REVIEW: 'Catching Jordan' by Miranda Kenneally

What's it about?
"What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.

But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Green moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line?" From goodreads.

What did I think of it?
This book fell flat for me.  I've been really enjoying romance books lately, making a change from dystopian, but this book did not deliver what I'd hoped. I'd read lots of positive reviews so I thought I'd give it ago.

The constant American football content did not help me enjoy this book. Perhaps its because I'm not sporty or that I know very little about American football, but I found the parts on the pitch and discussing tactics very dull.

I found Jordan quite irritating - she just seemed so stupid. The whole 'I have to go to that particular college or else' attitude seemed childish. Even when she knew the college didn't want her for her football skills! Argh.  The behaviour of all the characters felt stereotypical. The way that Jordan was a jock and so therefore couldn't have girly friends? What?  Then discovers that of course its okay to be sporty and be friends with girls. Oh dear lord!

The one thing I did like about this book was Henry- I did root for him and Jordan. He was such a sweetie, though even he had annoying moments. The new quarterback Ty,  I disliked from the start- he was so controlling. It didn't help that you know straight away that Jordan and Henry should be together so Ty just feels like an unwelcome distraction. 


Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to my friends. It was simply 'OK'.  For me, it just didn't live up to the hype and after reading the wonderful 'Anna and the French Kiss' that afternoon it was no where in the same league.

Rating

REVIEW: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Sorry it's been awhile. I've been revising for exams and I have longs days at work, so time has been a little sparse lately.  I was also in a reading slump and this book brought me out of it. I read this book then Catching Jordan in the same day! I'm on target still with goodreads, having read 44/50. Need to get reviewing! 

What's it about?
"Anna is happy in Atlanta. She has a loyal best friend and a crush on her co worker at the movie theatre, who is just starting to return her affection. So she's not too pleased when her father decides to send her to a boarding school in Paris for her senior year. Despite not speaking a word of French, Anna meets some cool new friends, including the handsome Étienne St. Clair, who quickly becomes her best friend. Unfortunately he's taken- and Anna might be too. Will a year of romantic near misses end with the French kiss she's been waiting for?"  Blurb from the book cover.

What did I think of it?
I loved this book. I'd heard a lot of bloggers express their love for this book, but I never bothered to read it. Then I was in the mood for a good chick lit romance book and so I made a quick online order! I started reading this the moment it dropped through my door and didn't stop until I'd finished it. It was wonderful! I was completely swept into the story and the setting. I've never been to Paris, and never had a big urge to visit, but this book made me want to! I also love a boarding school book. I liked how the characters are always in the same place, I think it's an interesting concept, as there really is no escape from school. So boarding school, combined with Paris was a hit with me.

The main delight of this book is its characters. I found I could really relate to Anna and I dare you not to fall in love with St. Clair!! Anna's narration is a joy, and she made me laugh and dream along side her.  I really liked the supporting cast of characters though I wish some of them had a little more air time, so I could know them a little better. Especially Meredith- I felt that although she's the one who introduces Anna to her group of friends, you actually learn very little about her. Some more Josh would have been good too.  

The romance in this book is divine. The relationship between Anna and St Clair has so many twists and turns, but I loved how they interacted.  Their relationship is wonderful to watch develop through many iterations. There are a few moments of "Arghhh when will this happen already! St Clair you're an idiot!" type thoughts, but that's to be expected in a plot of this type. St Clair shows Paris to Anna, and makes her feel at home, whilst Anna helps St Clair when his world begins to crumble. 

One little thing that I really liked about this book was Anna's love for film. I love films, and I just really liked reading about her interest in it, and her desire to be a film critic.

So to sum up this slightly waffle-ly ramble, this book is a must read for a romance loving YA enthusiast. It's cute as well as serious, and it will warm you heart. 

Rating

Goodreads Reading Challenge
This book is number 14 out of 50

REVIEW: 'Throne of Glass' by Sarah J. Maas

Sorry for the absence of posts! I've just started a new graduate job which has been wiping out my energy and keeping me busy. However I'm getting into the routine now and I have adjusted to my new sleeping pattern, so ready to blog again! I've been doing lots of reading to relax after work, so plenty to review. I'm currently a book ahead on my goodreads, so done really well to catch up from being 5 behind.

Onto the review of Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas which was released last month (Aug 7th).

What's it about?

'When magic has gone from the world, and a vicious king rules from his throne of glass, an assassin comes to the castle. She does not come to kill, but to win her freedom. If she can defeat twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition to find the greatest assassin in the land, she will become the King’s Champion and be released from prison. Her name is Celaena Sardothien. The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her.And a princess from a foreign land will become the one thing Celaena never thought she’d have again: a friend. But something evil dwells in the castle–and it’s there to kill. When her competitors start dying, horribly, one by one, Celaena’s fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival–and a desperate quest to root out the source of evil before it destroys her world.' Summary from Sarah Maas' website.

What did I think of it? 
I admit I didn't even read the blurb before buying this book as I'd heard good things, and it was a genre I knew I enjoyed. Not normally an overly smart move but thankfully I did really like this book.

When I first started reading I wasn't sure whether I had made a good choice due to the references to faeries (not normally my reading cup of tea!), but by the second chapter I was starting to feel invested in the story and curious. The main character, the master assassin Celaena was fantastic. She was a moody, witty and kick ass! I liked the development of Celaena and her relationships with the other characters, notably the Captain of the Guard and the Crown Prince. I also enjoyed the relationship between the Captain and the Prince. It was a great friendly rivalry, especially with them both falling for the assassin.

The plot was engaging, and although I guessed who/what was murdering the champions quite quickly, and worked out who was not to be trusted, it didn't impair my enjoyment in the slightest. I really liked how magic was incorporated in the story, and I'm not a fan of a lot of magic fantasy. It was subtle and not the main focus of the plot, despite playing an important role in the novel. 

I wish there was a bit more time to hear about the tasks that the champions had to undertake to stay in the running to work for the king. The time line in the novel moves along swiftly and covers a period of several months. Due to the swift nature several events seemed summarised, which I would actually have liked to hear more about. Despite my mini grumble about the time line, the novel is well paced (because it doesn't stop to satisfy some of my minor curiousities!). 

I really recommend this book and I'm already really looking forward to the next one to hear more about the infamous assassin Celaena. 

Rating


Goodreads Reading Challenge
This book is number 11 out of 50

'The Summer I Turned Pretty' by Jenny Han

The third book I read for the Goodreads challenge was 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' by Jenny Han. This is part of a trilogy, though when I read the first two books, the third wasn't released yet. It is now out, but I haven't the funds to buy it. Perhaps by the end of the year, as it would be nice to review all the books in the trilogy.

What's it about?
Fifteen year old Isabel (or Belly) measures her life in summers, always willing the winter months away so she can go to the beach house that her mother's best friend, Susannah, owns. Susannah's has two sons, eighteen year old Conrad who Belly's been in love with since she was ten, and sixteen year old Jeremiah, is full of jokes and like a brother to Belly. After spending every summer with Conrad and Jeremiah always doing things with her older brother Steven and leaving her out - Belly is finally a included, and the boys aren't looking at her like a little sister any more.

What did I think of it?
This book is very much a quick and easy beach read, but one that is surprisingly touching. The author switches back and forth from the present to past summers which helps you to understand the relationship between all the characters. It is written in the first person from the perspective of Belly (Isabel), which is one of the things I disliked about the book. I do really like first person narration, but Belly is an irritating and whiny character. It's her personality which really lets this book down. The plot line itself is decent enough, with enough love triangle and some other intrigues to keep you interested but I did find myself tiring of Belly's commentary. It wasn't quite enough to make me dislike the book but I think the book would have been much more enjoyable if Belly was more likeable. I understand she's supposed to be flawed and in the process of growing up, but I feel that other books manage to have a childish character maturing in a far less annoying way.

Enough about Belly, what about the other characters? Well Conrad is aloof, moody and the silent type struggling with a few issues, whilst his brother Jeremiah is the opposite- friendly, ready for fun and smiling. I enjoyed the relationship between the brothers but I felt that you didn't learn too much about them in this book, but it is the first of the trilogy. Although I feel that the book could have benefited from exploring the brothers characters a little more, as I felt I was supposed to like Conrad, but I couldn't because not much is given away about his personality. If I were Belly, I'd choose Jeremiah!

I did enjoy this book despite my grumblings about Belly, and although the secondary characters aren't as well developed as I'd have liked, and it hasn't got much in the way of a traditional plot as such, it kept me interested, and intrigued enough to buy the sequel. The blurb makes it sound like a summer of unrequited love and love triangles but there are other plot points ticking away in the background and revealed in the last few chapters. It's definitely a mixed bag, but I can imagine tweens adoring it. It won't be everyone's cup of tea. If whiny, self absorbed teenagers aren't your thing, stay well clear!

Rating

Goodreads Reading Challenge
This book is number 3 out of 50

'The Fault In Our Stars' by John Green

The first book I read this year was 'The Fault In Our Stars' by John Green. I had this pre-ordered about a year in advance, so when it turned up on my door step I eagerly devoured it. 

For those who don't know, John Green writes young adult (YA) novels, and they are all excellent. His previous novels include - 'Looking For Alaska', 'Will Grayson, Will Grayson', 'An Abundance of Katherines' and 'Paper Towns'. John Green has a youtube channel which he shares with his brother called the vlogbrothers. It is incredibly popular and has spawned a group of people called 'Nerdfighters'. John is a lovely guy, he signed all 150,000 pre-orders of 'The Fault In Our Stars'! Mine has a lovely blue Jsquiggle in it.

Ok, enough about John, what about the book?? 

Photocredit- Gemsmaquillage

What is it about? 

A 16 year old girl called Hazel, has terminal cancer, but the tumours have shrunk, thanks to a new miracle drug. She has to carry an oxygen tank with her at all times. She is forced to attend a cancer support club which is where she meets Augustus. The two of them very quickly form a bond, and Hazel forces Gus to read her favourite book and it quickly becomes his favourite and it becomes a large part of the story line. Being with Augustus pushes Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death will define her. 

What did I think of it?

Oh my days, I found it absolutely breathtaking!  

It's not the cheeriest topic- it's about teenagers with cancer- but there is something special about this book. This book is about cancer, but it is not the cancer that is important in the novel. It never suffers from cancer book clichés, it shows the truth, and doesn't gloss over it. More than cancer, this book is about the meaning of life, living with death, the effect you have on the world and love. It will make you sob, and feel like your heart has been torn out, but somehow it also manages to make you laugh, even in the saddest parts. Not just a little smile to yourself, but a proper, out loud laugh! It just shows how brilliant John Green's writing is- the whole novel is beautifully written.  The characters are incredibly likeable and well portrayed. I know John has suffered some criticisms for the fact his teenage characters speak so cleverly and with great intelligence, but I don't think that should be an issue at all. It's a joy to read the dialogue in the book, it's like a breath of fresh air.

Once I'd finished the book, I physically felt different inside. It was so strange. It was a very emotional few hours (I read it in one sitting) and I actually felt worn out afterwards but in a good way. My mind was just blown away by it. I sat there in the early hours of the morning, quietly just taking it all in, and coming to terms with what I had experienced.

Rating

If you have read it,  please let me know in the comments, I'd love to hear your opinions on it.

What other people have to say

Green’s best and most ambitious novel to date. In its every aspect, The Fault in Our Stars is a triumph.” -Booklist, starred review

“A smartly crafted intellectual explosion of a romance.” -Kirkus, starred review

A blend of melancholy, sweet, philosophical, and funny. Green shows us true love…and it is far more romantic than any sunset on the beach.” -New York Times Book Review

“One doesn’t like to throw around phrases like “instant classic” lightly, but I can see The Fault in Our Stars taking its place alongside Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret in the young-adult canon. Green’s book is also a good example of why so many adult readers are turning to young-adult literature for the pleasures and consolations they used to get from conventional literary fiction.” -Time

“Green writes books for young adults, but his voice is so compulsively readable that it defies categorization. The Fault in Our Stars proves that the hype surrounding Green is not overblown.” -NPR

#1 New York Times bestseller
#1 Wall Street Journal bestseller
#9 The Bookseller (UK) bestseller
#1 Indiebound bestseller
New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice

Goodreads Reading Challenge
This book is number 1 out of 50