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Lucy Powrie

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DISCUSSION: Literacy Dinner Party Tag

Posted on 8 May, 2013
After seeing this posted on Zoe’s blog, I knew that I wanted to write my own. I don’t usually participate in tags but this is a really good one and I like the idea of it. 
There are 10 categories- which means ten invites- and you have to talk about which fictional characters you would invite to your fantasy dinner party. 
1. One Character Who Likes To Cook- Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is also known as ‘The Boy with the Bread’ because he is the son of two bakers. I really like Peeta as a character and he would be a welcome addition to my dinner party.
2. One Character Who Has Money To Fund The Party- Hale from the Heist Society novels by Ally Carter is often spending his money in the books, helping the thieves jet across the world. I think he’d have no trouble funding my dinner party.
3. One Character Who Might Cause a Scene- Zoe from Dead Romantic by C.J. Skuse has a tendency to want to bring things back to life. I think if there was meat to eat at the party then she’d be up on the table, trying to get it to wake up and run away.
4. One Character Who Is Funny/Amusing- Simon Lewis from The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare never fails to make me laugh. With his awkwardness and overall geeky attitude, he’s a character that I would love to meet and would certainly add something to the dinner party.
5. One Character Who Is Super Social/Popular- With over 500,000 Twitter followers and a lot of blog followers Jeane Smith from Adorkable by Sarra Manning would certainly be a hit at my dinner party. I think she’d definitely spice things up, as well!
6. One Villain- President Snow from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a villain that I can understand. It isn’t often that I find a villain who I sympathise with and, even though President Snow did some pretty evil things, I think he thought he was doing the right thing.

7. One Couple (doesn’t have to be romantic)- Mia Thermopolis and Michael Moscovitz from the Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot would be incredibly sweet. I’ve always loved reading this series and so I’d probably squeal an awful lot if they appeared at my dinner party.

8. One Hero/Heroine- Saba from Blood Red Road by Moira Young is one of my favourite characters of all time. She’s kickass, admirable and just generally awesome.

9. One Under appreciated Character- Iko from Cinder by Marissa Meyer is a really cool android and I really liked her in Cinder. I really think more people should be talking about her.

10. A Character of Your Own Choosing- There are so many characters that I could choose for this one and so I was really scouring my shelves. But then I realised that I could choose anybody and so I decided to pick my husband, Will Herondale from The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare. I need a date, don’t I?!

If you’d like to write your own post then feel free! I tag everyone! 


Book Review

REVIEW: Magus of Stonewylde by Kit Berry

Posted on 6 May, 2013
Summary from Goodreads: 

Sylvie is dying. A victim of crippling allergies, poisoned by the pollution and chemicals of modern life, Sylvie is trapped in a hospital bed while her mother and doctors watch her life slipping away. But one of them offers her a chance. There’s an alternative community – Stonewylde – hidden away behind high boundary walls in a corner of Dorset. If their leader, the charismatic Magus, would let Sylvie visit then perhaps the clean air and green lifestyle may restore her vitality. Or at least give her some measure of peace before she dies. It’s a chance, and when Sylvie and her mother take it, they find themselves in a haven of tranquillity and beauty.

But it’s not all idyllic. The Magus sends a moody, secretive Village boy to work in their garden as a punishment. He warns them to stay away from him – he’s rebellious and in deep trouble. But Sylvie is curious about Yul and, as their forbidden friendship grows, she sees that all is not quite as it seems at Stonewylde. Why was she told to keep away from Yul – and why are she and her mother so drawn to the Magus? Is the crone on the hill really a powerful wise-woman, or just a crazed old hag bent on destroying the peace with her wild prophecies? And what exactly is the magical secret at the heart of this seemingly perfect community?


Review:

Lying in a hospital bed, on the verge between life and death, it is clear that Sylvie doesn’t have long left. With allergies, painful eczema and asthma, she is pushing the twenty-first century away and the environment in which she lives in is killing her. But then she is offered a lifeline. Deep in the heart of rural Dorset, the walled community of Stonewylde could offer Sylvie comfort in her last days, or even promise to heal her…
As my favourite book of all time, Magus of Stonewylde and the rest of the Stonewylde series hold a very special place in my heart. These books have changed the way I look at life and inspired me to write myself.
The author, Kit Berry, and I at a book
signing in November 2012
Our two main characters, Yul and Sylvie, are both inspiring and invoke a feeling of sympathy so great that the reader’s heart will break for them. It’s not often that in a book with two protagonists of different genders that the reader gets a balance of the two perspectives but this was an aspect that was written perfectly and the reader grows attached to both characters equally.
The book is full of villainous characters that will make you want to hurl the book in anger, but please don’t do that because this book does not deserve to be harmed.
The use of foreshadowing in this book means that the reader gets hints about the future novels in the series.
Written in third person, this book sees many different perspectives which means that a wider part of the novel is revealed and the reader can get intimate with the less important characters (even though they’re all special to me!).
I cannot end this review without mentioning the descriptive and beautiful way that the author writes. When I close my eyes, I can picture the Village Green, with its magnificent yew, and the Great Barn, with the many Villagers gathered around. Stonewylde is as real to me as my own home is.
Magus of Stonewylde deals with many harsh subjects- segregation, abuse, tyranny- and all were dealt with very well. There wasn’t an uncomfortable moment when reading this book.
Please, if you don’t do anything I say again, buy this book and read it. It will definitely be worth your time.
Book Haul

Letterbox Love (8)

Posted on 5 May, 2013

Letterbox Love is a UK based feature where book bloggers showcase the books that they received that week, be they eBooks, paperbacks, hardbacks or any other format. It is hosted by Lynsey from Narratively Speaking.
I thought I had a really good haul this week but, looking back and comparing it to last week’s, it is nothing. I’m so pleased with the books that I did get, though, and I’ve read a few and I must say that they’re brilliant!
Bought:


Angel by L.A. Weatherly- I saw Megan’s review and knew that I had to buy this book. It looks really good and I can’t wait to start it.
Rebel Heart by Moira Young- After reading Blood Red Road I had to buy this immediately. I’m about halfway through already and am in love with it. I’m also updating my progress quite a lot on Goodreads so do check out my page! 
The Kissing Booth by Beth Reekles- Reekles was featured on Channel 4 News about a week or two ago and I’ve wanted to read this since seeing it. It’s such a sweet book and my review will be posted soon.
I featured Just One Day last week but didn’t realise when taking the picture. Sorry! 


What did you receive this week? Link back to your own posts and I’ll check them out! 

UKYA

REVIEW: The Drowning by Rachel Ward

Posted on 3 May, 2013
Publisher: Chicken House 
Author: Rachel Ward
Format: Paperback
Acquired: From publisher for review
Summary from Goodreads: 

What happens if you’ve done something terrible? But you can’t remember what. And you don’t know how to put it right …When Carl opens his eyes on the banks of a lake, his brother is being zipped into a body bag. What happened in the water? He can’t remember And when he glimpses a beautiful girl he thinks he recognizes, she runs away. Suddenly he knows he must find her – because together they must face the truth before it drowns them.




The Drowning is very different from Ward’s first trilogy, Numbers, in many ways, but it is also very similar. The thing I love the most about this author is that we know what to expect and my expectations were very high for The Drowning. Those expectations were, however, were low compared to how much I actually loved this book.
After an accident that killed his brother, Carl has been left with amnesia. This meant that the reader gets to know the world that Carl lives in at the same time he does. I’m very fond of amnesia stories for this very reason because there’s so much opportunity for world building. And world building we are given! 
I felt so sympathetic towards Carl. With his mother being an alcoholic, something I didn’t think was addressed enough in the book, his life was incredibly difficult. There are so many scenes within this novel when I just wanted to pull Carl out of the book and give him a hug. He really didn’t deserve the life he led. 
This book was so, so spooky and haunting. It made a shiver run along my spine and I kept looking over my shoulder. The supernatural twist added is something that I really liked, even if I was a little creeped out at times (that was a good thing, though!). 
I must warn you now of the following: Do not read this book in the bath or shower. You may be scarred for life. Water plays a really big part in this book, hence the name The Drowning, and so I don’t think you’ll ever see a lake in the same light again. 
I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes something a bit spookier than your normal light and fluffy reads. Ward has created a world that I both fear and want to go back to add the same time. 
A copy was received from the publisher for review. This affected my review in no way.
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DISCUSSION: April Recap and May Goals 2013

Posted on 1 May, 2013
April has been such a good month for me. It was my blogoversary and I can’t believe that I’ve been blogging a whole year now! I’d just like to thank everyone who tweeted me or commented to wish me a happy blogoversary because it really made me just want to hug you all! I hope you’ll be satisfied with a virtual hug! 
I’ve had a really good month reading wise and I’ve read a lot of brilliant books!
 City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
 The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
 Paper Towns by John Green
 Crewel by Gennifer Albin
 What Really Happened in Peru by Cassandra Clare
 Click to Subscribe by L.M. Augustine
 You Don’t Know Me by Sophia Bennett
 Abandon by Meg Cabot
 Blood Red Road by Moira Young
 Underworld by Meg Cabot
 The Drowning by Rachel Ward
 Wait For You by J. Lynn
 Just One Day by Gayle Forman

So in total I read 15 books! I didn’t read as many as last month, mainly because I read loads last month and also because I didn’t read as many at the start of the month. I’m really pleased with the number though because the goal that I set myself was ten. Out of those, three of them were UKYA so I didn’t have a very good month in that sense. Oops!

My favourite books this month were:

1. Blood Red Road by Moira Young
2. Paper Towns by John Green
3. The Elite by Kiera Cass

In other news, this month I became moderator of a Goodreads group called Teen Bloggers. If you’re a teen blogger then come and join the conversation because you’re sure to have a great time.

I’m well on my way to reaching my end of year goal of 100 books and I’ve currently read 59 so I’m over half way. I really can’t believe I’ve read this many!

In May (I can’t believe how fast the year is going!) I’m hoping to read at least ten books. This is quite low because I’m being loaded with homework at the moment and, although I try to read as much as possible it is quite hard to find the time.

In May I’m planning to read:

Before I Die by Jenny Downham (also called Now Is Good)
Rebel Heart by Moira Young
The Kissing Booth by Beth Reekles
The Book Thief by Markus Zuzak

I’m not going to set myself any other goals this month because I don’t feel like I need to. I’m so happy with how everything is going at the moment and I don’t want to ruin it by putting too much pressure on myself.

I hope you all have a brilliant May!

UKYA

REVIEW: You Don’t Know Me by Sophia Bennett

Posted on 29 April, 2013
Author: Sophia Bennett
Published By: Chicken House 
Publication Date: May 2nd 2013
Acquired: To review from publisher
Page Count: 352 pages
Format: Paperback
Summary from Goodreads: 

It was all so good. Sasha and Rose. Best friends in a band, singing together. Right up to the finals of Killer Act when the judges tell them one of them must go Suddenly their friendship is put to the ultimate test. On TV in front of millions. Two girls. One huge mistake. Can they ever forgive each other?





**I received this book to review from the publisher. This has in no way affected my review**

I loved The Look. I’ve been wanting to read this since I heard that the author, Sophia Bennett, had written an new one so I was super excited when I got home one day to find it sat in my living room. There may have been squealing involved.
I’ve come to expect amazing covers from Chicken House and I definitely wasn’t disappointed with this book. Covers aren’t something I usually discuss in my reviews but I can’t not mention it in this one because, yes, it has gorgeous blue edging. I was actually a little bit sad to read it because I didn’t want to damage the cover but I did because, obviously, using my magical powers, I knew that the content inside the book would be even better than the cover, and that’s saying something.
A major theme in You Don’t Know Me is social networking and I think this is something that needs to be mentioned more in books for this age group. It’s hard to think of someone nowadays who doesn’t have access to Facebook or Twitter or any other means of social networking. I am one of those people who is constantly checking my Twitter feed- something I’m not too happy about!- and so it was nice to see the consequences of these websites laid out in front of the reader. I was appalled at some of the events that took place and, like with other books, my faith in humanity was somewhat crushed.
This was very much a character driven novel and I loved all of the characters. Written from Sasha’s point of view, it was easy to become familiar with the way that Bennett writes and Sasha was very easy to like. I did feel sorry for her; if I was her, I wouldn’t have acted the way that she did. That isn’t to say that she was unrealistic, because this book was anything but. Jodie, Nell, and Rose, Sasha’s best friends, were also extremely well-written and I couldn’t help but fall in love with them a little bit. These are four girls, counting Sasha, that I would want to be friends with if they weren’t fictional!
You Don’t Know Me has quickly become one of my favourite UKYA books. It is instantly recognisable as written by Sophia Bennett because only she could write something like this. It was a book that I thoroughly enjoyed and I’ll definitely be recommending it to all of my friends.
Thank you to Chicken House for providing me with a review copy
Book Haul

Letterbox Love (7)

Posted on 28 April, 2013
Letterbox Love is a UK based feature where book bloggers showcase the books that they received that week, be they eBooks, paperbacks, hardbacks or any other format. It is hosted by Lynsey from Narratively Speaking.

As it was my blogoversary last week, I didn’t post a book haul and so this week my Letterbox Love is featuring all of the books that I received in the past fortnight. I have a really big haul because I decided to visit the library twice, as well as ordering some books. And I got review books, too! Manic!
To-Review:


You Don’t Know Me by Sophia Bennett- I had no idea I was being sent this and so when I opened it, I couldn’t stop squealing! I’d seen a picture of the cover and gorgeous editing (you can’t see it in the picture above!), so I knew that I would be reading it as soon as it came out. Review to come on Monday!
The Drowning by Rachel Ward- This is another one that I’ve been wanting to read for ages. I’d heard an excerpt back in February at a talk that Chicken House did and I’ve been waiting patiently since then. It’s really good and my review will be posted on Friday. 
Thank you, Chicken House!

INK by Amanda Sun- I requested this on Netgalley and my request was accepted! I’ve heard mixed reviews and so am not sure what I’ll think but I’m looking forward to reading it.
Confessions of an Almost Girlfriend by Louise Rozett- I was so excited when I saw that this was on Netgalley because I read the first book back in January and really liked it. 
Wait For You by J. Lynn- This was my first New Adult novel and I really enjoyed it. I wasn’t sure if I would be accepted but I was and I’m so glad that I got the opportunity to read it.
Bought:


Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell- Of course I’m going to read a book that John Green reviewed. Why wouldn’t I?! I’m really looking forward to reading this because it sounds like a really lovely read.
The Elite by Kiera Cass- I pre-ordered this a few months ago and was so pleased when it dropped through my letterbox the other day. It cheered me right up after a bad day!
Just One Day by Gayle Forman- Since it’s release, I’ve known that this book would be perfect for me. I love the cover and am really looking forward to reading it.
Won:


The Girl in the Mask by Marie-Louise Jensen- I won this in Hawwa’s giveaway a few months ago and was really pleased when it dropped through my door. It’s a signed copy and, as I already own a signed copy, I shall be giving it away soon, either on the blog or as a competition to coincide with my reading board at school.
Charity Shop Haul:


Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher- This book must be good because my friend who never reads chose to read it in her spare time. I’ve been meaning to read this for ages and so am looking forward to finally getting around to it.
The Declaration by Gemma Malley- This looks really good and I’ve been meaning to read something by the author for a while now.
Library:


What’s Up With Jody Barton? by Hayley Long- This book kept popping up a month or two ago and so I was really pleased when I saw it at my library.
Before I Die by Jenny Downham- I’m reading this for my book club and I hear it’s really good. It’s also called Now Is Good and was re-named because of the film adaption that was made.
Legend by Marie Lu- I think I may be one of the only people who hasn’t yet read this. I’m really enjoying dystopian at the moment so I’m hoping that it will be enjoyable.
Abandon + Underworld by Meg Cabot- I got Abandon last week and then had to get Underworld this week after reading it because I loved it so much. They’re two of the only books by Meg Cabot that I haven’t still read, so I’m pleased that I’ve finally got them.
Blood Red Road by Moira Young- This is my friends favourite book of all time and she’s been pressuring me into reading it for ages now. I finally gave in and loved it!
Gifted:


I was sent these three postcards by S.C. Ransom, author of Small Blue Thing, to use on a board I’m creating for my school’s English department. I was so pleased when I received them because they’re the first thing I’ve had so far. Thank you! 
My mum bought me this the other day and I’m in love with it! It’s my baby! The writing on the front is perfect for me. I’m not ashamed to be a geek and so it really describes how I think.
What did you receive this week? Link back to your own post and I’ll check them out! 
Uncategorized

Blogoversary Day Seven- Embracing My Inner Geek (8)

Posted on 27 April, 2013
Embracing My Inner Geek is a feature hosted by Queen of Contemporary and enables bloggers to geek out once a week and ramble on about geeky and nerdish things. 

Welcome to the first Embracing My Inner Geek post where YOU can join in! Last week I asked people to write their own features to be posted on this day as part of my blogoversary. I’ve added a linky at the bottom of the post and I will be commenting on each and every EMIG post that people join up. Feel free to also tweet me the links to your posts (@LucyTheReader) and I’ll make sure to share. 
Rules:
  • Link back to Queen of Contemporary- this is a feature that I’ve created on my own and so I’d like to be given credit.
  • Add the official EMIG header to your post. Designed by the lovely Emma, this is a graphic that will look brilliant alongside your own EMIG posts.
  • Geek out! This is supposed to be a really fun post and so seriousness is NOT ALLOWED!
  • Add your link to the linky below so that other people can find your EMIG posts.
Next week I’m going to be putting a survey live on the blog so that I can find out what you thought of the posts and I’m really treating this week as a trial run for a proper meme because I’ve had quite a few people asking whether this will be run as a meme some time in the future. 
I won’t be writing my own post this week because I’d like all of yours to be the centre of attention and, really, I’m currently writing all of my other blogoversary posts (the ones that have been posted this week!).
Don’t forget to wear your geekery like a badge!