Miles off Course by Sulari Gentill Review... EDIT

Title- Miles Off Course. (Rowland Sinclair #3)

Author- Sulari Gentill.

Publish date- February 2012.

Publisher- Pantera Press.

Read my review of book 1.
Read my review of book 2.

(Goodreads)

Review...

Synopsis:
It is 1933, and after the events of A Decline in Prophets Rowland, Cylde, Milton, and Edna, find themselves being able to rest at the Hydro Majestic-Medlow Bath. It seems as if trouble is far away, not able to hit them in this luxurious place.
But then two things happen- Rowland is ambushed in his hotel room, the victim of an attempted kidnapping, and Harry Simpson, a man the Sinclair brothers have an unusual trust for, disappears.
Rowland goes into the High Country in an attempt to work out the mystery of where Mr. Simpson has vanished to, all the while, Rowland is not safe as mysterious men continually try to kidnapp him.
Now is the time to stay on his toes.

Thank you to Pantera Press for this review copy!

What I thought:
I don't know if there is any other way to put it. I love this book.
I have loved every single word of each book in this series and I feel confident that I am never going to stop loving everything about this series.
Some things I really like and find interesting about the series-

All the characters are a hundren percent loveable. They all have traits that I love and each time I read about them, I feel as if I'm re-meeting a group of old friends... they stay with me when I'm not reading... I think they're super imposed into my mind.

The setting for each book is vastly different, without leaving one to feel stranded. We've been in the city, on the sea, and now, in Miles off Course, in the outback! And in the next book we're going to Europe! It's like you're travelling, without having to have a passport!
This, the Rowland Sinclair series, is undoubtably one of my favourite series of all time.

The intricate storyline effortlessly weaving lies, treachery, attempted kidnappings, and missing men, is a masterpiece.
I think Miles off Course will have made Rowland in particular grow in a way that he mightn't have yet... but to say anything more on that subject is impossible! But I am really very eager to see how he grows from it and how it affects the storyline for book 4.

Overall... it is another "WOW!" book by Sulari Gentill. Will Goodreads let me give a book twelve stars....?

Romi.x

Silhouette by Thalia Kalkipsakis review...

Title- Silhouette.

Author- Thalia Kalkipsakis.

Publish date- July 2012.

Publisher- Hardie Grant Egmont.

(Goodreads)

Review.

Synopsis:

The world of dance in hard. Intense. Unforgivable. And Scarlett is willing to do anything to become professional. She's moving towards her dream life and dances practically full time at the National Academy of Performing Arts. Her life is perfect and she's sure she can keep it that way. Until she meets Moss, a musician who opens the door to a whole new world, a world that is unlike the world she's inhabited for most of her life. And it sweeps her up, leaving her playing a very hard and dangerous game.

Thank you to Hardie Grant Egmont for this review copy!

What I thought:

Though definitely not as full blown as Scarlett's dance life, I myself danced for most of my life before stopping a few years ago, so I connected with the world of this story really well- it's a fierce and competitive profession, even for teenagers, and the way Thalia bought all that across was really wonderful, it is very believable. But wether it is believable or not, I didn't like Silhouette. The writing didn't capture me and neither did the characters, nor their actions. It felt very drawn out for me and though the romance is the centrepiece of this story, romance, music and dance, none of the themes were enjoyable to read about in Silhouette, for me personally, whereas I've been able to read and really enjoy some similar themes in different books.

The cover isn't anything particularly special to me, but it's not terrible- it fits the story quite well, actually, capturing the dance essence and, for me, the fact that it doesn't stop. Dance doesn't falter or hesitate, even if you want to photograph it.

I commend Thalia Kalkipsakis for her knowledge of this world and for bringing it across, opening it for people who didn't know it. It's an eye opener, I am sure.

Romi.x

Clockwork Angel review...

Title- Clockwork Angel.

Author- Cassandra Clare.

Publish date- 2010.

Publisher- Walker Books.

(Goodreads)

Review...

Synopsis:

When Tessa Grey goes to London to be with her brother she has no idea what awaits her there- she is kidnapped by two women who are called the Dark Sisters and they force her to face an ability she never knew she had- Tessa can transform into another person, change her whole being to resemble anyone, dead or alive. And they pick dead. To begin with. And with a power like this, people are willing to go to any lengths to use it.

Tessa escapes and takes refuge with some Shadowhunters- those who keep London as safe as they can, killing off the dark creatures that lurk just out of sight.

And, as they team up, Tessa finds herself with more questions then ever and realising that love may be even more dangerous then any other magic.

Thank you to Walker Books for this review copy!

What I thought:

I was really interested to see what I thought of this book by bestselling athor Cassandra Clare- there is a lot, and I mean a lot, of love for it but, as with all books, there is also quite a lot of hate for it and I was keen to see wether I was pro or against.

The book opens with a quite stomach turning scene involving a demon exploding in "A shower of ichor and guts." then follows a brief description of the stabbing device and the ground. That, right away, made me grimace- I'm fairly strong stomached when it comes to things, real life or fictional-seeing it hands on, watching it, or reading about it, and this really isn't that bad, but for the first sentence I think any author would have to be very sure that those were the right words to keep people enthralled; but I can see a lot of people turning away from a book that starts with such a brutal sentence.
Yet I kept going- I was really interested to see what all the commotion over this series was about... to no avail. I didn't feel I was able to finish the book because it just didn't agree with me- I couldn't see what so many thousands of other readers have seen, when reading it.

There really didn't seem to be anything gripping about this story, for me personally- the characters were lacking as was the storyline and I just felt like I was being dragged along with something that wasn't right for me. 

I do, however, like the background of the cover quite a bit- I really like steampunk pictures, and these ones are particularly nice- they are, for me as an individual, the best part about this book.

If anyone else has read this series, I would love to hear your thoughts! Did you keep reading, what was so special about the world that made it memorable? Or, like me, didn't you enjoy it?

Romi.x

Fifteen books I'm desperate to get my hands on!

It is time for me to showcase fifteen books from my, rather large, goodreads to-read list. Most of them are yet to come out, but one or two (or five or six...) are already released. Most of these have a dystopian feel to them, which isn't surprising, and I am desperate for every single one!

The Selection by Keria Cass.

I've been really eager to read this for 8+ months- though slightly disheartened by some not to fantastic reviews, I'm still vying for a copy.

I ADORE the sound of What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang; apart from having a really intriguing cover, the whole premise of the novel screams Romi attraction.

Above by Leah Bobet; I've read mainly medioca reviews for this one, but the idea of a girl who has bee wings isn't going to let that get in the way.

Catherine by April Linder. Other then the fact that I adored April's previous book- Jane- the fact that this is a retelling of Wuthering Heighs is really appealing to me.

The Treachery of Beautiful things by Ruth Frances Long has both an intriguing and beautiful synopsis, a beautiful cover, and it's on my 2012 booklist. It's a keeper.

I'm not completely sure if I will actually like Ten by Gretchen McNeil- it is, presumably (though, strangely, I haven't been able to find anything saying it is) a modern retelling of And then there were None by Agatha Christie. It sounds deathly scary (as the novel by the incredible Christie would be) but I don't know wether I could get past the scare factor. I'm willing to try.

The Girls of No return by Erin Saldin sounds scary and beautiful and I really am keen to read it.

I'm used to the cover of Partials by Dan Wells and by now I don't think I would link anything else with it- I'm not a huge fan of it, but I don't despise it. This sounds like a really great, massive, dystopian!

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne- I am absolutely sold on this one; I've entered four or five competitions in which I can win it recently, but if I'm not lucky enough to nab a copy that way TBD sure has some business coming it's way.

Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris doesn't have the most promising quote on goodreads- "24 meets the X Files in the biggest teen blockbuster of the summer…" but I do think it sounds really good and I would really like to read it.

The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin.

The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin.

The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin.

The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin.

Do I have to say more then four repeats of the name? I'm pre-ordering. Soon.

Ah, Reached by Ally Condie. It's monumental- my first YA dystopian series coming to an end... I can't wait to see how Cassia cracks out of the bubble.

Prison Nation by Jenni Merritt has been waiting for me to buy a copy for a while now- I really am keen for this one; it sounds amazing and I adore all the quotes I've read so far!

Breaking Point by Kristen Simmons! I loved Article 5 and this already has a cover! WOW! I can't wait. No more then I can't  wait!

I recently read The Maze Runner and am still gasping. Must have The Scorch Trials.

Are you waiting for any of these? What books are you desperate to get your hands on?
Romi.x

The Glimpse by Claire Merle review...

Title- The Glimpse.

Author- Claire Merle.

Publish date- 1st June 2012.

Publisher- Allen and Unwin.

RRP: $15.99

(Goodreads)

Review...

(I'm agreeing with a few bloggers- I'm finding it hard to write a synopsis for this, so I'm sourcing mine from the Allen and Unwin website, with thanks.)

Synopsis:

In the near future, society is segregated according to genetic disposition towards mental illness. As a 'Pure' Ana leads a privileged existence, until she finds out there was a mistake with her test. Her relationship with a Pure boy might yet save her... until he disappears, unleashing a chain of events that will destroy everything she ever believed and teach her to love as she has never loved before.

Thank you to Allen and Unwin for this review copy!

What I thought:
The Glimpse is a hard novel to review about; I didn't connect with the characters, the storyline or the future version of our world. I think it had the potential to be something really fantastic, but for me it wasn't pulled off.
From the start it was very hard for me to follow the storyline, it was both overly slow moving and then quick, jumping to new places in a way that made me raise my brow in confusion. Jasper wasn't a character I liked. Not in the least. He seemed forced and unkind, on first appearances. I immediately felt like he chose Ana because the relationship he was in with prior to her didn't work out. I think people should treat the people they love... lovingly. So if he loved Ana, he certainly didn't show it. Not to me.

I recently read a review that I feel really gives some great points- The blog, Bookish Sarah, and the review. The fact that people with mentle illnesses were degraded to being called Crazies was not a good move; I lost possible respect for the story after that and because it is first mentioned early on that was quick to happen. I hate degratation of people and I don't personally think it was a well done or in taste, which isn't to say that these things don't happen, because they do, terrible as that is.

The thing I most was drawn to was the cover. I love the heart bound in wire, the ideas behind it and how it makes you think.  But really, this book I felt was lacking.

I think you will be able to tell straight off wether you like The Glimpse or not, so I recommend reading a few pages, amazon, online excerpt, bookshop, before you decide wether you definitely want to read it.

Romi.x

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith review...

Title- The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight.

Author- Jennifer E. Smith.

Publish date- January 2012.

Publisher- Hachette/Headline.

(Goodreads)

Review...

Synopsis:

Time is a strange thing. And four minutes is an incredibly short time. Nothing, in the scheme of things, not really. But Hadley is exactly four minutes late getting to the airport for her flight to London and her flight just happened to be on time. Flights are notoriously behind and as she's not even keen to go to London for her father's wedding to a woman she's never even met, this doesn't make Hadley thrilled. It makes the walls seem as if they're closing in on her and she knows she has to get away. To get herself out of the stuffy and overcrowded waiting area; so she hauls away her luggage best as she can and makes her way through the thronging people only to start dropping her bags everywhere. Which is when she really meets Oliver. And then she begins to realise that four minutes really can change everything.

Thank you to the Library for buying this book and putting it on their shelves!

What I thought:
This is one of those books you spend months of anxious anticepation wating for... I heard about it about six months ago and had been desperate to read it since, keeping my eye out for copies, finding out who publishes it and recommending it to the library. Then I spent about 3+ weeks waiting for it to arrive after the library bought it and then it arrived. And it was so different from what I expected- I didn't know it was written in third person, which was a really interesting change from all the books written in first and second that I've read recently; I didn't know that part of the book was set on a plane crossing countries. The blurb didn't reveal much to me and so I was in basic darkness when I opened it. And that was fantastic. I loved finding out for myself what happened, not knowing much about it before hand other then the title had been recommended by John Green in one of his vlogs, because Jennifer E. Smith is a fellow nerdfighter. And The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is, apart from having a beautiful title, the best characters and being written by a fantastic writer, is... no, I'll explain it this way.
It is stastically shown that books with Stastistical in the title, set across two countries, involving a plain, a girl, a boy, a wedding, purple material and phone calls, not to mention love, will immediately be loved by me. And so it begins.

Five times five times five stars out of five.

AWW Baking Day...

Title- Baking Day.

Author-AWW

Publish date- ACP Books.

Publisher- 2012.

(Goodreads)

Review...

Synopsis:

The says of old when baking was something so many people would set aside days for, when you would make delicate and beautiful creations for friends who were calling, are mostly in the past, sadly. That doesn't mean that we shouldn't still get excited about going into the kitchen and wipping up terrific goodies for ourselves and for our friends and family and Baking Day is going to make you get into the kitchen and bake bake bake!

Thank you to ACP books for this review copy!

What I thought:
I knew, as soon as I opened the package that contained Baking Day, that it was going to be a popular book between my family; I tend to have mimi catastrophic disasters whenever I enter the kitchen and had thus been warded off, not wholly willing to commit to another possible disaster which would leave me feeling very let down, but within two weeks of getting Baking Day I had baked as many things, been into the kitchen for personal baking more times then I had for quite some time. And I loved it! I baked a ginger caramel cake (the icing didn't entirely work, but I still loved it!) and then made Macroons as a treat for my niece. Since then I have regularly been cooking in the kitchen. Baking Day is the kind of book, full of beautifully photographed foods and easy to follow, quick, recipes, that makes you want to bake bake bake until you've got food everywhere.
I love the layout of the whole book- the fifties look of really great and I love the textured feel of the cover and the only thing that isn't a hundred percent fantastic about the book is the fact that it's so enticing that everyone wants it!
I recommend it for so many people- please try it!

Romi.x

Winners of Signed Copies of Love Aubrey...

I have drawn the Love Aubrey competition and the two winners are...

Hardback edition- Georgia!

Paperback edition- Assunta!

Congratulations!
Romi.x

Favourite Quotes from May...

My all time favourite quotes from some of the books read in May...


"...And then it's quiet. So still I can hear myself breathing. When I was younger I used to dread being alone. I would convince myself that something terrible had happened to my parents, that they had been in some kind of car accident or someting and they were never coming back...  but right now I want to be alone. I want all the time in the world to think about what Rob has just said and what I should do...  it's not until he's gone and I'm alone that I realise that this time, it's not what I want at all."
When you were Mine by Rebecca Serle. Rosaline's thoughts.


"'Give up the past! Turn to the future! What is done is done. Bitterness will not undo it... I am thinking of you. You have suffered- yes - but what you are doing now will only prolong the suffering.'
She shook her head. 'You're wrong. There are times when I almost enjoy myself.'
'And that, Mademoiselle, is the worst of all.'"
Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie. Poirot to Jacqueline.


"In the end, it's not the changes that will break your heart; it's that tug of familiarity."

&

"'Right,' she says. "Harrison and I will meet you at the baggage claim.'
'Like a lost sock.'
'Oh, honey,' Mom jokes. 'You're more like a whole suitcase. And you're not lost.'
Hadley's voice is very small. 'What if I am?'
'Then it's just a matter of time before you get found.'"
From the Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith. Hadley to Mom.

The following is a selection of various scenes featuring Twinkle from House of Many Ways...

"'And what's your name, my little man?'

'Twinkle,' the little boy whispered, coyly ducking his curly blond head.

'Have a crumpet, Twinkle.' the King said heartily, holding the plate out.

'Fank you,' Twinkle said devoutly, taking a crumpet."

"... so that all she heard next of the strange conversation behind the sofa was Mrs. Pendragon saying something about sending Twinkle (or was his name Howl?) to bed without supper and Twinkle daring her to "jutht try it.""

"Twinkle's shriller voice joined in. 'I can't wear thethe! I want my thtwipey oneth!'"

"'Are you an infant genius, or something?'

'Well, I am now,' Twinkle said. 'When I wath really thix yearth old, I wath about average, I think.'"

And finally, just the chapter name...

"Chapter Fifteen. Wherein the child Twinkle is kidnapped."

All from House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones. All scenes with Twinkle. 

"'... Oh, so many years ago now. I bought together two people who loved one another- by the simple methord of having one of them arrested for murder! Nothing less would have done it! In the midst of death we are in life...'"

&

"'I suppose it does sound cruel, but really-'

'The fox enjoys it? Do not say les beitses, my friend. Tout de meme- it is better that- the quick, cruel death- then what those children were singing...

 "To be shut away- in a box- for ever... No, it is not good, that.'"

The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie. Poirot to Hastings.




"Ernest trailed after his mother. He pulled on Rowland's sleeve. 'Don't worry, Uncle Rowly, I looked after... Lenin.' He whispered the dog's name as if it was a profanity. Rowland supposed that in his brothers house, it was.
'I knew I could rely on you, Ernie.'
Ernest nodded solmnly. He leaned over to whisper again in Rowland's ear. 'Daddy pats him when no one's looking.'
Miles off Course by Sulari Gentill. Ernest to Rowland.

When you were mine by Rebecca Serle review...

Title- When you were mine.

Author- Rebecca Serle.

Publish date- May 2012.

Publisher- Simon and Schuster.

RRP: $16.99

(Goodreads)

Review...

Synopsis:

Rosaline has known for years that she and Rob were perfect for each other- they're best friends and she can see them becoming something more... they have just become that something more, when Juliet comes back into town; Juliet is Rose's cousin and they parted badly, both the girls and the families. Now Juliet wants Rob and Rob seems to be blind to Rose, even though he only days ago he kissed her... and Rose doesn't know how her story spiralled so out of control.

And this is a retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare may have gotten it wrong. It may not be the greatest love story ever told, but we all know how it ends.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for this review copy!

What I thought:

I was a little unsure when coming into this- I quite liked the idea of the story of the girl Romeo loved before he met Juliet, Rosaline who was supposedly his true love, but I also loved Romeo and Juliet when I read it last year and, as Juliet is supposedly crazy in this retelling, I was hesitant to let it change my opinion of Shakespeare's story. But it didn't. Oh it didn't!

When Rosaline and Rob get together it's bittersweet- I already liked Rosaline and knew what Rob was going to do, so I had it in for him... but seeing her so in love makes that a little harder. Until he falls in love with Juliet and doesn't even have the decency to let Rose know before he starts kissing her; obviously everyone knows the story of Romeo and Juliet- you know they the two fall in love, but it didn't seem as if you were reading a story that you knew all the parts to... for one, this isn't the story of either Romeo or Juliet, you see everything from a different point of view, and though yes subconsciously you know the story, you don't really piece it together until the certain pieces click together... example.

There's a school dance and Juliet asks Rob wether he'll take her. Rose's already going with her two best friends but he accepts. It's crazy, he's supposed to be falling in love with one person but he's going to the dance with another. And he does all this in front of Rose, then says he was doing it for her. It seems entirely unfair until you remember what this is. Then it makes sense, though not always a nice kind of sense.

*Spoiler* (Highlight writing if you've read the book)

*I really hated the way that Rob came back begging for Rosaline's forgiveness... I hated that he did that after letting her go... especially when she had just started falling in love with someone else, it made him seem stupid and like a bit of a louse; just because he had fought with J that means he wants R back... but I am glad that it happened, because she realised that she was over him, ready to move on... she saw that they weren't ever going to be right again and she knew that it was right.*

Overall I adored this book- the characters are all wonderful (though they don't always do the right things *Pointed stare at Rob.*) and they're not at all mad. (Juliet's supposedly crazy? That's the rumour mill... in the book. Don't let it sway you!) And I loved the freshness of Rebecca Serle's writing- it's no surprise that the film rights have already been nabbed- I can't wait to see what happens there!

So if you're worried that this will change your mind about the story Romeo and Juliet, I suggest grabbing a copy and trying it out anyway- I think you'll be happily surprised.

Oh, but be warey of minor language and themes.

Romi.x

Random Reads #3.

Hosted by Imlovingbooks Random Reads is an excellent meme where you go into your to read pile on goodreads (or count your virtual to-read book pile) and then go to a website like random.org to get a random number for you- the number you get is the book you read! It's great fun!


My books seem to be arriving the month after- my first RR I got The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and it didn't come from the library until last month. Same deal with last month's RR of Running Wild, which I'm still waiting on! Hopefully this month's is a book I already own!


Well my first pick isn't coming out until September, so...

I got a cute little picture book this month, which I've had listed as a to-read since March!

What is your random read this month?

Romi.x

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks review...

Title- Of Poseidon.

Author- Anna Banks.

Publish date- June 2012.

Publisher- Hardie Grant Egmont.

(Goodreads)

Review...

Synopsis:

When Emma first meets Galen it's one of the most embarrasing times of her life. Running right into him. And even from that first meeting, they literally felt sparks between them; but with Emma being completely human and Galen being a god of the sea on a perilous journey to find a girl with the gift called Poseidon to save his brother from marrying a fraud. But Emma isn't human and she might just be the key Galen's looking for. And now he needs to convince her of what she can do, all the while trying to hide the fact that he's falling in love with her.

Thank you to Hardie Grant Egmont for this review copy.

What I thought:

Of Poseidon is the first in a series about a strange underwater realm, and sadly, it disappointed me.

I had read quite a lot of persuasive reviews about Of Poseidon and they got me looking forward to as the time for it's release in AU came closer; then I was able to get an early ARC from HGE and I delved into the pages to see what all the love was about; right from the beginning the romance, what I saw as being the fundamental part of Of Poseidon, was forseeable and even a little boring- it was very... easy to guess what was going to happen; from the moment Emma first runs into Galen's chest, his unclothed chest (which was, for me, cringworthy to read about), it was obvious that they were going to meet again. All the aspects of the relationship/s that happened were difficult for me to get involved with, to give my unwavering focus to and to believe in.

I think Of Poseidon had the potential to be a really wonderful book, and for many it is, but it sadly just didn't click for me.

Romi.x