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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GODDESS - JOSEPHINE ANGELINI - GIVEAWAY - UK ONLY

Hi Guys! So to celebrate the release of Josephine Angelini's Starcrossed Finale: Goddess, we will be running a giveaway! Simply enter below! The competition will run from today (07/05/2013) and ends on 23/05/2013 - the release date! All you have to do is enter below and may the gods be ever in your favour! UK entrants only please!

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KAREN MAHONEY - INTERVIEW

Just had a lovely interview with the amazing Karen Mahoney! Enjoy!

Would you be an Alchemist, Elf or Fairy?

First of all, thanks for inviting me! I love your questions – it’s nice to be asked
some different things.

I’d definitely choose to be an alchemist. I’ve always been fascinated by alchemy
and love any kind of magic.

Xan or Nav... which is your guy?

Ha! Well... in real life my guy is actually Nav (he’s based on my boyfriend), so I
guess I’ll have to go with him. ;) I do love Xan too, though. He literally came to me
in a dream and I feel pretty invested in his happiness.

What was your inspiration for The Iron Witch Series and why did you pick Alchemists
over Vampires or Werewolves?

I’ve always loved vampires (see: my other series about teen vampire Moth), but
I really wanted to do something different with the world of The Iron Witch. I’ve
read tons about alchemy – including some of Dr. John Dee’s journals – and there’s
just something about the mystery surrounding that particular branch of magic
that I find interesting.

Are any of the characters based on you or people you know?

Yes! As I mentioned, Navin is based on my boyfriend of the last six years.
Normally, it’s not the best idea to openly base characters on real people, but I
couldn’t help myself – and, I have to say, he loves that I did it. Otherwise, most
of the other characters come purely from my imagination. I’m sure some of them
have elements that are unconsciously inspired by people I know, but probably just
little things taken from here and there.

Do your family and friends ever try to find themselves in the characters?

I don’t think so... I hope not! :)

Do you have a writing ritual?

I’m quite random in my whole approach to writing. Often I write late at night, but
then again... I have been known to write in a busy cafe at lunchtime. I do like to
have a cup of coffee (or green tea!) before I start a writing session, but I wouldn’t
say it’s a ritual.

What is your most embarrassing moment as a writer?

The Iron Witch? Then, yes, I have the right person.”

Will there be a movie of The Iron Witch?

It would be lovely, but there is nothing in the works. Movies are something
completely out of my hands – if a studio or screenwriter or producer shows any
interest I’d be thrilled, but it doesn’t happen all that often. I did have some interest
from someone who wanted to turn The Iron Witch into a graphic novel, but that
didn’t go anywhere. Maybe one day!

When did you know you wanted to write?

I think I always wanted to write. The first time I consciously remember saying,
“I’m going to be an author” I was about 12 years old.

Who is your Favourite Author?

There are honestly too many to name. Here are five (it could just as easily be any
other five – or fifty): Charlotte Bronte, Marjorie M. Liu, Holly Black, Richelle
Mead and Neil Gaiman.

What is the book you wish you had written?

I can’t answer that, I’m afraid. I truly am writing the books I want to write. I love
reading, and read ALL THE TIME, but I can’t say I’ve ever thought there was
a book I wish that I’d written. I just feel grateful that we live in a time where so
many incredible novels are being created.

How does it feel to see your book in a bookshop or to know you’ve created a
worldwide phenomenon?

I’m not sure I’d call my books a worldwide phenomenon (although I appreciate
the sentiment!), but it is still a magical feeling to see my work in bookshops.
Also, the fact that The Iron Witch – my first ever novel – has been published in 8
countries blows my mind every time I think about it. I am very lucky.

If you could have dinner with any three people (dead or alive) who would it be and why?

Tough one! I’d have to say Charlotte Bronte, Erica Jong, and William Moulton
Marston (the creator of Wonder Woman). One of them is still alive... :)

DREAMLESS - JOSEPHINE ANGELINI - REVIEW

Right, so you may be wondering why this has suddenly appeared a year late? Well as it turns out I just started Goddess the last book and thought I'd check back on my older reviews. Now I know blogger hates me but I didn't realised he hated me enough to delete a review! Turns out he does so here's the saved review from last year.

Book: Dreamless
Author: Josephine Angelini
Publisher: PanMacmillan
ISBN: 9780330529747
Rating: A

Tasked with descending to the underworld and killing the Furies, Helen must endure hellish torture whenever she goes to sleep -- she wanders around the various levels of hell with no idea how to complete her task, and she's beginning to suffer from extreme exhaustion. Although she still trains with the Delos clan, Helen and Lucas are coming to terms with the fact that they cannot be together. Lucas believes that the only way Helen will complete her quest is if he leaves her alone completely, so he tells her he doesn't want to see her again and that he never loved her. Distraught, Helen carries on with her mission, and for the first time meets another person down in the shadowy underworld: Orion, descended from Adonis and with the power to control desire, he is the heir to the house of Rome and an outcast. He's also kind of hot. Confused by her conflicting emotions but glad to have an ally in hell, Helen begins to realize the enormity of her task ...

This is one of those stunning series' that I fell in love with from day one so I when this arrived I read it withing a matter of days. Once of those magical books that just makes you feel amazing when you read it! I mean this has been one of the most heavily anticipated sequels ever! It did not dissapoint.

From page one I was induced in a book loving coma. I lived this novel for the time I was reading it and it was all that mattered. Dreamless is a sequel and with sequels you have to careful the first book isn't better and this series series just keeps on getting better! The book is a stunning masterpiece and I adore this series a gazillion times over.

The plot in itself was was amazing. I've loved the initial theme and idea since book when and when I found out Angelini was creating a cliched YA love triangle I was pretty sceptical but I had no reason to be. Angelini handled it beautifully, making it interesting and enjoyable at the same time, not falling into the clutches of terrible YA love triangles.

Angelini's writing is beautiful. There's something so lyrical and whimsical about it and I love the way she uses description! She crates the most vivd world and melds your minds to crete the most magical scenarios you could ever imagine.

Characters. The introduction of new characters, particularly orion, was not anything but perfect. The characters we already knew became closer to us and we got to know them better, and as with any sequel, we saw peoples true colours. But of course there were new characters and every one of them made this absolutely amazing! They were so personal and were amazing to read about in every way. I couldn't put this down!

Overall this is a stunning sequel to a stunning saga and it was quite simply perfect.

FANMADE ICONS MOVIE POSTER

Just a little fanmade icons movie poster!

LIFE AFTER THEFT - APRILYNNE PIKE - REVIEW

Book: Life After Theft
Author: Aprilynne Pike
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 9780007515554
Rating: A

Kimberlee's dead. Has been for a while, actually. Stuck haunting the halls of her high school, she's doomed to an afterlife of boredom. That is until the new kid shows up. The first thing Jeff spots is Kimberlee lying on the floor as other students walk right through her. Pretty soon she's harangued him into helping her escape to the afterlife. Kimberlee guesses that once Jeff rights her mean girl wrongs she'll be able to move on. But nothing is simple in life after death...Clash meets sass in this uproarious modern-day retelling of Baroness Orczy's The Scarlet Pimpernel, by #1 New York Times bestselling author.

Well where do I start with this. This left me speechless. I loved Pike's Wings series so when I saw this I was excited. Not only because it sounded amazing but also because it was rather different from here previous series, as all to often authors stick to the same sort of thing! This book however is absolutely perfect and I couldn't fault it.

The story follows Jeff, a boy who has moved to a new place and has started seeing a ghost. She is Kimberly the ex, queen bee of the school, hated by most, loved by some and she has a problem. She stole too much and Jeff has to return it all. Now this book had the romance factor in it too but it wasn't just thrown in there for the sake of it. It was actually very clever and worked with the overall plot really well, adding an extra charm to it. In fact the plot was fantastic! It was nicely fast paced, making it a wonderful read, whilst being very real and grounded but still exhilarating me completely. I feel like when authors go down the route of ghosts there's a couple of ways to go but this ghost story was crafted perfectly, and don't let 'ghost story' put you off because it's a completely new addition to the sub-genre.

The writing is so beautiful and I think because Pike previously wrote such a stunning series her writing really hone through in this. The way she manipulated words makes for a very whimsical and beautiful read whilst still having punch and and good hit! The way the world and characters materialise in you mind is absolutely perfect. When I was reading i didn't feel like I was reading anything at all. I felt as if it was all natural and as if I was in the book watching the story unfold. This honestly is one of the most perfectly balanced books when talking about the balance between description and dialogue, that I have read in a long time and provided a truly magical prose.

I liked the characters in this because they were all so unique and independent. All of them, say for Kim, were strong alone but stronger in Unity. Another things that struck me as good, was the fact that we got a lot of back story to all the characters. Of course the characters were well formed anyway but backstories and true colours of characters aren't usually revealed till a sequel but in this we got too see everyones history which was a really nice addition. There were a small circle of characters in it but the main were 4 characters, with semi mains characters appearing every now and then. 

Honestly the works that strikes me about this book is: Perfect. I couldn't fault, not at all. Reading this book, it was nice to see a whole new side to Pike and I think she has proved herself as an incredibly worthy author. I will most definitely be reading anything she writes and I look forward to seeing whatever she brings along next. This book was bliss to read and I would do so a thousand times.

DIARY OF A CRUSH: FRENCH KISS - SARRA MANNING - REVIEW

Book: Diary of a Crush: French Kiss
Author: Sarra Manning
Publisher: ATOM
ISBN: 9780349001562
Rating: B

New town, new college, new people, Edie's feeling overwhelmed. What if nobody wants to be her friend? But then something happens that turns her life upside down: Edie spots Dylan. Messy-haired, pouty, frustratingly elusive Dylan...Fast forward to the college trip to Paris and things are really heating up. In between the shopping, the clubbing, the kissing and the making up, something happens between Edie and Dylan that changes both their lives for ever. But do boys like Dylan ever play for keeps?

For me this is one of those book thats quite a bit out of my comfort zone. Something I don't usually read, but I'm always open minded, so I dove in, headfirst, completely ready for the book and I loved it. Every now and then It's nice to take a breather. Read a short, funny lighthearted book and this was all of those things. It was fun, quirky and had some laugh out loud moments. No gothic themes or knee deep plots. Simple, airy and a pleasure to read.

Seeing as I've never read any of Manning's stuff before, this is definitely a gateway for more. The plot were brilliant. It had me interested every part of the way and I loved it. It wasn't heavy in the slightest but still kept you thirsty for more. It moved quick, and although a romance had the appeal to both boys and girls. 

The writing was really nice to read. Considering it's meant to be a diary the perfect amount of detail was put in whilst keeping it diaryish and still as though it was written by a teenage girl. The description was perfect and I loved the way having it like a diary helped it open up to reveal much more personal aspects of Edie's life. I feel that the more I know a characters the more I love the book.

The characters in this were brilliant! By the midway point every character you know is flipped and the complete opposite and all of the sudden the people you like you hate and the people you hate you like, say for Edie. The characters were created so cleverly and developed in such a way that they instantly materialise in your mind. There weren't too many which we extremely nice and I felt as though they were definitely right in my mind.
My favourite character has to be Shona. Even though we're initially meant to hate her she's essentially the peacekeeper between Dylan and Edie and once you get to know her she's an instantly likeable person.

Overall this is a beautiful, lighthearted quick read that make you want to read more. I couldn't put it down and by the time I was finished I was ready for book 2. Perfect.