Hushed by Kelley York

Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the Advanced Reader copy.

Summary:

He’s saved her. He’s loved her. He’s killed for her.

Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn’t protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he’s never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn’t matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another—Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed.

Then along comes Evan, the only person who’s ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is.

But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer’s committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn’t get what she wants… And what she wants is Evan’s death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.

I’ve been racking my brains trying to come up with a coherent review for this book since I finished it last week. It had taken me this long to get my thoughts together, and even then all I can say is Wow!

This is not your typical love story. Or a typical novel in any sense of the word. It’s full of murder, intrigue, lust and love...and that’s not even the best part.

No, the best part, Ladies and Gentleman, are the characters.

I’m a fan of broken characters. I just adore them, there is so much to delve through, and even when they’re at their lowest ebb, you still root for them, even if you don’t condone their actions.

Archer is a serial killer. As simple as that.

Except that it’s not.

You can sympathise with Archer, you feel his pain and as you learn more about his childhood and his motivations, you begin to realise how he can justify such drastic actions, and understand his cause.

This book is extremely clever. Kelley York is a phenomenal writer, as even when you’re engrossed in the story, hurriedly flipping page after page to find out what will happen next, you also start to think.

What struck me is how far people are willing to go to protect the one they love, and what they are capable of doing, without hesitation.

But Archer is not like Dexter (although comparisons can be made. A vigilante who punishes the evil? C'mon you know that's going to be interesting. He’s like a teen Dexter, but relatable). Archer feels. He does not enjoy what he does, but sees it as a necessity.

Which brings me on to Vivian.

Like I’ve already said, each character in this book is broken. Even Evan, who we see a notable change in as the book moves on, doing things he does not believe in for the man he loves.

They’re so adorable, by the way. Just thought I’d throw that in there as a nice little side note.

But Vivian is a great character. Vivian is chaotic, and wild, like a lightning storm. She destroys things, she is capable of irrevocable damage, but she is beautiful. On the outside.

Another lesson: Never trust a pretty girl with an ugly secret.

But you can still understand her....These characters are so intricate, it’s amazing

But Vivian is chaos to Archer, who is himself filled with chaos. He needs stability, which Evan provides. Evan is the calm to Archer’s chaos, and they just...fit.

I got so caught up in her tale, as well as that of our two broken boys, that I was finished the book before I knew it and was yearning for more.

If you think this book isn’t for you because two boys fall in love...all I can say is Love is love. And Archer and Evan are so sweet to one another that you can’t help but fall in love with them. I would hold off any and all reservations you have about this book, from plot to characterisation, because it’s fantastic in every way shape and form.

Kelley York is a phenomenal writer, and although the subject matter is quite dark, I urge everyone who loves a good romance and intrigue novel, and loves broken and well-developed characters to give this book a read.
The ending still has me in shock.

And, if you know me, that’s not easily done.
What a twist!

I’m looking forward to Kelley York’s next book. It’s sure to have as many beautiful similes and characters as this wonderful debut.

I highly recommend it.

5/5

Divergent by Veronica Roth: the review.

This review contains spoilers. Not major ones, but spoilers none the less.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

After a long overdue hiatus, I've finally decided to get off my ass and do some reviewing.

And I could not be more proud to be reviewing Divergent.

Veronica Roth's debut is easily one of the most compelling reads to grace our bookshelves all year.

So, let's get down to business

Summary:

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Sounds good, right?

Well, I have news for you: You have no idea.

This book is a force to be reckoned with; a literary wrecking ball with the force to knock every bit of air from your lungs and suspend you in disbelief and awe, while compelling you to keep the pages turning long into the night.

It's been a while since I have been so captured by a book that I have to force myself to put it down. In the last three years, it has happened only a handful of times.

The two that spring to mind are Divergent, and the other heavyweight in the Dystopian genre, The Hunger Games.

Yes, the genre is becoming saturated. Every way you turn, another dystopian novel pops up and hits you right between the eyes.

I, for one, am thrilled with this development. Dystopian fiction is exciting. The imagined worlds are all possible, if just a few changes are made. Yes, that thought is frightening, but it also makes the novels that much more captivating, don't y0u think?

Anyway, enough with the digression, back to Divergent.

Tris has to choose between one of five Factions once she turns sixteen.

They are:

Tris has to choose, and the choice will change her life forever.

I am always a fan of books that feature strong female leads, and more often than not I am left disappointed. Tris does not disappoint. She is strong, both physically and mentally, and she deals with the trials and tribulations of life in the Factions with clever wit and extraordinary courage. She spends a good deal of the book being bruised and bloodied by other delegates in her chosen faction, Dauntless, but she doesn't whine and cry and wonder why. She deals with it, and I appreciate her more for that.

In fact, all the characters are equally captivating, lovable and detestable, as our protagonist and her trainer, the incomparable Four.

Oh, Four, how I love thee....:)

Serioulsly, a hot trainer, and love interest, always adds to my appreciation of a book. Yes, it makes me shallow, but it's not just how he looks. It's because of who he is. All his little nuances and complexities make Four one of the most interesting love interests I've ever come across.

And it makes me even more obsessively in love with a fictional character.

Of course, this is all due to Roth's amazing writing style.

Honestly, I am more attached to Veronica Roth's characters than I am to my own. Rivers of tears will flow from my eyes if anything happens to them.

I am eagerly awaiting the sequel, Insurgent, and can't wait to get my greedy paws on a copy.

Although, I don't think the I can wait, the suspense is killing me. Or at least giving me peptic ulcers after that ending.

This book gets two thumbs up, and on the crap to cool ratio?

It's definitely reaching Ice-cold awesome levels.

Thoroughly recommend it. To everyone.

But particularly to fans of the Hunger Games.

After all, we need a new obsession, and this thoroughly lives up to the hype.

5/5

Oh, and P.S.--Casting Directors? For the upcoming film, try and get

Skylar Samuels

` or Eliza Bennett

and the lovely Drew Roy

as Tris and Four, won't you?

Sincerely,

a loving fangirl.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. The Book Report

I spent the entire weekend dutifully devouring the latest novel from phenomenal author-- and New York Times Bestseller, Cassandra Clare-- Clockwork Angel.

And it got me out of my "I need Mockingjay" funk.

The first in a new series, The Infernal Devices, the story is a prequel to her debut series The Mortal Instruments (City of Bones, City of Ashes and City of Glass) and is set in the atmospheric and gloomy backdrop of Victorian London in 1878.
Once again, we delve into the world of the Shadowhunters.
For those of you not in the know-- and for shame if you aren’t-- The Shadowhunter’s are a group of clandestine demon hunters that reside all across the world and originate from Idris.
And, to be honest, they’re fricking awesome and you should get yourself formally acquainted.
Anyway, this is the premise for Clockwork Angel.

“Magic is Dangerous.
Love is more dangerous still
When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray arrives in England during the reign of Queen Victoria, something terrifying is waiting for her in London’s Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gas lit streets. Friendless and hunted, Tessa seeks refuge with the Shadowhunters, a band of warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, Drawn ever deeper into their world, she finds herself fascinated by-- and torn between-- two best friends and quickly realizes that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.”

Okay, I’ll admit, at first I was hesitant. Not because of Clare’s writing, which I have complete confidence in and marvel at just how talented she is. She writes compelling and beautiful prose that’s captivating but not overwhelming and not pretentious or overly decadent like other writers--(Stephen King: Here’s looking at you, kid)-- I was never able to really get into the whole Victorian novel, until Clockwork Angel came along. I feared that, like Pride and Prejudice, The Age of Innocence and others of the kind; I would not be able to handle it.
My fears were unfounded.
Just like The Mortal Instruments series (which, along with Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and The Darkest Powers series, is one of my favourite series to read and re-read), Clockwork Angel is action packed and thrilling, as well as ridiculously hilarious.
Considering I read the majority of the book in public places, and got very funny looks from the bouncer when I had it in my handbag in the nightclub, the fact that I gaped, laughed and cried made some people kind of uncomfortable.
But you know what?
It was so worth it.

Let’s break this down into three parts:

The plot:

It was a completely original plot, like nothing I have ever seen before. Usually, due to the amount of books I have read, and bookshelves I have broken, I can predict things before they happen. Not this time. Every twist and turn just sucked me deeper into the maelstrom of suspense and action and kept me utterly hooked till the very last page, where I cried out, begging for more.

Ugh, that sounds kind of kinky. Ignore that.

In other words, the story is ridonkulously awesome.
Another plus is that, even if you haven’t read The Mortal Instruments series, you can read the Infernal devices (Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, Clockwork Princess) and understand the Shadowhunter world and customs almost instantly. Just enjoy revelling in the Steampunk-y goodness.

*Note: If you giggled at the word Steampunk, join the club! You’re as big a kid as me*

And guys, if you’re worried that the story will be too “girly” for you; think again.

Considering the first line reads:

“The demon exploded in a shower of ichor and guts”

I don’t think you’re going to have a problem.

Next:

Romance:

One word.

HOT!

Clare has this wonderful knack of writing drool worthy boys. Although I did miss my Simon (My favourite character from TMI, as well as Isabelle, even though they’re all awesome), I was easily distracted by the amazesome-ness -- (just coined a phrase.)-- That is Will Herondale and Jem Carstairs.

For the first time in my life, I can’t choose a team.

Yes, I am a team chooser, so sue me.
Although that is the very definition of a frivolous lawsuit.

Will: Tall, black hair, blue eyes, hilarious, irritating and lovable at the same time.
Jem: Tall, Silver hair, Silver eyes, very funny, and possibly the sweetest boy alive….


I honestly can’t decide.

Insert growling noise here.

Both grow fascinated with Tessa, who has *spoiler alert* the ability to change her appearance and absorb a person’s memories and feelings while she becomes them.

Which, to be honest, is one of the coolest powers I’ve ever heard of in fiction.

Also, I want it.

Anyway….

There are two seriously smouldering scenes that leave the reader breathless.

And all because of a hand.

Just a gloved hand.

But wow.

Sorry, I digress.


The romance element is breathtaking, but there is enough action and suspense to suit everyone.

And finally.

The Characters:

Like all of Clare’s characters, everyone is likeable but complex and compelling and you genuinely grow to care for them. So much so that they almost seem like real people.
Another plus is that they’re all freaking hilarious.

Possibly my favourite line (one of many) would have to be from Mr. Will Herondale. If you read the Mortal Instruments series, you’ll see where Jace gets his sense of humour from.
Actually, I think Will is funnier.
Actually, I think Clockwork Angel, as a whole, is funnier.
And that’s saying something, folks.

Will Herondale:

“Miss Gray, Let me give you a piece of advice. The handsome young fellow who’s trying to rescue you from a hideous fate is never wrong. Not even if he says the sky is purple and made of hedgehogs”

Or:

“You know” Gabriel said, “there was a time I thought we could be friends, Will.”
“There was a time I thought I was a ferret,” Will said, “but that turned out to be an opium haze. Did you know it had that effect? Because I didn’t.”


But Will is not the only hilarious person. Each character has biting wit and cleverness that left my sides sore from laughing.

I do love a funny female protagonist; and Tessa delivers.
As does Charlotte, Sophie and Jessamine.

God, I love them all. It’s ridiculous.

Also, I am happy to report that there is an appearance by the one and only, three different kinds of fabulous Warlock, Magnus Bane.
I mean seriously, what’s not to love?

Overall:

As a whole, this book ticked every box for me, and I’m desperate for the next copy. I’ll have to sate my need for City of Fallen Angels (the next book in the Mortal Instruments series--Boo to the Yah!) by reading and re-reading Clockwork and Angel and the others.

Time well spent.

5/5 Stars.

Amazeballs.