Enmity Enmity Book One
Written by E. J AndrewsExpected Publication April 2014
295 Pages
Thank you to Harlequin Australia
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★★★★
Love vs Life.
Good vs Evil.
War vs Warfare.
Which would you choose?
After a solar flare wipes out most of the world’s inhabitants, it leaves behind nothing but a desolate earth and a desperate population. Existence is no longer a certainty. And with factions now fighting for the power to rule, people start to become reckless with their lives. The world has become a dangerous place.Amongst the ensuing chaos, Nate and Hermia, two victims of the new world order, are taken against their will to The Compound. Joined by eight other teenagers all chosen for a specific reason, Nate and Hermia are forced to train as assassins to overthrow the current president and make way for a new leader of the free world. Here, they learn to plan, fight, and most importantly... To survive.Except, despite the casual cruelty of their new existence, both Nate and Hermia, two very strong but very different people, begin to form fragile bonds within the group. But they soon realize their happiness is short lived... Because their training is just the beginning.A war awaits... Regardless of how ready or willing they may be.
Sixty years ago, a solar flare reaped havoc on the Earth and it's inhabitants. Most of the population was decimated, and those left behind still continue in a fierce battle to rule over what remains. Hermia lives alone, a resilient urban warrior in a new society where only the determined survive. But when arriving home to her meager possessions, Hermia is captured and taken to The Compound along with nine other teenagers, including Nate. Nate should have been home on time, a guilty conscious weighs heavily on his mind. He arrives home to a household of slaughtered family members and a message containing nothing more than an address. But justice for his family had led to Nate being taken against his will, joining the other carefully selected teens awaiting further instructions at The Compound.
Darria has amassed the team of ten teens to fight against a group of dangerous activists, simply known as The Cain. Their duty is to take down the current empire, the current President Collins who has vowed to clean up the apocalyptic ravaged streets, with the promise to form a new society and a stronger world while The Cain operate under the guise of fighting for democratic rights. The hand selected group of teens will live within the Compound, each day completing a new challenge aimed to hone their skills at combat. The savage program is overseen by a guard posted to each teen, they are taken to and from training under duress, and silenced if they dare question authority.
The training is intense, emotions are heightened and fear drives the teens together and separates the group into factions. Nate finds solace in the company of Marina, a girl taken against her will. While Hermia finds herself gravitating towards Keeper Chase, keeping their brief rendezvous hidden. But Hermia is quick to push Chase away, her cold exterior hiding her inner turmoil of a past where abandonment has only made her more determined to survive.
But these aren't any ordinary teens. Some have volunteered to join the fight to protect the President, while others just want to return home. But coming together is no coincidence, and it may take answers from The Cain to see what the group are truly fighting for.
Kelly's Thoughts
Enmity was a mix of The Hunger Games, a dash of Divergent and science fiction packaged in an action packed storyline where teens are trained to fight an enemy most couldn't care less about. It follows the story of both Nate and Hermia, told in dual points of view. Both were taken against their will to join eight other teens, some taken and some volunteering to train for a war against a brewing revolution. Nate is deemed as their leader, a young man with an imposing presence that is mourning the loss of his family. Hermia was on the verge of selling her body into a life of prostitution before she was snatched, but she's abrasive and isn't winning friends amongst the other teens. The two couldn't be more different, but the two share a common secret that neither of them knows about the other... Yet.
I really enjoyed it. It was a short, sharp read that sucked me in and kept my attention. The storyline seems to have been inspired by many of the popular dystopian novels that many of us have on our shelves, but merged them into a brilliant little read. My only complaint (which I'm sure will be what lures most readers in) is that I wanted more action, more fighting and less romance. But there's no awkward love triangles in this one, a case of instant love in one case, but rather than having the two points of view merge into one romance, it strays from the usual. It was really refreshing. Take a chance with this one, it'll really surprise you.
Twice Upon a Time
Written by Kate Forster
Published January 27th 2014
377 Pages
Thank you to Hardie Grant Egmont
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★★★★
Ludo invites the two backpackers to party with the elite in Sardinia, leaving Italy behind. Ludo's lifestyle is nothing but parties and wild nights, and Cinda is swept away in his lavish lifestyle... Until she meets his twin Gus. Gus is heir to the throne and lives his life accordingly. He has the expectations of a nation on his shoulders and only five years before his mother hands the throne over to him. His life doesn't allow for the carefree existence that Ludo lives, so why does he find himself frustrated and wanting to live as Ludo does?
Cinda has nothing to return to. In Sydney, her mother has met yet another man and decides to move to New Zealand, renting out their home for the next six months. So when Ludo is desperate to keep Cinda close, he commissions the budding artist for a portrait. Sure to keep her busy for the next few months, Ludo believes Cinda is the one. But Gus sees her as one of a long list of beauties that could potentially destroy his family name and wants her and her freeloading companion gone.
If Gus ever forgets his place, his mother and uptight girlfriend Perrette are there to remind him. But Gus longs for something more, so when Ludo is sent to South Africa to sort his life out, Gus is stuck watching over Cinda and standing in as the portrait model. It isn't long before the two begin to find common ground, a love of art, creativity and seeing beauty in the world. With both in respective relationships, future King Gus would never be allowed to share his life with a commoner, but is he willing to give it all up for the chance to live a life with Cinda, and will she want him?
I loved Jonas. He's the token sassy gay friend and budding fashion designer. He's fabulous and would love to read his story next. If you're looking for a light and heartwarming read that will sweep you into a lavish world of travel, then Twice Upon a Time is a flirty read that will leave you warm and fuzzy.
Written by Kate Forster
Published January 27th 2014
377 Pages
Thank you to Hardie Grant Egmont
Add to Goodreads
★★★★
Ludo introduces Cinda to the heady world of the super-rich, taking her to parties on yachts and villas all over Europe. Sparks start to fly as Ludo and Cinda spend more and more time together, and even cautious Cinda wonders if there might be something real between them. Then Gus, Ludo's twin brother and heir to the Sardinian throne, arrives to ruin everyone's fun. Gus is obsessed with duty, and having a commoner like Cinda around just isn't part of his plan. But when fate throws Cinda and Gus together, he's astounded to discover that he and Cinda get along well. So well, in fact, that he might be prepared to throw away everything to be with her...Lucinda had always wanted to see Italy, and at nineteen, she and best friend Jonas now find themselves backpacking through Europe. With very little sleep and not much more money, Cinda enjoys the simple life of travelling, armed with her paints and her imagination. It's painting on the edge of a cliff that she meets Ludo, the Prince of Sardinia, although Cinda has no idea who he is apart from the charming and charismatic young man who smudged her painting. Ludo is instantly smitten with the curvacious, free spirited Australian and opens Cinda up to a world only seen by the wealthy and entitled.
Ludo invites the two backpackers to party with the elite in Sardinia, leaving Italy behind. Ludo's lifestyle is nothing but parties and wild nights, and Cinda is swept away in his lavish lifestyle... Until she meets his twin Gus. Gus is heir to the throne and lives his life accordingly. He has the expectations of a nation on his shoulders and only five years before his mother hands the throne over to him. His life doesn't allow for the carefree existence that Ludo lives, so why does he find himself frustrated and wanting to live as Ludo does?
Cinda has nothing to return to. In Sydney, her mother has met yet another man and decides to move to New Zealand, renting out their home for the next six months. So when Ludo is desperate to keep Cinda close, he commissions the budding artist for a portrait. Sure to keep her busy for the next few months, Ludo believes Cinda is the one. But Gus sees her as one of a long list of beauties that could potentially destroy his family name and wants her and her freeloading companion gone.
If Gus ever forgets his place, his mother and uptight girlfriend Perrette are there to remind him. But Gus longs for something more, so when Ludo is sent to South Africa to sort his life out, Gus is stuck watching over Cinda and standing in as the portrait model. It isn't long before the two begin to find common ground, a love of art, creativity and seeing beauty in the world. With both in respective relationships, future King Gus would never be allowed to share his life with a commoner, but is he willing to give it all up for the chance to live a life with Cinda, and will she want him?
It's been far too long since I've read a fun, flirty and romantic contemporary, and Twice Upon a Time was the perfect heartwarming read. It follows the story of Cinda, an Australian backpacking through Europe when she's swept up into a world of royal princes, lavish parties and brooding brothers. Cinda is a fun loving character, she's vivacious and isn't afraid to speak her mind, a quality that both Gus and Ludo both find irresistible. But under the surface, Cinda hides a sadness that even a luxurious lifestyle can't repair. Even though she's technically an adult, her mother has abandoned her for yet another man. This time, her mother plans to marry a man that Cinda has never met, move to New Zealand and entertain a new family that doesn't involve her only child. But Cinda doesn't dwell, and although hurting, she carries on and makes the most of the opportunities life is throwing her way.Kelly's Thoughts
I loved Jonas. He's the token sassy gay friend and budding fashion designer. He's fabulous and would love to read his story next. If you're looking for a light and heartwarming read that will sweep you into a lavish world of travel, then Twice Upon a Time is a flirty read that will leave you warm and fuzzy.
Nymph: The Love Oracles is available now.
Thank you to Jaclyn and the team at Walker Books
Check out my Review
The Love Oracles is a love story based on Greek mythological characters set in modern times. It chronicles the story of Merope, a Pleiad star nymph, who falls in love with Lukas, a mortal boy who lives on an olive farm on a small Greek island. The relationship between Lukas and Merope is forbidden and so a wild journey of gods, men and monsters unfolds as the two struggle to find a way to be together. A fun and flirty teen read that will appeal to the fans of Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush Hush series. She's Tonya Alexandra, and she's an Author on the grill.
Written by Tonya Alexandra
Published in Australia February 1st 2014
432 Pages
Thank you to Walker Books Australia
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★★★☆
An idyllic Greek island. Obsessed demigods. A fallen nymph. A mortal boy. Merope, a beautiful but faded star nymph, is banished to Earth for displeasing the gods. She tries to fit in, go to school and live a normal "human" life.And then she meets Lukas - but relationships between men and goddesses are forbidden. Will their love grow? Or will Merope and Lukas feel the wrath of the gods?
Merope is a Star Nymph that has been promised to the heavenly tyrant Orion, an aggressive demigod that will stop at nothing until he has her firmly in his grasp. Merope's only escape is to hide on Earth among mortals. Aalong with her Uncle and guardian Prometheus, the two settle among the natives on the small Greek island, banished by Zeus as a consequence of not accepting her role as consort.
Earth is a new and dangerous world, where Merope finds herself choosing to live in solace. Human's have always been strange creatures, unattractive and emotional beyond comprehension compared to the heavenly beings that Merope has spent centuries in the company of. So when local boy Lukas breezes into her life, Merope realises that she's been severely misinformed. Her instant attraction to Lukas is pulverising, and a chance meeting on the beach now consumes her thoughts. But the distraction has cost her dearly, with Orion and Heracles having tracked her down. But thankfully the heavens have allowed Merope to stay on Earth, much to Orion's disgust. He has proclaimed that she shall have three months to decide her fate, and only then will he return to force her home.
But she needs to immerse herself within the community, blending into everyday life as a teen at school. Despite her protests, Prometheus arranges for a guided tour with local girl Eleni. Merope carefully navigates living as a mortal, but she can't escape the attention of Lukas. Law states that Nymphs cannot engage in human relations with mortals, with a forbidden romance promising more than just banishment. But as she spends more time in the company of the sweet and kind hearted boy, Merope finds herself struggling to resist him.
While pushing Lukas away, Merope needs to evade her new minder, Heracles, who's on a mission to watch over the fallen Star Nymph. At home, Heracles barely noticed the meek and shy girl, preferring to spend his days charming more attractive beings, but here on Earth he might just be beginning to see why the mortal is so enamoured with her. But as the tensions begins to build between friends, mortals and beings, cracks begin to form and Merope may have just blown their cover. Suddenly three months on Earth doesn't seem long enough.
Kelly's Thoughts
Nymph, book one in The Love Oracles series, is an easy mix of forbidden love, mythology and navigating a world that isn't your own. Merope is a Star Nymph who isn't the fragile and agreeable servant that her counterparts are. Rejecting the advances of Orion, a demigod who loves the thrill of the chase, she is sent to Earth... And the results are entertaining to say the least. Thank goodness for Eleni, without her guidance Merope would have been a social outcast. Her misfortunes are hilarious, I really enjoyed how author Tonya Alexandra created what seemed to be a perfect being, but thrust into a world where she's not overly popular, intelligent or excels beyond the teens she's trying to emulate. Although she's bound by the laws of her own world, being out of her element makes Merope more human that you'd expect.
The star of Nymph is Heracles, a chauvinistic, fashion conscious god who is sent by Orion to keep an eye on the sassy and unpredictable Star Nymph. But slowly by surely, he starts to warm to Merope where someone is bound to have their feelings hurt. Fans of Becca Fitzpatrick will enjoy The Love Oracles series, Nymph reminded me of the hugely popular Hush Hush but targeted at the larger audience. I really enjoyed the mythology aspects and seeing what are generally immaculate gods as nothing more than chauvinistic and controlling rulers that flaunt their double standards and see the race of Nymphs as nothing more than servants.
Nymph is perfect for the teen audience or those looking for a fun, flirty read.
The Forever Song (Book of Eden: Book Three)
Written by Julie Kagawa
Expected Publication April 15th 2014
416 Pages
Thank you to Harlequin and Netgalley
Vengeance will be hers. Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster? With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer. MONSTER
Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions, her creator, Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost, the last vampire free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.
In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, triumph is short lived in the face of surviving forever alone.
A Jack Mason Adventure
Written by Darrell Pitt
Published in Australia 26th February 2014
256 Pages
Thank you to Text Publishing
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★★★☆
Jack Mason has grown up as an acrobat in a circus. Now, after the tragic death of his parents, he must live inside the gloomy walls of Sunnyside Orphanage in London, a city of fog and snow, filled with airships, steam cars and metrotowers that stretch into space. Luckily for Jack, he’s taken under the wing of the brilliant and eccentric detective Ignatius Doyle. Little does he know how dangerous life is about to become.A girl named Scarlet Bell comes seeking the great detective’s help. Her father has been kidnapped, and the future of the world itself may be at stake. Is the evil hand of Professor M pulling all the strings? Mr Doyle and Jack know there is no time to lose.
Fourteen year old Jack Mason can't remember a day when he wasn't the target at the Sunnydale Orphanage. But Jack is about to have the adventure of a lifetime, bringing hope to Jack's life, something he hasn't experienced since his patents died. Before life at the Orphanage, Jack was an acrobat, his parents forming a team of trapeze artists known as The Flying Sparrows and were tragically killed performing a stunt. But nothing could prepare Jack for the eccentric and flamboyant Ignatius Doyle, Consulting Detective.
When the police have an unsolved case, they turn to Mister Doyle. Using the powers of observation and deduction, the quirky middle aged detective has now found an assistant, the nimble and highly observant Jack. In the lustrous world powered by steam, the new duo's first case arrives in the form of miss Scarlett Bell. Scarlett's father had disappeared, and what sounds like a simple missing persons case, has become a web of intricate secret societies, lies, inventors, monster men and Nazis.
Kelly's thoughts
The Firebird Mystery was charming, witty and intelligently written. I haven't read many steampunk novels, but this middle grade addition to the genre was incredibly enchanting and entertaining. The book follows orphan Jack, plucked from a questionable children's home and thrown into the world of crime solving. Mister Doyle has faith in Jack's abilities and provides the emotional stability that Jack desperately needs.
But Mister Doyle is the clear star of The Firebird Mystery, his constant testing of Jack's observational skills is hilarious. Nailing a piece of toast above a door, putting together a spy kit with a nose disguise, to storing cheese in his pocket for random snacking. Although he's described as being well past middle aged, his character reminded me of a quirky Johnny Depp type character. Fabulously eccentric.
Scarlett isn't without her fans. In a time of modest women, she's a trailblazer for teen girls. She's feisty and can hold her own, despite Jack's need to protect her. This series no doubt will be a huge hit for early teens, the writing is intelligent and Darrell Pit has created characters that challenge and provoke readers to invest in the storyline.
Stacking
The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to
your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can
include books you buy in physical stores or online bookshops,
books you borrow from friends or the library, review books,
gifts and of course eBooks. Hosted by Tyngas Reviews.
News
● Penguin Teen Australia has announced their live showcase of upcoming titles held in Melbourne. Check it out on their website for more details and how to book.
● Congratulations to Chiara over at Books for a Delicate Eternity who won a copy of Afterworld. Your book and a few extra goodies are on their way.
● This week interviewed Rosie Borella who enchanted me with Jack Chant. Now you too can win a copy with thanks to Allen and Unwin Australia.
Publisher Paperbacks
The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow. Thank you to the lovely Harlequin Teen Australia
On The Fence by Kasie West. Thank you to the brilliant Harper Collins
Vampire Academy: The Ultimate Guide by Michelle Rowen and Richelle Mead and Looking For Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta. Both with thanks to the super cool Penguin Teen Australia
and Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover. I was beside myself when this one arrived. Thank you to the incredible Simon And Schuster
Purchased Paperbacks
The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa. Purchased to add to my collection. Brilliant series.
The World of the Hunger Games by Kate Egan. Purchased this one from the Scholastic Australia website. Dirt cheap at only five bucks for a hardback, I couldn't refuse.
Rebel Heart by Moira Young. Already read both books in the trilogy so far, but needed the paperback to add to my collection.
What are you stacking your shelves with this week?
The Well's End
Written by Seth Fishman
Published February 25th 2014
352 Pages
Thank you to Stacey at Putnam Penguin (Imported Copy)
Add to Goodreads
A deadly virus and an impossible discovery unite in one enthralling can’t miss read...
Sixteen year old Mia Kish has always been afraid of the dark. After all, she’s baby Mia, the one who fell down a well. That was years ago, though the darkness still haunts her. But when her classmates and teachers at ritzy Westbrook Academy start dying of old age from a bizarre and frightening virus that ages its victims years in a matter of hours, Mia becomes haunted by a lot more than the dark. Their deaths are gruesome and Mia worries she and her friends may be next. In order to survive, Mia and her small crew must break quarantine and outrun armed soldiers in hazmat suits who shoot first and ask questions later.
And there’s only one place to go, the Cave, also known as Fenton Electronics. Mia knows it’s somehow connected and hopes her dad, Director of Fenton Electronics, who has always been strangely secretive about his work, has the answers she needs, and more importantly a cure to save everyone before the whole town succumbs to the mysterious virus. Unfortunately, it’s not answers Mia discovers, but something far more treacherous and impossible than even the virus itself.
A high stakes, fast paced adventure with imagination and heart.
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