I'll Give You the Sun - Jandy Nelson

I’ll Give You the Sun – Jandy Nelson

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson is an amazing book. I discovered this after viewing a book haul vlog on YouTube and decided I needed to give it a read for myself. This book is 371 pages long and I read it in a day...it was THAT good.

I never read Jandy Nelsons debut novel of The Sky is Everywhere, so I am new to her style of writing and have nothing to compare this story too. This novel is written beautifully and with the narration split between two people at different times in their life. It really is a credit to her style of writing to be able to bring it all together like that and keep us hooked.

I’ll Give You the Sun is a story focused on two twins, Noah and Jude. The story is told by a different twin at different stages of their life. Noah tells us his story at the age of 13/14 and Jude tells hers from the age of 16. We see two sides of a story, a very difficult, heartfelt, romantic and tragic story.

We meet Noah as an introverted and isolated young boy, lost in his world of art, a confused teenager, who isn’t sure what to feel and how to handle certain feelings and emotions he has. We learn that he is incredibly close to his twin Jude, but as with any sibling, their rivalry and jealousy is evident throughout. Wanting to prove himself and his worth at any stage, no matter what the cost is. Jude from Noah’s perspective is popular, pretty, and confident and everyone’s favourite. His jealousy is incredibly clear as she just draws in those around her. Noah is incredibly detailed, and uses a lot of metaphors throughout his narration, not only highlighting his artistic talent, but also keeping us aware of his young age, and the dramatics that becoming a teenager has as puberty take over.

When we flit to Jude’s perspective at the age of 16, it is clear to see a lot has happened in those two years and it has changed both twins. Jude is now introverted, cautious, incredibly superstitious and religious ‘bible thumping’ is what she uses to describe herself, and she is nothing like the girl we first met. Neither is Noah, who from Jude’s perspective is now the popular one, closed off and distant from her. The twin’s relationship hasn’t been the same since what happened two years ago and it is upsetting to see the differences and affect it has had on each of them. We learn more about Jude’s life, why she was the way she was at 13 and what has changed her. We see how Noah changed over the years from her eyes. We see all the trouble and pain the pair of them have gone through and how very much apart they both are from each other. But still told with a hint of humour, to add that bit of shade, light and dark within the novel.

Jandy is incredibly clever with her writing, we are constantly flitting between the two narrators at their different ages, and each segment is another piece of a puzzle that we are building. To understand what has happened, what has changed everything? You really are left trying to figure out what happened and it keeps you turning that page eager to learn more and uncover the mystery of why they have both become how they are.

I’ll Give You the Sun covers many sensitive topics, that I feel have been beautifully done. It is written in such a way that you feel each heartbreak, each word. To see the battle between the characters themselves as they struggle to work out what is going on. You feel each and every bit of it. I find the word struggle is the best way to look at this book, it focuses on two peoples struggles, and how opening themselves up, and meeting just that one person can really change all of that. Change everything they thought they believed and how a tangle of lies that have been weaved will eventually fall.

This book is sad, funny, romantic and so completely and beautifully written. I really don’t want to talk too much about it as you really have to read the book for yourself, but it truly is a great read, and if you like literary books then this really is one for you.

I will leave you with one quote that really meant a lot to me personally when I read it, and I think it sums up a lot about the feel of this book:

I give this book a 5 out of 5 star rating.

Never Fade - Alexandra Bracken (Book two in The Darkest Mind's series)

Never Fade – Alexandra Bracken (Book two in The Darkest Mind series)

Never Fade is a brilliant sequel to that of The Darkest Minds. This book is full of action, suspense, betrayal, friendships and loss all in one nonstop roller coaster of events. Bracken masterfully continues this story and betters it in a way I couldn’t imagine. Unlike with most series, the first book is always seen as the best, I honestly feel like each book in this series will simply be better than the previous one before.

In this book we follow on with Ruby, after the shocking ending and her departure from Liam at the end of the last book. The journey follows her working within the Children’s League with Cate now as her minder, and we follow the missions she is working on. We really see how Ruby’s character has evolved from the last book, more comfortable with her power, and really comes across as one kick ass protagonist who will do anything to protect those she cares about. We are introduced to an array of new characters, all varying in significant ways.

Vida, a Blue, and a girl with one bad ass attitude, I absolutely despised her character at the start, I simply did not understand what her problem was. Eventually you grow to accept her bluntness, and quite abrasive attitude, and her character is a joy to watch develop as you uncover the many layers of her personality. The relationship she has with Ruby all be it turbulent, is actually nice to watch, it may not seen much, but there is a genuine care for each other, and protective nature they have to keep the other safe from harm.

Jude, a Yellow, a sweet young boy, who comes across incredibly naive and vulnerable. I have to say as sweet as it was to see his relationship with Ruby, and the almost Ruby and Zu esque nature of it at certain times. I really did find this kid annoying quite a bit. It could have been his excitability and naivety, but I did really struggle to get along with his character.

Then we have Cole, Liam’s older brother. Now his character was incredibly interesting. Seen as one of the more influential agents that has worked within the Children’s League for quite a while now. It was interesting to see the conflict of how he felt about his brother Liam and the situation that he had found himself in. I feel we will maybe learn more about Cole in the next book, as I felt we were given very little about him, other than the work he has accomplished and the data he has uncovered which could expose what really caused IAAN. His character is incredibly exciting and I really want to learn more about how he got to be where he is today and more about his relationship with Liam.

This book really was packed full of action, there was constantly something going on, and at times you really didn’t know who to trust or what to believe at all.  Ruby really had to take the leadership throughout this book, taking on Cole’s secret operation for her and the trust he placed with her to find Liam, protecting Jude, finding Chubs and Liam, and dealing with Vida and her attitude. But together they made a great team for the obstacles they faced, of the nasty fake Slip kid (not that Clancy was exactly nice now was he...) being chased by PSF’s, dealing with Rob, but Ruby really showed us how powerful and controlled she could be when it came to it. I really enjoyed seeing this side to her, but also the vulnerability she tried to keep contained, especially where Liam was concerned.

Safe to say I was not impressed at Clancy’s return, I honestly cannot begin to describe how much I hate that guy, but every story needs an enemy. I loved how Alexandra gave us more insight into his life and gave even more depth to his character. The reason behind what he was doing, and especially the shocking discovery at the end! I just couldn’t believe it! And well done Ruby for that last line in the book! The gratification I got as soon as she said that to him, and the way Alexandra wrote that final chapter and the carnage and loss, leaving you shocked and confused, but bringing it back round with that ‘Yeah!’ moment to Clancy. It really did keep you hooked.

I genuinely loved this book, it almost felt like a movie with what was going on, and the writing style is so detailed and great, it really helped create that picture within your own imagination. Alexandra Bracken is becoming one of my top authors at the moment, and I love this series, and cannot wait to read the final book in this series In the After Light. What I love even more is the link between all the book names to create a sentence ‘The Darkest Mind Never Fade In the After Light’ I have heard nothing but great things about the final book, and the sooner I read it the better.

I would give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Billy and Me - Giovanna Fletcher

Billy and Me – Giovanna Fletcher

I bought this book quite a while ago, looking for a nice feel good romantic contemporary book. This is Giovanna Fletchers first novel, and I was intrigued to learn of her styling and concept within the book, and just what world she brings to us through its pages.

Sophie May has a secret.

One that she's successfully kept for years. It's meant that she's had to give up her dreams of going to university and travelling the world to stay in her little village, living with her mum and working in the local teashop.

But then she meets the gorgeous Billy - an actor with ambitions to make it to the top. And when they fall in love, Sophie is whisked away from the comfort of her life into Billy's glamorous - but ruthless - world.

Their relationship throws Sophie right into the spotlight after years of shying away from attention. Can she handle the constant scrutiny that comes with being with Billy? And most of all, is she ready for her secret heartbreak to be discovered and shared with the nation?

Just from reading this blurb I was intrigued, by the idea of a woman with a secret, the setting of a village and a local teashop and the idea of all this being turned on its head simply from meeting a man named Billy. There just felt like there would be so much to happen in this book, and there really was.

The story follows that of Sophie May, a kind, giving and yet shy girl. Who works in the local tea shop ‘Tea on the hill’ Now to say that I loved that she spent her time baking was an understatement, I have always loved the idea of working in a teashop, in a village making cakes and chatting away to the locals. It just makes you feel all warm and homely just thinking about it. She work’s alongside Molly, a much older lady who is the owner of the shop, she seems to be Sophie’s best friend, and has really take Sophie under her wing and bringing her out of the shell she has been hiding away in  for quite some time now. The story follows Sophie, and her journey after meeting a rather handsome young man named Billy, ad her adjustments to life to accommodate that.

We are given very little of Sophie’s past, just snippets of memories and how she was at school, but no real details as to why she is the way she is or what happened. But I love that it is kept this way for quite some time, you are hidden away from the secret, given clues as such but never the full story as to what has happened to make her the way she is.

I absolutely love Sophie’s character. You immediately warm to her, and can relate to many situations she finds herself in. The humour that comes through just from her thoughts and viewpoints did have me giggle out loud, quite a few times. You really root for Sophie and you feel every emotion just as she does. I felt like I was on a rollercoaster of emotions with this book, embarrassed, happy, angry and sad….oh how sad really took hold.

We also meet Molly, who I mentioned previously, she is an elderly widow, but she has never let losing her husband hinder her, she is bright, witty and doesn’t hold back. I love the difference between the characters, almost polar opposites, but the relationship with her and Sophie is something I really cherish throughout this book. I have to say I was a bit miffed when Sophie just up and left so easily leaving poor Molly alone, but the relationship never stopped, it had its bumps, but you really warm to Molly’s character. She almost feels like a part of the family.

Jane, is Sophie’s mum, it is a bit cryptic with her at first, we learn that the reason Sophie stayed behind was for her mum. We learn of what their relationship was like, became and where it is at now. I really like this mother and daughter relationship. There was this caring bond between the two of them, despite the past, and difficulties that arose. It was nice to see the protective nature of Sophie over her mum and the development of Jane’s character leading to this almost shifting the other way. I absolutely loved the development of Jane through this book and the happiness that ensued for her (I’m being cryptic as I really don’t want to spoil any twist and turns in this book)

Finally there is Billy, now he is every bit of charm there could possibly be, he is sweet caring and sounds absolutely perfect. His relationship with Sophie is great, that perfect balance of friendship and romance. Billy at the start of this book is ideal, and as the story goes along, our loyalties and frustrations are exactly alongside that of Sophie’s, you feel her hurt, her pain and her annoyance. It certainly does become bumpy to say the least, and I was very upset to see how Billy’s character was developing (obviously without it there would be no story of course...) but you really stick with Sophie. Billy overall is a great character, he is everything you need in novel like this, and combining him with Sophie really does warm your heart.

Now I mentioned earlier that this book felt like a rollercoaster…well that’s because I was up and down and thrown around…I never saw the next thing after the other. I was shocked by certain events that happened…I despised Paul with a passion, never mind Heidi….OOOOFT!! And finally the build up to the ending, i never saw that coming…I was dealing with one sad event then BAM! Here have this too, just to make you weep a little more. I had a lump in my throat for the entirety of the end of this book. I had to close it at points, take a deep breath and remind myself it was only a story. A bit like when you watch or read Marley and me, you are devastated by the way this is ending…but have to remember it’s not real. WELL THIS FELT REAL! Giovanna’s writing is so incredible, you develop relationships with these characters, and there loss is your loss. I truly loved this story, the happy moments, awkward moments, heart break moments, and the sad moments. You also find out Sophie’s secret, and that is just another whole bagful of tears within itself.

This is book really is great, and a true credit to Giovanna’s writing and imagination, and I love that she has brought us this story to enjoy as I really could not get enough of it at all! I didn’t want it to end (thankfully there is a short novella of Billy and Me at Christmas that has just been released)

I would say if you like romance, and drama and story focused on the importance of family and friendships, this is a story for you. Just make sure you have some tissues to hand!

I would give this book a 4 out of 5 stars

The Darkest Minds - Alexandra Bracken

The Darkest Minds – Alexandra Bracken

What do I say about this book?...I don’t really have any words other than wow! What a book!

I found this book on one of my many Amazon browses for new reads and added it to my wish list. It was only a few weeks later that I read reviews on the book that spurred me on to actually purchase it. I am so glad I did!

This is one of the best books I have read this year (and I have read a lot of books) from the first page I loved it, it was different, and it felt completely fresh and new. The main female protagonist Ruby is introduced straight away and you are quickly absorbed into her heart breaking story. I am going to contain a portion of the blurb just so you get the concept of the book:

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

Straight away from reading this I had to know what was happening, where the story would go. This book is written so well, the detail, description and the pull into the pages is incredible. You really feel for Ruby and all the other characters, you cannot believe something so horrific is happening to these children, and how parents are willingly handing their children over like this. There is almost a feel of horror throughout the book, but not the scary sort of horror, but shock at the treatment of these children, and how they are perceived and locked up.

Ruby is the main protagonist and we follow her journey right from the start, before she got her abilities, straight up to her first day at ‘rehabilitation camp’ . The fear radiates off Ruby for the entirety off this book, the fear of what she could do, the fear of hurting those around her, and the fear of the situation she is in. Her character grows stronger the more she starts to understand her powers, not quite controlling them, but having a better awareness of the feelings generated from it. Ruby is a great character, hearing the story of how she ended up sent to Thurmond was truly heart breaking.

We also follow the characters Liam, Chubs and Zu, three escapees from another rehabilitation camp. Liam being the leader of the group, Chubs the knowledgeable medical one who is increasingly annoying throughout the book, and little Zu, a young girl put through some terrifying experiences, leaving her mute and afraid of her own shadow. I loved the development between Ruby and Zu’s character, it was incredibly sweet and reassuring that even within these dark times, it hadn't crushed their spirits or want, to take care and help Zu be as normal a child she could possibly be in the current situation. Chubs, was an incredibly annoying character, who never took to Ruby, he saw her as a danger to the group, bringing trouble with her wherever she goes. However with gradual development you see another side to him, and you soften to his characters, understanding the good intentions he really has. A true credit to Alexandra’s writing with these characters.

Liam was another great character; he took to the role of a leader amazingly. Yet was forever full of turmoil, protecting the group, feeling guilty at being the ring leader of the mass breakout and with so many losing their lives because of it, and generally because he couldn't quite give them what he promised them yet. The development between him and Ruby was amazing, it wasn't in your face, it was a subtle and slow burn, it left you uncertain of how it would pan out. But you loved it all the same. I really felt his guilt and anguish throughout and Alexandra Bracken really enabled us to understand this character whilst viewing him from Ruby’s POV.

Finally the character to save for last. Clancy Gray....i really feel like i shouldn't say too much about him for those who may actually want to read this book and decide for themselves first hand on what they think of him. But i have never hated a character as much as this...This guy makes Draco Malfoy look like a saint! A glorified angelic saint at that! Alexandra Bracken was very clever in the development and twist with this character and i am intrigued as to how she will continue it throughout the rest of the series. 

The Darkest Minds is truly an amazing book; it creates a detailed dystopian world of complete chaos and fear. The book is beautifully written, bringing in that slightest bit of humour and sarcasm to help lighten the many darker moments in it. However the ending left me heartbroken; I have never finished a book, put it down and wailed ‘No!! I need to know what happens!’ as drastically as i did when I finished this. Safe to say the next book, Never Fade is in the post and on its way to me as we speak and I really cannot wait!

I thoroughly recommend this book if you like action, adventure and dystopian novels. Alexandra Bracken is a remarkable author and i just cannot wait to see what she brings in the next book. I need to know now!!!!!

This book is a definite 5 out of 5 stars for me!

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown - Holly Black

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown - Holly Black

For quite a while now, I have seen many a book vlog, and many a review raving about Holly Black as an author, and how some of her books are by far the favourites of many a book reviewer. The main book from people’s reviews that drew me to her was that of The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, it has a complete mixture of reviews, and because I am a sucker for a vampire story (no pun intended) knew I had to give it a read and see for myself what it was all about. The blurb drew me in instantly; it brought a picture of almost a post apocalyptic world full of vampires, and this one girl’s story of survival within it.

I was worried at first that there would be no originality within the story, I mean, what more could be done with a vampire story, they have all been done before. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how different this story was, certainly no sparkly Cullen’s but more of the monstrous blood sucking vampires we have seen in the past. Throughout this book you are worried about the cold infection, and the transition into becoming a vampire. The entire journey follows the main protagonist Tana, her ex boyfriend Aiden who has been infected with the cold virus after a massacre at the party they all attended, and a mysterious boy/vampire named Gavriel. We follow Tana, a strong willed, and seemingly independent girl and her journey deciding on how to save her ex, her will to make him not turn and to outlast the cold virus the full 88 days that it ravages through the body. We learn of her past, and see snippets of her life pre the life changing horror at the party, learn of her past experiences of her mum and the cold virus and the devastation left in its wake. We see her unusual relationship with Aiden, and flashbacks to that of their time together, and on top of this we learn more about the horror of Gavriel and his past. Now I don’t really want to go into too much detail about each of their stories, as they all provide that little something extra, and that bit of horror and gore and what has happened, and even the shock factor. There is nothing better than reading it all first hand. 

Holly Black creates this visionary world of horror and imagination. The detail within it really enables the world to build and develop within your own imagination. The detail used to create the Coldtown really provided the dark and almost fearful place, you worried for Tana when she simply walked down the street at night, the fear circulating the development of the vampires allowed you to worry about Tana, and you really just didn’t know what would happen. Holly had no holds barred as to who would be a victim and who would be a villain, the twist which happens around the middle of the book genuinely shocked me, and I couldn’t believe I had been fooled either. I felt with most authors as a reader you could see what was about to happen, and I honestly didn’t, I felt angry for Tana, and willed her survival even more.

I have to say I loved Tana's character, the moments where she had that awkward moment of wanting to laugh when in an awful situation surrounded by bodies, the hysteria of not knowing how to deal with the horror that has happened but to want to laugh, yet her dealing with the whole situation she found herself in was handled better than most, and I really felt she should have given herself more credit for how she dealt with it all, and then the strength she found amidst the fear and horror she found herself trapped within.

Then there was Gavriel, I wasn’t sure what to make of him, he was this mysterious boy tied up with chains that Tana found, and yet knowing what he was felt she had to save him. Very little is given away about Gavriel in the first few chapters, you are left with Tana's impressions and descriptions of him, and it is only when we learn more about his past and about the horrors endured that you really get to know him. I ended up really liking Gavriel, I loved the development between himself and Tana, and I loved the dangerous side to him, the crazy mixed in with the sane, you just didn’t know which way he would go. In the end Gavriel certainly becomes swoon worthy and my only upset was that we didn’t get to see enough of him with Tana, as I really enjoyed seeing the two of them together; I felt with Tana we were able to see a completely separate side to him again.

The ending to this book was ANOTHER major twist I did not see happening, it all seemed to be going on, but I loved it! I didn’t expect it, and I loved that I found out just as other people did and I had no clue as to what would happen.

I have to say when I started the book I did find it a little slow and I wasn’t sure how I would continue as i was struggling to be sucked in (even with the opening pages being filled with such horror), but then the next thing I knew I couldn’t put it down, and I have no idea where that started but it was still pretty early on in the book. So for the story to develop the further along you go into it, the more hooked you get. So for those who maybe want to start out the book and are finding it a bit slow in the first chapters, it does get better, it is simply scene setting and character building at first. But I can honestly say I really enjoyed this book and I do recommend it to those who love vampire stories, with gore, twists turns and who just love to lose themselves in such a well developed world as that which Holly Black has created.

I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars!