Review: Hunt by Rachel Vincent

Hunt by Rachel Vincent - WARNING! I cannot review this book without spoiling the others in the series. Read no further if you're planning on reading this series and don't want it spoilt for you.

It’s been more than four years since Abby Wade survived capture and torture by a quartet of rogue shifters. Back then she was a scared kid, just trying to survive.

Now Abby is all grown up, and if she’s learned anything from training with Faythe Sanders, the world’s first female Alpha, it’s that she can take care of herself—and anyone else who comes along. So when her college roommate is abducted from a campsite deep in the Appalachian woods, Abby knows exactly how to get her back…

The rules of the hunt are simple. Kill or be killed.

Abby Wade is not ready to die. From Goodreads.

Continue reading Review: Hunt by Rachel Vincent

Review: Mila 2.0: Origins: The Fire by Debra Driza

Mila 2.0: Origins: The Fire by Debra Driza - Heart-stopping and electric, MILA 2.0: Origins: The Fire contains a short prequel story and an excerpt to MILA 2.0, the first book in a riveting Bourne Identity–style trilogy by Debra Driza.

Mila can't remember anything before the fire that took her father's life. It's normal to have some memory loss after traumatic events, but Mila doesn't remember if she's ever learned to ride a bike, or if she's ever been in love. Nothing.

What she doesn't know is that she isn't supposed to remember—that she was built in a computer science lab and programmed to forget. Because if she remembers, she might discover her true identity.

The question is: If she relived the fire, what would she see? From Amazon UK

Continue reading Review: Mila 2.0: Origins: The Fire by Debra Driza

Review: Roar and Liv by Veronica Rossi

Roar and Liv by Veronica Rossi - WARNING! I cannot review this book without spoiling the others in the series. Read no further if you're planning on reading this series and don't want it spoilt for you.

Before Perry and Aria, there was Roar and Liv.

After a childhood spent wandering the borderlands, Roar finally feels like he has a home with the Tides. His best friend Perry is like a brother to him, and Perry's sister, Liv, is the love of his life. But Perry and Liv's unpredictable older brother, Vale, is the Blood Lord of the Tides, and he has never looked kindly on Roar and Liv's union. Normally, Roar couldn't care less about Vale's opinion. But with food running low and conditions worsening every day, Vale's leadership is more vital - and more brutal - than ever. Desperate to protect his tribe, Vale makes a decision that will shatter the life Roar knew and change the fate of the Tides forever. From Amazon UK

Continue reading Review: Roar and Liv by Veronica Rossi

Review: Fearless by Brigid Kemmerer

Fearless by Brigid Kemmerer - WARNING! I cannot review this book without spoiling the others in the series. Read no further if you're planning on reading this series and don't want it spoiled for you.

Being a force of nature doesn’t keep you safe.

Hunter Garrity is used to watching his back. The kids at school sense something different about him. And they’re right.

Hunter has powers that have nothing to do with how hard he can throw a punch.

Maybe that’s what Clare Kasten is picking up. She’s shy, quiet, and intense, but she’s sought him out. There’s no telling what she wants from him.

But Hunter knows enough to sense a secret when it’s close. And getting close to Clare is a danger he’s ready to face... From Amazon UK

Continue reading Review: Fearless by Brigid Kemmerer

Review: Never to Sleep by Rachel Vincent

Never to Sleep by Rachel Vincent - WARNING! I cannot review this book without spoiling the other books in the series. Do not read any further if you plan on reading this series and don't want it spoiled for you.

Don't Close Your Eyes. Sophie Cavanaugh is not going to let her freak of a cousin's strange psychiatric condition ruin high school for them both. Not after all the work she's put into cultivating the right look, and friends, and reputation. But then, Sophie sees something so frightening she lets out a blood-curdling scream—and finds herself stuck in a bizarre parallel world where nothing is safe and deadly creatures lurk just out of sight, waiting for her to close her eyes and sleep...forever. Could this world be real? Or does insanity run in the family...?

A Soul Screamers Ebook Novella. From Amazon UK

Continue reading Review: Never to Sleep by Rachel Vincent

Review: Elemental by Brigid Kemmerer

Elemental by Brigid Kemmerer - Earth, Fire, Air, Water – they are more than you dream.

As an air Elemental, 17-year-old Emily Morgan doesn’t have much power. That’s okay—she knows what happens to kids who do.

Like Michael Merrick. He’s an earth Elemental, one with enough power to level cities. Which makes him sexy, dangerous, and completely off limits. At least according to Emily’s family.

But her summer job puts her in close contact with Michael, and neither of them can help the attraction they feel. When forces of nature like theirs collide, one misstep could get someone killed. Because Emily’s family doesn’t just want her to stay away from him.

They want him dead. From Amazon UK

Continue reading Review: Elemental by Brigid Kemmerer

Review: Hana by Lauren Oliver

Hana by Lauren Oliver - WARNING! I cannot review this book without spoiling the others in the series. Read no further if you're planning on reading this series and don't want it spoiled for you.

In the world of Delirium, love is a disease. And like all eighteen-year-olds, Lena and Hana must take the cure. At the start of their last summer of freedom, they were the closest of friends. Until Hana made a decision that tore them apart . . . In Delirium, we heard from Lena. Now, Hana gets to tell her side of the story. And nothing is what we first thought. Hana is a powerful, moving and beautifully told original eBook short story, with a shocking twist that will leave you with your heart in your mouth. From Amazon UK

Continue reading Review: Hana by Lauren Oliver

Review: The First Day of the Rest of Your Life by Rachel Caine

The First Day of the Rest of Your Life by Rachel Caine - Eve Rosser is turning eighteen. Does she accept the Protection or go without? From Goodreads

This short story was originally published in Many Bloody Returns, but it also available to read on Rachel Caine's website.

The First Day of the Rest of Your Life is a prequel short story to Glass Houses. It covers the day that Eve moves in to the Glass House. It's Eve's 18th Birthday and she's celebrating. Only she lives in Morganville, and things don't always go to plan. Bad things happen, choices need to be made, and Eve's life is about to change.

This short story was just awesome! It's great insight into the events that lead to the first room mate moving into the Glass House, one of the first steps that lead to the jumbled little group of teens that we meet in the first book. We also get to meet Eve's parents, who are right in the lead in the running for Worst Parents in Morganville Ever Award. We also get to see Miranda, why Eve is any kind of friend of hers, and why she's likely to believe her in the future.

Its a great little story, shining a light of a few things that just add a little more to the Morganville story, and help you understand things a little more. It's a great story, and I'm looking forward to reading the others!

Rachel Caine's Website

Continue reading Review: The First Day of the Rest of Your Life by Rachel Caine

Review: Catching Suki by Sarah Alderson

Catching Suki by Sarah Alderson - WARNING! I cannot review this short story without spoiling the other books in the series. Read no further if you're planning on reading this series and don't want it spoiled for you.

The Unit are closing in and Demos needs one of his team to go deep cover.

Enter Suki.

Fashion obsessed, boy-crazy and more than a little kooky, Suki is a mind reader with a special talent for buying shoes and for listening in on private conversations.

Tasked with infiltrating the enemy (namely Jack and Alex) Suki rises to the challenge, leaving a trail of chaos, destruction (and a large room service bill) in her wake.

A prequel to the events of Hunting Lila and including many of the characters from the book, this short story told through Suki’s eyes, will have you laughing out loud while gripping the edge of your seat. From SarahAlderson.com

Continue reading Review: Catching Suki by Sarah Alderson

Review: Enthralled - Niederwald by Rachel Vincent (#Ad)

Enthralled: Paranormal Divisions Anthology

I was sent this review copy for free by Harper Collins Children's Books for the purpose of providing an honest review.

WARNING! I cannot review this short story without spoiling the books in the series it comes from. Read no further if you're planning on reading this series and don't want it spoiled for you.

A collection of fourteen original teen paranormal short stories from some of today’s bestselling YA talent, united with the common theme of road trips, and edited by bestselling authors Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong.

Contributors include:
Melissa Marr, Kelley Armstrong
Claudia Gray, Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl, Rachel Caine, Carrie Ryan, Jessica Verday, Rachel Vincent, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Jerri Smith-Ready, Sarah Rees Brennan, Kimberley Derting, Jackson Pearce, Ally Condie. From Amazon UK

Continue reading Review: Enthralled - Niederwald by Rachel Vincent (#Ad)

Review: Queen of Teen - Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others by Sarra Manning

Queen of Teen Anthology - Nine stories by top authors, in aid of the charity Kids Company. Discover nine fabulous short stories from the finalists of the Queen of Teen Award, selected by their readers and their fans. It’s an irresistible chance to read something new by these alltime favourite authors – or discover an amazing writer you’ve been missing up to now!

All the stories focus on the realities of being a teenager and gaining independence. From Amazon UK

Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others my Sarra Manning

The wonderful Luisa Plaja sent me a copy of the Queen of Teen anthology just for this one story, which she thought would be brilliant for Body Image & Self-Perception Month - though, of course, I will read and review all the others too.

It's summer, and Cath has got herself a job at the ice-cream parlour on the pier in her town, where she'll be working with Rosie. Both girls are chalk and cheese; Rosie is quiet, Cath is loud; Rosie likes reading, Cath likes fashion and boys; Rosie has huge boobs, Cath's boobs are practically non-existant. Cath instantly dislikes Rosie. How is it fair that this mousey, quiet, boring girl has such big boobs, when all she has is a pair of well-used chicken fillets? But through discovering Rosie's complete lack of self-confidence and experience with boys, Cath sets out to help her bag the the guy she likes.


I'm not much of a short story reader - I haven't read that many, and those I have are about characters in series I've been reading - so I wouldn't have thought a short story could really say all that much on a topic such as this, but I was so wrong! Through their uneasy friendship, we see that both girls have self-esteem issues. Rosie is self-concious of the fact that all people see are her boobs, where as Cath is self-concious of the fact that she doesn't have any when that's all guys are interested in. It's great to see how Cath makes it her mission to instill Rosie with confidence, and actively does her bit to help her get her guy.

'"Look, Rosie, you might read a lot of books but they're not teaching you important boy-getting life skills. Twenty-five per cent of your problem is obviously low self-esteem and the other seventy-five per cent of your problem will disappear if you let me work on your wardrobe, grooming and getting you a bra that actually fits."' (p128)

'"You are not fat,' I interrupted angrily because at least she didn't go straight up and down like me. 'You're curvy. Big diff. And you're really smart and funny and you should stop judging yourself on what you think you look like. It's pathetic. And don't you forget it.'" (p135)

Yet it's so sad to see she has her own issues, when she seems to be so confident, and that her attitude on what matters is what causes her issues.

'"But all I want is to have super-shiny hair and actual breasts so I can attract a really cute boy with lots of money who'll take me away from this crappy little place".' (p148)

But then Rosie takes Cath in hand, and helps her as she knows best, getting right to the matter.

'"You have to figure out who you really want to be, and then make sure the people in your life are going to help you achieve that. Like you helped me see beyond my 36Fs."' (p148)

It's a really quite a sweet story, and one that strikes a chord with me especially. I am Rosie, but with Cath's figure. I understand Rosie's shy and awkward behaviour around guys, and I understand Cath's disappointment with her lack of a chest. And I can completely understand her mortification when a certain event happens - just awful! But it's a sweet story well worth reading! I'm really looking forward to the other stories in the anthology.

Published: 1st May 2010
Publisher: Piccadilly Press
Queen of Teen Website
Sarra Manning's Blog

Continue reading Review: Queen of Teen - Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others by Sarra Manning