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http://www.noveldreams.co.uk

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On Hiatus Until Further Notice

Well guys, I managed just over a month since my last hiatus, but I think it's time for another one. Last time, my break was to focus on the direction of my blog, but this time things are a little more personal, and it's doubtful that I'll even be around to answer comments or visit other blogs. If you want to know the reasons behind this seemingly sudden decision, keep on reading.

My Thoughts On Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

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THE BOOK -

Last Sacrifice
by Richelle Mead
Bk. #6 of Vampire Academy
First published in 2010 by Razorbill
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Avg. Rating: 4/5 stars

EDITION I PURCHASED -

Paperback, 588 pages
Published in 2010 by Razorbill
My Rating: 5/5 stars

THE PLOT -

Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules. She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir's Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardians to come.

Now the law has finalyl caught up with Rose - for a crime she didn't even commit. She's in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She'll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose's life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead want her back... and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your whole life is about saving others, who will save you?

ADD TO GOODREADS.

Richelle Mead has created a piece of YA genius with the Vampire Academy series, and Last Sacrifice definitely was the epic conclusion I was hoping for. Concluding novels should be tense and exciting, fast-paced and, ultimately, satisfying. Last Sacrifice was all of these things and more and I'm definitely a little saddened to see this series end. Nevertheless, this book left me with a wonderful feeling of satisfaction and I can't wait to see what Mead has cooked up for Adrian's story in Bloodlines.

My Thoughts On Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

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THE BOOK -

Spirit Bound
by Richelle Mead
Bk. #5 of Vampire Academy
First published in 2010 by Razorbill
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Avg. Rating: 4/5 stars

EDITION I PURCHASED -

Paperback, 489 pages
Published in 2011 by Razorbill
My Rating: 5/5 stars

THE PLOT -

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Siberia, Dimitri's birthplace, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir's - and to her best friend, Lissa Dragomir. It's graduation, and the girls can't wait for their real lives outside of the Academy's cold iron gates to finally begin. But even with the intrigue and excitement of Court life looming, Rose's heart still aches for Dimitri. He's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance, and now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and she knows in her heart that he is hunting her. And if Rose won't join him, he won't rest until he has silenced her... forever.

ADD TO GOODREADS.

Richelle Mead went above and beyond in Spirit Bound, managing to incorporate at least three major plotlines into one incredible novel. I've said before that Mead is possibly one of the best authors out there, but this book definitely reaffirmed that belief when she decided to continue writing where most other authors would have left off. The huge plot twist that happens about halfway through this novel would have made for a fantastic ending, but Mead decided to go one step further and close this book in a way that I certainly wasn't expecting. I wish I could mention more without spoiling anything, but believe when when I say that the shock factor in this novel is pretty high, and the significant plot twists make for an interesting experience.

Ten Of My Most Anticipated Releases From June To December 2015

WHAT IS TOP TEN TUESDAY? (CLICK HERE)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke & The Bookish in which we can spotlight our favourite books according to the topic of the week. If you want a full list of upcoming topics, check out this page.

This week's topic is our most anticipated releases for the rest of the year. I don't really pay much attention to new releases, as I generally only read them after they've been out a while and there are plenty of people selling their used copies off for cheap. However, I've been scouring the internet in search of books being released in the next 6 months, and I finally managed to come up with 10 that sound pretty intriguing.

My Thoughts On Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

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THE BOOK -

Blood Promise
by Richelle Mead
Bk. #4 of Vampire Academy
First published in 2009 by Razorbill
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Avg. Rating: 4/5 stars

EDITION I PURCHASED -

Paperback, 503 pages
Published in 2010 by Razorbill
My Rating: 5/5 stars

THE PLOT -

Guardian Rose Hathaway's life will never be the same. The recent attack on St. Vladimir's Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse.

But only one victim matters... Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life's vow to protect Lissa - her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess - or dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She'll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make.

But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved?

ADD TO GOODREADS.

Shadow Kiss, the previous novel in this amazing series, has one of the most powerful last lines I've ever experienced. Those 10 words set the tone for the absolute... epicness that was Blood Promise. After discovering that Dimitri has been turned Strigoi, Rose sets out on the impossible task of tracking him down and fulfilling the promise she made to him: if he was ever turned, she would kill him. Forbidden love is one thing, but the phenomenal twist that Mead incorporated into her story is something that I've never experienced before.

The Ultimate Book Tag

I'm here today with a tag created by the ladies at Chapter Chicks. I've removed a few questions due to time management purposes, so if you want to see the full list, you can do so here. Anyway, this tag is about all things bookish, so let's get on with it!

My Thoughts On Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

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THE BOOK -

Shadow Kiss
by Richelle Mead
Bk. #3 of Vampire Academy
First published in 2008 by Razorbill
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Avg. Rating: 4/5 stars

EDITION I PURCHASED -

Paperback, 443 pages
Published in 2008 by Razorbill
My Rating: 5/5 stars

THE PLOT -

Rose knows it is forbidden to love another guardian. Her best friend, Lissa - the last Dragomir princess - must always come first. Unfortunately, when it comes to gorgeous Dimitri Belikov, some rules are meant to be broken.

Then a strange darkness begins to grow in Rose's mind, and ghostly shadows warn of a terrible evil drawing nearer to the Academy's iron gates. The immortal undead are closing in, and they want vengeance for the lives Rose has stolen. In a heart-stopping battle to rival her worst nightmares, Rose will have to choose between life, love, and the two people who matter most... but will her choice mean that only one can survive?

ADD TO GOODREADS.

I didn't think there was an author out there who could make me feel every emotion under the sun with just one sentence, but Richelle Mead managed it and blew my mind completely in the process. The last sentence of this novel broke me in a way that nothing else ever could, and while I can't go into detail because of obvious spoilers, know that this entire series thus far has been leading up to what is coming next. I knew things wouldn't be easy for Rose, but what Mead did was beyond unexpected. There was a much darker tone to this novel that what we've experienced thus far and it definitely added to the plot in a positive way. Following the events of this novel, however, it's clear that it's just going to get darker and more serious from here on out. 

The Woes Of Being A Mood Reader

Being a mood reader is hard work. Not only does it make it difficult to choose what book to pick up next, but it also causes reading slumps, crippling guilt, and crazy frustration. If you have to ask why being a mood reader causes any of these things, count your blessings because that more than likely means you're not one... lucky you.

Ten Book To Movie/TV Adaptations I Really Want To See

WHAT IS TOP TEN TUESDAY? (CLICK HERE) 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke & The Bookish in which we can spotlight our favourite books according to the topic of the week. If you want a full list of upcoming topics, check out this page.

This week's topic is book to movie/tv adaptations we want to see. There are some book adaptations that work and some that don't. I'm always a little wary about watching a movie based on a book I adore, but when I started thinking about it, there have been an absolute ton that I've enjoyed over the last couple of years: The Hunger Games and both of its current sequels; The 100; Divergent; City Of Bones; Breaking Dawn, Pt. 2 (the only Twilight movie I did enjoy); and many more besides. I think it's time to throw caution to the wind and wish for some awesome movie/TV adaptations.

My Thoughts On Frostbite by Richelle Mead

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THE BOOK -

Frostbite
by Richelle Mead
Bk. #2 of Vampire Academy
First published in 2008 by Razorbill
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Avg. Rating: 4/5 stars

EDITION I PURCHASED -

Paperback, 327 pages
Published in 2008 by Razorbill
My Rating: 5/5 stars

THE PLOT -

Rose has serious guy trouble. Her gorgeous tutor, Dimitri, has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason has a huge crush on her, and she keeps getting stuck in her best friend Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian.

Then a nearby Strigoi attack puts St. Vladimir's on high alert, and the Academy whisks its students away on a mandatory holiday ski trip. But the glittering winter landscape and posh Idaho resort only provide the illusion of safety. When three students run away to strike back against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. Only this time, Rose - and her heart - are in more danger than she could have imagined...

ADD TO GOODREADS.

Though it's true that the plot of this novel does sound a little juvenile in places, I can assure you that's far from fact. This novel is a lot darker than its predecessor, Vampire Academy, and it will definitely keep you hooked until the very end. In all honesty, I actually preferred this sequel and I cannot wait to dive into the next book as soon as humanly possible.

May 2015 Recap: The One With So Many Vampires

My gosh, how quickly is this year going? It just feels like yesterday that Christmas was upon us, and now I have only 6 weeks until it's my birthday! Crazy. Anyway, I had a great time on the blog this month, with double weekly reviews, as well as a lot of discussion posts and some fun book tags! I also decided to stick with the Top Ten Tuesday meme as I think it's awesome for recommendations.

The This Or That Book Tag

I'm here today with a tag that I found here. Unfortunately, I don't know who created the tag, so leave a comment if you know where it started! This tag consists of a series of "this or that" questions, completely relating to books.

My Thoughts On Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

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THE BOOK -

Vampire Academy
by Richelle Mead
Bk. #1 of Vampire Academy
First published in 2007 by Razorbill
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Avg. Rating: 4/5 stars

EDITION I PURCHASED -

Paperback, 332 pages
Published in 2007 by Razorbill
My Rating: 5/5 stars

THE PLOT -

Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with a rare gift for harnessing the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from the Strigoi; the fiercest vampires - the ones who never die. The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a Dhampir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making Lissa one of them.

After two years of freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir's Academy, a school for vampire royalty and their guardians-to-be, hidden in the deep forests of Montana. But inside the iron gates, life is even more fraught with danger... and the Strigoi are always close by. Rose and Lissa must navigate their dangerous world, confront the temptations of forbidden love, and never once let their guard down, lest the evil undead make Lissa one of them forever...

ADD TO GOODREADS.

Vampire Academy is one of those novels that pulls you in and doesn't let you go. Starting from the off with Rose and Lissa being found after two years of running away from St. Vladimir's Academy - a school for Moroi vampires and their guardians - following an accident that sent Lissa on a downward spiral after losing both her parents and her brother. Now, Lissa feels the need to make up for lost time and represent the Dragomir name in a way that would make her family proud. Nothing is ever that simple, of course, and when Lissa starts spiralling once again, Rose must figure out a way to keep Lissa safe not only from outside threats, but also from herself.

Why I Don't Use Bloglovin'

Back in 2013, the entire blogosphere blew up with the demise of Google Reader, and people quickly began searching for an alternative method of following their favourite blogs. Thus, Bloglovin' quickly rose in popularity. By creating an account, you can follow essentially any blog that exists, regardless of the platform, and regardless of whether the owner of said blog has actually signed up. That's right, you don't have to have signed up for Bloglovin' in order for people to follow your blog. Strike one.

Ten Books On My Summer Wishlist

WHAT IS TOP TEN TUESDAY? (CLICK HERE) 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke & The Bookish in which we can spotlight our favourite books according to the topic of the week. If you want a full list of upcoming topics, check out this page.

This week's topic is books we want to read this summer. Summer is the season for cute contemporary novels and since I haven't actually read a whole bunch, I decided to feature books that I want to read this summer, rather than focus on recommendations. I'm not particularly far into my contemporary challenge of the year so hopefully writing this list will inspire me to stock up on novels to enjoy in the sun.

My Thoughts On If I Should Die by Amy Plum

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THE BOOK -

If I Should Die
by Amy Plum
Bk. #3 of Revenants
First published in 2013 by HarperTeen
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Avg. Rating: 4/5 stars

EDITION I PURCHASED -

Paperback, 408 pages
Published in 2013 by Atom
My Rating: 5/5 stars

THE PLOT -

Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant, our future together has been shattered. He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend and I lost him. It shouldn't be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality. I know Vincent is out there somewhere, I know he's not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him.

After what we've already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable. He once swore to avoid dying - to go against his nature and forsake sacrificing himself for others - so that we could be together. How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me?

There's a common theme in YA literature that I've chosen to ignore over the last couple of years, and that's the whole boy meets girl, they fall in love, they then break up for whatever reason, but eventually they overcome their problems and get their happily ever after. I've kind of gotten used to this being the rule rather than the exception, but sometimes it's nice to find a series that breaks the mold. The Revenants trilogy is one of those series'. Though the romance is the largest part of the book, and the couple did break up, there's so much more going on in the story, including an ancient war with the numa - evil revenants whose sole purpose in life is to take human lives. These books have been like a breath of fresh air to me and I'm definitely sad to say goodbye to this world.

The A-Z Bookish Survey

I'm here today with a tag created by The Perpetual Page Turner. This tag is an A-Z survey of various bookish related subjects. This is going to be a long one, folks, so settle in and enjoy! Since there are 26 categories, I'm going to try and get through these as quickly as possible, so I probably won't give any major explanations for my choices. Sorry about that!

My Thoughts On Until I Die by Amy Plum

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THE BOOK -

Until I Die
by Amy Plum
Bk. #2 of Revenants
First published in 2012 by HarperCollins
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Avg. Rating: 4/5 stars

EDITION I PURCHASED -

Paperback, 357 pages
Published in 2012 by Atom
My Rating: 5/5 stars

THE PLOT -

I wish there was only today, just right now, and no forever. It seems fitting that I fell in love in Paris, the most beautiful city in the world. And if I pretend, I can almost believe that my life is normal and everyone I care about is safe. But as long as I’m with Vincent, “normal” doesn’t exist. Gorgeous, charming, and witty, he’s everything you could ask for in a boyfriend - but his destiny is so much more.

Even more terrifying than his destiny are his dangerous enemies, enemies who will kill for immortality. How are Vincent and I supposed to be together forever if we’re always in danger? I know I’ll do whatever it takes - even if it means lying to the people I love - to fight against a fate that is trying to tear us apart.

Amy Plum exceeded all of my expectations when it came to the first novel in this trilogy, Die For Me, and I'm happy to report that this sequel was just as good. Focusing on the events after Kate and Vincent destroyed Lucien, the leader of the numa, as well as the search Vincent and the others are undertaking for a way to free him from his compulsion to die, Plum has woven together a tale of danger and romance and created something unique and beautifully written.

How Do You Review Books You've Read Before?

Reading novels again is a fantastic way to rediscover old favourites, and really remind you of why you loved reading in the first place. A lot of bloggers feel as though they don't have the time to re-read novels just for fun, but what about re-reading novels so you can finally review them? I, personally, absolutely love reading books multiple times, and sometimes it means that I can finally write that elusive review that's been missing from my archive. As it stands, I'm currently working my way through all the novels I've read before (hence all the 4 and 5 star reviews on this blog), and while I'm enjoying every minute of it, writing reviews of these books is hard work.

My Top Ten Favourite Debut Novels

WHAT IS TOP TEN TUESDAY? (CLICK HERE)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke & The Bookish in which we can spotlight our favourite books according to the topic of the week. If you want a full list of upcoming topics, check out this page.

This week's topic is a freebie, so I chose to showcase my favourite debut novels. The majority of this list will consist of authors that haven't actually written anything else, but they're all awesome just the same.

My Thoughts On Die For Me by Amy Plum

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THE BOOK -

Die For Me
by Amy Plum
Bk. #1 of Revenants
First published in 2011 by HarperTeen
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Avg. Rating: 4/5 stars

EDITION I PURCHASED -

Paperback, 341 pages
Published in 2011 by Atom
My Rating: 5/5 stars

THE PLOT -

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything. Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were moving to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my life would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, he put me in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen... until I realized that Vincent Delacroix is no normal human - that he has a terrifying destiny and enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

Can I risk everything for love?

ADD TO GOODREADS.

Die For Me is a novel that I went into without knowing anything about it, other than what's written on the blurb. Having had no previous experience with revenants, I had no idea what to expect, but I'm happy to report that I was pleasantly surprised. Actually, that's a slight understatement... truth is, I absolutely loved this book from start to finish.

The Reader Problems Book Tag

I'm here today with a tag created by Youtube user About To Read. This tag is all about reader problems, so it should be fun to see what comes up, and what I can relate to. Please note, I have removed some questions for time management purposes, so if you want to see the full set of questions, head on over to the creator's page.

My Thoughts On Amelia Anne Is Dead & Gone by Kat Rosenfield

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THE BOOK -

Amelia Anne Is Dead & Gone
by Kat Rosenfield
This book is not part of a series
First published in 2012 by Dutton Juvenile
Genre: YA Mystery
Avg. Rating: 3/5 stars

EDITION I PURCHASED -

Paperback, 288 pages
Published in 2013 by Speak
My Rating: 4/5 stars

THE PLOT -

Becca has always longed to break free. Free from her backwater hometown. Free from its small-town gossip and dead-end lives. But the horrifying discovery of a dead body - an outsider, Amelia Anna, battered and broken - on the morning after graduation sends Becca into an unexpected tailspin. As the violence of the real world creeps close to home, Becca retreats, paralyzed from moving forward for the first time in her life, as Becca's and Amelia's parallel stories twist closer and closer to the horrifying truth.

ADD TO GOODREADS.

Amelia Anne Is Dead & Gone is a novel that has received many mixed reviews but I, personally, believe that this is a must-read for YA mystery fans. With a story that grabs your attention from the very beginning and refuses to let go until the last page, I found myself completely absorbe in the parallel stories of Becca and Amelia, waiting for the tragic moment when their lives would inevitably collide. Who was the dead girl on the side of the road? Why was she in Bridgeton? Who killed her... and why? These are the questions that kept me turning the pages late into the night.

4 Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Started Blogging

I don't consider myself to be an expert on blogging by any means, but there are definitely a handful of things I wish I'd known before I started my journey. I don't think any of these things would have put me off starting a blog, but a little notice would have been nice. Today, I'm sharing those things I wish I'd known in the hopes that I can help future bloggers decide whether or not a blog is the right path for them.

Ten Authors I Would Love To Meet

WHAT IS TOP TEN TUESDAY? (CLICK HERE) 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke & The Bookish in which we can spotlight our favourite books according to the topic of the week. If you want a full list of upcoming topics, check out this page.

This week's topic is authors we really want to meet. In all honesty, I'm one of these people who believes firmly that you should never meet your hero, so while there are a ton of authors I would love to meet, I highly doubt I will ever go out of my way to make it happen. I'm not going to give a reason behind these choices, due simply to the fact that I just think they're amazing authors, but I will share my favourite book/series by each author.

My Thoughts On Harry Potter & The Prisoner Of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

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THE BOOK -

Harry Potter & The Prisoner Of Azkaban
by J.K. Rowling
Bk. #3 of Harry Potter
First published in 1999 by Bloomsbury
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Avg. Rating: 4/5 stars

EDITION I PURCHASED -

Paperback, 435 pages
Published in 2013 by Scholastic
My Rating: 5/5 stars

THE PLOT -

For twelve long years, the dreaded fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be a dedicated follower of the Dark Lord, Voldemort. Now he's escaped. And the Azkaban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, "He's at Hogwarts... he's at Hogwarts." Is he coming for Harry?

Harry Potter isn't safe, not even within the walls of his magical school, surrounded by his friends. Because on top of it all, there may be a traitor in their midst.

ADD TO GOODREADS.

Harry Potter & The Prisoner Of Azkaban is definitely my favourite installment in the Harry Potter series. With the introduction of a couple new characters, as well as new dangers lurking around every corner, Harry, Ron, and Hermione's third year at Hogwarts proves to be just as much of a whirlwind as the previous two. Emotions run high as stubbornness overtakes logic, and the rollercoaster that Rowling takes her characters on this time around is bordering on cruel. This novel is, in a lot of ways, darker than the previous installments, and it's from here that the series starts encroaching onto YA territory, rather than being middle grade fiction.

The Reading Habits Book Tag

I'm here today with a tag created by Youtube user The Book Jazz. This tag is all about our reading habits, and while I like to think that my habits are pretty normal, I know there are people out there who do some weird and wonderful things whilst reading. Please note that I have removed some of the questions for the sake of time management, so be sure to head on over to the creator's page for the full list of questions.

My Thoughts On Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross

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THE BOOK -

Kill Me Softly
by Sarah Cross
Bk. #1 of Beau Rivage
First published in 2012 by Egmont USA
Genre: YA Retellings
Avg. Rating: 4/5 stars

EDITION I WON -

Hardcover, 336 pages
Published in 2012 by Egmont USA
My Rating: 4/5 stars

THE PLOT -

Mirabelle's past is shrouded in secrecy, from her parents' tragic deaths to her guardians' half-truths about why she can't return to her birthplace, Beau Rivage. Desperate to see the town, Mira runs away a week before her sixteenth birthday - and discovers a world she never could have imagined.

In Beau Rivage, nothing is what it seems - the strangely pale girl with a morbid interest in apples, the obnoxious playboy who's a beast to everyone he meets, and the chivalrous guy who has a thing for damsels in distress. Here, fairytales come to life, curses are awakened, and ancient stories are played out again and again.

But fairytales aren't pretty things, and they don't always end in happily ever after. Mira has a role to play, a fairy tale destiny to embrace or resist. As she struggles to take control of her fate, Mira is drawn into the lives of two brothers with fairytale curses of their own... brothers who share a dark secret. And she'll find that love, just like fairytales, can have sharp edges and hidden thorns.

ADD TO GOODREADS.

When it comes to fairytale retellings, I'm always a little wary. I've had a few bad experiences in the past, so to find out that Kill Me Softly doesn't just focus on one tale made me nervous. I wasn't sure how Cross was going to combine a dozen different stories into one and it was with some trepadition that I opened the first page. That feeling didn't last long, however, and I soon found myself lost in the world that Cross created, and loving every minute of it.

My Kindle Experience

Back in February 2013, after nearly a year of blogging, I discovered NetGalley. I thought this was an absolutely fantastic feature for a relatively new blogger with little to no connection with publishers/authors and I immediately signed up. Little did I realise that reading from a computer screen would kill my eyes, making me blind and unable to read ever again (okay, that's a bit of an overstatement, considering I'm still here two years later, but you get the gist). It was torture! Here I was, with nearly unlimited access to some of the hottest new releases, and my eyes were slowly dying whilst reading them. I was heartbroken.

Ten (Mostly Classic) Books I'll Probably Never Read

WHAT IS TOP TEN TUESDAY? (CLICK HERE) 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke & The Bookish in which we can spotlight our favourite books according to the topic of the week. If you want a full list of upcoming topics, check out this page.

This week's topic is books we'll probably never read. My list this week consists mostly of classics that I really want to read one day, but will probably always be too intimidated by. Most people say nothing but good things about these novels, but they're so intimidating!

My Thoughts On Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

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THE BOOK -

Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets
by J.K. Rowling
Bk. #2 of Harry Potter
First published in 1998 by Bloomsbury
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Avg. Rating: 4/5 stars

EDITION I PURCHASED -

Paperback, 341 pages
Published in 2013 by Scholastic
My Rating: 5/5 stars

THE PLOT -

Harry's second year at Hogwarts is rife with fresh torments and horrors, including an outrageously stuck up new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny.

But these seem minor when the real trouble begins, and someone - or something - starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally revealed? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects... Harry Potter himself?

ADD TO GOODREADS.

Ever since I was a child, this has always been my least favourite Harry Potter book, and yet I still cannot give a genuine answer as to why that is. Don't get me wrong, this entire series is easily 5 stars throughout, but there's always been something about this second installment that doesn't sit right with me. Nevertheless, Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets is filled with mystery and suspense that keeps you guessing until the very end as you slowly unveil some of the secrets shrouding Lord Voldemort's past.

April 2015 Recap: The One Where Video Games Took Over My Life

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last month, you will have noticed that I decided to take a hiatus from blogging, just for a couple of weeks, while I tried to decide on which direction I would like this blog to take from here on out. Featuring less weekly memes and more discussion posts, I'm hoping this page will begin to rise from the grave in the coming weeks.

My Thoughts On Anna & The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

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THE BOOK -

Anna & The French Kiss
by Stephanie Perkins
Bk. #1 of Anna & The French Kiss
First published in 2010 by Dutton Juvenile
Genre: YA Contemporary
Avg. Rating: 4/5 stars

EDITION I PURCHASED -

Paperback, 401 pages
Published in 2014 by Usborne Publishing
My Rating: 3/5 stars

THE PLOT -

Anna had everything figured out - she was about to start senior year with her best friend, she had a great weekend job, and her huge work crush looked as if it might finally be going somewhere... Until her dad decides to send her 4383 miles away to Paris. On her own.

But despite not speaking a word of French, Anna finds herself making new friends, including Étienne St. Clair, the smart, beautiful boy from the floor above. But he's taken - and Anna might be too. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss she's been waiting for?

ADD TO GOODREADS.

This novel left me with a lot of conflicting emotions, and I'm still not 100% sure what I thought about it. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad book, I just didn't enjoy it as much as I expected. It felt a little slow in places. This novel has been growing in popularity since it was released nearly 5 years ago and I haven't seen a single negative review pop up on my feed. Everyone seems to love this book with a passion. For me, it was... meh. If I'm being totally honest, I can see why people like this book as much as they do - it's cute, it's fun, it's romantic, and it's set in Paris.

My Thoughts On Dark Parties by Sara Grant

SHOW BOOK DETAILS

THE BOOK -

Dark Parties
by Sara Grant
This book is not part of a series
First Published in 2011 by PAN (published as 'Neva')
Genre: YA Dystopia
Avg. Rating: 3/5 stars

EDITION I PURCHASED -

Paperback, 264 pages
Published in 2011 by Indigo
My Rating: 3/5 stars

THE PLOT -

Sixteen-year-old Neva has been trapped since birth. She was born and raised under the Protectosphere, in an isolated nation ruled by fear, lies, and xenophobia. A shield "protects" them from the outside world, but also locks the citizens inside. But there's nothing left on the outside, ever since the world collapsed from violent warfare. Or so the government says...

Neva and her best friend Sanna believe the government is lying and stage a "dark party" to recruit members for their underground rebellion. But as Neva begins to uncover the truth, she realizes she must question everything she's ever known, including the people she loves the most.

ADD TO GOODREADS.

To be perfectly honest, I don't even know where to start with this review. There were times where I really liked this novel, and times where I seriously considered putting it down for good. Dark Parties is a book that throws you in at the deep end, giving you no time to have a leisurely float as you explore the world created. Within the first chapter alone, we discover that our heroine, Neva, is planning a revolution, alongside her best friend, Sanna. Though the Protectosphere is mentioned, and is apparently killing everyone inside, nobody really explains what it is until much later in the book... strike one. And then Neva kisses her best friend's boyfriend. Admittedly, she didn't realise it was him, but that one kiss was the catalyst for pretty much all of the events in this novel, including the awkward, unrealistic love square. Strike two.

Are We Drowning In A Sea Of Memes?

Memes are a good feature to have on your blog for many different reasons, but the main perk of these weekly posts is that you can get across book recommendations to people who maybe don't like reading reviews so much. I, personally, never subscribe to a blog that only posts reviews or blog tours, etc. I like diversity when I'm scrolling through my emails, and I very rarely read reviews unless I'm thinking about buying the book with my next paycheck. For me, memes are essential when it comes to the decision of following a blog - they're where I get my book recommendations at the end of the day. A couple of sentences that pique my interest will get a book onto my wishlist, but it's not until after it's on my list that I start looking at reviews and such.