Review 167. Liz Coley – Pretty girl thirteen.

Title: Pretty girl thirteen.
Author: Liz Coley.
Pages: 344.
Published: February 28th 2013.
Publisher: Harper.
ISBN: 0007468512 (ISBN13: 9780007468515)
Sort: Stand-alone.
Challenge(s): Bingo.
Source: Won in a giveaway.

Angie Chapman is only 13 when she gets lost in the woods in the middle of the night. The next thing she knows she’s returned home, scars around her wrists and ankles, physically exhausted. Her parents collapse into tears when they see her, but Angie doesn’t understand – until they tell her she has been missing, presumed dead, for three years. Angie doesn’t remember anything from her missing years. But there are people who do – people who could tell Angie every terrifying detail, if only they weren’t locked inside her mind. With help, Angie begins to unravel the darkest secrets of her own past. But does she really want to know the truth?

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Dark, gripping and gritty, those are the three words that pop in my head when I think about this book. Despite that, there is always a certain touch of hope. I never felt depressed or overwhelmed by this tough subject. The easy writing-style and Angie made this a very enjoyable, good book. I finished this book a couple of days ago, but I still think about it. It definitely had an impact on me and I see myself re-reading this book in a few years.

Fairytale News 12. Review Kobo Glo.

This is a 'new' feature I came up with. I will be talking about everything that has to do with reading. From pretty new covers to discussions about books. I will post them randomly.

This is something new I like to start and it will be part of my Fairytale news. There are many different discussions posts out there and I thought it would be fun to share my opinion now and then. So *drum rolls* I want to introduce to you:

Hello there guys! First: sad but true, my hiatus is going to take a little longer. One week and I'm completely done with most of my homework. Next week is busier than I expected it to be, so I'm going to take all the time I need to complete everything before I can enjoy my vacation. I hope to do a huge showcase next week, with a package from HarperCollins and some books I won in giveaways.

Second: you may have seen the birthday haul I posted a while ago, where I got a new e-reader from my amazing parents. The Kobo Glo. I love this device! This thing is nothing compared to my old e-reader (Archos 70B). This is the first time I’m reviewing something else than books, so bear with me!

Review 166. Nancy Holder – The rose bride.

An announcement: I'm thinking about deleting GFC completely from the blog. After reading several posts, I don't think it adds anything to my blog anymore. If you are a GFC follower and you want to be updated about my blog, please follow through Bloglovin', RSS, email or my other two platforms. I think I'm going to delete GFC after a few more weeks. I highly recommend using Feedly or Bloglovin'. Another announcement: I passed my first exam! Clinical Immunology is in the pocket :) My little hiatus is paying off. 

Title: The rose bride.
Author: Nancy Holder.
Pages: 256.
Published: January 4th 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse
ISBN: 1442430176 (ISBN13: 9781442430174)
Sort: Part of the ‘Once upon a time’ series.
Challenge(s): Fairytales & Bingo.

When Rose's mother dies, her only comfort is the exquisite rose garden her mother left behind. The purple blossoms serve as an assurance of her mother's love. But Rose is dealt a second blow when her father dies and his greedy widow, Ombrine, and her daughter, Desirée, move in and take over the manor in true Cinderella fashion. Fate has been cruel to Ombrine and Desirée, too. So despite their harsh ways, Rose has compassion. But these feelings are bitterly tested when, in a rage, Ombrine tears out the garden. Rose nearly gives up all hope -- until a chance meeting with the king. Happiness might be within her reach, but first she must prevail over Ombrine. And then she must determine if she has the courage to love.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

I’m almost done with this series. I believe I need to read 2 more stories and then I’ve finished all the Once upon a time books. Are you guys interested in a recap where I show the best and worst books? This one definitely belongs to the last category. The writing-style wasn't that bad, but the story felt too stretched.

Review 165. Julie Kagawa – The eternity cure.

Title: The eternity cure.
Author: Julie Kagawa.
Pages: 446.
Published: April 30th 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
ISBN: 0373210698 (ISBN13: 9780373210695)
Sort: Part two of ‘Blood of Eden.’
Review part 1: The immortal rules.
Challenge(s): Dystopian & Bingo.
Source: Netgalley & Publisher.

Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally. Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.

Rating: 4 out of 5. Favorite.

Finally! I was so happy when the publisher accepted my request on Netgalley. I’ve been dying to read this book after my love for The immortal rules – and this book definitely didn’t disappoint me. If there is one author who knows how to write an engaging story, it’s Kagawa.

Fairytale news 11. Jealousy & hauls.

This is a 'new' feature I came up with. I will be talking about everything that has to do with reading. From pretty new covers to discussions about books. I will post them randomly.
This is something new I like to start and it will be part of my Fairytale news. There are many different discussions posts out there and I thought it would be fun to share my opinion now and then. This is yet another:

A tiny forced hiatus.

Hello guys!

I just want to let you know that I'm currently studying for my exams and I need to write some important reports. I want to use all the time I have to complete my last period of this year with good grades. I will post some reviews I've scheduled, but I won't reply to many comments and I won't be able to visit many blogs. I will be back on June 14th and then I will catch up with all the reviews/dicussions etc I missed. I hope to comment between my study time, but now you know why I'm not completely active in the blogsphere.

Keep reading and have a great week! I talk to you soon :)

Review 164. Cameron Dokey – The storyteller’s daughter.

Title: The storyteller’s daughter.
Author: Cameron Dokey.
Pages: 240.
Published: March 6th 2007
Publisher: Simon Pulse
ISBN: 1416937765 (ISBN13: 9781416937760)
Sort: Part of the ‘Once upon a time’ series.
Challenge(s): Fairytales.

In a faraway kingdom, a king has been betrayed. Deeply hurt and bitterly angry, he vows never to be deceived again. Unfortunately, the king's plan to protect himself will endanger all of the realm's young women, unless one of them will volunteer to marry the king -- and surrender her life. To everyone's relief and horror, one young woman steps forward. The daughter of a legendary storyteller, Shahrazad believes it is her destiny to accept this risk and sacrifice herself. On the night of her wedding to the king, Shahrazad begins to weave a tale. Fascinated, the king lets her live night after night. Just when Shahrazad dares to believe that she has found a way to keep her life -- and an unexpected love -- a treacherous plot will disrupt her plan. Now she can only hope that love is strong enough to save her.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

From all the books in this series, I enjoyed the ones from Cameron Dokey the most. Her writing-style manages to capture the essence of a fairytale: a magical feeling with great characters, romance, some action and a happily-ever-after.

What I appreciated was the fact that there are stories in this story. Shahrazad is a storyteller and to save the king from his cold heart, she tells a story. After a painful betrayal, the King planned to marry a maiden once a month for only one night. He was planning to have Sharazad killed after their night, but he is captured by the story and night after night, she waves a tale. That is until a treacherous plot tries to ruin Shahrazad plan. Is she able to sees the King’s heart before it is too late and will he see hers?

One thing that bothered me were the difficult, similar names. We have Shahrazad, but also Shahrayar and his brother Sharazam. I think Dokey tried to capture the Arabian feeling, but I had a hard time to get to know them. I had to re-read sentences now and then to truly understand who was talking. Besides that, I really liked Shahrazad and Shahrayar. The king’s plan is ridiculous, but I can understand that his heart was shattered. It’s great that blind Shahrazad looks at him with other eyes and their romance has time to develop. It’s always nice when there is no insta-love, but an insta-connection which deepens when nights pass.

If you are looking for a quick and fun fairytale, this is the one you want to pick up.

Review 163. Bridget Zinn – Poison.

Title: Poison.
Author: Bridget Zinn.
Pages: 288.
Published: March 12th 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
ISBN: 1423139933 (ISBN13: 9781423139935)
Sort: Stand-alone.
Challenge(s): Fairytale & Bingo.

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend. But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart.. misses. Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her? Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

Rating: 5 out of 5. Favorite!

Guys, this book was awesome! It’s cute, it’s fun and the writing-style reads so fast. The different twists and turns made it exciting and I love all the characters in this book. This book is one that makes you feel good after you finish it. I do think this one comes close to being a MG, but that never bothered me.