Month: July 2014

REVIEW – SIEGE AND STORM by Leigh Bardugo

Posted July 27, 2014 by Emma in Blog / 10 Comments

Siege and Storm 
by Leigh Bardugo
Publisher –  Indigo
Release Date – June 6th 2013
Buy – Amazon | Book Depository 

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her–or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

As the read-along of the Grisha series continues with the lovely ladies, Glass and Tanja, of Ja čitam, a ti? I am once again entranced by this beautifully written YA fantasy. We all know that we suffer with the sequel syndrome, when it doesn’t quite live up to the debut in the series, and lacks any plot-line and character development. My time in reading I can probably only count on one hand how many series have totally lived up to my expectation and that of the series too, I am pleased to say that Siege and Storm has passed with flying colours. 
Together we have discussed and created a group review, which you will be able to see Glass & Tanja’s review here. 

What do you think of atmosphere and pacing change in this book?


When we entered into the magical realm of Ravka, in Shadow and Bone I was truly awed and transported into an entirely new dimension. However, Siege and Storm still held that atmosphere but at a controlled pace if that makes. The novel itself was more focused on the character development and the introduction of new characters  Reading them together as a trilogy, I don’t stray away from this new world, so changing the focus really progressed the novel as a whole. Siege and Storm is driven by the intense power and Alina’s survival from the Darkling! 

Your thoughts on Sturmhond? 
Oh Sturmhond or Nikolai, whomever you are, you are just a joy to read. The multiple personalities was somewhat refreshing for the novel. You could say that the character relationships are quite serious when it comes to the likes of Mal and Alina (more on that in the nest question). So having Nikolai on board brought some fun and humorous side. If I was to pick between the ‘Privateer’ or ‘Prince’ then personally I prefer Sturmhond. 
The development of Mal and Alina’s relationship.
I found that the relationship between Mel and Alina grew more frustrating and fragmented as the plot-line went one. Granted I did agree to some extent that Mal was right in some situation when it came to Alina’s power driven focus of the amplifier and the Darkling. However, I did feel that they couldn’t catch a break either. At times I wanted to scream at Mal and Alina, or bash their heads together to see some sense at least. Given that I niggled about them individually, I felt that this sequel provided us with more insight into their lives and hints of their childhood and parentage. 
Love-triangle. Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe/Yes. (Can I choose two, girls!?) If I’m honest I somewhat expected it. With the likes of Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series. Although I felt this wasn’t a problem, actually rather enjoyed it as a distraction of Alina’s focus. 
Which book did you love more? 

Shadow and Bone. A very strong sequel but the introduction to a new magical fantasy, I loved more. 

Describe Siege and Storm in one word? 

(Can’t think of one apart from) A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

What do you expect from Ruin and Rising?

An embrace of power, love and glory!

Rating – 4.5

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REVIEW – TEMPEST by Julie Cross

Posted July 22, 2014 by Emma in Blog / 21 Comments
REVIEW – TEMPEST by Julie Cross

Tempest (Tempest #1)by Julie CrossPublisher – Macmillan Children’s BooksRelease Date – August 30th 2012Buy – Amazon | Book Depository  Jackson Meyer is hiding a secret. He can time-travel. But he doesn’t know how he does it, how to control it or what it means. When Jackson, and his girlfriend Holly, find themselves in fatal danger, Jackson panics and catapults himself two years into his past, further than he’s ever managed before, and this time he can’t find a way back to the future. All the rules of time-travel he’s experienced so far have been broken and Jackson has no choice […]

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REVIEW – SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo

Posted July 18, 2014 by Emma in Blog / 11 Comments
REVIEW – SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone (The Grisha #1)by Leigh BardugoPublisher – IndigoRelease Date – June 6th 2013Buy – Amazon | Book Depository Originally published as The Gathering Dark. The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka. Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite – the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free? The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and […]

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COVER REVEAL – CONSPIRACY GIRL by Sarah Alderson

Posted July 16, 2014 by Emma in Blog / 9 Comments
COVER REVEAL – CONSPIRACY GIRL by Sarah Alderson

Hi Everyone, Today I have a special post sent to me from the lovely Sarah Alderson. As you know recently I’ve reviewed a lot of her books and she is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. Today I can reveal her latest written conquest, Conspiracy Girl, a YA Thriller being published by Simon and Schuster in 2015. So without further ado, here is the cover reveal and an exclusive extract…so drum roll please……… Title – Conspiracy Girlby Sarah AldersonPublisher – Simon and SchusterRelease Date – February 19th 2015Buy – Amazon Everybody knows about the Cooper Killings – the Bel Air […]

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The CHAPTER 5 Summer Reading Challenge…

Posted July 15, 2014 by Emma in Blog / 6 Comments
The CHAPTER 5 Summer Reading Challenge…

Hi Everyone, Today I have something special to share with you. I’m a huge supporter of Reading Challenges especially since I’ve always been involved in the Library ones when I was younger and now since I’m running them at work. When I saw this on Twitter, I was very excited so I thought I would spread the word for you to all join. So without further ado here is a little more information about the challenge if you choose to accept…. Chapter 5 have launched their Summer Reading Challenge!The prize: a Spineless Classic of your choice AND a bundle of some of […]

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ARC REVIEW – KISS KILL VANISH by Jessica Martinez

Posted July 7, 2014 by Emma in Blog / 14 Comments
ARC REVIEW – KISS KILL VANISH by Jessica Martinez

Kiss Kill Vanishby Jessica MartinezPublisher – Katherine Tegen BooksRelease Date – October 7th 2014Buy – Amazon | Book Depository Valentina Cruz no longer exists. One moment, she was wrapped in Emilio’s arms, melting into his kiss. The next, she was witnessing the unthinkable: a murder in cold blood, ordered by her father and carried out by her boyfriend. When Emilio pulled the trigger, Valentina disappeared. She made a split-second decision to shed her identity and flee her life of privilege, leaving the glittering parties and sultry nightlife of Miami far behind. She doesn’t know how to explain to herself what she […]

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