REVIEW: Stealing Snow

STEALING SNOW

by Danielle Paige

Pages: 384

Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens  

Publication Date: 6th October 2016

ISBN: 9781408872932
Received From:  Bloomsbury Childrens

Summary 

Seventeen-year-old Snow lives within the walls of the Whittaker Institute, a high security mental hospital in upstate New York. Deep down, she knows she doesn't belong there, but she has no memory of life outside, except for the strangest dreams. And then a mysterious, handsome man, an orderly in the hospital, opens a door – and Snow knows that she has to leave … She finds herself in icy Algid, her true home, with witches, thieves, and a strangely alluring boy named Kai. As secret after secret is revealed, Snow discovers that she is on the run from a royal lineage she's destined to inherit, a father more powerful and ruthless than she could have imagined, and choices of the heart that could change everything. Heroine or villain, queen or broken girl, frozen heart or true love, Snow must choose her fate …

Review

I am a big fan of Danielle Paige, to the point where she can probably do no wrong! Dorothy Must Die is one of my favourite books so when I started Stealing Snow I had pretty high expectations... It didn't disappoint.

Stealing Snow is a story about a teenage girl named Snow. It is an adaptation of Snow White that starts in an insane asylum and ends in the mystical, somewhat chilly, world of Algid. She arrives in Algid with the help of Jagger on the hunt for her broken friend Bale. Throughout the book we join snow as she discovers her powers, fights to save her friend and tries to survive a world she didn't know existed a few days ago.

Okay so remember the whole Snow White part? Well its a very loose adaptation. Don't get me wrong, that isn't a bad thing but if you pick it up hoping for a story close to the original then this isn't going to give you what you want. The evil stepmother comes in the form of a power crazed king. The seven dwarfs are a collection of little pills that give you the attributes of the original 7 (love that little nod to the original) and the magic mirror? Well actually that's still there... and although it doesn't actually talk it still plays a vital role in the story. I really liked the imaginative take on the story, because even though Snow White it a classic, Snow is quite timid in the original disney version of the charter. Paige's Snow is brave and fierce! She's had to fight her whole life and okay she's a little on the stubborn side but I liked that. A mix between Frozen's Elsa and Katniss Everdeen.

Now for the boys! If you are going to write a YA novel you need to have a hot boy to swoon over... Paige didn't just give us one, or two but three!!! Pick your teams now guys, I'm on Team Kai! Something about him seems so much more genuine that the other two (Bale and Jagger) and omigod the other's don't half keep you on your toes! I don't want to say too much and give anything away but Stealing Snow most definitely has the boy front covered!

Main issue I had with the book might seem really small but there is so many times you can read the line, they looked like the markings on the tree, before you want to throw the book at the wall. I think it irritated me most because other than that I really did enjoy the story! PROMISE!! But that one line... like nails down a chalk board by the end of the book.

With all that said I did really enjoy reading Stealing Snow. The characters where fun and exciting, Paige's imaginative writing style painted a picture of weird and wonderful creatures from start to finish. There are several twists within the plot and the ending is packed full of shockers! Definitely worth a read and I can't wait for book 2.

**I received this book as an ARC from Bloomsbury Childrens to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**

BLOG TOUR: The Daemoniac

Today I am taking part in the Xpresso Blog Tour for The Daemoniac by Kat Ross. It is also it's book birthday making it doubly special! Happy Birthday Daemoniac, I hope you enjoy the review!!

THE DAEMONIAC

by Kat Ross

Pages: 334 paperback

Publisher: Acorn

Publication Date: October 12th 2016

ISBN: 0997236248
Received From:  Xpresso Book Tours

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

Summary 

It's August of 1888, just three weeks before Jack the Ripper will begin his grisly spree in the London slum of Whitechapel, and another serial murderer is stalking the gas-lit streets of New York. With taunting messages in backwards Latin left at the crime scenes and even more inexplicable clues like the fingerprints that appear to have been burned into one victim's throat, his handiwork bears all the hallmarks of a demonic possession.
But consulting detective Harrison Fearing Pell is convinced her quarry is a man of flesh and blood. Encouraged by her uncle, Arthur Conan Doyle, Harry hopes to make her reputation by solving the bizarre case before the man the press has dubbed Mr. Hyde strikes again.
From the squalor of the Five Points to the high-class gambling dens of the Tenderloin and the glittering mansions of Fifth Avenue, Harry and her best friend, John Weston, follow the trail of a remorseless killer, uncovering a few embarrassing secrets of New York's richest High Society families along the way. Are the murders a case of black magic—or simple blackmail? And will the trail lead them closer to home than they ever imagined?

Review

The Daemoniac was not what I was expecting but that isn't a bad thing. I was hopeful but worried it would fall a little flat of what it was offering. I was wrong. It is an interesting and compelling read that will have you asking questions from start to end.

The story follow Harry Pell as she decides to take on a mysterious case as a private detective. However, her clients believe they are hiring the well known Myrtle Pell, a renown investigator of the unexplainable cases. Although when Mr. Brady and his wife turn up at her door looking for her sister Harry decides its her turn to shine and takes the case on herself. The book follows Harry and her best friend John as they investigate the unusually timed disappearance of Mr. Brady's childhood friend... but the case turns out to be much darker and more complicated than Harry could have imagined. As the body count rises will she and her friends be able to discover what is really going on or will she have to admit defeat and call on her big sister for help? Well you'll just have to read it to find out!

The Daemoniac is one of those books where you don't know if it is supernatural or simply a psychopath on a rampage. Everything points to it being a tale of demons and black magic but logically minded Harry refuses to admit that it is more than human. You don't find out until the end if she is right or not and it is one of those stories where it could be open to interpretation. Which I personally love! I like the fact it isn't black and white as it keeps you on your toes and leaves it open for a second book... which is happening by the way!

Our protagonist is Harrison, also known as Harry and I have to admit I really liked her! She's smart and brave and at times reckless, which in YA terms always leads to an interesting adventure. She's determined to be more than Myrtle's little sister and that leads to her doing everything she can to carve out a name for herself with this case. She gets more than she bargained for but that doesn't mean it's beyond her. Harry will fight to prove she has worth of her own and throughout the course of the book you can't help but back her.

This was a book of two halves for me. The first half was okay but it was a slow starter which made it difficult to get into at the beginning. However, the second half of the book put me through the ringer! It is one of those stories where you can't see where its going to end up and leaves you with a thousand and one questions while you're reading it. Is it supernatural? It is not? Is it demonic or is it simply a psychopath? I didn't know what was coming next and the ending was a surprising one, but I am so glad I stuck with it because it turned out to be a good read. I still have one line in particular on repeat in my head sending shivers down my spine even now...

"Billy was... delicious"

 

**I received this book as an ARC from Xpresso Book Tours to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**

Author Bio

Kat Ross worked as a journalist at the United Nations for ten years before happily falling back into what she likes best: making stuff up. She lives in Westchester with her kid and a few sleepy cats. Kat is also the author of the dystopian thriller Some Fine Day (Skyscape, 2014), about a world where the sea levels have risen sixty meters. She loves magic, monsters and doomsday scenarios. Preferably with mutants.

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REVIEW: Haunt Me

HAUNT ME

by Liz Kessler

Pages: 400

Publisher: Orion Children's Books

Publication Date: October 6th 2016

ISBN: 1444009192
Received From:  Orion Children's Books via Netgalley

Summary 

Joe wakes up from a deep sleep to see his family leave in a removals van. Where they've gone, he has no idea. Erin moves house and instantly feels at home in her new room. Even if it appears she isn't the only one living in it. Bit by bit, Erin and Joe discover that they have somehow found a way across the ultimate divide - life and death. Bound by their backgrounds, a love of poetry and their growing feelings for each other, they are determined to find a way to be together.
Joe's brother, Olly, never cared much for poetry. He was always too busy being king of the school - but that all changed when Joe died. And when an encounter in the school corridor brings him face to face with Erin, he realises how different things really are - including the kind of girl he falls for.
Two brothers. Two choices. Will Erin's decision destroy her completely, or can she save herself before she is lost forever?

Review

This book hit me right in the feels! I can't explain how much this book got to me but it has been such a long time since I read a book with SO many incredible characters. Character's that ALL completely and utterly melt your heart!

Haunt Me is told from three point of views with Erin and Joe the main two protagonists and Olly *swoons* coming in a little later on. The story starts with Joe watching his family leave him behind and Erin and her family moving into his old house. The two connect in an unusual way, with song lyrics and poems that make them feel like they understand each other... like they have found their other half. Only slight downfall being Joe died 6 months ago! The book follows these two as they try to understand their feelings and discover why they're connected. As well as finding out how Joe died, if Erin can find a place in her new school and will Joe's big brother Olly come between them?

"If this is how it feels to be lost, I would be happy never to be found again."

I've already made it pretty clear I have serious feels for this book but where to start! I think the reason I connected so much with this book definitely came down to our three main characters. Erin and Joe both have this dark side to them with anxiety and depression causing them to shut themselves away from the world. They connect with each other because they both have similar dark places, which in hand helped me as a reader connect with them. They are real and honest and very raw as far as protagonists go and it made them all the more endearing. Ignoring the small issue of Joe not being quite alive, you find yourself rooting for the pair of misfits... whether as friends, or more is up for debate. After all what is YA without a little love triangle!?! *In enters Olly*

I actually love Olly! It is a tricky love triangle where you could easily form a Team Joe and a Team Olly but in the end if you don't some how want both of them to win I think we may have to have a little talk about your priorities... yes you! Olly as a character is the typical popular boy except his world got turned upside down when his brother (Joe) dies. He carries a level of guilt around with him but I can't tell you why... spoilers and all that. He's charming and everything you expect from the hot older boy but he isn't shallow - well not anymore - and he has his own dark and twisty side. However, unlike our other characters his anxieties keep him grounded, they strip back the cocky teenage boy and reveal a caring and honest man who will do anything to keep the people he loves safe.

"A challenge to be a better person, to be as good as she is, to be worthy of her."

It has been a long time since a book has made me cry but Haunt Me's final chapters had me choking back the tears. This book is so good and if you are looking for something new to read then choose this! It's honest, heartwarming, heartbreaking and beautifully written. I really enjoyed it.

"The only relief for me was oblivion"

A very special Hogwarts cheer for Haunt Me

**I received this book as an ARC from Orion Children's Books via Netgalley to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.** 

BOOK TAG: Pokemon Go

Disclaimer:  Pokemon Go belongs to Niantic and Nintendo, please don’t sue me.

I found this book tag via Jess Hearts Books, although originally created by Read at Midnight and it looked like so much fun! I'm slightly addicted to Pokemon Go.... well more than slightly and I thought this would be a fun little (not so little) book tag to do as I've not done one in a LONG time. I hope you enjoy! 

Rules:

• NIL. Link back to original blog Read at Midnight is appreciated but optional. Feel free to use the original graphics. Tag people, don’t tag people, whatever. Just have fun!

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket was the book(s) that got me into reading for fun rather than just because my teacher told me to. I read the first 8 of the series in 2 weeks and I was hooked... I can't say my love really continued part book 8 but I finished the series eventually and I will always be happy they started my love for reading. 

Harry Potter all the way!! I'll admit the second and five instillment had a few flaws but I can't get enough of these books and I've been reading them since they were first published... well when they were first published my mum read them to me, I was like 5. 

Game of Thrones... I know, I know so please don't kill me! I do love the TV show and the books but sometimes I just get a little tired of it because it is constantly in my face and sometimes I do want a Game of Thrones free night. 

Divergent, The Hunger Games, Maze Runner... I love them all but they do all sometimes blur into one. Divergent is still one of my all time favourite books and that will never change but when a genre becomes popular every story seems to interlink and reminds me of something I've read before. 

The last book in both the City of Bones series and Discovery of Witches series. Both books would kill someone if you hit you on the head and as much as I love both series I can't quite bring myself to read these last instillments. 

The Hunger Games! That was the first book I just could not put down. I remember having school the next day but stayed up until 5am reading it. I called in sick for school and finished it that afternoon. But shhh don't tell on me.

Oh jeez! Where to start, there are way way way too many to pick from... Although i'd have to say Ron and Hermione from Harry Potter are the all time OTP for me.

Harry Potter! Any possible connection to the wizarding world keeps me very happy! 

The Chemical Gardens trilogy by Lauren DeStefano was a surprising one for me. I picked up the book before the cover of Wither is bootiful! But as the story progressed and the books came out I got more and more enthralled but them.

I feel like this is a tag where I see how many times I can fit Harry Potter into the category... to be fair it's fit in most. It's THE series of my generation and I still get excited over it... It's no secret I'm a massive potter head!

I already have one special addition of this book but there is another collectors edition that I'd love to get my hands on and that's FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell. I can't get enough of this book and every edition they release is so pretty!

Ah... okay confession time! It's been so long since I really got into the blogging game that I haven't a clue who's got debut novels out soon. *hangs head in shame* 

ALTHOUGH Cherry by Lindsey Rosin is a recent debut that I absolutely loved! Fingers crossed that redeems me a little bit...

I have a couple of these... Rainbow Rowell, Giovanna Fletcher, J.K. Rowling, Danielle Paige and most recently added to the list Dawn Kurtagich. 

CARVE THE MARK!!! Veronica Roth gave us Divergent and now she's giving us a new series and I can't wait!! Just like 4 months to go... I can cope... I think! 

REVIEW: CHERRY

CHERRY

by Lindsey Rosin

Pages: 356 

Publisher: Hot Key Books

Publication Date: 25th August 2016

ISBN: 1471405761
Received From:  Hot Key Books

Summary 

There's a first time for everything . . .
Layla, Alexis, Zoe and Emma are four best friends with not a lot in common. Well, except one thing . . . But they're determined to lose 'that thing' by the time they graduate high school. Yes, the time has come to Do It. To make love. To have all the sex. It's momentous, it's huge, it's important and it's life-changing. Or . . . is it?
Although each of the girls sets out with a pretty certain idea of what the Big Moment will be like, as they'll discover, life doesn't always work out the way you expect. And in their search for something huge, important and life-changing, they'll discover that they already have it - in each other

Review

Okay so I can't explain why I wanted to read this one but something about it was pulling at my metaphorical jumped like a little kid that wants attention so I HAD to read it and I'm so so so happy I did!! I was worried that it would be a sugar coated representation of high school but it turned out to be quite an honest account of a girls first time and the journey we go through emotionally before, during and after we pop our cherry. Although i'm getting ahead of myself... lets start at the beginning.

Cherry is a story about 4 friends, Layla, Zoe, Emma and Alex, on the lead up to there high school graduation. They have the normal everyday things to deal with like family, friends, classes and actually making it to graduation but in addition to this Layla decides they also need to loose their virginities. Throughout the book you follow all four girls as the make their way through the last few terms of high school and try to loose their V-cards at the same time... and in the form of a sex pact no less! For Layla it's all planned out, valentines day with her boyfriend Logan but for the others it's not that simple. Alex has already had sex... or at least that's what everyone thinks and the other two girls have to figure out the whole mine field that is dating before they can even think about the pact.

I think the reason I loved this book was because of the characters. I found all of the girls relatable in one way or another and it made me care about what happened to each of them. It is so easy for a YA novel that is based around sex to come across contrite or become more NA than YA but with Cherry, as much as sex plays a big part in the story the actual book is more to do with the girls becoming women. It becomes a story of four girls finding themselves and figuring out what they want from themselves as well as a relationship. 

I think the only real flaw I found was it was a little on the predictable side, I knew who was going to end up with who and there wasn't any real shocking twists to the story. However, in an odd way I think it made it more relatable. Yes I could tell what was coming but that's because I've been though similar situations to some of the girls. That was because the story lines were realistic and I think most people who dated throughout high school and their early twenties will connect to one part or another. 

Overall I really enjoyed this book and I didn't put it down. I actually lost a Tuesday to this book but it was totally worth it! I would recommend it to anyone!! It is honest, it is real, it is funny and sad and all in all it is an enjoyable and easy read. 

**I received this book as an ARC from Hot Key Books to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**

BOOK BLITZ: DOTS

Dots
by Angie M. Brashears

Publication date: October 1st 2016

Genres: Adult, Contemporary

This is a story about two strangers with nothing but grief in common.
Mason is great at connecting dots in other people’s life’s, but not so much in his own. His website, The F#ck it List, is all about connecting sexual requests. Matching never have I ever’s like a pair of socks. Efficiently. All in an effort to raise money for charity. That’s all he wants, to give. Why is that so hard?
Chloe’s in denial, but that’s not going to make the cancer go away. When her doctor gives her an expiration date, she can’t deny it any longer. It’s time to break the news to family and her best friend. She thought she’d have more time. There’s things she needs to say. She needs to be heard, but not by her loved ones. They’ve got enough on their plates with the diagnosis.
Two Months? Not long enough to do anything except…dig the hole.
It’s time.
This is Chloe’s story and how she copes with the end.
Just as there is a song for every occasion, Chloe has a friend for every occasion.
A pity party friend.
A truth friend.
A fixer friend.
And an end friend. Mason.
Mason and Chloe have nothing in common but grief. Two dots, floating in a sea of sorrow.
He’s lost his mother. She’s losing the fight.
When the end is near, is it too late for a new friend?
One woman’s end journey. Even when it’s time to get your affairs in order, it’s never too late for an “end” friend. Someone that will listen? Share your burden, so the family doesn’t have to. Help with the mess she’s created by keeping secrets. Be there for her best friend, a shoulder to cry on when the time comes.
It’s one thing to donate money to a cause.
What about your time, heart and soul? How much should you be expected to give?
If a stranger asked, could you be an end friend?

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Until October 1, 2016  50% or 5.00 from each print book goes to Avon Walk for Breast Cancer!

EXCERPT

All your weight, it falls on me. It brings me down.Truer words have never been spoken. My family and their feelings, that’s the weight of my world on my shoulders right now. How am I supposed to tell my overprotective mother, who freaks out over a sniffle…that, I’m…dying? My brother, Ronny, out doing his job, protecting us, battling on the front lines. Is it fair to distract him from his task at hand? Maybe he gets killed, or maybe his buddy takes a bullet? Why, so I can feel better? What about dad? Thoughts of the man that stuffs a pink can of mace and rape whistle in my stocking every year, and my burden just got heavier. And last but not least, my best friend, Lola. We’ve been the odd couple since the tampon video in fourth grade. Neat as pin, she never has loose ends, never commits to anything, no tangles no mess. That’s where I come in. I’m a friggin mess. Everything I touch gets smudged. Or at least, I’ve been told that, since as far back as I can even remember leaving a mess. Possibly, Lola’s bored with her muted tones life, maybe that’s why she steps into my sunshine and rainbows. Cluttered with dust motes, dancing on sun rays, like spritely fairies. Could be. So, what happens when I tell her I’m taking the sun with me? Some days, I can’t get off this sagging futon. Between the pain, the isolation, the guilt, the secret… I just can’t. I look at the website again. The F#ck It List. A place to put your Never have I ever… and you’ll be matched with the right person for you. I’m not interested in the sexual stuff. I’m so over that, and besides, my boyfriend, well, not boyfriend, stops by twice a week and we’re compatible enough as it is. And he’s another one. I broke up with him, so I wouldn’t have to paste a smile on twice a week and pretend like my world’s not falling apart. I love him, but man, does he need a lot of coddling. I haven’t brought myself to click past the privacy screen. That’s not what I’m interested in. The thing my nurse keeps talking to me about. My chemo nurse, Courtney, whispered to me. “You need someone to talk to, get things off your chest. I know you don’t want to burden your family, Chloe, but who takes your burden?” I shrugged, not really caring one way or the other. “I’ll be dead soon, so who cares? They can bury it with me.” She smacked my hand, the one without the IV. She was the one who had to poke around for an hour to find it, so she was protecting it like gold. But her words were kind. “Just like that. Who do you get to say those things too? You’re too worried about acting normal for your chemo buddy over there.” Em’s on her phone. She hates needles. I do too. “You need someone to hear you and not your cancer, you got me?” Her eyes look so compassionate, so loving I nod. She rests her hand on top of mine. I didn’t realize I was crying. “It’s my first time, I’m still a rookie.” I blubber out. She produces a tissue box from thin air and rubs my hand. “I have a friend; grandson has a website.” She lowers her voice. “It’s like a sex something or other,” then she’s back to full volume, “but that’s just to raise money for charity. I know she said he’s always looking for people with illnesses to help. “I guess my face must look funny, because she feels the need to add, “not like murder or anything like that.” I laugh. “Honestly, I was just wondering when this nausea would start to go away.” She nods, and squeezes my hand. “It doesn’t.” Later, when I’m pumped full of poison, she presents me with a gift bag. It’s got Band-Aids and syringes all over it. “Wow, Courtney how’d you know it was my birthday?” She laughs, “Well it kind of is. It’s your Chemo-day. You’re very first. Congratulations, kiddo, you made it through. Enjoy. Inside is the softest, most luxurious cashmere blanket. Pink, with raised dots. “Very chic, Courtney. I love it!” She hugs me and wraps it around my shoulders. “For the chills,” she whispers in my ear and I nod. She reaches in the bag and takes out a box of masks. “Remember your nadir.” There’s hard candies to suck on, for when my mouths dry. And an oral bag! With a rainbow toothbrush. “Thanks so much, I would’ve never thought of any of this. On the very bottom, a free month membership to Netflix. “For when you can’t make it out, but still want to watch something.” “I’m touched, really.” I use my new blanket, to wipe away a tear. “But I’ll have to read up on the rules, I don’t know a thing about Netflix.” As I leave, in search of my chemo buddy, who I haven’t seen in the last thirty minutes, Courtney calls out to me. “Chloe, did you want me to check on that thing, Mason’s website?” I think about it. I’ve got nothing better to do. “Sure.” That was four months ago. I’ll never see her again, chemo’s done dude. I’ll miss her. But not in the add another brick to the pile way. No, I’ll miss having someone who listens with their whole self. Two dots, connected by Courtney.

Author Bio

Angie M Brashears is a lover of everything books. When not writing, she's reading anything she can get her hands on. She grew up in Southern California, and loves the mountains, hiking with her dogs, the beach, and of course, Disneyland! She loves music, and loves singing along to the radio, loud and off-key, performing for anyone unlucky enough to be in the passenger seat.
Angie loves dark and twisted, which she refers to as Dark Ever After books, but is known to read an occasional HEA story as well. When she's not writing, she working, saving lives. A busy Trauma ER nurse for over twenty years, she gets enough reality in her life, and is always looking for a story to take her away from the harsh reality of Emergency Nursing.
If there's football on, she sure to have a huge party going on to cheer her team on...Go Patriots!
As a new author, she'd love to hear from you!

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