Wishlist Wednesday (61)

Wishlist Wednesday is a book blog hop hosted by Pen to Paper where we share and post about a book that has been on our wishlist for some time, or just added, that we can't wait to get off the wishlist.

Whilst I have read both Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowan and Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry I read them thanks to NetGalley and I loved both books so much I want to get them in paperback too :3

Dark Kiss Synopsis: I don't do dangerous.  
Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha-that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me...something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing-and I don't know if I can get it back. 
Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me.... 
NIGHTWATCHERS 
When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising...

Pushing the Limits Synopsis: No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

Being Jamie Baker by Kelly Oram - Review

Being Jamie Baker by Kelly Oram

Published: 15th June 2010 by Bluefields
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Paranormal / Supernatural
Page Count: 353
Series: Jamie Baker #1
Format: eBook
Source: Kelly Oram

Synopsis: An accident that should end in tragedy instead gives seventeen-year-old Jamie Baker a slew of uncontrollable superhuman abilities. To keep her secret safe Jamie socially exiles herself, earning the title of Rocklin High's resident ice queen. But during a supercharged encounter with star quarterback Ryan Miller she literally kisses anonymity goodbye. Now the annoyingly irresistible Ryan will stop at nothing to melt the heart of the ice queen and find out what makes her so special. Unfortunately, Ryan is not the only person on to her secret. Will Jamie learn to contain her unstable powers before being discovered by the media or turned into a government lab rat? More importantly, can she throw Ryan Miller off her trail before falling in love with him?

Goodreads

Purchase: Amazon UK* / Amazon US / B&N / TBD*

Review: 

5 / 5 stars

I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of Being Jamie Baker from Kelly Oram in preparation for reading More Than Jamie Baker in exchange for an honest review shortly after its release, this will in no way effect my opinion on the book!

Even though I had hoped to get both of these read before MTJB released I hit a reading slump thanks to moving and what not this hasn't happened but I did finish this book on the release date of MTJB so I'm hoping I can make a swift start and finish on it too.

Anyway back to the review.

Being Jamie Baker actually has the perfect synopsis, its sums up the story perfectly without giving anything anyway, plus the cover is to die for. Jamie is the Ice Queen of her school, the loner and "freak", as she alienated herself from day one. But the Ice Queen image she has built starts to melt and crack after a kiss with Mr Popular - Ryan.

I think usually that kind of summary would leave me rolling my eyes and scoffing how silly it is one should change after an encounter with a boy, or because of the image she's created and trying to maintain but luckily this book isn't one that left me doing either of those.

And that is because Jamie has a reason to be the Ice Queen, she has super powers that she can't control all too well, that can be triggered by her emotions and whilst her school may know her as Ice Queen, her family know her as a Drama Queen so having super powers that like to go off when you're angry, sad, excited or well anything too emotional isn't the best of things.

The kiss changed Ryan before it changed Jamie though. He got a little super charged from the kiss and was surprised by her reaction and genuinely wanted to get to know her more, the trouble is Jamie had created this persona of herself to keep everyone safe and the truth about her hidden but as a class assignment happens that needs you to write a biography on another class mate, Ryan leaps at the chance to pair up with Jamie Baker.

I absolutely adored the development of their relationship, it was so gradual and lovely. You could see how hard to wanted to fight letting someone get close but eventually Ryan was just too persistent. Usually I'd probably be like "ugh stop being so needy or pushy" but it was done well in the book especially because you knew that Jamie did actually want to say yes and he was actually really patient with her.

But the book isn't just about their relationship no.

We also get to find out more about Jamie too, exactly what powers she does have, how and where they came from and the truth about the accident that gave them to her, plus we get to see her learning to have control over them and practising her ability to keep her emotions under control. Its great.

Plus there are a few other surprises outside of this that I don't really want to talk about because it'd just spoil it.

Of course we do come face to face with a bad guy, or two, which is all done really well.

But more importantly I want to talk about Mike and Becky. What I'm going to talk about here some may consider spoiler-worthy but I picked up on the truth very early on. In short, Mike raped Becky but it was all hush hush, hidden and only briefly referred too until towards the ending but that's because we were seeing it from Jamie's view and she had other things going on than to realise what had happened between people who were't even her friends at the time. But I was happy this subject was addressed, even if it was only briefly because its a very real thing that happens to so many people and I think that yes rape does need to be addressed in YA novels because I think readers needs to be aware just how cruel the world can be but how we, even as humans, can tackle it, fight the past and hopefully become a stronger person and know that the blame is never with the victim. Whilst I don't agree with Becky not going to the police, it was nice to show her as a character being not the usual popular girl you'd expect, but then also stepping back in to take her crown and facing her demons - Mike - and knowing who her real friends were and who should could actually rely on in her time of need.

Overall I adored this book and how it tackled both real life issues and that of the super world too. Nice mix up of the two. I can't wait to read the sequel.

Kelly Oram: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

*When purchasing through this link, I will receive a small amount, once I have enough saved up I will put it towards a giveaway.

Wishlist Wednesday (60)

Wishlist Wednesday is a book blog hop hosted by Pen to Paper where we share and post about a book that has been on our wishlist for some time, or just added, that we can't wait to get off the wishlist.

I know you're probably thinking why do I have Harry Potter books on my wishlist, but the truth is I've never owned these books, just borrowed from other people :c

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Synopsis: Harry Potter, along with his best friends, Ron and Hermione, is about to start his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry can't wait to get back to school after the summer holidays. (Who wouldn't if they lived with the horrible Dursleys?) But when Harry gets to Hogwarts, the atmosphere is tense. There's an escaped mass murderer on the loose, and the sinister prison guards of Azkaban have been called in to guard the school...

A fantastic new story featuring Harry and his friends from the spellbinding J.K. Rowling.

Bought, Borrowed & Bagged (55)

BB&B (Bought, Borrowed and Bagged) is a weekly meme hosted by Braine and Debbie @ Talk Supe where we share with you the books that we have bought, borrowed or bagged (won or gifted) plus a recap of the previous week's reviews, upcoming reviews, on going events and book movie or television news and The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share news; a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. As you can see I've decided to link on another weekly haul/wrap up meme because I'd like to start visiting some new blogs on the atmosphere and I find meme's are the best way to do so!

-Bagged-
A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow and A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold by George R. R. Martin
Ah, remember during the last readathon and I had my best friend Lewis posting, well we met up this weekend and he gave me these for my birthday! Also he swapped copied of Mockingjay with me because he knew how anal I am about book covers and was still upset about the fact I'd ripped mine!




This fortnight on Northern Plunder:
Sale: Being Jamie Baker by Kelly Oram
Wishlist Wednesday
Book Tour Review: No Ones Angel by Kelly Walker
Book Tour Review & GIVEAWAY: My Ex From Hell by Tellulah Darling
September Wrap Up
Attempting University
DNF Review: Gargoyle Addiction by Livia Olteano
Book Tour Review & GIVEAWAY: Burn Out by Ruthi Kight


Upcoming on Northern Plunder:
Wishlist Wednesday


Lauren's Progress:
Read in 2013: 59 / 60

Currently Reading:
The Walking Dead Compendium by Robert Kirkman (6%)
Later with Myself by Sheryl Sorrentini  (3%)
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (5%)
Being Jamie Baker by Kelly Oram (15%)


News from Lauren:
Lewis visited this weekend which was great, we explored a part of my new city that I have to draw for my course, did some gaming and just had a pretty chill time. It was nice not working 24/7 for once.



Also trying booktubing with one other girl, the group thing is really difficult. Hopefully this'll stick, I'll keep you updated with how that works out.

Burn Out by Ruthi Kight - Giveaway & Book Tour Review

Burn Out by Ruthi Kight

Published: 10th August by Ruthi Kight
Genre: New Adult
Page Count: 176
Format: eBook
Source: Girls Heart Books Tours

Synopsis: Pyromaniac. Murderer. Burn Out.

Ten years ago Delia's life went up in smoke. Literally. After a decade of hiding, she is forced back into the world. With only her wits to guide her, she must now figure out how to live in a town that knows her only as a murderer. Her family is gone. The people all hear her. She has nothing holding her in Sunny Shores... until she meets Liam. He's heard the stories. He knows he should stay away from her, but he's drawin to her like a moth to a flame.

Life seems to be looking up from them... until her past comes back like a bitch slap to the face.

Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon UK* / Amazon US

Review: 

4 / 5 stars

I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of Burn Out for part of a book tour hosted by Girls Heart Books Tours, this will in no way effect my opinion on the book!

Surprisingly it was the cover that drew me into this book when I saw it needed more hosts (update: truly sorry for being a terrible one and missing my day!). I say surprisingly because I really do not like the colour pink and try my hardest to steer clear from it. However it works great in this cover and really pulled me in.

After reading the synopsis I was sold. I had questions and needed to know how and why a known murderer was forced to return to their old life.

I absolutely love that this book is not what it seems.

Burn Out introduces us to Delia during her last session with her therapist, and her last night in the mental asylum she has been locked away in for the last ten years.

A little different to what I expected from the synopsis but it was a nice surprise.

Delia leaves her prison, and returns to the only place she knows. Home. Sunny Shores.

Upon arriving she meets this drop dead gorgeous guy, Liam, who doesn't seem to care who she is or what she is supposed to have done. (The excerpt below is part of the scene where they first meet)

Liam welcomes her into his home after a day of somewhat getting to know each other, and the sparks between the continue to fly.

But this isn't what the story is about. Nope.

Its main focus is about Delia as she adjusts to this new life, the freedom, the lack of medication and trust from the town around her. But luckily she lands herself a job at the Surf shop and starts to piece herself back together.

Including some memories from that night long ago, memories she thought she wanted to keep buried with guilt. But is that so? Is there more she has forgotten about that night.

The chemistry between Liam and Delia continues throughout and I really like the growth of their not-quite relationship.

However they do have a tricky patch pretty early on about Liam's friend with benefits girl he has round and whilst he and Delia weren't exactly an item it was a bit of an odd thing to do and didn't really make sense, but this was pretty much the only flaw the book had for me.

But was it the only flaw Liam had? Maybe, hehe.

Maybe not.

As Delia comes closer to solving the puzzle that left her in a psych ward for ten years, things get tough and she has to face some demons from her past.

Do not expect a happily ever after though and whilst some have griped about this and been upset, I was actually really pleased with the ending and it seemed right to me.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, and so far since moving to this new city, its the only book I've managed to get through. Kudos to you Ruthi.

Excerpt:

With my thoughts running amok, my cheeks began to feel warm, betraying me. The heat spread from one side to the other quickly, giving my face a nice rosy glow. He chuckled and I almost came apart. Did this man have any idea what that one small sound did to a girl? I bet he did, he had to, given his current shit-eating grin. There was no way that he couldn’t know. Guys like him knew they were walking fuck-me advertisements. 

“Careful. It’s a little too soon to fall for me.” He smiled, dimples and all, and I nearly lost it again. Dimples! I was in serious trouble already and I hadn’t been out of the loony bin for an hour yet. 

“Not likely,” I replied. I righted myself and leaned back casually. “Are you planning on being here long?” 

He quickly scanned my face, and then returned his focus to the book in his hands. “Not sure. Ask me again in an hour.” 

Argh! Infuriating and sexy as hell? Great combo. My head told me to walk away, but my traitorous body was trying to convince me to inch closer to him. With a quick scoot, I was mere inches from him, our legs nearly touching. 

“Whatcha reading?” I tried to get a look at the book, but he closed it before I could figure out what it was. 

“Homer.” 

“Simpson?” 

A slow grin spread across his face. “As in The Odyssey. Greek epic poem…ring any bells?” 

“No. The only Homer I know is married to a woman with a giant blue beehive.” 

With a shake of his head, he opened his book once again. “Sheltered?” 

His attitude was really starting to piss me off. “No. Unless you consider ten years in the wacky shack as sheltered.” I had expected my words to have some sort of impact. Nothing. He didn’t even flinch.

Author Bio 

Ruthi Kight

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

Ruthi Kight currently lives in her home town of Columbia, SC, with her fiancée and five year old daughter. She has an unhealthy addiction to books, music, and chocolate, but not necessarily in that order. When her dream of being a rock star didn't work out, she focused on her other passion: writing. She is the author of Knotted Roots, a YA Coming of Age story, and is currently working on two other novels that are due out this year.

Giveaway!

Lots and lots, so enter below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*When purchasing through these link, Northern Plunder will receive a small amount, once I have enough saved up I will put it towards a giveaway.

Don't forget to follow the tour by clicking this link!

Gargoyle Addiction by Livia Olteano - DNF Review

Gargoyle Addiction by Livia Olteano

Published: 12th July 2013

Genre: Fantasy / Paranormal Romance

Series: Otherworld Summons #1
Page Count: -

Synopsis: Summonari don’t trust. Under their command, they summon any number of creatures from the Otherwolds—but never trust them outside of the summoning.
Gargoyles don’t love. Fierce descendants of dragons, they function on power and fear—never love.
Karla isn’t the happily-ever-after type of girl. No territory-hungry guy is going to stick flags all over her unclaimed grounds.
Kann’s world is death and betrayal. As Dar Primus of Haus Varis, he’s expected to follow tradition but he’s not your regular gargoyle. In fact, he’s anything but. 

One fateful Friday night, Otherworlds collide. Stuck together in one world or another, Karla and Kann face everything from Awakenings and turbulent love to Festnavals and bloodthirsty scorned suitors.
If there’s one thing they can’t escape, it’s the addiction to each other. And they've got it bad.

Review: 

1 / 5 stars
Did not finish

I originally received this book for review for part of a book tour but I pulled out after realising I wouldn't be able to complete the book, nor provide a positive review, and after all that is what tours are all about. I've held off until now to post my review of what I did read so it wouldn't get in the way of the tour but also because I am a firm believe that negative reviews are as helpful as positive ones. I've stated I did not finish the book so maybe it does get better but I simply couldn't get through it.

Whilst this review is a negative one, I do have some praise for it. I read the total of three chapters I believe, and I adored the first one. I loved being introduced to Karla, her attitude was funny, especially when describing the big breasted blonde at the start, she had a gay best friend which was awesome and she had some mystery and history to herself. The history being she was in a car crash at a young age which meant she was now unable to have kids herself, and the mystery being that all her family died between 32-35 (I think those were the given ages, but yes around that age) and I thought that was pretty spooky. 

Its the chapters that follow this though that it started making an uncomfortable read for myself. 

Okay so before it gets uncomfortable, its just a little odd. Whilst Karla sleeps she accidentally summons Kann who is a gargoyle, and um the villain in the book she was reading as she fell asleep. He's one of those villains who the readers aren't supposed to hate or think of as villain-y because they're totally hot and to die for. I get that, okay, I get that some villains are hot and that takes away some of how we feel towards them. But this one just irked me. We see this part from his point of view which is why we know what has gone on because well Karla has no idea at all, and with him being a gargoyle he is very different to us humans, his whole thought process is a lot more predatory which is great you know, providing us with a actions and thoughts to identify him as a different being. But once those thoughts start getting to be predatory towards Karla, it was kinda freaky and made me question how and where this was going.

And for me, I was right to question this. He attacks her, twice I think, to drink her blood, being very forceful and terrifying her. She was scared, he could smell her fear and she noted it too, trying to wiggle free which only tightened his grip on her and then choosing to try and become limp in case that worked, it didn't. Now don't get me wrong, a guy can be as hot as he wants, he can be Hugh Jackman for all I care but if he treated me like that I certainly wouldn't want to become his new plaything in bed, or on the sofa in this case. 
For me it just screamed rape, yeah so what she was attracted to him physically, but damn, I can't justify this being any more than glorified rape. It made me too uncomfortable to read, I struggled through the chapter to see how it ended, if she tried to fight him off - she didn't by the way but ahem, maybe she had given up from past experience of the blood draining? - 'eh I'm sorry I couldn't find this hot in any way like other readers have and couldn't continue with the read. 

Goodreads

Amazon*

Livia Olteano: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

*When purchasing through this link, I will receive a small amount, once I have enough saved up I will put it towards a giveaway.

Attempting Univeristy

So as some of you may know I have recently moved to a new city, into student accommodation and started a MDES in Graphic Design/Illustration, and because this is a totally new experience for myself I thought it may be a nice idea to share it with my readers too.

I wasn't really sure what to call this little segment because I'm not 100% sure what it will end up including or how often it'll be either.

But I've decided on "Attempting University" for the time being simply because that is exactly what it feels like, it feels like I'm attempting it but ultimately failing at being a regular student.

Not that I can really complain.

Yesterday marked the end of my second week here.

But a whole two weeks living in a new city. Alone. People forget how daunting that can be and honestly it took myself a while to realise exactly what I've signed up for here.

I don't regret it one bit, its nice to have more freedom and feel more like me, even with all the downsides.

I'm hoping once I have a larger body of work to choose from I can start using this little section to share some of the work I've done, even though it probably wont be book related. 

September Wrap Up

September Wrap Up:

Challenges

September has definitely been a much slower month for myself with the packing, birthday and moving into student accommodation and starting university, can't complete at all though seeing as though I've nearly finished my challenge.

Women Author Challenge - COMPLETED

1. Pandora Hearts Volume 2 by Jun Mochizuki

2. The Archived (Sneak Peak) by Victoria Schwab [review]

3. Word and Breath by Susannah Noel [review]

4. Princess by Courtney Cole [review]

5. Geek Girl by Holly Smale [review]

6. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire [review]

7. Dahlia by Christina Channelle [review]

8. Fallen Tears by Christina Channelle [review]

9. Hot Ticket by Olivia Cunning

10. Demon Possession by Kiersten Fay

11. Imaginable by J. Meyers [review]

12. Rowan by Christina Channelle [review]

13. A Unique Rabbit by Red Tash

14. Pandora Hearts Volume 3 by Jun Mochizuki

15. Pandora Hearts Volume 4 by Jun Mochizuki

16. The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood

17. Before the Moon Rises by Catherine Bybee

18. Marked by P.C. Cast

19. Death Dealer by Ashley Robertson [review]

20. Endure by Laura Diamond

21. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

22. By Blood by Tracy E Banghart [review]

23. Dealing With It by Christina Channelle

24. Catalyst by Jennifer Snyder [review]

25. Gargoyle Addiction by Livia Olteano

26. The Wizard Takes a Holiday by Red Tash [review]

27. The Wizard Takes a Fitness Class by Red Tash [review]

28. Wicked Beat by Olivia Cunning

29. The Wizard Takes the Cake by Red Tash [review]

30. Lucian's First Trick / A Laurents Christmas Landfill by Red Tash [review]

31. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

32. Anywhere by J Meyers [review]

33. Moon Child by Tracy E Banghart [review]

34. No One's Angel by Kelly Walker
35. My Ex From Hell by Tellulah Darling
36. Burn Out by Ruthie Knight

Total: 36 / 10

Dystopia Reading Challenge

1. Extras by Scott Westerfeld [review]

2. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion [review]

3. Word and Breath by Susannah Noel [review]

4. Boarded Windows by Isaac Marion

5. Word War Z by Max Brooks

Total: 5 / 6

Indie-Fever Reading Challenge - COMPLETED

1. The Unwords by Unauthor [review]

2. Snow White Blood Red by Cameron Jace [review]

3. Ashes to Ashes & Cinder to Cinder by Cameron Jace [review]

4. Beauty Never Dies by Cameron Jace [review]

5. Ladle Rat Rotten Hut by Cameron Jace [review]

6. Mary Mary Quite Contrary by Cameron Jace [review]

7. Blood Apples by Cameron Jace [review]

8. Once Beauty Twice Beast by Cameron Jace [review]

9. Moon and Madly by Cameron Jace [review]

10. Princess by Courtney Cole [review]

11. Word and Breath by Susannah Noel [review]

12. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire [review]

13. Dahlia by Christina Channelle [review]

14. Fallen Tears by Christina Channelle [review]

15. Demon Possession by Kiersten Fay

16. Imaginable by J. Meyers [review]

17. Rowan by Christina Channelle [review]

18. A Unique Rabbit by Red Tash

19. Before the Moon Rises by Catherine Bybee*

20. By Blood by Tracy E Banghart review]

21. Dealing With It by Christina Channelle

22. Catalyst by Jennifer Snyder [review]

23. Gargoyle Addiction by Livia Olteano

24. The Wizard Takes a Holiday by Red Tash [review]

25. The Wizard Takes a Fitness Class by Red Tash [review]

26. The Wizard Takes the Cake by Red Tash [review]

30. Lucian's First Trick / A Laurents Christmas Landfill by Red Tash [review]

31. Anywhere by J Meyers [review]

32. Moon Child by Tracy E Banghart [review]

33. No One's Angel by Kelly Walker

34. My Ex From Hell by Tellulah Darling

35. Burn Out by Ruthie Knight

Total: 35 / 16

TBR Reading Challenge

1. Extras by Scott Westerfeld [review]

2. Pandora Hearts Volume 2 by Jun Mochizuki

3. Vampires Werewolves Zomvies Compendium Monstrum by Bruce Waldman

4. Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life by Bryan Lee O'Malley [review]

5. Lost at Sea by Bryan Lee O'Malley [review]

6. Word and Breath by Susannah Noel [review]

7. Princess by Courtney Cole [review]

8. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire [review]

9. Pandora Hearts Vol 3 by Jun Mochizuki

10. Pandora Hearts Vol 4 by Jun Mochizuki

11. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams

12. A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin

13. World War Z by Max Brooks

14. Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

15. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Total: 15 / 20

(Ongoing) Millionaire Challenge:

26,205 (+ 10 unknown) pages down!

A-Z Book Challenge:

A - Ashes to Ashes and Cinder to Cinder 25.01

B - Beauty Never Dies 25.01

C - A Clash of Kings 17.07

D - Dahlia 25.03

E - Extras 08.01

F - Fallen Tears: A Blood Crave Novella 28.03

G - Geek Girl 07.03

H - Hot Ticket 05.04

I - Imaginable 05.05

L - Ladle Rat Rotten Hut 26.01

M - Mary Mary Quite Contrary 28.01

N - No One's Angel 11.09
O - Once Beauty Twice Beast 04.02

P - Pandora Hearts, #2 08.01

R - Rowan 14.06

S - Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life 13.01

U - The Unwords 03.01

V - Vampires, Werewolves, Zombies Compendium Monstrum: From the Papers of Herr Doktor Max Sturm & Baron Ludwig Von Drang 09.01

W - Warm Bodies 12.01

X - xkcd 17.07

Total: 19 / 26

Shelf Stacking
I actually bought some books this month due to needing a welcoming gift to my new city, also books for my class and a few review books too. Steering clear of freebies for now.


Oh and I started vlogging again:

My Ex From Hell by Tellulah Darling - Book Tour Review

My Ex From Hell by Tellulah Darling

Published: 1st April by Te Da Media
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Mytholog
Page Count: 272
Format: eBook
Source: Xpresso Book Tours

Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Sophie Bloom wishes she’d been taught the following:
a) Bad boy’s presence (TrOuBlE) + teen girl’s brain (DraMa) = TrAuMa (Highly unstable and very volatile.)
b) The Genus Greekulum Godissimus is notable for three traits: 1) awesome abilities, 2) grudges, and 3) hook-ups, break-ups, and in-fighting that puts cable to shame.

Prior to the Halloween dance, Sophie figures her worst problems involve adolescent theatrics, bitchy teen yoga girls, and being on probation at her boarding school for mouthy behaviour. Then she meets bad boy Kai and gets the kiss that rocks her world.

Literally.

This breath stealing lip lock reawakens Sophie’s true identity: Persephone, Goddess of Spring. She’s key to saving humanity in the war between the Underworld and Olympus, target numero uno of Hades and Zeus, and totally screwed.

Plus there’s also the little issue that Sophie’s last memory as Persephone was just before someone tried to murder her.

Big picture: master her powers, get her memories back, defeat Persephone’s would be assassin, and save the world. Also, sneak into the Underworld to retrieve stolen property, battle the minions of Hades and Zeus, outwit psycho nymphs, slay a dragon, rescue a classmate, keep from getting her butt expelled from the one place designed to keep her safe …

… and stop kissing Kai, Prince of the Underworld.

My Ex From Hell is a YA romantic comedy/Greek mythology smackdown. Love meets comedy with a whole lot of sass in book one of this teen fantasy romance series. Compared to Kai and Sophie, Romeo and Juliet had it easy.

Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon UK* / Amazon US / B&N / Kobo / TBD

Review: 

3 / 5 stars

I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of My Ex From Hell for part of a book tour hosted by Xpresso Book Tours, this will in no way effect my opinion on the book!

My Ex From Hell is about plain ol' regular Sophie Bloom at boarding school, with her best friends Hannah and Theo, and has the best Halloween prank planned to take down Queen Bee Bethany a notch or two.

This is where Sophie's regular life comes to a quick end.

On Halloween night she sneaks out to corrupt Bethany's current cute boys' opinion of her, only things don't exactly go to plan.

The boy in question is Kai, he's dreamy and giving off all kinds of bad boy vibes and gives Sophie a breathtaking kiss.

For real.

The kiss wakes up all kinds of memories that Sophie shouldn't have, but she does because uh-oh secrets loose now. She's actually Persephone, daughter of Zeus and Kai is the son of Hades. Recipe for disaster?

Well actually more like the recipe for ending Hades and Zeus' war against each other, but whilst Sophie starts regaining some of her memories from her life as Persephone, she doesn't remember everything and is fuzzy on some vital information - like who tried to kill her and what was the plan to stop Zeus and Hades all out war on Earth.

On her route to remembering she has some tricky obstacles to pass - including a Dragon - and of course school to study for (I'm super happy we actually got to see Sophie try and balance a normal life whilst trying to deal with being a Goddess, it made it more believable).

I really enjoyed the storyline, and the regaining of Sophie's previous memories, plus the whole dealing with a Dragon chapters were great. However there are a few things I didn't like which is why its stuck at three stars.

The sarcasm and humour that comes across in the beginning was light and great, but because every important character seemed to have some kind of sarcastic joke to say it became a little overbearing, however I think the sequel could potentionally loose some of the snark when Sophie has full memory, I'm hoping she will become  a whole new character you know? We'll get to see the Persephone side of her but that will create a new Sophie who is all Sophie and all Persephone, rather than just a bit of Persephone.

I also didn't really get Kai's fascination of Bethany but I'm thinking thats probably more to do with the fact we're seeing Bethany from Sophies point of view, and as she hates her then of course so do the readers.

I'm looking forward to the sequel a lot though, because it definitely has some lovely loose ends to tie up. I need questions answering so I'm hooked and I want to know more about the Kai that Persephone loved, not the mystery we've been dealing with.


Author Bio
Tellulah Darling
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

noun.

1. YA Novelist

2. Alter ego of former screenwriter and instructor

3. Sassy minx

Geeks out over: cool tech.

Squees for: great storytelling.

Delights in: fabulous conversation.

Writes about: where love meets comedy, awkwardness ensuses.

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