A Snowfall of Silver review

 

Thank you to Scholastic for the gifted copy!

A snow-dusted love story. In the Autumn of 1931, eighteen-year-old Freya Trevelyan runs away from her home in Cornwall to follow her dream of becoming an actress. When she is invited to join a theatrical company about to head out on tour, Freya thinks the path to success is clear, and, amidst all the glamour and bustle of stage life, she finds - for the first time - a place to belong. But can reality ever live up to her expectations? What if her life - and falling in love - turn out to be nothing like she planned? An enchanting coming of age romance about following your dreams - even when they aren't quite what you expected.

Laura Wood is one of my favourite authors and A Snowfall of Silver is an absolutely gorgeous romance set against a backdrop of wintry weather and the theatre.

I thought I couldn't love characters as much as the ones in A Sky Painted Gold. Not only do a few of my faves turn up (hello, Robert), but I also really enjoyed meeting the characters in A Snowfall of Silver. Freya is so much fun! Her dramatic nature and craving to follow her dreams are irresistible and entertaining. There's also a likeable cast of secondary characters and I definitely took a shine to Kit. Laura Wood creates the best book boys!

The setting of this book is so evocative of winter, with cosy snowed-in scenes and invigorating wintry walks. The descriptions are deliciously sensory and the food scenes made me very, very hungry. 

This is one of those books that is full of so much happiness, as well as dealing with thought-provoking subjects. The combination of the theatrical setting and a girl chasing her dreams make this an uplifting read.

A Snowfall of Silver is a beautifully written historical romance that is a perfect read for snuggling up on a wintry evening (or any time). I can already see myself rereading this every year.

If you liked the sound of this, try Laura Wood's other books or Theatrical by Maggie Harcourt.

I, Ada blog tour extract

Ada Byron is rich and clever, but she longs to be free. Free to explore all the amazing ideas that come to her imagination, like flying mechanical horses and stories inspired by her travels. Free to find love and passion beyond the watchful gaze of her mother and governesses. And free to learn the full truth about her father, the notorious Lord Byron. Then Ada meets a man whose invention might just change the world - and he needs her visionary brilliance to bring it to life . . . A wonderfully witty and poignant portrayal of the young life of Ada Lovelace, the 19th-century mathematician who is hailed as the world's first computer programmer.

How amazing does this sound? Today is my stop on the blog tour for I, Ada and I'm so excited to read this book! The opening chapters have really grabbed my attention and I have an extra from the beginning of the book to pique yours.

Kirkby Mallory, Leicestershire 

May 1821

I am in the vegetable garden of my grandparents' estate, hunting for fairies. Hunting is the wrong word, because I do not intend to kill and eat the fairies – I would simply like to observe their gossamer-winged ways, and perhaps, if I can, to be friends with them. My suspicion is that these particular fairies live beneath cabbage leaves, and so that is where I am looking when I see the spider's web. Strung like a silvery scarf between the plants, it could have been wrought by the fairies themselves. I've never seen one so close. I stretch out one finger – not to touch, just to get a better sense of it, so intricately woven, so slight and yet so strong – when I hear Mamma.

'Ada, where are you? Ada!'

Obeying the summons, I scramble up via a wheelbarrow onto the low garden wall. I intend to jump off the wall in one neat movement, but the hem of my dress catches on something, and I end up tumbling off it like Humpty Dumpty and into the arms of my mother.

'What in heaven's name were you doing, Ada?' she says, as she sets me down upright and pats the earth from my skirts. 

'Looking for fairies. They're quick, you know – so quick that I can't quite catch them. But I mean to, one day–'

She makes a loud, impatient sound with her teeth as she drags me back along the path towards the house. 'Fairies! I never heard such foolishness. Why must you tear about so?'

'Stillness is for statues,' I protest. 'You wouldn't want me to be motionless all the time, would you, as though I were a horrid, sad, dead thing?'

*   *   *

The warmth and humour of this immediately captivated me and I can't wait to read the rest of the book! Thank you to Andersen Press for the gifted copy and for including me on the blog tour.

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. 

The Fandom by Anna Day - review

Publisher: Chicken House (4th January 2018)

No story is worth dying for ... is it?

Violet and her friends love being part of the fandom for The Gallows Dance. But at Comic-Con, they’re somehow catapulted into the story itself – for real. Trapped in a twisted world where they’ve accidentally killed the original hero, Rose, there’s only one way to survive: Violet must fill Rose’s shoes and put the plot back on track ...

A fast-paced, genre-flipping YA fantasy adventure from a brand new author, writing in homage to the best YA fiction. (Publishers' blurb)

I was really intrigued by the premise of The Fandom from the start - it's the perfect book for YA readers!

The best thing about this book for me was looking out for pop culture references and familiar tropes from YA fiction, especially dystopians. The only downside of this was that it made the plot a bit predictable in places, but enjoyable nonetheless! There was a good balance of sweet, funny moments, heartbreak and high-stakes tension.

Another thing I liked was the interplay between characters from ‘The Gallows Dance’ and the contemporary characters who ended up in their world. There were lots of opportunities for humour from the clash of two cultures, and I liked the fact that characters from both sides had surprising attributes. By the end, this book really grabbed me emotionally and there was an abundance of feels!

From the ending, I can't tell if there will be a sequel, but I hope so!

Wildest Dreams January unboxing

This is the second Wildest Dreams box and again I'm so pleased with the contents! The items were very carefully chosen to match the 'Into the Jungle' theme. There was also a signed bookplate as an added bonus this month. I've already sampled the toffee apple 'Dinosaur DNA' tea and it's absolutely delicious! The Geeky Clean item is a room spray that smells gorgeous too.

If you want to find out more or order your own box, you can visit this website.

How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather - review

Publisher: Walker Books (4th January 2018)

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an open and honest review.

The trials of high school start to feel like a modern-day witch hunt for a teen with all the wrong connections to Salem's past in this thrilling, creepy and romantic New York Times bestseller.

"I am utterly addicted to Adriana Mather’s electric debut. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, twisting and turning with ghosts, witches, an ancient curse, and – sigh – romance." Jennifer Niven

After Sam's father is hospitalised, she has to move from New York to Salem with her stepmother, Vivian. Unfortunately, Sam is related to Cotton Mather, one of the men responsible for the Salem Witch Trials, and to say she feels unwelcome in Salem is an understatement... She is particularly unnerved by The Descendants, a mysterious and tight-knit group of girls related to those persecuted in the Trials. At the same time, she must deal with Elijah, the handsome but angry ghost who has appeared in her house, and her new neighbour Jaxon only complicates things further.

When a centuries-old curse is rekindled, Sam finds herself at the centre of it. Can she stop history repeating itself? (Publishers' blurb)

This book has been described as 'Mean Girls meets history class' by seventeen magazine, and that's a pretty accurate description! I've always been fascinated by the Salem Witch Trials, and this book does a great job of fusing elements from the past to a fun contemporary story.

The historical elements were the real highlight of this for me, and I loved the fact that the author is actually a descendent of a witch hunter from the Salem Witch Trials. I really liked how historical events and characters impacted on the modern day events. 

I also thought this book had a really compelling plot, and I enjoyed trying to work out what was causing the curse. The book felt fast paced, and I read it really quickly. There were a couple of plot elements that felt familiar from similar books, but overall I felt this was a new take on the subject matter.

How to Hang a Witch was an enjoyable, intriguing read and I'll definitely read the sequel (which is already out in a previous edition).

If you liked the sound of this, try The Graces by Laure Eve.

Hero at the Fall by Alwyn Hamilton - review

Publisher: Faber & Faber (30 Jan. 2018) 

Once, in the desert country of Miraji, there was a Sultan without an heir.

The heir had been killed by his own brother, the treacherous Rebel Prince, who was consumed by jealousy and sought the throne for himself.

Or so it was said by some. There were others who said that the Rebel Prince was not a traitor but a hero...

In the final battle for the throne, Amani must fight for everything she believes in, but with the rebellion in pieces, and the Sultan's armies advancing across the desert plains, who will lead, who will triumph, who will live and who will die? (Publishers' blurb)

There aren't many books that I've anticipated quite as much as this one, so I wondered if it could possibly live up to my expectations. I should've known that it would exceed them, and that I would go through every emotion (including buckets of tears).

Sometimes by the end of a series, I feel like the books (and my interest) have run out of steam. If anything, the action and tension were even greater in this book, so I almost couldn't bear it by the end!

The plotting is one of the best parts. I loved how Hero at the Fall pulled everything together from the other books, and how every detail in this one counted.

The mythical stories are another thing I absolutely love. I'm obsessed with myths, and not only are these beautifully written, it's also really clever how they reveal other elements of the story.

I can't talk about this series without mentioning the characters. Alwyn's books have some of my favourite characters of all time, especially Amani, Jin and Shazad. Even the minor characters feel well-developed, and I really cared about all of them (and who made it to the end).

This is an absolutely incredible series of books, that will give you all the feels (happy and heartbreaking ones). If for some reason you haven't pick it up, it's the perfect time to read Rebel of the Sands and Traitor to the Throne before the new book comes out!

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 - 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.

Kristen Ciccarelli guest post - The Last Namsara blog tour

I received an advance reader copy of The Last Namsara from Gollancz and it's one of the best fantasy books that I've read for a long time. It has incredible mythology underpinning the world, a brave, interesting heroine and dragons. What more could you want? If you need more persuasion, you can read my review here.  

For the blog tour, I have a guest post from the lovely author Kristen Ciccarelli, who has some writing tips to share. After the guest post, you can read an author bio and a blurb for The Last Namsara. Welcome to YA Under My Skin, Kristen!

Top 3 Tips for Writers

1   First of all, if you write, call yourself a writer. I’ve met lots of people who refer to themselves as 'aspiring writers' which has never really made sense to me. If you aspire to do something, it means you’re not yet doing it. If you’re writing, then you are a writer. Own it. Take your writing seriously, and it will take you seriously.

2.  Do it because you love it. If you write books for any other reason than the writing, you’re probably going to hate being an author. It’s a hard job. You spend a lot of time alone, working under tight deadlines, and SO many things are out of your control. The only thing in your control are the words you put on the page. They need to bring you joy. If they don’t, your reader will know. And just as importantly: you won’t like being an author. You can’t do it for the external trappings. (You shouldn’t do anything for the external trappings—that is a recipe for unhappiness.) You have to do it for the act itself.

3.  Don’t let the NOs stop you. Rejection and failure are necessary in writing (and in life) in order to grow and get better. You can’t get better unless you fail first. And you can’t know how badly you want something until someone tells you that you can’t have it. So embrace the failure. Listen to the rejections in so far as they can help you, but don’t let them stop you. 

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     Thanks so much for the advice, Kristen! It's encouraging to hear that published authors have met with rejection, to remember the important of self-believe and to love what you do.

Blurb

A stunning YA fantasy series from a spectacular new voice in the genre, a perfect read for fans of Victoria Aveyard, Leigh Bardugo and Sarah J Maas.

There are some stories that are too dangerous to be told…

Asha is a dragon-slayer. Reviled by the very people she's sworn to protect, she kills to atone for the terrible deed she committed as a child; she told one of the forbidden stories, one of the stories that summon the deadly dragons and that killed her mother. In doing so she almost destroyed her city and was left her with a terrible scar.

Only the death of Kozu, the first Dragon, will bring Asha true redemption, unite her father's fractured kingdom and allow her to avoid a horrifying arranged marriage. But no matter how hard she tries, the temptation to tell forbidden stories is something she cannot resist. (Publishers' blurb)

Author bio

Kristen Ciccarelli hails from Ontario's Niagara Peninsula where she grew up on her grandfather's grape farm. She's made her living as a baker, a bookseller, and a potter, but now writes books about bloodthirsty dragons, girls wielding really cool weapons, and the transformative power of stories. You can learn more at www.kristenciccarelli.com 

How to Repair a Mechanical Heart by JC Lillis

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (21 Sept. 2012)

The summer after high school graduation, two cute and snarky boys hit the road in an RV. Their mission: follow the traveling fan convention for Castaway Planet, the cult sci-fi show they’re both obsessed with. (Excerpt from Publishers' Blurb)

I knew I was going to love this book because it was recommended by Dahlia Adler (@MissDahlWLama), founder of LGBTQ Reads. After racing through 'The Art of Being Normal' and 'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe', Dahlia suggested this as a follow-up. I'm so glad she did because it was incredible!

This book gained a perfect balance between being very sincere about difficult issues such as identity and self-acceptance, at the same time as being light, romantic and hilarious! It's very accessible and at the same time gave me a lot to think about.

Another thing I really loved was how well it captured that feeling of being part of a fandom. Following a travelling fan convention is the ultimate in escapism and I loved the element of the boys chronicling their journey as part of a fan vlog. I ended up feeling quite sad that Castaway Planet isn't real - it sounds like a fandom I'd be part of!

The characters became some of my favourites that I've recently encountered. Brandon and Abel both came across as very realistic, different characters who complimented each other well. I really enjoyed their friendship and developing romance.

At this point I usually like to balance out my review by saying something I didn't like. For once, I genuinely can't think of anything! This book utterly captivated me and I can't wait to read more by JC Lillis.

Review and Giveaway - Girl Hearts Girl Blog Tour

An inspiring, uplifting and sympathetic story about sexuality and self-acceptance, Lucy Sutcliffe's debut memoir is a personal and moving coming out story. In 2010, at seventeen, Lucy Sutcliffe began an online friendship with Kaelyn, from Michigan. They began a long distance relationship, finally meeting in 2011. Lucy's video montage of their first week spent together was the first in a series of vlogs documenting their long-distance relationship. Now, for the first time, Lucy's writing about the incredible personal journey she's been on. (Publishers' Blurb)

Author: Lucy Sutcliffe
Release Date: 24th June 2016
Publisher: Scholastic
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30743645-girl-hearts-girl
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Girl-Hearts-Lucy-Sutcliffe/dp/140715415X

I'm so pleased to take part in the blog tour for this fantastic book! I've never read a YA memoir before and this deals with issues that deserve so much more coverage.

The main thing I really liked was how candid this book was. It felt like Lucy Sutcliffe was being really open about her feelings and the events of her life. For that reason, I think this book will reach a lot of people going through uncertainty or difficulties related to their sexuality. I especially loved getting the female perspective, as a lot of YA seems to focus on boys' experiences in this area.

The development of Lucy and Kaelyn's relationship was my favourite part of this book. Their story was really sweet and optimistic. At the point that they met, this book well and truly sucked me in and it only took me a day to read.

Lucy Sutcliffe's conversational writing style suited the plot and subject matter really well and I thought she wrote with a really strong voice.

That being said, there were points that the book felt a little superficial and I didn't fully engage with it. I wanted a little more depth and introspection at times.

This a light, fun read just in time for Summer! It delves into subjects of identity and relationships that I'd really like to see more of in other books.




There is a tour-wide giveaway! 3 copies of Girl Hearts Girl for 3 lucky winners!

Participants must live in UK or IRL.

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