Eren (DNF Review)

Eren | Simon P. Clark

Published by: Corsair, September 18th 2014

Genre: MG (on the young side), Contemporary, Fantasy

Pages: 208

Format: Ebook

Source: Little Brown Books UK, via Netgalley

People are keeping secrets from Oli. His mum has brought him to stay with his aunt and uncle in the countryside, but nobody will tell him why his dad isn’t with them. Where is he? Has something happened? Oli has a hundred questions, but then he finds a secret of his own: he discovers the creature that lives in the attic…

Eren.

Eren is not human.
Eren is hungry for stories.
Eren has been waiting for him.

Sharing his stories with Eren, Oli starts to make sense of what’s happening downstairs with his family. But what if it’s a trap? Soon, Oli must make a choice: learn the truth – or abandon himself to Eren’s world, forever.

Eren is one of those books that had potential to be really great, but I didn't enjoy most of it. I stopped reading at 53% because it didn't seem to be going anywhere. I thought Eren was a fantasy/paranormal novel, but for 3/4 of each chapter it's basically contemporary. It's about a couple of kids running around a little village doing general stuff - playing, discovering, adventuring into a forest etc. I'm assuming there's also something going on with family life, but the secrecy around Oli's dad's absence is less intriguing and more boring.

There is a fantasy element, in the form of Eren, but it doesn't feel part of the actual story. I don't really understand the chapter set up. At the beginning of each chapter there's Eren talking to Oli about his past, about what he is, but mostly about stories. It's kinda dark, interesting, ad I'd like to read more of that. But for the most part, this book is about a kid who's moved to a new place and is making friends. I think the different chapter sections are set in the past and present? Or past and future? It's not made very clear. I just rolled with it, but it didn't get much better.

Not my cup of tea at all.

No star rating, since I DNF

Feral (ARC Review)

Feral | Holly Schindler

Published by: HarperTeen, August 26th 2014

Genre: YA, Mystery, Psychological thriller

Pages: 432

Format: Ebook

Source: HarperTeen, via Edelweiss

The Lovely Bones meets Black Swan in this haunting psychological thriller with twists and turns that will make you question everything you think you know.

It’s too late for you. You’re dead. Those words continue to haunt Claire Cain months after she barely survived a brutal beating in Chicago. So when her father is offered a job in another state, Claire is hopeful that getting out will offer her a way to start anew.

But when she arrives in Peculiar, Missouri, Claire feels an overwhelming sense of danger, and her fears are confirmed when she discovers the body of a popular high school student in the icy woods behind the school, surrounded by the town’s feral cats. While everyone is quick to say it was an accident, Claire knows there’s more to it, and vows to learn the truth about what happened. 

But the closer she gets to uncovering the mystery, the closer she also gets to realizing a frightening reality about herself and the damage she truly sustained in that Chicago alley….

Holly Schindler’s gripping story is filled with heart-stopping twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the very last page.

I went into this book with no expectations whatsoever. I don't usually read books of this genre, and when I do I'm always disappointed - but always hoping the next one is better. Also it had been a while since I read the blurb. So I was completely in the dark, and I'm pretty sure I enjoyed this book a lot more because of that.

The first chapter hooked me with its gritty, raw storytelling, and Claire's story only reeled me further in. I loved the way Claire's and Serena's different stories were linked together, through coincidence more than any real link, and I actually really liked the characters. Much of them were cookie cutter characters, but Claire certainly wasn't and neither was Rich - those two were my favourites. I liked their friendship a lot, even if I did fear he'd be the killer because awful things usually happen to my faves.

I enjoyed a lot of Feral. I liked how it lived up to being a psychological thriller by completely screwing with my head. I hated how it leaned towards the paranormal with the ghosts and the Cat Possession, but I clocked on to the reality of the situation after long. I was fascinated by Claire's steady downward spiral, how even to the reader she seems grasping at straws and less sound of mind as you get closer to the end. I also loved the metaphors - so lovely to read.

I'm also thrilled that this is a stand alone. I get so tired of series, of getting attached to stories and characters and their lives being left hanging at the end, thus being strongarmed into buying the next book. It's so nice to have a conclusion. 

The bottom line: Feral is a psychological thriller that certainly thrills, unexpectedly scares, and warps your view of reality until everything and nothing is real.

Characters ★★★☆☆

Setting/world building ★★★☆☆

Writing Style ★★★★☆

---

(from galley:)

"But there was nothing simple about her current state. Or maybe, it was the simplest state of all: a past tense. Dead."

Reading round up (42)

Reading round up is a weekly journal where I record my daily reading progress, my thoughts on each book as I read it, and any books I've acquired during the week. ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

2nd September

Currently reading: The Exiled Queen | Cinda Williams Chima

Current page/percent: page 181

Read today: 80 pages

Thoughts: Raisa/Amon isn't gonna be endgame and it's gonna break me. I DON'T WANT Han with Raisa. I want Han with Dancer, dammit!

3rd September

Currently reading: The Exiled Queen | Cinda Williams Chima

Current page/percent: page 225

Read today: 44 pages

Thoughts: Changing my mind. Han/Micah OTP.

4th September

Currently reading: The Exiled Queen | Cinda Williams Chima

Current page/percent: page 237

Read today: 12 pages

Thoughts: I've got to LITERALLY the same point with this book and lost interest. Think I'll start something else to break it up a little.

5th September

I started Feral by Holly Schindler because I need a couple days break to recoup with The Exiled Queen. I read 21% of Feral and I am really intrigued. 

6th September

Currently reading: Feral by Holly Schindler

Current page/percent: 58%

Read today: 37%

Thoughts: I was really liking it up until the last chapter I read where everything went BATSHIT INSANE. I'm usually all in favour of the paranormal, but this time I was hoping the girl's just suffering from PTSD and hallucinating. Still hoping tbh. That would be better than Cat Possession.

Also I read a tonne of short stories which I am too lazy to list. You can find them on the Read in 2014 if you're curious.

7th September

Currently reading: Feral by Holly Schindler

Current page/percent: 100%

Read today: 42%

Thoughts: BEST. POSSIBLE. ENDING. Also check out my prediction up above. I'm practically psychic.

Books finished this week: 1 (and a tonne of shorts)

(I spent most of this week watching Parcs and Rec ngl)

Okay I'm getting lazy with these now. I bought Timebound by I don't know who, The Lost by Sarah Beth Durst, and something or other Dares Book? by that one author everyone knows, even though I don't love (read: actually like) contemporary stuff. I also got the first Stempunk book by Kady Cross, which I am much more excited about.

I'm having a busy yet unfortunately lazy week. Sorry for the quality drop. This will get much better when my book's out I promise.

I have a stupid crush on Ben Wyatt from Parcs and Rec. It's horrible. I don't need to love another character. But he's so adorable and I want one. (I'm literally not kidding, I want one. I am horribly lonely. Feel sorry for me.)

Illusions of Fate (ARC review)

Illusions of Fate | Kiersten White

Published by: HarperTeen, September 9th 2014

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Historical

Pages: 288

Format: Ebook

Source: HarperTeen, via Edelweiss

Downton Abbey meets Cassandra Clare in this lush, romantic fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White.

“I did my best to keep you from crossing paths with this world. And I shall do my best to protect you now that you have.”

Jessamin has been an outcast since she moved from her island home of Melei to the dreary country of Albion. Everything changes when she meets Finn, a gorgeous, enigmatic young lord who introduces her to the secret world of Albion’s nobility, a world that has everything Jessamin doesn’t—power, money, status…and magic. But Finn has secrets of his own, dangerous secrets that the vicious Lord Downpike will do anything to possess. Unless Jessamin, armed only with her wits and her determination, can stop him.

Kiersten White captured readers’ hearts with her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy and its effortless mix of magic and real-world teenage humor. She returns to that winning combination of wit, charm, and enchantment in Illusions of Fate, a sparkling and romantic new novel perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare, The Madman’s Daughter, and Libba Bray.

Oh, this book. *sighs dreamily*

You know, I read this because I needed a reprieve between Icons and Idols, and boy - did I get a reprieve of emotions and heartache? NOPE. This book fucked my feelings so hard.

This is nothing like The Infernal Devices (it's much better written, sorry Cassie) and why it's been compared to Downton is BEYOND me. This book is just wonderful, and a million times better than the both of them put together. And you know how much I adore Shadowhunters and Granthams.

The writing of this book sucked me in from the literal first page. Jessamin is hilarious and witty and a delight to read. Probably my favourite period heroine ever, now. I'm finding it hard to write a proper review, because most of what I loved about this book was the way it made me feel - enamoured and frustrated and thoroughly amused. I was caught up in a magical, twisty tale of romance and betrayal and magic, and I never wanted it to end.

I'm so upset it did end, and the ending ... *glares at Kiersten* NEVER do that to me again. Everything about this book, the lively characters, the detailed world, the villain, the drama, the threats (the KISSES!). Ugh I need more, I'm not satisfied. Give me a book about Eleanor. Give me a book about anyone. I'll take what I can.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world building ★★★★★

Writing Style ★★★★★

(All the stars in the sky have come together in my heart to form my love for this book)

---

(from galley:)

"It makes a soul lonely when even your tongue has no home"

"I saved my own life. You are simply keeping me company on this leg of my escape"

"I refuse to be anything less than what I am"

Reading round up (41)

Reading round up is a weekly journal where I record my daily reading progress, my thoughts on each book as I read it, and any books I've acquired during the week. *pretends to be productive*

25th August

I read a further 12% of Heir of Fire, taking me to 67%. And I read Betrayed by Jennifer Rush (32 pages) in like ... an hour. Oh my poor bb Trev. Please be happy.

26th August

Currently reading: Heir of Fire | Sarah J. Maas

Current page/percent: 87%

Read today: 20%

Thoughts: Still not fussed on Sorcha. She seems like an awfully convenient love interest for Dorian. Putting money on her betraying him and being a plant from the King.

27th August

Currently reading: Heir of Fire | Sarah J. Maas

Current page/percent: 100%

Read today: 13%

Thoughts: Crying. No. My BABY. You leave Dorian the fuck out of this.

28th August

Started The 100 by Kass Morgan. I'm a little iffy with it, as I was with the TV show but I like the premise a lot. Not a clue who the fuck Glass is, though. I read 19%.

29th August

I am SO bored of The 100 right now. I read 20% but it was like pulling teeth. Glass's sections are pointless. The others I actually like, but why why WHY all the flashbacks?

30th August

Currently reading: The 100 | Kass Morgan

Current page/percent: 47%

Read today: 8%

Thoughts: I SORT OF HATE THIS BOOK but sort of don't mind it in parts. Why is everyone except Bellamy so whiny? Why was Octavia aged up in the TV show? Where the frick is Jasper? Why did the TV show force a love triangle with a character that doesn't exist when Wells is in love with Clarke and there for the adapting? Who is Glass? Basically: ?????????? (if I actually liked this book I probably wouldn't be asking these questions, but I literally can't see why it was made into a TV show because it's not that good.)

31st August

I'm done with The 100. I'm just thoroughly bored of the whining and the nothing happening. So I abandoned it at 47% and started The Exiled Queen by the infallible Cinda Williams Chima. Read 101 pages and I missed these morons.

1st September

Okay so I totally forgot to post this thing yesterday because my life is now so hectic in the run up to The Wandering's release. But lets pretend I posted this on time, and also that I read something (because I didn't.)

Books finished this week: 1.5

(*gnarled moaning*)

Alright, so I went on another binge (birthday money HOLLA) and I don't have the energy or patience to write them all out here, but I got a tonne of Terah Edun books, a handful of other indies, and ALL MY FAVES. I now own everything I love but Cruel Beauty and Illusions of Fate.

I ALSO GOT A GALLEY OF POLARIS, SEQUEL TO AVALON AND HOLY HELL YESSSSSSSSSSS. So happy!! And a shitty preview of Orphan Queen and BOY am I mad about that. Nowhere on the listing on EW did it say it was only a preview and not the whole book. I feel betrayed, HarperCollins.

More Cassandra Rose Clarke books!!!!!! HELL YES HELL YES HELL YES.

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