Young Adult

Review: Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

/ beckireads / Leave a comment

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly, UK edition cover.

Title: Revolution
Author: Jennifer Donnelly
Genre:  Historical Novel, Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Bloomsbury( 3rd October 2011)
Blurb:

Andi is broken. She is failing school and failing life. Since the death of her brother, all she cares about is music. Taken to Paris by her estranged father, she makes a discovery that could transform everything. Hidden in the compartment of an old guitar case is a lost diary from Revolutionary France . . .

Alexandrine is a street performer who is trying to save a young life from the devastation of war. She writes her deepest thoughts in her diary, hoping that one day someone will read them and understand.

These two girls, though centuries apart, are tied together by more than just the diary. As its words transcend paper and time, Alexandrine’s past becomes Andi’s present and lives are changed for ever.


Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

Revolution is a stand-alone young adult novel half set in Brooklyn, New York and half set in Paris, France both in the present day and during the late 1700s whilst the French Revolution is reaching its peak.

Continue reading →

Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

/ beckireads / Leave a comment
The Iron Fey #1

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron King (The Iron Fey #1)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre:  Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher:  Mira Ink (21st January 2011)
Blurb:

My name is Meghan Chase.

In less than twenty-four hours I’ll be sixteen. Countless  stories and songs have been written about this wonderful age, when a girl finds true love and the stars shine for her . . .

I DON’T THINK IT WILL BE THAT WAY FOR ME.

MEGHAN CHASE HAS A SECRET DESTINY – ONE SHE NEVER COULD HAVE IMAGINED . . .

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan’s life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fitted in at school . . . or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar and her little brother is taken, Meghan senses that everything she’s known is about to change.

She could never have guessed the truth. Meghan is the daughter of a faery king and a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will have to choose between a normal life and her magical destiny – and between her best friend and a darkly dangerous prince.

It’s time for Meghan to enter the faery world . . .


Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

The Iron King is the first book in Julie Kagawa’s The Iron Fey series. Mum got me this book because of my interest in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as some of the characters in the play feature in the series.

Continue reading →

Review: Abandon by Meg Cabot

/ beckireads / 4 Comments

Abandon by Meg Cabot, UK edition cover.

Title: Abandon (Abandon Trilogy #1)
Author: Meg Cabot
Genre:  Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Macmillan (1st September 2011)
Blurb:

Pierce knows what it’s like to die.

Last year she flatlined following an accident.

During that time Pierce saw a dark world and met a mysterious, irresistible boy.

Now that boy, John Hayden, has turned up at school. Every time she sees him Pierce finds herself in terrible danger. Yet she’s still drawn to him.

John wants to take her back to the place she fears the most: the Underworld.

The question is, why?


Rating: ***** (5 stars)
Review:

Abandon is the first book in Meg Cabot’s latest trilogy. I am a huge fan of Meg Cabot’s for a variety of reasons. I really enjoyed reading The Princess Diaries, All American Girl duology, and I particularly enjoyed her The Heather Wells Mysteries series – I thought the titles were brilliant. So I went into this book will a LOT of expectations, and it totally lived up to them.

Continue reading →

Review: This Must Be Love by Tui Sutherland

/ beckireads / 2 Comments
Or how I made my midsummer dreams come true...

This Must Be Love by Tui Sutherland

Title: This Must Be Love (Or how I made my midsummer dreams come true . . .)
Author: Tui Sutherland
Genre:  Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Harper Collins Children’s Books (9th September 2011)
Blurb:

I know most good books explain a bit about the story on the back. And they often begin mid-conversation, but I think that for my story it is important to know that cast first, or else you’ll be like, “Who?” Or, even worse, you’ll get them all confused and think Dmitri and Alexander are the same person, which is SO clearly not the case, because Alex is the light of my life (even if he doesn’t know it yet).

Also, I wouldn’t want anyone calling Helena “Hermia” bt accident, or thinking I’m her, because I am the ONLY Hermia, and that’s all there is to it.

OK. Is everybody clear now? Good.

Hello? Why are you still reading this? Star the book!


Rating: ***** (5 stars)
Review:

This Must Be Love (Or how I made my midsummer  dreams come true…) is Tui Sutherland’s debut novel, and is a brilliant re-telling of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream which is one of my favourite plays (as it has some of my favourite characters).

Continue reading →

Review: Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey

/ beckireads / Leave a comment

Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey

Title: Witch Eyes (Witch Eyes #1)
Author: Scott Tracey
Genre:  Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher:  Flux (19th October 2011)
Blurb:

A boy who can see the world’s secrets and unravel spells with just a glance.

Braden’s witch eyes give him an enormous power. A mere look causes a kaleidoscopic explosion of emotions, memories, darkness, and magic. But this rare gift is also his biggest curse.

Compelled to learn about this shadowed past and the family he never knew, Braden is drawn to the city of Belle Dam, where he is soon caught between two feuding witch dynasties. Sworn rivals Catherine Lansing and Jason Thorpe will use anything – lies, manipulation, illusion, and even murder – to seize control of Braden’s powers. To stop an ancient evil from destroying the town, Braden must master his gift, even through the shocking discovery that Jason is his father. While his feelings for an enigmatic boy named Trey grow deeper, Braden realizes a terrible truth: Trey is Catherine Lansing’s son and Braden may be destined to kill him.


Rating: *** (3 stars)
Review:

Witch Eyes is the first book in Scott Tracey’s Witch Eyes series, and I believe is Tracey’s debut novel. The second book in the series Demon Eyes is coming out later this year .

Continue reading →

Review: Switched by Amanda Hocking

/ beckireads / 4 Comments
Trylle Trilogy #1

Switched by Amanda Hocking, UK edition cover.

Title: Switched (Trylle Trilogy #1)
Author:  Amanda Hocking
Genre:  Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher:  TOR (5th January 2012)
Blurb:

Wendy Everly knew she was different the day her mother tried to kill her and accused her of having been switched at birth. Although she’s not the monster her mother claims she is – she does feel that she doesn’t quite fit in . . .

She’s bored and frustrated by her small town life – and then there’s the secret that she can’t tell anyone. Her mysterious ability – she can influence other people’s decisions, without knowing how, or why . . .

When the intense and darkly handsome newcomer Finn suddenly turns up at her bedroom window one night – her world is turned upside down. He holds the key to her past, the answers to her strange powers, and is the doorway to a place she never imagined could exist: Förening, the home fo the Trylle.

Finally everything makes sense. Among the Trylle, Wendy is not just different, but special. But what marks her out as chosen for greatness in this world also places her in grave danger. With everything around her changing, Finn is the only person she can trust. But dark forces are conspiring – not only to separate them, but to see the downfall of everything that Wendy cares about.

The fate of the Förening rests in Wendy’s hands, and the decisions she and Finn make could change all their lives forever . . .


Rating: *** (3 stars)
Review:

Switched is the first book in Amanda Hocking’s Trylle Trilogy. It is a multimillion copy international bestseller.

Continue reading →

Review: Intangible by J. Meyers

/ beckireads / Leave a comment

Intangible by J. Meyers

Title: Intangible (Intangible #1)
Author:  J. Meyers
Genre:  Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher:  J. Meyers (31st January 2012)
Source: From the author
Format: E-book
Blurb:

Twins Sera and Luke Raine have a well-kept secret—she heals with a touch of her hand, he sees the future. All their lives they’ve helped those in need on the sly. They’ve always thought of their abilities as being a gift.

Then Luke has a vision that Sera is killed. That gift they’ve always cherished begins to feel an awful lot like a curse. Because the thing about Luke’s ability? He’s always right. And he can’t do anything about it.

– from Goodreads.com

Rating: *** (3 stars)
Review:

Sera and Luke Raine are just like any other teenagers, except that they have a secret: they both have strange powers. Sera can heal with a touch, and Luke can see the future.

Continue reading →

Review: Once Dead, Twice Shy: A Novel by Kim Harrison

/ beckireads / Leave a comment
Madison Avery #1

Once Dead, Twice Shy: A Novel by Kim Harrison

Title: Once Dead, Twice Shy: A novel (Madison Avery #1)
Author:  Kim Harrison
Genre:  Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher:  HarperTeen (26th May 2009)
Source: Won on Kim Harrison’s Manic Monday
Blurb:

My name is Madison Avery, and I’m here to tell you that there’s more out there then you can see, hear, or touch. Because I’m there. Seeing it. Touching it. Living it.

Madison Avery’s prom was a killer – literally. For some reason she’s been targeted by a dark reaper – yeah, that kind of reaper – intent on getting her, body and soul. But before the reaper can finish the job, Madison was able to snag his strange, glowing amulet and get away.

Now she’s stuck on Earth – dead  but not gone. Somehow the amulet gives her the illusion of a body, allowing her to toe the line between life and death. She still doesn’t know why the reaper is after her, but she’s not about to just sit around and let fate take its course.

With a little ingenuity, some light-blending, and the help of a light reaper (one of the good guys! Maybe . . . ), her cute crush, and oh yeah, her guardian angel, Madison’s ready to take control of her destiny once and for all, before it takes control of her.

Well, if she believed in that stuff.


Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

This is the first book in Kim Harrison’s YA trilogy. I’m a fan of Kim’s The Hollows series, so when I won this on her giveaway I thought I’d give it a go.

Continue reading →

Review: Immortal City by Scott Speer

/ beckireads / 4 Comments
Immortal City #1

Immortal City by Scott Speer, UK edition cover.

Title: Immortal City (Immortal City #1)
Author:Scott Speer
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Scholastic Children’s Books (5th April 2012)
Blurb:

Jackson Godspeed is the hottest Angel in a city obsessed with Immortals. Everyone loves him.

Everyone except Maddy Montgomery, that is. She’s not interested in shallow celebrities . . . Until Jackson takes refuge in the diner where Maddy works and an irresistible connection pulls them together.

But as Maddy is drawn into Jackson’s glamorous world, she’s exposed to more than the paparazzi. A serial killer is murdering Angels. Maddy and Jackson could lose each other for ever.

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

Immortal City is Scott Speer’s debut novel. It tells the story of a mortal and an Angel falling in love in the city of Los Angeles.

Continue reading →

Review: Code Name Verity

/ beckireads / 9 Comments

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Title: Code Name Verity
Author: Elizabeth Wein
Genre:  War Novel, Young Adult
Publisher:  Disney-Hyperion (15th May 2012)
Source: Disney-Hyperion via NetGalley
Format: e-book ARC
Blurb:

Oct. 11th, 1943–A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it’s barely begun.

When “Verity” is arrested by the Gestapo, she’s sure she doesn’t stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she’s living a spy’s worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.

As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage and failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy?

Harrowing and beautifully written, Elizabeth Wein creates a visceral read of danger, resolve, and survival that shows just how far true friends will go to save each other. Code Name Verity is an outstanding novel that will stick with you long after the last page.


Rating: ***** (5 stars)
Review:

Code Name Verity is a story about two best friends set in the middle of World War II. Both girls are involved in the Allied war effort.

Continue reading →