Saturday 28 September 2013

[REVIEW] Taunting Destiny by Amelia Hutchins

Taunting Destiny by Amelia Hutchins
Published: September 2013
Age Group: Adult (18A - MATURE CONTENT)
Series: The Fae Chronicles #2
OMG. This has been the one book that I've been waiting sooooo impatiently for, for the last couple of months now. Even more so then Allegiant (which is to be released Oct22). That's how good and Fighting Destiny was. And I'm delighted to say that Taunting Destiny does not disappoint one bit.

Taunting Destiny is honestly a whirlwind of emotions and drama and conflicts, all that encompass a brilliant story. This is a spoiler free review so I won't reveal anything, only my thoughts and opinions about this brilliant story.

The story takes off right where the last one ended, and I felt, as a reader, that I had seamlessly been captivated by this story and once again thrust into this world full of fae and vampires and smoking, hot romance. Amelia Hutchins is a brilliant writer and I can't help but acknowledge her writing style and how effortless she allows the reader to pick up where they left off months ago and make it seem like I was reading the stories back-to-back without an extended break in between. I feel that most stories give you the "Previously in the other books" before you get into the main plot and action of the current book but Taunting Destiny does little taunting (in bringing the readers back in) and goes straight to it. If anything we were just taunted by the release date! But the author has their own reason for delaying it and being as unhappy and impatient and frustrated as I was, there's nothing you can do but respect that author's decision and wait for the book to be released.

Syn and Ryder are probably one of my most favourite fictional couples. They definitely make the story much more interesting and the spark and connection between them is felt through the pages.

I'm happy that Amelia Hutchins had more of the story situated in Faery this time. It gives more background to these paranormal characters and allows the readers to better understand them. Also who doesn't love a cool Faery fantasy land?

I think Amelia Hutchins, or whoever's her editor or title maker is brilliant. The first book was titled Fighting Destiny and I felt that greatly throughout the story. This one (the second) is titled Taunting Destiny and I also definitely felt that.

I`ll end this by talking about the ending. I wouldn't say it's a cliffhanger but it was definitely a WTF moment. I didn't know what to think, what to say. I just sort of started at my kobo rereading the last couple of lines just trying to process what was going to happen. In fact I'm still trying to process what happened and what will happen - with no luck.

I urge you, PLEAD YOU, please if you haven't read this book yet please go read it! It is absolutely brilliant. Now if you don't like fae or paranormal stories then I can't help you there, everyone has their own tastes but if you don't mind, then I implore you, read this! I'm sure you won't be disappointed. (And if you are, well I ask that you read it again. To make sure your initial opinion wasn't flawed. That's how much I love this book!)

BUY BUY BUY

Tuesday 24 September 2013

[REVIEW] The Final Act by J.S. Taylor

The Final Act by J.S. Taylor
Published: August 2013
Age Group: (18A - MATURE CONTENT)
Series: Spotlight #4 [end]
The first thing that I thought when I saw this book was released (and existed): WHAT THE FUDGE??? THERE'S ANOTHER ONE???
I honestly thought that the story ended with the last one "The Director's Cut" but then there's book 4. Okay that does make sense with the title and everything but honestly I had figured with that disastrous third volume there wouldn't be another.

Well I don't like leaving a series unfinished and so I gave it a shot. It was good...not great.

The story starts out where the last one ended. And that's the usual case with sequels so no big surprise there. Now part way through reading I started thinking about what the plot of this story could be. What can they continue after everything's already been settled with in the prior books? Well I spoke too soon, because lo and behold, THE LIPSTICK STALKER RETURNS! Now I personally believe that the lipstick stalker arc is probably one of the best twists I've read. So after reading the second book and fully appreciating all the drama in it, I found the third book to be lacking, greatly. And in some way I'm starting to think that perhaps this story line was brought back because it was the ONLY thing interesting about this series. I know I'm being particularly harsh about this but I'm being honest in judging it and saying that I personally don't think there needed to be four instalments. Three would have been enough, but here I am reviewing the fourth book.

So all's good in Issy and James town. Until the end which is always the case. End a book with a bang and all that.  I'm not particularly happy with the twist. Mainly because it seemed like the author only really focused and developed the character in this book. I think if we were introduced to this character and this character was brought up periodically throughout the series the surprise may have been more of, perhaps an obvious choice, but yet again by focusing on this one character in this novel it also made them the obvious choice. Take my rantings with a grain of salt but it seemed slightly obvious who the villain is. When I first read it though, I'll admit that I was confused about who this character was, mainly because after I was introduced this character I quickly disregarded them as anyone important and went on reading about Issy and James' relationship. Now this may be signs of a very good book twist but I found it to be too much of a surprise. I'd rather have something lead up to it and I'm anxiously waiting to figure out the answer and solve the mystery. Whereas this was more of a "BOO Guess who I am" moment.

There's not much else to say about this book. It was happy ending, albeit a little cliché in my opinion and overall an okay series. Not the best and not the worst. Just a fun read.

3.5 - 4
MEH

Monday 2 September 2013

[COMING TO THE BIG SCREEN] Confirmed 50 Shades Casting!!! (Finally!)

So today the "50 Shades of Grey" casting for the movie was announced.

Playing Anastasia Steele is...: Dakota Johnson.
I wiki'd her and apparently she was in the Social Network. Remember that girl that was with Justin Timberlake's character when he figured out the existence of facebook by borrowing her laptop? And then made her come running out of the bathroom cause he wanted to ask her about the website? Yeah that's her. I'm okay with this casting. Although she's not my first choice I can see her as Ana and that's fine with me.

Playing Christian Grey is...: Charlie Hunnam.
Well I have no idea who this guy is. Apparently he's on 'Sons of Anarchy'...not a show that I watch. Personally I don't see him as Christian at all...but I'm going to give him a shot...cause that's only fair.

For the original casting announcements:
Christian Grey
Anastasia Steele


For the post stating who I thought was best for the roles:
Dream 50 Shades Casting