Heir of Skies by Rachel Higginson

Heir of Skies (Smtarbright, #1) by Rachel Higginson. Self published in 2012. Received for review from the author through Publishing Push. 236 pages. YA, fantasy. 3 out of 5 stars. 

I was contacted by the author, Rachel Higginson, way back in February regarding a review of this particular book. She wrote such an enthusiastic email that I couldn't help but say yes! It's quite a short book with only 236 pages so I flew through it in practically a day - even though it's been sitting on my shelf since early May. 

I'm quite torn to be honest, because while I really enjoyed the book I have a ton of problems with it. I haven't written that much in my review notebook - which I take notes in as I read. I have about half a page and 95% of it are mistakes I noticed throughout the book. That being said, I don't know if I have one of the first paperback editions where the mistakes haven't been corrected yet or it hasn't been properly edited. 

The other notes I've taken are; 

• Tristan Shield, best friend
• Stella, 16, can detect the nature of someone's essence 
• Okay so far, not impressed

And while I flew through it, I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd thought I would. I was packed with fantasy elements, so it wasn't because of the lack of that and I laughed every once in a while so it wasn't exactly boring. 

Stella Day is our main character, she's 16 and she's going to be the Protector of Earth once she turns 25 - if everything goes according to plan, which is obviously doesn't. Stella is also a Star, a female angel, but she've grown up on Earth and never really been to Heaven. 

We also have Seth, Stellas counterpart, her Warrior, male angel, who's going to protect the Earth with her. They are destined to be together, that's how it has always been - it's always a Warrior and a Star. 

Tristan Shield is Stella's best friend. They've grown up together and as you can probably guess, they have undiscovered feelings for each other. Tristan knows that Stella is a Star though and therefore destined to be with another guy, he also knows that she's going to be the Protector of Earth someday. 

There's definitely a love triangle in there, and that is the big problem I have with this book. Sometimes I like love triangles, for the most part I dont, but they can actually be quite interesting and intriguing. Other times I find the main character indecisive about his or her choice. Just pick one instead of going back and forth! And Stella is quite indecisive, even in the end she hasn't made her choice and that bugs me. She's stringing both of them along even though she can't be with Tristan.

We were partners. Counterparts. He was the Warrior, and I was the Protector. I protected Earth, and he protected me. We would spend the rest of our lives together, side by side, our good versus their evil, fighting for the lives of the entire human race. And yet we weren't supposed to meet this young.  

Heir of Skies (Starbright, #1) by Rachel Higginson, p. 21

Heir of Skies is the first book in the Starbright series and I'm surprised at how action-packed it is! I didn't really know what to expect of this book, but in that department I was surprised and blown away. However, I won't be continuing the series, that much I know. 

I really don't know what else to say; it's enjoyable but have issues. Like many other books. I understand why so many enjoy her books, but for me it didn't cut it. 

Cast Adrift by Mannah Pierce

Cast Adrift (Reaching out of the Shadows, #1) by Mannah Pierce. Published by Clink Street Publishing in August 2015. Received for review from the author through Publishing Push. YA, science fiction, LGBTQIA. 3 out of 5 stars. 

All I knew going into Cast Adrift was basically that it is set in space and I've been looking for books along the lines of Across the Universe by Beth Revis and Cast Adrift sounded just like that! I mean, it's set on a spaceship, just like Across the Universe so I couldn't say no...

It started out quite mysteriously, like you can read in my first impressions post about this book. Even though I'd read the entire first chapter I started over and read the first chapter again because I didn't understand anything. It helped though and I quickly read 100 pages!
It's sad that the beginning is so private because I definitely felt left out the first time around, and it only helped a bit the second time.

In the first 30 pages or so we're told that our main character, Jax or Emmanuel Rafael Jax Esteban, is the heir to the leadership of one of the five big space clans, Navajo. His mother has, with the help of nanobots, changed his appearance to keep him safe. His mission is to become a spacer, once he's of age, then challenge the usurper, his uncle, and reclaim his inheritance.

There's quite the infodumps in Cast Adrift and while some of them are quite interesting, others are a bit boring and the rest makes me grimace. For example. Each spacer crew has spacers, cats and cabin boys. Spacers have been cabin boys and/or cats themselves and have since become spacers. You start out as a cabin boy (12-14) and once you turn 14 you can become a cat. The role of a cat is to relieve sexual tension amongst the crew.. Yes, I was quite uncomfortable which that piece of information, and you're a cat until 17 or 18.
We also have a hybrid, Rae, and a cyborg, Tre.
We follow a traditional crew which means only males and cats can't offer up 'their other hole' until they're 16 and it's their own choice. There's of course more.
Since it is a science fiction novel infodumps are to be expected, but there were so many! And it is a bit overwhelming even if it wasn't hard to follow.

The crew on the Willow consists of a captain, a queen, an enforcer, cabin boys, cats and more. It grows throughout the book. The queen on the Willow is still a man, his name is Ean and I couldn't picture him as a man! He's so feminine and I know that that is the point, but I couldn't picture a man!
Since I've mentioned that the crew only consists of men, or boys, it's safe to say that there's LGBTQIA features in Cast Adrift. I don't mind it, I actually found it quite interesting not following females at all - we meet a few, but that's it.
I have a problem with the 'cat' part of the story though. They have each other if they want to relieve sexual tension GOD DAMMIT! I definitely struggled with that part and I don't think I can continue on with the series if it's as big a part of Foothold as it is of Cast Adrift. I mean, it's men having oral sex with 14-17 year olds, I'm not comfortable with that. For me it definitely borders on pedophilia.

My favorite thing in Cast Adrift is the friendships! Particularly between Rae and Jax. I loved how brotherly they quickly become towards one another and I definitely looked forward to their parts! I also love the budding friendship between Rae, Jax and Kip - but that's later on in the novel.
The friendships and the missing females are actually the things I liked about Cast Adrift. 

If you've noticed I've talked more about what Cast Adrift is about than my actual feelings about it, and that's because I'm horrified. I can't look past the cats and that really ruins the book for me. Therefore a 3.5 out of 5 stars. Sorry.

So, to summarize Cast Adrift in keywords; LGBTQIA, friendship, space, men, sex (incl. borderline pedophilia).

Violets & Violence by Morgan Parker

Violets & Violence by Morgan Parker. Selfpublished in 2014. Received for review from Publishing Push and the author. Adult romance. 2 out of 5 stars.  

WARNING: This is quite a negative review and I apologize for that. There's also going to be some spoilers. 

I don't know where to begin with this review because the book has left me speechless - and not in a good way. 

When it was just released back in 2014, I saw it everywhere and I've been intrigued by it ever since. I noticed it a few months ago on publishingpush.com and my intrigue reawakened. Funny thing is, I've never known what it is about or heard anyone talk about it. There has been so much mystery around this book and that definitely pulled me in. 

Violets & Violence is about Violet. Violet is a performing illusionist. She can levitate, walk through glass and be in two places at one time. I'd really hoped that there would be real magic, because I would simply love that, but there unfortunately weren't. 
I'm quite at a loss for words because I really want to tell you what it's about, I just have no idea how. I've read the entire book and I actually have no idea what it's about. I feel like there is so many sub-plots without a main plot line and it doesn't really work. But let's try anyway; We have Violet. Violet sleeps with Luke - the one who is actually in control of the show. Violet brings a volunteer on stage, Carter, and long story short - they fall for each other. BUT Luke is still in the picture and then he's somehow held captured in New York for 3 weeks until Violet rescues him. Turns out Violet and Luke have stolen something of value, sold it (or something) so they could start the show. People want what Luke and Violet have stolen back, which is why they've captured Luke. There's also a 'plot twist' which is quite poorly doe and I'm disappointed with both the twist and the dramatic ending. There's more to tell, but I don't want to ruin the entire book for you. I can feel the author wanted the ending to be groundbreaking or mind-blowing but it really wasn't. I'm really sorry but it was awful. 

Another thing I have a problem with is the sex. I'm not against sex in books but I have no idea why it's in there. It does nothing for the story except making it longer and making me annoyed. It would definitely do better without. 

I however love that the story is told from Luke and Carter - not Violet. It's definitely my favorite thing about the entire book and one of the few good things I have to say! 
I also like the cover! It's captivating! I was also surprised to learn that the author is a man, I don't know why, but I've always pictured a woman writing the book. 

I have yet to give a book 1 star this year, but this one was close. 

The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig

The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig. Published by Hot Key Books on March 3. 2016. Received for review from Hot Key Books. 

I've been seeing The Girl from Everywhere everywhere on the interwebs so when I was contacted by the publisher I knew I had to read it! And I have to admit, it's one of the best books of 2016!

The Girl from Everywhere is about Nix Song, Nix can time travel through maps, or rather, navigate through time using maps. It has to be handmade maps though and you're transported to the maker's version of that time and place! They obviously can't travel to the future then, and they can only use every map once! I love how specific that is!
You don't have to be on a ship to navigate through time using maps, but that way you can take everything you want with you.

The Girl from Everywhere really surprised me. I had high expectations and most were met! I haven't read anything like this, usually time travel is just 'I want to go to ______' and they're suddenly transported there. The best way to explain it is probably that it is more believable - even though we know it can't happen. I love that they have to search for maps and the fact that they can't just use any map! It's detailed and very thought through - so intriguing and interesting!

I haven't read a lot of books featuring pirates, to be honest I can only name Tiger Lily and Peter Pan, so this was quite different - even though they're technically not pirates, I get a pirate-y feel from the book. I wish there were more books like this out there because this is definitely one of the special ones you see once, or maybe less, a year.

Nix is quite the character and her upbringing is nothing to brag about! Her mother died not long after she was born and her father, Slate, sought after her, found her and took her with him. He hasn't been the most loving and caring father but she loves him all the same and while it's not apparent at first - he loves her too. Nix has never had many friends since they don't stay in a place too long, she has the crewmates and Kashmir - a persian guy who jumped on the ship a few years back.
Kashmir is Nix's best friend and well, you know what happens between best friends in YA novels, right? I loved the two of them together and I love their friendship to a degree I can't express! Too many YA novels focus on romance and The Girl from Everywhere doesn't! There's some romance in there but it stays in the background and let the story run it's course. So thank you for that Heidi Heilig!

MAP, OAHU 1884

 I absolutely love the details of the maps in this books, and yes, there's a bunch of different maps! They're all completely different in style and shape and I love that amount of details! There's so much effort that has gone into the making of The Girl from Everywhere and it just deepens my love for the book.

ONE MORE LOOK AT THE GORGEOUS COVER

The Girl from Everywhere is one of the most special, and just plain different, books I've read this year and definitely one of the best. I'd expected a bit more which is why I've given it a 4.5 rating and not the whole 5 stars. I highly recommend it!

Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes

Series: You, #2

Publication date: February 23, 2016

Publisher: Atria

Genres: Adult, Thriller

Format: eARC

Source: The publisher in exchange for an honest review

Pages: 448
Rating: ★★★.5/5

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 In the compulsively readable follow-up to her widely acclaimed debut novel, You, Caroline Kepnes weaves a tale that Booklist calls “the love child of Holden Caulfield and Patrick Bateman.”

Hidden Bodies marks the return of a voice that Stephen King described as original and hypnotic, and through the divisive and charmingly sociopathic character of Joe Goldberg, Kepnes satirizes and dissects our culture, blending suspense with scathing wit.

Joe Goldberg is no stranger to hiding bodies. In the past ten years, this thirty-something has buried four of them, collateral damage in his quest for love. Now he’s heading west to Los Angeles, the city of second chances, determined to put his past behind him.

In Hollywood, Joe blends in effortlessly with the other young upstarts. He eats guac, works in a bookstore, and flirts with a journalist neighbor. But while others seem fixated on their own reflections, Joe can’t stop looking over his shoulder. The problem with hidden bodies is that they don’t always stay that way. They re-emerge, like dark thoughts, multiplying and threatening to destroy what Joe wants most: truelove. And when he finds it in a darkened room in Soho House, he’s more desperate than ever to keep his secrets buried. He doesn’t want to hurt his new girlfriend—he wants to be with her forever. But if she ever finds out what he’s done, he may not have a choice...

Unfortunately my review of the first book in the series; You is in Danish but it was one of my favorite reads of last year! I absolutely loved it and I was surprised by the amount of literature in the book I mean Joe Goldberg, our main character, works in a bookstore and loves to read! I basically loved that we liked Joe and didn't like Beck. You definitely need to have read You before Hidden Bodies, I'm not sure how much sense some of it is going to make if you haven't.

I thought You was a standalone so I was very surprised when I found out that it was a duology - as far as I know she only have a two-book deal. I'm quite happy that I was able to get my hands on an eARC of Hidden Bodies though - even though I wish I could have listened to it as an audiobook instead. I think this series is the perfect one for audiobooks!

As you know, Hidden Bodies is about Joe Goldberg. It hasn't shifted in narrators and for that I am grateful! This one takes place in Los Angeles opposed to New York and I'm going to come straight out and tell you guys; You is so much better! Joe of course goes after Amy Adams, as you'd expected from the ending of You. Their relationship is nothing like the one he had with Beck - but I still didn't like her.
Hidden Bodies is just as poetic as the first one and I just love the writing style! It's hauntingly beautiful so of course I highlighted the heck out of this one! He managed to write a story in 6 words;

She waves. She goes. The end. 

I kept reading these 6 words over and over. Even though it's now completely out of context it's more beautiful. Ofcourse some will be cynical about it, but that line is what I like the best about this series. The ability Kepnes has to write the creepiest story, with a compelling main character, and the book is still hauntingly beautiful - who does that?

Even though I wasn't Joe's biggest fan in this one, I loved watching him grow! He experiences love and he's definitely, well almost, a changed man. I also enjoyed learning more about him, for example;

I've never harmed an animal; I can't imagine being that sort of monster.

He somehow rates animals higher than humans! Because obviously he's killed a lot of people but he would never stoop so low as to kill, or even harm, an animal. I for one find that quite funny.

What I really missed in this one was all the literary goodness we got in You. I wanted the bookstore, I wanted literary discussions, I wanted books! I was expected by the lack of it when you compare it to You. There's next to nothing when it comes to literary references and it saddens me.

Going through my notes I made while reading Hidden Bodies have me laughing out loud. The last 15-20% is all WHAT!?... WHAT!? etc. Well, I'm going to warn you in advance. It's what, 50 pages?, of plot twists! I didn't know what was going on half the time and reading this on the bus made for quite an embarrassing ride. It's all worth it to read the last 20 percent of the books, it's quite literally a roller coaster ride and it's a crazy one!

I'm trying to be pretty vague about what happens in this one since these books are just better to read knowing as little as possible! So, it's worth the read, but You is much better.

Omega Beginnings Miniseries by Lizzy Ford

Series: Omega Beginnings Miniseries, #1-8

Publication date: September 12, 2015

Publisher: Selfpublished

Genres: YA, Fantasy, Greek mythology

Format: Paperback, review copy

Source: The author in exchange for an honest review

Pages: 293
Rating: ★★★★/5

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A five-year-old child with an unusual gift starts a chain reaction when she reanimates a gargoyle, setting the stage for her rise to power a dozen years later as the Oracle of Delphi. Alessandra awakens the grotesque prince from slumber ...
Mismatch warns the child who will be queen of a family curse
Phoibe turns to her shadow friend for protection
Lantos delivers a message and mission to a priestess
Theodocia chooses serving her goddess over her gladiator boyfriend
Niko wins an audience with a member of the elite
Cleon grants a final favor to his betrayer
Herakles takes an oath to protect a special child with an unusual gift
The fate of the world rests in the hands of a child and the seven strangers who will become her allies and enemies. It's the beginning of the end - and not even the gods can stop what comes.

I read Omega in July of last year and I loved it! (Read my review here.) It's so intriguing, fast-paced and actionpacked - and very unlike all the other YA books with Greek mythology out there. When I found out about this series, which is a novella series which takes place before Omega, I knew I had to read it! I love novellas which give more knowledge about the story and/or characters and this one does both!

Omega Beginnings Miniseries contains the complete novella series of 8 novellas by Lizzy Ford! A thing I especially loved was the fact that they 'lead' the way to each other. For example; in Alessandra Mismatch is awoken - so the next story is Mismatch. Then in Mismatch we come across Phoibe so the next story is of course; Phoibe. It's a small detail but a detail which made the reading experience so much better!

A thing I usually trouble with is multiple perspectives, and since each of the stories are told from a different character, I feared that it would be a problem while reading Omega Beginnings Miniseries - but it wasn't! It was so easy to follow each character and I'm not sure why - maybe Lizzy is just that good? I really feel like she did an amazing job portraying each of the characters.

I'm not sure which story was my favorite, because all of them are great, but I loved Phoibe since we don't get that much information about why she doesn't talk in Omega (at least I don't remember if that is the case).
I was a bit shocked in Theodocia because it's a bit sexy and definitely in the New Adult section - even though Omega is classified as YA, a YA with older characters that is. I didn't expect them to tear each others clothes of and have sex - but that is what happens and it shocked me!

My biggest problem is that I feel like this series can't stand on it's own. Having read the 'original' book I knew how it connected with each other, but some of the stuff that happened in Omega Beginnings Miniseries I didn't quite follow - maybe it's because I just forgot some of the things that happened in Omega, but it definitely implies that you probably should read Omega before going into this one. I really don't know which one to read first..

Nonetheless, I devoured these 8 short stories/novellas and I definitely recommend reading them! This bind up of the series are also quite beautiful!
All of the stories are free on amazon if you're interested! They're quite short but enjoyable!

Moth Girls by Anne Cassidy

Series: N/A, Standalone

Publication date: January 7, 2016

Publisher: Hot Key Books

Genres: YA, Thriller

Format: Paperback, review copy

Source: The publisher in exchange for an honest review

Pages: 284
Rating: ★★★/5

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Helplessly drawn like moths to the light, two girls go missing in an evocative and gripping tale . . .

They called them the Moth Girls because they were attracted to the house. They were drawn to it. Or at least that is what is written in the newspapers that Mandy reads on the anniversary of when her two best friends went missing. Five years have passed since Petra and Tina were determined to explore the dilapidated house on Princess Street. But what started off as a dare ended with the two girls vanishing. As Mandy's memories of the disappearance of her two friends are ignited once again, disturbing details will resurface in her mind.

An emotional thriller that explores our deepest, darkest fears. How far would you go to find your two lost friends? 

I love thrillers but I'm somehow always disappointed in YA thrillers. This one didn't stand out from the crowd. I apologize in advance for my review, but Mandy touched some nerves.

It's not like I had high expectations for Moth Girls, I was expecting a good page-turning thriller and what I got wasn't exactly that. I read it in two sittings, but after I'd read 100 pages I put it down and didn't think about it for nearly a week and then I remembered that I should probably go ahead and finish it. Funny thing is that I didn't remember that much about the story when I picked it up again - nothing was memorable.

I'm sitting here trying to write a review and I literally have nothing to say about this book. I am quite indifferent to it so looking for words for a review is like trying to grab the air - quite pointless. I'm going to try anyway since I've finished it and feel like I should do my best!

Mandy, Mandy, Mandy. She's our narrator and the most annoying person I've come across this year. She keeps blaming herself for their disappearance - which she really shouldn't. She keeps blaming herself for not telling anybody they went into the house - which she probably should have done, but done is done. And she keep on living in that time - she tries getting new friends but she gets easily attached and, well, you know how that ends.
After learning more about the girls' friendship I don't know why Mandy even bothered befriending them - or rather tried to. Petra has a bunch of problems at home which result in her being a bitch for a lack of better word. I understand her behaviour against Mandy to a certain degree but seriously? It gets old quickly. Tina tries to be friends with both of them and ultimately choose Petra and we know that didn't go well.
Mandy was never actually a part of their little group but she've grown up believing that she was. I thought the three of them were actually best friends and then she, Mandy, was left behind to pick up the pieces. That is not how it is. She was always on the edge and she chose not to go with them and she blames herself for years afterwards. I want more mature and confident characters in YA, not these delusional ones I keep reading about!

Moth Girls is a quite mediocre read. I found the characters lacking in almost every way and I wasn't at all interested in the story. It wasn't exactly predictable but it wasn't captivating either. I was a bit disappointed with the ending since I'd feared that it would end the way it did. The only thing I can say without spoiling everything for you is that I found Mandy's, our main character, actions quite childish and she should've told someone!

I believe I've gotten the point across; I'm not happy with this book.

Short and cute - Lily and the Christmas Wish by Keris Stainton

Series: N/A, Standalone

Publication date: November 5, 2015

Publisher: Piccadilly Press

Genres: Childrens literature, 

Format: Paperback, review copy

Source: The publisher in exchange for an honest review

Pages: 165
Rating: ★★★★★/5

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Can one little girl and her dog make a town's Christmas wishes come true? 

Christmas is fast approaching, and the town of Pinewood has decided to do something really special to celebrate. Each person will write down a secret wish and tie it to the town's Christmas tree!

Nine-year-old Lily isn't quite  convinced. She's not sure that she believes in wishes coming true - although she really wants to.

But then a strange storm blows in, scattering all the wishes. . . and Lily wakes up the next morning to find that her adorable pug puppy, Bug, can talk! It's a wish come true. . . only it isn't Lily's wish.

It seems the stor has sent the Christmas magic awry, and now it's down to Lily, her younger brother James and Bug to sort out the mixed-up wishes. But can they fix things before Christmas Eve? 

Last month I reviewed another book by Keris Stainton; Counting Stars. You can read my review here. 

I absolutely love Christmas, it's my favorite time of year so when I came across this book I knew I had to grab it! I'm definitely glad I did! It's one of the cutest Christmas reads I've ever read.
I've already talked my sister into reading it and she loved it too! It's definitely going to be cute a used copy!

In Lily and the Christmas Wish we meet Lily, a 9-year-old girl. We also meet her little brother Jimmy, or James, and her divorced parents. Lastly, we meet Esme, Lily's very best friend. Even though we don't really get to know anyone on a deeper level I quite liked what we got to know about all the characters. For this short a book I think it's amazing how well I actually know each character!

The story is about Christmas wishes; everyone in Pinewood has to write their wish on a gift tag and tie it to the town's Christmas tree. Something happens and the wishes start to come true - but for someone else than the person who actually made the wish. Lily therefore tries to sort out all these wishes.

I had expected to enjoy this book but I didn't expect to love it as much as I do, since it is for a younger audience. But I read it in a single sitting and I didn't want it to end. I love the values this book teaches and I love how important family is in the story!
I also love Lily as a character, she's just wonderful and I just admire that she don't know what to wish for - she want the wish to be an important one, so no toys and no childish wishes. I also love how sweet she is and how she cares for her younger brother. She's definitely mature but she's still quite believable and I wish more kids were like her!

I'd hoped to get some illustrations, but there's only a bit in the chapter headings. I still love the story and it can definitely stand on it's own!

If I should summarize this book in 3 words it would be; family, diversity and, of course, Christmas.