Monday 5 January 2015

Review : These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner



It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. 

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help. 

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it



Review


I am not going to lie to you. When I made the decision to buy this book it was not for its amazing plot - I don't think I had even bothered to glance at the description in the back- it was for its gorgeous cover. If I could, I would have this cover made into a giant poster for my wall. What I didn't know, was that its content was as beautiful and breath-taking as its exterior. These Broken Stars is on my top 5 books of 2014! ( I didn't put it on my TTT list because I hadn't finished it yet at the time) It was captivating, enchanting, compelling and it completely blew me away!

I loved the dynamic between the two main characters! Their interactions were often hilarious and their chemistry was amazing. The characters themselves were very complex, had many layers and really developed through out the book. Oh and you know how we all hate insta-love? Yeah you won't find any of that here. Although there is an immediate attraction, Lilac and Tarver start off wanting to rip each others' heads off. It was so fun watching their relationship grow from bickering and insulting each other to coming to trust one another and eventually fall in love.

The dual PoV was a success in my opinion. I loved getting to know each character and view situations from both aspects. It made bonding with them and caring for them and their story easier. The writing was also incredible. Both writers have an amazing talent for story telling and their writing flowed really well while being lush and descriptive at the same time. It made this whole world come to life in my mind in a matter of seconds


I admit, I started off not liking Lilac much. I thought she resembled the stereotypical rich girl image- spoiled, self-centred and a bit too whiney. Through out the course of the story though, I started sympathising with her and understand her situation more. By the end of the book she had gone under a great deal of development, becoming a very strong and level-headed female character. 



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Tom Hiddleston approves too :)

Tarver... I really liked Tarver. Scratch that. I really loved Tarver. He was just.... just.... well, amazing. Hard-working, brave, equipped with witty comebacks and completely swoon worthy (I think I have used this word in almost every single one of my reviews...). In short, I wouldn't mind having a Tarver in my life!


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Overall, this book was, with one word, beautiful. It captured the sense of survival, had an amazing, slow-burning romance you rarely find in books, well-developed characters and incredible writing. I couldn't praise it enough! You should just go and read it right now! Seriously. Don't waste any time. Just go.



 Book info:

Hardcover, 374 pages
First Published: December 10th 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance.

Rating: 5/5

Saturday 3 January 2015

Stacking the Selves #3 : November-December Book Haul


Stacking the Selves is all about sharing the books you recently added to your selves. Wether they are in the form of a paperback, hardpack, ebook, audiobook, or a book you borrowed from your friend or the library and of course review book. It's hosted by Tynga's Reviews!





Purchased





1.  A bind up of 4 novels (Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Northanger Abbey) by Jane Austen.

I recently bought Pride and Prejudice and I hadn't planned on buying any other of her novels until I read it but then I saw this absolutely gorgeous bind up in a bookstore a few days ago and I just couldn't help myself! Did I mention the pages are gold?!

I had been debating on buying this one for a long time. So many book-bloggers and booktubers rave about how unique and amazing this series is so I finally gave in and ordered it from the book depository. 



  
3,4. The Iron Queen and The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa


I have the first two books in the Iron Fey series sitting on my selves for over a year now so I decided to buy the last two in the quartet and marathon them! The covers are gorgeous and I've heard so many wonderful things about Julie Kagawa's books! Can't wait to start reading them!





5. The One by Kiera Cass

I read The Selection and The Elite about a year ago and even though I liked them I did have some problems with the series. I decided that I would not be continuing it but, since The Heir was announced, so many people have started reading this trilogy and the majority of them loved it so much that it made me change my mind. So, in short, I'm going to be re-reading the first two books again and then jumping into this one!





I finally have it! I'm so excited to finally start reading the last book in the Mara Dyer trilogy! The first two books blew me away. Hope this one has the same effect!




7. Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

I am currently reading Shatter Me and I am really enjoying it so, since I already have Unravel Me, I thought I'd buy Ignite Me too and save me the trouble of doing it later on.


Gifted

Thank you to my family ( most importantly to my mother) for these amazing books!





1. Compulsion by Martina Boone






Borrowed



I started reading On Writing by Stephen King last month and it made a great impression on me. I've never read anything by Stephen King and since Carrie - the only book I own by him- doesn't really appeal to me, I asked one of my best friends to lend me her copy of Doctor Sleep. 


Thursday 1 January 2015

Happy New Year and 2015 Reading Challenges!

















Happy New Year you amazing people! Wow, I still can't believe 2014 is over! It went by so fast! I hope you all have an amazing year full of love, friendships and a lot of books!


2015 Reading Challenges

In 2015 I will be participating in 3 main reading challenges - at least for now. 


1) The Goodreads Challenge of 2015.

This year I have challenged myself to read 80 books. A bit over my head but I'm very confident I'm going to reach it!


2)  The Debut Author Challenge of 2015 hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl.



This Challenge starts January 1st (Today!) and ends January 31st 2016. During that time you have to read and review 12 or more 2015 Middle Grade, Young Adult or New Adult debut novels.

If you're interested to participate too here's the link where you can't find more information about the Challenge : http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/dac-2015-sign-ups/


3) New to You 2015 Reading Challenge hosted by Herding Cats & Burning Soup

New to You Reading Challenge


Last but not least, in this challenge you have to read books from new to you authors. It can be from any genre and anyone can join! Authors, bloggers, readers! 

Level 1--   6 "new to you"s
Level 2-- 12 "new to you"s
Level 3-- 24 "new to you"s
Level 4-- 36 "new to you"s
Level 5-- 48 "new to you"s
Level 6-- 72 "new to you"s
   Level 7--100+ "new to you"s

If you're interesting in participating here's the link to go sign up! : http://www.herdingcats-burningsoup.com/2014/11/sign-up-new-to-you-2015-reading.html

I'm really excited to be participating in these amazing challenges! I didn't do really well in the Fall Bingo I participated in the start of October but I'll try my best to succeed in these ones!

I wish you all a Fantastic Reading Year!