Book Review: Spark (Spark #1) by Rachael Craw

Goodreads Description:

Evie doesn’t have a choice.

One day she’s an ordinary seventeen year old, grieving for her mother. The next, she’s a Shield, the result of a decades-old experiment gone wrong, bound by DNA to defend her best friend from an unknown killer.

The threat could come at home, at school, anywhere. All Evie knows is that it will be a fight to the death.

And then there’s Jamie. irresistible. off-limits.

Title: Spark (Spark #1)
Author: Rachael Craw
Genre:YA, Contemporary, Science Fiction, Romance
Format: Paperback

Pages: 464 pages
Publisher: Walker Books Australia
Source: Won from Giveaway hosted by Author.

I saw the book at Dymocks a while ago and thought 'WOW... that's one wicked cover'. Eventually I won the book from a giveaway hosted by the Author on her Inside A Dog giveaway and gosh was this one wicked reads!!!

Spark is a unique sci-fi twist to the contemporary genre. I enjoyed the concept and plot of the story along with the amazing cast of characters.

Follow Evie who's mum recently passed away and moves in with her Aunt Mariam, she suddenly goes trough a growth spurge and developers an odd urge to protect her best friend Kitty from anything that harms her. 

On top of that she becomes super human where she gets enhanced hearing and intelligence, swift reflexes, ability to see peoples memories and telepathy, rapid healing ability and thanks to her sudden growth spurge, she now has the body of a supermodel and athletic fitness.

She eventually finds out due to a DNA experiment gone wrong decades ago she is a SHIELD bounded by DNA to protect her SPARK who happens to be her best friend Kitty from her STRAY who Evie needs to find out before he/she kills her.

I enjoyed reading about Evie as she transformed and grow trough the book. Long story short she is freaking badass!

While I like her character trough most of the books the only time I was annoyed of her was when she refuses to listen to her Aunt's advice and gahhhhh I wanted to hit her on the head and shout 'bad idea'!!!

Also she faints A LOT trough the book which in some scenarios where she faints is kinda funny especially when she goes 'swoon overloaded'.

I like Kitty (cute name btw) though I do wish we got to know a bit more about her characters as at times I found her pushed to the side. When I first read the synopsis I thought 'oh boy not a damsel in distress'. But NOPE! That didn't happen as Kitty is strong, confident, independent and just as determined as Evie to protect herself from her Stray! Also I find it kinda cool whenever she swears 'bloody' which also reminds me she has a British accent.

I also enjoyed her friendship with Evie. It funny reading about Evie chasing after Kitty to protect her like an 'clingy boyfriend' from her Stray. Even so I love how Evie is protective to Kitty and how they are both loyal and care for one another.

Speaking of boyfriends...  lets talk about Kitty's gorgeous twin brother Jamie...

JAMIE = ME GUSTA

Like can we take a moment to just appreciate the swoon worthy awesomeness of Jamie?!?! He is everything I like in a bookish boyfriend!!! British accent/slang, effortless cool guy, cheeky, sweet, funny, caring, badass, NOT ANNOYING, and just all round awesome!!!

Also his relationship with Evie was one of the things that made the book for me! Its established at the start that they had a brief history and awkward kiss before he left. Due to this Evie have sort of a love hate relationship with him and Jamie is trying to make up for the mistakes in the past. In fact he gets bonus points in my book for being straight to the point on his feelings with Evie as one thing I noticed in YA where the relationship goes the wrong way is miscommunication!

Aunt Mariam is another favorite character! She did amazing job of being the mentor and parent figure to Evie. She also have a secret that could turn the tables on her relationship between her and Evie.

The plot of the book was engaging, filled with fast pace action along that put me on the edge on my seat and some really good plot twist that turned the book 360 for me! 

A couple of the major plot twist that happened I kinda foreshadow as the story progresses but there was this one... 

Yup... I'm dead... didn't see it coming... caught me off guard!

The training and action sequence were epic and I could easily visualized them. Also I love the martial art term used in the book and they were well used. 

My only complained was the break down and information shooting trough out the book. At the start there was a lot of information pushed out that was kinda overwhelming and confusing. Basically its like learning a new language or the world building but as the book progresses I got used to it.

Overall Spark was a great start to the series! Highly recommend if you are a fan of sci-fi or want to start out with sci-fi this is a great way to immerse yourself with the genre.

A great fast pace action pack plot with intense romance, strong friendship and air of suspense and mystery.

I can't wait for the next two books that are coming out in 2015(Stray) and 2016(Sheild)!!!

November Wrap Up, and Highlights!

And oh gosh am I late at posting this wrap up! Better late than never?!?! 

November has come and gone which means we are one month closer to the new year! 

Also means Christmas is near!!! 

So November was an eventful month with exams, moving out of the dorms and my 21st Birthday!

This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith  3.5/5 stars (review coming soon)
Admission (Pandora Jones, #1) by Barry Jonsberg 3.5/5 stars (Full Review) 

Deception (Pandora Jones, #2) by Barry Jonsberg 4/5 stars (Full Review)

Tall Dark and Distant (Smitten) by Julie Fison 3.5/5 stars (Full Review)

Maybe Someday (Maybe #1) by Colleen Hoover 5/5 stars (review coming soon) 

Considering the fact I had exams I managed to catch up on my reading the moment my exams were over and read 5 books.

My favorite book I read this month is hands down Maybe Someday! I finally read a Colleen Hoover book and am whacking myself in the head for not reading her books sooner.Great New Adult contemporary which was cute yet an emotional roller coaster. Definitely checking out her other books so shoot me with your Colleen Hoover recommendations!

I also enjoy the Pandora Jones series by Barry Jonsberg. Check out this series if your a fan of the 'dauntless booth camp' from Divergent and the mystery, confusion and fast pace action from The Maze Runner series with a great paranormal twist. Need the last book now but its not coming out till next May so expect me to get my hands when its released!

As for 'This is What Happy Looks Like' and 'Tall Dark and Distance' they were both cute summer contemporary fluff but were kinda meh... I like that it was cute and fluffy but there was either something flat with the writing style or i was not a fan to the plot.

Other than that its still a great reading month though it started out slow.

Also I've achieved my 2014 reading challenged this month of reading 75 books, which I finished the challenge with Pandora Jones Admission.

1) No Sound Without Silence by The Script

I've been anticipating The Script's new album No Sound Without Silence since I first saw the title track 'Superhero' music video. I love this album! It reminds me a bit of their previous album Science and Faith which is their best album to date.

My favorite songs from the album includes Flares, Man on a Wire and Never Seen Anything "Quite Like You".

I also love the music video for No good in Goodbye! It once again reminds me of something out of the Science and Faith album.

2) Blank Space Music Video

Okay.... this is hands down the best music video I've seen from Taylor Swift!

Its dramatic and insane but also hilarious and freaking beautiful! Long story short I died watching the music video as its amazing!!!

I mentioned in my 1989 album review (click here) that I want Blank Space to be a Music video and when I saw the behind the scenes pics that Taylor tweeted I thought it was for Out of The Woods. I'm so glad its for Blank Space its my top favorite track in the album and its deserves a music video (well all of the songs in the album deserves a music video but Blank Space is at the top of the list!)

Also Taylor has teamed up with Amex to make a 'playable music video' where you can collect Easter eggs around the mansion with Polaroid clues. Its really cool as you follow Taylor and her lover around the mansion with this wicked 360 degrees camera.

Check out the Amex UNSTAGED: Taylor Swift Experience

3) I don't know about you, I'm feeling 21

I celebrated my 21th Birthday this month and gosh was it an awesome day!

I'm a bit sad that my family was not in Australia to celebrate my birthday with me but I've kinda gotten used to it as I have been living away from home for almost 5 years. Still its bittersweet not being able to share celebrating my Birthday with my family.

Even so I have some awesome friends and dormies who planed a surprised party for me and boy was I caught off guard!

Shout out to my Glenn Friends for planned the BBQ!!!

So yah that's my wrap up, highlights and favs for the month!

 

 

Book Reivew: The Boyfriend App (App #1) by Katie Sise

Goodreads Description :

Get the app. Get the guy.

Computer-whiz Audrey McCarthy feels most at home in a tech lab, surrounded by her fellow geeks. Once popular and fearless, she hasn't been the same since her dad died. And her ex-best friend, gorgeous queen bee Blake Dawkins, has turned into her worst nightmare. Audrey is counting the minutes until high school is over and she can get the hell out of Dodge and go to college-that is, if she can find a scholarship.

So when Public Corporation, a giant tech company, announces a contest for the best app developed by a high schooler-with $200,000 in prize money-Audrey is spurred to action. She comes up with an idea so simple, yet so brilliant, she can't believe it hasn't been done: the Boyfriend App. With a simple touch of the screen, romance blooms among the unlikeliest couples in high school, and people start to take notice. But it's not quite enough.

To beat out the competition, Audrey will have to dig deeper. And she does-right into a scandal that would rock Public to its core. Suddenly the Boyfriend App lands Audrey where she never expected to be: in the middle of the limelight, passionately kissed by the hottest guys in school, causing complete and utter mayhem. But can it bring her true love?

 

Title: The Boyfriend App (App #1)
Author: Katie Sise
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Chick Lit
Format: Hard Back

Pages: 312
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Source: Ebay

This was a quick read! Like no joke i read it in one sitting for 5 hours!

Also after reading this someone please create a boyfriend or a bookish boyfriend app :P

I adore this book! Smart, Cute, great cast of characters and mind blowing plot twist!

The book follows Tech geek Audrey who is a pro hacker, a skill she picked up from her dad who passed away in her freshman year. She enters an app developing competition where the best app created will win a $200,000 scholarship. While creating the app she hacks a scandalous secret and uses it to create an app called the boyfriend app.

Smart, sweet and quirky computer whiz, she started with low self-esteem and grew in confidence as she develops and improves her app. What I love about her is that she never gives up and was determine to win the scholarship.

While it was fun following her process and struggles of brainstorming, designing and testing the app though I found it kinda confusing when reading the computer terms and lingo since I don't have much experience at computer programming so I tend to skim trough those parts (and maybe at times question if I'm reading English or a whole new language).

While Audrey's mum is not shown a lot, its clear that they have a very close relationship and that they are both caring and protective of each other. Her mum works as a school lunch lady to support them. Even though her dad is no longer around, Audrey still keeps that connection alive with her love for computer and and hacking like her dad. 

Also when reading this book I was picturing Marley and Millie Rose from Glee as Audrey and her mum.

Life in school for Audrey is not smooth with the fact she's always being bullied by ex-bff and mean girl Blake, who's father owes the company 'Public' which happen to be the company that is organizing the app designing contest.

It's sad watching the parts where Blake was tormenting her and a couple of them were really violent. Yes its obvious she's my least favorite character. Funny thing is that the author is releasing a spin off book on Blake so this will be interesting...

Still Audrey does have a close group of friends consist of Aiden, Nigit and Mindy as well her loving and supportive cousin Lindsay.

 

I swear this is exactly what i picture Aiden to be! Dylan O'Brine with glasses anyone?

I love Aiden from the moment we first read about him! He is THE best friend to have and I see why Audrey want's him as her boyfriend. He is everything I like an a bookish crush sorta guy! Sweet, funny, cute, shy and nerdy not to mention he is a very supportive friend.

 Dev Patel fits everything I pictured Nigit in the book!

Nigit is hilarious! He's one of those effortless cool guys! Also as the book progresses we see that is has quiet a significant role with Audrey app... or at least his dad does.

As for Lindsay I love her character to bits! Fashion blogger and PR extraordinaire she helps Audrey with using her blog and power on the social media to promote her app as well as being there for Audrey trough thick and thin,

I love her relationship with her cousin and how she is always looking out for Audrey. I also love her 'odd pair' relationship with Nigit.

As for the character Blake, I have mix feelings for her as most of the book I wanted to punch her as she was a real piece of work! But then we meet her Dad and he is a totally different piece of work. Like the type where you take out your assassins blade and all the works as ughhhhh!!! 

Even so I am intrigued to read about Blake side of the story in the sequel The Pretty app.

I enjoyed the computer science aspect of the book as it deeps into an easy understanding of behind the scenes of it. Along with that we get a lighter in depth of stuff like blackmailing, corporate secrets, dealing with death, the addiction to today's technology and the power and influence of social media.

The plot was fast pace and engaging and even though some parts were confusing as I don't speak computer code, I still manage to flip trough the book really quickly. Also some of the plot twist caught me off and were mind blowing awesome!

Overall a wicked tech-geek contemporary that is cute, smart, hilarious and heartwarming.

Book Review: Beauty and the Beat (Smitten) by Kate Forster

Goodreads description:

Mia knows what she wants in life – she was born to perform, and she doesn't need anyone's help to succeed.

So when she is paired with the obnoxious new guy for her final music assessment, she is beyond frustrated. Rob is rude, disrespectful and has terrible taste in music. They have absolutely zero in common.

But as they spend more time together, Mia starts to realise that there's more to Rob than she'd thought. That he might even be the guy she never knew she was looking for. Too bad she's already scared him off...  

Title: Beauty and the Beat
Author: Kate Forster
Genre: Contemporary, YA, NA, Romance, Chick Lit, Mature YA
Format: Paperback

Pages: 272 pages
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont
Source: Purchased from Booktopia

My initial thoughts of the book is if Glee was to be set in an Australian high school this will be it.

Also Warning.. lotta Glee references and fangirling :D

We follow Mia, who goes to a school specialized in performing art is forced to work with Rob, the new kid who is dark, moody and the total opposite of Mia for their music finals. Due to their conflict they have a love hate relationship which might bloom to something more.

Mia's personality reminds me alot of Rachael Berry from Glee but how she looks i instantly thought of the character Marley! She know what she want to do in life and is determine to get it. However at times she is crazy controlling on her friends and gets quiet annoying when she does not get what she wants or when things does not go with her plans. She also tend to jump to conclusion and misjudge people without knowing their full story.

Even so I did like her character for her confidants and passion in performing art. I also like how she eventually changed and start to give people who she labeled as 'sworn enemies' a chance as she eventually made some good friends when she drop the grudges.

Once again reminds me of a character from Glee that is Jake Puckerman. Like can we take a moment to just picture him as Rob *swoon*

I love Rob! Even though i was not found of him at first as he was freaking rude and angry at first, as we get to know more about him he is a lot different from his bad boy image. Sweet, caring and and like Mia has a passion and confident for music and performing arts.

The love hate relationship is what made the book for me! They personalities and music styles are as opposite as day and night with each other. Also they hated and were reluctant to work with each other at first but as they get to know each other they managed to put aside their differences and synch in their different styles.

Also there are a lot of references go Musicals like Rent and Annie which if you are a musical junkie you'll appreciate it.

Overall a great fluffy contemporary romance that is fast pace and will sure to leave you with a smile as does all smitten romance books I've read.

Highly recommend if you are looking for a great beach read, a music and/or a musical lover along with if you are a fan to the TV series Glee (and yes I am a fan and freaking love that show to bits!). 

Also if you are a 'Jarley' shipper on Glee (like me!!!!) you can clearly picture them clearly as Mia and Rob in the book.

Since there are a lot of Glee reference in this blog post do you watch Glee? If yes what's your favorite character?

 For me hands down Santana the Queen of Lima Heights. But I also love Mike Change as I could relate alot to his character. And Finn (*cries!!! RIP Cory) And Rory as I love the dude that plays him...

 And Jake as well... *swoon*

Also Sebastian as double *swoon*

Yah I'm a Gleek :P

Book Review: Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle

Goodreads Description:

An ill-timed storm on Christmas Eve buries the residents of Gracetown under multiple feet of snow and causes quite a bit of chaos. One brave soul ventures out into the storm from her stranded train and sets off a chain of events that will change quite a few lives. Over the next three days one girl takes a risky shortcut with an adorable stranger, three friends set out to win a race to the Waffle House (and the hash brown spoils), and the fate of a teacup pig falls into the hands of a lovesick barista.

A trio of today's bestselling authors - John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle - bring all the magic of the holidays to life in three hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and kisses that will steal your breath away. 

Title: Let It Snow
Author: John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance,Christmas/Holiday Reads
Format: Paperback

Pages: 368 pages
Publisher: Penguin UK
Source: Purchased from Big W

Sweet, heart warming, laugh out loud and crazy, this book has everything you will want in a Christmas reads.

Set on Christmas Eve in Gracetown during the worst blizzard in fifty years, we follow Jubilee, Tobin and Addie story which intertwining to bring one big Christmas story.

1) The Jubilee Train

Jubilee is sent to her grandparents place on Christmas Eve by train as her parents are arrested over a shopping riot. Due to the biggest blizzard on fifty years, the train gets stuck and she gets off the train at Gracetown and finds herself in a Waffle House with her train companions Jeb and fourteen hyper cheerleaders. There she meets Stuart who can't get to his work at Target due to the storm and after chatting for a while he invites her home for Christmas.

I love this story! Quirky, cute, fun, fluffy with a hint of cheesiness (in a feel good way) I wiz trough this and enjoyed ever bit to the story. Jubilee is not only my favorite character in the story but also in the book! I feel like she is someone I can be friends with. Stuart is a sweetheart. I also enjoyed their relationship.

 2) A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle

We follow Tobin, JP and the Duke (real name Angie) are on a mission after being tip off by their friend Keun (who we meet in The Jubilee Train) that there are fourteen cheerleaders at the Waffle House stranded due to their train getting stuck and wanting to play a game of Twister. Trough the worse blizzard in fifty years, our brave trio are on for an adventure where they have to get to The Waffle House before Keun co-workers friends get there. 

This story had me laughing from the start, adrenaline rush the middle and warm and gooey in the inside (in a good way) at the end.

John Green you've done it again! Tobin is something I can easily picture after reading every John Green book existing and love his character to bits. Quirky, comical but also one of those guys who is intelligent and i will want as my best friend. 

I also love his friends JP, Duke and Keun and their interaction. JP and his melodramatic dialogs was hilarious! I also love the hint of diversity since JP and Keun are both Korean/Asian characters yet they are very different from the stereotypical Asian characters.

Its trilling reading the snow adventure and reminds me a bit of the road trip aspect of Paper Towns.

Also the romance I kinda predicted from the start how it was going to turn out and though its not his best it still left me with happy warm feels at the end.

                                              3) The Patron Saint of Pigs

We follow Addie is depress over the break up with her boyfriend Jeb prior to Christmas. We get to know a bit about their relationship back story and how Jeb (who we meet in the previous stories) is not a fan of PDA which was one of the main reason of the break up. 

One the morning after Christmas she agrees to help her friend pick up her pet teacup pig (squeal!!! cuteness!!!) from the pet store across the street from the Starbucks that she works at. Of cause plot twist things don't go as planned and now Addie has to put aside her own problems to help with her friends.

Addie was at first not a likeable character with the fact she was freaking self centered annoying! Though the book she shows determination of changing for the better. 

Overall

I love Let It Snow as we get to see three different writing style under the same scenario. 

My most favorite story has to be Maureen Johnson's followed by John Green and Lauren Myracle respectively. Even so I did enjoy all three stories as they were good in their own ways. I like how each authors managed to write a well developed story in 100+++ pages that does not feel too rush and that you are left satisfied with the ending for each characters.

The final scene in the book is my favourite on how the story all wrapped up! I literally was grinning like an idiot at the funny and adorable ending. 

Even though some of the scenarios in the book are not that realistic, its one of those books where it all falls together and just works!

Let It Snow is still a fun romantic comedy book that reminds me a bit of the movie Love Actually.

This is definitely a book you are looking for a cozy Christmas reads! 

Kinda ironic that I read Let It Snow in a Starbucks... and yes I told them my name is Ruth eventhough its not... sorry Starbucks people but I troll you :P advantage of  NOT having an English name!

Also I highly recommend reading this at a Starbucks with one of their Christmas drink (my favorite if the peppermint mocha) or with a nice hot drink on the side to set the mode :P

 

 

 What's you're favorite Starbucks drink??? 

I usually like a Skinny Cappuccino at any coffee place but at Starbucks I like to go fancy and get a Dark Mocha frappe or the Green Tea frappe with whipped cream!

Also if you love Christmas Romance check out Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (Review Here)