Book Review: The Storm by Virginia Bergin

I missed the butterflies.

My name is Ruby Morris. I don't go when it rains.
Once you've survived an apocalypse, the old rules don't seem to matter so much.


Like today I drove a Ferrari that wasn't mine, but no one cared (there's no one left to care). 


If I want to eat only Nutella, then I can (there;s nothing else to eat).

And if I want to go to wild parties in mansions, I will (this only happened once).

Of course, there are bad things too. Like everyone you cared about being gone, having no one to trust and, worst of all, not being able to stop thinking about THAT KISS with Darius Spratt...

But I've survived this long and I'm not going to die now.


I think enjoyment of this novel does depend on reading the first one. If you haven't read the first book, why not check out my review of it instead of possibly spoiling yourself with this review.

The story starts back up months later and a disillusion Ruby. She still the same Ruby and does dumb stuff, but she makes a better effort not to do dumb stuff.

We get some answers in this book, and a satisfying ending to the series. The science continues to be a bit effy. I think this novel might be more horrifying than the last book. Though, I did feel like emotions didn't hit as strong as I felt they should have. Things that happen didn't impact much and felt more like getting rid of a character out of the way.

The character development was nice to see, Ruby has grown up a bit in this series and you see in this book. The relationships were good and some were interesting to see.

Overall, I gave this book four out of five stars for eating things out of a well. We get answers and the series leaves off with a satisfying ending.

Book Review: Between the Lives by Jessica Shirvington

Two lives might have made escape easier.

The perfect life or the perfect love. You choose.

For as long as she can remember, Sabine has lived two lives. Every 24 hours she shifts to her 'other' life - a life where she is exactly the same, but absolutely everything else is different: different family, different friends, different social expectations. In one life she has a sister, in the other she does not. In one life she's a straight-A student with the perfect boyfriend, in the other she's considered a reckless delinquent. Nothing about her situation has ever changed, until the day when she discovers a glitch: the arm she breaks in one life is perfectly fine in the other. 

With this new knowledge, Sabine begins a series of increasingly risky experiments that bring her dangerously close to the life she's always wanted. But if she can only have one life, which is the one she'll choose?

 This is a really cool concept, except for I never really got why Sabine needed to make a choice. Even having explained in the actual novel, I still never got the character's motivation.

The main character Sabine is pretty bland and clearly doesn't have a strong personality considering how different her behavour and her persona are in the two "lives", I don't mean her wealth status in that at all. Her general attitude, generally sucks.

The ending of the book was pretty obvious after a certain point. I did not like the very ending, I just don't think it was a healthy or realistic attitude to continue to have. The whole suicide angle was not what I was expecting when it said "choice" in the blurbs.

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars for split personality. It was interesting idea and the execution was alright. If your intrigued by the summary then I would recommend reading it.

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

Book Review: The Rain by Virginia Bergin

Because films just don't include the important detail of bathroom habits during the apocalypse.

One minute sixteen-year-old Ruby Morris is having her first proper snog with Caspar McCloud in a hot tub, and the next she’s being bundled inside the house, dripping wet, cold and in her underwear. Not cool. As she and Caspar shiver in the kitchen, it starts to rain. They turn on the radio to hear panicked voices – ‘It’s in the rain . . . it’s in the rain . . . ' That was two weeks ago, and now Ruby is totally alone. People weren’t prepared for the rain, got caught out in it, didn’t realize that you couldn’t drink water from the taps either. Even a drip of rain would infect your blood, and eat you from the inside out. Ruby knows she has to get to London to find her dad, but she just doesn’t know where to start . . . After rescuing all the neighbourhood dogs, Ruby sets off on a journey that will take her the length of the country – surviving in the only way she knows how.

The thing is about this book is that unusual in that the main character in no way or form should survive the apocalypse. Ruby has survive mostly from luck. She is not at all practical, she wastes drinkable water a lot. I guess it would be highly unlikely if she didn't have practical people around her. It interesting to have apocalypse from that point of view.

I feel like they run out of liquid too soon. I mean they run out of any form of water the next day after the run came. I guess it could just be greatly unfortunate that grocery day was tomorrow when it suck. I also don't think the science is quite all there. Certain things don't make sense, like why does it only effect the humans so explosively and there nothing at all to indicate that the water is infected at all. There's probably a science thing that could at least test it, but we don't really meet anyone with that skill set. This the start of series so hopefully we get those answers. Also who cut off all the phone lines.

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars for murderous neighbours. This book had it funny moments with featured reference to that if this was Hollywood movie and of course mostly it was just tragic as everyone dies in the world and there no water to be had. The story could have ended where the book does but I am glad there is going to be a sequel and plan to read it.

I got this off Netgalley for Review. It is being published by Macmillan Children's Books on 17th July (tomorrow).

Book Review: Glimpse by Kendra Leighton

This is actually the second book inspired by Alfred Noyes’ The Highwayman and only read it with this book.

The highwayman came riding –
Riding – riding –
The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door

Liz just wants to be normal. Her life is anything but.

Seven years ago Liz lost her mother and ten years’ worth of memories. When she inherits the infamous Highwayman Inn, she hopes the move will be a fresh start. Then she meets Zachary. Zachary who haunts her by night and in dreams; who makes her question everything she is and wants to be; who seems scarcely real – yet makes her feel so alive.

 I like the plot of this book. It also takes the stance of that seeing ghost would actually be a pain in the arse. The way the ghost work is a interesting take with just a parts of them being visible and more of overwhelming feeling when they're present. I think that was probably my favourite part of the book.

The character were all quite distinct but the plot does relay too much on characters being basically insane. Liz's issues with her mother was good addition. The romance was alright, I'm never person to ask about this so it all I can think to say.

The plot is okay, there a few things that let it down. Liz is bit too clueless in the name of the plot and
 the ending is a bit dodgy in the moral sense. I can't say anything else about that without it being a major spoiler.

Overall, I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars for bowls of bones. The ghost are awesome but there was one rule I didn't get. Things were a bit slow and there was a few plotholes such as why did certain characters do the bidding of a certain character in the first place. It is worth a read if you're into ghost and sort of retelling of poems.

I got this off NetGalley for review. It published by Much-in-Little

Book Review: All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

In all honesty, I requested this book purely because the title reminded me of the Fall Out Boy song which I love. *briefly wanders away to think about Patrick Stump's voice*


Em is locked in a bare, cold cell with no comforts. Finn is in the cell next door. The Doctor is keeping them there until they tell him what he wants to know. Trouble is, what he wants to know hasn’t happened yet.

Em and Finn have a shared past, but no future unless they can find a way out. The present is torture – being kept apart, overhearing each other’s anguish as the Doctor relentlessly seeks answers. There’s no way back from here, to what they used to be, the world they used to know. Then Em finds a note in her cell which changes everything. It’s from her future self and contains some simple but very clear instructions. Em must travel back in time to avert a tragedy that’s about to unfold. Worse, she has to pursue and kill the boy she loves to change the future . . .

 A plus for slightly misleading summary. How is it misleading? I can't say because you know spoilers.

So this about Time Travel (and also the characters, imagine that), I really liked the theory and the rules of the Time Travel. Though, no idea why anyone would agree to do it unless they were desperate, like Em and Finn, because there's no returning to your present and you eventually disappear Basically, it has the classic backward time travelling of what would life be like if someone had the power to mess with the past. Em and Finn basically travel back in time in attempt to stop the Time Machine ever being built as the present basically sucks.

There was a sort of error, it said that European Union had all the countries of European where it only has a random few (some who by the laws of the union shouldn't be in EU at all, but that's a rant for another day). I guess you could argue that in that Timeline Em comes from that EU had been the whole of Europe but did seem she referring to the original time line a.k.a our real one.

So as the proper story, writing and characters...PIZZA. Seriously, the book divided by the POV of Em and Marina whom is actually of the time period Em and Finn travel back into. So you have Em on her mission and just what's actually going on I guess (of course till they bump into each other which isn't really a spoiler because alternating POV always bump into each somehow eventually).

The characters are likable enough, Em has some self-image issues;Finn grows on you like fungus (you know the good kind that they make antibiotics from); Marina is like 16 and needs some life experience and James frankly just has issues. So many issues.

In summary, I give this book 4/5 stars for random, silent 'E's (you have to read it to find out what I mean by that'). I like this book fair enough, not sure whether I'll read the sequel or not as I honestly don't get why it getting one. However, who knows maybe Terrill is going somewhere with it or not. The whole every book is part of a series thing is getting a bit old in the world of YA.

Book Review: Paradise by Joanna Nadin

My secret is that I enjoy writing deaths of beloved characters.

Everybody has a secret.

When Billie inherits her grandmother's house, it's a fairytale come true. Maybe She can find the father she's never met. But moving back to her mum's childhood home dredges up secrets- and Billie soon discovers that people may die, but the past lives forever.

I have no strong feelings towards this book. It was aright. It is something I would call a light read (though does involves dark themes). Its a bit too heavy with the whole...

I really like layout of the book, the chapters switch between Billie's point of view of the present and the point of view of a family member of the past. While this book is about Billie, it more about how Billie came to be and the family dynamics that Billie's mum, Het grew up with and explains why she the way she is partly.

Billie's mum does annoy me sometimes. Just her actions, what she puts Billie and Finn through,  but that's probably intentional. She obviously surfing from some sort of mental illness, even if its straight up depression. She just really selfish like they no consideration for her kids, even though she is mentally ill they should have been some of glimpse of actually caring about her kids. Its all about her.

There three romances in this book, the only one I actually care for is the one that it would be too much of a spoiler to talk about. There others just seemed like replacements for actually liking ones family.

I do like the ending, its leaves with hope that Billie will gain something like what she wanted to from  moving there.

Overall, I gave this book 3/5 stars for the terrible post names.

Book Review: Falling by Cat Clarke

I stand by that gay and house party is all you need to know. Oh, and Cat Clarke likes to break heart.

You're not supposed to kiss someone who ISN'T your Boyfriend.

It's petty much the first rule of relationships.

But that's what I did last night.

It's a hot summer night, Cam is having the party of the year, and Anna has big plans. Her best friend Tilly's come out, and Anna wants to set her up with the only other gay girl in school. That should take the heat off Anna and her own guilt over cheating on Cam. 

As the party hots up, Anna sets off a chain of events that will change all their lives forever.

A powerful novel about sexuality and growing up, realistically and frankly portrayed by acclaimed YA novelist Cat Clarke. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers of 14+.

Okay, I like to start by saying this is a book meant for Dyslexic readers so its very short, but still bloody fantastic. I also think that the paper is a bit different from normal book paper. Like slightly thicker and more yellowy if that makes sense.

I really like this book, there's foreshadowing and god the title is perfect in so many ways (okay, two ways) and want to go all English essay on it. Though, like I said this very short so I don't think there's much I can say without spoiling it.

This book does feature a sexual crist and awkward conversations. Having been in a similar (though not totally the same) situation, can tell you that is handled in a very realistic way. You can feel the awkwardness and I was having flashback. 

I really love the three main characters, Cam, Anna and Tilly. You do start to feel for them in the short space of time and you will care about what happens to them. 

This not a happy ever after book (but what books that I love are) and if you've ever read any of Cat Clarke books this is her typical sort of ending. I was pages away from the end and just thinking Oh no something terrible going to happen. Tears were shed. 

Oh, yeah, this book is also set in Scotland. It has no effect on the story but books set in my homeland are rare. It just mentioned in passing.

I might actually do a spoiler book discussion of this book on my booktube channel. We see if I find time. I gave this book Five/Five stars and recommend it to everyone, but especially people who like a little heartbreak which is the same with all Cat Clarke's books.

Book Review: Dead Romantic by C.J. Skuse

Frankly, this book isn't going to win any awards for being of great literature value. It basically, a reworking of Frankenstein into a modern setting and shallow values.

Stitching dead bodies:try wool

Camille wants to find the perfect boy, with an athlete's body and a poet's brain. But when she's mocked at a college party, she kows there isn't a boy alive who'll ever measure up. Enter Zoe, her brilliant but strange best friend, who takes biology homework to a whole new level. She can create Camille's dream boy, Frankenstein-stylee. But can she make him love her?

Camile has loved anything dead and has kept dead things as pets her whole childhood (including her ran over cat). Camile meets a mysterious girl, Zoe in Graveyard filling in a grave and becomes obsessed with her(with brief thoughts of homosexuality). Camile actually switches subjects to be in the same class as the girl.

Turns out Zoe is collecting body parts, in attempt to make a boy and restore her father shattered reputation. Camile decides to help, mainly because she needs a date to the college Halloween party to make that shallow boy who dating her ex (apparently)best friend, jealous. Because who doesn't love a pig who offers to take your (and every girls' in college) virginity to get it over with.

Camile refers to the Experiment as the Dead Sexy Boy and so her annoyances really begins. Camile isn't the cleverest person but sometimes this got really unbelievable. I mean, Camile is smart enough to have passed her GSES however, claims not to know that a crowbar is an object, and not just the verb of "Crowbarring". I'm petty sure she says the same thing two other times (obviously about other words) and definitely within 20 pages says it again. We get it pretty clearly that Camile is the local idiot that likes dead things.

At one point, Camile thinks Zoe has started to kill people for parts when one of the friends she abandons at the beginning of the books goes missing with her boyfriend, for no real reason. Also she does nothing about this suspicion anyway.

Oh, yeah this is a romance, right? I think its meant to be... The romance is typical and boring. Frankly (I'm really loving that word in this review) in terms of relationships, Zoe and Camile was most interesting but I don't think either like each other that much. Camile loves dead things, Zoe makes dead things alive, they are the perfect pair.

To sum up its a good book for a light read. It was funny at points and tried too hard at others. The ending was bit too cliffhangie( also very cliché) for something that doesn't deserve a sequel. It bit too unbelievable and the characters got annoying. I enjoyed it, brief boredom aside that made me skim through the last chapters before going back and finishing it properly. I did enjoy it, but that's about it. The idea was overdone, the characters don't learn anything, repeating habits (except on a bigger scale). Read it if you're not in the mood to think too much or get too emotionally invested.

Book Review: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

When my mother saw me with this book, she said it sounded exactly like the sort of book I would like. Probably just because it had "book" and graveyard" in the title.

After the grisly murder of his entire family, a toddler wanders into a graveyard where the ghosts and other supernatural residents agree to raise him as one of their own.

Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack—who has already killed Bod's family . . .

This cover confused me after reading the book, I just don't understand why the boy is blonde because he described as having mousey coloured hair. My understanding is that mouse is light-brown. I confirmed this by the power of the internet. This was drawn especially for the book so is really confusing to me.

This book is basically about different stories from Nobody's childhood in Graveyard where he raised by ghosts. His step-parents are ghosts, he is taught by ghosts and so on. All the weird things that come from this.

There also this thing about the Jacks. They trying to kill him and they big "battle" in the end where only one can survive, sort of. Yes, it does go a bit Harry Potter, but I only realise that after I finished reading it.

I only gave Three out Five stars as while good read, I found it rather boring at times. I didn't feel that much for the characters, it was kinda like a soap you find yourself watching because you couldn't be arse to get off the couch to switch the channel.

See you next time losers.

Book Review: Adorkable by Sarra Manning

 I hate both the main characters, they're both prejudice, shallow and their judgement is always questionable.Still its a very readable book.

Jeane Smith's a blogger, a dreamer, a dare-to-dreamer, a jumble sale queen, CEO of her own lifestyle brand, and has half a million followers on Twitter.  

Michael Lee's a star of school, stage, and playing field. A golden boy in a Jack Wills hoodie.  

They have nothing in common but a pair of cheating exes. So why can't they stop making out?

I like to start out by saying that this is how Jeane Smith describes herself (in third person because that what you do on the internet)on her blog. She describles her self as "a dreamer" and "a dare-to-dreamer". This really bugs me as there the same thing, to be "a dreamer" you've got to "dare" to be one and it just adds nothing.

This is obvious YA Romance novel, so mainly about the Jeane and Michael relationships. So the characters should make the book. To be bluntly honest, before I even finish Chapter One my opinion was that they're both deserve each other as they're both arseholes. Jeane little Goth comment was really where I got my distaste of her. You know she meant to be an outcast but makes fun of other outcasts. She sort of does that a lot. She also is very much not a dork. She seems rather fake in her weirdness. I mean I just don't buy it all.

Michael is petty much the popular cliché. Likes only people who wears labels.

 Also there was no cheating exes. Basically, their girlfriend and boyfriend at the start of the novel, like each other and because frankly the starting relationships were in terrible states, they broke up and start seeing each other. The exes are both rather boring and I didn't care if they show up again. Jeane attitude as having made her ex-boyfriend is my favourite thing that made her so very unlikeable.

Oh, If you wondering, I still think they're both petty much arseholes after reading the whole book.

However, even though the main characters are completely unlikeable -Actually the only characters I like is Michael's family. How could they have gone so wrong with Michael?- This book is really readable, it like you just need to know what these idoits are going to do next.

Also there actually a few good things about this book, such as the point of view changes each chapter between Jeane and Michael which really work for this book. You also get to see how they lie to themselves straight away with conflicting versions of events.

 It also petty realistic portrayal of teenage life (once you get past Jeane is big deal on the internet and the Guardian is meant to really like her). There's sex, underage drinking and a really boring party.

So I gave this book a 3/5 stars because I did enjoy reading it. So I guess I recommend this to anyone who likes observing idiots and doesn't care if the main characters are that likeable.