Title: Revived
Author: Cat Patrick
Rating: 3 and a half stars
Pages 352
Have you ever felt not in control of your life? Daisy West is a fifteen year old who is a part of a program to test a drug called Revive - a drug that brings people back from the dead. Daisy has been revived five times and with each revival comes a new town, a new name... a new life. But, things have changed since she met Audrey and her brother, Matt. Controlled by the creator of the program, Daisy strives to live life the way she wants.
This is a very addictive, heartfelt and well written novel. I enjoyed the twists that were presented throughout, playful references to religion and the relationship between each character. Cat Patrick shows how precious life is, to cherish the world you live in. Although I didn't find the story as emotional as it could've been, I still shed a few tears at which point my mum found me (always happens). So it's safe to say anyone who loves a good young adult fiction will want to put this one on their lists to read.
Wednesday 29 October 2014
Tuesday 7 October 2014
Tallow
Title: Tallow
Author: Karen Brooks
Rating: 3 stars
Pages: 411
Tallow is this first book in the trilogy, The Curse of the Bond Riders. An intriguing historical fantasy set in Venice during the renaissance. The story follows the life of Tallow, rescued by a humble candlemaker as an infant, in time becoming his apprentice. When Tallow turns fifteen, unique talents begin to reveal themselves. But, enemies lurk in the shadows waiting to manipulate this ancient magic for their own purposes.
It took me a while to understand the concept of this book and some of the Italian words referenced throughout. Once I got the hang of these, I began to appreciate the complex relationships and plots. In particular, I found the idea of Tallow's gift very metaphorical and the relationship between Donte, the chandler's apprentice, and Tallow fitting. I enjoyed all of the relationships created between each character and twists and turns presented right to the end of the novel. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone in their late teens who is interested in paranormal fantasy.
Author: Karen Brooks
Rating: 3 stars
Pages: 411
Tallow is this first book in the trilogy, The Curse of the Bond Riders. An intriguing historical fantasy set in Venice during the renaissance. The story follows the life of Tallow, rescued by a humble candlemaker as an infant, in time becoming his apprentice. When Tallow turns fifteen, unique talents begin to reveal themselves. But, enemies lurk in the shadows waiting to manipulate this ancient magic for their own purposes.
It took me a while to understand the concept of this book and some of the Italian words referenced throughout. Once I got the hang of these, I began to appreciate the complex relationships and plots. In particular, I found the idea of Tallow's gift very metaphorical and the relationship between Donte, the chandler's apprentice, and Tallow fitting. I enjoyed all of the relationships created between each character and twists and turns presented right to the end of the novel. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone in their late teens who is interested in paranormal fantasy.
Thursday 28 August 2014
The Here and Now
Title: The Here and Now
Author: Ann Brashares
Rating: 4 stars
Pages: 242
A thrilling and romantic novel where future meets present. Seventeen year old Prenna James is not the usual immigrant - she hasn't traveled from a different place but, from the future. A time where a mosquito-born illness has turned into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruin. Prenna and her community are forced to follow a number of strict rules which include never to reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history and definitely do not become intimate with anyone outside their community. This 17 year old sticks to the rules believing she can help prevent the plague. Until she meets Ethan Jarves and everything changes.
This is an unique and very well written novel that I got addicted to quite quickly. I enjoyed all the characters, plot and subplots. In particular, I found the occasional letter throughout the story that Prenna writes (to someone who is only evident in the last letter or so) a nice addition. I also thought the plot regarding her father was an interesting twist and the relationship between Ethan and Prenna sweet. In my opinion, Ann Brashares painted a great picture of the future and it was easy to delve into that world. I would recommend this young adult novel to anyone enjoys science-fiction and not too sloppy romances.
Author: Ann Brashares
Rating: 4 stars
Pages: 242
A thrilling and romantic novel where future meets present. Seventeen year old Prenna James is not the usual immigrant - she hasn't traveled from a different place but, from the future. A time where a mosquito-born illness has turned into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruin. Prenna and her community are forced to follow a number of strict rules which include never to reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history and definitely do not become intimate with anyone outside their community. This 17 year old sticks to the rules believing she can help prevent the plague. Until she meets Ethan Jarves and everything changes.
This is an unique and very well written novel that I got addicted to quite quickly. I enjoyed all the characters, plot and subplots. In particular, I found the occasional letter throughout the story that Prenna writes (to someone who is only evident in the last letter or so) a nice addition. I also thought the plot regarding her father was an interesting twist and the relationship between Ethan and Prenna sweet. In my opinion, Ann Brashares painted a great picture of the future and it was easy to delve into that world. I would recommend this young adult novel to anyone enjoys science-fiction and not too sloppy romances.
Wednesday 27 August 2014
Doppelgänger
Title: Doppelgänger
Author: Michael Parker
Rating 1 star
Doppelganger is an Australian novel that follows the story of Andrew, a young man in his late teens living in Sydney. Suddenly, there's a clash of two colliding Sydneys; very different from each other and Andrew is transported between his ordinary safe world and another strange, dirty and dangerous life with gang wars. Here he meets Josh, the nasty twin of his best friend who is the leader of one the drug-crazed gangs. Josh intoxicates all of his members, including Andrew, and induces them to kill the other group, Inner Station. Consequently, if someone gets hurt or murdered in one Sydney, it also happens in the other. It's up to Andrew to break the spell, stop the clashing of the two worlds and save as many innocent people as he can.
This is certainly the strangest book I have ever read and my opinion of it is quite terrible. However, even though I feel that the plot and characters are very annoying, Michael Parker did jump straight to the point and I was able to be drawn in by the first sentence in the prologue - "it was a few weeks before I killed my first person that the dizziness started." To open the novel with a quote from the Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad would make any writer familiar with Conrad's work smile. Overall, though, I definitely won't be going back to read anymore of Parker's novels. I especially find the way the traveling between each Sydney is written immensely tedious. And the plot regarding what Andrew thinks he needs to do to his best friend is stupid. Doppelgänger is a book for people with quirky tastes and I'm afraid I am just not one of them.
Author: Michael Parker
Rating 1 star
Doppelganger is an Australian novel that follows the story of Andrew, a young man in his late teens living in Sydney. Suddenly, there's a clash of two colliding Sydneys; very different from each other and Andrew is transported between his ordinary safe world and another strange, dirty and dangerous life with gang wars. Here he meets Josh, the nasty twin of his best friend who is the leader of one the drug-crazed gangs. Josh intoxicates all of his members, including Andrew, and induces them to kill the other group, Inner Station. Consequently, if someone gets hurt or murdered in one Sydney, it also happens in the other. It's up to Andrew to break the spell, stop the clashing of the two worlds and save as many innocent people as he can.
This is certainly the strangest book I have ever read and my opinion of it is quite terrible. However, even though I feel that the plot and characters are very annoying, Michael Parker did jump straight to the point and I was able to be drawn in by the first sentence in the prologue - "it was a few weeks before I killed my first person that the dizziness started." To open the novel with a quote from the Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad would make any writer familiar with Conrad's work smile. Overall, though, I definitely won't be going back to read anymore of Parker's novels. I especially find the way the traveling between each Sydney is written immensely tedious. And the plot regarding what Andrew thinks he needs to do to his best friend is stupid. Doppelgänger is a book for people with quirky tastes and I'm afraid I am just not one of them.
Sunday 15 June 2014
Lockie Leonard Human Torpedo
Title: Lockie Leonard Human Torpedo
Author: Tim Winton
Rating: 3 stars
Pages: 144
Lockie is a thirteen year old who is new to town, moving from Perth to "the most remote town on Earth" with his family. The 'surf rat" has just started his first year of high school with nothing going for him. But, when Viki Streeton becomes his girlfriend everything changes - he becomes famous and popular. Now it is up to Lockie to learn the ways of a teenager.
Although this book has been given a lot of terrible reviews on Goodreads, I personally really enjoyed Tim Winton's interesting descriptive style and sense of dry wit to convey what a young teenage boy can go through. I found it an amusing and very short, easy read - in fact, I finished the short story almost in one sitting. The Lockie Leonard series might not be for everyone but, I would recommend this book to children and young teens looking for a good laugh and a quick novel.
Author: Tim Winton
Rating: 3 stars
Pages: 144
Lockie is a thirteen year old who is new to town, moving from Perth to "the most remote town on Earth" with his family. The 'surf rat" has just started his first year of high school with nothing going for him. But, when Viki Streeton becomes his girlfriend everything changes - he becomes famous and popular. Now it is up to Lockie to learn the ways of a teenager.
Although this book has been given a lot of terrible reviews on Goodreads, I personally really enjoyed Tim Winton's interesting descriptive style and sense of dry wit to convey what a young teenage boy can go through. I found it an amusing and very short, easy read - in fact, I finished the short story almost in one sitting. The Lockie Leonard series might not be for everyone but, I would recommend this book to children and young teens looking for a good laugh and a quick novel.
Thursday 12 June 2014
While I Live
Title: While I Live (The Ellie Chronicles)
Author: John Marsden
Rating: 3 and a half stars
Pages: 304
“Funny, some things, even though you’re expecting them, even though you’ve known for the last five minutes what’s probably happening and what you’re likely to see, when you’re face to face with them you realise that nothing, nothing, nothing, on God’s Earth can prepare you for them.”
- Ellie Linton
Have you ever splurged into a series not wanting the last book to finish? Well, this novel is for you. While I Live is the first book in the trilogy, The Ellie Chronicles, following on from the thrillingly brilliant Tomorrow series by John Marsden. Ellie Linton and her small farming town have just emerged from being in a war, trying to rebuild their lives again. But, as soon as things appear to be starting to regroup - war comes flooding back towards Ellie and the consequences change her life forever.
For an absolute fan of the Tomorrow series, stumbling across this trilogy personally was like being six years old again on Christmas Day and realising you've just missed opening one last present. While I Live is sweet, descriptive, tearful, exciting and adventurous with all the lovable characters from the previous series as well as new ones. In my opinion, this is another great book written by Marsden which jumps straight to the plot. However, I did find it dry in a few parts where there should've been an overload of emotion felt. That said, John Marsden is one of the best writers I know of and I'm really looking forward to reading what happens to Ellie and Gavin in the next two novels.
“I know my life’s different from other people’s but everyone’s life is different from everyone else’s. All I can do is keep living it, keep moving it forward every day I can. Lots of days it’s three steps forward, four step back. If at the end of every month I’m step or two ahead – well, I’ll settle for that.” - Ellie Linton
Author: John Marsden
Rating: 3 and a half stars
Pages: 304
“Funny, some things, even though you’re expecting them, even though you’ve known for the last five minutes what’s probably happening and what you’re likely to see, when you’re face to face with them you realise that nothing, nothing, nothing, on God’s Earth can prepare you for them.”
- Ellie Linton
Have you ever splurged into a series not wanting the last book to finish? Well, this novel is for you. While I Live is the first book in the trilogy, The Ellie Chronicles, following on from the thrillingly brilliant Tomorrow series by John Marsden. Ellie Linton and her small farming town have just emerged from being in a war, trying to rebuild their lives again. But, as soon as things appear to be starting to regroup - war comes flooding back towards Ellie and the consequences change her life forever.
For an absolute fan of the Tomorrow series, stumbling across this trilogy personally was like being six years old again on Christmas Day and realising you've just missed opening one last present. While I Live is sweet, descriptive, tearful, exciting and adventurous with all the lovable characters from the previous series as well as new ones. In my opinion, this is another great book written by Marsden which jumps straight to the plot. However, I did find it dry in a few parts where there should've been an overload of emotion felt. That said, John Marsden is one of the best writers I know of and I'm really looking forward to reading what happens to Ellie and Gavin in the next two novels.
“I know my life’s different from other people’s but everyone’s life is different from everyone else’s. All I can do is keep living it, keep moving it forward every day I can. Lots of days it’s three steps forward, four step back. If at the end of every month I’m step or two ahead – well, I’ll settle for that.” - Ellie Linton
Thursday 15 May 2014
Looking for Alibrandi
Ok guys, here's my second review...much better than the first I think.
Looking for Alibrandi
Written by Melina Marchetta
Rating: 4 stars
313 pages
“... Suddenly I began to cry... but I think I cried more out of relief than self-pity. Relief because I was beginning to feel free. From whom? Myself I think.” Joesphine Alibrandi
Looking for Alibrandi is an Australian novel which tells the story of Josephine Alibrandi, a young lady in her final year at a wealthy Catholic high school. For as long as Josephine can remember it has been her, her mum and her grandmother. But, now even though the stress of doing the best in her end of school exams plagues her, that doesn't seem to stop all kinds of men from coming into her life. Trying to find her way through the old world values of her Italian grandmother, the no-nonsense of her mum and the continuously mystifying boys, Josie is on the ride of her life!
A beautiful and heartwarming novel that also had me snorting with laughter, uncontrollably grinning and trying to hold back tears of sadness so people around me wouldn't think I was delusional. Looking for Alibrandi is easy to understand on many levels. The author, Melina Marchetta, confronts many issues such as racism, religion, traditions in modern society, depression and self insecurities as a teenager which makes it so commendable and interesting. The relationship between Josie and her mother, Christina Alibrandi, is what I could most relate to as I have a strong bond with my mother and have my own insecurities. For me right now it was a good time to digest this book as I'm currently working through my last year of high school too and it gave me the reassurance I needed.
“I slept with the knowledge that my life was going somewhere good because of good people around me. And no HSC failure could take that away from me.” Josie Alibrandi
Looking for Alibrandi
Written by Melina Marchetta
Rating: 4 stars
313 pages
“... Suddenly I began to cry... but I think I cried more out of relief than self-pity. Relief because I was beginning to feel free. From whom? Myself I think.” Joesphine Alibrandi
Looking for Alibrandi is an Australian novel which tells the story of Josephine Alibrandi, a young lady in her final year at a wealthy Catholic high school. For as long as Josephine can remember it has been her, her mum and her grandmother. But, now even though the stress of doing the best in her end of school exams plagues her, that doesn't seem to stop all kinds of men from coming into her life. Trying to find her way through the old world values of her Italian grandmother, the no-nonsense of her mum and the continuously mystifying boys, Josie is on the ride of her life!
A beautiful and heartwarming novel that also had me snorting with laughter, uncontrollably grinning and trying to hold back tears of sadness so people around me wouldn't think I was delusional. Looking for Alibrandi is easy to understand on many levels. The author, Melina Marchetta, confronts many issues such as racism, religion, traditions in modern society, depression and self insecurities as a teenager which makes it so commendable and interesting. The relationship between Josie and her mother, Christina Alibrandi, is what I could most relate to as I have a strong bond with my mother and have my own insecurities. For me right now it was a good time to digest this book as I'm currently working through my last year of high school too and it gave me the reassurance I needed.
“I slept with the knowledge that my life was going somewhere good because of good people around me. And no HSC failure could take that away from me.” Josie Alibrandi
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