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!

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.”

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.”

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.’

Fairy, Texas

Margo Bond Collins

Fairy, Texas #1

Summary:

Fairy, Texas. A small town like any other. Laney Harris didn’t want to live there. When her mother remarried and moved them to a town where a date meant hanging out at the Sonic, Laney figured that “boring” would have a whole new meaning. A new stepsister who despised her and a high school where she was the only topic of gossip were bad enough. But when she met the school counselor (and his terminal bad breath), she grew suspicious. Especially since he had wings that only she could see. And then there were Josh and Mason, two gorgeous glimmering-eyed classmates whose interest in her might not be for the reasons she hoped. Not to mention that dead guy she nearly tripped over in gym class. She was right. Boring took on an entirely new dimension in Fairy, Texas.

Plot:

First of all let me just say, I received this book from goodreads' 'first reads' program for free, but that will not influence my review.This is definitely an interesting read. It’s original and just slightly disturbing, which of course makes it even more interesting. I liked the writing style, it’s easy to read and simple, yet flowing. It had a couple of tense moments that had me afraid for the characters’ lives and some others that were a little more humorous, which I also liked.

Characters:

I didn’t love the characters in this book. Laney started off a little whiny, but she grew out of that after a while. If I had to pick my favourite character it would probably be either Josh or Kayla, I think they’re the most interesting. I didn’t, however, really start feeling for any of the characters, and I got a little confused as to who I should be rooting for. I also didn’t really understand exactly what type of ‘thing’ the characters were supposed to be, and why there were differences between them. Maybe this will be explained more in the next book.

Who should read this:

13+, and even then I advise caution as some of the content can be a little disturbing, for example rape and other violence (it’s not too graphic, but it’s still a little unsettling). If you’re looking for a YA book that’s a little different, easy to read and has some suspense then you might like this one.

My rating:

I enjoyed this book, but I didn’t love it, there were many things I liked and many I didn’t. This is one of those books I'll pick up again not because it was great, but because it's a relaxing and easy read. 3/5

Quote:

‘Of all the things that frightened me about starting a new school, finding a dead guy on day one didn’t even make it into my top hundred. I guess it should have.’

Clockwork Angel

Cassandra Clare

The Infernal Devices #1

Summary:

Magic is dangerous-but love is more dangerous still

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray arrives in England during the reign of Queen Victoria, something terrifying is waiting for her in London’s Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Friendless and hunted, Tessa seeks refuge with the Shadowhunters, a band of warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons. Drawn ever deeper into their world, she finds herself fascinated by – and torn between – two best friends and quickly realizes that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.          

Plot:

First of all, let me just say that the summary above really doesn’t provide a clear picture of what this story is about. It’s not a love story with some action thrown in, it’s a fantasy/supernatural story with some romance added. I really liked this story, it kept me interested, I liked the writing style, and I liked the way the author created tense moments throughout the story. My favourite part of this book, however, is the fact that it actually made me laugh at times, which I really appreciated. I really did like the characters’ wit and humor, it made the darker parts easier to bear and made the book more fun to read.

Characters:

I think the characters in this book are fascinating. None more so than Will Herondale, who is a hero at times and a total jerk at others. I’ve always liked characters that either go from bad to good, or that seem to be bad, but turns out to be good, I don’t know yet if he falls into one of these categories, but i really hope so. I liked the main character as well, she becomes a little whiny at times, but realises it herself and apologizes, which I think is much more realistic than a person who never complains about anything. I really liked Jem’s character as well, although I did think he was a bit too good to be true. I found all the characters to be intriguing and memorable, although some was more so than others.

Who should read this:

13+, mainly for violence and some language, there’s no explicit sexual content, but there are some things that are implied. Some people might also have a problem with the whole angels vs. demons theme of the book, so if that’s not your thing, don’t read this. If you like YA fantasy/supernatural type books this is definitely one I would recommend.

My rating:

I really enjoyed this book, there were no times where I got bored and I finished it in a day, which is always a good sign in my opinion (except when it’s because the book was so thin...). I really liked the characters, as well as the story and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. 5/5

Quote:
'Only the very weak-minded refuse to be influenced by literature and poetry.'

Abandon

Meg Cabot

Abandon Trilogy #1

Summary:

Pierce knows what it’s like to die. Last year she flatlined following an accident.

During that time Pierce saw a dark world and met a mysterious, irresistible boy.

Now that boy, John Hayden, has turned up at school. Every time she sees him Pierce finds herself in terrible danger. Yet she’s still drawn to him.

John wants to take her back to the place she fears the most: the Underworld.

The question is, why?

Plot:

I found this to be a very intersting concept: the old Greek myth of Persephone turned into a modern story. I think Cabot handled that part of the tale pretty well. However I found the actual story to be pretty dull. I thought the romance was forced and didn’t make sense. The supposed ‘twist’ was surprising yes, but not exactly in a good way, and I just didn’t feel drawn into the story. It didn’t have any moments that stood out for me, there were no really sad, really funny or really tense moments.

Characters:

The characters are not bad, but I felt like they were a little one-dimensional. I didn’t really connect to any of them, and none of them were really interesting. I’d hoped for some more growth and developement, but I feel like Cabot focused too much on the ‘facts’ of the mythology that she didn’t put enough effort into character building. I like characters that are complicated and multi-faceted, but these weren’t like that for me.

Who should read this:

10+, There are some mild cursing, and obviously the themes are pretty dark. The sexual content is very vague, but present. I don’t think I’d suggest this to anyone who’s not really interested in Greek mythology and wants a fun way to read more about it. Even then, I think there should be better options out there.

My rating:

It may sound like it, but I didn’t hate this book, it just didn’t capture my attention at all, I didn’t connect to the storyline or characters emotionally and I don’t think I’ll remember it. 2/5

Quote:

Anything can happen in the blink of an eye. Anything at all.