Tiger's Voyage

Colleen Houck

The Tiger Saga #3

I do love these covers though...

Summary: (WARNING: may contain spoilers of previous books!)

With the head-to-head battle against the villainous Lokesh behind her, Kelsey confronts a new heartbreak: in the wake of his traumatic experience, her beloved Ren no longer remembers who she is. As the trio continues their quest by challenging five cunning and duplicitous dragons, Ren and Kishan once more vie for her affections – leaving Kelsey more confused than ever.

In One Word: Melodramatic (exaggerated/overemotional)

Plot:

So first of all, those of you who follow me on goodreads already know...I had no recollection of what happened in the previous book (as in none at all). This made it really hard to understand the references to it in this book and also where the characters (I at least remembered who the characters were) and their relationships were. The writing in this book can be a bit stilted at times, and that makes it hard to get into the story. Also, I feel like there’s too many descriptions of Kelsey’s emotions and not enough of a storyline in the first half of the book. The second half does get a lot more interesting, with the five dragons thrown in, but I felt like the author could’ve made more of this part and cut the overly dramatic first part a little shorter. I hate pretentious books, and parts of this one would definitely fall into that category, also the similarities to New Moon by Stephenie Meyer were a little hard to handle (especially since I already didn’t like NM...I didn’t need a rewrite of it thank you very much...)

Characters:

In all honesty, I kind of detested the main character, Kelsey, in this book. In my review of the first book I did not feel like this, on the contrary, I really liked Kelsey. I also really don’t like Ren all that much either, where I used to think he was a pretty good hero. I don’t really care if Kelsey ends up with him, because I no longer care what happens to either of them. Actually I kind of feel like they deserve each other, and Kishan deserves way better. Okay, rant over. Kishan is not the best character ever written. I usually like the ‘bad’ character turned good, but his transformation was a bit unrealistic. However, I did like him more than Ren in this (and I want to say in the previous one as well, but I can’t really remember) installment. He’s caring and patient and fair, while Ren is completely irrational and does stupid things for stupid reasons (Edward in New Moon flashbacks anyone?). Overall, the characters are a little flat and Kelsey is extremely annoying.

Who should read this:

12+, there is very little violence, very mild sexual content and no language that I noticed. If you have a problem with the whole ‘Eastern mysticism’ idea then you might not like this, but like I said in the previous review (which I had to reread to try and jog my memory...didn’t work) a book that contains these ideas as well as fairies (or in this case, dragons) shouldn’t be a problem for people.

My rating:

This was kind of a rant review, sorry, I love the premise of this series, and I think there was a lot of potential with this particular installment’s plotline, but it was just disappointing in my opinion. I can usually excuse one bad book in a series, but two is pushing it. I’m not going to be trying overly hard to find the next book any time soon. 2/5

Quote:

“Your heart knows. Your soul remembers.” (Oh the pretentiousness...)

Read my reviews for 'Tiger's Curse' and 'Tiger's Quest'!

Tidal

Amanda Hocking

Watersong #3

This cover looks cool, but is too
melodramatic...

Summary:

Her only hope lies with her greatest enemies.

Gemma is facing the fight of her life.

Cursed by beautiful but deadly sirens, her extraordinary powers have a terrifyingly dark side, and becoming human once more is proving her greatest challenge yet. As she struggles to break the curse, the sirens, Penn, Lexi and Thea, are determined to kill her before she can set herself free.

Gemma’s only allies are her sister, Harper, and Harper’s boyfriend, Daniel. Together they must delve into their enemies’ mythical pasts – to discover their darkest secrets. But Penn has also set her sights on Daniel. Soon, the sirens threaten everything Gemma holds dear: her family, her friends, her life, and her relationship with Alex-the only guy she’s ever loved. Can she save herself and those she cares about before it is too late?

In One Word: Average (mediocre/not very good)

Plot:

To be honest I would’ve liked some more progress in this book, especially in the first part, where it didn’t seem to really go anywhere. The writing is okay, it’s easy to read, but it’s not something to get excited about. There are also way too many moments where the characters do something completely idiotic and you feel like yelling at them.

Characters:

I don’t particularly like any of the characters in this series. My favourite was in this particular book was probably Alex, since I like troubled characters. The girls are all interesting enough, but I would’ve liked to know more about the sirens’ history and I didn’t get emotionally attached to any of the characters. I do still like the chemistry between Harper and Daniel, but as individual characters they don’t really interest me all that much.

Who should read this:

13+, the language is this book is not exactly mild and the violence throughout is also a little disturbing. There is also a little sexual content. If you enjoyed the previous books in this series you will probably like this one as well, but if you didn’t then don’t bother. This series is not for anyone who want something profound.

My rating:

I didn’t hate reading this book, but it wasn’t nearly as good as it could’ve been. 2/5

Quote:

“And you'd be surprised what you can do to the people you love.”

Read my reviews for 'Wake' and 'Lullaby'!

Lullaby

Amanda Hocking

Watersong #2

Summary: (Warning: Possible spoilers of previous book ahead!)

Gemma tried not to hate them, but it was just too little, and way too late.

Gemma had to disappear with Penn, Lexi and Thea afte a night of incredible violence on the island. She can still barely come to terms with her new affinity with the ocean – and the siren powers that go with it. Now she’s been transformed, Gemma has no choice but to leave all she loves behind. She swears she won’t lose her huanity, but the call of the sea is maddening and compulsice.

Harper won’t give up on her missing sister. The search draws her closer than she’d like to bohemian Danel, but she could really use his help. They’d almost given up, until a small news item tells of a horrific murder in a nearby beach town, and Harper thinks she’s found the deadly group. But can Gemma’s curse be reversed – and what if she doesn’t want to come home?

In One Word: Underwhelming

Plot:

So this was a pretty okay story. There was action, some romance and a little mystery. But overall, it was just a little predictable and there was nothing that made me excited to read it. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t all that good either. The writing is okay, except for some of the dialogue, which was a little stilted and didn’t sound completely natural. Some of the descriptions could also have been better, and some of them got a little repetitive. Overall the story was interesting enough that I want to read the next book in the series, but not enough to get mereally excited about it.

Characters:

I feel like there’s been an little bit of an improvement as far as characters go in this installment. In my review of ‘Wake’ I said I’ll just remember them as ‘that mermaid’, ‘that mermaid’s sister’ etc. In this book they were still a little too flat and generic to make them really stand out, but I liked the chemistry between the characters more in this one. Daniel and Harper especially, since it felt natural for them to develop feelings for each other. The relationship between Gemma and Harper is also not too bad, but it’s nothing extraordinary either.

Who should read this:

12+, there is a little violence and some references to sexual content and also some language. If you liked the previous book you should enjoy this one as well. Don’t expect too much and you won’t be disappointed. If you want a story about mermaids that’s easy to read and doesn’t take a lot of concentration then this would probably be exactly what you want. Don’t read this if you’re looking for something profound.

My rating:

It wasn’t good, it wasn’t bad. There were things I enjoyed and things I didn’t. But overall it was just a little ‘meh’ in my opinion. 2/5

Quote:

Nope, no quotes this time around...sorry...

Read my review for 'Wake' here!

Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian

Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and the Olympians #5

Summary:

Most people get presents on their sixteenth birthday, I get a prophecy that could save or destroy the world.

It happens when you're the son of Poseidon, god of the Sea. According to an ancient prophecy, I turn sixteen and the fate of the entire world is on me. But no pressure.

Now Kronos, Lord of the Titans, is beginning his attack on New York City. And the dreaded monster Typhon is also heading our way. So it's me and forty of my demigod friends versus untold evil...

In One Word: Brilliant (exceptionally clever)

Plot:

The thing I loved most about this particular installment in this series is the fact that even though it has the most tense and nerve-wracking moments of all the previous books it also had the most humour and funny parts. I really love how the author manages to make you laugh out loud while at the same time making you hold your breath in anticipation for what’s going to happen next (trust me, it’s a really weird feeling, laughing while holding your breath at the same time...you should try it sometime). This book also managed to surprise me, which has not been happening that often lately, so it was pretty exciting that I couldn’t guess what was going to happen next. This also shows that even though it’s a middle-grade book, it isn’t predictable or too simple for older people to enjoy as well.

Characters:

I definitely think that this installment was the best as far as character-development went. Percy becomes a true hero, without completely losing himself and becoming a completely different person. I also liked how Grover went from an insecure, funny guy to a force to be reckoned with. Annabeth didn’t develop that much during this book, but she remains a great character. I also liked Thalia in this installment (if you read my previous review you’ll remember I didn’t like her all that much before), but I really like how she’s changed. Nico is still one of the more interesting characters in my opinion, but I preferred his portrayal in the previous book.

Who should read this:

10+, once again, mild violence, no sexual content or language and if you have problem with mythology, skip this series. If you’re searching for something similar to the first 2/3 books in the Harry Potter series then I definitely suggest these. I don’t think adults will enjoy this as much as younger people, but I do think there's something ageless about this series.

My rating:

This was my favourite book in the series. I loved the action and humor and the storyline and I really liked how the author ended the series, leaving it open enough to make me want to read ‘The Heroes of Olympus’, but not too much so it felt like the series didn’t end at all. 5/5

Quote:

“With great power... comes great need to take a nap. Wake me up later.”

Read my reviews for 'The Lightning Thief', 'The Sea of Monsters', 'The Titan's Curse' and 'The Battle of the Labyrinth'!

Inheritance

Christopher Paolini

The Inheritance Cycle #4

Summary:

It started with Eragon...

It ends with Inheritance.

Not so very long ago, Eragon – Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider – was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now, the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders.

The Rider and his dragon have come farther than anyone dared to imagine. But can they topple the evil king, Galbatorix, and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?

In One Word: Okay

Plot:

If you’ve followed my reviews on this series you know I loved the first two books, but I didn't think the third one was quite up to par and neither was this one in my opinion. I liked it well enough and the story kept me interested, but I felt like the ending to this series should’ve been absolutely epic, and it just wasn’t. I enjoyed reading it, and there were moments that I couldn’t put it down, but overall I didn’t feel like it was as good as it could’ve been.

Characters:

My one problem with this series is that it doesn’t focus enough on the characters, and that makes them seem a little flat. They all have moments where you see a flicker of something more, but then they just end up carrying on as usual. I do still really like the chemistry between Eragon and Arya, and I also really enjoy Saphira (even if I don’t think she was as interesting in this book as in the previous ones). Overall the characters aren’t as developed as I would’ve liked them to be after 3 previous books.

Who should read this:

13+, mainly for the violence and some very mild language and sexual content. The violence can be quite disturbing, but it’s not extremely graphic. If you enjoyed the previous books then you will probably like this one, but don’t expect too much. If you enjoy fantasy then I suggest you try the first two books, since they were my favourites, and if you don’t like them, don’t continue the series.

My rating:

I really wanted to love this book, but honestly I just liked it. There were moments of brilliance, but I felt like the entire book could’ve been brilliant if the author had tried hard enough. The feeling I got from this book is that Paolini didn't try as hard as he should have, but instead just got the ending to the series over with. 3/5

Quote:

“I am not who I was,' he whispered, gripping the edges of the column, 'but I know who I am.'...

'And I won't give up.”

Read my reviews for 'Eragon', 'Eldest' and 'Brisingr' here!

The Amulet of Samarkand

Jonathan Stroud

The Bartimaeus Trilogy #1

Summary:

The sulphur cloud contracted into a thick column of smoke that vomited forth thin tendrils...There was barely perceptible pause. Then two yellow staring eyes materialized in the heart of the smoke.

Hey, it was his first time. I wanted to scare him.

When the 5000-year-old- djinni Bartimaeus is summoned by Nathaniel, a young magician’s apprentice, he expect to have to do nothing more taxing than a few simple illusions. But Nathaniel is a precocious talent and has something rather more dangerous in mind: revenge.

Against his will, Bartimaeus is packed off to steal the powerful Amulet of Samarkand from Simon Lovelace, a master magician of unrivaled ruthlessness and ambition. Before long, both djinni and apprentice are caught up in a terrifying flood of magical intrigue, murder and rebellion.

Set in a modern-day London controlled by magicians, this hilarious, electrifying thriller will enthrall readers of all ages.

In One Word: Hilarious

Plot:

I loved this story, I thought it was entertaining and funny and at times suspenseful. It kept me interested right through. I loved the parts that were narrated by the djinni, who adds all these really funny footnotes. I liked the magical and exciting feel of it as well. The writing was good and the author doesn’t try too hard or take himself too seriously. I was also a little worried that it was going to be another Harry Potter rip-off, but while it did remind me of it because of the setting, I don’t feel like it was too similar at all.

Characters:

Like I said I really thought the djinni was hilarious. I know some people don’t like vain or cocky characters, but I usually find them very entertaining, and this was no exception. This character thinks he is the best thing on this planet and it is so funny how he proves this belief wrong time and again. Nathaniel is also a very good character in my opinion, he’s not that unique or that much of a stand-out type of character, but I liked that he was in contrast with the full-of-himself and never serious djinni.

Who should read this:

12+, it’s mainly for violence and magical elements that may be frightening. Except for that I don’t think there is very much objectionable content. If you like stories that have magical and realistic elements in them as well as funny moments and more serious ones then this is definitely a good choice for you. If you enjoyed Harry Potter, but want something that’s not exactly like it then definitely try this. However, if you don’t like fantasy or have a problem with magic then skip it.

My rating:

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute I spent reading this book and I can’t wait to read the next one. 5/5

Quote:

“He was transfixed at the sight of the lords and ladies of his realm running about like demented chickens.”

Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth

Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4

Summary: WARNING: Possible spoilers of previous books ahead!

Honestly, blowing up another school was the last thing I wanted to do.

As the son of a Greek god, I’ve had my share of near-death disaster – and now my arch-enemy Luke wants to invade our camp via an ancient labyrinth.

If he succeeds, thousands of bloodthirsty monsters will attack. So it’s goodbye sunshine, hello darkness as four of us descend into the terrifying underground and beyond.

In One Word: Unputdownable

Plot:

These stories are great simply because they’re just so much fun. They’re hilarious, but still exciting and can keep you on the edge of your seat or have you laughing out loud. And even though they’re a lot of fun and very entertaining there are still some scenes that are touching and emotional, without ever becoming too deep for a middle-grade book.

Characters:

These above-mentioned moments really helps the reader connect with the characters. I really like all the characters in this book, but now I’m really starting to get fascinated with Nico di Angelo. He’s a little darker than the other main characters, without being a fully-fledged villian, which is very interesting and not something you see very often. Percy remains a little naive in my opinion, although it is part of his charm, and he really does develop quite a bit during this particular book. Annabeth is still a great character, and I also really like Rachel, who we get to see more in this book. Grover and Tyson remains great characters, who never takes away the spolight from the main character, but is still important enough to make you care for them. All the characters connect really well with each other and nothing feels forced.

Who should read this:

10+, again, some violence, although it is very mild. There is no language or sexual content to speak of. Also again, if the mythological aspect of Greek gods bother you, don’t read this series. If you liked the previous books this one won’t dissappoint, if you didn’t, well don’t read this one...I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves Harry Potter and wants something similar, and this series doesn’t get darker like HP does, so you younger kids can read the entire series back-to-back if you should want to.

My rating:

I absolutely love this series. It’s not going to make my favourites, but it’s very close to it. I enjoy every minute of reading it, and I’m going to start the next one right now. 4.5/5

Quote:

“Don't feel bad, I'm usually about to die.”-Percy Jackson

Read my reviews for 'The Lightning Thief', 'The Sea of Monsters' and 'The Titan's Curse'!

City of Bones

Cassandra Clare

The Mortal Instruments #1

Summary:

There is a world hidden within our own.

Clary Fray is seeing things: vampires in Brooklyn and werewolves in Manhattan. Irresistibly drawn to the Shadowhunters, a secret group of warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons, Clary encounters the dark side of New York City – and the dangers of forbidden love.

In One Word: Controversial? (apparently I’m behind on the gossip about this book...oh well...)

Plot:

So, apparently you’re either supposed to love or hate this book, the haters are mainly angry because of some plagiarism problems in relation to Harry Potter. I did not know about this, nor did I notice it while I was reading, so honestly I don’t care about any of that. I was expecting this book to be a let-down after the Infernal Devices (which I loved), since that seems to be the overall opinion. I will say this, I do prefer the Infernal Devices (because, no matter how hot Jace is, he’s just no Will Herondale, I’m sorry). The story was okay, it wasn’t all that interesting, and I guessed the ending (again....do I have a superpower for guessing book endings? UGH!), but it wasn’t extremely hard to get into. The writing wasn’t as good as in the Infernal Devices, but it was easy to read and enjoyable enough. I will continue this series, because I think it will be interesting to see how the two series tie together.

Characters:

Here’s where my real problem with this book came in. Now before I say this, I do realise that this book was probably written before the Infernal Devices, so these are probably the original characters, but still. Jace and Will, they’re so similar, it’s kind of scary. Only I fell in love with Will, I merely found Jace entertaining. Then Clary and Tessa, they're also similar, only Tessa kicked butt, while Clary just seemed to hang around. Isabelle also reminded me of Jessamine. And so forth. I do like Alec, I think he’s a very interesting character. It was really nice to see Magnus Bane again, one of my favourite characters from the Infernal Devices. Overall I liked the characters, but they weren’t nearly as memorable as the ones in TID.

Who should read this:

13+, for language, violence and some mild sexual content. If you already read the Infernal Devices then don’t expect too much, if you haven’t and you’re looking for something easy to read and fun, with some action and humor then maybe you’ll enjoy this one. I will however suggest reading the Infernal Devices instead.

My rating:

I know I draw a lot of comparisons to the Infernal Devices in this review, but it did really remind me of that, only it wasn’t as good. I did enjoy it, I didn’t feel like not finishing it, but it just wasn’t as good as I know Clare can write. 3/5

Quote:

“If you were half as funny as you think you are, you'd be twice as funny as you are now.”

Percy Jackson and the Titan's Curse

Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3

Summary:

It’s not every day you find yourself in combat with a half-lion, half-human.

But when you’re the son of a Greek god, it happens. And now my friend Annabeth is missing, a goddess is in chains and only five half-blood heroes can join the quest to defeat the doomsday monster.

Oh and guess what. The Oracle has predicted that not all of us will survive.

In One Word: Exciting

Plot:

While the previous books in this series were really good and entertaining, this one stepped up the action and suspense quite a bit. It had way more surprises and twists than the previous ones and I really enjoyed that about it. Apart from that the author stays very consistent, the writing stays easy to read and humorous and the story stays interesting.

Characters:

There is quite a bit of character growth in this installment. Percy realizes what his fatal flaw is, and also learns to see other people more clearly. I still really like Annabeth and Grover, I think they’re great characters that compliment Percy very well. I did not, however, like Thalia all that much. I’m not sure exactly why, but I kept hoping that she wouldn’t stick around with the main characters. The villians are all pretty scary, but they’re not all completely evil (I think). My favourite part is still the humorous ways of the ‘gods’ (e.g. Apollo’s fascination with Haiku’s ever since he’s gotten back from Japan).

Who should read this:

10+, there’s a little violence, but almost no language and absolutely no sexual content. Again, if you have a problem with the whole mythological aspect of these books then don’t read them. If you enjoyed the previous 2 then I would definitely suggest continuing the series. I don’t think adults would really appreciate this series, but I also feel like older teens can enjoy them.

My rating:

I really enjoyed this book more than the previous ones, but not quite enough to give it 5 stars yet. So 4.5/5.

Quote:

Wow," Thalia muttered. "Apollo is hot."

"He's the sun god," I said.

"That's not what I meant.”

Read my reviews for 'The Lightning Thief' and 'Sea of Monsters'!

Fairest

Gail Carson Levine

Summary:

Once upon a time, there was a girl who wanted to be pretty...

Aza’s singing is the fairest in the all the land, and the most unusual. She can ‘throw’ her voice so it seems to come from anywhere. But singing is only one of the two qualities prized in the Kingdom of Ayortha. Aza doesn’t possess the other: beauty. Not even close. She’s hidden in the shadows in her parents’ inn, but when she becomes lady-in-waiting to the new queen, she has to step into the light – especially when the queen demands a dangerous favor. A magic mirror, a charming prince, a jealous queen, palace intrigue, and and injured king twine into a maze that Aza must penetrate to save herself and her beloved kingdom.

In One Word: Beautiful

Plot:

It’s official: Gail Carson Levine is a genius at fairytale retellings. In this book she manages to capture the essence of Snow White, but put a modern and relatable spin on it. Her stories are a little darker than your average middle-grade book, but that’s what I like about them, and they’ll never fall in the category of average anyway. I enjoyed every second of reading this, I liked that it has a positive message about how you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover and all, without ever becoming preachy, or making it sound easy to accept yourself fully. I loved the writing, simply because I can’t really remember what the writing was like, I was too wrapped up in the story to take much notice.

Characters:

The characters in this book are incredibly complex and interesting. Our main character, Aza, is extremely relatable (I’m pretty sure everyone’s had those days where they look in the mirror and go: ‘I’m possibly half-ogre’...and were serious about it). I really liked how the author handled the character development with her: she doesn’t end up perfect, or perfectly happy, but it’s okay. I also really liked Prince Ijori, who is probably what every girl should hope for in a guy, without being too unrealistic. The antagonist, queen Ivi, is probably the most interesting of the characters. You don’t know whether to hate or sympathize with her. Overall all the characters are great, they go through significant development without it being too unrealistic and the fairytale characters (ogres, elves etc) are very well handled.

Who should read this:

10+, there’s no objectionable content in this book, and I think it will spread a positive message, so I suggest this for any young girl (or boy). If you’ve read Ella Enchanted and liked it, then I definitely suggest this one (some of the characters from it make an appearance!). If you don’t like childrens’ books, or fairytale-retellings, then don’t read this one. However I feel like this book can appeal to all ages and has a universal message.

My rating:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down. I also really liked that, while this could’ve been extremely similar to Ella Enchanted, it wasn’t. I only thought about EE when some of the characters made an appearance. 5/5

Quote:

Voices and faces aren’t manifestations of good or bad.

Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters

Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2

Summary: (WARNING: Possible Spoilers of previous book ahead!)

You can’t tell by looking at me that my dad is Poseidon, God of the Sea.

It’s not easy being a half-blood these days. Even a simple game of dodgeball becomes a death match against an ugly gang of cannibal giants – and that was only the beginning.

Now Camp Half-Blood is under attack and, unless I can get my hands on the Golden Fleece, the whole camp will be invaded by monsters. Big ones...

In One Word: Fun

Plot:

This book drew me in more than its predecessor, maybe because I now know the characters and start caring for them. I couldn’t put this installment down. It was exciting and funny and just a very entertaining read. I really like Riordan’s easy-going writing style and I think this series is everything a good middle-grade series should be.

Characters:

At first Percy annoyed me a little in this book. I felt like he hadn’t learned anything from his previous adventures and he was just as naive as before everything happened. However, this does change as the book progresses and we see him grow. I still really like Annabeth and in this book I felt like the reader gets to see another side to her, which is always good. Grover’s part in this book was just flat-out hilarious, even though he was in a life-threatening situation for most of it... (Possible spoiler: Luke also makes an appearance, and this time he’s even scarier and meaner than before). The new character ‘Tyson’ is also great and you really start caring for the guy. Overall the characters, both old and new, were very entertaining to read about.

Who should read this:

10+, there really aren't any  inappropriate for younger readers, except if you have a problem with the whole mythology aspect of it. If you’re looking for something fun and easy to read or looking for something for a 10-12-year old boy, then I definitely suggest this. I don’t think adults will love this series, but I do think older kids might.

My rating:

Like I said, I couldn’t put this book down, and I couldn’t guess the ending (for a change), so I really enjoyed reading this book. 4/5

Quote:

“Families are messy. Immortal families are eternally messy. Sometimes the best we can do is to remind each other that we're related for better or for worse...and try to keep the maiming and killing to a minimum.” 

Black: The Birth of Evil

Ted Dekker

The Circle #1

Summary:

Enter an adrenaline-laced epic where dreams and reality collide.

Fleeing his assailants through deserted alleyways, Thomas Hunter narrowly escapes to the roof of a building. Then a silent bullet from the night clips his head...and his world goes black.

From the blackness comes an amazing reality of another world-a world where evil is contained. A world where Thomas Hunter is in love with a beautiful woman. Then he remembers the dream of the chase as he reaches to touch the blood on his head.

Where does the dream end and reality begin? Every time he falls asleep in one world, he awakes in the other-both facing catastrophic disaster. Thomas is being pushed beyond his limits...even beyond the limits of space and time.

Black is an incredible story of evil and rescue, betrayal and love, pursuit and death, and a terrorist's threat unlike anything the human race has ever known.

Some say the world hangs in the balance of every choice we make. Now the fate of two worlds hangs in the balance of one man's choice.

In One Word: Woah!

Plot:

Okay, so what do you get when you cross Narnia, with some crime thriller about a terrorist attack? You get this book, and it’s fascinating. I really liked this story, although it did drag on a bit in the middle. The whole idea of two completely different worlds linked by one man is extremely interesting. Then add some weird bat things and trees that glow, and a very scary virus and you’re set. Overall I felt like this was an extremely original idea, but the writing was not as good as I would’ve hoped. That might improve as the series progresses, though, we shall see. I do think the story was more than just interesting, though, Dekker is a genius at allegories.

Characters:

This is where the book disappointed me a little. The story was very unique and interesting, but it felt a little like the characters weren’t as important to the author. Which is very weird for a Dekker book, since he usually focuses primarily on the characters, not the story. The characters were all a little flat and at times even a little silly. I do, however, hope for improvement for the other three books.

Who should read this:

12+, there is quite a bit of violence, but it’s never extremely graphic or disturbing. If you like Narnia, then you might enjoy this, since one half of it had a very similar feel to it in my opinion. If you don’t like books that have Christian undertones, or want a light, happy read, don’t read this.

My rating:

This book wasn’t perfect, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I loved the ideas and concepts. 4/5

Quote:

“How can there be love without a true choice? Would you suggest that man be stripped of the capacity to love?” 

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Neil Gaiman

Summary:

It began for our narrator forty years ago when the family lodger stole their car and committed suicide in it, stirring up ancient powers best left undisturbed. Dark creatures from beyond this world are on the loose, and it will take everything our narrator has just to stay alive: there is primal horror here, and menace unleashed – within his family and from the forces that have gathered to destroy it.

His only defence is three women, on a farm at the end of the lane. The youngest of them claims that her duckpond is an ocean. The oldest can remember the Big Bang.

In One Word: Mysterious

Plot:

I must be honest, I didn’t get everything in this story, I kept feeling like there was something I’m missing. That doesn’t mean, however, that I didn’t like it. It reads almost like the strange nightmare of a little kid: you don’t understand it, but while you’re reading it it makes sense in a weird way. I loved the way it was written, it’s easy to read and creates a dark mood that sucks you into the story, almost unwillingly.

Characters:

Definitely one of the strong points of this book is its characters. They’re strange and original and I don’t think it will be easy to forget most of them. I liked the main character (whose name the reader isn't told), but he wasn’t the best character in my opinion. I preferred the three Hempstock women, Lettie especially. They’re magical and mysterious, yet they feel comfortable and safe at the same time, which is a weird combination. I would’ve liked a little more clarity about the narrator’s parents, but his memories of them seemed almost hazy to me, which wasn’t very realistic since they play a huge part in his life.

Who should read this:

12+, mainly for some mild sexual content and scary imagery. If you’re looking for something different, short and easy to read I’d definitely suggest this. However, if you’re looking for a simple, happy or light read then this might not be the one for you.

My rating:

I really liked the overall feel of this book, the dark tone and atmosphere that Gaiman brings to life sucked me in and made really hard to put down. I didn’t really get what was happening when I started reading, mainly because I knew nothing about this story, and didn’t know what to expect. 4/5

Quote:

Lettie shrugged. “Nobody actually looks like what they really are on the inside. You don’t. I don’t. People are much more complicated than that. It’s true of everybody.

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1

Summary:

Look, I didn’t want to be a half-blood. I never asked to be the son of a Greek god.

I was just a normal kid, going to school, playing basketball, skateboarding. The usual. Until I accidentally vaporized my maths teacher. Now I spend my time battling monsters and generally trying to stay alive.

This is the one where Zeus, god of the Sky, thinks I’ve stolen his lightning bolt – and making Zeus angry is a very bad idea.

In One Word: Entertaining

Plot:

This book is great, the story is exciting and interesting, and the writing is so easy-going. I did think it was a little similar to Harry Potter (you know, boring ‘weirdo’ kid suddenly becoming this extremely ‘interesting’ person in a whole different world that he didn’t even know existed), but the whole mythology concept is so original that it didn’t bother me at all. I loved how the humorous writing style made sure the book never got too tense or dark, while it still stayed exciting. The author doesn’t try too hard or take himself too seriously and that makes it a fun read. I did guess the ending in this book, but it wasn’t blatantly obvious and it was more a suspicion than anything.

Characters:

I like how the author made kids ‘with problems’ into something cool, and with that I mean that the demi-gods have dyslexia and ADD, and that somehow makes them even cooler (SPOILER: not to mention the fact that a ‘crippled’ boy turns out to be a satyr....the hooves make it a little awkward for him to wear shoes). Percy is funny and a nice kid, not always exceptionally bright, but still a hero to look up to. I liked Annabeth and Grover as well, they’re loyal and brave and great sidekicks. The gods were also really interesting, and also made me laugh a couple of times, Riordan uses exaggeration to make them larger than life (quite literally...)

Who should read this:

10+, there’s no sexual content or language and the violence is very mild, although there are some scary scenes. If you have a problem with reading about Greek ‘gods’, then I don’t suggest this for you. If you enjoyed Harry Potter then you might like this, it has the same feel to it. If you want a serious or thought-provoking read this is probably not for you, but if you want something fun and entertaining, I definitely suggest this book.

My rating:

I’ve heard so much about this series that I had very high expectations and I wasn’t disappointed at all. I can’t wait to read the next book. However, it wasn’t amazing enough to join my favourites. 4/5

Quote:

“I'd love to tell you I had some deep revelation on my way down, that I came to terms with my own mortality, laughed in the face of death, et cetera.
The truth? My only thought was: Aaaaggghhhhh!”

Chime

Franny Billingsley

Summary:

‘I’ve confessed to everything and I’d like to be hanged. Now, if you please.’

Briony knows she is a witch. She also knows that now her beloved stepmother is dead she must look after her beautiful but complicated twin sister, Rose. Then the energetic, electric, golden-haired Eldric arrives in her home town of Swampsea, and everything that Briony thinks about herself and her life is turned magically, dizzyingly upside down.

                                                             

Plot:

This is a wonderfully twisted fairytale. I liked almost everything about the story, even though I had a pretty good idea about what the big plot twist was going to be (maybe I read too much? I seem to know exactly what’s going to happen in every book I read these days). However, even with the predictable storyline, the descriptions are different and intriguing and the story is easy to read. I liked that the story had an old-fashioned feel to it (it’s set in the 1800’s) but still manages to stay relevant. This creates that fairytale atmosphere without making the reader feel disconnected to the story.

Characters:

(WARNING, SOME SPOILERS ABOUT THE CHARACTERS MAY FOLLOW!) What I liked most about the main character is the strange sort of self-denial she’s got fixed in her brain about herself being a normal, feeling human being (that rhymes...sort of...anyways), she’s convinced herself that she isn’t capable of loving someone. This kind of character, who is so clueless about things, irritates me sometimes, but in her case I just sympathised, which means the writing was pretty good. I really fell in love with Eldric as well, he’s the perfect storybook hero, without being too perfect...if that makes sense. The villian (trying not to add too many spoilers here) is extremely scary, once you realise the depth of her (or his) depravity.

Who should read this:

12+, there is practically no language, but the violence and sexual content might be a little too much for younger readers, it’s never explicit, just a little disturbing. The idea of witches, and strange swamp-creatures (no ogres, this is not Shrek) might also be objectionable to some people. If you like fairytales, but want something a little different you might enjoy this one.

My rating:

I enjoyed this book, but it wasn’t exciting enough to make me feel like I couldn’t put it down. The best part was undoubtedly the characters.4/5

Quote:

‘That fellow was a hero, and I’m not a hero at all.’

A Dance With Dragons

George R.R. Martin

A Song of Ice and Fire #5

Summary:

(WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS OF PREVIOUS BOOKS AHEAD!)

In the aftermath of a colossal battle, the future of the Seven Kingdoms hangs in the balance — beset by newly emerging threats from every direction. In the east, Daenerys Targaryen, the last scion of House Targaryen, rules with her three dragons as queen of a city built on dust and death. But Daenerys has thousands of enemies, and many have set out to find her. As they gather, one young man embarks upon his own quest for the queen, with an entirely different goal in mind.

Fleeing from Westeros with a price on his head, Tyrion Lannister, too, is making his way to Daenerys. But his newest allies in this quest are not the rag-tag band they seem, and at their heart lies one who could undo Daenerys's claim to Westeros forever.

Meanwhile, to the north lies the mammoth Wall of ice and stone — a structure only as strong as those guarding it. There, Jon Snow, 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, will face his greatest challenge. For he has powerful foes not only within the Watch but also beyond, in the land of the creatures of ice.

From all corners, bitter conflicts reignite, intimate betrayals are perpetrated, and a grand cast of outlaws and priests, soldiers and skinchangers, nobles and slaves, will face seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Some will fail, others will grow in the strength of darkness. But in a time of rising restlessness, the tides of destiny and politics will lead inevitably to the greatest dance of all.

Plot:

One of the things I like most about this series is the way the author seems to have put a lot of thought into every sentence (just imagine if it took him 10 seconds for every sentence, how long it would’ve taken to write this entire series, not even including plotlines and character development and all those other things authors have to think about). Yet, despite this, the whole stays easy to read, without ever becoming boring. His descriptions really aren’t all that grand or intricate, but they make the reader use their own imagination, and you really feel as if you’re a part of the story. What I didn’t like about this installment is actually the previous installment’s fault (or the author’s fault for the way he wrote the two different installments, but you know what I mean). It’s kind of hard to have to go back in time (in the story, obviously) and to remember what went on during that time with the other characters from the previous book. It’s also hard to get back into the previous book’s characters’ stories (uhm, yes that makes sense...I think) where the two timelines meet again, since you haven’t seen them for the whole book, and now all of a sudden, without any reminders of what had happened you just continue with their story.

Characters:

The characters in this series are alive. As in, when I put the book down I had to remind myself for a moment that they weren’t still continuing with their lives in some alternate universe, alive. It’s very obvious that the author knows his characters, the little things they do that are so true to who they are are everywhere in the book. My favourite character is probably still Tyrion, mainly for his wit. I liked reading a lot about him and Daenerys in this installment.

Who should read this:

16+, and like I’ve said so many times before, this series is not for the faint-hearted. There is no censorship or euphemisms (go look it up) in this book. However, if you love fantasy this is definitely something I’d recommend. You should also be warned, if you have weak arms I’d suggest looking for this book in two parts, because the version I had was a huge hard-cover and I don’t think my arms have been worked out like this in a really long time...

My rating:

I really liked this book, but I thought I’d like it more, since it focused on two of my favourite characters for a large portion of the story, however I don’t know if I liked the way the author split the two. Still, it was a great read as always. 4/5

Quote:

'A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies,' said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.

Read my reviews for the previous books here! 'A Game of Thrones', 'A Clash of Kings', 'A Storm of Swords' and 'A Feast for Crows'

Wake

Amanda Hocking

Watersong #1

Summary:

Beautiful. Fearless. Dangerous.

The kind of girls you envy. The kind of girls you want to hate.

Strangers in town for the summer, Penn, Thea and Lexi have caught everyone’s attention, including the eye of practical Harper. But it’s her sister, Gemma, they’ve chosen. Sixteen-year-old Gemma seems to have it all – carefree, pretty and falling in love with the boy next door. But her greatest passion is the water. She craves solitary late-night swims under the stars, where she can belong to the sea. But lately she’s had company.

Penn, Thea and Lexi spend their nights dancing and partying on the cove, and one night Gemma joins them. She wakes, groggy on the beach the next morning and knows something has changed. Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster and more beautiful than ever. And as she discovers her new mythical powers, Gemma is forced to choose between staying with those she loves – or entering a dark world brimming with unimaginable secrets.

Plot:

I liked the premise of this story, it sounded like a easy read with some creepiness thrown in and that’s always fun. However, the story was a tad too predictable for me (spoiler alert-She’s a mermaid?!...Sorry Siren, 'cause mermaids don't exist...but now she's in her mermaid form again? Oh never mind...). The writing was okay, it wan’t hard to read, but it didn’t really flow in my opinion and it didn’t draw me in. This story has so much potential, but unfortunately it wasn’t as well-written as I would’ve liked. Also, the descriptions could've been so much better.

Characters:

I liked the main characters in this story, but the problem is I’ll only remember them as: that mermaid, that mermaid’s sister (who kind of sounds like me), that mermaid’s boyfriend and that mermaid’s sister’s boyfriend (who was probably my favorite out of these). The characters are just too generic for me, I would’ve liked at least a little something that made them a bit different. The other three mermaids, however, have a lot of potential and I’ll read the next book only because I’m interested in knowing more about them and their story, since I feel like there's more to it than what I read in this book.

Who should read this:

10+, there is a bit of violence (some of it is pretty gross...but I’m kind of desensitized at the moment after reading all that Game of Thrones), some language and mild sexual content. I don’t think anyone over the age of 20 would really enjoy this. If you’re looking for an easy read and you liked Twilight, you will probably like this as well. Don’t read this if you’re looking for the next great literary work.

My rating:

I had no trouble finishing this book, and it kept me interested, but there was just something about it that I didn’t like. I don’t know if it was the characters being one-dimensional or the story being predictable, but it was all just okay. 3/5

Quote:

Sirens are real, mermaids are not.

A Feast for Crows

George R.R. Martin

A Song of Ice and Fire #4

Summary:

WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS OF PREVIOUS BOOKS!

Crows will fight over a dead man’s flesh, and kill each other for his eyes.

Bloodthirsty, treacherous and cunning, the Lannisters are in power on the Iron Throne in the name of the boy-king Tommen. But with fear and deceit in the air, their enemies are poised to strike. The Martells of Dorne seek vengeance for their dead and the heir of dead King Balon of the Iron Isles, Euron Crow’s Eye, is as black a pirate as ever raised a sail.

Across the war-torn landscape of the Seven Kingdoms, the daughter of Lord Selwyn of Tarth, called Brienne the Beauty in mockery of her great strength, seeks the late king’s widow, Sansa Stark. She promised the girl’s dead mother to protect her from the wrath of Queen Cersei, Tommen’s power-hungry mother. Meanwhile, apprentice Maester Samwell Tarly bring a mysterious babe-in-arms south to the Citadel from the cruel frozen north where the sinister Others threaten the Wall.

Plot:

Once again I feel like I’m going to repeat myself. I could’ve written one big review for this entire series. This part of the story wasn’t as shocking or thrilling as the previous installment, but that doesn’t mean it was dull in any way. I couldn’t tear myself away. The writing stays extremely brutal, but wonderfully captivating. There are so many events that happen in these books I can only give a very abstract opinion on the plot, but everything that happens is interesting.

Characters:

At first I was a little disappointed with the fact that we don’t see some of my favorite characters in this book, including Tyrion and Daenerys. However, the author did explain this at the end, saying that what happened to them during this period of time will be told in the next book, which makes me very excited. The characters didn’t develop as much as I would’ve liked, except for Jaime Lannister, who is a very interesting character with many contradictory elements to his personality. There were less deaths in this installment, so don’t worry too much about your favorite characters (if they were still alive in the previous one).

Who should read this:

16+, like always the author doesn’t shy away from graphic violence, sexual content and language, so if you’re sensitive, I would not suggest this series. If you enjoyed the previous installments, you should continue, I’ve said before how consistent this series is. This is a must for fantasy lovers, but not for people who want to finish a book quickly or want a light read.

My rating:

While it wasn’t as exciting as the previous book, mainly because many of my favourite characters weren't featured, it was still extremely engaging and I couldn’t put it down. 4/5

Quote:

I prefer my history dead. Dead history is writ in ink, the living sort in blood.

Read my review for the previous installments: 'A Game of Thrones', A Clash of Kings' and 'A Storm of Swords' here! 

A Storm of Swords

George R.R. Martin

A Song of Ice and Fire #3

Summary:

WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS OF PREVIOUS BOOKS AHEAD!

Of the five contenders for power, one is dead, another in disfavor, and still the wars rage as violently as ever, as alliances are made and broken. Joffrey, of House Lannister, sits on the Iron Throne, the uneasy ruler of the land of the Seven Kingdoms. His most bitter rival, Lord Stannis, stands defeated and disgraced, the victim of the jealous sorceress who holds him in her evil thrall. But young Robb, of House Stark, still rules the North from the fortress of Riverrun. Robb plots against his despised Lannister enemies, even as they hold his sister hostage at King's Landing, the seat of the Iron Throne.

Meanwhile, making her way across a blood-drenched continent is the exiled queen, Daenerys, mistress of the only three dragons still left in the world. Filled with the stench of death and decay from the destructive dynastic war, Daenerys is gathering allies and strength for an assault on King's Landing, hoping to win back the crown she believes is rightfully hers.

But as opposing forces maneuver for the final titanic showdown, an army of barbaric wildlings bent on overwhelming the Seven Kingdoms arrives from the outermost line of civilization. In their vanguard is a horde of mythical Others-a supernatural army of the living dead whose animated corpses are unstoppable. And as the future of the land hangs in the balance, no one will rest in the quest for victory until the Seven Kingdoms have exploded in a veritable storm of swords...

Plot:

I feel like this series is very consistent, in that every time I sit down to review one of the books I feel like I’m just repeating myself. However, this one is probably the most exciting and most shocking yet. While with the previous ones I found myself putting the book down for a while, with this one, especially the second part, I just couldn’t do it. I also cannot wait to see what happens next.

Characters:

I really felt like the characters developed in this installment. Tyrion is probably one of my favorite characters, simply because he is such a strange, sometimes likable, other times despicable character, and I really felt like he was brought to life in this installment. All the characters were shown to grow and change, but they always stay true to themselves and you still don't really know who to root for. Oh, and, don't fall in love with any of the characters, chances are...they're going to die...

Who should read this:

16+, and like always, these books are not for the faint-hearted or sensitive. It is very graphic and violent and there is quite a bit of language involved. If you enjoyed the previous installments, then you should read this one! If you didn’t, why would you continue the series? Fans of high-fantasy should definitely check this series out, it's brilliantly written.

My rating:

I didn’t like the things that happened in this book, but I still felt like this was the best one so far, so I have to give it a higher rating...5/5

Quote:

“Old stories are like old friends, she used to say. You have to visit them from time to time.”

I did read this book in two parts, but I've said previously that I despise it when a book that's meant to be one is published as more than one, so that's why I combined them in this review.

Read my reviews for 'A Game of Thrones' and 'A Clash of Kings' here!

Cinder

Marissa Meyer

The Lunar Chronicles #1

Summary:

A forbidden romance.

A deadly plague.

Earth’s fate hinges on one girl...

Cinder, a gifted mechanic in New Beijing, is also a cyborg. She’s reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s sudden illness.

But when her life becomes entwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s she finds herself at the centre of a violent struggle between the desires of an evil queen – and a dangerous temptation.

Cinder is caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal. Now she must uncover secrets about her mysterious past in order to protect Earth’s future.

Plot:

This is a great story. I really enjoyed the way the author combined the traditional fairy-tale elements with the futuristic setting. The story kept me interested throughout, even though I saw the plot twist coming for most of the book. The fact that I knew what was going to happen, but was still intrigued by the story definitely proves that it’s a pretty good plot. I would have liked a little more explanation of some elements of this book, for example how Cinder’s mind works etc. I did, however really like the mild references to racism, which made the whole setting a feel a little more realistic.

Characters:

I like the characters in this book. I didn’t fall in love with them, but I rooted for the heroes and was scared for them at times. Cinder is very relatable, even though she’s half-robot, and that is probably what made this book good. Even though very little about the setting or the plot is relative to our current situation you still felt like you could understand the characters.

Who should read this:

10+, mainly for violence and scenes of people dying etc. If you’re looking for a fairy tale retelling that’s completely different from anything you’ve read before I would definitely recommend this one. If, however science-fiction isn’t your thing you might not like this as much.

My rating:

I’m not a huge sci-fi fan, which is probably why I wasn’t that excited for this book, even though the idea behind it is fascinating. However, I really enjoyed it and it definitely met the expectations I had after all the hype. 4/5.

Quote:

“Does your kind even know what love is? Can you feel anything at all, or is it just... programmed?”