Rose by Holly Webb

Where have all the children gone? Mr Fountain's grand residence is a world away from the dark orphanage Rose has left behind. For the house is overflowing with sparkling magic - she can feel it. And soon Rose realises that she might be just a little bit magical, too...

But when orphans begin mysteriously disappearing, Rose's magic is put to the test. Can she find the missing children before it's all too late?

The first of Rose's spellbinding adventures...

I LOVE the cover of this book. Seriously, the whole way through I kept on closing the book to stare at the gorgeous cover. I don't think 'Rose' quite lived up to this marvellous cover, but it was quite an entertaining read.

This book wasn't slow to get into, the story started quickly. I enjoyed the first part of this book, but then unfortunately in the middle it wasn't as good. The writing sometimes seemed hard to understand, sometimes I had to read a paragraph a couple of times to fully get what was going on. It's hard to explain, but if you've read it you'll know what I mean.

The last part of the story was better. But the ending seemed really sudden and rushed. Pretty much two hundred pages are just setting up the story, and then the ending is thrown into the last seventy pages.

Rose, as a character, wasn't overly believable, but then it's a book aimed at 9+, so I suppose character development isn't a very important thing in that age group. Freddy was quite believable, but that's probably because annoying characters are more convincing! I wish Mr. Fountain and Bill were in it more, we didn't see much of them.

I know I haven't said much good about this book, and this is a very short review (sorry for that) but I am going to give it 4/5. It is actually enjoyable, and I think younger kids will love it. I will definitely be reading the sequel, Rose and The Lost Princess. Even if it's just for the pretty cover :)

Source: Library
Pages: 272
Age Group: 9+
Official Publication Date:
Publisher: Orchard Books
Author Website: None

Cover of the Week #6

Cover of the Week is a weekly feature I do here at Bookster Reviews, in which I show you all a picture of a cover I love. This week's cover is Lia's Guide To Wining The Lottery by Keren David. I really want to read this, it's sounds so good! It's not released yet, it will be published on 4 August 2011.

Money can’t buy you love. But it can buy many other very nice things. Lia’s mum is a nag, her sister’s a pain and she’s getting nowhere in pursuit of the potentially paranormal Raf. Then she wins £8 million in the lottery, and suddenly everything is different. But will Lia’s fortune create more problems than it solves? Everyone dreams of winning the lottery - but what’s it really like? Find out in this hilarious story by Keren David, whose acclaimed debut novel, When I Was Joe, was Highly Commended for the Booktrust Teenage Prize.




Isn't it just GORGEOUS? I love the placing of the title and the authors name, and the shoes are just so pretty! The colour of them really stand out against all the black. The title font is lovely. It's just such an appealing cover, if I saw this in a shop I would definitely pick it up, I would be intrigued. 


What do YOU think about this cover? Do you love it or hate it?

In My Mailbox #4

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren, where bloggers show what books they received through their mailboxes, from the library, bought and any other way. It a great way to see who's reading what, so make sure you head over and join in!

Gift

I Am David by Anne Holm
My granny kindly gave me this one :) Thanks granny.  I've heard it's amazing and am eager to read it. I love stories about the war. (My copy actually doesn't have this cover, it is an older version, but I couldn't find a picture of the edition anywhere, so I'm using this one)







Bought
      




Oceans of Blood by Darren Shan


Yay! Darren is one of my favourite authors EVER, he's amazing, so I was SO excited to get this! But I can't read it because I'm saving it for my holidays in a couple of weeks :(






So that's what I got this week. Not much, but I'm delighted!

What did you get in your mailboxes?
                                          

Gripped Into Books giveaway!

Gripped into books is currently hosting an incredible giveaway. You can choose from 4 brilliant prize packs if you win. The packs are as follows:

Prize Pack 1: Fallen
                     Torment
                      Passion all by Lauren Kate

Prize Pack 2: Shiver
                      Linger
                      Forever all by Maggie Stievater
                     
Prize Pack 3: The Mortal Instruments Books 1, 2 and 3 by Cassandra Clare

Prize Pack 4: Choose any 3
                      Delirium by Lauren Oliver, Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, Unearthly by Cynthia Hand, Blue Bloods: Misguided Angels by Melissa de Cruz, Halo by Alexandra Ornetto, Stolen by Lucy Christopher, Blood Magic by Tessa Graton, Pretty Twisted by Gina Baxill, Wither by Lauren DeStefano.

This giveaway is international (yay!) and you must be a follower to enter.. It ends on 10th June. So head over to Gripped Into Books and enter now!

NEWS: Girls Heart Books and Fiction Express

I know this post is way overdue, both of these websites have been around for nearly a month! - but for those who haven't heard of them yet, I'm gonna tell you now.


Girls Heart Books


A group of female writers have gotten together and made a joint blog/website called Girls Heart Books. It was set up by Jo Cotterhill, author of the Sweet-Hearts series.  Here's a bit more about it, taken from the sites 'About' page.

It’s a place where we can tell you our latest news, whisper the secret stories behind our books, and share our favourite things. We’ll have a new blog post every day for you – plus giveaways, new book news, event announcements and more.

So if you’ve ever wondered what your favourite writer’s desk looks like, which book is lighting up her bedside table right this minute, or whether when she was 13 she had a really unfortunate haircut and was afraid of swans, GIRLS ♥ BOOKS is just for you.

Here's a list of the authors contributing, in alphabetical order (by first name):

Anna Carey, Anne-Marie Conway, Cathy Cassidy, Cathy Hopkins, Diane Messidoro, Fiona Dunbar, Griselda Gifford, Hilary Freeman, Jo Cotterill, Joan Lennon, Joanna Nadin, Judi Curtin, Julie Sykes, Karen King, Karen McCombie, Kate Maryon, Kay Woodward, Keris Stainton, Leila Rasheed, Linda Chapman, Lisa Clark, Liz Kessler, Luisa Plaja, Maggi Gibson, Rosalie Warren, Sarah Webb, Sophia Bennett, Sue Mongredien, Susie Day, Tamsyn Murray, Wendy Meddour

I know, it's great isn't it? And a new post every day what more could you ask for?

Fiction Express

Fiction Express is an interactive e-fiction website aimed at young readers. At the end of each chapter, readers are given 3 or 4 choices as to what happens in the next chapter and they can vote for whichever one they want. There are four novels available, by four great authors.  New chapters are available from 3:30pm on a Friday and voting closes at 10:00am the following Monday. Authors will then write a chapter according to the most popular choice. This continues for 11 weeks, as each book has 11 chapters.  The four books are:

Diary of a Mall Girl by Luisa Plaja (Split by a Kiss, Swapped by a Kiss, Extreme Kissing)

The Soterion Mission by Stewart Ross (Timewarp Trials and What If The Bomb Goes Off?)

Soul Shadows by Alex Woolf (The Chronosphere)

The Last Symbol by Rebecca Morton 

The first chapter is available for free, and later chapters sell for as little as 59p.

I was lucky enough to win a giveaway on fantastic site Chicklish, when they were giving away ten credits, which is the equivalent of one novel. I am using the credits on the brilliant 'Diary of a Mall Girl' by one of my favourite authors Luisa Plaja, and I am loving  it so far. 

So make sure you check out Fiction Express.

Thanks for reading this (very late) post.

The Sky Is Everywhere By Jandy Nelson

Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to centre stage of her own life - and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, with a nearly magical grin. One boy takes Lennie out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But the two can't collide without Lennie's world exploding...


Sorry for the following long and rambly review :D


This book has, hands-down, THE best layout EVER. The cover, for one, is just amazing, it's one of my favourite covers ever. It's so simple, but so effective. I love the colour, the font and the little hearts. And on the UK hardcover (pictured) has this cute little blue elastic thing that stretches around the book, which is meant to be a bookmark. It was so handy!


But the best thing of all were the little poems that Lenny scattered around, written on all these random things! Takeaway cups, windows, lollipop wrappers! Everything! At the beginning or end of each chapter one of theses poems were shown. I thought they were really cute, and I looked forward to the end of every chapter just to read them!


And now, after two paragraphs about the layout ( :P) I'm gonna talk about the actual book.


The writing was brilliant, this is probably the most beautifully written book I've ever read. Usually I'm not too bothered with writing, it's more the plot I'm interested in. But this book deserves the praise! Everything was described in such exquisite detail, I could imagine exactly what everyone and everywhere looked like, as though it was right there in front of me. I can't believe this is Jandy's first book!


The characters were all so real and so great. I liked all of them (except Rachel. Meanie) and I just cannot pick a favourite. They were all so brilliant and unique in their own ways. Lennie herself was so sweet and sensitive. The love she had for her Bailey, Joe and the everyone else was really believable. I felt like I missed Bailey too! Actually, a prequel to this book would be great, I'd love to get to know Bailey better. Jandy Nelson made you feel like you knew Bailey and even though she was dead, she seemed so real and alive. (Well, I suppose she was real, but you know what I mean!)


Gram (Lennie's gran) was so kind and lovely and funny, as was Uncle Big. He was awesome! Lennie's best friend Sarah was quirky and cool, I wish she was in it more! Though sometimes she annoyed me... The two boys, Joe and Toby, were so sweet! I have to say, even though I'm probably the only one,  I think I'm Team Toby! I know, I know! But Joe just seemed so perfect, he was the only character I wasn't so convinced by. He was practically flawless. I just wish he had even one flaw, just to make it more realistic. Despite all that though, I did like him.


Toby was SO GREAT! (Sorry, I am using terrible adjectives in this review, aren't I? Well, sorry, but I can't help it!) He was so sweet! He was so emotional too.The times he was sad and crying were the times I felt like crying too!  I wish we saw more of him though, he wasn't in it that much. :/


I don't normally read romances, I prefer fantasy or adventure and sometimes chick-lit (I wouldn't call this book chick-lit... would you?), but I loved this so much! I really hope Jandy Nelson writes more books. Preferably a sequel to 'The Sky Is Everywhere'. Also, another thing un-book related. Doesn't Jandy Nelson have THE best name ever?!! It's my favourite author name after Lauren Oliver. They both sound so cool and Jandy is just an AMAZING name! Is Jandy a popular name over in the USA, my American readers?


My only complaint is that, at times, this book seemed a little too perfect. I know that's a good thing, how perfect it was, but to me it was just slightly annoying. It's hard to explain. Ooh, and just one more complaint! (OMG, I'm such a complainer!). Sometimes I thought the book was a bit slow. But the on the other hand, it wasn't meant to be an edge-of-your-seat thriller, but still..


Overall, this book was stunning, spectacular, and I totally loved it. I would definitely give it 5/5, 10/10, 1000/100! It is a definite recommended read, one of my favourites so far this year. So, peoples, READ THIS BOOK!


Source: Library
Pages: 368
Age Group: 12+
Official Publication Date: 07 June 2010
Publisher: Walker Books UK
Author Website:www.jandynelson.com

Cover of the Week #5

Cover of the Week is a weekly feature here at Bookster Reviews, in which I show you all a picture of a cover I love. This week's cover is A Year Without Autumn by Liz Kessler. I haven't read this yet, but I so want to!

If you could see into the future - would you look? Jenni Green doesn't have a choice. On her way to visit her best friend, Autumn, Jenni suddenly finds she's been transported exactly one year forward in time. Now she discovers that in the year that's gone by, tragedy has struck and her friendship with Autumn will never be the same again. But what caused the tragedy? How did Jenni skip a year? And can she find her way back to the past to try to change what lies ahead? With humour - and her customary light touch - the author of the EMILY WINDSNAP books plays a fascinating game with time, and explores the changes that take place in friendships and families in the aftermath of a disaster.

Isn't it just gorgeous? I love how it gives a sort of summery/autumn-y feel (or is that just me?) and I like the silhouettes of the girls and the way they're positioned. The placing of the title and authors name is great and  the font is so pretty!  It's even nicer in real life!                  Overall, it's just an amazing cover, and an even more amazing-sounding book! I hope I get the chance to read it some time in the future! Geddit? 

Sorry, bad pun :P

Non-Existent In My Mailbox #2

I've decided to make N-EIMM a sort of regular thing here at Bookster Reviews. A lot of weeks I don't get any books but I want to do a post every Sunday regardless, so N-EIMM is going to be an almost-weekly feature. If you didn't see the last N-EIMM post, I'll tell you what it is. I will post 4 or 5 cool or funny pictures. It's quite simple actually! Now, the pictures...

Aren't they awesome? My favourite is the last :P *evil laugh* Mwahahahahahaha!

Hopefully I'll get some books next week, but until then, goodbye!

In My Mailbox #3

I got awesome books this week! I never realised how great my local library is! Now on with the books...

The Fool's Girl by Celia Rees


I renewed this book because I got it last time but didn;t get time to read it. I'm not a fan of historical fiction, but I've heard this author is good, so I'm giving it a go.

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson


Squeeeeee! I looked for this book at the library last time but they didn't have it, so I was SO excited to see it there this time!












Grace by Morris Gleitzman


I was really shocked to see this at the library because it's only been out a couple of months. I'm looking forward to beginning this.

Paper Towns by John Green


I was a bit dissapointed to see the library didn't have Looking For Alaska which is the John Green book I really  want to read. But this will do ; D

Rose by Holly Webb


I've already started this and am about half way through. It is BRILL-IANT! A review should be up sometime in the next couple of weeks.













So that's the books I got this week! I have to admit, they're pretty great ;) I can't wait to see what you all got in tour mailboxes!