Angel Reads

11 Dec

2017 YA Showcase Wrap Up: Part 2

Posted by angelreads Discussions, Events, Features 3 Comments

This is part 2 of my YA Showcase wrap up. The YA Showcase is an annual event held by the Centre for Youth Literature. It’s an event where publishers around Australia highlight some of their books coming in the new year. Check out part 1 here and see some of the books that I am looking forward to in 2017.

Because there were a lot of books talked about, I’m not going to go in-depth on all of them. However, I’ve selected a few that I cannot wait to get my hands on and devour. Some of the ones that I have highlighted don’t have covers yet, but I cannot wait to see what is to come. Check out part 1 now

Gap Year in Ghost Town by Micheal Pryor: Let’s get this straight – ghost are everywhere. I can see them. You can’t. And, see them or not, they are dangerous. Coming July 2017

The Things We Promise - Showcase

The Things We Promise by J.C Burke: Set in the 1990’s, the only things that Gemma can think about is looking perfect for her first school formal. Her brother Billy; New York’s up and coming make-up artists has made her the ultimate promise – he will be there to make her night perfect. But, when he returns both her and their family are hiding secrets. And Gemma’s life is changed forever when her brother is diagnosed with HIV positive. Coming March 2017.

Avenged - Showcase

Avenged (Ruined #2) by Amy Tintera: Em is determined to bring peace to her home. But when winning the war could mean betraying her family, Em faces an impossible choice between loyalty and love. Em must stay one step ahead of her enemies—and her blood—before she’s the next victim in this battle for sovereignty. Sequel to Ruined, coming May 2017

Other Titles:

Frogkisser by Garth Nix: March 2017

Living on Hope Street by Demet Divaroren: June 2017

Life is a # (Mad as Hell) by Gabrielle Williams: June 2017

The Diviners: Books #3 by Libba Bray: September 2017

Nexus (Zeroes #3) by Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan and Deborah Biancotti: October 2017

Illuminae #3 by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff: November 2017

The Impossible Story of Oliver in Love by Tonya Alexandra: This story is for anyone who’s ever felt invisible. This story is for anyone who sees the possible in the impossible. Oliver is invisible to everyone, but her true love. But, what happens when Mr Right feels like Mr Wrong. Coming April 2017

Vigilante by Kady Cross: A brutally honest, uncompromising story about a teen girl who decides to take matters into her own hands. Coming May 2017

Other Titles:

Dawn Study (Soulfinders #3) by Maria V. Snyder: February 2017

Lifeblood (Everlife #2) by Gena Showalter: March 2017

When it’s Real by Erin Watt: June 2017

Down the Line by Michael Panckridge: March 2017

Clearing the Pack by Michael Panckridge: March 2017

Harry Kruize, Born to Lose by Paul Collins: March 2017

Dragon Apocalypse DC Green: April 2017

Ballad for a Mad Girl by Vikki Wakefield: Part ghost thriller, part coming of age with honest and relatable characters. Coming May

Beautiful Mess by Claire Christian: A raw and relatable novel about grief, finding yourself in the world and falling in love for the very first time. Coming August

Other Titles:

Night Swimming by Steph Bowe: April 2017

Marsh and Me by Martine Murray: May 2017

Survivors Club by Michael Bornstein and Debbie Bornstein Holinstat: April 2017

Gaolbird by Simon Bannard: August 2017

Valentine by Jodi McAlister: A smart, witty and page-turning YA series with a paranormal twist. Coming February

Mr Romanov’s Garden in the Sky by Robert Newton: A novel full of heart, warmth and friendship. Coming March

Geekerella by Ashley Poston: Part romance, part love story to nerd culture and all totally adorable. Coming April

Other Titles:

A Shadow’s Breath by Nicole Hayes: February 2017

One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr: January 2017

And that is it for part 2. I am so excited for a lot of these books and cannot wait to start reading them all. What books are you excited for to read next year? Do we share any that is the same? Have you read anything by these authors before? Nevertheless, don’t forget to check out part 1

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)

10 Dec

2017 YA Showcase Wrap Up: Part 1

Posted by angelreads Discussions, Events, Features 4 Comments

ya-showcase-wrap-up

On Tuesday, I went to the annual Centre for Youth Literature Showcase. It’s an event where publishers around Australia highlight some of their books coming in the new year. After going to the showcase last year, I was quick on the mark to get tickets for the 2017 showcase and it was worth it. With 14 publishers present, we were introduced to many books to come, some I already knew and some that now, I cannot wait to read.

It’s a great event for libraries, bloggers and readers alike. The YA Showcase is great to know what books are coming, but also it’s an amazing event to talk with people from the industry. Bloggers are always talking with publishers and authors from behind the screen, but it’s a fantastic thing to sometimes know what they look like.

I’ve also decided to split this wrap-up into two parts. There was a lot of books talked about and I don’t want any of you to get bored. You can now check out part 2.

the-edge-of-everything

The Edge of Everything by Jeff Giles: I already have an ARC of this one, but I cannot wait to get stuck into it. The Edge of Everything is an epic romance fantasy adventure that straddles two worlds. February 9th, 2017

we-come-apart

We Come Apart by Sarah Crossan and Brain Conaghan: I don’t read much verse, but this novel has caught my eye. Told through dual perspectives, We Come Apart tells the story of Nicu and Jess, two troubled teens whose paths cross in the unlikeliest of places. Coming March 2017

Other Titles:

Life in a Fishbowl by Len Vlahos: January 2017

Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer: April 2017

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas: May 2017

A Court of Thorns and Roses Colouring Book by Sarah J. Maas: May 2017

Thorne of Glass Untitled Novella #1 by Sarah J. Maas: 27 June 2017

Thorne of Glass #6 by Sarah J. Maas: September 2017

The World of Thorne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas: October 2017

uqp

You Got This by Pip Harry: Follows two girls; one homeless and trying to find her way back home, the other lost and trying to find herself.

Untidy Towns by Kate O’Donnell: Explained as a little bit of Gilmore Girls a little but of Nick Earls. Country towns, friendship, families, finding yourself and kissing. Coming 2017

Other Titles:

Love, Ghost and Nose Hair by Steven Herrick – Reprinted

A Place Like This by Steven Herrick – Reprinted

That Stubborn Seed of Hope: Stories by Brain Falkner: 2017

The Secrets We Share by Nova Weetman (The Secrets We Keep #2) : #LoveOZYA

harper-collins

remind-me-how-this-ends

Remind Me How This Ends by Gabrielle Tozer: Old Best Friends come into contact again, when both their lives are a mess. What starts off as friendly banter turns into an ugly mess and someone will get hurt. June 13, 2017

loveozya-antho

Begin, End, Begin: a #LoveOZYA Anthology: This all-new collection will show the world exactly how much there is to love about Aussie YA. With Authours Melissa Keil, Will Kostakis, Ellie Marney, Jaclyn Moriarty, Michael Pryor, Alice Pung, Gabrielle Tozer, Lili Wilkinson and Danielle Binks.

Other Title:

Crave the Mark by Veronica Roth: January 17th, 2017

hardie-grant-egmont

the-secret-science-of-magic

The Secret Science of Magic by Melissa Keil: Unconventional romance, perfect timing and making friends with the weirdos.

In the Dark Spaces by Cally Black: An electric rollercoaster ride through dark space. Coming July 2017

Other Titles:

Amelia Westlake by Erin Gough: Late 2017

The City of Night Neverending (Paladero #2) by Steven Lochran: April 2017

Silver Stars (Soldier Girls #2) by Micheal Grant: March 2017

bonnier

ida

IDA by Alison Evans: Ida can shift between parallel universes, allowing her to follow alternative paths. When she sees her doppelganger, she starts to wonder if she’s actually in control of her ability, and whether there are effects far beyond what she’s considered. Entertaining, moving and relevant. Coming January.

walker-books

Finding Nevo by Nevo Zisin: An autobiography about gender and everything that comes with it.

Other Title:

Dragonkeeper: Bronze Brid Tower by Carole Wilkinson: Coming March

pan

Friends Anonymous by Simmone Howell, Fiona Wood and Cath Crowley: Three different girls, come together and become unlikely friends.

pentera

chasing-o

The Hero Trilogy by S.D Gentill: The retelling of Homer’s epic tale through the eyes of a young girl – new covers

Other Titles:

Draekora (The Medoran Chronicles #3) by Lynette Noni: Published in April

Jennifer Cellardoor by J.M Donellan: Coming 2017

And that is it for part 1. I am so excited for a lot of these books and cannot wait to start reading them all. What books are you excited for to read next year? Do we share any that is the same? Have you read anything by these authors before? Nevertheless, remember to come back tomorrow for part 2.

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)

08 Dec

Book Review: Magnus Chase and The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan

Posted by angelreads Book Reviews No Comments

hammer-of-thor-cover Magnus Chase and The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan

Pages: 512
Publish date: 4th October 2016
Publisher: Penguin Teen Australia
ISBN: 0141342552
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

Thor’s hammer is missing again. The thunder god has a disturbing habit of misplacing his weapon – the mightiest force in the Nine Worlds. But this time the hammer isn’t just lost, it has fallen into enemy hands. If Magnus Chase and his friends can’t retrieve the hammer quickly, the mortal worlds will be defenceless against an onslaught of giants. Ragnarok will begin.

The Nine Worlds will burn. Unfortunately, the only person who can broker a deal for the hammer’s return is the gods’ worst enemy, Loki – and the price he wants is very high.

Magnus Chase and The Hammer of Thor:

This review will have spoilers from the previous book Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer.

I received a copy of Magnus Chase and the Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan from Penguin Teen Australia in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book.

When I pick up and Rick Riordan book I know that I am going to like it. It was just as hilarious, nail biting and adventurous as The Sword of Summer.

The Hammer of Thor continues to follow Magnus Chase son of Frey who is still coming to terms that he is an einherjar. Magnus’ life before these books was tough, and his life after death isn’t any better.

Someone has stolen Thor’s hammer…again. And who better to try and retrieve it than Magnus Chase and his squad. The hammer wasn’t just taken by anyone, it’s fallen into enemy hands. And if Magnus and his friends can’t retrieve it, well Ragnarok will begin and everything will be destroyed.

I don’t think there was anything that I didn’t like about The Hammer of Thor. It’s one of those books that makes you laugh at 1am, bit your nails and nearly bring you to tears. It’s everything that you want in a book, wrapped into one. The Hammer of Thor not only showcases the characters that we already know and love, but introduce us to more that you cannot help, but fall in love with.

Magnus is just as amazing as he was in The Sword of Summer. He is witty, fun and most of the time his a dork. But, that is why I love him. He has this compassion about him, and maybe that is also one of his faults. He cares, too much sometimes. And he will stop at nothing to help his friends.

Sam, oh my heart breaks for her. I liked her in the first book, but I grew to love her in The Hammer of Thor. I adored that she never wanted to give up on her beliefs, what she has grown up to believe – even when she is living in a world which goes against everything. Sam goes through some tough things in this book and I want everything to work out for her – because she totally deserves it.

magnus-photo

Alex Fierro a shape-shifting child of Loki is introduced to the reader when Sam brings Alex to Valhalla. At first, Alex is hard to get along with, Alex is rude and simply doesn’t want to be there. But as the story goes on, we find out why and it’s totally understandable. Alex is also gender–fluid who identifies with he/she depending on the day. I love that Riordan was able to include someone who is gender-fluid, you don’t see it much in YA and it’s needed. It’s needed for those who want to understand who they are and might not know how. I love how Alex was so open and blunt about it. It was great to see.

The banter between the group was fantastic putting a massive smile on my face. Although Magnus, Sam and Alex all have different personalities, they all meshed together well.

Throughout The Hammer of Thor, we are going on a journey to find Thor’s hammer, but like most Riordan’s book, it’s not that simple. Our character sometimes are taken where we don’t expect. It might not work in other books, but the diversions work so well here.

Another thing that I loved about The Hammer of Thor was the diversity. I think it’s something that Riordan does so well. It’s nice to see different races, religions, sexualities and gender identifications and disabilities represented in a young adult novel. We are seeing it more and more, but we need it to be so that we don’t go looking for it.

Overall, The Hammer of Thor is an engaging hilarious novel that takes you on a journey that you never want to leave. It’s about friendship, family, and finding out who you are. It’s nail-biting, entertaining and one for everyone, plus with that last line – I am in need of the final book.

Rating