Review - The Three

33. The Three by Sarah Lotz (4 stars)

I deliberated between 3 and 4 stars, it's not that it was amazing but I really liked the concept and I also really liked the way this book was written, is probably another 3.5 realistically. So it's about three planes which go down at the same time in different countries with only one survivor on each, a child, who is then treated very suspiciously with all sorts of conspiracy theories etc as to why they survived and who they are.  It is written as if it is a true story in a way, so with interviews with people, transcripts from the pilots on the planes, recordings of the families who take the kids in etc.   So I just thought that was really interesting, questions were not really answered yet but there is a sequel now too so I will probably read that too.  Nearly all of the books I have read recently all have sequels or series so the tbr pile only ever gets longer!

Don't think this would be one for you particularly but I'm glad I gave it a go and we will be discussing it on Monday at book club so will be interesting to see what the others thought too.

Lila X 

Review - This Savage Song

32. This Savage Song by V.E.Schwab (3 stars)

This was a read in preparation for Yalc, wanted to read at least one of this author's books and this looked interesting and is a fairly new one.  I enjoyed it (I know I say that for nearly every book!), I was going to say it is sort of a Romeo and Juliet type tale as the two main characters come from warring families but actually it's not really become a love story (at least not yet) which made it interesting as not another typical fall in love at first sight story (not that I don't love those too!) The premise was interesting and I would be interested to read more when the next book in the series come out. So another one which entertaining and which I'd read more of but not necessarily one I'd highly recommend or urge you to read urgently...

Lila X

Review - Fire

31. Fire by Kristin Cashore (4.5 stars)

Love this cover! I know I'm cheating again with the stars but felt this deserved more than 4!

This is a companion book to Graceling, and is set in a land nearby (as opposed to far, far away) some time before the events of Graceling.  I hadn't been sure how that would be but is a great stand alone story in itself (could actually probably read before Graceling, I guess she just wrote them in this order) but also cool that then crosses over, presumably (or at least I hope) then the characters can all come together in the third book.  I ordered that one but randomly they sent me a French copy so have requested a replacement! (I don't have to return the French one though apparently so if you feel like brushing up on your A level skills once you've read the other two, let me know!) I just really love the world created in both these two books so far, and the characters and storylines are so good too.  

You'll definitely love these too, so hurry up and read Graceling;) 

Lila X

P.s.compared with True Fire which was crazily cited as being ideal for Throne of Glass fans, this one being suggested for twilight fans more accurate:)

Event - Justin Cronin and The City of Mirrors (20th June 2016)

Just an excuse to post my photos of me meeting Justin Cronin again!

He was as cool and funny in person as I had expected from his books (and Facebook account!) and interestingly he ran the event differently from most we've been to, doing a reading from the book (spoiler free!) and then just taking questions from the audience.  I spent quite a while talking to a fellow fan and his wife beforehand which was cool. Actually, this guy was telling me that he felt the passage trilogy was all about being a father to him, not just because Justin wrote it following an idea his daughter had and that they developed together, but also the characters in the books and different types of parental relationships that they have/have to develop - more incentive for you to read them perhaps!

Lila X

Review - The City of Mirrors

30. The City of Mirrors by Justin Cronin (5 stars)

This prompted my first ever Goodreads review, I loved it so much, so thought I would post the link to it here!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1245714091

Now I'll probably just repeat what I said anyway:) I loved this book, I think because the whole series has been one of my top series of all time, I was obviously really waiting for the final one, and it really didn't disappoint.  This series spams hundreds of years and so much happens, but it is also all about the amazing characters and just seeing how they cope in the situations they have to face.  Justin Cronin has described it as being a post apocalyptic vampire western (maybe the words were in a different order?!) which even made me consider if I should try a western book, and I have borrowed one ready to try! I also liked that he didn't describe it as horror, I am always surprised to see that one of my favourite books is apparently horror!  I know some of what happens is scary though, and particularly in the first book there is some stuff which I know you wouldn't like, but I hope you'll give The Passage a go one day, I don't think you'd regret it.  I want to re read all three of them, might be a candidate for a reading holiday one day:) I've seen a good venue for a reading break for us to do one day, hopefully sooner rather than later! 

Lila X

Review - Gone

29. Gone by Michael Grant (3.5 stars)

I gave this 3 stars on Goodreads but thinking about it now I preferred it to some of the others I have given 3 stars so upgrading it to 3.5!  I bought this as part of an offer on Amazon but then realised that the author is going to be at Yalc which was a good coincidence.  This is another one which is part of a really long series and I would definitely read the next one, it was an interesting concept (everyone under 15 suddenly disappears and the kids who are left need to work out what is happening but more importantly survive and look after the really young ones etc). As I think I told you, one of the kids is pretty sadistic so this book is dark in places.  I guess it reminded me of The Maze Runner in some ways, and of Lord of the Flies (at least the ballet version I have seen:) 

Worth a read definitely, I am interested to see how the story continues to develop and what the eventual explanation for everything is.

Lila X

Review - Time Riders

28. Time Riders by Alex Scarrow (3 stars)

This is one of the books Chuma got me years ago, which I finally got around to reading. This was enjoyable.  I wasn't sure at first because time travel not my favourite type of story generally (partly because I find it confusing sometimes(!) and also because everyone time travelling (and I include the Dr here!) seems to always happen to meet the most famous person around at that time which I find a bit cliched). So when I realised that Nazi Germany was part of this story, I thought it might be the same, but I was pleasantly surprised at the different take on it.  

This is part of a long series now, and I would read another at some point, an easy and entertaining read.

Lila X

Review - The Road

27. The Road by Cormac McCarthy (3 stars)

I enjoyed this as was a more classic dystopian story which not read for a while.  Was quite dark and depressing but the mood matched the story so I think that was effective anyway. The writing is unusual as it is not always obvious who is speaking or if it is someone thinking, but you get used to it.  There are only two characters in this book really, a man and his young son, trying to survive in a bleak future world. 

So this was interesting, I am not sure if you'd like it or not actually, I haven't seen the film but I might try that one day to see how they translated the story to screen.

Lila X 

Review - True Fire

26. True Fire by Gary Meehan (2 stars)

So I felt so bad giving a book 2 stars! It was not terrible or anything, was entertaining enough and the premise was fine etc, I just think that because I have read so many similar books now (and again, having read ACOMAF recently - plus check out the sticker on the book, that is not something to be said lightly!) my expectations are higher. So I wouldn't recommend this to go at top of TBR pile or anything like that, but you still might want to read it at some point, and you never know, you might like it more than me.  It is a series and if I had the opportunity to read the next one, I might, but not bothered about seeking it out right away.

Lila x

Review - Cruel Crown

24. Cruel Crown by Victoria Aveyard (3 stars)

I can't remember if you have read this yet or not? Is a very quick read anyway, the last part of the book is a preview of Glass Sword which have obviously read already. I enjoyed these, good just to get a bit more background on some of the characters from the series. Reminds me that there is something I keep meaning to ask you about Farley, but won't say it here as bit too spoilery! 

Anyway an enjoyable read but nothing too much to say about it, it probably suffered somewhat from comparison as I read it straight after ACOMAF!

Lila X

Review - Career of Evil

25. Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith (4 stars)

This is the third in the series and really enjoyed it. The main thing I like about this series is the main characters, and in this one we learned some more backstory which was really interesting and really well written I thought (wouldn't expect any less from JK obviously!). These stories do have some gruesome elements (although this one a bit less so than the others, but still disturbing stories of things people do) so am not sure you'd like it, but if you do ever want to give a crime type book a go, these might be a good place to start as is as much about the characters as the crimes which not always the case.

Lila X 

Review - A Court of Mist and Fury

23. A Court of Mist and fury by Sarah J Maas (5 stars) - spoilers (ish)

Just wrote this and forgot to save (while I checked the spelling of Velaris!) so here goes again...

So it seems so long since I read this now, and I know we have already discussed it (this is my most discussed book of 2016 so far I think) but of course I loved it! I spent hours finishing it over a weekend which I don't tend to do but in this case I had to! I also thought about it for ages afterwards, you *could* say I was obsessed:) so I loved all the night court (the summer court was cool too) and the new characters were great, loved seeing her sisters more, everything in Velaris, and of course Feyre's relationship with Rhys.  As you know I was conflicted at first for not rooting more for Tamlin as I felt like I was discounting the whole love story in ACOTAR but I resolved that as the book went on, partly by reflecting on her relationship with Tamlin, particularly in the beginning of this book, and what she had been looking for/how she had changed, but also just because I loved Rhys so much to be fair! The part where he explains his perspective and story of all that had happened previously was probably one of my favourite sections in any book I have read, it was just perfect. I especially loved the bit about the stars she painted and how Nesta picked up on the significance of that too.  I read a review on Goodreads referring to Rhys as the perfect book boyfriend and also a feminist, and is so true! Anyway I can't wait for the next one, the ending was so dramatic, I need to know what happens next! Did you see that SJM has said there will be lots more books in this series now?! Expect we can hear more about that at the event in October where we can also fan girl over this some more:)

Lila X 

P.s found some reviewers on Goodreads who had totally anticipated some of the main storylines after having read the first one