{Review} A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford

Release Date: 22 February 2011

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Age Group: Young Adult

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 419

Rating:  4- Great

Eden didn’t expect Az. 
Not his saunter down the beach toward her. Not his unbelievable pick up line. Not the instant, undeniable connection. And not his wings. 
Yeah. 
So long happily-ever-after. 
Now trapped between life and death, cursed to spread chaos with her every touch, Eden could be the key in the eternal struggle between heaven and hell. All because she gave her heart to one of the Fallen, an angel cast out of heaven. 
She may lose everything she ever had. She may be betrayed by those she loves most. But Eden will not be a pawn in anyone else’s game. Her heart is her own. 
And that’s only the beginning of the end.

My Thoughts:

 I had not heard much about this book before I had decided to order a copy and read it and I am proud to say that I enjoyed this book immensely and was so glad that I read it!

This book is, in a way, about Angels, but do not fret if you were thinking; oh great! Yet another book about angels... this book is completely different to anything I have ever read when it comes to angels and demons of sorts. Clifford did a great job of putting her own twist on the angel fad that has been going on for a while now, the concept was well thought out and I believe, she executed it perfectly.

I have to speak about the cussing in this book as I swear(no pun intended) to give honest reviews; there is quite a lot of swearing in this book, with that being said – the swearing almost became invisible to me as I read on through the book, so if swearing is something that puts you off, please do not be afraid to try this book out as it is really was a great read!

I found that sometimes I was lost in this book, lost in places of the book where time jumped forward but I actually think that it fitted the story and actually made me want to try and read more to figure things out, I was able to figure out certain aspects of the story.

Leah Clifford actually has a brilliant writing style that is flowing and I thought that it fitted the story, the characters, as well as the concept extremely well.

In my eyes this is a great book that I believe everyone should have the chance to read as it really did blow my mind with its uniqueness, despite the theme one would deem, common.

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{Waiting on Wednesday} 14: Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans, killing them to absorb their energy. But this summer the underwater clan targets Jason Hancock out of pure revenge. They blame Hancock for their mother's death and have been waiting a long time for him to return to his family's homestead on the lake. Hancock has a fear of water, so to lure him in, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter, Lily. Easy enough—especially as Calder has lots of practice using his irresistable good looks and charm on ususpecting girls. Only this time Calder screws everything up: he falls for Lily—just as Lily starts to suspect that there's more to the monsters-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined. And just as his sisters are losing patience with him.

What are you Waiting on this Wednesday? 

{Top Ten Tuesday} 9

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It was created because of their love of lists.

This week's topic is:

Top Ten Books I'd Recommend to Someone Who Doesn't Read Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

(in no particular order)

1. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White: I would recommend this books to those who do not read paranormal books because Kiersten White makes the paranormal fun and snarky with awesome characters who draw you in and make the book so enjoyable and addictive!

2. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr: Melissa Marr creates this world which is intriguing and the characters are enticing and you want to get to know so much more about the fey and this world in which they live.

3. A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies: well Jocelyn's writing was just really fun to read and the story was so addictive and I think that fact that the paranormal aspect is mysterious throughout most of the book makes it easier to digest for those who do not often read a lot of paranormal books.

4. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare: well this book as well as the books that follow are stories that are exciting to read and you really do fall in love with the setting -- New York, and it's interesting to read about all these creatures which lurk in the city!

5. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer: because this is what sparked my love for the genre and I'm sure it might do something for some of you out there too! Don't hate...

6. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand: Cynthia's writing is addictive and the angels in this book are so intriguing!

7. A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford: this book is was hard to put down and so much fun to read despite the darkness it may contain, maybe it would get you ready for books that are a little darker?

8. Need by Carrie Jones: well maybe if you're looking for some sort of paranormal creature that is not overdone, I would recommend Need because its about pixies, the take on the pixies is very interesting indeed.

9. Fallen by Lauren Kate: this book was about angels and extremely addictive, the paranormal aspects are very subtle in a way and makes the book an easy place for new readers to get started.

10. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor: well this book is more like high fantasy...but the paranormal aspects are there and the writing is simply marvelous!

{Cover Crazy} 11: The Selection by Kiera Cass

Cover Crazy is hosted by Tawni at The Book Worms! Stop by and join in on the fun.

This week I am crazy about the cover for:

The Selection by Kiera Cass

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon. 
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. 
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

I think that this may very well be one of the best covers of 2012 for me so far! I like the "icy" feel that the cover gives off. I also find the girl to be intriguing and for some off reason she reminds me of a swan. I am baffled as to whether those other girls are the reflection of the girl in the center or if they are completely different people entirely. My eyes are playing tricks on me!

I think the font that was chose for this book was perfect for the title, it is simple and elegant and it matches the crown embellishment that is placed above the title, perfectly!

What Cover are you Crazy for this week?

{Giveaway} Mega YA 2011 Swag Giveaway!

I have a heap of swag from 2011 YA books that I would like to host a giveaway for! There is a lot of swag in the pack and I thought it would be a great idea to start of 2012 with a little looking back on what a great year 2011 was for books, I bet 2012 is going to be all the more amazing!

What's in the swag pack?

• Half-Blood Promo Card
• Half-Blood bookmark
• Half-Blood guitar pick
• Daimon bookmark
• Possession bookmark x2
• Possession Tattoo x2
• Die For Me bookmark
• Midnight Feast Book Fanatics Bookmark
• The Emerald Talisman bookmark
• The Sapphire Talisman bookmark
• Hurricane bookmark
• Hurricane button
• Carrier of the Mark Promo card
• Carrier of the Mark bookmark
• Carrier of the Mark bookplate
• The Iron Witch bookplate
• The Iron Witch Stickers

All of this swag is signed!

{Review} Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Release Date: 6 December 2011

Publisher: Walker Books

Age Group: Young Adult

Format: Paperback

Pages: 496

Rating:  5- Wonderful

The situation at the London Institute has never been more precarious. With Mortmain and his clockwork army still threatening, the Council wants to strip Charlotte of her power and hand the running of the Enclave over to the unscrupulous and power-hungry Benedict Lightwood. 
In the hope of saving Charlotte and the Institute, Will, Jem, and Tessa set out to unravel the secrets of Mortmain’s past—and discover unsettling Shadowhunter connections that hold the key not only to the enemy’s motivations, but also to the secret of Tessa’s identity. Tessa, already caught between the affections of Will and Jem, finds herself with another choice to make when she learns how the Shadowhunters helped make her a “monster.” Will she turn from them to her brother, Nate, who has been begging her to join him at Mortmain’s side? Where will her loyalties—and love—lie? Tessa alone can choose to save the Shadowhunters of London…or end them forever.

My Thoughts:

 The Infernal Devices! I think I now love this series more than I love The Mortal Instruments. Cassandra Clare has done yet another fantastic job with Clockwork Prince, just as she had done previously with Clockwork Angel.

Cassandra Clare did a fantastic job with writing the book in such a way that by the time I had read the first paragraph I was already so immersed within the world, taken back to the time period which Clockwork Prince is set in. Usually it takes me a while to get into Cassandra Clare’s books – knowing that the struggle at first is worth it in the end because they become addictive at a certain point, but I found that I was instantly able to enjoy this book. Her writing is effortless and her descriptions made the world seem extraordinarily real and vivid.

I also found that the characters developed a lot more and I was glad to see this as throughout the book I got to learn a little more about each of the characters, despite being very fond of them already due to my love of this world and its characters.

I became a very big fan of Sophie through the process of reading this book, I admire her and all that she does, despite being a housemaid I thought that she was a really great and vital character in this book. One of my favourite scene’s in this book was a scene in which Sophie did something to Jessamine, I will not say what she did but I thought it was extremely brave and funny.

With Clockwork Angel; I had become a fan of Will and then in Clockwork Prince I found myself leaning towards Team Jem. I am now officially team Jem! I was so torn at the end of this book, I cannot wait for Clockwork Princess!

This was a fantastic book written by the awesome Cassandra Clare, her romance, action as well as darkly humoured books, never fail to impress me.

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{Review} Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Release Date: 29 September 2011

Publisher: Hodder & Stroughton

Age Group: Young Adult

Format: Paperback

Pages: 418

Rating:  5- Wonderful 

Featuring necklaces made of wishes; an underground shop dealing in teeth; magical tattoos; a wishbone on a cord, DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE is a thrilling story about Karou and her secret life as an apprentice to a wishmonger. Karou manages to keep her two lives in balance. On the one hand, she is a seventeen-year-old art student in Prague; on the other, errand-girl to an inhuman creature who deals in wishes and is the closest thing she has to family. Her life is surrounded by mysteries she is desperate to unveil.

My Thoughts:

 I remember a couple of years ago I had planned to read Taylor’s books and then later on decided that I wouldn’t due to time constraints and so on, after reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone, I totally regret that decision because her writing is fantastic and I was speechless by this awesomely entrancing world she had created.

This book was original – really original and was refreshing to read as well as to get lost in, this book is one of a kind and something I am proud to say, is extremely strange, and by strange I mean it was wonderful and awesome and – okay, I’ll stop the funny gushing.

The reason I found this world that Taylor created to be so intriguing was mainly due to the fact that Karou was a mystery to everyone around her and also a mystery in my eyes so it was interesting to try and figure things out about her. I mean she had blue hair and I would like to commend Taylor on an excellent job for filling this book with fantasy and making it believable, without making the outlandish things in this book seem childish, it was not.

I really appreciate this book so much as the main character enjoys visual art, I love the arts and think that this book was just so much better for adding this aspect in to Karou’s personality.

The writing is beautiful, addictive and leaves me absolutely speechless, I literally found that Taylor’s writing left me gobsmacked. This is a great book and recommend it all to who would like something original and breathtakingly beautiful.

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