REVIEW: THE FAIRY GODMOTHER

 

 

PUBLISHER: Luna Books

 

DATE PUBLISHED: 01st January 2004

 

PAGES: 479

 

 

 

BLURB: 

 

In the land of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, if you can’t carry out your legendary role, life is no fairy tale…

Elena Klovis was supposed to be her kingdom’s Cinderella–until fate left her with a completely inappropriate prince! So she set out to make a new life for herself. But breaking with “The Tradition” was no easy matter–until she got a little help from her own fairy godmother. Who promptly offered Elena a most unexpected job…

Now, instead of sleeping in the chimney, she has to deal with arrogant, stuffed-shirt princes who keep trying to rise above their place in the tale. And there’s one in particular who needs to be dealt with…

Sometimes a fairy godmother’s work is never done…

 

 

REVIEW: 

 

 

A unique twist on the Cinderella fantasy that changes the course of the fairytale completely, with Cinderella breaking from her traditional story and becoming a Fairy Godmother. The reader becomes engrossed in this new world of retellings with stunning world building.

Elena is a strong character who breaks from her storyline to become a Fairy Godmother. She does not lament on the wrongs she has suffered, but instead makes the most of life and creates a positive influence on the community in which she is a part of. She is a smart female protagonist who develops through the book

Alexander as a character isn’t introduced until almost halfway through the book. He is arrogant and strong-willed from the first moment readers explore his character. Through the novel and his work with Elena he has a major character development. It was funny to read about his escape attempts from his punishment and it was delightful to see his character develop.

The concept of “Tradition” leading the lives of everyone in the five-hundred kingdoms was an explanation for cliques utilised in this book that than opened the possibility for many different storylines. The idea that a persons life that has potential to become a story we know, then “Tradition” gives it a magical nudge. If the story ends in happiness or tragedy it does not matter to the “Tradition”.  This was a brand new take on the concept of fairytales that I found refreshing.

The world-building for this new take on retellings takes up majority of the novel and was an element that had me entranced with this world and all of its intricacies. The action did not really pick up until right at the end of the book. I did not feel this took away from the book; the reader just has to be aware that this is not an action book, more a fantasy / retelling / romance.

I definitely recommend this to any fans of retellings and the fantasy genre. A thoroughly enjoyable new take on Cinderella.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

 

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

SUNDAYS IN BED WITH…

 

Welcome to Sunday’s in bed with… The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which boom you wish you had time to read today! This meme is hosted by Kate from Midnight Book Girl.

This morning I am reading…

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

This one is a retelling of Hades and Persephone and I am just starting it.

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

REVIEW: MS MARVEL: VOL #1 – NO NORMAL

 

 

PUBLISHER: Marvel

 

DATE PUBLISHED: 15th October 2014

 

PAGES: 120

 

 

 

BLURB: 

 

Kamala Khan is an ordinary girl from Jersey City — until she’s suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who truly is the new Ms. Marvel? Teenager? Muslim? Inhuman? Find out as she takes the Marvel Universe by storm! When Kamala discovers the dangers of her newfound powers, she unlocks a secret behind them, as well. Is Kamala ready to wield these immense new gifts? Or will the weight of the legacy before her be too much to bear? Kamala has no idea, either. But she’s comin’ for you, Jersey!

 

 

REVIEW: 

 

Not only is this a female superhero graphic novel, but it incorporated elements of diversity in the character of Kamala as a Muslim Pakistani American. The mixture of teenage angst and superhero action made for a compelling take on the superhero genre.

Kamala as a character is a stereotypical teen, going to high school and dealing with friends. There is also the element of religion and culture which is touched upon with her character. The utter shock when she finds out she is a superhero and her reactions were both amusing and realistic. It brings to question what one would do if they found themselves with the power of a superhero.

The art was brilliant. It was able to tell the story without the text, even though the text added to the story. The colours were vibrant with every single page being a delight to read.

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

ANTICIPATED BOOK RELEASES OF MAY 2017

 

May is a big month for book releases for me and therefore there are plenty of books I am extraordinarily excited for. I apologise in advance, this will be a LONG post. I am going to set this up in order of release date.

May 2nd:

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

Avenged by Amy Tintera

Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han

The Black Witch by Laurie Forest

How To Make A Wish by Ashley Herring Blake

Textrovert by Lindsey Summers

May 4th:

Release by Patrick Ness

The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember

May 9th:

The Traitor’s Kiss by Erin Beaty

Brave New Girl by Rachel Vincent 

Deadman Walking by Sherrilyn Kenyon

May 16th:

Flame in the Mist by Renee Adhieh

The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich

The Crown’s Fate by Evelyn Skye

The Name’s They Gave Us byEmery Lord

A Million Junes by Emily Henry

May 23rd:

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare

In A Perfect World by Trish Doller

May 30th:

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts

I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo

When it’s Real by Erin Watt 

Romancing the Throne by Nadine Jolie Courtney

Eliza and her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

Come Sundown by Nora Roberts 

OK, that was a huge list and there is no way I will get to them all in May. But they all sound so good! May was the month for book releases in 2016 and it looks to be the same in 2017. What book release are you most anticipating in May 2017? Let me know in the comments.

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

REVIEW: NO LOVE ALLOWED

PUBLISHER: Swoon Reads

DATE PUBLISHED: 19th April 2016

PAGES: 256

BLURB: 

It’s all fun and parties until someone falls in love in this modern fairy tale from author Kate Evangelista.

Caleb desperately needs a fake girlfriend. Either he attends a series of parties for his father’s law firm with a pretty girl on his arm, or he gets shipped off to Yale to start a future he’s not ready for and isn’t sure he wants. And sadly, the last unattached girl in his social circle has just made the grievous mistake of falling in love with him. Fortunately, Didi, recently fired waitress and aspiring painter, is open to new experiences. As the summer ticks by in a whirl of lavish parties, there’s only one rule: They must not fall in love!

REVIEW: 

This charming contemporary novel followed the fake boyfriend (girlfriend) trope. The light-hearted book had some elements adding depth to the novel. This was a quick read with some fun times and a great group of characters.

Didi is a character who has depth and through the novel there is a fully fleshed out character who decides to accept a boys offer to be his fake girlfriend. As the book progresses and Didi meets other side-characters and develops friendships she develops as a character. Art and painting is a major part of Didi’s life and this creates a more well-rounded character with more to the book than the romance.

Caleb is an enjoyable character that I felt was a good complement to Didi’s. He was a funny character that had chemistry with Didi. Side characters such as Natasha and Nathan were delightful to read about and the friendships in this novel were a particularly positive element of this novel.

This fun romance novel turned the trope of Fake Boyfriend around. The friendships in this book took it to a new level and increased my enjoyment of this novel exponentially.

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

MAY 2017 AYEARATHON TBR

 

AYEARATHON is a monthly readathon with a theme and challenge that runs for one week. The May readathon is running from the 01st to the 07th of May.

THEME: RE-READS

CHALLENGE: BIG BOOKS (400+ PAGES)

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson 

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

The Witness by Nora Roberts

I’m looking forward to this readathon and re-reading some books that I enjoyed in the past.

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

REVIEW: LABYRINTH LOST

 

 

PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Fire

 

DATE PUBLISHED: 06th September 2016

 

PAGES: 324

 

 

 

BLURB: 

 

Nothing says Happy Birthday like summoning the spirits of your dead relatives.

Alex is a bruja, the most powerful witch in a generation…and she hates magic. At her Deathday celebration, Alex performs a spell to rid herself of her power. But it backfires. Her whole family vanishes into thin air, leaving her alone with Nova, a brujo boy she can’t trust. A boy whose intentions are as dark as the strange marks on his skin.

The only way to get her family back is to travel with Nova to Los Lagos, a land in-between, as dark as Limbo and as strange as Wonderland…

 

 

REVIEW: 

 

This amazing novel combines the culture of magic in Latin culture with an Alice in Wonderland type story that I found to be a magical adventure. The prose was lyrical with a constant driving storyline that had me hooked.

The book commenced developing the family connection and the overarching magic of the Brooklyn Bruja’s. This sets up the motivation for Alex to travel to Los Lagos after she accidentally sends her whole family there when she wishes to be normal.

The concept of Los Lagos being a magical land where Alex must travel to save her family. The many creatures and environments she must face on her way are richly described with a depth that has the reader picturing this world in their mind. The journey with Nova and Rishi to to save Alex’s family is wrought with struggles and the character’s development of the character through the novel drives the book. I expected some plot twist at the end, but the one provided caught me off guard.

A magical retelling-esque adventure with driven by one girls love for her family. This was a truly magical read

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

SEARCHING SATURDAY

 

Searching Saturday is a new weekly meme created by Nikki at The Night is Dark and Full of Books! The aim is to search a book (or multiple books) that is new to you and fits the weekly theme. This could be a book to add to your TBR, or just to address on your blog. It’s up to you! You can search as many as you want, wherever you want.

This weeks topic is: Set in your country

 

My country is Australia.

Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden

Stolen by Lucy Christopher

Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur

Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta

Zac & Mia by A.J Betts

 

 

I love supporting Aussie authors and reading books about my country. Do you have any Aussie book recommendations? Let me know in the comments.

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

REVIEW: MER

 

 

PUBLISHER: Diamond Book Distributors

 

DATE PUBLISHED: 19th April 2017

 

PAGES: 128

 

 

 

BLURB: 

 

Twilight meets the legend of Atlantis in this gripping graphic novel from writer Joelle Sellner and artist Abby Boeh. After the death of her beloved mother, Aryn’s father has moved her family to a new town hoping for a fresh start. At first things seem to be going well—Aryn is making friends and has even caught the eye of one of the hottest guys in school. But there are dark forces moving under the surface that Aryn cannot see; and her new crush may not be … human.

 

 

REVIEW: 

 

I found this take on the mermaid mythology very entertaining with some beautiful graphic art. The story itself is easy to follow with an interesting plot fraught with mystery and romance.

Aryn’s character is forced into moving towns with her father and sister when her mother dies of Cancer. She must acclimatise to a new school and town. The only thing that makes her feel close to her mother is a shell necklace she finds in her mothers belongings. She is resentful and looking to belong in a place she doesn’t. Her character slowly develops through the graphic novel as plot points are revealed.

The art itself was amazing with some beautiful imagery and colour. The cover was what originally drew me to this book. With an enjoyable plot and stunning imagery this is a graphic novel I found thoroughly entertaining.

🌟🌟🌟🌟

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

COVER LUST FRIDAY

 

Cover Lust Friday is a meme I have recently come across and it looked really fun. Cover Lust Friday is a weekly meme that’s all about covers. Alice from Alice Reeds is the host of this meme.

Pick a cover that stands out to you , add your reason why you’ve chosen that particular one or what you like about it. Let’s have fun and share some gorgeous covers.

THE COVER: 

THE REASON: 

 

The simple colour scheme mixed with the layers of different images make a relatively simplistic cover more interesting if one takes a second look. I am intrigued to see the importance of the moped and film strips within the book. The typography adds interest to the cover.