Book Review: The Lonely Hearts Club (Elizabeth Eulberg)

Penny is sick of boys and sick of dating. So she vows: no more. It's a personal choice. . .and, of course, soon everyone wants to know about it. And a few other girls are inspired. A movement is born: The Lonely Hearts Club (named after the band from Sgt. Pepper). Penny is suddenly known for her nondating ways . . . which is too bad, because there's this certain boy she can't help but like. . . .

This book should be a staple in every secondary school library - not only is it the perfect book to empower teenage girls, it will also teach the boys out there a thing or two about what not to do! I'd love to see this on the big screen too - I mean, remember that song from Hot Chick : "Boys are cheat and liars, they're such a big disgrace..."? That song surfaced in my mind while I was reading this!

Ladies, admit it - at some point in our very colourful lives, we thought it best to swear off boys completely...or at least tried. How wonderful it could have been nursing a broken heart with not one, not two, but a whole club of girls who has been through the exact same heartache! Penny Lane's Lonely Hearts Club started as a one-person club, but its universal representation glues together ready to empower themselves and be there for each other. I wish there was a club like this when I was in school, because I'm sure it would have been needed - but since I did not have one, what a joy to read about it now!

Lonely Hearts Club is more than just a novel about swearing off boys or Venus alienating Mars. There is a strong theme about dedicated friendships, extending one's helping hand to others, trust and reconciliation and discovering who you truly are.

Penny is a great narrator and an inspirational person. I admire how strong she really is - I realised that while I thought I was strong, Penny stood defiant in cases where I would have just gone pliant and stupid. Her conflicting emotions and thought-process are recognisable, and her openness very admirable. Her friends Tracy and Diane are alive in every girls' heart and her fellow club mates make one cool club! The solidarity and support they all give to each other are more than a girl's dream. And of course, I think I should mention the boys too. You'll meet the jerks, the flirts, the mysterious, the cheaters, the ex-es and the swoon-worthy male specimen in the Lonely Hearts Club too - the girls will guide you through, worry not, and I'm sure you'll love the boys that do pass the inspection!

One other strong theme in the book are The Beatles. There is a lot of crazy Beatles references, and Penny's parents are the number one fans. It's hilarious!

Lonely Hearts Club is a meaningful book - girls, you have to read this book! Boys - don't worry, if you behave we still adore you :)

Four HEARTS! Stars.

* Book reviewed as part of the UK Book Tours.

Matched Trailer and Nightshade UK cover!

The book trailer for Matched is so bloody brilliant, every one should see it. The YA world need more trailers this epic! Don't forget to check out www.matched-book.com and get matched yourself. Sounds good? :)




And, look what I just found on Amazon UK:

Nightshade UK cover! 

I love the US cover but I am a sucker for everything purple and this book just about has my favourite colour. The eyes stand out more due to the darker hue as well. I'm not sure about the way the title is positioned but I do prefer this to the US version.

This beauty cannot not be on my reading stack! What do you think? Which do you prefer?

Book Review: Crescendo (Becca Fitzpatrick)

Nora should have known her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described as anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away, and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.

The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch, or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

Sequel to Hush Hush, Crescendo is undeniably my most awaited book of the year. I'm pleased to say it is indeed worth the wait. Missing Patch was dreadful, so reading Crescendo felt like an indulgence - needless to say, I treasure this book!

Crescendo is a build up of everything in Hush Hush, only a whole lot more complicated. The complexity in Crescendo, including the surprising and sometimes jaw-dropping twists had me flipping the pages back and forth to re-read key parts of the plot. Compared to its predecessor, Crescendo has a lot more of these surprises, a fuller background story and a stronger mythology. I was thrown off balance by some turns I had not expected, but it is all amazingly well handled. I'm certain Tempest will answer some of these questions, just as Crescendo answered those from Hush Hush.

There are more fantastic characters in Crescendo too, and I'd highlight two I have had fun reading. Scott Parnell and Marcie Millar. Oh, I hate Marcie Millar alright - there's no use denying that. Her character develops more in Crescendo, and we understand a lot more as to how she came to be Nora's archenemy. At points I thought she was going to redeem herself, but she never does, and worse still, taunting Nora seems to be her regular past time. She is evil. I felt Nora's emotions about Marcie and Patch strongly, and I stubbornly refuse to like Marcie!

Now - Scott is a different case. Scotty the potty, how cute is that? He is an absolute delight of a character and I'm glad he's a strong presence in the book.No one can ever be better than Patch, but Scott does terribly well :)  He's arrogant, but he seems quite unsure of himself, in a very very cute way - which makes him such a darling. Next to Patch, I am most looking forward to him in Tempest.

Speaking of the angel, Patch does a lot of disappearing in Crescendo. I was not happy about it, but it was necessary as Nora grows and develops a lot on her own. I also seriously miss Patch's bad boy image in Crescendo. I wanted more of his might-as-well-drive-me-insane lines and his general hotness. Then again he is a guardian now, right? He gets to behave :)

Crescendo is essentially Nora's story - it's about her journey to discovering herself and finding her place in the world. She makes mistakes, yes, but she grows more confident, more outgoing and infinitely matures more.

I believe no review is quite complete without talking about the ending. Crescendo ends explosively, and leaves a lot of questions unanswered, both implicitly and explicitly. This book gnaws at you. I kept turning the page in the vain hope that it will somehow procure the continuation I was so direly looking for, but that will have to wait until Tempest. Here's an interesting bit: just before the explosive ending, readers get a very brief sense of satisfaction which I'm sure everyone is yearning for since the first chapter. It's a second away from the chaos that is the cliffhanger, but caution: you might be tearing your hair out with it.

I loved Crescendo, though I am not as crazy for it as I was with Hush, hush. But then again, I was ridiculously insane with the first book in the series. I waited eight months for this book, but waiting a year for Tempest? UNBELIEVABLE.

PS. You'll find out Patch's real name in Crescendo! I found myself being ridiculously crazy about that name afterwards, so girls, your hearts beware!


Four Stars.

Finding Sky Blog Tour + Giveaway: All things romance!

The Finding Sky blog tour is stopping here at Girls Without a Bookshelf today, where we welcome author Joss Stirling for chat about romance!

And if you're from the UK who has not yet read Finding Sky, you may even snag yourself a copy of this fabulous title. Enjoy!

Welcome Joss!

1. Sky and Zed are soulfinders - soul mates. Do you believe soulmates truly exist?

It depends what you mean. I think you can find your soul mate in real life. I’d certainly say my lovely husband is mine and we have quite a few years of marriage behind us! I’d like to think that after the end of the book Sky and Zed do go on to develop that deep relationship that lasts longer than the first fizz of romance – that’s certainly how it is in my imagination. On the other hand, unlike the curse on the savants, I don’t believe that you can only find happiness with one person and are stuffed if you mess it up. In reality, it is more about adapting to the person you choose so that you both become the best people possible together.

2. What, for you, is the most important aspect of a relationship?

So many things go in to a good relationship but a key thing has to be commitment.

3. Was Sky and Zed's relationship inspired by any you know?

My characters are always themselves. I don’t borrow from real life but hope to make them true to their role in the book. However, any couple I’ve met who are really in love has lent a spark to them.

4. If you can describe Sky and Zed's relationship in one word - what would it be and why?

Tender. That is the heart of the story – going from first impressions to a deep caring for each other.

5. What, in your opinion, is the best love advice that everyone should abide by?

Don’t try and change the other person to fit you but look to your own faults.

6. In Finding Sky, is it only the savants who have and find their true other half?

The soulfinder is peculiar to the savants and part of the fantasy, but I also think that Sky’s parents, Simon and Sally, are soulmates and a good non-savant example for her.

7. If you can pick and choose your soulfinder from the Benedict Boys, who would you most likely see yourself with?

Wow. I’ve given Zed to Sky and Yves is already taken in the next book so they are off limits. Trouble is that I’ve purposefully made all of them appealing to me as that is part of the fun of thinking up a family of such stunning boys. I think I’m a little in love with all of them. But if I had to choose today, I’d probably choose one of the older ones with a dark side, maybe Victor, as he has depths I haven’t yet had a chance to imagine in full!

8. What is your favourite romance book?

Pride and Prejudice of course. Mr Darcy – swoon. And the writing is extraordinarily deft and witty.

(And I will echo: swoooon!)

9. Would you rather read a book about forbidden romance, the-more-you-hate-the-more-you-love romance or a best-friend-turned-boyfriend romance?

Hmm, all have potential. I like the mutual hatred masking love theme so let me pick that for now. Ask me another day and I expect my answer will be different.

10. Are we readers going to enjoy more savant and soulfinder books?

Oh yes. I’m currently occupied with Yves and his soulfinder. He is the sixth son, the one described in FS as a bit like a ‘hot Harry Potter’, and who hides under this studious appearance the ability to makes things explode. I’m very much enjoying giving him a suitably unsuitable soulfinder and then letting things take their explosive course.

Yes! More soulfinder books :) The Benedict boys will be pleased indeed :) Thank you to Joss for joining us here today and to Liz without whom none of this would have been possible. Thank you.

Don't forget to head over to Portrait of a Woman tomorrow for the next stop of the Finding Sky blog tour! Now here's what you've been waiting for: the giveaway! Don't forget to read the rules before entering!

Rules.

• Open to UK entrants only. International Entrants with a UK mailing address may of course participate.
• You do not have to be a follower to enter.
• Deadline for entries will be on 31st October, 12MN BST.
• Winners will be drawn through random.org
• Winners will be contacted via e-mail, and will be given 48 hours to response. Otherwise, a new winner will be drawn.
• Any details will be deleted after use and will not be passed on to any third party.

Book Review: The Duff (Kody Keplinger)

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "Duffy," she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren't so great at home right now. Desperate for a distraction, Bianca ends up kissing Wesley. And likes it. Eager for escape, she throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

The Duff is a witty, funny and endearing novel, full of lessons and with lots of growing up involved. Not to mention it's also honest, sarcastic and a hugely entertaining read indeed!

Bianca Piper is very cynical and very blunt, but is also very guarded. Never in a million years would she have thought she'd kiss, let alone sleep with Wesley Rush, resident womaniser and the same jerk you just referred to her as the Duff: Designated.Ugly.Fat.Friend. And yet, she ends up doing exactly just that. I find it amusing how she can make the most ridiculous of mistakes but is still standing strong enough, willing and ready to berate herself for her every action afterwards. She goes through a lot in this book, from being lowly called the Duff, and undergoing a family breakdown, but also takes a lot from it and learns to mature and face her problems. I'm not very sure I understand completely the rationale behind her actions and decisions and in fact at times I feel I disagree with her at all.

Having said that, I am completely in love with the solidarity of her friendship with best friends Jessica and Casey and their unwavering support for her. I love how her relationship with each of them differs from the other but all three are still unequivocally bonded to and love each other. Theirs is a friendship every girls should have - and if Kody ever decides to write about these three again, I will be first in the queue to get the book.

The romance in The Duff is slightly overridden by Bianca's development as a character, but they are both so closely intwined and are integral to the plot. Wesley and Bianca's relationship (or lack thereof) is interesting, to say the least. The Duff narrates a few of their rendezvous and does not become too graphic, although it is a few words shy of being quite explicit for younger teens.

I have a few major complaints about the way the narrative is handled. I kept looking forward to understand Wesley more and to the development of his character, but The Duff falls short of that. There were not enough scenes, let alone enough dialogue from Wesley to fully understand his character and how and why Bianca falls for him. If I am not mistaken I think majority of Wesley's scenes involved sex and there was not much words to convey the depth of his character there, apart his constant question of "are you okay?" or "what's wrong?". Perhaps this affected the second flaw I noticed, which is that this book is too short for my liking. There were much emphasis on scenes I would have rather not read too much of and less on those I really would have wanted to read.

I had fun with The Duff and I'm sure will too, but I caution younger teens from reading this book just yet. Maybe wait until they're little older?

Three Stars.

Waiting on Wednesday (13)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.
I have skipped last week's WoW due to academic constraints, but here's one I really am looking forward to:

SLICE OF CHERRY (Dia Reeves)

Happiness is a bloody knife.


Kit and Fancy Cordelle are sisters of the best kind: best friends, best confidantes, and best accomplices. The daughters of the infamous Bonesaw Killer, Kit and Fancy are used to feeling like outsiders, and that’s just the way they like it. But in Portero, where the weird and wild run rampant, the Cordelle sisters are hardly the oddest or most dangerous creatures around.


It’s no surprise when Kit and Fancy start to give in to their deepest desire—the desire to kill. What starts as a fascination with slicing open and stitching up quickly spirals into a gratifying murder spree. Of course, the sisters aren’t killing just anyone, only the people who truly deserve it. But the girls have learned from the mistakes of their father, and know that a shred of evidence could get them caught. So when Fancy stumbles upon a mysterious and invisible doorway to another world, she opens a door to endless possibilities....


To be published 4th January 2011 by Simon Pulse.


When I first read the description, I was immediately riveted by the originality of the plot - it sounds like a psychological adventure to me ... with a slightly murderous edge. I love the premise:) What do you think?

And I might as well what can you add to my TBR, because WoWs never fail to expand my to-read list in goodreads!

Book Review: Personal Demons (Lisa Desrochers)

Frannie Cavanaugh is a good Catholic girl with a bit of a wicked streak. She's spent years keeping everyone at a distance—even her closest friends—and it seems her senior year will be more of the same...until Luc Cain enrolls in her class. No one knows where he came from, but Frannie can't seem to stay away from him. What she doesn't know is that Luc works in Acquisitions—for Hell—and she possesses a unique skill set that has the King of Hell tingling with anticipation. All Luc has to do is get her to sin, and he’s as tempting as they come. Frannie doesn’t stand a chance.

Unfortunately for Luc, Heaven has other plans, and the angel, Gabe, is going to do whatever it takes to make sure that Luc doesn’t get what he came for. And it isn't long before they find themselves fighting for more than just her soul.

But if Luc fails, there will be Hell to pay…for all of them.

FINALLY - a book with heroine that's far from being goody-two shoes! I have been waiting for one which so blatantly shows a heroine's flaws, without me being actually annoyed by or disliking the aforementioned heroine, and after a long wait, here it is! Personal Demons. Boy do I love it. I think this book might probably be a bad boy on its own, but I love it all the more for being so!

Let me start with the characters - Frannie, Luc and Gabe. Like I mentioned, Frannie is a character I feel I've long waited for, and she is fun to be with - she is easy to admire, but she is also easy to correct. She's unique, surprising, and whether girls out there admit it or not, we're all a bit like Frannie inside! I love her.

Speaking of characters I love, let me start with Gabe and end with a very gushy, explosive sigh over Luc. Gabe is truly heavenly and someone you'd want to devote yourself to. I did not feel he was a major character in the book; his role seem to only develop Luc more. And Luc? Luc is sinful and hotter than hell. He's sizzling both inside and out and really made me blush while reading. Yep, I like this guy.

As much as I love Frannie, I'd have to say I loved every word in Luc's narration. He's hilarious and unlike any demon I ever imagined. Though seven millennia old, he retains his teenage boy mind and sometimes act immaturely that it's difficult to differentiate him from his real, breathing earthly counterpart. He amused me to no end and spiced everything up. Have I mentioned he's hot? Or that I'm definitely, loyally Team Luc?

Now one of my issues about Personal Demons is the slight confusion behind the whole celestials against infernals tug of war. It dips immediately into Luc's perspective and since only he and Frannie alternately narrate the whole book, it is only really Luc who refers to the background and back story. However, he does not explain this quite well enough, which was why I kept wondering who some characters were, what certain words mean and how things generally work out. Perhaps a general prologue about the background of the whole celestial and infernal war and the tagging of souls would have been a better introduction.

I'm not sure how much this flaw affected the plot, but I found the book more romantic than suspenseful - not that I have any complaints about that. While I was not too bothered about Frannie shifting back and forth between Gabe and Luc, I felt the reason behind this was not thoroughly explained. I would have liked a little more elaboration about why Gabe is too irresistible for her (Luc, I can completely understand) - is it part of what he is?, etc. Perhaps this is because only two characters narrate the story, so I'd look out for the sequel in the hopes of discovering more and clearing out some of these issues.

Having said that, there's no reason why this book should be missed. It's sexy, it's hilarious, and IT HAS LUC. Full stop.

Four Stars.

* ARC copy courtesy of UK Book Tours.

In My Mailbox (14)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren.
Here's what we got this week!

* For Review

Alpha (Rachel Vincent)

* Bought

CRESCENDO!!! (Becca Fitzpatrick)

My haul tends to be modest since I spend so much at university, lol. And I don't actually have a postbox of my own, which is kind of sad. And the deliveries are always late - Crescendo was delayed! I was fuming. 

What's in your IMMs? It's a bright, sunny day in Coventry today - so enjoy the rest of weekend, people!

Finding Sky blog tour + Torment trailer and widget!

I'm excited to announce the schedule of the UK blog tour for Joss Stirling's Finding Sky! Check out the dates and the respective stops below, and do help us spread the word by promoting the banner where possible.

Here at Girls Without a Bookshelf, I will be interviewing Joss about all things romance, and will be giving away a copy of Finding Sky to one lucky UK entrant. So do check back here on Thursday, 21st October!

In the mean time, check out the trailer for Torment below!



When I first saw this, I very distincly remember thinking: Less is more. Agree?

To those who haven't read Torment yet, I'm guessing you're anxious for it. Check out the widget HERE to read the prologue and the first chapter!

Put those 'likes' into use!

Bloggers and fellow book lovers, check this out!

Orion Books are running a thriving YA Facebook page called Fierce Fiction, which is currently running an Octoberfest giveaway. This week, three entrants will win four of their titles. Check out the attached photo for more information. Don't forget to 'like' the page and be among the first to hear about and win fabulous books!

If you're more of a Dark Fantasy fan, do check out Gollancz Dark Fantasy page. They are hosting a True Blood competition every Tuesday, and this week, five lucky readers will win a copy of L.A. Banks' MINION! Check out the photo below for details. As always, don't forget to 'like' the page to be eligible for future giveaways!

Book Review: Trash (Andy Mulligan)

Raphael is a dumpsite boy. He spends his days wading through mountains of steaming trash, sifting it, sorting it, breathing it, sleeping next to it. Then one unlucky-lucky day, Raphael's world turns upside down. A small leather bag falls into his hands. It's a bag of clues. It's a bag of hope. It's a bag that will change everything.

Even before I read Trash, I knew it will be one of those book that has a strong, immediate connection to me. As a child, I often spent my summer holidays in Manila, where the plot was loosely based. While reading, I came to find out just how much the characters, language and particularly the setting reminded me of the Philippines. But it is not its mere familiarity that made me love this book, it's the way the plot is reminiscent of some of the ugly reality in many, many places, and the brutal honesty in which this fact is presented.

The three characters, Raphael, Gardo and Rat, predominantly tell the story, although in certain key chapters other characters add their own input. The criss-crossing of narratives present different viewpoints which only adds to the magnetism of the whole book. These various point of views gives a broader viewpoint, I think, and allows the narrative to encompass a larger picture to drive home the plot.

I love these three boys - there is something about a child's voice that really captures my heart, but hearing their story is something beyond that. They have suffered so much from the cruel reality and their innocence is so tainted by the harsh world they were born in that each of their words seem too precious to not take to heart. Their excitement and despair is full of that powerful voice that I wanted to sweep them three into one warm hug and hope that that somehow brings enough comfort. I think that holds true in many readers and indeed makes one wonder that if these characters can hold one's heart, then what more the real children living in and with trash at the other side of the world?

Interestingly, many view Trash as a dystopian novel - but I beg to disagree. How can it be a futuristic novel when there are children living, eating, breathing trash? When there is widespread corruption by officials high and low and inhumane abuses in the hands of those who are supposed to protect? When children like Raphael, Gardo and Rat barely survive the next dawn and are in constant danger of dying a cruel, cruel death - of famine, war and diseases? No, Trash is not a dystopian novel. It's a moving, poignant novel about the here and the now. It's a story of the ugly reality.

There was the minor glitch of me not feeling wholly satisfied by the ending. It does not seem to fit well with the plot, although it still makes sense. I will not go into further details for fear of spoilers, but after reading, I wished the ending was a little less smooth and a little more thrilling.

Regardless, Trash is a book everyone should read. I mean it - everyone! No one can read this and say he (or she) did not take anything away from it. Andy Mulligan's Trash is one of those books that shows a picture of exactly how life is in places we don't know, but we should care about.

Four Stars.


* Copy received for review. Thanks to Lauren @ RHCB!

Book Review: Dark Road to Darjeeling (Deanna Raybourn)

For Lady Julia Grey and Nicholas Brisbane, the honeymoon has ended...but the adventure is just beginning.

After eight idyllic months in the Mediterranean, Lady Julia Grey and her detective husband are ready to put their investigative talents to work once more. At the urging of Julia’s eccentric family, they hurry to India to aid an old friend, the newly-widowed Jane Cavendish. Living on the Cavendish tea plantation with the remnants of her husband’s family, Jane is consumed with the impending birth of her child—and with discovering the truth about her husband’s death. Was he murdered for his estate? And if he was, could Jane and her unborn child be next?

Amid the lush foothills of the Himalayas, dark deeds are buried and malicious thoughts flourish. The Brisbanes uncover secrets and scandal, illicit affairs and twisted legacies. In this remote and exotic place, exploration is perilous and discovery, deadly. The danger is palpable and, if they are not careful, Julia and Nicholas will not live to celebrate their first anniversary.

Dark Road to Darjeeling is my first ever Deanna Raybourn read, and although I have no prior knowledge of the first three books in the series, I am looking forward to discover the undoubtedly thrilling books that began this series.

To say I've enjoyed the perfect mix of mystery and romance of this novel is to say very little of the wonderful elements of this book. Often when I read historical romance novels, the blend of romance and mystery is very poor, the mystery being much overshadowed by romance - not in this book. In Dark Road to Darjeeling, mystery and adventure is well ingrained within the romantic plot and vice versa - I doubt you can get better than this.

I personally loved the enigmatic, stubborn and unruly Julia - together with her sister Portia and brother Plum, they become a hugely entertaining trio which I don't think I can ever get tired of reading. Their banters are witty yet endearing, and they complement each other in a way only siblings can. Superb characters!

And while on the subject, let me also say that Brisbane - and Julia does refer to him by his last name despite being the new Mrs Brisbane herself - is another wholly engaging characters. I have not quite known him from the previous books, as I have mentioned, but he is undoubtedly magnetic, with a rough exterior of a man with secrets to protect. Julia and Brisbane are a gorgeous couple - they are, in many ways, an equal. Both stubborn, both brilliant and equally passionate, they often clash in wills and personality. Their marriage - no matter how in love these two are - is not a smooth road, despite their luxurious eight-month, around the world honeymoon. The adjustments that both have to make in the marriage is well portrayed, as well as their need to accept each other as they are. This realistic portrayal do nothing but highlight why these two fit together like missing pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

While I thought setting was going to be a strong part of the book, the mystery and investigation seem to override this. While in India, Julia finds herself surrounded by eccentric people - and she cannot resist the lure to begin the hunt for the murderer, despite her husband being so adamant about her not doing so. It was engaging to have my suspicions raised in time with Julia's and to have some of it dashed and others renewed. The presence of the March siblings and Brisbane only added to the delight of solving the mystery - Dark Road to Darjeeling is a superb book for lovers of historical, romance and mystery alike.

I completely adored it!

Four Stars.