Book of the Week – 25

Hello gentle reader,

Yesterday I finished reading HALF BAD by Sally Green (published on 4th March 2014 by Viking Juvenile). It’s a YA Fantasy which I read because of Xpresso Reads’ review. And I wasn’t disappointed. This book is awesome. I loved it from start to finish, and I can’t wait for the second book in the trilogy.

I’ve heard some people were put off by the use of the second person present in the first few chapters. Although I’m still not sure this was the best choice to start off this novel, I can only say that it’s worth overlooking. The rest of the book is in the first person, and the plot, pacing, world building and characters are so good that it makes it all worthwhile.

Now add this book to your TBR pile and read it as soon as possible.

Half Bad: cover of first novel by Sally Green, predicted to be next Harry Potter or Twilight Saga

From Goodreads:

In modern-day England, witches live alongside humans: White witches, who are good; Black witches, who are evil; and fifteen-year-old Nathan, who is both. Nathan’s father is the world’s most powerful and cruel Black witch, and his mother is dead. He is hunted from all sides. Trapped in a cage, beaten and handcuffed, Nathan must escape before his sixteenth birthday, at which point he will receive three gifts from his father and come into his own as a witch—or else he will die. But how can Nathan find his father when his every action is tracked, when there is no one safe to trust—not even family, not even the girl he loves?

In the tradition of Patrick Ness and Markus Zusak, Half Bad is a gripping tale of alienation and the indomitable will to survive, a story that will grab hold of you and not let go until the very last page.

Have you read Half Bad? What did you think? And what are you reading this week? Feel free to leave me a comment below!

Waiting On Wednesday – 33

Hello gentle reader,

this week, I’m waiting on Hexed by Michelle Krys (expected publication: 10th June 2014 by Delacorte Press/Random House Children’s Books). It’s a YA Fantasy about witches. I’ve been following Michelle Krys online for a very long time, and I can’t wait to finally read her book!

Hexed

From Goodreads:

If high school is all about social status, Indigo Blackwood has it made. Sure, her quirky mom owns an occult shop, and a nerd just won’t stop trying to be her friend, but Indie is a popular cheerleader with a football-star boyfriend and a social circle powerful enough to ruin everyone at school. Who wouldn’t want to be her?

Then a guy dies right before her eyes. And the dusty old family Bible her mom is freakishly possessive of is stolen. But it’s when a frustratingly sexy stranger named Bishop enters Indie’s world that she learns her destiny involves a lot more than pom-poms and parties. If she doesn’t get the Bible back, every witch on the planet will die. And that’s seriously bad news for Indie, because according to Bishop, she’s a witch too.

Suddenly forced into a centuries-old war between witches and sorcerers, Indie’s about to uncover the many dark truths about her life—and a future unlike any she ever imagined on top of the cheer pyramid.

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event, hosted by book blogger Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Have you heard of Hexed? Is it on your TBR list? What are you waiting on this week?

Signed Book Giveaway (aka 400 Followers Giveaway)! (closed)

signed book hop

Welcome gentle reader!

My blog has reached 400 followers and to thank you all I am taking part in the Signed Book Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.

*GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED!

THE WINNER WILL BE CONTACTED BY EMAIL*

The giveaway runs from today until Monday 22d April 2013. Since this giveaway is to thank my followers, you have to follow my blog via email or WordPress to enter. If you do, it is a chance for you to win a SIGNED paperback copy of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. The giveaway is, as always, international.

A-Discovery-of-Witches

EM Castellan - Signed Discovery

Giveaway information:

The giveaway is open until Monday 22d April 2013 at midnight (BST time).

To enter please fill in the contact form below with your name and email, and let me know if you follow via email or WordPress. You HAVE TO follow my blog by email or WordPress to enter.

Entrants must be at least 13 years of age.

This giveaway is open Internationally.

The winner will be chosen randomly, notified by email and will have 72 hours to reply or a new winner will be chosen.

I am not responsible for items lost in the mail.

I hold the right to end the giveaway before its original deadline without any prior notice.

I hold the right to disqualify any entry as I see fit.

Privacy information: no information given for this giveaway will be used for other purpose than this giveaway. All information provided (names, emails and mail addresses) will be deleted after the giveaway.

Good luck and feel free to leave me a comment below…

This is a blog hop! Visit the other giveaways here.

Book of the Week – 12

This week I’m reading Hollow Pike by British author James Dawson (published in February 2012 by Orion Children’s Books). It is a 2012 debut and a YA Paranormal novel. I don’t usually read books about witches, but this one has an interesting blurb and a gorgeous cover that I couldn’t resist…

From Goodreads:

“Something wicked this way comes…

She thought she’d be safe in the country, but you can’t escape your own nightmares, and Lis London dreams repeatedly that someone is trying to kill her. Lis thinks she’s being paranoid – after all who would want to murder her? She doesn’t believe in the local legends of witchcraft. She doesn’t believe that anything bad will really happen to her. You never do, do you? Not until you’re alone in the woods, after dark – and a twig snaps…

Welcome to Hollow Pike – where witchcraft never sleeps.”

Visit the Hollow Pike website here. Watch the book trailer here.

What are you reading this week?