Friday 24 December 2010

Nightshade - Andrea Cremer - Review

Just to let you know, A+ is now the highest score, as I am discontinuing A *star* as the start shape does not show on all PC's or MAC's.

Book: Nightshade
Author: Andrea Cremer
Publisher: ATOM books
ISBN: 9781907410277
Rating: A+

She can control her pack, but not her heart ...'I wanted him to kiss me?wished he could smell the desire that I knew was pouring off me. You can't, Calla. This boy isn't the one for you. Calla Tor has always known her destiny: graduation, marriage and then a life leading her pack. But when she defies her masters' laws to save a human boy, she must choose. Is one boy worth losing everything?

This book blew me away. I was hooked from the moment I started to read it, so much that I devoured within days. It had a dangerous and seductive pull on me, putting me in the world of NIGHTSHADE. The Novel in itself is something new, but I loved it nevertheless. It’s a new take on the Dark Romance Genre, branching out from the vampires to Werewolves and Wraiths.

The chapters were just the right size, and the chapter page with moon; Loving it. I think the first chapter was the perfect way to start off with Shay and the Grisly, which leads me on to Shay.

Shay... an interesting character. Unknown past, the Scion, the dream boy. An instant liking was taken to all characters but the two I felt closest to were Shay and Bryn. Bryn has a really friendly, but shy personality, and is cute but beautiful, which is the perfect character. Shay, is the dream boy of NIGHTSHADE but guess what, he’s not the bad guy! *gasp* 

“NIGHTSHADE is a hidden world, of passion, murder, lies, and werewolves. Cremer is Genius!”

The book has a nice twist on the werewolves, and the world in which they live in; NIGHTSHADE is a hidden world, of passion, murder, lies, and werewolves. Cremer is Genius. It plays on the darker side of paranormal teen romance, which we haven’t quite seen yet. It explores some new creatures, which were very exciting.
            I love the way, it’s divided between Guardians, Keepers, and Searchers, and how you’re always on the edge not knowing who too trust or who the goody is. I mean, this plays a big part at the end with the Incident, with Calla, Shay, Bosque and the searchers.

Calla is the main character, and the point of view that the book is set in. Basically, she is an Alpha, who is supposed to marry Reiner another Alpha, but she develops feeling for Shay and they run off together. She has a fierce character, and she very much hates the lower position of Women in her world.

The idea is definitely unique, and Andrea Cremer has created a masterpiece. The writing is a pleasure to read, the world is enticing, I can NOT wait for Wolfsbane and I will love this Novel forever.

Wednesday 22 December 2010

Fanmade Goodnight Mr. Tom Cover

Not sure which cover is better. Mine or Original. You pick:


Fanmade
Original
Click on either for a larger view.

Sunday 19 December 2010

Writing

This is the Writing Page, where I will post short stories, or maybe long stories, that I have written. Feel free to comment, you don't have to like my work.


Silence - Becca Fitzpatrick - FanFic

Fanmade Radiance Cover

Read Radiance by Alyson Noel a while ago so here is my Fanmade Cover.

































My Fanmade Cover                                                                                    Original Cover

Saturday 18 December 2010

VAMPIRE ACADEMY MOVIE

Heya everybody. I just wanted to make a shout out about the Vampire Academy Movie. The rights have officially been bought but now a studio has to film. At the moment there is no one who will take the film but the more of a big thing we make of it the more Hollywood have to take notice, right? Yes, so here's what you need to do. Sign up to the Official Vampire Academy Movie page to support. On the page you can post casting suggestions or just click the like button but remember, the more you do the quicker the movie can be made.


My Cast:

Pippa Black as
Vasilissa Dragomir

Ben Barnes as
Christian Ozera

Amber Heard as
Mia Rinaldi

Andreas Wilson as
Adrian Ivashkov

I can't think of any other actors on the spot.

Some VA wallpapers:
click on them for full size




Wednesday 15 December 2010

In my Mailbox #6

A BIG thanks to atom books (little brown)  for a full copy (not ARC) of Nightshade by Andrea Cremer, early. So... THANKS!!!
by the way my wall is not yellow - it's just the flash 





Loving this cover, especially where the title and author are shiny!!!

Tuesday 7 December 2010

Radiance - Alyson Noel - Review

Book: Radiance ARC
Author: Alyson Noel
Publisher: PanMacmillan
ISBN: 9780330526913
Rating: A

Riley Bloom died, aged twelve, in a car crash with her parents and her beloved dog Buttercup. Her sister Ever survived – but that’s another story. Riley must let go of Ever and all the things that tied her to life – and discover what she’s meant to be in the afterlife. Riley is a soul catcher. That means helping the unhappy lost souls who stick around in the human realm to move on – and find their own place, over the bridge, in the great hereafter. With her spirit guide, Bodhi, and Buttercup by her side, Riley embarks on an adventure that will take her around the world – sending ghosts back where they belong, until she can finally make it there herself.

Radiance is an amazing novel that gripped me from the moment I started reading, and within hours I had devoured it. The perspective of the novel is very different but one that young teens can relate to. I always wanted to know more about Riley, so when the book came out I was jumping to get it. I am glad I did and do not regret it for it is one of the best reads ever, and I cannot wait for Shimmer.

I was particularly fond of chapters 1 and 2 and their introduction on death. I think it is a fantastic opening to the book.

The fact that Riley is only twelve is a nice twist to the YA series as characters in YA novels are generally 16+. I think many of the younger YA readers, like me; will love the series as there are more ways to relate to the characters, from the language of the characters to the general way of thinking. Noel has done an amazing job of putting herself into a young teenagers mind.

I love how Riley develops through the book and how we see an all new side to her personality than the party girl that is shown in the Immortals series. You get to see the true colours of this teenage girl who has lost everything, misses everything and is being forced to choose between her family and her sister, which brings me to the point of Reality. I think this scenario helps many teens to connect with Riley as there may have been divorces in their family. Anyway, then Riley is thrust into a new world and within hours is sent off to Soul Catch.

“Beautifully written, Utterly enticing, Noel’s novel is glowing with Radiance.

The ideas in the book are unique and the dimension of Here & Now is one of my favourites. The magic is to the right balance, so that it is not thrown off as a children’s book but not a complete horror novel. Noel has found a perfect balance and to be honest the novel is absolutely perfect; beautifully written, utterly enticing, Noel’s novel is glowing with Radiance.

The characters are all very realistic and are all instantly likable. My personal favourite was Buttercup but seeing as he was a dog my second is Riley. She has a really quirky, but fun and playful personality and although she may be annoying at times you can’t help but like her. I think this is shown particularly well from the way Riley and Bodhi act around each other.

I loved the events in the book. They slotted perfectly into the storyline and made it interesting. My favourite scenes were the ones in which Riley faces the snake headed clown-dentist and the one in which Riley, Buttercup and Bodhi are flying and Riley finally gets her glow. I find the scene touching and it gives a suspicion of a growing romance between Bodhi and Riley.

The storyline is perfect. There were no glitches or parts that made no sense and I think Noel had planned the book out carefully in such a way it is the perfect spin off series to the Immortals series.

Overall the book is instantly loveable and will always be a favourite of mine and I will most defiantly recommend it to all, so a well done to Noel for creating, yet again, another five start novel.

Saturday 4 December 2010

In my mailbox #5

In my mailbox today I have my first every UK Proof/ARC so big shout out to PanMacmillan for that so THANKS! I am so hyped about it I can't wait to read it. Are you wondering what IT is. IT is Radiance by Alyson Noel, which isn't being released here in the UK till the 4th of February 2011. So.... YAY.








Monday 29 November 2010

Infinite Days - Rebecca Maizel - Review

Book: Infinite Days
Author: Rebecca Maizel
Publisher: Macmillan
ISBN: 9780230749009
Rating: A+

For 500 years Lenah Beaudonte has been a vampire. 500 years of seduction, blood and destruction. But she is sickened by her dark powers - and longs to feel the sun on her skin, grass under her bare feet, and share the breath of a human kiss. She wants to be mortal again. But is she really capable of being human, after her long years of darkness? Waking up as a sixteen-year-old girl brings Lenah many things - the life she has missed, taste, touch, love. But a vampire soul is not easily shed. And her coven - the four vampires she led in decadence and thrilling destruction - want their queen back...

Infinite Days was definitely different to any other vampire book I have ever read. It certainly had a nice twist where it involved the magic but not so much that it became a magic book. I loved the way it evolved over a long period of time as I think so many authors try the keep the time slow but Maizel has just let go and let it flow. The story runs smoothly and everything slots together.

The book is written very well and I loved Maizel’s style of writing so I cannot wait for the sequel: Stolen Nights.
The story is basically about a girl who has been a vampire for five hundred years and wants to be human. She gets that wish but to become human another must sacrifice themselves for you. Anyway she goes to school meets the hot boy, falls in love and all the rest. Then her coven come looking for her, find her and make her into a vampire. Long story short. The book was unique though. The twist at the very end where Lenah sacrifices herself. Big surprise. If I had finished the book it would have gone something like this.

         All I felt were dazzling gold diamonds of light. I knew this was the end. Everything would be gone. But then someone pulled me. The grip was strong, firm and love coursed through it. Vicken. I flew back and landed on the table my head hitting it hard. That’s when the pain started. It rushed through my body as the side effects of the sun kicked in. I screamed a piercing scream and I saw Vicken wince as I did.
       “Come on Lenah, It’s alright...”
I screamed again, this time louder. I was about to scream yet again but Vicken kissed me. I kissed back and only then did I realise I could feel his lips against mine. Taste the softness on his lips. I was human and the pain was gone.
       “How?” I whispered.
       “When you sacrificed yourself I figured that if I said the ritual I would kill my vampire form, which was already dying, and not my human form and I guess it worked.” He said.
                “Vicken, thanks and all but you shouldn’t have.”
                “Why not, we can be together now!”
                “That’s why. I lost Rhode, and I have a boyfriend. Justin Enos.”
He looked at me and his head dropped.
                “I’ll be going.” He said.
                “Wait!” I said and pulled him around.
I kissed him firmly on the lips and  stood back.
                “Just a present.” I said. “Remember me.”
                “Lenah Beaudonte, I will always love you.”
And then he left.

Now my favourite character is Justin. He’s the perfect boy but with normal issues. I mean he grieves losing Lenah so much and basically mourns over her. He has a cool personality and has witty answers for everything so yeah.

I am so glad I bought this book. One of the best ever and I just love it, so five stars from me!

P.S. Don't forget to look out for the sequel STOLEN NIGHTS

Friday 26 November 2010

Shout Out: Vampire Queen

I'd like to give a big shout out to VAMPIREQUEENNOVELS.COM 
It is an awesome site with regular posts and all the latest news on the vampire queen novels: INFINITE DAYS - STOLEN NIGHTS by REBECCA MAIZEL. So go to the sit because it is amazing and thanks to the site for posting a link to my fanmade cover which you can find by going to the FanArt tab above. So go to VAMPIREQUEENNOVELS.COM and I guess that is it. :)

Wednesday 24 November 2010

New Christmas Theme

As you can see the normal theme and banner for ER:



Has in fact been replaced with a fandabidosi new christmas one!!! I thought it was be festive and so I took a twist on the normal logo with the twilight hands. It will be changed back after Christmas and I will be doing different themes more often now. The new header is above you and below you. Hope you like it! :)


Saturday 20 November 2010

Fanmade Infinite Days Cover

I loved the covers to this book so here is mine.

Click on them for full size view.

Fanmade Tantalize Cover

Just about to read Tantalize so I made a fanmade cover. Hope you like!
Fanmade Cover
Original Cover

Click on either one for a larger view.

Wednesday 17 November 2010

Angel - L.A. Weatherly - Review

Book: Angel
Author: L.A. Weatherly 
Publisher: Usborne
ISBN: 9781409521969
Rating: A+


Willow knows she's different from other girls. And not just because she loves tinkering around with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into people's futures, know their dreams, their hopes and their regrets, just by touching them. She has no idea where she gets this power from - But Alex does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows Willow's secret and is on a mission to stop her. The dark forces within Willow make her dangerous - and irresistible. In spite of himself, Alex finds he is falling in love with his sworn enemy.

“A Quirky, Fast Paced Thriller, With a Twist!”

I have to admit I understand the commotion over this book. It was different to what I expected but still amazing. I loved how it’s part of the fallen angel but not at the same time because they not fallen, just very very evil. From the moment I engaged in the book I loved it. It was a quirky, fast paced thriller with a twist, and I have never read anything quite like it. This book was so good it took me ages to write the review. It even got to the point where I was considering doing a Vide Review, but luckily my creativeness returned.

My favourite character was probably Jonah. I absolutely loved him. He was torn between the two worlds of good and bad but not in a cheesy way (I’m cheesy I <3 HARRY POTTER) He has a nice personality and I found myself instantly liking him and feeling sorry for him being at the command of the enemy. I mean he is literally caught up in the middle of everything but as people would say it’s for the greater good – Yet again CHEEEESY J

Anyway after a lot of scary psychic stuff she meets the boy. (Of course there’s a boy – DUH!) Alex, as always he is Edward Cullen perfect. Quirky, full of loss, sarcastic and finds it very hard to show emotion within in the first few chapters. Nevertheless the two eventually fall in loved and I find their love and bit overwhelming, because instead of spacing it out in-between the love Weatherly has packed it into the last five chapters.

That fact the angels were evil were my favourite twist because they are all white, glow and flutterby wings. But Willow – Half Angel – No offence but we all saw it coming. Again with her dad, I got halfway through the book and I already knew who he was. Intuition? No – Inference (we’ve been studying it in English so I just had to use the word somewhere – make me look clever – which I am by the way!)

The plot is a good one. The writing is little but descriptive. I just doesn’t go on, for once. It just tells you what you need and moves on. I think that it is a factor of a light novel (even it is 600 pages LOL).

The book is full of fiery passion, action, flare, love, darkness, light, killing, half angels, angel killers and angels and too be honest I absolutely loved this book. Yes I will read this again – SO BUY IT! GRRR – I SAID BUY IT!!!! GRRR

Desperate Measures - Laura Summers - Review

Book: Desperate Measures
Author: Laura Summers
Publisher: Piccadilly Press
ISBN: 9781848120501
Rating: B+


Vicky and Rhianna are twins but they couldn’t be more different. For their fourteenth birthday, Vicky wants a card from the hottest boy in school. Rhianna, brain-damaged at birth, wants a Furby. Instead they get a nasty shock – their foster parents can’t cope and it looks as if Vicky and Rhianna and their younger brother Jamie will have to be split up. How can they stay together? Desperate times call for desperate measures… Exciting, fast-moving and deeply affecting, this innovative story is Laura Summers’ first novel.


This book was very different from my usual reading list, and i was actually drawn in by the cover. Not by the blurb or whatnot. Anyway, i am so glad that i read this. It will stay with me forever because it is amazing. It goes over the main aspect of life situation that quite often children are put in.


I found it very touching, especially the fact that Re is brain damaged. But i also loved the adventure which was fantastic. The story was well written and the plot is good to read, but not original.


"A touching story, of brotherly love, and desperate measures!"


I read this a couple of weeks ago, as the review was hard to write. I suppose recently i have had a lack words in my head. I'm even having trouble with my novel, but Summers clearly doesn't have any problems because the book was a touching story of brotherly love and desperate measures! I like the perspective of the two sisters and would have loved maybe some chapters from jamies view but hey. I think Summers has done a fantastic job on Re as it must be hard to write as a brain damaged girl.


I think this book is also made to bring awareness to disability and i hope many will read this.

Wednesday 27 October 2010

Ash - Malinda Lo - Review

Book: Ash
Author: Malinda Lo
Publisher: Hodder
ISBN: 
9780340988374
Rating: B-









In the wake of her father’s death, Ash is left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother. Consumed with grief, her only joy comes by the light of the dying hearth fire, re-reading the fairy tales her mother once told her. In her dreams, someday the fairies will steal her away, as they are said to do. When she meets the dark and dangerous fairy Sidhean, she believes that her wish may be granted.
The day that Ash meets Kaisa, the King’s Huntress, her heart begins to change. Instead of chasing fairies, Ash learns to hunt with Kaisa. Though their friendship is as delicate as a new bloom, it reawakens Ash’s capacity for love—and her desire to live. But Sidhean has already claimed Ash for his own, and she must make a choice between fairy tale dreams and true love

Ash... I really did like this book. It’s an original retelling of Cinderella with a twist. Not only does Ash have a fairy (godfather who wants to marry her) but {SPOILER ALERT} SHE IS A LESBIAN!!! Gasp.

The plot starts off very traditional, following the story line but towards part two it veers of path. Basically there is supposedly this non-existent world of the fairies and Ash manages to find it in the woods where she befriends a fairy called Sidhean. Pronunciation: sh-EE-n. Anyway she takes every opportunity she has to see him but as she spends her time in the woods she meets at the royal Huntress, her she forms a friendship a bit to close. Eventually Ash is torn between the two worlds – both forbidden.

At the end Ash is supposedly to realise a moral but in my opinion she found a loophole to the payment she owed Sidhean. The prince wasn’t really in the story. To be honest there was hardly any men in the story, which was very self, centred on the females although I think the book was trying to show that women have just as much authority and importance as men.

I mean I did like the book... how often do you come across a lesbian fairy tale, right? I mean I didn’t even know the author was a bio until I read her bio on GD.

The plot was I think carefully planned but went off track. I like how it was split into two parts, but they were optional as I don’t think they were necessary.
                Favourite character: I’m really not sure on this one but if I had to pick it would probably be Kaisia (the huntress who Ash falls in love with). She is just... really really AWESOME. So yeah, I think four and a half stars for this one.  

Friday 22 October 2010

Linger - Maggie Stiefvater - Review






Sorry about the big gap above - blogger is always causing problems.
Book: Linger
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic 
ISBN: 
9781407121086

Rating: A+


In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole. At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love - the light and the dark, the warm and the cold - in a way you will never forget.


I thoroughly enjoyed Linger. As usual it didn’t lack stiefvater’s usual use of amazing detail that makes it so life like and realistic. I liked how in this book it went into the science side of the werewolf as it refines the book more making it much easier to understand how the werewolf works.

Shiver I loved because it was fantastic to curl up with and was very cosy, and festive and made you feel warm and well... really nice inside where linger... well I just can’t wait to find out what happens is Forever. Please Maggie – Type Faster. Maggie’s books are enchanting. The vivid description is so beautiful I just can’t put into words (but clearly she can – he he)

The series are very good and do work as standalone books, which is something I like because I have read the series and do read them in order but it means someone else doesn’t have to. Someone else could come along and read anyone of the series first.

In linger the roles have swapped. Sam is now human and grace is now fighting with her inner wolf, which is nice because it is always the boy who is mysterious and the mythical creature so for once the tables have turned. In the book Cole is introduced, and so far he seems fine but only when grace is around, so I think even though there is meant to be something between him and Isabel, in forever he will fall in love with grace and there will be this love triangle ting. The other thing that was good was that Isabel’s point of view was included, sharing hoe she felt abrupt everything, because as we know she has a very unique personality.

I HATE GRACE’S PARENTS. Everyone I know who has read the book has the same thoughts. They’re like, oh Sam is bad for our little Gracey Wacey – Grace you grounded he’s bad for you – and they’re are really snobby and stuck up to Sam who actually loves Grace more than they ever will. I mean at the end, Grace’s mum is a bit better but her Dad just gets worse. Punch Sam! How dare he.

My favourite character is most definitely Sam because in certain ways I relate to him. Look: I love books, he loves books. I want to work in a book store, he works in a book store. He hates being a wolf, I would never want to be a wolf (or would I???) You see. But really he is just generally a really cool person with a warm bubbly personality that is so likeable everyone likes him (EXCEP GRACE’S PARENTS)

I loved the book – oh so very much and yes Five stars – Long Live Maggie Stiefvater – Long live Mercy Falls (even though it isn’t real)

Sunday 17 October 2010

Strange Angels - Lili St.Crow - Review

Book: Strange Angels
Author: Lili St.row
Publisher: Quercus 
ISBN: 9781849161251

Rating: A+


Dru Anderson: Night Hunter. Knife Wielder. Heart Breaker. Dru can sense evil, which helps when she and her Dad are tracking down ghosts, suckers, wulfen, and the occasional reanimated corpse. It's a dangerous life, but it's the only one she knows. Then Dru's dad turns up dead and she suddenly finds herself in the middle of a deadly game where every move she makes could be her last. Dru is more special than she realizes - and whatever killed her dad could be coming for her next. Can Dru stay alive long enough to fall for one - or both - of the guys hungry for her affections? Find out in the heart-stopping first book in a thrilling series.


I absolutely loved this book so much. This intense atmosphere, and they way Christophe and Graves were totally enemies on the same side. Who needs Buffy, when you can have Dru.

"Who needs Buffy"

This is the basic love triangle story with a fantasy side to it. In this case, Demon hunting. It is set in the real world - a world all around us made up off monsters and demons. Dru... was an interesting character, always full of surprises around every corner. I like how, for a change, the girl is the hero/fighter and not the love interest/boy. It's a very different book but in a good way. One thing that got me was I don't enjoy reading the buffy books so much but this I absolutely loved, I mean people are going to compare Strange angels and Buffy but they're not that a like... Strange Angels is better.


My favorite character was definitely Graves. The was a warm homely friendly sense about him underneath the goth camouflage. I mean most of the characters were easy to get to know but some seemed to have a really cold presence around them. Like christophe showed trustworthy but i still don't trust - there's something about him but i guess we'll found out in Betrayals - the sequel.


I thought the plot was very common when i first started to read this but then i got into it and realised it was more than the, as they now call it, 'twilight plot' - which consists of a girl two boys who she plays eventually causing the other boy to fall in love with her child. Do not take this comment the wrong way - i absolutely love twilight.


Maybe the reason i liked this more than buffy is that there is no realism to buffy. None. Nada. But with strange angels it all seemed so real. Like Graves and Dru had been plucked out of my local high school.


It is not a cheesy horror book and I absolutely heart so READ IT - and you will lurv it.



Fanmade Ash cover

Fanmade Cover
Original Cove






















I really love this cover so I made a fanmade one. As you can see I've sort of followed the theme - but I can't decide which one I like more. Mine or the Original.
Click on either for a larger view. 

Friday 15 October 2010

Fanmade Nightshade Cover

I heart this cover so much so I made a fanmade which is not nearly as good as the original.

Original Cover
Fanmade Cover
                                                                                  
Told you my one's not as good, and the other one is amazing. Still yet to read this book. :)
Click on either for a larger view.




Knife - R.J. Anderson - Review

The reason this review is so short is because the book was so amazing I was stuck for words.


Book: Knife
Author: R.J. Anderson
Publisher: Orchard Books
ISBN: 9781408303122
Rating: A

Once upon a time, a fairy is born. She lives in an old oak tree at the bottom of a garden with the rest of the fairy folk. Never has she known a time when life hasn't been hard, with many dangers and much adversity. But when she becomes the Hunter of the group and learns to do battle in the outside world, her adventures really take off...Don't read this book if you're expecting fairy dust - the last thing Knife is likely to wield is a magic wand...


This book found its way to my heart, where it is under lock and keep.

Not many ways to describe this book. Took me two days to write the review and let me tell you this book was amazing – I cannot wait to read the next two and for the fourth one to come out.

The book is a sort about trust and loyalty in a sense. It is about a faery who basically wants more out of life than the usual. She wants to explore not just the outside but her emotions too.

I don’t think it is a YA book. Definitely an 11+/children but not YA. It verges on a romance but not enough of a romance to be classed as a Teen/YA.

I liked the variation of the two worlds, and how all the pieces slotted together as you read on.

Trust me on one thing – I finished the book – then I went round my local town shoving my hands into holes in oak trees looking for faerys.

Well done Anderson – I <3 your book.