Review: The Sleeping Prince by Melinda Salisbury

Name: The Sleeping Prince
Author: Melinda Salisbury
Pages: 367
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN: 978-1-407147-64-2
Rating: 5/5

The second instalment of the Sin Eater's Daughter series.

To begin with I was confused as to how this novel linked with the first. I thought it was simply set in the same world. Granted it's been a good long while since I've read the Sin Eater's Daughter. I quickly realised how connected the two novels are. So much of the foundation work for this novel came from how the last one ended. The planning and how this novel progressed from the first was simply superb.

The religion and myths created in this world are so interesting and unique. I absolutely adore them. The town names, character names everything fitted together so well.

Silas. Where do I begin. I love him. He's so cool. I thought he was a great addition to the novel. Errin is just as awesome. The ending for this novel has be dying to read the next. I need it now!

The writing style in this series is so beautiful. It emphasises the whimsical magic of the world so well. Do I ever need to tell you how gorgeous the cover is. I mean look at it. Just look at it.

The beginning of the novel was pretty slow to star but quickly picked up pace. By the end of the novel I was heartbroken and highly confused. I'd figured out some of what was going to happen early on in the novel but I was still taken aback when it was revealed.

I adore this series. Slowly creeping into my favourite series'...

Have you read this?

Katie x

Review: Allegiant by Veronica

Name: Allegiant
Author: Veronica Roth
Pages: 526
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Haper Collins
ISBN: 978-0-00-753494-4
Rating: 5/5

The third instalment of the Divergent series. I won't post a synopsis of this one because spoilers.

I've seen a lot of people hate on this novel for the ending and I understand it. However, I loved the ending. I felt it really wrapped up the series and in a way was almost cyclical. Those who've read it will know what I mean. Four really went back to his roots.

Yet again though Four didn't listen to Tris. For God's sake man believe her! I really felt like my heart was ripped out again and again in this novel. I really liked the new characters, particularly Matthew. I found the new settings really interesting too. They really threw a spanner in the works.

I felt that the introduction of Four's narrative was interesting but highly confused me to begin with. I now understand why it was necessary. I like seeing how he thought and reacted to things as before this we only got to see how Tris perceived it.

Overall I enjoyed this and felt it was a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. Even though it had me in bits.

Have you read this?

Katie x

Literary List #9 - Worlds I'd Like to Live in.

There are so many amazing worlds created by authors and if I could I'd hop between all of them. These are just a few of my favourite worlds.


1. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard.

Even though the world is in turmoil I'd still love to live here. Particularly as a new blood, it'd be so much fun to have a power regardless of the fact I'm being hunted...

2. Truthwitch by Susan Dennard 

Basically I wanna be a witch. Maybe one with control over the Elements?

3. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey. 

I'd be so useful in an apocalypse. 

4. Wings by Aprilynne Pike. 

Ignoring the fact that I live in a uniform of black clothes and doc martens I'd love to be a fairy. Especially in a world where there is a secret school for them to learn magic.

5. Glass House by Rachel Caine 

Vampires are so cool, even the ones that suck... (Get my joke ;) ) Seriously though I'd love to be friends with the guys that live in the glass house. It'd be so much fun. (Sidetone: I recently met Rachel Caine. She's so dang cool.)

What worlds do you want to be a part of?

Katie x

Review: Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Name: Nimona
Author: Noelle Stevenson
Pages: 256
Format: Paperback (Graphic Novel)
Publisher: Harper Teen
ISBN: 9780062278227
Rating: 4.5/5

Bare with me, I've never done a full review on a graphic novel. If you like them I'll be sure to post more!

A wonderful graphic novel that really plays with the idea of good and evil.

Ballister Blackheart is a villain, but not in the normal sense he refuses to kill and has a strict set of morals. His new sidekick Nimona tests his patience and bends his morals on a daily basis. She's such a wonderfully quirky character. Then theres Ambrosius Goldenloin, the supposed hero of the story.

The plot is so much fun and really toys with the boundaries of good and evil.

I love Noelle's art style, its so different!

Have you read this?

Katie x

Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Name: Insurgent
Author: Veronica Roth
Pages: 525
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 978-0-00-744292-8
Rating: 4.5/5

The second instalment of the Divergent Trilogy. I shan't give a synopsis because spoilers.

Admittedly I found Tris and Four a little bit annoying in this novel. Four was very stubborn and refused to trust Tris' instincts even though they were right the majority of the time. However, having Tris be right all the time got a little bit repetitive. Couldn't Four just be right once? I did enjoy the inner conflict Tris struggled with as a result of her actions. It made her a less perfect character and a less perfect soldier. Imagine, a soldier unable to hold a gun? It really added to the story.

Christina is bae. That is all.

I didn't think it possible but this novel got even darker. I don't know how I managed it but I think I was spoiled for something in this novel or I had a hunch about what was going to happen. Nevertheless I still found myself having a nonononono moment. Poor Tris. Can anything go right for the girl?

I loved the ending. It was such a good cliffhanger. Fortunately, because I hoard books I already had Allegiant so I could go straight onto the next book.

Have you read this? What did you think?

Katie x

Review: Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

Name: Rebel of the Sands
Author: Alwyn Hamilton
Pages: 358
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Faber and Faber
ISBN: 978-0-571-32525-2
Rating: 5/5

Amani Al'Hiza lives under the oppressive thumb of her Uncle and is subject to the wrath of an Aunt who hates her, a situation she is desperate to leave. When she attempts to shoot her way to freedom at the Pistol Pit she meets a foreigner who turns her life into nothing but chaos. Chaos that leads her down a path she never thought possible and to a truth she can hardly believe. 

I stayed up till ridiculous o'clock to finish this. I absolutely adored it. Basically, this novel is a western in the desert with slight feminist undertones and a great magic system.

The characters were so well done and very likeable. I found myself rooting for Amani through the entire novel and gasped along with her at every turn. Being a very high spirited and independent girl in a culture that shames women, for simply being women gave Amani an even greater presence. This I felt took the novel from only being a great adventure story to having a message prevalent in our society today. Don't let anyone tell say you can't do something simply because of your gender (also applies to sexuality, race, religion.)

Jin. He's awesome. I love how we really didn't know anything concrete about him until the very end of the novel. It really added a great weight the the plot twist at the end. (Might I add this is one of the best plot twists I have ever read.) 

Plot. I'll admit it felt slow to begin with but I had faith and powered on through and then lost a fair amount of sleep. Halfway into the novel I felt sad every time I had to put it down. I mentioned before that this novel has one of the best twists I've ever read and I'll say it again. It really has!

I highly highly recommend this. I must say though its only March I can see this making its way into my 2016 favourites...

Have you read this?

Katie x 

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Name: Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth
Pages: 487
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 978-0-00-742042-1
Rating: 5/5

The world has been divided into five factions; Abnegation, Amity, Candor,  Dauntless and Erudite. Sixteen year old Tris must choose which of these she fits best. Problem is she suits the majority, she's Divergent. A trait that is dangerous to have, it just might mean her life is in danger. Tris knows she can't trust anyone yet she still finds herself drawn to Four. Her trainer who can't decide whether to threaten or protect her.

Shock horror. This is the first time I've read the Divergent trilogy. For starters this is definitely my favourite book out of the three. I love how many diverse characters there were and seeing the turmoil the Choosing Ceremony creates. I love the idea of the factions. I can't remember any book I read that split society by values rather than by jobs or colours.

Tris is great in this novel. I loved how much her character developed. You could really see how much she had changed and all the qualities she possesses. Her interactions with her family and friends really demonstrated how different the factions are. Some of my favourite scenes were between Tris and Four. They had such great banter but worked so well together as a team.

The plot moved with great pace. I like how there was a lot of lighter moments considering how dark the novel could get. The Dauntless training was great to read about. It was so interesting to see how all the different factions deal with their initiates and police them.

Overall I loved this.

Have you read Divergent?

Katie x