Review: Hysteria by Megan Miranda

Title: Hysteria

Author: Megan Miranda

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Published: Feb 2013

ISBN: 978-1408834848

Rating: 4.5/5

I’ve seen both the US and the UK book covers for this, and prefer by far the UK one, I just don’t see anything interesting in a girl in a dress holding up a picture frame..the UK one is more attention grabbing imo.

Where do I start with this?  What seems to be an open-shut case of a girl stabbing her boyfriend progresses into far more in Hysteria when Mallory is sent to Monroe Prep boarding school; something or someone is following her.  Can she remember that night or will she end up going insane?  Mallory can’t remember what happened the night she stabbed Brian, so along with the building suspense, Mallory is also trying to remember.

Mallory goes to the same school her father attended decades before and recognises Reid from her father’s alumni meetings.  I watched as Mallory tried to integrate into a society who already knew her history and what she’d done.  Colleen is a faithful friend, and is so girly!

My favourite character in this is Reid; who shows his vulnerability at his father’s funeral and he is the main support for Mallory when she’s at Monroe Prep, as he doesn’t give up on her regardless what his peers think of her.

This story tilts so many times, and each time it made sense and seemed very realistic and spine chilling.  I didn’t guess the extent of the story which is masterfully told, although some part of this had me wanting to shake Mallory to her senses and remember her past clearly.

Book synopsis:

Mallory's life is falling apart. Her boyfriend was stabbed. He bled to death in her kitchen. Mallory was the one who stabbed him. But she can't remember what happened that night. She only remembers the fear . . . When Mallory's parents send her away to a boarding school, she thinks she can escape the gossip and the threats. But someone, or something, has followed her. There's the hand that touches her shoulder when she's drifting off to sleep. A voice whispering her name. And everyone knows what happened. So when a pupil is found dead, Mallory's name is on their lips. Her past can be forgotten but it's never gone. Can Mallory live with that?

Source – Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley, an ecopy was received in return for an honest review.

Review: Luminosity by Stephanie Thomas

Title: Luminosity

Author: Stephanie Thomas

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Published: November 2012

ISBN: 978-1620611272

Rating: 3/5

The cover on this attracted me to the book first; I like the dark colours in the background contrasting with the pale skin and raven wing tattoo on the model’s eyelids.

From the very start this had an inevitable feel surrounding the pages.  Beatrice’s reoccurring visions and dreams in addition to the capture of the Dreamcatcher Paradigm impacts even more on the seemingly pre-ordained storyline.   It was obvious from Bea’s reaction to Gabe that she wants to be more than friends.  I like Gabe, he comes across as a strong character who really cares for Bea, even if he can’t express it. 

As the storyline progresses, I began to question why the Seers were so intent on killing the Dreamcatchers when it was painfully clear they knew little of their enemies history, the reason for the war between them and what I found even more unsettling was that they didn’t know their own history or heritage other than what they had been told, which amounted to hardly anything.  The evasive tactics used by the Seers and more importantly by the Keeper who orchestrates most of what happens can be a jolt to the system.  They go from training one day, into having to train with live rounds; something they’ve never done.

I must admit, I was hooked on reading this through to the end.  I think the combination of visions and dreams that Bea kept having, along with the desire to know who she would choose to stay or go with – the reliable Gabe, or the ominous Echo who has been communicating with her in her dreams, insisting that they are meant to save each other even though they are polar opposites and sworn enemies.  Personally if it wasn’t for the level of violence I would have pegged this at a slightly lower age group…but the fighting and way in which Seers and Dreamcatchers die negate that idea.

I was routing for Bea and Gabe all the way through.  Whilst this kept me wanting to read on, I’ve given it a mid range rating because for me there were too many blanks.  Even though Bea can see the future through her visions she Sees nothing past having to make and see through the choice between Gabe and Echo.  Now I know which choice she made, I do want to read more, just so I can find out what is in store for them all, I didn’t get the sense that this story has ended, I hope I’m right!

Book synopsis:

My name is Beatrice. When I was born, I was blessed with the Sight. I was immediately removed from my parents and enrolled in the Institution. At the age of twelve, I had my first true vision, earning my raven's wings. And when I turned seventeen, one of my visions came true. Things haven't been the same since.

The Institution depends on me to keep the City safe from our enemy, the Dreamcatchers, but I'm finding it harder to do while keeping a secret from everyone, including my best friend Gabe. It is a secret that could put us all in danger. A secret that could kill me and everyone close to me.

The enemy has been coming to me in my dreams, and I think I'm falling in love with him. He says they're coming. He says they're angry. And I think I've already helped them win.

Source – Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley, an ecopy was received in return for an honest review.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Throne of Glass

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Published: August 2012

ISBN: 978 1408832332

Rating 4.5/5

The cover on this is what drew me to the book – I love the colour and the visual effect of the character.  I have seen the US cover, and I far prefer this one personally.

From the start we follow Celaena’s journey as she is heavily escorted to accept a new challenge, one that gives a glimmer of hope and means that she will see the sun, rather than slave in the Salt Mines of Endovier as a slave for her crimes.  It is akin to a Cinderella type book in that respect.  Celeana, although she is young, is an assassin, and a renowned one at that.  She was taught by the master assassin at a very young age and has spilled more blood than she remembers. 

I thought it would be difficult to get close to Celaena as a character because of who she is, but I was wrong.  In many respects Celaena has to learn to live again, it’s been so long since she’s been anything else than a slave.  As a reader I got to see several sides to her, and the effect she had on those around her.  I enjoyed the way the story kept me guessing – the magical element wasn’t as prominent at the start of the story, but it does become an integral part of what makes it so page turning and highly addictive.   I liked the fact that Calaena didn’t know everything about what was going on, and that she came to trust others.   

The level of evil through magic in this book is hair rising and gory in places, which added to the thrill of finding out what exactly, was happening.

All in all a really good read, it had me hook line and sinker all the way through – I would have given it 5/5 if the romance had of gone a bit further at the end with the right person…and I’m not saying who, as you’ll have to find that out for yourself! I don’t want to ruin it ;)

Book synopsis:

Meet Celaena Sardothien. Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness. In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake. She got caught. Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament - fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin's heart be melted?

Source – With thanks to the publisher and Netgalley