Review // Zombicorns - John Green

Zombicorns by John Green was never written to be a published thing. From what I remember, it was written for charity. This book is not available for sale but it can be found online for free. I don't have time to look for the link right now but if you can't find it, i'm willing to send it by email. Just ask in the comments.

I didn't enjoy this story as much as I do the other books he has written but I think that's because it's so short and I didn't get into it enough. However, I DID still like it and it is some powerful writing.

Green makes some beautiful comments on society and what it means to be a person. Although in true John Green style, it's not overloading at all and humans are compared with dogs in an amusing but thoughtful way.

Another of my personal favourite moments is when Caroline shouts, “LEEERRROOOY JEEENNKKIINNNSS!” Despite the fact that two teenage girls are literally fighting for survival in a world gone mad, there are still huge elements of fun. (Leroy Jenkins being a video that went viral.)

Zombicorns successfully shocked me towards the end and its twist (if that's the right word to use) came out of nowhere for me. That doesn't happen very often.

This should be a definite read for any nerdfighter and zombie lover and also for those who just want a quick short read :)

Goodreads Challenge 12/50

Chick Lit Challenge 0/5
Debut Author Challenge 2/5
Dystopian Challenge 3/5
Paranormal Fantasy Challenge 2/5

Review // The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

In a dark vision of the near future, twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to appear in a live TV show called The Hunger Games. There is only one rule: kill or be killed.
When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen steps forward to take her sister's place in the games, she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature.

This isn't the cover of my version.

I barely know where to start with this review, hence why it has taken a while to put it up here.
The Hunger Games has changed my way of reading. I've always enjoyed reading YA and Dystopian novels but believe it or not, this is one of the first YA Dystopian books I have read and putting my experience into words is going to be difficult.

As a person who reads a lot of books consecutively, it is difficult for me to really get attached to a book. I move on from one book to the next so fast that the love I hold for a particular character is immediately cast aside. The Hunger Games was different though. After every couple of chapters I had to put the book down to seriously think about what was happening and to keep my emotions in check. I was genuinely terrified for Katniss, Peeta and Rue and also everyone back in District 12. I was holding on to the bed, anxious to know what was going to happen next! It's been a long time since a book made me feel that way.

The only downside I have of The Hunger Games is what happens in the caves. (No spoilers!) The rest of the book was filled with excitement and an uncertainty and then it dulled too much. I realise that for the ending to fully work, there needed to be a respite of sorts but this was too much. I didn't like the way that the book became focused on relationships, love and emotion. It just didn't feel right and was a little uncomfortable. It didn't effect the overall story though so that's all I will say!

I wish that more people had read this book and I can't wait to see the film production next month :)

Goodreads Challenge 10/50

Chick Lit Challenge 0/5
Debut Author Challenge 2/5
Dystopian Challenge 2/5
Paranormal Fantasy Challenge 2/5

Book Haul!

I've got a couple of new books over the past few days so it's Book Haul time! :)

For my Kindle I got one of my favourite trilogy's. I own them in book format too but i'm very happy to have them as e-books too!

I haven't read them in a long time so i'm looking forward to them very much :)

Then today when I went shopping with the parents, I bought Vol. 4 of Stefan's Diaries (The Vampire Diaries)

 

& a book called A Witch in Winter. It's the debut novel by Ruth Warburton. I picked it for a few reasons. The blurb of the book sounded interesting and grabbed my attention, the cover is beautiful and caught my eye straight away, and I need to read 5 books by debut authors for one of my challenges. I'll review it when i'm done!

Review // Shimmer - Alyson Noel

Riley Bloom is starting to get to grips with being dead. OK, so she'll never turn thirteen, but she can manifest anything she desires. And, after her first success as a Soul Catcher, she's finally got her 'glow' on. Then she meets Rebecca - a furious ghost who is trapped on Earth, desperate to seek revenge for her own death - and Riley's determined to help her, even if it means defying her cute-but-annoying guide, Bodhi, and breaking all the rules...

Shimmer, is the second book in the Riley Bloom series [a sort of spin off of the Immortals series].
The first book, Radiance, wasn't really one of the best books i'd read but as a book lover with slight OCD, I feel obliged to continue the rest of the series anyway (sometimes they get better and become great!)

The first few chapters of Shimmer just didn't interest me at all. It's sad really because whilst reading the Immortals, I *loved* Riley and wanted to know more about her, but this series just doesn't hook me at all. I kept reading though and surprisingly, it got better!

It still isn't brilliant by any standards but a little after the half way point, I actually started caring about what was happening. Shimmer seemed to be full of moral questioning and whilst I usually don't like that, it worked here. The next book in the series, Dreamland, is out now and of course i'll be reading it and hopefully I stay interested in Riley, Bodhi and Buttercup but for me, the Riley Bloom books are nothing in comparison to the ones about Ever.

 

Goodreads Challenge 7/50

Chick Lit Challenge 0/5
Debut Author Challenge 0/5
Dystopian Challenge 0/5
Paranormal Fantasy Challenge 1/5

Review // City of Shadows - Celia Rees

Davey's grandmother has always told him he was "the gift" - Second Sight, some call it. But it never seemed real - just a stupid old wives' tale. Until now...


It is the summer of his twelfth birthday, and Davey, his sister Kate, and his twin cousins, join the hoards of tourists eager to catch a glimpse of the legendary underground city in Davey's hometown. A harmless trip. Just a bit of fun. But for Davey it is the start of a nightmare, and a long, terrifying battle with the dead...

City of Shadows was recommended to me by a friend. This series was one of her favourites as a young teenager and I can sort of see why. Younger me, would have loved these books. They have the right amount of creepy and a good assortment of characters to keep the story flowing. Unfortunately (as much as I still do read and love children's literature) it was perhaps a little too childish for me. Amidst all of the Shakespeare and Orwell I am currently reading for my degree, I fear that I judged this book too harshly when reading as my critical blinkers were turned on. As the first in a trilogy though, I plan to finish the next 2 books over the summer when I have more time to read books for enjoyment and wont be comparing it to the greats that are top of my reading list.

Goodreads Challenge 6/50

Chick Lit Challenge 0/5
Debut Author Challenge 0/5
Dystopian Challenge 0/5
Paranormal Fantasy Challenge 1/5

Love a challenge? Need an incentive? This blog is for you!

Hey Readers!

We're a couple of days in to the new year and I came across some amazing challenges on my internet travels that I thought I would share with you!

Sometimes, no matter how much you love reading, you have a lot of trouble mustering up the motivation to actually pick up a book and read. Well whilst having a good search of Goodreads I came across some other challenges that you may be interested in!

The Young Adult Book Club have some fabulous challenges that you can take part in! :D

I have joined:

The Debut Author Challenge
Chick-Lit Challenge
Dystopian Challenge
Paranormal and Fantasy Challenge

The reason I decided to take part in these challenges is because other than books I read for my literature degree, I find myself reading the same type of books. There's nothing wrong with that obviously but for 2012 I want more variety to make my reading experiences interesting!

Let me know if you decide to sign up for any challenges.

Books Read in 2012 - 0!
Currently Reading - Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist - David Levitham