Oracle of Delphi Blog Tour - Review and Giveaway

As many of you know, I am a huge fan of Diantha Jones' Oracle of Delphi series so it's only natural that I would participate in the blog tour for book three. I warn you this is going to be a long post but don't fret reading it will be worth it. And there may be a giveaway in it for you if you reach the end...
But first things first - my review!

Series: The Oracle of Delphi #3
Genre: Young Adult, Greek Mythology 
Release Date: July 15th 2012
Source: From author for review
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Cover Rating: 4/5 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 behaviour 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...
First Line: Besides hating to be stared at and despising P.D.B.H (Public Displays of Boo-Hooing), Chloe hated to wait.

The problem with sequels is that more often than not they do not live up to their original counterparts. The second book in this series managed to be just as good but the third has exceeded them both. Book three carries on quickly after two ended with Strafford training for his Olympic quest. The quest had always intrigued me so this was a promising start for me. I was worried for a second that we wouldn't see much of the Olympics but luckily for me Chloe was also invited so I got fully involved in all the action the quest brought forth. Add to that the fact that the gods may be approaching war and Chaos is threatening to destroy Myth and you have the perfect plot line.

I always go on about how much I love the characters in this book. Chloe, although badass, just can't live up to the amazingess that is Ace Remedy. I love Strafford also of course but Ace is just... incomparable. My thoughts about the main characters are literally the same as in the other two books so I will not bore you with repetition but will instead tell you about my newly found loves. The first being Torrent. Yes, I know he was the villain of the last book but there is something about him that intrigues me, something good and brave in him. I may be totally wrong but his tortured soul vibe makes me believe there is something deeper to him. The other character that surprised me was Apollo, again he's played off as the villain but I do sense that he's not as bad as everyone makes out. I believe he really does care but his need for power often gets in the way - he may be cold hearted but I don't believe his soul is totally corrupt.

This series is a favourite of mine partly because of the many dimensions of the characters but also the amazing world building. The rich detail that's put into the mythology that is always in the background is astounding and the authors ability to give the many characters individual personalities that reflect their original myths or heritage is hugely admirable. I am a huge fan of Greek Mythology but most books I read on the subject are let downs using the myths as a basis for undeveloped romance. I can truly say that the Oracle of Delphi series is not one of these books and if you're going to read a mythological book it should be this one.

Diantha Jones was born the day thousands of turkeys sacrificed their lives to fill millions of American bellies on November 22 which also happened to be Thanksgiving Day (Her mother says she owes her a turkey). She is a Journalism graduate who wants to be a career novelist (of books, not Facebook posts). When not writing or working, she is reading on her Nook, being hypnotized by Netflix or on a mission to procure french fries. The Oracle of Delphi fantasy series is her first series. She is also the author of Mythos: Stories from Olympus, a companion series, and there is another fantasy series in the works. She also writes (new) adult fantasy/paranormal romance under the name A. Star. Invasion (An Alien Romance) is her first title released under this pen name. Future releases under A. Star include, the Love & Steampunk series, the Purr, Inc. stories, and more.

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads  |  Amazon  |  

Pinterest  |  DJ's Book Corner

The Oracle of Delphi Series
Click the link above to visit the series page for synopsis' and reviews.

Book One

eBook: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

Paperback: Amazon

Goodreads

Read My Review

Book Two

eBook: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

Paperback: Amazon

Goodreads

Read My Review

Mythos, Book One (OOD #2.5)

Visit the series page

eBook: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

Paperback: Amazon

Goodreads

Read My Review

Book Three

eBook: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

Paperback: Amazon (Coming Soon!)

Goodreads

The Unknowing Series

    

Unleash Coming Soon!

(Available in eBook only)

Unknowing: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

Unburden: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

Unchain: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

An Alien Romance by A. Star...

I did not want to come here. Earth is but a lifeless ball of matter. Yet, it is worth more than all the galaxies combined. These creatures, these hu-mans, are not worth the labor we exert keeping them alive. But we need them. And I need him. The hu-man who has turned me from my duties, has made me forget my purpose. Everything has changed now. And we are all going to die.

Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

For a list of future releases, click here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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I hope you enjoyed my stop on the tour and make sure to hop over to the other stops using the button above!

The Fault In Our Stars By John Green

Series: Standalone
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction 
Release Date: January 10th 2012
Source: Bought
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Cover Rating: 3/5 Stars
Synopsis: Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumors in her lungs... for now. Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumors tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault. Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

First Line: “Late in the winter of my seventeenth year, my mother decided I was depressed, presumably because I rarely left the house, spent quite a lot of time in bed, read the same book over and over, ate infrequently, and devoted quite a bit of my abundant free time to thinking about death.”

I've put off reviewing this book for a long time because I don't know how to do it justice without sounding like an obsessed fan girl. This book is surrounded by a huge hype which at first I found slightly threatening. You know how it is, every time a book is so highly acclaimed you can't go into it without huge expectations. I was almost positive that my expectations were much to high for me to properly enjoy this book but you know what? I was wrong. I absolutely loved it! The book has a very different tone to any illness books I've ever read, instead of focusing on death as many do it focused more on life and relationships. The illness was always there but the characters were so expertly that you forgot at times.

I always love John Green's characters but these ones beat nearly every character I've read about. Hazel was a very real character to read about; everything about her was relate able and she wasn't one of those whiny female characters that YA lit is so fond of. I may have even forgiven her if she was whiny given her circumstances but she reflected what so many of us want to be; brave even when facing almost certain death. I don't know where to begin with Augustus... He was so charming and charismatic but at the same time he had a real depth to him that you don't often see in bookish pretty boys. I also admired his bravery as I did Hazel's but his seemed different in a way, he wasn't brave for himself but for other people. I also enjoyed the lesser characters such as Isaac, one of the things I love about John Green is even the smallest character has lots of depth.

This book is a raw and accurate portrayal of how cancer can affect not only the sufferers but the people around them. This book made me laugh almost as much as it made me cry and I don't believe I will ever read another one like it. The writing was flawless and filled to the seams with emotion. The Fault in our Stars is a contemporary masterpiece that I would recommend to absolutely everyone! If I could, I would have given it more than 5 stars as it by far superior to many of the books I have given that rating.

My Favorite Quotes:

“That's the thing about pain," Augustus said, and then glanced back at me. "It demands to be felt” 

“The marks humans leave are too often scars.” 

“Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.” 

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

Waiting On Wednesday (#1)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted over at Breaking the Spine - an event spotlighting the upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

I have taken part in this meme before but I wasn't very constant so I'm starting afresh which is why I've listed this post as '#1'.

So what book am I eagerly anticipating today?


Title: The Dream Thieves 
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Series: The Raven Cycle, #2
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Release Date: September 17th 2013
Cover Rating: 3/5 Stars
Synopsis: Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same. Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after...


What's so good about it?
After utterly adoring everything about the first book, The Raven Boys, I absolutely have to read this! This series has some of the best character development of any books I've read so it's only natural I want to see what happens next. One thing I am disappointed about is the cover, I thought the first one was gorgeous and, although this one is nice, it's nowhere near as good as the  first.

What are you looking forward to this week?

Top Ten... Most Intimidating Books

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted over at The Broke and the Bookish. As many of you know, I love top tens so naturally this is my favorite meme and I'm so glad to be getting back to it at long last! So today's theme is...
Top Ten Most Intimidating Books!

Here are mine in no particular order:

1) War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy - With almost 1400 pages, anyone who said this wasn't intimidating is clearly lying to you! The concept does look interesting though so I am planning to read this someday. 

2) A Game Of Thrones by George R.R. Martin - This one I have already read but with the huge size, it took a lot of courage to start. Some of the other books in the series are even larger so it will take a lot to continue.

3) Les Miserables by Victor Hugo - This beats even War and Peace's word count at over 1450 pages. After loving the musical version though I vowed to read it.

4) Anything by Charles Dickens - I am actually yet to finish a Dickens book mostly due to the fact that last time I tried I wasn't really old enough to appreciate. I am planning to read his full works some day though.

5) Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver - I know what you're all thinking, how can Pandemonium possibly intimidate me? Well, the answer is - I have no clue. It's been so long since I read the first that I don't even remember whether I liked it and I just don't want to start this one.

6) Monsters Of Men by Patrick Ness - I absolutely adored the first book in the series but the second one fell a bit flat for me so, one reason is I don't want the series to end on a low. Another reason is that Ness has a way of making you love a character then he kills them off at the end of the book. Think its a fluke? It's happened in both books, it's safe to assume he's doing it on purpose.

7) Paradise Lost by John Milton - Four words: 400 page epic poem.

8) A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess - I have been informed this book is not even in English but a mixture of Cockney and Russian. I absolutely despise slang  - I'm a Queen's English girl - so I don't know if I have much hope of getting through it.

9) Battle Royale by Koushun Takami - I've been told  its a more violent version of The Hunger Games and the concept scares me.

10) City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare - This one isn't even out yet and I know I will have trouble reading it. It is the last ever book in the Mortal Instrument series. Last. Ever. I may have to stretch it until the sequel series comes out...

So... what are your most intimidating books? And do you think you'll ever read them?

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

Series: Standalone
Genre: Classics, Science Fiction
Release Date: 1949
Source: Library 
Overall Rating: 1/5 Stars
Cover Rating: 0/5 Stars
Synopsis: Winston Smith works for the Ministry of truth in London, chief city of Airstrip One. Big Brother stares out from every poster, the Thought Police uncover every act of betrayal. When Winston finds love with Julia, he discovers that life does not have to be dull and deadening, and awakens to new possibilities. Despite the police helicopters that hover and circle overhead, Winston and Julia begin to question the Party; they are drawn towards conspiracy. Yet Big Brother will not tolerate dissent - even in the mind. For those with original thoughts they invented Room 101 . . .

First Line: It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.

I had high hopes for this book after hearing so much about it. I imagined adventure, romance and an interesting dystopian world. Did I get it? Not in the slightest. This is the book that first put the phrase 'Big Brother is watching' in our vocabulary. It probably spurred thousands of conspiracy theory's around the world. The premise was way before it's time but I didn't like it in the slightest. I know it's millions of fans would argue but I do not believe it was very well written. It felt to me as if the author had come up with the great idea of a dictatorship but with more technology than could have even been imagined back then and then his ideas had fizzled out. The characters and plot just came across to me as an afterthought.

The characters were my biggest problem. Winston was made out to be so amazing because he was capable of original thoughts and didn't conform to societies ways but I didn't see it. Sure, he was more rebellious than the others but there was something about him that I hated. He threw threats around for absolutely no reason and went from hating someone to loving them in seconds. I also didn't like the other main character Julia. There isn't much I can say about her except she is one of the most one dimensional characters I have ever come across.

Before reading the book, I had watched the film and I can honestly say I vastly preferred it. Everything about it was ten times better than the book and that is not something I say often. Normally, I would say here how I recommended this book to no one but as it is so iconic and has so many fans, I will leave you to make your own decisions on it. Who knows, I may be the only one out there who genuinely hates it.

 Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

I'm Back!!

Hi everyone! It's been so long I'm surprised if you still remember me. But I have some good news; I'm back!! Yes, I will once again be posting reviews and just bookish talk. There are some meme's I've been hoping to restart so you'll have to look out for them.

Of course I have to say a huge thank you to Sarah for taking care of the blog for me - go and follow her over at Enchanted By A Book. I am hugely appreciative and I really hope you enjoyed reading her reviews as I did. Speaking of which, I wasn't originally planning to review anything she already did but I have decided I will. This is because I think it's really important to see other point of views so that readers can make informed decisions on what books are worth their time (and which should be promptly thrown out of the window, never to be spoken of again).

Anyway, I'm going to plan my reviews - hopefully - weeks ahead this time around so I'm not caught out by computer malfunctions again. I'm so glad to be back and I hope you didn't miss me too much!