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