Free For Review
Winning The Player
Written by Leesa Bow
Published April 14th 2014
266 Pages
Thank you to Destiny Romance and Netgalley
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When injury destroyed her dream of playing college basketball, Aubree Taylor fled overseas. Now she's finally home again and ready to move on with her life. Until she runs into Hunter Stone on her first night out, the only guy who's ever meant anything to her – and the last person she wants to see.
Since she ran out on him two years ago, Hunter hasn't been able to get Aubree off his mind. The sexy football star has had girls all over him for years, but Aubree is the only one to have ever seen behind the cocky persona he puts on for the crowd.
Despite her attempts to keep her distance, Aubree is unable to resist the strong attraction between them and it isn't long before they fall into a passionate relationship. She has never been afraid of a challenge, but Hunter's arrogance and inablity to trust are testing her to her limits. Aubree must decide whether to follow her heart and lower her guard…or risk losing the best thing that's ever happened to her.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire begins as Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a Victor's Tour of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games, known as The Quarter Quell, a competition that could change Panem forever.
Now that you've seen Catching Fire, go behind the scenes of the making of Catching Fire with exclusive materials, including back stage photos and interviews. From the screenwriting process to the casting decisions, from the fantastic new sets and gorgeous costumes to the actors' performances and the director's vision, this is the definitive companion to the second Hunger Games film.
Written By Skye Melki - Wegner
Published July 1st 2013
Fantasy, Dystopian
416 Pages
Thank you to Random House Australia
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★★★★★
Escape is impossible. Escape is their only hope.Danika is used to struggling for survival. But when the tyrannous king launches an attack to punish her city, echoing the alchemy bombs that killed Danika’s family, she risks her life in a daring escape over the city’s walls.Danika joins a crew of desperate refugees who seek Magnetic Valley, a legendary safe haven. But when she accidentally destroys a palace biplane, suddenly Danika Glynn becomes the most wanted fugitive in Taladia.Pursued by the king’s vicious hunters and betrayed by false allies, Danika also grapples with her burgeoning magical abilities. And when she meets the mysterious Lukas, she must balance her feelings against her crew’s safety.Chasing the Valley is the first book in an epic trilogy of magic, treachery and survival.
As the alchemy bombs rain down on Rourton, Danika Glynn can't help but remember the last occasion where the city was decimated at the hands of King Morrigan, the night her parents and brother were killed. That was seven years ago and Danika is a Scruffer now, living on the streets and begging for food, while fighting for each meager wage from her lowly work in Rourton's underbelly. She's cold and alone, but she isn't prepared to die tonight as she scurries down into the sewers, the only safeguard within the city. As she stumbles across a group of teens planning to evade the king's oppressive reign, their plan is to escape the city for Magnetic Valley, a place where citizens live with freedom and safety. She is caught eavesdropping and sent on her way, they've no room for her in their group, considering she has nothing to offer them as an incentive. Danika often contemplates running, a suicide mission in which no escapee has survived without being recaptured, or killed. In two years she will be drafted into the army and forced to sacrifice her life for the King, the King who ultimately killed her family Only then will Danika be able to reveal her Proclivity, her magical link to nature. The city is reduced to mouldering ruins, plunged into mayhem, if she wants to escape... Tonight Danika will make her bid for freedom over the walls.
Teddy Nort is a pickpocket, born and raised on the streets and can charm anyone into turning the other cheek while he steels your wares, and he's part of the escapees. Even through Teddy is in awe of Danika being an amateur illusionist, it's still not enough to convince Radnor, the boy in charge of their liberation. The easiest escape route is to join a licensed trading crew, responsible citizens who can legally leave the city walls to trade items to sister cities. To barrel under the solid wall is impossible and Danika's only option is to scale over. But on the verge for her bid for freedom, Teddy and his crew are charging through the open gate by posing as Foxary riders. If she's caught, she'll be killed, so Danika runs amid the shouting and shots being fired, setting off a flare to provide cover for the crew, running towards a better life.
Fearing she's been caught, Danika stumbles upon Teddy, who has separated from his crew in the mayhem. Reluctantly, she accepts his help and the two become unlikely partners, navigating the rough terrain. The royal Hunters are in pursuit and escape seems improbable until Hackel, the fifth member in crew, engulfs their persuaders in a fiery blaze. The older and more experienced Hackel is a smuggler with a Flame proclivity, Danika's simple illusionist trick paling in comparison. Wealthy sisters Clementine and Maisy, paying dearly for his escapee services. The group of underage teens all keeping their magical prowess a secret, being forbidden to reveal your proclivity before the age of eighteen. With the numbers of Foxaries slowly dwindling, the group stumble across a fallen palace biplane, still carrying a full load of alchemy bombs. It dawns, the flare that Danika had set off in the commotion of escape... Has taken down the palace plane, making Danika number one on the royal hit list, one of the royal family is now scouting their location. But there is someone taking out the hunters, executing them before the crew stumble into their path.
Each night as the crew settles, Danika notices a kite flying high in the night sky. Surely it must be a trap, but as the night's pass, the kite flyer comes closer and closer to camp. Someone is following their trail and Danika breaks ranks and searches the hinterland, stumbling across Lukas. Lukas has been traveling for weeks, having just turned eighteen and refusing to join the King's army. His proclivity is that of the Bird, using his kite to attract those within the vicinity, taping into their vision to survey the area from above. Lukas is heading for the Magnetic Valley. His identity and presence kept a secret until the Hunters finally catch up with the group and Lukas comes to the rescue.
There is a price on Danika's head, a thousand gold coins for her capture, provided by the palace. The lure proving too great with one of their own willing to kill Danika for the illustrious reward, while baring the secret that Lukas carries close to his chest. Can he ever be trusted again? With an intense fire burning out of control within the township, the crew flee on the newly constructed train network, why would the King want to provide transport for the wealthy in and out of the gambling slum town? When the group share their histories and what has led them to join the crew, leaving Rourton behind, it all becomes clear that there is far more at stake than the group finding the Magnetic Valley, the evil reign of a kingdom is threatening not only their freedom, but the freedom for generations to come.
Kelly's Thoughts
Chasing The Valley is the young adult fantasy fusion novel of the year. It's an engaging mix of magic within an oppressive dystopian world, and blends so effortlessly together. In their world, the wealthy and homeless are both ruled by the confines of their walled city, those with money to burn living a fuller life, but all under the watchful eye of the palace and royal guards. The King is a tyrant, and will stop at nothing until he is the sole ruler and citizens at his mercy. The idea isn't unique, but the mixture of characters and surroundings not only make for a magnificent fantasy, but it's enchanting. I loved Danika, her story of her parents being killed was heartbreaking, but she was determined not to live life on the streets, alone and wondering where her next meal would come from. She isn't strong or sassy, she's real and not matter how hard she's kicked, she'll rise again.
There is no forced romance between the characters, and no horrid love triangle either. Teddy, the pickpocket is adorable. He's the entertainment within the group dynamic, taking a lighthearted approach to the situation. The wealthy twins come across as cruel and unforgiving, but also have a worthy reason for seeking to escape. Lukas is the mystery factor within the storyline, not featuring prominently, but just enough to keep readers intrigued.
It was so entertaining, that I found myself trying to preserve reading Chasing The Sky, but it was too difficult to put down. I absolutely loved it and now eagerly awaiting the second in this epic trilogy.
If you're anything like I am, young adult fanatic with a love of dystopian novels, then head onto Amazon between the 7th and 9th of October and download your copy for free. David has been hailed as the next big thing in young adult dystopian, being included in one of the 15 book series to read if you enjoyed The Hunger Games as featured on Buzzfeed.
Check out my five star review here.
In a desperate attempt
to escape destruction decades earlier, humankind was forced underground,
into the depths of the earth, creating a new society called the
Tri-Realms.
After her parents and sister are abducted by the Enforcers, seventeen-year-old Adele, a member of the middle-class moon dwellers, is unjustly sentenced to life in prison for her parents' crimes of treason.
Against all odds, Adele must escape from the Pen and find her family, while being hunted by a deranged, killing machine named Rivet, who works for the President. She is helped by two other inmates, Tawni and Cole, each of whom have dark secrets that are better left undiscovered. Other than her friends, the only thing she has going for her is a wicked roundhouse kick and two fists that have been well-trained for combat by her father.
At the other end of the social spectrum is Tristan, the son of the President and a sun dweller. His mother is gone. He hates his father. Backed by only his servant and best friend, Roc, he leaves his lavish lifestyle in the Sun Realm, seeking to make something good out of his troubled life.
When a war breaks out within the Tri-Realms, Tristan is thrust into the middle of a conflict that seems to mysteriously follow Adele as she seeks to find her family and uncover her parents true past.
In their world, someone must die.
After her parents and sister are abducted by the Enforcers, seventeen-year-old Adele, a member of the middle-class moon dwellers, is unjustly sentenced to life in prison for her parents' crimes of treason.
Against all odds, Adele must escape from the Pen and find her family, while being hunted by a deranged, killing machine named Rivet, who works for the President. She is helped by two other inmates, Tawni and Cole, each of whom have dark secrets that are better left undiscovered. Other than her friends, the only thing she has going for her is a wicked roundhouse kick and two fists that have been well-trained for combat by her father.
At the other end of the social spectrum is Tristan, the son of the President and a sun dweller. His mother is gone. He hates his father. Backed by only his servant and best friend, Roc, he leaves his lavish lifestyle in the Sun Realm, seeking to make something good out of his troubled life.
When a war breaks out within the Tri-Realms, Tristan is thrust into the middle of a conflict that seems to mysteriously follow Adele as she seeks to find her family and uncover her parents true past.
In their world, someone must die.
Valerie always wanted to be the smart girl. The pretty girl. The popular girl.
But not the rape girl.
That’s who she is now. Rape Girl. Because everyone seems to think they know the truth about what happened with Adam that day, and they don’t think Valerie’s telling it.
Before, she had a best friend, a crush, and a close-knit family. After, she has a court case, a support group, and a house full of strangers.
The real truth is, nothing will ever be the same
It should never had happened. She said no, but he didn't listen.
Valerie is having a party, her mother has gone away for the weekend, leaving Valerie and her six year old sister alone in the house. Her sister is put to bed as the party goers start arriving, and soon the binge drinking begins.
After a few drinks, Valerie is slightly tipsy, just in time to see Adam arrive, the boy of Valerie's dreams. After a daring game of spin the bottle, Valerie is far too drunk, vomits, and passes out.
When Valerie wakes to a hangover, her clothing in disarray, and Adam perched too close for comfort, whispering coercion, holding her down. She said no, but he didn't walk away.
A rape test, pending criminal charges, school taunts, lies and malicious friends are a result of Valerie being brave enough to tell someone. She's treated as the instigator, that she's lying to gain popularity, she's a whore, or poor Adam is being victimised. The police don't seemed to believe her, her legal representatives clearly have no interest in trying the case, and her school has allowed Valerie to be bullied, often catering to that of the accused, Adam.
Valerie is strong, she's an inspiration to girls who are victims of sexual abuse. This will not define her.
Rape Girl made me beyond furious at the treatment of Valerie. She was painted by peers and trusted adults as a liar, that she was promiscuous, to stop playing the victim and move on with her life, often giving the impression that she had no right to tell anyone about what happened to her. But for all of the judgmental, so called 'inconvenienced' adults that Valerie should have been able to trust, luckily she had pillars of support. An unlikely friend, a councilor, a cute barista, a victim support group and her loving mother. It was the difference between living... And self destructing.
Rape Girl
Written By Anna Klein
Published 01 / 09 / 2012
126 Pages
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