The Thousandth Floor - Katharine McGee

Began reading: 23.12.2016
Completed reading: 28.12.2016
Overall rating: 4 stars

The higher you are, the farther you fall.

Welcome to New York, 2118.

A metropolis of innovation and dreams, where everyone wants something... and everyone has something to lose.

The upper floors of a glittering thousand-storey super-tower are home to the rich, beautiful and ruthless. And right at the top is Avery Fuller, the genetically-designed beauty with the perfect penthouse life. The girl who has it all - yet is tormented by the one thing she can never have.

Avery's perfect world is set to come crashing down. Lies, betrayals and secret liaisons culminate in a scandal that ensnares everyone.

When you're this high up, there's nowhere to go but down...

The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee is a young adult, science fiction novel that contains a combination of dystopia and romance. I couldn’t wait to get into this book, especially after reading about all the hype surrounding it. I wasn’t disappointed, and actually became rather addicted to the plot.

The book was well-written, with a reasonable amount of literary techniques to add depth to the plot. Furthermore, the book was well-paced and well-structured, keeping the narrative from becoming dull. There were also some great quotes, including:

He didn’t know what it was like, wanting something you could never have; how impossible it was to un-want it once you’d let the feeling in (p. 66).

‘I love you,’ he said, and pulled the door quietly shut behind him.

I love you too, her heart whispered, curling around the phrase like a prayer (p. 66).

She never imagined she’d say this, but she almost missed the days when he was half-way across the world. At least then he’d been all hers (p. 167).

Did anyone else ever feel this way, alone and frantic, haunted by a fear she couldn’t quite place? (p. 282).

She couldn’t trust anyone in the world but herself, but then again, Leda never really had (p. 400).

More quotes from the book can be found here.

The plot was interesting and unique, despite many readers comparing it to Gossip Girl. I loved the futuristic concepts and gadgets, such as the floating bubbles at the Bubble Lounge. Many of these were creative and I wished that they really existed. The lounge chairs that changed colour based on the sky was an awesome idea, and I wished that I had them! The drama and romance kept the narrative interesting, but I’ll go into that later.

At first, I thought that the various character point-of-views would make things confusing, especially as each character had a whole new set of relations that I needed to be aware of. As the book progressed, I began to enjoy reading about the individual lives of each character, as well as how they interacted with the other main characters. For example, how Watt became friends with Avery, worked for Leda and eventually met Rylin. There was always a link or connection between the main characters, which was a great idea.

There was a decent amount of drama and romance in the plot, which had me reading until late at night. None of the romances were fluffy (maybe a bit between Cord and Rylin in Paris), but I loved how each relationship worked. Each personal challenge was diverse, as were the relationships, which prevented them from becoming boring and repetitive. For example, Avery’s challenges differed greatly from Watt’s, and their relationship shared no resemblance to Eris and Mariel’s. I thought that McGee did a really good job on this!

                         

The only issue that I had was that there was a heavy reliance on drug abuse. Of course, drugs are common in the young adult age bracket, but I wasn’t expecting so much of it. I understood that some of the characters should have issues with drugs in order to add diversity to their story, but too much of it is really off-putting. I couldn’t relate to it, even though it made some characters more interesting.

My favourite character was Avery Fuller, as she was kind, loyal, forgiving and smart. Even though she had a falling out, she still cared for their well-being, which made her more admirable. The only issue I had with her was that she agreed to hide Leda’s secret – I thought she was smarter than that! Watt was a notable character, and I hoped that he and Avery would end up together! I guess I’ll have to hold onto the hope that they’ll get together in the next book.

I really despised Leda, and I assume that she’s the character that everyone loves to hate. She was a psycho, and I was hoping that Watt would pick up on her weird behaviour before it got out of hand. She was delusional and a stalker, which really creeped me out. Although she’s central to the plot, I’m hoping she gets killed off in the next book!

                  

Speaking of characters that I despise, how about Ming? I haven’t read any reviews that mention her, so I’m going to do it. What a b*tch! Why did she have to ruin Eris’ party the way she did? Why is she so spiteful? Why is Avery still friends with her? Her character made my blood boil, and I wished I could tear her hair out and push her off the top of the Tower!

As for a particular death, I felt so bad for everyone involved (except Leda). It was a dramatic and sad death, especially the messages they sent and received before it all happened. This character was so innocent, and I’m sad that they didn’t get to reveal the truth before they fell.

                       

On a lighter note, my favourite parts included the ARena, Avery and Watt’s relationship, and Eris’ party at the Bubble Lounge. I enjoyed reading about the ARena, as it was full of suspense and was a great way for Avery to meet Watt – the way his character described her made me swoon. Avery and Watt’s relationship was sweet, even though she was using him. I believed that they were perfect for each other – her, always looking to the past while he looked to the future. I liked the idea of Avery with Atlas, but I prefer her with Watt. As for the Bubble Lounge, it was just a creative idea and I was jealous that it doesn’t exist. The tension between Avery and Leda over Atlas also made the party more interesting.

Recommendation time! If you like 1984 by George Orwell, The Perfectionists saga by Sara Shepard, and the Blue Bloods series by Melissa de la Cruz, you will love this book. Also, I recommend this book to anyone who likes The Great Gatsby, Poison Ivy, the Gossip Girl TV series, Pretty Little Liars TV series, and the Revenge TV series.

I will also be reviewing the rest of The Thousandth Floor series when the books become available. Keep an eye out for that!

Happy reading!

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What Light - Jay Asher

Began reading: 15.12.2016
Completed reading: 23.12.2016
Overall rating: 3 stars

Why put my heart into something fate will only tear apart Christmas morning?

Sierra's family runs a Christmas tree farm in Oregon - it's an idyllic place for a girl to grow up, except that every year they have to pack up and move to California to set up their Christmas tree lot for the season. So Sierra lives two lives: her life in Oregon and her life at Christmas. And leaving one always means missing the other. Until this particular Christmas, when Sierra meets Caleb, and one life begins to eclipse the other.

What Light by Jay Asher is a fictional contemporary young adult novel that contains romance. I purchased this book last week, after searching for a decent Christmas novel for the holidays. Side note: it is rather difficult to find a nice Christmas novel at this time of the year. This book was sweet, but I found it to be a little bland.

Regular readers would know that I can be somewhat picky with spelling and grammatical errors, so you can imagine my frustration when I stumbled across a couple of grammatical errors. I will discuss the writing style later, but I found the plot to be slow-paced. A lot was going on, but I felt that it was taking a very long time to progress, which was disappointing. However, there were a couple of great quotes, including:

Why put my heart into something fate will only tear apart Christmas morning? (p. 23).

This season was supposed to be perfect, not bogged down with what-ifs. They’re all around me, though, in everything I do. I don’t know how to fully enjoy any of these moments without wondering if it’s the last (p. 31).

More quotes from the book can be found here.

I enjoyed the uniqueness behind the plot – selling Christmas trees, moving for the holidays, and the uncertainty surrounding the coming year. It was very relevant to the season, which I liked. Although it was a little predictable, the uncertainty around whether Sierra and her family would be returning the next year helped build a little suspense and tension. I think it would have been interesting to experience a little of what it would be like to celebrate Christmas in Oregon. Aside from this, the plot was unique, which was good.

Similarly, the plot had me wishing for a snowy Christmas (even though I’ve never had one), peppermint mochas and giant pancakes. It definitely gave off a sense of Christmas, which made this novel perfect for the season. It was nice to read about the contrast in seasons between Oregon and California. Although there’s that opportunity for her to experience a snowy Christmas, Sierra’s time in California was relatable. As I’ve said, I’ve never had a snowy Christmas, so it was good to know that she wasn’t experiencing one (does that sound mean?).

                                          

I mentioned earlier that I would discuss the writing style, so here it is. I was disappointed, to say the least. The characters and situations weren’t described in enough depth – I had no idea what the characters looked like, so I had to imagine someone. The only things that were described in enough depth were the diners, the church, and the trees on Cardinals Peak with the lights. I like a little detail in books, so I wasn’t happy about that.

The narrative was very sweet, but somewhat bland. It would be really good for younger readers (maybe teens?), as there is no bad language or sexual references. I’m not really sure about why I found the book bland, except that nothing massive really happened. I was waiting for a plot twist, but there weren’t any, so I was left feeling a little deflated.

Finally, the romance aspect left me with mixed feelings. I thought that it was verging on insta-love, which irritates me. The way that Sierra’s parents met influenced Sierra’s relationship, but it was definitely a little unrealistic – they were pretty much in love within a month!

                   

It was difficult choosing a favourite character, but I’d choose Sierra over anyone else. Sierra was loyal, sweet, forgiving and feisty, but she was flawed. I wasn’t impressed with her choosing Caleb over Rachel’s performance, and she was also whiney and repetitive – I get it, you don’t want to leave California forever, but there are other ways of staying in contact with Caleb and Heather.

Again, I wasn’t very impressed with Jeremiah’s mum or sister – how can they be so rude? Isn’t it obvious that Caleb is tortured and doing his best to make up for his past?

                       

My favourite part of the book was the midnight mass with Caleb. The whole candle thing, with Silent Night playing in the background, sounded so beautiful! The dialogue in this scene was perfect, so I decided that it was the highlight of the book!

Recommendation time! If you like Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle, The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily by Rachel Cohn, Decked With Holly by Marni Bates, Ex-mas by Kate Brian, and Secret Santa by Sabrina James, you will love this book. Also, I recommend this book to anyone who likes Love Actually, The Polar Express, Bridget Jones’ Diary, The Holiday, Almost Christmas, and Love, The Coopers.

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Crystal Kingdom - Amanda Hocking

Began reading: 8.12.2016
Completed reading: 14.12.2016
Overall rating: 5 stars

Can the truth set her free?

Bryn is on the run and in trouble. She's been framed for murder and is forced to turn to her oldest enemy Konstantin for help. Together they investigate her alleged crime and discover a staggering royal plot that spans three kingdoms - but they need proof to clear her name.

Then death also strikes the Kanin clan's royal family, and this time both Bryn and the Skojare tribe are falsely implicated. As the Kanin's queen pushes for war with the Skojare, Bryn's boss Ridley tracks her down and she dreams they might finally be together. However, they must first expose the villain at the heart of their kingdom and somehow stop the conflict.

But as Bryn learns the startling truth about Konstantin, who will ultimately win her heart?

Crystal Kingdom by Amanda Hocking is the final book of the Kanin Chronicles trilogy. It is a fictional young adult novel that contains fantasy and romance. After finishing Ice Kissed, I had to get into this one immediately! I wasn’t disappointed – it was the perfect end to a perfect series!

The book was well-written in terms of literary techniques, structure and pace; however, I discovered numerous spelling and grammatical errors. The structure was clearly defined, so I knew when a complication or resolution was coming up. As for the pace, I found it to be steady and easy to read. I expected some really good quotes, and Hocking delivered. These include:

‘You and I have been on opposite sides for a while, and I’ve made a lot of wrong choices. But I’m trying to make up for them, and …now I’m alone, and you’re alone. So I thought we could be alone together’ (p. 5).

‘You looked so hopeful that night. Your eyes were so wide and so blue when I talked to you.’ He smiled, looking pained and wistful. ‘The whole world belonged to you for a moment’ (p. 68).

I know this is terrible timing, but I can’t help it. I’m falling head over heels for Delilah. I feel so guilty, since our whole world is falling apart, but my heart doesn’t give a damn about time or place. All that matters is how we feel about each other (p. 104).

‘…you can’t save everyone. You can only do as much as you can, and then you need to move on’ (p. 116).

‘I came back for you because you’re my first thought in the morning. Because you push yourself to be better, and in the process, you push everyone else around you to be better. You make everything better.

‘You are far more courageous and stronger than anyone I’ve ever known,’ he continued. ‘And I never thought you’d ever want anything to do with me. I was certain I’d never be good enough for you.

‘But when we kissed for the first, under the lights of the aurora borealis, everything I’d ever felt about you was proven true,’ Ridley finished. ‘I came back for you because you’re all I ever wanted or needed, because I want to be with you always’ (p. 268).

‘Death is something that’s beyond even your control, white rabbit’ (p. 275).

‘I would stab you through the heart, but I don’t think you have one…’ (p. 393).

More quotes from the book can be found here.

As expected, the plot was interesting and unique, which kept me hooked throughout the series. It had various themes thrown in creatively to please readers of different genres. For example, there was a bit of romance, quite a bit of drama, and a lot of action. There were also a few plot twists, and many of them were unexpected. These particular twists were emotional, which kept the narrative intriguing.

There was a good amount of romance in this book, especially because Bryn and Ridley were reunited and spent much more time together. Throw in a little romantic tension from Konstantin and we have a juicy love triangle. In the beginning, the banter between Bryn and Konstantin had me giggling, as it was cheeky and little bit forbidden. There was always the question of whether Bryn would pick Ridley or Konstantin, which kept me interested. I preferred Bryn with Ridley, but the sensation of desire with Konstantin felt so right! That kiss towards the end was totally unexpected, but added a juicy twist to the romantic aspect of the plot, which I loved!

                                     

The interactions between Bryn and all of the other characters were really well done. In some books, these kinds of interactions might seem pointless, but it wasn’t the case in this book. Even Ember’s letters were significant because they provided us with an insight into what was happening in Doldastam – usually, I find letters to be tedious and irritating.

Everything ended really well, in terms of what happened to all of the characters (both primary and secondary). Because of this, I found no significant plot holes. I only have one question: what happened to Vita and Bloom? I could kind of answer these anyway – I assume that Vita was given to Ember’s mum, as she raises Gotland rabbits, and Bloom returned to the stables with the other Tralla horses. So I guess there really aren’t any questions that should’ve been answered.

My favourite character is still Bryn Aven, as she’s loyal, protective, hard-working, honest, and a badass. She was such a badass towards the end of the book, during the war, and I loved her character so much! I’m pretty upset that this series has come to an end because I’m really going to miss Bryn.

                     

I was so sad that certain characters had to die in this book, but I know that it was to keep the plot interesting. I was expecting a main character to die, but not two! It was so emotional! Gosh, I hated Astrid since her appearance in the first book! I’m beyond glad that Bryn got her revenge in this one!

My favourite parts of the book include anything with Bryn and Ridley, the masquerade ball, and Bryn’s fights with Astrid and Mina. As always, Bryn and Ridley were so adorable. It was even more dramatic after Ridley was held captive and tortured by Mina. He was really broken, which added some tension on their relationship. The masquerade ball sounded so beautiful, especially when Bryn and Ridley were dancing to orchestral versions of Bulletproof by La Roux and Love Me Again by John Newman. I played these songs while I read this scene, and it made everything perfect! As for the fights, both Astrid and Mina got what they deserved. Bryn was unrelenting, which made me love her even more!

                   

Recommendation time! If you like the Spellcaster trilogy by Claudia Gray, Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas, and the Untamed City series by Melissa Marr, you will love this book. Also, I recommend this book to anyone who likes The Family TV series, Shadowhunters, Vampire Academy, Divergent, and The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.

My reviews for Frostfire and Ice Kissed can be found by clicking on the titles.

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Ice Kissed - Amanda Hocking

Began reading: 29.11.2016
Completed reading: 7.12.2016
Overall rating: 4 stars

Could a secret destroy a kingdom?

Bryn Aven refuses to abandon her dream of serving her king as part of his elite guard. It's a dream that takes her to a whole new realm - the glittering palace of the Skojare tribe.

The Skojare are threatened by a hidden enemy, who also targeted her own Kanin community. So in a spirit of cooperation, Bryn is assigned to help protect them. Being half Skojare herself, she also hopes to discover her lost heritage. Her boss Ridley Dresden is overseeing the mission - but as their attraction heats up, their relationship is about to reach a whole new level.

Then as Bryn learns more about the Skojare, she stumbles upon a web of conspiracy. And the dark truths she uncovers will change her and both kingdoms forever, threatening everyone she loves.

Ice Kissed by Amanda Hocking is the second instalment of the Kanin Chronicles series. It is a fictional young adult novel that contains fantasy and romance. After reading the first book, I was really excited to get into this one and I wasn’t disappointed. I loved every bit of this book, and I’m beyond excited for the next novel. I just don’t want this series to end!

The book was well-written, with the exception of grammatical and spelling errors. After Frostfire, I wasn’t expecting errors but it’s ok. Hocking’s writing is descriptive and utilises a variety of literary techniques to add depth to the narrative. The plot was well-structured, and contained a few great quotes. These include:

…I never wanted to be forced to choose between love and duty. So it was best if I just avoided love altogether (p. 89).

‘I believe I would do my best to sway the King to the correct course of action and to protect the innocent. But in the end, I am nothing more than a sword at the end of the King’s arm. I do as he directs’ (p. 140).

‘…things are very bad when the only positive thing you can say is that you’re simply alive…’ (p. 171).

More quotes from the book can be found here.

As in Frostfire, I fell in love with the plot. It was really unique and interesting, especially because Bryn was given a mission. Although the mission was the primary focus of the narrative, there were other things going on which kept the plot moving forward and interesting. In Frostfire, Bryn was assigned with numerous missions; however, this wasn’t the case here. Still, I liked that Hocking added some humour and drama to keep the book appealing.

The amount of romance was almost perfect! I was really enjoying reading about the progress of Bryn and Ridley’s relationship, and I low-key fangirled when they took it to the next level. They are so perfect for each other! Tilda and Kasper’s relationship was also very adorable, so I wanted to sigh whenever they got a little lovey-dovey. The romance wasn’t fluffy, so I didn’t mind reading about them kissing and flirting. I can’t wait to see Bryn and Ridley’s love develop further in Crystal Kingdom!

The book was pretty emotional towards the end of the novel, and I almost cried. It was completely unexpected and I was left reeling. *WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILER* I feel so bad for Bryn and Tilda – I know that Tilda is going to be heartbroken, which makes me upset, but I hope that she doesn’t blame Bryn. I hope that I’ll be able to read about Tilda’s reaction to the news, as it would emphasise how much she cared for Kasper.

Some things, like who was responsible for trying to kill Mikko, were obvious and predictable. It bothered me that Bryn took a while to come to the same conclusion. I know that it adds suspense to the plot, but it just irritates me when it takes a while for a character to make the same realisation as you. I’m not very smart, but it didn’t take 20+ pages to realise who responsible for the attempt on Mikko’s life.

The ending of this book was rather abrupt, but it worked better this time around in comparison to Frostfire. There is a difference between an abrupt ending and finishing the story with a cliff-hanger. In the previous book, I would definitely say that the book had an abrupt ending. The conclusion for this book was different, as it set the context for the next book. Konstantin’s sudden appearance and what he says gives us a teaser into what to expect in the next book. This makes me eager to begin the next book, which is awesome.

My favourite character is still Bryn Aven, as she’s loyal, protective, hard-working, honest, and a badass. She’s a little slow when it comes to solving a mystery, but I can forgive her for that. Ridley is a notable figure, but I have added Tilda and Kasper to this list.

*WARNING: SPOILER* I knew that I shouldn’t have trusted Kennet, but I was suspicious of him from the beginning. When Bryn confronted Mikko, I thought that he would be involved but I was wrong. Kennet added drama to the plot – as well as interest, with his flirting – so I don’t hate him. It sucks that he’s gone now, but I wonder how Mikko and Linnea will react to this. Also, I don’t like Mina – what the heck is her problem?

My favourite parts of the book include anything with Bryn and Ridley, Bryn’s mission in Storvatten, and Tilda’s wedding. As in Frostfire, Bryn and Ridley are adorable together. Bryn’s mission in Storvatten was interesting, as she had a lot of interaction with Linnea and Kennet. Tilda’s wedding was very sweet, and a lot happened in the same day, which kept the plot interesting.

Recommendation time! If you like the Spellcaster trilogy by Claudia Gray, Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas, and the Untamed City series by Melissa Marr, you will love this book. Also, I recommend this book to anyone who likes The Family TV series, Shadowhunters, Vampire Academy, Divergent, and The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.

I will also be reviewing the rest of the Kanin Chronicles series, including Crystal Kingdom. Keep an eye out for that!

My review for Frostfire can be found by clicking on the title.

Happy reading!

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Frostfire - Amanda Hocking

Began reading: 24.11.2016
Completed reading: 28.11.2016
Overall rating: 5 stars

Will she give up her dream to follow her heart?

Bryn Aven is determined to gain status amongst the Kanin, the most powerful of the hidden tribes. But as a half-blood, winning respect is a huge challenge. Bryn's almost-human community distrusts people, and those from other tribes are almost as suspect.

She has just one goal to get ahead: to join the elite guard protecting the Kanin royal family. And Bryn's vowed that nothing will stand in her way, not even a forbidden romance with her boss, Ridley Dresden.

But her plans are put on hold when fallen hero Konstantin starts acting dangerously. Bryn loved him once, but now he's kidnapping Kanin children - stealing them from hidden placements within human families. She's sent to help stop him, but will she lose her heart in the process?

Frostfire by Amanda Hocking is a fictional young adult novel that contains fantasy and romance. I put this trilogy off for so long (almost a year!) and I regret it. This book was incredible and I can’t wait to continue the series!

The book was well-written, with no errors and good use of literary techniques. The plot was also well-structured, with the exception of the conclusion (I’ll get to that later). There were also a couple of great quotes throughout the book, including:

‘I love it when you talk clean to me, quoting training manuals like sonnets’ (p. 144).

‘Nothing good ever comes from falling in love’ (p. 240).

‘Before when we were talking, were you asking why her?’ The aurora above us reflected on his face, and his dark eyes were filled with heat. ‘Or were you asking why not you?’ (p. 256).

‘Run,’ he whispered. ‘Run, white rabbit, as fast and far as you can’ (p. 316).

More quotes from the book can be found here.

The plot was really interesting, especially with all of the situations and missions that Bryn had to experience. These different activities kept me interested, as each presented their own set of obstacles for Bryn to overcome. Many books that I have read focus on only one mission or task for the protagonist to conquer, which made the plot a little dull. This wasn’t the case with Frostfire, and I’m really pleased with the different missions that appeared in the book.

I really enjoyed Bryn’s interactions with the different secondary characters. At first, I thought that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with all of the characters that were introduced, but it got easier as the story progressed. I liked how Bryn interacted in different ways, depending on who she was talking to. It demonstrated that she was more than a two-dimensional character, and showed that she could be relatable.

On a related note, I loved reading about the romantic (sexual?) tension between Bryn and Ridley. Because of this low-key obsession, I internally squealed whenever they were together or when something adorable happened between the two of them. I’ve mentioned this in previous reviews, but I’m not a fan of too much fluff. Luckily, this book contained a decent amount of romance, and it was mature. I was expecting a lot more romance between these two, especially after what was mentioned in the blurb, but I didn’t think it was disappointing. I think Hocking did an awesome job on keeping romance as a minor theme in the book. I can’t wait to see how their relationship progresses in the next book!

                     

Now, let’s get on with what confused me about the book. Firstly, I thought that the title didn’t link with the story – ‘frostfire’ wasn’t even mentioned in the book, nor did anything resemble it. While I was reading, I was wondering if a character would develop a superpower called frostfire, but nothing happened. I didn’t really like that it left me confused.

As I mentioned in the beginning of the review, the plot was well-structured, except for the conclusion. I could see that the book was reaching its end, but I couldn’t believe that the end was really the end. I thought it was an abrupt ending, which left me a little puzzled.

                         

Don’t get me wrong, I thought it was a pretty good ending but I wasn’t expecting it to be so abrupt, leaving a few plot holes. I have a feeling that it will pick up pretty much where this book left off in Ice Kissed, so I’m not complaining too much.

My favourite character is Bryn Aven, as she’s loyal, protective, hard-working and honest. She’s also quite the badass:

His grip tightened on my arm as realisation dawned on him, and his eyes widened in surprise. ‘You’re the Chancellor’s daughter’.

‘Bryn Aven,’ I told him, still whispering in his ear. ‘Remember my name. Because I’m going to be the one that kills you.’ Then I kneed him in the crotch (p. 22).

       

Ridley is a notable character, because who wouldn’t like to be working alongside a really attractive, flirty man like him? He is fiercely protective of Bryn which is a bonus, so I’m really excited to see these two together in the next book!

I’m really unsure about Kenneth, Mikko and Konstantin. If I didn’t know any better, I’d suspect that these three are all in on what’s going on together. Maybe it was because the abrupt ending of the book left plot holes, but I honestly don’t know how I feel about them.

My favourite parts of the book included the prologue, the tracker missions, and anything with Bryn and Ridley. I really liked the prologue because it set the tone of the book, and provided a well-paced introduction into what to expect between Bryn and Konstantin. As I mentioned previously, the tracker missions varied and provided different challenges for Bryn to overcome, keeping the plot going. Bryn and Ridley are adorable, but their forbidden romance keeps it all in suspense, which is why I loved them together.

Recommendation time! If you like the Spellcaster trilogy by Claudia Gray, Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas, and the Untamed City series by Melissa Marr, you will love this book. Also, I recommend this book to anyone who likes The Family tv series, Shadowhunters, Vampire Academy, Divergent, and The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.

I will also be reviewing the rest of the Kanin Chronicles series, including Ice Kissed and Crystal Kingdom. Keep an eye out for those!

Happy reading!

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Movie Star by Lizzie Pepper - Hilary Liftin

Began reading: 2.11.2016
Completed reading: 24.11.2016
Overall rating: 3 stars

Actress Lizzie Pepper was America's Girl Next Door and her marriage to Hollywood mega-star Rob Mars was tabloid gold - a whirlwind romance and an elaborate celebrity-studded wedding landed them on the cover of every celebrity weekly. But fame, beauty and wealth weren't enough to keep their marriage together. Hollywood's 'It' couple are over - and now Lizzie is going to tell her side of the story.

Celebrity ghostwriter Hilary Liftin chronicles the tabloids' favourite marriage as Lizzie Pepper realises that, when the curtain falls, her romance isn't what she and everyone else thought. From her lonely holidays in sumptuous villas to her husband's deep commitment to a disconcertingly repressive mind-body group, Lizzie reveals a side of fame that her fans never get to see.

Movie Star by Lizzie Pepper by Hilary Liftin is a contemporary chick lit fiction novel. It took me a while to read, as I found the plot to be unrelatable. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed reading the drama, but it’s not easy to picture.

The book had grammatical errors, but was otherwise well-written. The situations and plot in general was very detailed, which made it easier to imagine. The appearance of characters, personalities and locations within the novel were described in great detail, which was a good thing. There were also some great quotes scattered through the book, including:

We are all human, complex and simple, great and small. This is a story about the choices that we each make every day, and how those choices make us who we are (p. xiii).

Diamonds hid their colours like secrets, ready to spill at the smallest provocation. They contain and reflect. They absorb their surroundings and throw them back, transformed (p. 40).

‘We’re artists, yet we get treated like the paint on someone else’s canvas’ (p. 121).

More quotes from the book can be found here.

Everyone loves a good plot twist, so when I came across the one involving Rob’s dialogue, I was instantly compelled to keep reading. It was a shock, and the way that Lizzie reacted (or didn’t react) made the plot even more interesting. Other plot twists, especially with Geoff and the Studio, also kept me on the edge of my seat. Without these juicy plot twists, I don’t think I would have finished the novel.

Speaking of the plot, it was unique and insightful. I found that it was very similar to the blurb of Amy Sohn’s The Actress, but you don’t come across books about celebrity marriages very often. The book provided a great deal of information about the life of a celebrity and religion. Furthermore, it was interesting to read about how the various characters developed and responded to the celebrity lifestyle and Lizzie’s involvement with the Studio. The only issue that I had with it was that it was unrelatable. I have had no experience with being a celebrity, nor have I been involved in a ‘cult-like’ religion, so I can’t really relate. Because of this, I had to relate to the feelings that arose from characters’ experiences.

                   

It was obvious that Liftin had done an extensive amount of research into celebrity life, and this was demonstrated through Lizzie’s character. Through Lizzie, we saw what it was like to be famous – dealing with paparazzi, constantly being watched – while juggling mother duties. I assume that it would have taken a lot of research to understand what is involved with having an acting career.

While I found the first three parts of the novel to be pleasant, the final part: ‘Daylight’ was the most fascinating. This part of the book was very suspenseful, as it provided details into how Lizzie broke away from her celebrity life and the Studio, while also showing how the other characters turned out.

There were no plot holes or questions left unanswered, which was really good. I thought that I would be left wondering what happened to Rob or Meg, but I’m glad that Liftin addresses them in the end.

                 

My favourite character was Lizzie Pepper, as she was courageous, a ‘dreamer’, realistic and down-to-earth. I felt a little connected to Lizzie, especially as we saw the world through her eyes. Meg was a notable character, as she remained a devoted friend to Lizzie through it all. Cap and Leo were so adorable, so they needed to be mentioned here.

As I mentioned previously, the plot twist with Rob was the most shocking, but I was surprised when I found that I had a similar experience as Lizzie with her dad. In the book, Doug Pepper confronted Lizzie’s teacher, wanting an explanation for her average performance. I had a similar experience in high school, when my dad demanded that I see my teachers, apologise for my average performance, and get them to sign off that they spoke to me. It was humiliating, but glad that I could relate to Lizzie in this way.

My favourite part was anything with Cap and Leo, as they were SO ADORABLE! Cap was the cutest, while Leo was the crazier one. I loved reading about their interactions, especially fighting over Lizzie’s phone. They were just so cute!

                                                   

Recommendation time! If you like Louisa Meets Bear: Linked Stories by Lisa Gornick, Daughters of Fortune by Tara Hyland, Friends and Rivals by Tilly Bagshawe, Searching For Grace Kelly by Michael Callahan, The Actress by Amy Sohn, and The Idea of Him: A Novel by Holly Peterson, you will love this book. Also, I recommend this book to anyone who likes Papillon, Grace of Monaco, and La Vie en Rose.

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The Black Key - Amy Ewing

Began reading: 27.10.2016
Completed reading: 1.11.2016
Overall rating: 4 stars

Fighting for freedom.

Torn between two loyalties.

Desperate to save her sister.

Violet and the Society of the Black Key are launching an attack on the royalty, and Violet has a crucial role to play. She must lead the surrogates as they infiltrate the Auction and change the Lone City forever.

But Violet's sister, Hazel, is imprisoned in the palace of the Lake. Should Violet abandon her cause and return to the Jewel in order to save her sister?

The Black Key by Amy Ewing is a young adult fiction novel with a combination of genres, such as dystopia, fantasy and romance. It is the third and final book in The Lone City trilogy. I recently purchased this book, and I couldn’t wait any longer to get into it. It was far better than The White Rose, but not as good as The Jewel. I’m sad that this series has come to an end.

Ewing’s writing remains exceptional – this book was well-structured and well-written. There were some great quotes scattered throughout the novel, including:

‘…we all have people we’re willing to sacrifice for’ (p. 48).

I am not a mere surrogate, bought and leashed and paraded around anymore. In the end, the royalty will know that.

And they will fear me (p. 146).

These people are the air I breathe and the blood I bleed. They are my courage. I will not let them down (p. 249).

‘Jealousy is a petty emotion. It pollutes the mind. I makes you rash’ (p. 270).

I have always loved sunrises. There is something hopeful about them (p. 295). This quote is similar to one from The Jewel, which was interesting.

‘Well, there isn’t a House of the Lake anymore. So I’m no one, really.’

‘Don’t ever let me hear you say that again,’ Raven snaps. ‘After all you’ve given up. After everything you’ve done’ (p. 297).

I look at my friends and think about who we all once were, and how far we have come (p. 299).

The plot was interesting, as it was a return to the city we knew from The Jewel. Violet returns to the city as a lady-in-waiting for the House of the Lake, which makes the plot instantly more intense. Will she get caught? There were also a few plot twists here and there, which kept things exciting and unpredictable. I mean, where did Carnelian come from?!

                        

There was a decent amount of romance – not a lot, but enough to make me sigh. I would have liked to see more romance between Raven and Garnet because I ship it! But oh wells. I surprised myself when I found I was sympathising with Carnelian. In The Jewel, I loved to hate on her but I see that the poor girl was just misunderstood. I was hoping that she would find someone by the end of the trilogy, but I’m glad a character remained single, happy and independent.

Another positive from the book was being able to reflect on character development. Quite a few of the characters had developed throughout the series, which was great to see. Going back to Carnelian, she began as a spiteful girl, obedient to her aunt. In this book, we were able to get a sense of how she portrayed in the beginning – through Violet’s eyes – and how she was misunderstood. Another example was Ash – going from an obedient companion to someone who wanted to fight for the Society of the Black Key. Knowing that this trilogy has ended, I feel so proud of the characters and how they have developed.

                     

The character interactions in the novel were stellar! My favourite was the argument that Carnelian and Coral had on the train. In particular, this:

‘You’re a joke, Coral.’

‘At least I’m pretty and happy.’ She responds with a shrug. ‘Maybe if you tried smiling more, someone in this circle will want to marry you’ (p. 176).

The way that Violet, Raven and Lucien spoke to each other – encouraging – made me feel good inside. I just love the way the characters interacted with each other. The conversations emphasised their differences and similarities, which was great.

The only thing that I didn’t really like was that the plot left me with questions. Of course, a bit of mystery is always good but I would have loved to have my questions either answered or hinted at an answer. My questions are: what happened to Larimar and the Count of the Rose? Was Cora angry with Violet, even though she got what she wanted? Also, did Raven and Garnet end up together? Gosh, I really want the answer to that last question, but I suppose Ewing suggested at their relationship.

My favourite character is still Violet Lasting, as she was determined, courageous, compassionate, sweet, charming and talented. She still puts everyone’s needs before her own, and I find that very admirable. Raven is still my second favourite character. She was fierce, and such a badass:

The Countess stumbles back toward the broken window. ‘I am not afraid of you.’

‘’Yes, you are,’ Raven says, her voice as deadly as a snake’s hiss. ‘And you should be’ (p. 263).

As I said, Carnelian was misunderstood until halfway through this novel. I’m still a little unsure about how I feel about her, but I suppose she isn’t evil so that’s something. A particular plot twist left me reeling. Why did this character have to die? They were so sweet and innocent.

                  

My favourite part was when Violet was undercover as a lady-in-waiting. It was a bit of espionage, which made everything suspenseful. I loved it! She risked everything to be there for her sister, demonstrating pure love. I really loved getting to know Coral too, and being about to see the Duchess again. But Violet also risked being discovered whenever she was with Garnet, so it was intense.

Recommendation time! If you like The Handmaiden’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead, and The Sin Eater’s Daughter by Melinda Salisbury, you will love this book. Also, I recommend this book to anyone who likes the Luxe series by Anna Godberson, Everlife series by Gena Showalter, and Ruined by Amy Tintera.

My review for The Jewel and The White Rose can be found by clicking on the titles.

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