The Goodreads Book Tag

October 30, 2016May 16, 2019 / Absidity Art / 1 Comment

I came across this version of The Goodreads Book Tag over on The Reader Dragon and I thought I’d give it ago since it’s been quite a while since I did a book tag.

1. What was the last book you marked as ‘read’?Immortal Writers by Jill Bowers. I finished reading this Friday night and I still haven’t gotten my head around what i’m going to write in a review 😦 Why does it feel like it’s my fault when I don’t “Click” with a book. I had such high hopes for this one.

2. What book are you currently reading?Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. I figured it was about time I got into another Rowell romp 🙂 and I am thoroughly enjoying it so far.

3. What was the last book you marked as ‘to-read’?The newly released Riven (The Hero Rebellion #2) by Belinda Crawford. I read the first book Hero back in July and loved it. #LoveOzYA

4. What do you plan to read next? My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton & Jodi Meadows.

5. Do you use the star rating system?

6. Are you doing a 2016 reading challenge?7. Do you have a wishlist?

At the moment not really, not other than adding books to my Goodreads To Read shelf. I want to spend the next 12 months reading the books I already own. Ha until that next super hyped LoveOzYA release comes along that is.

8. What book do you plan to buy next?

See above = “next super hyped LoveOzYA release”. Nar but seriously, whatever pretty little thing catches my eye when I next enter any shop that sells books or I mysteriously end up on Booktopia.com.au or Amazon.com.au. I have no self control when it comes to books. Collecting them has become an addiction in the last few years. I am trying to curb this though, as I’ve already got plenty of books to read. At least it’s better than the smoking habit I had in my late teens to early twenties. Luckily my parents did raise me to be responsible so I’ve never let my son/dogs/husband go unfed/unclothed etc. I’m finding the library is a good substitute when I need a fix – yep that’s what i’ll keep telling myself.

9. Who are your favourite authors?

That’s a hard one, so i’ll try to limit myself to five.

J.K. Rowling, because I will re-read the seven original Harry Potter books every now and then until the day I die.

Rick Riordan, because Percy Jackson, Leo Valdez and Magnus Chase are f’íng adorable and I can’t wait for my son to meet them (Harry and the Hogwarts gang as well).

Lucy Maud Montgomery, because Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe were my world as a child and they still are today.

C.S. Lewis, because I still want to find a wardrobe to take me to Narnia and if my husband had let me our son Riley’s name would have been Edmund!

Brian K. Vaughan, because SAGA. Seriously the comic book series SAGA is brilliant. I love this mans brain and the world he has created with artist Fiona Staples.

I foresee that if Lynette Noni’s Medoran Chronicles series keeps up the standard of the early books that it will end up like Harry and be on my periodical re-read list. #LoveOzYA

10. Do you have any favourite quotes? Would you like to share a few?

“Albert knew that one could never be sure about magic, but a lack of certainty is not a good reason to do nothing.” Howard L. Anderson, Albert of Adelaide

“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” Jane Austen, Pride And Prejudice

“Dumbledore watched her fly away, and as her silvery glow faded he turned back to Snape, and his eyes were full of tears.

“After all this time?”

“Always,” said Snape.”

J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

11. Have you joined any groups?

Yep, even though I have been rather inactive in them over the past year, oops.

Australian YA Bloggers & Readers, Aussie Book Bloggers, Aussie Book Club and Book Club (Young Adult Edition).

12. How many shelves do you have on Goodreads?

Eight. The standard Read, Currently Reading and Want to Read as well as my own adds; owned-ebook-to-read, owned-treebook-to-read, review-copy-to-read, series-in-progress, and want-to-re-read.

I nominate anyone who wants to give this tag a go.

Until next time 🙂 Enjoy your shelves :-).

Review: Clancy of the Undertow by Christopher Currie

October 22, 2016July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / 2 Comments

We’re sitting there with matching milkshakes, Sasha and me, and somehow, things aren’t going like I always thought they would. We’re face to face under 24-hour fluorescents with the thoroughly unromantic buzz of aircon in our ears and endless flabby wedges of seated trucker’s arsecrack as our only visual stimulus.

In a dead-end town like Barwen a girl has only got to be a little different to feel like a freak. And Clancy, a typical sixteen-year-old misfit with a moderately dysfunctional family, a genuine interest in Nature Club and a major crush on the local hot girl, is packing a capital F.

As the summer begins, Clancy’s dad is involved in a road smash that kills two local teenagers. While the family is dealing with the reaction of a hostile town, Clancy meets someone who could possibly—at last—become a friend. Not only that, the unattainable Sasha starts to show what may be a romantic interest.

In short, this is the summer when Clancy has to figure out who the hell she is.

My Thoughts: Where do I start with Clancy? The only negative thing I can say about this book is that it ended! I would have happily kept on reading and reading.

I loved following Clancy discover who she is and how she fits into the world. I loved the supporting characters of Nancy, Reeves and Angus. Actually all the characters, I saw bits of people I know in all of them. It was a believable and beautiful coming of age while coming out story.

I love that Clancy’s dad named her after Banjo Paterson’s Clancy of the Overflow. Banjo’s Clancy is one of my all-time favourite characters and I quite often find myself quoting lines of the poem in my head, like while writing this review – In my wild erratic fancy visions come to me of Clancy, Gone a-droving ‘down the Cooper’ where the Western drovers go – Banjo’s 1889 Drover and Christopher Currie’s 2015 lovable self-loathing teen have nothing in common, other than my eternal love and a semi-unusual name.

I highly commend Mr Currie for managing to capture the pure hell and internal conflict of being a teen. The abusive conversations Clancy has with herself were so familiar – as in I had them with myself repeatedly when I was Clancy’s age. I don’t think there is anyone that hasn’t at some stage felt about themselves the way Clancy feels. She is relate-able, even if you don’t identify as homosexual or even admit to ever having desires for the same sex, we’ve all been teens AND being a teenager sucks. Teenage-suck-ism transcends generational and racial gaps. I think Clancy of the Undertow will go down in history as a teen classic along with the time capsule likes of Puberty Blues and The Outsiders.

FIVE another brilliant #LoveOzYA story STARS.

Mini Reviews: Taboo + Spark + Graffiti Moon + The Kraken

October 8, 2016July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / 2 Comments

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Taboo (The Unfinished Song #2) by Tara Maya

A DEVASTATING SETBACK
Enemy tribesmen attacked during the Initiation. Dindi used the magic of the corn cob doll to protect herself and others but at a terrible price. Now her dreams are in shambles. In despair, she decides to step into the forbidden faery ring, and dance herself to death with the fae. Then she discovers another choice that saves her life…but breaks the ultimate taboo.

A DESPERATE OUTREACH
After being unfairly exiled from his own people, Kavio may have found a new home, but only if he can protect it from another attack by the enemy. He gathers a small group to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory in search of the ultimate prize…peace.

But by the harsh laws of their land, they cannot both break taboos and keep the peace. They will each have to choose, what, or whom, to betray. GOODREADS VIEW.

MY THOUGHTS: Considering it was two years ago that I read the first book, Initiate, I was quite pleased at how quickly the characters and the previous story lines came back to me. I actually think I enjoyed Taboo more than the first and I debated whether to give it a four or five star rating. While this book wasn’t mind blowing it was still immensely absorbing and I tore through it captivated. It was full of action and adventure, betrayal and revenge, with further back story and character development. I was tempted to go straight into reading the third book, Sacrifice. “FOUR oh so almost five STARS”.

Spark (Spark #1) by Rachael Craw

Evie doesn’t have a choice.

One day she’s an ordinary seventeen year old, grieving for her mother. The next, she’s a Shield, the result of a decades-old experiment gone wrong, bound by DNA to defend her best friend from an unknown killer.

The threat could come at home, at school, anywhere. All Evie knows is that it will be a fight to the death.

And then there’s Jamie. irresistible. off-limits. GOODREADS VIEW.

MY THOUGHTS: So I’m a little late to the #SparkArmy as the final installment of this series has just come out, but better late then never hey :-). I loved the idea of the DNA modifications and the agency responsible for the experiment gone wrong. For some reason I didn’t connect much with some of the characters, but I’m sure I’ll grow to love them more as I read the next book and the connected short stories. “FOUR I really enjoyed it, but needed more time to grow to love some of the characters STARS”

7863274 Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Lucy is in love with Shadow, a mysterious graffiti artist.

Ed thought he was in love with Lucy, until she broke his nose.

Dylan loves Daisy, but throwing eggs at her probably wasn’t the best way to show it.

Jazz and Leo are slowly encircling each other.

An intense and exhilarating 24 hours in the lives of four teenagers on the verge: of adulthood, of HSC, of finding out just who they are, and who they want to be.

A lyrical new YA novel from the award-winning author of Chasing Charlie Duskin and the Gracie Faltrain series. GOODREADS VIEW.

MY THOUGHTS: Why, oh why has it taken me so long to read something written by Cath Crowley, cause I’m an idiot that’s why. This was a super duper cute and fun read, ending with the two main characters finding solace in each other and their art. It is the sort of story I could see myself reading again when I need a mental hug. FOUR “awwwwww artistic young love” STARS.

Doctor Who: Choose the Future: Night of the Kraken by Jonathan Green

When one choice can lead to triumph or failure, life or death, glory or destruction . . . which will you choose? With Choose the Future, YOU decide how, when, where and with whom the Doctor will fight to save the world!

In this brand new adventure, Night of the Kraken, the Twelfth Doctor meets a roguish time-smuggler and faces a terrifying creature from the deep with a plan to destroy the Earth.

The fate of the Doctor and the universe he protects are in your hands… GOODREADS VIEW.

MY THOUGHTS: I read this through once than turned around and read it again picking different answers, took about an hour. Published this year and listed as a young reader choose your own adventure, it is a super quick yet enjoyable read. I don’t think I’d go out and buy the book, but If I come across more of the series at the library as they come out I will definitely borrow them. FOUR “a quick really enjoyable doctor who fix” STARS.

Oh f*** they’re all Four Stars. Oh dear. Hahaha I only just realised that. Oh well.

Under the Graffiti Moon during the Night of the Kraken a Spark broke the ultimate Taboo – see what I did there with all the titles, huh huh.

Until next time 🙂 enjoy your shelves :-).

Review: Disruption & Corruption by Jessica Shirvington

September 21, 2016July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / 6 Comments

Oh wow, where do I start. I finished the last page of Disruption, made myself a fresh cuppa tea then opened up Corruption and continued Maggie’s journey. It was 833 pages of utterly enthralling action. Let me calm down and try to break this down (without spoilers).

Disruption (Disruption #1) by Jessica Shirvington

What if a microchip could identify your perfect match?
What if it could be used against you and the ones you love?

Eight years ago, Mercer Corporation’s M-Bands became mandatory. An evolution of the smartphone, the bracelets promised an easier life. Instead, they have come to control it.

Two years ago, Maggie Stevens watched helplessly as one of the people she loves most was taken from her, shattering her world as she knew it.

Now, Maggie is ready. And Quentin Mercer – heir to the M-Corp empire – has become key to Maggie’s plan. But as the pieces of her dangerous design fall into place, could Quentin’s involvement destroy everything she’s fought for?

In a world full of broken promises, the ones Maggie must keep could be the most heartbreaking.

Published April 1st 2014 by HarperCollins. Goodreads View.

My Thoughts: Disruption sucked me in hard and fast. I wanted Maggie to succeed in her mission, all the while wishing more for her and her family. This books gives us blackmail, bad guy bullshit and sassy bitch brilliance. Maggie is a strong young woman that is not to be messed with. Maggie has worked hard to build up the skills she needs to succeed and she radiates a powerful darkness, but as the reader we get to see past the mentally disconnecting and physical conditioning she has created as her Armor to the real Maggie underneath, the broken soul who just wants to put things right. This book delivers us all the big game players, even if it doesn’t reveal all their true field positions. There is a big plot twist late on and a cliff-hanger that will have you needing to get your hands on the next book.

Corruption (Disruption #2) by Jessica Shirvington

How do you live with yourself when you’ve deceived the one you love?

How do you move on when the person you’ve been fighting to save betrays you?

Two years ago, Maggie Stevens began the hunt.

Four weeks ago, Maggie’s world fell apart, when she finally
found what she’d been looking for. And when Quentin,
who had blindly trusted her, unravelled her web of lies.

Now, Maggie lives in the dark. But she’s not about to stay there.
Not when she still has to bring M-Corp down.
Not when there is still a chance she could win him back.

In the exhilarating conclusion to Disruption, Maggie must do
whatever it takes to show the world the truth.
And the price for her quest?

Everything.

Published November 1st 2014 by HarperCollins. Goodreads View.

My Thoughts: Corruption! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. We really get to know the characters and they feel real, well they did for me. Gus, Maggie, Quin, Travis, Morris and Liam – I loved them all! Actually the character Gus reminded me of a friend of mine. The scary thing with this dystopian is that it really isn’t that far-fetched. I’ve come to realise that the more, oh shit that could totally happen here in the next 10-20 years, a dystopian is the more I enjoy it. Hmmmm yet I love fantasy novels with dragons and trolls, yeah I have issues – ANYWAYS. This book has high stakes, high action, big plot twists, betrayal and forgiveness, world saving, love making (no sex scenes as such), corporate corruption and personal redemption. Maggie’s life tidy’s up nicely at the end, which is probably the most unrealistic part of the whole story, that and Quin’s ability to forgive. But I LOVE HAPPY ENDINGS so it’s all good. Well the ending is only as happy as it can be when a shit loads of innocent people have had to suffer and die along the way, but the bad guys get what’s coming to them, so that’s happy ever after enough for me.

The Disruption duology is going on my Recommend-to-everyone-list along with the The Tribe Series, The Medoran Chronicles, The Illuminae Files and anything by the fantastic Will Kotastis. #LoveOzYA people, love that OZ YA!

Author Links: Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter

#SaveOzStories

August 28, 2016July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / Leave a comment

The Australian government is about to make significant changes to copyright, threatening the future of our Australian stories.

31435501 #SaveOzStories by Geraldine Brooks, Isobelle Carmody, Peter FitzSimons, Richard Flanagan, Jackie French, Anna Funder, Nikki Gemmell, Morris Gleitzman , Kate Grenville, Andy Griffiths, Jane Harper, Chloe Hooper, Toni Jordan, Thomas Keneally,David Malouf, Monica McInerney, Alex Miller, Frank Moorhouse, Matthew Reilly, Michael Robotham,Magda Szubanski, Christos Tsiolkas, Tim Winton

#SaveOzStories is a gift to book lovers from Australia’s finest writers and the industry that supports them. Jackie French, David Malouf, Tim Winton and many more of our best writers have come together to issue a clarion call to all Australian citizens to defend writers and writing. If politicians have their way we will be the only nation to give away our right to tell our own stories. If you think a world without the next Richard Flanagan, Andy Griffiths or Monica McInerney will be a poorer one, then read this collection of impassioned arguments from our most esteemed wordsmiths.

‘Australians deserve that their lives, experiences, country and culture be reflected in the literature that they read.’ Thomas Keneally

More Info on Books Create Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

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My Thoughts: I managed to grab a copy of #SaveOzStories when I went shopping last weekend. It was an interesting and infuriating read. Interesting reading input from all the different awesome aussie authors and infuriating because, f*** me what a horrid mess this government is making -but I won’t go into that or I’ll be ranting for days. All I will say is; If you at all care about Aussie stories go to http://www.bookscreateaustralia.com.au and get on board with #SaveOzStories

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Review: The First Third by Will Kostakis

August 24, 2016July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / Leave a comment

Life is made up of three parts: in the first third, you’re embarrassed by your family; in the second, you make a family of your own; and in the end, you just embarrass the family you’ve made.

That’s how Billy’s grandmother explains it, anyway. She’s given him her bucket list (cue embarrassment), and now, it’s his job to glue their family back together.

No pressure or anything.

Fixing his family’s not going to be easy and Billy’s not ready for change. But as he soon discovers, the first third has to end some time. And then what?

It’s a Greek tragedy waiting to happen.

* * * * My Thoughts * * * *

I read The Sidekicks and loved it. I’ve now read The First Third and loved it. I must get my hands on more! You, Mr Will Kostakis are brilliant and I love your humorous and heartwarming style.

In The First Third we follow 17 year-old Bill as he navigates first love and the monumental task his ill Grandmother has given him to put his broken family back together. With the help of Bill’s best friend Lucas and a pretty girl named Hayley, Bill manages to make some major progress with his family and help some other people out along the way. The ending leaves you with tears in your eyes, a warm fuzzy feeling in your heart and hope for the future.

Bill is a total sweetheart and reading along with his interactions with his friends, family and especially his Yiayia is a treat for the soul.

As with The Sidekicks the story flows beautifully, the characters are engaging and feel real. There is no denying that Mr Kostakis has the ability to tell a meaningful and captivating story. I am looking forward to reading more by him in the future.

Kostakis Links: Goodreads | Twitter | Website | Facebook

Booktopia | Amazon AU | Amazon US | Bookdepository

Review: Raelia (The Medoran Chronicles #2) by Lynette Noni

August 17, 2016July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / Leave a comment

“Life is full of crossroads, Alex. Full of choices.”

Returning for a second year at Akarnae Academy with her gifted friends, Alexandra Jennings steps back through a doorway into Medora, the fantasy world that is full of impossibilities.

Despite the magical wonder of Medora, Alex’s life remains threatened by Aven Dalmarta, the banished prince from the Lost City of Meya who is out for her blood.

To protect the Medorans from Aven’s quest to reclaim his birthright, Alex and her friends seek out the Meyarin city and what remains of its ancient race.

Not sure who—or perhaps what—she is anymore, all Alex knows is that if she fails to keep Aven from reaching Meya, the lives of countless Medorans will be in danger. Can she protect them, or will all be lost?

THE MEDORAN CHRONICLES is a five-part series that offers a new slant on magical parallel worlds – with authority figures who aren’t quite what they seem, jostling friends and rivals and unconvential magic influenced by futuristic technology. Goodreads View.

MY THOUGHTS: The Medoran Chronicles summed up in three words; captivating, endearing and fun. I went from reading the first book straight into the second and now I’ve got an extreme book hangover happening. Bring on Draekora NOW (Book #3) I can’t wait until 2017!

The whole book was fantastic, but the last 20% was a frenzied whirlwind of action and emotion. I was bouncing on the edge of my seat as I flipped through the pages. I was enjoying it so much, that I didn’t want the story to end.

Alex is a fantastic female character. We see her grow throughout the first two books into a force to be reckoned with. She is spunky and full of life. She is loving and loyal. She is both mentally and physically strong. She is brave and determined to do the right thing. We need more YA heroines like Alex.

Her Friends: Bear comes off as a total sweetheart. Dix (D.C.) is another fantastic female character and was a nice to see her become Alex’s close friend, rather than just the background character she was in the first book. Jordan is a cheeky and adorable doofus. Kaiden has total heart throb appeal. Why hello there you slow burning love interest you, how you doin’ cutie pie. When we first met Kaiden in book one I was like “I’m keeping my eye on you, I have a feeling about you” and now I’m really looking forward to seeing (hopefully) Alex and Kaiden’s bond growing further in the next book.

The Medoran Chronicles has been Labeled as mixture of Harry Potter, X-Men and Narnia and I’ve actually seen it compared to Harry Potter on multiple occasions. There are definitely similarities and this is a good thing in my mind, as they are good similarities (if that makes sense). And hell yes I hope The Medoran Chronicles ends up with the same sort of fan base / fame as Harry, cause its an awesome Aussie YA. I think the Medoran Chronicles is the sort off story that people will want to return to and re-read again and again as the years go by. Lynette Noni I applauded your imagination and please keep letting us into the fantasy worlds in your head.

FIVE “gimme gimme more” STARS.

WARNING: the ending if full of Heartbreaking betrayal. Ahhhhhh Lynette Noni why you hurt me so.

LYNETTE NONI LINKS: Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Website

Amazon AU | Amazon US | Booktopia

Mini Reviews: Akarnae + Simon + Zim

August 10, 2016July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / 2 Comments

Akarnae (The Medoran Chronicles #1) by Lynette Noni

With just one step, sixteen-year-old Alexandra Jennings’s world changes—literally.

Dreading her first day at a new school, Alex is stunned when she walks through a doorway and finds herself stranded in Medora, a fantasy world full of impossibilities. Desperate to return home, she learns that only a man named Professor Marselle can help her… but he’s missing.

While waiting for him to reappear, Alex attends Akarnae Academy, Medora’s boarding school for teenagers with extraordinary gifts. She soon starts to enjoy her bizarre new world and the friends who embrace her as one of their own, but strange things are happening at Akarnae, and Alex can’t ignore her fear that something unexpected… something sinister… is looming.

An unwilling pawn in a deadly game, Alex’s shoulders bear the crushing weight of an entire race’s survival. Only she can save the Medorans, but what if doing so prevents her from ever returning home?

Will Alex risk her entire world—and maybe even her life—to save Medora? Goodreads View.

My Thoughts: What a fast and fun read this book was! A really strong start to what I’m sure will be a entertaining and captivating series. I’ve already got book number two lined up ready to read :-). The main characters we easily likable and I fell for them immediately. The story was easy to read and flowed really well. FIVE “I loved it and would happily re-read it” STARS.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.

With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met. Goodreads View.

My Thoughts: I had the biggest smile on my face when I finished this book. I had flip flopped over reading it because I was worried it wouldn’t live up to the hype. Believe the hype! Seriously it has topped my favorite reads of the year so far. I got lost in Simon’s world and would happily go back and get lost again. Simon is freaking adorable and I thoroughly enjoyed watching him struggle, fumble and come out on top. FIVE STARS for this must read adorable feel good story. Headless Simon even made it onto my Instagram >>

Invader Zim #11 by Sarah Andersen

“A special one-shot written and illustrated by Sarah Andersen (Sarah’s Scribbles)! When GIR brings home a flea-ridden stray cat, ZIM is furious—until he finds out what the cat does to Dib. Dib’s sneezing and covered in hives—could the magical powers of this “”cat”” be harnessed and turned against all of mankind? Could the earth FINALLY be ZIM’s?” Goodreads View.

My Thoughts: Invader Zim, the Invader Zim from my childhood in a comic written by Sarah Anderson. How could I not read this! I love Sarah’s Scribbles.

The comic was a quick and fun read. I think Sarah’s humor came shining through in Zim’s use of kitty cats and puppy dogs to turn his arch nemesis Dib into an allergy ridden puss ball. THREE ‘I liked it’ STARS.

Review: Hero by Belinda Crawford

July 18, 2016July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / 2 Comments

Centuries ago, humans colonised Jørn, a lonely planet on the far side of the galaxy. Arriving in five great colony ships, they quickly settled the surface only to discover, after a few short years, that the planet was killing them. The culprit, a native spore, carried on every wind to every corner of the globe.

Genetic engineering, blending DNA from Earth and Jørn species, saved their crops and livestock, but for humans there was no cure. Instead they took to the skies, turning their colony ships into cities that floated above the spore’s reach.

Hero Regan is special, and not in a way she likes. She hears voices, voices in her head that other people can’t. Surrounded by butlers, bodyguards and tutors, insulated from the outside world, her only solace is Fink, a six-hundred-kilogram, genetically engineered ruc-pard. They share lives, thoughts, triple-chocolate marshmallow ice-cream and the burning desire for freedom.

Their chance comes when Hero is allowed to attend school in Cumulus City. Here, along with making unexpected friends, Hero discovers she is an unwitting part of a master plan set into motion by the first colonists, a plan she must either help or foil if she’s ever to attain the freedom she craves.

* * * * * * * My Thoughts * * * * * * *

How would you feel if you had been told lies your whole life and forced to take medication when you knew you weren’t sick?

How would you feel if you found out you were a human hybrid and that your whole life had been some sort of long running science experiment?

Would you strive to live up to some higher purpose or turn on those around you?

Hero is the first book in The Hero Rebellion and it introduces us to Hero Regan. We see Hero battle normal teenager issues; school bullies and finding out who her true friends are, as well as dealing with the consequences of who and what she truly is. Hero is an extremely intelligent young woman and it feels as if she has an epic life in-front of her, one I’m looking forward to continuing to follow.

It took me little while to get used to all the new names of things, the animals and construction materials etc, but I can see that the purpose of this was to set the scene of a new futuristic world and it was all good once I got the rhythm of it.

Hero was published on the 21st of September 2015. I came across it on NetGalley just days before it was archived on the 31st of May 2016 *throws hands up to the sky* Thank you Odyssey Books for still authorising me a review copy at such late notice! #LoveOzYA

Did I get your attention with those opening lines? And while yes, I’ve just given away a few of the major reveals in the book, I haven’t given away them all! Hero was a Five Star YA Sci-Fi for me and I’m looking forward to reading the sequel.

* * * * * * * Author Links * * * * * * *

Sneak peek available on Wattpad

Bookish Book Lover Tag

July 13, 2016May 16, 2019 / Absidity Art / 6 Comments

I came across the Bookish Book Lover Tag on Stephanie’s Book Reviews and thought it looked fun, thanks Stephanie 🙂 From what I can work out it was originally created by Shantelle @ A Writer’s Heart, so thank you Shantelle, and OOPS if I got that wrong.

The Rules: Use the Banner, Answer the Questions, Use Lots of Book Covers, Tag Your Bookish Friends.1) What Book Are You Currently Reading?The Iron Witch (The Iron Witch #1) by Karen Mahoney.

2) What’s The Last Book You Finished?

Hero by Belinda Crawford Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi #LoveOzYA

3) Favorite Book You Read This Year?

So far it’d have to say The Sidekicks by Will Kostakis Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi #LoveOzYA or Chains of Water and Stone by Katherine Hurley.

4) What Genre Have You Read Most This Year? Graphic Novels /Comic Books.

5) What Genre Have You Read Least This Year? Contemporary.

6) What Genre Do You Want To Read More Of? Contemporary YA. I always say I’m mainly a Sci-fi /fantasy reader, but the contemporary YA I’ve read this year has really impressed me and I’ve enjoyed them much more than I expected I would.

7) How Many Books Have You Read This Year, And What’s Your Goal? I’ve read 65 and am aiming for 125 or hopefully more!

8) What’s The Last Book You Bought? It was a four book haul; Three Jane Austen classics in pretty paperbacks and Black by Fleur Ferris Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi #LoveOzYA (is my Aussie Aussie chant getting annoying yet).

9) What Book Are You Saving Up To Buy Next? Whatever tickles my fancy when I see it on a shelf or read a review of it.

10) How Many Books Did You Check Out Last Library Visit?

Two; The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney and Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli.

11) What’s A Book You Can’t Wait To Read? I’m always hanging out for the next installment of SAGA by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples.

12) What’s A Series You’d Recommend to Everyone? 13552764

I feel funny recommending books to strangers, because how the hell would I know what they like, friends and family are a different matter. BUT I have been raving about The Tribe Series by Ambelin Kwaymullina to anyone who will listen lately and I haven’t even read the third book yet. I’m dragging out reading the last book as I don’t want the story to be over!
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Here we go again! Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi #LoveOzYA 18872201

13) Who’s An Author You’re Hoping Writes More? I’d love to read new YA series or standalone from Ambelin Kwaymullina (see above), J.K. Rowling (and/or I’d totally be happy with anything further in her wizarding world – I pre-ordered Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), Stephenie Meyer (shut them haters up girl!) and Alisa Jeruconoka (I loved her Unparallel Worlds back in 2012 by a sequel hasn’t surfaced yet).

14) A Few Books Your Heart Adores? Albert of Adelaide by Howard L. Anderson, Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and All the Harry Potter’s 😛 – I could keep going!!!!
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15) What Series’s Coming Conclusion Makes You Sad? The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy a Trilogy in Five parts by Douglas Adams, it’s conclusion plain upsetting. I just wanted Arthur Dent to live happily ever after with Fenchurch. Why Mr Adams, you murder, why!!!!

16) What Books Are On Your Wish-List? All of them! All of them I tell you. I want them all MWAHAHAHAHAHA!

TAGGED: Anyone who wants to have a go :-).

RIOT’S REDEMPTION

Sharing my poetry, personal experiences and book reviews since 2013

Love OZ YA