Shimmer - Paula Weston

Shimmer is book three in the Rephiam series so Shadow and Haze spoilers might lurk here. Please be warned. Also, go and read Shadow and Haze right this instant! You won't regret it.

A Little Bit of Blurb

Gaby thought her life couldn't get more complicated. She was wrong.

My Review

Okay, readers of my blog will know how much I love this book series. I included it in my 'Books Nobody's Reading That Everyone Should Be Reading' blog. Third place no less. That means these books have done a serious number on my heart. I also want to invite Gaby to 'My YA Imaginary Literary Tea Party'. In fact, I want Gaby to be my best friend. I'm serious.

I wanted to point that out so you know how difficult it is for me to say anything bad about these books but I felt like I should try, you know, for the sake of a review. Okay, here we go . . .

The 'Who's Who' at the beginning made me worry that I wouldn't remember all the characters and how they fit together. After all, there are so many characters in these books and some of them have quite similar names. (Malachi and Micah got me a few times). Unfortunately, I was correct in my worrying. Twenty pages in and I was struggling to get my head round everyone and everything that was going on. And I'm usually really good at remembering characters. I'm such a character person and I felt bad for not remembering everyone. It took a long time but eventaully I got my bearings. With another series I wouldn't have had the patience but I love Gaby so much so . . .

I also struggled with the Sanctuary itself. It's such a huge place with so many different rooms and functions that I had to wing it a bit. I didn't know how things connected or how the place was supposed to look but I didn't care that much. Like I said, I'm all about the characters so I didn't let it bother me that much.

The last thing I could think of to criticise was that Weston describes a lot of smells. Yeah, you can see I'm kinda nit-picking now. I'm not even sure this is a criticsm. I just haven't seen many authors describe smells before and each time it happened I was like "Huh, okay . . .".

But who am I kidding? Of course I loved every page!

Most of the book is one day - actually I think the whole thing is a twenty-four hour period - and that made me feel as exhausted as Gaby but I think that was the desired effect. As an author myself, I know how difficult that is. I couldn't write a book that takes place just over one day! That's such an achievment in my eyes!

I'm so not sorry to be in love with this series. I know it's not perfect, no book is, but I want to know the Rephaim. Each and every one of them. I could read about them all day. The connection I have to these characters is much more important than remembering who exactly was who - of course I remembered my favourites and the main characters. It is rare to be so engrossed by a book that you can't let it out of your sight. I wanted to cry when Gaby did. I laughed with her. I lived her life in Shimmer and that is more incredile than these 'literary masterpieces' you get. Whatever, I like supernatural YA. I love Weston's world and that's all that matters.

Okay, I'm done gushing.

I need the next one!

It's strange to think that by the time this review goes live I will have Burn in my hands. Well, I better! I need it!

Evaluation

Overall 8/10 - but in my heart I wanted to give a 10!

Would I recommend it? Yes. Oh my goodness, yes!

Would I look up the author? Yes but she's not written anything else yet. I'll be waiting for whatever it is though. I need more Weston books in my life!

Shimmer was confusing at times but incredible. I can't get enough of the Rephiam!

Molly Looby

Author / Ghostwriter / Editor / Blogger / Reviewer / Wrimo / Movellian / ZA Ready

molly.looby@hotmail.com

An Abundance of Katherines - John Green

A Spoiler Free Bit About The Book

Colin has loved and lost nineteen Katherines and his best friend Hassan decides they need to go on a road trip. What ensues is funny, thoughtful and heart-warming.

My Review

As readers of this blog will already know, I am a total sucker for John Green. I'm sorry but I just am. I think he's a genius. Having said that, although I loved 'Katherines' it is my least favourite of his books so far.

First, I was surprised to find it written in the third person. I must admit, I was disappointed. However, it made sense for the character of Colin and it was still written beautifully.

Other than that I can't pinpoint why exactly this one is my least favourite. (I've read all of Green's books so far except 'Will Grason, Will Grason'.) It still had all the terrific Green qualities I know and love. For example, the characters were so loveable I could just be with them all day. Especially Hassan. He was by far my favourite.

I also loved the random approach this seemed to be written in. A totally Colin decision that made it immensely readable. I found the facts fascinating and the insights into human behaviour hilarious.

As per my love of Green, I read half in one sitting and the whole book in a day and a half. I just didn't want to stop reading for anything or anyone.

It was heart-warming, intelligent and funny - the kind of story that stays with you forever. It made me feel good and right and human.

Evaluation

Overall 9/10 - lucky me, the last six books I've read haven't been lower than an 8

Would I recommend it? Yes, without a doubt.

Would I look up the author? Yes but I don't have to.

'An Abundance of Katherines' made me feel good and right and human.

Molly Looby

Author / Ghostwriter / Editor / Blogger / Reviewer / Wrimo / Movellian / ZA Ready

molly.looby@hotmail.com

The Rise of Nine - Pittacus Lore

This is book three in the 'Lorien Legacies' series so please read with caution if you wish to read books one (I am Number Four) and two (The Power of Six).

A Spoiler Free Bit About The Book

Nine. That's all you need to know.

My Review

First, it must be said that I am in love with Nine. He is incredible and the more I got to know him, the more I loved him and wanted to know even more. One of the beautiful things about these books are the characters. I truly love all our protagonists - but of course Nine more than the others.

'The Rise of Nine' had a lot of action. The other books had loads but this was on another level. I think a good seventy percent was action. It was just so breathless I couldn't stop turning pages. But I'm used to that with the 'Lorien Legacies' books. However, I did want a little more interaction between the fantastic characters. Don't get me wrong, what interactions there were were excellent, I just wanted more of them. But what can I say? I'm a characters girl. I've said it before and I'll say it again.

All my points about book one and two still stand but this time I could fully appreciate all the different superpowers! I love superpowers, especially when they're written this well, with this much intensity. But who doesn't love superpowers, right?

Evaluation

Overall 9/10 - Nine, get it? But seriously, this is my favourite one in the series so far.

Would I recommend it? Yes, of course. I'm totally in love with these books.

Would I look up the author? Yes. I'm sad I don't have book four in front of me right now!

'The Rise of Nine' was action-packed, intense and breathless. Just what I expected.

Molly Looby

Author / Ghostwriter / Editor / Blogger / Reviewer / Wrimo / Movellian / ZA Ready

molly.looby@hotmail.com

The Power of Six - Pittacus Lore

Tread carefully. I am Number Four (Book One) spoilers lie ahead. The Power of Six is the second instalment of the Lorien Legacies Series

A Spoiler Free Bit About The Book

Four, Six and Seven . . . oh and Sam. That's pretty much all you need to know. Oh, and it's awesome!

My Review

At first I was a little disappointed that the narrative wasn't John Smith/Four but that's probably down to the fact I'd only just put I am Number Four down the previous evening. Needless to say, I was delighted when he came back and was into the book at once with his familiar narrative voice.

However, Marina/Seven was also an entertaining and readable narrator and it's so rare that I like two points of view equally. I felt sorry for her and understood where she was coming from. I also enjoyed how Four and Seven were so different from one another while both being Loric.

As before with I am Number Four there were some incredible fight scenes that had me hooked and the intensity didn't let up through the entire thing. That's perhaps my favourite thing about these books. Everything I said about I am Number Four still stands for this book.

Although John, in my opinion, turned into a brat a little bit in The Power of Six. I'll let him off because of Henri but still it was annoying and a couple of times I wanted to shout to him that he was being stupid and a classic teenager. But as I said, it makes sense that his character would act this way so I didn't let myself get too annoyed with it. I just hope he steps it up a notch in book three and gets his act together.

Plus, the whole Sarah-Four-Six-Sam scenario was so obvious and to be honest it made me uncomfortable. These books are so intense and action driven that they don't need these weird romances popping up all over the place. I loved John and Sarah's relationship in I am Number Four, I thought it was a nice touch but that was all. These books are sci-fi at heart, not romantic and that's okay. I just wish Lore hadn't pushed the romance in The Power of Six because it's the one thing letting the book down.

So because of that, this book wasn't quite as good as its predecessor.  

Evaluation

Overall 8/10

Would I recommend it? Yes. Still yes.

Would I look up the author? Yep. Bring on book three!

The Power of Six was excellent but not quite as good as its predecessor.

Molly Looby

Author / Ghostwriter / Editor / Blogger / Reviewer / Wrimo / Movellian / ZA Ready

molly.looby@hotmail.com

I Am Number Four - Pittacus Lore

Blurb

There were NINE of us who escaped . . . 

Number ONE was killed in Malaysia.

Number TWO was murdered in England.

Number THREE was hunted down in Kenya.

Before they come for the others, they'll come for me . . . 

I AM NUMBER FOUR.

(There's more but that's all I needed to pick this book up!)

My Review

I Am Number Four, if you want to be simple about it, is an easy read. But that doesn't mean it's an easy read emotionally. Gosh, I cried at the end. I couldn't stop turning pages. I was so tense I had to clutch the book tighter and tighter. Yes, there are no drawn out sentences and big words. Just punchy short ones and blunt statements. But this just added to the intensity of the story. Lore didn't need poetic beautiful paragraphs to make his point. He made it as simply as possible and that's why I fell in love with this book.

However there were few too many adverbs for my liking - because there was more than one per 100 pages - but they were spaced out so I could stomach it. This isn't really a negative because I say this to everyone on Movellas all the time and I always criticise people for using adverbs. But really, there was nothing else for me to criticise.

I loved the characters. They were lovable and realistic and I wanted to hang out with them. John's relationship with Sarah was written in the perfect way. It's not often a book has two teenagers fall madly in love and that's it. There's no tension no drama. Just love. And that was just right for this book which is chiefly about the sci-fi action.

Like I said before, I couldn't stop reading this book. I was just waiting for a spare moment to pick it up again. It was brilliant.

You might be wondering about the I Am Number Four film and well . . . I watched it a few years ago and enjoyed it. I'm glad I left it so long before picking up the book though because I could only remember a few pieces of the plot and I'd forgotten which actors played who so I was free to create my own images in my head. And yes, of COURSE the book is better! John and Henri are much more fun to read than watch and I feel the film didn't get their relationship quite right.

So now I'm proud to sit just before Lore on my bookshelf.

Evaluation

Overall 9/10

Would I recommend it? Yes! I couldn't put this book down.

Would I look up the author? Yes. Have picked up the second book straight away, The Power of Six.

I Am Number Four was an incredible sci-fi journey I didn't want to end.

Molly Looby

Author / Ghostwriter / Editor / Blogger / Reviewer / Wrimo / Movellian / ZA Ready

molly.looby@hotmail.com