Top ten + 4 :) Books/ Series

Hey:D
So after my first review I though that I would list my top ten favorite books /series so you can get a general idea of the types of books that I read. I thought about it and tried to pick just ten but I couldn't!I have favorites in different genres and it was too hard to pick simply ten. So even though I have heaps more favorite books here are just 10+ 4 general favorites.  So here they are in no particular order. I wrote why I  love them so if you haven't read them my comments won't make sense. *Contains Spoilers*

•  Harry Potter Series- J.K Rowling

Seriously who doesn’t love this series? It’s got everything you could ever want; amazing characters with out of this world depth, a magical universe that seems as it’s just round the corner if you look hard enough and a plot that is so incredibly detailed and has the most foreshadowing I have ever encountered in my life. I started reading it just before the first movie came out on the recommendation of my best friend and have been hooked ever since. I’ve seen all the movies in the cinemas and get so intense about it sometimes that I literally get into verbal fights (for fun….most of the time)  It’s honestly one of those series that I hope will be around forever and I know it will be because it’s that good and timeless. Anyway if you haven’t read it for some inconceivable reason hurry up and do so!

• Twilight Series- Stephenie Meyer

I know that this series has its haters and lovers and I can see that both sides have good points. But honestly I love this series, when I first read the series, in a week with my best friend again; I got swept away and enchanted. I know it’s not the best piece of writing and it may or may not have a deeper meaning but I had fun reading it and in the end that’s usually why I read a book. It was my first serious fandom and I really enjoyed getting caught up in it.

• Percy Jackson Series- Rick Riordan

I love, love, love history but I especially love mythology, Greek, Roman and Egyptian even more so. When I came across Percy Jackson I immediately fell in love. I love how Rick Riordan weaves the mythology with a modern world. I think the romance in it is especially cute and I love Percy as a character. For anyone who loves or even has a slight interest in mythology you should absolutely read it!

• Hunger Games Series- Suzanne Collins

While I wasn't thrilled with the ending I still loved the first two books, the characters really made me feel for them and I adore Peeta

• Little Women Series- Louisa M Alcott

This one holds a special place in my heart. I read this when I was very young, maybe grade three or thereabouts. I received it from my Nana who used to gather old books from her friends and give them to me because she knew I loved reading, even though the books were so old ( and I mean pages were falling out) I treasured those books. Even though the worlds were difficult to understand and the language was old fashioned I got through it and I loved it. I immediately identified with the main character Jo who wanted to be a writer, which is what I wanted to be when I was younger. She’s also a tomboy which was also me. The story is so innocent and just magical, I loved the story of the March sisters and how they dealt with everyday life. Although I must admit I wanted so badly for Laurie to end up with Jo and was so disappointed when she ended up with Franz although I do like him. Anyone with me here? Recently, in fact only four months ago my grandmother passed away and now I treasure those books even more, because those books inspired my love of reading. So this series is definitely special to me.

• Mortal Instruments Trilogy- Cassandra Clare

I love urban fantasy and this series is a great example. I love the characters and the world of the Shadowhunters. I must admit I have a major crush on both Jace and Magnus. The characters in this series are so fun and I love reading this series.

• Strange Angels Series- Lilli St Crow

Isn't Dru one of the most kick-ass heroines ever? I lover how strong she is. I am a big fan of Christophe but I love Graves more. *Sigh*

• On the Jellicoe Road- Melina Marchetta

This has been one of my favorites for a while and no one I knew had read it, so when I read different blogs and found it was a generally favorite I was pleasantly surprised. This book is so real and breathtaking. I was trying to find a way to describe its impact and Naomi from Inkcrush said it was a book that lingers with you and I think that’s such an accurate way to put it. After reading it I couldn’t stop thinking about it, it’s so real and tragic and beautiful. The relationships in it are sad, passionate and strong. This book will definitely be one of my favorites forever and I recommend it to anyone.

• Poison Study Series- Maria V Snyder

I love the fantasy element in this series. The different types of magic and the whole universe is just fascinating. I think Yelena and Valek's relationship is really real and sweet.   

• Famous Five Series- Enid Blyton

This was my favorite childhood series, so many times I imagined myself with the five, solving mysteries and spending a day on Georgina's island.

• Vampire Academy Series Richelle Mead

I adore this series. I am in love with Dimitri Belikov and if I could have one book crush to become mine he would be my choice. Rose is pretty bad ass and tends to fight first and ask questions later but she's caring and has heart. I love her relationship with Dimitri (I am slightly... well no incredibly jealous).

• The truth about forever- Sarah Dessen

This was my first Sarah Dessen novel, I got it in Thailand without knowing who she was and fell in love after reading the book in a day.  All her novels are so real and meaningful that I think I've read each like ten times.

• Bloodhound Series -Tamora Peirce

I am in love with historical fiction and this is one of my favorite historical fiction series. I think the way the characters speak is brilliant and often find myself using some of the words much to my friend’s dismay. I have a weakness for books that have a teacher/ pupil relationship in them and I think that the relationship with Goodwin, Tunstall and Bekka is so sweet.

• The Rangers Apprentice series- John Flanagan

Halt is hilarious. His father-son relationship with Will is so freaking adorable!!! And Will is so sweet. As I mentioned previously that I have a weakness for apprentice/ teacher novels and this was like a dream come true. It's a cute series with a lot of heart and laughs.

So those are some of my favorites, what are yours? Any recommendations for me? I would love to hear/ read them.So please comment and tell me!
Bye for now

The Poison Throne

The Poison Throne by Celine Kiernan

A Friend. A Father. A Kingdom. Which one would you sacrifice? This compelling trilogy of court intrigue, adventure and romance is a winning combination of imagination, powerful storytelling and magnificent characters. Fifteen-year-old Wynter Moorehawke returns home after a five-year sojourn in the bleak Northlands. All has changed in her absence. Wynter is forced to make a terrible choice: stay and bow to the King's will, or abandon her ailing father and join her friend Razi and the mysterious Christopher Garron in their efforts to restore the fragile kingdom to its former stability. But this changed kingdom is a dangerous place, where all resistance is brutally suppressed and the trio constantly risk assassination, torture or imprisonment. Atmospheric and intriguing, it evokes an enchanting and convincing other world - love, treachery, jealousy, tenderness, war, wisdom and court life are all vividly depicted.

I LOVED this book! I was looking at books in the library when I saw this cover. I thought it was really different from other covers so I picked it out. Then I saw the word apprentice and I had to read it. I have a book weakness for books about apprentices, pupils, and teachers in historical fiction. However when I started to read the book it turned out that it had very little to do with apprentices at all. But it didn’t matter, I was already hooked. From the first page I was sucked in and couldn’t stop reading until I finished. The only reason I did stop was because I needed at least six hours of sleep to function, but even when I tried to sleep the book would not leave my mind. I kept thinking about it, wondering what was going to happen next. 

The Poison Throne is the first book in The Moorehawk Trilogy. Set in medieval Europe, The Poison Throne is about fifteen year old Wynter Moorehawk, Protector Lady and an apprentice to her father as a carpenter. After five years of being away Wynter and her ailing father Lorcan return to their home in the castle only to find that much has changed. No one talks to the cats anymore and ghosts do not exist. Wynter’s childhood friend and heir to the throne Alberon is absent. His half brother Razi, Wynter’s other childhood friend is all grown up and has a new friend, Christopher. Soon after she gets back events occur that threaten to destroy the kingdom and she must make a choice to stay and be with her father or join her friends to save the kingdom.  

This book is action packed, exciting, mysterious and vividly written. It’s really interesting and fast paced. I loved the plot line; I had no idea what was going to happen next. Wynter is a feisty heroine who is apprenticed into a man’s trade. She’s strong and caring and I really liked her. Razi, her headstrong childhood playmate is the king’s eldest son but not the heir to the throne. He and Wynter are like siblings and he is very protective of her. Christopher is mysterious, sly, tomcat of a character. He is Raiz’s close friend and has a murky past.  Lorcan is Wynters sickly father, sweet and cheeky he strives to make sure his baby-girl will be able to survive in the world without him. This book is full of action, romance and humor and I seriously recommend it, if you like Tamora Pierce I'm sure you'll love this book. I think it’s one of my favorite historical fiction series that I have read in a while and I can’t wait to read the next in the series. 

Okay so that was my first review! It’s not the best but at least I’ve started and can now improve. So comments and constructive criticisms are appreciated and please tell me what you think. Currently I’m reading The Crowded Shadows which is the next in the series and will review that when I’m finished.

Last Sacrifice

 
Slight Spoilers*
So  in Australia and many other countries Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead was released.I was so excited and a little reluctant (who wanted to see this series end?) to read it. I got up at 8:30 in the morning and rushed my amused dad out the door and to big W to buy the book. It only cost me about 10 dollars! I was so happy and a little shocked but who was I too complain? And then I locked myself in my room and read. Non stop, for who knows how long and finally I finished the book. So, I'm not going to write a review because really all I want to write is my thoughts about it and I'm not sure I can be smart or eloquent about it :)

So, I loved it! Of course it was a little bittersweet because it ended but what a hell of a way to go. Richelle Mead is a writing evil genius. She created such a wonderfully captivating and moving series that when I read the last page and realized that indeed Rose and Dimitri's story was over (excluding the spin off, but it's not about them anyway) I actually felt a little empty inside, as if one of my best friends had moved away.

The book had me guessing up until the very last chapters, just when I thought I knew what was happening and thought I had it all figured out she threw another curve ball. The storyline was so interesting and had me burning with curiosity, hurriedly flipping pages to see how it all ended. I felt a little disappointed that their were so many loose ends but of course those will be addressed in the spin off series. Also she I wouldn't have minded some more Rose/ Dimitri couple time, I thought that their could have been more interaction between them because their love triangle/ story was a big part of the series, I felt as if there should have been something more, I can't really explain in words but all in all I was so happy at how their story ended. Seriously some of the scenes between them literally brought me to tears and took my breath away. I love, love them as a couple and I love Dimitri. Rose is such a great heroine, and I love how strong she is and how realistic, in some sense her struggles about love, friendship and duty to her job are.

It really is a testament to how well Richelle writes characters, that when Rose was in particularly passionate or sad scenes my feelings mirrored Rose's. Especially that scene with Adrian at the end, I was crying and my heart ached, perhaps I took it too seriously ^_^

The fact that it left room for a spin off series meant that it didn't make as much an impact as it could have, and I must admit I was left wanting a bit more but otherwise I had no major complaints.

Of course I'm sad to see Rose's/ Dimitri's story ended but I'm so excited about the spin off series with the first one being called Bloodlines released August 2011. Personally, I hope it's about Adrian, however with a name like Bloodlines I assume it will be about Jill. Oh well, a girl can dream.

So basically, I LOVED IT! This series is one of my favorites and as far as endings go this was a pretty good one

Anyway, what were your thoughts? Did you like it? and who do you think the first spin off will be about?

Please comment and bye for now

I'm Back!!

Hey
So after writing my introduction of my first ever blog!!! I went AWOL, I disappeared and my promised blog entries were nowhere to be found!! No I wasn't abducted by aliens and I didn't loose my memory and forget that I was the proud owner of a blog. I had the dreaded EXAMS * cue dramatic music*.

They were my year eleven end of year exams with one year twelve exam. Boy was I nervous. See, I took a year twelve course, history revolutions and so I had to do the end of year exam. Since it was a year twelve one it kind of took precedence over my other year eleven ones, and the actual exam was in my year eleven revision week. Confused? Anyway so I did my year twelve history exam, did a "yay I'm finally finished" dance and then was left with four days until my other exams started. So became a hermit, living in my room with my texts and computer, eating only brain food. Their was occasional sightings when I came out to get air but besides that I was in full study mode.

So with my exams over I had year twelve orientation week, which was surprisingly full on. It actually counted towards year twelve, which made me ask whats the point of having a year twelve week that actually counts in year eleven? It's just weird.
My exams were over, my orientation week finished and I was free..... so to speak. My holidays started last week except for two classes I was forced to attend due to it not running during orientation. I was free to start my blog, I could write as much as I wanted about the things I loved most in this world. Books!!!! But I was reluctant, I became scared, I subscribe and follow so many amazing blogs, what was the point of adding my own, one that would clearly be miles ( I should say kilometers living in Australia) behind those. I thought, no one wants to read what I will have to say, what if I make a mistake, what if I offend someone? What if I look stupid? With all these thoughts in my head I stayed away from my blog, I neglected it, I couldn't bring myself to delete it however, opting to ignore it and hope that if I stayed away it would disappear magically. 

Yes I was being stupid, I found myself thinking of things to write about on my blog, finding people who loved the same things I did and being able to write down my own thoughts about things I was interested in. The lure of the blog was too strong for me and so I'm baaaack! I realized that the only way I could even come close to being like the blogs I followed was by having a go and practicing. I wasn't going to get anywhere by hiding, and that even if no one reads my blog it is so much fun just writing about things I loved that it doesn't matter. And for anyone who does read this blog thank you so much and it's just a bonus.

So here I am, I am committed to having the most fun I can with this blog and I look forward to whatever comes with that. So I was wondering, to anyone who reads this what is it that you love most about blogging? For me it's just getting to write about my interests. Please, comment and tell me. Any comment will be appreciated.

So that's its for me until I get the writing urge once again.
Byes!

Hi:D

Hi
My name is Monique and I'm new here.
This my first realy blog and I'm really nervous:P There are so many great blogs out there how can I compete? I can't but I hope that people out there will like my blog and follow it. First let me introduce myself, I live in Melbourne Australia, I'm 17 and am currently in Year 11. I love reading, writing, anime, manga, tv, music, and history:D This blog will mainly focus on books since that's what I spend most of my time with but also my other interests. Hopefully if you read my blog you might find these things interesting too. I'm not the best at writing and I'm hoping to improve, if anyone out there reading this could help me with creative criticisms or comments in general, I would be so greatful. Also if I happen to offened anyone I hope that you will tell me so I can sort it out. So thats me and I hope you keep reading to find more about me and hopefully I can find out more about you. So to anyone reading this comment and just say hi:D
Untill the next post
Bye
p.s does anyone find the layout distracting? and if so can anyone help with improving the background?