ruby: She might cry.

Elliot: I might hold her tight.

Ruby: Would there be kissing involved?

Elliot: Oh yeah. There’d be kissing. 

Tracey Neithercott’s first book was written by hand and illustrated with some really fancy coloredpencils. It was highly acclaimed by her mother. Now, she writes YA stories of friendship, love, murder, and magic. (None of which she illustrates—you’re welcome.) She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, who suggests improving her novels by adding Star Wars characters.

Title: Gray Wolf Island
Author: Tracey Neithercott
Publication Date: October 10th 2017
Publisher: Knopf Books For Young Readers
Part of a Series?: No, A Standalone
I Got A Copy Through: eARC via NetGalley for the SST Tour
Buy Links: Amazon US || Barnes and Noble || The Book Depository || Wordery || Kobo || Books A Million || Chapters Indigo || Google Books

Blurb Description: Right before Sadie died, she begged her sister, Ruby, to do the one thing she could never do herself: Find the treasure on Gray Wolf Island.
With just a mysterious treasure map as a guide, Ruby reluctantly allows some friends to join her on the hunt, each of whom is touched by magic: a boy allegedly born to a virgin, a girl who never sleeps, a boy who can foresee his own death, and a boy with deep ties to the island. Each of them is also keeping a secret—something they’ll have to reveal in order to reach the treasure.
As the secrets come to light, Ruby will have to decide: Can she make peace with her friends’ troubled pasts and continue to trust them? Can she forgive herself for doing the unspeakable? Deep in the wilderness of Gray Wolf Island, Ruby’s choices will determine if they make it out with the treasure—or merely with their lives.
From debut author Tracey Neithercott comes a darkly compelling tale of profound friendship, adventure, and finding the strength to tell the truth.

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Meet The Authors: Carrie Ann DiRisio, Author of Brooding YA Hero - Would You Rather & Giveaway

Hi Everyone! Welcome to day four of Meet The Authors!

I'm SO EXCITED about today's author because she's written one of me MOST anticipated releases of the year that she was kind enough to send me an ARC of and now I just have to dive into it.

So, with no further inane rambling from me, please welcome Carrie Ann Di Risio, author of Brooding YA Hero: Becoming A Main Character (Almost) As Awesome As Me with a BRILLIANT Would You Rather and an AMAZING International Giveaway.

If you're a fan of YA novels and you read them a LOT, then Carrie's book is PERFECT for you as it hilariously disassembles YA tropes through the narration of a Brooding YA Hero and you're sure to love it!

Would You Rather:

1. Spend the Day with Your Favourite Character or Your Favourite Author?

Considering my favorite authors Victor Hugo I feel like spending the day with Han Solo would be a lot more fun. Victor sounded a bit grumpy. 

2. Read one Book a Year and remember everything or read 100 Books In A Year are Remember?

 Nothing? Read 100 books! I'll enjoy them while I read. 

3. Have Your Favourite Book Turned Into A TV Show Or A Movie?

TV show! I think there's more room to adapt in a tv show. Screenwriters can pursue more of the subplots. 

4. Read The Last Chapter Of A Book First Or Watch The Movie?

wstch the movie. Better than spoilers. 

5. Have Unlimited Books For Free or Live Inside Your Favourite Book?

Oooohh. Tough one. I'll go with free books!

6. Spend A Day With Harry Potter or Newt Scamander?

... can I choose Draco instead? 

7. Meet Your Own Character In Person or Meet Your Favourite Fictional Character In Person? (not your own)

Favorite character. Broody might be a little intense to meet!

8. Read Only The First Page In A Book or Only The Last Page?

only the first page! I'll write fanfic about what happens next. 

9. Get Locked In A Bookstore or In A Library?

Hmmm. Does the bookstore have a coffee shop? That would be the deciding factor.

10. Read A Book With A Cliffhanger Ending or Read A Book With Your Favourite Character Dying at the end?

Sigh. Considering most of my fav characters do die at the end...

give me that cliffhanger ending! There's always fanfic. 

Carrie Ann DiRisio is a  YA writer and creator of @BroodingYAHero. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA with one large fluffy cat, and is currently pursuing her masters in Digital Marketing, although her true dream is to become a Disney Villainess, complete with a really snazzy gown.

Instagram || Carrie's Twitter || Brooding YA Hero's Twitter

Title: Brooding YA Hero: Becoming A Main Character (Almost) As Awesome As Me
Author: Carrie Ann DiRisio
Publication Date: October 17th 2017
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Part of a Series?: No, A Standalone
Buy Links: Amazon US || Barnes and Noble || The Book Depository || Wordery || Kobo || Books A Million || Chapters Indigo || 

Blurb Description: Have you ever wished you could receive a little guidance from your favorite book boyfriend? Ever dreamed of being the Chosen One in a YA novel? Want to know all the secrets of surviving the dreaded plot twist?
Or maybe you're just really confused about what "opal-tinted, luminous cerulean orbs" actually are?
Well, popular Twitter personality @broodingYAhero is here to help as he tackles the final frontier in his media dominance: writing a book. Join Broody McHottiepants as he attempts to pen Brooding YA Hero: Becoming a Main Character (Almost) as Awesome as Me, a "self-help" guide (with activities--you always need activities) that lovingly pokes fun at the YA tropes that we roll our eyes at, but secretly love. 
As his nefarious ex, Blondie DeMeani, attempts to thwart him at every turn, Broody overcomes to detail, among other topics, how to choose your genre, how to keep your love interest engaged (while maintaining lead character status), his secret formula for guaranteed love triangle success, and how to make sure you secure that sequel, all while keeping his hair perfectly coiffed and never breaking a sweat.

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Love. Art. Loss // REVIEW: Juniper Lemon's Happiness Index by Julie Isarel

Title: Juniper Lemon's Happiness Index
Author: Julie Israel
Publication Date: June 1st 2017
Publisher: Penguin Books UK
Part of a Series?: No, A Standalone
I Got A Copy Through: Penguin India (THANK YOU!)
Buy Links: Amazon IN || Amazon US || Amazon UK || Barnes and Noble || The Book Depository || Wordery || Flipkart || Snapdeal || Infibeam || Foyles || Waterstones || WHSmith || Kobo || Books A Million || Chapters Indigo || Google Books

Blurb Description: It's hard to keep close a person everyone keeps telling you is gone.
It's been sixty-five painful days since the death of Juniper's big sister, Camilla. On her first day back at school, bracing herself for the stares and whispers, Juniper borrows Camie's handbag for luck - and discovers an unsent break-up letter inside. It's mysteriously addressed to 'You' and dated July 4th - the day of Camie's accident. Desperate to learn the identity of Camie's secret love, Juniper starts to investigate.
But then she loses something herself. A card from her daily ritual, The Happiness Index: little notecards on which she rates the day. The Index has been holding Juniper together since Camie's death - but without this card, there's a hole. And this particular card contains Juniper's own secret: a memory that she can't let anyone else find out.

I first heard about this book, coincidentally, on the day it released. I saw the US cover with the confetti and it had me intrigued.

Then one day, as I was doing my weekly (okay, daily) Amazon sweeps for new books releasing in India and great deals on slightly older ones, I came across the pre-order button for Juniper Lemon’s Happiness Index and I was OVERJOYED to see that it was being releases here – and with an EVEN prettier UK cover!

I dove into this book a few days ago, and it’s been a rollercoaster. There was so much to feel, so much happiness and friendship and love and a little but that annoyed me too, but I’ll take it with the flow.

My Thoughts:

1.       First things first, THAT COVER IS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING. It’s a simple watercolour design with these small indented spray marks that you can only see when you hold and I ABSOLUTELY love it. It’s simple and GORGEOUS.

2.       The second thing I LOVED about this book was Brand Sayers. He’s the love interest (if me squealing on Goodreads didn’t already inform you of that) and he’s a “bad boy” with a sarcastic side, one who adores gummy bears, is the broody lead singer of a band and calls Juniper “Lemon”. I absolutely loved scenes with him in them and it’s been a while since I liked a contemporary boy THIS much!

3.       I also loved the support system of friends that Juniper built around herself to support both them and her. I loved Kody, Angela, Sponge, Nate (And Brand of course)

4.       I think I’m a little upset with the fact that Juniper’s talk with the best friend who stopped talking to her right after her sister died wasn’t actually a scene in the book but mentioned as an afterthought. I would have loved to have seen them talk it out, considering their history but it just felt so… rushed.

5.       Another thing I loved was Juniper’s method of thinking that everyone around her was YOU, the man that her sister was secretly in love with. It got tedious after a while, though, and after looking for YOU for a whole book, I feel like we didn’t get the conclusion we deserved. It was left as an open ending with nobody to pin all the love on. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO GET CLOSURE?

6.       The thing I LOVED the most about this book was Juniper’s art and how she used it to remember her sister. I’m in a design course in college and so this resonated with me and I loved it SO SO MUCH.

Would I recommend this book? Yes. It has it’s downsides but a) IT’S SO PRETTY TO LOOK AT and b) it has some PRETTY great moments too.

A tale on friendship, love and moving on after the person you thought the world of is lost to you forever. 3.5 stars. 

 

Je suis Julie. I hold a B.A. in Creative Writing but am prouder of things like my by-the-seat-of-the-pants experience teaching English in Japan, self-taught progress with guitar and liquid eyeliner, my pursuit of languages and delicious words: relámpago, お花見, maquillage.

I’ve been an artist since I could mar walls with crayon and a writer since grade-school parodies, but chose to study writing because I thought I’d have a better chance landing a job with it (Oh, my sweet summer self). I’m now pursuing my dreams with reckless abandon: noveling first, making art on the side.

Repped by Susan Hawk of Upstart Crow Literary. My first book, JUNIPER LEMON'S HAPPINESS INDEX, will be out May 30th, 2017 with Kathy Dawson Books/Penguin.

Have you had the chance to read Juniper Lemon's Happiness Index? What did you think of it? 

What are some of the best young adult books that deal with loss? 

I can't wait to hear from all of you!