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ally carter

REVIEW: My True Love Gave to Me by Stephanie Perkins

Posted on 24 November, 2014

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I was incredibly excited when a copy of My True Love Gave to Me popped through my door. Firstly because the cover that greets you is beautiful and secondly due to the amazing authors whose short stories are included.

Edited by Stephanie Perkins (author of Anna and the French Kiss), My True Love Gave to Me is a festive-themed anthology, featuring short stories written by authors such as Rainbow Rowell, Laini Taylor and David Levithan. Each story is uniquely tailored to the author’s individual style so whilst they may not be writing in their usual style, their original stamp is still evident.

The stories all fit well together and stood out on their own. I think there’s a distinct lack of Christmas novels, and what sets My True Love Gave to Me apart is that it is a combination of lots of different traditions and customs. I loved reading about each one because each story offered something different.

My favourite story by far was Stephanie Perkins’, which I will be reading over and over again. It touched my heart! Other notable favourites include Jenny Han’s, Kelly Link’s and Ally Carter’s.

I think, though, that the story that wowed me the most was the one written by Laini Taylor because it was so different to everything else in the anthology. Taylor created a whole new world in just under 50 pages, which is an incredible talented thing to be able to do. I want more and more of her story!

I have no doubt that many people will buy My True Love Gave to Me solely based on the design. It has a cover I could marry, a beautiful built-in bookmark, and the most gorgeous endpapers I’ve ever seen. Each chapter header also has a different graphic – a brilliant inclusion!

My True Love Gave to Me really got me in the holiday spirit, and I especially loved the sharing of different customs – pagan, Jewish and Christian, to name a few. There’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Uncategorized

The Sorting Hat

Posted on 14 August, 2014

I decided I’d have a bit of fun today and pull out my wand and owl for some Harry Potter-related madness.

I’ve had this post written for a very long time, but am only finally posting it. Maybe because I realise I’m probably not a very good Sorting Hat (it’s actually extremely nerve-wracking!), and the actual Sorting Hat can keep its job. It won’t be replaced easily anyway!

Let’s get started!

First up is Gryffindor and with all her spy work Cammie Morgan will be kicking ass all the way to the common rooms. I can also imagine her as an amazing Quidditch player, right?

– The Gallagher Girls books by Ally Carter

Whilst Celaena might be on the verge of Slytherin (boo!), she does have some good in her and is incredibly brave so I’m sure she’ll be in Gryffindor.

– Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Kit Blackthorn is very action-driven and proud, which I think makes her a perfect Gryffindor match.

– Banished by Liz de Jager

Then we have Ravenclaw, the best of the houses, if I do say so myself.

Harriet Manners is perhaps one of my favourite geeky characters and would always be able to guess the password to enter Ravenclaw Tower.

– Geek Girl by Holly Smale

Lilly Moscovitz, I think, would take over from Hermione and run S.P.E.W. It would be awesome!

– The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

Most likely found in the library, I think Cather Avery would be one of the quiet Ravenclaws, not as self-assured and pompous as some of the others can be.

– Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Hufflepuffs! The second best of all the houses, not that they care!

Levi Stewart, who I’m sure I’ve talked about enough of this blog, would definitely be Hufflepuff. He epitomises Hufflepuff, and I don’t even need to think twice about it.

– Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

I absolutely love Kenji Kishimoto and he is just such a loveable person. Hufflepuff, definitely!

– Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Slytherin, home to the absolutely gorgeous Draco Malfoy. I just love him, okay?

Warner would definitely be Slytherin. An irresistible Slytherin. Need I say any more?

– Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

I think it’s obviously that Cersei Lannister would be a Death Eater Slytherin. I don’t want to hate on Slytherin and say they’re all Death Eaters, but Cersei Lannister would be the exception. EVIL!

– A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin

Mara Dyer just fits into Slytherin in my mind. She’s not exactly what I’d call a good person, but I really like her nevertheless.

– The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Which Hogwarts house are you in? Which house would your favourite book character be in?

Book Haul Uncategorized

Stacking the Shelves (15)- The Review Book Edition

Posted on 7 September, 2013

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! It is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews.

I didn’t post a book haul last week so this is my haul for the past fortnight.

Bought:

The Elites by Natasha Ngan- I pre-ordered this one months ago and am so happy to finally receive it! The cover is gorgeous and it looks great alongside my other UKYA books.

Review Books

The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher- I received a gorgeous finished copy of this so now I have an ARC and this one. Thank you, Chicken House!

United We Spy by Ally Carter- I was so pleased to receive this one and you can read my review here. Thank you, Orchard!

Memory by Christoph Marzi- This one sounds a lot different to anything I’ve read before and I’m really intrigued. Thank you, Orchard!

Antigoddess by Kendare Blake- I love Greek mythology so think this is the book for me. Thank you, Orchard!

Dead Jealous by Sharon Jones- I can’t wait to read this one. It looks so good! Thank you, Orchard!

Cross My Heart by Carmen Reid- I am a HUGE fan of Carmen Reid’s books so can’t wait to start this one. Thank you, Random House!

Fearsome Dreamer by Laure Eve- Squee! Squee! Squee! I am SO excited to read this and will be doing so as soon as possible. Thank you, Hot Key!

Won

Every Day by David Levithan- This one sounds amazing and I love the idea. I’m hoping to read it very soon. Thank you, Egmont!

Gifted:

After I posted my book addict post last week, Fiona from Eventide Reads tweeted me to say she had found these two in a charity shop and I had the biggest freak out ever. It’s my favourite series and I’m collecting all the editions so I’ve got nearly all of them now. Thank you, Fiona!

What did you get this week?

Book Review Uncategorized

REVIEW: United We Spy by Ally Carter

Posted on 5 September, 2013

I’ve loved Carter’s books since before I started blogging, when I didn’t really know what I was picking up. I’d go into a bookshop and pick up anything I liked the look of with no preconceptions or presumptions. I didn’t know of the hype surrounding these books until I started seeing them pop up wherever I went and then, when I finally became a part of the blogosphere, I realised that these books have a special quality that people gobble up in handfuls.

United We Spy is the last book in the Gallagher Girls series and I was very worried about reading it beforehand. How could I say goodbye to this series that I have loved so dearly? The events of the last book meant that I knew this was bound to be dramatic, but I’d forgotten just how action-packed these books are.

In United We Spy, we see the familiar array of characters embark on their last semester at the Gallagher Academy, which, I must tell you, made me feel very nostalgic! It seems like yesterday I was reading my way through the first book, and then the second and third and fourth and fifth. I felt all the emotions when reading this. Even after finishing, I’m still clinging on to the world fiercely. It’s definitely not a series I’m going to forget in a hurry.

Cammie still had to overcome the issues that she was left to face after the events of the last book and we see her develop even more in this one. She has to deal with some really hard stuff and is thrown into lots of difficult situations but it seems like she always comes out stronger.

I really loved seeing Bex, Liz and Macey again. Liz was as nerdy as ever but also has to face her own demons, as do Bex and Macey. The girls are all so loyal to each other which is very admirable. I’d love to be friends with them!

United We Spy was a brilliant conclusion to a much-loved series and I’m so sad that I won’t be anticipating another book in this series any more. At least we have the Heist Society novels to keep us busy!

Blog Tour Uncategorized

United We Spy Blog Tour ~ It’s All About Bex

Posted on 3 September, 2013

I’m very excited to be on the United We Spy blog tour today! My review will be up on Thursday, but for now I have a post all about one of my favourite characters in the Gallagher Girls series, Bex Baxter.

Cammie Morgan has lost her father and her memory, but in the heart-pounding conclusion to the best-selling Gallagher Girls series, she finds her greatest mission yet. Cammie and her friends finally know why the terrorist organization called the Circle of Cavan has been hunting her. Now the spy girls and Zach must track down the Circle’s elite members to stop them before they implement a master plan that will change Cammie—and her country—forever.

Why do I like Bex? I think that’s a very good question. I’m going to try and answer this question as best I can today in this post.

Bex is certainly a very memorable character. She was one of the first characters that popped into my head when I was asked to write this post and my favourite secondary character from the series.

Bex really adds humour to the books, with witty lines and her so-cool attitude that makes me want to either be her, or be friends with her. And she’s English, which makes her all the more relatable. We could even talk about the weather!

Bex is also extremely loyal to her friends. It’s a quality that I greatly admire because it’s not always that you find someone who would do anything for you. If anybody is in trouble, you will find Bex rushing to their side. Where can I buy a Bex?

My favourite Bex quotes:

“The only way Bex would miss this would be if she were unconscious. And tied up. And in a concrete bunker. In Siberia.”

“Most little girls in England grow up wanting to marry
a prince. Bex grew up wanting to kick James Bond’s butt and assume his double-0 ranking.”

“‘Well…” [Liz] said, stumbling over the obvious, “Bex has always been kind of rules-optional.”

“Bex was a natural born spy.”

“Bex was the bravest person I knew. I’m not exaggerating when I say that. It is the honest truth. And I knew a lot of seriously brave people.”

“Bex had spent six hours on a private jet, but her cappuccino-coloured skin was glowing, and she looked as if she’d walked out of a skincare commercial.”

You’ll notice that a lot of these quotes are written in third person and I think this demonstrates the point that Bex is dearly loved. Her parents care about her, the Gallagher Girls do and readers love Bex, as shown in this post here. If you haven’t read these books yet, you need to so that you can find out for yourself just how much of a bright character Bex is.

Have you read the Gallagher Girls books? What did you like most about Bex?