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Book Review

REVIEW: Vendetta by Catherine Doyle

Posted on 2 December, 2014

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You know that feeling when you read an amazing book and you have to re-evaluate everything you once thought about life? Vendetta was that book for me. It completely destroyed me.

Vendetta is the version of Romeo and Juliet you wish Shakespeare had written. In one sentence, it’s Shakespeare meets the Mafia – dramatic, spellbinding and phenomenal.

I’ve been wanting to read Doyle’s debut novel for what feels like forever, so I had to start it immediately as soon as a copy dropped through my letterbox (after loudly jumping around, screaming, “I HAVE CAT’S BOOK! CAT HAS WRITTEN A BOOK!”). No matter how much you know about Vendetta beforehand, nothing will prepare you for what’s actually inside. It’s a book you can speed through in a day because it’s impossible to put down. Bit of an issue when you’re trying to be productive!

The protagonist, Sophie, is such a realistic voice who I instantly warmed to. It was easy to feel as if you were in her position, which made the narrative so much more awesome. I’m not usually a massive fan of first person, but it worked so well.

Vendetta has a romance that is unlike anything I’ve seen in another novel. Each of the five boys in the book are incredibly swoony and so well written. They’re basically a huge selling point just on their own.

It’s not often that I feel like crying because of the awesomeness of a book. In fact, I can’t remember a time it’s happened before, but Catherine Doyle changed all of that for me. I became so emotionally attached to the story that I couldn’t bear to finish reading it. I cannot wait to read the next book!

READ VENDETTA AS SOON AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN! I guarantee you’ll love it!

10 DAYS TO GO: 5 Reasons to Read The Maze Runner

Posted on 30 September, 2014

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With the looming release date of the highly-anticipated movie adaptation of The Maze Runner, here are five reasons you should read the book:

One

The Maze Runner is action packed and will keep you up reading until the early hours. With a unique premise, it’s easy to slip into the world created by Dashner.

Two

Reading the book before you watch the film will give you a major advantage over everyone else!

Three

The world is so original – it even has its own dialect! This book is no pile of klunk.

Four

There are so many dystopia novels out there at the moment, but this novel is one of the best. It’s adventurous and mysterious, with characters that you grow attached to and learn to love.

Five

Once you’ve read The Maze Runner, you can read the rest in the series before those movies are released!

The Maze Runner is out now in paperback (£7.99) from Chicken House.

Book Review UKYA

REVIEW: Lobsters by Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison

Posted on 18 August, 2014

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I’ve wanted to read Lobsters ever since hearing about it at the start of the year. I absolutely adore contemporaries (hence my blog name!) and so I think I’ve always known how much I would love Lobsters.

Hannah and Sam, both in the summer before university, have one thing in common: they have yet to lose their virginity. Their summers are filled with adventure, antics and a quest to find ‘The One.’

If I could describe Lobsters in one word I would label it ‘awkward’ in the best way possible. Teenage life is awkward, which makes it such an amazing portrayal of teenage life. Nothing in Lobsters is sugarcoated which means that Ellen and Ivison have written a book that reads very much like a memoir.

Lobsters is a ‘read it one sitting’ type of book that you won’t be able to put down. I know I couldn’t!

A funny and realistic take on a romantic teenage summer, Lobsters will make you want to squeal, scream in frustration and go out and find your own lobster.

Hannah and Sam were both extremely amazing characters who I felt so connected to. Told in dual narrative, it was a very rounded perspective of teenage life because we got both a male and female viewpoint. I also loved both equally, which is a nice change because I usually find that I prefer one to the other in dual narratives.

I loved Lobsters, which has quickly become a favourite summer read of mine! Highly, highly recommended!

Blog Tour Book Review UKYA

REVIEW: Water Born by Rachel Ward

Posted on 8 August, 2014

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It’s rather fitting that I read Water Born during summer, and an absolutely boiling British one too. Whilst The Drowning, the prelude to Water Born, dealt primarily with a dark side to water, the continuation gets darker still and tackles water and hot weather.

Set 17 years after the events of The Drowning, Nic is a passionate swimmer. In the manic clutches of a heat wave, Nicola starts to hear voices underwater, and then the drowning’s start to take place. Just what is happening, and what does it have to do with her dad’s irrational fear of the water?

It seems like so much happened in Water Born from start to finish, which made it so easy to read. Mostly, the reading experience was enjoyable. Then I became invested and towards the end I got rather emotional! The novel takes the word ‘thriller’ to a whole other level, and definitely leaves you on your toes.

Being set quite far in the future, 2030 to be precise, the one thing lacking for me was world-building hinting at a future society. I wasn’t expecting flying cars, just some indication that time had passed, other than the character ages.

Nic was wilful and vivid, which I found incredibly endearing. I’d like to see more characters like her that have depth and completeness, rather than just being known as ‘the kickass one.’ Her feelings and reactions were totally warranted throughout and she’s the type of person I think I’d like to know.

Need another reason to buy Water Born? It has the most gorgeous cover, and it’s SHINY. Paired with The Drowning, it will add total splendour to your bookcase.

Whilst I would recommend reading The Drowning before Water Born for extra comprehension, it’s not compulsory and the two can be read separately.