Review - Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Wait, what is this? Alisha's posting an actual review?

YES. IT'S HAPPENING.

So, this book is the second in the Delirium series by Lauren Oliver and I have to say, so far, it's better than The Hunger Games trilogy... I know, it's that good. In this world 'love' or 'deleria' is a disease that you become 'cured' of when you reach a certain age through a procedure. The first book was an amazing introduction to this futuristic world and this one just introduced you to more than you could ever imagine.

 This romantic, dystopian book is amazing. I do have to say, it took a while for anything substantial to happen but when it did - it didn't stop! It became so faced paced towards the end of the book I felt blown away.

If you've been reading my blog for a while you will know that I am a sucker for character development and this had just that. Lena has developed so much from who she was at the start of Delirium and I like who she has become and the choices she has made in both of the books.

Lauren Oliver truly has a way with words, and the world she has created is amazing. I would recommend this to everyone and anyone. Honestly. Read it.

My reading time for this was a total of 6 hours according to my Bookout app! This has been a great help with improving my reading (as you all know, I haven't been making time for it recently). It gives you the opportunity to record your thoughts and any quotes that you like whilst you're reading - perfect for someone like me! And before any of you ask - no I'm not sponsored by them, it's just a great app!

I GIVE THIS 5 STARS IT'S AMAZING!!

***** SPOILER SECTION, DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE SPOILED*****

This starts slow but about a third of the way through I was not expecting her to be kidnapped! After this took place the 'Now' sections sped up, which then sped up the 'Then' sections.

Her relationship with Julian is so cute, I think I preferred it to her relationship with Alex.

One of my valuable thoughts from whist I was reading was 'Raven's story about blue'. For me, this was the most beautifully written part in the whole book. You could feel the love that Raven had for Blue and how that started her life in 'The Wilds'. You could see that Blue's death was detrimental to Raven and that meant I got to see  softer side of Raven - even if it was for a short while.

THE ENDING. OH MY. NOOOOOOOOOOO.

I was happy with Alex being dead, I really was. I loved his and Lena's relationship in Delirium but her relationship was so much more with Julian. I really was not expecting Alex to come back at the end, let alone be so vicious towards Lena.

Potter Predicament

HEY. HI. HELLO.

So, one of my biggest confessions as both a book blogger and reader is that I've never properly read the Harry Potter series.

When they first came out I was not into reading. At all. So my aunt got me them for my birthday to try and encourage me to read but because I didn't like reading and the books (for me at the time) were too long, so I gave up and decided I didn't like them.

I haven't tried to re-read them properly since and I really want to! I'm a big fan of the world that J.K Rowling created, I have seen all of the films and I have been to the studio tour twice! I just, haven't properly read the books. The only one in the series that I have properly read is the Philosophers Stone.

I plan to read them sometime soon because I really want to find out what happens in the books (like Peeves) and I will soon!

Also, SHOCK HORROR I'M WRITING A POST! I haven't had time to write a post, the same way I haven't had time to read anything but plays because of university auditions that I have coming up.

PLEASE DON'T HATE ME, I'M TRYING.

OKAY BYE!

Where I have been????

Hey, you did that giveaway and said you were going to read, where did you go? What have you been reading? Why havent you posted reviews? Who won the givewaway? November tbr?

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Okay so first of all. Sorry.

I have been reading, just not things that need reviewing. I've been reading a lot of plays at the moment and have a lot of work so just havent had time to read anynthing else but, I promise I am reading. Idon't like to review plays after just reading them because I just prefer to review books.

As for my giveaway, my winner was Leanne, also known as DogEaredBooks and she has done an unboxing on her channel (here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgez6hwrwUc)

I'M ALSO NOT DOING A NOVEMBER TBR BECAUSE I'M IN A SLUMP THAT'S NOT A SLUMP BUT IS AND YAY....

I'll get out of it. Soon. I hope. Maybe.

I'LL SEE YOU SOON, I PROMISE!

Review - Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell

This is the first ever Novella I've ever read so, let's review it!

This short story is about a girl called Elena who waits in line for the new Star Wars film, whilst doing this she meets Troy and Gabe. It's a story of new found friendships and the ending made me smile so much, a feel good book!

This novella is only 62 pages long and I managed to read it in half an hour. So cute and such a funny little story to get anyone out of a reading slump!

Rainbow Rowell never ceases to amaze me with her ways of writing, even for shorter stories.

I would definitely recommend this novella to get out of a reading slump or if you're looking to get back into reading after a long while of it reading anything. And for £1 it's definitely worth it!

Just a short review this evening for a short book but, you still have today to enter my bookish giveaway! So enter now if you haven't!!

I give this 4 stars :)

I'M SORRY, I CAN'T DO IT

So, as you all know, I started The Casual Vacancy by J K Rowling two months ago (I know, it's been a while) and I'm afraid to say that I'm not going to be able to finish it...

Let me explain!

I've had a lot of work to do during the time that I've been reading this so I don't know whether that would have something to do with my experience of the book but, I just couldn't get my head around the storyline. There was so much going on in this book and it was just too busy for me, and it hasn't grabbed me straight away.

The characters are so beautifully written and I love Rowling's writing style I just didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I did try to power through the book to see if I could finish it but sadly, I don't think that I can and I need to get out of the slump that I'm currently in.

So, moving on, I'm going to be continuing my September TBR this month as I didn't get a chance to read them, as well as my book club's book of the month (tbc).

Hope you're all having a lovely evening! Have you had any books that you can't finish? What are your personal opinions on this book? Let me know.

Alsooooo, if you haven't entered my giveaway yet, THERE'S STILL TIME GO AND DO IT!!!!

GIVEAWAY!!

Hello!

So, I've hinted both on here and on my instagram that I would be soon doing a giveaway and.... IT'S GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!

As a thank you to all of you lovely viewers I am going to be running a giveaway, celebrating 1000 views!

Let's start with the eBooks. The first one in this giveaway is Rising, the first book in the New World series, by J K Wilson. This book features the protagonist, Phoenix, who had witnessed her parents' murders at the age of eleven. Throughout  she's trying to dodge tribes whose mottos are simple - 'Join or Die' - whilst questioning who to trust. She even questions herself. This book is dystopian and action packed (what else could you really ask for?)  and I'm so glad that this author has offered her work to the giveaway.

The next two eBooks are by the same author! Eyes of Persuasion is a historical - paranormal fusion (which sounds fantastic) featuring Isabeau who hides a secret power which keeps her out of trouble. She then meets Everett, who's hired an inspector to catch some criminals and stumbles across her in the process of finding them. This is such an exciting mix of romance, mystery and the paranormal and I'm (hopefully) soon to be reading it myself. 

The next one is Dissension, the first book in The Blood Inheritance trilogy. This is a vampire book about war and love, on the search for a child of the prophecy that could end the war between vampires. I have started this one, and the lustful quality of vampires is portrayed from the very start and it's gripping from the get-go.

Now for the physical copy! The book I have to giveaway is a SIGNED COPY of Isle of Winds by James Fahy. Robin Fellows has his world turned upside down once his grandmother suddenly dies , introducing him into a new reality... AND IT FEATURES THE FAE (I LOVE THE FAE SO MUCH). So for me, this book is perfect! I can't wait to read it in the future and be introduced to Fahy's presentation of the magical realms!

Now for some bookish Jewellery. If you follow me on instagram, you would've seen that a while back I bought a City of Bones necklace from Just1MoreChapter on etsy. Well... I HAVE SOME OF HER STUFF TO GIVEAWAY! I have: A Court of Thorns and Roses key ring, Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone necklace and The Bane Chronicles Earrings. Her products are such good quality and I'm so glad I get to give it away!

**** NOW FOR THE RULES****

This giveaway is open worldwide so. I'm more than happy to send these anywhere (as you guys are all across the world). 

However the most important rule is, you must be subscribed to my blog. It's easy to do, all you have to do is enter your email and you'll get notifications as to when I post! 

I will contact the winner via the email they've subscribed to me with to recieve contact details, if they don't then respond within 24 hours I will redraw a name. 

This giveaway is open until the 24th October so you have one month! 

GOOD LUCK!!!

September TBR

Okay so I have a confession to make.... I haven't finished Casual Vacancy...

The book club I am a part of have made it a two month book for the simple fact that all of us have been working non-stop for the whole of the summer holidays and just haven't had time.

Anywayyyyyyy, here's my September TBR:

So, to start with, I'm only aiming to do three books this month as last month wasn't the best... My first will be Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver. I am so so so so so excited to read this you wouldn't believe. I enjoyed Delirium (the first book in this series) so much that I'm so excited to see how the story progresses. This book is the second book in the Delirium series and ever since I've started reading this series, I have fallen in love with Lauren Oliver's writing and I just need to read ALL OF HER BOOKS. In this, Lena is living with the choices that she made in the first book and I'm so excited to see how things play out.

Next, I'm going to read Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas. This book follows Celaena, an assassin, and to pay for this she has to become the Crown Prince's champion assassin. If she does this, she'll serve him for four years, then will be granted her freedom. As she gain love interests, her contestants keep being killed and she's not the one killing them. She then sets off to find out and the events unfold. I love the idea of this, I love that the protagonist is a female assassin and I'm excited to see what problems she comes to face.

And finally, I'm going to read A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas and I'm super excited for this one because it has The Fae. As a mythological/folklore idea, I love the fae and their mischievous yet hypnotic ways and the way that it's conveyed in books so I'm looking forward to how this is going to be told. In this book Feyre (a mortal)  kills a wolf and is sent to the faerie courts and, from I've read on the blurb, she falls in love with one of the fae. I'm really excited to get involved with this storyline and see how Maas is going to write the relationship that develops.

A REVIEW OF THE CASUAL VACANCY WILL BE UP SOON I PROMISE!

Review - Half Lost by Sally Green

First off, I know, It's been a while. BUT I'M HERE NOW AND THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS.

Okay. cool.

So, my second book of my August tbr was Half Lost by Sally Green.

This book is the third and final book in the Half Bad series. And it was an exciting conclusion to such a great series. So the series is about a witch called Nathan who is half white and half black. This trilogy is his journey to getting his three gifts and how he uses them.

 I loved the balance of action and romance throughout and how they intertwined at the end. I also liked how both halfs of his being (the black and white) are used to both conflict his thoughts and help his judgement.

Overall, this book was great, I loved how his gifts worked with the ending and how his thoughts had changed throughtout and how they differ from start to finish.

I'd recommend this book for fans of The Hunger Games as they have similar themes and worlds. I give this book 4 stars!

**** NOW IT'S TIME FOR THE SPOILER SECTION, PROCEED WITH CAUTION****

Okay, I liked the story in this with its unexpected twists

BIGGEST TWIST EVER IS THE CHIILD, DROP THAT BOMBSHELL WHEN I'M ABOUT TO FINISH THE BOOK.

Carrie Hope Fletcher signing

On Monday 8th August Ren and I went to Carrie Fletcher's book signing for On The Other Side at Cardiff Waterstones.

It's fair to say that, for me, the day started off poorly. I got up at what I thought was the correct time to get up. Turns out, I thought the train was at 10:25.... It was at 9:25.... And I only realised this when Ren had texted me saying that she was on the platform. So it was lucky I had a neighbour who was on hand to take me to the station.

When we got to Cardiff, we went straight to Waterstones to be met by a small queue already. So, we got our wristbands (that we weren't allowed to keep in the end) and went to go and get some food. We also had this really good idea to get Carrie some orange sweets (which if you've read OTOS you'd know why that's significant) however, Sainsburys let us down and didn't have any (shame on you Sainsbury's).

About, 10 minutes before the signing started we had a security guard come round and tell us what she would sign and what she wouldn't. She was really lovely and was willing to sign anything that she had written (I had 3 books so that was good news).

When I met Carrie, she was the loveliest person. I've met her once before and I swear she gets kinder everytime I meet her. I told her about my theatrical ambitions and how they originated with me watching her vlogs and realising that theatre was an actual career. And her reply was 'you don't need to thank me, you've got yourself there' and that was the nicest thing ever.

I couldn't have asked for a better experience. The booksellers at Cardiff Waterstones we so lovely and so welcoming. Carrie is one of the nicest people I could ever meet so nice to meet her again despite forgetting to give her my letter.

Review - On the Other Side - Carrie Fletcher

Review  time!

So the first book of my August TBR was On the Other Side by Carrie Fletcher which I managed to finish in three days because I can honestly say, I absolutely loved this book! Carrie is one of my idols in life and I love her writing style. The magical  realism that she used throughout was believable (although that sounds weird) and it was so enjoyable. 

The book is about a Woman called Evie Snow who comes a rich family. She has passed away and is stuck in 'Heavens waiting room' and has to get rid of her secrets in order to be light enough to pass through to heaven. The book is her reliving her life and telling members of her family her secrets. 

This book also features LGBT+ characters and I love that. It was also written so that it wasn't all about their sexuality, it was just an extension of who they were.

I loved the characters and how they developed throughout. I got a strong sense of Carrie and her personality through Evie Snow.  I loved that her family members reacted to the secrets differently and how they coped was them was also very believable.

Overall I give, this book 5 stars. I'm so in love with the story line, the characters and their relationships. Amazing. (If you follow me on instagram you would've seen my initial reaction to the ending). You would love it if you're a fan of Cecelia Ahern or Rainbow Rowell.

I'm also off to her singing tomorrow, so if you're in Cardiff come and see me and Ren!

*** SPOILER SECTION ***

So it's going to sound strange but I liked the coldness that Evie's mum had, it showed me  why she had to prove herself.

Evie's character was amazing. I love her warmth as a character and her open mindedness to every situation. I love that she's such a considerable person. 

To be honest, I don't know which pairing I loved the most because they were amazing in all ways. Vincent and Evie was amazing because of what he did for her like the dinner date, sitting with her on the balcony and understanding her situation so well. But then again, her and Jim are such an amazing pair and they work well together because they kinda have to? That's what make them work so well. 

Sonny is also a really good character and I loved the drunken gig, it was absolutely hilarious.

The best part for me was the ending and how it ended. I love that it was her own heart that made her lighter and when she went in to her heaven, Vincent was there. It just made me eternally happy. 

August TBR

So, I've never done one of these before because I've not wanted to be too ambitious with what I say I'm going to read but.... here goes. 

I've set myself a goal of four books this month because I think that would be good amount. So! The first book I am going to read is On The Other Side by Carrie Fletcher (which I'm already reading but thats irrelevant... It's August I'm allowed). This book is by one of my idols Carrie Fletcher who's book signing I'll be going to on 8th August in Cardiff with my friend Ren! (she has youtube and stuff under renontheroad and she's a cool bookish person too so check her out). This book is about a woman called Evie Snow who has died and is trying to pass on to heaven. However, she is stuck in 'heavens waiting room' and must let go of her secrets before she can pass on. I'm really excited to see how these secrets affect her living relatives and I'm loving the stories from her past at the moment.

Next I'm going to read Half Lost by Sally Green which is the last book in the Half Bad trilogy. So far in the trilogy I've loved how fast paced and action packed they have been and I'm so excited to read the last one! I don't really want to say what happens because obviously this is the conclusion and I don't want to spoil it for anyone but, all I'll say is that I'm looking forward to how Nathan is going to develop with the events of the last book.

Then, I plan on reading The Northern Lights by Phillip Pullman. This is the first in the 'His Dark Materials' trilogy and is the book that 'The Golden Compass' is based on. I've also recently found out that this trilogy has also been turned into a play (which has been ordered and is on it's way to me). So Lyra lives in a world where a person's soul is carried in an animal (a literal spirit animal) which follows them around everywhere. Little does she know that she is a child of a prophecy and this takes her on some amazing adventures. I got given the trilogy for Christmas ages ago so I have no idea why I haven't read them yet!

And finally, my book club book of the month! This month it's Casual Vacancy by J.K Rowling. We thought it would be fitting as most of us haven't read it and considering all of the J.K stuff going on at the moment we though it suited the month (and before you ask no, I haven't got cursed child yet (I'm a shameful human being I know)). In this book, Barry Fairbrother has died in a town that is not all as it seems. There's a lot of political war in the town as well as an upcoming election. This is all I know about this book but I like that I don't know much because that leaves so much more to find out! 

If you've read any of these books do let me know what you thought of them and I'll be posting reviews of each one as well as how the Carrie Fletcher signing goes!

Review - Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Book club review!

So, a bunch of my blogger freinds and I have started a book club and this was our book of the month.

This book is about a man called Will who had been in an accident which had caused him to be quadraplegic and wheelchair bound. Will's quadraplegia is C5/6 which meant he had use of his head and his hands but couldn't use the rest of his body. He then met a woman called Louisa has lost her job and, in turn, became his carer.

Overall, I loved this book. The character development was realistic, specifically Will's development as a character. I'm glad that he developed as opposed to other books where the other characters would develop around him. I also liked that the book raised issues around the subject of disability such as alienation and how people normally react to people within these circumstances.

The ending didn't dissapoint either. I liked the way that it left things but I'm not sure how it would lead into the sequal - I guess that I'll just have to find out!

It is a lovely contemporary book that will send you on a rollercoaster of emotions. I'd reccomend if you're a fan of Rainbow Rowell and Cecelia Ahern and I give this book a 4.5 stars! It was a fab book and had so many surprising turns that I can't wait to read the sequal.




**SPOILER SECTION Y'ALL**

I like that Will started off arrogant. I felt like he needed to start like that in order to develop and I liked his witty personality. Also, in the end, I liked that he stayed with the decision. It avoided all the cliche's that could've happened in the book and I'm glad it didn't turn into 'I'm in love with you, I wont do it' because that wouldn't have been realistic.

Louisa was also a fab protagonist who was relatable. That sounds like a strange thing to say as I've never been put in her situation but, she dealt with all of  the hurdles in a way that I would. I like that she stayed true to her thoughts and feelings throughout, that she didnt let Patrick and his 'I'm going to run and not care about you' attitude influence her in any way.

Patrick was a character that I knew I would hate from the moment I met him. He started with 'oh he's a quadraplegic, don't have to worry about him' to 'why are you sleeping there?' to 'You've opened up to me about the situation so I'M GONNA SELL THE STORY LOLOLOL'. In my opinion - he's a snake in the grass and always was.

Lousia's mum surprised me at the end when she told Louisa that she shouldn't come home if she's assisting Will with his suicide as I'd gotten comfortable with her slightly unnerved personality.

Reading the book I didn't expect that he was going to go to dignitas when it was first mentioned but I feel like it needed to have that in the book to give it some substance.

Review - Missing Dad by J Ryan

I'm back with another review! 

Missing Dad by J Ryan is a spy, teen book about a boy called Joe who has a had trouble with the police in the past and a new job leads him closer to his dad. 

Overall the writing was good and got better throughout. There was a good amount of action in the book, not too much that I couldn't keep up (as many other spy novels have the tendency to do this). The storyline was easy to follow and, despite not being the biggest fan of the genre, I did enjoy it. 

This was a great book to read, especially because I know the author herself and the amount of hard work she had put into it. 

If your a fan of spy books or James Bond in any way I'd recommend it. I give this book 3.5 stars, I did enjoy the book I just didn't feel like I suited the target audience as it is quite a young YA book.   

Because this book is quite small, I didn't want to do a spoiler section, even though it is quite action packed. However, my favourite thing about the book is that a couple of chapters before the end, you think it's coming to a natural end but then more action happens and I like that J Ryan has done that. 

I'm really excited to see how Joe develops in the next book if he finds his dad and what effect that would have on him.