HEART SHAPED - SIOBHAN PARKINSON - REVIEW

Book: Heart Shaped
Author: Siobhan Parkinson
Publisher: Hodder Childrens
ISBN: 9781444903607
Rating: C

Written with sensitivity, humour and a lightness of touch, HEART-SHAPED is a companion to Siobhan Parkinson's highly-acclaimed novel, BRUISED - for fans of Meg Rosoff, Aidan Chambers and David Levithan. Annie makes a startling discovery one day - and everything changes. She fears for the safety of her boyfriend Jonno, who has vanished, knowing he is in desperate trouble. Feeling alone, she clings to her dad, her only parent, but he can't fill in all the gaps in the puzzle that is Annie's life. Nor can her best friend. To do that, Annie has to look into her past and understand who her mother was, what happened to her and why. So the truth behind Jonno's disappearance - which is the story in BRUISED - becomes a mirror for what's happening in Annie's own life. The reader is desperate for him to come back, so that Annie can fully fit the pieces of her existence back together.

Heart Shaped. The title instantly reminded me of Heart Shaped Bruise so naturally I was on the look out for any similarities between the books and whilst there were many difference I did seem to find one major; whether I was looking to hard or not, a lot of this book is Annie telling her head doctor her story... which is nearly identical to what happened in Heart Shaped Bruise. However that's beside the point. Overall it was a good story, well written and evoking a lot of emotion, but it just wasn't for me. I felt that even though it was a very small book some parts dragged a little and I'm not saying this is a bad book; it's really not, I'm just sort of showing the negatives I found before moving onto the positives.

For starters this is one of those books that although sad it's rather positive and keeps you feeling good inside. The story was fairly simple as far as it went and had a mix of sub genres focusing around one genre. I like the use of death but in a way that it wasn't so much a negative things in this. I mean the story really touched on parental death for youngsters and what would happen and I really feel like Parkinson hit the nail on the head with portraying that and the emotions of how they would all feel.

The writing was nice. Annie had a very distinct voice and although some characters seemed to blend in my mind Annie stayed strong and clear as the main characters. Her narrative was good and I liked the way the book was a little more mentally focused, because if someone close has died you going to mentally close in a little more and talk less and I like how we glimpsed into Annie's mind a lot.

I have mixed opinions on the characters. Although some were a little samey I felt as though each one was likeable and well formed with enough information to make them real in my mind. I just felt like sometimes characters would drop out for a while and then reappear for a long time before disappearing again. However the main characters did have distinctive voices that held me tight and I definitely wanted to know Annies story from when she first started to talk.

Overall I though the book was a little confusing but once you reach that ending it all makes sense and quite honestly: this book will leaving feeling warm inside.

HEART SHAPED BRUISE - TANYA BYRNE - REVIEW

Book: Heart Shaped Bruise
Author: Tanya Byrne
Publisher: Headline
ISBN: 9780755393053
Rating: A

A compelling, brutal and heart-breaking story about identity, infamy and revenge, from debut author Tanya Byrne. Shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger 2012 They say I'm evil. The police. The newspapers. The girls from school who sigh on the six o'clock news and say they always knew there was something not quite right about me. And everyone believes it. Including you. But you don't know. You don't know who I used to be. Who I could have been. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever shake off my mistakes or if I'll just carry them around with me forever like a bunch of red balloons Awaiting trial at Archway Young Offenders Institution, Emily Koll is going to tell her side of the story for the first time. Heart-Shaped Bruise is a compulsive and moving novel about infamy, identity and how far a person might go to seek revenge.

Well... Tanya Byrne is one of those authors that I've just heard so much about and about a week back I finally got round to reading Heart Shaped Bruise and I loved it. I guess it really took push for me to pick up and start the book, because It's not something I would normally pick up, but I'm so glad I did. I love finding a book so beautiful that I thought I wouldn't like and the satisfaction of that is incredible. In fact I think I would go as far as saying I honestly think, whether this appeals or not, anyone could pick this up and enjoy it, thoroughly.

The plot is really different and interesting and I'm always looking out for different plots or in this case, the ways of telling the stories. When unique storytelling is mentioned Stolen by Lucy Christopher springs to mind but this will definitely be added to the list, because the whole story was told through Emily Koll who is actually telling us the story by both, telling her doctor and writing a notebook, though it's rather weird because essentially the whole thing is a notebook. The plot itself is very clever. Byrne has shown her skill in this novel and the clever and witty way in which this book has been crafted really boasts Byrne's talent for writing.

The writing in this was quite informal but definitely worked in the context. In fact however casual, the writing was laced with talent, because Byrne managed to give vivd emotions and descriptions and tell a stunning story whilst keeping the writing as though a 18 year old girl was writing in a notebook rather than going full novel on the book. Even so the descriptions built up images in you mind and forced emotions that would leave you reading till midnight.

The characters were the main focus of this novel. There was no backstory or subplot. No distraction, the main characters spun this story and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were minimal and so each and everyone came across quickly and you soon knew who you liked and who you didn't. What I loved about Byrne's use of emotions in characters is the struggle between hating someone for what they have done and yet wanting to forgive because you have unintentionally befriended them. The characters really showed their true colours in this novel and Byrnes mastered the complexity of a 18 year olds mind perfectly.

Overall I really did like this novel. It provided suspense, thrill and evoked every emotion known. The book was stunning, beautiful and left me speechless. A gorgeous debut.

LOKI'S WOLVES - K.L. ARMSTRONG & M.A. MARR - REVIEW

Book: Loki's Wolves
Authors: K.L. Armstrong, M.A. Marr
Publisher: Little Brown Younger Readers
ISBN: 9780349001524
Rating: B

In Viking times, Norse myths predicted the end of the world, an event called Ragnarok that only the gods can stop. When this apocalypse happens, the gods must battle the monsters - wolves the size of the sun, serpents that span the seabeds - all bent on destroying the world. But the gods died a long time ago. Matt Thorsen knows every Norse myth, saga, and god as if it was family history - because it is family history. Most people in the modern-day town of Blackwell, in fact, are direct descendants of either Thor or Loki, including Matt's classmates Fen and Laurie Brekke. But knowing the legends and completely believing them are two different things. When the rune readers reveal that Ragnarok is coming and kids - led by Matt - must stand in for the gods in the final battle, Matt can hardly believe it. Matt's, Laurie's, and Fen's lives will never be the same as they race to put together an unstoppable team to stop the end of the world.

I'm not sure the reasons that I decided to pick this up and I'm still not sure if I liked it or not. I think maybe personally I wasn't keen on it but for the target age it was perfect. The main reason, I guess i did pick this up is because of the authors. Both Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong are fantastic authors, both of which I have read books and thoroughly enjoyed. I also gave this a spin because it focused on Norse mythology which there isn't much of in fiction and I wanted to read more. I know Riordan's next series is Norse and the need series touched on it but this seemed like a very full on children's fantasy that would bring Norse mythology to life, and don't get me wrong it did, just something didn't do it for me.

This is a children's novel and that is something I need to bear in mind whilst reviewing this. I guess I've become so accustomed to reading YA and adult or maybe it was because I never read anything this simple but I found this too simple. I felt like it told me everything there and then, literally spelling out to me what was happening, and yet with so many words it lacked description. Furthermore the plot was very simple. Now this is my personal opinion but if we go professional then this is a wonderful novel because for the age group this is aimed at this has the simplicity is perfect. For younger and maybe reluctant readers it will be an easy read that they can grasp and enjoy easily. They will love the action packed chapters that leave them on end, I guess the just didn't leave me on end.

The story and theme of this is continuously fun. The mythology has been twisted into the story in a smart way making it both interesting and enjoyable. I liked how whilst making it fantasy and action packed the authors used this opportunity to actually educate children about Norse mythology and give some back story to it rather than just to have troll fights every chapter which is my next point. They was crazy thrilling. Every chapter left you gasping for more, and this will you child having many sleepless nights, but in the good way. Cliffhangers were the pinnacle of this, exciting and riveting scenes leaving you thirsting for more.

I think when writing an Actioney/Mythological children's fantasy it can often sway towards more of a male book, especially with most in this sub genre having male protagonists but I felt this could easily appeal to girls are well with the use of Multiple POV including a female. In fact the authors have tactfully made each character both unique and interesting whilst easy to follow, remember and understand. There were 3 main characters, meaning it's an easy book to follow and even between the 3 characters there;s a love hate relationship that creates the sort of chemistry you need to keep a book from slumping miserably.

As for the writing, as I said above, personally it doesn't do it for me, but however for a juvenile fictions its perfect. Minimal and easy yet still relatable for kids and has the charm of fantasy books. Not an awful lot of description but int he case of children too much will bore them so I think in terms of it being a younger readers novel the authors have nailed it on the head.

Overall I think it's a fun snappy fast paced novel, brimming with magic and mythology that will keep any child enchanted whilst they read this book.

DIVERGENT FOR DUMMIES: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DIVERGENT

So as you guys may or may not know I am a massive Divergent Fan and there's been a lot happening with this series at the moment, so this is basically a Dummies guide to Divergent.

Divergent is a Dystopian and awesome Trilogy. So far two books are out and book 3 is scheduled for later this year. Here are the books. The author is the incredibly talented Veronica Roth.

The Books

Available Now
US Cover - UK Cover
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Available Now

US Cover - UK Cover 

One choice can transform you--or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable--and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

Not Yet Released - Release Date: October 22nd 2013
US Cover - UK Cover
This novel is yet to be released and so forth no complete sypnosis or blurb is available. It remains a mystery. What is known has been pasted below.
What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

Allegiant Info
Now we don't know much about this but we have gleaned some juicy tidbits about Allegiant. For starts both of the covers have water in them, and that Suggests a flood maybe? A lot of water is for sure. We also know there will be a new male character and that we will learn more about Edith Prior!

Movie Info
So there will in fact be a movie of Divergent. It's being made by Summit, the same people who made the Twilight movies and is set for release in 2014. A lot of the Casting has already been done and here is the Cast List so far.

Cast List

	Shailene Woodley	...	Beatrice 'Tris' Prior
	Jai Courtney	...	Eric
	Kate Winslet	...	Jeanine Matthews
	Ansel Elgort	...	Caleb Prior
	Theo James	...	Four
	Tony Goldwyn	...	Andrew Prior
	Maggie Q	...	Tori
	Miles Teller	...	Peter
	Ray Stevenson	...	Marcus Eaton
	Zoë Kravitz	...	Christina
	Ashley Judd	...	Natalie Prior
	Mekhi Phifer	...	Max
	Ben Lloyd-Hughes	...	Will
	Christian Madsen	...	Al
	Ben Lamb	...	Edward
	Justine Wachsberger	...	Lauren
	Amy C. Newbold	...	Molly Atwood

Movie Stills
Click to Enlarge

Extra
Well there isnt much more to cover apart from the very recent Official divergent Movie Graphics that have been released. See below. Click to Enlarge

GUEST POSTING

Hiya Guys! Just thought I'd let you know that today I have guest posted on another Awesome book blog called Readaraptor!! Go check out my post here:

http://www.readaraptor.co.uk/2013/05/guest-post-from-arjun-from-excellent.html

FANMADE STARCROSSED COVER

Just thought I'd make a fanmade starcrossed cover... I guess this sort of cover would be a limited edition one or something.

GODDESS - JOSEPHINE ANGELINI - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY

Book: Goddess
Author: Josephine Angelini
Publisher: PanMacmillan
ISBN: 9780330529761
Rating: A

She must rise, or they will fall ...Helen's powers are increasing--and so is the distance between her and her mortal friends. To make matters worse, the Oracle reveals that a dangerous traitor is lurking among them, and all fingers point to Orion. Still unsure whether she loves him or Lucas, Helen is forced to make a terrifying decision, or risk all-out war. The final book in this heart-stopping trilogy.

Angelini you genius. You are the master of all things amazing. You know what, you should be the Goddess of writing because this was truly magical. Every single book in this series has been better than it's baby sister and this one topped the lot. By miles the best finale of a series I've read for a long. Absolutely perfect in every mannerism or characteristic. Listen up authors, because this is how you end a saga.

So in the we follow Helen on her quest [kind of] to stop the war and trust me, Angelini is queen of surprises, twists and turns. She has mastered the art of it and I have come to the conclusion that Authors sit there in general and basically do this. Author: Okay, I need to kill someone off. Who do the fans love the most. So I guess spoiler alert but there is so much shock in this plot. In fact it's one of the most intricate, perfect,  jam packed and well crafted plots I have had the pleasure to read for a long time. I mean this was perfect. The story was just everything you'd want from this book. The magic, the gods, the romance. It's a package deal and you're getting the best part of it.

The setting varied. We had Nantucket Island, Underworld and Everyland (Which I can't tell you about). All of these we masterfully created and Angelini's beautiful use of description helped this magical places to blossom in our minds. Everyworld in itself is pure perfection and the way it's portrayed is beautiful. In fact we view all the setting in a new light within this book. Nantucket becomes a battleground and The underworld becomes and escapism or a safe place almost.

The characters... well this is possibly going to be a massive paragraph. I'm not sure if what Angelini did with the characters was Genius or pure evil. There was so much suspense and shock with each and every characters. So many personality changes, emotional changes, physical changes at Matt changes. As well as some new characters and people becoming completely new characters, they generally stayed the the same, and because it's the final book we discover the true origins of all the scions and who all their real god-parents are. In fact they way Angelini has created the characters is one of the cleverest things in the book, completely throwing of trail of what you'd expect.
My favourite character in this novel is Helen hands down. Andi was a close runner but Helen is just full thrust awesomeness. The power, the magic, and just everything we learn about her makes her the most perfect character in every way and the best heroine a novel can have!

The writing is something Angelini always impresses with. I love her use of description to build up vivid images in you mind. I love descriptive book so this was perfect for me. It doesn't drag on but finds the equilibrium between description and dialogue to make the story so crisp in you mind. Her writing also has they beautiful whimsical tone to it whilst still be strong and hard hitting.
Another thing I've loved about her writing, since book 1, is that Aneglini writes in such a way it's one of those book you can pick up anywhere, anytime, even for 5 minutes and completely slip into and indulge in the story, and trust me, there's a lot to indulge in.

{SPOILER} The scenes in this story are sublime, but my favourite has to be when Helen saves dying lucas and makes her own atlantis, every land. The way she builds up the world, makes herself immortal and captures Zeus in it, is just so masterfully crafted. And another favourite scene is when Helen and Lucas find out they're not cousin! YAY! {SPOILER OVER}

So yes, there's a lot to love about this book and saying goodbye is going to be hard. It was a stunning masterpiece that had me from page 1. Theres death, romance, mythology and the finest ingredients for the epic finale. But I guess it's farewell to this series. The most magical story of the year. Hands down.

GIVEAWAY!
Now you can enter a UK ONLY giveaway to win Goddess by Josephine Angelini! Either go to the giveaway page here on enter the form below!

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