Slated

Slated by Keri Kerry - 2012

Blurb...Kyla’s memory has been erased,
her personality wiped blank,
her memories lost for ever.

She’s been Slated.

The government claims she was a terrorist, and that they are giving her a second chance - as long as she plays by their rules. But echoes of the past whisper in Kyla’s mind. Someone is lying to her, and nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust in her search for the truth?

Review: I have just started this story and already I know that I am in for a ride. It has come highly recommended by a close friend who is also an avid reader. Just be reading the blurb I'm thinking that it may run along similar lines as The Host by Stephanie Mayer. Not as in the alien line but more in the dual personality host thing. We shall see.  Well I have finished this story and as usual the ending leaves you in the air, wondering who are Kyla's true friends and her real enemies.

Ashes

Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick - 2011


Book 1 of the Ashes series.

Blurb....
Alex has run away and is hiking through the wilderness with her dead parents' ashes, about to say goodbye to the life she no longer wants to live. But then the world suddenly changes. An electromagnetic pulse sweeps through the sky zapping every electronic device and killing the vast majority of adults. For those spared, it's a question of who can be trusted and who has changed... Everyone still alive has turned - some for the better (those who acquired a superhuman sense) while others for the worse (those who acquired a taste for human flesh). Desperate to find out what happened and to avoid the zombies that are on the hunt, Alex meets up with Tom - an Army veteran who escaped one war only to find something worse at home - and Ellie, a young girl whose grandfather was killed by the electromagnetic pulse. This improvised family will have to use every ounce of courage they have just to find food, shelter, while fighting off the 'Changed' and those desperate to stay alive. A tense and involving adventure with shocks and sudden plot twists that will keep teen and adult readers gripped.

I had no idea what this book as truly about. By reading the blurb I thought OK newbie I'll give it a go. Only a couple of chapters in and I'm thinking oh boy. This must be my first foray into zombieland and I'm still not quite sure what I think about it. When I finished reading this story I checked out the reviews and to see when the next installment comes out as the ending leaves you with a massive cliffhanger, but the reviews were mixed. I definately agree that the first half of the book was fast-paced and edgy, however, the second half seemed to get bogged down and left you wondering what the author has planned. Well the last page gives you the answer. I will read the next book and then I think I will make my mind up to see whether I can read the last. Hmm....

The sky is everywhere

The sky is everywhere by Jandy Nelson - 2010

Blurb ....
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 sister Bailey.  But when Bailey dies suddenly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life—and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, 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.

Blood song

Blood song by Rhiannon Hart - 2011

Blurb ....
When her sister becomes betrothed to a prince in a northern nation, Zeraphina’s only consolations are that her loyal animal companions are by her side – and that her burning hunger to travel north is finally being sated.
Already her black hair and pale eyes mark her out as different, but now Zeraphina must be even more careful to keep her secret safe. Craving blood is not considered normal behaviour for anyone, let alone a princess. So when the king’s advisor, Rodden, seems to know more about her condition than she does, Zeraphina is determined to find out more.  Zeraphina must be willing to sacrifice everything if she’s to uncover the truth – but what if the truth is beyond her worst nightmares?


I have just come across this new Australian author and found it interesting that she has the same name as someone else I know.  As I was reading the blurb for this book I was thinking hmm another vamp book. However, when I was actually reading the story I found that I was totally off the mark. It is set in the time of kings and queens and princesses marrying for border protection and money and hopefully love. Zeraphina always new that she was looked different to her mum and older sister but couldn't understand why and why is she always craving blood? I did enjoy this story and I look forward to reading the second book.

Visit Rhiannon's site: http://rhiannon-hart.blogspot.com/

Numbers : time to run

Numbers : time to run by Rachel Ward - 2009

Blurb ....
Since her mother’s death, fifteen-year-old Jem has kept a secret. When her eyes meet someone else’s, a number pops into her head – the date on which they will die. Knowing that nothing lasts forever, Jem avoids relationships, but when she meets a boy called Spider, and they plan a day out together, her life takes a new twist and turn. Waiting for the London Eye, she sees everyone in the queue has the same number – something terrible is going to happen.’

This is book one of the Numbers trilogy. Based in the U.K. it starts off introducing us to the main character Jem. She is a 15 year old who has learnt to make herself  'invisable' so people don't notice her. Jem has a gift/curse where when she look into people's eyes she sees numbers, not just random numbers, these numbers are the date of when that person will die. This book sets up Jem's character and the rollercoaster her life goes on when choices are made. In some places I was a bit over Jem and her moods/attitude towards life and people, however, when I was left with a clifthanger of an ending I understood why Rachel Ward spent so much time letting us get to know Jem. I'm looking forward to reading book 2 Numbers : Chaos.


Visit Rachels site: http://www.rachelwardbooks.com/

Graffiti moon

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley - 2010

Honour Award of The Children's Book Council of Australia, YA 2011

Blurb ....
Lucy is in love with Shadow, a mysterious graffiti artist.
Ed thought he was in love with Lucy, until she broke his nose.
Dylan loves Daisy, but throwing eggs at her probably wasn't the best way to show it. Jazz and Leo are slowly encircling each other.
An intense and exhilarating 24 hours in the lives of four teenagers on the verge: of adulthood, of HSC, of finding out just who they are, and who they want to be.

For me this story took a bit to warm up, however, once it did it was on a roll. It's aimed at 17 to 18 year olds by the use of its contemporary language and subject matter with the ups and downs of relationships. I really liked this story.

Cath Crowley takes you on a journey looking through the eyes of it two main characters, Lucy and Ed. So each chapter is seen through Lucy's eye's then the next through Ed's. The story begins on the last day of Year 12 and the events that unfold throughout the night and finishes the next morning. Basically, Lucy wants to meet the elusive Shadow, a graffiti artist whose work really speaks to Lucy, and spends her night trying to find him. Ed however, is doing his best making sure she doesn't. I'm not going to spoil the story and tell you what happens, you will just have to read it to find out!!

Visit Cath's site: http://cathcrowley.com.au/

Six impossible things

Six impossible things by Fiona Wood. - Pan McMillan 2010
Shortlisted for The Children's Book Council of Australia, YA 2011.

Blurb ....
Fourteen-year-old nerd-boy Dan Cereill is not quite coping with a reversal of family fortune, moving house, new school hell, a mother with a failing wedding cake business, a just-out gay dad, and an impossible crush on the girl next door. His life is a mess, but for now he's narrowed it down to just six impossible things...

We meet Dan, the main character in this story, when his life has just been turned upside down and inside out. Dan and his mother have just moved to an old dusty house, they have no money, he has to start at a new school, his mother is in the process of a breakdown, his father has just announced that he is gay and to top it all off, he is madly in love with the girl next door.
Although there is so much going on in the story line, it is written in a gentle yet honest way. Your heart will break for Dan, you will sympathise with Dan and you will cheer for Dan. I loved this book and I look forward to seeing if it wins this year's CBCA highest award.

Visit Fiona's webpage: http://fionawood.com/