Torn by Amanda Hocking

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Tor

Pages: 352pgs

The Story

The second book in this page-turning trilogy from the phenomenal Amanda Hocking.

Acknowledging that she was different from everyone else wasn't difficult for Wendy Everly - she'd always felt like an outsider. But a new world and new family is hard for any girl to accept easily.

Leaving behind the mysterious country of her birth, she is determined to fit back into normal life. But the world she's left behind won't let her go that easily. Kidnapped and imprisoned by her true family's enemies, Wendy soon learns that the lines between good and evil aren't as defined as she thought. And those things she'd taken for granted may have been lies all along. With the help of the dangerously attractive Loki, she escapes back to the safety of Forening - only to be confronted by a new threat.

It's time to make a choice - can she put aside her personal feelings for the sake of her country? Torn between duty and love she must make a choice that could destroy her one chance at true happiness.

The Review

A big thanks to Macmillan for sending me a review copy of this book!

In the second installment of the Trylle trilogy, we reunite back with the main character Wendy and with this new world she is slowly coming to grips with as she goes. In the previous novel Switched, we met a young and sometimes-naive Wendy, a simple girl who'd thought she had everything she could possibly want in her life; a wonderful and loving mother and an equally loving and overprotective older brother. Life couldn't get better for her. However, at the tender age of six, her seemingly so perfect mother tried to kill her with a kitchen knife and eleven years later, Wendy soon discovers the real truth behind her heritage and why her mother claimed she wasn't her daughter . . . because she's not human after all. In fact, she's a changeling who had been switched at birth with her "mother's" true child - she can also be known as a Trylle or a Troll - and not only that, she's also the true heir to the Trylle throne, with her real mother being the Queen of the entire Trylle kingdom. But with Wendy facing forbidden love shared between her and her protector, Finn, and with her trying her best in staying within the boundaries of what is expected and what is not of her royal blood, will Wendy ever find true happiness or must she sacrifice everything for her kingdom, even herself?

When it comes down to this sequel I have to say this book was such a vast improvement compared to the first book, Switched. I absolutely enjoyed the first installment but the author, Amanda Hocking, has certainly made sure to put up the stakes higher than ever before and ensure all of her readers feel an assortment of feelings and emotions throughout the book. Some more frustrating than others. But what I mostly appreciated about this brilliant work of Hocking's is her flowing and simplistic writing style - the way you never get confused and you can just simply slip right into her world without any issues presented. And I totally loved that!

As for the characters, some readers will remember our main heroine Wendy. While Wendy was a different sort of girl before you truly came to know her - because from before she was sometimes ignorant, selfish and she was always not thinking about her own actions - but I can definitely ease people's worries regarding her character because she has grown up so much in this sequel and bringing back her seriously awesome kick-butt side. Instead of allowing her love interest to take full control of her, she finally stood on her ground and threw out her own opinions, and she's now fully aware of what is expected of her which was awesome for her sake. However, Wendy is still conflicted when it comes to her fierce love and attraction for Finn. Oh Finn . . . how we love you so, so much! Finn is absolutely my favourite character even though he's so frustrating for the majority of this book. He may be a lovesick puppy (sad but true) what with those big beautiful eyes, and while you can clearly tell he cares - and loves - deeply for Wendy, but despite that, Finn still manages to put aside his own personal feelings with that bold and strong personality of his, and because of that factor it adds some rationality to the book that makes you fall in love even harder for him. Without spoiling the book, I won't say too much about what happens between Finn and Wendy but oh Finn . . . my heart goes out to you.

Now unlike in the first book, Switched, what gave this sequel a completely different vibe to it was how Hocking focused more on the relationship between mother and daughter, between Elora and Wendy. For those who've read the first book, readers could feel the intensity between these two main characters and you always wondered whether they would ever get along. Thankfully they have formed a stronger bond in this sequel and not only that but they have formed some respect for one another, despite all the troubled times they have faced in the past and in the present. For once it was nice to know the heartless mother had a heart after all and for Wendy's sake I was glad to see those too make up before things got really complicated for them both.

Overall, TORN was a delightful sequel and it brings readers far more deeper into the world Amanda Hocking has cleverly created. Filled with marvelous action scenes, fantastic set of characters and a forbidden love with all those little heartbreaks that comes along with it, TORN will entertain you on all sorts of levels and is one hell of ride too. I'll definitely be looking out for the last book, Ascend, which comes out soon because I'm sure as hell excited to read it!

The Rating 4 1/2 / 5 stars

Follow Friday

This weekly event is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read.

This week's question: What is the one thing you wish you could tell your favourite author?

My answer: I would love to tell the original author before all the ghostwriters came along, Carolyn Keene (which isn't her real name by the way), what a fantastic author she is in writing her Nancy Drew series and creating Miss Drew herself! Honestly, back when I was very young, I was in the I'm-not-reading-much-books stage of my life and when I saw a Nancy Drew book in the library one day and asked my mother about it . . . then I was completely hooked from then on out and whether it'll be reading more Nancy Drew books in the future or playing the computers games that I love so very much, I have this love for Nancy Drew that will forever continue to inspire me, so I would love to say thank you to the author for that! If only I could've met her before she passed away many years back!

So, what would you tell your favourite author?

Have a great weekend you guys!

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

Release Date: 5th June, 2012

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Pages: 294pgs

The Story

In Emmy Laybourne's action-packed debut novel, six high school kids (some popular, some not), two eighth graders (one a tech genius), and six little kids trapped together in a chain superstore build a refuge for themselves inside. While outstide, a series of escalating disasters, beginning with a monster hailstorm and ending with a chemical weapons spill, seems to be tearing the world - as they know it - apart.

The Review

A big thanks to the publisher on netGalley for accepting my request in reading this book early!

Fourteen children are left to fend for themselves after a severe superstorm and the unleashing of a chemical weapon. They're alone, scared, a little angry for all good reasons and have so little of time left to know what to do with themselves . . . honestly what could possibly go wrong in an abandoned superstore building? Well let's just say . . . everything.

Emmy Laybourne's debut novel MONUMENT 14 was one of those few reads I decided to take a chance on, mostly because I loved the eerie dystopian-like cover and mostly because I really liked the sound of the storyline since it reminded me so much of Lord of the Flies only with a less island feel to it. As much as I wanted to love it, I'll be honest with you guys: it's the kind of book with a love and hate factor to it. The majority of the book was fast-paced, interesting and contained plenty of shocking twists for its readers . . . but I felt as if something was missing from the book. Mostly in the characters.

The storyline rarely had a problem with me but the characters - while the groups of kids were clearly written as stereotypical - didn't particularly interest me what way or another. With a book nerd, an outsider, a tech genius, a jock, a bad boy, a beautiful girl, and a skanky girl . . . I can see many readers of MONUMENT 14 will be able to identify with at least one of those characters alone. However, while I don't mind stereotypical characters but there still wasn't enough drive from the characters' actions and with a possible apocalypse going on in the outside world of this superstore setting, I wanted and expected some of the characters to take action or do something heroic to impress me, but like I mentioned before none of the characters really interested me and it was the main reason why I'm giving this book a lower star rating.

Don't get me wrong here with this review because I still enjoyed the book as a whole book and it was every entertaining and page-turning for all the right reasons. I mean, while no real character shone in the spotlight for me personally, but the storyline and the cliffhanger it unexpectedly delivered will clearly win over fans of any dystopian tale and perhaps satisfy readers of the likes of James Dashner's The Mazer Runner. So if you have the taste for either of those two, then I can definitely guarantee that you're going to love this book without a doubt!

The Rating

3 1/2 / 5 stars

Giveaway - Insurgent by Veronica Roth

To my dear lovely readers . . . guess what? Not only do I have yet another giveaway up for my Aussie blog readers but I have not one but TEN COPIES of Veronica Roth's upcoming sequel to her debut novel Divergent, Insurgent, to giveaway and it's all thanks to the amazing HarperCollins Australia! Yup, for those people jumping up and down right about now as they read this giveaway post . . . I know exactly how you feel and how much you're ALL dying to read this book!

To enter you must follow four simple rules (I used a Four reference on purpose if you didn't already notice):

- You must be an Australian resident (sorry international folks!).

- You must fill in the form below with all of your details.

- You must also answer the question in the form of 'What faction would you choose to be in and why?' which I can't wait to read all of your answers!

- And while you don't have to be a blog follower, but I would love it if you were one.

FILL IN THE FORM HERE

Contest ends May 9th 2012!

Good luck to everyone!

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Pages: 485pgs

The Story

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle.

And one girl with search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked - and given the ultimate choice. Die or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend - a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what - and who - is worth dying for.

The Review

A big thanks to HarlequinTeen Australia for sending me a review copy of this book!

When I first heard about Kagawa's new book THE IMMORTAL RULES I was a bit taken back by what it entailed, mostly due to it being of the vampire genre. While vampires are continually being brought out in books and are not necessarily original, but with such love for Julie Kagawa herself, for her previous Iron Fey series and for the dystopian genre and all its brilliance, the fact that the author can write something both exciting and fresh, I definitely can say with all honesty that this is the best book to date when it comes to vampires. Not only does it contain a strong and a heroic young heroine, two kinds of vampires (one so dark and one so grotesque), and bringing together a storyline and characters that are none other fighting for the rest of humanity . . . but it also offers readers that rare edge about it and there's nothing more I love in a book than that edge!

Allison Sekemoto, the main character, lives on the fringe of a vampire dystopian society. Being an Unregistered citizen, defying the law and rebelling against becoming a blood bank for vampires in the city comes within Allison's nature. But when she is attacked one night while scavenging for resources with her dedicated human crew, everything goes horribly wrong. With Allison's time slowly ticking away, she is faced with a choice - to either die as a mortal or be reborn as the immortal monster she'd always feared to become. As she doesn't want to die, Allison is soon turned into a vampire despite her beliefs and with it comes many consequences lying in her wake, and once and for all, Allison will need to decide whether to accept her new destiny or continue living like a human that she will never be for the rest of her immortal life. And unfortunately for Allison, fate has other plans for her and everything will - indeed - change her forever . . .

THE IMMORTAL RULES is such a great story for horror fans like myself. There's plenty of good old-fashioned bloodshed, plenty of action, plenty of death, and even some little tiny bits of tragedy along the way, which made this book an even more perfect read for me. In most dystopian genres or in the supernatural tales, most authors are too afraid to explore the darker side of human nature and I loved the fact that Kagawa wasn't afraid to do so. Putting her character's through the most horrifying situations, challenging them non-stop, and taking them to the highest levels of choosing between what's right and wrong . . . the storyline did all of that and if not more than I expected! While I would've loved some more developed romance to take part in the story, but it didn't even matter because the storyline was what grew on me and not the romance this time round.

As for our leading lady, Allison Sekemoto, I thought she was such a beautiful character whom was completely honest and true with herself. For the majority of the book she was a total badass, but it wasn't just about her kick-assing ways of life. What really drew me to her character was her ability to survive in the dire circumstances and even when things seemed down and damn right gloomy for her . . . she still remained one of the most interesting and the most complex character's I've ever read and it's no wonder why so many readers fell in love with this one awesome chick. Just be sure to keep your distance when she's swinging that mad and super-duper Japanese katana sword around . . . because she'll truly use it when she has to!

Now onto the love interests because there's always a love interest involved in any book. In this case we have Zeke, a human boy Allison meets later in the book, who was a genuine good boy with a heart of gold. My heart may not have swooned nor skipped an actual beat for him, but he had many qualities that I admired. He's understanding, he's not quick to judge, he's forgiving in most matters but the only thing I had trouble in connecting with him was his religious ways of life. I guess when you live in a terrible society . . . people will be driven by religious beliefs but nonetheless Zeke was a great guy. But fear not my dear readers, because there's another dude on the block and I really hope he's a potential love interest for Allison in later sequels because I adore this mysterious young - I mean old - fellow. This fellow being Allison's master vampire sire, Kanin, whom is clearly the only man for me when it comes to this book. There was just something about him I was captivated by and I was soooooooo disappointed that he never got to take part in too much of the book. Only in the beginning, I'm afraid. Oh Kanin I miss and long for you! I love Zeke and all . . . don't get me wrong . . . but KANIN! I need you back Kanin in the sequel . . . we just need you back to rock this vampire-radar of the hotness charts!

Overall, THE IMMORTAL RULES is a traditional vampire story (but it's also an unique take on vampires) whom has clearly brought back what I love in vampires - all the blood and gore that I just can't get enough of. Just when you thought vampires were out of style, you need to think again readers because this book cannot be missed by you all! I think . . . I think . . . I think . . . I may even love this book a hundred times more than Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series and that's the shocking thing of all things when I finished this book!

The Rating

4 1/2 / 5 stars

Fated by Alyson Noel

Release Date: 24th May, 2012

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

Pages: 352pgs

The Story

Strange things are happening to Daire Santos. Crows mock her, glowing people stalk her, time stops without warning, and a beautiful boy with unearthly blue eyes haunts all her dreams. Fearing for her daughter's sanity, Daire's mother sends her to live with the grandmother she's never met. A woman who recognizes the visions for what they truly are - the call to her destiny as a Soul Seeker - one who can navigate the worlds between the living and dead.

There on the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico, Daire sets out to harness her mystical powers. But it's when she meets Dace, the boy from her dreams, that her whole world is shaken to its core. Now Daire is forced to discover if Dace is the only guy she's meant to be with . . . or if he's allied with the enemy she's destined to destroy.

The Review

A big thanks to Pan Macmillan for sending me an ARC copy of this book!

In Alyson Noel's newest adventure FATED, the first book in The Soul Seekers series, it tells the story of Daire Santos whose life changes dramatically when she is branded by the world's celebrity magazines as a mentally unstable, crazy young girl after an unfortunate incident that occured on her sixteenth birthday. With crows flocking toward her, with glowing people calling out her name, with visions of a hot string and a gorgeous boy with most beautiful set of blue eyes that continue to plague her mind . . . she too wonders if she's crazy like everyone else believes she is. With no choice in the matter, Daire's mother sends her to live with her grandmother - someone she doesn't even know - in a place called Enchantment, New Mexico, where she soon learns that she is a Soul Seeker and must partake in this new destiny already set out for her, in order to fight all of the evils in this small town and find love in the most unexpected places.

I have to start off by saying I wasn't a hardcore fan of Noel's previous Immortals series. I mean, I liked a few of her books in that particular series but it was an up-and-down series for me, so I really hoped this new installment of books was going to impress me. And surprisingly, I really, really enjoyed this book and loved it far more than anything else Noel has ever written. Not only does the book offer a great amount of interest to me, but there was hardly anything - if nothing at all - that annoyed me about this book and again I'm thankful for that small detail.

As for the main character, Daire Santos, I thought she rocked as a heroine and while she may have had her emotions take over at the worst possible times, but I loved her much more as the novel's voice compared to Ever - a character from her Immortals series - which is a good sign for those who didn't like that series so much. For me, Daire was a refreshing character who had some good old spunk in her. She's strong, she's opinionated, she's a free spirit, and she likes to take control of her life which I admired most. Even her supporting characters - one including a possible love interest and a possible soul mate - of brothers, Cade and Dace, were a whole heap of fun to add on to the storyline and I'm game for anything to do with a good and evil brother. The whole ordeal between these brothers - and even with Daire - was fantastic and I'm looking forward to reading more from this series!

Overall, FATED was absolutely original in its own way! From the vivid descriptions to the spirtual world the author, Alyson Noel, has cleverly created, I was so intrigued and stunned that by this book that I can't wait to see where Noel takes this series to because she sure as hell has a winner right here! If you didn't love Noel's previous Immortals series like I did, then I sugguest you take a chance on this book . . . because who knows . . . you and this book could be fated to be together! A little cliche I know but hey . . . it could be destiny!

The Rating

4 1/2 / 5 stars

Winners of The Industry Giveaway!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered my giveaway for The Industry by Rose Foster. I got a great number of people entering the giveaway so many thanks for that high participation! Now onto the major winners and as much as I would LOVE to give you ALL a copy of this great book, but unfortunately there can only be 10 winners and they are . . .

Lisa Y.

Bree T.

Pavan H.

Shirley G.

Rachel C.

Sarah G.

Lisa S.

Katrina W.

Rebecca A.

Kimberley S.

Congrats to the winners!

I'm sure all of you are smiling right about . . . now!

(Just had to add in this gif. of Game of Thrones's Jon Snow aka Kit Harington.)

Gorgeous, isn't he? *insert sexy-smile here* Anyway, for all those who aren't the lucky winners for today, fear not! There's another amazing giveaway coming up on my blog involving a great number of copies of a sequel to a best-selling novel (which I won't name as it needs to be a surprise for you all) that I know many of you guys are dying to read this year for 2012! So be on the look out for that giveaway early next month!