February 2016 – as told by zaheerah

Books, Children, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Book Review: Behind the Canvas by Alexander Vance

February 27, 2016April 10, 2018by ZaheerahLeave a Comment

you can find the book at:
GoodReads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Author website

my review:
Rating: ★★★★☆

~ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review~

Claudia loves art but never truly understand what’s really under the surface until Pim appears in the painting she sees. She learns that Pim has been trapped in the world behind the canvas for centuries by a witch, and Claudia is now his only way to break the spells that keep him bound in the world of art. Using ancient magic, Claudia enters the world but finds that nothing is truly as it seems on paper.

Behind the Canvas was an exciting read, a really cute story that was filled with adventure. I really liked the anecdotes that appear at the end of each chapter after an artist was mentioned, it was a cool addition to the story though I felt some notes do drag on a bit and take up a bit of space but you do learn some interesting things if you don’t know much about art, like me. They did at first appear too academic to grab my attention but they’re actually really witty and do give better contextual knowledge. What I loved the most was the concept and how it wasn’t set in a random fantasy place but actually links with the real world and the way it works shows clear and deep thought in its creation. (Let’s just hope no one tries to place their hand with yellow gloop on the actual Mona Lisa…)

However, I felt like the relationship between Claudia and Pim was severely missed out. It skims part where they get to know each other and I felt it should’ve developed that section a bit more to see how their friendship grew but, nonetheless, the way they really cared for each other did come through. I just felt like it was missing something in the beginning.

Kindle Edition, 336 pages

Publication: February 23rd 2016 by Feiwel & Friends
ASIN: B012N46PXQ

Book News, Books

S&S reveal new imprint: Salaam Reads

February 24, 2016July 4, 2016by ZaheerahLeave a Comment

Okay this is going to be a messy post because it’s like eleven o’clock at night but in case you don’t know Simon & Schuster have announced a new imprint which is solely focused on books that feature Muslim characters and I can’t describe the excitement I’m feeling right now. Simon & Schuster Children’s will launch Salaam Reads in 2017. Executive editor Zareen Jaffery and publisher Justin Chanda will be the driving force behind it.

Extract from Publishers Marketplace (I found out that you need a membership to read the full thing so read the NYT article here)

Jaffery told the NYT she had “long been bothered” by the lack of Muslim characters in children’s literature, a problem that grew more important about three years ago while reading books with her young nieces and nephews. “It was hard not to notice that none of those books really reflected their experience,” she told the paper. Zaffery added in the official announcement: “There is an incredible range of cultural and religious traditions among Muslims in the United States and across the globe, illustrating that there is no one way to be Muslim,” said Jaffery. “Our aim with the Salaam Reads imprint is in part to provide fun and compelling books for Muslim children, but we also intend for these books to be entertaining and enriching for a larger non-Muslim audience.”

I’ve been an avid reader since I could ever remember. I’m almost eighteen, and whenever I’m reading books in front of my family, one question always seems to come up.

Have you read any books with Muslims in them?

At first, I was always caught off-guard. I sit and think, and then realised, I could barely name even 3 books. If you asked me to name books with white protagonists, I could go on and on. I’ve always known throughout my childhood that there was always an empty space when it came to finding muslims on the bookshelves. Although, head canons are a gift (rip to that one HP fanfic I found that was an AU with a muslim Hermione) but sometimes it’s hard, having to force yourself into a book when it’s much easier knowing you’re in the book. In novels, especially Young Adult, muslims are barely there. At all. And I know other Muslim readers like me feel the same. So to see a huge company like S&S do this is so great. Thank you so much to Jaffery and Chanda because now I can’t wait until 2016 is over because I need these books now!!

Books, LGBTQIA, Young Adult/ Teen

The King’s Men (All for the Game #3) by Nora Sakavic

February 24, 2016April 10, 2018by ZaheerahLeave a Comment

you can find the book at:
GoodReads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Author website

my review:
Rating:★★★★★

“Pull out all the stops and lay it all on the line. Fight because you don’t know how to die quietly. Win because you don’t know how to lose. This king’s ruled long enough—it’s time to tear his castle down.”

I can’t believe it was only fifteen days ago where I didn’t even know what the hell The Foxcourt Hole was. And it’s been almost a week since I finished The King’s Men and I’ve just been scouring Nora’s Tumblr, reading everyone she’s written about post-TKM.

I genuinely thought I was never going to make it to the final book. Because I’m a realistic reader and there were times in this series where it’s so bizarrely unrealistic and none of their behaviours would be acceptable in real life. (for example, in book 1, I don’t think the NCAA would ever permit Andrew to play Exy on the condition he would be on drugs, and allow him to play with knives hidden under his clothing). You don’t understand how hard it was to read this without wanting to yell ‘HOW WOULD THAT EVEN BE PERMITTED???’

But putting that aside, The King’s Men was a really gripping read and I think it’s my favourite out of the trilogy. The action of the story keeps you on the edge with every turn of a page. It’s been a week since finishing this and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Nora takes the story and makes it even more brutal and heartbreaking than its predecessors.

I’m just going make a small mention of the relationships within this- small because I know I’ll never shut up about them. The interactions between the characters are so cute, and I loved each and every single one of them, especially Neil, Dan, Renee, Alison, and, never forget my ultimate fave, Nicky. And despite the description heavily emphasising this book is about romance, it was subtle and doesn’t overpower the main plot of the team. I loved the way the Foxes went from this dysfunctional team that had no hopes of even scratching the list for the championship to working together and growing together as a group. And this tumblr post sums up everything that is pure and good about the USC Trojans, but has huge spoilers, just to warn you. (Yeah, small mention she said, well done Zaheerah.)

Overall, I might not have had the best beginnings with this series but the ending swept me away and I know I’ll most definitely be reading more from Nora Sakavic in the future.

Kindle Edition, 370 pages

Published December 2nd 2014

ASIN: B00QHMU0PU

book tags, Books

My Life in Books – Book Tag

February 21, 2016May 20, 2016by ZaheerahLeave a Comment

Today I wanted to tackle another tag I’ve been tagged in, the My Life in Books tag.(while editing this post I realised that its actually called Your Life in Books but I didn’t save the file for the featured image and I was too lazy to actually remake it) I was tagged by Joey @ Thoughts and Afterthoughts. This seems like such a fun tag! Thank you for tagging me!

Find a book for each of your initials

Zombie-saurus Rex | Fangirl | Killers of the Dawn

Count your age along your book shelf-which book is it?

Pick a book that represents a destination you would love to travel to.

I would so want to go to Palmetto State University and watch them play Exy. But I wouldn’t want to play the game myself because I know the Foxes will pummel me to the ground.(Especially Dan or Kevin)

Pick a book that’s your favourite colour. (I’m guessing this means by book cover)

Most of my favourite covers are usually blue.

Which book do you have the fondest memories of?

This book was so weird, and I just have the funniest memories of my year 5 reading group of when we didn’t understand it and we were supposed to answer questions about it. (omg the teachers were no help and never paid any attention to us)

Before Harry Potter, the only books I read were Jacqueline Wilson’s. And Double Act was one of my favourites.

Which book did you have the most difficulty reading?

I read this during the summer when I was swamped with loads of college summer work and it took so long to read. Because of it, I originally gave the book a negative review however I did reread and upped my rating a bit because it was much more enjoyable to read when I didn’t have so much homework distracting me.

Which book in your TBR pile will give you the biggest sense of accomplishment when you finish it?

I’m currently watching CW’s The 100 right now and I love the show so much. I started reading this after season one aired but since I enjoyed the tv plot so much it was weird to read the book because so much has been altered and, to be honest, the TV show has a better plot than the book, in my opinion. (ok i love john murphy) But I have so much work to do that I haven’t had time to pick this one back up.

I’m going to leave this open to anyone who wants to complete so if anyone fancies completing this tag – comment below so I can read it as well!

Books, Contemporary, LGBTQIA, Young Adult/ Teen

Book Review: The Raven King (All For The Game #2) by Nora Sakavic

February 18, 2016April 10, 2018by ZaheerahLeave a Comment

you can find the book at:
GoodReads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Author website

my review:
Rating: ★★★★☆

As I mentioned in a previous review, I wasn’t a huge fan of the first book and I was seriously considering not continuing the series. But I’m so glad I continued because Nora Sakavic doesn’t disappoint in this sequel. The Raven King picks up straight after the events of book 1, continuing the story of Neil and the Foxes as move forward with the game season, counting down the days until they have to face the Ravens. Alongside this, Neil struggles with hiding his past and keeping it together in the presence of Riko’s menace.

The way Sakavic writes is really simple, not too OTT, considering the events of the novel which is what made it really nice to read. It’s fast-paced but not in a way that leaves you confused as she reveals more about the characters and their determination in the rough world of Exy. The characters are developing, as are their relationships, and it’s fascinating but you do find yourself having to stop and think about who is who with some of the other team members, but I was so focused on Neil and Andrew that didn’t bother me as much as it did in the first book.

Also, Neil’s one of those characters that you just want to pick up from their novel and place them somewhere safe. BECAUSE SO MUCH BAD STUFF HAPPENS AND HE JUST DOESN’T DESERVE ANY OF IT.

And I forgot to mention that the first book in the series is free and the rest are 99p.So cheap for a series that’s so good.

Kindle Edition, 181 pages
Published July 10th 2013 by Smashwords Edition
ISBN: 139781301824298

Month: February 2016

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