Wednesday 27 November 2013

W..W..W.. Wednesdays #17




W.W.W Wednesdays is a weekly event bought to you by MizB from Should Be Reading 

It's Wednesday and that means its time to let the world know what I've been reading. When I say the world, I mean this tiny corner of the internet that I call my blog. Hope everyone is having a good week.

What are you currently reading?
At the moment I am currently reading Champion by Marie Lu. I've barely scratched the surface with this but it's the last book in the trilogy and I can't wait to find out how it all ends.

What did you recently finish reading?
I just finished reading These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Megan Spooner.  It was an absolutely mesmerizing read about survival, hope and love. I completely fell in love with it. I also finished reading The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa. I think that Julie Kagawa might be the queen of evil cliffhangers.

What do you think you'll read next?
Up next for me will probably be The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Pawn by Aimee Carter

Thats all for me. Let me know what you guys are reading.

Monday 25 November 2013

Review: The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White


Title: The Chaos of Stars
Author: Kiersten White
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: 10th September 2013
Source: Bought
Rating: 3 out of 5

Description: Isadora’s family is seriously screwed up. Of course, as the human daughter of Egyptian gods, that pretty much comes with the territory. She’s also stuck with parents who barely notice her, and a house full of relatives who can’t be bothered to remember her name. After all, they are going to be around forever—and she’s a mere mortal. Isadora’s sick of living a life where she’s only worthy of a passing glance, and when she has the chance to move to San Diego with her brother, she jumps on it. But Isadora’s quickly finding that a “normal” life comes with plenty of its own epic complications—and that there’s no such thing as a clean break when it comes to family. Much as she wants to leave her past behind, she can’t shake the ominous dreams that foretell destruction for her entire family. When it turns out there may be truth in her nightmares, Isadora has to decide whether she can abandon her divine heritage after all.

With an emphasis on Egyptian mythology, The Chaos of Stars is a light agreeable read.  The mythology aspect is what drew my attention to this book, and Kiersten White delivers an enjoyable story that focuses on the daughter of Egyptian gods.  Where there are ancient gods there is sure to be drama. The Chaos of Stars takes the protagonist Isadora on a journey of self-discovery as she grows up and learns to love. Isadora learns a lot about family, love and friendship. Despite being a good read, there were a few aspects of the book that were a little disappointing such as the characters and the ending.

Isadora is the daughter of the Egyptian goddess Isis. Her family has a very complicated history that includes adultery, murder and drama, making her upbringing very unique. However, compared to the rest of her family she is mortal.  When an unforseen evil seeks to threaten her, Isis offers her the opportunity to move to San Francisco.  Isadora leaps at the chance to be away from her family only to discover that there is no way to escape family.  The strongest part of The Chaos of Stars is the mythology and the myths about the gods. I haven’t encountered Egyptian gods as much in my reading so I enjoyed getting to know the tales of Isis, Osiris, Anubis, Set and more.  The myths about the gods at the start of each chapter gave us an insight into Isadora’s family history and shed perspective on where Isadora was coming from. Egyptian mythology is vast and rich and I for one would love to read more books about these gods and goddesses.  As much as I enjoyed the mythology and Isadora’s journey, the plot left a little something to be desired. The majority of the revelations and excitement happen at the very end of the book. I would have liked to have seen more action throughout the book.

When we first meet Isadora she hates her family and all that they stand for. She believes that love brings nothing but pain. Right from the beginning she embarks on a wonderful character arc where she changes from a bitter girl who scorns love and family to one that is able to accept her family for who they are. Although I liked the character development, I wasn’t particularly fond of Isadora herself. There were some aspects of her personality that got on my nerves. She was mean, abrasive, dismissive and entitled at times.  I understand that she was angry at the start of the book but despite her self-discovery she still treated people the same as before. I enjoyed reading about her interior design plans and how she envisioned the changes that she would make to rooms. Her inside commentary about her family added humour to the story.

In San Francisco she meets Tyler, Scott and Ry. Her new friends have an impact on her and bring her out of her shell at little.  Ry started off as an interesting character. He challenged Isadora and her beliefs.  Their relationship was complicated. Unfortunately by the end of the book my opinion of Ry changed. His revelation came out the blue towards the very end and was not really explained properly. I could have handled the twist if it were explored more in detail, rather than just stated and rushed over. The ending of the book also felt rushed as most of the action happened right at the end and left me with quite a few questions about what was next for the characters. It would have also been nice to see more of the gods.

The Chaos of Stars is a good mythology based book. If you are looking for an easy book to read that is light and breezy than this might be for you.

Thursday 21 November 2013

Review: The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas


Title: The Burning Sky
Author: Sherry Thomas
Publisher: NLA Digital Liaison, Balzer + Bray
Release Date: 15th September 2013
Source: Bought
Rating: 4 out of 5

Description: Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's being told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the greatest mage tyrant the world has ever known. A suicide task for anyone let alone a sixteen-year-old girl with no training, facing a prophecy that foretells a fiery clash to the death. Prince Titus of Elberon has sworn to protect Iolanthe at all costs but he's also a powerful mage committed to obliterating the Bane to revenge the death of his family—even if he must sacrifice both Iolanthe and himself to achieve his goal. But Titus makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the Bane closing in, he must choose between his mission and her life.

The Burning Sky is simply magical and enchanting. There was so much unexpected richness contained within its pages. One things for sure; this book has plenty of personality unique entirely to itself. Sherry Thomas has created a world that you can immerse yourself, full of richness, intricate details and magical elements. The Burning Sky is a must read fantasy novel. There are magic spells, dragons, waring factions, portals, mages, wands and much more.  If I had to describe this book, I would say that it’s a cross between Harry Potter and She’s the Man. Yes you heard that right, there is cross-dressing magical fun to be had.

The book immediately demands attention with a preface that is guaranteed to stir your curiosity. You immediately want to know what this magical tale entails. It starts with a girl calling down lighting and setting in motion events that will change everything and fulfil a prophecy.  Iolanthe’s mage skills have made her a target for Atlantis. Together with Prince Titus she must find a way to survive and defeat destiny.  Themes of destiny and fate play a huge role in shaping the story and the motivations of one Prince. The Burning Sky isn’t your standard book. It’s a book that is intelligent and cleaver right from the world building to its characters. There is no extreme good luck bestowed upon its character, nor is there an all seeing entity that has all the answers. In short there is nothing convenient about this book. Every situation that Titus and Iolanthe find them selves in, they can only rely on themselves and each other. It makes for some very interesting schemes.  Titus and Iolanthe always have to be one step ahead.  

The world building of the Domain and Victorian England are intricate. There were multiple layers all woven seamlessly together into one big tapestry. There is the mage world of the Domain filled with magic and mythical creatures. It was also a kingdom under the tyranny of Atlantis. Along with the Domain, the non-mage world of 1800’s London also played a unique part of this story. The boy’s school of Eton and its student body were a wonderful addition to this story. It’s also where our cross-dressing heroine gets into all sorts of awkward situations. If these two different worlds weren’t enough there is also a crucible that transports people into a virtual reality filled with magic and trials. All three separate worlds fit seamlessly into Titus and Iolanthe’s story. There were so many small details that went into each world. Each world has their own rules and traditions. I also loved that there were footnotes to explain the technical aspects of magic. It prevented the book from information overload and for those who wanted to read the endnotes it provided a detailed view about the world.

The book takes a while to understand all the moving pieces, but once you do, you are in for one hell of an adventure. Iolanthe was not my favourite character to begin with. She is a little hesitant and frightened because of the situation she is thrust into. However she is a revelation as the story goes on. She is strong, vibrant, funny and intelligent. She is loyal and wonderful. I absolutely loved her.  The way she seamlessly becomes a boy to hide from Atlantis and interacts with her classmates is simply marvellous. She makes a convincing boy with all of her sharp wit.  Titus was smart and he was such an interesting character from the get go. He was cocky and arrogant to those around him but with Iolanthe he loyal and dedicated.  He wore his two personalities well. In fact both he and Iolanthe both have disguises and multiple facets, which were wonderful to explore. My only complaint about this book was that the romance felt a bit rushed at the beginning. I love the hate/love relationship these two exhibit. They compliment each other. I can’t wait to see what adventures these two get into next.

A fantastic fantasy read. Simply magical. 

Wednesday 20 November 2013

W..W..W.. Wednesdays #16




W.W.W Wednesdays is a weekly event bought to you by MizB from Should Be Reading 

It's Wednesday and that means its time to let the world know what I've been reading. When I say the world, I mean this tiny corner of the internet that I call my blog. Hope everyone is having a good week.

What are you currently reading?
Currently I'm in the middle of The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa. I love the Iron Fey series and this book just pulls you back into the complicated world of the Fey.

What did you recently finish reading?
I just finished reading The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas.  Such a great fantasy read. This book had a lot of personality. I also read The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White. It has a solid mythology but the ending seemed a little rushed and the main protagonist was a little bit annoying.

What do you think you'll read next?
Up next for me will probably be The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Champion by Marie Lu.

Thats all for me. Let me know what you guys are reading.

Monday 18 November 2013

Review: One & Only by Viv Daniels


Title: One & Only
Author: Viv Daniels
Publisher: Word for Word
Release Date: 8th November 2013
Source: Bought
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Description: One night they can't forget...Tess McMann lives her life according to the secrets she's sworn to keep: the father who won't acknowledge her, the sister who doesn't know she exists, and the mother who's content playing mistress to a prominent businessman. When she meets the distractingly cute Dylan Kingsley at a prestigious summer program and falls in love, Tess allows herself to imagine a life beyond these secrets. But when summer ends, so does their relationship -- Dylan heads off to Canton College while Tess enrolls at the state university. One love they can't ignore...Two years later, a scholarship brings Tess to Canton and back into Dylan's life. Their attraction is as strong as ever, but Dylan has a girlfriend…who also happens to be Tess's legitimate half-sister. Tess refuses to follow in her mother's footsteps, which leaves her only one choice: break the rules she’s always followed, or allow Dylan to slip away for a second time. ...And only one chance to get things right.

One & Only is a swoony romantic read staring wonderful protagonists. Dylan and Tess’s story is realistic and different compared to other new adult book out in the market. It’s a welcome change of pace that showcases great character development. This is a thoroughly enjoyable story and one thing is for sure, Viv Daniels makes science sexy.

Tess has always lived a life full of secrets. She is the product of an affair between her mistress mother and her businessman father. All her life she has had to live in the shadows and could never acknowledge her father or her half-sister. Before she goes to University she meets Dylan Kingsley and falls in love with him, however at the end of the summer they go their separate ways. Two years later Dylan and Tess meet up again. All the feelings they had two years ago come rushing back. The only problem is that Dylan has a girlfriend. His girlfriend is none other than Tess’s half sister Hannah. Now Tess has to decide if she wants Dylan back and if she’s willing to follow in her parent’s footsteps.

This book has loads of tension, mainly between Tess and Dylan as they try to define their relationship. Viv Daniels does a great job maintaining the tension and suspense. The line between right and wrong and perceived notions is tightly navigated. Its what the whole book hinges on. The decisions Tess’s made and their consequences were the focal point for this story. The story was about Tess discovering herself and defining herself away from her parent’s relationship and learning how to be her own person.  It’s quite a tough job to portray a relationship that blurs the lines between cheating/steeling and Daniels does it so well because Tess’s struggle is genuine and she wants the best for her sister.

I love the journey that Tess goes on. When we first meet her she doesn’t want to go against her parents and is stuck with the decisions they force on her. She also has a tendency to runs away from relationships and friendships. However when the story picks pack up two years later Tess is a little more defiant, learning how to step out of her father hold and become her own person. She has many struggles that were well explored such as juggling a job and a demanding coursework along with finding time to make friends and be a normal human being. She shows so much growth as she figures out how to be her own person separate from her parents.

Dylan was a great love interest. He was also different from standard NA cutouts.  No tattooed up bad boy here. He was sexy and intelligent, compassionate and supportive. He helps Tess at every opportunity.  He always tells the truth and it’s an interesting contrast to all the secrets that Tess is keeping. It adds more tension to their relationship. Dylan also changes from when we first meet him but he dose not have as much character growth as Tess. He remains a constant. Sylvia and Annabeth were great friends who gave Tess perspective.  Hannah was not someone to hold a grudge and be vindictive. It was refreshing for her not to be a mean girl. I can’t wait to see where her story is going in her companion novel. I loved all of the passion Tess had for science and biomedical engineering. Both her and Dylan were driven and intelligent. They were the perfect combination as they complimented each other so well.

My only problem with One & Only was that Tess and Dylan pick up right where they left off. I wish that there was a longer period of them getting to know each other.  Although they have a definite connection. Also in my opinion Dylan seemed to forgive Tess for just leaving and never contacting him again very easily. I would have liked to have seen that he was more affected by that and maybe even a little angry.

If you want to read a story that stands out in the current NA market than I suggest One & Only. It a refreshing and enjoyable read.

Friday 15 November 2013

Review: Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano


Title: Perfect Ruin
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: 1st October 2013
Source: Bought
Rating: 4 out of 5

Description: On Internment, the floating island in the clouds where 16-year-old Morgan Stockhour lives, getting too close to the edge can lead to madness. Even though Morgan's older brother, Lex, was a Jumper, Morgan vows never to end up like him. She tries her best not to mind that her life is orderly and boring, and if she ever wonders about the ground, and why it is forbidden, she takes solace in best friend Pen and her betrothed, Basil. Then a murder, the first in a generation, rocks the city. With whispers swirling and fear on the wind, Morgan can no longer stop herself from investigating, especially when she meets Judas. He is the boy being blamed for the murder — betrothed to the victim — but Morgan is convinced of his innocence. Secrets lay at the heart of Internment, but nothing can prepare Morgan for what she will find — or who she will lose.

Imagine a floating city in the sky. Internment appears to be a perfect city, high above the earth. However in this seemingly ideal society there is a darkness lurking just beneath the surface. You only need to look hard enough. Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano is a beautiful story set in an unforgettable setting with elegant writing and prose.  It’s a story that slowly pulls you into its web chapter by chapter as the secrets of Internment are unraveled and beliefs are challenged.  Perfect Ruin isn’t a standout book, nor is it one that is going hit you in the face with its unimaginable plot twists and fast pace. It’s an understated subtle book filled with so much symbolism and vision. The story moves at a slow pace that works so well for this book. It allows the reader to fully explore all the facets of Internment and its characters.

The overall story arc is reminiscent of many dystopian based YA novels. There is a utopian society that is not actually a utopia. The world is not as shiny and bright as the characters believe it to be, so in order for a better life a rebellion is staged and government secrets are exposed. Even if the story harkens back to previous novels, the way that this society is built, its characters and writing make this novel a lovely book to read. Morgan has lived a sheltered life.  After a murder occurs on Internment, Morgan’s life begins to unravel. It’s the first murder in a generation and it forces Morgan to discover certain secrets about the floating city and her own family.

There is so much richness in Perfect Ruin. Right from the start you can see how much detail has gone into building Internment. The people of the city have their own specific beliefs complete with traditions and rituals that are so similar to ones we know but different in their own right. They also have their own religion. DeStefano slowly pulls back the veil on this perfect society to expose the evil lurking in plain sight. The more secrets Morgan learns the more they challenge the truths she has always believed in. Since her brother Lex jumped, Morgan has seen the small injustices in her society but the murder pushes her to see the entire city in another perspective. Her dreamer personality and need for more than what the city can offer, place her in an ideal position to accept the secrets of Internment. Her reaction is very different from her best friend Pen. Pen like most of Internments citizens clings to the perceived safety the rules of the city offer and is reluctant to acknowledge the truth.  Basil’s acceptance of the truth stems from his love for Morgan and willingness to keep her safe. DeStefano wonderfully showcases the differing opinions of these characters.  

Perfect Ruin is a subtle book and carries a lot of symbolism. The book gives the phase “on the wrong side of the tracks” a whole new meaning. The poetic beautiful epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter provide insight into the rebellion and the darkness hidden in the city. It’s interesting to see how the Epigraphs start off as a contrast to the characters feelings but by end of the book their sayings align with the characters thoughts. Perfect Ruin makes you think about belief systems. It challenges the entire belief system that a society has been taught. The book also focuses on different types of love. The love between two bothered, the love between families and the love between siblings.  Lex and Morgan have a very close sibling relationship. I loved their relationship. Love is a driver for many of the actions in this book.  

Morgan was a daydreamer. She was very understated in this book. She prefers to be the person to keep the peace. She has a lot of internal strength, given all the personal hardship she has had to face. All the characters in this story was beautify flawed. Lex was a great character that faced many demons. I loved how much he cared for his sister and Alice. Amy was a wiser than she looks. Judas was a very interesting character; I wish we had gotten to know him better. He was a catalyst for Morgan and her subsequent actions.  Basil and Morgan’s relationship was very sweet. I do wish that there was more to Basil though, he was a little uninteresting.

The ending had so much possibility and suggests a new direction for the book. I cannot wait for the sequel. Perfect Ruin is a gorgeous story about a city in the sky. You must read about this floating city.


Wednesday 13 November 2013

W..W..W.. Wednesdays #15



W.W.W Wednesdays is a weekly event bought to you by MizB from Should Be Reading 

It's Wednesday and that means its time to let the world know what I've been reading. When I say the world, I mean this tiny corner of the internet that I call my blog. Hope everyone is having a good week.

What are you currently reading?
Currently, I'm reading The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas. So far it's a very interesting book and I am eager to see where the story is heading. It's a mix of Harry Potter and She's the Man.

What did you recently finish reading?
Recently I finished reading Perfect Ruin by Lauren Destefano. A beautiful story that was subtle and understated.  I also finished reading One & Only by Viv Daniels aka Diana Peterfreund. It was a good book but I was expecting more.

What do you think you'll read next?
Up next for me will probably be The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White or The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa. I also want to read Jump by Sean Williams.

Thats all for me. Let me know what you guys are reading.

Sunday 10 November 2013

Review: Definitely, Maybe in Love by Ophelia London


Title: Definitely, Maybe in Love
Author: Ophelia London
Publisher: Entangled: Embrace
Release Date: 28th October 2013
Source: Bought
Rating: 5 out of 5

Description: Spring Honeycutt wants two things: to ace her sustainable living thesis and to save the environment. Both seem hopelessly unobtainable until her college professor suggests that with a new angle, her paper could be published. Spring swears she’ll do whatever it takes to ensure that happens. “Whatever it takes,” however, means forming a partnership with the very hot, very privileged, very conceited Henry Knightly. Henry is Spring's only hope at publication, but he's also the über-rich son of a land developer and cash-strapped Spring’s polar opposite. Too bad she can't help being attracted to the way he pushes her buttons, both politically and physically. As they work on her thesis, Spring finds there's more to Henry than his old money and argyle sweaters…but can she drop the loud-and-proud act long enough to let him in? Suddenly, choosing between what she wants and what she needs puts Spring at odds with everything she believes in. Definitely, Maybe in Love is a modern take on Pride and Prejudice that proves true love is worth risking a little pride.

Pride and Prejudice is a classic novel. It’s a story that I will always cherish as it is one of my all time favourite books.  Definitely, Maybe in Love by Ophelia London is a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Or as I like to think about it, its Pride and Prejudice with a lot more kissing and swoon worthy moments. Ophelia London walks the fine line of tension versus romance masterfully as she upgrades this romantic tale. I adored reading this book. Getting to know Spring and Henry will leave you with a smile on your face.

This new adult book was a breath of fresh air in a genre that is filled with overbearing protective male interests. Definitely, Maybe in Love focused on the connection that two people share and their misgivings/misunderstanding about each other. Spring needs to complete her thesis but in order to do so she needs help. The only person that can help her is her new neighbour Henry. The same neighbour she instantly dislikes. As Spring and Henry get to know each other, they embark on a journey of self-discovery filled with plenty of misunderstandings. London adds her own touch to this well-known story and its characters. The plot follows the same footsteps and Pride and Prejudice but it is entirely its own story.  Most of the characters are present but don’t necessarily play the same roles as the original.

There was so much tension and anticipation built into this book. It was swoony and romantic. I loved every minute of it. Even though there were times you wanted to shake the characters and yell make up and kiss already. I swear this book was making my heart melt at some of the romantic things Henry says.  These two characters start on opposite sides and slowly learn to find themselves and their middle ground. They are beautifully flawed characters that learn from their mistakes only to become stronger.

I was barracking for both Spring and Henry to realise how much they meant to each other.  Spring is an environmentalist and at the beginning of the book she was abrasive, hostile and very judgemental. She wanted to stand out, so she shaped herself into someone that could demand attention. London has wonderful character development. Spring grows throughout the story. She realises that some of the changes she made might have been for the wrong reasons and eventually she finds her confidence and self-worth again.  She’s intelligent and never backs down from a confrontation, however she can be stubborn and a little single minded. 

Henry was the perfect guy but he had his own issues with communication. He wasn’t overbearing, possessive or jealous. He never tried to change her but was always supportive.  He was the perfect compliment to Spring. I loved all of their arguments and banter. I have a soft spot for couples that banter and argue. These two were intelligent and I loved their debates. You could see them falling in love via their interactions and conversations. They had an effect on each other, helping each other grow and see things differently. They complimented each other in many ways making this relationship more special. These two had chemistry and you knew it.

Definitely, Maybe in Love was an adorable romantic story. A fabulous retelling of Pride and Prejudice. 

Thursday 7 November 2013

Review: Mirage by Clive Cussler with Jack Du Brul


Title: Mirage
Author: Clive Cussler, Jack Du Brul
Publisher: Michael Joseph (Penguin Books)
Release Date: 5th November 2013
Source: Library
Rating: 3 out of 5

Description: In October 1943, a U.S. destroyer sailed out of Philadelphia and supposedly vanished, the result of a Navy experiment with electromagnetic radiation. The story was considered a hoax—but now Juan Cabrillo and his Oregon colleagues aren’t so sure. There is talk of a new weapon soon to be auctioned, something very dangerous to America’s interests, and the rumors link it to the great inventor Nikola Tesla, who was working with the Navy when he died in 1943. Was he responsible for the experiment? Are his notes in the hands of enemies? As Cabrillo races to find the truth, he discovers there is even more at stake than he could have imagined—but by the time he realizes it, he may already be too late.

Mirage is the latest instalment in The Oregon Files by Clive Cussler and Jack Du Brul.  Juan Cabrillo and his distinguished crew are back yet again for another death defying adventure on the high seas.  There are explosions, narrow escapes and a mystifying new weapon, however this action packed story was not as satisfying as previous Oregon adventures. Though it doesn’t live up to its predecessors, Mirage is still good read for adventure fans.  

The appeal of this story lies in its extraordinary premise. A secret ship that appears to be a dilapidated but is instead a high tech, powerfully armed weapon whose mission it is to save the world on numerous occasions. The crew are up to any challenge, whether it be acting as bodyguards or recovering weapons from enemy forces. For me personally I love reading about the clandestine affairs of the Corporation. They are the heroes of the story and just for a little while you can indulge in childhood dreams of being a spy and saving the world.  This is essentially what Cabrillo and team do over and over again. No matter how far fetched the scenario these guys will do the impossible and live to tell the tale. There have many miraculous scarps and Mirage is no exception. They face death over and over only to come out on top.

Mirage is centred on unravelling the mystery behind a device built by the genius inventor Nikolai Tesla. This device is a deadly weapon that could start a war in the wrong hands. A disastrous prison break planned by Cabrillo and his crew leads to a search for the truth.  The villains this time around are the Russians and the Chinese.  There is no lack of action sequences. Cussler has a knack for writing great action filled with explosions and high-speed chases. In Mirage there’s a couple of shootouts, underwater missiles, breaking and entering, rescue attempts and more. Mirage focuses a lot more on the events out at sea than on land, which was a nice change of pace from previous Oregon files.

I think the reason that Mirage didn’t hold up as much for me was it’s predictably.  After nine books centred around the ghost ship Oregon the general plot has remained relatively the same. Cabrillo and his crew uncover an injustice and then proceed to save the world. There was no unexpected element. Right from the beginning you can tell that the crew will be successful by the end and no bodily harm will come Cabrillo’s way.  The story also focused on many different sub plots that deviated from the main narrative. All though these were fun side missions they didn’t really have any bearing on the story.

My favourite part of Mirage was reading about all of the cloak and dagger secrets that go hand in hand with the Oregon. The little details that go into planning the missions and executing them are fascinating.  The mission with The Container is one hell of a story. The technology incorporated into the story is always remarkable. When it comes to characters, Juan and his crew are a well-oiled machine. Each crewmember has a distinct role and personality. I love their interactions and banter. The Oregon is a family and you can see that reflected in their relationships right from Murph and Stones antics to Juan and Max’s friendship. I also loved the little Hunger Games reference that was incorporated into the story.

Overall Mirage is a good action adventure.

Wednesday 6 November 2013

W..W..W.. Wednesdays #14



W.W.W Wednesdays is a weekly event bought to you by MizB from Should Be Reading 

It's Wednesday and that means its time to let the world know what I've been reading. When I say the world, I mean this tiny corner of the internet that I call my blog. Hope everyone is having a good week.

What are you currently reading?
Currently, I'm reading Perfect Ruin by Lauren Destefano. Its a slow burn sort of a book. I'm quite enjoying learning all about the floating city of Internment.

What did you recently finish reading?
I just finished reading Definitely, Maybe in Love by Ophelia London. Pride and Prejudice is one of my all time favourite books and I adored this modern retelling. It was the prefect combination of tension, romance and kisses. I also finished reading Mirage by Clive Cussler. It was not as good as the other books in The Oregon files, though it did have plenty of action.

What do you think you'll read next?
Up next for me will probably be The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White or The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa. I also want to read One & Only by Viv Daniels aka Diana Peterfreund which comes out later the week.

Thats all for me. Let me know what you guys are reading.

Monday 4 November 2013

Review: Allegiant by Veronica Roth



Title: Allegiant
Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: Harper Collins
Release Date: 22nd October 2013
Source: Bought
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Description: One choice will define you. What if your whole world was a lie? What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything? What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories. But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Allegiant is ambitious, thought provoking, shocking and most of all its heartbreaking. The final book in The Divergent trilogy is one hell of a conclusion. Reading this book is like watching a train crash. It a story carries with it an impeding sense of doom. You know something is coming that you are powerless to prevent but you can’t stop watching the events unfold. It’s a maelstrom of emotions that will tip you over the edge.

Reactions to Allegiant have been very mixed with a lot of hate for the direction Veronica Roth took the story in. It’s an ending that will divide people for sure. So a word to the wise, this book isn’t one that carries a happy ending. It’s a story about brave individuals fighting for a better world. As a result there are going to be consequences. Personally, I loved this book even more than Divergent and Insurgent. The plot of Allegiant goes in a very unexpected direction than the previous books of the trilogy. Roth shifts the focus from the factions to what lies outside the fence. As Tris and Tobias venture outside their comfort zone they discover that the outside world is not exactly the paradise they were expecting. It’s out of the oven and into the frying pan for our brave heroes. The outside world is full of revelations and the truth is not going to set them free. Decisions are made and battles are fought.  The story is riveting and will keep you glued to the pages.

Allegiant and The Divergent trilogy are not just books for meant for escapism and entertainment. Roth is an exceptional storyteller whose words and characters have a profound effect. These characters are thrust into extraordinary situations and their feelings and actions are thought provoking. Allegiant explores morality, humanity, anger, resentment, love, power and selflessness. It explores the perception and importance people place on identity. The revelations and events affect each of the characters in different ways. There is no one-way to look at the issues. How Tris feels about certain events is very different from the way Tobias reacts.  Roth ensures that multiple view points are incorporated in to the narrative allowing the reader to form his or her own opinion about the world and what it all adds up to.

The truth is a constant presence in Allegiant.  Plenty of secrets are exposed.  The revelations added another layer to the complex tapestry of Divergent.  A lot of blank spaces were filled in. The evolution of society into the factions system was addressed. We also get to learn more about the serums and Tris’s mother.  The revelations changed some of the characters and their opinions, driving them to making difficult decisions.

Tris is a selfless woman who will do anything to protect her friends.  I love how much Tris has grown over the course of the books. She has so much strength both physically and mentally. She is a force to be reckoned with. Her drive to always do what she believes in is a respectable trait. In Allegiant Tris is stuck in-between a rock and a hard place and she has to make some tough calls.  She has to fight for the people she loves and the consequences are devastating.  I don’t necessarily agree with the actions that Tris, Tobias and the other took. I was apprehensive reading about what was going on. Although I don’t agree with some of the events Roth has made sure that the motivations of the characters were clear. I understood where they were coming from and why they did what they did. I felt like their actions were in line with their personalities. Overall, I understand why Tris’s and Tobias story ended as it did. It made sense given who they are.

We get to see a lot more Tobias in this instalment, since the story is told from a dual point of view.  On a small note, there was not a lot of distinction between Tobias and Tris voices. Sometimes I could tell whose account I was reading. We get to see how Tobias sees Tris and his complicated feelings for his parents. Tobias goes though a bit of an identity crisis and doesn’t necessarily make the best decisions. The romance between Tobias and Tris sees a bit of conflict but they are always devoted to each other. Christina is a supportive friend to both Tris and Tobias. Caleb also plays major roles in this story.

Allegiant is a fantastic book full of emotion and consequences. A fitting conclusion to a brilliant story.