angelreads, Author at Angel Reads

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Book Tag: I Dare You

Feb 26, 2017

I haven’t done a tag in a while, so when I was tagged by the lovely Bec, to do the I Dare You Tag. I thought this was the perfect opportunity. I don’t know where this tag originated from. If you do know please do tell me, so I can link them in the post. Anyway, let’s get the show on the road.

Rules

You must be honest
You must answer all the questions
You must tag at least 4 people

1. What book has been on your shelf the longest?

Harry Potter and the Philosopher Stone – 2001 edition. Obviously, it’s not the first book that I ever owned, but it’s the first book that’s been on my shelf the longest. To give a little context, I was 5 years old. It’s not in the best of conditions, but I could never get rid of it.

2. What is your current read, your last read, and the book you’ll read next? As of 14/2

Current Read: Off The Ice by Julie Cross | I am liking it okay so far, nothing has really hit me yet.

Last Read: The Goal by Elle Kennedy | This is a re-read. Felt like some contemporary NA and I can’t go wrong with Elle Kennedy.

Next Read: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas | I’ve been trying to hold off reading this one closer to the publishing date, but I can’t do it anymore. I need to read this beauty.

3. What book did everyone like, but you hated?

Okay so I didn’t exactly hate the book, but I don’t adore the books like everyone else. And that has to be the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. I go into more details about why I won’t be continuing the series or any of her other books.

4. What book do you keep telling yourself you’ll read, but you probably won’t?

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin: I’ve tried reading this book 3 times now and I only ever get halfway. I don’t even understand why I love the TV series and I so want to get into the books.

5. What book are you saving for retirement?

Probably the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I’ve had the books for some time now, but when I first tried to read them, it just didn’t seem to work for me. I love the movies, so I really want to at least read the books.

6. Last page: read it first, or wait ’til the end?

It really depends. If I am terrified about how the book is going to turn out, I will read that last page. Especially if it’s from a series that I love and it’s the last book.

7. Acknowledgment: waste of paper and ink, or interesting aside?

I really like the idea. I don’t always read them. But, if I find the author interesting or the book captures me. I like to read something about them, about how it came to be.

8. Which book character would you switch places with?

Rose Hathaway from the Vampire Academy series. Some crap does happen. But she is bad ass, knows how to defend herself, and well has Dimitri. Like who wouldn’t want him.

9. Do you have a book that reminds you of something specific in your life? (Place, time, person?)

Vampire Academy. This book started my obsession with YA. It’s what got me back into reading book after book. I ways always reading before, but Vampire Academy made reading a part of my life.

10. Name a book that you acquired in an interesting way.

I can’t even think of this. I don’t think I ever got a book in an interesting way. What defines interesting when you are a reviewer.

11. Have you ever given a book away for a special reason to a special person?

I am always giving books away to my cousins. A few of them love to read and I know that sometimes I know I won’t read a book, but they will love it. Sometimes they just borrow the books, but there have been times when I just can’t help, but give the book to them.

12. Which book has been with you most places?

My ebooks. They are on my phone so they are taken everywhere with me. From all over Australia, across the sea and even to Hawaii.

13. Any “required reading” you hated in high school that wasn’t so bad two years later?

No. Those books that I disliked a lot in high school – I still pretty much dislike. They are all classics unfortunately, I just can’t like them.

14. Used or brand new?

Both! I loved new books, but I am always taking trips to the op shop and seeing what I can pick up. And sometimes they are in amazing condition.

15. Have you ever read a Dan Brown book?

No. I enjoy the movies, but I don’t think I could ever get into the books. My mum on the other hand really likes them.

16. Have you ever seen a movie you liked more than the book?

Not that I can think off the top of my head. It’s very rare that I like a movie more than the book. Most of the time they just never capture the same magic as the book does.

17. Have you ever read a book that’s made you hungry, cookbooks included?

Yes. Any time a book mentions food. But one that just made me want to cook heaps of food would have to be Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler.

18. Who is the person whose book advice you’ll always take?

In the blogging world, there are a couple of people that I know if they loved a book, then I will most likely feel the same. There are those that dislike certain aspects of books like me, and if they didn’t like the book, I will probably feel the same. It’s the way that this community works you click with people. Ely from Tea and Titles is right up on that list of people.

19. My question is: Is there a book out of your comfort zone (e.g., outside your usual reading genre) that you ended up loving?

I actually don’t know about this one. I rarely read out of my comfort zone. I’ve been reading YA since I was 12 years old and haven’t deterred from that. But, I guess whatever was my first NA book, that I read. I love reading NA now.

And that is it for the I Dare You, Tag. Do you have some of the same answers as me? Are we totally opposite?Nevertheless, thanks for checking out this post. Let’s Chat!

I tag for I Dare You

Ely from Tea and Titles
Casey from adoptabook
Danielle from The Chronicles of Danielle
Tash from Confessions from Romaholics

I love talking so talk to me over on my twitter @angel_reads, Facebook, instagram and Goodreads. You can also follow Angel Reads on Bloglovin and via email (in the sidebar)

Book Review: We Come Apart by Sarah Crossan & Brain Conaghan

Feb 24, 2017

We Come Apart by Sarah Crossan and Brain Conaghan

Pages: 336
Publish date: 9th February 2017
Publisher: Bloomsbury Australia
ISBN: 1408878860
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU – Dymocks

Nicu has emigrated from Romania and is struggling to find his place in his new home. Meanwhile, Jess’s home life is overshadowed by violence. When Nicu and Jess meet, what starts out as friendship grows into romance as the two bond over their painful pasts and hopeful futures. But will they be able to save each other, let alone themselves?
For fans of Una LaMarche’s Like No Other, this illuminating story told in dual points of view through vibrant verse will stay with readers long after they’ve turned the last page.

We Come Apart:

I received an ARC of We Come Apart by Sarah Crossan and Brain Conaghan from Bloomsbury Australia in exchange for a review. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book.

I didn’t know how I was going to feel about this one, verse isn’t usually my thing and I had yet to read one that I loved. And although I didn’t love We Come Apart, I still very much liked it.

We Come Apart follows two protagonists, Nicu and Jess who are torn apart both on the outside and the inside. When these two are brought together things start to change for the both of them. And some of those things aren’t for the better.

Nicu; oh how he caught my heart. At first, it’s a little hard to really understand Nicu. It’s one of my first verse novels and he also speaks broken English. But, as the novel went on, I came to love him. And understand exactly how he is feeling. Not only is Nicu in an entirely different county, but he is not welcomed at all. It’s the heartbreaking reality of people moving to a place where they aren’t from, it’s even worse when you don’t speak their language or understand the cultural of said country. All Nicu wants to do is live his life, like his wants. He wants to have friends, and being the odd one out isn’t easy.

Jess on the other should fit in, but she doesn’t seem too. Jess was much harder to get along with simply because of her attitude and the way she went a round things. She had this fire in her and I wanted her to let it go. I wanted Jess to be her. But her home life is shit all and school isn’t that much better. So she has taken to stealing, and it breaks my heart – the things that she does.

The notion of family is a big focus in We Come Apart. But, not in a good sense. I know I say that we need to have a good family portrayal in books, but sometimes Nicu and Jess’ families need to be front and center. Jess’s home life, is full of violence and hate. It’s heartbreaking seeing both Jess and her mum waste away. While Nicu’s family hated leaving Romania and put so much pressure on Nicu. Not only that, they want to marry Nicu off to a nice Romanian girl.

I had a love/hate relationship with the romance aspects of We Come Apart. It all happens fast, and even though I think they have some amazing connection. I am not entirely sure if it was all real. Nicu cared a lot for Jess, like a hell of a lot. But, I am not sure how much Jess felt the same. She is really closed off and even though we were in her head. I still wasn’t sure how she felt.

The writing style of We Come Apart is very unique. Like I’ve said before I haven’t read much verse, but now I am totally intrigued. I haven’t read anything by each of the authors. So, I couldn’t tell the different between the two. I loved the aspect of Nicu’s broken English, but it was also very hard to read at times.

Overall, We Come Apart is a poignant, heartbreaking story of two different people brought together by strange circumstances. It explores the notion of love, family, friends and what it’s like it be different. We Come Apart will tear you apart with this heart wrenching, but also a beautiful story.

Have you read We Come Apart yet? What did you think? Are you planning on reading it? Have you read anything else by the authors? Let’s Chat!

TV Review: Shadowhunters 2 x 08 ‘Love is the Devil’

Feb 22, 2017

Shadowhunters: Season 2 Episode 8

Episode Name: Love is the Devil
Release date: 20th February 2017
Running Time: 42 minutes
Starring Katherine McNamara, Dominic Sherwood, Alberto Rosende, Matthew Daddario, Emeraude Toubia, Isaiah Mustafa, Harry Shum Jr.
Directed By: Ben Hernandez Bray
Watch: Freeform (US) – Netflix (Worldwide)
Episode Reviews: Season 1 | Season 2

Tasked with arranging his brother Max’s Rune Ceremony, Alec decides this would be the perfect opportunity for his family to get to know Magnus. But with tensions flying among the different Shadowhunters, Max’s big event quickly becomes an evening where they all must face their biggest fears.

Meanwhile, Simon makes a bold move as Isabelle finds an unlikely new ally.

Love is the Devil:

This season, each episode is getting better and better. I am starting to really love this series and can’t wait to see what to going to happen next. I’ve seen a lot of hate recent and although it’s not the best series out there, it’s by far not the worse. I learned a while ago not to compare it to the books because it’s not. If anyone read Vampire Diaries or Pretty Little Liars you know that they are very different from the show. I’m really enjoying what they are doing so far, and each episode brings more of the books in, slowly, but it’s happening.

In this week’s episode Love is the Devil Max Lightwood has returned from Idris and is ready to perform his rune ceremony. But tension is high between the Lightwood family and Alec is in charge of Max’s party. To try and fuse the tension he asks Magnus to help with the party. But, the party doesn’t all go to plan. Meanwhile, Simon and Clary have a heart to heart and Isabelle starts to spiral.

Simon and Clary

Simon and Clary take a big step in Love is the Devil. Thier relationship has been building up for the last couple of episodes. The audience already knows that Simon is very much in love with Clary, but after last weeks talk with Maia, everything starts to pay off.

Even though I adore Clary and Jace together, Simon and Clary need to happen. Even if it’s only for a little while. They need to explore this relationship with each other. Thier relationship also helps Jace explore himself and his feelings for Clary.

Lightwoods

There is a lot of tension going on with the Lightwood family. It’s heartbreaking to see, but I also loved it at the same time, because they are staying true to the books in that manner. It’s the first time Maryse has been back in the institute for a while and everyone is on edge.

Alec and Izzy don’t like the way that Maryse treated Jace when the Clave where after him. They have always seen Jace as part of the family and by her acting with Clave – it hurt them all.

Party

To try and fix the gap between Magnus and Maryse – Alec gets Magnus to help with his rune ceremony party. And well Magnus knows how to put on a show.

I liked the tension between Magnus and Maryse – as it reflects a lot of the book. How cold she is at times and even though Magnus tries, she just doesn’t like him.

Then something crazy starts to happen and I loved it. We really got to know the characters in this episode – their fears. What they don’t want to hear most. And it was so well played. I sorted guessed what was happening, but it still worked so well.

Valentine

Valentine is up to something and something big. I am loving Alan Van Sprang as Valentine, he has this nature about him that screams Valentine and evil. Because the writers are taking risks and not exactly following the book, it’s interesting to see what they are going to make him do – and I am excited.

Izzy

I’ve talked about Izzy the last couple of episode, but this week. I felt her. Izzy is struggling, breaking, but we also see this tough girl – suffering. I really like to see how far this is going to go, what’s going to happen to her next.

Overall

Love is the Devil was a pretty damn good episode. I like how week after week I am loving it even more. I do wish that the rating and how people are watching grow. I am just seeing too many complain and I am over really.