Review: Sovereign Hope by Frankie Rose

Title: Sovereign Hope (The Hope Series book 1)
Author: Frankie Rose
Age Group: Young Adult
Release Date: July 1st 2012
Publishers: Self-published
Available from: Amazon
Source: Author

Everyone has a soul

Some are just worth more than others

Farley Hope was seventeen when her mother disappeared. In the last six months not much has changed, except that her eighteenth birthday came and went and still no sign of Moira. Her life is just as complicated as it always was. Since her father died in a car crash before she was even born, she’s officially parentless, and to top it all off she’s still suffering from the hallucinations. Mind-splitting, vivid hallucinations- the kind prone to induce night terrors and leave you whimpering under your covers like a baby.

The last thing on her mind is boys. Farley is on break from St. Judes’ when she meets Daniel. It’s not some casual run in at a party, or even a blind date with friends, though. Daniel is the guy following her in his 1970′s Dodge Charger; the guy standing at her window in the LA lunch hour traffic, trying to persuade her to leave everything behind and follow him. And he's hot as all hell. 

The moment Farley lays eyes on Daniel, everything changes. He is cold and withdrawn, but there are cracks in his harsh veneer- cracks that betray the secrets he is trying so hard to hide. Farley is drawn into a world that will shake apart everything she thought she ever knew. There are truths out there that she must learn: that a person’s soul is their only real currency, and there are people who would do anything to take hers; that loving someone can hurt so much more than hating them; but, most importantly, when your future is predestined, there is little you can do to change it.

Farley Hope is prophesied.

Her coming has been awaited for hundreds of years.

She is destined to end the tyranny of the Soul Reavers.

To do so she must die.

--------

Sovereign Hope is one of those books that grab you from the first page and does not let you go. I adore this book on so many levels. I have been in a reading funk for a while, I just felt like every book I was reading was the same. I have to say a huge thank you to Frankie for asking me to review her book because I was blown away. I was instantly immersed in the world Frankie has crafted and did not want to stop until I finished it. I seriously considered calling in sick to work just so I could stay up all night to read it!

Farley Hope's mother has been missing for six months and the police are still no closer to finding out what happened to her. Farley holds out hope that they will find her when she crashes into Daniel, literally. He saves her life and from then her world is turned upside down. Daniel is part of a secret society that lives beneath our world. Farley finds out she is part of a prophecy that claims she will destroy the Immortals that rule over them. The Quorum are an impartial entity that is supposed to keep the balance between good and evil. The Immortals have upset this balance and Farley is part of the solution.

I loved Farley’s character, she's strong, stubborn, insecure and knows her own mind. I found her instantly likeable and was engaged with her character. She handles herself so well through everything; I think she was one of the more mature characters I have read. Then there's Daniel. He's one of those beautifully broken guys that break your heart and make you just want to hug them. He kind of reminds me of Will from the Infernal Devices, and has an arrogance to match Daemon from Obsidian. If you meshed those two guys together you will have a small idea of who Daniel is. His character is one of the one's that make you fall hard and fast, and I did. He had such a haunting presence to him, it's no wonder Farley felt herself falling for him. The romance plays a big part in the story, but it's only one part of the overall storyline. They have this connection that binds them together, yet Daniel acts as if it's one sided because of his sense of duty and a deal he made with the Quorum. He's totally swoon worthy, too. Trust me.

The storyline is original, action-packed and compelling. Sovereign Hope is a one-sit read, once you pick it up you just can't put it down. This is definitely one of my favourite reads of 2012! Frankie has such an addictive style of writing. Grab a copy of Sovereign Hope to be swept up into an amazing adventure that will have you turning the pages to see how it ends. I am desperately waiting for book 2.

5/5

 

 

 

 

This review is by Jo-Anne from Worlds of Wonderment.

REVIEW: The statistical probability of love at first sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Title: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Release Date: 2nd January 2012
My Rating: 4/5

THIS REVIEW IS FROM THE TALES COMPENDIUM

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.


In A Nutshell:
A light, quick, romance novel that is great for escaping but could otherwise benefit from being longer with more character development.

Read the rest of the review at The Tales Compendium here.

REVIEW: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Title: "Delirium"
Author: Lauren Oliver
Genre: YA dystopian/romance
Release date: February 1, 2011
Format: paperback, 441 pages
Publisher: Harperteen
Source: bought from Dymocks
Other details: on my Aussie Swap list
My rating: 3.5 stars

THIS REVIEW IS FROM CHIMNEYS AND MAGIC

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

It took me a while to get into the swing of things with Delirium. I felt really uneasy about this dystopian world where love is really a disease. The second half of the book is where things really started to happen. I don't think it was that I was starting to understand their society better, I just think the second half of the novel was better because more exciting things were happening. The introduction of Alex and Lena's relationship was just the beginning.

Read the rest of the review at Chimneys and Magic here.

Pan's Whisper by Sue Lawson

Title: Pan's Whisper
Author: Sue Lawson
First Published: 2011 by Black Dog Books

Pan Harper is angry. she's been placed in foster care, and is mad at her mum and older sister. she is sure she knows her life story better than anyone. but does she? memory is a tricky thing. then she meets her foster family, teachers, and most importantly Hunter. is he worth breaking her most important rule, Never Trust Anyone?

Quick Review
Pan's Whisper is a story of family and friends. Pan may be angry, but you can't help but like her. the more of her story you learn, the more you respect her, even as she makes mistakes over and over again. Sue Lawson once again has created an emotional rollercoaster of a story which is amazingly true to life.

Quotes 
know where i am? right in the heart of legoland, living with plastics and going to a school filled with spastics. why? because of You. Pan- page 37

"come on Panda, we have to get to Grady's before the hairy-nosed, boogie-bummed bunyip catches us." Kylie stomped up the hall..."get back here now"- page 95/96

i grab the 1st harry potter book and settle into read. Sure I've read it 1000 times but there's something comforting about the familiarity of the characters- page 236

babble
Pan's Whisper is told in three forms. most of the story is in 1st person from Pan's point pf view, but the story is also told in letters to Morgan and in memories from Morgan. they link together in little groups to tell the story. you slowly build a picture of what actually happened, as pan does. it's really clever. it builds suspense also me and you get to know Morgan.

they characters are fabulous. you don't really meet Morgan, or Grandy or Kylie but you know them really well, which i think is quite an achievement. in building them up you really get in Pan's head. the new people she meets, like hunter, Ari and her foster family were good characters, but i would have liked to get to know them even more, but you got their background story, which really added to the story.

over all i really enjoyed Pan's Whisper, and would definitely recommend it to anyone.

luckily for all you Perth readers a copy is going to be up for grabs on Perth YA Fans Unite very soon. so follow us to be eligible to enter.

REVIEW: Mercy by Rebecca Lim

Title: Mercy

Author: Rebecca Lim

Published: 28 October 2010

Rating: 4/5 - Awesome - Refreshing take on angels

Series: Mercy #1

 

THIS REVIEW IS FROM THE BOOK SLOOTH

Intriguing and mysterious, Mercy is an original novel that will keep you up at night.



Ever- stirring soul Mercy wakes in a new body, she has forgotten her past, and has no clue about her present, and she must string together the clues about whose body she is inhabiting before people realise. Carmen, a petite, genteel teenage girl is her host; on exchange in a town called Paradise, Mercy discovers herself, who Carmen is and what she really is. But can Mercy help solve the town's mystery and save a lost girl before it's too late?
 


Mercy is just the kind of book I love. 
Lim intertwines the genres of mystery, romance and thriller together to make just the right balance for a novel that will keep you on your toes, believing that you are part of the story, an onlooker into the world of Mercy.



I also loved the way that Lim created a strong heroine to centre the novel around, she didn't get caught up in the moment and lose herself, she kept strong morals; she didn’t falter and fall when an obstacle or a distraction walked into her path, while discovering herself along the way.

I felt that the characters (including Mercy/Carmen) were likeable and truthful, the queen bee playing the part that she was born to do, there was the known roles, but they had a twist to them that was exciting to read about.

The plot line was unique, on many occasions taking unexpected turns that made the book even more enjoyable to read. Mercy stands out from all the other angel/ supernatural novels out there by using bewitching prose and combining multiple genres.

I would recommend this book for teenage girls aged 13 -16, it is highly enjoyable and would be great for a reluctant reader, it keeps you interested.

REVIEW: Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Title: Crescendo

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Published: 19 October 2010

Rating: 5/5 "Holy Toledo give me book three NOW!" Stars!!!

Series: Hush Hush #2

REVIEW BY MARISSA OF NOVELS ON THE RUN

Nora should have known her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described as anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away, and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. 

Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with

finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came

home.

The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to

question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems

to be in danger more than the average girl. 

Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own.

Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again

and again. But can she really count on Patch, or is he hiding secrets darker than she can

even imagine?

AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!! Becca, Becca, Becca!! I LOVED IT!..........and now I'm left hanging for another year (sob, sob!).

OK, so it didn't have the same smexi level of Patch that we all devoured in Hush, Hush.....but what it did

have was angst, new characters, old characters and a wicked POW! though I have to admit I did had an

idea of who and what the Pow was going to be midway through the book!

Don't worry people....Patch hasn't gone anywhere. He's still there - he just has a little bit of competition

and plays a different role in Crescendo!

I love the way Becca has written Patch in Crescendo. It's not all about the love and lust between Patch

and Nora - though their love and lust issues are certainly in full swing. We know from Hush, Hush that

Patch is the all-time smexiest male lead and he can certainly be my personal guardian angel anytime!

In Crescendo though, he takes a back seat - but he's always there keeping an eye out for Nora. The pool

hall scene in Hush, Hush is one of my favourites and I definitely missed the "Patchasm" I felt from

reading the first book!

Nora needed a bloody good slap a couple of times, though I did find her interaction with other

characters enjoyable. It just wasn't all about Patch this time! She certainly came into her own in

Crescendo, even if at times it was ON her own. She has spunk and is definitely not a "needy girly girl"

character. She can hold her own!

Vee plays a continual and more prominent part in this book. She is funny, witty and just a tad

sarcastic... and did I mention obsessed with food?!!! It was rather hilarious to read, in times of

suspense and chaos, Vee thought stopping for a bite to eat was important!! LOL!! Oh and what Nora

and Vee put that poor Neon through - I'm surprised it still runs!!

Patch's best mate Rixon also pops up as a more lead character this time. Good guy, bad guy, down right

evil guy......he keeps you questioning all the way through.

I loved Crescendo. I still totally love Hush, Hush but for different reasons of course. I so want to say in

more detail as to why I enjoyed the book - but I don't do spoilers in my reviews - and it's killing me in

this instance!!!

As my dear twinny blogger Michelle outlined in her review of Crescendo, it falls under the "New Moon

Syndrome". Read her review if you havent - she explains it well. I completely get why Becca has written

Crescendo (and Patch) they way she has.

Thanks Becca! I now wait ever so impatiently for Tempest :) Keep up the awesome work of creating

wickedly wonderful reads.

REVIEW: Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Title: Hush Hush
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Release Date: October 13, 2009
My Rating: 4/5


REVIEW BY REBECCA OF READING WISHES

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

As soon as I opened Hush, Hush I was intrigued. Becca Fizpatrick’s writing grabbed me from the start and was delightful to read.

The characters interested me from the get go and I liked them instantly. Tall, dark, mysterious, Patch – what a swoon and Nora, well you can’t help but like her! I also loved Vee – she’s wacky, fun, a bit crazy and also a great friend.

This book kept me on my toes and I didn’t know what to expect next! It was full of surprises and had me guessing at what was around the corner!

Hush, Hush, reminded me quite a bit of, Hex: A Witch and Angel Tale, except with this book I didn’t gradually love it – I loved it right from the start. :)

I was absolutely glued to this book and finished it in less than a day! I can’t wait to see what happens in the next instalment!

A fantastic debut! I can see why everyone loves this series!