A Sky Painted Gold - Laura Wood

Lou thinks of the Cardew house as hers. Sitting on an island of it's own, the house has been abandoned for some time when she decides to explore both the island and the house. Discovering orchards full of delicious fruit and a library full of books, she can't help going back and feels more at home there than at her own house. Eventually though, Robert and Caitlin Cardew come back to the house for the summer, to get away from London after losing both their parents.

As her friendship with the Cardew siblings grows, Lou is drawn into the life of glitz and glamour, parties and champagne, and she really doesn't want to go back to her sleepy village life. But everyone has secrets of their own and despite the easy way the Cardews live, even they have difficulties that Lou doesn't realise.

Lou is a wonderful character, I absolutely loved her slightly sarcastic humour. In fact, I'm a little bit in love with all the characters, even the ones I thought I would dislike at the start. Though some of the friends seem shallow at first, everyone has more to them than you think and the friendships and loyalties are deep. The descriptions of the parties made me feel like I was there, dancing and losing myself to the music. I enjoyed the book so much, I really hope the author will be writing more YA. Thanks to CHCCYA Festival for the proof copy. Hopefully I will be able to get it signed at YALC!

I started reading this book on holiday, with a jug of gin mojito next to me. A lovely neighbour made us a jug of mojito. It was full of fresh mint that was so tasty, I didn't want to throw it away away when we finished. So I refilled with gin, tonic and lemon juice, then left in the fridge to soak up all the flavours. So summery and delicious!

The Dark Gifts Trilogy - Vic James

First of all, aren't the covers just so beautiful together? I love the theme that runs through them and it fits in with the books wonderfully (unfortunately Bright Ruin isn't out yet to finish my picture!).

Not all are free

Not all are equal

Not all are saved

This is a world so similar to ours, but sent in a different direction by the Equals, the elite of society who possess Skill and can do magic.

The books are mostly written in the points of view of Luke and Abi, but some chapters are narrated by other characters. Quite often ending in suspense, the various points of view are woven together so masterfully and they constantly surprise you. All are written so well that you want to continue with them but then you can fall into the next character so easily too. I didn't find it all confusing as some multiple POVs can be.

As I have reviewed all three books here, I've tried my best to avoid spoilers, or at least no more than the back of the books gives away. I am so glad to have met Vic James and got my first copy signed. It was the perfect excuse to buy myself a copy and I am so happy I did. Hearing her talk about the book definitely sent it way up my TBR list.

Book 1 - Gilded Cage
Have a quick ten years. This is the farewell most common people receive as they go to do their 'days'. 10 years of service to the Equals. Equals rule Britain and by law, everyone else has to serve them for a period, before they receive many of the rights most people would take for granted. Abi's family decide to do their service together, working for the Jardines, one of the most aristocratic of the Equal families. Abi thought this would help to keep them safe, but they are split up when her brother Luke is taken away to one of the worktowns. They both try to settle in to their new lives, while still working to find a way to be reunited. But danger seems to lie around every corner and neither way of life seems safe. The three sons of the Jardine family are as different as can be. Gavar is intimidating, proud and distant, seeming to barely notice the commoners, Jenner is a rare unSkilled Equal, which Abi hopes means that he will be more understanding, and Silyen is a complete mystery, exceedingly powerful but almost childlike in his curiosity.
I could not believe it ended on such a cliffhanger! I had to order Tarnished City immediately and pounced on it as soon as it arrived.

Book 2 - Tarnished City
Forget whatever you thought you knew of the characters in book one, this second book in the trilogy turns pretty much everything upside down. I'm still reeling!
Abi needs to save Luke, Luke is trying to figure out what on Earth Silyen is up to and the Equals all have their own agendas.
Some of them are starting to realise exactly what they can do with their power and even the other Skilled are no longer safe.
While this one doesn't end on quite as much of a cliffhanger as book one, I still needed to start book three, Bright Ruin, as soon as possible.

Book 3 - Bright Ruin
I was lucky enough to get an advance Netgalley copy of this book but I will still be buying it as soon as it is released, the covers look so lovely together and I need to have them all!
In this final book, the stakes are higher than ever and the nation needs to be remade, but in what way? Is it possible for things to reform and improve for everyone? Powers are growing, unimaginable truths thought to be hidden forever are being discovered and unlikely alliances are formed. With so many schemes, plots, double crossing and ulterior motives, I almost gave up trying to figure out who to trust and decided to just go with the flow. I enjoyed this final book almost as much as the first two but was upset with how many characters died in this one. I almost started expecting it whenever something big was happening. The ending was both satisfying and frustrating at the same time! I was screaming inside as it's probably frowned upon on the tube.

I found the perfect cocktail to drink with the books, the Golden Bird. Skill is portrayed as a golden, almost liquid substance and the bird fits in with the motif on the covers.

Add the following ingredients to a shaker with ice, shake and strain into a martini glass. 1 shot each of rum, Grand Marnier and pineapple juice, 1/2 shot of Banana liqueur, 1&1/2 shots of fresh orange juice. Garnish with an orange beak on the rim.