Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

 

About the book:

 

Image from Google

Book One in the Anna Series

Rating: Amazing

Pages: 316

Released: August 30th 2011

Published by: Tor Teen

 

Synopsis:

Cas Lowood is no ordinary guy - he hunts dead people. He destroys ghosts. His most intriguing ghost is Anna. Anna Dressed in Blood. A ghost whose beautiful, and murderous. Cas knows he must kill her, but as her tragic past is revealed, he starts to understand why Anna has killed anyone who enters her old house. Everyone, except Cas...

 

First Line:

"The grease-slicked hair is a dead giveaway - no pun intended."

 

Review:

This book is not to be read by the faint hearted or those with a weak stomach. The occasional swear words and the graphically violent themes in this book make it unsuitable for younger readers. But despite the occasional gruesome scenes I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This book is the only Young Adult book I've read (so far) that's actually scared me in places! You definitely get caught up in this book. This is also one of the few books I can honestly say I wouldn't change anything about! It's a perfect read for a Halloween night - if your after the thrill of being scared! A brilliantly unique read!   

 

Recommended Audience:

Anyone whose after a good paranormal read but do read with caution if you are a younger reader or if your someone who dislikes the use of swears and graphic violence then this book is probably not for you.  

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

About the book:

 

Image from Google

Rating: Amazing

Pages: 313

Released: 2012

Published by: Penguin Books

 

Synopsis:

Hazel has terminal cancer. Even the miracle tumour-shrinking medicine can't cure her, it's only brought her a few years. Her parents force her to attend Cancer Kid Support in a attempt to help her come to terms with her fate. It's there that she meets new member Augustus Waters and her life completely changes...

 

First Line:

"Late in the winter of my seventeenth year, my mother decided I was depressed, presumably because I rarely left the house, spent quite a lot of time in bed. read the same book over and over, ate infrequently, and devoted quite a bit of my abundant free time to thinking about death."

 

Review:

I don't know exactly how I'm going to be able to describe how incredible this book is. It took my breath away, left my mind whirling and tears slowly trickling down my face. John Green's writing was flawless - he managed to capture every facet of human nature and incredibly honest while doing so. He manifests the perfect cocktail of heartbreakingly tragic moments with heart lifting good humour, showcasing the rollercoaster of emotions us humans go through when faced with adversities. Augustus and Hazel really drive the message of this book deep into your heart and mind so that your left feeling nothing but admiration for them. Learning to cope with and understand the fact that there are some things you just can not change was the message throughout. The sheer fear and helplessness felt when faced with the reality that they have no control over what's happening to them, but that they're determined to have some sort of control over their lives, was the reason why this book struck a cord with me. It's just a phenomenal read.     

 

Recommended Audience:

Anyone! But be careful, if you are not in the mood for such an emotional book, don't read it. Not until your ready. 

 



Book Review: Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

 

About the book:

Image from Google

Book One in the Hush Hush Series

Rating: Great

Pages: 391

Released: October 13th 2009

Published by: Simon and Schuster

 

 

-information from Goodreads

 

 

Synopsis:

Nora Grey has never been that interested in romance or boys. That was until new boy Patch came along and Nora finds herself drawn to him against her better judgement. But after some terrifying encounters, Nora doesn't know who to trust. Patch seems to know everything about her and seems to be everywhere, and she doesn't know whether to run into his arms or hide. But when she seeks answers she discovers more then she bargained for... 

 

First Line:

"Chauncey was with a farmer's daughter on a grassy banks of the Loire River when the storm rolled in, and having let his gelding wander in the meadow, was left to his own to feet to carry him back to the chateau."

 

Review:

Hush Hush was a great book. I loved the characterisation especially, Patch. He is the ultimate sexy, seductive bad boy. Where can I find one of him?! The dynamic between Nora and Patch was beautifully written. Their relationship had a nicely paced build up to it that made it believable. If you like a bit of romance in your YA reads this book will certainly float your boat. The storyline was intriguing having a nice suspenseful build up to it. The only thing that slightly annoyed me about this book was some of the secondary characters. Their actions frustrated me at times. But having said that I will be definitely be continuing this series.

  

 

 

Recommended Audience:

Any YA lovers. In particular, those who are fans of Angel/fallen Angel stories.