Tuesday 26 November 2013

First book!

So, I just won my first book. Not an eBook, a legitimate paperback copy. It is the seventh book of a mystery series written by S.D. Tooley called The Tunnel. I won the book from the member giveaways on LibraryThing. While I haven't read the others in the series (oh yeah, they also sent me a free copy of the second book) I have been able to read mystery books that belong to a series, out of order. That's one of my favourite things out mysteries, you don't have to read all the other books. While the writer may reference things that have happened in previous books, you are usually provided with enough context for it to make sense.

I have to say this is pretty exciting, to get my hands on my first ARC that doesn't come in eBook form! I am in the middle of a book right now, but I'll be starting on the two books that were graciously given to me soon!

- Sophie

Sunday 17 November 2013

Intangible (Piercing the Veil #1) - Review 2013

Intangible (Piercing the Veil #1) - C.A. Gray 

"Peter Stewart grew up on a unique version of the Arthurian legends taught him by his father, a harebrained quantum physicist who asserts that anything is possible.  But Peter disbelieves anything which cannot be scientifically explained, despite a nagging sense that there is more to the world than meets the eye.  
Lily Portman is an orphan with a secret: she can see creatures that are invisible to everyone else.  These creatures control every human being she has ever met to varying degrees... until she meets Peter and his father.  
When a mysterious stranger stages an accident which nearly costs Peter and Lily their lives, suddenly Lily learns that she is not crazy after all, and Peter discovers the truth of his father’s stories… including the existence of Arthur’s ancient nemesis, one who calls himself the Shadow Lord, and a prophecy with implications so profound that it will alter not only the course of their lives, but potentially the fate of the world."

I have to say I was a little bit skeptical when I started requesting books from NetGalley, I didn't think any publishers would grant me access to their books. It's not as if I have posted a ton of reviews. And if I did get books... well, I expected them not to be very good ones.

It took me a little while to get into this book, mainly because I was reading it from my computer and I like to be able to hold the book I'm reading as opposed to staring at a screen. I'll tell you right now, staring at my computer screen was very much worth it for this book. Intangible was very much a pleasant surprise, I mean I was sucked in right from the prologue. I was on the computer more than I should have been, reading this book... Fantasy? Quantum physics? Arthurian legend? What's not to like? Talk about all my favourite things smashed into one. Granted, that's a lot to have in one book but I believe that Gray did a very good job of keeping everything... balanced, per say. I never felt like one was try to overpower the other.

When I ventured on the the website for the Piercing the Veil series, I was very pleased to read that Gray had taken almost three years to write Intangible because of research. Research is key when writing a book, and it certainly paid off for this one especially when it came to hinting at the tales of King Arthur.

Honestly, I didn't have very many issues with this book. It's an easy and enjoyable read.

This book gets a 4 out of 5 from me.

Can I get copies of the next two? Pretty please?


- Sophie

(This review has also been posted on Goodreads)


Frankating...

Monday 11 November 2013

Day One - Part Two

The adventure has begun! I have come across a website called https://www.netgalley.com and it's brilliant. You can request to receive amazing authors like Julie Kagawa and Richelle Mead! It's brilliant! Some authors even allow you to download free copies which I think is a great way to get started as a "professional reader." I have downloaded about six books, and that's a pretty good start. Two of the books I've downloaded I only have 54 days to read, which is easy peasy.

I'm getting ready to read:

Cursed (Voodoo Nights, 1) - Lizzy Ford
Intangible - C.A. Gray

Time to get cracking!

- Sophie

Day One

I've started my mission to begin reviewing books in exchange for... well... free books! Because let's be totally honest with ourselves, who doesn't want free books? Okay, well, maybe those non-readers.

So, this is day one of getting into this... "business."

I have recently ordered some books, and when then arrive and have been read I will be posting a review here, Goodreads, my Tumblr, and also the Online Book Club. Anywhere I can get noticed, right? It's hard than you think!

Now I'm off to follow these steps.

- Sophie