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Review: The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertali

Published on February 20, 2017February 20, 2017 by Heart Full Of BooksLeave a comment

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertali
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Penguin
Pages: 300
Format: ARC e-book
Rating: ★★★★

Simon Versus the Homo Sapiens Agenda was one of my favourite books of 2015! We recommended it in our Romances for Valentine’s day video because it’s light-hearted and cute, so when I got the chance to read Becky Albertali’s next book, of course, I leapt at the chance!

This was also one of my most anticipated releases of this year, and I think a lot of people are going to be using it as their choice for ‘under represented body type’ in the Diversity Bingo!

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Review: Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner

Published on February 13, 2017May 4, 2017 by Heart Full Of Books2 Comments

Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: Anderson Press
Pages: 400
Format: ARC Paperback
Rating: ★★★★
Note: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Dammit, Jeff Zentner, I’m crying again and it’s all your fault.

Goodbye Days took me a while to get into. I was worried I wouldn’t like it as much as I did The Serpent King, and I thought it was because I already knew the main plot hook, whereas for TSK, I was going in blind. The thought of reading about Carver, dealing with the simultaneous loss of all three of his best friends sounded heartbreaking and I had to prepare myself for the second-hand pain. Continue reading “Review: Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner” →

Review: As I Descended by Robin Talley

Published on February 6, 2017February 6, 2017 by Heart Full Of Books2 Comments

As I Descended by Robin Talley
Genre: Retelling, Mystery
Publisher: HQ
Pages: 370
Format: Paperback
Rating: ★★★

As Our Own Private Universe was one of the most disappointing reads…ever, I thought that I’d try and place my faith in Robin Talley once again with the only book of hers I haven’t read. Advertises as a retelling of Macbeth set in a boarding school, I was ready to go. Retellings are my fave, no matter what’s being retold, and a better setting doesn’t exist.

I have read Macbeth, which was a big plus as I could appreciate the arc of each character, and which threads were specific nods to the Shakespeare, but a grasp of the original play isn’t necessary to appreciate how spooky this is! Continue reading “Review: As I Descended by Robin Talley” →

Review: Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton

Published on February 5, 2017 by Heart Full Of Books1 Comment

Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton
Genre: Arabian Fantasy
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Pages: 512
Format: Paperback
Rating: ★★★★
Series: Rebel of the Sands

I was unbelievably excited to have my wish granted on Netgalley for Traitor to the Throne because Rebel of the Sands was such an exciting debut, and even though I only gave it 3 stars, I was really pumped for the sequel. Sometimes fantasy series just take a while to get on their feet! I really really enjoyed this book. I feel like I got to know the characters more and learned more about the magic behind the world and the Djinni.

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Review: Our Own Private Universe by Robin Talley

Published on February 4, 2017February 3, 2017 by Heart Full Of Books3 Comments

Our Own Private Universe by Robin Talley
Genre: Contemporary, LGBT
Publisher: HQ
Pages: 384
Format: ARC e-book
Rating: ★★

I don’t even know how to put into words how disappointed I am with this one. It just…fell flat. The setting did nothing to enhance the story (and was void of any kind of adult supervision, which was unrealistic for the type of trip they’re on), the social activist thread came way too late in the story for me to be convinced it was Aki’s passion, her hidden backstory with the music school was over emphasised and came to nothing, there was so much unnecessary drama based on lying about stupid things.

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Review: Beware That Girl by Teresa Toten

Published on February 3, 2017February 3, 2017 by Heart Full Of Books1 Comment

Beware That Girl by Teresa Toten
Genre: Thriller, Contemporary
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Pages: 352
Format: Paperback
Rating: ★★★★

So, I was sold on Beware That Girl as soon as I saw it being compared to ‘Pretty Little Liars’ and ‘Gone Girl.’ Hot Key also said that Elle Fanning was rumoured to be in the movie, and if that isn’t enough of a reason to want to read this book, then I don’t know what is! This book was unexpectedly good! It was somehow in my comfort zone but also not, simultaneously! However, I would ignore the ‘it’s this mashed up with this’ because Beware That Girl is its own separate thing that deserves to stand on its own.

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Review: Close Your Eyes by Nicci Cloke

Published on February 2, 2017 by Heart Full Of Books1 Comment

Close Your Eyes by Nicci Cloke
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Pages: 304
Format: ARC e-book
Rating: ★★★.5
Note: We received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

We were initially drawn to Close Your Eyes because Bee was desperate to read a YA about a school shooting after missing the opportunity to get This Is Where It Ends for 99p, and the fact that this is UKYA made it all the more enticing. We’ve all heard about shootings in America, that are more likely because of the gun laws, but in the UK, they’re as unlikely as a dragon crashing into the science block. Close Your Eyes did not disappoint in its capability to build suspense and intrigue and freaking out everyone who reads it!
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Review: Following Ophelia by Sophia Bennett

Published on February 1, 2017 by Heart Full Of Books2 Comments

Following Ophelia by Sophia Bennett
Genre: Historical, Romance
Publisher: Stripes Books
Pages: 403
Format: ARC e-book
Rating: ★★★★

I was really drawn to this book because Bee and I just did a module on Victorian literature, and the week on the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood was my absolute favourite. We learnt all about the poets, the artists, and the muses, most importantly, Lizzie Siddal, who was the model for Millais’ Ophelia.

So, I saw this book and knew instantly that I had to read it and I was so glad I did. It surprised me, it delighted and I was completely absorbed by the 19th century London setting. If you need more reason to pick this up, beyond the cover, let me list some for you! Continue reading “Review: Following Ophelia by Sophia Bennett” →

Review: Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Published on January 26, 2017December 6, 2016 by Heart Full Of BooksLeave a comment

Caraval by Stephanie Garber
Genre: Fantasy
Published by: Hodder & Stoughton
Pages: 416
Format: ARC e-book
Rating: ★★★★.5
Note: We received this book from he publishers in exchange for an honest review.

So today I have the pleasure of reviewing one of my most anticipated releases of the year: CARAVAL! I knew this was going to excellent as it was being advertised as The Night Circus meets Laini Taylor…I mean? YES PLEASE! Caraval is a truly magical story full of twists and turns that will make you question whether it is all a game or if hearts and lives are really at stake. And the best bit is (drum roll please) at the centre of the story is THE LOVE OF SISTERS. That’s right, I’m going to go ahead and add Frozen to the pitch too. This is the story of one sister doing absolutely all she can to save her sister from herself.

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Review: Silver Stars by Michael Grant

Published on January 23, 2017February 1, 2017 by Heart Full Of Books2 Comments

Silver Stars by Michael Grant
Genre: Alternate History, Action
Published by: Electric Monkey
Pages: 496
Format: ARC e-book
Series: Front Lines
Rating: ★★★★

Okay, so, for this review we’re going to do things a little differently. I’ve already gushed about how much I adored Front Lines, the first in this kick-ass alternate history about what would’ve happened if women were allowed to fight in WWII, and now it’s time to gush about Silver Stars in a handy dandy list of reasons why it’s so good, and you will love it too!

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