Author Archives: keithbwalters

Book Review: Anatomy of a Misfit by Andrea Portes

Published September 2nd by HarperCollins US.

18340210 Goodreads Synopsis: Outside, Anika Dragomir is all lip gloss and blond hair—the third most popular girl in school. Inside, she’s a freak: a mix of dark thoughts, diabolical plots, and, if local chatter is to be believed, vampire DNA (after all, her father is Romanian). But she keeps it under wraps to maintain her social position. One step out of line and Becky Vilhauer, first most popular girl in school, will make her life hell. So when former loner Logan McDonough shows up one September hotter, smarter, and more mysterious than ever, Anika knows she can’t get involved. It would be insane to throw away her social safety for a nerd. So what if that nerd is now a black-leather-jacket-wearing dreamboat, and his loner status is clearly the result of his troubled home life? Who cares if the right girl could help him with all that, maybe even save him from it? Who needs him when Jared Kline, the bad boy every girl dreams of, is asking her on dates? Who?

Anatomy of a Misfit is Mean Girls meets The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Anika’s hilariously deadpan delivery will appeal to readers for its honesty and depth. The so-sad-it’s-funny high school setting will pull readers in, but when the story’s dark foreboding gradually takes over, the devastating penultimate tragedy hits like a punch to the gut. Readers will ride the highs and lows alongside funny, flawed Anika — from laughter to tears, and everything in between.

My Review: This caught my eye online and I was so excited about reading it! From the blurb, it sounded like a really funny but dark contemporary, a little like Looking for Alaska. It really was, though I’m really mixed about it. Anatomy of a Misfit is definitely going to be well loved – I think I’m in a minority of people still unsure.

I liked Anika, needless to say. She’s a very relatable protagonist, and I think Andrea Portes has captured the social hierarchy competition in high schools really accurately. Anika had a greatly developed back-story that’s the reason for most of her social struggle. The way she deals with things is often really funny. The protagonist did have a good voice but I didn’t click with her like I do with other characters.

There are two love interests… something which I instantly worried about because I can hardly ever tell either love interest apart. I’m useless. And truthfully, I got so mixed up with them… Even with the shocking ending, I had to reread earlier bits to make sure I was getting everything right. It’s probably mainly me being really forgetful though…

The plot is enjoyable and there are so many things dealt with in it. Every event was either really funny or really hard-hitting. There were some things, though, that seemed to just be forgotten about after a while – there’s one minor character’s story that could’ve developed more especially, I think.

On the back of my copy it talks about the story having a dark undercurrent flowing through the story, and lots of foreshadowing towards an unbelievable ending. That’s completely true. Every few chapters, there’s one that’s a flash forward, that’s so sinister sounding I struggled to figure out what could possibly happen! The last few chapters really do hit you like a punch to the gut. I could never have predicted it. At first I didn’t see how it was… There are hints in the plot, but because I got so confused between parts I don’t think it hit me as hard! The foreshadowing is very hard to see, but reading over bits made me kick myself a little. Portes leaves you in a bit of a daze at the ned of the story.

Overall, Anatomy of a Misfit was an enjoyable novel, but one that I expected to love more than I actually did. I think the protagonist was likeable, but didn’t really completely stand out to me – though I’m sure that many other readers will love her! The plot was so memorable and I’m sure I won’t every forget that ending… There were aspects I couldn’t get on with, but I’m sure I’d read another YA title from Andrea Portes!

My Rating:

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I received a copy of Anatomy of a Misfit from the publisher, in exchange for a review. In no way at all did this affect my thoughts.

Radio Drama Review: The Electrical Venus by Julie Mayhew

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Not a usual review post today! Last week, Julie Mayhew, Carnegie nominated author of Red Ink (which I loved! Review here.), asked me if I’d be interested in listening to and reviewing her new radio drama, The Electrical Venus. It’s a forty-five minute radio play that’s set to broadcast this Friday (October 3rd) at 2:15. Click here to go to the radio programme’s page!

I wasn’t very sure if it was my thing, at first. I don’t listen to radio drama – I haven’t even listened to an audio-book in ages! However, after I read that Julie intended for this play to be directed at teens, a demographic that I don’t think is ever explored by radio drama, I was very interested. Also, of course, I loved Julie Mayhew’s YA novel Red Ink and I’ve been wanting to experience more of her writing ever since.

Though I was excited to try it, I wasn’t really sure what to expect from a radio drama, or if I’d get into the story properly given the unfamiliar format. I plugged in my earpieces and started listening to it while I was doing some art homework… And was completely blown away! It did take me a few minutes to get used to it but once I’d become familiar I started to really enjoy it. The Electrical Venus was simultaneously a new entertainment experience for me, and a great story too, with plot themes I didn’t see coming at all.

I really loved the voice acting. I was really unsure of how I’d be able to connect and relate to the characters, because I’d have no visual and no descriptions to go on. However, I felt like I got to know the characters, especially Nim, so well, even though I only heard the voices and only for a forty-minute listen! The characters were really well developed and realistic, I loved them. Nim, the protagonist, has a great back-story that was explored really well throughout the play.

Another thing I loved about the play was the setting, which was fun but dark and mysterious too. It was really inventive and well-described through the plot. The Electrical Venus is set centuries ago in a travelling circus, and scenes, especially like the opening one (a circus performance), I felt like I was transported back in time… something I really wasn’t expecting.

Overall, The Electrical Venus was a really great play. I’d definitely recommend listening to it once it’s out – whether you’re a regular radio listener, or not, like me. Mayhew’s story was memorable and thrilling; After finishing it I just wanted to listen again! It dealt with things I wasn’t expecting and the story was very cleverly written. The voice actors were brilliant too, and really captured the personalities of the characters. Now I’ve tried listening to radio drama, something I would never have done otherwise, I’d definitely listen to it again. I’d love to see Julie Mayhew (and other writers!) writing more radio plays aimed at younger audiences. It was really fun. (:

My Rating:

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I received a copy of The Electrical Venus from the author, in exchange for a review. In no way at all did this affect my thoughts.

New Books! #53

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I’ve realised it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything aside from book reviews. Starting year ten this month has been pretty hectic, homework and coursework-wise! Since the end of summer I’ve bought and received a lot of books, so here’s my book haul for the last few weeks. I’m also hoping to be posting more often soon, as I’ve got a lot of new blog posts planned. (:

Received in Post:

Thank you to Orchard books, Indigo/Orion, Hodder, Hot Key Books, Harper360/HarperTeen and Doubleday!

The Hit, Skink no Surrender & The Edge of the Water: These were all sent to my dad for review, actually… However, seeing as he no longer blogs frequently and also as these are all YA titles, so they don’t really fit his blog demographic, they were passed onto me to review! I’m looking forward to reading all of these as they all sound like great crime novels.

Breakdown by Sarah Mussi: I enjoyed Sarah Mussi’s RIOT (read my review here!) earlier this year. When I heard about this I was really excited for it, as the premise seemed fantastic! I love the striking cover too, and it’s got me sure the story is going to be a gritty dystopia.

Anatomy of a Misfit by Andrea Portes: From the Harper360 email I received, this sounded awesome. I’ve read a lot of glowing reviews, so I’m very excited about reading it but a little nervous too. I hope I enjoy it. Review up soon, as this is going to be one of my next reads!

Lockwood & Co.: The Whispering Skull by Jonathan Stroud: Squeeee!! I loved Lockwood & Co.: The Screaming Staircase (book one, read my review here) last year, so I was so grateful when this came in the post. I jumped straight into the story, and I’m hoping to finish it tonight – so a review should be up very soon.

Purchased:

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke: This book is one I’ve heard a lot of amazing things about. I’ve always been put off of reading it, though, because it’s just so big… Though I found this really gorgeous box of the novel split into three volumes at a charity store and my dad and I couldn’t not buy it!:D I’d really like to try this soon as the blurb had me really intrigued.

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler: I’d run out of reading material on a long journey home from a festival – I found this at a service center store and decided to read it on the way home, especially after having read Ruby’s review! I adored it and I’m hoping to write a post soon.

Since You’ve Been Gone & The Giver: I bought these in Waterstones a couple of weeks ago. Waterstones sales are awesome:D I definitely want to read The Giver as soon as possible, because the movie adaptation is out very soon.

White Teeth by Zadie Smith: This was another charity-shop find. I haven’t read any of Zadie’s books but they all sound really interesting so I’d like to start reading her work.

Saved from Dad’s book clearance: xD

The Eden Moore stories by Cherie Priest: My dad often clears out his bookshelves but I always end up re-homing things he’s about to abandon… The covers for these books looked really cool and striking. I totally judged them by their covers and put them on the TBR pile, though I’m not sure when I’ll get around to them…

Purchased from the Library:

Over the summer I volunteered at my local library for the Summer Reading Challenge. The desk I worked at was right next to the shelf of ex-library books on sale… I ended up buying a few from there on my last day!

Forget Me N0 by Anne Cassidy: Anne Cassidy’s Looking for JJ and Finding Jennifer Jones were brilliant, gritty and moving. I don’t really listen to audiobooks but I’d love to change that, and I haven’t read Anne Cassidy’s older books but I’d love to start to… so I had to buy this!:)

Kissing the Rain & The Road of the Dead by Kevin Brooks: My friend from primary school used to be hooked on Brooks’s titles and I remember always being really interested in them, as I used to steal his copies during reading classes to read the blurbs;) I’ve never actually read any of them however. These two sound great!

Everything Beautiful by Simmone Howell: I assumed at first this was a romance and I didn’t pick it up, but when I read the blurb it sounded pretty entertaining:’two rebel teens wreaking havoc in a religious summer camp’ was basically what the blurb suggested. I think it’ll be fun!

That’s it for this (pretty long!) book haul post… *exhales* Have you read any of these books, and if so what did you think? (:

Book Review: Malala: The Girl Who Stood up for Education and Changed the World

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By Malala Yousafzai and Patricia McCormick

Published 19th August 2014 by Indigo (Orion).

23161221 Goodreads Synopsis:

Written by Malala for her peers, this is a brand new look at the girl behind the icon.

Written in collaboration with critically acclaimed NATIONAL BOOK AWARD finalist Patricia McCormick, Malala tells her story – from her childhood in the Swat Valley to the shooting, her recovery and new life in England.

She’s a girl who loves cricket, gossips with her best friends, and, on the day of the shooting, nearly overslept and missed an exam. A girl who saw women suddenly banned from public, schools blown up, the Taliban seize control, and her homeland descend into a state of fear and repression.

This is the story of her life, and also of her passionate belief in every child’s right to education, her determination to make that a reality throughout the world, and her hope to inspire others.

My Review: I was really eager to read this as soon as I heard about it! I knew very vague details about Malala’s story, and I was keen to learn more about it seeing as I’ve seen a lot of coverage of Malala and her education campaigns, but never properly read about it.

This recount of Malala’s life, from she was a child in her home, Swat, right up until her current time in Birmingham, completely blew me away. It really wasn’t what I’d expected and I honestly found it really difficult to stop reading. Malala’s voice captured me from page one; her narration had me entirely engrossed in the story. She and Patricia McCormick (A writer I’ve always wanted to read something from!) are brilliant collaborators: I loved the writing.

At a few points I felt like I was reading a fiction book, instead of an autobiographical work. It’s so, so hard imagine that, just before I turned ten, living in the UK, Malala was watching her home village in Pakistan change so terrifyingly with the growing terrorist powers. Malala’s life story made me tear up so much. It’s heartbreaking and shocking – but also there are so many points that made me smile. I loved getting to know Malala in terms of her education rights work – and also getting to know her personally in the book. Malala is a great insight into the personal life of someone so inspirational and amazing.

Overall, Malala: The Girl who Stood up for Education and Changed the World is a book I’d really recommend to anybody and everybody. It’s such an important read: It’s inspirational, influential and moving – but incredibly informative too, because before I’d seen very little about all of the shocking events that happened in Pakistan. Patricia McCormick and Malala are visibly both incredibly talented writers – and this book will definitely stay with me for a long time. It’s incredibly hard to do this book justice in a review… This definitely isn’t a title you’ll want to miss!

My Rating:

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I received a copy of Malala from the publisher, in exchange for a review. In no way at all did this affect my thoughts.

Book Review: The Memory Keepers by Natasha Ngan

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Published September 2014 by Hot Key Books.

18196516 Goodreads Synopsis: “No one can take your memories from you… can they?”

Seven is a thief with a difference – he steals downloadable memories from banks and memoriums to sell onto London’s black market, trading secrets and hidden pasts for a chance at a future of his own. He makes sure he keeps some special stuff back to ‘surf’ himself though – it’s the only real form of entertainment he can afford. But one night, as Seven is breaking into a private memorium in a wealthy part of London, he is caught in the act by one of its residents; Alba, the teenage daughter of London’s most famous criminal prosecutor. Instead of giving him away, Alba promises to keep Seven’s secret – as long as he allows her to go memory-surfing herself. In doing so, they discover a hidden memory about Seven’s past, revealing a shocking secret about Seven’s childhood, the government and a mysterious experiment known as The Memory Keepers…

Now Seven and Alba will have to race against time to unlock the maze of The Memory Keepers – but can they keep themselves out of harm’s way before the London Guard – and Alba’s father – catches up with them?

My Review: I read and loved Natasha Ngan’s striking fantasy début, The Elites, when it was released last year. Ever since I finished the last page of it I was eager to read more from Natasha! I was so glad when this arrived in the post, I delved straight into it and devoured the story in a day. It’s richly fantastical, but scarily real and possible at the same time. I’m so glad I enjoyed it as much as The Elites!

I adored Natasha Ngan’s world-building in her début novel, and was eager, but nervous, to see what her new dystopian world would be like. Ngan is so inventive and creative: Long after I put the book down, I was wondering about the futuristic imagining of London. It’s divided completely between a rich north and a poor south, with technological advances like memory recording. The book explores so much of the city and there were a lot of well developed parts, like the Underground communities… I’d really love another book set in the world of The Memory Keepers, as I was fascinated by the world-building.

The plot was really awesome. It was actually much darker and much more action-packed than I’d initially anticipated, though that’s not to say I didn’t love it! I was hooked from start to finish. I thought I’d guessed the ending, but it turned out to go in a completely different direction! I think the only thing that I would’ve liked in the book was to see more about the whole “memory” viewing technology. Of course, it’s a hugely central part of the book – but being really nerdy, I wanted to know a bit more about the history of it and how it came to be. That sci-fi element really interested me 😀

The book is written in switching narratives between Alba and Seven, who both lead completely different lives but are brought together when Seven breaks into Alba’s house to steal one of her family’s memories. I loved the narration immensely. The switching narrative was perfect for the story and Natasha Ngan has crafted two great, individual voices. I love Alba and Seven, the protagonists, too! I connected with them a lot and really didn’t want to put the book down while reading, eager to know what happened next to them.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Memory Keepers – there was a part of me a little nervous I wouldn’t love it like I did Natasha Ngan’s first novel… but it exceeded me expectations and was a total thrill ride of a book. The sci-fi elements of the story are imaginative, inventive and really clever. I loved Ngan’s writing even more with her second book. I think the narration was brilliant. Highly recommended, whatever your genre preference:)

My Rating:

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I received a copy of The Memory Keepers from the publisher, in exchange for a review. In no way at all did this affect my thoughts.

Book Review: Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley

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Published 3rd October 2014 by MIRA ink.

22710376 Goodreads Synopsis: It’s 1959. The battle for civil rights is raging. And it’s Sarah Dunbar’s first day of school, as one of the first black students at the previously all-white Jefferson High. No one wants Sarah there. Not the Governor. Not the teachers. And certainly not the students – especially Linda Hairston, daughter of the town’s most ardent segregationist. Sarah and Linda have every reason to despise each other. But as a school project forces them to spend time together, the less their differences seem to matter. And Sarah and Linda start to feel something they’ve never felt before. Something they’re both determined ignore. Because it’s one thing to be frightened by the world around you – and another thing altogether when you’re terrified of what you feel inside.

My Review: I hadn’t heard about Lies We Tell Ourselves until I’d received an email from the publisher, but as soon as I’d read the synopsis I knew it was going to be a really great book! I haven’t really seen much, and definitely not read much YA fiction based around the civil rights movement in the 50s & 60s… And I don’t think I’ve ever heard of any YA books centered around LGBT characters in that era.

Needless to say I delved straight into the story very excitedly, as I was sure this would be an amazing, original début. I was certainly awed by the story. It was moving and powerful, and I’m sure I’ll be recommending it to lots of people. However, after finishing it, I couldn’t help but feel I was missing something… Though I can’t completely work out what!

The narration was really memorable. Roughly, the first third of the book is from Sarah’s perspective, then after the first pivotal moment, the second third is Linda’s – and finally the last third is quickly alternating chapters. Both girls’ voices were really amazing. I felt really familiar with both of them and was rooting for them, for the entire story! Both of them develop so much, especially Linda, who’s grown up with a segregationist father, but realises what mistakes she’s made as she grows closer to Sarah.

I think it was admirable how Lies We Tell Ourselves dealt racism. It wasn’t sugar coated or toned down – it was alarmingly real. I didn’t actually realise how hard-hitting and brutally honest the topic of racism would be tackled in Lies We Tell Ourselves – I was actually tearing up within the first chapters, reading the all-too-vivid scenes where Sarah is at the receiving end of some awful abuse at Jefferson High.

The main thing that I struggled with in the story is hard to explain, because I really want to keep this review spoiler free! By the ending, a lot of the story was resolved, but there were certain key elements to the story that I was expecting more elaboration on… The ending left me really wanting a sequel, or some kind of follow up, to say the least. I felt there was a lot more to tell about Sarah and Linda!

Overall, Lies We Tell Ourselves was, without doubt, a really stunning and original début. I really fell in love with the main characters; their chemistry, and the narration. Lies We Tell Ourselves really stands out in the YA market as it’s completely unique, and deals with two topics (LGBT and race equality) that I really want to read more of in fiction in the future. Lies We Tell Ourselves, though I am unsure of a few things, definitely deserves a lot of attention upon publication!

My Rating:

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I received a copy of Lies We Tell Ourselves from the publisher, in exchange for a review. In no way at all did this affect my thoughts.

Unrelated note! Sorry for having not written a blog post in just over a week now – I usually aim to get at least one or two published every week. Last week was the first full week back at school and it was even more chaotic that I’d assumed it would be! I also found out I’ll be doing most of my GCSE coursework and some GCSE exams a year early, which I wasn’t expecting, over the next year… so sadly I think I’ll be blogging less often, though trying to schedule more!

Graphic Novel Review: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman & P. Craig Russell

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[Original story by Neil Gaiman, adaptation by P Craig Russell & chapters illustrated by Kevin Nowlan, P. Craig Russell, Tony Harris, Scott Hampton, Galen Showman, Jill Thompson, and Stephen B. Scott]

Published 29th July 2014 by Bloomsbury.

18738869 Goodreads Synopsis: The first volume of a glorious two-volume, four-color graphic novel adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s #1 New York Times bestselling and Newbery Medal-winning novel The Graveyard Book, adapted by P. Craig Russell and illustrated by an extraordinary team of renowned artists.

Inventive, chilling, and filled with wonder, Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book reaches new heights in this stunning adaptation. Artists Kevin Nowlan, P. Craig Russell, Tony Harris, Scott Hampton, Galen Showman, Jill Thompson, and Stephen B. Scott lend their own signature styles to create an imaginatively diverse and yet cohesive interpretation of Neil Gaiman’s luminous novel.

Volume One contains Chapter One through the Interlude, while Volume Two will include Chapter Six to the end.

[View synopsis for The Graveyard Book here!]

My Review: I’m a really big fan of Neil Gaiman, and especially of his children’s novel, The Graveyard Book – so predictably, I was both incredibly excited and incredibly nervous when I was offered the chance to review the graphic novel! Excited, because I was intrigued to see the story told in a different, more visual formant… But nervous, because I read P.Craig Russell’s comic adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline earlier in the year, and while it was okay, it didn’t seem to reflect the magic and horror of Gaiman’s story.

However, this adaptation of The Graveyard book was so different to the Coraline graphic novel; so original and magical and sinister at the same time. It’s really captured the essence of the original story, and is just as engaging as the book was. Though it’s been a while since I read The Graveyard Book, I could tell this was a very faithful adaptation of the story – and the images are exactly how I imagined they would be when reading the original book. I was completely captivated especially by one chapter about the Macabray dance, which was my favourite scene from the novel. It was so beautifully and flawlessy depicted.

The art in this graphic novel is stunning. Each of the chapters is illustrated by a different artist (and one chapter is a clever collaboration). I loved the diversity of the artwork – each was individual, striking, and perfect for each chapter. However, (and I get this with pretty much every graphic novel that does it), the frequent changes did annoy me a tiny bit, because I’d get used to one artist’s style then suddenly be introduced to another!

Overall, the graphic novel of The Graveyard Book was incredibly beautiful, and definitely exceeded my expectations. The adaptation was very faithful to Neil Gaiman’s book and the story was just as magical (and maybe even more so, in ways) in graphic novel form! Highly recommended to anyone. I can’t wait for the conclusion in volume two.

My Rating:

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I received a copy of The Graveyard Book from the publisher, in exchange for a review. In no way at all did this affect my thoughts.

Book Review: THE HUNTED by Charlie Higson

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*Synopsis contains spoilers for previous books in The Enemy series — review spoiler-free:)*

Published 4th September 2014 by Puffin Books.

20550277 Goodreads Synopsis: The Hunted is Charlie Higson’s sixth terrifying installment in the thrilling The Enemy series. The sickness struck everyone over fourteen. First it twisted their minds. Next it ravaged their bodies. Now they roam the streets – Crazed and hungry The others had promised that the countryside would be safer than the city. They were wrong. Now Ella’s all-alone except for her silent rescuer, Scarface – and she’s not even sure if he’s a kid or a grown-up. Back in London, Ed’s determined to find her. But getting out of town’s never been more dangerous- because coming in the other direction is every SICKO in the country. It’s like they’re being called towards the capital and nothing is going to stop them…In the penultimate book in The Enemy series, the survivors’ stories cross with chilling consequences

My Review: I was so incredibly excited when this came through the letterbox! I’ve been a fan of The Enemy series pretty much since it began, and the first book was the second title I ever reviewed here. (I was eleven, ignore the awfulness:P) Higson is one of my favourite writers in the horror genre.

Needless to say, though, I’m always terrified when the latest installment of the story is released – partially because Higson is like JK Rowling and loves to kill characters I like, but also because I’m scared I won’t love the latest book as much as the previous one. However, I dived into The Hunted with pretty high expectations, and all of them were met. I really loved it.

I love siblings Ella and Sam in these books – Sam is a lot more central to the plot though, and the focus has never been entirely on Ella.. I was so glad The Hunted focuses largely on her. She’s such a small but brave girl and makes for a great protagonist. I loved her even more after this book. Her bond with Scarface, the unlikely ally she picks up along her journey, was really memorable and the plot twist that spirals from their friendship was so unpredictable – as was most of the plot!

I love horror books but I’m rarely genuinely freaked out by events in them – but Charlie Higson’s books are exceptions. I should probably be used to jump-scares and gory plot twists hiding around the corner in his books by now, but Charlie Higson is amazing at weaving eerie tension into his stories, and I found myself again jumping at the most horrific bits.

The only thing I disliked a little was the structure… I can’t actually remember if it’s how the other books were written, though! I was expecting alternating chapters between the two different groups of characters the story’s focused on, but the first half was one focus, then after a certain point it switched. Though I did enjoy that I do love alternating chapters more!

Overall, The Hunted was thrilling, gory, emotional and terrifying – just as I’d expected! I loved the characters Higson’s focused on for this instalment, and the story was so original and clever, with a genius ending that’s gotten me really eager to read the last book. There’s a lot of foreshadowing for the events in the next title, and I would talk about them more but I’m scared I’ll give spoilers… I’ll just say that I can tell the final book is going to be incredible. If you haven’t yet started The Enemy series, I highly recommend you do – and if you’re up to date on it, it’s definitely worth rushing to the nearest book store as soon as this is released later this week! (:

My Rating:

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I received a copy of The Hunted from the publisher, in exchange for a review. In no way at all did this affect my thoughts.

Book Review: City of Halves by Lucy Inglis

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Published 7th August 2014 by Chicken House.

18523130 Goodreads Synopsis: London. Girls are disappearing. They’ve all got one thing in common; they just don’t know it yet…

Sixteen-year-old Lily was meant to be next, but she’s saved by a stranger: a half-human boy with gold-flecked eyes. Regan is from an unseen world hidden within our own, where legendary creatures hide in plain sight. But now both worlds are under threat, and Lily and Regan must race to find the girls, and save their divided city.

My Review: Upon hearing about City of Halves, I was sure it was just my kind of book, and that I’d really enjoy it. Then, after receiving a copy, I was a little apprehensive: I re-read the blurb, and then double checked the cover, and thought to myself, “This sounds familiar.” Bits on the cover and synopsis like ‘hot tattooed boy;’ ‘Unseen world hidden within our own;’ and even the title, beginning with ‘City of…’ Despite those elements being frequent in YA, it all sounded a bit too The Mortal Instruments for me!

I was scared the content would be all too similar to Cassandra Clare’s series – so I started it pretty nervously… However, after a while, I found myself really enjoying it – It was a great urban fantasy YA début.

The story focuses a lot more on its fantasy elements and setting more than its characters and their relationships, I felt. That did bother me a little bit, but I quickly grew to like that – I loved Lucy Inglis’s descriptions of London, where the book is set. It’s easy to tell this book was largely written fuelled by the author’s feelings for London. Inglis has set major events in the best, magical feeling locations, like St Paul’s Cathedral, and I think the fact that I was very familiar with areas made it all seem really real.

The fantastical elements in the story were all really imaginative. The book read like a standalone novel, but I really hope that there will be a sequel or follow-up story of some description; I’d love for the author to elaborate a little more, as I was really interested in this urban fantasy world and its inhabitants.

I’m always looking for unique protagonists who stand out, but whilst Lily was likeable, I don’t feel like I ever really engaged with her as much as I’d thought I might. She’s a little strange at points, especially at the beginning of the book, when she discovers this whole new side to her city, and seemingly isn’t very shocked or fascinated at all. However, while she lacked in some areas, she did have an interesting back-story, which made up for it! I wasn’t sure about Regan, aka the ‘hot tattooed boy’ who saves her life. I feel like I was meant to really love him but I just couldn’t, for some reason. I’m not sure why, but I’m sure other readers will.

Overall, City of Halves was not what I expected it to be. I was really unsure as to how I would find it, as the book’s blurb was too similar to City of Bones… But it did become a very different, individual fantasy book. Though I struggled to like the protagonists a little, I adored Lucy Inglis’s talent in weaving fantastical elements around a well-loved city, and I’d love to read more YA from her. Recommended if you’re a fan of the genre, or if you’re looking for a read with a really clever ending!

My Rating:

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I received a copy of City of Halves from the publisher, in exchange for a review. In no way at all did this affect my thoughts.

New Books! #52

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As I’m writing this, it’s Sunday night – I normally post book hauls on a Saturday, but I completely forgot I’d taken photos for this post earlier in the week… So, oh well, I’ll mess up the usual blog schedule and post this on a Monday! Why not:)

The most recent books I’ve bought and been sent in the post have been really exciting titles – some I’ve been waiting on for what seems like forever! As there are only a couple of weeks left of the summer before school (*shudders*) I’ve made it my top priority to read all of the ARCs on my tbr… Because I’m sure starting year ten is going to be hectic. I’m hoping to read, review, and schedule lots of things over the remainder of the summer so starting school is less busy!

Purchased:

Hollow Pike by James Dawson & The Realm of Possibility, Two boys Kissing & Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist by David Levithan: Just before the recent London event with James and David in conversation, I visited Foyles Charing Cross Road and Waterstones Piccadilly’s YA sections to buy the books by them that I didn’t own yet. Between buying it and writing this post, I’ve already read The Realm of Possibility (it was amazing!) and so I’m really hoping to get around to the others very soon. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins: Although I still haven’t read Anna and The French Kiss, (I know, I know… *hangs head*) I fell in love with Lola and the Boy Next Door, so I preordered the last instalment online! Though it came late (As I think everyone’s Amazon orders did…) I dived straight into it as soon as I got it. I admit I wasn’t as blown away as I was with Lola, but it was still brilliant. After I buy and read Anna, I’m hoping to do a post on all three books.

Stolen by Lucy Christopher & The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkowski: I’ve seen a lot about both of these titles around the blogosphere, and decided to cave in and use my saved up Waterstones points. 😉

WINGER by Andrew Smith: I have seen even more around the blogosphere about WINGER! I’ve read so, so many stunning reviews, but it was mainly Lucy @ Queen of Contemporary’s review that completely swayed me to rush out and buy a copy at last. I can’t wait to see first-hand why everybody is raving about it. I also didn’t realise it was by author of Grasshopper Jungle, another book I’be read a lot about. If I enjoy this I think I’ll be buying that next!

Received in Post:

Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley: I was interested in this novel right away, just from reading the blurb in an email – and when a copy arrived I was so excited! It’s sounds like it’s going to be a very controversial but poignant and relevant book. Thank you for the copy, MiraINK!

The Memory Keepers by Natasha Ngan & Vivian Versus America by Katie Coyle: If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you might have seen me getting very excited over Natasha Ngan’s début, The Elites, around this time last year. you might have also seen my review of Katie Coyle’s previous book, Vivian Versus the Apocalypse, too (which was a joint-first ever winner of the Hot Key Books Young Writer’s prize). I’ve been really eager to read more from both authors – so a huge thank you, Hot Key Books!

The Hunted by Charlie Higson: I… I can’t even begin to sum up my feelings. This SERIES. Basically…

Yep, that’s pretty much it. I am so nervous and excited and I’ve just started reading it and it honestly was a struggle to put it down to write this post. Review up soon-ish! (Thanks to Ellie at Four Colman Getty, the publicity managers, for the copy)

[Not Pictured] 365 Days of Wonder: Thank you to Random House for this! I’ve already written a blog post on it, which you can view by clicking HERE. (: