Review: On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

The Story:

Taylor Markham is leader of the boarders at the Jellicoe School. She has to keep the upper hand in the territory wars and deal with Jonah Griggs - the enigmatic leader of the cadets, and someone she thought she would never see again.
         And now Hannah, the person Taylor had come to rely on, has disappeared. Taylor's only clue is a manuscript about five kids who lived in Jellicoe eighteen years ago. She needs to find out more, but this means confronting her own story, making sense of her strange, recurring dream, and finding her mother - who abandoned her on the Jellicoe Road. - From the book jacket.

My Thoughts:

I stayed up past 3am last Saturday night to finish reading this book because I just couldn't go to bed without knowing what happened next. On Sunday morning I was left with two lingering emotions. Envy and anger. Envy that one person can have so much talent, and anger that this book isn't immensely more popular.
          On the Jellicoe Road took me on Taylor's journey of self discovery and I relished every second of it. The writing, as always for Marchetta, is phenomenal. The pacing is quick and  though you're dropped right in the middle of the action, it doesn't take long for the story to ensnare you. Jellicoe is told through two different perspectives. Taylor's point of view, and a narrative of the five kids who used to live in Jellicoe written by Hannah. The narrative isn't shown in sequential order and it's interesting to try and piece the whole thing together just as Taylor tries to do.
          Based on the description on the book jacket, I was ready for a novel full of physical confrontations mixed in with a bit of mystery. Instead I got a coming of age story that tested the boundaries of friendship and made me yearn for my high school camping days. Jellicoe is laced with themes of loss, drug addiction, suicide and abandonment and yet somehow left me feeling uplifted and hopeful.   
          In the last book I read as part of the Aussie Author Challenge I didn't particularly like any of the characters. I had the opposite reaction with Jellicoe. I can honestly say that I loved every person in this book. Including Taylor's mother and the pretentious Richard who seeks to usurp Taylor's position as leader of the Jellicoe boarders.
         You know those characters you instantly connect with and want to protect from something you can't really understand? Taylor was that for me. She was so strong and self assured, yet vulnerable and detached from those around her. Being abandoned by her mother has obviously scarred Taylor emotionally and she kept everyone at a distance but that doesn't stop her from caring about the kids she was in charge of. By the end of Jellicoe, you find out just how well Taylor has coped with her circumstances and understand why she is too afraid to be close to anyone.
         Jonah Griggs and Chaz Santangelo are the tough guy leaders of the two other groups involved in the territory wars. Jonah is a cadet, the group of military kids who make camp in Jellicoe for six week every summer. Jonah comes from a broken family and a troubled past. Chaz is the leader of the townies, the kids who live in town and go to Jellicoe High School. In Taylor's words, he is too good looking for his own good. Though they appeared to be bitter enemies ready to come to blows at the blink of an eye, both boys mature beyond words over the summer of the territory wars and I honestly couldn't figure out who I was more in love with.Their friendship is fleeting at first, thrown together by their mutual protectiveness of Taylor and her friend Raffy, but it soon becomes a natural bond that I could see lasting forever.
       There are no vampires or werewolves or love triangles in Jellicoe. Just fantastic writing and beautiful, beautiful characters. I cannot speak highly enough of it and recommend that everyone gives this book a go.
        

Rating:

10/10

*I read this book as part of my 2011 Aussie Author Challenge

2011 Writer's Corner Topics

A Novel By Any Other Name

Exposition, Friend or Foe?

YA Love Triangles - Yay! or Nay?

YA heroines - You Said a Mouthful Sister!

2011 Reviews by Author

A

B

Bursztynski, Sue (Wolfborn)

Buzo, Laura (Good Oil) 

C

Crawley, Cath (Graffiti Moon)

D

E

Eager, Kristy (Raw Blue)

F

G

Gordon, Kate (Thyla)

H

I

J

K

L

Lim, Rebecca (Mercy)

Lim, Rebecca (Exile) 

M

Marchetta, Melina (On The Jellicoe Road)

N

O

P

Pierres, Marianne de (Burn Bright)

Q

R

Roth, Veronica (Divergent)

S

T

Tibbets, Anne (The Beast Call)

U

V

W

White, Kiersten (Paranormalcy) 

X

Y

Z

Follow Friday (7) - Me on a T-shirt!

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkie and Alison It's a really fun way to get to know other bloggers and pick up a few new followers on the way.



 This weeks question is: Let's step away from books for a second and get personal. What T-Shirt slogan best describes you? I think this slogan pretty much sums up ME. I'm a bit of a greeney. I love my garden and nature and get angry about deforestation and climate change. But on the other side, I am a massive glutton and if there is food involved, I cannot help myself :)

What about you guys?

Wednesday Writer's Corner - Exposition, Friend or Foe?

Since starting this blog a few months back I've read more books than I can count. There are still many more waiting on my TBR list. Most of them YA and of the fantasy persuasion. This also happens to be the genre of the novel I'm currently writing. As an avid internet stalker, I've read hundreds of pages on writing tips and there is so much conflicting advice about exposition and the part it plays in a novel that I thought I would throw it over to you guys. The readers.
        As a very lazy reader, I don't mind an exposition heavy book. Especially one where the setting is somewhat different to the real world. Sometimes, when I just want to read a book for pure entertainment, I would rather not have to sit there trying to figure out what's going on. If an author can sum up their world in a bit of quick dialogue or a paragraph of background, I am happy to accept it. But then I read  On The Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta (review to come) as part of my Aussie Author Challenge and it got me thinking about exposition. Or lack thereof.
        You see, there is very little exposition in On The Jellicoe Road and instead of confusing me, I found it made the story more intriguing. I wanted to keep reading to uncover all the secrets of this new world. Suddenly I'm not a lazy reader anymore and it's made me question the exposition in my own writing.
         What are your thoughts? Exposition, friend or foe? Comments much appreciated. Feel free to link back to any posts you have with your own questions and I will come visit :)

Miscellaneous Monday: Bye Bye Borders and Misc Melbourne!

Since the news of Borders closing made headlines, I've been freaking out a little that there would be a chain reaction and all the other physical book stores would follow suit. This is what now lies where Borders flagship Melbourne store used to stand:

With the boom of internet shopping and ebooks, I sort of felt the the era of the paperback might be coming to a close. Then, whilst on a trip to see Transformers 3 last weekend, I stumbled upon this:

 

Dymocks Bookstore on Collins Street in Melbourne City. Very much open for business and choc full of good old books! Not only that, there is book culture all over the city. Underneath the city's train stations there are mini glass galleries where artists display their bookish art. 

 

By the end of the day I was feeling a lot better about the future of book buying and as an aspiring author it's a relief! I'm still not 100% sure how I feel about publishing an ebook because I love flipping through the pages of a physical book so much, but I definitely feel better about being one of those rabid bargain hunters who trawled liberally through the meager skeleton of Borders bookshelves while they went into liquidation.
       At this point I have to confess. This whole post has been a ruse to show off my favourite piece out of my Borders haul, a Young Adult sign from their young adult section. I plan to put it above my desk where I do all my writing. One day, with a bit of luck and a lot of hard work, my book will be on a bookshelf under a similar sign.

Seriously though, what are your thoughts guys? physical vs ebooks? Post your thoughts below.

*Note: If you're wondering, yes I know my photography sucks.

The Changing Face of Obsession

Dear All,

You may have noticed recently, if you're as addicted a blog stalker as I am, that my blog has had a bit of a facelift. If you're not an avid follower, just trust me, the blog has changed!

Whilst I really love my old blog header, and may reinstate it from time to time, I found it was too dark. Along with my recent Harry Potter background, I could barely read my own reviews without needing a new pair of glasses. *Yes I wear glasses. Are you surprised? I am a book and blog geek after all :)

So when my younger sister offered to draw me a new header I jumped at the chance. It's not exactly super professional but I like it and it fits me. It's bookish but not altogether super professional which is me down to my toes.

Over the coming week I'll be making some other slight changes to make the blog more accessible and I'll be fixing up the menu tabs which I have shamefully let slide because, let's face it, I am just plain lazy.

Apologies in advance if things go amiss.

Follow Friday (6) - Author Brain Picking!

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkie and Alison. It's a really fun way to get to know other bloggers and pick up a few new followers on the way.





This weeks question is: Name 3 authors that you would love to sit down and spend an hour or a meal with just talking about either their books or get advice on writing from?

This is a pretty tough question. I would love to sit down with ANY published author and be able to pick their brain so being able to choose is a bit of a treat.  OK, here goes:


1. Jane Austen. Jane (if I could call her that, and I assume I can because I've wrestled her from beyond the grave) is one of the most amazing writers I have ever read. Her stories are timeless and her characters unforgettable. I'm sure that just being in her presence would give me inspiration. Talent by osmosis if you will.

2. Isobelle Carmody. I'm not sure if I can use this as a harassment session and ask/plead with her to finish the next book in the Obernewtyn series. I love them so much. I've been waiting 10 years for closure and it's not surprising that I've gone a bit nuts in the meantime.

3. Suzanne Collins. I am a little (lot!) Hunger Games Trilogy crazy right now, so the thought of being able to meet Suzanne Collins is sending me into a frenzy. What would I grill her about? WHAT HAPPENED TO GALE?????

Review: Burn Bright by Marianne de Pierres

 
The Story:

Retra doesn’t want to go to Ixion, the island of ever-night, ever-youth and never-sleep. Retra is a Seal – sealed minds, sealed community. She doesn’t crave parties and pleasure, experience and freedom. But her brother Joel left for Ixion two years ago, and Retra is determined to find him. When she can’t find Joel, Retra finds herself drawn deeper into the intoxicating world of Ixion. 

        Who are the Ripers, the mysterious guardians of Ixion? What are the Night Creatures Retra can see in the shadows? And what happens to those who grow too old for Ixion? Retra will find that Ixion has its pleasures, but its secrets are deadly. Will friendship, and the creation of an eternal bond with a Riper, be enough to save her from the darkness? 

My Thoughts:

Have you ever just looked at the cover of a book and thought 'yep this is going to be awesome?'. This is what happened to me when I picked up Burn Bright. It even came complete with a recommendation from my all time favourite Australian author Isobelle Carmody. Sadly, since finishing the novel yesterday, I am still not sure if I actually enjoyed it. 

      Let's start with the good. The cover, as I have said, is hands down the best cover I have come across in a long time. It epitomises everything the novel is about and I can imagine it would entice many casual readers to pick up the novel. Burn Bright is beautifully written and very well paced. The concept is entirely original and blends together several genres including sci-fi, fantasy and even a tiny bit of steampunk (very tiny bit though). The plot was interesting and was probably the main thing that kept me reading.

      Why then, you ask, am I unsure I enjoyed the book? It's because I didn't feel anything for the characters. Including the heroine. She reminded me very much of Tris at the beginning of Divergent, except that I didn't warm to her eventually. I found Retra to be a very passive heroine and the few times that she does take matters into her own hands, it seemed a bit forced. Yes, her Seal upbringing meant she was innocent and a bit hesitant to participate but even when she was enlightened and chose an Ixion name, she still felt like a bit of a ghost in a shell. I suppose the reason I didn't care for any of the others was because Ixion is a hedonistic Island and hedonists tend to be the selfish, self involved types.

       While the concept was great, there wasn't much in the way of world building or explanation so I was left wondering why Ixion was the way it was and what some of the creatures in Ixion were. Also, I couldn't quite believe that the enticement of a few years of parties would be a strong enough pull for teens to leave their entire world behind, especially since they had no idea what would happen to them once they got too old.
       I want to reiterate that the above opinions are my personal thoughts only and I don't want to put anyone off reading this book because despite my reticence, I can really see it being very popular. I'll still pick up the sequel Angel Arias just to see if Retra grows on me. Plus I DID finish reading it pretty quickly, which is more than I can say for a lot of books.

Rating:

6/10

On a side note, apparently Burn Bright isn't available internationally and there is a petition happening at the official Burn Bright website to get it published overseas. To go to the Burn Bright website click here.

* I read this book as part of my 2011 Aussie Authors Challenge. 

Wednesday Writer's Corner - A Novel By Any Other Title

 Image courtesy of Simon Howden

Hello All! A couple of posts ago, I promised you some new personal memes and, by some miracle, I am still on track to deliver on that promise. This meme is based on the Wannabe Writers meme hosted by Confessions of the Un-Published. I will participate in the Wannabe Writers meme from time to time, but mostly, these post will be my outlet to rant   discuss my writing issues. This week's topic: How much do you change your novel, based on the opinions of friends/colleagues/writing groups?
          Let me preface this next section of angst by giving you a bit of background about my novel. It's a YA fantasy/sci-fi novel about a 17-year-old girl with psychic abilities. Her name is Willow. I so cleverly titled the novel Iron Willed. You know, a play on Willow's name and also a bit of a teaser about the subject of the book.
        I was feeling pretty smug about the whole thing until yesterday, when not one but two people told me the title was a dud, despite loving the story itself. One stated that there is also another book by that title but I can't find any reference to it in the web. After my initial meltdown quiet reflection, I am still in two minds about changing the title before I start querying. It took me forever to think up that title and I'm pretty attached to it. Plus, I would rather write another 80,000 word novel than try and think up a new title. Clearly I am horrible at this particular skill. There are such things a working titles right? What to do? I'm throwing the floor open to you guys. What do you think? Like the title? Wanted to throw up when you heard it? Comments please.

Review: Good Oil by Laura Buzo

The Story:

From the moment 15-year-old Amelia begins work on the checkout at Woolworths she is sunk, gone, lost...head-over-heels in love with Chris. Chris is the funny, charming man-about-Woolies, but he's 21, and the six-year difference in their ages may as well be 100. Chris and Amelia talk about everything from Second Wave Feminism to Great Expectations and Alien but will he ever look at her in the way she wants him to? And if he does, will it be everything she hopes? - From the book jacket.

My Thoughts:

I was really looking forward to reading Good Oil. Ever since I read about Chris from a post by Abbey's Bookshelf and couldn't get over how sweet he sounded. Plus I think I've had a bit of a fantasy/dystopian overload lately and wanted a nice, easy, feel good read. I hadn't planned on being made to think so much or getting so attached to both Amelia and Chris and for wishing that there was a sequel.

           First off, Good Oil is written by an Australian. I know I've said this a heap of times before but I am really feeling the love for Aussie authors at the moment. There's just something in the way they write that's  raw and seems to cut through to the core of a story. The pacing of Good Oil is fantastic. There's no step by step telling of what Amelia puts on when she wakes up and what time she brushes her teeth. The whole book has a purpose that isn't just to fill up the page requirements. Having said that, there is enough detail in every scene to really give the reader a sense of what the characters are feeling and their motivations for their actions. I didn't realise that Good Oil would be from both Amelia and Chris' points of view and at first it threw me because I wanted to keep being in Amelia's perspective but once I started reading about Chris, there was no going back.
          I love Amelia. Does she remind me of myself when I was 15? Yes! Who among us hasn't had an awkward crush on a boy who was too old for us? Sure mine were from the then popular boy bands, but that's really beside the point. Amelia is smart and thoughtful and though she has her own set of niggling self doubts, she is also strong enough in herself not to cave and join the 'popular' group to simply fit in. Her steadfast feelings for Chris no matter how impossible the chances of them getting together really endeared her to me. Amelia doesn't do sweet talking, nor does she feign interest in people she doesn't care for. It's a trait more characters should have.
         As I've said above, I wasn't sure at first if I wanted to be able to see things from Chris' point of view. It was difficult for me at times to reconcile the person he truly was with the ideal that Amelia saw him as. I spent the whole time thinking he needed to get over What's-her-face and see the girl in front of him who adored him. The more I read, the more I warmed to Chris and realised what a beautiful soul he truly was. Chris definitely had his problems, but in essence he was a kind and considerate person and I wanted to hug him every time he called Amelia 'youngster' as if it was a reminder to himself that he shouldn't go there.
         Good Oil is more than a novel about young romance. It's a story of first love, growing up, feminism and sometimes the cold, harsh reality of things. There's a fair bit of drinking, swearing and the occasional sex scene in Good Oil so those who are offended by these things need not apply. Those who are looking for a novel that's real and warm...well, I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Rating:

10/10

* I read this book as part of my 2011 Aussie Authors Challenge. 

Miscellaneous Monday: 2011 Aussie Author Challenge

I've been feeling as if my blog is a little aimless lately, so to remedy that I'm going to start doing a few personal memes to keep me on track. Miscellaneous Mondays is the meme where I can write about new books I've borrowed/bought or cool book related things I've stumbled upon. There will be other memes as the week goes by but that's another story for another day.

To kick off the first Misc Monday (as it will now be known because typing miscellaneous is a pain in the ass) I've decided that I don't read nearly enough books by Australian authors and I'm going to rectify that by participating in the 2011 Aussie Author Challenge hosted by Booklover Book Reviews.

The idea is to read and blog about Aussie books and share your reviews with other bloggers be they Australian or International. As an Aussie I will be participating in the True Blue category, which means I am going to have to read 12 books by at least 9 different authors! I've worked that out to be roughly 2.4 books a month. That seems doable....

So far the books I have chosen are:

1. Good Oil by Laura Buzo.
2. Graffitin Moon by Cath Crawley.
3. On The Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta.
4. Burn Bright by Marianne de Pierres.
5. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar.
6. Solace and Grief by Foz Meadows.
7. The Outcast by Patricia Bernard.
8. Wolfborn by Sue Bursztynski.
9. The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta.
10.My Big Birkett: The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I Truly and Completely Lost It by Lisa Shanahan.
11. Madigan Mine by Kirstyn McDermott.
12. Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody.
This is all I can think of so far. The list might change depending on whether I enjoy the book. My policy of not forcing myself to read a book I don't like still stands. Wish I'd thought of doing this sooner because I could have included Thyla by Kate Gordon and Mercy and Exile by Rebecca Lim which would have knocked off three books!

Better go get reading!

*** THIS CHALLENGE HAS BEEN COMPLETE ***

Follow Friday (5) - Who Am I When I'm Not Reading?

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkie It's a really fun way to get to know other bloggers and pick up a few new followers on the way.









This weeks question is: What do I do when I'm not reading?

I would tell you but then I'd have to kill you :) Just kidding. Like a lot of bloggers, my first passion is writing and I spend a lot of my time hashing out plot lines and characters. I'm editing a YA novel at the moment but I hope to start the query process in the next few weeks. If I have any spare time after that I'll be gardening, painting, watching TV or just plain being bored. Oh and I am also a bit of a budding florist.

* My husband just walked past and said the above is a lie. According to him when I'm not reading, I'm blog stalking or eating/sleeping. Who are you going to believe? 

There you go guys. That's me outside of reading. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a great weekend. 

Pash, Pick or Pass: Hogwarts Edition

Pash, Pick or Pass is a meme hosted by Belle's Bookshelf If you've never played before, the idea is that you choose from a particular grouping of guys who you'd...well....pash, pick or pass on! In honor of the imminent final film, this weeks contenders are chosen from the realms of Harry Potter and there are TWO rounds. Yay!

Round One: Gryffindor's Greats - Ron, Harry and Neville

My Choices

Pash: Neville. If you trawl through my blog you'll see why I have such love for Neville. He has come such a long way and I have to give him props for really growing a pair in the last few books. Also: see below for future swoon potential.

Pick: Harry. I've loved Harry from the first moment he stepped out of the closet under the stairs.I'm so glad he survived and so sad that the films are at an end.

Pass: Ron. He's cute but I can't see him as more than anything but a best friend type.

Side note: OK. So we can all agree that Matthew Lewis has done a good job growing up, but is anyone else seeing the Clive Owen resemblance or am I going out of my mind as usual? Come on, you know you can see it! Just nod your heads.

Round Two: Slytherin's Stars - Voldemort, Snape and Malfoy

My Choices:

Pash: Draco. Because let's face it, he's the looker of the bunch and after all isn't that what pashing is about?

Pick: Definitely Snape. I can see myself getting along with him like a cauldron on fire and he was probably the most interesting and in depth character of the whole series.

Pass: Voldemort. No explanation required. Even with the Tom Riddle image.

There you go! Those are my picks. Feel free to post your own. Happy pashing!

Follow Friday (4)- Best of the Worst

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by parajunkee It's a really fun way to get to know other bloggers and pick up a few new followers on the way.





This weeks question is: Let's step away from besties...What is the worst book that you've ever read and actually finished?

I really have to stress that I've named this post Best of the Worst because, well my choice this week is the best of the worst books I've read simply for the fact that I actually finished it. Normally, if a book makes me want to curl into a ball and rock back and forth I'll close it and pick up something else. So, with that disclaimer out of the way, my choice this week is Evernight by Claudia Gray (ducks from stakes and silver bullets).

I know it's a very popular book and like I said, it was good enough for me to plow through, I just didn't feel a connection to any of the characters. Normally, I can find some empathy for the narrator no matter how far out they are, but the way the author withheld information until halfway through the book felt like a betrayal. It was such a disappointment because I'd just read Vampire Academy and wanted so much to like this book as well. So that's my submission for this week. Thoughts? Please comment below...try not to slay me too badly.

Review: Thyla by Kate Gordon

The Story:

There are only four things that Tessa knows about herself. Her name. That she is strong. That she is brave. That she does not cry. Found in the Tasmanian bush with no memory and strange scars on her back, Tessa wants to remember who she is, but something tells her that the truth is terrifying.

Through the kindness of Connolly, the police woman who found her, Tessa is enrolled in a prestigious boarding school where mean girls stalk the halls by day and even meaner things stalk the night. Connolly's daughter Cat went missing while on a school bush walk and though Tessa doesn't remember why she's afraid, she feels that there is a connection between herself and Cat's disappearance and in solving one mystery, she may find out who she is.

My Thoughts:

I am having major love for books by Australian authors right now. Thyla is no exception. Set in my dream location, Thyla is the story of convicts, Tasmanian tigers, centuries old feuds and a menace that left me reeling. Written as a journal entry to Connolly, the novel paints a realistic yet fantastical picture of what life in Tasmania would have been like during convict times. The author was very creative in her mingling of Australian animals and modern fantasy and anything Aussie is a huge plus in my opinion.
           Tessa is both an innocent and wise narrator and I really felt for her being stuck at a strange school with no one to depend on but herself. This novel is quite short but the action never stops and I found myself ripping through the pages wanting to know more about Tessa's story. Overall, I loved this book and am eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Rating:

8.5/10

What the?/Cover your eyes: Spoiler Alert

 I have real respect for authors who can make a love interest work without the character being in the novel much. Perrin is the epitome of less is more. Looking forward to seeing how this relationship progresses in Vulpi. 

My Image of Tessa: 

I know the novel described Tessa as having blondish hair, but thanks again to the cover I couldn't get the image of Summer Glau out of my head. This is how I pictured Tessa the whole way through.

* Belated note: Kate Gordon is super cool and has a blog! Her ramblings can be found here Kate Gordon.

Review: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

The Story:

Evie's always thought of herself as normal, human even. She loves all things pink and spends her time watching reruns of teen drama shows. But Evie isn't normal no matter how hard she tries to mimic being a boring teenager. For one thing, she is the only person in the world who can see through paranormal glamours. For another she lives in a top secret paranormal detainment center and her job is to bad an tag the things that go bump in the night.

       When a mysterious shape-shifter breaks into her home Evie finds herself inexplicably drawn to him. Maybe it's because he's the closest thing to a boy her age that she's got or could it be that he can turn himself into the hottest guy on earth? Then paranormals start dropping like flies and Evie suspects that there is a link between her abilities and the thing that now haunts her dreams.Soon Evie is running for her life and the choices she makes will inevitably shape not only her future but the very existence of paranormals everywhere.

My Thoughts:

The first few lines of this book really grabbed me and at the beginning I found Evie's voice to be very cute. In fact if I could describe Paranormalcy in one word it would be cute. Just cute. The cover appears to have little relevance to the novels plot at all and I wondered throughout the whole book when it would get dark and scary...it never happened. The book just sort of plodded along, jumping between Evie being scared and guilty to Evie descending into high school shallowness.

         To be honest, I was more than a little disappointed with Evie. She really had potential to be another Sophie from Hex Hall, but the author somehow robbed her of the same kind of depth. For one thing, she wasn't particularly bright, which isn't a bad thing, if only SOMEONE else was. Alas, the whole novel seemed to be permeated with characters of sub par intelligence who somehow happened to work with paranormals and managed to not be killed.

         On the other hand, I thought Lend was very sweet and I liked him despite his lack of edge. Even though he was a shape shifter there was something so normal about him and I thought he was a perfect fit for Evie given her obsession with all things normal.

        Wow, it probably sounds like I didn't like Paranormalcy but I did. It was a light read and the mystery of the paranormal killings was intriguing. I just kept getting distracted by how dense everyone was. The premise of the book is great and there were some imaginative concepts that I haven't seen in any other novels. Overall, I have high hopes for this series and I'll probably check out Supernaturally when it comes out. 

Rating:

6.5/10

What the?/Cover your eyes: Spoiler Alert

1. For a supposed international agency IPCA were the dumbest group of people I have ever come across. Their lack of understanding and self imposed ignorance of the true nature of the immortals was almost maddening. 

2. I couldn't tell if Reth was meant to be a secondary romantic character or not but he just struck me as a maniac in a pretty package.

My Image of Evie: 

Thanks to the cover image, I couldn't help but imagine Evie as Scarlett Johansson the whole time. 

Follow Friday (3) - Take Me Away Prince Caspian

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by parajunkee. It's a really fun way to get to know other bloggers and pick up a few new followers on the way.






This weeks question is: Ack! Your favourite book/movie character (example Hermione Granger played by the Emma chick) just walked into the room! Who is it and what would be your first reaction? You get extra points if you include visual stimulation.

 What can I say? I've always loved the Narnia books, but when I found out who was playing Prince Caspian, I went into a bit of sensory overload. What would I do if Ben Barnes walked in the door? Probably run away! lol.