Review: Noble Conflict by Malorie Blackman

Title: Noble Conflict

Author: Malorie Blackman

Publisher: Doubleday

Publication date: 6 Jun 2013

Format: Hardback | 374 pages

Genre: YA | Dystopian

Goodreads

Years after a violent war destroyed much of the world, Kaspar has grown up in a society based on peace and harmony. But beyond the city walls, a vicious band of rebels are plotting to tear this peace apart. It is up to the Guardians - an elite peacekeeping force - to protect the city, without ever resorting to the brutal methods of their enemy.

When Kaspar joins the Guardians, he has a chance encounter with a rebel - a beautiful girl named Rhea. Haunted from that moment on by strange visions and memories - memories that could only belong to Rhea - he realises he hasn't been told the truth about what the rebels really want, and what he's really fighting for.

 

 

My thoughts:

I'm a huge fan of Noughts & Crosses so when this book came out, I picked it up straight away. My immediate concern though, was that I would compare it to Noughts & Crosses and be disappointed because honestly that book was amazing.Although I did compare it to Malorie's previous books, this one really stood out on its own. It wasn't so different to any of the other books but it definitely came across in a different light.

 

What I didn't like about this read most of all was that it wasn't up to par with Malorie's previous books in terms of the shock factor. I loved, loved, loved the fact that Malorie never failed to make me gasp in shock. I never predicted what was going to happen and what did happen was always something that would have never crossed my mind. There wasn't any of that with this book. It wasn't as intense and when things eventually started to get going, I didn't really feel connected to the characters enough to really care either way. 

 

I also pretty much hated the ending. To me, it was one of those endings that feels completely unresolved in all aspects. I understand that it leaves a reader to use their imagination, but I don't feel that Malorie pulled it off in that regard. 

 

That being said, Noble Conflict still had a lot to offer. There was action right from the beginning so I had no problem turning the pages. The plot was captivating and I didn't see what was coming until it did.

 

Overall I found this read pretty much okay. It had its issues but it also had some gripping, tense moments that I enjoyed. 

 

My rating: 5/10

 

Malorie Blackman:

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Teaser Tuesday #52

 

 

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week I'm reading Shadows by Ilsa J. Bick.

 

 

'I don't know about that!' Weller shouted. There was a high crack that was not a bullet but the sound of wood shattering, and then Luke was screaming something about trees breaking and Weller was shouting: 'You hear that, you hear that? You're gonna kill this boy and yourself for nothing!'

page 484

Review: Tempest's Fury by Nicole Peeler

Title: Tempest's Fury

Author: Nicole Peeler

Series: Jane True #5

Publisher: Orbit

Publication date: 05 Jul 2012

Format: Paperback | 352 pages

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Goodreads

Supernatural halfling Jane True is not happy. She's been packed off to England to fight a war when she's much rather be getting busy with her boyfriend Anyan. Unfortunately, Jane's enemies have been stirring up some major trouble and attracting a lot of attention - making it rather tricky for Jane and Anyan to get any alone time.

Catapulted into the role of Most Unlikely Hero Ever, Jane must lead the supernatural races in a desperate battle to combat an ancient evil. But she'll also have to fight her own insecurities, as well as the doubts of those who don't think she can live up to her new role as Champion - the most powerful supernatural leader of all…

My thoughts:

Wow I did not expect an ending like that. It's going to drive me crazy until I can get my hands on the last book.

As usual, I loved this book. I love everything about the Jane True series - the characters, the story lines, the writing and most of all the ability Nicole has to inject humour into any situation. 

What was different about this one was Jane herself. She has so many burdens to bear and she really took it like a champ. I adore books/series where there is clear development in the characters in some way or another. Jane, since the beginning of the series, has gone from not knowing anything about supernatural creatures apart from being the stuff of fairytales, to realising she is one, to being part of a huge war that could change everything as she knows it. She's slowly coming into her own whilst still being true to who she was at the start.

The plot was also great. There was an abundance of suspense with the idea that everything is at stake no matter who the character. Jane's usual enemies played a huge part with the added bonus of demons coming into play and the prospect of world annihilation. 

Honestly, I kind of regret reading this without having the last book already on the shelf.

My rating: 10/10

Nicole Peeler:

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Books in the series:

1. Tempest Rising
2. Tracking the Tempest
3. Tempest's Legacy
4. Eye of the Tempest
5. Tempest's Fury
6. Tempest Reborn

Review: Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

Title: Poison Princess

Author: Kresley Cole

Series: The Arcana Chronicles #1

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication date: October 2012

Format: ebook

Genre: YA | Paranormal

Goodreads

Evangeline “Evie” Greene, 16, leads a charmed life until her horrifying hallucinations predict a disaster that decimates her Louisiana hometown. She joins classmate Jack - with his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, bad attitude - and 22 other teens, as an ancient prophesy re-enacts the ultimate battle between good and evil. But who is on which side?

My thoughts:

I did not expect this read to be as intense as it was.

At first I felt out of the loop a little with the way the story is set out. There was so much going on I struggled to place all of it on a timeline - it's not exactly set in chronological order and for so much happening, it was really confusing at first. I stuck with it though and it soon cleared itself up.

This was my first book by Kresley Cole and honestly, I can't wait to read more of her books. I thought her style of writing was really captivating. I didn't want to put this read down because the suspense was killing me which I chalk up to the writing.

The characters though, they were something else entirely. I loved how different Evie and Jack were - complete opposite ends of the spectrum and it worked all the better for them in my opinion. Evie was so vulnerable at first, even before the post-apocalyptic aspect of the story. Jack was already so strong and sure of himself so they made the perfect team. And eventually more characters were introduced, each with a different part to play and something new to bring to the book. Matthew was sweet, Selena a little too sassy and Finneas was hilarious.

As for the plot, it was certainly something new and different. I loved the idea of the Arcana - I won't go into it for fear of spoilers - it was most definitely original. The read was also surprisingly creepy. I wasn't expecting there to be quite so much gore and insane people who want to eat you.

Overall I really enjoyed reading this one. I can't wait until October for the next book in the series - I'm dying to know where this is going.

My rating: 9/10

Kresley Cole:

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Review: Eye of the Tempest by Nicole Peeler

Title: Eye of the Tempest

Author: Nicole Peeler

Series: Jane True #4

Publisher: Orbit

Publication date: 06 Oct 2011

Format: Paperback | 352 pages

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Goodreads

 

Nothing says "home" like being attacked by humans with very large guns, as Jane and Anyan discover when they arrive in Rockabill. These are professionals, brought into kill, and they bring Anyan down before either Jane or the barghest can react. Seeing Anyan fall awakens a terrible power within Jane, and she nearly destroys herself taking out their attackers. 

Jane wakes, weeks later, to discover that she's not the only thing that's been stirring. Something underneath Rockabill is coming to life: something ancient, something powerful, and something that just might destroy the world. 

Jane and her friends must act, striking out on a quest that only Jane can finish. For whatever lurks beneath the Old Sow must be stopped...and Jane's just the halfling for the job.

My thoughts:

I adore the Jane True series. I just can't get enough.

What I love most about them is that they are chocked full of humour. I seriously feel there isn't enough humour in books and there can never be enough.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the point of view of such a quirky character. Jane constantly makes me laugh, but she is also pretty vulnerable at times. She doubts herself and counts on people around her for some things. She really is starting to come into her own the further I get in the series though - she seems to be giving advice and orders more than taking it, at least more than she did in the first few books.

 

I thought the plot wasn't as good as the previous books. It felt a lot like the book was just filling in gaps in the bigger plot between books. It was definitely interesting and I loved the idea of it, but it wasn't as exciting that's all.

 

All of the characters were amazing. I loved getting to know Blondie better, she was a really mysterious, captivating character. Anyan was just beyond yummy and the rest of the supporting characters were really well written and well rounded.

 

Overall I really loved this read. I really recommend this whole series, especially to fans of urban fantasy, you really do need to pick these books up and give them a try.

 

My rating: 9/10

 

Nicole Peeler:

Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook

 

Books in the series:

1. Tempest Rising
2. Tracking the Tempest
3. Tempest's Legacy
4. Eye of the Tempest
5. Tempest's Fury
6. Tempest Reborn

 

Review: Velveteen by Daniel Marks

Title: Velveteen 

Author: Daniel Marks

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Publication date: Oct 9th 2012

Format: Hardcover | 464 pages

Genre: YA | Paranormal

Goodreads

Velveteen Monroe is dead. At 16, she was kidnapped and murdered by a madman named Bonesaw. But that’s not the problem.

The problem is she landed in purgatory. And while it’s not a fiery inferno, it’s certainly no heaven. It’s grey, ashen, and crumbling more and more by the day, and everyone has a job to do. Which doesn’t leave Velveteen much time to do anything about what’s really on her mind.

Bonesaw.

Velveteen aches to deliver the bloody punishment her killer deserves. And she’s figured out just how to do it. She’ll haunt him for the rest of his days.

It’ll be brutal... and awesome.

But crossing the divide between the living and the dead has devastating consequences. Velveteen’s obsessive haunting cracks the foundations of purgatory and jeopardises her very soul. A risk she’s willing to take—except fate has just given her reason to stick around: an unreasonably hot and completely off-limits coworker.

Velveteen can’t help herself when it comes to breaking rules... or getting revenge. And she just might be angry enough to take everyone down with her.

 

 

My thoughts:

This isn't going to be a good review, unfortunately, since I really didn't like this read.

This book became a chore for me to read which, of course, is what any reader does not want to happen. I think the biggest problem I had was that I couldn't connect to the author's style of writing. It seemed all over the place to me - I would find myself finishing a page and having to read it over because I didn't take anything in.

 

I also didn't like the main character, Velvet. I get that she was supposed to be a little bitchy but I think it was a little too much since I eventually just got sick of her. 

 

I did, however, like the other characters. I thought Nick was sweet and that the twins were hilarious. Also, I enjoyed how different the settings were and the creepy purgatory aspect to the story. Regrettably though, this wasn't enough to live up to my idea of a good read.

 

Overall, I wouldn't recommend this one. It has its moments, but it wasn't enough for me.

 

My rating: 3/10

 

Daniel Marks:

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