Tiger Lily

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Rating: 4.5~5 stars

Peter Pan had always been one of my favourite childhood stories, a tale which I grew up with. I remember when my mum used to read to me from the book, and then when I got older I read the real/original version of the book myself. I also remember when my uncle bought the Peter Pan Disney movies for me and I grabbed them and ran to watch them straight away. I've also watched the real-life movies, but still liked the book and the not-so-real version of the tale better. Jodi Lynn Anderson did a brilliant job at retelling this story with Tiger Lily as the main character. She understood the original tale and slotted in her own colours into this already wonderful picture. This book was actually told in Tinker Bell's perspective, and I found that even more intriguing than reading in Tiger Lily's view.

The characters in this book were very different from who they were or how they were in the original tale. They were still the same characters, and you know them for who they were through allusions to the original story, but they had all been altered greatly. Peter was not like Peter, Tiger Lily was not who she seemed, Tinker Bell was completely different, Wendy was protrayed from an angle I never thought of and even Captain Hook took on a whole new identity.

Though they were all altered in some way and had a slightly different role, they stayed true to the original tale. Jodi Lynn Anderson breathed life to the characters and offered insights to them that are rare in Young Adult books (or even retellings). 

I didn't like Peter Pan as much in Tiger Lily. In the original book, he was my favourite character. In here however, he seemed less brave and fearless, more unsure of himself and more self-centered. The author depicted him as a very realistic character and fitted very well under her picture. But I thought his very different role and personality lost a little of his flare.

I admired Tiger Lily very much in this book. She was as a heroine should be: fearless, strong, unbending and quiet. She was not a smart mouth or a cry baby. She refused to show weakness. When she was pushed into a corner and bullied, she stood up straight and protected herself. She could do anything if she put her mind to it. But I thought that not showing weakness was also one of the flaws in her personality. Sometimes you have to bend and let go for once. She was too uptight and didn't know how to show her love or totally relax.

Captain Hook was someone whom I could feel sorry for in this book. There was a whole sympathetic background story for him and Jodi Lynn Anderson put him under a distinct light. I couldn't hate him in this book and felt his warring emotions.

Tinker Bell was a very reliable narrator. She wasn't the selfish and annoying fairy protrayed in the original Peter Pan. She was mature and loyal and had reasons for everything she did. Being small and not easily detected, she could travel to and hide in places and see everthing that goes on in the human world. She was very lovable and thoughful. I liked Tink a lot more after reading Tiger Lily.

The plot was innovative and unpredictable. It captured my attention right from page one and held me until the very last word. It's not a very easy task to do, yet after finishing the book, I still wanted more of it. It proved how good the plot and writing collabrated together and were both of a very exceptional level. There were a great many new characters introduced into this story. They enhanced the originality yet made me connect with the old tale more. Each character was unique and well described. I could imagine all of them while reading and got to know their personalities very well by the end of the book.

However, the ending was bitter sweet. Surprisingly, I wasn't disappointed by the bitter bits (as you know I love happy endings). In contrary, it provided a rare realism to the story, not just one of those empty sloppy teenage romances which made the impossible/unimaginable possible. It taught the reader a life lesson and to see the sweet things in life, though life won't always be in your favour.

I loved the way the author twisted the fairytale completely, added her own imagination and her twinkle of magic, yet still allowed the original story peak through at places. Thank you Jodi, for such a truthful and beautiful story. It's definitely a book I would recommend.

Synopsis

Before Peter Pan belonged to Wendy, he belonged to the girl with the crow feather in her hair. . . .

Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily doesn't believe in love stories or happy endings. Then she meets the alluring teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland and immediately falls under his spell.

Peter is unlike anyone she's ever known. Impetuous and brave, he both scares and enthralls her. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland's inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. Soon, she is risking everything--her family, her future--to be with him. When she is faced with marriage to a terrible man in her own tribe, she must choose between the life she's always known and running away to an uncertain future with Peter.

With enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it's the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who's everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies can live inside even the most loyal and loving heart.From the "New York Times" bestselling author of "Peaches" comes a magical and bewitching story of the romance between a fearless heroine and the boy who wouldn't grow up. 

Timeless (Transcend Time Saga #3) Cover Reveal

Timeless, the third and final book in the Transcend Time Saga by Michelle Madow just released it's amazing cover two days ago.

So here I am, doing a cover reveal on it. It looks so pretty! I haven't read the second book Vengeance in the series yet, because I don't know if it'd be good or it would just ruin the series, as the ending of Remembrance was rather perfect. So I'm going to wait for the reviews of Timeless to see whether or not this will be a series worth reading. Hopefully it will be good!

You can check out the author blog at: http://blog.michellemadow.com/ to see further posts by the author.

I'll put the cover and synopsis for the previous two books here, as the synopsis for this last book hasn't been released yet.

Remembrance (Transcend Time Saga #1) 

Lizzie Davenport has been reincarnated from Regency Era, England ... but she doesn't know it yet.

Then Drew Carmichael transfers into Lizzie's high school at the beginning of the year, and she feels a connection to him, almost like she knows him. She can't stop thinking about him, but whenever she tries talking with him about the mysteries behind her feelings, he makes it clear that he wants nothing to do with her. Reaching him is even more difficult because she has a boyfriend, Jeremy, who has started to become full of himself after being elected co-captain of the varsity soccer team, and her flirtatious best friend Chelsea starts dating Drew soon after his arrival. So why can't she get him out of her mind?

Even though Lizzie knows she should let go of her fascination with Drew, fighting fate isn't going to be easy.

Vengeance (Transcend Time Saga #2)

How far would you go to get revenge?

When Chelsea Givens discovered that her ex-boyfriend Drew dumped her to be with her former best friend Lizzie, she'd never felt so betrayed in her life. Then her new friend Shannon tells her she can help set things right. Chelsea's willing to listen, but what Shannon wants her to believe -- that she shared a past life with Drew -- is impossible. And what she wants her to do to get him back … well, it's downright crazy. 

Could Shannon be telling the truth? And if she is, what lengths will Chelsea go if it means making Lizzie pay? 

Find out in Vengeance, the second part of the Transcend Time Saga.

*Vengeance is the short story that bridges the events in Remembrance and the final novel in the Saga.

Born at Midnight (Shadow Falls #1)

Born at Midnight (Shadow Falls #1) by C. C. Hunter

Rating: 3 stars

Quite a few of my friends had read this book and some even owned it. So after feeling left-out in their discussion and not wanting let them spoil a book for me, I picked it up and see what the big fuss was really about. 

I felt a little strange about this book right from the beginning. I couldn't exactly pin point what or how is it strange. There wasn't a particular factor, but I think it's more of the tone of the main character and the atmosphere of the book. It was written in first person perspective of the main character Kylie. At the start, I was unsure of how old the main character was because of the childish tone of her language. She was supposed to be sixteen but she sounded like she was barely nine years old. She gradually sounded older as the book went and to Kylie's credit, she matured throughout the course of the book. She was still a bit too weak for my taste of heroines. I thought she lacked the self-confidence and strength for her role in this book. She wasn't as pathetic as some main girl characters, but she wasn't a character I would like either. She was easily freaked out. 

The plot immediately reminded me of The Summoning and the rest of the Darkest Powers Trilogy by Kelly Armstrong. I'm not comparing them or anything, it's just that their plots and even characters were alarmingly similar. They both had a Derek in the book, although they had a massively different role in each book. The tone of the books were also rather similar, while reading this book, it triggered my laughter from other books I've read. The plot was somewhat predictable and slightly on the slow side. The main character tend to be in denial quite a lot and remained powerless most of the time. However, she was protrayed as the peace-keeper and the one who could control even the wildest people/powers. Typical isn't it?

I didn't like the guy characters much. There wasn't much to like about either of them, or it could have been the opposite: there was a few things to like about both of them, and you don't really lean on either side. If you told me to pick between Lucas and Derek, I would've said "I don't know". I couldn't connect with any of the characters much and distrusted probably all of them. The writing was average and it didn't pull me in to enjoy the story. 

To its credit, I did feel interested enough to finish it and still have an interest to read the next book. I don't see why my friends liked it that much, I didn't think it was a book worthy of much discussion, though it is a light relief that one could pick up to entertain themselves when they are bored. 

Synopsis

Don’t miss this spectacular new series that will steal your heart and haunt your dreams, Welcome to Shadow Falls camp, nestled deep in the woods of a town called Fallen…

One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart. 
Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs… 

Giveaway at Blog of a Bookaholic

There's an awesome giveaway at Blog of a Bookaholic. You can win a book of up to $10 USD of your choice! I hope I win!! XD

If you want to enter, here's the link:
http://blogofabookaholic.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/200-followers-giveaway-d-d-d.html

Good luck!

Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Rating: 2 stars

I'm sure most people is familiar with the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Maybe you have even studied in school just like I had to do.

To be frank, I'm no fan of Romeo and Juliet. I very much disliked the story. To me, it did not seem like a romantic, endearing and worthy love story, it was more of what Delirium had initially put it "a cautionary tale". After unpicking all the details from studying it in class, I disliked the story even more. It felt shallow, unworthy, stupid and boring. I have nothing against Shakespeare. In fact, his writing in this play was just as brilliant as any other. I also really like some of Shakespeare's sonnets. His writing in this play clearly brought out its themes, characters and messages/symbolisms etc. and in a short passage, contained a great deal of wisdom. I liked that, I just didn't like the story/plot. As a book, it felt like a waste of paper; as a play, a waste of breath.

It felt like such a pain, sitting through English everyday studying this. In class was the only time I actually read the play.

The first thing I didn't like was the so-called "love" between Romeo and Juliet. I'm not really a believer of true love at first sight. I mean, honestly, how can you truly love someone whom you've never met and didn't even know? So we are pretty much back to seeing what you like, meaning "love" the other person by how good they look. Honestly, that's a bit old. This whole played happened in a span of 5 days. And Romeo and Juliet's relationship only had about 3 days. How can you fall in love and get married (in secret) in 2 days as well as managing to kill someone and get banished within 3 days? There was no way this could have fell through. Whoa there, maybe marriage in 2 days was often during Shakespearian time, but not really now. So I don't support that. The characters were absolutely stupid to do such a rash thing in so much haste. 

I didn't like Romeo. He was rather immature and ever-changing. He was like a little boy who thought he had grown up. His personality changed all the time. One second he was nice and loving, the next he was angry and blood-thirsty, or the next he could be down on his knees crying. He loved Rosaline (another girl) at the beginning of the play, but as soon as he saw Juliet he fell in love with her. Seriously?! His speeches during the play was also very contradicting. He was unthoughtful -- didn't think things through and let his emotions got the better of him. 

Juliet was a nicer character. But I felt that she was too Naive and afraid. I couldn't connect with her as a character at all. A lot that was between her and Romeo also felt too cheesy for my liking. 

However, Shakespeare's writing of the play was as good as it was going to get. Weaving through the story, he showed the important themes of Haste, Love (several different kinds of love), Hate, Obedience, Time and Fate. He used the characters very well (sometimes steroetypes) to protray these themes as well as the characters' social status. He also used symbols and well-constructed speeches to highlight certain parts of the story. He chose all his words carefully. His light relief balanced out the cold and heavy parts, but still gave an air of a tragedy. 

But still, because I didn't like the story, if I wasn't forced to read it for English, I may never have finished reading it. If you liked Romeo and Juliet, go right ahead and ignore my review, as it is just my opinions on it. If my review hasn't put you off and you are a fan of Shakespearian language, Romeo and Juliet is a good example of Shakespeare's plays.

Synopsis

Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young "star-cross'd lovers" whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with Hamlet and Macbeth, is one of his most frequently performed plays. Today, the title characters are regarded as archetypal young lovers.

ARCs and am about to read...

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, I was so excited to get an ARC of both The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa and Ironskin by Tina Connolly a few days ago!

I saw Ironskin a while ago and I was really interested after reading the blurb. It sounds like a good supernatural world and the idea of having an Iron mask for the main character is quite original and intriguing. I want to find out more about the story. And since the request list is not up at the public library, I requested this ARC. And yay, I got it! This will be one of the first ARCs I'll read I think... and hopefully it will be as good as I expected.

Synopsis

Jane Eliot wears an iron mask. 

It’s the only way to contain the fey curse that scars her cheek. The Great War is five years gone, but its scattered victims remain—the ironskin. 

When a carefully worded listing appears for a governess to assist with a "delicate situation"—a child born during the Great War—Jane is certain the child is fey-cursed, and that she can help. 

Teaching the unruly Dorie to suppress her curse is hard enough; she certainly didn’t expect to fall for the girl’s father, the enigmatic artist Edward Rochart. But her blossoming crush is stifled by her own scars, and by his parade of women. Ugly women, who enter his closed studio...and come out as beautiful as the fey. 

Jane knows Rochart cannot love her, just as she knows that she must wear iron for the rest of her life. But what if neither of these things is true? Step by step Jane unlocks the secrets of her new life—and discovers just how far she will go to become whole again.

I loved the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa and I just can't wait to get more of the Fey world and Julie's brilliant writing too. If you have read the Iron Fey series, then you'd be very familiar with the main character Meghan. And her brother Ethan will be the main character of this new spin-off series beginning with The Lost Prince. If you haven't read it, I definitely recommend it and you shouldn't read the synopsis of this else it might ruin it. On one hand I'm super excited to read it. The other I'm a bit fearful. I've read a few reviews on it that didn't sound too positive and also that it felt like a disappointment after the previous four books. I really hope that those reviews will stay the minority and that I'll like it. I really don't want this spin-off series to ruin my good opinion of Kagawa's writing and the old series. So, I will be starting it as soon as I can!

Synopsis

Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’s dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myths and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

My name is Ethan Chase. And I may not live to see my eighteenth birthday.

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Steampunk Chronicles #2)

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Steampunk Chronicles #2) by Kady Cross

Rating: 4.5 stars

Having read so many disappointing second books in series recently, I really hoped that The Girl in the Clockwork Collar would not be categorized into that particular category once I was finished. Sequels are sometimes that hardest to write as they have to live up to the previous book as well as pave way for the next one (if it’s a trilogy). And to my complete pleasure, this book did not disappoint! It is officially my favourite sequel (if not out of all sequels, it would at least be my favourite sequel of the year). I liked it as much as I did The Girl in the Steel Corset, maybe even better than that previous book. And there are several reasons as to why I loved it.

Victorian time settings had always intrigued me more than most, I loved the different style and the older language and background that set off the stories. It is in the past yet not too far away. Authors who have a thought in mind to write a good Victorian setting book have the opportunity to find out exactly how people dressed and talked during that time through their research. I loved the difference in language and formalities between then and now. One of the things I missed in some other settings really is, as cliché as it sounds, the chivalry (especially in guys). It’s not too far back in history that we can still fathom what it had been like and obtain mostly accurate details. I liked the fact that this book had set one foot into history while the other was lodged into imagination and creativity.

Steampunk is a strange genre, it merges the old with the new. It’s hard to imagine having highly developed technology in the olden days such as the Victorian era, but that’s just what the genre intended. I loved the abstract and originality of books from this particular genre (most of the time, if they are well-written and original, with excellent research beforehand). In the first book, we have already seem what kind of technology Griffin, Finley and their ‘gang’ could be up to, which included supernatural powers, clockwork automatons, little organisms that can immediately heal whatever physical and internal injuries anyone sustained, advance machines and metal limbs etc. This continued in the second book, but with more technical knowledge and relation to the Anther.

In this book, Griffin and Finley, along with the ‘gang’, travelled to New York with the aim to save their friend Jasper from the clutches some supposed bounty hunter for a murder he may or may not have committed. The setting in this book contrasted with the previous book as it was set in America this time, not London. I learnt some new things as well as old etiquettes from reading this.

There were a lot of action and we see that Finley matures as a character. She was less impulsive and more in control of her personality. She was real intelligent and brave here. I really liked Finley in this book. She was strong and fast, as well as loyal to people she considered friends.

Finley and Griffin’s relationship bloomed in this book. But I actually got exceedingly annoyed at the progress of their romance. It changed quite a lot and sometime it was hard to get a grasp on, as well as quite slow. Every time they came close to something they got interrupted. But whether or not they got their moment, you’ll have to read to find out.

Mei was a new character introduced in this book. As soon as I met her I disliked her. She seemed so pretentious. When with Jasper she acted weak and timid, as well as loving. But when with Finley or some others, she was vicious and unfriendly, as well as violent. I felt that there was something off about her. And no kidding, about half-way through the book, I really wanted her to die.

The plot was fast paced and entertaining, complete with exhilarating actions and head-strong characters. I really liked Griffin, Finley, Emily and Sam in this book. And Jasper was adorable. The only regret I had was that Jack Dandy didn’t really come into the story. The writing was as always, consistent and fluently. It was too descriptive but was comfortable to read. I thought maybe at some places it could’ve been a little more detailed.

Overall, it was an awesome read. I finished it as soon as I can and love it from beginning to the end. To top it off, it’s a book I very much want to own :) If you haven't read this series, I would recommend it!

Synopsis

In New York City, 1897, life has never been more thrilling - or dangerous. 

Sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne and her "straynge band of mysfits" have journeyed from London to America to rescue their friend Jasper, hauled off by bounty hunters. But Jasper is in the clutches of a devious former friend demanding a trade-the dangerous device Jasper stole from him...for the life of the girl Jasper loves. 

One false move from Jasper and the strange clockwork collar around Mei's neck tightens. And tightens.

Such a Rush

Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols

Rating: 3.5~4 stars

Contemporary novels really aren't my thing. I don't mind reading a few once in a while, but the whole everyday drama kind of bores me. High School drama especially. But I wanted to have a go at reading Such a Rush as there had been some high praises about it and also the author seemed to have written nice books before. It was actually a pretty good contemporary YA novel. I didn't completely enjoy it, but I still liked it enough. It's probably not something I will re-read, but I finished it and felt like it was a book worth reading.

This book talked about a girl (Leah) who lived in trailer parks next to airports all her life, moving around with her "white trash mother" (quote from book).  She had to fend for herself and when she was fourteen, she decided that if she was going to have something she wanted in live for once she was going to learn to fly. She became a talented pilot. However, when she was eighteen and could take flying as a pilot as a proper job, her teacher and employer died suddenly, leaving his buiness for his twin sons. The girl then got blackmailed to work for one of the sons and there developed a story between her and the two brothers. 

I learnt a lot about flying and planes through reading this. I had never really shown much of an interest in aeroplanes before, and never thought about what someone would need to do to become a pilot. Maybe once upon a time when I was younger, I wanted to learn to fly, but I would never be able to become a pilot anyway as I don't have perfect 20/20 vision. It was interesting reading about the pilot trainings (I finding out the trainings are actually very expensive) and about how to actually fly a plane. When the main characters, especially Leah, the central character, got a rush as they fly their plane, I felt the rush too. When they saw the amazing view from the top of the sky and enjoy their freedom in the air, I felt that too. And that was what I loved most about this book. I seemed to experience those particular experience (flying experiences) with the characters. The author even included some episodes about crash-landing planes! Not awesome to experience, but pretty cool to read about.

Perhaps it's because the huge difference between the main character Leah and me, I never really felt close to her as a character. I also don't quite feel comfortable with some of the events and experiences of the characters (especially Leah) in this book. Like the book had put it, "we live in different worlds". Her life story is so different from mine, and maybe I would have understood her better if I knew someone in real life who was like her. But I don't. So it was hard for me to picture and understand Leah's life, always moving, living in trailer parks without a real home, having to care for herself and even paying rent and food because no one cares for her. It would have been a hard life. I'm not going to try to say I understand her life now, because I don't. I do know that even though she had a hard life, she hated sympathy and be the charity case. She had a back bone and she took control of her own life, making it the best she could. I admire that. I also admire the fact that even though her unemployed single mother (her mother had her when she was fifteen) was a very bad influence on her, she vowed not to be like her mother and have a good life herself. She never scooped low like other girls living in trailer parks. Because how poor she was, she always got bullied, but she also stood up for herself and had control over situations. She was tough. I respected that. Leah was an independent and likable character, but I truly can't compare myself with her and some of her actions/interactions. 

Grayson and Alec, who were the twin brothers, were both puzzling characters. I really didn't get Grayson and Leah's relationship. And I can't say more because it would ruin parts of the book for those who want to read it. Let's just say it's rather bizzare for my mind, but maybe not for some. Alec and Grayson were so different, yet sometimes they think about the same things and act the same. I'm not sorry when I say that neither of them are who I would like to have as my boyfriend. Maybe Leah liked them, or one of them, but again, they are not really people I'm used to.

At the start of the book, the writing of the book seemed to drag on a bit. It's not so much the plot that dragged, the plot actually moved at a good pace, but at the beginning the author described somethings too long. She also wrote a bit too much about Leah's reactions towards things or her thoughts (it's written in first-person). The way she wrote, particularly at the start, seemed to distance the actual events took place from the readers. At first, it felt like I'm looking at all of what's happening from far away. This changed as we read on. The reader became more involved in the story and the dragging disappeared. I was actually very happy with the ending. For once, yay! I liked the way the book ended, and I liked how the characters matured and changed over the course of the book.

Not just factual things, this book also taught me and showed a lot about lost and forgiveness, as well as moving on with life. Some of the topics in there were quite heavy, but there was always some light relief, the rush and high of flying, as well as genuine love. The author described those themes very well and it was a pleasure to read and learn about these things. The ways the characters dealt with their grief and problems were also things that I could learn from, and for some of them, warnings to the reader. I liked how that out of all the pressure and trouble, true love can still be found, that love can and will last through the hardest of all things.

All in all, this is a book worth reading. It's a good stand-alone book and I haven't read one of those in ages. It's rather emotional and can be heavy at times. But through reading it, you can perhaps learn something new and have a better understanding of some people's lives. The writing was a good quality. I may not have connected very much with the characters in this book due to different dispositions, but it was an enjoyable, different and unique read. If you like contemporary, you should definitely give it a go, if not it's still worth putting on your TBR list and have a read when you have time. 

Synopsis

A sexy and poignant romantic tale of a young daredevil pilot caught between two brothers. When I was fourteen, I made a decision. If I was doomed to live in a trailer park next to an airport, I could complain about the smell of the jet fuel like my mom, I could drink myself to death over the noise like everybody else, or I could learn to fly.

Heaven Beach, South Carolina, is anything but, if you live at the low-rent end of town. All her life, Leah Jones has been the grown-up in her family, while her mother moves from boyfriend to boyfriend, letting any available money slip out of her hands. At school, they may diss Leah as trash, but she’s the one who negotiates with the landlord when the rent’s not paid. At fourteen, she’s the one who gets a job at the nearby airstrip.

But there’s one way Leah can escape reality. Saving every penny she can, she begs quiet Mr. Hall, who runs an aerial banner-advertising business at the airstrip and also offers flight lessons, to take her up just once. Leaving the trailer park far beneath her and swooping out over the sea is a rush greater than anything she’s ever experienced, and when Mr. Hall offers to give her cut-rate flight lessons, she feels ready to touch the sky.
By the time she’s a high school senior, Leah has become a good enough pilot that Mr. Hall offers her a job flying a banner plane. It seems like a dream come true . . . but turns out to be just as fleeting as any dream. Mr. Hall dies suddenly, leaving everything he owned in the hands of his teenage sons: golden boy Alec and adrenaline junkie Grayson. And they're determined to keep the banner planes flying. Though Leah has crushed on Grayson for years, she’s leery of getting involved in what now seems like a doomed business—until Grayson betrays her by digging up her most damning secret. Holding it over her head, he forces her to fly for secret reasons of his own, reasons involving Alec. Now Leah finds herself drawn into a battle between brothers—and the consequences could be deadly. 

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2)

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Richelle Mead

Rating: 3 stars

Flat line, flat line, flat line _________________________________, tiny bump, a little bigger bump, THE END.
Ugh, flat line, flat line, flat line!!! How big are the two tiny bumps at the end? TINY!

OK, if you have no idea what I'm talking about, don't worry, I shall enlighten you now: this is the plot line of The Golden Lily. Yeah, I know right, I can imagine you all going "What the hell?" or along those lines. That was exactly my thoughts after reading this book.

There was almost no plot in this book, nothing much really happened. The events took place were also very predictable. The whole story just seemed to drag on. To me, it was as if Richelle Mead was pulling a short story out into a thread so thin it was about to snap. That was how little substance there was of this book. I mean, if you don't have a long enough story that's good enough to last six books, then don't write six books! Why not just write three books and make it a brilliant series instead of dragging it out? Sure, there are six books in the Vampire Academy series, but that doesn't mean this new spin-off series Bloodlines needs to have six too! I'm really sick of this commercial type of writing. These authors are self-destroying their reputations.

Ah, sorry about my little rant up here, I was just so frustrated and exasperated after reading this. The main part of the book were essentially Sydney's thoughts. We didn't really see anyone else's perspective at all. It would have been fine, as it was written in first person in Sydney's perspective, if it hadn't been so narrow in what she saw or described. The book dealt solely with some of the relationships centering Sydney. A normal plot usually involves the book building up towards a climax (or maybe more than one climax) and then lead back down (sometimes an anti-climax) to the end. This book had no dramatic point or build up. It was describing Sydney's everyday life and all the supposed 'drama' happened in her head. Some things regarding relationships did happen I suppose, but it was so flat and single-minded that it almost drove me to put the book down. I started it excitedly, but then after the first few chapters was starting to get bored (not a good sign). I contemplated putting it down, but all my friends were reading it and I don't really want the story to be ruined for me. So then, I picked it up again and read at a very slow pace. I even skimmed through some parts. 

Sydney thought too much. Even though it is one of her known characteristics and that she was over responsible and thoughtful, it annoyed me to have to read so much back-and-forth brain battle with herself because I'm in her mind (sort of literally). For a smart person, she really didn't seem too bright in this book. Mostly of the time she didn't figure out a problem until the absolute last minute. There were several things going on at once, but no centre. There wasn't really one big thing that was leading toward. I still wasn't used to having Sydney as the main character because I just didn't think she was the main character kind of material. She still struck me as weak and conflicting, constantly unsure of who she was, what she should do, just like in Bloodlines. Nothing really changed with her or improve. She also didn't mature over the course of events. If anything, I seemed to be more distant from Sydney than before. There was no connection between me as the reader and her as the main character.

In contrast, Adrian seemed to have matured. I mostly gave it a 3 star because of Adrian. I really liked him as a character and found it hard to give it anything lower than a 3. He changed quite a lot from the Vampire Academy, as well grew up from Bloodlines. Sydney did seem to be a good influence on him, but as I read, I thought: "Adrian really need to stop loving people he can't have and get into impossible relationships!". He kept hurting himself, and I kept feeling sorry for him. However, I also thought that the amount of sympathy might have been an overkill. He needed to be stronger still, and though he is adorable and have a whole bunch of charismatic qualities, he didn't have strong enough characteristics to be a good main guy character. But he was still my favourite character of the book.

The relationship of Adrian and Sydney had went through some twists and turns in this book, and there was a lot of confusion between these two. On the other hand, Jill seemed to be out of control. She really changed from the innocent and determinded girl I pinned her for before. Here I didn't know who she was anymore. She was so unstable and weird that I don't like her anymore. Her relationships were some of the most frustrating ones. I hate to say this, but I didn't connect with any of the characters in this book and didn't like them very much either. 

Nothing happened in the plot until the very end, almost about 20 pages from the end. Some small event took place and there was a bit of excitement. Quite a bit of action took place in a very short amount of space/pages. However, it finished very quickly and we were once more back to the flat line. The ending was a shocker. Well, not really, it was somewhat expected, but just the way it finished was shocking. I didn't like it at all.

The quality of writing for this book was great, as always with Richelle Mead. The only saviour of this horrible plot was the writing. It was not overly descriptive yet flowed seamlessly. It was comfortable to read. The writing was the best part of the book. 

Overall, the ending was supposed to leave the reader wanting more, but I'm not exactly eager to read the next book. Everything about this book screamed predictable. It was a huge let-down. If this series is going to continue with the same kind of plot and quality, I am in danger of giving up reading it. 

Synopsis

The second thrilling installment in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy spinoff series

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students--children of the wealthy and powerful--carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.
Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Richelle Mead's breathtaking Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive. In this second book, the drama is hotter, the romances are steamier, and the stakes are even higher. 

Can't Wait to Read Releases August/September

If you've noticed that I haven't posted as often on my blog these two weeks as I had previously, you'd be right. Sorry for my negligence, and no, I didn't forget about my dear old blog. It's already evolved into something that I can hardly live without. However, the reason for my absence is: EXAMS! 

*Sigh* I have got my end of year exams coming soon. This year, instead of one or maybe two sets of exams, I will have to sit three sets of exams!! (Yes, for every single subject I take...) They are all important exams, so I have to actually sit down and study hard. So yea, I have started my studying and revision last week. Counting down to my exams! Also, I have to sit my Royal School Grade 8 Flute exams next week! Yiks... Really nervous right now, have not a clue how well will I do. Wind instruments are unpredictable, but hopefully I will do well! 

Alright, without further or-do  I will get on with today's post. Since I didn't have as much time to read as I'd have liked recently, I thought that I will do a post about some of the new releases in August and September which I can't wait for. So many new books are coming out, and another bunch will come out in Nov/Dec, excited! (I will do another post close to the time) However, it's not good timing for us in this part of the world, where exams last until early December. Too many distractions!

Here I will put the synopsis and release date of my top 6 Can't-Wait-For releases here, as well as a short reason of why I want to read it.

1.  Tiger's Destiny (Tiger's Saga #4) by Colleen Houck

Release Date: September 4th  

This is the fourth book in one of my favourite, favourite YA series, starting with book 1 Tiger's Curse. Isn't this cover just awesome? I'm looking forward to more Ren, Kirshan and Kelsey adventure and some culture treats. This series is reall well researched and consists of high quality writing. The first three books were one better than the one before, which doesn't often happen with YA books. So I'm really looking forward to reading this!

Synopsis

With three of the goddess Durga's quests behind them, only one prophecy now stands in the way of Kelsey, Ren, and Kishan breaking the tiger's curse. But the trio's greatest challenge awaits them: A life-endangering pursuit in search of Durga's final gift, the Rope of Fire, on the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal. It's a race against time--and the evil sorcerer Lokesh--in this eagerly anticipated fourth volume in the bestselling "Tiger's Curse" series, which pits good against evil, tests the bonds of love and loyalty, and finally reveals the tigers' true destinies once and for all. A smart phone tag code on the back cover links readers to the series website.

 2. Defiance (Defiance #1) by C. J. Redwine

Release Date: August 28th 

As soon as I saw this book, I couldn't wait to read it. I don't know if it was the cover, the synopsis, or something about this book. But it seems like something I will enjoy. The storyline sounds interesting and innovative, and I hope it won't disappoint. 

Synopsis

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making. 

3. Onyx (Lux #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout   

    Release Date:  August 14th

I thoroughly enjoyed Jennifer L. Armentrout's writing. My favourite of hers would be the Covenant series, beginning with book 1 Half-Blood. But I also really enjoyed Obsidian, book 1 of the Lux series. Though it wasn't my favourite, it was entertaining and funny. I can't wait to read more of Daemon and Katy's fights.

Synopsis

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks….

Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems.

Something worse than the Arum has come to town….

The Department of Defense are here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.

But then everything changes….

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies….

4. Spark (Elementals #2) by Brigid Kemmerer 

Release Date: August 28th

I loved the first book in this series Storm which was mainly Chris and Becca's story. In reading it, I also came to really like the twins Nick and Gabriel. For me I liked Nick better, but everyone else seemed to have fell in love with Gabriel. Spark is Gabriel's story. He was full of action, the kind of guy that acts before he thinks and he has a wicked sense of humour. It should be fun!

Synopsis

Gabriel Merrick plays with fire. Literally.

Sometimes he can even control it. And sometimes he can’t. Like the fire that killed his parents.

Gabriel has always had his brothers to rely on, especially his twin, Nick. But when an arsonist starts wreaking havoc on their town, all the signs point to Gabriel. Only he’s not doing it.

More than Gabriel’s pride is at stake -- this could cost him his family, maybe his life. And no one seems to hear him. Except a shy sophomore named Layne, a brainiac who dresses in turtlenecks and jeans and keeps him totally off balance. Layne understands family problems, and she understands secrets. She has a few of her own.

Gabriel can’t let her guess about his brothers, about his abilities, about the danger that’s right at his heels. But there are some risks he can’t help taking.

The fuse is lit… 

5. Outpost (Razorland #2) by Ann Aguirre

    Release Date: September 4th

The Cover looks rather scary doesn't it? I'm not particularly fond of this cover. However, I did enjoy the first book in this series: Enclave. It was similar to Divergent (my favourite Dystopian YA novel), but I got told that it came out before Divergent? Hmm... Anyway, I'm curious as to what will happen next to Fade and Deuce. The synopsis sounds like lots wil happen in this book. Let's keep it action filled and fast paced, shall we?

Synopsis

Deuce’s whole world has changed. Down below, she was considered an adult. Now, topside in a town called Salvation, she’s a brat in need of training in the eyes of the townsfolk. She doesn’t fit in with the other girls: Deuce only knows how to fight.

To make matters worse, her Hunter partner, Fade, keeps Deuce at a distance. Her feelings for Fade haven’t changed, but he seems not to want her around anymore. Confused and lonely, she starts looking for a way out.

Deuce signs up to serve in the summer patrols—those who make sure the planters can work the fields without danger. It should be routine, but things have been changing on the surface, just as they did below ground. The Freaks have grown smarter. They’re watching. Waiting. Planning. The monsters don’t intend to let Salvation survive, and it may take a girl like Deuce to turn back the tide. 

6. Toxic (Denazen #2) by Jus Accardo

Release Date: September 11th 

I had read and reviewed Touch about two weeks ago. I loved that book and had branded it one of my 'guilty pleasures'. The plot and characters were quite unique and I connected with them a lot. At the end of Touch, it left me wanting for more. So here is Toxic. I'm a bit worried actually, the synopsis sounds like something bad will happen, and it might ruin the previous book. Don't know, but I have a feeling I might not like it as much. Hopefully I'm wrong. Right then, Jus Accardo, here's a challenge for you: prove me wrong.

Synopsis

When a Six saved Kale's life the night of Sumrun, she warned there would be consequences. A trade-off. Something taken for the life they gained. But Dez never imagined she'd lose the one thing she'd give anything to keep... And as if it's not enough Dez finds her immunity to Kale fading, the Six brought in to help Kale learn to control his killer touch starts drooling on him the moment they meet. Worse than that? Jade can touch Kale. But bimbo Barbie is the least of Dez's problems.

After Dez and Kale got away at Sumrun, her father lost not only his most powerful weapon but an important piece of the Supremacy project. Forced by Denazen to remedy the situation, he poisons Dez and offers her a choice--surrender to Denazen for the cure...or die. Determined to find a solution that doesn't involve being bagged and tagged--or losing someone she loves--Dez keeps the poison a secret. But when a rash of Denazen attacks hit a little too close to home, Dez is convinced there's a traitor among them. Jade.

Sacrifices, broken promises, and secrets. Dez will have to lay it all on the line if there's any hope of proving Jade's guilt before they all end up Residents of Denazen. Or worse, dead... 

 Alrighty, here's my top six Can't-Wait-For releases of August/September. There are still many more books which I'm dying to read, but I can't list them all here. I will put a few more covers below, which are some of the other to-be-releases I'm really interested in but didn't have time to write anything about.

So, what are you dying to read??

Pushing the Limits

Throne of Glass

Stormdancer

The Hallowed Ones

The Raven Boys

Redemption 

Rift