Across the Universe by Beth Revis

MY RATING: 5/5

BLURB: 

Amy has left the life she loves for a world 300 years away. 

Trapped in space and frozen in time, Amy is bound for a new planet. But fifty years before she's due to arrive, she is violently woken, the victim of an attempted murder. Now Amy's lost on board and nothing makes sense - she's never felt so alone. 

Yet someone is waiting for her. He wants to protect her - and more if she'll let him. 

But who can she trust amidst the secrets and lies? A killer is out there - and Amy has nowhere to hide. . . 

MY REVIEW: 

I LOVED this book! I couldn't put it down. I started it on Saturday night and then spent the whole next day reading it. I just wanted to know what was going to happen! The nerd in me absolutely loved all of the sciencey stuff. Don't let that scare you away though. It's not so much that it'd be confusing for anyone with no knowledge in science. Which I also really liked. 

Amy and her parents have been frozen and sent into space, travelling to a new planet they know nothing about. When for no apparent reason Amy is awoken from her frozen sleep 50 years early. Why was she woken up? Who woke her up? What's really going on? Godspeed is a ship full of secrets and lies. And it all comes down to why. . . 

The whole idea that this ship, Godspeed, had been flying for 250 years, that it has its own history of the people aboard it really intrigued me. I loved the writing of this book. I just felt like certain aspects of it were written amazingly (not to say all of it wasn't, there were just certain parts that stood out for me). I felt like Amy's consciousness while she was frozen was captured really well, I felt like I was stuck in nothingness with her. Conscious, but with no sense of how much time had passed, she had no idea if she had only just been frozen or if 300 years had already passed. 

I definitely loved all of the characters. I can see myself getting even more attached to them through the rest of the series. Harley broke my heart. I loved Elder; I am very interested to see how he'll handle things in the next book. I liked Amy's character except for a few things. Her childishness annoyed me a bit at times, saying momma and daddy. But I am also excited to see how she is going to react with what we learned about her at the very end of the book. 

So many secrets! I actually figured out exactly who the killer was about 80 pages in, but there was definitely lots of other stuff I would never have seen coming. I still can't stop thinking about it all. I don't know what else to say without spoiling everything. I went in not really knowing anything, not knowing what to expect and I loved it that way. I would highly recommend checking it out! I cannot wait to get myself a copy of the second book. I'll be keeping an eye out. 

Jammie the Book Nerd
<3

Arise by Amber Garr

MY RATING: 4/5
SERIES: The Syrenka Series Book 3

BLURB: 

With power comes the responsibility to accept its consequences. 

After the betrayal of those closest to her, Eviana Dumahl struggles to cope with her new reality. Kidnapped, broken, and confused, she is forced to engage in a war that will alter merfolk politics forever. With her estranged father leading the charge, Eviana has no choice but to stand by his side. Her continued existence hinges on the acceptance of the power growing inside her, even when that means embracing the family's dark lineage. 

Kain Matthew will sacrifice the world for Eviana. And he is not alone. As time runs out, her friends fight to save her life and theirs. An unlikely alliance gives them the edge they need to take a stand, although it keeps Eviana's heart trapped in the past. A new discovery explains some of her previous mistakes, but it may not be enough to stop her father's plans. Merfolk, selkies, and water sprites work together to save their kind, only in this final battle, not everyone will survive. 

In the striking series conclusion, Eviana will learn the true meaning of power, sacrifice, and love. 

MY REVIEW: 

Wow. That is an awesome synopsis. Well, first off. Arise is the third and final book in the fantastic Syrenka Series, so if you have not read the first two books you should because they are awesome, and if you want you can also read my review of the first book, Promises and the second, Betrayal. I loved Arise just as much as I loved the first two books. I am always worried about endings to series for some reason, but I think this was a fantastic ending.

Eviana is dealing with the recent betrayals of those closest to her, but now must also work out how to escape her kidnapper and get back to her friends and family to fight on the right side of the war. Eviana will discover new powers, love and how much her friends are willing to sacrifice for her and this war.

I really loved getting Kain's point of view in this book, for quite a few reasons. I love Kain's character, so it was lots of fun getting inside his head, and I love books with alternating views, it gives you more perspective on both of their feelings. Also it was good seeing what was going on with everyone else while Eviana wasn't there, which I am sure was the whole reason for it. I love all of the characters in this book and the whole series. I am a lover of developed secondary characters, and while the secondary characters weren't a huge part of this series, I felt like they were all really well developed with their own stories, without taking away from the overall story.

The end half of the book got really intense. I just had no idea what they were going to do, how they were going to get out of it and how everything was going to be resolved. On that note, Lucian was a seriously creepy antagonist. He was an awesome bad guy, but super creepy. I did cry at the end of this book, and then my sad tears changed to happy tears. Not that the sad thing became a happy thing, just a happy ending.

Overall Arise was a fantastic ending to a fantastic series! I have loved this whole series, and I would highly recommend checking them out.

Again thanks to the author, Amber Garr, for sending me a copy of this book.

Jammie the Book Nerd
<3

Betrayal by Amber Garr

MY RATING: 4/5
SERIES: The Syrenka Series Book 2

BLURB: 
Life as a mermaid can be suffocating. 

Eviana Dumahl has returned home as a clan leader, an orphan, and a heartbroken teenage girl. Her parents are dead and her boyfriend, Brendan, has decided that he needs some time away. While battling her inner turmoil, Eviana is forced into the war that Lucien Sutherland has incited amongst her own kind. With the help of Kain, her friend and formally betrothed, the two work together to prove that they deserve their birthrights as young merfolk leaders. 

When the council requests a demonstration of Eviana's mermaid powers she finds herself with an opportunity to win back Brendan's heart. But her orders to train with a repulsive merman and the presence of an attractive new suitor challenges Eviana to embrace her leadership and resist temptation. Lucian is after her, and no one seems to understand why. Loyalties are tested as the casualties increase, showing Eviana that sometimes it is impossible to delineate between friends and enemies. 

Betrayal is the second book of The Syrenka Series trilogy following Eviana and her friends as they navigate through the challenges of existing in a secret world. 

MY REVIEW: 

As with the first book I loved the pace of the story, there was never a dull moment. I was almost on the edge of my seat the whole time wanting to know what was going to happen. Quite a few things that I was not at all expecting. Loved this one just as much as Promises, if not more. 

Betrayal is the second book in The Syrenka Series, you can find my review of the first book Promises here. Eviana is sent away to try and strengthen her powers in preparation for the upcoming war. Attacks are happening everywhere, harming, and even killing, some of Eviana's friends and family, Lucian is behind it all and he is still after Eviana, but why? 

As I think everyone has, based on the title I assumed that someone was going to betray Eviana in this book. Although there turned out to be more than just one betrayal, I had a suspicion of a particular person right from the beginning (which turned out to be right), but throughout the book I just couldn't be sure. I had no idea what to expect, and that was something I really enjoyed. After the first book in the series we knew (or at least I assumed) there was a particular reason Lucian wanted Eviana, and while a reason was revealed to us, I am still not sure if it is the whole reason. So I can't wait to start the next book Arise and find out what is going to happen. 

I can't really think of much to say about the characters. I think we definitely got to see Brendan's love for Eviana more in this book and understand him more as character, but I do not like Brendan any more. I can understand his situation, but I still don't like him. I like Kain's character, and am hoping to see a romance develop between him and Eviana in the next book, I guess we'll just have wait to see. Graham was a new character introduced to the story in Betrayal. While I liked his character, and the flirting with Eviana was fun, I felt a bit like if Eviana was so in love with Brendan then she wouldn't be so attracted to Graham. So that was all a little weird for me. 

I enjoyed this book just as much as the first one, should definitely check it out if you have read Promises, and if you haven't I would highly recommend you give it a go. I am super excited to get started on Arise. 

Thank you so much to  the author, Amber Garr, for sending me a copy. Having tons of fun with this series. 

Jammie the Book Nerd
<3

Promises by Amber Garr

MY RATING: 4/5
SERIES: The Syrenka Series Book 1

BLURB: 

Sometimes following your heart can end up destroying the ones you love. 

When seventeen-year-old Eviana Dumahl is faced with the responsibility of an arranged marriage and clan leadership, she is forced to choose between the life required of a mermaid and one of a teenage girl simply infatuated with the wrong guy. Kain, her devoted fiancé would make a wonderful husband except that she's been in love with Brendan, a shape-shifting selkie, ever since they were kids. Choosing to abandon her family, her clan and her life with Kain will have dire consequences far beyond anything she could have imagined. 

A war is brewing amongst the clans and Eviana unwittingly becomes a pawn in the intricate schemes of a twisted mastermind. With Brendan's life on the line, she has no choice but to involve those who she once considered friends. Amidst encountering senseless tragedies and immense loss, Eviana discovers that she is more valuable as a clan leader than anyone ever suspected. Her survival is not only dependent upon the loyalty of her friends, but also on her acceptance of a life that she had so adamantly tried to escape. 

Promises in the first book in The Syrenka Series trilogy following Eviana and her friends through the perils of growing up in a discrete world that inherently threatens human society. 

MY REVIEW: 
This is actually the first book I have ever read about mermaids, so I was definitely excited to read this book and didn't know what to expect. I was kind of expecting a story that took place entirely underwater, but I really liked that they mermaids/men could transition between tail and legs at will (kind of like the tv show H2O just add water if you have seen it). Promises got straight into the story and caught my interest immediately. It had a really good pace, and got very exciting at the end making me want to read the next book as soon as I can! 

In order to merge their clans Eviana has been betrothed to Kain since she was young, but she is in love with the shape-shifting selkie, Brendan. Eviana chooses the one she loves over her responsibilities and must face consequences that no one would have imagined. On the verge of a war Eviana is unexpectedly pulled back into the world she so desperately tried to leave behind and now must step forward and face her responsibilities. 

Eviana annoyed me a little at the beginning, but as the story progressed and she had to start really making mature decisions I came to really like her as a character and am excited to see her have to step forward and deal with the responsibilities she is now faced with. We got to see more of Kain's feelings and affections toward Eviana than Brendan's in this book, and I always kind of have a bit of a soft spot for the underdog, so I find myself leaning more toward Kain, but I look forward to hopefully getting to know Brendan more in the next book. I really liked all of the characters in the story, and really felt for all of them when anything bad happened. 

I found myself really invested in the characters and the story, so I definitely want to get my hands on the sequel Betrayal. And overall just had a really great time reading this book. I would definitely recommend checking it out. 

Thanks to Abby at Bookshelf Confessions for giving me the chance to win this book. 

Jammie the Book Nerd 
<3

P.s. The whole naked thing was a little funny to me, it doesn't really have anything to do with the overall story, but basically the mermaids and selkies have to undress before they change. So there are a few scenes where they have just changed back into people and they are all casually standing around naked, and I know the it's not weird to the characters because they are just used to it, but it felt funny to me having to picture them that way :) 

In the Middle of Nowhere by Julie Ann Knudsen

MY RATING: 2/5

BLURB: 

A teenage girl. A broken heart. And a boy who tries to mend it. 

Butterflies. Little, fluttering butterflies. That's what fifteen-year-old Willow Flynn feels in the pit of her stomach every time the mysterious boy is near. But Willow has other things to contend with as she deals with the tragic loss of her father, as well as her emotionally preoccupied mother, while being uprooted to a new house, a new school, a new life, far away, on an island, in the middle of nowhere. 

At the beginning of the school year, the sickly, but cute Michael sends Willow the first of many cryptic notes during homeroom. He stares at Willow and gives her the creeps. Michael never returns to school after that, but Willow ends up connecting with the poetic boy on-line where they strike up an unusual friendship 

As Willow attempts to fit in and find her niche in the ever-cliquey high school world, she is further confused by Michael who strives to win her over and mend her broken heart. But will he be able to, especially when his own existence remains so uncertain? 

MY REVIEW: 

First of all I want to thank Ali the moderator of the Teen Romance group on goodreads (if you have a goodreads account you should check it out, it's an awesome group) and the author, Julie Ann Knudsen, for giving me the chance to read this book and sending me a copy. 

In the Middle off Nowhere is a story about family problems, fitting in at a new school and a new place, and the mistakes everyone makes when we are young. Willow's mother has just lost her job and they are forced to move to her uncles summer home on a small island "in the middle of nowhere". Willow has to deal with leaving her friends behind, and making new ones, her mother moving on after her fathers death five years ago and the affections of a mysterious boy she likes but doesn't know anything about.

The characters in this story were really well developed, they all felt very realistic to me, and I enjoyed that. I didn't particularly like Willow's character very much, I couldn't really connect with her. I think the reason for this is because throughout the course of the book she is being a teenager, and doing things normal teenagers do, and because I was everything opposite to just about every teenager in the world and I never broke any of my mothers rules or went behind her back I couldn't really relate to her. But I think she is a great teenage character that many people will be able to relate to as she deals with fitting in, peer pressure and all the things that come with being a teenager. 

I really liked Michael's character. I loved his happy, positive outlook on life. I would have liked to see more of Willow and Michael's relationship, but I enjoyed it none the less. Brian really bugged me. I didn't like when he tried to act fatherly to Willow. My parents split up when I was around the same age Willow was when her father died, and even if my mother was with another man for 10 years I would still never consider him my father, but it could be different as mine is still around. 

As I said before, I felt that all of the characters, including the minor ones like Tessa's brother Jaques, were all well developed and felt realistic, making it an enjoyable read. I think In the Middle of Nowhere is a story that many people will enjoy and be able to relate to. I only gave it two stars as I couldn't personally relate to the character and the situations, but I would highly recommend checking it out. 

Thanks again to Julie Ann Knudsen for sending me a copy. 

Jammie the Book Nerd

<3

Clockwork Princess Cover Reveal!!!

Hi!! 

A couple of days ago the cover for Clockwork Princess, the third book in the Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare, was revealed!! :D I totally meant to post about it when I found out, but I was lazy. So I am posting about it now. 

It was very much so not what I was expecting to see when I came home and turned on my computer, but I am super excited none the less. It is absolutely gorgeous!!!!! The designer (or whatever it is called) has done such an amazing job with every single one of Clare's book covers, and this one does not disappoint. 

I love each of the Infernal Devices covers more and more. I think all of the models for the covers look amazing, and that each one really captures the characters. I think one of the things I love most about this cover, is that Tessa is holding a book. From Cassandra Clare's tumblr, the book she is holding is the Codex. 

I also think that all of the covers look amazing together. You can check out a better picture of them all together (because I know mine is a little small) on Clare's tumblr.

Also, in other exciting news, the finished cover for The Indigo Spell was released today! Check it out! 

I personally think it looks even better now with their tattoos added in. And now we have an answer for who our mystery guy is :) 

Jammie the Book Nerd

<3

One Year Blogoversary Giveaway!!

Hey! :D 

Today is officially my one year blogoversary. In celebration I have decided to have my first giveaway. Yay! :)

So basically this giveaway is open to anyone that the book depository ships to for free, I am pretty sure it's just about everywhere, but just to be sure you can check here.

I will be giving away one of the books below to one lucky winner. The links lead to the respective goodreads pages. I just picked a bunch of my favourites and a couple that I am looking forward to reading, so if you aren't interested in any of my suggested books you can pick any book you like under $20 from the book depository. Good luck! 

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Richelle Mead

Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

Anna and the French kiss by Stephanie Perkins 

Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson 

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 

RULES: 

- You must be a GFC follower to enter
- Open internationally, as long as the book depository ships to you

- To enter just leave a comment on this blog post with your GFC name and e-mail address, and tell me about your best birthday experience. It can be your own birthday or someone else's
- I will draw the winner on the 12th of August 

Jammie the Book Nerd
<3


EDIT: I just thought maybe I should mention the winner will be drawn randomly. The birthday experiences have nothing do to with my picking of the winner. Just in case it seemed that way :) Good luck! 

The Great Debate at Penguin Teen Australia

Hey everyone! 

Penguin Teen Australia are currently holding their first Great Debate. The topic they have chosen for their first debate is: 

'Who is better for Adrian Ivashkov: Rose Hathaway or Sydney Sage?'

Johana, my teammate, and I are representing Team Adrian/Sydney. The opening statements for both teams went up today on PTA's blog so whether you support Rose and Adrian or Sydney and Adrian go and check it out here and show your support for the representatives :D 

Jammie the Book Nerd

<3