Review of Gemina by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

Gemina by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

Moving to  a space station from the edge of the galaxy was always going to be hazardous and the subsequent death of Hanna's social life. However none of her supervisors advised that it might actually get her killed. 

This is the second book in the sci-fi saga that began with Illuminae, this book continues the story on board the Jump Ship Heimdall and we are introduces to the two new characters who will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.

Hanna is the pampered station captain's daughter and Nik is the reluctant member of the notorious crime family. However while the two of them are struggling with the realities of their new life on board the most boring space station. Little do they know that the infamous Kady Grant and the Hypatia are heading right for them carrying onboard the news of the invasion of Karanza soil. 

When the Elite strike team of BeiTechs forces invades the station, the unlikely pair of Nik and Hanna are thrown together leaving them trying to work out a way to defend their new home. The Alien predators are slowly picking of the stations colonists one-by-one and there is a malfunction in the stations wormhole which means that the space time continuum might be ripped in two before the end of the day. Hanna and Nik are not the only fighting for their life, it turns out that the fate of everyone on the Hypatia and the universe has been thrust onto the young shoulders.

This is a writing style which is done in the form of communication records and official records just like the previous book in the trilogy. Kristoff and Kaufman have achieved via this method a story which makes you want to continue to dig into the information and make links between each article and watch how Nik and Hanna's relationship changing from casual acquaintances to a strong friendship which they will be needing to survive the things which are going to be thrown at them. I gave a cheer when despite all odds they survived and band together with Ella, Niks cousin, to save the rest of the people in the space station and themselves

Click the following link to get your copy of the book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gemina-Illuminae-Files-Book/dp/1780749813/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=3E313B8R1G30X&dchild=1&keywords=gemina+the+illuminae+files+book+2&qid=1592508215&sprefix=gemina,aps,202&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mystickt-21&linkId=556ce80bffe8046a7b8d9eb843197bf1&language=en_GB

Review of Birthday by Meredith Russo

Birthday by Meredith Russo

From the author of If I Was Your Girl, this book is an unconventional love story which is centred around two friends and how Morgan comes to terms with his identity.

Two kids Morgan and Eric, are linked for life due to their parents being in hospital when the boys were born on the same day and time. The story centres around their birthday - which they always share together and see how they have grown and changed. Eric has figured our who he is and how he fits into the world, however Morgan makes the difficult choice to live as her true self.

Over the years they ultimately drift apart, then come together again, fight, make-up and break up. They will ultimately realise that they are part of each other and they will be linked for life. 

The story starts on the 13th birthday where they are celebrating their birthday at the local water park and Morgan tries to tell her best friend that she has been born in the wrong body. This doesn't go to plan and when they part on that day they are not speaking and it has been made even more difficult as Morgans mother passed away from cancer just 2 short years ago.

We make our way through the years hearing about their 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th Birthday - and we get a snapshot of Morgan and Eric along with their family life and their sexuality. The story centres around the 3 days surrounding the birthdays and how they celebrate with each other. This story is written in dual POV style and through this we watch Morgan and Eric go through some hard decisions and you really feel for them - i felt all of the pain that they went through because of the writing style used by Russo. Once we have the big reveal and see that love prevails but will it survive .... my god I wanted it to survive. I love this story so much and will share it with my friends and family, especially my Trans MTF 18 year old as it may help him with his transition.

Please click the link below to buy your copy:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Birthday-Meredith-Russo/dp/1474967418/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=2YPP31WSL0OWE&dchild=1&keywords=birthday+meredith+russo&qid=1592347542&sprefix=birthday+mer,aps,171&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mystickt-21&linkId=a5e5e5b02f6451d8bbe21768577ce899&language=en_GB

Review of What If It's Us (Book #1) by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

What If It's Us (Book #1) by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Arthur is only staying in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him any lessons it is that the universe works in mysterious ways. And nothing is more unexpected than a showstopping romance for all ages at the time you least expect it.

Ben thinks that the universe is messing with him and he wants the universe to mind its own business. He feels that he has had the universe had his back then he wouldn't be going to the post office with a box of his ex's boyfriends things which were left when they broke up. When Arthur and Ben meed in a chance encounter at the post office both cant help but think what the universe has in store for them.

Then the universe throws a curve ball and they get separated and then meeting again, reuniting them. However what will happen if they can not nail the crucial first date or the following dates. Arthur can think what will happen if he tries to half while Ben is wondering what if he deosn't try hard enough. Can life really be like the way that a Broadway show plays put?

This book is written in the style of duel points of view - switching between Arthur and Ben's story lines. This is one of my favourite writing styles as I find that duel POV helps make the story have more depth and allows for a more round build of the character. This is the new version of the love story and all of its twist and turns with the character finally uniting together.

Please click the following link to but your copy of the book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?k=what+if+its+us&crid=2NL35D2YAUDQD&sprefix=what+if,aps,187&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_7_7&linkCode=ll2&tag=mystickt-21&linkId=5dbff39c0947c7038f56a055f59cf338&language=en_GB

Review of Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy (Book #1) by Ricelle Mead

Only the truest of best friend can protect you from your immortal enemies....

Lissa Dragomir is the Moroi princess, an mortal vampire with a rare gift for harassing the skills of earth magic. She must be protected at all cost hours a day from the Strigoi - the fiercest of the vampire race, the ones who never die. With the powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through the veins of Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend and makes her a dhampir. Rose's life is dedicated to the perilous  and dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigo, who have a hel bent mission to make Lissa one of them.

However after two year of freedom for Lissa and Rose, the have been caught and forcefully dragged back to St Valdimirs Academy. This academy is a vampire school for royalty and their guardian to be. The academy is hidden in the deepest forests fin Montana and is protected by a magical force field. Inside the iron gates which should be a sanctuary for all however life is fraught with danger and this means that the Strigoi are always close by.

Rose and Lissa must navigate this dangerous world, by confronting the temptations of forbidden love while not letting their guard down. And all this has to be done with the evil undead who want to make Lissa one of them forever.

Anything with a vampire sucks me in and i devour the books with this subject. It has a different take on vampire life by looking at half-breeds and the immortal vampires are the enemies in this world. I enjoyed the way this was written however i did find that i kept wanting a bit of the back story for the previous 2 years. It reads like a distant cousin of Vampire Diaries and i love that about it. It also has the injection of romance for the two leading characters, which helps build the story and lead into the rest of the books in series. I will definitely be adding the rest of the series to my TBR list.

Click on the following link to buy your copy of this book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0141328525/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=mystickt-21&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0141328525&linkId=de9db0d181b4b51bef583ebe67c74238

Review of I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter by Brian K. Henry

I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter by Brian K. Henry

Moody 16 year old barista Devin Mulwray is trying and failing to ignore all of the bizarre manifestations that are happening in her home town the chilling seaside town of Acarta. He is already being teased about his frequent zone outs and the last thing that this teenage needs if to be known as the guy who sees ghost around town. It doesn't help that his state of mind when his boss is a sarcastic slacker, his single dad is always working away from home and a local occult fan girl starts spreading the rumour that he is ghost boy on social media.

When some violent paranormal activity badly spooks the teens of the town involving an abandoned estate. Devin is then pushed into investigating by one of his eccentric friends Clive - a budding composer - and Rex the resident tech head who is excited by ghost hunting gadgets. Reluctantly he gets involved and Devin is further encourage when Emily one of the more empathetic girls at his school is impressed with his daring behaviour.

Together the friends set out to explore the creepy Rousten manor in the local town. Devin being the one and only person who can perceive the manifestations, he find himself going on a one against one battle with a powerful spirit who starts attacking the locals and infiltrates Devin's dreams .... or should we say nightmare. Devin has got to face his fear of confronting the spirit world and get to the bottom of the haunting before the evil spectre unleashed more havoc on his friend and family.

This is the second of Brian Henry's books that i have read and i enjoyed this as much as the first. His way of developing the characters is one of the best i have seen and it is this which draws me into the story. The style of writing helps to show the dynamics of the group of friends and how they interact with each other and solve the puzzles which they are face with. Devin the main character is on the cusp of coming of age and he finds that his focus is taken away from the important things and forced to focus on the supernatural world. If you like young adult and paranormal stories then this is the book for you.

Please click the following link to purchase you own copy of the book: 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?k=i+was+a+teenage+ghost+hunter&crid=NEHVLPTDDN5S&sprefix=i+was+a+teenage+gh,aps,170&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_18&linkCode=ll2&tag=mystickt-21&linkId=21fb541f892177aa1bd34bdcfdc3f40f&language=en_GB

Review of Five Feet Apart by Rachel Lippincott

Five Feet Apart by Rachel Lippincott

Can you love someone you can never touch?

Stella Grant like to be in control of her life and her Cystic Fibrosis.Even with her lungs not allowing her to control them, she has spent most of her life in and out of hospital. However at this point in her life what she needs to control the most is making sure that she keeps away from anyone and anything which could pass an infection to her immune system and this could jeopardise the chance of having a lung transplant.

Then Will Newman comes into the story and the only thing that he wants to control of is getting out of hospital - in effect the polar opposite to Stella. He couldn't care less about his medical needs including medication, treatments and the new drug trial that he is on. He is about to turn 18 and he will be able to control his own treatment and he can unplug the machines and see the world.

Will is exactly the person who Stella needs to stay away from. If he even accidentally breathes on her she could lose her place on the transplant list. This could also mean that both of them die and the only way that they can stay alive is to stay apart. However the six feet distance doesn't feel like they are being safe it makes them feel that they are being punished. If they could still keep a foot of space between them that their condition has stolen from them - would it really be that dangerous.

Well let me say first off all. This is not the book to read if you are even a bit emotional and get invested in the characters which you are reading about. Tear started flowing from page one for me and it only took me two sitting to read it. I felt sorry for the characters and i don't know how they could function - and then i realise that children and young adults are living with this daily. I loved hearing Stella and Will's point of views and loved the way this was written through both of the points of view. Even through the whole story is based in a Hospital Rachel manages to expand this situation to make you feel that you could be living in a community with the characters. I also wanted to wrap Stella up in my arms when she experiences the death of a fellow CF patient, Poe. This is a star crossed lovers story to match Romeo and Juliet - a must have read for young adult and romance novels.

Click the following link to buy your copy: 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1471182312/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=mystickt-21&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1471182312&linkId=86328ee8d47b6a373f57a30248b32e59

Review of If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo

This is the kind of big-hearted novel which will make you be seen and perceive for who you really are.

Amanda Hardy is the new girl at school and everyone knows how awkward that is. Like all the other students she wants to fit in and make friends, however Amanda is keeping secrets and is determined to not get close to anyone after what has happened at previous schools.

When she meets Grant, who is the sweetest and easygoing, She cant help but start to open herself up and let him into her life. As they spend more and more time together she finds that she starts to have feeling for him and that she is losing a battle to keep that invisible wall up. She finds her self feeling all these feelings that she should be and find herself yearning to share her secrets with Grant - all of her secrets Buts she is terrified that once she opens up to him and tells the full story, he will not be able to see past it.

The secret that she is keeping close to her chest is that at her previous school she was Andrew and moving schools has given her the chance to transition into being Amanda. Amanda is scared that telling the truth will cost her her new life and the new love in her life.

This story felt quite personal to me as one of my children is transgender and going through a lot of the feeling that Amanda is. I see a lot of myself in her parents and feel for them and you want to turn to them and offer a hand of support. I would recommend this book to anyone who is transitioning - and their families - it has been an emotional one for me and i am glad that i have read it. I didn't necessarily like the writing style but the story was not lost due to this, I felt that it was a bit jumpy and a bit hard to get into but i did enjoy reading it.

Click on the following link to buy your copy:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1474923836/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=mystickt-21&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1474923836&linkId=a95671fad47d926ca165d83ad3b78482

Review of The City In The Middle Of The Night by Charlie Jane Anders

The City In The Middle Of The Night by Charlie Jane Anders

Would you give up everything to be able to change the world?

Humanity is hanging on to life that January - the colonised planet is divided between being a constant frozen darkness on one side and blazing permanent sun on the other. In the meagre temperate zone on the planet, the two cities are required to serve as the last pillars of civilisation. But in the cities the way of life is just as dangerous as the inhabitable wastelands on either side.

A young student Sophie who is from the darker side of the Xiosphant city has been exiled out of the city when she failed to become part of the rebellion. She manages to survive against the odd with the help of the mysterious stranger that she meet from under the ice.

Being burden with the painful secret,Sophie and her group of exiles will face the ultimate challenge - and this band of brothers is starting to run out of time.

I wasn't keen on this book as i kept being distracted from it as i found it hard to get into the story. That's not to say that that the character and the plot from about half way through grabbed me. It scored low on my most enjoyed list and due to not being able to get into the story, I would still recommend this to a younger audience as I think they would prefer this book.

Click on following link to get your copy:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07MC62MK8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=mystickt-21&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07MC62MK8&linkId=84fcb265ad5d44a8c0c3692787a2c0df

Review of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games #0) by Suzanne Collins

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games #0) by Suzanne Collins

Ambition will fuel him, Competition will drive him however power has a price.

It is the morning of the reaping which will start kick off the 10th Hunger Games. In the Capitol, 18 year old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his shot at glory as a mentor in the games. The once powerful and mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, and its fate is hanging on the shoulders of the 18 year old Coriolanus. That chance will need to have him have the ability to out-charm, outwit and outmanoeuvre all of his fellow students to be able to mentor the winning tribute. 

As with all of the main players in the hunger games stories the odds are against him. He has been given the humiliating assignment of having to mento the female tribute from district 12 - which he considers to be the lowest of the low. Her fate and his own are completely intertwined and every choice that he makes will have an effect on whether he is in favour or doomed to failure. Inside the arena it is a fight to the death, while outside of it Coriolanus begins to feel for his underdog tribute. He must weigh up the needs to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes. 

Suzanne Collins has done it again, this prequel to the original trilogy is fantastic. Full of descriptions and a full back story to President Snow. It is clear from reading this where his standoffish has came from. I can not wait to see if there is any more episodes to the Hunger Games world.

Click on the following link to get your copy:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0702300179/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=mystickt-21&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0702300179&linkId=e4c0223940925894e6f8d71a14cff9e5

Review of Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins

This is the final book of the The Hunger Games Trilogy and is the fast paced and epic finish to the story. 

Katniss Everdeen has survived the hunger games twice now in the same number of years. Even through she has made it through the hunger games and she has made it out of the bloody arena alive she is still not safe. And to make it worse the Capitol is angry and they want revenge.

And guess who they think should pay for the unrest in the districts - yes your right Katniss. President Snow has again made it clear that nobody else is safe either. Not from the other districts, the capitol, Katniss's friends and family. Katniss has been taken into the folds of the rebellion and is one of the first to volunteer when there is any fact finding mission. She has also made it her number one priroty to make the president pay.

The book is the least favourite of the trilogy but felt it a necessary end to the story. I love the way that the characters have developed through each of the episodes and I feel kinship with them all. I also do love a good underdog story. Others I have spoken to have said this has been their favourite but that is something which I will leave it up to you to decide and let me know in the comments your favourite.

Click the following link to get your copy:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1407132105/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=mystickt-21&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1407132105&linkId=3f8833b00a2892cde5d9df4f24cba9f9

Review of Catching Fire (The Hunger Game #2) by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins

Sparks are Igniting, Flames are Spreading and the Capital wants revenge.

Against all of the odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the 74th Hunger Games with her fellow district 12 tribute Peeta Mellark and they are both still alive. Katniss should be relieved at this and even happy that she gets to go home to her family. However nothing is ever simple in Katniss's life and the way she wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance due to the relationship which was portrayed in the games and Peeta is avoiding her at all costs. What makes it even worse there are whispers of a rebellion raising up against the Capital - a rebellion which may have been started by Katniss and Peeta.

Much to the shock of Katniss, she has fuelled the unrest and she is afraid that she will not be able to stop it now that it is in motion. What scares her and her family even more is that she is not convinced by capitol officials that she should try to stop it. As it draws nearer to the tributes victory tour of the districts and the capital it is obvious that the stakes are even higher that ever that they achieve this. If they are not able to convince the capitol and all the citizens of Panem of their love for all ages then the consequences with be horrifying. Katnis is about to be put to a harder test that the hunger games themselves.

I love Suzanne Collins writing style and she never disappoints. Her Trilogy is a great series however the stories stand alone as well - this is due to the way that she summarises what has happened in the previous book. Katniss is such a well rounded character who interacts like she is your best friend or a close relation. I would still highly recommend that you read the trilogy in order if you can because the story line is very linear. I have recently re-read the trilogy because of the new instalment to the The Hunger Games Story.

Click the following link to get your copy:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1407132105/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=mystickt-21&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1407132105&linkId=3f8833b00a2892cde5d9df4f24cba9f9

Review of The White Cat by Holly Black

White Cat by Holly Black

This book is writing by the author if The Spiderwick Chronicles and is a fast paced extraordinary fantasy world.

Cassel is cursed and he is cursed by the memory of the 14 year old girl that he had murdered. Life at the school is a constant trial for him and when he goes out home things are just as bad. Nobody is going to forget or let him forget that he is a killer and that he is not a magic worker either.

His family are classed as one of the big five families in America and ever since the use of magic was prohibited since 1929 and magic workers have been driven underground and into a life of crime. While people still have the need for her touch, their curses, the magical killings, the transformation that they bring and times have been hard from them. His grandfather has been driven to a life of drink, his mother is in prison and all the rest of the family detest that he is the only member of the family who can't do magic. 

However there is a secret at the centre of his family and he has to inherit this and find that this is terrifying and the truth of this is even worse. The white cat is one of those novel in which shows how the world has been changed by the infusion of magic. In Holly Blacks world, only 1% of the population can work magic but 100% of the population have the power of nightmares.

This is not one of my favourite books, it started slow and it took everything to continue with the book. I usually love this type of story and it even had a synopsis which lead me to believe that this was an adult version of Harry Potter. I would recommend this book as just because i didn't love it does not mean that others would love it, I just found the story slow in progress but i like the writing style and would like to see other titles by Holly Black

Click on the following link to get your copy:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0575096721/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=mystickt-21&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0575096721&linkId=2b69ebd4da389c29b80672754313b787

Review of The Hunger Games (Book #1) by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1) by Suzanne Collins

Winning means fame and fortune, Losing means certain death - all this means that The Hungers have began ..... May the odds be in your favour.

In the ruins of a place known in history as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capital which is surrounded by 12 outlying districts. The Capitol is seen as being harsh and cruel for all that live in district 12. Every year the reaping happens, this means that each of the districts have to supplied one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate to the annual Hunger Games. This is the fight to the death on Live TV which is beamed to all of the district

16 year old Katniss Everdeen regards this as a death sentence when she volunteers to take her sister place when Prim's name is selected for the games. Katniss has been close to dead before and she needs to survive and this is like second nature. Without actually meaning to she becomes one of 24 people who are the contenders for the 74th Hunger Games. If she is to win this and return home she will need to make choices which make her weigh survival against humanity, life against life. 

Katniss's male companion from district 12 is Peeta and he has a crush on Katniss. During the lead up to the games we can see the crush turn to love for him and this becomes the pillar of strength for both of them. To get the districts 12 tributes ready for the games Haymitch the previous victor, Effie who helps with the public relations and a team of stylists who get them ready for the many appearances and for the beginning of the games.

I love Suzanne Collins writing style and she know exactly what makes a reader feel part of the story. It is full of twist and turns which has you guessing at each turn. Even though you know that Katniss is ok because she is in the sequel Catching Fire. However once you have finished the book you can not wait to see how the choice of who has won The 74th Hunger Games will have on the survival of the Capital and the surrounding districts. She also has you wanting to have none of the characters change due to the story and you know that this is not the case as everyone is affected by the results.

Click the following link to get your copy:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1407132083/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=mystickt-21&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1407132083&linkId=f94c342c5ca08a367f83f179cf747308

Review of The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan

The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan

The book is a story which link a grand baronial house on Loch Ness, in a quirky small-town bookseller and a single mother who is looking to a fresh start. It is a story which brings together in this witty and warm heartening novel which is for the book lover.

Single mother Zoe is desperate to escape from London and she is wanting to build a new life for her and her son Hari. In London she can hardly afford to live in the crammed studio apartments on a busy London street. A street full of honking horns and shouting football fans who keep them awake at all times of the night. If she doesn't find a way out of London soon, Zeo knows that it is only a matter of time before she has a meltdown and it affects hers and her sons life. On a whim, she answers a ad for a nanny job in the Scottish Highlands which is about as far away from the crushing nature of London and she finds that this sounds like heaven.

The job that she applies asks for a person who is able to care for 3 'gifted' children and two of the children have the nature of feral wolverines. The children father is recently widowed and is an absolute wreck and his children run wild in the tumble down castle on the banks of Loch Ness. Still the peaceful location in picturesque Scotland is everything that London is not and Zoe rises to this challenge. With the help of Nina, the friendly local bookseller and Zoe begins to put roots in the community. Zoe is finding that books, the fresh air and the kindness that she has received enough to heal her broken family.

I found this book a good cosy summer read ideal to read in the current weather outside. I immersed myself in the story as i have done the move that Zeo has done from the hustle and bustle of southern England to Loch Lomand. I went through all  of the emotions that she went through. I love the way that Jenny Colgan writes making you find you falling in love with all of the characters. I can not wait to read her new book Five Hundred Miles From You

Click on link to get your copy:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07PCST6YD/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=mystickt-21&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07PCST6YD&linkId=af91c15d3c50e4c1be9f5c55fe3ea47f

Review of Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan

Hot Dog Girl By Jennifer Dugan

Eloise (Lou) Parker is determined to have her best and absolute epic summer of her life and she only has a few things standing in her way. She has landed a job at the local Magic Castle Playland ...... as a giant dancing hot dog. 

Her biggest crush, the dreamy Diving Castle Nick, who already has a girlfriend .... not good, who is literally the Princess of the Park. However she has never liked anyone, boy or girl, as much as Nick and she wants to have her chance  at her happily ever after before everything changes. She is working along side her best friend Seeley, who operates the carousel, who is her partner in crime however it isn't when it comes to Lou's quest to find her best friend a perfect girl or Lou's quest to net Nick.

Then the owner of the Magic Castle Playland has called a meeting to advise that this will be the last year that the amusement park is open unless she finds a way to keep the park open. 

I love this debut from Jennifer Dugan's and the coming-of-age romance which includes a princess, a pirate, a hot dog and a carousel operator and how they find love and themselves. It is coupled with unexpected people and unforgettable places. I have enjoyed the way we get to know the characters and how they are experiment with life and sexuality. It is a true story of the experience of most young adults which is happening over the world. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a child/young adult who is working through who they are.

Click the following link to get your copy:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0525516255/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=mystickt-21&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0525516255&linkId=ee9f8351256204c434fe2b796e05910d

Review of The Mystery of Alice by Lee Bacon

The Mystery of Alice by Lee Bacon

The Audible exclusive is about 13 year old Emily Poe who has been given an opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to attend the exclusive Audyn School in Manhattan.

To be able to win the scholarship, she has to pass a text to show her eligibility and it is nothing she's ever experienced before. The test is held in a bare room, a strange set of clues, a locked door and a mysterious organisation. called the Leopold Foundations watching her every more. 

However the real test has just began, despite the strange circumstances - a new house, a new uniform, new gadgets and new school. Emily instantly bonds with fellow scholarship winner Alice Ray and the become fast friends sticking together through all of these new experience

The Alice goes missing, Emily then starts to chronicle every twitch and turn in searc for her friends through her video diary and blog. Emily uses this median to set out to start her investigation behind her best friends disappearance. Soon she finds herself being drawn into the Audyn School elite called the nobility, who each have their own web of secrets themselves. As she builds clues and lies surrounding Alice disappearance and she needs to find a way to sort out the truth and fiction to solve The Mystery of Alice before it is to late.

I love the way that this is presented with the blog type entries which draws you into collecting the clues and want to help Emily solve this mystery. It is a way of getting an insight into how someone from a second class background joins the elite school system. It is a classic tale of how children makes friend and how they open up to each other. It is due to this stand oafishness and awkwardness of new friendship, it shows how quickly children can adapt, It also made me reflect on my childhood and how moving made all of my friendships went in my youth.

Click on the following link to get the Amazon exclusive:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07DFRCDQY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=mystickt-21&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07DFRCDQY&linkId=b6533f50c190e488b4412ac5b1ebec2c

Review of Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

This is the first book in the trilogy of The Illuminae Files and was written by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. It starts with Kady Grant breaking up with Ezra, she thinks  this will be the worst thing that she will go through in her life. That was before her home planet is invaded by Military forces, with the enemy fire raining down on them Kady and Ezra are forced to fight their way onto a ship evacuating craft.

The warships are the least of there problems, a deadly plague has broken out and it mutating with horrific results and the fleets AI, which should be protecting the crews could actually be the crews biggest threat. When the lower members of the crew are asking questions nobody in charge will actually give any explanations of what is happening. Kady finds herself plunging into the web of data hacking to find the information which will led her to the truth. It soon becomes clear that there is only one individual who can help her find the truth about what is going on. 

This story is being told in a unique way by using a fascinating dossier of the hacked documents, psych assessments and documents showing what the heads of the fleets are doing to try and stop this information being leaked. I actually enjoyed the way that this book is presented and the way that the story flows and explains the first part of the story contained in the trilogy. I love the way that Amie and Jay have written this together and I like their individual works as well. i am excited to see where the story of Kady, Ezra and the other survivors progress between the chapters of the trilogy. I would hope that the writing style continues through all chapters. 

Click the following link to get your copy:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/178074837X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=mystickt-21&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=178074837X&linkId=dcb42d6241a2e5cadd6f35331fe3f3ee