Literally Addicted

Sunday, 26 January 2014

Fated

Fated by Sarah Alderson

Published January 5 2012 Simon & Schuster

"What happens if the person you love is the one who must betray you?"

Evie is in high school and works two jobs to save money for her escape from the small town she has grown up in.

Things have been pretty bad. Her adoptive dad died. Then her best friend died in a car accident while she was out with Edie's now ex-boyfriend Tom. Yes, Edie's life sucks - so when she's attacked round the back of the diner it kind of puts the tin hat on her life, and opens the door to a world she never knew existed. Evie is a Hunter - a warrior against Unhumans, and the last hope to stop demons ruling all seven dimensions.

Lucas is half demon, half human. He and the rest of the Brotherhood have been given a task - to kill Evie Hunter before a prophecy can be fulfilled, a prophecy ending the war that has raged for the last thousand years.

When Lucas enters Evie's life, posing as a ranch hand, sparks fly but with their destinies already decided, can they survive, let alone fall in love?

I really enjoyed this fantasy teen thriller. There was a great balance of action and character interaction. I couldn't warm to the rest of the Hunters - found them a bit too 'Stepford' but the Brotherhood are cool! Hope there will be more to come.

Saturday, 25 January 2014

The Pursuit of Love

The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford

Published July 1 2010 (originally in 1945) Penguin

This story follows the Radlett family - Lydia, her sisters and cousin Fanny through their holidays spent at Alconleigh. Days of hunting and huddling with the other Hons in the upstairs cupboard (conveniently the warmest place in the house) discussing love, marriage and sex.

We accompany these young women on their coming-out debuts and through marriages, divorces, abscondings and affairs. Happy and sad, shocking and scandalous.

Full of sharp observations and even sharper wit, The Pursuit of Love is the first novel I have read by Nancy Mitford and I am sure it shall not be the last.

Monday, 20 January 2014

Voices of Angels

Voices of Angels by Hannah M. Davis

Published July 16 2012 John Hunt Publishing

Lizzie Fisher looks up in class and sees a black shape floating over her teacher's head. She thinks its her eyesight at first as no-one else sees it. She becomes an even bigger target for school bullies - until the teacher dies exactly seven days later.

When it happens again with her precious dog Joopy, Lizzie is inconsolable. Lizzie doesn't get on well with her Mum, she can't talk to her about all of this so she decides to visit her Grandmother (who she has never met) in Andalucía, Spain. Will Lizzie find the answers she craves among the olive groves?

I raced through this YA novel. The title through me as I thought it would be a guardian angel on earth novel - its not. Lizzie has the 'gift' of foreseeing death. She gets another 'gift' in Andalucía, Rafa is a hunky gardener/goatheard/guitarist. Lizzie and Rafa's romance is hot - the long looks, the tension...whew!

My favourite character was not Rafa, but Lizzie's Grandmother Ariadne - she's just brilliant! The total opposite of Lizzie's Mother.

All in all I'm glad I read Voices of Angels. The descriptions of Spain and of the Flamenco guitar were simply heavenly to read.

Penelope

Penelope by Rebecca Harrington

Published January 1 2013 Virago

"To make friends at Harvard she just has to be herself. But not too much."

So this is what Harvard is like!

Penelope O'Shaughnessy is a Harvard Freshman. We follow her on her first year at an Ivy League college - through roommates and cat allergies, Hercule Poirot and guarding Caligula.

Penelope is both baffled and baffling. I like her! She's kooky, confident and completely clueless. Her roomies are entertaining - especially Lan, LOVE her! Harvard is a real coming-of-age education for poor Penelope.

I read this book in one sitting and upon finishing I immediately wanted to know if year two was any better for Penelope - what classes did she take? Did she ever see Raymond again? Did she find a kindred spirit? I do hope so.

Friday, 17 January 2014

The Peach Keeper

The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen

Published January 10 2012 Bantam

A small town in North Carolina

A body beneath a peach tree.

Family secrets and shocking discoveries.

Love, friendship and just a touch of magic.

All of this oozes from this enchanting novel.

It is the characters and character relationships that are so lovingly described - so warm and familiar - that really make this novel great.

This is the first book by Sarah Addison Allen that I have read and almost sobbed when I had to give it back to the library!

My favourite line? "We were as close as shirt buttons, Georgie and I."

Through the Ever Night

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Published January 8 2013 Atom

This is the sequel to Under the Never Sky (which is an awesome read!) and it is BRILLIANT.

Although it has been a while since I read UtNS, I was quickly transported back with Perry and Aria.

Through the Ever Night has a wonderful pace and kept me engaged throughout. The cast of characters has been well retained - touching on each just enough. Aria and Perry are a powerful team together but they are even more fabulous apart and I found myself drawn to Roar and Cinder much more in this book.

I can't say too much more as I don't want to spoil it for you but I am very much looking forward to reading what happens next - with the Aether so active, will the Tides ever make it to the Still Blue? *bites fingernails*