The Chaos of Stars - Kiersten White

Pages: 288

Published: September 10th 2013 - Harper Teen

Genre: Y.A/ Fantasy

Format: Paperback

Acquired: Own Collection

Date Finished: 14th October 2013

Synopsis: 

Isadora, the teenage daughter of ancient Egyptian Gods, wants to escape her crazy family forever. But can you run away from fate?

 Quick thoughts : Bewitching, utterly readable, feisty and fascinating 

Kiersten White, Egyptian Mythology, Family drama, a girl travelling across the word. Oh yes please- give me some of that. As soon as I heard about The Chaos of Stars it was added to my wish list, and as soon as I could afford it, it was brought and I was so damn excited to get it in the mail that I had to start it pretty much straight away. Let me tell you this book is like crack [not that I know what that is like – so let's just say it's freaking addicting]

I really liked how Kiersten explored through Isadora the often strained relationship between parents and children. Especially between Mother and Daughter and I really resonated with her internal struggle and desire to break free from family, and the expectations and roles laid out for her as well as the added conflict of having to loose her parents because she isn't immortal. I also really appreciated the contrasting relationships interspersed throughout the novel that reflected on other characters interactions and connections – especially when it concerned parents. The overall theme of rebelliousness verses family blended with life, mythology, death and so many other aspects really added depth to a character who at most times I really struggled to sympathise with because of her attitude. Thankfully I could see through the often petulant internal struggles and outward conflicts of Isadora to appreciate her as a character in the context of the overall story.

I loved that Orian is Greek and Isadora is Egyptian it made a great change culturally as I haven't read to many books that do reflect different ethnic groups. The contrast in cultures both geographically and in terms of character I think was intriguing and done well. I was fascinated by the secret underworld, hidden right underneath the ancient city and tucked away from human eyes- and how the San Diego landscape and populations brings up different feelings in Isadora. Ones of freedom and of homesickness. That coupled with the bringing real historical truths and Mythological facts into a supernatural backdrop – Kiersten really won me over. It is certainly the little things I love to learn about culture that makes a book in my eyes worth reading.

One of my favourite parts of the story as how Orion brought to the surface a part of Isadora locked away. Especially when it came to exploring new food and places and really being open and honest with herself [even when she struggled so hard to keep her true feelings under wraps] Even with the twist near the end I must admit that Orian has to be one of my favourite male characters.

Overall I just loved this book. There were honestly moments of struggle while reading this. Times of confusion and frustration – but what is love without all those things to remind us at the end why we loved it so much in the first place. Because of the beautiful underlining story. The romance that was slow burning, and at times hard to read and the wonderful landscape of emotions and characters who together have so much to offer even with their limited places in the story. For me this is one of the books I will be reading again. I would recommend it if you enjoy a great story, fantastic writing and a great cast of characters who make it worth the read.

I give this one:

♥♥♥♥♥

Bright shining Orion's. 

Between The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea - April Genevieve Tulcolke

Pages: 360

Published: August 15th 2013 - Dial

Genre: Y.A/ Paranormal

Format: Hardback

Acquired: My Own Collection

Date Finished: October 20th 2013

Synopsis:

You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town… until River West comes along. River rents the guest house behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard.

Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more?

Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery... who makes you want to kiss back.

Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

Quick thoughts: Sombre, twisted, atmospheric and inviting.

This book is really hard for me to rate. On one hand I loved it. It was everything I needed and wanted to read at the time, and yet it was so not what I was expecting when I ordered it. I have the feeling in the back of my mind that something was missing, but the whole story was so packed with little winding story arcs and sordid happenings that it was hard to imagine what else could possibly be slid into the story. So there I was at the end, feeling satisfied, but confused. Contradictions – ah this book. Overall though when I closed the cover I have to say I did like it- maybe not love, but it was like a damn train wreck. One with thousands of passengers splayed everywhere on the cold and dusty tracks with no one to help them and I was helpless to look away, helpless when it came to picking up and reading this book. It drew me in, it held me tight, and I couldn't stop reading it because I just needed to know.

I really loved April's writing style. I will just say that right off. Her attention to detail from an atmospheric and psychological level was captivating. I really enjoyed the pop culture, legends and all round tormenting eeriness that she injected into Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea. The sheer thriller aspect of it wound me up and had me shifting through so many emotions and really putting myself in Violets place. Even at times when I really did not want to. She drew my mind in and had me held prisoner in her well explored settings that even after the book was done were still deeply seeded in my mind. Her style is different, and it does take a little getting used to Especially for me since it seemed like a lot of the time things were just so random. She reminded me a little bit of Nova Ren Suma, where everything is a lot different then it seems and you wonder if you ever going to know what's really happening and before you know it your lost [but in a good way]

The sheer bottled up crazy of this book was what made me love it. It is very rare that I get scared when reading a Y.A book, and even rarer that I can delight in the severity of darkness and really unleashed that side in my mind. This book has everything I needed in a good Gothic read – Supernatural elements, mystery, Psychological terror, betrayal, romance, abuse, murder. A fantastic well fleshed out setting and great little sub-lot gems to keep you guessing and wanting to know. Needing to know the truth.

The characters left a lot to be desired at times. But in the overall context of things I think it worked. I did not like River at all, not even during the end. [He's just not my kind of crazy] and he was one of those characters that made me want to shut the book. Violent wasn't much better, but when it came to the crunch there was a reason she was giving into the violence surrounding her so I couldn't fault her for it and other than that she was a pretty strong character. All the surrounding characters I think played really good parts and I was invested enough in the story to care about them- of course some more than others. And I can't not admit that I am drawn to twisted relationships [being in a few myself] and who can resist the pull of a bad boy.

I was kind of hoping this would be a stand alone and to me I could read it as that and be happy.

Would I read it again – yes, even though it is one of those books that was a good enough read the first time around. I think it will stay on my shelf because it is one of those rare, twisted and addictive reads that I will always have a place for in my life.

Would I recommend it? - Yes. If you are a fan of dark Y.A Supernatural themes then you will probably enjoy it. It is hypnotic and readable and it will certainly have you asking questions, shouting at the page and turning those darn pages late into the morning. A good indication for me is if I can read a good 150+pages in a day then it is worth reading !!

I am giving this one: 

♥♥♥♥♥

Sparks