Cover of the Week #4

Sorry sorry sorry! I know my last...FOUR posts have been memes, but I just haven't had much time to read lately! Seriously I thought over the Easter I would have lots of time to read, but I've just been too busy. I promise reviews up soon of Rose by Holly Webb and Grace by Morris Gleitzman. Anyway, onto the awesome cover!

This week, I'm doing it a little differently. Instead of one awesome book cover, I'm doing four. They're all part of a The Luxe series by Anna Godbersen. I haven't read this series yet, but I would like to. I;m not a fan of historical fiction, but I've heard great things about these books.

Obviously, the most gorgeous part of the covers are the dresses. The cover models are pretty but I'm here to talk about what they're wearing! My favourite is the first. The colour is so...sophisticated! And I love all the...actually, what are those things on the dress called? You know, like, the ruffles, maybe? Well, whatever they are I love them!

All the dresses are so big and puffy. Did women actually wear dresses like that back in those days? Well, if they did, I wish we still did now!

The second dress is probably my least favourite. I like the colour, but not the shape. They third is really lovely. I love white dresses and I love the read strap across it. The fourth is amazing. The colour is gorgeous and I love the shape of it.

So that's this weeks Cover of the Week! Well, Four Covers of the Week! Till next time, goodbye!

P.S. Sorry about the small picture -click to enlarge.

In My Mailbox #2? 3#? I don't know :D

Remember last weeks 'Non-Existent In My Mailbox'? Yeah, well, I didn't name that N-EIMM #2, and I didn't get any books, so I don't know if this should be #2 or #3. Hmmmm....


OK, I'm just gonna call it IMM #2. :D


Well, now, as it turns out, I did get a couple of books last week, I just forgot about them! So I'm including them in this IMM instead (They're the last three on the list) Anyway, I got some AWESOME books this week, cause the books I bought off The Book Depository arrived. Yay!!! Now, getting on with the books! 


Bought
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
The Medusa Project: The Hostage by Sophie McKenzie
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
The Ashley's by Melissa De La Cruz
Della Says OMG! by Keris Stainton
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead


Won
Signed copy of Noah Barleywater Runs Away (Thanks Caroline!)


Last Weeks Books! 
Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve
Charlie's Story by Maeve Friel
A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park


(I got the above books from the school librararian (well, that's sort of what she is. She's a classroom help as well) She knows I love reading and gave me the last two books on the list. They both sound great!


Sorry I didn't do a proper IMM this week, it's just I'm really in a rush doing this post. I might edit it later on in the week, and make it a proper one. Well, goodbye and have a very Happy Easter everyone! =D =D =D

Follow Friday #3

Follow Friday is a brilliant way for bloggers to find new friends and get more followers. It's hosted by Rachel at Parajunkees View.

                                    

This weeks feature blog is: The Cait Files

This week's bookish question is: 

What's On Your Current Playlist?    
       
Hmmmm, well, I'm not as into music as I used to be but I really like Bruno Mars, especially 'Just The Way You Are'. Grenade is good too :) My favourite band right now is The Script, I LOVE their song 'For The First Time'. My favourite genre is pop *ashamed face* I just love it, it's so catchy!


                  Bye!   

Cover of the Week #3

I forgot to do this meme last week, sorry! I have decided to stop doing Teaser Tuesday and Waiting on Wednesday, because I think I'm doing too many memes! But anyway, this week's awesome cover is The Thirteen Curses by Michelle Harrison. It's AMAZING!

The Thirteen Treasures have become the Thirteen Curses. When fairies stole her brother, Red vowed to get him back. Now trapped in the fairy realm, she begs an audience with the fairy court where she strikes a bargain. Her brother will be returned - but only if she can find the thirteen charms of Tanya's bracelet that have been scattered in the human world. Returning to Elvesden Manor, Red is assisted by Tanya and Fabian and a desperate hunt begins. Soon they make a shocking discovery. The charms now have twisted qualities of the thirteen treasures they represent...and the longer they are missing the worse the consequences will be. Can Red, Tanya and Fabian find all the charms? And even if they do, will the fairies keep their promise?

It's GORGEOUS isn't it? I saw it and I just fell in love : ) I love the blue, and all the little designs around it are so magical and mysterious. If I saw this in a shop I would definitely pick it up. And I would probably buy it to, because the synopsis is intriguing!

P.S. I won't be posting until about Friday, because I'm going away for a few days. I don't have any books that need reviewing at the moment anyway, but hopefully I'll read a couple by the time I get back : ) Bye!

Non-Existent In My Mailbox

I got no books this week : ( Sob! That's why it's a non-existent IMM because I got not books, viamailbox or otherwise : ( I ordered four awesome books off The Book Depository  (love that website!!!) on Tuesday, but they haven't come yet. Hopefully they'll come next week and then I'll have some books to show you : ) Now, so this post isn't all plain, I'm going to post some random (but cool) pictures below : D (If you don't like animals, I suggest you skip this)

Sorry, they're all animal pictures! But animal pictures are the funniest : ) Bye!

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

In the exclusive Philadelphia suburb of Rosewood, Alison is the Queen Bee of her elite seventh grade hive. BFs Aria, Hanna, Spencer, and Emily vie for her attention, even as each of them hides a hideous secret only Alison knows. So when Alison goes missing after a slumber party, never to be seen again, each girl is heartbroken, but also a little relieved. Now it is three years later, and though the four girls have grown apart, they are each still hiding something. Artsy Aria is carrying on an affair with one of her teachers, fashionista Hanna shoplifts to accessorize her trendy outfits, blue-blood Spencer is sleeping with her older sister’s boyfriend, while straight-A Emily is trying to ignore her attraction to a new female classmate. When the girls begin receiving threatening text messages and emails that from someone known only as "A," they must confront the fact that against all odds, it appears Alison is back. Could Alison still be alive? And if so, why is she so determined to uncover all their dirty little secrets?


I bought this after seeing two episodes of the brilliant TV show, and even though I had TONS of books that I needed to read, I started this one straight away. But I am SO glad I did! It was A-MAZING! The first 1/3 was a bit slow, but the pace picked up in the last 2/3 and there was twists and turns on every page, guaranteed to shock the reader!


I liked that there was one main plot (What happened to Ali? Who is A? Why is 'A' sending them these messages?) and then each of the girls had their own little secrets which made for excellent supporting story lines, and meant that their was never a dull moment!


It's difficult to pick my favourite of the four girls. They were all unique in their own way, and my opinion of each of them kept on changing throughout the book. Lets say..Aria, would be my favourite character, but then she would do something to make me not like her as much, or one of the others would something to make me like them the most. It was really cleverly done by the author. 


But if I had to pick a favourite character, it would be either Spencer or Emily. Spencer was awesome : )  I could really relate to her, I'm super-competitive as well! And Emily. Ahhhh, Emily. Always trying to please everyone. She hated conflict and just wanted everyone to get on. A feat that I could never quite accomplish. We're very different!


I didn't like the way the story was told from the alternating third person points of view of the four girls. I found that really annoying, because you would only find out what happened to the girl-from-the-previous-chapter three chapters later! ( Sorry, that was probably a terrible explanation, but it's hard to explain!)


Another thing I find slightly annoying (but this has nothing to do with the book!) was that I already knew the endings to a few of the minor story lines, because I've seen the programme. The TV show and the book are quite different, different things happen at different times and in different ways. Which was kind of annoying, because a good bit of the plot focused on 'The Jenna Thing' which I already knew about! And the major thing that happens at the end of the book I also knew about. But it was still good, because, like I said, there were plenty of great supporting story lines.


One thing I had to mention was the writing. Man, it was GOOD! In a lot of my reviews I comment on the writing saying it's 'beautiful'. I wouldn't call the writing in this book beautiful. It was just...brilliant! The descriptions were perfect, not too short and not too  long, and there weren't that many, so the story moved along without needing three pages descriptions about what some one's living rooms look like. Unlike some books, which just ramble on and on and on... Kind of like what I'm doing now... Well anyway, my point here is Shepard is a genius!


I would definitely rate this book 5/5. I've never read anything like it before! It's unusual, gripping and highly entertaining! I would definitely recommend it! I can't wait to read the sequel, Flawless. It's actually a really long series! It already had nine books, and according to Wikipedia Shepard is writing another four! That's...*counts* 13 books! I might just get them from the library, because I can't afford that many books!!!


Source: Bought
Paged: 272
Age Group: 13+
Official Publication Date: 4 November 2010
Publisher: Atom
Author Website: www.sarashepardbooks.com

Follow Friday #2

Follow Friday is a brilliant way for bloggers to find new friends and get more followers. It's hosted by Rachel at Parajunkees View.

 

This weeks featured blog is: Romance Around The Corner

And the question this week is...

Do You Have Anyone You Can Discuss Books With In Real Life? Tell Us About Him/Her.

Hmmmm...  Kind of. My older sister isn't really into books, and my mom only reads adult ones, and my dad sports biography's. Yeah, seriously that is ALL he reads. Ever. Moving on! I have a friend who's into books, she likes Meg Cabot and girly books like that (I do too!) so we talk about them. But not much. None of my other friends are readers, so I don't talk to them about books. Mostly I talk to my god mother. She loves reading kids books, and she LOVES Michael Morpurgo! (I do too, but I've kind of grown out of his books. I'm trying to get my little brother to read them, but he only likes funny books!) I talk to her about them whenever I see her, but unfortunately I don't see her much, because she lives in a different country! She recently found out about my blog, and she was THRILLED! She thought it was amazing! She was so happy to see I still loved reading, because her daughter has kind of gone off reading, so she loves discussing it with me! That's kind of all the people I talk to about books. Yes, the big number of 2!

Was that a bit long-winded? Sorry if it was! I'm kind of a rambler! And I'm so sorry I haven't posted a review in ages! I haven't been reading a lot lately, I haven't had the time, but I'm expecting a few books I bought soon, and I'll have loads of time to read over the holidays. *Sigh* I love holidays...

Anyway, review up (hopefully) tomorrow of Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard.

Bye! x

Waiting on Wednesday #3

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming 
releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


This week I'm 'waiting on' Divergent by Veronica Roth. I've seen rave reviews for this book, and the whole concept sounds amazing. 

One choice can transform you. Pass initiation. Do not fail…
Thrilling urban dystopian fiction debut from exciting young author.

In sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior’s world, society is divided into five factions – Abnegation (the selfless), Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent) – each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue, in the attempt to form a “perfect society.” At the age of sixteen, teens must choose the faction to which they will devote their lives.
On her Choosing Day, Beatrice renames herself Tris, rejects her family’s group, and chooses another faction. After surviving a brutal initiation, Tris finds romance with a super-hot boy, but also discovers unrest and growing conflict in their seemingly “perfect society.” To survive and save those they love, they must use their strengths to uncover the truths about their identities, their families, and the order of their society itself.

Doesn't it sound brilliant? I would SO love to read this RIGHT NOW. I am so jealous of everyone who got an ARC *grumpy face* 


Bye! x

Teaser Tuesday #3

Teaser Tuesday is weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. 
Rules
Grab your current read
Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

A Web of Air by Philip Reeve

Above all the black stacks and wherries, where the angels roosted, fretful clouds of them were twisting, turning the sky into a soup of wings. And beyond them, far across the ocean....
Something had gone wrong with the horizon.


This is from the first chapter, which is a bit like a prologue from what I've gathered. I only started this book last night, after finishing Pretty Little Liars ( which was awe-some!) so I'm only on the second chapter. Y'know,  I'm starting to become a really slow reader! It took me just under a week to finish a 240-page book, which is long for me! I suppose it's because I'm spending more of my time blogging now, which is time I could be using to read... Oh well, blogging is the best (after reading)! Bye for now! x

In My Mailbox #1

Hey everyone! Welcome to the first week of In My Mailbox (IMM) IMM is a brilliant meme hosting by the amazing Kristi at the also amazing The Story Siren. I can't believe I waited until now to take part! So in my mailbox this week I got...

Bought
Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carrol

In Carroll's sequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Alice once again finds herself in a bizarre and nonsensical place when she passes through a mirror and enters a looking-glass world where nothing is quite as it seems. From her guest appearance as a pawn in a chess match to her meeting with Humpty Dumpty, Through the Looking Glass follows Alice on her curious adventure and shows Carroll's great skill at creating an imaginary world full of the fantastical and extraordinary.


I was in HMV ( a music shop) with two of my friends and they had a special offer on classics books, 3 for  6Euro. So we got one each. My friends got Oliver Twist and Jane Eyre, which are both so grown-up and intellectual, so I felt so childish getting this! But I've wanted to read it ever since I read Alice's Adventures In Wonderland a couple of months ago. And 2Euro? How could I refuse!


Pretty Little Liars by Sarah Shepard


In the exclusive Philadelphia suburb of Rosewood, Alison is the Queen Bee of her elite seventh grade hive. BFs Aria, Hanna, Spencer, and Emily vie for her attention, even as each of them hides a hideous secret only Alison knows. So when Alison goes missing after a slumber party, never to be seen again, each girl is heartbroken, but also a little relieved. Now it is three years later, and though the four girls have grown apart, they are each still hiding something. Artsy Aria is carrying on an affair with one of her teachers, fashionista Hanna shoplifts to accessorize her trendy outfits, blue-blood Spencer is sleeping with her older sister’s boyfriend, while straight-A Emily is trying to ignore her attraction to a new female classmate. When the girls begin receiving threatening text messages and emails that from someone known only as "A," they must confront the fact that against all odds, it appears Alison is back. Could Alison still be alive? And if so, why is she so determined to uncover all their dirty little secrets?


After watching 2 episodes of this TV show, I had to buy it! I'm nearly finished it now, and it's really good! Review up soon.


Borrowed
Angel by L.A. Weatherly


Willow knows she's different from other girls. And not just because she loves tinkering around with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into peoples futures, know their dreams, their hopes and their regrets, just by touching them. She has no idea where she gets this power from... But Alex does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows Willows secret and is on a mission to stop her. The dark forces within Willow make her dangerous and irresistible. In spite of himself, Alex finds he is falling in love with his sworn enemy.


I've wanted to read this after reading amazing reviews about it, and when I saw it on my friends bookshelf (which is like a library, she has such awesome books!) I squealed! And when she said I could borrow it I hugged her I was so happy :) I'm really excited to start reading it, hopefully that will be soon, if I can read some books off my ever-growing TBR list.


Gifted
Lucky Star by Cathy Cassidy

Mouse is doing his best to stay out of trouble. Cat is doing her best to land herself in it.

They've both had it pretty tough so when they meet by chance they thank their lucky stars. Weird and wonderful things happen when they're together – but how long can it last? Because everyone has their secrets – and there can be only one winner in a game of cat and mouse.

Can't there?

I say gifted, but it's a bit more complicated.. I was looking in my sisters wardrobe(don't tell her!) because I wanted to see if she had any old books I could have, and I saw this and was really excited. I had wanted to read it and didn't know she had it! I casually asked her later on if she had any old books and she said she did and gave me this and Kiss (below).

Kiss by Jacqueline Wilson

Sylvie and Carl have been friends since they were tiny children. They've always played together, eaten with each other's families, called each other boyfriend and girlfriend and deep down, Sylvie has always believed that they'd end up married to each other. They even have a a magical fantasy world that belongs to them alone - and the glass hut where it's all created, at the bottom of Carl's garden. But as they become teenagers, things are starting to change. They each have different friends. Sylvie would still rather spend all her time with Carl. But Carl has a new friend, Paul, who is taking all his attention. And he seems much less happy to be called Sylvie's boyfriend. And in a game of spin the bottle, he avoids having to kiss her. Sylvie can tell his feelings have changed and that her plans for the future may be affected. But can she guess at the true reasons behind it all?


I've actually read this before, I borrowed it off a friend a few months ago. It was really enjoyable and moving and I'm glad I have my own copy now because (if I EVER get the time!) I can re-read it.


So that's what I got In My Mailbox this week. Although none of it came via my mailbox! This was a really good book week for me, I hardly ever get this many great books in one week! By the way, I won't be doing IMM every week, because some weeks I don't get any books, so... Hopefully next week, I might have All American Girl: Ready or Not by Meg Cabot. I'm beginning to become really fond of Meg Cabot ever since I read the first 3 books in The Princess Diaries. This is another of my sisters old books, but for some rason she won't give it to me :( But I'll work on it, and hopefully get it soon. Bye for now! x

Follow Friday #1

Follow Friday is a brilliant way for bloggers to find new friends and get more followers. It's hosted by Rachel at Parajunkees View. 

This weeks 'featured' blog is: My Keeper Shelf

   

This weeks question is...

Do You Judge A Book By It's Cover?

OK, I'l admit it-a lot of the time, I do. I try not to, but you know how it is when you're in a bookshop an you're scanning the shelves, la dee dah...when BAM! You see a beautiful cover. You pick  p the book and read the blurb and even if you decide it doesn't look good you put it down, but at least it got noticed. Unlike the book with the awful cover...

But, since I've started blogging, most of the time I go into a bookshop knowing what book I want to get, so the cover doesn't really matter. And I also buy a few books off the internet, so I wouldn't be looking at the covers, more the reviews on Amazon...

So I do and I don't. But I do think it is important for books to have a nice cover, or at least one that would stand out on a shelf. For a lot of non-bloggers, they wouldn't have seen reviews and they wouldn't know as well what books are good and what are bad  (in the reviewers opinion). 

If you have followed me because of Follow Friday, comment and I will follow you back! Bye! xxx

                                                            
P.S. Scroll down to see my review of Driftwood by Cathy Cassidy                          

Driftwood by Cathy Cassidy

Hannah and Joey have been best friends for ever. Joey's parents love rescuing things and making them beautiful - their house is full of things made from driftwood, old glass and shells from the beach. Which is why the scraggy kittens the girls find in a bin at school end up living there. And when Paul moves in as Joey's foster brother, everyone thinks that maybe he needs rescuing too. But nobody knows quite how badly. At first, it's great - Hannah's brother befriends Paul, and the four of them hang out together. But then things start to go wrong. Paul is being bullied. Subtly at first - but quickly it gets dangerous. People aren't like driftwood or abandoned kittens and Hannah doesn't know how to rescue him. Paul doesn't want to be rescued - but with help, he can find a way to save himself.


I was eager to read this book after Cherry Crush, (another of Cassidy's books, which was amazing) and the first half of it was really good. But unfortunately, towards the end I thought it got a bit boring. It was written beautifully, but the story just felt a bit...dull.


The characters were...interesting. I thought my favourite character would have been  Joey because she was quirky and unique, and normally that type of character is my favourite, but almost all of the way through the book, it was Paul, Joey's stepbrother. He was really kind and funny, and I felt terrible for him when he was being bullied. I really just wanted to punch the bullies in the face! (Is that weird?)


Hannah, the protagonist, was...OK. What I've noticed in lots of Cathy Cassidy books, the main character is a little boring. They're all meant to be really creative and exciting etc. etc. and normally that works, but I just wasn't convinced by Hannah.


Kit's brother was one of those, 'I'm so cool now I'm a teenager' (if you know what I mean) kind of people. He was involved in Paul's bullying, and what quite mean to him so I didn't like him at all.


The supporting characters were all realistic, especially the nice art teacher Miss. Quinn and Kit's friends. the mean bullies : / Meanies. I hated them with a passion, which shows great writing. See?  All of the characters contributed to the story and there was no 'useless' characters. You know, those ones that don't do anything and are just there, for no apparent reason? 


I think that the ending felt a bit rushed. I'll admit, it was a good ending, but it practically all happened in the last chapter. I thought it would have been better to wrap it up a bit slower.


I also thought the books storyline started to droop a bit towards the end and become a bit predictable. I had the ending guessed and that's why I'm giving the book 3/5. That's just my opinion, so don't be put off this book just because of me!
I would recommend it to Cathy Cassidy fans, but, if you haven't read anything by her before, don't start with Driftwood. Cathy is a fabulous author so begin by reading my all-time favourite of hers, Cherry Crush. You won't be disappointed!


Source: Borrowed
Paged: 208
Age Group:10+
Official Publication Date:1 September 2005
Publisher: Puffin
Author Website: www.cathycassidy.com

Waiting on Wednesday #2

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm 'waiting on' 'Sister, Missing' by Sophie McKenzie. This is the sequel to 'Girl, Missing' (reviewed here) one all my all-time favourite books. I originally thought that this was a standalone novel, but was ecstatic to hear there would be a sequel : ] (Cover not released yet)

Official Publication Date: 29th September 2011
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Cover not released yet. It's two years after the events of Girl, Missing and life is not getting any easier for sixteen-year-old Lauren's adoptive or birth families as exam pressure and a recent family tragedy take their toll. Lauren's birth mother takes Lauren and her two sisters on holiday in the hope that some time together will help, but a few days into the holiday the youngest girl is kidnapped, under circumstances very similar to those in which Lauren was taken years before. The kidnapper demands a huge ransom for the child's safe return - and is threatening to kill her if the police get involved. Can Lauren save her sister, and stop the nightmare happening all over again?


Seriously. Cannot. Freaking. Wait. 

Teaser Tuesday #2

Teaser Tuesday is weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. 
Rules
Grab your current read
Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!]

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

It was horrible to think Ali might be dead, but... if she was, at least their secrets were safe. And they were. For three years, anyway.

I know that's three sentences, but it wouldn't have made sense if it was only two! I'm only about 40 pages (or even less!) in to the book, but I''m enjoying it. I bought it yesterday 'cause the TV show is good : ) Bye for now! x

Cover of the Week #2

Hi! Cover of the Week is a weekly feature I do here at Bookster Reviews. It's where I pick a book cover I LOVE and share it all with you. This weeks cover is Luminous by Dawn Metcalf. This book is not released until 30th June 2011.

As reality slips and time stands still, Consuela finds herself thrust into the world of the Flow. Removed from all she loves into this shifting world overlapping our own, Consuela quickly discovers she has the power to step out of her earthly skin and cloak herself in new ones-skins made from the world around her, crafted from water, fire, air. She is joined by other teens with extraordinary abilities, bound together to safeguard a world they can affect, but where they no longer belong.

When murder threatens to undo the Flow, the Watcher charges Consuela and elusive, attractive V to stop the killer. But the psychopath who threatens her new world may also hold the only key to Consuela's way home.

Oh my goodness, isn't this just amazing? I love absolutely everything about it. The girl on the cover is beautiful and I love the way her body is turned forward but her head sideways, and also the way her head tints upwards. But (obviously) the thing I love the most is the butterflies. I love butterflies (although I am slightly scared of them : D) and the ones here so beautiful and colourful. The whole thing is just....wow. Thanks to The Story Siren which I discovered this on.

Cliona x