*Review* : Skin Deep by Laura Jarratt

Skin Deep by Laura Jarratt

Series : No

Released : 5th March 2012

Publisher :  Egmont UK

Format : Paperback

Source : UK Book Tours/Publisher

Buy : Amazon (UK/USA)|Book Depository

Overall rating

 .................................... The Blurb  ....................................

Ugly people don't have feelings. They're not like everyone else. They don't notice if you stare at them and turn away. And if they did notice, it wouldn't hurt them. They're not like real people. Or that's what I used to think. Before I learned...
After the car crash that leaves her best friend dead, Jenna is permanently scarred. She struggles to rebuild her life, but every stare in the street, every time she looks in the mirror, makes her want to retreat further from the world. Until she meets Ryan. Ryan's a traveller. When he and his mother moor their narrow boat on the outskirts of a village, she tells him this time it will be different. He doesn't believe her; he can't imagine why this place shouldn't be as unwelcoming as the rest. Until he meets Jenna. But as Jenna and Ryan grow closer, repercussions from the crash continue to reverberate through the community. And then a body is found...

 .................................... My Thoughs  ....................................

In Short 

- Laura straight away throws you into the storyline, I was gripped from the first page.

- Both Jenna and Ryan are strong characters which I felt was partly because they both have their own chapters. 

- I love the big twist half way through the book and how it comes from nowhere.

-   Skin Deep is a meaningful book with a strong meaning behind it.

- I did feel a bit disappointed with how Ryan's character suddenly changed. 

In Long

Skin Deep is a book which left me feeling mixed things. There is so much I love about this book but there is also things which I felt could have been improved. I guess I was a little gutted about the few things I disliked as it did ruin the book a little for me. Till about half way through this book it was going to be a 5/5 then I felt everything went a bit downhill before picking up again.

Let’s start with the positives. You are straight away thrown into the story, I almost felt like Laura had thrown me into the scene and I loved that. It definitely shows how talented Laura is to be able to make me feel like I was there with the characters within 2 pages!

Right from the start I was made to feel empathy for Jenna for a number of reasons and I almost felt protective over her. This also made me quickly grow a bond with Jenna, her feelings always felt so real to me and I always felt like they were feelings which most people would feel in her situation (instead of being a bit over the top). Another reason I felt I was able to connect with both her and Ryan was that I was able to see into both ‘their minds’. Having a chapter each definitely made both Jenna’s and Ryan’s characters stronger. Ryan was another character I really liked but was also the reason I kind of disliked part of the book. Laura built Ryan’s character up in a great way and I really liked him, just like I did Jenna. Then suddenly all the characteristics I felt Laura had built up were gone and Ryan did something I didn’t really expect. And then he kind of undid it but then did it again. This bit kind of confused me. I can see the storyline needed it to happen but maybe not in that way. I can’t really explain it in any other way without it becoming a spoiler.
Another thing which made this not a 5/5 for me was the age of the characters. I felt this book would have been so much better with just slightly more mature characters. Jenna was only 14 (I believe) and although it didn’t affect most of the book at some points she came across as very immature and I had to remind myself she was only 14.

The storyline quickly pick up again and Ryan was back to how I had come to know him. Suddenly a big unexpected twist comes from nowhere which made me forget (or almost) all the little things I disliked and become totally engrossed into the book. I struggled to put the book down towards the end.

This book really has a strong meaning and although I didn’t really feel this came through properly until the end it definitely did come through. The ending was very powerful, I did kind of wish Laura would have made the rest of the book that powerful but the ending felt very thought out. It was definitely my favourite part of the book.

Final Thoughts

Skin Deep is a meaningful book in which Laura has been able to create some strong characters to portray a very strong storyline. I would definitely recommend reading Skin Deep, you can not help but be dragged into the story.

Cover Crazy #53

Hosted by The Book Worms 

Before I Wake - Rachel Vincent
I love all the covers for this series! They are all really pretty and I love how they all follow the same theme. 

I love this cover because :

- Love how all the covers in this series follow the same theme yet are all very unique.
- Love this colour pink! Not too bright and not too dark. 

- Love how it slowly fades

- Love the font used for the title and the position of the title.
- Love the pink against the black
- Simple but definitely stands out! 

Dislike :

- Not really liking where the authors name is. It kind of ruins the cover a little. 
- Not too sure of the pattern around the title. 

Taken by Storm - Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Another series which has covers that are a lot. I am unsure on where this one stands compared to the other two covers but I do like this cover.

I love this cover because :

- Love the colour (ofc, my favourite colour!)

- Really like the sketchy effect of this cover, it's  not used in many covers but definitely benefits this cover.

- Really like the font used and feel the title is like part of this cover.

- Love the background and how it goes with the title. 
- I like the font used for the title, really feels it suits the cover.

Dislike :
- I am not really too sure on this pose, it's probably my least favourite pose out of the three covers.

This Week's Round Up

Posts:

Cover Crazy

Waiting On Wednesday

The Time Will Come
Paperback or Hardback?

Guest Post + Giveaway : Luisa Plaja

Guest Post + Giveaway (EU Only)- Luisa Plaja

What a huge privilege to be able to introduce Luisa Plaja to Books for Company! 

Very warm welcome!

 Thank you very much for doing this great guest post. I need to watch these movies (shame on me!). I am very excited to read Kiss Date Love Hate - Keep an eye out for my review!

Five Films that influenced Kiss Date Love Hate by Luisa Plaja 

In Kiss Date Love Hate, Lex and her friend George are majorly into film, even before they enrol on their half-term film-making course (or are forced to enrol, in Lex’s case). There’s a small independent cinema in their town, and Lex and George are happy regulars there, watching whatever old films the manager happens to screen. As a result, Lex is familiar with an odd mix of films. Below are a few of the movies referenced in the book, or ones that I think have influenced me… 

1) Jurassic Park
This is the most obvious! Lex shares a name with the young girl in Jurassic Park – and, in fact, she was actually named after her. Lex’s mother was watching Jurassic Park when she went into labour and she liked the thought of having a capable daughter who could do the dinosaur-free equivalent of rescuing people from a world ruined by power-crazed individuals. Instead of being like that Lex, however, the heroine of Kiss Date Love Hate is partly responsible for creating quite a lot of chaos to begin with. She never stopped to think whether she should…

2) The Lord of the Rings trilogy
These films are among George’s favourites and they also feature in later scenes in Kiss Date Love Hate. I also think the landscape of these films is the kind of thing Lex’s teachers had in mind when they sent her out into the forest to make her film.

3) Gremlins
This reference is subtle, but I think this film might have been in the back of my mind when I pictured George’s dad receiving the game that started it all. An obscure package from overseas that, in the right hands, turns out to contain something magical and wonderful… until it all goes horribly, comically wrong… Yes, I’m pretty sure there’s a small amount of Gremlins inspiration in this book!

4) The Birds
Lex makes a reference to this film when she’s describing how nervous she feels. It’s rated 15 so if she saw it at her local cinema, the manager would have joked about her looking too young to get in…

5) The Breakfast Club
There’s only a very, very tiny hint of this film in the book, with the cast all gathered together for what Lex considers to be a detention, but I’ve watched so many John Hughes films that I’d be surprised if there wasn’t just the slightest bit of influence…

Thank you very much for having me at Books for Company, Jodie!

Find Luisa Plaja

Website

Goodreads

Amazon

Book Depository

Giveaway

Rules :

The winner will win a paperback copy of Kiss Date Love Hate

UK & Europe Only

Ends 19th February

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Paperback or Hardback? (#35)

 Choker - Elizabeth Woods

>> Hardback <3

Paperback  >>

I am not really loving either of these covers but I do like different things about each of them. HB is very simple but I still like it. The PB isn't really unique but I really like the font of the title and author and how it's on the girls neck. HB wins though just because it's different and unique.

Exposed - Kimberly Marcus 

 << Hardback </3

Paperback  >>-

This one is pretty easy for me. The PB looks a lot less professional than the HB and really has nothing to offer. The HB is so much more unique and definitely stands out much more. It also looks more professional and like more thought has gone into it. It also suits the title 'exposed'. 

     Ten Miles Past Normal - Frances

<< Hardback </3

Paperback </3 >>

I can't choose between these two covers! I like and dislike things about both of them. I like how the HB looks more of a natural pose than the PB but I dislike how the title is all over the place in the HB one.  I really like the font in the PB one whereas in the HB I like the font used for the authors name!

Please note, some covers l feature are also in other formats. For example a HB cover is usually also in PB and a PB cover is also sometimes on a HB etc.

Also sometimes the PB may be a UK one and the HB may be USA.

It's just a way to compare covers.

</3 - Meh
<3 - Like

<33 Love

The Time Will Come #52

-

The Time Will Come - 

Every Thursday l am going to list a book which l really want to read/keep meaning to get to. These are mostly books which have been on my shelf for awhile now but don't have to be, maybe you got it two weeks ago and really want to read it! 

~

Want to join in?

- Pick a book you have been meaning to read

- Do a post telling us about the book 

- Link the post up in the linky

- Visit the other blogs!

Fins Are Forever - Tera Lynn Childs
I was so so lucky to get this at the end of last year, I could not WAIT to read it! I really loved and enjoyed Forgive My Fins, I loved the humour mixed with a great mermaid story so when I got this one I had big exceptions for it. Sadly I have had a lot of other books to read (well not sadly as I love having lots of books but sad I haven't been able to get to this one) 
I think I will make it my aim to read this on in February and try to ignore any other books for this one! Maybe I need to stop joining so many UK Book Tours, there are so many amazing ones!
Anyway my point is .. The Time Will Come ;)

The Blurb
Don't read unless you have read 1st in the series

On Lily Sanderson’s eighteenth birthday she’ll become just a girl—still a mer girl, true, but signing the renunciation paperwork will ink Princess Waterlily of Thalassinia out of existence. That leaves plain old Lily living on land, dating the boy she loves, and trying to master this being human thing once and for all.
Now that Lily and Quince are together, mer-bond or not, she’s almost content to give up her place in the royal succession of Thalassinia. But just when she thinks she has everything figured out, Lily’s father sends a certain whirlpool-stirring cousin to stay with her on land. What did Doe do to get herself exiled from Thalassinia and stuck in terraped form, when everyone knows how much she hates humans? And why why why is she batting her eyelashes at Lily’s former crush, Brody?

Waiting on Wednesday (#51)

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

The Selection - Kiera Cas
Published : 24th April 2012
Publisher : Harper Collins (UK)
I wasn't really sure about this book when I first saw this cover, although it's pretty and I like it, the cover just doesn't seem like this would be my sort of read.
Anyway I read the blurb and was straight away drawn in by the sound of this storyline. It definitely sounds like my sort of read and I was straight away intrigued, it sounds so unique. 
Here is to hoping that Prince Maxon is a hottie that will blow me away! Looking at the reviews so far it seems to a very good read!

-
The Blurb :
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined

Paperback or Hardback? (#34)

    The Wood Queen - Karen Mahoney

>> Paperback 1

Paperback 2 </3 >>

I don't really like love either of these covers. I like PB 2 more because from what I can tell (Haven't read the book) it suits the story more as she has the things on her arms. I also like how it's portraying emotion. PB 1 doesn't really tell us anything. I dislike the branches on both though.

Forgiven - Jana Oliver

 << Paperback 1 </3

Paperback 2 >>-

I haven't really liked any of the covers from this series, they just aren't my 'sort of covers'. I do like the purple in PB 2 but I prefer PB 1, the girl in PB 2 just creeps  me out and seems so strange! PB 1 stands out much  more with the fire at the bottom and I prefer the font used in PB 1.

  The Mark - Jen Nadol

<< Hardback <33

Paperback >>

I LOVE the HB!! Wow, how haven't I seen this cover before. I just love it. I love the colours used (purple and pink are my favourites!) and the lighting. Simple but effective and so pretty! PB is okish, I like the how the title is written and the shadow but it seems more like a horror to me. 

Please note, some covers l feature are also in other formats. For example a HB cover is usually also in PB and a PB cover is also sometimes on a HB etc.

Also sometimes the PB may be a UK one and the HB may be USA.

It's just a way to compare covers.

</3 - Meh
<3 - Like

<33 Love


Sorry for the wrong titles of the books! 
I copy the template from the previous week and sometimes forget to change the title!

Cover Crazy #52

Hosted by The Book Worms 

Glitch - Heather Anastasiu
This cover kind of reminds me of the cover for 'Glow' I actually thought this book was part of the series. 
I don't love this cover but I do like how unique it is =)

I love this cover because :

-I love the colours. If you haven't guessed by now the use of colours is important to me and I think the colours used in this cover really benefit it!
- The circle on the back of her neck must mean something to the story but what? Totally intrigues me!

- I like how the cover gets darker and darker

- I always love taglines, they provide you with quick information about the book and this one is in an ok position to not spoil the cover

Dislike :

- There isn't really anything that I dislike!

Wander Dust - Michelle Warren
Oh how I love pretty scenery and sparkles in books.

I love this cover because :

- Although photo-shopped quite a lot I still feel like this is a 'real' cover. 

- I love the city in the background, is she running away or to the city?

- I really love the sparkles and bubbles, especially that they add to the cover but don't interfere with the picture

- It's a unique cover which would definitely make me pick the book up.
- I like the font used for the title, really feels it suits the cover.

Dislike :
- Her head looks kind of strange? :/

This Week's Round Up

Reviews

As I Wake - Elizabeth Scott

Fated by Sarah Alderson

Posts:

Cover Crazy

Waiting On Wednesday

The Time Will Come

So sorry for the lack of posts! I am trying hard, I promisee! =(

*Review* : Fated by Sarah Alderson

    Fated - Sarah Alderson

Series : #1 Fated

Released : 5th January 2012

Publisher :  Simon and Schuster

Format : Paperback

Source : Publisher

Buy : Amazon (UK/USA)|Book Depository

Overall rating

 .................................... The Blurb  ....................................

What happens when you discover you aren't who you thought you were? And that the person you love is the person who will betray you? If your fate is already determined, can you fight it?

When Evie Tremain discovers that she’s the last in a long line of Demon slayers and that she’s being hunted by an elite band of assassins –Shapeshifters, Vampires and Mixen demons amongst them – she knows she can’t run. They’ll find her wherever she goes. Instead she must learn to stand and fight.
But when the half-human, half-Shadow Warrior Lucas Gray - is sent to spy on Evie and then ordered to kill her before she can fulfil a dangerous prophecy, their fates become inextricably linked. The war that has raged for one thousand years between humans and demons is about to reach a devastating and inevitable conclusion. Either one or both of them will die before this war ends.
If your life becomes bound to another’s, what will it take to sever it?

 .................................... My Thoughs  ....................................

In Short 

- A unique paranormal book 

- Sarah was able to make her own little ‘mark’ on the paranormal genre 

- Lots of great twists which will keep you gripped

-   Sarah is a very talented author who’s writing flows really well.

In Long

I will admit that I wasn’t really that excited about Fated, I was worrying that I wouldn’t be able to get into it due to not being able to get into paranormal books as easily lately. I was wrong!
Sarah is such a great writer, she has that natural talent which makes the writing so effortless and flow really well. This meant that I quickly connected with all of the characters she introduced into the book, whether that meant me liking or hating them. The main character, Evie, was one that I started off having mixed feelings for, no sure whether I liked her or not but gradually I liked her more and more. Lucas, another main character, was like a mystery to me and I always love that! Especially with males when they give off an unknown vibe.
The storyline was one which Sarah made her own. By that I mean it was a unique storyline which Sarah really made stand out amongst the other paranormal books I have read. I really loved getting to know about the place which Evie lives in and the world around her. I loved it even more that she was discovering things at the same time as I was; it was like going on a journey with her. There were so many twists in this book, one or two which I could see coming but the others seemed to come from nowhere and really kept me gripped. 

Final Thoughts

Sarah has really created a unique paranormal book which will most definitely stand out from your normal paranormal books. The storyline will keep you gripped throughout with a few surprises throughout. I will definitely be looking out for more books by Sarah.

The Time Will Come #51

-

The Time Will Come - 

Every Thursday l am going to list a book which l really want to read/keep meaning to get to. These are mostly books which have been on my shelf for awhile now but don't have to be, maybe you got it two weeks ago and really want to read it! 

~

Want to join in?

- Pick a book you have been meaning to read

- Do a post telling us about the book 

- Link the post up in the linky

- Visit the other blogs!

Beat The Band - Don Calame
I read the first in this series while on holiday, it's called Swim the Fly. I loved it! It was the perfect holiday read, so funny and Don proved to me that he is a great author and definitely deserves all the positive reviews he got for Swim the Fly!
I am kinda unsure with Beat The Band as I don't know if this would suit reading in the summer but it's due out soon and I want a review up for you guys!
I just hope Don kept this book as much about friendships as the first one and has kept it as funny, both those totally made this book for me. 

The Blurb

In this hilarious sequel to SWIM THE FLY, told from Coop’s point of view, it’s the beginning of the school year, and the tenth-grade health class must work in pairs on semester-long projects. Matt and Sean get partnered up (the jerks), but Coop is matched with the infamous "Hot Dog" Helen for a presentation on safe sex. Everybody’s laughing, except for Coop, who’s convinced that the only way to escape this social death sentence is to win "The Battle of the Bands" with their group, Arnold Murphy’s Bologna Dare. There’s just one problem: none of the guys actually plays an instrument. Will Coop regain his "cool" before it’s too late? Or will the forced one-on-one time with Helen teach him a lesson about social status he never saw coming? With ribald humor and a few sweet notes, screenwriter-turned-novelist Don Calame once again hits all the right chords.

*Review* : As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott

   As I Wake - Elizabeth Scott

Series : No

Released : 15th September 2011

Publisher :  Dutton Juvenile

Format : Hardback

Source : UK Swap Shop Tour

Buy : Amazon (UK/USA)|Book Depository

Overall rating

 .................................... The Blurb  ....................................

Ava is welcomed home from the hospital by a doting mother, lively friends, and a crush finally beginning to show interest. There's only one problem: Ava can't remember any of them - and can't shake the eerie feeling that she's not who they say she is.
Ava struggles to break through her amnesiac haze as she goes through the motions of high-school life, but the memories that surface take place in a very different world, where Ava and familiar-faced friends are under constant scrutiny and no one can be trusted. Ava doesn't know what to make of these visions, or of the boy who is at the center of them all, until he reappears in her life and offers answers . . . but only in exchange for her trust.

 .................................... My Thoughs  ....................................

In Short 

- Elizabeth has written this book in a very simple way. There aren’t really any complex sentences. At the beginning I actually thought it was poetry.
- This book isn’t easy on the brain – You will constantly be left wondering by Elizabeth.
- This is a totally unique book with its own twist. You may love it, you may hate it.
- Everything is kind of everywhere in this book.
- This book is guaranteed to bring out many different feeling for you. You won’t know what to think!

In Long

‘As I Wake’ is one of those books where throughout the book you are wondering if you’re meant to understand it yet or not. I always find myself worrying, as I am blonde, I sometimes don’t understand what is going on in a book when I should. This didn’t ruin the book as such because I could sense that Elizabeth was slowly giving hints and could feel it all coming together but I did sometimes feel a bit impatient and want to know what was going on.

With a book that leaves you hanging on for so long when things are revealed they need to be as good as the leading up to it was. I have read so many books where there is a huge build up and then when it’s revealed it’s a big let down. I never felt this with ‘As I Wake’. Elizabeth revealed everything in a really brilliant way which kept me gripped throughout the book but also when she did reveal what was actually going on I didn’t really disappointed at all!

What I did enjoy about this book is I almost felt like Ava at times, I was on this journey with her and I was learning stuff as she was. I never knew something she didn’t and I was as confused about it as her.

I still don’t know if I fully understand this book and the ending is something which I am still thinking about to try and understand. The more I go through the book in my head the more I think I understand. ‘As I Wake’ is definitely a book which will get you thinking and definitely use your imagination. I like how for quite a lot of the book Elizabeth let the reader interpret the book how they wanted.

Final Thoughts

Overall ‘As I Wake’ will be one of those books where a lot of people will hate it as it just wouldn’t have worked for them, some people won’t hate it but won’t love it and other people will probably fall in love with it. I find myself in the middle, I didn’t find it a truly amazing read but I did found that I enjoyed reading this.

Cover Crazy #51

Hosted by The Book Worms 

Wake - Amanda Hocking
Wow, how has Amanda managed to have such amazing covers? I haven't disliked any of her covers (the ones I have seen)

I love this cover because :

- Really liking the colours, such soft colours and suits the theme of the ocean
- Love how you can see the top of the ocean and the sun shining on it

- Love the scenery at the top, I wonder what it means to the story

- The moon - I love the moon!

- Love the font and colour of the title

- The positioning of the title and authors name

Dislike :

- There isn't really anything that I dislike!

Endure - Carrie Jones
I like but also don't like this cover. You can definitely tell it's part of the need series which I love!

I love this cover because :

- I love the gold - I have really like how the gold is part of all the covers and goes so well with black.

- Love the gold eye! Totally makes the cover jump out and kinda creepy me out (In a good way)

- Love love love how the font and colour of the title and authors name has been kept the same

- It's definitely a unique cover

Dislike :
- Not sure about the pattern at the top, it kind of doesn't suit this cover and feels unnecessary whereas with the other covers it fitted in and became part of the cover.