A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston Review

A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston

“For one thousand nights, I lived a nightmare in the dark, but when the nights numbered a thousand and one, the nightmare was ended.”

The main character was smart in the sense she used her strengths to her advantages – her past experiences had prepared her for her new life more than she expected and she adapted this to level the field against Lo-Melkhiin. She was also a brave character who stood up for the King’s people and her family against the King and tried her best to help people. All of the other characters were really enjoyable to read about especially as we find out how they help give the main character a skill or something like that, to survive against the King. The family relationships and relationships between helpers in the king’s palace with the main character were also insightful and nice.

“A knowing mind is a closed one”

I enjoyed the flashbacks which were entwined in the story and linked to the present actions or her thoughts this gave an insight into her characteristics and how the future is going to be impacted. The flashbacks were normally told after she told her stories to show the truth from the fiction events compared to what actually happened. I liked the chapters with the monster telling what he had done or what he will do it was fascinating to read in the mind of the main villain.

The setting is very well developed with the different settings and surroundings described/built well like the King’s palace, the caravans in the desert and the creatures from the desert. This was good as it help fit the retelling and the atmosphere of the book.   

“We did not take men because they longed to serve us. We took them because they followed us into the fire for something they thought we offered them.”

The plot is interesting because although it seems as if so much is happening most of the book is made up of different stories which are woven into the present, her thoughts and feelings and flashbacks. The interlinking themes and plots created a great overall effect and I liked how the focus of the book wasn’t on the action but on the main character. Too add to that the novel was well written and had a nice style to it. The element of mystery was added when we gain little information from what is happening in the desert whilst the main character is away however I think it would have been better if it was harder for the main character to guess what happened to Lo-Melkhiin.

★★★★☆

My Secret to Tell by Natalie Richards Review

My Secret to Tell by Natalie Richards

“But we’re all capable of bad things if we’re hurting enough.”

The story starts off when Emmie discovers that Chelsea’s (her best friend) dad has been hurt and is in hospital only then to find Chelsea’s brother Deacon covered in blood in her bedroom. Having fled the crime scene, Deacon is the main suspect but Emmie’s crush for him and her belief that he didn’t do it sets her on a journey to clear his name.

First I’m going to start off by saying that the title of the book is irrelevant – there is no big secret to reveal.

The plot is interesting because a lot of non cliché things happen in it.  Everybody but Emmie believes that Deacon is innocent so throughout the story she has to dodge basically everybody as she tries to find the real criminal. The good thing with that is that it dealt with different characters and different issues. Deacon is supposed to be in hiding however the majority the book is spent with Emmie which isn’t helping his case but it’s different as Emmie isn’t the only one discovering stuff to help the case.

What I didn’t like about the book is how focused on Deacon Emmie is – its way beyond him being a lifelong friend and crush. All the evidence points at Deacon and she just continues to trust him which is really annoying and stupid. Also the author did this really annoying thing to emphasise Emmie’s ‘devotion’ to Deacon. She made all the minor characters sort of villain-ised in the sense all their action seemed to make it seem as if Emmie was the only hope to find the truth. Honestly it was cringe worthy because it made Emmie seem so good and everybody was unlikable. Also the way that ex convicts are portrayed is really harmful in terms of representation.

Emmie if you take away her feeling for Deacon is a decent main character – she’s struggling with family issues and the element of realism is added.

The romance is surprisingly okay for me because although I don’t like how much she’s focused on him the romance is sweet and a part of me just couldn’t help but like them together.

Finally there’s a major twist in the book however once I found out what the actual criminal was doing it wasn’t hard to guess who it was. There’s a big hint near the start of the novel and so when it was revealed I wasn’t surprised at all which was a shame.

★★★☆☆

Monster by C.J. Skuse Review

Monster by C.J. Skuse

“What a monster I had inside me. And I never even knew it.”

Monster follows the story of a group of girls stuck over the Christmas Holidays at their boarding school. Nash is worried about her brother’s disappearance and on top of that she’s pretty sure she’s spotted the Beast of Bathory. Things take a turn for the worse after certain disappearances and news of a prison escapee running wild somewhere near the school.

The plot is slightly different to what is typical of a boarding school mystery thriller. Firstly the main red herring isn’t what I expected it to be, which was good because the beast as the main killer wasn’t what I wanted. Who the killer is, is hinted at really early on which was disappointing because when it was revealed it wasn’t surprising. In addition the big reveal was also disappointing because of the reasoning behind it was rushed into, although the person was hinted at, the reason why they did it wasn’t so it felt out of place.

I really liked the characters in the book. They were all so different and each of them had their own part in the story based on either their past or present actions. Most of them did not get along which was really enjoyable to read and funny. Nash takes on the leadership role and she makes pretty smart decisions, what I also liked about her is that she’s practical.

The romance was bad. It’s not a love triangle but both guys liked her – surprise surprise! And by connecting her to the two male characters it made the story really cringe worthy also how she acted around the second guy was a complete personality change.

Nash has this thing when she loses control her mind blocks out the bad things she does which I think would have been an interesting subplot which the author could have delved into but sadly that didn’t happen.

I liked the writing style of the novel I think the author developed the mystery aspects really well but best of all I loved how creepy the atmosphere was sometimes.

The ending was pretty abrupt and it didn’t feel the story had finished.  

★★★☆☆

Waiting on Wednesday: The Loose Ends List & The Leaving

Waiting on Wednesday

 A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that people are eagerly anticipating.

My choice for Waiting on Wednesday this week is:

The Loose Ends List by Carrie Firestone  

Publication: June 7th 2016 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 352 pages

A refreshing, funny, and moving debut novel about first loves, last wishes, and letting go.

Seventeen-year-old Maddie O'Neill Levine lives a charmed life, and is primed to spend the perfect pre-college summer with her best friends and young-at-heart socialite grandmother (also Maddie's closest confidante), tying up high school loose ends. Maddie's plans change the instant Gram announces that she is terminally ill and has booked the family on a secret "death with dignity" cruise ship so that she can leave the world in her own unconventional way - and give the O'Neill clan an unforgettable summer of dreams-come-true in the process.
Soon, Maddie is on the trip of a lifetime with her over-the-top family. As they travel the globe, Maddie bonds with other passengers and falls for Enzo, who is processing his own grief. But despite the laughter, headiness of first love, and excitement of glamorous destinations, Maddie knows she is on the brink of losing Gram. She struggles to find the strength to say good-bye in a whirlwind summer shaped by love, loss, and the power of forgiveness. 

The Leaving by Tara Altebrando 

Publication: June 7th 2016 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens, 432 pages

Six were taken. Eleven years later, five come back--with no idea of where they've been. A riveting mystery for fans of We Were Liars.

Eleven years ago, six kindergarteners went missing without a trace. After all that time, the people left behind moved on, or tried to.

Until today. Today five of those kids return. They're sixteen, and they are . . . fine. Scarlett comes home and finds a mom she barely recognizes, and doesn't really recognize the person she's supposed to be, either. But she thinks she remembers Lucas. Lucas remembers Scarlett, too, except they're entirely unable to recall where they've been or what happened to them. Neither of them remember the sixth victim, Max. He doesn't come back. Everyone wants answers. Most of all Max's sister Avery, who needs to find her brother--dead or alive--and isn't buying this whole memory-loss story.

This unforgettable novel brims with rich characters, tense storytelling, and high stakes. 

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish 

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday is Top Ten 2015 Releases I Meant To Get To But Didn't

The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow Review

The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow

DNF at 69%

“You cannot control a man if you take everything from him. You must leave him something to lose.”

The novel has an interesting plotline and concept however I didn’t like the writing style so I felt like the book fell flat.

“If you want blood, then I want it all over your hands.”

The characters seemed likable at first but I couldn’t connect with them and then they added what I assume will be a love triangle which was really awkward and confusing.

“How useless are guns against those who are fearless. How foolish, to set force against innocence. Their own strength made them small.”

The action scenes are really weirdly written/presented and it’s difficult to follow and be interested in the story.

★☆☆☆☆

Absense from Blogging

As you guys may or may not have noticed i haven’t been blogging since September. I just sort of disappeared and i haven’t explained why. This previous year has been so hectic in terms of school as i was finishing of year 11 and doing my exams and then there was the summer when i went back to blogging. Now I’ve started Sixth Form and it’s such a big change to what I’m used to I’ve really struggled to find time to read, let alone blog.

With the work load and the reading i have to do for lessons it’s sort of put me off reading for pleasure as they say which is sad as with the lack of reading I’ve distanced myself from the blogging and the reading community.

I actually made this post in October but I just got so used to not blogging and reading much that I got used to it and ignored it. Now I feel kind of bad for putting it aside for too long and am finally putting some effort into it.

So here’s to the New Year and commitment to blogging!