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Welcome to Disability Diaries 2017

Jan 14, 2017

Welcome, welcome to Disability Diaries. A couple of months ago I announced that this week will be all about disabilities in books. Where I will be focusing on young adult books. Disability Diaries is not only promoting good representations but the need for both physical and mental illness.

This week from me you will be seeing reviews, recommendations posts and a very personal one. I cannot wait to share everything with you guys. Joining me as hosts this week is Ely @ Tea and Titles, Cee Arr @ Diary of a Reading Addict, Dina @ Dinasoaur, Jolien @ The Fictional Reader, and Lara @ Another Teen Reader.

The promotion for disabilities in Young Adult books is something that I am very passionate about. It’s something that I care about and want to see more of. I want to be able to pick up a YA novel and there be someone in there, that is like me. That doesn’t mean they have to have the same disability as me. However, they are also not this perfect person with nothing wrong with them. I want to be able to spread the awareness of disabilities and share more of it in YA. Create diversity in what we see and how it is portrayed.

If you would love to join in on the conversation then please fill in the google form below. You don’t have to sign up, to enjoy our posts. But if you’d like to contribute your own posts during the event, it means we can share your posts much easier.

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However, you don’t have to sign up to participate. You can find me on twitter at @angel_reads, Facebook, instagram, tumblr and Goodreads. You can also follow Angel Reads on Bloglovin and via email (in the sidebar)

TV Review: Shadowhunters 2×02 ‘A Door Into the Dark’

Jan 13, 2017

Shadowhunters: Season 2 Episode 2

Episode Name: A Door into Dark
Release date: 9th January 2017
Running Time: 42 minutes
Starring Katherine McNamara, Dominic Sherwood, Alberto Rosende, Matthew Daddario, Emeraude Toubia, Isaiah Mustafa, Harry Shum Jr.
Directed By: Andy Wolk
Watch: Freeform (US) – Netflix (Worldwide)
Episode Reviews: Season 1 | Season 2

The hunt is on for Jace Wayland, and Alec and Isabelle hope to reach him before the rest of the Shadowhunters do. With orders from the Clave of “shoot to kill,” the Lightwood siblings must act fast.
Also on his own search, Simon turns to Magnus for help when he finds himself at odds with both Raphael and Aldertree. Meanwhile, Clary struggles to find where she belongs since she doesn’t seem to fit into the Shadowhunter world, yet can’t go back to her mundane life

A Door into Dark:

Warning: This will contain spoilers from previous episodes

I watch this episode later than I usually do simply because I was away, and I am so sad that I had to. Overall, I really enjoyed A Door into the Dark. I feel that everything has up the ante this season and it grows bigger and better as the season goes on.

We are only on episode 2 and I can see such an improvement from season 1 and it’s getting me excited. The tension is growing, the stakes are becoming harder and I don’t know who to trust.

Like last week A Door into the Dark starts off where the last episode finished. I am really liking this so far. Not only does it leave suspense, but then we don’t miss anything in between.

Clary

In A Door into the Dark we get to see Clary (Katherine McNamara) shine. We are able to see the Clary that we know and love from the books, stand out. Most of this episode focuses on her trying to figure out where she belongs, where she fits it. She is not a mundane, but she also isn’t a shadowhunter. And they don’t let her forget that.

So far this season I see a growth in Katherine McNamara as Clary that I am totally happy with. In season 1, I felt that her emotions weren’t there, that she over-acted. But this episode, I could feel her emotions. I could feel her heartbreak, her loneliness.

Tension

Like last week the tension is high in A Door into the Dark. With Valentine (Alan Van Sprang) on the loose creating an army with Jace (Dominic Sherwood) by his side – and everyone is on edge.

With Aldertree (Nick Sagar) still in command and a ‘kill order’ still on Jace. The Lightwood siblings are taking it hard, especially Alec (Matthew Daddario.) Not only is Jace a brother to Alex, but he is his parabatai. Without him, Alec is lost and he will stop at nothing to find Jace. Because of this, we are able to see the tension that grows between Alec and Clary that we see in the book. All the emotions are brought to the surface and no one is biting their tongue.

The tension also continues between Clary and Jocelyn (Maxim Roy) this episode. It’s something that I am really enjoying this season – because it is staying true to the books. Jocelyn and her dislike for Valentine has been transferred to Jace and she wants him dead.

Simon and Magnus

One of the things that I loved about The Mortal Instruments series is the banter between characters, especially Simon (Alberto Rosende) and Magnus (Harry Shum Jr.) And that can totally be seen in this episode. The banter had me smiling throughout and I cannot wait to see what these two can bring. Magnus has taken Simon under his wing and doesn’t want him to fade away into the dark. He doesn’t want Simon to be alone.

We also find more about Magnus and his life in this episode and I cannot wait to know more and see where they take it.

Dialogue

Like last week the dialogue was a little rough – but it’s getting so much better. At the start of the series, everything was chopping and clunky. And now things are starting to click, the dialogue is becoming smoothing. Hence the acting is becoming more realistic.

I also feel that the younger actors are better than the older ones. I don’t know what it is, but they feel more real. It’s like the older actors aren’t attached to their characters, they don’t feel it.

Visual Effects

The filming and visual effects of season 2, is 10 times better than the first season. It’s like it’s a totally new series. I don’t feel like things are animated or you can tell its CGI. The way the blades look and move, the fights, the magic. It’s all coming together and I am really enjoying it.

Something that I am not sold on at the moment, is the portals. They are still a bit iffy for me, but they are so much better than the movie one.

Where are they going?

As much as I am enjoying watching this series. I also know that they are veering from the books and sometimes it doesn’t sit right with me. I completely understand that they can’t do everything from the book. But, then they start adding things or changing things around. They take away from the book and turn it into something else.

I wasn’t set on the ‘seeing’ rune. Where you can show someone the past. It was totally weird and didn’t sit right with me.

Overall

I enjoy this episode, however, I don’t know what to expect yet and that is worrying me. Nevertheless, I can see an improvement in the acting, dialogue, and the visual effects. I love that these characters are starting to feel real as though they have jumped from inside the book.

Have you watched Episode 2 yet? Did you enjoyed it as much as me? What are you looking forward to most from season 2? Lets’s Chat!

OZ YA Books I Read in 2016

Jan 8, 2017

Reading more Australian young adult books is something that I strived to do more of this year. And I think that I did pretty good. I wish I was able to read some more, but they will be getting added to next year’s list.

Along with the #LoveOZYA movement, I think that Aussie YA has been read more around the world this year. I’ve seen bloggers reading and loving books from Australia authors and wanting to read more.

This year I also did my #LoveOZYA Author Interview. Where I interviewed Australian young adult authors about their books, writing life and what it’s like to be an author from Australia.

I decided today I will talk about all the OZ YA books that I read that year. From the good to the bad. Most of these books were published in 2016, but there are some that are earlier.

Frankie by Shivaun Plozza: It’s a story of heartbreak, belonging, finding yourself and what it is to be a family. It captures Melbourne as Melbourne from the language to the setting. Frankie brings to light that sometimes when you think that you are alone, you are not. And all that you need to do is let them in. Full Review

Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman: Now I didn’t love this one as much as everyone else. But I did enjoy reading it. I struggle reading science fiction – so I was glad just to get through it.

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley: A poignant, beautiful story. With fleshed out characters, gorgeous writing and a concept that is for every book lover. It’s about love, friendship, family and grief. You are taken on a journey through up’s and down’s and pulled into pieces. Full Review

Disruption by Jessica Shirvington: With enthralling characters, an engrossing world and a plot that just keeps you right there in the action. Disruption is a must read for everyone that loves YA and beyond.

Corruption by Jessica Shirvington: Just as enthralling as the first novel. Corruption keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The Industry by Rose Foster: The world was intriguing, protagonist interesting and the story pulled me right in. The Industry shows us that we need to try and be strong in hard times. Even when you think everything is impossible. Full Review

Breathing Under Water by Sophie Hardcastle: An emotional rollercoaster of a story. You are on a ride of grief and how it affects people differently, family and how at times you have to stick together, and friendship and how it can break when everything falls apart. | Full Review

Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil: Ventures in friendship, first love, family and what it is like to keep everything bottled in. It shows that sometimes love needs to start off as a friendship and that the bonds of friends are not always broken – even if there is some turbulence on the way. Full Review

When Michael Met Mina by Randa Abdel-Fattah: The younger generations need to know that sometimes the government and media lie and manipulate the sense of asylum seekers. They need to know that most of these people are not illegal or jumping the queue, they are just simply people looking for freedom, safety and peace. It’s an important story to write and share. Full Review

The Yearbook Committee by Sarah Ayoub: The Yearbook Committee is enchanting, you will be torn apart and put together over and over again. You will be taken on a ride with 5 students in their class year of high school – so be prepared. Full Review

The Things I Didn’t Say by Kylie Fornasier: A gorgeous novel that breaks you down. It pulls at your heart and slowly rips it. With beautiful writing and a slow burning romance that starts off quick, but takes it’s time | Full Review
The Protected by Claire Zorn: The Protected is a beautiful, heartbreaking novel that tales a story of a girl who not only has to deal with her sister dying. But memory lose, her family breaking down and the torment of school.

Lisette’s Paris Notebook by Catherine Bateson: I didn’t love this book. It had potential, but it just wasn’t for me |

Summer Skin by Kirsty Eager: Is not for the faint hearted, be prepared for a sexy, slow-burning love full of passion and secrets. Summer Skin deals not only with young men taking advantage of women but how women can act differently to it. It shows us that people hide behind fronts not only to keep themselves safe but others as well. Summer Skin is full of empowering young women that take a stand.

My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier: Is a terrifying, fantastic read that will mess with your mind. Be prepared for a book that has many twists and turns that you have no idea what hit you, My Sister Rosa reminds us that sometimes a smile and looking pretty doesn’t mean that the person is not a psychopath. Nevertheless, Larbalestier also reminds us that you not always like your family.

What I Saw by Beck Nicholas: Shows us that sometimes the right thing to do is the hardest thing, that sometimes family isn’t everything and the importance of how a king hit can not only hurt the Victim but everyone else around them.

What OZ YA books did you read this year? Did are share any of the same? What was your favourite, less favourite? What are you looking forward to next year? Let’s Chat!