28.2.11

*Review* : The Emperor's Edge - Lindsey Buroker

Review of The Emperor's Edge - Lindsay Buroker
The Emperor's EdgeReleased : 22nd November 2010
Finished : 21st February 2011
Source : BLB tours
Plot : 4.5/5
Cover : 3.5/5
Page Turner : 4/5
Characters : 4.5/5
Ending : 4/5
Overall Rating :
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Imperial law enforcer Amaranthe Lokdon is good at her job: she can deter thieves and pacify thugs, if not with a blade, then by toppling an eight-foot pile of coffee canisters onto their heads. But when ravaged bodies show up on the waterfront, an arson covers up human sacrifices, and a powerful business coalition plots to kill the emperor, she feels a tad overwhelmed. 
Worse, Sicarius, the empire's most notorious assassin is in town. He's tied in with the chaos somehow, but Amaranthe would be a fool to cross his path. Unfortunately, her superiors order her to hunt him down. Either they have an unprecedented belief in her skills... or someone wants her dead
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Being honest, this was a book l wasn't too sure about. First off it's not something l would usually read, the female being the sort of 'hunter/law enforcer' doesn't usually interest me. Anyway l wanted to start to try different things and give them a go, you never know what you might like! After finishing this book l am so glad l read it!
Lindsay is a great writer, the story flows well and nothing seemed rushed which isn't always easy when you have such a fast paced book. As well as loving Lindsay's writing l also really liked the characters in this story, they are all very likeable and although this is a very engrossing story line with a great plot behind it l felt the characters made this book.
The characters are developed really well to the point where you feel like you know them as a friend. They are all unique and l actually really liked every character in this story. Sicarius managed to be a likeable character (for me) in a very 'weird' way as he is actually quite a heartless character but he is one of those people who you like because of how they are! 
Amaranthe reminded me of myself in some ways, she is a very caring character who wants to be strong and often is but sometimes shows not all things are easy for her, this makes her more real for me.
The interactions between the characters were also written in such a great way. I actually found myself laughing quite a lot while reading this, all the characters are so unique in their own ways but also are very funny with the things they will do or say. The book mainly made me laugh because of how the characters were with each other. The Emperor's Edge focuses a lot on doing things as a team and most of the time this was the focus so the interactions between the characters were really very important and could either 'make or break' this book. For me it really made it.
Overall this is a great read. You will find yourself feeling all sort of emotions, one second you may me laughing and the next your eyes will be glued to the book and your heart beating fast while trying to read as quick as you can! Lindsay is a writer to look out for and l am sure when you read one of her books you will be wanting to read another!
l work hard to make my reviews non spoiler reviews. Please email/comment me if you feel a review has a spoiler in it and you haven't been warned.
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Get your copy! -
Amazon (UK) 

Disclosure of Material Connection: i am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and a copy was provided to me by the author. although payment may have been received by Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. all opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Cover Crazy #7 and Daily Dose #5

Other Cover Crazy posts - #1  #2  #3  #4 #5 #6
Wow!! This cover is gorgeous, l love it!!
This is the follow on from Firelight, a book l am still to read but l am hoping to get it on UK book tours soon =)
I can imagine this cover is even prettier face to face as it seems to be sparkly! Which l love and is something you miss out on when you see it online or on your kindle. 
The font is also the kind of font l am loving at the moment as well as the colour of it! Everything on this cover is pretty and makes the book stand out.
.Hosted by thebookworms

27.2.11

This Week's Round Up

Giveaway
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Reviews :
Fauxmance - Emily Franklin & Brendan Halpin 
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My Favourite read this week -
I have read two other's this week but reviews coming next week. My favourite has to be Hourglass - Claudia Gray
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Please let me know if any links are wrong.
Thank you too ALL my followers, it means a lot to me!

In my Mailbox! (#13)

So this week the post/mail just seems to have stopped for a few books.
I have won 3 giveaways (YAY YAY YAY) So l am guessing l have those on the way. I also brought one book, swapped one and have one from UK tours which still aren't here! Monday l might have a very tired postman handing me over lots of books (l hope so anyway!)
Hosted By The Story Siren

26.2.11

International Giveaway!!

Lindsay Buroker, the lovely author of The Emperor's Edge, is letting me giveaway TWO E Book copies of The Emperor's Edge!!
I have my review of The Emperor's Edge coming up on Monday,l will say now though that l really enjoyed this and gave it 4/5 stars already on Goodreads! It has an action paced storyline which is sure to keep you gripped!
The Emperor's Edge
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Rules :
International
Ends 12th March
Fill out Form
Must provide your name to extra entries
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Form is HERE
Thank you Lindsay for letting me host this giveaway for you!

A Year Gone By... (#8)

Gone - Lisa McMann 
Released - 9th February 2010
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Reviews
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I really need to read this series! I loved Cryer's Cross so will definitely be reading this series one day!
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Released -  2nd February 2010

Reviews
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I just found this book today, never seen it before. Would love to hear what anyone thinks! The reviews listed are quite positive. 
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Released - 1st February 2010

Reviews 
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I loved Kate Cann's romance books but l have never been interesting in trying these, l really hope she writes a romance series again one day!

24.2.11

*Review* : Fauxmance - Emily Franklin & Brandan Halpin

Review of Jenna & Jonah's Fauxmance - Emily Franklin & Brendan Halpin 
Released : 7th March 2011 (UK)
Finished : 24th February
Source : Bloomsbury (UK - Thank you!)
Plot : 3/5
Cover : 3/5
Page Turner : 3/5
Characters : 3.5/5
Ending : 3/5
Over-all Rating -
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 Between teen idols Charlie Tracker and Fielding Withers—known on their hit TV show as Jenna and Jonah, next-door neighbors flush with the excitement of first love. But it's their off-screen relationship that has helped cement their fame, as passionate fans follow their every PDA. They grace the covers of magazines week after week. Their fan club has chapters all over the country. The only problem is their off-screen romance is one big publicity stunt, and Charlie and Fielding can't stand to be in the same room. Still, it's a great gig, so even when the cameras stop rolling, the show must go on, and on, and on. . . . Until the pesky paparazzi blow their cover, and Charlie and Fielding must disappear to weather the media storm. It's not until they're far off the grid of the Hollywood circuit that they realize that there's more to each of them than shiny hair and a winning smile.
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When l started reading this book l really enjoyed it even though l definitely was more interested reading Jonah's chapters as l just felt he has a much stronger and complex character. Jenna kind of just annoyed me with her spoilt ways, well it was actually Charlie who acted like that (her real name). At the beginning it didn't annoy me which is probably why l enjoyed the first 100 pages more but after a while it started to drain me and l just wanted to say "Wake up, spoilt brat! Why are you 'snapping' that easily?". I always think if a character makes you feel this way they are written in a way which makes them feel real but l have to say, sadly, for Jenna it just didn't work. I felt she was just so spoilt and that was all that was for her. Jonah annoyed me at points but he also had a funny side and a very confident side to him which was interesting to read about. 
I think for me this was my first problem, Jenna/Charlie just wasn't explored enough, it just seemed to always be the same responses from her to Jonah. Characters in stories have to each be very unique and very explored and Jenna just wasn't explored enough for me.
Moving on, the story is quite predictable but it's one of those that is but is still enjoyable. I think that's what makes predictable books good, the fact interactions between the characters are fun to read about. Another probelm for me though was how some conversations just didn't flow. It was like someone was having a conversation and kept just saying random things. It was kinda of fun and funny to read at some points but in others it's like "What are they talking about now?" or "That felt like a pointless sentence". At sometimes l kind of just got so confused by what they were talking about l didn't even know who was actually talking.
Saying all that, l did like this book. At some points it had me laughing out loud, mostly in Jonah's chapters and l found it a nice read with a book which is focused in today's time instead of one with vampires or focused in a time 60 years from now!
Overall it's a light read which will be good to read if your feeling distracted or a good relaxing read for the beach or bed time. l would recommend it to anyone who likes fun reads which has the little twist of the romance being filmed .. l think this added to the story a lot. 
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The Poison Eaters: And Other StoriesMy Next Read :
The Poison Eaters - Holly Black
Other Reviews :
Where l Belong - Gwendolyn  Heasley  (Once Upon a Quote)
End of Days - Max Turner (Books With Bite)
By Midnight - Mia James (Always Lost In Stories)
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Note :
 
I have decided l will rarely be taking part in Friday Hop. I will be posting a discussion instead!

The Time Will Come #6

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My new meme - 
Basically every Thursday l am going to list a book which l really want to read/keep meaning to get to. These are all books which have been on my shelf for awhile now.
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Other 'The Time Will Come' Posts -
#1  #2  #3 #4 #5
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Glass Houses - Rachel Caine 
I brought this whole series for like £15 a few months back and they are sitting there patiently waiting for me to read them. I don't know if you seen but it's actuallyone of my 2011 challenges to read this series, l haven't read any yet!! 
I have so many books to read the ones l actually own and aren't for review tend to get left. l need to step back and start to read the ones on my shelves!
I have heard great things about this series and l love how l won't have to wait till the next one as l have them all (l think!)


Feel free to join in!

23.2.11

Waiting on Wednesday (#10)

Waiting on Wednesday
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

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Everlasting - Alyson Noel
How pretty is this cover? Alyson said it's her favourite so far and l think the same! Wow =)
l actually still need to read Night Star but l am just unable to leave this series unread even though at points the main character has really annoyed me in a few ways. I find myself wanting to see what happens next, l think that shows Alyson is a great writer!
I have heard both positive and negative things on this series but l know a lot of people find themselves reading the next book even if they haven't loved the previous ones. It's just one of those series!
I am not going to put the blurb as l don't want to even catch glimpses of it in case it ruins Night Star for me!

22.2.11

Paperback or Hardback? (#9)

Previous posts l did of this is here - #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8


 >> Hardback <3
Paperback <<
Being honest, l think these are the worse covers out of the Twilight ones. When reading a book which is a film also l don't want to be reminded of the film characters. l don't hate all covers with the actors on but is anything special about this one? The HB is ok, nothing special and a bit plain for me in a bad way.  If l had to choose it would be the Hardback as it goes well with the other covers. 
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 >> Hardback
Paperback <3 <<
This book has so many covers l choose it for my next two picks as the covers are all so different.
I haven't read this book but the HB must have some sort of meaning to the story, how there is one flower/leaf (?) left. For me though it just wouldn't grab my attention. I like the PB and how she is looking up. l also like books with quotes on from reviews or from the book! Let's me know more about the book.
<< Hardback
Paperback <3 >>
 Wow, l have never seen this PB before and if l had a choice of any of them it would definitely be the PB! I love the HB too, l love the colours in it and think its pretty but the sparkles in the PB always win my other!!
Plus the colours in the PB are as pretty and l just love love love it!

As always, let me know what you think and which are your favourites!

Spiral X - J.J. Westendarp

This isn't a review, l just wanted to do a post to mention this book for a few reasons.
First off, l think it's amazing that J.J Westendarp (the author) is donating 10% of his earnings from this book to charity. He say's at the beginning of his book that this is what he was always going to do if his books started to earn money but l think it's easy to say this but when an author/person actually does it, its amazing!
Secondly, l have read some of this book and l think J.J Westendarp is a writer to look out for. I definitely think he deserves some reignition, Spiral X is only £2.14 to buy for your E book reader!! 
Thirdly I just felt this book deserved a mention, it may not be my 'cup of tea' but l can see it being others!
Spiral X is about a female Vampire Hunter who tries to make the world a safer place for those around her. I think for anyone who enjoys these sort of books it's one which should be read.
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Reviews on Spiral X -
Rabid Reads - 4/5
A Chick Who Reads - 4/5
Book Lover's Hideaway - 4/5
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Amazon (UK)
Amazon (USA)

21.2.11

Cover Crazy #6 and Daily Dose #4

Other Cover Crazy posts - #1  #2  #3  #4 #5

Tris and Izzie - Mette Ivie Harrison 
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This cover is sooo beautiful and what l love even more is how unique this is, so many covers now are focused on just a girl with a beautiful dress who is equally as pretty but this one is so different. Not that l don't like or love them covers but its nice to have different sort of covers too. l love the 'couple' in it but also how its not the only focus. The scene is just so cute and pretty all at once! How romantic! 
Hosted by thebookworms

This Week's Round Up

Reviews :

Discussion :

My Favourite read this week -
Stargazer - Claudia Gray : Just has to be! l think it says enough that l am off to the library very soon to get Hourglass and l will start it asap!.
My Favourite Blog this week - 
365 Days of Reading - A post every day, nearly all are reviews of books which l want to read, definitely a site which l am glad l follow!
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Please let me know if any links are wrong.
Thank you too ALL my followers, it means a lot to me!

20.2.11

In my Mailbox! (#12)

Hosted By The Story Siren

Still waiting for my new book shelf! It's only a small one to go in a corner l made for it but it will hold at least 30 books and l need the room! I have books piled on my desk at the moment and l hate having them piled up, l usually having them horizontal ways!

19.2.11

*Review* : Stargazer - Claudia Gray

Book review of Stargazer - Claudia Gray
Released : 24th March 2009
Finished : 17th February
Series : Stand alone (So far)
Source : Library

Plot : 5/5

Cover : 3.5/5
Page Turner : 4.5/5
Characters : 5/5
Ending : 5/5
Over-all Rating -

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 Evernight Academy: an exclusive boarding school for the most beautiful, dangerous students of all—vampires. Bianca, born to two vampires, has always been told her destiny is to become one of them
But Bianca fell in love with Lucas—a vampire hunter sworn to destroy her kind. They were torn apart when his true identity was revealed, forcing him to flee the school. 
Although they may be separated, Bianca and Lucas will not give each other up. She will risk anything for the chance to see him again, even if it means coming face-to-face with the vampire hunters of Black Cross—or deceiving the powerful vampires of Evernight. Bianca's secrets will force her to live a life of lies. 
Yet Bianca isn't the only one keeping secrets. When Evernight is attacked by an evil force that seems to target her, she discovers the truth she thought she knew is only the beginning...

I loved Evernight but l have to say, l loved Stargazer even more! In Evernight a lot of the book is focused on character building, like a lot of first books in the series. This book is action packed and very fast paced!
This is actually my first book of 2011 where a vampire is the main character, how is that possible?!   Bianca’s character is even more developed in this story aswell as a few other characters which weren’t that explored in Evernight. What l love so much is how every character has a meaning in the book and even ones which aren’t that involved in the book still feel like they are real and explored enough.
Stargazer is so much less confusing, it feels much more explained and easier to follow but in an interesting way which keeps you engrossed. I did love Evernight but a lot l didn’t understand and in some scenes l just wanted to skip them as l just didn’t follow it at all. Stargazer actually has more going on at once but like l said, its just put in a less confusing way and the information isn’t just thrown at you
The ending is a really cliff hanger with so many different ‘roads’ left open with what Claudia could write next. It made me want to get Hourglass right there and then and l am planning on getting it from the library next week and reading it as soon as possible.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, l regret leaving it so long till l got to it and l definitely won’t be doing it with Hourglass! It’s a totally unique book which really stands out on its own. The characters are fun to read about with many different sort of personalities and things going on at once. Stargazer is a fun, gripping read which  has something for everyone.
READ IT! If you haven’t already you are really missing out.
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Other reviews :
The Demon Trapper's Daughter - Jana Oliver (Vampires and Tofu)
Bitten - Kelley Armstrong (Reading with Tequila)
Siren - Tricia Rayburn (Cheezyfeet Books)

A book blog featuring Romance, Dark Romance and New Adult