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Lucy Powrie

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Review- City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder — much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing — not even a smear of blood — to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . . 
-From Goodreads

I fell in love with this book right from the moment that I picked it up. The idea is intriguing; that there are people out there who can see Demons, and actually fight them. After reading a lot of books written in first person recently, I was wary to pick this up. I like to feel close to the character, and this is hard to achieve in third person. But I can report that I wasn’t disappointed at all! This book has really restored my faith in third person narratives.
I liked the main character, Clary, from the moment she was introduced. She was different from a lot of book characters. She was curious, and wasn’t afraid to get her point across. The first chapter in Pandemonium really defines her character. 
Simon, Clary’s best friend, really makes me laugh. He was an instantly likable character, like most of the other people really!
I have two words for you, that changed my life, forever: Jace. Wayland. Jace is really one of my favourite love interests. He made me laugh and cry, mostly at the same time! I find myself daydreaming about him in the middle of the day in school, when I’m supposed to be doing work! He really is a bad influence on me!
Alec and Isabelle Lightwood really added something to the book. I loved how much they loved each other, and loved Jace, too. They’re love was real, as well, and you could tell how passionate they were about Shadowhunting. 

The overall plot was played really well, and by the end I was sat on the edge of my seat. At the end there is a massive twist and I was screaming in frustration at points! I wanted to do something to help! Cassandra Clare has created a whole universe, where I want to live all year round! It really is truly amazing!

MY RATING: 5/5

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What does a good book need to include?

I was shocked when, in my top set English class, more than a half of the people in it said that they didn’t enjoy reading and didn’t do it often. So that got me thinking: what does a good book need to include to interest people and keep them reading?

Here is my list of things:-

  • A good beginning- I like to be straight in on the action. If I’m not hooked on the first chapter, I doubt I will be hooked on the whole book and want to read on.
  • Good characterization- If you don’t like any of the characters, how will you feel apart of that story world? How will you feel the character’s feelings? 
  • Good settings- I find that if I can’t imagine the world I’m stepping in to, then I’ll never be able to enjoy the novel I’m reading. I love to be able to dream about settings afterward, imagining things that happen there daily, and if I can’t visualize it then I’ll never be able to do that!
This is just a few of the things that I like to see in a book.
What sort of things do you look for?
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Review- The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa


In a future world, vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.”Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of “them.” The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked–and given the ultimate choice. Die…or become one of the monsters.


Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.


Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend–a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.


But it isn’t easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what–and who–is worth dying for.
-From Goodreads

I had heard such great things about this book, so when I found it in my local library I was so excited to begin reading it. From the first sentence I was hooked: “They hung the Unregistereds in the old warehouse district; it was a public execution, so everyone went to see.”
It immediately left questions in my head: who were the Unregistereds and what had they done to deserve this cruel treatment? 
I loved the idea of splitting the book up in to different parts; segments of Allie’s life. In the first part we see Allie struggling to survive in the Fringe, and, throughout the book this is a theme: Allie struggling to survive, Allie coming to terms with her new vampire powers, Allie trying to fight against her urge to satisfy the Hunger within her. There were always new challenges to work through. Once one was solved, another one came about. 
Julie Kagawa has created a whole universe where the characters are so carefully created and thought out. The main character, Allie, has to face a number of problems and you really empathise with her. It made me wonder how I would cope in such a situation. She was tough, but she also had her flaws, as every great character should have: not everyone is perfect.
I was a bit wary to meet Zeke; the past few books I had read featured such good love interests that my expectations were very high. But, as with the rest of the book, I wasn’t disappointed. The only problem is, my expectations will be higher for all the other books I will read in the future!
There are so many different vampire books written today, but this was a really refreshing opinion. Not every vampire is friendly, surely! Allie has to fight against all her instincts. She can’t live without human blood, but does that mean she has to kill people? 
I can’t wait until the next book in this series comes out but I can’t believe I have to wait until 2013! What torture!
MY RATING: 5/5

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Review- Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins


Anna was looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she’s less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all . . . including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss? Stephanie Perkins keeps the romantic tension crackling and the attraction high in a debut guaranteed to make toes tingle and hearts melt.

I’m going to have to try and write a proper review of this book without too many fangirl moments!
So here goes!

I’d heard some great things about this book and was really looking forward to reading it. I was wondering how this book would ever live up to my expectations, but it did! Stephanie Perkins has a way of leading you through the book, making you want to read more and more. I actually finished this in half a day. I loved every moment of it!

The characters are so lovable! Our main character, Anna, is out of her depth in Paris, not knowing the language and any of the people at her new school. I think she handled it very well; I wouldn’t have been able to cope the way she did! For most of the book I loved her, but there were moments when I could have slapped her, if I’m honest. Some of the things she did were just so cruel!
And now for the fangirl moments! Etienne St. Clair. *deep breath in*
Stephanie Perkins has created a simply divine love interest. I don’t come across many boys in books that make me fall on my knees, but Etienne St. Clair did exactly that! There were a few little things that annoyed me about him, but I could see why these things happened and forgave him instantly.
The other characters in the book are really great too! I loved Mer, and Josh made me laugh.

I really loved the plot as I love books set in boarding schools! I’d never read a book set in Paris like this one and it was really refreshing to get a change of scenery: normally my head is in either Britain or America!
I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy reading the romance in this book as nowadays there are so many books with romance featured in them that are written poorly; you can never be sure if the book you’re picking up is going to be worth buying, or borrowing.

I can say that this book lived up to all my expectations. I’d even say that it was higher than my original expectations. I think I might try the authors other books as this one was written beautifully, and hopefully I’ll enjoy them just as much!

MY RATING: 5/5

Has anyone else read this book? What did you think?


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Review- The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Mara Dyer doesn’t think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.


It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love.

She’s wrong.
-From Goodreads

This review is going to be so hard to write. I don’t know how I’m going to make this book sound just as good as it is! I’m just gonna say two words. Noah Shaw. And another two words. Is amazing. 
*fangirl moment*
One of the reasons I kept reading was because of Noah. Noah Shaw is truly amazing!
Noah wasn’t the only amazing thing, though. The way this book was written was, too. Let me just say that I wish I could write as well as Michelle Hodkin! I was hooked right from the start; right from the first sentence. 
At the start, I really loved the book, don’t get me wrong, but I was wondering how I would ever finish it! It was quite long! But, once I’d got into it, I couldn’t put it down! I think I even had an argument with my parents because I didn’t want to stop reading it! 
The characters are just so loveable, even Mara with her hard and troubling past. She was such a great main character: she was strong, but also vulnerable. You know right from the start that this is a character who really has a lot of problems, but can also look after herself.
Noah Shaw. One heck of a love interest. I wish I was Mara! At the start of the book, he seems perfect, but then there is a twist which makes him all the much better! 
I really love the front cover. It’s simple but doesn’t look empty, which I hate in book covers. The font is really good too and stands out in just the right way.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait until October when the second one is published, as I shall be straight down to my local bookshop to buy it!

RATING: 5/5

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Interview with Kyra from Blog of a Bookaholic

Aren’t you all lucky today? We’ve got an interview with Kyra from Blog of a Bookaholic!

1. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview! First of all, what gave you the idea to create a book blog?

Its a pleasure, I’m happy to be here! I decided to create a book blog because my friends and family were sick to death of hearing me ramble on about books that I had recently bought and read, so one day I decided to create Blog of a Bookaholic and I’m so happy I have because now I can chat to other book-lovers the whole day. 🙂 I also created it so I can share my reviews, thoughts and opinions on books I have recently read.


2. If you could be the author of any book, which book would it be?

One word: D.I.V.E.R.G.E.N.T. Divergent is simply stunning! The author creates such a chilling vision of the future as well as having a kick-butt heroine and an amazing plot! 🙂


3. If you were to write a book, what would it be about?

I’m not actually sure…I have lots of thoughts floating around for writing a book but not a set idea. It would definitely be a Young Adult book though. 🙂


4. Any inspiring words of advice for people who want to start a book blog?

Yep! 😀 Before you start your blog, read other blogs and get a good idea what content your blog should have, how to write a good review, rating system etc, instead of just delving straight into book blogging, like I did! >.< Also, don't immediately want to write amazing reviews because it takes lots of practice writing a really in-depth review. The way I write reviews has changed drastically the last couple of months! :)


5. Do you prefer books or e-readers, and why?

Books. Physical books. I have a kindle and I seriously love reading on it, but there’s just something about holding a real book in your hand. Hearing the whispering of the pages as you flick them, gazing at the cover…also when reading a real book it holds my attention more. 🙂


Thank you so much for interviewing me, Lucy! I had a great time answering the questions! 🙂



You should all go check out Kyra’s blog now:
blogofabookahlic.blogspot.co.uk 


Thanks for doing the interview Kyra! And I’ll also be doing an interview on her blog so look out for that! 🙂

Lucy
XOXO


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Waiting on Wednesday- Shaman of Stonewylde by Kit Berry

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking The Spine where book bloggers write about that particular book that they are waiting to come out.

I’m mad for the Stonewylde series, I really am. I’ve met the author and have read the books about one hundred times! This is the fifth and final book in the series, published on 18th October.

**DO NOT READ BELOW IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE REST OF THE SERIES! COULD CONTAIN SPOILERS!**
In the final book of the series, the future of Stonewylde teeters on the cliff-edge.

The Outside World clamours at the wrought iron gates, and the evil alliance within Stonewylde threatens to destroy everything.
With the new business and their relationship in tatters, Yul and Sylvie find their once-beautiful world has been desecrated by the dark forces.

But Stonewylde is as old as the hills themselves, and the landscape endures. Leveret has discovered her true calling and is determined to lead the community back to the golden age of magic and prosperity.

As the enchanting tale of Stonewylde draws to its end, Sylvie finally realises why she was brought here and Yul understands his true destiny. Whilst Leveret sees exactly what lies ahead for Stonewylde … 






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Author In View- Nina Bawden

Nina Bawden CBE was born on 19th January 1925 in Ilford, Essex. Her mother was a teacher and her father a member of the Royal Marines. During World War II she was evacuated to Aberdare in Wales aged fourteen. Maybe this was where she got the inspiration for her novel, Carrie’s War (review coming soon). She attended Somerville College in Oxford where she gained a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
From 1946 to 1954 she was married to Harry Bawden. They had two sons: Nicholas and Robert. She later married Austin Kark. Together they had a daughter, Perdita, who died in March 2012. Austin died in 2002 in the Potters Bar rail crash, where Nina was also injured.

Her first children’s book was The Secret Passage, published in 1963. A lot of her 55 books have been made in to BBC children’s programmes.

On 22nd August 2012, Nina died at her home in north London, aged 87.
I’m sure that such a talented and well-known writer will be sadly missed in the literary world.

I don’t think anyone will be able to write quite the same as Nina Bawden. She really was a talented writer.

Please look out for my upcoming review on Carrie’s War.