Book Review: The Genesi Code by Tristen Willis

Book one of The Genesi Series

Published in 2017

Pages: 225

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

Sypnosis from Goodreads:

Luka was only eight years old when her father, Christopher Foster, was murdered.

Christopher had been working on a cure for the Genesi Code, which has plagued the human race since the government began experimenting on human DNA in an attempt to create a genetically-advanced army.
Luka has spent the last ten years training for the military’s elite taskforce, known as Delta Force, so she can uncover the truth surrounding her father’s murder. But along the way, she uncovers a truth about herself that she is not yet ready to face. 
Could the truth surrounding Luka’s past be the key to curing the Genesi and ending the war? In the end, is revenge all that matters?

My thoughts:

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, please note this does not affect my thoughts on this book. 

This book was such a fabulous read! From the first page I was instantly engaged and I could picture everything as I read it. I don’t often read dystopian but the sypnosis instantly appealed to me and I knew I’d have lots of questions about this book and it’s characters. I instantly adored Luka, and I was cheering for her all the way! I so was hoping she’d get the answers she was seeking, we’re given an insight into her childhood, and the horror she witnessed, and Tristen’s writing I feel really echoes Luka’s feelings, so much so that I felt like I was feeling her emotions too. 

We meet an array of friends and foes along the way, my favourite of them being Harvey, Luka’s dearest friend. I thought him to be such a dear, he has such great qualities and aside from Luka, he was my other favourite character. Each of the other characters brought something unique to the story, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how the evolve even more in the next book. 

There were such a pulsing rush through this book, I felt like it was definitely leading up to something brilliant and when I reached the climax I was proper amazed, even though as I think back it definitely makes a lot of sense. But the way it was written, I felt like I hit the realisation when Luka did. And I was definitely cheering for her at the last page, the book has a wicked ending and it definitely made me admire Luka all the more. Even from the start, she struck me as a character that wouldn’t quit and she is honestly so kick ass it’s awesome! 

This book was definitely unique and refreshing, there’s something in it for everyone, I was laughing and gasping on edge throughout; and mark your calendars for a September 1st release date! 

And that concludes my review, until next time, happy reading,

Brooklyn 🙂 

Book Review: Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley

Published in 2016

Pages: 352

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Sypnosis from Goodreads:

Love lives between the lines.

Years ago, Rachel had a crush on Henry Jones. The day before she moved away, she tucked a love letter into his favorite book in his family’s bookshop. She waited. But Henry never came. 
Now Rachel has returned to the city—and to the bookshop—to work alongside the boy she’d rather not see, if at all possible, for the rest of her life. But Rachel needs the distraction, and the escape. Her brother drowned months ago, and she can’t feel anything anymore. She can’t see her future.

Henry’s future isn’t looking too promising, either. His girlfriend dumped him. The bookstore is slipping away. And his family is breaking apart.

As Henry and Rachel work side by side—surrounded by books, watching love stories unfold, exchanging letters between the pages—they find hope in each other. Because life may be uncontrollable, even unbearable sometimes. But it’s possible that words, and love, and second chances are enough. 

My thoughts:

I was given a selection of books to review for work and told to pick one. Instantly, the cover to this book jumped out at me and I was instantly moved by the blurb on the back, so I chose this. 

I started it the next day and was instantly in  awe. The layout was and is absolutely beautiful, the writing captivating. It jumps between Henry and Rachel’s perspectives, as well as letters which are found in various books in the bookstore. The setting to this book was perfection, the bookstore and the stories inside held so much symbolism for the plot, what had happened, what was to come, and what the characters had gone through. 

Both Henry and Rachel went through their own angst through the story, and from the narrative the reader definitely got a tragic feel and I felt so sad for Rachel throughout, she was missing her brother greatly and his death impacted her so much, she had definitely changed, Henry hadn’t heard from her in some time, but when their paths cross, he knows how absent she is, there’s very little of the Rachel that was his best friend and she doesn’t tell anyone about her brother, she hardly talks to him.

I feel this book was definitely about both characters’ journies, but there were some great side characters that featured in this book too. Henry’s family, especially, they all had their things to deal with, and there was definitely a great amount of mystery as George (Henry’s sister) tried to figure out who was writing the secret letters under the mysterious pen name. I honestly didn’t know who it could’ve been but there was a tiny clue offered to the reader, and it clicked and the tragic irony was unlike anything I’d read in a YA contemporary fiction book before. 

There were so many bookish moments a book lover can appreciate, whether it’s the letters being shown that are found in the Howling Library section, and from what books and pages they were from, to the open book discussions that were in this book. Henry’s family had regular book group meetings and I thought that was so sweet. 

Definitely a book that will stay with me for some time, it had lots of light moments too, it washonestly a unique, precious read, and I recommend it to all! 

And that concludes my review, until next time, happy reading 🙂

Brooklyn.

Book Review: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Book 4 in the Mortal Instruments series

Published: 2012

Pages: 435

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Sypnosis from Goodreads:

The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She’s training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And—most importantly of all—she can finally call Jace her boyfriend.

But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering Shadowhunters, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second, bloody war. Clary’s best friend, Simon, can’t help her—his mother just found out that he’s a vampire, and now he’s homeless. When Jace begins to pull away from her without explaining why, Clary is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: she herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace. 

My thoughts:

So much darkness in this book, I felt like everything was leading up to something so foreboding. This book felt so different to the previous 3 that made up the first volume of the Mortal Instruments, and it was definitely exciting coming back to this book world after jumping into the past with Clockwork Angel! I chose intentionally to follow Clare’s publication order, and reading both series together is amazing! This book definitely had me feeling and in fact it gave me nightmares, especially as I reached the last three chapters. 

For many reasons, this book felt different to its predecessors; there was so much angst and anguish, I could feel Jace’s torment throughout the book, and I felt so sad for him, considering what he’d been through in City of Glass, I felt sad for Clary because of how he was treating her; their love is so powerful but honestly I’m scared for what will come next. I had a feeling what might happen with Jace in this book, yet it didn’t make it any less terrifying. 

I loved also the reference to The Infernal Devices, and how those characters, well one in particular, is connected to Magnus and how said character (Will), definitely impacted the warlock. This made for some Magnus and Alec angst, which I loved, I adore Malec, and I was swooning when they had their scenes. They’re so precious! 

Another thing I really enjoyed about this book is how it was quite Simon focused, from the start, Simon had become one of my favourite characters and I loved seeing things from his perspective, albeit he definitely had a fair share of torment too. Though there was one thing about him in this book that initially annoyed me, but it was okay when Maia and Izzy sort of banded together for a bit. I ship Simon and Izzy, they had some close scenes at the end that I really enjoyed. 

Surrounding new characters and old, this book definitely had a lot of mystery and suspense to it, I definitely didn’t want it to end! Cassandra Clare has definitely cemented her place as one of my favourite authors, ever, and this book and it’s events will definitely stay in my mind for some time! 

And that concludes my review, until next time, happy reading 🙂

Brooklyn.

Book Review: The Assassin and the Pirate Lord by Sarah J Maas

The first short story in the novella “The Assassin’s Blade”, a prequel novella to the Throne of Glass series. 

Pages: 77

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Sypnosis from Goodreads:

A Throne of Glass novella.

On a remote island in a tropical sea, Celaena Sardothien, feared assassin, has come for retribution. She’s been sent by the Assassin’s Guild to collect on a debt they are owed by the Lord of the Pirates. But when Celaena learns that the agreed payment is not in money, but in slaves, her mission suddenly changes—and she will risk everything to right the wrong she’s been sent to bring about.

My thoughts:

For me, this was the start of something amazing. I love the Throne of Glass books, and Celaena and Sam are two of my favourite characters, ever. I have read this novella 3 times (I think, maybe 4), and I never tire of Sam and Celaena’s scenes. Their banter is the stuff of life, even though I know what happens in the last novella, I still think Sam is her equal in every way. 

It’s funny, re reading a first novella after reading all other books in this series (I’m re reading them in anticipation for Tower of Dawn, I can’t believe it’s less than a month away!) and knowing what happens in each book. 

One of my favourite things in this book, aside from Sam and Celaena’s scenes, is the dramatic irony of Celaena freeing the slaves that Arobbyn (I loathe him) sent her and Sam to deal with. The co-conspirator in this slave game is one Pirate Lord, Rolfe (where we get the title). I never actually cared for Rolfe to be honest, I found him a callous, arrogant guy, and even though I enjoy pirate type stories (and I guess Rolfe is a bit above your typical pirate), I didn’t like his selfishness in regards to the slaves. 

What I did love also was Celaena’s sass and bravery! She’s 16 and an assassin who literally, even though she and Sam kill people for a living, (slight spoiler ahead) she chooses not to agree with the slave bargain and does her darndest to fight for their freedom. There’s lots of wit in her narration, I love the audacity of everything in this novella, and that there’s definitely early hints of her chemistry with Sam.

Definitely one of my favourite novellas in this collection, and I’m excited to read the rest once more. 

And that concludes my review, until next time, happy reading.

Brooklyn. 🙂

Book Review: Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde

Published in 2017

Pages: 263

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Sypnosis from Goodreads:

When BFFs Charlie, Taylor and Jamie go to SupaCon, they know it’s going to be a blast. What they don’t expect is for it to change their lives forever.

Charlie likes to stand out. SupaCon is her chance to show fans she’s over her public breakup with co-star, Reese Ryan. When Alyssa Huntington arrives as a surprise guest, it seems Charlie’s long-time crush on her isn’t as one-sided as she thought.
While Charlie dodges questions about her personal life, Taylor starts asking questions about her own.
Taylor likes to blend in. Her brain is wired differently, making her fear change. And there’s one thing in her life she knows will never change: her friendship with Jamie—no matter how much she may secretly want it to. But when she hears about the Queen Firestone SupaFan Contest, she starts to rethink her rules on playing it safe.
My thoughts:

This was such a cute read, I loved how passionate each character is about their fandoms, and fandom life in general so that’s definitely something I could relate to on all the levels. And I love that both Charlie and Taylor learn to speak up for themselves too, both female characters went on a great growth journey through the book. 

It was told in split points of views, from both Taylor and Charlie’s perspectives, and that was great because I felt like I was feeling all their emotions and thinking what they were thinking. On a personal level, Taylor is one of the most relatable characters ever, not just for her geekiness, but for her social anxiety and her constant overthinking. Throughout her chapters, she internally vocalises her thoughts, fears and feels, and that’s something I definitely understand. I was so proud of her as she learnt to accept herself and see herself ad the amazing girl she is, and she once posted the most uplifting messages to everyone on Tumblr after she was bullied. 

Charlie herself was a great character too! It was amazing to have a diverse character that is just so open and comfortable in herself. Whilst trying to escape her ex boyfriend, Charlie runs into her vlogger idol and it was amazing to see what happened next. 

There were two sets of romance in this book, and it was so cute seeing both develop. There’s something in this book for everyone, and it is something I’d definitely read again! It was definitely refreshing and will become a bit of a comfort read! I found Alyssa and Charlie’s conversations to be empowering, and these characters felt like friends! I also loved the banter between the trio of Charlie, Jamie and Taylor, they have such a beautiful friendship and they’re definitely there for one another through it all. 

A fantastic book that I recommend to all! And that concludes my review, until next time, happy reading,

Brooklyn 🙂 

SIX PACK: EMERGENCE — BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY

 SIX PACK: EMERGENCE — BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY

What if society was controlled by a drink, but there was another drink that might allow one to change the way things were? This is the question faced by Tyler Ward and his five friends in the new book Six Pack: Emergence.

 Tyler is set to graduate from secondary school when he learns the truth about the nation of Novusordo and how the government controls the population through a drink. He and his five friends visit a professor’s house, consume another drink and gain strange powers. Now they find themselves part of a movement against the government and must learn to control their powers and how they might change society. But can they trust the movement… or even each other?

Six Pack: Emergence, a young adult, science fiction, dystopian novel is written by B.W. Morris, a longtime writer for small-town newspapers, though it took him a while to embrace his inner comic book geek and put his overactive imagination to work through novel writing. The novel, published by Clean Reads, is Morris’ debut work, the first in a planned trilogy.

To celebrate the month of his birthday, Morris is giving away a free ebook of his debut novel. You must enter the giveaway at Amazon by Aug. 16 and may do so by following this link: https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/1f12261980c92216#ts-afo

Morris may be reached via email at bwmorris@mail.com or to learn more about his work, visit his blog at relaxingwithsixpack.blogspot.com.

Book Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Book 1 in the Infernal Devices series

A Shadowhunters Novel

Published: 2010

Pages: 480

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Sypnosis from Goodreads:

In a time when Shadowhunters are barely winning the fight against the forces of darkness, one battle will change the course of history forever. Welcome to the Infernal Devices trilogy, a stunning and dangerous prequel to the New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series.

The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them.
My thoughts:

Definitely my favourite Cassandra Clare book so far! Which is amazing because I didn’t think anything could top the adrenaline pumping ride that was the first 3 books in The Mortal Instruments, and while I love that series and even missed some of the characters, I fell in love with these characters! Tessa is honestly so relatable in her bookishness, and I love how fierce she is! She really steps into Victorian London and is faced with all sorts of action right away! I instantly felt for her and was excited to accompany her on her journey! 

Will and Jem are so precious! Will, albeit kind of elusive at times, he was such a curious character. There were times when he was such a puzzle, open but closed at the same time but from their first meeting I loved how Tessa and he were pretty much outsassing one another, their interactions were such a delight! Jem is probably my favourite character though, he’s such a (Wait for the pun) gem! (Yes, I went there). No but in all earnest he is so precious and my heart was feeling for him all the way through, and I had lots of questions about his character and definitely found his character background very feely. And Will’s too, and Tessa’s, I think it was her back story that really set the course for the novel, there was instant mystery surrounding the whereabouts of her brother and really from there things were never going to be the same. 

I loved all the supporting characters, well all of the Shadowhunters and Sophie. Charlotte Branwell (named after Charlotte and Branwell Bronte, speaking of which Cassie Clare gives us an amazing introduction here to her reasoning behind said character) and I thought Sophie was such a dear, her character definitely grew throughout the book and she had some adorable moments, I’m looking forward to more of her in the other books. I liked Jessamine enough, she didn’t want to be where she was, but she gave us reasoning for that and she’s really well and truly Victorian at heart. 

Which brings me to the setting! I love Victorian London, it’s one of my favourite eras to read about, and Clare portrays it so vividly! I felt like I was there throughout this book, and I was constantly engaged. Though some of the chapters stretched out, I enjoyed that because we got a real feel for the world! I loved knowing bits and pieces about the Shadowhunter world, and I enjoyed the parallels of Tessa being introduced to it as per Clary being introduced to it! And when there was one character that came into this book, from The Mortal Instruments, I was so happy! 

I love the notion of automatons and shape shifters too, so it was great to see them incorporated into the story! I love what Cassandra Clare has done with everything and everyone in this book! It’s perfection! Definitely an instant favourite! 

And I’ll leave it there but gosh this book is just every bit as magical as I thought it would be! I can’t wait to read more! 

Until next time,

Happy reading,

Brooklyn. 

July Reading Wrap Up

Hey bookish people,

I feel rather spoilt this month, for most of my reads were actually 5 star books! So I’m not sure if I should feel unnerved by this or relieved, but truth be told I’m pretty happy about where I am with my reading at the moment! 

I read 8 books this month, the titles and ratings will follow:

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han – 5 stars

After Dark by Haruki Murakami – 4 stars

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng – 5 stars

1Q84 Book 1 by Haruki Murakami- 5 stars

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare – 5 stars

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz – 5 stars

The Clocks by Agatha Christie – 5 stars

So that’s my reading wrap up for July! I can hardly believe we’re into August already! What books have you been reading this month? Any highlights? 

See you soon! Happy reading, 

Brooklyn 🙂

Book Review: To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

Published: 2014

Book 1 in The To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before series

Pages: 355

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

My thoughts:

This was honestly such a fabulous read, I didn’t think I’d enjoy it as much as I did, but I found the characters and the writing addictive! 

Lara Jean Song is one of my favourite characters, ever. She’s so relatable, with her eager to please nature and she prefers to stay in and read, as we learn when she’s forced along on a skiing trip. 

I love the relationship the three Song girls have, Kitty, Margot and Lara Jean all balanced out so nicely together and you can tell throughout the book how much each one cares about the other, even though when Margot is slightly distant when she comes back from studying abroad. This here for me raised a lot of questions, I wondered what she had been up to and what she’d think about what had happened when she returned. 

Lots definitely happened in this book, there was plenty to keep me interested and I found the scenes with Lara Jean and Kitty so funny! It was great how Kitty, even though she was the youngest sister, she had so much attitude and she interacted so well with Peter and of course Josh.

Josh, is the Song girls’ closest friend, is a character that I enjoyed all the way through, though I liked Peter, there were some scenes where I thought he was a bit immature: but then he did help Lara Jean a lot in terms of stepping out of her comfort zone, even if it didn’t go according to plan. 

I definitely think this book is more character orientated than plot, each character interacted really well with one another, and the book was definitely filled with equally amusing and emotional scenes. One of the many things I liked about this book is how Jenny Han is able to immediately get the reader to connect with her characters, and also how each chapter, being so short yet rather impactful, flowed and made the reader not want to put the book down.

Definitely the start of a special series, I think! Can’t wait to read books 2 and 3 and see what’s in store for these characters! 

And that concludes my review. Thanks for reading. Until next time, happy reading, Brooklyn 😊

Interview with Clive Farahar

Hi all,

So I have something just a lot exciting today. Aside from loving newer books, I love old and antique books too, I love looking at antique book stores and reading about them. On a side note, one of my favourite tv shows is Antiques Roadshow, where of course there’s several book and manuscript specialists, my long time favourite being Clive Farahar. 

What’s my point? Well I got in touch with the good man himself and asked if he’d answer some questions for my blog, which he did. I pretty much squealed as I read his replies, being a longtime Agatha Christie fan myself:

1. What ignited your passion for books, in particularly antique books?

CF. I always enjoyed Church Jumble Sales and Village Fetes and there were always lots of books to look at, and some were remarkably good. As I got older and discovered Second Hand Bookshops, I found that I could supplement my pocket money by selling my “finds” from these sources.

2. At the age of 4, you received a first edition set of the Noddy books. What was it about these stories that really captured your interest?

CF: The stories were mild enough but there was always a new episode with Noddy and Big Ears getting in and out of scrapes, and of course Noddy had a car and I always wanted a car.

3. I presume you’d be a keen reader, so if you’re able to read for leisure, what are some of your favourite genres of books? Favourite authors? All time favourite reads?

CF: I read all the time, but I love detective fiction which I discovered early on in paperbacks, Penguin Green Backs which specialized in it, from Earl Stanley Gardener and Raymond Chandler to Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers. I wrote to Agatha Christie once about her work and asked rather rude questions “What makes you novels tick?” and “Do you always know ‘who dun’ it before you start a book?”. She kindly wrote back pointing out my use of “slang” as she called it would not get me good O level marks.

4. What was the moment in your career when you knew you wanted to work with manuscripts and antique books? 

CF: I was 19, employed as a Booksellers Assistant, going through a box of books at a minor sale in Bond Street when I discovered the original illustrations for Rex Whistler’s first commission for Frank Swettenham’s only novel’ Arabella in Africa’. The Auctioneers had ignored them as printer’s proofs, and I bought them for very little. After that I have always meticulously sorted through bundles of paper whether manuscript or printed papers for such hidden gems and unconsidered trifles.

5. The Antiques Roadshow is now in its 40th season, which is definitely a remarkable feat in itself. I imagine you’d have seen lots of fantastic items since you first joined in 1985? Therefore I ask you if you had to have a top five finds, what would you pick?

CF: . It always amazes me that after all this time that new and amazing ‘finds’ are still turning up on the Roadshow

A Signed First Edition of Peter Rabbit £25,000

25 Original Drawings by Beatrix Potter £250,000

A Collection of Love Letters to an unkown Mistress of the artist Henry Moore £50,000.

A Magnificent book on Camellias found in a Junk shop for 10 pence, £10,000.

The Chandos Manuscript at London University £4,000,000.

Thank you Clive, it’s been a pleasure. I wish you all the best for this season and future seasons of the Antiques Roadshow.