She should keep in mind, she should keep in mind, there is nothing I do better than revenge.

The Revenge Artist
Author: Philip Siegel
Publcation Date: November 18th 2015
Published by: Philip Siegel
~A copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review~

They say money can't buy you love. Becca Williamson begs to differ.

Once upon a time, Becca was the Break-Up Artist, tearing apart unhealthy relationships at her school for just $100 via PayPal. But after a job went really wrong, she went legit for love and now brings couples together. Crushing on that supercute guy in Chemistry but too shy to say hi? Becca has the right formula. Pining for that artsy girl who vowed never to date a jock? Becca will ensure love conquers all. She's even engineered a relationship of her own: the funny, sweet and unbelievably cute Fred Teplitzky, the one guy who knows exactly what to say to make our unflappable heroine&amp...well, flappable.

But before she can pick out a graduation robe and enjoy her last months at Ashland High, Becca has to deal with a new Break-Up Artist on the block. And this master manipulator is dead set on one thing: revenge. Someone is going around destroying all of the couples she's worked hard to unite. Now Becca has to outwit and outscheme her new foe in a dirty cat-and-mouse chase filled with hacked emails, video surveillance, reputation ruining and a few candy hearts. Especially when she realizes that the Revenge Artist's number one target is her and Fred.

Looks like there are no such things as clean breaks.

I really enjoyed The Break-Up artist last year, it was a fun quick read full of personality and drama. Although my main problem with it was the high schools weird obsession of having a boyfriend, which was everything and you were obviously a poor suffering alien if you weren't a couple. Thankfully, that wasn't an issue here, considering Becca is no longer The Break-Up Artist, and more of a matchmaker, but it seemed like everyone learned a lesson and weren't so obnoxious. 

  

So, Becca's now a relationship engineer, for the same price via PayPal, she now brings people together, and with her also having a boyfriend now, she's a little less cynical (but she's always going to be cynical). Enter...The Revenge Artist, who, well, wants revenge by attacking the very couples Becca brings together, and her own relationship with Fred.

Of course there is still drama.

I think, the thing about Becca is, she's stubborn, and I mean stubborn to the point that it works very easily against her, especially with The Revenge Artist, who coincidently, does very little compared to what Becca did to break up couples. But she's realistic in that way, we don't want or like it when people get the best of you, when someone's playing your game, you want to win. Becca goes through a lot of growth, and although she does cause most of the things that happens, it also shows her what she really wants. She's uncertain about what she wants in her future, and who she wants with her. It's something you can relate to.

I did figure out who The Revenge Artist is, after all, keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer. Overall, The Revenge Artist is a great follow up to The Break-Up Artist, but if you weren't so fussed on The Break-Up Artist, the follow up might be more to your liking, because it also has a tooth achingly adorable epilogue, and for once I'm not being sarcastic.

                                                                           Rating: 4/5

                                 

 

Better late than never...

The Sword of Summer
Author: Rick Riordan
Publication Date: October 6th 2015 
Publisher: Puffin
~A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review~

Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother's mysterious death, he's lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers.

One day, he's tracked down by an uncle he's never met—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. His uncle tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god.

The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.

When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision.

Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . .

If you’ve read a Rick Riordan book before and loved it, you’re 99% guaranteed to feel the same about The Sword of Summer. Its trademark Rick Riordan, so here’s a check list we’ve come to know about anything Rick Riordan.

• Easy, likeable characters.

While I couldn’t really connect to Magnus, or any other character, you can relate to them, they’re easy to like and easy to root for. Magnus is sarcastic and even though doing the right thing gets him in trouble, and uh, killed, he does it anyway. Sam’s strong, and logical, and one hell of a multitasker. Heath and Blitz are, well, they’re Heath and Blitz, unique and loyal. Basically, they make one hell of an awesome team. And even Annabeth has a cameo!

• Mythology

This time around it’s Norse! Which, I was psyched about, because apart from the obvious, I don’t know much about Norse Mythology or Valkyries, and what I love about Rick Riordan’s are, you don’t know how much you’ve learned about the chosen mythology until you’ve finished it. And that’s the way you do it, because it doesn’t feel like learning, or reading a book on mythology, it’s done in a way that isn’t overwhelming, which any mythology can be, so you gradually learn who the God’s are, their children, their connection and relationships, and then of course, there’s Valhalla.

• Humour

You should know by now if you’ve read any Rick Riordan’s books, there’s always humour. Lots of it. In lots of places. Even by objects. Yes, objects. And while that makes the book seem light and fun, there are a lot of serious moments, too.

•   Quests

Of course there’s a quest. Duh. It even says so in the synopsis. I won’t tell you much about the quest, because I don’t want to give anything away, but I will say, it’s sneaky, and challenging, and honestly, you need to keep your eyes peeled for hints that start right from start.

• Brings God’s to life in a completely different way.

And sometimes, in a hopeless, unhelpful way that leaves the kids to do the work. Okay, let’s be honest, not sometimes. 

If you’ve read and liked the Percy Jackson series, but thought it was a little too young for you, Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard is the one for you.

 

 Rating: 4/5

                                 

For my monster from his slab, began to rise, and suddenly to my surprise..

 

This Monstrous Thing
Author: Mackenzi Lee
Publication Date: October 22nd 2015
Publisher: HarperCollins
~A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review~

In 1818 Geneva, men built with clockwork parts live hidden away from society, cared for only by illegal mechanics called Shadow Boys. Two years ago, Shadow Boy Alasdair Finch’s life shattered to bits.

His brother, Oliver—dead.

His sweetheart, Mary—gone.

His chance to break free of Geneva—lost.

Heart-broken and desperate, Alasdair does the unthinkable: He brings Oliver back from the dead.

But putting back together a broken life is more difficult than mending bones and adding clockwork pieces. Oliver returns more monster than man, and Alasdair’s horror further damages the already troubled relationship.

Then comes the publication of Frankenstein and the city intensifies its search for Shadow Boys, aiming to discover the real life doctor and his monster. Alasdair finds refuge with his idol, the brilliant Dr. Geisler, who may offer him a way to escape the dangerous present and his guilt-ridden past, but at a horrible price only Oliver can pay…

This Monstrous Thing is a hard one to review, mainly because it's down to it not being what I thought it was going to be. In some ways, it was great, especially in the way that attracts me to certain books and keeps me reading, which I'll get to in a minute. But, in other ways I felt it let me down because it just...lacked something for me. So I'll get that bit out of the way.

No Mourners. No Funerals. Except for My Poor Heart.

Six of Crows
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Publication Date: September 29th 2015
Publisher: Indigo
~A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Grisha Trilogy introduced readers to the irresistible fantasy world of the Grisha - and now Leigh Bardugo brings us a new sweeping epic.

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price - and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy, Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone.

A convict with a thirst for revenge.
A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.
A runaway with a privileged past.
A spy known as the Wraith.
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.

Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction - if they don't kill each other first.

Leigh Bardugo's writing has captivated readers since SHADOW AND BONE was published in 2012. SIX OF CROWS will take Leigh's fans back into the world they know and love. As gripping, sweeping and memorable as The Grisha Trilogy, this is perfect for fans of Laini Taylor, Kristin Cashore and Game of Thrones.

Let it be noted that, I read Six of Crows straight after Queen of Shadows, and it was not the wisest decision I have ever made. All. The. Feels. For. Days. And days. And days.

So I have a confession to make…I only read the Grisha trilogy for the first time a book before Six of Crows, and feel free to shot at me for waiting so long (and if you’re yet to read it, READ IT. NOW. GO. GO. GO.) because holy damn, I fell in love. But, you know the problem that enlists with that now, don’t you? How is a companion or a spin off series in the same world, going to beat the original?