Wildest Dreams Book Box - December unboxing

The very first Wildest Dreams book boxes went out in December and I wanted to share how gorgeous mine was! The boxes start at £18 including postage, which is an absolute bargain, and there are different subscription options. You can find out more on Twitter (@wdbookbox) or on the website here. 

The company was started by the lovely Zoe, blogger and booktuber extraordinaire, who has excellent taste in books and has obviously put so much time and thought into this box. Every month you can expect a book, tea and other goodies.  

Now to the unboxing... I'm not the best at taking photographs, but I wanted to share how beautifully presented everything was.

I really liked how everything was wrapped - it just made the whole thing even more exciting! The branding on the stickers is also really cute.

This month's book was the perfect choice - I've wanted to read The Nowhere Girls for ages since Zoe reviewed it, but I hadn't yet bought a copy.  

This chocolate orange tea is absolutely delicious and I loved the fact that it's linked to a book (the excellent After the Fire by Will Hill!).

I've wanted one of these 'Sorting bathbombs' for so long, which fizz down to a charm that sorts you into a Hogwarts house. 

There was also a lovely 'Book of Fire' postcard and a bookmark signed by Michelle Kenney.

I loved my first Wildest Dreams box and I'll certainly be ordering more!

Books of the Year - Jim from YA Yeah! Yeah!

The last post in my 'Books of the year' series is an especially good one! Jim always gives amazing recommendations and I'm so happy to share the books he's enjoyed most this year.

Wed Wabbit, by Lissa Evans, is a staggeringly imaginative MG novel which sees Fidge catapulted into a strange world ruled by the title character, a cruel dictator. As the 10-year-old girl and her cousin Graham struggle to try to return home, there’s action, excitement, and a huge amount of fun in store for readers. Some  of the best world-building I’ve read in ages, and pitch-perfect character arcs for both Fidge and Graham, make this an absolute gem.

Speaking of MG books with characters trying to return home, Katherine Rundell’s latest, The Explorer, is a sheer delight.  This is absolutely not a surprise, of course, but it’s an amazing read. Like her previous novels Rooftoppers and The Wolf Wilder it’s a lyrical and evocative novel with a wonderful cast of characters, and the setting of the Amazon jungle is brought vividly to life. Hannah Horn’s gorgeous illustrations add even more to this wonderful book.

Angie Thomas’s YA debut, The Hate U Give, is a stunningly powerful novel inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. Lead character Starr, witness to the shooting of her unarmed friend by a police officer, is an incredible narrator whose story is hard-hitting, moving, and even surprisingly funny at times despite the subject matter. As a rousing call to arms to stand against injustice, books don’t get much better than this.

And finally All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai was a rare adult novel which completely captivated me, Starting in the 2016 we were meant to have – a wonderful utopia with unlimited energy, this follows a slacker who is the son of the man who’s invented time-travel. Despite the perfection of this world, main character Tom is left alone by a series of heartbreaks, and after a time-travel accident ends up wiping out the world and catapulting him into ‘our’ 2016 – which may seem like a nightmare world in comparison, but which has people who love him in it. He’s left to try and decide whether to ‘fix’ the universe, or to hold on to the people he cares for. Stunning voice here, genuinely unexpected twists and turns in the plot, and really lovely characters.

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Thank you to everyone who helped me with 'Books of the year' week! It's been great to see such a range of favourite books and I'll definitely try to read as many of them as possible next year.

Books of the year - Cora from Tea Party Princess

I had a great time with Cora at Quiz YA this year, and I can't wait to share the books she's chosen. 

Usually when it comes to reflecting on the best books I've read, I find it quite easy to pick the standouts. But I have read a lot of exceptional books this year, so this was a toughie. I had to narrow it down to 2017 releases only and be really harsh. But for me, these were the cream of the crop.

Contagion by Teri Terry (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31298617-contagion)

This book was a bit of a roller-coaster of emotions and settings, and it was exhilarating to read. I read it mostly in one sitting, only putting it down because I wasn't ready for it to end yet.

Fir by Sharon Gosling (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32784958-fir)

This book was creepy as. I was lost in the setting, caught up in the atmosphere, gripped by the plot. It's dark and addictive and do not read it when it's snowing.

Following Ophelia by Sophia Bennett (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33256865-following-ophelia)

I fell instantly in love with this book. It is beautiful and slightly decadent, rich with research and passion. It was inspiring, and I had so much fun reading it and creating things inspired by it.

One Italian Summer by Keris Stainton (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31322309-one-italian-summer)

This book broke my heart and had me messy-crying over my kindle. It was wonderful and heart-breaking in one, difficult for me to read at times as it hit so close to home. But I have no regrets.

STAGS by MA Bennett (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35154365-s-t-a-g-s)

This was my biggest SURPRISE book of the year. I picked it up, read it, and realised that I had read something special. I found myself quickly sucked deep into the world of the Medievals and Savages and the intrigue of school politics, madly turning pages.

Wing Jones by Katherine Webber (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33785170-wing-jones) 

This was the first book I read this year and it utterly blew me away. There was a lot of hype, and this book truly lived up to it. It made me angry and sad and happy all at once.

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Thanks so much for your recommendations Cora! I feel like I've got a lot of reading to do. Tomorrow, Jim from YA Yeah! Yeah! will share his books of the year. 

Books of the year - Faye from A Daydreamer's Thoughts

I've known Faye from A Daydreamer's Thoughts for a while because of the fabulous blog tours she organises, and I've been lucky to meet her in real life too. Faye has excellent taste in books, so I'll hand over the blog for Faye to share her books of the year.

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

This was my first Adam Silvera book and it was absolutely beautiful. The writing really pulled me in and the story was just so emotional. You really connect and empathise with the characters and even though you know what's going to happen, it's still such a blow when it finally ends. I can not recommend this book more.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

A strong, powerful, politically relevant book. This novel pulled me in from the very first page. I was hooked, riverted, all the adjectives under the sun that describe a person on the edge of their seat. But more than anything I think this book is just incredibly important. It shows the struggle, the strength and the humanity that needs to change, bend, and become better. I cannot wait to see it as a movie.

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

At the base of this book is a chick-lit style format. Girl meets boy. Girl hates boy. Girl becomes friends with boy, etc. But it is also so much more than that. It is a story that is diverse both with it's characters and it's storytelling. It shows strong, powerful characters and has a wonderful theme of feminism running through it too. It both questions society and makes you think. But on top of all of that, it is also just a light, fun, entertaining read. A book I would definitely recommend if you haven't already read it!

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What a great range of books! Thanks very much for sharing Faye. Tomorrow, you can find out Cora from Tea Party Princess's favourite books of the year. 

Books of the year - Non Pratt

Non is the author of one of my favourite books of the year, Truth or Dare, so I'm excited to share the books she's chosen. 

                                                     

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Pacey, immediate and deeply empathetic, THUG is the best American contemporary YA I’ve read in years. Starr’s voice is clear and clever – effortlessly weaving wry and hilarious observations of humans and their foibles with deeper, sharper, more provocative insight into the ways in which society contorts itself to fit its own narrative rather than face up to the truth. Somehow leaning into my expectations at the same time as defying them, I have all my fingers crossed for this to sweep the literary prize board here in the UK as well as the US.

The Loneliest Girl in the Universe by Lauren James

Pretty sure this won’t come as a surprise to anyone, since I’ve not stopped raving about it since I read it back in June, The Loneliest Girl in the Universe is like nothing I’d encountered before in teen fiction. Cleverly manipulating the single-character set up, James allows the dark, hungry undertones of the narrative the seep through and gather pace until your heart’s racing as fast as the story. Romy Silvers perfectly embodies both the vulnerability and capacity for brilliance that so many teenagers possess – a deft, humane and thrilling read.

The Empty Grave by Jonathan Stroud

The time has come to redress the (inexplicable) fact that despite being my favourite series of all time, Lockwood & Co. has yet to feature in any of my end of year ‘best books’ list. The Empty Grave is the last book in a five-long series – and it is completely and utterly satisfying. Witty, scary, thrilling and intricately plotted, packed with set pieces, dead-pan dialogue it was everything I could possibly have wanted in a finale. If you like flawed and interesting characters, out-and-out adventure, imaginative world-building and sarcastic skulls I could not possibly recommend this series highly enough. It is at least as good as Harry Potter. (Better, but let’s not start any fights.)

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Thanks so much for sharing your choices Non! I loved The Hate U Give and The Loneliest Girl, so I'll certainly be reading the Lockwood & Co. books next year. 

Check out my blog tomorrow to find out which books Faye from A Daydreamer's Thoughts has chosen.

Books of the year - Olivia from That Fiction Life

Olivia and I bonded on Twitter over one of her favourite books of the year and it was great to meet her in real life at YALC! You can use the links to check out her amazing blog and YouTube channel.

Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts

If there's one fantasy that you read in your lifetime, make it this one. Set in the captivating Kingdom of Noveris, it explores an interesting dynamic between an illegitimate daughter of a high ranking lord and her outcast companions as they stumble upon a crime they never should have seen. It’s full of sassy remarks that offer much needed comedic relief to the dark tone of the novel as vicious monsters and foreign villages are encountered. The contrasting personalities of each member of the gang also allows you to find someone to relate to throughout the story. All these characters have incredibly intricate back stories, trust me when I tell you will be floored.

Tarnished City by Vic James

If you have seen my completely normal and not obsessive at all chanting about this book, you know it's my favourite novel ever written. It follows the aristocracy in Britain who have magical powers and hold that superiority over the commoners by forcing them to give up ten years of their life in their service. Touching upon a lot of issues affecting society today such as politics and inequality, it is a very topical series with of course an added fantasy element. The most intriguing part of Tarnished City, which is the sequel to the first book, is how morally ambiguous the cast of characters are, there is never a time where you don't believe they all have ulterior motives, which makes this a thrill to read.

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Thanks so much for your contributions Liv and for your beautiful photographs of the books! Check out my blog tomorrow to find out which books Non Pratt, author of the brilliant Truth or Dare, has chosen.

Book of the year - Chelle from Tales of Yesterday

Chelle is one of my favourite bloggers and has become a really good friend in real life. Today, I'm handing over my blog so Chelle can share her book of the year. You can use the link here to check out her wonderful blog. 

This year has not been the greatest reading year for me. Not because of there being no great books as there have been SO many wonderful ones again this year, but personally I have struggled to read (I wrote a blog post about it here). I started the New Year off with such enthusiasm and excitement for all the bookish delights that were awaiting me and the book I decided to start with has ended up being one of my favourite books of 2017!

Caraval by Stephanie Garber captivated me from the very first page. I don’t normally read a lot of fantasy, but the premise of this book with a circus theme, mysterious feel and set in a magical fantasy world really appealed to me. I followed Scarlett as she left her tiny isle of Trisda after receiving an invitation from the mysterious Caraval, a once-a-year week-long performance where the audience participates in the show. I was mesmerised by the bright and vivid imaginary of Caraval. I fell in love with characters who made my heartache and turned pages as fast as I could to pull myself further into its magical world. And yes… I did fall in love with a mysterious, caped man called Legend even though it should have been forbidden and soon realised that I have a problem 'thing' for men in capes! Caraval was a marvel from start to finish and I literally cannot wait for the next book, Legendary, to be released….and yes maybe that is partly because of its namesake *swishes cape* , but mainly because this book was fantastic!

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Thanks so much Chelle! I adored Caraval too and I hope 2018 is a better reading year for you. Tomorrow, head over to my blog to find out Olivia from That Fiction Life's books of the year.

Books of the Year - Katherine Webber

Katherine Webber, author of the gorgeous and moving Wing Jones, has shared her favourite books of the year on the blog today.

Impossible to choose just one book of the year but I have to shout about The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. THUG is heartbreaking, enraging, surprisingly tender, and unexpectedly hilarious. Starr is one of the best main characters I’ve ever read. The book is incredibly important and timely—but that isn’t what makes it so special. It’s Starr’s voice, the wonderful cast of characters, and Angie’s brilliant writing.

Another one is Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo. Not only is this book gorgeously written, it comes in a beautifully illustrated hardback edition that belongs on every book lover's bookshelf! I was swept away by Leigh's original folktales and fables--a collection to treasure.

Oh and and! Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor for the sumptuous writing, the incredible settings, and the unforgettable characters. I absolutely love this book.

LAST ONE, I PROMISE! Okay, last two. But they go together really well: Island at the End of Everything by Kiran Milwood Hargrave and The Explorer by Katherine Rundell for their depictions of children showing remarkable bravery in the face of adversity--and for being a celebration of the natural world.

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Thanks so much for sharing your books of the year! I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that I can't wait to read Sam Wu is NOT afraid of ghosts when it comes out in February!

Tomorrow, Chelle from Tales of Yesterday shares her favourite book of the year. 

Books of the year - authors and bloggers edition

I've asked some authors, bloggers and friends to share their books of the year in this post. They've made some amazing choices (and added to my already unthinkable TBR pile!) In case you missed it, you can check out my books of the year blog post here.

Lauren James

Here's my favourite books of the year so far: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4254869-lauren-james?shelf=top-ten-of-2017

I particularly liked The Pearl Thief and Sourdough, both very unusual and unique stories that I haven't been able to get out of my head since I finished them.

Alwyn Hamilton

Seven Days of You by Cecilia Vinesse - This 2017 Debut is about one girl's last seven days in her expat community in Tokyo. It really resonated with me as an expat but also brought me into a whole new unfamiliar world with the fabulous Japanese setting, through the eyes of someone who straddles the line between belonging there and not belonging. If you loved Stephanie Perkins's Anna and the French Kiss, you'll love this one too.


Virginie from Chouett Blog
It has be The Murderer's Ape by Jakob Wegelius. Not as well-known as most children's books, but a beautiful tale. It has been translated from Swedish and is published by @PushkinPress. I loved it for its simplicity and the principles and faith that the main character adheres to to achieve a goal. A really beautiful book. One of those stories we no longer write.


Zoe from No Safer Place

After the Fire by Will Hill - I mean, did anyone expect any different from me? After the Fire captured my heart in a way no other book has ever managed to do. Our protagonist, Moonbeam has just been removed from a cult and is now seeing a psychiatrist in a rehabilitation unit. We are taken on her journey through recovery, and discovering what really happened inside the cult and the awful ordeals she suffered. This book is raw, gritty and beautifully written. Not only is this the best book of 2017, but the best book I've ever read. Warning: emotions will run high when reading this book.


Aimee (@aimee_louise_l)

A story of empowerment and finding your true self, even when you seem most invisible, Wing Jones is my favourite book of 2017. Despite feeling 2nd best and often invisible, Wing finds a hidden talent after her brother ends up in an accident. Lacing up her trainers and with the help of magical realism, Wing discovers that running helps her feel free. If anything, Katherine Webber has written a novel that speaks to the heart and encourages female empowerment.


Holly (@HollyStorm)

1.The Loneliest Girl in the Universe by Lauren James - gorgeous, read in 2 sittings and the twist gave me actual fear! 

2.Silver Silence by Nalini Singh- I've waited for Silver's story for so long! The Psy-changeling series is my go to, everyone should read these books! (Not YA!) 

3.The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli - I was rather down when I read this. It pulled me out of my mood and slump and it's a beautiful book of adventure,fierce women and villains. 4. Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody - LOVED this world, the writing, the characters, everything!

Steph (A little but a lot)

My book of the year is The Scarecrow Queen by Melinda Salisbury. It's been so incredible watching Twylla on her journey from a reserved, afraid young woman, to one who is brave, unafraid and willing to fight for herself. If you're looking for evil, narcisstic villains, than look no further than The Sin Eater's Daughter, with the most incredibly satisfying ending.

Thank you so much to everyone who contributed!

Tomorrow, the amazing author of Wing Jones Katherine Webber will share her books of the year. 

My books of the year 2017

It's been a fantastic year for YA books! This week, I'll be releasing a new 'Books of the year' post each day, featuring the books chosen by my favourite authors and bloggers.

To kick off my 'Books of the year' week, I'm going to share my favourite books published this year. It was really hard to narrow down, and quite a few amazing books didn't make the list, but I've settled on a mixture of favourite authors, incredible debuts and established authors that I've just discovered. 

Wing Jones by Katherine Webber is my favourite debut of the year. It's a gorgeous written, whimsical and uplifting book about following your dreams. Wing is one of my favourite main characters of the year because she felt so real to me, with all the strengths and flaws that comes with that.

Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton is amazing for being a sequel that is just as good as its predecessor, if not better. This book is so unique for combining elements of western and fantasy genres into something new and absolutely riveting. The characters and settings are wonderful and I can't wait to see how this series will end!

The Loneliest Girl in the Universe is the first Lauren James book I've read, and it certainly won't be the last. I don't think I've ever read a science-fiction book that accurately depicts what it's like to be a teenager. It's also the most tense, gripping book I read all year and the plot took me completely by surprise.

Truth or Dare by Non Pratt has some of the most realistic teen characters I've ever come across. The structure of reading half of the book from one character's perspective and half from another felt completely fresh. This book uplifted me, made me cry and made me think.

Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore is one of the best magical realism books I've ever read. For me, no other author so vividly evokes the senses or delves so convincingly into characters' thoughts. Anna-Marie McLemore has become one of my favourite authors, and her books just keep getting better.

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor was one of my most anticipated books of the year, and it ended up being my favourite. The world is so vividly realised and the fantastical elements are creative and completely distinctive. I always love the worlds Laini creates and I'm so excited to read the conclusion of this duology.


Tomorrow, visit my blog to find out the books of the year of some of my favourite authors and bloggers! You can check the schedule below to find out what's happening over the rest of the week.

Renegades by Marissa Meyer - review

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

I received this book for free on Netgalley in exchange for an open and honest review.

Secret Identities.
Extraordinary Powers.
She wants vengeance. He wants justice.

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies—humans with extraordinary abilities—who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone...except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice—and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to the villains who have the power to end them both. (Publisher's blurb)

I couldn't have been more excited about this book - what could be better than one of my favourite authors writing about superheroes?

I was a bit slow to get into Renegades at first, partially because it took me a while to get to grips with who all of the characters were. When I did, I really liked the large cast! It was great to get an insight into the 'heroes' and 'villains', and to decide for myself who really fell into those categories. As usual, Marissa Meyer has created really interesting, likeable characters, and I enjoyed both Nova and Adrians' viewpoints. 

The plot had a good balance of action and character development, and the witty dialogue kept me entertained. Renegades did a really good job of exploring different aspects of the superhero genre and I thought the range of powers was really inventive. Adrian's ability was my favourite, although I'd quite like to be invincible too!

By the time I got to the end of this, I was completely hooked, and I don't know how I'm going to wait for the next book in the series!

If you liked the sound of this, try Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo or Iron Man: The Gauntlet by Eoin Colfer.