Harrow Lake review

Lola Nox is the daughter of a celebrated horror filmmaker - she thinks nothing can scare her. But when her father is brutally attacked in their New York apartment, she's swiftly packed off to live with a grandmother she's never met in Harrow Lake, the eerie town where her father's most iconic horror movie was shot.

The locals are weirdly obsessed with the film that put their town on the map - and there are strange disappearances, which the police seem determined to explain away.

And there's someone - or something - stalking Lola's every move.

The more she discovers about the town, the more terrifying it becomes. Because Lola's got secrets of her own. And if she can't find a way out of Harrow Lake, they might just be the death of her...

That blurb ticks off everything I want from a book, and Harrow Lake is just as good as it sounds. I'm on a constant quest for YA horror and this is one of the best I've read. I rarely read a book in 24 hours these days, but I devoured Harrow Lake. 

The suffocating small town setting is captured to disturbing detail. There are so many superb, dark set pieces and creepy supporting characters that really immerse you in the story.

Reading this book feels like watching a great horror film! There's tangible suspense, scares that really got under my skin and a mystery that I couldn't predict at all. The pop culture references fit well and reminded me of favourite horror movies, like Scream.

It's so rare to find a book that evokes visceral fear and Harrow Lake is definitely one that will stay with me. It's definitely a new favourite and I can't wait until my preorder arrives on 9th July. 

Vendetta by Catherine Doyle review

When five brothers move into the abandoned mansion next door, Sophie Gracewell's life changes forever. Irresistibly drawn to bad boy Nic, Sophie finds herself falling into an underworld governed by powerful families. When Sophie's own family skeletons come to life, she must choose between two warring dynasties - the one she was born into, and the one she is falling in love with. When she does, blood will spill and hearts will break ...

I attended Catherine Doyle's brilliant workshop at YALC and I knew I had to read Vendetta when she described it as 'Romeo and Juliet meets Goodfellas'.

I don't think I've ever read a YA book linked to the mafia before and 'Vendetta' captured the darkness of this world perfectly. There was a strong sense of building tension as Sophie tried to work out how she fit in with the dangerous criminal underworld.

Recently, I haven't been a fan of romance in YA because I'm tired of books retreading the same boy meets girl pattern. Although I could see where this aspect of the book was going to some extent, I found this the most compelling YA romance that I've read for a long time. I really rooted for Sophie and Nic and enjoyed some fresh twists and turns in the forbidden romance trope.

One of my favourite parts of this book was how it dealt with morality, in terms of how characters' actions affect how others perceive them. Without giving anything away, I found it really interesting how my opinions shifted as the book progressed.

Another really strong part of 'Vendetta' is the writing style. Catherine Doyle's writing is often described as cinematic and in the workshop she explained that her love of movies influences her. I could definitely see this in the believable dialogue and tight pacing of the book.

I really loved this and I've just ordered the sequel! I strongly recommend everyone to buy it (if you haven't already) and that you go for the real life book - did you see those stained pages?

If you liked the sound of this, now try Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles.

Starflight by Melissa Landers - review

Publisher: DISNEY-HYPERION (18 Feb. 2016)

Solara Brooks needs a fresh start, someplace where nobody cares about the engine grease beneath her fingernails or the felony tattoos across her knuckles. The outer realm may be lawless, but it's not like the law has ever been on her side. It's been a long time since Solara has believed in anyone, and Doran is the last person she expected to trust. But when the Banshee's dangerous enemies catch up with them, Solara and Doran must come together to protect the ship that has become their home - and the eccentric crew that feels like family. (Publishers' Blurb)

The blurb of this book ticked so many boxes for me - I love anything Western-like and the hinted romance was promising. I took it on holiday hoping for a fun, fast paced read and that was exactly what I got.

I haven't read a lot of YA set in space so this was a refreshing change. The sci-fi elements and the Western feel of a lawless realm complimented each other. My favourite part of this was the ship's crew: a flawed mixture of characters that were all interesting and well developed. The romantic elements were suitably drawn out and incredibly enjoyable (although a tad predictable). 

The dialogue in this book was another strength, as it was witty and believable (not unlike the TV show Firefly, which shares a lot of elements with this book)

This was a thoroughly entertaining, action-packed read. I'll definitely check out the Alienated series by Melissa Landers after reading this. 





If you liked the sound of this, now try:

Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton Review

Publisher: Faber and Faber (4th February 2016)

I'd heard a lot of hype about this book so I started it with high expectations. It was original, exciting and romantic - everything I wanted it to be!

The premise of a Western meets the Arabian Nights gave this a fresh slant. I loved the fantastical elements set against the Western setting and all of the action associated with this genre. The world building was just brilliant and gave a lot of scope for sequels.

All of the characters in this book were really compelling! Amani was a great MC, with a huge amount of guts and principles that drove the plot. Even the most minor characters were well-drawn and realistic, which was helped by the witty, believable dialogue.

Last but not least was the romance. The relationship between Amani and Jin was perfectly paced: It held out just long enough to keep my attention, though unlike some books there was plenty of chemistry and romantic moments.

This is a brilliantly written, compelling book and I can't wait for the sequels!

If you liked the sound of this, now try:

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh (reviewed here http://www.yaundermyskin.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Renee%20Ahdieh)

Snow like Ashes by Sara Raasch

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir (reviewed here http://www.yaundermyskin.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Ember%20in%20the%20Ashes)

In Place of Never review

Author: Julie Anne Lindsey

Publisher: Kensington Publishing

Release Date: 2nd February 2016

This was an ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Can the truth set her free?…
 
A part of Mercy died the summer her sister tragically drowned. Now Mercy has a chance to discover if Faith’s death was an accident—or murder.  Her first step is to confront the lead suspects: a band of traveling gypsies—the last people who saw her sister alive. But Mercy finds an unexpected ally in Cross, the soulful musician in their ranks. He’s a kindred spirit, someone who sees into her heart for the first time in, well, forever. Yet stirring up the past puts Mercy in danger… 
 
Suddenly someone is shadowing Mercy’s every move, making her even more determined to uncover the facts. With Cross by her side, she is ready to face it all, even if that means opening up to him, knowing he may one day leave her. What she discovers is a truth that rocks the foundation of her small river town—and a love worth risking everything for… (Publisher's Blurb)

I'm a huge fan of books about travelling performers so I was really excited about this. There were a lot of interesting elements, including a compelling story about loss and a love story. This book was thoroughly addictive and I ended up reading it really quickly!

Books about coping with grief are a difficult sell for me. Sometimes I find them too painful to read and it can be difficult to come across as sincere. Loss was handled beautifully in this book and it felt very genuine. The subject of self-harm in relation to this was also dealt with in a sympathetic though realistic manner

The mystery element was also intriguing and well-paced. I found it hard to predict what was going to happen on Mercy's journey to find out what happened to her sister.

It's no secret that I love YA romance and this one totally won me over! Cross and Mercy's relationship was believable and really sweet. The relationships in this book in general were interesting, including the interactions with Mercy's father and the close relationship that developed between Mercy and her younger sister. 

The only part of this that I was less keen on was that a couple of plot cliches and clumsy dialogue pulled me out of the narrative, though overall I enjoyed the plotting and writing style.

This was a really enjoyable read and I will definitely look out for more by Julie Anne Lindsey.

If you liked the sound of this, now try:

-The Accident Season by Moira Fowley -Doyle

-The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - review

Publisher: Quirk Books (7th June 2011)

'A mysterious island.


An abandoned orphanage.


A strange collection of very curious photographs.


 
It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive. 

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.' (Publishers' Blurb)

This book came out to incredible critical acclaim and spent more than a year on the NY Times Bestsellers list. All of that attention is very much deserved, because 'Miss Peregrine's Home' is exceptionally well written and beautiful to look at. I often read E-books but this is definitely one where I needed the paper copy.

Basing a book around a series of found photographs is such a unique idea! They add a sense of this being someone's secret scrapbook or journal. The photographs themselves are fascinating and very well-selected, enhancing the story and creating a unique reading experience.

The premise of this is as unique as the format. I loved the idea of Jacob visiting Miss Peregrine's Home to find out more about his recently deceased grandfather. This felt like a mystery, historical fiction and a fantasy mashed together and yet somehow this worked really well. These different elements created a tense, well-paced plot. 

My other favourite part of this was the characters. Without giving too much away, there were a lot of characters in this and yet they all felt well-developed and believable. I especially liked Jacob and loved reading a book solely from a male point of view. Issues surrounding his mental health were also dealt with in a very sensitive but real way.

The only downside of this for me was that I would've like to know more about the villains of this world. They were introduced and their motivations were made clear, but I was intrigued to know more. This will possibly happen later in the series, which I will definitely be continuing with. It isn't often that I read a book so entirely fresh and unpredictable and I would highly recommend it.





If you liked the sound of this, now try:

-Silver in the Blood by Jessica Day George (which I reviewed here: http://yaundermyskin.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/silver-in-blood-by-jessica-day-george.html)
-The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich (which I reviewed here: http://www.yaundermyskin.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/the-dead-house-by-dawn-kurtagich-review.html)
-The Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

The Selection by Kiera Cass - Review

Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books

Thirty-five beautiful girls. Thirty-five beautiful rivals…

It’s the chance of a lifetime and 17-year-old America Singer should feel lucky. She has been chosen for The Selection, a reality TV lottery in which the special few compete for gorgeous Prince Maxon’s love.

Swept up in a world of elaborate gowns, glittering jewels and decadent feasts, America is living a new and glamorous life. And the prince takes a special interest in her, much to the outrage of the others.

Rivalry within The Selection is fierce and not all of the girls are prepared to play by the rules. But what they don’t know is that America has a secret – one which could throw the whole competition… and change her life forever. (Publisher's Blurb)

I don't know why it took me so long to read this book, because I absolutely adored it! It only took me a couple of days to read and I've since read this second and third book in the series. This is a testament to how addictive and compelling these books are!

I really liked how this created a fresh take on the dystopian by tapping into the obsession with celebrities and the media. It's been a while since the premise of a dystopian has hooked me in like this one!

That is enhanced by Kiera Cass' amazing writing style. The pacing was perfectly balanced between action, romance and introspection, which kept me interested long after I should have gone to sleep...

The romance deserves a paragraph of its own. Sometimes love triangles grate on me but this one was meaningful and contributed to the conflict throughout. Maxon was a great love interest, with his own challenges and issues rather than being just more two-dimensional eye candy. I liked America as an MC and overall felt that she was a strong and sassy lead. 

My only quibble with is that sometimes it felt like there was too great an emphasis on wealth and appearance. I get that this is escapism (and it really does this job terrifically well!) Sometimes there were moments when America was thinking about how pretty she felt etc. when she had more important things to worry about.

Another great part of this book is that America's competitors felt like relatable girls in a stressful situation, when they could easily have been portrayed as just bitchy obstacles to America's relationship with Maxon. By the end of this there was a real feeling of sisterhood and camaraderie between the girls and I loved that!

This was a super enjoyable read and I'll definitely check out the fourth and fifth book in the series.





If you liked the sound of this, now try:

-Matched by Ally Condie
-The Chemical Garden Triology by Lauren Destefano

My True Love Gave to Me edited by Stephanie Perkins - Review

Since I've been feeling festive since about Halloween, I decided to give this book of twelve short stories a go. Another plus is that many of my favourite YA authors contributed to this including Jenny Han, Rainbow Rowell and Laini Taylor among others

The best thing about this book is that the stories are all so different! Yes there's the unifying themes of love and Christmas running through them, but I loved how many variations there were. Some stories had a supernatural or fantastical element and others were more contemporary and this made for a very moreish read.

Though there wasn't a bad story in the bunch for me, these were a few of my favourites: 'Midnights' by Rainbow Rowell, 'The Lady and the Fox' by Kelly Link, 'Angels in the Snow' by Matt De La Pena and 'The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer' by Laini Taylor.

In these stories in particular, I marveled at how well-developed the characters were in such a few pages. The only problem is that I'd like a whole book dedicated to them!

My only regret is that now I've finished I need a break from all things Christmas-related. I'm sure I'll get over it after some Stephen King or Star Wars.

This was a really fun read and I will definitely seek out the authors in here that I was previously less familiar with.

Blood and Salt by Kim Liggett - Review

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Hardcover: 352 pages

"Romeo and Juliet" meets "Children of the Corn" in this one-of-a-kind romantic horror. "When you fall in love, you will carve out your heart and throw it into the deepest ocean. You will be all in blood and salt. " These are the last words Ash Larkin hears before her mother returns to the spiritual commune she escaped long ago. But when Ash follows her to Quivira, Kansas, something sinister and ancient waits among the rustling cornstalks of this village lost to time. Ash is plagued by memories of her ancestor, Katia, which harken back to the town's history of unrequited love and murder, alchemy and immortality. Charming traditions soon give way to a string of gruesome deaths, and Ash feels drawn to Dane, a forbidden boy with secrets of his own. As the community prepares for a ceremony five hundred years in the making, Ash must fight not only to save her mother, but herself and discover the truth about Quivira before it's too late. Before she's all in blood and salt." (Publishers' blurb)

I really liked the premise of this! There's something about cults that repulses and fascinates me, the idea that your mindset can be twisted into thinking it's right. This book definitely wasn't afraid to delve into dark subject matters, from the brutally described deaths to the unsettling cult traditions.

There was also an interesting supernatural element to this, especially in the flashbacks of Ash's ancestor Katia. This plot unravelled alongside the present day story, and the two wove together in an interesting way.

My favourite part of this book was the building tension, in the romantic side story and the quest to save Ash's mother. By the end, I was reading this at crazy speed because I really wanted to know what happened!

The only downside of this was that it took me a while to get into. For some reason I didn't engage with the voice and the writing style immediately, though I did get into the flow as the tension started to increase.

Overall, I found this a really unique concept and a very tense, creepy reading experience. If you're feeling the post Halloween slump, this is a perfect read to keep the scares going!

If you liked the sound of this, now try:

The Accident Season by

The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore

Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson - YA book review

Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Hardback release date: 22nd September 2015

'Lee Westfall has a strong, loving family. She has a home she loves and a loyal steed. She has a best friend—who might want to be something more. She also has a secret.

Lee can sense gold in the world around her. Veins deep in the earth. Small nuggets in a stream. Even gold dust caught underneath a fingernail. She has kept her family safe and able to buy provisions, even through the harshest winters. But what would someone do to control a girl with that kind of power? A person might murder for it.

When everything Lee holds dear is ripped away, she flees west to California—where gold has just been discovered. Perhaps this will be the one place a magical girl can be herself. If she survives the journey.' (Publisher's blurb)

This is the second YA Western that I've reviewed recently, and if they're all as good as this one I hope there'll be a lot more.

Leah is a great YA heroine. She's super strong and self-reliant, which is demonstrated when she dresses as a boy to keep safe in a hostile environment for women. I love it that she has romantic feelings and desires, but she isn't defined by them like some YA main characters.

This book also balances using detailed historical research of the time period, without this weighing down the narrative. The sacrifices that people made to seek gold felt very real, as did the daily struggles of their journey.

The writing is also really evocative, conjuring up clear images of the heat and the changing climate as the wagon trail moves westwards towards California.

My favourite part of this book is the supernatural element. Leah's ability to sense gold is described vividly, in terms of how it works and how it makes her feel. Introducing this power in the context of the California Gold Rush is sheer brilliance, and it made this feel quite different from a lot of historical fiction that I've read.

The only downside in my opinion surrounds the overarching plot conflict. Every once in a while Leah's Uncle was mentioned, the ruthless relative who wants her for her abilities. This was the impetus for Leah leaving home, and I felt there could have been more of a building sense of threat linked to him. Could there have been wanted posters everywhere maybe, or heartless outlaws in pursuit of her?

This was a small issue amidst a lot of things that I loved about this book. The characters, setting and historical details were delivered so well that I'm really excited about the next book in the series.







If you liked the sound of this, now try:

-Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman (which I reviewed at the link below) http://yaundermyskin.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/vengeance-road-review-and-giveaway-by.html
-Silver in the Blood by Jessica Day George (also reviewed at this link) http://yaundermyskin.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/silver-in-blood-by-jessica-day-george.html
-A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray