September Wrap Up/ October TBR

September Wrap Up

Ok guys, didn't get through as many books and I would have liked this month, but I still managed to read quite a few.

1. Passion by Lauren Kate ★★★★★
2. Rapture by Lauren Kate ★★★★★
3. Ten Things We Did by Sarah Mlynowski ★★★★★
4. Hollowland by Amanda Hocking ★
5. The Magicians Nephew by C S Lewis ★★★★
6. The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan ★★★★★
7. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher ★★★★★
8. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare ★★★★★
9. Shadowland by Alyson Noel ★★★
10. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins ★★★★
11. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare ★★★★

October TBR

So this month I'm definitely gonna be reading some paranormal/horror books because it's Hallowe'en this month.

1. Jenny Pox by J L Bryan
2. Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
3. Gone by Michael Grant
4. Torn by Amanda Hocking
5. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C S Lewis
6. The Fading by Christopher Ransom
7. Virals by Kathy Reichs
8. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
9. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Currently Reading

1. Last Chance by Sarah Dessen
2. Raising Demons by Rachel Hawkins

REVIEW: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Series: Hex Hall #1
Publisher: 
Publication Date: 
Source: Bought

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father—an elusive European warlock—only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tag-along ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

I loved re-reading this book. I had completely forgot nearly everything that happened so I still had all the excitement that I get when I'm reading a book for the first time. I've never read a book that is set in a school for magical beings and I loved reading about them all.

The book focuses on sixteen-year-old Sophie Mercer who was sent to Hex Hall by her father because she was flaunting her abilities and was getting noticed.

Sophie was a very interesting character to read about as she was usually quite funny and I found myself laughing a lot at this book. 

Then we have Archer Cross. Oh, Archer. Why do you have to be so beautiful? I had completely forgotten the whole Archer storyline and when it got to the scene in the basement where the real Archer was revealed, I was shocked.  I really really really wanted Sophie and Archer to get together, but after that, why would she want to be with him?

Elodie, Alice and Chaston (the 3 witches) actually started to grow on me. Even though they were teasing Sophie and were being horrible to her, I actually really liked them. They were the usual kind of popular girls who think they are superior to everyone else, but there was also something about them underneath that act that I liked in them. After Sophie starts hanging out with Elodie, I really started to like their friendship. If Elodie had given Sophie a chance to start with, they would have been friend for longer and I think they would have actually been best friend. 

Hell Hall was even more amazing the second time around and now I can't wait to dive into Raising Demons!

REVIEW: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Series: The Infernal Devices #1
Publisher: 
Publication Date: 
Source: Library

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world... and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

I absolutely loved this book! I actually loved it more than the mortal instruments books. Both the characters and the story line were more interesting, and I became more invested in these characters and their relationships with one another. I loved the big twist on who 'The Magister' was (I was never really convinced it was de Quincey) and I was shocked by the traitor too. I loved both Will and Jem, although, Will could be a bit of an ass most of the time. Jem is so sweet and caring and I really hope he's going to be alright. Right now I could see Tessa with either of them, but I'm hoping that she'll get with Will because even though he pretends not to care, I think Tessa and Will would be an amazing couple. 

I had so many different emotions whilst reading this book (Joy, Sadness, Disappointment, Anger, Confusion etc.) and I love the fact that one chapter can provoke about 3-4 of these emotions. There are similarities between Will and Jace (Mortal Instruments) in their personality, but Will's is kicked up a notch and he is much more brooding and insulting than Jace. Will and Tessa had me laughing throughout this book because some of the stuff they said was just hilarious that you couldn't help but laugh.

I really really enjoyed this book and I'm probably going to be reading Clockwork Prince next because I'm dying to know what is going to happen!

REVIEW: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Series: No
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: June 14th 2011
Source: Library

You can't stop the future. You can't rewind the past. The only way to learn the secret. . . is to press play.

Clay Jensen doesn't want anything to do with the tapes Hannah Baker made. Hannah is dead. Her secrets should be buried with her.

Then Hannah's voice tells Clay that his name is on her tapes-- and that he is, in some way, responsible for her death.

All through the night, Clay keeps listening. He follows Hannah's recorded words throughout his small town. . .

. . .and what he discovers changes his life forever.

The dual narrative in this book helps you understand why Hannah committed suicide, but it also shows you how Clay deals with the information on the cassette tapes and how it changes his character. I loved reading about Clay and how much the things that happened to Hannah affected him and how he blamed himself for not helping her when there was really nothing he could have done. The thirteen reasons that Hannah gave for committing suicide were actually thirteen people. Each person had their own side of the cassette tape and it revolved around and experience with Hannah and that person.

The last cassette tape was the most heart-wrenching for me. If only the teacher had opened the door and went after Hannah, then maybe she wouldn't have killed herself. But then this book wouldn't exist and we'd be back at square one.

I absolutely adore Clay. He's such a lovely character and I felt really bad for him when he received the cassettes and I was hoping that what he had done wouldn't be that bad, because I didn't want to start hating his character. 

Reading about Hannah explain the experiences that led to her suicide makes you think about the way you act towards other people and how they perceive you. You start to think about the impressions people have of you and whether they are swayed by rumors that people may have heard about you.

This book really taught me not to think anything of rumors and don't let it change how you feel about someone.

This is definitely one of the best books I've read this year. It was emotional and such a great journey. I'm looking forward to reading more of Jay Asher's books now.

REVIEW: Hollowland by Amanda Hocking

Hollowland by Amanda Hocking
Series: Hollowland #1
Publisher: Amanda Hocking
Publication Date: October 6th 2010
Source: Bought

"This is the way the world ends - not with a bang or a whimper, but with zombies breaking down the back door." 

Nineteen-year-old Remy King is on a mission to get across the wasteland left of America, and nothing will stand in her way - not violent marauders, a spoiled rock star, or an army of flesh-eating zombies.

I really didn't enjoy this book at all. The story line was terrible, there was no character development and I didn't feel a connection with any of the characters. Some parts of the story were extremely unbelievable - like the part where Remy finds a lion and it becomes her pet. The zombie in the book were interesting because they seemed to be able to think and work together in groups, which is different from any other zombie book I've read, but that was the only thing I liked about the book. The insta-love between Remy and Lazlo was awful and I couldn't wait to finish the book so I didn't have to read about them. 

REVIEW: Ten Things We Shouldn't Have Done by Sarah Mlynowski

Ten Things We Shouldn't Have Done by Sarah Mlynowski
Series: No
Publisher: Orchard
Publication Date: August 1st 2011
Source: Library

2 girls + 3 guys + 1 house – parents = 10 things April and her friends did that they (definitely, maybe, probably) shouldn't have.

If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn't jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe "opportunity" isn't the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: "Lied to Our Parents"). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up "Skipping School" (#3), "Throwing a Crazy Party" (#8), "Buying a Hot Tub" (#4), and, um, "Harboring a Fugitive" (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them.

In this hilarious and bittersweet tale, Sarah Mlynowski mines the heart and mind of a girl on her own for the first time. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart... one thing-she-shouldn't-have-done at a time.

This book was absolutely hilarious! Staying with your best friend without any parents? Sound amazing! Vi and April were amazing characters. Vi really helped April become more confident and realise what she really wanted.

The parties and most of the stuff they got up to was just insane and completely hilarious! I liked April and Noah's relationship to start with and then when Hudson was introduced, I was really hoping she'd end up with him. 

There are a few serious issues in the book, like divorce, cheating and OCD, but they're dealt with in a way that doesn't make the book far too serious and it makes it a light, funny read.

Overall, Ten Things We Shouldn't Have Done is a hilarious story about two girls living on their own, dealing with boyfriends, the pressures of having sex and who to do it with and also having as much fun as you possibly can. A fun, light-hearted read.

REVIEW: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Series: The Iron Fey #1
Publisher: Mira Ink
Publication Date: 
Source: Library

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil, no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

Wow, this book was just completely amazing. I loved the faery world that was built in this book. It was magical but also dark and dangerous which led to many exciting adventures. The book incorporated characters from Shakespeare's play 'A Midsummer Nights Dream' and managed to make all the characters fit into this story.

I loved Meghan. She's such a strong and badass character and we still haven't seen everything she's capable of. 

The love triangle in the book between Meghan, Puck and the Winter Prince Ash was extremely exciting. I really liked Puck's character, he funny, charming and cute. Ash is my favourite character in the book, even though he's moody and can be really horrible sometimes I still really really like him and I hope him and Meghan get together.

This has definitely been one of my favourite books of the year and maybe my favourite world that I've read about this year. It's so different and magical, and I completely fell in love with it.

Overall, The Iron King is a fantastic read that I definitely recommend.

Books read in August:

1. Percy Jackson and the Titans Curse by Rick Riordan ★★★★★
2. Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan ★★★★★
3. Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian by Rick Riordan ★★★★★
4. Wake by Lauren McMann ★★★★
5. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare ★★★★★
6. Torment by Lauren Kate ★★★★
7. Mothership by Martin Leicht and Isla Neal ★★★★★
8. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare ★★★★★
9. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare ★★★★★
10. The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan ★★★★
11. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare ★★★★★
12. Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith ★★

September TBR

So for this month we have:

1. Passion by Lauren Kate
2. Rapture by Lauren Kate
3. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
4. Ten things we did by Sarah Mlynowski
5. Shadowland by Alyson Noel
6. Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
7. The Magicians Nephew by C S Lewis
8. Hollowland by Amanda Hocking

Hopefully I can get through these books this month and maybe a few more. :)

Introduction

Hi everyone! I'm Samantha and I've decided to start my own book blog after being inspired by watching book bloggers on youtube and reading their blogs :). Hopefully I'll be posting regularly, but it depends on how busy I am with university stuff, but I will try my hardest to put up a couple of posts a month  :).