Book Review | The Faire Pendant: The Tale of Atterberry

Title: The Tale of Atterberry

Author: Leah Price

Genre: Children's fantasy

Pages: Unknown (around 200)

Series: The faire pendant series

Publisher: Talebearers publishing

Rating: 4.5 stars


Glenna’s life is anything but ordinary. The daughter of Renaissance festival vendors, Glenna’s days are filled with magic and medieval reenactments as she travels the faire circuit with her family.

Then one day, Glenna’s life changes forever. With the help of a pendant, she discovers Otherworld. An enchanted realm, Otherworld is the land in which all of the myths and magic woven by the Renaissance players comes to life!

Suddenly, Glenna is thrust into a quest filled with danger and deception when Atterberry, a great and powerful magician in Otherworld, needs help recovering a stolen item.

Can Glenna find the item in time? Can she summon the courage to become the medieval hero the residents of Otherworld expect her to be? And perhaps most importantly, can she juggle both her life in the real world and her life in Otherworld without damaging either?

I have always been a huge fan of anything fantasy and when I was given the opportunity to review this book I was so excited! I loved this book and I highly suggest it to anyone.

The first thing I loved about The tale of Atterberry was the characters. The main character Glenna and her friends were all unique and enchanting. I found myself intrigued and mystified by all of them and their expression. Recently, I have found myself reading increasing amount of YA fantasy and usually I look for an older protagonist who I can look up to and aspire to be. I found that although in this book, Glenna is younger than myself, I still looked up to her and found her a spirited and courageous young lady.

When I finished this book I found myself curious and craving more, an element which I think should be present in any book, yet so many authors fail to achieve. Here, I found myself gripped by the story and characters, even though it was intended for younger readers.

Since I could read, fantasy has been ever present in my life and I can just imagine how much joy, the imagination of the younger version of me would have found in these books. I think they are a real gem that can be read and enjoyed by any age.

I loved how the plot developed throughout and the mystery solving involved kept my mind at work. Although, I think it was predictable at times, I found I didn't mind and I think it was perfect for younger readers in the complexity sense. I thought that there were words which younger readers would struggle with, but that was fine as they only cropped up on occassion and it is an easy way to enhance vocabulary.

As a teenager I absolutely loved the ideas of the story...another world where myths and magic come to life? It was literally everything fantasy lovers could want in a book! It really left a lot of room for the imagination yet gave the most perfect descriptions, the writing was sublime and looking back on it, I am finding it near impossible to fault it. The only thing I could critisize was the predictability and although I loved the characters and all the elements of fantasy, I like books with a lot of action and a little romance and this book lacked, I found in both these aspects. However, as a children's book I would not expect either of these elements, so I suppose that's just me being picky!

The storyline was like nothing I've encountered before, I've never come across a fantasy book quite like this one and I am very eager to read the sequels. I can see this book series making it big...and it deserves to! I can't stress enough how great this book really is!

So if you are looking for a fantasy book that has ideas that are exciting, new and brimming with imagination then I suggest you get reading! I really hope this book gets the hype it deserves! A truly magnificent triumph!

Hebe x

Book Review | Jamie's Gamble

Title: Jamie's Gamble

Author: Gregg Bell

Genre: Crime/ Contemporary

Pages: 242

Series: Stand alone

Rating: 3.5 stars




Jamie Thompson is the perfect person. Her CEO father has made sure of that. She has the perfect manners, a perfect tennis backhand and a perfect life. Jamie has a silver spoon in her mouth—and she’s gagging on it.
She has to get away.
She’s come up with the perfect plan. A friend in a west Texas border town has lined up an accounting job for her, but when Jamie gets there the job has fallen through. But there’s a waitress position open at a bar and grill. The one thing Jamie knows is she isn’t going back to her father, and so, broke, sixteen hundred miles from home and alone for the first time in her life, she goes for it.
What she finds is a world of gun-toting cowboys, Mexican drug gangs, the occult and a string of brutal rapes and murders. And Ricky Benson, a flame-throwing baseball pitcher, fallen from grace, who she falls head over heels in love with.
But the violence escalates. A fellow waitress is murdered, and Jamie feels like she might be next. Then Ricky Benson is accused of murder.
Jamie can make one phone call and her father will send the company jet for her—or she can stay and face the life that confronts her and fight for the man she loves.

Typically I would not find myself reading this type of book as I am more of a fantasy girl, however, I found myself rather gripped on the fast paced storyline and interesting characters.

What I really liked about this book was how the plot developed throughout. I loved how it started just focusing on the main character and gradually, more characters were focused on and the different stories, opinions and expressions which each character used made the plot a hell of a lot more enjoyable to read. I also found that it wasn't complex at all. Sometimes, I find that books like this can get a little confusing and I thought I might struggle to keep up with the fast pace. But I actually found I didn't struggle at all.

The writing in the book was really good and I loved the descriptions used for each character. However, I did find at times that the language could have been a little more complex with more variation in adjectives, but all in all it was great. 

One thing that really draws me in to any book is a character to which one can look up to or relate to. With the main character in this book Jamie, I found her attitude really inspiring and I also thought she was totally relatable, which is a bonus, I find in any book. Sometimes I find when men write about a female protagonist, they can sometimes get it a little wrong. Gregg Bell managed to get it oh so right and I felt that Jamie was a strong, independent woman who I could really look up to.

I love how the idea of ancient 'magic' and items such as D.U.M.E candles are threaded into the story and I think that these concepts were really effective. I must say that the thing that kept me happy in this book had to be how hooked I was. I think this had a lot to do with the fast pace of the book. A lot happened in a short space of time, yet I think that this really worked and made me crave more.

I gave this book 3.5 stars because a really liked it, yet I don't feel I can say it is one of my favourite ever books. The writing was good and I loved the characters, but I think that the book would have been even better if I had had more time to get to know the characters. I think if I had been more familiar with them, more emotion could have been drawn out of me. I know that this is such a hard thing to ask of a book and in no way do I want anyone thinking this is a bad book because it really was very good! 

I suggest you get reading people, because this is a book that deserves a shed load of hype!

Hebe x

Book Review | Falling into you

Title: Falling into you

Author: L.T Kelly

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: unknown (around 200)

Series: The final book in the falling duo

Rating: 3.5 stars



Marc Romano disappeared without a trace into the darkness. His lover became overwhelmed with grief in her loss. But her grief takes on a much more murderous form than most, for Teagan Lewis is a vampire. Now her heartache is taking her further from the woman she once was, and she realises she must snap out of her monstrous habits and discover the way back to her old self. But how?
Ending their trip around Europe, Teagan and her friend Alex head back to New York. Teagan has the full intention of carrying out a dangerous plan here; not just physically dangerous, but emotionally as well. How will she be able to resist the irresistible? And what of the new rival, Ivan Lenin? He threatens her her life and the lives of everyone she loves. The only people that can help her are her sworn enemy and an ancient stranger. Will they assist her?
How will Teagan Lewis face the demons of her past and try to find happiness? Will she stay and fight or will she run from the things she must face in order to finally be at peace? Mistakes will be made. People will die. The time has come...

Firstly, if you read my review on the first book of the series 'falling to pieces' you may notice that my rating for the book has bumped up to a 3.5 stars. I have to say that I enjoyed this book a whole lot more to the first one: the writing continued to be fluent and somewhat beautiful, and I felt that I gained a lot more insight into the characters in this book than I did in the first one.

In this book, I found that the plot was more rounded and developed than 'falling to pieces' and I began to appriciate the characters, especially Teagan, a whole lot more. I found Teagan a little bit selfish and that annoyed me. But I think in this sequel, you get to see that Teagan is really a spirited, brave and driven young woman.

I loved the aspect of history and myth that was introduced into this book and the very different theories L.T Kelly made about the beginnings of the vampires as a race. I have read a lot of vampire fiction, as I love fantasy and stories revolving around myths and legends so I found this twist on any previous ideas very interesting.

Another small, yet significant touch I enjoyed was a song was dedicated to each chapter. They were all songs I knew and I found as I finished each chapter I linked the songs with the events easily. I really liked this and thought it was quite original.

I am a bit of a hopeless romantic, and where as I thought that the romance in 'Falling to pieces' was a very strong and powerful element. The romance in this book was...wow! One minute I was telling teagan offer liking somebody and the next I was applauding her for liking somebody else... etcetera, etcetera.

I found I was really quite gripped by this story...the romance, the huge closeness developed with the characters, the beautiful language used (If I may, I would like to applaud L.T Kelly for using my favourite word: Plethora, on a few occasions.) and the ending was pretty perfect.

The book caused many strong emotions to be stirred in me and I think especially, finding out more about Teagan's mysterious past was one of the things that made me enjoy the book so much. I found that by knowing her story and the reasons for her actions she became easier to like and understand.

Ah, here comes the bit where I tell you the reasons for my ratings... Although, I liked this book more than the first one, I found that I didn't quite have time to bond and get to know certain characters. I think the book had the capability of pulling strong emotions out of me, but with a great book, I always find that once it's done I feel tearful because it's over and I crave more. With this book I didn't quite get that feeling. Although there were some sad moments, I wasn't compelled to shed any tears and I think this was because some characters needed to be given more time to become tear worthy. I know this sounds a little vague, but if you read it, I think you might know what I'm trying to convey.

Vampire fiction lovers, I suggest you get reading!

Hebe x

2014

Goal: 70 books to be read in 2014
Progress: 53 books read
All of the text in brackets is the series in which the book comes from!

-A-

• Allegiant (the divergent trilogy)
• An Abundance of Katherines
• Angus, thongs and full-frontal snogging
• Anna and the french Kiss
• Anna: deleted chapter (Anna and the french kiss) - I don't know if this counts but goodreads says so!
• A swift pure cry

-B-
-C-

• Child X
• City of bones (the mortal instruments)
• City of Ashes (the mortal instruments)
• City of Glass (the mortal instruments)
• City of fallen angels (the mortal instruments)
• City of lost souls (the mortal instruments)
• City of Heavenly fire (the mortal instruments)

-D-

• Dangerous Reflections
• Demon Stones
• Denial
• Divergent (The divergent trilogy)

-E-
-F-

• Falling to pieces
• Falling into you
• Fangirl

-G-
-H-

• Half Bad
• Hand of chaos
• Hollow City (sequel to Miss peregrine's home for peculiar children)
• Hunter's heart

-I-

• If I Stay
• Instant Karma
• Insurgent (the divergent trilogy)

-J-

• Jamie's Gamble

-K-
-L-

• Looking for Alaska

-M-
-N-

• Normal

-O-
-P-

• Paper Towns
• Phoenix (The beautiful dead series)

-Q-
-R-

• Return to Ribblestrop (The Ribblestrop series)
• Ribblestrop (the Ribblestrop series)
• Ribblestrop forever (the Ribblestrop series)
• Room 13

-S-

• Six Strings

-T-

• The battle of the labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the olympians)
• The clockwork Angel (The infernal devices)
• The clockwork Prince (The infernal devices)
• The clockwork Princess (The infernal devices)
• The Faire pendant: The tale of Atterberry
• The find
• The host
• The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the olympians)
• The lost hero (The heroes of olympus)
• The son of neptune (The heroes of olympus)
• The mark of Athena (The heroes of Olympus)
• The house of Hades (The heroes of Olympus)
• The blood of Olympus (The heroes of Olympus)
• The old man and the sea
• The toothless tooth fairy
• The Vanishing of Katarina Linden

-U-
-V-

• Vampire Academy

-W-

• Will Grayson, Will Grayson

-X-
-Y-
-Z-

Book Review | Falling To Pieces

Title: Falling to pieces

Author: L.T Kelly

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 220

Series: There is a sequel called falling into you 
Publisher: Create space

Rating: 2.5 stars


When Teagan Lewis moves from rural Montana to the bright lights of London with her maker Thomas, she expects to live as harmoniously as she has for the last one hundred-fifty years.
Teagan didn’t know she had a heart or soul until she met Marc Romano. 
However, it quickly becomes clear that Marc is forbidden fruit. All the signs that he isn’t human were there from the beginning, but she chose to ignore them…to her peril.
Can she simply walk away from this mesmerizing stranger? Or should she risk her immortality to be with the man she has fallen in love with?

The first thing I would like to say about this book is how beautifully written it was. Although there wasn't much imagery the style and detail of the writing in the book is what really stood out and made the cook for me. I think that the emotions and appearances of the characters were excellently described and this, for me, was the best aspect of the book.
looking at the rating I have given this book you may assume that it is awful, this is not the case. 2.5 stars means that I found the book ok, not that it is terrible and a waste of your time. For many people, I think this book would be a complete gem. However, I found that I have become slightly tired of the endless vampire books out there. Sometimes, one does find a vampire book or series that stands out from the others and I enjoy them immensely. But, having read many mediocre vampire books, many terrible vampire books and many excellent vampire books, I found that this one fit into the mediocre section. Now, don't get me wrong, I didn't dislike the book at all. The characters were really nicely developed throughout and the writing was awesomely powerful, I just think that the book didn't stand out particularly, for me.
The story line and plot were really good, especially towards the end. I also found that the references to vampire culture was also really interesting, like the ideas of a vampire's bond to their maker.
One aspect that I feel has to be brought up is the audience that this book is attracting. The whole vampire thing, seems to be a young adult thing. However, the content of this book is adult orientated. By this, I mean that yes, there are multiple sex scenes. This didn't put me off as such, but I think it confused me as to whether this book is intended for Young adults such as myself, or adults.
I don't think there is much else that I can really say about the book, so to sum it up I would say that to many it would be a solid 4 star book. But for me it was only ok. There were not really any literary 'hooks' that drew me in and made me want to keep reading, yet I didn't find that I struggled with it too much.
So , if you are looking for some vampire, werewolf books and you are preferably older than 15 then I think you might enjoy these books.
I am definately going to read the sequel as,I am curious as to what happens next!

Happy reading,
Hebe x

Book Review | Dangerous Reflections

Title: Dangerous Reflections
Author: Shay West

Genre: YA/ Historical fantasy/ contemporary

Pages: 214

Series: I believe there is a sequel called Twisted Reflections

Publisher: Booktrope

Rating: 4 stars

'Alexis Davenport wants to go home. She hates her new school, her mother for moving her away from her friends, and her father for walking out.

To make matters worse, Alex is haunted by images of strange girls reflected in her mirror. It’s bad enough juggling homework, a relentless bully, boys, and a deadbeat dad; now, she must save the world from an evil presence hell-bent on changing the past – and our futures. Who knew her A+ in history was going to be this important?'

When I first picked up this book, I really didn't know what to expect. The blurb really drew me in with it's hint of not only contemporary writing but also fantasy and the front cover also intrigued me. 

I have to say I really enjoyed the book and it deserves high praise indeed. The first thing that I really loved was the mixture of genres. I think sometimes and author can get mixing contemporary with fantasy very wrong, yet Shay West managed to balance out the two genres in a way in which kept the reader hooked on the plot and wanting more of both aspects of the book. I think also, by mixing these genres Shay West succeeded in what most authors struggle to accomplish: acknowledging that although in fantasy, strange things happen, the ordinary things in life do continue and also have to be dealt with. 

Linking on from the last point I made, another thing I thought made the book the great piece of work that it is, was the way in which Alexis (the main character) did show emotion and wasn't perfect. In fantasy books, females are sometimes made to look 'perfect' with luscious hair, faces and bodies and these factors are often what draws a reader in. In this book, I found, because your imagination was left to do a lot of the work when it came to some of the characters, when a detailed description of another character came along, it made a wonderful contrast.

Another thing that Shay West managed to do so very well, was hooks at the end of chapters. 

In some chapters, we got a glimpse of another character, and indeed another side to the story. These chapters seemed to be more dark and sinister than the chapters that held the struggles of teenage life and I thought, this contrast was really effective. A few chapters also ended with great hook that made you crave more.

I love fantasy, it is probably my favourite genre and I have never come across a book that  has the elements of fantasy within this book and I have to say it was refreshing and very intriguing. 

The development of the plot and characters throughout the book is fantastic. I thought that Alexis transformed from a slightly sulky, angered and upset teenage girl into a brave, happy and almost unrecognisable girl to the one the book started with. Normally, I prefer to have slow character changes that are almost undetectable until you reach the end of a book or series and realise how very different they become. I was surprised (pleasantly) to find that I really liked the new Alexis and thought the character change was very appropriate.

A final thing which I loved about the book was the subtle yet important life lessons we learn from the characters. The troubles of family, friends, boys, school and popularity seem (as many adults may forget) massive when you are a teenager and I think that Alexis is a really good representation of not only what we can do when we face our troubles, but what we can choose to be.

If I had to criticise the book, I would have a very hard job in my hands, but there is one thing that got me was that sometimes, I found that some of the character's reactions to events were not totally realistic. I don't really know how to explain this point properly without spoiling anyone, but I hope you get the gist of what I'm trying to say!

So, if you are into fantasy, history, or you just want a good book to read, then Dangerous reflections is the way to go!
I look forward to reading the sequel very soon!

Happy reading 

Hebe x