Category: Books

A category for all things bookish on my site!

Books, LGBTQIA, Young Adult/ Teen

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

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

23667559you 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

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on My Life in Books – Book Tag
My Life in Books – Book Tag

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

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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?
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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)

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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?
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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?

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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

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

18187013you 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
Books, top ten tuesday

10 songs I wish that were books

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on 10 songs I wish that were books

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish! Each week, a new topic is put into place and bloggers share their top ten accordingly.

  • Walt Grace’s Submarine Test, January 1967 by John Mayer


I remember during GCSE Media Studies, our task was to draw a storyboard for any song and I chose this one because it had such an interesting story that I would’ve loved to watch or read.

  •  Youth by Troye Sivan
  • Radioactive by Imagine Dragons
  • Outer Space/ Carry On – 5  Seconds of Summer

Can’t find a link! 😦

  • The Judge – twenty one pilots
  • If I Could Fly -One Direction
  • Corpse Roads -Keaton Henson
  • Castle – Halsey

Just One Yesterday -Fall Out Boy


The Mother We Share – CHVRCHES

book tags, Books

The Deserted Island – Book Tag

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on The Deserted Island – Book Tag
The Deserted Island – Book Tag

Thanks to Joey @ Thoughts and Afterthoughts for tagging me! (omg how do you manage to do so many so quickly?? lmao i still have five left to do )

Water — A book you simply cannot live without

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Quite a recent read but I love it! (Especially Khalila Seif)

Food— A book that is a close second on your favourites list

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Shelter — A book that makes you feel at home and safe

 

Flare Gun — A book you would recommend to someone who doesn’t read

Most people I know do read quite frequently but its usually harry potter to someone who doesn’t read. A friend of mine had never read them a few years ago until we badgered her to and now she loves it!

Matchsticks — A book that warms your heart

 Everything, Everything

Maddy and Olly’s relationship is so damn cute.

Compass — A book that directed you towards your love of reading

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Most likely The Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine or the Darren Shan saga. They were one of the first books I encountered outside of Harry Potter and primary school reading groups. I remember reading Twilight the same time as Glass Houses, and I just sort of hovered towards MV more because I didn’t like Twilight.

 

And I tag: (Apologises if you’ve already completed the tag from another person, I usually choose people whose post I’ve read recently)

Books, LGBTQIA, Young Adult/ Teen

Book Review: The Foxhole Court (All for the Game #1) by Nora Sakavic

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on Book Review: The Foxhole Court (All for the Game #1) by Nora Sakavic

18874651you can find the book at:
GoodReads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Author website

my review:
Rating: ★★★☆☆

Having just finished this, I must say that I’m not exactly sure what to say about this book. I didn’t like certain aspects of the novel, but overall plotline interested me enough to actually want to continue the series.

The Foxhole Court focuses on a fictional sport called Exy, which seems like a mix of lacrosse, hockey, and some other sports I can’t quite remember. It’s extremely popular and the only thing that makes Neil happy. But Neil is on the run from his father, an abusive man in the mob, and signing a contract with the PSU Foxes should be the last thing Neil should ever do. The lie that has kept him living for five years begins to break under the pressure of his new teammates and the truth about him could get him killed.

To be honest, it’s hard to explain this whole book because so much happens and would spoil the book immensely. I enjoyed the plot, but I had bigger problems with issues like rape jokes and homophobic slurs within the book that made it uncomfortable to read. I originally gave this book 1 star but it was like 12 at night when I finished it so I slept on it and decided a 3 rating was more suitable. The concept of Exy was interesting to read and despite the weirdness of the plot, I liked how realistic the characters were. (I have the biggest soft spot for Nicky and Kevin) Each character has a fascinating backstory which captivates the reader and makes you love the minor characters even more.

Kindle Edition, 230 pages
Published July 30th 2013 by Smashwords Edition/ Self-published
ASIN: B00E9BLRUI