Review // Tempestuous - Askew & Helmes

Published - (Expected) 18th December 2012
Published By - Merit Press
Format - Kindle
Goodreads Synopsis - Recently banished, unfairly, by the school’s popular crowd, former “it girl,” Miranda Prospero, finds herself in a brave new world: holding dominion amongst a rag-tag crew of geeks and misfits where she works at the Hot-Dog Kabob in the food court of her local mall. When the worst winter storm of the season causes mall workers and last-minute shoppers to be snowed-in for the night, Miranda seizes the opportunity to get revenge against the catty clique behind her social exile. With help from her delightfully dweeby coworker, Ariel, and a sullen loner named Caleb who works at the mall’s nearby gaming and magic shop, Miranda uses charm and trickery to set things to right during this spirited take on Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

Tempestuous is due to be released on 18th December. This is an early review.

As a fan of both YA and Shakespeare, Tempestuous is exactly my kinda thing. Tempestuous, based loosely on Shakespeare's The Tempest was full of references to other Shakespeare plays too, along with Jane Austen and modern crazes such as Words With Friends. Some may dislike what seems to be a barrage of 'names and labels' but I loved it. It really added to the authenticity and the mixture between modern and Shakespearian was wonderful. Every single character had their own personality and a life of their own. Every book comes with a good crush and here, Caleb doesn't let us down. Moody, brooding and a musician? Yes please!

The premise of the story, as the synopsis tells you, is a group of kids get stuck in the mall over night and Miranda is left to confront her previous friends as well as find a place amongst her new friends. What kind of person does she want to be? Miranda is not your average main character though. I'm still not sure if I even liked her! She's cocky, a little narcissistic and is well aware that she has the ability to make people do whatever she wants. The fact that a character that would usually be unlikeable becomes more than that, one of your friends, is a testament to the great writing from Askew & Helmes.

There were so many wonderful lines in the book but I think my favourite has to be,
"The ability for anyone in our generation to self-amuse has sadly been bred out of our species". Funny, true and just a little bit ironic to read as I was in fact amusing myself with the book!
The Twisted Lit series proves to be exciting, fun and entertaining. I can't wait to read the next - Exposure, a twisted lit version of Macbeth (my favourite play!)

Growing Up in Books

I just read this post and was inspired to do something like this myself!

For as long as I can remember, i've always had my nose in a book. My mum and her best friend both taught me to read and write at a young age and I remember feeling grown up because whilst other kids were being told bedtime stories, I was finding them for myself. I was definitely one of those kids that hid under the covers with a torch so I could read way past my bedtime. I feel lucky that I come from a family of readers and that books and imagination have always been encouraged and supported.

In all honesty, I don't remember many of the books that I read growing up but some have definitely stayed with me. When I talked to my mum about writing this post, the first thing she said I should mention is Roald Dahl.

I don't claim to have read all of Dahl's books, but definitely the majority of them. The mix of words and illustrations were perfect and kept me interested and the writing, even now at 24 years old, is brilliant. Roald Dahl was such a natural storyteller and of course, any young girl who loved to read immediately fell in love with Matilda.


At the time I was reading Roald Dahl, I was also discovering Enid Blyton. I genuinely wish that I had read more Blyton as a child as I fear the magic will be somewhat lost on me now. However, I particularly loved the Amelia Jane series and The Children of Cherry Tree Farm.

Two huge collections of books that to this day remain some of my favourites are The Babysitter's Club and Nancy Drew. Nancy Drew paved the way for my actual love of reading. As much as I loved Dahl and Blyton, the Nancy Drew books were real page turners and the mystery was so exciting. I loved them dearly and one day I hope to get them all again... :)

As I grew up, I was still much the same; reading anything I could get my hands on. I read Julius Caesar at the age of 7 and quickly learned to love Shakespeare's sonnets before finding Macbeth and loving it every bit as much as I do now. Shakespeare taught me to love the words and the language in equal parts to the story itself.

I couldn't imagine a childhood without the adventures, mysteries and magical moments that I have experienced because of literature. Even the simplest of books have taught me valuable lessons and more importantly, have taught me that imagination is one of the greatest things that we have. For as long as there are words to read, I will be reading them!

Dating Hamlet - Lisa Fiedler

It isn't easy dating a prince, especially when that prince is Hamlet. In fact, it drives Ophelia to madness... Or does it?

Since the death of his father, Hamlet has descended into deep depression. To make matters worse, the Danish court is filled with lies and deceit.

Was hamlet's father murdered by King Claudius?
Is Polonius truly the father of Laertes?
Who can be trusted as a friend, and who are enemies?

Ophelia has to find a way to save her prince and herself in this gripping novel full of romance, ghosts and a touch of alchemy.

Could it be that Hamlet ISN'T the great tragedy we've believed it to be for all these years...?

I bought this book a fair few years ago for 25p at an old bookstore. Being a big Shakespeare fan it interested me but until now I never really felt like reading it. I wish I had read it sooner!
Despite all of the bad reviews i've read about Dating Hamlet, I loved every minute of it. The relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia was so touching to read. I actually got emotional at how sweet they are together!

My favourite part in particular was definitely the ending. Hamlet and Ophelia lived and went on to Verona - the setting of Romeo and Juliet. The mention of a schoolfriend of Hamlet's by the name of Romeo and an apothecary that would be very interested in Ophelia's death-like sleeping potion made me laugh! How excellent would it be if Hamlet and Romeo were actually friends? Now THAT is a book I would read!

Obviously, it is not meant to follow the plot of Hamlet like it was scripture, and for that reason, I thought the book was fabulous and well worth the 25p I paid. A great find and just another reason why it's good to snoop around little bookstores rather than buying from places like Amazon (as wonderful as Amazon is!)

Currently Reading: The Rainbow - D.H.Lawrence
Books Read in 2011: 34