Any Red-Blooded Girl - Maggie Bloom

The last thing fifteen- year- old Flora wants to do is spend her summer vacation stuck in a tent with her overprotective parents and angst- ridden brother, especially when she should be in Europe with her best friend Jessie.                                                                                      
But since her parents trust her as much as they trust a cat burglar at the moment, Flora has no choice but to suffer through the boyfriend- less summer of her discontent from the back of a rented SUV, until ...              

Fate tosses a sexy, sophisticated gypsy boy into her path, making Flora wonder if destiny might know best.Because just as Flora falls head over heels, an unexpected turn of events threatens to land her in the slammer - or worse separate her from the man of her dreams.  



Any Red-Blooded Girl is a fun, feisty story; automatically you're introduced to Flora who's a quirky and hot tempered girl. She never wanted to go on a trip to the wilderness with her family, especially when hot European boys are available in a completely different trip. Expectations are shattered when Flora meets an adorable boy, who makes her forget any potential European boys. This leading to one of Flora's best trips in her life...

Laugh out loud comedy, this story was simple and sweet. Maggie Bloom creates interesting characters and portrays a believable teenage voice throughout the novel.   

However, the relationship between Flora and Mick (whilst sweet and caring) it bordered onto obsession and crazy stalker love. They loved each other tremendously and that was only after 2/3 days of meeting, so it was close to instant love. Also, Flora's relationship with her brother could of being developed more, to help improve the family set up.

Simple flaws shouldn't put anybody off this book as it is a good read.
I read it in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it. Memorable characters with a fabulous plot, favourite lines from Any Red-Blooded Girl including:

' "I love you." What?! Did I really just say that out loud? Did he hear me? "I mean, I'd love to." '

' my father suddenly shouted, in his just-hit-the-lottery voice. "Hot diggity! Put your party pants on people!" '

3 stars out of 5


                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Lament - Maggie Stiefvater

Sixteen-year-old Dee is a cloverhand - someone who can see faeries. When she finds herself irresistibly drawn to beautiful, mysterious Luke, Dee senses that he wants something more dangerous than a summer romance.                          

 

 But Dee doesn't realize that Luke is an assassin from the faerie world.

 

And she is his next target.

 

 

Lament (noun)

1)      Phrase of grief or sorrow

2)      Phrase of regret, disappointment, annoyance

3)      Lamenting death – poem/song of mourning

 

Expectations of the book Lament are summed, upon my reading of it, in number 2. Disappointment. An intriguing blurb caught my attention, along with the promise of once again reading an excellent faerie book (the best faerie book being Wings – Aprilynne Pike). Maggie Stiefvater is the author of the fabulous Shiver, a book I immensely enjoyed, and kept me on watch for another Maggie Stiefvater book.

Admittedly, the plot was interesting, and I read out of curiosity of what would come next. However, description in the book was lacking and I was constantly re-reading unsure what had happened since parts of the plot raced by leaving me confused.

Characters helped to keep me interested. Luke and James were both characters that had been cleverly developed, both with intriguing pasts and loveable personalities.  Dee however was a character that should have been developed more, I found her character annoying; upon receiving news that would make anybody hyperventilate with shock, she reacted with no more concern or alarm than as if friendly dog was licking her hand. She did have good qualities that made her seem interesting; but she seemed to fall in love with Luke after about two meetings.

The romance was good though, and was why I kept reading to see how the romance would plan out. Unfortunately, the ending was saddening and left me with several unanswered questions.

To an extent I enjoyed the book, but it was overshadowed by obvious flaws. Book two in the series is out and curiosity gets the better of all of us so I will read it, perhaps book two is better and answers my questions. Maggie Stiefvater is a good writer and I can partially understand the allure of the book from faerie book fans. Maybe I'd been in the wrong sort of mood for this type of book, since the blurb had sounded brilliant.

2 stars out of 5

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feature and Follow

Feature and follow is set up to help find new followers and to find great blogs to follow yourself, this blog hop is hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read, who both pick a blog to feature that week. This weeks feature blogs are: Bewitched Bookworms and My 5 Monkeys.

Q)  What blog are you thankful for?

A) I am thankful for so many blogs as they all inspired me to start blogging myself, so picking one is tough. However I am most thankful for http://thebookscout.blogspot.co.uk/ after reading that blog I knew that I definitely wanted to start blogging.

Seeking Crystal - Joss Stirling

'I'm coming back to get you whatever happens...'     

When fate throws Crystal Brook into the path of Xav Benedict, the personality clash is explosive. It's hate at first sight. As their families gather in Venice, a powerful enemy seizes the opportunity to attack. Xav and Crystal must unite to save their loved ones, discovering a secret that entwines them forever...


Only a few authors make it onto my favourites list and Joss Stirling did, with her fabulous soulfinders series. With an idea similar to that of soulmates, many would brush it aside with the 'oh it's just another romance novel' but they shouldn't - I do happen to love romance novels myself though - these books have a certain twist and these soulfinders have so much love and passion that they do put ordinary soulmates to shame. These are the books that make me really wish I had a hidden savant power that will be revealed - I'm secretly trying to lift a magazine off the table with my mind as I type.

Seeking Crytal is the third book in this series based on those with savant powers and like all others it delivered with a kick. There are so many things I loved it is just easier to make a list:

- The action, one of the best things in this book. I love the conflicts created in the book, and how they chose to deal with it. It's almost like a brilliant spy novel - just without all the paperwork and government checks that spies have to do. But the action is balanced perfectly with . . .

- Friendship and other characters, I loved all of the new characters. Such as, Steve, at the start I thought he was just big headed like most celebrities, but he startled me with his understanding of savants and relating to them. Every character added to the story - I epecially enjoy side love stories like Steve's and Lily's - but I enjoyed learning more about original characters (the Benedict brothers and they're parents). Diamond and Trace's first meeting was so good - no messing arond just the joy of finding each other, unlike . . .

- Xav and Crystal, I love the part where they realise they're soulfinders, that was one of my favourite parts of the novel, I kept re-reading it because it was so sweet. They were the perfect couple, Xav and his jokes and his cheery personality, colliding with Crystal who has serious problems on her mind - neither understanding each other, but somehow (even before they knew they were soulfinders) they understood each other completely. All helped along with . . .

- The location, Venice was perfect. The complicated streets reflecting the complications in all the characters lives. And Venice just adding extra romance, with the flooding and gondola's. I imagined it as a vibrant place, some areas with wide open squares whilst having twisting alleys that are easy to get lost in . . .

- Just like the entire book, it was so easy to get lost in the sheer brilliance and I read into the night. I really hope Joss Stirling writes more to complete a so far perfect series, and if she does I will hit, kick and bite anybody who gets in the way of me reading it (metaphorically of course).

4.5 stars out of 5

Never Forget Your Favourite Books

With lots of new books coming out all the time, I feel that I've forgotten about all the books I used to love reading and made me want to start blogging in the first place. So this month I'm just going to re-read all my old favourites: Ally Carter (the Gallagher Girls series and Heist Society series); Meg Cabot, and Joss Stirling.
                                           



Between the Lines - Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer

Delilah knows it's weird, but she can't stop reading her favourite fairy tale. Other girls her age are dating and cheerleading. But then, other girls are popular.

Delilah loves the comfort of the happy ending, and knowing there will be no surprises.

Until she gets the biggest surprise of all, when Prince Oliver looks out from the page and speaks to her.

Now Delilah must decide: will she do as Oliver asks, and help him to break ot of the book? Or is this her chance to break into happily ever after?

After discovering the book I found the plot very interesting, it seemed for me different than any other YA romance book I've read before. It's told in alternating character points of view and with the fairy tale retold between chapters. Illustrations throughout the book and coloured writing however reveal that this book is geared towards more early teens.

I love a good romance story and almost always in a romance story is conflict and trouble; but one of the characters being a fictional character trapped in a book, is a big heap of trouble. From the start you're thrown into their separate worlds: Oliver's hate for being trapped and Delilah's hate for being stuck in high school - where everybody hates her.

Oliver has friends that are as close as family, and a good life. But despite everything he isn't happy. What I like about the alternating character chapters is that you get to understand more about Oliver's hobbies, sometimes in these sort of books you only see the girls opinion of the boy and discover no personality to him. We also know that Oliver is very good looking (and to be a Prince in a fairy tale he has to be) but he is also caring and quite clever. Since he has to try so many ways to get out of the book.

Delilah has a few people that care about her: her mum and best friend Jules. Everybody thinks she has gone crazy, and with her reputation falling her mum becomes more disappointed in her. All we really know about Delilah is that she enjoys reading and is a good girl in school, for me her personality could of been developed more, as it seemed to cover the same points (her obsession with the book, unpopularity at school...).

The romance between Oliver and Delilah was sweet, and understandable, and caring, but I felt some passion was missing - only slightly because of their instant love. Occasionally I would wonder if Delilah had fallen for the fairy tale Prince Oliver.  Other characters though were developed more deeply - especially from the fairy tale book - and most characters all showed a hidden side: Jules through her scary outfits was a caring friend, Rapscullio being the bad guy and his love of art, and Captain Crabbe being an evil pirate whilst loving dentistry; showing everybody is more than what you see.

Overall this book seemed a bit young for me but had a very cute romance. The beautiful drawings were very good and fitted the fairy tale theme, and help create a feeling of reality for the fairy tale. The ending was different to what I expected but was slightly unrealistic (even though characters coming alive is unrealistic) I am happy with the ending though as it answered all questions and problems that could have occured.

3 stars out of 5

It's The Last Day Of The Month...

. . . so this is a 4 point overview of this month's books read.

Favourite Book - 'Starcrossed - Josephine Angelini'
Four words: Greek mythology, fit boys. What more could a book need? I did read 'Dreamless' and WOW this book also surpassed all my expectations and worries. Desperate for the next book in this series to come out, when I will devour it up!

Favourite Character -  Xavier - 'Seeking Crystal - Joss Stirling'
He was incredibly sweet and caring to Crystal - even before he knew she was his soulfinder! And he was really passionate, whilst being the family's favourite (without being like a spoilt mummy's boy). He charmed everybody he met, with his wit and his good looks probably helped.

Favourite Ending - 'Seeking Crystal - Joss Stirling'
My favourite book ending was 'Seeking Crystal', all of Joss Stirlings soulfinder books have been brilliant, and therefore all endings have been perfect. But this month the only reason 'Dreamless' isn't my favourite book ending is because the series isn't finished and I'm still waiting for the 'perfect' ending to that series. But 'Seeking Crystal' was another action packed romance that delivered like all other Joss Stirling books.

Favourite Book Cover - 'Queen of the Big Time - Adriana Trigiani'

It's a really pretty book cover, and is one of the main reasons I brought it.

Starcrossed - Josephine Angelini

When shy, awkward Helen Hamilton meets Lucas Delos for the first time, she thinks two things: the first, that he is the most ridiculously beautiful boy she has ever seen in her life: the second, that she wants to kill him with her bare hands.
 
An ancient curse means Lucas and Helen are destined to loather one another. But sometimes love is stronger than hate, and not even the gods themselves can prevent what will happen next …

 

 

Picking up the book in the store I was reluctant to buy it, I don’t exactly know why, possibly: okay I’m not going to lie it’s a big book – probably one of the thickest on my book shelf (along with Pride and Prejudice and Harry Potter) but that didn’t really deter me; what put me off was when I read  the Dreamless blurb it mentioned another boy that Helen was torn between, and I hate books were a girl is torn between boys and can never make a decision.  However a trilogy of books based around Greek mythology was too good for me to miss. I love Greek mythology in books! (For example the Abandon trilogy by Meg Cabot is brilliant.) So I had to buy Starcrossed and Dreamless; I set about reading straight away.

Starcrossed was a fabulous read but once I finished I felt sad, I can gather a few reasons for this: first the amount of death; the blood for blood idea in the book was vivid and the idea of killing anybody in your own family is horrible; next was the fact that Lucas and Helen think they’re cousins that is one of the main reasons why they are apart – and I really want them to be together; lastly is the thought of reading Dreamless after the build up of Lucas’s and Helen’s relationship I really don’t want someone to just come and break it up.

All relationships in this book are great. I wish I had a friend like Claire who is very protective over Helen and cares for her deeply (so much to push her off a roof).  All relationships in this book are about control and love: the brothers in the family have to cope with the desire to use their ‘extra skills and strengths’ not to kill each other; trying to protect someone else they love, whereas Jason has to control his feelings for Claire by suppressing them and pushing her away. I love their relationship and knew they definitely should be together.  But the most control of all is Lucas’s and Helen’s, they know so much is at stake for them and they’d do anything to be together which ultimately means that fate doesn’t want them to be together. Lucas is the perfect boy and the key to Helen’s dream to get off the island and see the world; with his flying abilities he can take her anywhere.

This story is about discovering yourself and what it takes to do that; clearly the key in this book is: love, friendship, trust, family and flying lessons with the person you love most.  But with a great, big dollop of Greek mythology it has a certain twist. A great theme in this book is what goes around comes around, and through all of the fights, warnings, disguises, nightmares and lightning bolts, this message stays the same. You kill him – we kill you. You ancestors have failures – they’re your problem now. You save my life – I save yours. And this constant circle of events feel like something the characters can’t break free of, so I have an unwillingness to read Dreamless (despite the brilliance of Starcrossed) until the next book comes out, when they can hopefully be masters of their own destiny. And Helen makes an absolute decision – I just hope she chooses Lucas.

Overall a good book, that I recommend for any fans of romances, a very addictive read - so only start if you have lots of time to have your minds warped with worrying about the characters problems. It was brilliant. I just love, LOVE books based on Greek mythology!

 

4 stars out of 5

Books!

Have got 5 new books to enjoy, read and review:

 

 

Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe - Jenny Colgan

 

 

Fated - Alyson Noel

 

 

Queen of the Big Time - Adriana Trigiani

 

 

Starcrossed - Josephine Angelini

 

 

Dreamless - Josephine Angelini



Destined - Aprilynne Pike

Laurel lived happily as an ordinary girl - until she discovered that she was a faerie.

Since then her heart has been divided between the magic realm of Avalon and the human world. Between the boys she loves the most; caring David and wild Tamani. But now a powerful enemy threatens Avalon and unless the faerie world can win out, there may be no choices left...

Laurel faces the fight of her life to save everything and everyone she loves in this spell-binding faerie tale of magic and mystery, romance and danger.

I read the first book ‘Wings’ a long while ago, but something stopped me reading any of the other books in the series; until the last book came out. And for me the books were worth the wait.

Usually books where the main character can’t choose between two people annoy me so much, that I have to say I don’t even attempt to read them. So I was glad when I finished reading ‘Destined’ that everything had come to the perfect end – especially since Tamani had always been my favourite.

The book starts exactly where it left off after ‘Wild’: Yuki trapped, David having disappeared and Avalon under threat. But then Klea arrives and things go from bad to worse. Tamani and Laurel have to flea and Yuki escapes with Klea – with devasting results for Shar. Making it to Avalon Laurel, Tamani, Chelsea and David, learn more about Klea and the fight ahead. With surprising results of humans being in Avalon and Laurel finally ready to make her choice, the fight in Avalon is hard for everyone…

The ending is brilliant and you can see that throughout the series it has been building for this big finale; overall it’s a fabulous book (and the final fight reminded me in ways of the final fight in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows). This series should be read by fans of fantasy stories and those who want to read something slightly different. A brilliant page-turning book, that’s action packed and one that I wanted to never end.

4 stars out of 5

Rapture - Lauren Kate

The sky is dark with wings…

And time is running out for Luce and Daniel.

In order to stop Lucifer from erasing the past, they must find the place where the Fall began. Only Luce can break the curse, and it is her choice alone that will decide all of their fates.

But as Dark Forces gather, great sacrifices will have to be made in this final, epic struggle…

In the fight for Luce, and for love, who will win?

This book was much better than I ever expected it could be, and had so many different twists, the book for me was just amazing.

The book continues almost straight from where it had left off after Passion, Lucifer is at the Fall and is ready to erase all off time. All they have is nine days to try and stop Lucifer, and nine days to collect three items that will help determine the place of the fall. The plan seemed so simple and I wondered what could go wrong but then problems kept arising and some with devastating results. The plot though was well written and kept me turning the pages as fast as I could until the very end.

Luce and Daniel’s relationship is as sweet as ever and grows even more in this last novel, I think this is because Luce is starting to understand more about herself.  I love all the characters in it: Arriane, Roland, Annabelle, Cam, Gabbe… and also Dee – who I think is one of the bravest characters in the book.

After a lot of twists and unexpected events, the ending was brilliant but also kind of sad. The last line of the book to me stood out and was a happy line since it showed the happiness of all their previous lives but was also sad since it signified it was the end. It is one of the best books I’ve read in awhile and a read I’d recommend to everybody.

4.5 stars out of 5

Second Chance Summer - Morgan Matson

Taylor Edwards has made leaving things behind into an art form. When things get tough, she gets going. Then her dad gets some terrible news and the whole family decides to spend summer at their old lake house, where Taylor is forced to confront her past. She hasn't been to the lake for years and isn't keen to go back, but then she starts to reconnect with the people she thought she'd left behind - including Henry, her first crush, who's even cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve . . .

With fireworks, fireflies and midnight swims, the summer feels full of possibility and, for the first time, Taylor wants to hold on to the moment but is one summer really enough to have a second chance - with family, friends and love? 

Having read 'Amy and Roger's Epic Detour' and extremely enjoying it, I was excited when seeing that Morgan Matson had another book out, and the blurb had me quite interested - possibly because it seemed like a proper summer read.

The book starts with Taylor already running away, her immediate reaction to anything bad. But she is handed he second chance to go to the summer house for family bonding. Her family never really got on before and with devastating news that has hit the family they're all unsure what to do with themselves, since it maybe Taylor's second chance, but it's her dads last summer.

Almost immediately Taylor runs into Henry, a part of her past she ran from  and tried to forget. But desperate attempts to please her family, since Taylor feels like the lesser talented member, means Taylor is meeting Henry more often - by accident. These attempts also lead to her facing her fears, and problems with ex-best friend Lucy. I think Henry is a fantastic character who is perfect for Taylor in her times of need and he is prepared to be there for her. But I do think that this relationship could of been developed deeper and I felt slightly let down. I also think Taylor's slow regaining of Lucy's trust is good, but I think could also of been developed more deeply.

I love the setting of the story, and the characters in it. I understand Taylor's predicaments and reluctance to be at the lake house, the reasons for this come clear through flash backs of months/years before. I like Taylor's whole family, I find her brother Warren amusing and think his 'happy ending' with Wendy is well deserved.

Even though it had been made clear at the start of the book Taylor's dad's fate, for some reason I wasn't expecting it and possibly like some of the characters in the book had been expecting a miracle treatment. Pressure is put on the whole family and they are put through tests, which bring them stronger together.  Each character - especially Taylor - develops throughout the book, and discovers more about themselves, and more about each other.

This book to me was very similar to books written by Sarah Dessen and would be good for fans of her books. Taylor's second chance was perfect and her ability to help others was nice. To be completely honest I don't think this book is as good as 'Amy and Roger's Epic Detour' which somehow felt more real. Nevertheless this book is worth a read for fans of contemporary/romance books.

3.5 stars out of 5

I Can't Wait To Read These Books!

Adorkable - Sarra Manning

A Girl Named Digit - Annabel Monaghan

My Life Next Door - Huntley Fitzpatrick

Rapture - Lauren Kate
                                         

Finding Cassie Crazy - Jaclyn Moriarty

The Year ten notice board at Ashbury High is full of crazy messages. One of them is Mr Botherit’s ‘Joy of the Envelope’ Pen-Pal Project. Best friends Cassie, Em and Lydia are forced to write letters to unknown boys at downtown Brookfield High – where the kids are all psychopaths, drug-dealers, tattooed bunny-killers, etc.

Naturally, this leads to all-out war between the schools, plus secret meetings and surprising snogging.

Having had the book in my possession for some time and not managing to read it, I was reluctant to start. I especially didn’t know what to expect since the book is written entirely in: letters, notes, emails and short diary entries.  However I was pleasantly surprised and have now started reading ‘Feeling Sorry for Celia’ a book that is in the same series.

Cassie, Em and Lydia are all best friends and attend the ‘posh’ school for rich kids, and aren’t happy to have write letters to the ‘rough’ kids at Brookfield. However the schools bad reputation deceives some of the students who attend there (Seb and Charlie) and is a lesson about don’t judge others before you understand who they truly are.

Lydia and Seb’s relationship is charming and slightly comedic, whilst Charlie and Em’s relationship is comedic and fascinating, as it is clear they are attracted to one another but neither wants to admit it. I love how their relationships develop and how they aren’t afraid to be themselves; with Lydia’s secret missions and Em’s growing trust with Charlie.

However Cassie’s relationship with Matthew (Paul) is based around Cassie’s stubbornness not to be scared, which does eventually lead to everyone thinking she is going crazy. Matthew is a character clearly used to getting his own way, and shows how easy it is to be cruel when you are anonymous. But it also shows how easy it is to be someone who you’re not, and the reality of bullies with easy targets.

Cassie having friends around her who are also slightly ‘crazy’ helps her to push past her problems and get her revenge. I like that the story isn’t just based on Cassie, and it shows how different relationships can develop in different ways, it adds a fresh twist to the story. Overall this book was a refreshing change from the usual storys, and unexpected events kept the book going.

3.5 stars out of 5

When It Happens - Susane Colasanti

A boy, a girl, and the possibility of something real…

Seniors in high school, Sara and Tobey couldn’t be more different. She wants to get into her first-choice college; he wants to win Battle of the Bands. Sara’s other goal is to find true love, so when popular Dave asks her out, she’s thrilled. But Tobey always creeps into her thoughts. Lucky for Sara, one of Tobey’s goals is also to make her fall in love with him. Told in alternating points of view, Sara and Tobey’s real connection will have everyone rooting for them from the minute they meet!

Never having read a Susane Colasanti book before I was sceptical about this book; however with an interesting blurb; and a cover that drew my eyes in, I was eager to read this book. And this book was a good read.

This book was a ‘classic’ romance story with two strong protagonists, that have different views on life. Sara is goal oriented and as her relationship with Tobey develops, she learns about life. Tobey is a slacker and has no intentions of college and only cares about his band, but with his willingness to change for Sara (and with problems for the band) he learns about parts of life he previously ignored.

However the book isn’t centred on the two main characters, this book also divulges into friendships, and what it means to be popular or have friends. Sara’s and Tobey’s friends help to develop their personalities more, adding realism to the story.

I personally preferred the point of view of Sara – probably because being a girl I can relate to her more easily. Tobey though did have an interesting point of view but somehow felt forced to be more ‘manly’ at times.

This is a fabulous romance story, and had the usual obstacles to overcome in search for something real and love. Tobey was a perfect partner for Sara, and was adorable – so Sara’s reasons to be with him were obvious. I couldn’t put the book down and would recommend to others; this also won’t be the last Susane Colasanti book I will read.

4 stars out of 5

What Happened to Goodbye

Mclean never lets herself get too attached…

After the scandal of her mother’s affair, Mclean and her dad choose a life on the road. But since losing her family and home, Mclean has lost herself too: she’s been Eliza, then Lizbet, then Beth – changing her name as she changes towns.

Until now. Her neighbour, Dave, is like no one she’s met before. It’s as if she’s always known him, and just like that, she becomes Mclean again. Is it finally time to stop reinventing? Or will Mclean turn her back on the new life she loves, without even saying goodbye…

I think nearly everybody has had that moment in school where they wish they could just change and be somebody else. This book is just that a girl changing herself to who she wants to be, but this book is proof that only your true self can last. It starts in a dusty restaurant where you get the first glimpse of the characters Mclean and her dad. And it reveals the relationship they have, her dad almost feeling guilty about uprooting his daughter again but Mclean is used to it and nothing seems to bother her.

The mother/daughter relationship is troubled and Sarah Dessen reveals that she can tackle relationships well. Since the way Mclean reacts is the way I think I’d react, whilst I can see her mum’s view as well. However after this recent move Mclean it meeting her mum again, and this time it works out as all resentment and things that had been left unsaid finally came out.

The relationships Mclean develops between her and friends is a good example of that people will like you if you’re yourself. Deb is a great friend for Mclean as they both know what it’s like been on the outside and new. Whilst I think friends like Riley and Heather are perfect for Mclean since they are down to earth and realistic. Dave is the main reason I think that Mclean wants to stay and he is also perfect for her, since he’s clever and another down to earth person.

I love how Sarah Dessen writes about relationships and the delicate situations between families. She writes like how a real family would cope, with shouting and then reasonable conversations. The ending was good, after a sweet build up of Dave and Mclean’s relationship and basically all the relationships in the book. Overall a fabulous read that I recommend.

3 stars out of 5

I Can't Wait to Read These Books!

Meg Cabot - UNDERWORLD
Following the book ABANDON
Release in UK: 27th September 2012

Joss Stirling - SEEKING CRYSTAL
Following the books: FINDING SKY
and STEALING PHOENIX
Release in UK: October

Ally Carter - UNCOMMON CRIMINALS
Following the book: HEIST SOCIETY

The Rogue's Princess

My first review is of The Rogue’s Princess by Eve Edwards. The three books: The Other Countess, The Queens Lady and The Rogue’s Princess have been in my TBR pile for a while and haven’t disappointed.

 London, England, 1586


Sixteen-year-old Mercy Hart is the daughter one of London’s richest – and strictest – cloth merchants.

Kit Turner is an actor and the illegitimate son of the late Earl of Dorset. A chance encounter finds Kit falling for the beautiful Mercy’s charms, but their love is forbidden. A merchant’s daughter and a vagabond – it simply cannot be.

If Mercy chooses Kit she must renounce her family name and leave her home. Will she favour duty over true love, or will she give Kit his heart’s desire?

This book was a perfect insight into life for the women/girls in tough 1586 society. It shows their struggle between desire and family reputation. Mercy Hart is a lovable character, and her situation is easy to sympathise with. Her temptation for Kit Turner keeps the reader going, as they can admire her determination. Kit is a more unruly character and to a girl like Mercy is off limits. In my head I was shouting at the characters since they were so frustrating at times.  Kit's sudden decision that he loves Mercy is questionable at first, however this isn't another novel of 'I love him/her because I can't have him/her', as the novel continues his feelings are more understandable. The writing style is fresh for this genre and this made the characters seem more real and alive.

The plot keeps you drawn in and wondering how anything could possibly get better for the characters. The small side stories added to the character of the whole book and fitted perfectly. I couldn’t put the book down, and was desperate to know the fate of the lovers. It follows perfectly to the other novels and is a great read. Love, love, love this series so far!

4.5 stars out of 5