Tuesday 27 January 2015

Mara Dyer Trilogy - Michelle Hodkin

Mara Dyer Trilogy – Michelle Hodkin


Book 1: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
Book 2: The Evolution of Mara Dyer
Book 3: The Retribution of Mara Dyer






I am writing this review as a whole series, as there is only so much I can say about these books without spoiling what takes place within them, or taking away from the enjoyment of each twist and turn that unexpectedly happens throughout. So this review may be a little shorter than others I have done.

The Mara Dyer trilogy is truly an original and captivating paranormal romance/thriller and at times horror series.  Being Michelle’s debut novel, she certainly knows how to introduce us with a bang, in this eerie tale.

Michelle’s writing is truly amazing, drawing you in right from the start and leaving you wanting to know more. Each book ended with a cliff hanger, and I truly couldn't wait to pick up the next and find out what happened. This is such a beautifully written and yet seriously twisted book, that becomes darker as it goes along. I loved the light and shade that carried on throughout, the innocence and vulnerability of our main protagonist Mara, but then the darkness that she brought and just how untrustworthy she was as a narrator, was truly creepy.

The characters within this book were brilliant, the loving family, who truly support Mara through everything and whose only wish is to see her better and happy again. Jamie, the first friend Mara makes in the series, which not only provides humour but is a brilliant contrast to that of Mara’s character herself. Then Noah Shaw, the swoon worthy boy with one hell of a reputation, who has a secret of his own. These were the main characters throughout the series; however others do pop up, doctors, therapists and even someone from her past. Each character is written in great detail and the relationships built between each is brilliantly highlighted and felt due to Michelle’s great writing, the relationships feel real and genuine and possibly the only thing we do feel to be true in this story. Plus there really are some overly creepy characters created…Phoebe...wow!

I found as the story progressed you were sucked deeper in to this dark world, left solving mystery after mystery. The books certainly became darker, and I did struggle with the sudden change in Mara in the third book, to be so fearful of what she could do, to then outright going out and doing it no questions asked (this may not make sense for those who have not read the book, but i really don’t want to spoil anything… more of an incentive to go and pick it up maybe?) Mara’s vulnerability was so evident in that final book, and I really felt like Jamie’s character was the pivotal force throughout it that made me deal with that, he really did become one of my favourites with his humour and the spark and dynamic between him and Mara was truly amazing.

Overall this series is truly fantastic, it leaves you on the edge of your seat, freaked out, holding your breath and completely confused and yet absolutely desperate for more all at the same time. You finish each book and are left saying’ What!!!’ so you just have to pick up the next one. Michelle Hodkins story really is one of a kind, and I absolutely loved the dark world she created and all the amazing characters within it. So I really would say if you like thrillers, a bit of romance, and even paranormal stories. Then this truly is for you. Just brace yourself for a bumpy ride.


I would give this series 4 out of 5 stars.



Sunday 11 January 2015

Throne of Glass - Sarah J Maas



Throne of Glass – Sarah J Maas




I have been wanting to read Throne of Glass for quite a while now, i have seen many a mixed review of some people not finding it to be for them, and others absolutely loving it and soaking up this fantasy world of magic and mystery.

Throne of Glass follows the story of Celaena Sardothien, a young girl who just so happens to be a deadly assassin. We are introduced to Celaena whilst she is a slave at a salt mine, following her arrest after a set up and betrayal on her last assignment. Living conditions are poor, and people barely survive the first few months there. That is until Dorian, the crown prince of Adarlan arrives with a proposition she cannot refuse. Compete in a competition against other deadly assassins and vicious criminals to become the Kings Champion, and as a result, gain her freedom. Should she lose however, she would return back to the salt mines.

Throne of Glass is full of various exciting characters, that Sarah J Maas leaves you wanting to know more about. They are written in such a great way that each character is completely individual, it is not just the men that come across strong but the women too, each character gives us a snippet to their life and back story that leaves you eager and thirsty to learn more about, which i just know will happen in the next few books in the series. This really is a credit to Sarah’s writing and the world she is creating through the pages of her book.

The detail in which this book is written clearly and easily forms the world within your imagination, you picture scenes, rooms, secret passages and even each assigned task that is carried out within the competition. You almost feel like you are within this fantasy world, filled with magic, corruption, betrayal and death. With each page you turn you truly do not know what to expect and you are fully captivated by the story laid out within the pages you hold.

Celaena’s journey through the book is an intriguing one, she is labelled as being this deadly assassin, but at the end of the day she is still a teenage girl. It is made quite clear that as deadly as she may be, she still loves clothes and shopping, and still blushes when an attractive man is around. I know this drew some criticism from some reviewers, as they believed it did not make her a plausible assassin. However, i thought this was a great counter balance, and even made her seem that bit more deadly. No one would suspect a young girly girl, who loves a good dress to be a murderer. I also felt this connected well with her upbringing, the way she was raised; she wasn’t always an assassin, regardless of how young she was when she started.

The somewhat unusual triangle relationship between Celaena, Dorian and Chaol was interesting to say the least, i won’t say too much about this, but even without any romantic notions between them, i am team Chaol all the way.

Sarah J Maas, has created an amazing fantasy world within Throne of Glass, it is exciting, gripping and a complete page turner. I would honestly recommend it to any fantasy and/or young adult fan. I certainly cannot wait to read the next book in the series. 

I would give Throne of Glass a 5 out of 5 star rating.


Sunday 4 January 2015

Girl Online - Zoe Sugg



Girl Online – Zoe Sugg




I was incredibly dubious about this book, I didn’t really know what to expect from it. Being a debut novel and with no prior reading material to gain knowledge in just how the writing style of this book would be.  From a quick flick through I could see that the story had the general narrating style, with snippets told through blog posts and conversations held via text. Seeing this I thought it would be interesting to see how this story is carried out.

Girl Online follows a young girl named Penny, a girl who from the first few pages comes across lacking self confidence and suffering with anxiety. With the encouragement from her best friend starts an anonymous blog to get her thoughts and opinions out for anyone who may be feeling the same. A line I quite enjoyed from the very first blog was

‘I have this dream that secretly all teenage girls feel exactly like me. And maybe one day, when we all realize that we all feel the same, we can all stop pretending to be something we’re not’

I thought it was great how this one line captures the thoughts of the vast majority of teenage girls growing up. At an age where you are always comparing yourself to others, covering ‘flaws’ you feel you may have, trying to ‘fit in’. When in reality the majority of the other girls are doing the exact same thing, you just don’t see it. All you can be is who you are.

I knew from this that this book would be a coming of age book, Penny growing as a person, finding herself and her confidence and dealing with her anxiety and panic attacks.

There are a variety of characters we meet throughout the book, Penny’s parents, who seem lovely and supportive, both running a To Have or To Hold theme wedding company. Tom, Penny’s older and somewhat protective brother. Elliot, Penny’s next door neighbour but best friend, who I have to say I went through this novel with a bit of a rollercoaster of views on him, at times I loved his character and the humour he brought and others I couldn’t stand him and his jealousy and almost controlling nature. There is Megan, the horrible and yet popular friend, Ollie the ‘swoon worthy yet would never fancy me in a million years’ boy. Finally there is Noah, who I feel is a great character for Penny, and the development between the two of them is amazing and very well written, if somewhat a tad fast.

Penny’s character really develops throughout this novel, which was great to see, she slowly gains that self confidence (all be it not for long) but I feel like she grows up throughout the book and you are there with her for each step of the way. 

Girl Online is a great coming of age, romance novel. With twists and turns that I really did not see coming at all, so you really are left feeling for Penny and the pain and upset she goes through. I also greatly enjoyed the significance played on the end of just how easy something can be posted online that is hurtful and nasty, without being thought over. The impact this could have on a person and their life, really is horrible.

If you are looking for a light, funny book with a splash of romance I would say this is for you. I got through this book pretty fast, and really enjoyed the journey and story told through its pages. I’m eager to see what Zoe comes out with next.

I have given this book 4 out of 5 stars.