The Skin Books Trilogy - Alice Broadway

The covers alone are reason enough to buy these books. Look how beautiful and shiny they are! Of course that's not the only reason... read ahead to find out more.

   

Book 1 - Ink

In Leora's world, you tell the story of your life on your skin. All major life events are inked and more than that, some people are readers and can tell even more from a person's tattoos than is on the surface. There are no secrets as nothing can be hidden when it is on your skin. Now Leora has discovered something and has to find a way to keep it hidden so she can protect the memory of her father. In doing so she realises a lot more about her people and is no longer so sure that everything she has been told all her life is really the truth.

There are various stories from the history of Saintstone and I particularly loved their version of the Sleeping Princess.

After that bombshell of an ending you will definitely want to have a copy of Spark on hand!

Book 2 - Spark

Leora has some huge decisions to make. Does she trust in the stories she's heard all her life, in the truth of Moriah, or does she believe the strange stories that the blanks tell her? They are so similar and yet twisted almost beyond belief.

What is home now, Sainststone or Featherstone? Is it possible that such opposites can both be right and also wrong at the same time? In the second book of the trilogy, Leora has to figure out who she should be loyal to, while constantly worrying about the consequences of any action she takes. No matter what she chooses, she could hurt people she loves.

I didn't find the sequel quite as gripping as the first book but I was still very much looking forward to book 3.

Book 3 - Scar

Being part of both sides is so hard for Leora, she doesn't truly belong in either one as there are those who think her a traitor or spy in both towns. She's tired of being held up as an example, both for good or bad. But she also has allies on both sides and with her knowledge growing she needs to find the strength deep inside her to try and unite the towns.

I love the way the stories are told, and particularly the comparison of stories from the different sides - the same but opposite.

I really enjoyed the final book of the trilogy almost as much as the first. However I was left feeling just a little bit incomplete. I can't say why, I'm not sure what else I wanted and it might have just been the speed at which I read the book. The ending is pretty satisfying. Now hoping for more books from this author!

I was lucky enough to meet Alice Broadway and get my first book signed with this lovely customised quote. I love when authors write something relevant to the book! Fingers crossed for more events so I can get the others signed too.

I found the Ink Martini  while reading book 1, but with amazing foreshadowing on my part, the colour actually matches book 3! 

This is a simple but strong cocktail. Pour 2 shots of vodka, 1/2 shot of blue curacao and 1&1/2 shots of cranberry juice into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass.

Ascension & Distortion - Victor Dixen

With Book 3 of the Phobos trilogy - Collision, coming out soon, I thought now would be a good time to post my reviews of Ascension and Distortion. I listened to both of these on audiobook which gave them an additional dimension. The way the books are set out, partly in episodes of a TV show, really lends itself to the audiobook format. I almost felt like I was watching on TV rather than reading a book.

Imagine the Cupido along with the other satellites orbiting Mars.

While I found the idea of the story intriguing and the book well written, I was a bit bothered by the idea that the whole world would be so obsessed with a dating show. People I know have different interests, some of my friends would be right in this group and others would hate the idea! It was almost like the planet Earth was brainwashed. That said, I did still enjoy reading about the interactions between the boys and girls on their 6 minute dates.

Book 1 - Ascension

This book is described like a dating show but it is not as light-hearted as that would sound, there is a lot more depth to the story.

I had very mixed feelings about this book. There was far too much unnatural explanation, a bit like when the movie villain tells the hero exactly what his evil plans are. But I think this could be due to the film-style layout of the book. Also, is it really necessary to use the phrase water-green eyes so many times? Serena McBee sounded extremely condescending and saccharin though I don't know if I would have realised that if I was just reading the book rather than listening. Sometimes you get clues from the voices that might not be there simply from the writing. Quite an over dramatic book. However, I did enjoy the book, it was full of suspense and I really wanted to get stuck into book 2 as soon as I finished it.

Book 2 - Distortion

After sharing her devastating discovery with the rest of the boys and girls on the Cupido, Leonor has to make a deal with the contemptible Serena to save all their lives. Landing on Mars, they have to pull together to set up their new home and work out the best way to survive. But with ever more revelations coming, its getting harder for Leonor to keep them working together. 

Leonor is practically the only sensible one of the group, apart from one of the boys who is super paranoid. Most of the group seem a bit too gullible and also quite ready to fight each other. 

This book really leaves you hanging, I wasn't expecting the ending at all so will be needing book 3 asap!

I did some investigating for a Mars cocktail and saw some amazing cocktail names online, it looks like Mars cocktails are quite popular: Marsgarita, Tequila Mariners, White Martian, Bloody Martian. In the end I decided to adapt the Tequila Sunrise to make a Martian Sunrise. Sunrise on Mars is bluish so I've replaced the grenadine with Chambord. The black raspberry gives it a slightly darker hue.

Pour a shot of tequila into an ice filled tall glass, then top with orange juice. Gradually pour half a shot of Chambord down the side of the glass so it falls to the bottom of the glass without mixing into the rest of the drink. Garnish with a couple of blackberries.

Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel - Ruth Hogan

As a little girl, Tilly's mother moved them to Brighton to live at Queenie Malone's Paradise hotel, where she was the happiest she'd ever been, until her mother sent her away to boarding school with no explanation whatsoever. Split between her childhood and adult life, the two storylines of the book both lead up to an explanation of this sudden event. Lots of mysteries run through the book. How did her father die, why did they leave so suddenly, why did her mother send her away?

Young Tilly is delightful. She's so funny and lively. She mis-hears so much with hilarious results, like wanting to be a virgin because she thinks its a greengrocer. Or the way she sings 'Hark the Herald', apparently something to do with David's tea... She's also convinced that stamp collecting makes you a pervert. The way Tilly loves things without prejudice makes me want to see the world that way too. As an adult, Tilda seems to have lost all that innocence. She has spent her life thinking that her mother didn't really love her and that her father died when she was little. I really felt myself hoping she would somehow find her young self again. 

This was my favourite of Ruth Hogan's books so far. Lots of humour from Tilly, plenty of emotions and wonderful feelings. There are so many charming characters such as Queenie herself, her mother and Geronimo. The occasional secondary points of view are a bit unusual but they work to help to explain what's happening, particularly when you're first seeing things from Tilly's slightly distorted view.

I've adapted a recipe* to create the Queenie's Paradise Hotel Super Cocktail. Shake the following ingredients with ice and strain into a glass: 1&1/2 shot rum, 1/2 shot Passoa, 1/2 shot lemon juice, 1/4 shot grenadine and 4 dashes of Angostura Bitters. Garnish with whatever kitschy stuff you find!

*original Queen's Park Hotel Super Cocktail

Book Mix & Match 5

As usual with my Mix and Match reviews, I'll start with the cocktail. Today I'm drinking an Almond Martini. Shake the following ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass. 2 shots vodka, 1/2 shot lemon juice, 1/2 shot orgeat, 1 shot apple juice, 2 dashes of peach bitters. Now read through these mini reviews and pick a delicious book to go with your drink!

The Wicked King - Holly Black

Wow!!! I was really not expecting that ending. It's hard to describe without spoilers but I was actually fooled into believing that things might be working out. By now I should know better than to trust Holly Black with my feelings!

Jude has now managed to put herself into a position of power though only Cardan knows the truth of just how far she has gone. But she is realising that holding on to this power is even harder than getting it in the first place. She needs to find a way to extend her rule, while at the same time protecting the people she cares about, interrupting the schemes of other courts and fighting her growing feelings for Cardan.

I couldn't quite give it the 5 stars of The Cruel Prince, probably because now I kind of knew what to expect, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book and was at the edge of my seat through most of it. I'll probably need to re-read as I read it so fast and must have missed things.

Before I Let Go - Marieke Nijkamp

After only a few months away, Corey returns to Lost Creek when she hears of her best friend's death. What she doesn't expect is to be treated like an outsider by the rest of the tiny, close knit town. People she once thought of as family, no longer want her around when she starts questioning what happened to Kyra. Though she is told that Kyra fell through the ice on the lake, Corey suspects there is something more to it from the start. With all the spooky things that happen around Corey, and the powers Kyra seems to have had through her painting, the story gets more and more mysterious the longer she is there. 

I couldn't believe it when the book finished and I couldn't even move for a few moments! I expected a lot more from the ending, yet I think it was actually enough. 

I read this book as part of my preparation for YALC as I saw the author would be there. I'm so glad I put it to the top of my reading pile, I enjoyed it so much!

The Bone Season - Samantha Shannon

In a not too far off future, anyone with clairvoyant ability is hunted and feared. They must hide their abilities and a mafia-type criminal underworld has sprung up to protect and use those with the strongest abilities. When Paige is found out and imprisoned, she's sure that she will be killed. Instead she finds herself taken to a different kind of prison, the city of Oxford, where she finds out that the government she was so afraid of is nothing but a puppet to the Rephaim. They are powerful and deadly and she must somehow learn to trust one of them if she ever wants to escape.

I'm so glad I finally managed to get started on this series. Thank goodness for audiobooks! I've moved straight on to book 2, again on audiobook as I really enjoyed the narrator's reading.

Scythe - Neal Shusterman

In the world of the Thunderhead, there is no illness, war or hunger. The Thunderhead is an all-seeing, almost all-knowing AI which is running the world. But with no death, Earth's population growth is out of control. To combat this, the Scythes were created to glean a certain number of people each year. Neither Citra or Rowan want this job, but when Scythe Faraday chooses them as his apprentices, they both decide to give it a try for the year.

I didn't expect to feel so emotional reading this. Faraday's comments on Rowan's actions were so heart-felt.

I had mixed feelings through the book. I loved it at times, but wanted to rush through some parts. I definitely want to read more though, the whole idea was intriguing and I was fascinated by the moral uncertainty of Citra and Rowan. I'm looking forward to book 2, I really want to find out more about the Thunderhead.

The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes - Ruth Hogan

After tragedy struck 12 years ago, Masha has only been existing. She continues on but everything is tainted by her sadness until she realises that her life hasn't ended and she needs to start really living again. Seeing how other people have coped with death and managed to move on without forgetting their loved ones, she is inspired to enjoy life again.

The story is told mostly from Masha's point of view but also from the point of view of Alice, and you wonder where their lives will cross.

Despite the serious themes of the book, there were some hilarious sections. The description of a play Masha attends with her best friend is the funniest thing I've read in a while and I would have loved to be there to see it myself. The book was quite slow moving but still enjoyable.

Jinxed - Amy McCulloch

Imagine if your phone was a pet that could comfort you, advise you, keep you up to date with your messages, even organise your life. Lacey is just coming of age to get her first baku but wants to wait for the confirmation that she'll get into her perfect school, where they will give her a level 2 baku rather than the simple insect baku she can actually afford. Then she accidentally finds a broken cat baku and her life changes. This is no normal obedient cat baku, Jinx answers back, ignores her commands and seems to be having a bit of an existential crisis. On the other hand, he's the answer to all her dreams and she can't help loving him.

I thought the bakus were a little bit like the Daemons in Golden Compass. A constant companion that is almost a part of their owners, rather than just a gadget. The writing is just so good, I immediately got enthralled in the story and really want to read book 2. I hope it will be released soon!

Enchantée - Gita Trelease 

I love books that make you forget everything when you're reading them and this is definitely one of them. I just fell headlong into this one, reading it felt is as if I was in France with the characters. 

Feeling like she is out of choices, Camille decides to find out what is in the burned chest her mother left. Warned not to touch it, she and her sister Sophie have ignored it all these years. Inside they find a tattered dress, make-up and a brooch. The make up transforms her face into perfection, but she finds that to make all the magic work, it needs more than just her sorrow, it needs blood. With her disguise in place, Camille enters Versailles as Cecile, Baroness de la Fontaine. Using magic she wins the money she desperately needs to look after herself and her sister. But the more she visits the palace, the harder it is to give up the money, the new friends and the feeling of power.

Wonderfully written, this book really makes you believe in the magic of Versailles. Lovely descriptions of the riches and finery. Camille is a great character but most of the other characters, including Sophie, are not very well developed which is a shame. The dress is almost like a character itself. It seems sinister at first but becomes Camille's armour, which she draws strength from, protecting and supporting her. 

Enchantée releases on 21st February so get out there and pre-order!

While reading about the glittering world that Camille is drawn to, you can drink The Palace of Versailles cocktail. Stir the following ingredients with ice, then strain into a chilled glass. 3 basil leaves, 1 & 1/2 shots cognac, 1/2 shot Creme de Mure, 2/3 shot sauvignon blanc. Garnish with a blackberry and basil leaf.