Review: Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Title: Halo
Author: Alexandra Adornetto
Publisher: Angus & Robertson
Year of Release: 2010
ISBN: 9780732289898
Source: Purchased
Number of Pages: 484 
Nothing much happens in the sleepy town of Venus Cove, apart from the occasional crime. But that's all set to change when three angels, Bethany, Gabriel and Ivy, arrive there. They are sent from Heaven and are on a mission to free Venus Cove from crime and protect the town from the gathering forces of darkness. They must work hard to keep their real identities a secret. But the mission is threatened when the youngest of the angels, Bethany, falls for the handsome school captain, Xavier Woods. Will she defy the laws of Heaven by loving him? Things get serious when the angels realise that they are not the only supernatural power in Venus Cove. There's a new kid in town and he's charming, seductive and deadly. Worst of all, he's after Beth. The angels and Xavier must work together to overcome the dark forces- but will Beth survive the battle?
I must say that I really enjoyed reading this book.  It was a really nice change, fresh and original. I have not read many books with angels as the main focus, but I think it's a great topic. Might even become a  new phenomenon, just like the vampire franchise. The thing I liked best about Halo was that it was such a thought provoking book. It gave me many new concepts to try and grasp and understand about Heaven and Hell, God and the Devil. 
I'll take a moment here just to say that religion is a topic I struggle with. I was raised a Catholic, but sometimes I find myself wondering. I find it hard to believe in something as the rules that apply to some religions eventually come to feel like a task for me. And Alexandra Adornetto really got me thinking. 
Now about the story of the novel. I thought it was great! Although I did find that the book could be a bit slow at times, I loved it. And I also loved all the detail in the book, the words she used to describe those hard-to-get topics, like Heaven. Lets face it, the book had everything from humor and romance to action and suspense. It's a story that will keep you guessing! So to sum up this very short review, I just want to say that Halo was brilliant and that I cannot wait to see what comes next from Alexandra Adornetto.
My Rating: 8/10.
Visit Alexandra Adornetto's facebook page www.facebook.com/AlexandraAdornetto?ref
The sequel to Halo, Hades, was released recently and my review on that will be coming up soon. 

Book Blurbs

I got to thinking today and made a little discovery about the blurbs of books. In case you're not sure as to what a blurb is, it is that little section of writing on the back or inside the cover of books that gives you a brief insight as to what the book is about. I'm sure you have read many blurbs before as they are generally the first thing you turn to upon picking up a book in a store. I have judged many books based on what is said in the blurb as once you read it you have decide whether that book is one that interests you. 
But today I considered the fact that maybe some blurbs betray the story of the book. If the blurb is short and doesn't catch the attention of the reader, he or she loses interest quickly and will most likely put the book back and search for another. But if the blurb is witty, interesting and gripping, you're more likely to want to read that book. Now I know that everyone has their own interests when it comes to choosing a book. For me, when I walk into a book store, I go straight to the teenage fiction section as those are the sorts of novels I enjoy reading. I could spend hours there picking books off the shelves at random and reading the blurbs, creating a little pile of the books I actually like and putting the ones I don't like back. But maybe I'm missing out on reading some great books solely because I an quick to judge based on the blurb. 
Maybe a better option, if you have the time and are not in a hurry, is to actually read the first page or two of the book. Sometimes you will find books that say something like 'Try It! Read page 37!' I definitely enjoy finding books like that as you get a deeper insight into the book, without it spoiling anything for you. So next time you're in a book store, please try this idea out and see if it works for you!
I would love to hear your opinions on this matter, so please leave a comment! I realise that this isn't exactly a big issue, but I tend to find that it's the small things that make the biggest differences.

Review: Girls In Trucks by Katie Crouch

Allow me to begin this review with a question mark. ?

The reason for this question mark is to signify my confusion about the story line of this book. (and the fact that it ever got published.)

Now I know this sounds harsh but I have no clue as to what to write about this book except that I didn't like it at all. I'm not saying that this is a terrible novel, I'm saying that it just wasn't the right novel for me. In my last book review, the one on Saving June, I mentioned that I like it when the reader could relate to the characters of the novel. And the main character in Girls In Trucks was not someone I could relate to in any way and in any sense of the world. 

The book is set in Charleston, South Carolina and the main character Sarah Walters is a debutante that tries hard to follow the rules that come with being in that profession. After leaving her home town in search of an adventure she travels to many different locations, looking for nothing in particular. Now I think it may be safe to say that there was sex or a reference toward sex in every chapter. That was the most disturbing part of the book for me. The author also went into a large amount of detail during these parts of the book. I won't give any examples. 

I'm sure if you do a bit of research you will see that many other people share my opinion of this book. Sarah Walters is not a character the reader can look up to or share opinions with or admire. How can you admire someone when all they do in their life is sleep around (in great detail)? That does not make a good role model in my opinion. At the end of the book, Sarah had accomplished absolutely nothing that benefits her. Instead she ends up a single mother, back in her hometown. So what can we learn from this book? Nothing. 

Look out for my next review on Halo by Alexandra Adornetto! 

Review: Saving June by Hannah Harrrington

Title: Saving June
Author: Hannah Harrington
Publisher: Harlequin Mills & Boon
Year of Release: 2011
ISBN: 9781921794094
Source: Purchased
Number of Pages: 376
Harper Scott's older sister has always been the perfect one- so when June takes her own life a week before her high school graduation, sixteen year-old Harper is devastated. Everyone's sorry, but no one can explain why. 

When her divorcing parents decide to split her sister's ashes into his and her urns, Harper takes matters into her own hands. She'll steal the ashes and drive cross-country with her best friend, Laney, to the one place June always dreamed of going- California. 

Enter Jake Tolan. He's a boy with a bad attitude, a classic-rock obsession and nothing in common with Harper's sister. But Jake had a connection with June and when he insists on joining them, Harper's just desperate enough to let him. With his alternately charming and infuriating demeanor and his belief that music can see you through anything, he might be exactly what she needs.

Except June wasn't the only one hiding something. Jake's keeping a secret that has the power to turn Harper's life upside down- again.

I have begun to notice that whenever I walk into a bookstore, there are so many books on vampire romances and all the mythology that goes with it that I am starting to get a little irritated that that is all authors are writing about these days. Craving something different, I went into a bookstore looking for something new and original to read and found Saving June. Now, have you ever read one of those books that keep you up night? Not in a scary way, but just that the story is so deep and meaningful, you can't take your mind off it? Well, Saving June is one of those books. During the time I was reading this book, I woke up every morning and instead of getting out of bed and making breakfast like I usually do, I would just roll over to my night-stand, turn on the lamp and read Saving June until noon. It is incredible the way the way the book goes into just the right amount of detail at all the right times, the way the characters seem so real, the way the story actually has a meaning, can express to people and is actually worth something. Is this making any sense?

This book taught me a lot about the kinds of bonds between siblings, that you actually have to experience this kind of love toward a brother or sister before you can completely understand it. Having a younger sister myself is great and having this relationship is so important to me. Yes, we fight a lot but the truth is we love each other. I am so protective of my sister and I never want anything to hurt her so I could relate to Harper in this book. And I think that's very important in a story, that the reader feels they can relate to the character. Saving June is an amazing debut.

It is one of those books you can't put down, no matter how hard you try and it is a story that will stick with you long after you turn the final page. I can't recommend it highly enough and I can assure you that you will want to hug this book when you finish it!

Forever

Hey guys! I am very excited to tell you that the last book in the Shiver trilogy by Maggie Steifvater has finally been released. I am a big fan of these books! I read the first two in the series, Shiver and Linger, and loved them. I am sad though that the story has come to an end, but relieved to know what happens after months of suspense. Once I actually get around to reading Forever, I will write my usual blog on it. This may take a while due to the many large piles of stacked up books in my closet that are yet to be read. 
Maggie Steifvater has also written another popular series (it consists of only two books so far) Lament and Ballad. (I will get around to reading those, I promise!)

You can check out Maggie's online website here by clicking on the link http://maggiestiefvater.com. I must take a moment here to acknowledge what a beautiful website it is, too! 

Review: Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Elizabeth is in her thirties, settled in a large house with a husband who loves her and wants to start a family. But she doesn't want any of it. A bitter divorce and a rebound fling later, Elizabeth emerges battered, yet determined to find what she's been missing. So she begins her quest. In Rome, she indulges herself in food. In India, she finds enlightenment through scrubbing temple floors. Finally, in Bali, a toothless medicine man reveals a new path to peace, leaving her ready to love again.
What a story! Eat Pray Love was an amazing journey and I highly recommend it to all women. This biography on Elizabeth Gilbert gives us an insight into a normal person's life, not just a made up character. Gilbert is witty, funny, talented and dedicated, dropping everything to travel and find whatever part of herself she is missing. She is determined and passionate and ready to take on the world! Gilbert is such a positive role model to women everywhere. She shows us that life is not perfect and it doesn't have to be. Break-ups happen and sometimes we don't always make the right decisions. But what fun is life if you don't mess it up sometimes? They say you learn from your mistakes, so lets make some! Sorry, I've gotten completely off topic here. Anyway, what I'm trying to get across in this post is that nobody's life is perfect and we can learn this from Elizabeth Gilbert's amazing story. She is a beautiful person and Eat Pray Love is a beautiful book.
My rating: 9/10
Eat Pray Love is now a major motion picture and available to own on DVD. 
Click the link below to visit Elizabeth Gilbert's official website.
http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/

Review: Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James

Title: Beautiful Malice
Author: Rebecca James
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Year of Release: 2010
ISBN: 9781742376820
Source: Purchased
Number of Pages: 283
Katherine has moved away from her shattered family to start afresh in Sydney. There she keeps her head down until she is befriended by the charismatic, party loving Alice, who brings her out of her shell. But there is a dark side to Alice, something seductive, yet threatening. And as Katherine learns the truth about Alice, their tangled destinies spiral to a shocking ending.

Fast-paced, absorbing and utterly gripping, Beautiful Malice is a sexy thriller that will have you feverishly turning the pages. This novel was great and very enjoyable. Alice is a fantastic heroine, someone who I think we all want to be, but are just afraid to admit it. Katherine and Alice are completely different people, but when they merge, the novel takes a fascinating twist. Full of fun, lovable characters and a creative plot, Beautiful Malice is sure to get your heart pumping. So find a nice spot on the couch and curl up with this one. A book to read in one sitting!