Waiting On Wednesday: Dark Triumph By Robin LaFevers

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking The Spine.

Series: His Fair Assassin #2
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction
Release Date: April 2nd 2013
Cover Rating: 4/5 Stars
Synopsis: Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. Naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, the convent views Sybella as one of their most dangerous weapons. But those assassin’s skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. Her father’s rage and brutality are terrifying, and her brother’s love is equally monstrous. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for? 
This heart-pounding sequel to Grave Mercy serves betrayal, treachery, and danger in equal measure, bringing readers back to fifteenth century Brittany and will keep them on the edge of their seats.

Why do I want this?
The first book in the series, Grave Mercy, was absolutely amazing and although I'm slightly disappointed that this isn't a continuation of Ismae's story, I am also excited to see more about Sybella. She seemed like a very interesting character in the first book. The cover is just as good as the last so I'm taking that as a good sign!

What are you waiting for this Wednesday?


 Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

Die For Me By Amy Plum

Series: Revenants #1
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Release Date: May 5th 2011
Source: Bought
Overall Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Cover Rating: 3/5 Stars
Synopsis: My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything. Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were moving to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my life would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent. Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, he put me in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen . . . until I realized that Vincent Delacroix is no normal human - that he has a terrifying destiny and enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind. Can I risk everything for love?

My first impressions of this book were that it was going to be totally cliche, I mean the synopsis couldn't sound more like a drug for Twilight withdrawal symptoms. Was I wrong? YES! I really enjoyed this book, it was equal parts suspense, romance and entertainment and isn't that an awesome combination? The book follows Kate Mercier, who moves to Paris after her parents are tragically killed. You see why I thought it was going to be cliche? Rule number one of the YA handbook states you must kill of at least one parent or have the main character move away from them. But from then on the originality factor of Die For Me went through the roof. When Kate meets Vincent in a cafe her life is going to change forever because being with Vincent means huge sacrifices - on both sides.

At first I really didn't like Kate but she grew on me as the story went on, she had the 'normal' vibe which is rare. Normally the heroine has to be 'Special' in some way whether it is special powers or beauty - YA handbook rule two - but Kate is just normal and I like it. I really liked Vincent from the start, he has the typical self sacrificial attitude but it suited him. Although I'm looking forward to seeing both of these characters in the next book, I found the secondary characters just as interesting. I loved Kate's relationship with her sister Georgia - which goes against rule three - the heroine must not have any other important people in her life other than the love interest and existing relationships will fade away over the course of the book cos who needs 'em when you have a hot, mysterious guy? Vincent's best friend Jules was very intriguing and the perfect candidate for rule four - the hero/heroine must have a 'hot', charismatic, best friend who will develop an undying love for the heroine but ultimately end up with someone else (Note that is just a guess since I haven't read the next book yet so do not take it as a spoiler ).

Overall the best things about this book was it's characters, effortless writing and of course it's ability to take every rule that I just made up and spin it on it's head. I loved the setting of the book, Paris is a gorgeous place as it is but add the amazing characters and a sprinkle of Amy Plum's exquisite writing and you have the perfect recipe for an amazing book that will keep readers up until the early hours just to see what was going to happen next - personal experience. And anyone interested in reading the YA handbook will be happy to know that I just this second decided that I am going to write it up and after a quick Google search I've seen it doesn't actually exist so I wouldn't be breaking any copyrights or anything. So lookout for it!

My Favorite Quote:
“Well, spit on my empty grave--if it ain't the attack of the Disney princesses!”

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

Sweet Evil By Wendy Higgins

Series: The Sweet Trilogy #1

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Release Date: May 1st 2012

Source: Bought

Overall Rating: 2.5/5 Stars

Cover Rating: 2/5 Stars

Synopsis: Embrace the Forbidden. What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences? This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels. Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna. Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?

I had heard so many good things about this book so I bought it with very high expectations but unfortunately I didn't love it. It would've been so great but it fell flat. The premise for the story sounded interesting but it just wasn't. The story follows good girl Anna Whitt. She's always known she was different she can feel other people’s emotions after all and it's much more than just empathy. It isn't until she meets bad boy Kaiden that she discovers the true reason behind her strange talents and discovers new ones.

Anna's character began quite promising, she was relatable for once. Anna is nice - it's not often you get a genuinely nice character - and she has a parent who doesn't let her go to all those parties that teenagers in books and TV all seem to go to. But then it went downhill. She was so nice it almost seemed fake, sickly sweet like a Bonbon - they are delicious for the first two or three but after that you begin tasting the processed fakeness behind them. Despite the fact I now have a craving for Strawberry Bonbon's I will move away from the sweet metaphors. Some of the things that came out of Anna’s mouth were truly cringe-worthy, I didn’t know whether to get annoyed by her or pity her. Kaiden had a lot of potential but he too didn’t live up to it. His character was in no way constant, one minute he’s the type of guy to ‘burst out laughing’ and next thing you know he’s ‘cold’ and then he’s ‘vulnerable’. He went through so many personality changes I was beginning to think he was just ‘schizophrenic’. Anna’s parent figure had my vote at first until she let her daughter go on a road trip with an absolute stranger.

Overall the book was more annoying than entertaining. I enjoyed some elements but they were usually cancelled out by an even more annoying event. I have noticed from this book and others that YA is getting a lot cruder. I don’t know how some of it actually qualifies as acceptable for the Young Adult genre. Maybe 50 Shades Of Grey will be considered YA in a couple of years – but let’s hope not. I would recommend this book to people who are less worried about plot and more about entertainment value. Oh and did I mention Anna’s father actively encourages her to drink? Great parental figures in this one.

Favourite Cringe-Worthy Quotes:

“He was smoking hot. As in H-O-T-T, hott. I’d never understood until that moment why girls insisted on adding an extra t. This guy was extra-t-worthy.”

“Good gracious, he was sexy—a word that had not existed in my personal vocabulary until that moment. This guy was sexy like it was his job or something.”

 Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

The Luxe By Anna Godbersen

Series: Luxe #1
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction
Release Date: November 20th 2007
Source: Library 
Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars
Cover Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Synopsis: Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan’s social scene. Or so it appears. When the girls discover their status among New York City’s elite is far from secure, suddenly everyone—from the backstabbing socialite Penelope Hayes, to the debonair bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, to the spiteful maid Lina Broud—threatens Elizabeth’s and Diana’s golden future. With the fate of the Hollands resting on her shoulders, Elizabeth must choose between family duty and true love. But when her carriage overturns near the East River, the girl whose glittering life lit up the city’s gossip pages is swallowed by the rough current. As all of New York grieves, some begin to wonder whether life at the top proved too much for this ethereal beauty, or if, perhaps, someone wanted to see Manhattan’s most celebrated daughter disappear... 

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I originally thought I would. The book is set in 1899 so as you would suspect it focuses on class, balls and finding the perfect husband but there's a twist. The book begins with Elizabeth Holland's funeral and the rest of the book charts her life up until that point. We get to see what life is like being some of the most privileged people on New York plus the people who serve them due to the alternating narrators. We see just how catty people became when climbing to the top of the social ladder was concerned.

Because of the alternating narrators we got to see a lot of each character which I loved. The main character, Elizabeth, I found to be quite naive and a little too prim and proper for my liking. Everyone loved her because she was so lovely and kind but frankly I didn't see it. I didn't like how she treated people but throughout the book she grew on me. Her sister, Diana, was a much better character. She was brave, confident and reckless but also loving and kind. I liked how she treated her servants as friends and opposed her obligations to be just like her perfect sister. Penelope Haye's, Elizabeth's frienemy I found to be quite entertaining. I loved her little plots which may sound strange since in a way she's the villain of the story. I also loved Henry Shoonmaker, he was just as high as the Holland's on the social ladder but he was also the bad boy of New York - with a new scandal every week. He also seemed, like Diana, a lot more down to earth than any of the others. One character I hated was the maid Lina, I get that she was angry with Elizabeth for dumping her but I found her personality to be so clingy and irritating - I just didn't like her at all.

The detail and the story building in The Luxe was stunning, with the kind of description that you only find in historical fiction. I found the story to be thoroughly entertaining and very true to the historical facts which is always good. The story line was filled with that many scandals that I wondered how there were any respectable families left - not that it was a bad thing. I also enjoyed how each chapter was divided by a note, poem or extract from a book or newspaper, it made even the chapter headings just as flwaless as the book it's self. I will most definitely be reading the rest of the series and taking a look at Godbersen's other books.

My Favorite Quote:
“Don't go looking for boys in the dark 
They will say pretty things then leave you with scars. 
Do go looking for boys in the park 
For that is where the true gentlemen are.”

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

Cover Reveal: Prophecy Of Solstice's End By Diantha Jones

As you may know from my reviews, I absolutely love Diantha Jones' Oracle of Delphi series so naturally I am extremely excited about the next one in the series. I have personally loved all of the covers so far but I think this is perhaps the best.
Warning: The synopsis contains spoilers for the previous two books!

Series: Oracle Of Delphi #3
Genre: Young Adult, Greek Mythology
Release Date: July 2013
Cover Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Synopsis: Summer Solstice is here. Let the games begin. 
Nothing but lies (some of them her own) and deceit have brought Chloe to Olympus for the Solstice Olympic Games. As the Oracle and the special guest of the King of Myth, Chloe becomes immersed in a life of unfathomable luxury, taunting history, and overwhelming excitement. Though scheming and untrustworthy, the gods remain on their best behavior as the tension and anticipation builds around the outcome of the Quest of the Twelve Labors, the deadliest competition of the Games. All seems well on the celestial front...until athletes start turning up dead and a philosopher missing for months returns with a most terrifying story... But that’s not all. As Strafford confronts his troubled past and more is learned about the Great Unknown Prophecy, Chloe grows close to another, setting off a chain of events that will bring her face-to-face with a truth that will rock both of her worlds to their core. And it’ll all happen before Solstice’s end...

My review of Book One and Book Two in the Oracle Of Delphi series.

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

Here is how I got on with my challenges of 2012:

GOODREADS CHALLENGE
The first challenge that I entered was the 2012 Goodreads reading challenge. I entered this last year too, it is very straight forward to finish. All you have to do is set the amount of books you want to read and try and complete it. My goal is to read 100 books this year. Lets hope I make it or even exceed it.
If you want to join this challenge go to:
http://www.goodreads.com/challenges/207-2012-reading-challenge

Update: 100% complete!
DONE!


WITCHES AND WITCHCRAFT CHALLENGE
My second challenge was one that was recommended to me on Goodreads. The 2012 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge. Usually I don't like Witchy books but a few have caught my eye so I thought I may as well enter. When you enter you have to choose a level.
The levels are:
Intiate: Read 1-5 witchy books
Maiden: Read 6-10 witchy books
Mother: Read 11-15 witchy books
Crone: Read 16-20 witchy books

Books I'm going to read (I will add as I go)
1. Beautiful Creatures By Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
2. Beautiful Darkness By Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
3. A Great And Terrible Beauty By Libba Bray
4. Beautiful Chaos By Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
5. Poison Study By Maria V. Snyder
I am going for the Intinate level
To enter go to:
http://melissaseclecticbookshelf.blogspot.com/2011/12/2012-witches-witchcraft-reading.htm
DONE!!
A-Z CHALLENGE
The third challenge that I entered was the Babies, Books and signs A-Z challenge. I'm going with option B which is to add the books as I go along (option A is choosing them before you start). This should be OK, I'm two days into 2012 and I've already finished my first book.
To enter go to: http://www.babiesbooksandsigns.com/p/z-challenge-2012.html

So here's my list:
A- Alibi's Ghosts By L.S. Hullinger
B- Beautful Creatures By Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
C- Clockwork Angel By Cassandra Clare
D- Darkfever By Karen Marie Moning
E- Everneath By Brodi Ashford
F- Flawless By Sara Shepard
G- Golden Lily By Richelle Mead
H- Halfway To The Grave By Jeaniene Frost
I- Iron King By Julie Kagawa
J- Justice By Jade Varden
K- Knife Of Never Letting Go By Patrick Ness
L- Living Dead In Dallas by Charlaine Harris
M- Mockingjay By Suzanne Collins
N- Numbers By Rachel Ward
O- One Foot In The Grave By Jeaniene Frost
P- Pretty Little Liars By Sara Shepard
Q-
R- Rogue by Rachel Vincent
S- Shatter Me By Tahereh Mafi
T- The Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins
U- Unearthly By Cynthia Hand
V-
W- Wolfsbane By Andrea Cremer
X-
Y-
Z-

SO CLOSE YET SO FAR!

100 BOOKS IN A YEAR
I have yet another challenge. Similar to the Goodreads one the challenge is to read 100 books this year. It is hosted by Book Chic City. This is a very unrestricted challenge as you can read an genre of book that you want which is always good to hear. To enter go to: http://www.bookchickcity.com/2011/12/sign-up-100-books-in-year-reading.html

Books I've read (I will add them as I go along):
1. Crescendo By Becca Fitzpatrick
2. Clockwork Angel By Cassandra Clare
3. Halfway To The Grave By Jeaniene Frost
4. Torment By Lauren Kate
5. The Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins
6. Alibi's Ghosts By L.S Hullinger
7. Hope's Daughter By Melanie Cusick-Jones
8. Shelter From Thunder By Michael Cargill
9. Wolfsbane By Andrea Cremer
10. Clockwork Prince By Cassandra Clare
11. Clockwork Angel: Of Loss By Cassandra Clare
12. Catching Fire By Suzanne Collins
13. Mockingjay By Suzanne Collins
14. One Foot In The Grave By Jeaniene Frost
15. Shatter Me By Taherah Mafi
16. Pretty Little Liars By Sara Shepard
17. Wither By Lauren DeStefano
18. Darkfever By Karen Marie Moning
19. Taking Flight By Melanie Cusick-Jones
20. Destined By P.C. And Kristen Cast
21. Beautful Creatures By Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
22. My Love Lies Bleeding By Alyxandra Harvey
23. Blood Feud By Alyxandra Harvey
24. Ill Wind By Rachel Caine
25. Beautiful Darkness By Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
26. Delirium By Lauren Oliver
27. City Of Bones By Cassandra Clare
28. Matched By Ally Condie
29. Forgotten By Cat Patrick
30. Undead By Kirsty McKay
31. At Graves End By Jeaniene Frost
32. Thirteen Reasons Why
33. Callum By Malorie Blackman
34. My Sister's Keeper By Jodi Picoult
35. Justice By Jade Varden
36. Bloodfever By Karen Marie Moning
37. City Of Ashes By Cassandra Clare
38. A Great And Terrible Beauty By Libba Bray
39. Before I Fall By Lauren Oliver
40. Heat Stroke By Rachel Caine
41. Unearthly By Cynthia Hand
42. Specials By Scott Westerfield
43. The Iron King By Julie Kagawa
44. Chill Factor By Rachel Caine  
45. Black Dawn By Rachel Caine  
46. The Fairytale Keeper By Andrea Cefalo
47. Divergent By Veronica Roth
48. Free Four By Veronica Roth
49. An Offering Of Moonlight By Cassandra Clare
50. Flawless By Sara Shepard
51. Prophesy Of The Most Beautiful By Diantha Jones
52. City Of Glass By Cassandra Clare
53. Hate List By Jennifer Brown
54. The Perks Of Being A Wallflower By Stephen Chbosky
55. Dead Until Dark By Charlaine Harris
56. Pride And Prejudice By Jane Austen
57. Underneath by Michael Cargill
58. The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead
59. Insurgent by Veronica Roth 
60. Fever by Lauren DeStefano
61. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini 
62. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White 
63. Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick 
64. City Of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare 
65. The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin 
66. Living Dead In Dallas by Charlaine Harris 
67. The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda 
68. The Future Of Us by Jay Asher 
69. Supernaturally by Kiersten White 
70. Everneath by Brodi Ashford 
71. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand 
72. Stray by Rachel Vincent 
73. The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa 
74. Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris 
75. Rogue by Rachel Vincent
76. The Forest Of Hands And Teeth By Carrie Ryan
77. Imaginary Girls By Nova Ren Suma
78. Going Too Far By Jennifer Echols
79. The Knife Of Never Letting Go By Patrick Ness
80. Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia And Margaret Stohl
81. This Is Not A Test By Courtney Summers
82. Poison Study By Maria V. Snyder
83. Blue Bloods By Melissa De La Cruz
84. Anna Dressed In Blood By Kendare Blake
85. Numbers By Rachel Ward
86. Prophecy Of The Setting Sunrise By Diantha Jones
87. Legend By Marie Lu
88. My Soul To Take By Rachel Vincent
89. Grave Mercy By Robin LaFevers
90. Bits Of Cargill By Michael Cargill
91. Crossed By Ally Condie
92. Pride By Rachel Vincent
93. The Ring Sets Out By J.R.R. Tolkien
94. The Maze Runner By James Dashner
95. The Ask And The Answer By Patrick Ness
96. Windfall By Rachel Caine
97. Luxe By Anna Godbersen
98. Sweet Evil By Wendy Higgins
99. The Lovely Bones By Alice Sebold
100. Tithe By Holly Black

DONE!

DYSTOPIA CHALLENGE
My next challenge is the one I think I will enjoy most as it is a genre that I've been looking forward to starting. It is the Bookish Ardour Dystopia challenge. Dystopia seems like a really interesting genre and I have loads on my to read list. Here are the levels:
Asocial: Choose 5 books to read
Contagion: Choose 15 books to read
Soldier: Choose 30 books to read
Drone: Choose 50 books to read
Brainwashed: Choose between 76-135 books to read
Totalitarian: Choose between 136-200 books to read

I am going for the asocial level but I may increase it. To enter go to: http://bookishardour.com/dystopia/#comment-2825
The books I'm going to read (will add as I go):

1. The Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins
2. Hope's Daughter By Melanie Cusick-Jones
3. Catching Fire By Suzanne Collins
4. Mockingjay By Suzanne Collins
5. Shatter Me By Tahereh Mafi

YAY! I've accomplished my challenge! Time to move it up to Contagion.

6. Wither By Lauren DeStefano
7. Taking Flight By Melanie Cusick-Jones
8. Delirium By Lauren Oliver
9. Matched By Ally Condie
10. Callum By Malorie Blackman
11. Specials By Scott Westerfield
12. Divergent By Veronica Roth
13. Free Four By Veronica Roth
14. Insurgent By Veronica Roth
15. Fever By Lauren DeStefano

Wooh! Done it again, may move it up...
16. The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda
17. The Knife Of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
18. Legend By Marie Lu
19. Crossed By Ally Condie
20. The Maze Runner By James Dashner
21. The Ask And The Answer By Patrick Ness
DONE AND THEN SOME!

NEW CHALLENGE! BOOK BLOGGER RECOMMENDATION CHALLENGE

The 2012 Book Blogger Recommendation challenge is hosted over at Reading With Tequila. 

The Levels:
Level I - 5 books from the 2011 Book Blogger Recommendation List
Level II - Read 10 books
Level III - Read 15 books
Level IV - Read 20 books
Level V - Read 20+ books
I'm going for level V, I will try for 30 off the list!

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins DONE
2. Divergent by Veroncia Roth  DONE
3. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins 
4. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare  DONE
5. Graceling by Kristin Cashore 
6. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare  DONE
7. Delirium by Lauren Oliver  DONE
8. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini  DONE
9. The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
10. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater 
11. Dark Lover by J.R. Ward DONE
12. The Maze Runner by James Dashner DONE
13. Infamous by Sherrilyn Kenyon 
14. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks 
15. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White  DONE
16. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl  DONE
17. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor 
18. Legend by Marie Lu DONE
19. Fateful by Claudia Gray 
20. Forever by Maggie Stiefvater 
21. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi  DONE
22. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkins DONE
23. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins 
24. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher  DONE
25. Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer  DONE
26. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa DONE
27. Wither by Lauren DeStefano DONE
28. Matched by Ally Condie DONE
29. Across the Universe by Beth Revis 
30. Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard  DONE
31. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky  DONE

Progress: 19/31
MAYBE NEXT YEAR...

So I didn't complete them all but I was pretty close. How did you do?

The Maze Runner By James Dashner

Series: The Maze Runner #1
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia
Release Date: October 6th 2009
Source: Bought
Overall Rating: 3 Stars
Cover Rating: 2 Stars
Synopsis: When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls. Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every thirty days a new boy has been delivered in the lift. Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

I am not sure what I expected when I picked up The Maze Runner but I'm positive it wasn't what I got. I had heard The Maze Runner compared to The Hunger Games many times, they are both set in an arena-like location but the similarities end there. This book was very unique and the mostly male characters made a change from the normally female-dominated young adult genre. Although I missed more female presences, I really did enjoy this book. The story follows Thomas after he wakes in a lift -is that an American word too? I thought it was just us Brits who used it - with no memory. When the doors open Thomas isn't alone, he's surrounded by boys who went through the exact same thing but have now been living there for a long time - or you could say as long as they remember. Their lives follow a set pattern which all changes when the first girl ever arrives with a message which will change their lives...

I wasn't very keen on any of the characters in this book really. Thomas seemed quite stiff and his personality was almost non-existent. A few of the other Gladers were slightly more interesting but not by very much. The girl, whose name I cannot remember for the life of me, was also slightly wooden but she was quite a bit more interesting than the rest. It seemed like the author had given her and Thomas near enough the same personality but it suited her loads more. The rest of the Gladers seemed like the same person, some had obvious differences but then others would display the same characteristics later on. One thing I did like about the characters was their community, it was a fully functioning community of teenagers which worked better than you may think.

Overall I found this book very entertaining despite its lack of character development and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I did guess the ending after a little while - or at least I thought I had until a final twist was added in right at the last second. The world building was stunning and it made up significantly for the characters. I would recommend this book to fans of The Hunger Games and the Chaos Walking series.

My Favorite Quote:
“Shouldn't someone give a pep talk or something?" Minho asked, pulling Thomas's attention away from Alby.
"Go ahead" Newt replied. 
Minho nodded and faced the crowd. "Be careful," he said dryly. "Don't die.” 
"Great. We're all bloody inspired." Newt said.”

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

Where Have I been?

Hey everyone. This is just a quick post because I am mega busy but some of you may have noticed that I haven't posted anything in almost a month. Shocking I know but luckily I have a good excuse. I haven't had any internet for all that time! My provider shut mine off instead of a neighbors and then took almost a month to put it back on. It was torture!

If you've sent me a email in that time I will try and get back to you as soon as possible. I am currently wading through an inbox of over 200 messages so it could be a while. I never thought I'd say this but luckily some of them are junk. I have read a lot in my internet-less days so I have a lot to review so look forward to it and I will try to post one this week.

Hope you didn't miss me too much :)