In My Mailbox #5

IMM is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren, where we share the books we gained in the week.

So, this week I recieved...

Won-

I was SO lucky to win three giveaways in one week!!!

Six Words And A Wish by Karen McCombie

Thanks Chicklish! This is Karen McCombie's latest novel. It sounds really good, and I think I will really enjoy it. I have read books by this author before and they were brilliant!

Trash by Andy Mulligan

This sounds really good! It is about a dumpsite boy who finds something that leads him on an adventure. I was really intriuged and when I this competition I entered it, thanks to the book blog, Mostly Reading YA for this.









I know there is another book on the way soon, so I have more to look forward too! :-)

Btw, I can only comment on the odd IMM on everyone else's blogs, but I am reading them!

What did you get this week?

Zoe x

The Medusa Project: The Rescue by Sophie Mckenzie

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Childrens Books

Publication date: 8th July 2010

Pages: 272

Edition: Paperback

Received: Library

Fourteen years ago, four babies were implanted with the Medusa gene - a gene for psychic abilities. Now teenagers, Nico, Ketty, Ed and Dylan have been brought together by government agents to create a secret crime-fighting force: The Medusa Project. Since their existence became known to members of the criminal underworld, they have been hidden away in a secluded training camp in Spain, where their identities are being kept secret. Life in camp is hard enough, but then things take a turn for the worse. Ed is blackmailed into using his mind-reading powers - and in doing so he threatens to endanger the whole Medusa Project...


You can probably guess what my review will be like....this book is BRILLIANT! The Rescue is the third in the best-selling series, The Medusa Project. They just keep getting better and better! This book is seen through the eyes of Ed, and his psychic ability is mind-reading. He doesn't really like his power, because he feels he intrudes in their lives. When looking into someones eyes for even a split second, whoosh, he is in their head! Ed is blackmailed to use his ability to make matters worse, that can - once again - but the whole Medusa gang in danger.

If you are not familiar with these awesome books, there are five altogether - with a final sixth one coming out in 2012. The first one is called The Set-Up (review here), with the Hostage following (review here). The series is based on four teenagers, Nico, Ketty, Ed and Dylan. They all have the Medusa gene which allows them to have psychic powers. However it is not as great as you think. First of all, it killed each of there mothers and for Dylan, both her parents have died. In addition to this, they also have evil people after them 24-7! I recommend you start with the first one to avoid confusion.

The Rescue is another gripping, thrilling book by Sophie McKenzie. It has everything you want that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat until the story reaches the end. This is one of the most of the interesting ones yet!

Now, onto the characters. Ed is the academic, timid one of the group. Before, he seemed to not quite fit in but in this one he showed more confidence and loyalty as he had to face many obstacles.
My favourite character is this has to my Loz, a girl who Ed meets at the boot camp. Even though she spoke very little English, I loved their relationship. I was sad to see that there relationship was not continued in the next ones, but has still managed to save a place in your heart.

If you have read the first two, don't hesitate to read this. It is a action-packed story really well-written. The next two books reviews will be up soon, but I can tell you that the series in continuously improving!

RATE: 5/5

To buy this book click HERE.

Zoe x

Fiction Express Chapter 7

Sorry I haven't posted in ages, and having two of these reviews one after the other! Anyway..

For those of you unfamiliar with Fiction Express, it is a new website that releases a new chapter every Friday. After reading it, you can vote to see where the story goes next! If you have missed the last few weeks, you can still read the first chapter for free and the next ones for 59p each. For 5 free credits, use this code: AB45YG. Enjoy!

Diary Of A Mall Girl - Luisa Plaja

Last week Molly and Ameera decided to sneak into Jewel and Jasper's apartment. I was really surprised what happened after that, and we found out a BIG SECRET about Jewel! Luisa is too genius beyond words...! Again, there was some more of the Jamie-Tasha-Liam love triangle. I don't this story to end!

The Last Symbol - Rebecca Morton

In this chapter, Lok has been handed over to The Officials. I am enjoying reading what is happening to Drina and Miko, I hope by the end of the book the siblings reunite. I felt like I was actually there at the scene, and I held my breath at the thrilling moments. Despite it being slightly confusing at times, this chapter is really worth reading!

Soul Shadows - Alex Woolf

Last votes were very hard to decide! I thought that Estelle is the perfect character for the storyline of this book, and I feel she made the right choice. This chapter is full of action, shocking moments and I am having second-thoughts about my predictions for the ending! I have no idea what will happen, but I am sure we will have a few more twists!

The Soterion Mission - Stewart Ross

The first few sentences had me hooked, and I love how each chapter has me absorbed in the story. In this chapter, it started with Taja and Cyrus being rescued. I was
leased that Roxanne had found each other, I am looking forward to where this takes us. It ended in a cliffhanger, which made voting very hard!



I hope you enjoyed chapter 7 as much as I did, if not - what are you waiting for?!

Zoe x

Fiction Express Chapter 6

Fiction Express is a e-fiction site which releases each chapter every chapter. After reading it, you can vote what happens next in the story! The chapters are 59p each and the first one of all the books are for free. Here are my reviews for Chapter 6 of he four brilliant books:

Diary Of A Mall Girl - Luisa Plaja

In this (awesome) chapter, Molly decided to find Jasper instead of being in the middle of the Jamie-Tasha-Liam situation. I love, love, love Molly and Jasper's relationship and I really hope we see more of them! Without giving away spoilers, I can tell you that this chapter is full of excitement, passion and gripping techniques. The end of the chapter is unexpected, which made voting very hard!

The Last Symbol - Rebecca Morton

This time, we found out more about the unanswered questions in the last chapters. Some of it was quite surprising, what will happen next?! This chapter is one of the best! The ending is so suspenseful, what will Miko do? The voting part was an anxious time, so I am looking forward to the next chapter....this is nail-biting stuff!

Soul Shadows - Alex Woolf

Can it get any better? In this one, Estelle opens the tomb and investigates to see that soul shadows can be created with corpses. It is an exciting and thrilling story. The characters appear so vivid and I have no idea what will happen in the end! It has the right amount of everything, including spine-tingling moments. Almost everyone will find this story breath-taking!

The Soterion Mission - Stewart Ross

The opening is very strong and I though that this chapter is particularly good! The way the author sets the scene really creates an image in your head of the fantastic storyline. The chapter is one of the best ones, the characters faced electrifying events. Cyrus' time wasn't too well in this chapter! I felt really sorry for him, after discovering Roxanne's possible fate. I am looking forward to what happens next!



Great week -  as you can tell! I am sorry I am leaving the reviews so late when Chapter 7 will be coming out tomorrow! I can't believe how fast the weeks have gone, time certainly flies!

Don't forget to subscribe to 5 free credits (that's half a book for free!) with the code AB45YG .

Zoe x

In My Mailbox #4

IMM is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren.

This week has been AWESOME! Here is what I received:

Bought-





The Medusa Project: Double-Cross by Sophie Mckenzie

"Narrated by Nico, Double-Cross is full of telekinetic action as the Medusa Project team arrive in Sydney, Australia, for another exciting mission - and come face-to-face with two more Medusa teens: Cal, a boy who can fly, and Amy, a girl who can shapeshift...but who is double-crossing who?"

Yay! It has finally been released! The first four of this brilliant series were amazing, and I was thrilled to find it in the bookshop so soon. I am sure this book will be just as good as the others - I can't wait to get started . . . *goes off to read*


The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

"Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and 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 center 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, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding."

I have been wanting to read this for aaaaaaages! All the reviews for this book are full of positivity and some people are describing it as beautiful. Unfortunately, I was able to get the blue cover which looks like a bound notebook but the cover I have is still gorgeous!


My So-Called Phantom Lovelife by Tamsyn Murray

"When fourteen-year-old Skye Thackery meets Owen Wicks, it’s not exactly love at first sight. She’s getting over a broken heart and he’s — well — a ghost. But as Skye gets to know him, she can’t help wondering what it would be like to kiss him. Dating a ghost isn’t easy, and things get worse when Owen declares he’s found a way to stay with Skye forever. His plans make her uneasy — the shadowy organisation which claims to be able to help him is bad news, and it seems Nico, her ex, is involved too. As Owen prepares to risk everything, Skye begins to wonder if she really has a future with him, or if his desire to be more than just a ghost will cost them everything."

After reading the first two fabulous books I wanted to read this so bad! In My So-Called Haunting I was blown away, and now I am happy there is another story about Skye. I love how in series the covers match, and all three of them are really nice. I am almost certain I will enjoy this!

Borrowed-

Artemis Fowl 1 by Eoin Colfer

"Twelve-year-old villain, Artemis Fowl, is the most ingenious criminal mastermind in history. His bold and daring plan is to hold a leprechaun to ransom. But he's taking on more than he bargained for when he kidnaps Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon (Lower Elements Police Reconnaissance Unit). For a start, leprechaun technology is more advanced than our own. Add to that the fact that Holly is a true heroine and that her senior officer Commander Root will stop at nothing to get her back and you've got the mother of all sieges brewing!"

This book sounds really interesting and I am looking forward to see what the series are like. They seem to be really popular, so I picked it up in the library. Sounds good!

The Misadventures of Tallulah Casey: Withering Tights by Louise Rennison

"Laugh your tights off at the (VERY) amateur dramatic antics of Talullah and her bonkers mates. Boys, snogging and bad acting guaranteed!
Picture the scene: Dother Hall performing arts college somewhere Up North, surrounded by rolling dales, bearded cheesemaking villagers (male and female) and wildlife of the squirrely-type.
On the whole, it’s not quite the showbiz experience Tallulah was expecting… but once her mates turn up and they start their ‘FAME! I’m gonna liiiiive foreeeeeever, I’m gonna fill my tiiiiights’ summer course things are bound to perk up. Especially when the boys arrive. (When DO the boys arrive?)
Six weeks of parent-free freedom. BOY freedom. Freedom of expression… cos it’s the THEATRE dahling, theatre!!"

I remember reading Louise Rennison's Georgia Nicholson series and they were so funny! The writing was hilarious and I loved the form of the diary. I wouldn't have bought this book, but since I found it at the library I have decided to give it ago! All the reviews have been mixed, so I will let you know what I think!


What did you get in your mailboxes?

Zoe x

Which Cover? #5

It is June already!! Which Cover? is a monthly post here at Bookhi. It is usually between various covers and you can comment below which one you like best. This month it is between the old Cathy Cassidy covers and the new ones! The first set she illustrated herself and the second ones are Puffin cover girls.

1.

2.

To be honest, I love them both! The first set of covers are vibrant,  colourful and eye-catching. They are all so gorgeous and Cathy definitely has an amazing talent for drawing as well as writing. I love how in each of them there is an illustration that features throughout the novel. It is simple and complex at the same time - in a good way! If I had never heard of CC before, I would still certainly pick one these books off a shelf. The colours go really well together in all of them, which makes it almost impossible to ignore!

To continue, the second covers are just as fabulous. Somehow, the cover models all go with the story. Their facial expressions are really good and give you a hint of what the story with be about. Again, the colours also go together nicely in these too. For Cherry Crush, I think that The Chocolate Box Girls series should keep the same lovely covers as before. The one shown above is actually the paperback version, but it will still be easy to mix up with single novels. However, I still think they all look really attractive. Another great reason about these covers is that you can enter a competition to be the next CC cover girl!

To sum up, I am on the borderline. I think they are all fabulous and I love everything about them!

What do YOU think?

Zoe x

Fiction Express Chapter 5

Fiction Express is a e-fiction site which releases a chapter every week of the following four books. You can vote what happens next and read the next chapter for as little as 59p. If you missed the first chapter, you can still read it for free!

Diary Of A Mall Girl - Luisa Plaja


After the last mega, mega, mega cliffhanger I couldn't wait to find out what happened in this chapter! In this one, everything disarray in Molly's life finally came together. She has her friends back and she is going out with her life-long crush. I loved reading this chapter and was really interested to find out what happened to the characters. I love the range of personalities and the finished book will be fabulous!

The Last Symbol - Rebecca Morton


I can't get over about the uniqueness (is that a word..?) of this story. In this chapter, Miko returned to Zenith and Drina started her journey by joining the SFDU. I was very eager to read this chapter because I wondered where both their paths might lead. I hope by the end of the book they reunite again! The more I read on, the more authentic the story became.

Soul Shadows - Alex Woolf

In this week's chapter Estelle and Sandor went to go and see Carl Herinson. It was hard to decide whether he could be trusted or not, which makes it really gripping. I think how in each chapter we know more and more about the soul shadows. One of the best bits is when they create shadows of Estelle and Sandor, that was very amusing! I love their relationship, and I am very enthusiastic to learn more about it....

The Soterion Mission - Stewart Ross


Last week I had a very difficult decision voting. I was relieved when my vote was cast, Corby the dog is OK! His writing is so believable and the writing really makes you feel you are there in the room with Roxanne and co. I was so engrossed in the novel, I forgot that it was actually fiction! The ending is really striking and I am sure the next chapter will also be just as brilliant.



What did you vote for? Which is your favourite story? Enjoy!

By the way, at The Story Siren there is a code for a giveaway of 5 credits (just scroll down and look for the add in the sidebar). Get yourself down there before it expires!


Zoe x


Radiance by Alyson Noël

Writer: Alyson Noël

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

Publication date: 1st Feb 2011

Pages: 208

Edition: Paperback

Received: Bought

Riley has crossed the bridge into the afterlife—a place called Here, where time is always Now. She has picked up life where she left off when she was alive, living with her parents and dog in a nice house in a nice neighborhood. When she’s summoned before The Council, she learns that the afterlife isn’t just an eternity of leisure. She’s been assigned a job, Soul Catcher, and a teacher, Bodhi, a possibly cute, seemingly nerdy boy who’s definitely hiding something. They return to earth together for Riley’s first assignment, a Radiant Boy who’s been haunting a castle in England for centuries. Many Soul Catchers have tried to get him to cross the bridge and failed. But all of that was before he met Riley . . .

I have been interested in this author before, especially her Immortal series. I saw this in a bookshop and loved the cover. It is beautiful the way the colours go together and the bridge is slightly faded in the background. The font is gorgeous too, and the inside didn't disappoint!

Riley died in a car crash and the only one who survived is Ever, her big sister. Even Buttercup, her dog, went into the afterlife along with her parents too. After learning to fit in with others, Riley is asserted to being a Soul Catcher. Her job is too help people move on and stop them leering on the bridge and finally cross it. Her assistant is Bodhi, a boy who is training her. Riley's first 'mission' is the Radiant Boy. Everyone before her has failed, but Riley is different than the rest...

I really enjoyed this! It was never boring and the ideas are so original. Alyson's style of writing is the kind that has you hooked. It is a very short and light novel, but now this makes me want to read the next one in the series - Shimmer. I am now very interested in reading The Immortals, another series aimed at older readers.

Personally, overall I found this a entertaining read. It had a splash of everything which will have you laughing one minute and turning the pages as fast as possible the next! However, to be honest, this isn't worth the price. Maybe £2 or a freebie in a magaize. In my opinion, this book will probably be engaging to girls around 11-13 - or a mini read for teens!

RATE: 3/5

To buy this book click HERE.

Zoe x