29 February 2012

RAK Wrap Up: Feb '12


Received:
I was sent two books this month by two awesome people! Thank you both so, so much. Catriona, I hope I can send you something in the future! :D

Thanks to Catriona at Little Book Owl!

Thanks to Sarah at Whispering Words!

Sent:

to Sarah. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 

27 February 2012

New Releases (2)

New YA releases for the week beginning February 28! There are lots of awesome books coming out this week, both in the US and in the UK. Have you read any of these already? Do you have any coming in the mail? Let me know!

February 28


BZRK by Michael Grant
BZRK #1
Publisher: Egmont
Goodreads


Partials by Dan Wells
Partials #1
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Goodreads


A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford
A Touch Trilogy #2
Publisher: Greenwillow
Goodreads


When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Goodreads



Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
Delirium #2
Publisher: HarperCollins
Goodreads



Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby
Publisher: Walker
Goodreads


Gil Marsh by A.C.E Bauer
Publisher: Random House
Goodreads








March 1



Ripper by Stefan Petrucha
Publisher: Philomel
Goodreads


Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin
Publisher: G.P Putnam's Sons
Goodreads


The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (UK)
Mara Dyer #1
Publisher: Simon and Schuster UK
Goodreads


The 13th Horseman by Barry Hutchison (UK)
Publisher: HarperCollins
Goodreads

25 February 2012

Partials by Dan Wells



Partials by Dan Wells
Partials #1
Release Date: February 28, 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Source: Netgalley
Rating: Enjoyable

Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with partials--engineered organic beings identical to humans--has decimated the world’s population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island. The threat of the partials is still imminent, but, worse, no baby has been born immune to the disease in over a decade. Humanity’s time is running out.

When sixteen-year-old Kira learns of her best friend’s pregnancy, she’s determined to find a solution. Then one rash decision forces Kira to flee her community with the unlikeliest of allies. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that the survival of both humans and partials rests in her attempts to answer questions of the war’s origin that she never knew to ask. - Goodreads

Partials had a really slow start during the first third of the book. There were some big events - a bomb, a new law etc - but it didn't feel as though anything was happening. However, about 30% of the way in, this book finally started to pick up and it didn't stop, even at the end.

Dan Wells writes EXCELLENT action scenes. I was on the edge of my seat, and it was all very exciting. Everything was described perfectly, and I honestly don't think I've ever read any action sequences that are better written than these.

The ending was brilliant, and I'm really impressed at how Dan Wells kept the pacing way up there right until the very end.

There are a few plot twists, a couple of which I saw coming due to various clues in the story. I was also suspecting a lot of people of not being loyal to Kira and her cause, which I loved. I love not knowing who to trust!

The main character, Kira, is annoying. Really, REALLY annoying. She has a real temper, and she doesn't know when to keep her mouth shut. She snaps over the slightest thing, and it got on my nerves. There is one scene in which her friend said something to her and Kira went crazy and started clawing at her face. Crazy. That said, there were times when I thought she was a really strong character. I hope she grows up in the next book. I also wish that she had been a bit older. She was really intelligent and worked as a medic, but she was only 16. I think if she had been 18 or so, and the story had been adjusted, it would have been more realistic.

Marcus, Kira's boyfriend, wasn't that great either. He's childish, moody, and I didn't like him. I have to admit, though, he did have some funny lines!

Now, there's also a character called Samm. I. LOVED. HIM. He was definitely my favourite character, as if you couldn't tell! He had some really funny lines, and he was badass.

Not many side characters I cared for apart from Jayden. He was an awesome character, and I wish we could have seen more of him as I was loving every moment that focussed on him.

Overall, this book was good! Despite the slow start, I really enjoyed reading it and the dystopian world it's set in is really well constructed with a horrible government! I'd definitely recommend it if you don't mind a main character like Kira or a book that lacks much romance!

24 February 2012

#SaveTheArctic


This is another non-book post from me, but I want to raise awareness.

An oil rig is set to go from New Zealand to Alaska to search for oil, despite scientists saying they do not have the technology to clean up any potential oil spills. An oil spill could rage for years under the ice and it will be out of the oil company's control.

Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess, Spartacus) is currently protesting ON THE RIG with a bunch of other people. They're technically under arrest but they're refusing to come down.

Tweet using the hashtag #savethearctic to raise awareness.

Greenpeace campaign can be found here

You can follow Lucy here for updates from the rig.



Quotes from an article on 3news (NZ)


BREAKING: Lucy Lawless and five Greenpeace climbers have boarded an Arctic-bound @Shell oil drillship in Port Taranaki -More soon." - GreenpeaceNZ


The group scaled the 53-metre drilling derrick around 7am.


"They came up just to talk to us as a courtesy to say, "You are under arrest, we suggest that you come down," and we said, "No, we do understand that, thankyou so much for your concern, we feel we have no choice morally but to stay here and get our message out," says Lawless.


"Freezing temperatures, unpredictable weather and remote drilling locations pose unprecedented challenges, making an oil spill impossible to contain and clean up," says Greenpeace campaigner Steve Abel


I am urging you all to help raise awareness either via your own blogs, your Facebook pages or via Twitter. The outcome of this venture could be catastrophic.



Thank you for taking the time to read this!

23 February 2012

CLOSED Young Adult Paranormal Activity Hop


I have a part time job now - that is more part-part time - so I've decided to hold another giveaway! This hop is hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and Read for Your Future.

If you win, you will be able to choose between any of the books below. If you have already read the first in the series already, you may choose any other book in the series.



My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent (Soul Screamers #1)










The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (Mara Dyer #1)




Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy #1)










The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting (The Body Finder #1)
The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver (Demon Trappers #1)


Unearthly by Cynthia Hand (Unearthly #1)















Everneath by Brodi Ashton



Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton (Angelfire #1)


Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
















Rules
- INTERNATIONAL as long as Book Depository sends to your country
- ONE winner
- You must be 13 or over to enter
- If you win, you will have 48 hours to respond to my email or I will pick a new winner
- You must follow me
- Good luck!


20 February 2012

New Releases (1)

I didn't think I'd be able to do a weekly feature like this because I'm not organised at all, but I have decided to give it a go. I always find new things on new releases posts, so I hope my readers can as well! These are likely to be a mixture of US/UK releases, but I'll put the country in brackets so it's clear. I'll also be including Goodreads and Amazon links to make everything easier. If there's anything else you'd like me to add (synopsis, thoughts, etc) let me know!

February 21



Faery Tales and Nightmares by Melissa Marr (US)
Publisher: HarperCollins
Hardcover, 432 pages
Amazon US | Goodreads







Fever by Lauren Destefano (US)
Chemical Gardens #2
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Hardcover, 341 pages
Amazon US | Goodreads



Double by Jenny Valentine
Publisher: Hyperion
Hardcover, 256 pages
Amazon US | Goodreads



A Beautiful Evil by Kelly Keaton
Gods and Monsters #2
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Hardcover, 285 pages
Amazon US | Goodreads



The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg
Publisher: Penguin
Hardcover, 400 pages
Amazon US | Goodreads

18 February 2012

In My Mailbox - (49)


For Review: 
Forgiven by Jana Oliver (The Demon Trappers #3)
The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda
The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams
Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris
A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix

RAK: 
Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma (Thank you, Sarah!)
Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari (Thank you, Catriona!)

I showed a couple of these last week, but I had to show them on my YT channel and I didn't want to make two separate videos. Oh well, you can see them again! What did you all get this week? Have you read any of these already? Leave links, and be sure to check out Catriona's and Sarah's blogs!

15 February 2012

Waiting on Wednesday: Endlessly by Kiersten White




Endlessly by Kiersten White
Paranormalcy #3
Release Date: July 24, 2012 (US)
Publisher: HarperTeen

I read Paranormalcy around the time I first started blogging and I loved it. I also really enjoyed Supernaturally when I read it at the beginning of this year and now I can't wait for the final installment in the trilogy! I just hope Lend has something to do this time...

14 February 2012

Cover Reveal: Unrest by Michelle Harrison


Look at this! It's so pretty! I have to say, this is probably one of my favourite covers of the year so far. There's no girl in a dress, and the font is smoky and amazing and I love it so much! I'm sure this is going to be such a creepy story. It's about ghosts, after all. What do you all think?

Release Date: 26th April 2012 (UK)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
2012 Debut YA Author!
Goodreads

13 February 2012

A Million Suns by Beth Revis



A Million Suns by Beth Revis
Across the Universe #2
Release Date: January 10, 2012
Publisher: Razorbill
Rating: Essential



Godspeed was fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos.
It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to enact his vision - no more Phydus, no more lies.
But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that's growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart.
In book two of the Across the Universe trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Beth Revis mesmerizes us again with a brilliantly crafted mystery filled with action, suspense, romance, and deep philosophical questions. And this time it all builds to one mind-bending conclusion: They have to get off this ship. - Goodreads

Oh. My. God.

Okay, so... I have no idea where to begin. This always happens with books I love, I have no idea how to review them properly so I just start spewing out random thoughts and hope they come together in a well rounded review. Much like my past reviews, I doubt this is going to be the case with this one. Oh well, let's get on with it. You've been warned.

I really enjoyed Across the Universe when I read it last year, and while I didn't get a chance to reread it before starting this sequel (damn you, Mount TBR), I still was able to recall everything that happened. It was that memorable.

The story kicks off straight away, with Elder trying to lead the ship and Amy finding a message from Orion - the dude they froze in AtU - which leads her to running around the ship to find clues to lead her to the answer. Much like in AtU, dead bodies start turning up everywhere and the people on the ship blame Elder, thinking it's him sending a message. Obviously, we know it's not Elder so we spend the book trying to figure out who could be the killer.

To be honest (you're all going to get annoyed with me if I keep saying this in every single review) I knew who the killer was almost straight away. It's pretty easy to cross off the potential culprits in your head. I saw it coming a mile away.

There are a couple of other secrets which, thanks to Orion, our characters are on the way to finding out. Again, these secrets, in my opinion, were pretty obvious and I wasn't shocked by the big reveal. That said, they are ENORMOUS and I loved it. I'm so glad this story went the way I was hoping it would.

Despite knowing the answers, I was more interested in the journey the characters were taking. The riots and fights were interesting and you never knew who was going to die next. I was also really interested in Elder's attempts at leading the ship. At only 16, he's not meant to lead an entire ship, and this showed. I loved it. The science fiction aspect is also awesome, but I didn't have to tell you that, did I?

The only thing I didn't particularly like in this book was Amy. Actually, I really hate her right now. Amy acting like a bloody child the whole way through, and her character development seemed to go backwards. She whined A LOT, and it frustrated me. I understand that she has strong feelings about things but MY GOODNESS *headdesk* I really didn't like her in this book. She didn't understand what it took to be a leader at all, and she didn't seem to care about other people's free will. Nope, she just wanted them all to do what she thought was best and on top of that she's a hypocrite *hits her with a flip flop* I can't stand her.

Anyway, I LOVED this book despite the ridiculous female lead and after the ending (!!!!!!!!!) I am DYING to read the next book. I have to know what happens next!

Spoiler: Personally, I'm hoping for dinosaurs.

12 February 2012

Kindle Ebook Deals (UK)

I've been browsing Amazon on my new Kindle and I got all excited because there are some awesome YA novels that are really cheap. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini, for example, is just 99p. No, I couldn't believe it either. I've linked the books I found below so you can go and check them out if you like. If you do buy them, then I will get a small percentage of the purchase because I linked them. It doesn't cost you anything though, so don't worry! But even if you don't, remember to look through Amazon when you have the time, because you can find some really good deals!







In My Mailbox - (48)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren. Be sure to check out her blog and make your own posts!

There's no vlog today, mostly because I look terrible and also because I'm being lazy. So you're just going to have to look at pictures today!

For Review



Mister Creecher by Chris Priestly
Paperback, March 1 2012
Bloomsbury UK


I do already have a copy of this, so I'll probably be holding a giveaway for this at some point this month. I have yet to read it, but it sounds excellent!




A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix
Paperback, [Goodreads says June, but my press release says it's being released in May. I can't find the PR though *headdesk*]
HarperCollins Children's Books


This is a standalone science fiction novel and it sounds AMAZING. I can't wait to read it, but I probably won't get to it for a couple of months considering it's not being released until May.


Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris
Paperback, June 7 2012 (UK)
HarperCollins Children's Books

Again, this sounds fantastic. It's about a girl who gets hit by a truck but then brought back to life by some stoner guy. She then finds this mysterious device that seems to be counting down to something. And to top it off, the UK cover is awesome. I'm a happy bunny.

09 February 2012

Slide by Jill Hathaway


Slide by Jill Hathaway
Slide #1
Release Date: March 1, 2012 (UK)
Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: Publisher
Rating: Enjoyable

Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again. - Goodreads

Slide is about a girl named Vee who 'slides' into other people's heads and sees the world through their eyes. There's a murderer in town, and Vee has to find out who it is before her own sister is killed. I don't know about you, but to me that sounds like an AWESOME premise.

Slide wasn't as fast paced as I was expecting it to be, especially considering how short the book is. Vee didn't spend much time trying to figure out who the killer was, and instead a lot of the story was spent talking about her friends and family. While I feel this could have worked in a longer novel, it slowed the book down in this case and made the book less than thrilling.

Vee, the main character, is okay. Just okay. She has bright pink hair! And she has this awesome ability, that could be seen as a curse, but I think it's pretty cool. Throughout the novel I was wondering into who and where Vee was going to slide next, and it made a compelling read! On the other hand, without her ability, Vee is a bit of a bland main character who needed something more added to her personality. Vee is likable enough, but she could have put me to sleep at points. She also wasn't as sharp as I think she needed to be in order to find the killer. She was able to slip into people's heads, and she didn't utilize this enough!

Rollins was one of the best secondary characters I have ever read about. He was so awesome, with such a vivid personality and an intriguing side story of his own. I hope he's in the sequel a lot more, because I love him and everyone needs more Rollins! I did feel really bad for him because Vee wasn't that good of a friend to him, but I think the two need to learn to communicate more. I find this with a lot of characters in YA to be honest. It would solve a lot of problems.

But I digress...

As for who was killing these people, I thought the culprit was obvious. Now, this may have been because I had JUST watched a TV show that had exactly the same turn out, so I can't say that it will be as clear to everyone.

There were other issues dealt with in this book such as depression, eating disorders, peer pressure, disabilities and more. I think Jill Hathaway dealt with these very well, and they moulded into the story.

Slide also works well as a standalone novel, as everything wraps up nicely. I'd be interested in seeing where the sequel takes the story, but I don't think it would be high on my to-read list.

Overall, this is a good enough book that is well written and interesting. It's just a shame I didn't like Vee as much as I could have or find it as thrilling as I was hoping to.

08 February 2012

Waiting on Wednesday: Rivals by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur

Rivals by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur
The Ivy #3

Release Date: March 6, 2012

Decisions, decisions . . .
You’ve survived your first semester and captured the interest of not one but two of the hottest guys on campus.

Now who are you going to choose?

Callie Andrews returns for her second semester at Harvard determined to do better than the previous fall, where those Bs on her report card seemed pretty good compared to the state of her extracurriculars (F, as in if at first you don’t succeed, you should probably stop trying), friendships (C-minus, since she and former BFF Vanessa are still on thin ice), and love life (D, as in don’t even go there). But various campus rivalries soon threaten to thwart Callie’s resolve. Will Callie ever be a match for—

Grace Lee
the take-no-prisoners managing editor

Alessandra
the gorgeous transfer student

Clint
the guy who might just be too perfect

and Gregory
the guy who may never be perfect enough.

Callie will face some of the toughest choices imaginable: in friendships, in loyalties, and in love. The pressure to pick a side—and a suitor—has never been higher. But will she and her friends choose well?


I read The Ivy in January, Secrets (Book #2) last week and I am now DYING to find out how it all turns out. The ending of Secrets was amazing and so, so heartbreaking. What is going to happen?

Has anyone else read this series? I'm turning into a bit of a fangirl for Gregory, I must admit!

06 February 2012

New Girl by Paige Harbison

New Girl by Paige Harbison
Release Date: January 31, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: NetGalley
Rating: Enjoyable


Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her.

Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault.

Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be.

And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back. - Goodreads
New Girl is a modern retelling of Rebecca. I've never read Rebecca, and I honestly have no clue what it is about so I won't be commenting on how well this book works as a retelling or how effective it is.

New Girl is told from two points of view - New Girl who moves to the boarding school in the present day, and Becca, who was the new girl the previous year and who has now disappeared. The stories tie together in different timelines, but it works very well. For example, New Girl goes to a party, and then we switch to Becca's point of view while she's at a party on the same day a year previously. I hope that makes sense!

We don't find out New Girl's real name until the very end of the novel, which I found both frustrating and intriguing. I feel it added to the character of New Girl, as she was constantly being compared with Becca, and was only referred to as New Girl which suggests that the other characters don't see her for who she really is.

New Girl was a bit of a prat at times. During some scenes I was applauding her for sticking up for herself when someone bullied her, but then in other scenes she failed to do so and as a result she put up with a lot. I kept expecting her to snap, but she didn't. I did like her character, but she was pretty bland in comparison to Becca. I hate saying that, because it makes me feel as though I'm in the same league as the other characters, but that's just how I felt.

Becca, on the other hand, was a character I absolutely loved! I tend to enjoy reading about the bitchy, manipulative characters more than the good, sweet ones, and Becca fits this bill perfectly. I loved her. She was so conniving and manipulative, and you do find out why. There's a reason she's does what she does, and her background really did make me feel for her. She was well developed and felt authentic, much more so than New Girl.

The other characters I really liked were Jonathan, Dana and Blake. At least, I think her name was Blake. Oops.

Max and New Girl's relationship didn't really have any foundations, in my opinion. Max was nice enough, but pretty dull for a love interest. I much preferred Jonathan (mentioned above). There was no chemistry between the two of them to give their relationship that spark.

I really liked the mystery in the novel. I was intrigued by it all, and I found myself anxious to find out what happened to Becca. Was it all one of her games, or had she really been murdered?

Paige Harbison has a gripping writing style, and because of this I will be checking out more of her works. New Girl was just enjoyable enough for me, but the main protagonist wasn't one that will stick with me and be remembered. Becca, on the other hand, just might.

04 February 2012

03 February 2012

February '12 TBR Pile

Here are some of the books I'm hoping to read this month. Most of them are review books, but I also want to read some sequels and new releases in between. There's no way I'm going to get through all of these, but it'll be fun to try!
TBR:
This is Not Forgiveness by Celia Rees - DNF
The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
Slide by Jill Hathway - Read
Partials by Dan Wells - Read
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - Read
The 13th Horseman by Barry Hutchison
The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis
Edens Root by Rachel Fisher
Halflings by Heather Burch
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - Book club's February read!

Extras:
Secrets by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur - Read
A Million Suns by Beth Revis - Read
Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton - Read

Let me know which books you think I should read first! Have you read any of these already?

02 February 2012

White Cat by Holly Black

White Cat by Holly Black
Curseworkers #1
Release Date: May 4, 2010 (US)
Publisher: Margaret K McElderry
Rating: Essential


Cassel comes from a family of curse workers — people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they're all mobsters, or con artists. Except for Cassel. He hasn't got the magic touch, so he's an outsider, the straight kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail — he killed his best friend, Lila, three years ago.

Ever since, Cassel has carefully built up a façade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his façade starts crumbling when he starts sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat that wants to tell him something. He's noticing other disturbing things, too, including the strange behavior of his two brothers. They are keeping secrets from him, caught up in a mysterious plot. As Cassel begins to suspect he's part of a huge con game, he also wonders what really happened to Lila. Could she still be alive? To find that out, Cassel will have to out-con the conmen.

Holly Black has created a gripping tale of mobsters and dark magic where a single touch can bring love — or death — and your dreams might be more real than your memories. - Goodreads
First and foremost I want to talk about the world that Holly Black has created. Taken directly from my notes: "THE WORLD IS AWESOME!!!" I love books about people with powers, and that's what this book is. The entire concept of curseworkers and the gangs and the different laws surrounding curseworkers in each country was amazing and really weel set up. There is a lot of rich history there as well, which I loved reading about and I hope with be explored more in the next two books in the trilogy.

I did find this book to be very predictable and I was shouting (in my head, of course) at Cassel because he just wasn't figuring things out fast enough. I don't think the predictable plot took away from the story, although Cassel did frustrate me because I alreayd knew what was going to happen to him if he didn't figure things out. It was kind of like dramatic irony in a Shakespeare play, but the audience wasn't supposed to know in this case.

Cassel was an adorable main character. He was a guy, obviously. YAY for male MCs! He was really loyal and kind, yet he was also cunning at times when he needed to be.

The writing was also great. This is the first Holly Black book I've read, but I can say that after reading this I will be reading more of her books in the near future!

Overall this was a fantastic book, with awesome characters - especially the bad guys - and POWERS!

Question for those of you who have read the book: If you had been born a curseworker, which curse would you rather work? Not that you could choose or anything.

01 February 2012

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg
Release Date: February 2, 2012 (UK)
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Publisher
Rating: Enjoyable


BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces? - Goodreads

I LOVED the whole idea of a girl dying by having her heart broken. It's original, and although it seems a little unrealistic, it was interesting. I liked reading about Brie as she went through the five stage of grief (or death?) and her journey was really interesting. I especially liked the idea of this limbo kinda thing she was in until she was ready to move on.

Brie was not a very relatable character, but that didn't stop me from enjoying reading about her story. She was very selfish at times, and even a little psychotic in my (totally unprofessional) opinion, but she's a fifteen year old who's just died so I cut her a tiny bit of slack. Plus, her name is Aubrie. Aubrie (Aubrey) is my grandad's name and I love it. Yes, I am partly judging her by her awesome name.

Patrick, the guy who will - obviously - become the love interest, was funny and hot. He and Brie bickered A LOT and I thought it was quite cute. That said, by the end of the novel I was entirely put off by his character. He does something that I don't think is sending the correct message to teens and other people in that situation. It wasn't nice to read about, especially as he didn't overcome it on his own.

At the risk of sounding completely unintelligent and slow, the ending confused me. At least, the build up to it did, though the final few pages were fine. Cut me some slack, I'm trying to be vague here! I didn't completely understand the history that was introduced and I felt it could have been put forward in an easier to read manner.

Overall, this was a good read and you should give it a go if you think it sounds something you'd enjoy. I was just put off by Patrick's character and his actions, as well as the complicated ending. Then again, I might have just had a stupid few minutes.