Tag: book

Books, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Book Review: Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel (Themis Files #1)

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on Book Review: Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel (Themis Files #1)

25733990you can find the book at:

GoodReads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Author website

my review:

Rating: ★★★★☆

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

When a young girl fell into a hole, no one expected to find her lying down on a large metal hand. Year later, that same girl is now helping to find, all over the planet, the missing pieces. Each uncovered from under the earth. They don’t know who put them there or the reason why. But through series of transcripts, conducted through an unknown voice, we follow a group of scientists and military personnel trying to assemble the pieces and uncover its strange powers.

I think this book maybe the weirdest I’ve read this year. But I liked it. I’ve been told its in the same format as World War Z and Illuminae, and now I’m seriously considering bumping those two up my TBR list.  The format itself makes it so interesting to read, and I’m loving this format! The premise is also fantastic. I love the idea of us humans scrambling over this gigantic  robot which is thousands of years more developed than us in terms of tech. There’s so much political, moral and ethical drama when they realise its potential as a weapon against alien forces.

However, although the science behind was so interesting to read. I did find myself dropping at some parts because the science jargon became too much, and felt so overwhelming. There was also a huge case of telling than showing, and  I think that just maybe because of the format, we don’t experience any of this with them (aside from a few scenes where it done over the phone) and only know what happens after it all actually happens.

Overall, what a book! Such a wild science fiction novel with an ending that made me so mad that I’m reading an ARC. I need the sequel now!

Kindle Edition, 320 pages
Expected publication: April 26th 2016 by Del Rey

ASIN: B015F0JSTS

Books, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Young Adult/ Teen

Book Review: Secrets in Phoenix (Phoenix Holt #1)

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on Book Review: Secrets in Phoenix (Phoenix Holt #1)

You can find the book at:

GoodReads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble (unavailable)
Author website

my review:

Rating: ★★★☆☆

When fifteen-year-old Sophie is sent, alongside her twin brothers, to a remote village and enrolled in a strange boarding school by their Great Aunt Ness, they never expected to find a hidden room which reveals that the residents of Phoenix Holt are anything but ordinary. And neither is her family.

I have to say I was extremely impressed with this one from Lapore. She seems to have this ongoing thing with witches in her novel, and since she has so many, I went in reading thinking it was going to be waay similar to How I Found You. But it wasn’t. And I certainly preferred this one than How I Found You.

It was a fun and energetic read from Lapore as we follow Sophie and her polar opposite twin brothers Sam and Todd in a journey to Phoenix Holt from their home of Port Dalton. I really enjoyed her writing style, it’s simple yet descriptive that you’re not overwhelmed by the language. What I really enjoyed were the moments between all three siblings, they played pranks, treated each other like crap, but at the end of the day showed that they cared for each other. It was just a nice difference compared to other YA I’ve read recently where siblings don’t exist or just distant to the storyline.

However, I wish there was a better development between Sophie and Jaxon. I know it would develop in the next novels, but it felt quite plain although I did enjoy Jaxon’s past which was really interesting. I also did have an issue with the boarding school. It was boys only, but it was never addressed why? Since the reason behind them being there is a massive spoiler, I won’t say, but it was confusing as to why no girls were there.

Overall, an interesting novel about witches, family and just the beginning of what Gabriella is capable of doing with this world.

Kindle Edition, 240 pages
Published October 13th 2015 by Oftomes Publishing

ASIN: B015L0GPD4

book tags, Books

The Seven Deadly Sins – Book Tag

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on The Seven Deadly Sins – Book Tag
The Seven Deadly Sins – Book Tag

Hi everybody! Sorry you haven’t seen much of me for a while, my life’s been busy. I have my extended project essay due soon and I’ve decided to start my revision really early this year. But I will be making an effort to do more in the next year, especially when I finish my A-levels. I’ve got a couple of new reviews coming, and hopefully more stuff like this tag!

So, since I haven’t been doing much lately, I’ve decided to do this tag. I found it on 4evercrazyforya

1. Greed~ What is your most inexpensive book? What is your most expensive book?
The majority of the books I buy come from charity shops (thanks british heart foundation) or Amazon with those £00.01 books with like £2 shipping. So the most inexpensive book I’ve ever bought would most likely be The Boy in the Smoke by Maureen Johnson which was only £1 because it was sold for World Book Day.

Since most of my books are second hand or given to me as gifts, I think the most expensive book that was given to me was a hardback copy of My Sister Jodie by Jacquel
ine Wilson which was around £12.00? I remember asking my dad to buy it for me when I was ten-ish.

 

87557852. Wrath~ What author do you have a love/hate relationship with?
Cassandra Clare
I liked the idea of The Mortal Instrument but I hated how the stories played out. I knew who Clare was from her fan fiction writing days and that partially put me off the entire series. The entire series really irritated me. Especially with the portrayal of gay relationships, people of colour and women.

108055883. Gluttony~ What book have you devoured over and over again with no shame?
The Name of The Star by Maureen Johnson.
I don’t even know why with this book. I just really liked it and have re read it so many times!! I loved how Maureen used the story of Jack the Ripper in this novel and created a really interesting ghost novel! Jack the Ripper is such a huge mystery and I loved learning about it in History during secondary school so when Charlieissocoollike and other youtubers were promoting this book in the UK stores at the time, my sister bought it for me. It’s one of my favourite and, despite its few minor flaws, I will read it again and again.

161011284. Sloth~ What book have you neglected reading due to laziness?
The Fifth Wave – I don’t even understand why it’s taken so so long to read this? I really like what i’ve read so far. Ever since I got my Kindle, I’m just just got used to reading with that instead because I liked to read on bus home from college and it’s easier carry a kindle than a paperback copy. Also this copy is an ARC. I found it in a charity shop, and I was really excited so i just bought it!

5. Pride~ What book do you talk about most in order to sound like an intellectual reader?

492286I’m not sure about this one? I usually talk about books to my friends and we’re all interested in YA novels. And loads of people don’t see YA as an intellectual read. But if I had to choose one, it would probably be any Paulo Coelho or Khaled Hosseini book.

 

 

6. Lust~ What attributes do you find attractive in male characters?
Honestly that’s the problem I have with males in young adult novels. Authors romanticises them waay too much and they always seem to follow the same pattern. I especially hate that those “mean to the protagonist but doesn’t something vaguely nice so all is good.”It does work in some instances but sometimes they’ve done something so horrible I see no way to forgiving them and I find myself rolling my eyes so much and yelling at the main character to get herself the hell away from him? So basically my favourite attributes are when they are decent people, and funny. At the moment, my favourite male characters are Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games or Alex Colby from How To Say I Love You Out Loud or Minho from The Maze Runner. 

7. Envy~ What book would you most like to receive as a gift?
The Illustrated Edition of Harry Potter because, oh my god, look how good it looks!!!

I’m not sure who to tag because I don’t know if they’ve already completed this tag. But if you want to do this tag, be sure to comment with yours so I can read it!!

Books, Contemporary, Thrillers

Book Review: The Darkest Secret by Alex Marwood

by Zaheerah1 Comment on Book Review: The Darkest Secret by Alex Marwood

26196106you can find the book at:

GoodReads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble (unavailable)
Author website

my review:

Rating: ★★★☆☆

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

Sean Jackson’s three-year-old twin daughter, Coco, has gone missing leaving only Ruby and no one has a clue what happened. The media blames their mother, but what really happened to the little girl? The Darkest Secret plays over two weekends, set twelve years apart. The first is in 2004 where various friends and family are attending Sean’s 50th birthday weekend while the second is set twelve years later during the weekend of Sean’s funeral.

This book was an intense read with engaging characters and drama that focuses on a terrible group of rich people. (for some reason, I can imagine this being a BBC program??) They were horrible- to themselves and to each other. I’ve never read a more self-absorbed group of people like these, which makes it even more fascinating to read as you read on trying to figure out what happened and hopefully learn the truth behind the disappearance of Coco.

Marwood has written a relentless novel that creates a group of egoistic characters, and throughout the narrative, there is a sense of complete horror as they reveal how far they will go. Overall, a thrilling novel which I felt had a slow start but once the story kicks in, it’s really compelling.

Format: ARC Kindle Edition
Expected publication: January 1st 2016 by Sphere
ASIN: B010RALUP6

 

blog tour, Books

The Awakened Blog Tour – Author Spotlight + Guest Post + Review + Giveaway

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on The Awakened Blog Tour – Author Spotlight + Guest Post + Review + Giveaway

Official Awakened CoverOkay. I am SO EXCITED to be part of the The Awakened Blog Tour. I love apocalyptic novels, especially zombie ones, and the author, Sara E. Santana, better known as WhatANerdGirlSays, has been on such a journey to get this one published. I’ve been following her blog for a while, and it’s so great to see her finally a published author.

Today I’m featuring Sara here on the blog. She going to tell us about her writing space and method and the struggles of writing a book, offering some do’s and don’ts when it comes to writing a novel. I loooove getting a peek into author’s lives and writing processes so I’m thrilled to share this with you today. I’ll also include my review of her soon to be released debut novel, The Awakened at the end of her guest post, including a link to the giveaway she’s hosting! You can preorder The Awakened now for Amazon Kindle. Paperbacks will be available for purchase on the day of release, which is the 1st December.

I would also like to note that if you preorder the Kindle version, you can get a free signed bookmark. In order to claim your bookmark, you must message your proof of purchase/preorder and your name and address to sesantanawrites@gmail.com

Continue reading “The Awakened Blog Tour – Author Spotlight + Guest Post + Review + Giveaway” →

Books, Romance, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Young Adult/ Teen

Book Review: The Fire Sermon by Francesca Haig

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on Book Review: The Fire Sermon by Francesca Haig

9780007563081you can find the book at:

GoodReads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Author website

my review:

Rating:  ★★★★☆

In a post-apocalyptic world, the human race was on the brink of extinction and those who survived promised not to make the mistakes of the past. But the effects of such changes lingers on, thousands of years after the Blast.

In the After, post-blast time, there are no single children, only twins. One Alpha and one Omega. One boy and one girl. One perfect while the other is flawed. Usually, the Omegas are easily identifiable, missing limbs, sights etc etc, and when spotted they are thrown out of their society while their Alpha counterpart takes his or hers place in society.  Despite the difference, the twins are linked – one can’t be alive without the other also breathing. Certain Alphas, worried for their own well being, have their Omegas taken from their own societies and trapped for their own protection.

However, with Cass and Zach, the difference between them is much less distinct. Neither have any sort of impairment. Technically, they’re flawless. But Cass has a secret, and Zach knows the secret. A secret that could destroy them.

This had such a great start and I was so excited to read this! I was immediately drawn into the fascinating story. The way Zach and Cass’s relationship developed in the early pages made this novel so exciting. It begins with Cass narrating the story of how she ended up in a prison cell as she recounts her childhood and then the novel goes into present time as the narrative catches up to Cass’s present state. She dreams of escaping to an island she has only seen in her dreams; it is the only refuge for the Omegas.

The world building is quite unique, you really get a feel for the post-apocalyptical world Cass lives in. There’s a lot going on in this book, and time passes quickly in the first bit of the book, and it allows for some great world building. The entire world is scared of machinery and electricity because it was seen as the downfall of the “Before” civilization. Life has been reduced to pre-industrial civilizations are once again based on agriculture and trade instead of technology.

Cass was an interesting character to read. She loves her brother and in many ways, cannot accept what he is doing to her. She struggles with reconciling her childhood sibling with the man that he has become and it holds her back throughout the whole novel.

Kip fills the role of the sidekick, and he could’ve been really interesting read. Cass saves him when she’s escaping, and he has no recollection of who he was before. And throughout the novel, it’s supposed to be a complete mystery. But it was easily guessable. From the beginning, it was obvious that he was going to play the love interest but that part of the book was remarkably muted. There are very little moments which gave development to their romance and it was a little disappointing to read.

I should note that this book heavily relies on ableism, the entirety of this novel is based on ableism. And there were some noticeable flaws. One. If I had a twin and had to rely on them, I would be a little bit nicer to them. I would not send them into a terrible place to scrape a living where they could get sick or hurt much for easily. I’m a twin and if this was us, I would keep her somewhere safer. Because I know there would be some sort of resentment and that’s what causes the rebellion of the Omegas. Like, this whole novel wouldn’t have happened if Alpha’s were just nicer. It’s a big plot hole.

Overall, The Fire Sermon was promising and the author definitely has some good ideas and has the potential to become a great trilogy.

Format: Kindle, 432 pages
Published February 26th 2015 by Harper Voyager (first published August 14th 2014)
ASIN: B00N73488W