WWW Wednesdays (13)

WWW Wednesdays is a weekly Meme hosted by Mizb @ Should Be Reading. To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions:

1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you'll read next?

*Note: all links go to Amazon, except for when you click on the pictures :)

My Answers:

1. I'm currenlty reading Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi 
   
2. On Friday, I finished reading The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory {my review here} 
   
   
3. I think it will be The Sorceress by Michael Scott   

Teaser Tuesday (13)

Teaser Tuesday is a Meme hosted by Mizb @ Should Be Reading. Anyone can join in, as long as they do the following:

• Grab your current read. 
• Open your book to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page. 
• Warning:  Avoid spoilers in your teaser as not everyone has had the pleasure to read your current read
• Share the Title & Author so anyone can add your current read to their list if they wish to do so. 
• Note: links go to Amazon

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
Release Date: 7th February 2012
Publisher: Pier 9
Pages: 374

"The bells rang everywhere. Perry couldn't tell where the sound was closest. He scanned the woods. "Where are you?"


His eyes locked onto movement. Downhill two Croven stalked toward him, their capes dragging along the earth. They didn't wear masks. Perry knew the exact moment they saw him. Fear slashed across their faces and then they dove behind a tree."

Musing Mondays (2)

Musing Mondays is a weekly Meme by Mizb @ Should Be Reading

This weeks musing asks... Do you read books that are part of a series? Do you collect all the books in a series before starting? What if the series is brand new, and the only book that has been published so far is book one? As subsequent books in the series are published, do you go back and re-read the preceding books?

Nowadays, most books get published in a series, so yes, I read books that are a part of a series. If a series is really good, or I enjoy a particular author, I will buy all their books, so that I can have a complete set sitting on my bookshelf :) . At the moment, I have the entire Diaries of Georgia Nicholson series, all the Twilight books, all of Marian Keyes novels, and I'm slowing building up my collection of Tempe Brennan books by Kathy Reichs, The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer, and The Flappers series by Jillian Larkin. 

I don't wait until all the books have been released to start reading the series. Depending on how many books are in the series, that could take years! I generally just buy the books as they are released, and slowly build up my collection. I think its better to read this way because you stretch out the series; If I just waited until all the books are released and then read them all, one after the other, I could finish a series within days - that doesn't give you enough time to savour the story!

I don't tend to re-read books. No matter how much I love a book, I just don't go back and read it because I figure that I could spend that time reading a new book. Most of the time, books that are a part of a series tend to hint to you the main plot details of the preceding book, so I don't feel the need to familiarise myself with the plot of the previous book. 

What about you? What's your opinion on books in series?

Book Review: The Red Queen (The Cousin's War #2) by Philippa Gregory

The Red Queen (The Cousin's War #2) by Philippa Gregory

Release Date:  19th September 2010 
Publisher:  Simon and Schuster
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 400
Rating: 2.0/5.0

This book was read as part of the 2012 OTS and 2012 ATS Challenge

Summary from Amazon:

"Heiress to the red rose of Lancaster, Margaret Beaufort never surrenders her belief that her house is the true ruler of England and that she has a great destiny before her. Her ambitions are disappointed when her sainted cousin Henry VI fails to recognize her as a kindred spirit, and she is even more dismayed when he sinks into madness. Her mother mocks her plans, revealing that Margaret will always be burdened with the reputation of her father, one of the most famously incompetent English commanders in France. But worst of all for Margaret is when she discovers that her mother is sending her to a loveless marriage in remote Wales.
Married to a man twice her age, quickly widowed, and a mother at only fourteen, Margaret is determined to turn her lonely life into a triumph. She sets her heart on putting her son on the throne of England regardless of the cost to herself, to England, and even to the little boy. Disregarding rival heirs and the overwhelming power of the York dynasty, she names him Henry, like the king; sends him into exile; and pledges him in marriage to her enemy Elizabeth of York’s daughter. As the political tides constantly move and shift, Margaret charts her own way through another loveless marriage, treacherous alliances, and secret plots. She feigns loyalty to the usurper Richard III and even carries his wife’s train at her coronation.

Widowed a second time, Margaret marries the ruthless, deceitful Thomas, Lord Stanley, and her fate stands on the knife edge of his will. Gambling her life that he will support her, she then masterminds one of the greatest rebellions of the time—all the while knowing that her son has grown to manhood, recruited an army, and now waits for his opportunity to win the greatest prize.

In a novel of conspiracy, passion, and coldhearted ambition, number one bestselling author Philippa Gregory has brought to life the story of a proud and determined woman who believes that she alone is destined, by her piety and lineage, to shape the course of history."

Review:
I had high expectations of this book, because I had heard so much about Philippa Gregory's writing, and I'm a big fan of historical fiction. And I really enjoyed reading about the history side of things. Gregory did quite well to create an unstable England, with the House of Lancaster and the House of York fighting a 'cousins war' over the right to rule England. But that's where the praise for this book stops.
Unfortunately, my immense dislike for the protagonist of the novel, the Lady Margaret, tainted the entire novel for me. She was entirely consumed by greed and self righteousness, but apparently this was justified because her actions were the 'will of God'. Not only this, but she was depicted as extremely jealous of the Queen Elizabeth, and I just didn't find that trait attractive in a protagonist. The Lady Margaret was deceitful, untrustworthy and downright rude to anyone who she perceived as beneath herself, and I really didn't enjoy reading about this woman's story.
Not only did this book include a protagonist that I disliked, but it was also highly religious in nature. And I know that England back in the 1400s was a religious place, but Lady Margaret took that a bit further (she believed that she had 'saintly' visions). It was a bit too much for me to handle, and I really struggled to get into this book because the beginning was very focused on Lady Margaret and her religion. Overall, this was not a book I enjoyed. I will read Philippa Gregory again, but probably not in the immediate future. 

WWW Wednesday (12)

WWW Wednesdays is a weekly Meme hosted by Mizb @ Should Be Reading. To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions:

1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you'll read next?

*Note: all links go to Amazon, except for when you click on the pictures :)

My Answers:

1. I'm still reading The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory - it was a bit slow to start, so its taking me a bit longer than expected to read
      
   
2. In the past week, I haven't posted any new reviews :(
   
   
3. I bought Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi on Monday, so I'll read that next.   

Teaser Tuesday (12)

Teaser Tuesday is a Meme hosted by Mizb @ Should Be Reading. Anyone can join in, as long as they do the following:

• Grab your current read. 
• Open your book to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page. 
• Warning:  Avoid spoilers in your teaser as not everyone has had the pleasure to read your current read
• Share the Title & Author so anyone can add your current read to their list if they wish to do so. 
• Note: links go to Amazon
  

The Red Queenby Philippa Gregory
Release Date: 19th September 2010
Publisher: Simon and Schuster 
Pages: 400

"You would have to see it to believe it Margaret, but every city we go through pours out to celebrate his coronation. Everyone would rather have a strong usurper on the throne than a weak boy. And he promises to be a good king - he is the picture of his father, he is a York, and beloved"


"And yet there are many who would rise against him. I should know, I am mustering them."

Musing Monday's (1)

Musing Mondays is a weekly Meme by Mizb @ Should Be Reading

This weeks musing asks... What is the last book that you learned something from? What book was it, and what did it teach you?

I usually only read fiction books, so I don't tend to learn new things though non-fiction novels. But, I did learn two important things from two fiction books that I read recently.

I'm currently reading The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory, and it's taught me that I don't like books about/including religion. The book isn't entirely focused on religion, but the beginning dragged on for me because the protagonist was so fixated on her relgion and God, and describing her 'saintly visions'. I was worried that I might not be able to finish this novel, but it's eased off the religion a bit and I'm starting to quite enjoy it. 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins taught me a new appreciation for dystopian novels. When I was at school, in Year 6 and Year 7, I was forced to read The Wind Singer by William Nicholson and The Giver by Lois Lowry. I hated both books so much that I stopped reading dystopian novels altogether. It was 5 years before I read another dystopian novel, The Hunger Games, and I enjoyed it so much that I've read, and am planning to read, a ton of dystopian novels this year.  

WWW Wednesdays (11)

WWW Wednesdays is a weekly Meme hosted by Mizb @ Should Be Reading. To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions:

1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you'll read next?

*Note: all links go to Amazon, except for when you click on the pictures :)

My Answers:

1. I only just started reading The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory yesterday.    
   
2. On Tuesday I finished reading Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins {review here}
   
   
3. I'm planning to go out an buy Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi sometime this week, so if I get around to that, it will be my next read.  

Book Review: Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins

Release Date: 15th December 2009
Publisher: Scholastic
Format: eBook
Pages: 480
Rating: 5.0/5.0

This book was read as part of the 2012 OTS Challenge 

Summary from Amazon:

"Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge."

Review:
I was actually a bit worried when I picked up this book. I didn't really know where the story could go, what exactly could happen after the end of The Hunger Games. But as soon as I started reading, everything made perfect sense. I was sitting there thinking I was such an idiot, because obviously this is where the story would continue too. And then BAM, at the end of Chapter 12, the story went somewhere I wasn't expecting, but probably should have in hindsight, but knew I would thoroughly enjoy. I'd like to say what happens, but I'll be spoiling the book if I do that.

What I loved about this book was that Suzanne Collins continued doing what she does best. She took what was an amazing premise in The Hunger Games, a story filled with plot twists and incredible characters depicted in the dystopian world of Panem, and took it to a whole new level. The characters that I know and love were still there, and extra attention was payed to Gale, which I enjoyed. All the action and adventure from the first book was still there, just taken to the next level. I feel weird saying this, but this book blew me away. I can't wait to read Mockingjay - I have no doubt that it will be amazing!

Teaser Tuesday (11)

Teaser Tuesday is a Meme hosted by Mizb @ Should Be Reading. Anyone can join in, as long as they do the following:

• Grab your current read. 
• Open your book to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page. 
• Warning:  Avoid spoilers in your teaser as not everyone has had the pleasure to read your current read
• Share the Title & Author so anyone can add your current read to their list if they wish to do so. 
• Note: links go to Amazon
  
  

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Release Date: 15th December 2009
Publisher: Scholastic 
Pages: 480

"That's when I hear the scream. So full of fear and pain it ices my blood. And so familiar. I run wildly in the direction of the voice, heedless of danger, ripping through vines and branches, through anything that keeps me from her.

From reaching my little sister." 

Book Review: Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

Release Date: 3rd January 2012
Publisher: Penguin
Format: Paperback 
Pages: 387
Rating: 5/5

This book was read as part of the 2012 Debut Author Challenge

Summary from Amazon:

"Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future."

Review:

I had been dying to get my hands on this book ever since reviews first started appearing last year. I was a bit wary at first because I wasn't sure how well an appropriation of the classic fairytale Cinderella would fare, considering Cinderella was being updated to a cyborg mechanic. But I have to say that I absolutely loved everything about this book, and the appropriation of Cinderella was done really well. If you didn't know that this was a retelling of Cinderella, you may not have even been able to pick up on it.

Even though you knew basically where the plot was heading, this was still an enjoyable and unpredictable read. And this is mostly the case because this story is set in the new, dystopian world of New Beijing, with Cinderella as a cyborg. These two main plot twists add a whole new dimension to the story, and allow Cinder to stand out as a great story all on its own, and not merely a retelling of a classic fairytale.

My only issue was with the relationship between Cinder and Princess Selene. As soon as the princess was mentioned, I knew what the connection there was, it was so obvious. But nonetheless, this was an amazing debut novel, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment.

WWW Wednesdays (10)

WWW Wednesdays is a weekly Meme hosted by Mizb @ Should Be Reading. To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions:

1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you'll read next?

*Note: all links go to Amazon, except for when you click on the pictures :)

My Answers:

1. I only just started reading Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins today, and I'm really enjoying what I've read so far. 
   
   
2. On Tuesday I finished reading Cinderby Marissa Meyer {review here} and I finished reading The Time Traveler's Wifeby Audrey Niffenegger a little while ago, but put my review up last Friday.  
   
   
3. I'm not really sure - I have so many books on my reading list that its hard to choose which book I want to read next!