Book Review: The Girl Who Wouldn't Die by Marnie Riches

The author asked me to do a Amazon review. She didn't know I read a review copy and that was weird.

HE’S WATCHING HER. SHE DOESN’T KNOW IT…YET

When a bomb explodes at the University of Amsterdam, aspiring criminologist Georgina McKenzie is asked by the police to help flush out the killer.

But the bomb is part of a much bigger, more sinister plot that will have the entire city quaking in fear.

And the killer has a very special part for George to play…

This is your basic Thriller, Crime book with some fun things thrown in such as being set in Amsterdam.

The title of this book is terrible and I'm not sure what it has to do with the book. The book it's self is much better.

The mystery side of this book was pretty basic. As soon as the character was introduced who was behind it, I knew it was him.

The romance in this book is just there and doesn't add anything to the story. I did root for it, but that might have been because the alternative option was far worse. It got a tad bit annoying.

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars for cardboard. Most of these stars came from enjoyment.

I got this book for review off Netgalley and from Maze.

Do you want to build a Novel?

Hello peops, I went to the Scottish Natural Galley of Modern Art One and Rosslyn Chapel. I now want to do an art heist in which I steal 'In the car' by Roy Lichtenstein and touch his Lilly ponds (don't). I also hide the Picassos and write fictional characters on the wall of names. We give the painting back fifteen years later. But only ever send  ransom note every year hinting where the Picassos are, even after they're found. If caught, say we Scottish and therefore the painting belongs to us. It was inspired me to do more art and then we went to Rosslyn Chapel and sketching out the craving made me remember that I get wrist strain over nothing and that's why I gave up the dream of art. Also other stuff.

Anyway:

 I was tempted to put more of Nail Polish in a Video Store up today but then I realise that I want to keep that to myself for awhile or maybe forever. Though, I was thinking it might be a good idea to start writing novel for this blog alone and putting it up in parts. Right now the Ballroom short story keeps calling to me to add to it. I shall eventually subcome to it. I have a few ideas but none have any clear ending or plot structure so if I do it, it will be free for all.

There is actually a lot of potential first parts of novels lurking on this blog or stories that were meant to have a second part, that was never written and probably will never be wrote. Well, not by me anyway.

Some of those things are:

• A Non-Christmas Story that never even got a proper title. 
• Blood Chest
• Obviously, Things that Go Bump in Haunted Dance Halls

I also realised that have relationships of the girl being down right hostile to the boy but the boy still liking her, which he sadly realistic.

So I'm not giving you a short story this week, but asking you the question of. Is there any of these or any of my other stories that you would like to see more of? I will have something written for next week, though I'm not sure what it will be. It meant be related, it might be random horror as making a film next week and one way or another it will end up horrifying (especially, if I'm made to act in it).

Book Review: The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

My friend group just had a straight friend.

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper may not be the prettiest girl in her high school, but she has a loyal group of friends, biting wit, and a spot-on BS detector. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of a man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush, who calls Bianca the Duff - the designated ugly fat friend - of her crew.

But things aren't so great at home and Bianca, desperate for a distraction, ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a secret enemies-with-benefits relationship with him. 

Until it all goes horribly wrong. It turns out 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.

I read this book in one sitting. It was compelling to keep going, though I had already decided on all nighter because of reasons so it was good company. I heard that this book was good but no one ever say why? I'm going to tell you why.

The characters are realistic and I really liked the main characters Bianca, especially her cynical nature and her attitudes are appealing. The relationships were really good as well. The only thing I couldn't buy was someone having a bowl cut in 2010 (going off the year this book was originally published), those things are terrible looking.

This book deals with slut shaming and body image really well. It was definitely one of my favourite parts of the book and I would recommend it on this alone. Especially, since slut shaming is such a rampant problem in YA. It also has other things like divorce and alcoholism.

Overall, I gave this novel four of five stars for smashed pictures. This was a really great contemporary and definitely worth a read. It's real shame that they never actually made a film of this and just stole the idea of a duff from the book. Though, teens swearing, having sex and being complex are the things that terrify Hollywood. Back to the actual book, I would highly recommend this and it one of the few books I wish I had read sooner.

I got this for review off Netgalley and from Hodder Children's Books.

Make-up headache.

I am meant to be alone this weekend. I am not. My sister is still luckering. I have been filming today and did a live steam where I just sat and read Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee (Short Review: more religion and more depressing).

I have a headache and slightly nausea so I just want to go to bed, but I've got make-up on and I've lost my make-up wipes and don't want to get make-up on my bed...again.

I'm going to Edinburgh on Wednesday which is fun, but it's not the town centre this time. Also might be going up on the start of Edinburgh Festival but not to it. David Leviathan is going to be here.

I cannot pretrend to be creative when I have no job or family money. I want a job. Or published novel.

I have another appointment with Austistic people but conflicts so I might change it especially since SAAS are giving me DSA so I don't need it so immediately but obviously still want it.

Maybe I'm allergic to my camera. The horror. I'm going to be bed. You're get creativity when I feel like it or you can pay me to be it.You find the link. This is what I get for being Maniac last night.

Book Review: The Dark Light by Julia Bell

It's a cult on island. Try not to avoid listing those in your head.

Ten minutes to midnight!' Jonathan shouts over the sound of the blazing fire. Sparks rise into the sky and mingle with the stars. 'Only ten minutes!' Bevins says, falling down on his knees. 'So it begins.' Rebekah has lived on the island her whole life, and it's only now that she's starting to wonder what she might experience outside her strict religious community. Alex has been sent to the island to escape her dark past, and through her eyes it's a dark and sinister place. Thrown together by chance, Rebekah and Alex strike up an unlikely friendship and it's together that they attempt to break free of their worlds and make a world of their own. But when a kiss between the girls is witnessed by an islander there is no escape they can make - the Rapture is coming for them all.

This book about a cult on remote island, while my first YA novel that featured this, it's definitely not the first time I read or see something with that. This is a Christian cult with an insane American leader on a Welsh island so Wales is the almost original part of that sentence. Though, being original isn't actually a big part of the story.

We have two point of views from the two main characters but I didn't feel that they were distinctive from each other which I would have liked to seen with their different backgrounds. Also there were a lot of times I didn't know which character they were referring to. Even with rereading the sentence, I was still not sure who they were talking about.

The characters were a bit flat. I got frustrated with the main characters erratic behaviour and thoughts. I did try to be understanding that they were in a scary situation where they had to act a certain way to avoid punishment but as the book went on, it was hard to be understanding. My main issue is probably that I wanted them to be more rebellious. There was also something difficult about becoming attach to these characters so I didn't care that much about their outcomes, despite wanting justice because I like just desserts.

The set up for this book is pretty dumb as well, I'm about to state what happens in the first chapter. I guess skip if you're all about not being spoiled at all. It starts with Alex getting into trouble, therefore she has go to the island which is approved by a police officer and a Social Worker, despite the island not normally taking troubled youths or anyone. It is not normal to send minors to islands ran by cult leaders on the word of their parents alone, especially if they have a history of mental health issues.

The way this book plays out is bit rushed to be realistic. If the time scale had been longer then it could have worked for me, but major belief switches happen within a day. The ending was an ending. It was a tad bit annoying and almost feels tragic for the sake of it.

Overall, I give this book three out of five stars for poppies. This book is pretty short, so if you're still intrigued after reading mine or other people's thoughts; I say go for it. Personally, I'm still hunting for better YA cult books.

I got this for review off NetGalley and it's being published by Macmillan Children's Books on 16 July 2015.

Short Story: Running

 She walks steadily. She wanted to run. I could tell by uneven breathing that she couldn't hide. She was trying to stay claim. She was fighting the urge to look back, she kept flicking her hair around, but stopping herself before she could actually see me.

I couldn't decide whether I like it better when they're like this or when they run in panic with me following them slowly, knowing they could never out run me. She professional criminal, she used to being in stressful situations and escaping quickly before the police are even alerted. 

She wasn't expecting me. I watched her steal the diamonds and know she still has them on her. It's importantly she still does when I catch her. I run in front of her and run back. I enjoy the moment of startle on her face. 

I run around in a circle. I want her to run now.  She ruins this by tripping over a cardboard box in the alleyway she's walked into. She falls over. This is not how this ends. I run up, pick her up, and go back into the darkness. She shaking and looks like she might fall down again. 

Run. Run. Run already.

She turns in a circle looking for me, so I jump out of my hiding spot so she see the movement in the dark. 

She lets out a small scream and runs from me.

Yes. Yes.YES.

I make myself walk slowly. She is blatantly looking behind her as she runs now. I make leaps when she looks back forward. She is so scared now. It's brilliant. I wonder when she'll realise where I have been herding her.

She is in a full panic. Being loud and clumsy. I keep having to move her so she doesn't run into anything else. I get to the street. She goes to go the wrong way, so I circle her. Just to keep the panic steady. She screams, every time she gets a glimpse of me. She crying and begging me not to kill her. I fight the urge to laugh. That was the same thing the guard she had shot had done. I'm not sure if she still has the gun, but the diamonds should be enough. 

I appear right in front of her face. She screams. I turn her around so she can see the people that she had alerted and so that they don't see me. I let go of her and following basic human instinct; she runs towards them. She either doesn't notice their uniforms or she too scared to care. She knows what they'll do if they catch her and I'm just a terrifying unknown. 

They've started coming towards her. I got lucky and managed to time this perfectly for new patrol shrift is about to start. She doesn't stop when they meet and knocks into one of them. They both drop to the ground. She doesn't get up before she starts telling them about me: that some girl has been chasing her and that she too fast. 

"She not human," she plants out. It's odd that they always a accuse me of that, considering the monstrous things that they have done. Her description of me makes the standing cop straight. I guess I'm starting to get a reputation. He lifts her up by the arm and tells her she best get in the station. 

She might confess out of fear or maybe she'll be more calculating, thinking I won't be able to get to her prison, which is probably true, but I've never tried, but that's where she going. The other cop gets up and follows his partner back into the station.

She look back around and I wave, so she knows I'll be waiting for her if she comes out back alone. So far none of them have. I guess I won't be earning any archenemies anytime soon. I stay in blackness. I never let them get a good look at me and they will never work out who I am. Though, I wear red contracts, which really scares the christians and alter my face with latex and costume make-up to look more demon than girl. I'm waiting for my new fangs to arrive. A mugger latched out and broke my old pair.

Being called a vampire is kinda fun and I preferred that to being compared to one of those cape weirdos. I want to help people and bring justice too, but there's no way in hell I'm wearing spandex nor do I want the fame they have; I have a enough body images issues with going through puberty without that too.  

I run away from the station so I can go back to being me while I wait. 

***

I could have expanded this more, but I like the beginning. I hope you enjoyed this and I shall you see all next week, until I being ponder on being part of something that was shortlisted.

Book Review: Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls by Lynn Weingarten

 I totally didn't buy yellow nail varnish because of this book.

When June met Delia, she was a lifeline. Their intense friendship gave her a sense of belonging, of security, that she’d never had before. She felt braver, smarter, funnier, more attractive when Delia was around. But then something went wrong, and Delia and June haven’t spoken for a year when an announcement is made at their school that Delia is dead. 

June barely has time to mourn before Delia’s ex-boyfriend convinces her that Delia didn’t kill herself but was in fact murdered, and June is fast swept into a tangle of lies and deceit – and a conspiracy she can barely conceive of, never mind believe.

"Wow" was reaction to the the end of this novel and the book in general.

The book's main narrator and protagonist is June who is trying to figure out what really happened to her ex-best friend. June feels like a real person and the emotions are done really well.

This book is mostly in first-person with a dash of third-person during flashbacks which were used to give us glimpses of important moments in June & Delia's relationships which I think was the best way to show us them when they were still friends. 

This story does revolve around June and Delia's friendship so the characterization  is of course important and it is thankfully done well. Both girls feel like real people and I found myself questioning both of their actions. I just love how complex their relationship is with each other.

The plot of this book was good and kept you guessing. I went down a few wrong thought paths and for a rare change I never saw the solution coming but it worked and was almost perfect. The ending is ambiguous but it works well with the rest of the story.

Overall, I give this book 4/5 stars for maraschino cherries. This book was awesome book about friendship and how much you can really know someone.

I got this book for Review off NetGalley and it was published by Electric Monkey this month.

Hitting Mirrors

Once again, you are not getting anything creative but overjoyous in the fact that I can now drive. That's right, I passed my driving test (also Shep is fine and came up the stairs to lie at my bedroom door. It almost like he was never ill). My test obviously went okay, it didn't start that well because my mind kinda panic reading the license plate and didn't want to distinct between the F and the R, wasn't sure which one was first. Ar...Dyslexia.

I started by immediately doing independent driving which was fine expect I didn't quite do it right and got minors as I didn't check my mirror for signaling and changing direction on the roundabout which my driving instructor had went over right before the test. I then packed in a fafe spot which I had never did on that part on the road and I did think I messed up by being too close to a junction which is bad.

I did a hill start in the exact same place as before but this time I did it flawlessly like normal. Though, the amount of times I practice it there, it should be. My reverse manoeuvre was a reverse park. I think I got two separate minors for this because my car did move slightly in the wrong direction which obviously a control issue. This was difficult because I had never practiced it there and I was put off with being on slight hill, it was a round hill that slanted the road long ways. Also couldn't see my usual turning point because of the way the passager chair was prosurited.

There no emergency stop but plenty of almost one when driving normally because everyone is idiot (including myself. I'm glad it done with and I can drive myself around now. My parents brought me a SatNav because I will get lost or go the wrong/long way home by mistake. It will be helpfully when driving around by myself. I've drove by myself a bit and proved myself a idiot but nothing dangerous. I just can't park. It doesn't help that others can't either.

I hit someone's mirror with my mirror. I was too close to their side but they had drove in sideways so their front was too close to my parking space. I usually avoid other cars but it was literally the only place to park.

I had a interview today but I don't think much of come of it. I guess if I actually get, I would have found out by this time next week. I mean I'll definitely given up hope by then. Though, the application deadline isn't even over. I said dumb stuff in the interview and don't think I presented myself very well because I suck. I do hope it I get because I'm available and want a job. Also making money would be great.

I spent time outside because my brother came down and we went to this kid friendly place as a family. I got my sister to get in the car with for the first time and I got IDed by someone who I went to school with and in fact older than but I guess his manager and the government doesn't know that.

 That's about all. I am now off to sleep and edit, in various orders.

Book Review: Thirteen Days of Midnight by Leo Hunt

I only count 12 or way more than 13.

When Luke Manchett's estranged father dies suddenly, he leaves his son a dark inheritance. Luke has been left in charge of his father's ghost collection: eight restless spirits. They want revenge for their long enslavement, and in the absence of the father, they're more than happy to take his son. It isn't fair, but you try and reason with the vengeful dead.

Halloween, the night when the ghosts reach the height of their power, is fast approaching. With the help of school witchlet Elza Moss, and his cowardly dog Ham, Luke has just thirteen days to uncover the closely guarded secrets of black magic, and send the unquiet spirits to their eternal rest. The alternative doesn't bear thinking about.

This is the story of how Luke's dad is terrible person and father. That's about it, but also Ghosts.

I liked the structure of this book with being first-person, point of view Luke obviously. It also chapter by the days (mostly) and that works well with the deadline nature of the story.

The romance is cliché and therefore annoying. It's mainly because I'm overaware of romances as I don't like them that much and question whether they were necessary and in most YA they are not. Friendships are undervalued and none of the the relationships in this book are that great. The supporting characters are completely indispensable which is a really bad thing in horror. Luke is meant to have known these people for years and be best friends with some of them but it's more like "we can't just let them get hurt out of moral obligation" than "I love these people, what would I do without them".

My favourite character was the dog. Elza had her moments, not sure why she had to dress all in black because she sees ghost though. Luke generally did his job as the protagonist and because I'm heartless creature I did not care about any of the characters except the three animals featured. I might have knocked points off for one of those animal's fates because it was a cheap move.  

This novel does have some cool world stuff and I was intrigued by the ghosts and the magic talked about. However, that can't carry a book like this, especially as some of that is not unique to this book and did feature a perpendicular cliché. Also there these cool illustrations that have been part of the marketing of this book, maybe would have severed it better, being part of the actual book.

Funfact:  Luke goes to bed fully dressed. Wakes up In PJs. Did the ghost change him without noticing?

The ending was bit unsatisfying and is basically just a set-up for a sequel. It felt rushed, we have
this deadline and then it's blown through it.

I gave this three out of five stars for ghost stones. This was interesting concept, though not that original, lacks some creativity and had typical cliches. If the sequel does come out, I probably won't read it (but I did). Even with everything that's left up in the air, I don't care enough to make an effect to find out more. The fates might throw it at me, so I might read it then as this was enjoyable read. I'm just really nit-picky.

I got this off NetGalley for review and is being published by Orchard Books.