I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter

Writer: Ally Carter

Publisher: Orchard Books

Publication date: 2006

Pages: 309

Edition: Paperback

Recieved: Gifted

"Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses – but it’s really a school for spies. Cammie Morgan is fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways (three of which involve a piece of uncooked spaghetti). But the one thing the Gallagher Academy hasn’t prepared her for is what to do when she falls for an ordinary boy who thinks she’s an ordinary girl.

Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, and track him through a mall without his ever being the wiser, but can Cammie have a normal relationship with a boy who can never know the truth about her?"

Usually, this wouldn't be the sort of book I would pick up in a bookshop. But I don't judge books by covers or titles. However, I did think the blurb sounded interesting. I was given for my birthday so started reading it. I thought it would be quite a dark book, but it wasn't. I think this book suits people who enjoy all different genre of books.

It is about a girl called Cammie, who doesn't get to live a normal life at a normal school. her Mum is a headmistress at Gallagher Academy, a school for spies. Everyone thinks that the private school is for geniuses. While on a mission, Cammie meets a boy called Josh. She has to lie to him about everything. Her school, parents, etc ect. But then the lies get too far and she can't keep up. I won't give away too much spoilers, but there are some really unexpected events.

I think this book is like an extended metaphor to do with love. Because some people do lie in relationships, and a lot of teenagers can really relate to this book, even though Cam's life is completly different.

This idea for this series is really original. Only Ally Carter could of throught of this story.

At the beginning, I thought this was not my type of book, and too be honest, I thought Cammie was a bit desperate. I was thinking about rating it as 3/5. However, as the book got along, I felt I was Cammie, and I had been sucked into the book. I did think not much happened in it, and there could of been a bit more action. But when it got to the parts with her and Josh you turn the pages fast, and won't let anything tear you away from the book.

There are three more books in the series. The sequel is 'Cross My Heart And Hope To Spy', which sounds just as good.

RATE: 4.5/5

To buy this book click HERE

Zoe x

Weekly Wanted - Wishlist Wonders #4

This is the fourth one of Amber and Rachel's meme!
To take part:
1. Post up 3 books that you can't wait to read or wish for.

2. Post up the synopsis/blurb.

3. Post up a picture of the front cover.

1. THE LONGEST WHALE SONG - JACQUELINE WILSON

"Ella’s mum’s in a deep coma having just had a new baby. That means Ella has to live with Jack, her hopeless stepfather and cope with her tiny newborn brother, as well as worrying about Mum. The only thing that’s going right is her school project. It’s all about whales and how they sing out to each other to attract a mate – sometimes for hours. Maybe a whale song could reach Mum, wherever she is, and bring her back to Ella and baby Samson. Surely it’s worth a try?"

2. THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE - JANDY NELSON

"Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to centre stage of her own life - and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, with a nearly magical grin. One boy takes Lennie out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But the two can't collide without Lennie's world exploding..."

3. DEEPER THAN BLUE - JILL HUCKLESBURY

"Amy is a thirteen-year-old champion swimmer. When she and her best friend Sophie meet with an accident one day, Amy’s life changes dramatically.
Amy’s story of how she comes to terms with Sophie’s death and with the consequences of her accident is told with sensitivity and humour. In hospital, Amy makes friends with quirky Harry, and begins to feel more positive. Her relationship with her parents is changing too, and the family’s move from Nottingham to Brighton heralds a new start.
Amy starts swimming again and triumphs in a competition – she has come full circle, and we have cried and laughed with her all the way."

So that's this weeks post. If you take part, dont forget to add yourself to The Mile Long Bookshelf's 'linky'!
=)

Zoe x

Priscilla The Great by Sybil Nelson

Writer: Sybil Nelson

Publisher: WorldMakerMedia

Publication date: 2010

Pages: 276

Edition: Kindle

Recieved: Bought from 'Amazon'

"Did you ever want a blowtorch for a finger?
Meet Priscilla Sumner, an ordinary seventh grader with extraordinary gifts. As if middle school isn't hard enough, not only does Priscilla have to fight pimples and bullies, but genetically enhanced assassins trying to kill her and her family.
Armed with wit, strength, and a genius best friend, Priscilla must defeat the Selliwood Institute, a mysterious organization with a mission of turning children into killing machines."

Yep, this is the kindle edition. I couldn't find it anywhere else :-( I don't think it is out in England yet (I am guessing). But I wanted to read it so much, because there are such good reviews. I don't have a kindle, so I dowloaded (for free) a PC Kindle.

It is about an ordinary girl, Priscilla Sumner. She has a lot going on, like family problems, bullies, cute boys and the fact she is putting her family and herself in danger.

This book was very engaging on the first chapter. The opening sentence is 'I awoke tied to a chair.' and you want to read on. I was planning onto read just the first chapter then read the rest later - but as you can probably see where I am getting at, I read on...

Sybil's writing is very funny, and really did make me laugh out loud. This would make a really good movie (wait - I think it is...?)

I cannot say how much I love this book! Outstanding. Flawless. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I love how Sybil Nelson fits all the genres of books in here.

My favourite character was Kyle. I want him to be real! I can't say too much about him without giving away spoilers-so read it!

I recommend this to everyone. But I think the people who will love this book the most is for 11-14 year olds. Don't hesitate to buy!!

RATE: 100000/5!

To buy this book click HERE.

Zoe x

Weekly Wanted: Wishlist Wonders #3

Yep, it is the third post to Amber and Rachel's meme, Weekly Wanted: Wishlist Wonders.

To take part:

1. Post up 3 books that you can't wait to read or wish for.

2. Post up the synopsis/blurb.

3. Post up a picture of the front cover.




1. A YEAR WITHOUT AUTUMN - LIZ KESSLER
"If you could see into the future - would you look? Jenni Green doesn't have a choice. On her way to visit her best friend, Autumn, Jenni suddenly finds she's been transported exactly one year forward in time. Now she discovers that in the year that's gone by, tragedy has struck and her friendship with Autumn will never be the same again. But what caused the tragedy? How did Jenni skip a year? And can she find her way back to the past to try to change what lies ahead? With humour - and her customary light touch - the author of the EMILY WINDSNAP books plays a fascinating game with time, and explores the changes that take place in friendships and families in the aftermath of a disaster."

 2. FLYAWAY - LUCY CHRISTOPHER
"In this touching novel for ages 10+, Lucy Christopher explores the remarkable bond between a young girl, a boy and a damaged wild bird - a relationship that will touch everyone who reads it. While visiting her father in hospital, thirteen-year-old Isla meets Harry, the first boy to understand her and her love of the outdoors. But Harry is ill, and as his health fails, Isla is determined to help him in the only way she knows how. Together they watch a lone swan struggling to fly on the lake outside Harry's window. Isla believes that if she can help the damaged swan, somehow she can help Harry. And in doing so, she embarks upon a breathtakingly magical journey of her own"

3. NAUGHTS AND CROSSES TRILOGY - MALORIE BLACKMAN
"Sephy and Callum have been best friends since childhood, and now they are older and they realise they want more from each other. But the harsh realities of lives lived in a segregated society are beginning to take their toll: Callum is a nought--a second-class citizen in a world dominated by the Crosses--and Sephy is a Cross, and the daughter of one of the most powerful men in the country. The barriers they would have to cross to be together at first seem little more than minor obstacles to the two idealistic teenagers, but soon those barriers threaten not only their friendship but their lives."

 There they are.... :)

Zoe

Split By A Kiss by Luisa Plaja

Writer: Luisa Plaja
Publisher: Corgi
Publication date: 2008
Pages: 309
Edition: Paperback
Recieved: Bought from 'Amazon'

"Jo has just moved to America with her mum. She's always been a fairly average girl - not a nerd but certainly never one of the popular kids. But on her first day in her new school, she seems to be adopted by the It girls - and is invited to one of their parties. There, she meets Jake Matthews, officially the hottest boy in school, and when they begin to play the kissing-in-the-closet game, Seven Minutes in Heaven, amazingly Jake picks Jo join him in the closet! She can't believe her luck. But the reality of being kissed and groped by Jake is not quite as great as the fantasy... Jo has a choice to make: should she carry on, kiss Jake and secure her position in the It crowd - or should she tell him where to get off and risk relegation back to the land of the ordinary . . . ? At this moment - Jo splits. She's Josie the Cool - girlfriend of Jake, member of the It crowd. She's also Jo the Nerd - rejected by the It crowd, single . . . Will her two halves ever come back together again? Is Jake the guy she's meant to be with or could some of the other people she meets along her journey - Rachel the scary goth, David the misfit or Albie the rocker - be the answer?"

Lots of people were recommending it to me, and I have seen lots of positive reviews about it, so I bought it. The cover also looks appealing, don't you think? I  l-o-v-e  it! Usually I don't comment on the covers, but this one definetly needed a shout-out!

My first thoughts on the book (first 3 pages): Great, this is going to just be another lovey-dovey story. But after a few pages I thought this book was fantastic. It was like I was living her life, as what goes on in school is so realistic. Some bits really made me laugh out loud, this book is hilarious!

I absolutly love the fact that she split in two (not literally though). Jo The Cool and Jo The Nerd. Ever done something and later on wondered what would have happened if you had done it different? Well, this book shows both sides of Josie...which made this book really speak to me.

My favourite character was either David, Albie or Tori. David and Albie were really lovable and you can't decide which one you prefer. Tori is a really good best friend, and it is heartwarming what she does for Jo in the end.

I really want to read the sequel! Swapped By A Kiss.

I recommend this 11 or 12+.

RATE: 5/5

-Zoe

I won a Malorie Blackman calender! + coming soon

I won a competition by writing a review for MB's latest book, Boys Don't Cry, and me and four others won!! Here are some pictures:

They had a different book cover for each month.

Thanks for Random Book House for sending this to me :-)

Coming Soon On The Blog:

• A review of 'Split By A Kiss' by Lusia Plaja
• A review of 'Prisscilla The Great' by Sybil Nelson
• A review of 'Roman Mysteries' series by Caroline Lawrence
• Interviews - Amber from The Mile Long Bookshelf and hopefully Cliona from Bookster reviews, waiting for her reply.
• More Weekly Wanted: Wishlist Wonders posts

Keep a look out!!

Zoe :-) x

Weekly Wanted: Wishlist Wonders #2

This is the second one on Amber (The Mile Long Bookshelf) and Rachel's (Booktastic Reviews) meme: Weekly Wanted: Wishlist Wonders!
Rules:

1. Post up 3 books that you can't wait to read or wish for.

2. Post up the synopsis/blurb.

3. Post up a picture of the front cover.

Here my mine for this week's! :)

1.  SWAPPED BY A KISS - LUISA PLAJA

"Rachel hates her life and everyone in it - she even has suspicions that her on/off boyfriend David might not be entirely trustworthy. However, when David invites her to a music festival in England featuring their friend's band, she jumps at the chance for an overseas adventure. Hoping to surprise David, Rachel arrives at the festival early, where she runs into a nasty surprise of her own - she sees David kissing their friend Jo. Distraught, Rachel runs off, wishing she could leave her life behind... the next thing she knows, she's back with David. But not as herself... She's now in Jo's body! Can she keep the swap a secret from David until she can work out exactly what's going on and get her revenge? Over the course of a very weird weekend, Rachel puts herself in someone else's shoes and finds that her own maybe weren't as uncomfortable as she'd always thought. But can she ever be herself again?"

2. GIRL, MISSING - SOPHIE MCKENZIE

"Lauren is adopted and eager to know more about her mysterious past. But when she discovers she may have been snatched from an American family as a baby, her life suddenly feels like a sham. Why will no one answer her questions? How can she find her biological mum and dad? And are her adoptive parents really responsible her kidnapping her?

Lauren runs away from her family to find out the truth, but her journey takes her into more and more danger - as she discovers that the people who abducted her are prepared to do anything to keep her silent..."

3. DELLA SAYS: OMG! - KERIS STAINTON

"Della’s over the moon when she kisses her long-standing crush at a party – but then she discovers her diary has disappeared...
When scans of embarrassing pages are sent to her mobile and appear on Facebook, Della’s distraught – how can she enjoy her first proper romance when someone, somewhere, knows all her deepest, darkest secrets?"

So that is this weeks!

Look out for the third post which is next week :)

Bye for now, and don't forget to check out everyone else's!!

Zoe x

Hacker by Malorie Blackman

Writer: Malorie Blackman
Publisher: Corgi
Publication date: 1993
Pages: 200
Edition: Paperback
Recieved: Bought from 'Amazon'


"MESSAGE: This is the system operator. Who is using this account? Please identify yourself . . .
When Vicky's father is arrested, accused of stealing over a million pounds from the bank where he works, she is determined to prove his innocence. But how? There's only one way - to attempt to break into the bank's computer files.
Even if Vicky is the best hacker in the world, will she find the real thief before they find her?"

After reading Malorie's other book, Boys Don't Cry, I was very eager to read another one. I loved, loved loved Hacker. She wrote it about ten years ago, but it was still just as good.

When Vicky's Dad is put in prison for transferring one million pounds to is bank account she and her brother, Gib, are determined to prove him innocent. Vicky also has a problem of her own, as she is accused of cheating on her Maths exam and she also is determined to prove her innocence. Vicky is adopted and for a bit of the time in the book she feels not part of her family, but her parents make her feel special, which I particularly loved about this book. Because if you are adopted and and don't feel you belong, you can really relate to this book. It's like a comforting message written by a woman you haven't met.

I read this book in one day. Actually, one afternoon. It was that gripping, and I am not exaggerating! The last five chapters were so un-put-a-down-able it was if I was glued to the book. There are some really surprising twists all the way through. It is one of those books which you can't predict the ending, you just hope to read on and finish...

I recommend this book to everyone - all ages. Even if you are not the computer sort of person, still read it! My Dad liked this book too...

RATE: 5/5 - definitely!

Click HERE to buy the book (which you should!)

Zoe :-)

Weekly Wanted: Wishlist Wonders

Recently a few book bloggers decided to take part in a 'meme'. So my friends, Amber from the The Mile Long Bookshelf and Rachel from Booktastic Reviews (both ace blogs by the way!) created one called Weekly Wanted: Wishlist Wonders.
The Rules:
1. Post up 3 books that you can't wait to read or wish for.

2. Post up the synopsis/blurb.

3. Post up a picture of the front cover.

 

Here are mine :)


ENTANGLED

"'The same questions whirl round and round in my head:
What does he want from me?
How could I have let this happen?
AM I GOING TO DIE?'


17-year-old Grace wakes up in a white room, with table, pens and paper - and no clue how she got there.


As Grace pours her tangled life onto the page, she is forced to remember everything she's tried to forget. There's falling hopelessly in love with the gorgeous Nat, and the unravelling of her relationship with her best friend Sal. But there's something missing. As hard as she's trying to remember, is there something she just can't see?


Grace must face the most important question of all. Why is she here?
A story of dangerous secrets, intense friendships and electrifying attraction.'
                                    
MY SO-CALLED AFTER-LIFE

                                       '"I knew it was time to move on when a tramp peed on my Uggs..." Meet Lucy Shaw. She's not your average fifteen year old - for a start, she's dead. And as if being a ghost wasn't bad enough, she's also trapped haunting the men's toilets on Carnaby Street. So when a lighting engineer called Jeremy walks in and she realises he can see and hear her, she isn't about to let him walk out of her afterlife. Not least until he's updated her on what's happening in her beloved soaps. With Jeremy's help, Lucy escapes the toilet and is soon meeting up with other ghosts, including the perpetually enraged Hep and the snogtastic Ryan. But when Jeremy suggests Lucy track down the man who murdered her, things go down hill. Can Lucy face up to the events of that terrible night? And what will it cost her if she does?

A wonderful debut novel which, as well as being laugh-out-loud funny, is full of insights, compassion, and love.'

Life at the Shallow End: The Crazy World of Electra Brown 'Electra’s family is falling apart. Her dad’s moving out, her mum’s given in to her daytime TV addiction, and her little brother (aka The Little Runt) has just been caught shoplifting. Even the guinea-pig's gone mental. And all Electra can think about is whether green eyeliner compliments or clashes with blue eyes. Where can a girl turn in her hour of need? To her best friends, of course. Together, they think up a plan: persuading the class geek to stalk her dad seemed like a good idea at the time ...' (sorry that the previous entry is in bold, my blog is acting wierd...) There they are - my three books I want to read for this week... Good luck with your 'meme' Amber and Rachel, -Zoe-

Pride and Penalties by Chris Higgins

Writer: Chris Higgins
Publisher: Hodder's Childrens Books
Publication date: 2007
Pages: 282
Edition: Paperback
Recieved: Bought from 'Amazon'

I have read another Chris Higgins book, Love Ya Babe which I LOVED so I thought I might try out another one....

"Charlotte doesn't want a lot - just to play rugby and for her Dad to be proud of her.

But her brother Will's the rugby star of the family, only he's got very different stars in his eyes.

Soon they're both keeping secrets and so is their mum! Plus Gran is acting stranger and stranger... It also doesn't help that her sworn enemy is the one boy she can't stop thinking about....

Good thing she's known as Spider, she'll need all the help she can get to untangle this web!"

Pride and Penalties is about a girl called Charlie (nicknamed Spider and you will find out why in the book) who loves playing rugby. Her Dad wants her brother Will to be the rugby star, and doesn't believe that girls are meant for sports. And William doesn't even want to play rugby, he wants to be on stage singing and dancing, but he can't break the news to Dad. Soon Spider knows the truth and keeps it a secret. Then there is friendship problems, typical teachers, confused Grandparents and she to realize her parents are rowing a lot more now - divorce?

I really enjoyed reading this book. Let's put it this way, I received it on the Thursday evening, and finished Saturday morning. Don't forget I had school inbetween! It felt as if I was Charlotte, and living her life. I was so tired one night, but I couldn't resist reading on. And it was worth it, because it had a deserved heart-warming ending.

There are some really unexpected twists in this book. First I thought at the beginning I knew the ending, and guessed it. Luckily, I carried on reading and the Chris Higgins writes her endings well and it all came together.

My favourite character was Wayne Dobson (or as Spider refers to...Dobbin!). We automatically hate him at the beginning. I mean, when the main character says he is her sworn enemy, you agree don't you? I could see his sweet and sensitive side near the middle of the book and desperatly wanted them to be a couple. And they....no I can't tell you. That would be cheating ;-)

RATE: 4.5/5 ... because I am awkward like that XD

Buy this book HERE!

Enjoy...

Zoe x

10 Books I Want To Read...

The following are the top ten books I really want to read! To see the following book I have added a link...

Flyaway by Lucy Christopher

Click here!

Entangled by Cat Clarke

Click here!

Running Wild by Michael Morpurgo

Click here!

Swapped By A Kiss By Luisa Plaja (sp?)

Click here!







 

You Wish by Mandy Hubbard

Click here!

Della Says: OMG!

Click here!

The Longest Whale Song by Jacqueline Wilson

Click here!

My Name is Mina by David Almond

Click here!

Girl, Missing by Sophie McKenzie

Click here!

Broken Soup

Click here!

Of course there are many, many more books I would love to read but these are my top ten...

If you have read the following above, feel welcome to comment below how you found the book :)

Zoe

Shadow by Michael Morpurgo

Writer: Michael Morpurgo
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication date: 2010
Pages: 281
Edition: Paperback
How I Recieved: Bought from 'Scholcastic Book Club.

" 'This dog is not like other dogs. She is more like a friend than a dog, a friendly shadow that does not want to leave us. You never lose your shadow.'
Never have Aman and his mother needed a friend more than when a Springer Spaniel appears in the mouth of their Afghan cave. Nursed back to health by Aman, the dog becomes a constant companion, a shadow, and that's what Aman decides to call her.
But life in Afghanistan becomes more dangerous by the moment. Eventually, Aman, his mother and Shadow find the couarge to leave. But how far can Shadow lead them? And in this terrifying new world, is anywhere really safe..?"

Shadow is a touching, interesting and gripping book. If you like war stories, you will be hooked. It is about the war in Afganistan, as you might have guessed. The chapters go from each character telling the story, Matt, Grandpa and Aman. These characters are a good way to show how everything is happening.

The story kept on getting better, and by better, I mean worse. For Aman. His life in Afghanistan is not safe for him and his mother, after his Grandmother and dad died. It shows their journey and it tells you all about the wars in Afghanistan. It really makes you want to do something about it, and the true meaning of friendship and family.

But where does the dog come in, you wonder? Shadow the dog, I think, is the reason they are living. he never leaves their side and makes them have faith not to give up. They have the opportunity to give her up, but they don't because she has sticked by them all their side, and they do the same for her.
They depart in the middle of the book and you wonder if they will reunite at the end or not - which I wanted so badly! I won't tell you the end, obviously, so buy this book!!

RATE: 5/5

Click HERE to get this book!

Zoe