Thursday 30 April 2015

Do Authors Dumb-Down Childrens Fiction?


So to say I've been thinking about writing a post on why I read young adult books still at the glorious age of 25 or why I'm not ashamed, for a long long time would be an understatement. But it wasn't until Darren Shan posted something eye catching on his facebook page recently did I understand that its not just a case of explaining why I love them , half the time we feel like we have to justify the reasons when we can read what ever takes our fancy and if someone doesn't like it then I'm just going to be sticking two fingers in the air from now on. I'm sick of having to explain to people why I read what I read, and I'm sick of feeling stupidly bashful while talking to someone about a 'childish' book..

I don't know if any of you that are reading this has seen in the papers recently but apparently Anthony Horowitz the author of the best selling Alex Rider books and various other things, has basically accused David Walliams of dumbing down books for children, and it's something I feel rather strongly about. So today ladies and gentlemen, I'm going to talk about what he said and why I don't agree with it.

Wednesday 29 April 2015

Book Review - Perfectly Ella

Perfectly Ella
Author: Candy Harper
Series: Strawberry Sisters #1
Genres: Contemporary | Childrens, Young Adult
Release Date: 23rd April 2015
Source: Review Copy - Simon and Schuster
Rating:
Meet the Strawberry Sisters!

Oldest sister Amelia wants to be left alone to have deep thoughts, so she's grown a fringe to hide under. Second up is Chloe who's sport-crazy and in training to be a wrestling star (this week anyway). Littlest sister Lucy is the cute one who's training an army of earwigs.

Then there's Ella. The middle one who's still trying to work out what makes her 'Perfectly Ella' and how to stand out in a house full of big personalities.

And now there's a new Strawberry Sister.
Baby Kirsti who lives with Dad and his Finnish girlfriend.

Along with her sisters and one very tired Mum who's struggling to keep it all together, Ella's small home is crammed with almost-finished homework, nearly-clean jumpers and a vampire bunny called Buttercup. With so much going on, life can sometimes feel totally crazy but the Strawberry sisters have a secret weapon against the craziness of the world they live in, each other.
Candy Harper is what I would call one of my 'staple authors'. She's an author whom, whenever I see or hear of new work to be released by her, I'm on edge, watching and waiting, researching and stalking, ready to snap up advance copies of her work and every time, I'm impressed. With every new release, harper creates youthful characters I fall in love with, relationships and family connections that just turn my cold heart in a warm slushy goo, and stories that tug on my heartstrings and remind me of my own childhood. Perfectly Ella is absolutely no different and was beautiful to read.

Tuesday 28 April 2015

Book Review - Sweet Reckoning

Sweet Reckoning (The Sweet Trilogy, #3)Sweet Reckoning
Author: Wendy Higgins
Series: The Sweet Trilogy #3
Genres: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy | Young Adult
Release 22nd May 2014
Source: Purchased
Rating:
It’s time.

Evil is running rampant and sweet Anna Whitt is its target. Nobody knows when or how the Dukes will strike, but Anna and her Nephilim allies will do anything necessary to rid the earth of the demons and their oppressive ways.

The stakes are higher than ever, and Anna is determined that the love she feels will be her strength, not a liability. But trying to protect the ones she loves while running for her life and battling demonic forces proves to be perilous - especially as faces are changing and trust is fleeting. When the Duke of Lust sends Anna’s great love, Kaidan Rowe, to work against her, Anna must decide how much she’s prepared to risk.
The following review may contain spoilers concerning earlier books in the series.
If you have not read the previous installments, please proceed with caution.

If you have read my reviews of Sweet Evil and Sweet Peril you will know that the series started of rather strongly for me. I had been meaning to start it for a long time but last year after hearing Amanda rave about the series I thought it would be the time to finally start it and with Sweet Evil I thought I had found a wonderful unique story, I loved the idea of the sins being people and having children, who they order to do their bidding. I was so excited to read the rest of the series only to be less than happy with Sweet Peril, the pacing was off and I just lost my connection to the characters, but I was still hopeful for the last book, Sweet Reckoning. I knew early on while reading the book that though some of the things had got better, I would have the same problems I did with the last book and I'm sorry to say that I'm happy the series is over because I've finished it and can move on. I don't feel the need to read the next book which will be set from Kaidan's POV because I've honestly just fell out of love with it and I'm really not sure how good it would be, he sometimes has a one track mind.

Monday 27 April 2015

I'm Proud To Be A Blogger


Blogging for some people is the method used to escape reality. It's a hobby that allows you delve into a deeper, sometimes more hidden area of yourself that you don't particularly show off in public. A blog for some people is an output in which they can share this other side of their personality and feel free to talk about their loves and hates, there joyful moments and in my case, books.
But how many of us don't talk about our blog outside of blogging?

I imagine there's a lot of people who blog that don't actually tell anyone about it. It's like a little secret, something only they know, something just for them, something that is theirs and they have all the control over, a space to be used when connecting to people of your choice rather than just anyone, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, in fact, I understand why you'd want to keep something so precious and important to you away from the preying of eyes of people you don't know or don't particularly like, I really really do, but your blog is something you should be proud of.
Take me for example..

When I started out blogging at Book Badger, I never for one minute considered not telling people. Blogging was to me, the same as after school football is to the kid that likes sports, or the film buff that's always looking for the next film to check out at the cinema, blogging was a hobby (and still is) the same as any other hobby in the world, and I was good at what I did. I was proud of how good I was, and I wanted to share with this is with the people in my life. Was I scared that people I didn't like or didn't know would find my blog? Yes, a little. After all, the internet is a big and scary place with a lot of people we don't know and may never know, but it never stopped me being passionate and sharing my passion.

Saturday 25 April 2015

Hello and Welcome to BBB: Version 2.0

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Things are looking a little different..

In case you've been hiding under a rock, haven't been online or just haven't really thought about us all that often over the last two weeks, we've been on a complete hiatus, and today, we're back, and we're rocking a brand new look!

Very different isn't it? But what's changed, and what hasn't?

Sunday 12 April 2015

Weekly Recap | 6-11 Apr. 2015

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Important News!


You know that Amanda has been talking about redesigning Beautiful Bookish Butterflies for a week or two now? Well, the fabulous news is, she's convinced she's finished it and has decided that there is no better time to share the design than, well, within the next week or two. While this is all very very exciting, it does mean there's going to be interference with BBB. Firstly, on 14th Apr. BBB will be put into private mode, meaning, if you search for us, or follow any links leading to us, you won't find us. This is inconvenient and a little unlucky, but in order for the change to be as simple, easy and clean as possible, we will need just under two weeks to make changes, ensure all links and features work and make sure that we're all in working order. BBB will be back up and running by 26th Apr. and hopefully, we'll be rocking a new, cleaner, fresher look.

We know a lot of you love our current design and trust us, we love it too, there's just something exciting about feeling fresh and new and getting a new look that's just really exciting. It will still be the same great content, and we'll also be making a few changes and implementing advise you gave us in our survey, so fingers crossed, you'll be getting an even better blog when we return. Over the next few weeks, you'll see our social sites changing and we'll be posting regular updates on our Twitter account, so it you're extra nosey, it might be worth keeping an eye on that. We hope you'll still be here when we return and that you'll like our new look. We'll be seeing you again soon!

What You May Have Missed:


Offline This Week:


Stacie:

Because I'm always talking about being tired, I thought I would explain why. To put it simply, I've got a heredity condition which effects the flow of the blood around my body thus leaving me pretty anaemic. So when I don't get a lot of sleep or my iron levels are low I find it really hard to function and focus. For the past two weeks it's been spring half term for my daughter, and she has spent a lot of time jumping into our bed at night leaving me with very little sleep because I find it hard sleeping between a fidgeting 5 year old who has more energy than is normal, and a snoring man, I mean wouldn't you?. So though it seems like sometime I'm always starting off my weekly update with me being tired, that's the reason for it. (Today is the last day of her time off and though I've loved having her at home, I'm looking forward to time to myself tomorrow... or time with my sofa haha). The lack of focus over the last few weeks has resulted in my being blank when it came to posts and reviews I had wrote next to nothing. So with the two weeks blog break I'm hoping to get LOTS done!

In other news I finally started the Covenant series, and though it has a lot of similarities to the Vampire Academy series, there is a lot that’s different and I'm really enjoying it. I also finally finished the Sweet Evil series and I'll be honest, it all went down hill from book #1 for me. It wasn't a terrible read, but I wont be reading #4 (it's the 3 books but from Kaidan's POV) and I don't think I'll be rereading the series so I'm glad I only got them cheap for the Kindle. As you can see, I'm taking this month of reading series really seriously, all I've read in a April has been books for a series (I do need to get back to my review copies though!..)

Lastly, I just want to say thank you to Amanda for covering for me on the blog the last week or two, and for understanding why I've been spaced lately, I'm not sure what I would do if I was on my own. I'd also just like to say goodbye for two weeks to everyone and I hope you understand why its the best thing for me and Amanda right now, and we'll see you after with a lovely new design (of course designed by my awesome co-blogger) and more posts than you can shake a stick at :)

Amanda:

Ever had a week that just feels like it's flown by, and you know you've done things, you just can't remember what things? I've seen a lot of my best friend lately and this week hasn't been too different, and I have slowly, horribly slowly gotten back into my reading with Perfectly Ella (beautiful, so many wonderful family emotions) but other than that, honestly, I've been sleeping, addicted to watching Crash Course (again..) and stressing over the new BBB design. OH. I'm also starting a new four week work experience, again.. but this time it's for retail, something I know and feel comfortable, so while that is good, it's bad that it falls as it does. I'm in the middle of a few projects, I'm juggling new designs, catching up on blogging and booking new therapy sessions, and I'm still sniffling through life. I'm not feeling fabulous, but, I'm praying for some improvements. Soon, please life, I'd really appreciate it?

What We Liked This Week:

We haven't got a lot of in this weeks link-up. Amanda's been distracted and frazzled. What is here is absolutely fabulous though.

Tell Us What's Been Happening in Your Week!

Friday 10 April 2015

Book Review - Flesh and Blood

Flesh and Blood
Author: Simon Cheshire
Series: Red Eye Standalones #3
Genres: Horror | Childrens, Young Adult
Release Date: 2nd March 2015
Publishers: Little Tiger
No. Pages: 336
Source: Review Copy - Little Tiger
Rating: 
I must record the facts that have led me to where I am now. So that, when someone reads this, they understand.

Sam Hunter's neighbours are pillars of the community, the most influential people in town. But they're liars too.

The Greenhills are hiding something and Sam's determined to find out what it is. As his investigation unfolds, he realizes the lies reach further than he ever imagined - is there anyone he can trust?

Uncovering the horror is one thing.
Escaping is another..

Thursday 9 April 2015

Co Review - Red Queen

Red Queen
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Series: Red Queen Trilogy #1
Genres: Fantasy | Young Adult
Release Date: 10th February 2015
Publishers: Orion
No. Pages: 320
Source: Review Copy - Orion
Rating:  | 
Mare Barrow's world is divided by blood - those with common, Red blood serve the Silver-blooded elite, who are gifted with superhuman abilities. Mare is a Red, scraping by as a thief in a poor, rural village, until a twist of fate throws her in front of the Silver court. Before the king, princes, and all the nobles, she discovers she has an ability of her own.

To cover up this impossibility, the king forces her to play the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks everything and uses her new position to help the Scarlet Guard--a growing Red rebellion - even as her heart tugs her in an impossible direction. One wrong move can lead to her death, but in the dangerous game she plays, the only certainty is betrayal.

Initial Feelings


Amanda: Oooooo, I hate to start off this chat in a wild and laid back manner, but I seriously have a lot of feelings about Red Queen, lots of them positive, and simply have no idea how you were not just a smidgen more impressed with it all? I feel like a leper. Very few people seem to like this book like I do..
Stacie: I know you enjoyed it, and I'm really happy you did, but my biggest problem with the story was that it lacked originality and I didn't find much that was unique about it. It reminded me of so many books, better books, that I just felt like I had read the story before. Does that make sense?
Amanda: I think it makes sense.. I've heard a lot of people say that it reminded them of Red Rising, or The Hunger Games, or Throne of Glass, or, some other dystopian or fantasy read, and if I'm honest, I think I can understand and see why people would think that, originality is a tough cookie to bake. I personally couldn't see or feel anything that felt hugely like other books, or like anything I'd read and enjoyed previously, but then again, I didn't particularly enjoy Red Rising, The Hunger Games was good rather than great for me, and it didn't feel all that similar to Throne of Glass.
Stacie: I noticed a lot of similarities, but then again I read the 50 Shades of Gray books an all I could think about was Twilight.
Amanda: Oh.. I've not read either, guess that makes me safe right? I don't know though, Red Queen just felt so much like a 'me' book and I've got to say, I'm beating myself up for ever thinking of not reading this. It's true what they've say, you either love this book, or feel cheated by it. I get the impression you feel cheated?
Stacie: Honestly? Yes, but not the way you think. This should have been a 'me' book, you know my taste, tell me you don't think this book should have been anything less than perfect for me?
Amanda: This should have TOTALLY been a 'you' book, hence it surprised me so much that it wasn't..
Stacie: I felt cheated because no matter how much I tried, I just couldn't stop thinking about the other books. I felt cheated because of the plot holes and some characters not coming across how Aveyard intended. Most of all, I feel cheated because I was so looking forward to this book, only for it to not reach my expectations (Aveyard isn't fully to blame with that..)
Amanda: Ouch.. I guess we best go into more detail pronto.

Wednesday 8 April 2015

Book Review - Crown of Midnight

Crown of Midnight
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #2
Genres: Fantasy | Young Adult
Release Date: 15th August 2013
Publishers: Bloomsbury
No. Pages: 418
Source: Gifted
Rating: 
Crowned by Evil. Bound by Duty. Divided by Love.

Celaena Sardothien, royal assassin, is the King of Adarlan's deadliest weapon. She must win her freedom through his enemies' blood - but she cannot bear to kill for the crown. And every death Celaena fakes, every lie she tells, put those she loves at risk.

Torn between her two protectors - a captain and a prince - and battling a dark force far greater than the king, Celaena must decide what she will fight for: her liberty, her heart or the fate of a kingdom...

The following review may contain spoilers concerning earlier books in the series.
If you have not read the previous installments, please proceed with caution.

For some, Crown of Midnight was Throne of Glass' less mysterious and more romanced little brother that sort of started to let the series down. To others, it was the sequel everybody wanted the first installment to be, with some spectacular action scenes, brilliant charcater development and depth and some serious politics and fantast involved. it was definitely a defining moment in the series, the make or break for some, the book most people were nervous about reading; I even waited three months after actually gaining a copy to read it, and when you're up against the pressure's of two close friends begging you to read it, that can seem like a loooooooong time, but I did, eventually, read it. Crown of Midnight was like a chocolate brownie ice cream sundae; the deeper you dug and the more you had, the richer and taster and darker it got, the better it was, the more exciting and thrilling it was the consume, and when the ending came around, I was definitely riding high on hot gooiness and falling hard due to deprival of wanting more.

Tuesday 7 April 2015

Book Review - We Are All Made of Molecules

We Are All Made of Molecules
Author: Susan Nielsen
Standalone
Genres: Mystery, Contemporary | Young Adult
Release Date: 7th May 2015
Publishers: Anderson
No. Pages: 336
Source: Review Copy - Anderson
Rating: 
Meet Stewart. He's geeky, gifted and sees things a bit differently to most people. His mum has died and he misses her all the more now he and Dad have moved in with Ashley and her mum.

Meet Ashley. She’s popular, cool and sees things very differently to her new family. Her dad has come out and moved out – but not far enough. And now she has to live with a freakazoid step-brother.

Stewart can't quite fit in at his new school, and Ashley can't quite get used to her totally awkward home, which is now filled with some rather questionable decor. And things are about to get a whole lot more mixed up when these two very different people attract the attention of school hunk Jared..

Monday 6 April 2015

Marathoning Series: What To Consider


Late last year, I was told by Cait that 'when I start a series I REALLY start a series' and it got me thinking about how and why I read so many series, and why I find it so easy. It's definitely not to everyones taste, but I definitely find it fun and enjoyable, in fact, it's become something I have to do from time to time, even going as far as creating my own personal reading challenge in both this year and last, and encouraging Stacie to host a month dedicated to series here on BBB - what can I say, I'm a little bit obsessed.. But I've not always been a marathoner, I didn't even know what a read-a-long was until the beginning of last year, let alone what marathoning was, I thought it was just running, but ever since I've started, I've just not been the same since.

Saturday 4 April 2015

Weekly Recap | 30-4 Apr. 2015

Welcome to Beautiful Bookish Butterflies Weekly Recap. Once a week, Stacie and Amanda take the time to talk about the weeks goings on, both on the blog and in our lives elsewhere, any new books we may have received and want to mention and what's interested is within the blogging community. Stacie and Amanda link up this recap with Caffeinated Book Reviewers Sunday Post and occasionally Tynga Reviews' Stacking the Shelves.


If you haven't yet, take our survey!


Our survey is still open, and we'd still really like your input and would love to know what you think of Beautiful Bookish Butterflies. It'll only take a few minutes with really simple, easy questions, and you'll be helping us, a lot. For our Blog Survey post, follow that link, or to for a direct link to the survey, click here.

What You May Have Missed:


- Bookish Musings: How to Encourage Me To Read Your Content
- Top Ten Tuesday: Recent TBR Editions
- Book Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
- Bookish Musings: Stacie's April Reading
- Book Review: Burn Bright by Bethany Frenette
- Bookish Musings: Libraries Make Me Read More Series

Our Lives This Week:


Stacie:

This marks the end of the first week of half term, and boy have I been busy. We've stayed in maybe two days, and others we've been seeing family and I took Caitlyn to the library. It's gone a lot quicker than I thought it would, and Glenn is off all next week so we get to spend some time together. It's his birthday on Wednesday so we'll be with family and we are going to be taking Caitlyn up to London for  day out, maybe go to London Zoo depending on what to weather is like. Though we haven't done really exciting things other than visiting the family members we don’t get to see while little legs is in school, its been nice and a I'm not overly tired. However I just haven't had the time or concentration to sit and write, every time I start I come up blank. So tomorrow I plan on having a day with my head phones in, notes at the ready and post scheduled. I'm pretty behind!.
This week for reading has been rather productive. I finished Steelheart, and by god it was amazing, I'm running to the library to borrow the rest next week. I also managed to read 3 review books, Remix, My Secret Rockstar Boyfriend and Day Four. Remix was rather good, I liked the way the story was set out and how the two POV's were completely different. MSRB was so so, I liked the idea behind the story I just think it was a little bit too young for me. Day Four... was  creepy read but it just wasn't as creepy as I was expecting and the ending felt rushed. Wait For You, I know more people than I expected have issues with the story but I fell head over hills with Cam, and I really need to start reading more NA. Right now I'm reading The Three, but I think that’s going to be put on my DNF pile, its really not what I expected.



Amanda:

I'm not completely sure I know what's happened this week.. There was a few naughty meals consumed, there was a lot of restless and disturbed sleep, weird waking up early mornings, and quite a big loss in my life. Nobody has died mind, I don't want you all worrying, there's just been a lot of BIG changes occurring this week and it's felt a little weird. I'm torn in a crossfire between wanting to furiously read and blog, but I just can't seem to muster enough umph, and it's not that I'm in a slump, I think life's just kicked me hard and it's taking a while to get back up. I am however, as some of you may have been made aware by my many blog design related questions, in the middle of a new design for BBB and it's.. different. Very different. Hence I'm a little nervous about everyone's reactions, but there's still playing around to be done, so you won't be seeing huge changes for a little while yet.

I haven't read an awful lot either, which is a shame, because I've got some super duper awesome reads for this month and I just want to read them you know? World After and Fire Fall are my main current read, and I'm planning on getting to some much needed e-arcs this month. Hopefully I can get back on track before I totally lose myself. Oh, and guess who's going for a weekend away in Blackpool in September? I AM.

What We Liked This Week:


- Cait talked about talented teen authors
- Lauren shared her no spend april plans
- Asti talked about her love for the villains
- Kelly revealed her new blog design and is throwing giveaways!
- Brittany shared some recommendations for fans of Anna and the French Kiss
- Ginger introduced Letter to my YA self!
- Anya talked about publicists and review copies
- Jeann asked: do fantastic endings save books?
- Jeann and Zoey both reviewed The Naturals and made Amanda a happy blogger!
- Amber talked about what makes a great story
- Gillian talked about when the last book ruins everything!

Tell Us What's Been Happening in Your Week!

A Correlation: Libraries Make Me Read More Series


I know what you're thinking.. Amanda has officially lost her marbles, but fear not, for I have my mind completely in tact. No, what we're talking about today is very much a true story. A story of how one little girl rekindled her love for libraries and then became so obsessed with them, she ended up reading many series with the aid of them, not least 4 of her favourite series, ever, and just cannot get enough of them. Okay, maybe a few marbles arranged an escape early on the week, but I'm serious, between my using my local libraries and reading so many series, I've noticed a correlation between my actions -

Thursday 2 April 2015

Book Review - Burn Bright

Dark Star
Author: Bethany Frenette
Series: Dark Star #2
Genres: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy | Young Adult
Release Date: 3rd September 2013
Publishers: Disney Hyperion
No. Pages: 352
Source: Purchased
Rating: 
Audrey Whitticomb saved her entire city.

Well, kind of. The superhero Morning Star (who just happens to be Audrey's mom) might have played a small part, and her sidekick, Leon - Audrey's sort-of boyfriend, who is gorgeous.. and frustrating - maybe helped, too.

But after two peaceful months, there is a vicious new threat in Minneapolis. Her name is Susannah, and she's a Harrower, a demon hell-bent on destroying people like Morning Star, Leon, and Audrey - the Kin. Like others before her, she seeks the Remnant, a Kin girl who has the power to unleash the inhabitants of the Beneath. But to what end?

Audrey already has a ton on her plate: dealing with her best friend Tink's boy drama, helping her other best friend Gideon figure out his nightmares, and exploring the highs and lows of 'dating' Leon. But when she develops a powerful new ability, Audrey seizes on the chance to fight, despite her mother's protests and Leon's pleas.

As Audrey gets closer to figuring out Susannah's motives and tracking down the Remnant, she'll uncover more than she bargained for. The terrible truth is staring Audrey in the face, but knowing the truth and accepting it are very different things.

I can't for the life of me understand why I left reading Burn Bright for as long as I did, not only when you consider that I really really enjoyed Dark Star, but that the series is a definite 'Amanda' series. It's character's have depth, feel real and are juicy and squishy, and it's plot is brilliant, twisting and full of reveals. It's world is.. a little lacking, but almost dismissible. It literally is a book that you could read and know, just know that I would like, and nothing makes me happier than to know I certainly did more than just like it.

It's easier if I just get the tiniest, almost, insignificant issue out of the way now, and that's the same issue I had previously, the world. I feel exactly the same about the world as I did over a year ago when I read Dark Star, it's not fantastically explored, but I didn't feel as though this was a.. bad thing? Confusing as it may sound, there is a lot more going for this book and eventually, it's strength, or lack of strength in world building does fizzle out and, I, personally, did start to almost forget I had an issue with it, because the rest of the book was that good. It's urban fantasy focusing a lot on the urban and expecting you to forge your own world a lot of the time, I can't say that this is a bad thing, some people like the little and make a lot on their own, other's, expect a stage, something to set the scene all the time. Burn Bright doesn't do this, but it, surprisingly, doesn't hinder the book all that much.

What makes this book stand on it's own two feet, amidst the many urban fantasy, paranormal and magical-esk young adult reads out in the genre? Its's its character's and it's plot, both of which are some of the best I've ever read. Ever. It doesn't take writing that sounds like mythical poetry, it doesn't take character's that have many many layers of subtext, secrets and hidden emotions, it doesn't magic or power systems that are detailed and have travelled through history for millions of years to win me over, I like simple. Simple, but impressive, and this series, and this installment especially, was exactly that. The characters, Audrey, Lucy, Leon, Drew, Tink, Gideon, damn, even Shane, all of these characters feel real to me, as do their relationships with one another, and it's beautiful. Some relationships stand out more than others; Audrey and Lucy's relationship is just - it reminds me so much of my relationship with my Mother, a mutual care and protective stance over one another, a feeling of being more like friends than family, a feel of just, trusting, and having that mother/daughter relationship in a book that just matters, that's involved, that plays a big part in, not only how the character's grow and develop, but in the plot too. It's definitely my favourite mother/daughter relationship, and it really highlights how more authors can and should involve parents more, (in fact, just involve family, this book is full to the brim with active familie characters and relationships; grandparents, cousins, older characters in relationships that aren't marriage, dating while middle aged, adoption and adoptive parents and, father figures) in all stories, never mind those more action-packed and fantastical ones; Audrey and Lucy just make my heart smile.

What makes my heart flutter is Audrey and Leon's relationship, which really, along with that with her mother, really shapes Audrey into not just a realistic heroine, but a strong heroine, one that believes she's capable and believes in herself, and wants to be involved, wants to help people, wants to be the important character that she is in the series, and Leon is just the perfect love interest for her, and their relationship is - I hate to use beautiful again, but it is, it's so swoony, so sexy, so so damn adorable, my feels literally cannot take the cute. These two, their struggles, their personal battles, their respect and loyalty to one another, their protectiveness, their need, and want, to look after the other, their honest and realistic romance, it's just really rather perfect, and how they explore their feelings, and how things get pretty darn hot every now and then, and then switch to cheesy, happy smiles and holding hands, I just - I love them.

In fact, I just love pretty much everything about Burn Bright. It's brilliant plot and dark, eerie feel was the right direction to take for the sequel, and it's new enemies, new characters and it's interesting twist on previous characters we already knew and their relationships with one another, it was everything I thought I wanted from Burn Bright and more, Frenette is just a genius, and is not appreciated more for her work. She writes such entertaining and enthralling action scenes and she has such clear, yet detailed plots woven throughout her books, she creates the perfect amount of questions and answers and throughout her work, and she makes me cringe (but in a very good way), laugh, cry, howl and breakdown. I don't mind that I knew were most of the story was going and that I'd worked out a lot of what was to come, and I really don't think I mind the world not being as strong as it could be, because this series, and Frenette, deserve more notice, and deserved a chance to feel complete. Knowing that this series didn't get the love, or the attention it deserved when it was released breaks my heart, because it's such a good series, with so many brilliant characters and relationships and unanswered questions, and I feel so angry knowing that the final installment is going to be so difficult to find, but I love this series too much to let it go unfinished, and I will do anything within my power to get my hands on Fire Fall. In between my heartbreak over this series lack of love, I could not have wished for a better sequel, and this series definitely has a place in my heart.

Bookish Musings - Stacie's April Reading.

Bookish Musings is a feature here at Beautiful Bookish Butterflies that allows one of us to share our thoughts and opinions, talk and discuss things happening in the book and blogging community or share a personal book related issue we have. Today, Stacie is talking about some of the series she hopes to finally move off her TBR shelf this month.


So for those of you who don't know, I did a post (link) back in June  talking about how many series I had started and how they seem to be taking over my life (or shelf). Yesterday I decided that to better understand just how many books I had accumulated on my Goodreads that were related to a series of some kind, I made a shelf and put all the ones that applied from my TBR and my Read shelf. Well everyone I have a grand total of 619 books on the one shelf, made up of around 72 series I have only read the first book of, 27 finished, 15 that I'm not bothered about completing, 29 with only the last book stopping me and around 167 that I want to start. (these are just estimated, I did keep a tally while going through but lets just assume that a number may be off here or there).

Wednesday 1 April 2015

Book Review - The Raven Boys

The Raven Boys
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Series: The Raven Boys #1
Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy | Young Adult
Release Date: 19th September 2012
Publishers: Scholastic
No. Pages: 454
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 
Blue has spent the majority of her sixteen years being told that if she kisses her true love, he will die. When Blue meets Gansey's spirit on the corpse road she knows there is only one reason why – either he is her true love or she has killed him.

Determined to find out the truth, Blue becomes involved with the Raven Boys, four boys from the local private school (lead by Gansey) who are on a quest to discover Glendower – a lost ancient Welsh King who is buried somewhere along the Virginia ley line. Whoever finds him will be granted a supernatural favour.

Never before has Blue felt such magic around her. But is Gansey her true love? She can’t imagine a time she would feel like that, and she is adamant not to be the reason for his death. Where will fate lead them?