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Books That Hit The ‘Feels’ | #LoveOzYABloggers

Jul 31, 2017

Today is the second time for #LoveOzYA’s, #LoveOzYABloggers meme. It’s a fortnightly feature that promotes Aussie YA, with a new theme every time. This week’s theme is Feels.

I am a very emotional person, there is no denying it. It doesn’t take much to make me cry, really nothing at all. But, here are some of those books that hit me all in the right places with feels. For good and sometimes for bad.

No Limits by Ellie Marney: Wow, I just finished this one a couple of days ago and holy did it tear me apart. It’s emotional as hell and because we already know one of the protagonist we just fall back in so easy. Nevertheless, you will be hit with all types of feels.

A companion novel to her ‘Every’ trilogy, No Limits follows Harris Derwent who isn’t exactly the good guy.

After his unsuccessful attempt to help Rachel Watts, Harris has landed himself in hospital and unemployed. He is still stuck in the country and at his father’s peril. He needs to make money fast and being a runner for a drug cartel is where Harris lands himself.

Amita Blunt is the police sergeant’s daughter. Getting involved in Harris’s case was never part of the plan. But working at the hospital, she’s invisible – which makes her the ideal contact for a boy feeding information back to the police…

Backed into a corner, with everything at stake, it’s time for Harris and Amie to find out if love really has no limits…

Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde: I connected with this book on so many levels and it was because of that it was so heartbreaking and uplifting and hit me with feels.

Queens of Geek follows three friends as they go to their very first convention SupaCon. Charlie likes to stand out. And SupaCon is her chance to show fans she’s over her public breakup with co-star, Reese Ryan.

While, Taylor likes to blend in. Her brain is wired differently, making her fear change. And then there is Jamie, and she knows their friendship will never change – even though she wants it to.

While Charlie dodges questions about her personal life, Taylor starts asking questions about her own.

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley: It’s a poignant, beautiful story with fleshed out characters, gorgeous writing and a concept that is for every book lover. This book was full of feels.

Words in Deep Blue follows protagonist Rachel Sweetie as she returns home, is faced with her best friend, a secret crush and to a place where everything seemed to be better.

It’s about Henry, who doesn’t know what he wants, thinks that he loves his on and off girlfriend and wants things can go back to what they use to be.

It’s about Howling Books, where letters between lovers, friends and strangers are marked forever in the pages of the books that live on its shelves.

Have you read any of these books? Nevertheless, are you planning on reading them? What are books that hit you right in the feels? Let’s Chat!

#LoveOzYABloggers is hosted by #LoveOzYA, a community-led organisation dedicated to promoting Australian young adult literature. Keep up to date with all new Aussie YA releases with their monthly newsletter, or find out what’s happening with News and Events, or submit your own!

YA Fantasy that I Want To Read | #LoveOzYABloggers

Jul 17, 2017

Today is the second time for #LoveOzYA’s, #LoveOzYABloggers meme. It’s a fortnightly feature that promotes Aussie YA, with a new theme every time. This week’s theme is Fantasy.

I realised today that I haven’t read much Aussie Fantasy and I don’t even know why! Fantasy is one of my favourite genres. It’s what I read for so many years on end. So today I thought I would share 3 #LoveOzYA Fantasy books that are on my TBR and I cannot wait to read.

Shadows by Paula Weston: This is more along the lines of Paranormal Fantasy, but it still will hit the right spots.

Shadows is book one in the Rephaim series and follows protagonist Gaby Winters. It’s been a year since she was in a car crash that killed her twin brother. She may be healed on the outside – but inside she is full of grief. It doesn’t help that every night in her dreams she kills demons.

Then Rafa comes to town and he looks like the guy who’s been appearing in Gaby’s dreams. Gaby is forced to accept that what she thought she knew about herself . And her life is only a shadow of the truth—and that the truth is more likely to be found in the shadows of her nightmares.

Embrace by Jessica Shirvington: I’ve read quite a few of Shirvingtons books before and adored them. So I really have no idea why I haven’t picked this one up.

Embrace is book one in The Violet Eden Chapters and follows protagonist Violet Eden. When Violet is having strange dreams that leave her with very real injuries and a tattoo that is weaving its way up her arm, she knows something is different.

And then the guy she thought she could fall in love with just told her he’s only half-human – oh, and the same goes for her. And she keeps hearing a distant fluttering of wings. But if angels seek vengeance and humans are warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden.

Akarnae by Lynette Noni: So many of my friends have picked this series up and really enjoyed it, including my cousin – so I think I should soon too.

Book one in The Medoran Chronicles follows protagonist Alex as she begins at a new school. Alex is stunned when she walks through a doorway and finds herself stranded in Medora, a fantasy world full of impossibilities. Desperate to return home, she learns that only a man named Professor Marselle can help her… but he’s missing.

While waiting for him to reappear, Alex attends Akarnae Academy, Medora’s boarding school for teenagers with extraordinary gifts. She soon starts to enjoy her bizarre new world and the friends who embrace her as one of their own. But strange things are happening at Akarnae.

Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Are you planning to? What is your favourite #LoveOzYA fantasy book? Let’s Chat!

#LoveOzYA Anthology Review: Begin, End, Begin | Part 1

Jul 14, 2017

If you don’t know what Begin, End, Begin: A #LoveOzYA Anthology is, then where have you been? Begin, End, Begin is an anthology highlighting the talent we have in Australia for young adults.

This anthology features authors Amie Kaufman, Melissa Keil, Lili Wilkinson, Ellie Marney, Jaclyn Moriarty, Michael Pryor, Alice Pung, Gabrielle Tozer, Will Kostakis and Danielle Binks.

As I wanted to review this anthology, I thought I would do my reviews in parts. A couple of reviews each post and then an overall review of the anthology. Today is part 1.

One Small Step … by Amie Kaufman

Pages: 22
Publish Date: May 1, 2017
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 1460708652
Other Novels Include: These Broken Stars, Illumiane

This story contains: explosions, the first person born on Mars, a greenhouse, two girls, a small tree called Horace, kissing, difficult decisions about what to do after school, action sequences, and that awkward moment when you try to figure out if your best friend is into you.

One Small Step … :

I’ve read three books by Amie Kaufman now and I just seem to enjoy everyone. I am not a massive science fiction fan. I read it every once and a while and most of the time I don’t love the books. But I adored ‘One Small Step…’ And even though it is a short story, I still every much loved the characters.

‘One Small Step …’ follows protagonist Zaida, the first person to be born on Mars. While time skips back and forth effortlessly, we see what happens to get her in a certain situation.

While there are time jumps, it isn’t hard to grasp when time skips or what is happening. Kaufman also did a fantastic job with world building in such a short amount of time. The world was easy to get to get a hold of and although it was a science fiction set in space, it’s quite unique.

I really liked the relationships explored throughout ‘One Small Step…’ From friendship to romantic. It was great to see both those relationship and character grow throughout.

‘One Small Step …’ explores themes of family, friendship, and love. It’s about survival, finding yourself and not letting others decide for you.

I Can See the Ending by Will Kostakis

Pages: 40
Publish Date: May 1, 2017
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN:1460708660
Other Novels Include: The First Third, The Sidekicks

Love is never as simple as Boy Meets Girl, not for a psychic teen anyway. Nothing spoils Boy Kisses Girl quite like a vision of Girl Dumping Boy . . .

I Can See the Ending:

‘I Can See The Ending’ was an interesting read. It follows protagonist Adam who can see the future, and when he sees the girl he likes, dumping him in the future. Well, things don’t go to plan.

While I would normally love something like this, I didn’t connect with Adam. I am not entirely sure why. I liked the concept of the novel, a lot. It was great actually. But because of the loss of connection with the characters, I wasn’t able to fully immerse myself into the story.

In saying that I still really enjoyed the story, I liked the character interaction and the inner turmoil of Adam. It was great to see a story, where someone can see the future struggle with the outcomes. To decide if things are worth the risk. If it’s okay knowing what is going to happen and what you do with that information.

Overall ‘I Can See The Ending’ was an intriguing read. It explores the notion of seeing the future, learning that everything is not what it seems, family and friends. It explores learning to live your life and not let things stand in your way. ‘I Can See The Ending’ about finding out who you are and letting life take its course.

Check out my interview with Will in my #LoveOzYA feature last year.

In a Heartbeat by Alice Pung

Pages: 17
Publish Date: May 1, 2017
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 1460708598
Other Works Include: Laurinda, Her Father’s Daughter

Kim has two heartbeats – one her own, another that she didn’t mean to create – and her mother has hit the roof.

In a Heartbeat:

I had never read an Alice Pung book before I picked up ‘In a Heartbeat,’ and now I am intrigued. ‘In a Heartbeat’ follows seventeen-year-old Kim, who finds out she is pregnant and has to deal with the aftermath of being a pregnant teen.

I really enjoyed this story overall, I like reading stories of teens that do fall pregnant because I think that authors can really delve deep into characters and ups and downs of parenthood.

I loved that we got to see the cultural aspects of a young teen being pregnant and how it does play a part in the way that we live our lives. Kim was an easy protagonist to get along with and it was great to see the interaction between her and her own mum.

However, at times I was confused as to what she was talking about. Kim kept on shifting from mother to grandmother and it took me a while to realise it was the same person. It’s her mother, but her baby’s grandmother. This could have totally been just my fault.

Overall ‘In a Heartbeat’ is a heart-warming story of teen pregnancies and the trails that come along with it. From being a single bother to cultural beliefs. It explores the notion of family, being a teenage and motherhood. It’s one that is really important and it doesn’t take long to read.

Pick up your copy of Begin, End, Begin: A #LoveOzYA Anthology now, with publication in the US soon.

BUY IT NOW: QBD | Dymocks | Readings | Amazon US

So, I am loving the anthology so far. It’s great to see so many amazing short stories, by Aussie YA authors. It puts into perspective how great #LoveOZYA really is.

Have you read the anthology yet? What did you think? What is your favourite story? Are you planning on reading it? Let’s Chat!