Review of Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

Status: read and on my bookshelf.

Format: paperback.

Rating: 4/5 stars.

Darcy Patel is a debut author whose first book Afterworlds has been predicted to be a bestseller. She is receives a hefty advance and a one way ticket to New York, the Disney castle of any aspiring author. I had heaps of fun learning all the secrets of the young adult publishing industry and seeing some of my favourite authors reflected in fictional characters like John Green’s appearance as Standerson, author and internet-cult leader.

But that’s only half of it! The book alternates chapters with Darcy’s life and her unpublished book Afterworlds. Her real-life experiences sneak into the protagonist Lizzie’s story. The opening – as Darcy’s publisher noted- was nail-bitingly scary. Lizzie is in the airport when the first person is shot by a terrorist operative. The helpline woman’s words “Well, honey, maybe you should pretend to be dead,” become Lizzie’s portal to the world of the dead.

Essentially Afterworlds is two fantastic storylines spun into one chunky book. The format feels experimental and artistic. Westerfeld expertly exploits the strengths of paranormal and contemporary youth fiction. I would recommend this book for aspiring writers or readers curious to see some behind-the-scenes of how writers become award-winning authors. I am extremely impressed by the endings of both storylines especially after experiencing Darcy’s angst when writing the conclusion of Afterworlds. I think I actually clapped aloud.

Favourite quotes:

“I’m a tin soldier. Steadfast,” Darcy said tiredly. But the word had lost all meaning. Maybe she would use it somewhere in her rewrites, just to remind herself of this endless day.

“[…] Awards don’t matter in YA heaven, because you get to write all day. No bills, no cooking, no cleaning. Just writing and talking about writing, and everyone has cover approval.”

“Writerly superpowers. Tiny but potent.”

Review of The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Status: re-read.
Format: my own paperback.

"Dear friend..."

Charlie is a high-school freshman after a very difficult summer. And it is going to be a difficult year. Unlike many other coming-of -age young adult novels I have read, Perks is one story which I can re-read and re-read. It is a book less reliant on its surprise ending than the writing. Sincere. Poignant. i have never read from a more pure perspective.

Much of Charlie's memory is marred by anxiety and his brain's attempt to block trauma. It comes to him in undecipherable pieces. When he sees his sister with an abusive boyfriend he remembers his Aunt Helen. When he sees his friend Patrick being bullied he remembers his brother's wrestling training. Chbosky impresses with his ability to gently introduce us to Charlie without scaring us off.

The characters are antique pieces not cardboard cut-outs. From Patrick's intensity, Sam's kindness and Mr Anderson's honesty.I highly recommend this book to any one wanting an introduction to YA fiction. It will transport you to a time when you felt weak and happy and infinite.

Favourite quote:
"We accept the love we think we deserve."

Bookish Pet Peeves

A ranty sort of post to break up all the reviews.

Sourced from reviewsfromabookworm

10. When the cover designs change midway through a series you are collecting. Why do you ruin my bookshelf so?
9. When the author posts book teasers so the funny dialogue isn't as funny when you actually read the book.
8. When they don't kill off any characters in a war/battle sequence.
7. When a character loses their memory. Suzanne Collins and Marie Lu, I'm looking at you.
6. When you get tear stains or sweaty fingerprints in the book.
5. When you reserve the same book at multiple libraries to see which one delivers first but then you have 4 copies you don't know what to do with.
4. When the release date gets pushed back.
3. When the author stops writing midway through a series.
2. When there is a cliffhanger.
1. When there is a cliffhanger, the release date is a year away and then a year later it gets PUSHED BACK. This is the absolute worse.

So what did I miss? Let me know in the comments. Ciao!

Review of Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

Status: read elibrary audiobook.
Rating: 3.5/5
Blue Lily, Lily Blue is the third book in the Raven Boys Quartet by Maggie Stiefvater. Since its birth, I have been a massive fan of the series. The books are very focused on a group of unlikely friends who cross paths at the eve of Blue's 16th year. She and her raven boys are looking for a sleeping king hidden on the ley line. In this book, the group encounters other sleepers on the line and get ever

closer to the discovery Gansey's king and the day of Gansey's predicted death. Full of twists, gorgeous writing and stolen moments when Blue and Gansey fall in love, this novel made me long for magic.

The book was enjoyable however I came away disappointed by a few things. Foremost, Ronan's storyline which was dominant in Dream Thieves practically disappeared from Blue Lily. You do grow attached to Stiefvater's characters so its sad when they stop appearing in the books. For instance Ronan's friend, brothers and Gansey's family make no appearance in this book. The male antagonist, though extremely prominent throughout Blue Lily, is taken out of the picture by the end of the novel. Maggie's character development though wonderful and unique seems almost unsustainable.

No one can fault the writing style however. There were many passages so delicious to read (or hear in the audiobook) particularly when describing characters or the magic. If you want a books you can truly savour I would recommend this series.


Favourite quotes:

Blue was perfectly aware that it was possible to have a friendship that wasn't all encompassing, that wasn't blinding, deafening, maddening, quickening. It was just that now she'd had this kind, she didn't want the other.

She stood on the ledge of his smile and looked over the edge.

They were not creating a mess. They were just slowly illuminating the shape of it.

Let me know what you thought about the book and any theories as to the last one. If this sounds interesting click the book title for its Goodreads page or if you'd like to read my review of Dream Thieves click here. Ciao!

Review of The Giver by Lois Lowry

Status: returned to elibrary to much dismay.
Rating: 5/5 stars.

In a futuristic society Jonas reaches the age of maturity where his career will be decided. Instead of being awarded a career, Jonas is selected as the society’s new Receiver of all human memories of the past. Though exempted from society’s rules against curiosity and dishonesty in his new position, Jonas vows to never lie. But he must lie. With the Giver’s training he sees the true world and cannot share it.

This novel kept surprising me. Like many adult readers, I lowered my expectations due to the book's classification as children’s fiction. However the book challenged me intellectually and morally beyond what a child may grasp. I came to realise how a totalitarian society can flourish without its citizens noticing how controlled they really are. The twists were seamlessly interwoven with world-building and clear dialogue. I would recommend this book for non-readers or lovers of dystopian or introspective literature. Think Animal Farm crossed with If I stay. An odd mix, but it works.

Let me know what other children’s stories you enjoyed as an adult. Have you seen the film adaptation of the Giver? Ciao.

Christmas Book Haul

Happy New Year to you lovely folk. We are well into 2015 and I still haven’t posted a Christmas book haul. I got a lot of books both given to me and purchased by me so I wanted to share my nerdy excitement here!

1.       Scarlet and Cress by Marissa Meyer

My sister heard me cry out and came running to my room, asking me what was wrong. I said, “Cinder finished. And I don’t’ have the second one.” She bought me both sequels. My sister is the greatest. (Read my Cinder book review here.)

2.       I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb

Sometimes the world is horrid. I am saving this book for when I need to know how to survive human cruelty. Malala is a young woman standing up against the Taliban by going to school and speaking out on behalf of oppressed young women. At 17, she is possibly the greatest human alive with a Nobel Peace Prize under her belt and a survivor of brutal gun attacks. I already know this is going to be a massive book for me particularly as feminist literature.

4.       Landline by Rainbow Rowell

If you haven’t yet picked up a Rainbow Rowell book I really don’t know what you’re doing. I am seriously excited to start this one. This author has taken the young adult and adult contemporary genre by storm, particularly in 2014. Her novel Eleanor and Park remains my favourite youth fiction romance ever. Fangirl –omg Fangirl-  is incredible. Go read Rainbow Rowell.

5.       Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

A fantastic new addition to my bookshelf (one that I bought myself) in the form of a teen urban fantasy-suspense. I remember reading Westerfeld’s Uglies series in my early teens and being enchanted by his world-building and plot driven storyline. This is one book to watch.

6.       Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

I purchased this by suggestion of a friend who promised me a mighty heroine and a premise which would blow my mind. I’m hesitantly excited but I trust Richelle Mead – author of Bloodlines which I love - with my fragile fangirl life. I am always excited to start new series.

As always, you can follow the links of the books you like the sound of to Goodreads. Now the only question is: where to begin? Ciao.

Mockingjay Book and Movie Review

Status: read all the books and seen all the movies. 
Rating: 7/5 stars

*** Warning contains movie AND book spoilers. Do not be spoiled ***

After seeing the movie, I decided it was time for a reread of one of my favourite trilogy's conclusion. Collins' words are harsh and bleak. They speak of the pain and greed which scars the victors of the Hunger Games.

The story unfolds in the depths of District 13's underground bunkers which are about as cheerful as they sound. Although I was slightly unimpressed by the lack of imagery of 13 when compared to the lavish descriptions of the Capitol and District 12, the setting reflects Katniss's caged feeling as she refuses the role of rebel symbol.

I loved the role of minor characters such as Hatymitch and Finnick in the novel. This was something the movie definitely lacked. It was in these intimate interactions between the victors that readers truly appreciate the effects of the "circuses" of Panem have had on individuals. Finnick and Haymitch's stories add a depth to their characters which is downplayed in the movie. Particularly Finnick's story which is used as almost background noise to the real action is sorely missed by fans of his character. This downplaying of the victors' roles may decrease the emotional effect of some characters' deaths in part 2.

Katniss's sarcasm and bluntness shines when she grates against Plutach's optimism and enjoyment of the war. As a character, she has unprecedented complexities as a young female protagonist in youth fiction. Her assassination of the President shows balanced on the weight of a profound promise of honesty shows her rebellious nature and her struggle with accepting hard truths.

I loved this novel more this time around particularly after seeing the first half of the story played out on a cinema screen. I am very very very very excited for the last film.

Let me know what you thought about the movie adaptation. Ciao!