Booked Up!

In My Mailbox #2

2012-02-29T11:21:00.000-08:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren . It's a great meme for book bloggers like myself to share the books they have recieved or read recently. Here is my 2nd IMM, for February:

If I Die By Rachel Vincent: A book recieved for review from Midas PR. A must-read in the Soul Screamers books! In number 5 from the series, main character, Kaylee, has just discovered herself on the Reaper's List, and has less than a week to live. Is she going to find a way to survive, or is this really the end? Can't wait to read some more from this author. You can see my review for this novel here!

Toxic Treacle By Echo Freer: Another wonderful novel recieved for review from Midas PR. This is a book set in a different time, where society has totally changed. But has it changed for the best? Some people disagree, and are taking a stand. Check out my Toxic Treacle review right here!

Chocolate S.O.S By Sue Limb: I gratefully recieved this hilarious book from Chicklish. I am so glad I did, as this was such a fun read. Jess and Fred have actually split up, and Jess is the one who decided to end their relationship. But if Jess broke up with him it, why is she the one who appears to be suffering the most? Must add a big thanks to Chicklish for sending me a gorgeous postcard and some stickers in the post with this novel. A lovely surprise! My Chocolate S.O.S review can be seen here.

Someone Else's Life By Katie Dale: This was probably my favourite book that I have read this month. New YA author, Katie Dale, has wrote a wonderful, heartwarming tale of a young girl who's just lost her beloved mother to Huntington's Disease. Except, when she finds out a shocking truth about her family, Rosie discovers her whole life has been full of lies and deciet. . . Booked Up! 's review for this can be read here.

Siren By Tricia Rayburn: Manged to borrow this book from a friend. Siren is a tale about, well. . . Sirens. Men have been disappearing and then turning up dead on the beach, grinning ear from ear. It's up to our main character, Vanessa, to find and stop whatever is killing these sailors. Personally, this wasn't for me and I gave up halfway through, but you might enjoy it. I have to love the cover with the sparkling eyes, though!

Wings By Aprilynne Pike: Another book borrowed from another book-loving friend! Wings is a book about an average fifteen year old girl who discovers something strange happening to her. Could it be true she is a fairy as a lot of people seem to believe? But how could that be true - fairy's don't even exist. Do they. . . ? I sort of grew out of the Fairy stage when I was younger, but after my friend promised me it was brilliant, I figured I might as well try it. I can't wait to see how it is!

Well, that's my 2nd IMM for this month. How about you?!

Happy reading,

Someone Else's Live By Katie Dale Review

2012-02-26T13:06:00.000-08:00

When Rosie Kenning's mother, Trudie, dies from Huntington's disease, her whole world falls apart. Not only does Rosie desperately miss her mum, but now she has to face the fact that she could of inherited the fatal illness herself. Until she discovers that Trudie wasn't her biological mother at all. . . Rosie is stunned. Can this be true? Is she grieving for a mother who wasn't even hers to lose? And if Trudie wasn't her mother, who is?

But as Rosie delves into her past to discover who she really is, she is faced with a heart-breaking dilemma - to continue living a lie, or to reveal a truth that will shatter the lives of everyone around her. . .

For seventeen year old Rosie Kenning, losing her mother to Huntington's disease was hard enough. Worrying all your life that you might have got Huntington's too made things worse. But then to find out that your whole life had been full of lies and deceit hits her hard. So hard that she hasn't got any idea who she even is anymore. Then she realises, who is her real mother? Who is her real family? Rosie begins her own adventure to find out who she really is, and where she belongs in this world.

I had been seeing this book cover practically everywhere for a long time now, and thought "Hey, I really ought to give it a try." and am now so happy I did. When I bought this, I realised it's almost 500 pages long, and was looking forward to this long read about a girl who has to suffer from the pain of losing her mother.

Then the shock of finding out that the person she loved the most wasn't even related to her. I was just hoping that Katie Dale managed to write this plot in a way that really showed emotion and made her readers feel for Rosie. And oh, she did just that!

As soon as I got through the first chapter, I was engrossed in this novel. This was literally one of those "Couldn't put it down!" books, and I only ever did put it down because I was too tired to read anymore. But straightaway when I woke up, I got excited about delving right back in.

Most of this is told from Rosie's perspective, but all of the other characters personalities shine through every page as well. I loved Rosie, with her fresh, vibrant, opinionated persona. And although Trudie wasn't around anymore, I felt as if I knew her and loved her just as much.

Surprisingly, half way through, Someone Else's Life is told from two different people's points of view. To be honest, I never really connected with Holly. This was probably because I was just captivated by Rosie's parts that I couldn't stand for them to end and Holly's to begin. But I suppose that's not neccersarily a negative thing, and it just proves how amazing Rosie's character was.

One more thing that made this so brilliant was how it kept tricking me. I honestly thought I had sussed some things out, and then it is revealed I was more than a little bit wrong! But that's just one of the many clever techniques that were used to keep you on your toes.

Before this, I had never read a book that focuses on an illness. I had heard of Huntington's disease once or twice but never looked into what it actually was. After reading Someone Else's Life, I have become very interested in it. This novel was so informative about it, and Dale wrote about it with the painful truth of just how sad it all is. My eyes were opened, and my heartstrings tugged. When a book makes you cry, you just know it is something you should keep treasured on your bookshelf forever.

This could of ended in so many different ways. And the way Dale chose was unpredictable and genius. Overall, a great ending to a great book.

I only wished that it didn't stop at 478 pages and carried on. It had romance, action and adventure all mixed into reality. Pretty much everyone would love this, and probably most would get tearful like I did. It deserves a 5/5 from Booked Up! I can't wait to see what else Katie Dale has in store for us.

Published: 2nd February 2012

Publishers: Simon and Schuster

Toxic Treacle By Echo Freer Review

2012-02-22T09:56:00.000-08:00

     Monkey is 15: a pre-breeder. He lives in a world where there are no parents: only female nuturers and male breeders. And soon he'll become a breeder himself. He'll graduate to the male zones at the other side of town for a life of partying and playing sport, leaving Angel, the girl of his dreams. She's destined for a life of child rearing and nutrutring.
     This is a world of the future: a world of oppression, a world run on the strict rules of the toxic T.R.E.A.C.L.E. regime - Training and Resources for Educating Adolescent Children in a Loving Environment.
     But T.R.E.A.C.L.E. is not as it seems: people are disappearing, including Monkey's best mate, Tragic. And, when Monkey and Angel set out to find him, they don't realise it's a journey that could get them killed . . .

     Toxic Treacle is a novel that introduces us to a different world in a later time. A world full of single mothers and men that aren't allowed to be involved in their children's upbringing. Except some men are not content with this sort of life, and when people make a stand, things can only get more and more dangerous.
     When I read the blurb for this book, I was pretty intrigued. It seemed like a unique plot, one that I'd never encountered before, and I was looking forward to reading it. It was quite hard to get into this novel straight away, but got better and better as I read on.
     Echo had grasped todays teen rivalry spot on, and explained it all perfectly. She described brotherhood rivalry so well, and it really related to teens now. To be honest, I didn't even feel that it was all entirely different from today; 14 and 15 year olds going around carrying knives, guns and other weapons, different groups in different areas hating one another for no reason other than where they lived, kids injuring and even murdering members from an opposite hood, and not even thinking twice about it. Like Echo explained in this book, it needs to change. I just have to add how Echo's new made up swear words that the groups used in this novel, such as "Shiltz" and "Fegg" had me laughing.
     I'd gotten quite attached to Monkey and thought he was a worthy hero, always thinking of the people he loved in his life and trying to protect them. I found I admired him for the way he stood up for everyone and wouldn't be put down. I also felt so sorry for him at times when he was betrayed, abandoned and utterly alone. Yet still, he pushed on with courage and determination. At first I also liked Tragic, but found I started to dislike him because of the way he starts to treat Monkey in the middle of the story.
     When she was first introduced, I wasn't too keen on Angel, and found her rather annoying and not a huge role in the book, but near the end of this novel I found I had actually grown on her quite a lot. I just wished that in the middle of this novel she expressed her feelings for Monkey a bit more and was a stronger character. Still, by the end, I thought their relationship was lovely, and Monkey's clear feelings for her were actually very sweet and heartwarming.
     I did notice quite a few misplaced commas in the writing, but that's not a big problem, just maybe something that could of been corrected before being printed.
     Toxic Treacle would be a great read for both boys and girls (13-15), maybe some may actually learn something from this. I'm not really sure that this was totally for me, and probably not something I would pick up in a book shop, but I know I will be looking out for more of Echo's debut novels. I think it deserves a 3.5/5. But who knows, you may enjoy it more than I did, and it might suit others better. Big fan of the graffiti title on the front cover, by the way!
     A big "Thank-you very much!" to Felicity at Midas PR, for sending me my wonderful copy!

Published: 22nd March 2012 (Not officially published, yet, I'm afraid)

Publishers: Golden Guides Press Ltd

If I Die By Rachel Vincent Review

2012-02-18T10:02:00.001-08:00

     Kaylee can see death coming. Now she must face her own. As a teen banshee, Kaylee's blood-curdling screams are a death knell for others. Yet she never expected to see her own name at the top of the reaper's list.
     Scheduled to die within days, Kaylee knows her magic can't change her fate. Worse, on top of worrying about her own demise, she needs to save mortal best friend Emma from the clutches of a deadly Netherworld creature.
     As Kaylee's time on earth slips away, troubled banshee boyfriend Nash and his reaper brother Tod refuse to give up on Kaylee. They're ready to unearth murky family secrets to give her a last chance at life, as their fight to save Kaylee becomes a battle for her love.

     I had never heard of the Soul Screamer series before recently, and all I can say is how much I wish I had found out that Rachel Vincent was writing them earlier. I can't say I am a huge fan of Twilight, and don't normally pick up a book with this kind of genre, but there's a first for everything!
     At first, I found it hard to get into. I mean, seeing as I haven't read any of the first four novels in this series, there were a lot of strange creature names that I didn't understand. At the beginning of the book this was very confusing, but Vincent did well to explain to her readers (whether they had forgotten, or read from book 5 like I did) what all of these words meant. So this issue was quicky solved, and I was able to carry on understanding what I was reading.
     Main character, Kaylee, was just brilliant. She wasn't a whiny, weak teenage girl dependent on the men in her life. This girl had the courage to kick some butt, which I admired. Teenage mara, Sabine, was even better with great qualities like feistiness, sassiness and independence. So a big cheer for our female characters!
     The love triangle between Kaylee, Nash and Tod was written so well, and captivated me. Will she stay with Nash? Will she fall for Tod? I kept asking myself. I really loved not knowing, and nothing in this book was predictable.
     Don't even get me started on the ending, which was pure gold. I won't let out any spoilers in this review, but I will say it made your heart ache, and had me close to tears. I couldn't think of a better way to of ended If I Die.
     Basically, I love the whole idea of this series. The dangerous creatures, the opposite and very evil Netherland world, the unique plots and more. The way Kaylee accepts her soon death may be unrealistic to some. But to me, she just accepted it with admirable maturity. If I was in the same position, I know I would react a lot worse, whereas she just accepts her fate in a dignified and adult fashion. I also loved the way this story had a lot of mystery weaved in, and how all the pieces of the puzzle slowly slotted together as it progressed.
     Now I love Kaylee and her friends and family so much, that I really want to read more about them. But I am stuck as whether to start from the beginning at book one, or wait for book six to come out and devour that. So, if you decide to start reading the Soul Screamers books, be sure to start from the beginning, unlike me.
     Mainly girls aged 13 - 15 would be who I would recommend this novel to. Even if you are, like me, not overly keen with the whole Supernatural Creatures books, I still think this book would have a good chance of changing your mind! I think it deserves 5/5 from Booked Up! Trust me, if you start to read this series, you're in for a fun ride.
     Many thanks must go to Lucy at Midas PR for sending me this copy.

Published: 2012

Publishers: Mira Ink

Beads, Boys and Bangles By Sophia Bennett Review

2012-02-16T06:58:00.000-08:00

Crow is in designer heaven; Nonie's caught the eye of a gorgeous boy; Jenny has a new play. But poor Edie's in trouble. . . it's rumoured that slave children in India have been making their high-street collection. It's up to the girls to save their fashion dream.

In the second installment in the Threads trilogy, things are going downhill for the girls. All Edie's ever wanted is to try and save the world, and yet now she's the one being accused to be getting children to make her "Cheap Clothes Cost Lives" tee-shirts. Even worse; the impossible has actually happened! Crow, with her fashion-filled brain, is not impressing Miss Teen with the new designs she's created. Can Nonie save the day? She can't count of Jenny for any help, now that all she wants to talk about is her new play that was written specially for her. Is this the end of the line for Edie, Crow and Nonie?

After the Threads debut was such a fantastic read, I was dying to read Beads, Boys and Bangles. If anything, this novel was even better than the first. After Threads I thought that nothing could be more heart wrenching, but I was proven wrong. Beads, Boys & Bangles was so full of depth near the end, and once again Sophia Bennett reduced me to tears. The characters continued to be true to themselves, the plot was totally unexpected and incredibly different from Threads, and I really enjoyed the ride.

The dating scenes between Nonie and hot ballet dancer, Alexander, were hilarious. And disgusting. Disgustingly hilarious. Cringeworthy, even.

Nonie continued to be a brilliant, eccentric, witty narrator, and once again I was full of empathy for poor Edie. It is also crystal clear how much Crow has grown up, but I still loved the moments when she was shy and leaned on her friends for comfort. It just proved what a beautiful friendship our characters have. Although I was let down a bit by Jenny, and don't think she is anywhere near as wonderful as the rest of the girls.

The new characters really enhance the story, especially the little street children in Mumbai. I have to mention Hot Phil from No Kidding, too, who seems to be e-mailing Edie for reasons other than to talk about ethical clothing. Oo lala.

I appreciated how Sophia moved away from the original location of London for a lot of this book. And loved how so much of this was set in India. Bennett had the ability to describe it so beautifully, I could just picture every moment. The Taj Mahal, the colourful bead shops, the tiny children playing cricket in the mud. So bravo to the author!

Like Threads, I continue to think that these covers are gorgeous, and really draw in the targeted audience. I recommend this to girls aged 12 - 15, whether or not you are bothered about fashion. Hopefully, like me, other teenage girls will learn something from this book about child labour, and taking things for granted.

If you loved Threads like I did, I promise you the sequel only gets better. Booked Up! gives it a 6/5, and don't tell me I can't do that! Hehe!

Published: 2010

Publishers: Chicken House

Extra Extra! : Jess Jordan's Blog

2012-02-15T09:56:00.000-08:00

Hi book lovers,

If you are crazy for the wonderful Jess Jordan series by Sue Limb, you can visit her fictional blog. Check out her special Valentine's Day post! Just click here.

You can also check out my latest Jess Jordan novel review here.

A late Happy Valentine's Day to you all!

Threads By Sophia Bennett Review

2012-02-13T06:31:00.000-08:00

Nonie's passion is fashion. Edie plans to save the world. Jenny has a part in a Hollywood movie. But when the refugee girl called Crow, wearing a pair of pink fairy wings and sketching a dress, they get the chance to do something truly wonderful - and make all their dreams come true.

Threads is all about three best friends, all with their own beliefs and dreams for the future. Then, completely by chance, they meet a young girl, Crow, who hasn't been so lucky as they have in life. All she is sure of is how much she thrives on fashion. Nonie and her have something in common, and Edie wants to help out Crow and others back in this refugee's home country all she can. So, if they all work together, with a lot of friendship, hard work and one big fashion show, they might be able to achieve just that.

When Threads first came out in all the clothes stores, I didn't think it would be something for me. So, when the sales lady at New Look asked me if I wanted to purchase a copy with my clothes, I read the blurb, saw it was to do with fashion, and declined. How could I have been so stupid? I finally get what all the buzz was about.

To be honest, I haven't got a single criticism for this book. The story was fresh and flawless. It has opened my eyes to many of the horrors going on in less fortunate areas in the world. I'm so glad I read it.

Sophia Bennett has created some unique characters. First, you have the narrator, Nonie. She's witty, sarcastic and relates to teenage girls. She wants to stand out from the crowd and is all into fashion. I would love to know her and see her bizarre new outfits each day. Then there's Edie, a blogging, tree - hugging, world saving, chess playing teen. She was probably my favourite character in this novel, and I love her strong opinion on everything. Finally there was poor, awkward Jenny, who you couldn't help but feel sorry for. She's just been starring in a popular Hollywood movie, except it seems she was the worst actress. We've all read harsh magazines that slag off celebrities and their dress sense, weight etc. It's hard to imagine the person being slagged off also being your best mate.

Basically, Sophia got the characters bang on, and I am not at all surprised this series is such a popular trilogy.

Obviously, with Threads being all about fashion and style, and me knowing nothing about it, it was full of fashion vocab that I couldn't understand at all, but that wasn't too bad as I would just sit and Google anything I wanted to find out about. I actually learnt quite a lot!

As well as the main plot, the little details weaved in were, in my opinion, what made this such a great novel. The constant references to real fashion designers, hip clothes stores, meeting celebs that us real girls would love to see in the flesh . . . It was all just so brilliant! I really, really want to go to London sometime to see all of the exciting places Nonie and her friends went.

This book had me actually laughing out loud reading about Jenny's red carpet horror moments, crying at Crow's sad story of her old life, and smiling at the strange but heartwarming friendships.

Threads is a trilogy, and all three of the novels are out now. I can't wait to read them all! Teenage girls are bound to love this book, I pretty much promise you. Threads gets a 5/5 from me, how could I give it any less? If you haven't already, pick up a copy A.S.A.P!

Published: 2009

Publishers: Chicken House

Chocolate S.O.S By Sue Limb Review

2012-02-10T12:20:00.000-08:00

     Jess has dumped Fred. Well, he was being so annoying and spineless! And then a totally gorgeous boy moves in next door - and life really starts to sparkle. But is life without Fred quite as fun? Jess is not sure. But she means to find out!

     Despite Jess being the one who broke up with Fred, she is really just praying for him to knock on her door and beg for her to take him back. Except why hasn't he? Meanwhile, good-looking Luke has just become her new next door neighbour, and straight from the start makes it crystal clear that he wants to be closer than the other side of the wall. But Jess just can't decide whether she is flattered or horrified by this. Although surely, with Jess being swooned by this gorgeous boy, Fred will finally take the initiative and win Jess back. At least, that's what Jess was hoping . . .

     I had never read a novel from Sue Limb before, and was worried that I wouldn't be able to read Chocolate S.O.S without having read the previous books in the Jess Jordan series first. Fortunately for me, that wasn't the case. I enjoyed this book and although it wasn't quite as hilarious as I'd anticipated, there were several occasions that had me laughing out loud, as promised on the front cover!
     Jess Jordan was exactly as a typical teen who's just suffered from heart break is supposed to be. I could sympathise her situation, and understand how confused she must be feeling when (whilst on the rebound), a handsome boy from next door is trying to make them an item.

This book has the same light hearted humour with a bit of seriousness as the Georgia Nicolson series. I loved those and I loved this. The far - fetched but funny situations Jess managed to land herself in made me cry with laughter! It says on the back cover that pages 143 - 144 would make you laugh out loud, but I promise you, Chapter 8 included the funniest phone call I have ever read.

I'm definitely going to try and get my hands on some more novels from Sue Limb, even if it means I have to read the Jess Jordan series backwards! The latest from Sue is Party Disaster, which I am eagerly waiting to devour.

Although, what I didn't particularly enjoy about this novel was how self-centred and snooty best friend Flora seemed to be, and I would love if Jess and Fred could become a couple again. They are just so perfect for each other. So let's just hope that Party Disaster includes a reconciliation. . .

Anyway, if you are a teenage girl like me who loves YA with a bit of humour injected in, you're going to need to read this. I can't wait to read some more from Jess Jordan. Chocolate S.O.S gets a 4/5 from Booked Up! I just didn't find it quite as funny as I'd hoped, but still, a must read. Sue Limb should of won an award for this masterpiece. She handles writing about growing up so brilliantly, and the comedy is a very welcome bonus!

A big thanks to Luisa at Chicklish for sending me my copy. Much appreciated.

Jessica x

Published: 2012
Publishers: Bloomsbury

Runaway By Meg Cabot Review

2012-02-06T09:39:00.000-08:00

     Fame costs. And Em Watts is paying someone else's bill. First Em woke up in body of gorgeous teen-supermodel Nikki Howard. Then she found out that man magnet Nikki had some very dangerous secrets. Now she's on the run - from evil megalomaniac Robert Stark, his sexy son, and just maybe from the real Nikki Howard herself. But it's hard to disappear when your face is on billboards everywhere. And the one person who could help is in love with who you used to be. . .

     Runaway is the third and final novel in the Airhead trilogy. In Runaway, Em is on the run; from her friends, her family, her career and herself. Except when Em finds out the devastating truth, she has to accept that she can't do it all alone, and has to let the one person who really loves her in. But is it OK for Em to include Christopher, the person that makes her heart go crazy whenever he walks into the room, in this whole sick mess? Especially when she knows there's a high risk that she could be murdered, except not to wake up in another body again. . .

   I had mixed feelings for this one, and I found it let me down a little bit. Only at parts though, as the beginning was great. I loved how Cabot displayed Em's distress at bit held captive by her own "boyfriend". I especially enjoyed the different attempts Em's friends and family made trying to rescue her. Lulu and Frida turned out to be quite a funny duo! Plus, the many explosions were quite hilarious.
     However, the characters and the relationships were a bit of a let down for me in this final book. It was as if Meg couldn't decide if she wanted Brandon to be evil and cunning or stupid and dopey. Also, the relationship between Christopher and Em was such a shame. It was because, in my opinion, when the two finally kissed for the first time it was special and a big "Oh My God!" moment. Whereas during the middle of the book, they became one of those incredibly annoying "on again off again" couples. All the magical moments just slipped away, and I was left feeling really disappointed, upset even! Also, Em treated him terribly, so terribly that I just wanted to slap some sense into her and say "You're supposed to love this guy - what the heck are you doing?!"
     The ending also went downhill. Near the final chapters I felt like the novel had gone from being a freaky chick lit with a bit of humour weaved in, to a dark and quite creepy paranormal. Robert Stark's big secret was actually pretty disgusting!
     I also felt as if there wasn't actually much to the book itself, and was just filled up with Em going on and on about her crappy love life. I also felt that at EVERY opportunity Em said something like "It was so embarrassing, I could nearly DIE. If I wasn't already dead, that is." And that was fine at first, but after three novels of that same sort of line again and again it just got tedious.
     Maybe it was just because the first two books in this series were just so utterly brilliant that my expectations for this book were just too high. But Meg didn't really live up to the past two books in this series.
     On the other hand, there was a lot of suspense and mystery with "Project Phoenix", another evil plot created by Robert Stark. Also, the way Cabot handled the real Nikki Howard coming back into the picture was done really well. Something I noticed at the very end was that pretty much all of the characters had paired up into couples, which was lovely. I especially liked who Frida found to be her sweetheart. . .
     The idea of this trilogy will continue to be ingenious in my eyes. I just wish that the third book had stayed as fantastic as the others. I still recommend this to anyone that enjoyed Airhead and Being Nikki. I just don't think this was anywhere near as original and fun as Airhead and Being Nikki, sadly.
     Unlike the others, I would have to give this book a 3.5/5, for just the lack of excitement, hilarity, and brilliant characters that Meg Cabot has been proven to provide before. But, hey, this is just one girls opinion. Don't let me put you off buying it - it's was still enjoyable!

     Jessica x

Published: 2010
Publishers: Macmillan Children's Books

Being Nikki By Meg Cabot Review

2012-02-04T09:35:00.000-08:00

     I am Nikki Howard now. Em Watts is dead. . . Teen supermodel Nikki Howard has a secret. She's not the gorgeous golden airhead she seems - on the inside she's someone else. Literally. Em Watts is stuck in the body of glamazon celebutante Nikki. And it's not easy. Especially when Nikki's past is about to catch up with her, her boss is spying on her, and Em's heart wants one thing but her lips keep kissing someone else . . .

     Em is finally starting to accept her new body, but when a relative from the real Nikki's past turns up, this just adds to Em's stress level! Then she finds out the evil billionaire Robert Stark, who also happens to be her employer, has bugged her apartment. Oh, and her love life is still in shambles. Being a supermodel may have it's positive bits, but it also has it's not-so-good parts. And in Em's case, she seems to have more of those than ever right now. . .

     After reading the first novel in this series from Cabot and thouroughly enjoying it, I had high hopes for the second book. Was I disappointed? Not at all! This was just as good as the first, if not better. This novel was 301 pages packed full of humour, craziness and mystery!
     I absoloutley loved the beginning of this novel, much better than the beginning for the first. You were straight into her life, and it was easy to get into. The first few pages impressed me a lot, and to me, the first part of a book is normally the most vital. So this beginning ticked all the boxes for me, and after that I was captivated.
     As always, the characters were brilliant. Lulu continues to be my favourite, with Nikki's big brother Steven coming a close second. Frida, Nikki's kid sister, was a typical, fourteen year old brat and was completely realistic. I loved the sibling rivalry between the two, and their relationship added a lot to the story.
     The idea of this book is fantastic, with Nikki's brother coming out of the blue, and her mother mysteriously vanished. It was about time Nikki's past came up in the story, so I am very glad we get to find out more about it. Also, I really found reading about a supermodels life really fun! As I said in my previous review of Airhead, I really wanted to read more about a model's busy schedule, and I did - so hooray!
     I did, however, find the ending a bit confusing and hard to keep up with. To be honest I felt as bright as Lulu (who isn't very bright at all!) when I was trying to understand it all. It also got quite tedious and dragged on - a bit like the hospital scene is Airhead. On the other hand, the ending also left you on a complete cliffhanger, which really left me desperately needing to know what happens next.
     I was very happy that I went and purchased the sequel, I have already started reading the third and final novel (Runaway) just a little while after finishing this one.
     So, if you enjoyed Airhead as much as I did, I definitely recommend the sequel to you. Girls around 12 - 15 would probably appreciate and enjoy this book the most. I'm just loving this series - if only I had discovered it sooner. I would award this novel a 4.5/5 stars.

     Jessica x

Published: 2010
Publishers: Macmillan Children's Books

Chris Higgins Interview

2012-02-01T12:50:00.000-08:00

Hello, everybody. Today I was very happy when I got to snag an interview with the lovely, well known author, Chris Higgins. She is the author of some great novels, such as 32C, That's Me and It's A 50/50 Thing as well as many more that I am sure you have heard of! Hope you enjoy the interview!

1: Hi Chris, could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Chris: I write for teenagers, not surprising because I was one once and I taught them for years and I had 4 of them myself. Writing is much easier than teaching. I live in Cornwall which is the best place in the world.

2: What was the first book you got published?

Chris: "32C, That's Me."

3: Is there anything you don't like so much about being an author?

Chris: I love writing. I love talking about my books. I love meeting my fans. I love doing interviews like this. What is there not to like?

4: Can you give us any advice for anyone who dreams of being an author like you?

Chris: Just get on and do it. I always dreamed of being a writer but I was too busy bringing up 4 kids and working full-time to get around to it so I waited till I was REALLY OLD when I thought I had more time. But now I know it's possible to write and have a life too.

5: Do you prefer the latest covers for your novels, or the old, sparkly ones?

Chris: The latest ones. I'm not really a sparkly person. (That makes me sound really boring!) Plus I was afraid they were putting boys off.

6: Are any of the characters based on anyone you know? Even yourself, maybe?

Chris: There are bits of me in lots of characters eg, the mum in "32C", Spider in "Pride and Penalties". I draw on my daughters a lot much to their embarresment eg they were all gymnasts so "A Perfect Ten" was quite easy for me to write. My youngest, Lucy, calls herself Jess after the main character in "32C" because she thinks I based the character on her. But I didn't.

7: A lot of your novels involve sport, such as rugby, gymnastics and skating. Is this because you enjoy sport yourself?

Chris: Yes, I love sport. I'm not that good at it but I'm very enthusiastic. I love swimming and cycling and running, though I've damaged my foot so I can't do that anymore, and can even be seen occasionaly on my inline skates! I love watching international rugby too and always support Wales because that's where I come from originally.

Quick - Fire Questions:

1.) Jem from "It's A 50/50 Thing" or Sam from "Would You Rather?" ?

Chris: Jem. I wrote about him again in "He's After Me".

2.) Favourite singer/band?

Chris: Enya. (Big groan from my whole family!)

3.) Favourite childhood novel?

Chris: Anything by Enid Blyton.

4.) Your latest book?

Chris: There are three new ones out this year! I've been very busy. They are:
"My Funny Family" (New series for 8 year olds)
"The Secrets Club" (New series for 9/10/11/12 year olds)
And an as yet untitled, brand new Young Adult book which I finished yesterday! If anyone has any ideas for the title go on my Facebook Author Page - "Chris Higgins - Author" and let me know!

5.) In three words, describe your books.

Chris: Three words to describe my books? Um . . . realistic. Page turning. Unputdownable. Do you agree?

Thank you very, very much Chris for that wonderful long interview!

If you want to find out more about Chris and her brilliant books, visit her Official Website by clicking here. Or you could visit her on Facebook at her Facebook page!

Jessica x

In My Mailbox #1

2012-01-29T05:04:00.000-08:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren . It's a great meme for book bloggers like myself to share the books they have recieved or read recently. I am doing my IMM once a month. Here is my first ever In My Mailbox :

Airhead By Meg Cabot A novel about love and relationships, major changes, and a very bizarre accident. I got Airhead as a Christmas present, and have only just read it a few days ago. It was a great novel, and you can see above that I have gone and bought the next two novels in that series. You can check out my review for Airhead here.

Being Nikki By Meg Cabot I ordered this novel from the lovely Waterstones website! I'm currently reading the second in the trilogy now. Fingers crossed that the sequel will be just as good as the first! This book shows how Em has to continue living her life as somebody else, and it turns out that Nikki's life wasn't as brilliant as Em thought, especially when an outraged family member of Nikki's turns up out of the blue. Oooo!

Runaway By Meg Cabot The final installment in the Airhead Trilogy. Also ordered of the Waterstones website. I'm really excited to read the 3rd novel when I finish the 2nd. How will Em's/Nikki's life turn out in the end? Will Cabot be able to round off this series will skill and let the readers be satisfied with the ending? I'm going to find out!

Sequins, Stars and Spotlights By Sophia Bennett Sophia Bennett appeared with her amazing series, Threads, a few years ago. Sequins, Stars and Spotlights is the final novel in the series of 3. The Threads series is all about fashion, fame and saving the world! A book that teenage girls interested in style and helping the environment will adore. I recieved this book for Christmas - I was overjoyed!

The Nuts of Nook Forest By Suzanne Andrisson A novel that I was very lucky to read, as it was published 20 years ago and there are few copies left. I just hope that it gets re-published so other people can enjoy it. This is a humourous, children's tale of three hilarious animals that will warm your heart. They are stupid , clumsy , funny. . . .they are The Nuts of Nook Forest.

So, there you go! My first ever In My Mailbox! Have you ever read or heard of any of these titles?

Happy reading, book lovers!

Jessica x

Airhead By Meg Cabot Review

2012-01-23T10:48:00.000-08:00

   "I know I look like Nikki Howard. And I know I sound like Nikki Howard. I realize that right now I am in Nkki Howard's loft and wearing her clothes while her dog is licking my face. But I am NOT Nikki Howard. OK?" Emerson Watts and Nikki Howard have absoloutley nothing in common. Em's a tomboy-superbrain who couldn't care less about her looks. Nikki's a supermodel sensation and the world's most famous airhead. But a freak accident causes the girls' lives to collide in the most extraordinary way...

   Emerson Watts loves spending her day lazing around at home in her sweats, playing Journeyquest (her favourite video game) with best friend, Christopher. The pair don't have time for plastic girls with fake tans and huge eyelashes. So when Em's whole life is changed after a unexpected accident at the Stark Megastore Grand Opening, and her former self is declared legally "dead", she also becomes the worlds biggest hypocrite...

   I have read this book many, many times, and it never disappoints me. The whole idea of the novel is fantastic! It is incredibly odd (and honestly, very far fetched) but brilliant. Many authors wouldn't of been able to write a tale like this one, but Cabot wrote it with skill and managed to keep it quite jokey without making it come across as stupid. Seriously, after reading Airhead (the first in the trilogy - Being Nikki and Runaway, the 2nd and 3rd novels, are out now!) I have become a huge Meg Cabot fan.
   The characters were realistic, funny, sweet, and you could just feel for every one of them. Especially Lulu, who was just pure gold! She actually had me laughing out loud, making anyone else in the room stare at me like a lunatic. I love Em's character almost as much, you can just imagine what she must be going through, and what's going on inside her "new" head! The love story between Christopher and Em was really well written too, it didn't ever get tiresome. This book let you peek into the life of a model, which was pretty fun! I have a feeling that in the sequel you will see a lot more of a supermodel's life.
   The ending of the 308 page novel was lovely and really surprising, and I was desperate for it to keep going, as it left you on a real cliffhanger. This was a book I kept with me all the time, reading a chapter here and a page there whenever I possibly could.
   A tiny thing that bugged me a little was that some of the scenes were dragged on quite a lot, especially the hospital scene, which seemed to go on for the majority of the book. Although I suppose Cabot was just trying to stress out how dramatic is was by making it very long, but it just didn't work for me. I was very tempted to skip it all, but stopped myself. Also, the beginning was a little difficult to get into. Nevertheless, this was still a must read!
   I highly recommend it to any girls aged 12 - 15 that love a good chicklit. I know for sure that I will be reading the sequel. I would rate this book a 4/5 , with a point lost for the "dragging" scenes. Anyway, get out to a bookstore and read this book. I adored it, hopefully you will too!

Jessica x

Published: 2008
Publishers: Macmillan Children's Books

Cathy Cassidy Interview!

2012-01-20T16:05:00.000-08:00

Hi, everyone! I have managed to interview Cathy Cassidy , the popular author that I'm sure you have heard of! This amazing author has given us Dizzy, Gingersnaps, Sundae Girl and many more, and is currently working on the Chocolate Box series. So, here's the interview!

1: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself'?

Cathy: Hi... I'm Cathy Cassidy and I write books for young teens. They're realistic-style, growing-up stories about friendship, family and falling in love - amongst other things!

2: Which was your favourite book to write and why?

Cathy: Dizzy, the first one - no deadlines, no worries... just the buzz of finally knowing I was writing a book-length story!

3: Are you similar to any of the characters from your books?

Cathy: I am quite like Miss Quinn from Driftwood... I was even an art teacher like her. Once or twice I even had stray animals hidden in the art stock cupboard, like Miss Quinn with the kittens!

4: How does it feel to be such a popular author?

Cathy: I still have trouble believing it sometimes. It was always my dream to be a writer, but it's awesome that so many kids can connect to the stories I write. I feel very lucky.

5: Have you got any tips for aspiring authors?

Cathy: Read lots - you'll learn about style, plot and narrative as you go!
          Write about something you care about - it'll show!
          Write as often as you can, even if it's just in a diary/journal - it's all practice!
          Every story needs a beginning, middle and end - keep to the point and don't get sidetracked!
          Don't expect overnight success - it took me A LONG TIME to get my first book published! But
          aim high, work hard...and follow your dreams!

6: If your novels had not been published, what would you be doing now?

Cathy: Still writing - I'm addicted, published or not! I'd probably still be teaching art, illustrating and working as freelance agony art for a young teen mag, as those were my jobs up until a couple of years ago.

7: You have a new book coming out in June, Summer's Dream. Could you tell us a bit about it?

Cathy: It tells the story of Summer Tanberry, Skye's twin in the Chocolate Box Girls series. Summer is pretty, popular and talented at dance, and in this book she is offered an opportunity that could make all her dreams come true. But as the pressure mounts, will the dream turn into a nightmare?

Quick - Fire Questions:

1.) Paperback's or e-books?

Cathy: Paperback's.

2.) Coffee or hot chocolate?

Cathy: Both! (Can I have a mocha-chino?)

3.) Favourite male character from your books?

Cathy: Mouse . . . he's my fave all-time character.

4.) Early bird or night owl?

Cathy: Early bird.

5.) Favourite season?

Cathy: I love them all, but Spring makes me very happy... especially when the swallows return!

Cheers!

Cathy xxx

Thankyou Cathy! Great answers! If you want to find out more about Cathy and check out her fabulous novels, go to The Official Website:

http://www.cathycassidy.com/

Jessica x

Maggi Gibson Interview!

2012-01-17T11:33:00.000-08:00

Hiya, book lovers! Today I have been mega lucky and managed to interview the wonderful author of the Seriously Sassy series, Maggi Gibson!

1: When did you decide that you wanted to be a writer?

Maggi: It just happened really. I did dream about being a writer when I was young but it seemed like an impossibility. As likely as me being an actor or an Olympic athlete! Then, one day I started to write poetry, and it just snowballed from there. I feel so lucky to be living one of my dreams.

2: Do you care about the environment as much as Sassy, from your books, does?

Maggi: I do care a lot, but I'm not as good at doing all the right things as Sassy is. I do my best though and try to keep my carbon footprint reasonably small. And I do get passionate about things and will campaign to make the world a better place, the same way Sassy does.

3: When your first book got published, how did you feel?

Maggi: Ecstatic! It was a wonderful feeling after all the hard work and endless waiting.

4: Which one of your books was the most fun to write and why?

Maggi: They were all fun - and hard at times too - in different ways. I especially like writing the comic scenes. Sometimes I even giggle as I'm typing.

5: How does it feel to be a popular author?

Maggi: I don't think I'm very well known yet, but it is brilliant knowing that lots of readers really enjoy my books. It makes me want to write more books!

6: You have a new book coming out, Flame, could you tell us a bit about it?

Maggi: Actually, I'm still working on Flame. Almost finished now. It's about a girl who's a bit hot-headed, like Sassy, but this story is set in the future, after climate change catastrophe. Flame (that's the girl's name) lives in a high-tech, wealthy community called The Gated City. It's protected by high walls and strict entry controls. When Flame gets into trouble at school - again - she's sent to Brat Camp in the mountains. After an accident she finds herself lost in the wilds, where there are gangs of feral boys, terrorists, bandits and wild animals. Flame has never had to fend for herself and knows nothing about survival. The story follows her adventures as she tries to make her way home - and falls for a boy named Ash... But you'll need to read the story to find out more!

Quick - Fire Questions:

1.) Dogs or cats?

Maggi: Cats! Miaow!

2.) Early bird or night owl?

Maggi: Night owl - woohoo!

3.) Summer or winter?

Maggi: Summer! I'm not good in the cold. I want to hibernate inside my duvet with a big stash of chocolate.

4.) Chocolate or sweets?

Maggi: Ooooh! Chocolate every time. Chocolate sweets, mice... everything!

5.) Cordelia or Taslima?

Maggi: Cordelia. Though I don't like choosing. Cordelia's the character I'd LOVE to be, but I'm more like Sassy, really. Taslima's the friend I'd love to have.

Thanks for interviewing me, Jessica.

Big Hugs,

Maggi

xxx

'Exciting and funny... Fans of Jacqueline Wilson, Cathy Cassidy and Meg Cabot will love Maggi Gibson's writing style.' The Guardian

So, a massive thank you to Maggi Gibson for that interview! Be sure to visit her websites:

www.seriouslysassy.co.uk

www.maggigibson.com

Jessica x

Ice Lolly By Jean Ure Review

2012-01-16T12:11:00.000-08:00

   Now that mum's no longer with us, it's just me and Mr Pooter. Even though he is only a cat, I know that Mr Pooter loved mum as much as I did. We both miss her so much. . . Things would be easier if I could just stop feeling. If I could freeze, like an ice lolly, it wouldn't hurt so much.


   Laurel is just a little girl when her wonderful mum dies. Sadly, with no one left to look after her, she and her beloved sixteen year old cat have to live with Uncle Mark and Auntie Ellen. For Laurel it's awful, as Auntie Ellen obviously doesn't want her in their home. But with mum gone, what choice does Laurel have?

   Every time I read this novel from popular Jean Ure, I love it more and more. Laurel, (Lollipop to her deceased mother) has to deal with the demands of grief and suffering. Fortunately for her, she has her own private world, called the ice house, to withdraw into. Except maybe the ice house isn't such a good idea. To the rest of her new family, she's ungrateful and according to Auntie Ellen, "had a bad upbringing". With nothing left for her except an ever faithful, bearded cat and a huge collection of books that her and her mother once shared together, Laurel has to deal with everything alone.
   This book is written in such a clever way. You read the novel as if you're reading a twelve year old girls story and thoughts, and you forget that it's actually been written by an adult author. Throughout the story, I felt a lot of sympathy for Laurel. It even had me in tears by the end, when everything is too much for her. Believe me, your heart will ache for her touching tale. This story movingly records Laurel's efforts to come to terms with her loss, yet she is struggling so much. It's really sweet to read how Michael (Laurel's cousin) tries so hard to welcome her into their home, more so than her Auntie.
   You feel sadness for Laurel's tale, love towards her obviously kind hearted mother, and anger towards daughter Holly, who belittles Laurel at every opportunity. Honestly, if you plan on reading this novel, bring a box of tissues!
   The characters are strong and believable, especially the females. This book is inspirational, and I would seriously recommend it to anyone above the age of ten. Boy or girl. It was a bit of a quick read, but a worthwhile one! I truly loved the ending, it was really unexpected. After you have finished reading this book, you will be left with a warm satisfied feeling. This book gets a 4/5 from Booked Up! As quoted from Jacqueline Wilson, Jean Ure's work are "Funny, funky, feisty and fantastic reads!"

   Jessica x

Published : 2010
Publishers : HarperCollins

Dead Man's Cove By Lauren St John Review

2012-01-14T14:19:00.000-08:00

   "What I want," Laura declared, "is to have a life packed with excitement like some of the characters in my books." Orphaned Laura is sent to live with her uncle in Cornwall, convinced that a life of adventure is hers at last. But everywhere she turns she's confronted with mysteries. Is Tariq, the shopkeeper's silent son, a friend or an enemy? Why does her uncle seem intent on erasing his own past? And why is everyone so afraid of Dead Man's Cove?

   Laura Marlin, an orphaned eleven year old who dreams of being a detective, has been in an orphanage all of her life. Then, completely out of the blue, an unknown uncle adopts her. Laura travels all the way to Cornwall to start her new life with him. When Laura meets Tariq, she thinks she has made a true friend. But then many mysteries occur, and Laura can't figure out any of the answers. What would Matt Walker, her fictional detective idol, do?

   After reading The White Giraffe series, I was really excited to read this new mystery series by Lauren St John. This book was truly outstanding, filled with enough adventure to keep you intrigued through ever chapter. Every time I picked up the book, I knew I would have an enjoyable time!
   Laura Marlin and Calvin Redfern's (her uncle) relationship was very believable and I loved reading about how the two got on. Calvin's very mysterious past had me interested, and I felt like I was joining Laura as she tried to discover the truth. My favourite character by far was the adorable, three legged husky that is now Laura's companion. I loved the way he joined Laura's side. This tale had so many puzzles packed in, that there wasn't a moment that was tedious. I felt so many emotions for Tariq, and his story had me close to tears!
   Sadly, I have one criticism. This series is going to be too similar to The White Giraffe's. With the heroine being a young, orphaned girl who loves animals. And the best friend she makes being a skinny, silent boy who she has to break out of his shell. This is all exactly like the first series. Lauren St John could of had this same plot in her other series, instead of making up this brand new one.
   Despite this, it was still an amazing read. Even adults would enjoy this adventure story, with its twisty plot, quirky characters and surprising ending! If you loved The White Giraffe series, you are going to love this, promise! This book won the Blue Peter Book of the Year 2011 award and I'm not surprised.
   The second book in the Laura Marlin series, Kidnap In The Caribbean, is out now and I can't wait to get my hands on it. Dead Man's Cove deserves the full 5/5!

   Jessica x

Published : 2010
Publishers : Orion Children's Books

100 Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2012!

2012-01-13T11:53:00.000-08:00

Hi guys,

I'm going to be participating in the 100 Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2012!, hosted by Book Chick City. Be sure to check it out, or even sign yourself up! It's a great challenge to get yourself reading more!

Challenge Details:

• Timeline: 01 Jan 2012 - 31 Dec 2012

• Rules: Read 100+ books in 2012 (any genre)

• You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.

• You can join at anytime. All books read in 2012 count towards the challenge regardless of when you sign up.

• At the beginning of Jan 2012, you will find a link to specific month to add your reviews.

• Audiobooks do not count, but all other formats are accepted.

• Only fiction, no non-fiction.

• This challenge can crossover to other challenges.

Challenge accepted! What about you?

Hurrah!

2012-01-10T12:06:00.000-08:00

   Hiya book lovers!

   Just wanted to post a big YAY! for now this blog has had over 100 page views in just 3 days. :) Hope the blog has been good enough so far, expect a lot more reviews and some interviews to be coming in shortly! So watch this space,

   Jessica x

It's A 50/50 Thing By Chris Higgins Review

2012-01-10T08:15:00.000-08:00

     With Mum on the verge of a breakdown and Dad not around anymore, Kally's life is full of secrets. When the gorgeous Jem skates into Kally's life and sweeps her off her feet, things finally seem to be going right. But as Jem teaches her new tricks, Kally discovers there's more than one side to him and soon her life is spinning out of control...

   Kally's Dad has been thrown into prison, even though he's believed to be innocent, her Mum is struggling to get out of bed each morning, and she has to look after her kid sister Izzy. Life is tougher than it ever has before, especially now she has had to move to a new town and new school without any friends. Then, it's as if a miracle has occurred - gorgeous, single boy Jem befriends her, and straight away she has fallen for his charm. But, is Jem really what he appears to be?

   This novel had me drawn in from the start! An instantly engaging plot, that showed the consequences of being with someone with obsessive, controlling behaviour. I loved the characters, and Jem was especially well written. His character was unique and interesting to read. Nearer the end, he got to be very mysterious and even a little bit scary. It just shows the many moods of someone who has that condition. He had me completely fooled, and I couldn't of been more shocked when he was revealed.
   I really loved the twist in the middle with Miss. Baker, the innocent school teacher, and Jem. I had alot of empathy for poor, unsuspecting Kally who had totally fallen for Jem, and then realised her mistake too far down the line and was trapped. This tale really taught you a few lessons about falling in love at this age, which is why teenage girls should really read this.
   Chris Higgins is such an impressive writer, and writes very well to suit her audience. The book was easy to understand and I thoroughly enjoyed every page. I will definitely be purchasing many more of her novels. This book is probably aimed at girls from 12 - 15. Small warning, there's some swearing in the book that made me jump when I read it! Naughty Jem...he really is a bad boy!
   Overall, I rate this book a 4.5 / 5 as it was such a great read! Well done, Higgins! I would seriously recommend you give this book a go.

   Jessica x

Published : 2008
Publishers : Hachette Children's Books

Beyonce's Baby!

2012-01-08T09:39:00.000-08:00

Hiya!

Just wanted to post a big "Congratulations" to Beyonce on giving birth to her little girl. She has been named "Blue Ivy Carter" by her mum and her dad (Jay-Z). She was born today at the New York's Lennox Hill Hospital. Wishing them the best!

Jessica x

Six Words & A Wish By Karen McCombie Review

2012-01-08T09:15:00.000-08:00

My family is a bit...well...unusual. My dad's a clown (literally). My mum runs a dippy cafe for kids called Yummy Fun. My dog is old, round, and a bit mad. My house is full of Christmas decorations (it's July). And my sister Gracie is gone. She got sick of us and ran away two years ago, and I think it might be my fault. But there have been some spooky coincidences lately that have made me and Iris (my best friend) wonder if maybe Gracie is closer than we thought.

   Jem has been without her sister, Gracie, for two years now. She is still carrying a great secret around with her, a secret that she believes made Gracie leave home. In a way, Jem doesn't mind that her moody, opinionated eighteen year old sister is gone. But then, Jem and Iris discover a lot of Spooks (coincidences) that have made them wonder...is Gracie really gone?

   Six Words and a Wish was a really fun, quick read for me. Like all of the other McCombie novels, light hearted humour was packed in, which never fails to make me smile. All of the characters were fabulous, from the funny, hypochondriac Iris to the quirky, caring parents of Jem. Even Dolly, the elderly family dog that has pretty much lost her mind, is a cute character.
   Weaved into the novel was a little bit of mystery, which did indeed get me very intrigued! The many coincidences were clever and I was guessing about whether or not Gracie really was communicating with her little sister in some weird way.
   This book sent you on a rollercoaster of emotions, from laughter at "hamster-like" friend Max, to sadness at Jem's mother being deeply upset by the loss of her oldest child. It was worth reading, and I would recommend it to anyone aged 10 to 14. Sadly, it was a bit too short for me and I had finished it within two days, but maybe I was just too old for it! Still, I really enjoyed it. It's a wonderful story about family relationships, and working through troubles.
   So, get to your local bookstore and buy this book A.S.A.P! I rate this book 3/5. It just lost points for the being too short thing, but oh well, it was fab anyhow.

   Jessica x

Published : 2011
Publishers : Scholastic

Angel Cake By Cathy Cassidy Review

2012-01-07T11:04:00.000-08:00

   Anya used to dream of moving to Britain to start a brand-new life. But as she sits in a school were nobody understands her, she dreams of Polish summer skies and the place where she once belonged. Then Anya meets bad boy Dan. He's no angel, but she's sure there's a sweeter side to him. And when things begin to fall apart, Anya realises she's not alone - how can Dan be such bad news when being with him feels like heaven?

   Anya has thought up Britain as an amazing place, where everything is brilliant. So, when she moves from Poland to Britain she is bitterly disappointed. She can't fit in and is finding it impossible to make new friends. That's when she starts to notice Dan, the "bad boy" in school. She falls for him even though she is told not to. That's when Lily, a bitchy bully, starts picking on Anya, because she has fallen for Dan too. How will things turn out?

   First of all, let me just say the cover for Angel Cake is absolutely gorgeous! And nobody is lying when they say that the book really does make your mouth water at the descriptions of many delicious cakes! Cassidy really describes it all so well that you can visualise it. So, if you have a real sweet tooth, I just know you will adore this book.
   The characters were so realistic. You could really imagine what poor Anya must be going through - moving to a strange world in a school full of animals who can't understand her. Also, the way Cassidy wrote her speech was well written and you could really imagine Anya's sweet Polish accent. A lot of the time, when a teenage girl is telling the story like in Angel Cake, it gets really annoying and tiring. Not this book! I loved how shy and sweet Anya was, so I loved her character. And come on, we all know that most girls love a bad boy like Dan, so I could really picture a boy like him at school. Lily was a great character too, in Cathy's mini book "Cupcakes and Kisses", we hear from her side of the story. We find out why Lily hated Anya so much, which was interesting.
   Cassidy writes with a real skill and the story really worked well. I am so glad I read it, although afterwards I had to go and scavenge for some chocolate and cake as it made me really hungry!
   Overall, this book was a real page turner and I enjoyed it from beginning to middle to end. I recommend it to girls aged 10 - 14. A must read - one of Cathy's best!
   Happily, I give this book the 4/5 that it deserves. It just lost a point as I think it was a little bit similar to some of the other plots in Cathy's novels.

   Jessica J x

Published : 2009
Publishers : Puffin

Jinx By Meg Cabot Review

2012-01-07T08:53:00.000-08:00

Does Jinx have bad luck - or special powers? A WITCH'S powers?!

   Where Jinx goes, trouble follows. Which is why her parents have shipped her off to New York to stay with relatives - until the trouble she's caused back home dies down. But her presence seems to spell instant disaster for her perfect cousin, Tory. And what was she thinking, getting involved with hot guy Zack? Jinx is starting to wonder if she's more than unlucky...could she be CURSED?

   Jean Honeychurch has been unlucky since the day she was born. Hence her earning the nickname she hates: "Jinx". When something so unfortunate happens that Jean's parents are forced to ship her off to New York to stay with relatives, her whole life changes. Immediately, Tory (Jean's sophisticated, confident and gorgeous cousin) makes Jean's life awful. And when Tory finds out her crush, Zack, has been spending so much time with Jean, things can only get worse. Also, is it really possible that Tory is a witch like she claims to be? Is it true that Jean happens to be one too?

   When I received this book for Christmas, I had high hopes seeing as it was by the wonderful Meg Cabot. I was not disappointed! Pretty much all of the characters (especially Tory) were exciting to read about, and kept surprising you with what they did in each chapter. Tory could really fool you and her many different moods were interesting. This book kept me guessing, which I loved.
   Sadly, the love story between Jean and "forbidden" Zack was a bit of a shame. I got annoyed and tired of Jean going on and on about how Zack couldn't possibly love her like she loved him, and that she was too ugly and boring compared to other girls. As a result of this, you just knew what would happen between the two of them at the end, so no surprise there! The book would of been equally as good without Zack altogether, for the battles between Jean and Tory were what made this book great.
   So, if you are a lover of Cabot and a girl aged 12 - 15, then I would recommend this book to you. But one more thing, near the end things do get a little scary (not so scary they would give you nightmares, but too scary for anyone under 12) so be warned! Also, there are a few words like "Bitch" and a big reference to drugs too, so that's why I would say you should be 12+ to read this novel.
   I give this book a 3/5. Points are lost because of the dreary love story. Yet it is still a worthwhile read and a fantastic page turner.

   Jessica x

First published : 2007
Publishers : Macmillan

Booked Up is Born!

2012-01-07T07:41:00.000-08:00

I'm very excited to be starting a new book blog. Hopefully, you will find all you are looking for on this blog. Most book reviews on here will be books that teenage girls like myself would read and enjoy. So, happy browsing!

Jessica x