Banish

Review Time! Banish is the YA debut novel of Australian author, Nicola Marsh, I was actually part of the blog tour for Banish (you can check out my posts - HERE) and I read Banish so I can post my review up with the blog tour post, CLEARLY that didn't happen because I was too busy (and lazy) to write it but I'm sitting down today to write it! You can purchase a copy of Banish from Fishpond | Booktopia | The Nile | Bookworld. Thanks to HarlequinTeen for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Alyssa has one week to destroy her enemy, save her spirit... and save her soul.

After her ex-boyfriend commits suicide and her mum’s alcoholism sparks yet another psychotic episode, seventeen-year-old Alyssa Wood flees her small hometown of Broadwater and heads to New York City to stay with her bohemian aunt — a Wicca High Priestess.

Alyssa revels in the anonymity of a big city and her new life. Her grades climb, she has a new best friend, and a new guy: the sexy geek Ronan — a saxophone player who prefers jazz to pop.

But her newfound peace is soon shattered when she sees a dead body in one of Ronan’s music clips — and she’s the only one who can see it. Worse still, Alyssa recognises the body that has been murdered a week forward!

Alyssa doesn’t believe in the supernatural...despite her family’s Wicca background. So how will she overcome evil when it’s closer than she thinks?

The Short Story? - For me, Banish was little bit of a hit and miss. There were completely amazing parts and then parts that just fell flat. The plot was interesting however some parts were poorly executed and even though the book was a reasonably quick read, the pace was quite slow. However the characterisation was good, the backstory was interesting and the twist at the end - DID NOT SEE THAT COMING! A solid debut, I can't wait to see where the sequel takes us!

The Long Story? - I didn't exactly love this book but I can't say I didn't like it either. I liked the plot, it was interesting, the mystery aspect and the psychopath aspect really gave the book a killer punch (haha!). However I can't help but feel like the plot has been done before, it's a little bit of a supernatural cliche. Girl doesn't like magic, meets boy and falls in love, supernatural murderer on the loose, girl discovers her powers, embraces power. Marsh added her own touches but for me, it was a generic YA supernatural/paranormal plot. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it but I've read this kind of plot so any times, it's just not the kind of novel that will stick with me for a long time. That said, the ending was amazing, throughout the novel readers are left in the dark about how is this crazy psychopath and while I'm usually pretty good at picking out the hidden bad guys, I just couldn't get this one! Definitely wasn't one of the best plots I've read however the story was beautifully written!

The characterisation was good, like the plot, the protagonist was a little bit of a hit and miss as well. Sometimes she was badass and completely awesome however there were other parts of the novel in which she came off as whiny and a little bratty. Alyssa wasn't someone I could relate to therefore I couldn't really connect with her however I liked how Marsh gave her a backstory ( a pretty traumatising one at that) because it gave her a softer edge and opened me up to accepting her a little more. Ronan was a great character, I liked how Marsh stepped away from the typical popular, jock with a big heart stereotype for a love interest and instead picked an adorable, older and geeky one instead. It's more realistic and honestly, cute geeks are more appealing when you're addressing a bunch of book nerds right? I thought Alyssa and Ronan were really cute together, they had their rough patches but somehow they worked together. A good balanced love story!

In the end, would I recommend Banish to everyone? Yes I would however it definitely wouldn't be the first book I recommend. The series (at least I think it's a series, the ending suggest it is) definitely has potential and I can only see the quality of the story going up from here. It was a quick and enjoyable read, not as unique as I hoped it would be however stunning cover and a mind-blowing ending! Marsh's debut is a supernatural thriller with a killed edge, can't wait to see how Alyssa will grow as her adventures continue!

What's it Worth? - Squeeze Into the Budget

Badass Bookie xx 

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Dare You To

Review Time! Sorry for the lack of posts lately I know I keep apologising but I've been so busy and honestly I haven't felt in the mood to blog so I took a mini (unannounced) hiatus. School's trying to force feed me all this information that I don't understand and reading has really just been taking a backseat! However today I bring you my long overdue review of Dare You To by Katie McGarry. The companion novel to Pushing the Limits, this is Beth's story! You can purchase Dare You To from Fishpond | The Nile | The Book Depository | Bookworld. Thanks to HarlequinTeen for the review copy!

(Goodreads) If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

The Short Story? - Pushing the Limits was one of my favourite books from last year, a newcomer to the YA scene McGarry blew me away with her debut novel however she has raised the bar yet again with her follow-up Dare You To. Is there is anything thing I like more than a bad boy it's a bad girl and that's exactly what Beth Risk is. Beautifully written story that explores some very controversial topics, fantastics characters with unbelievable authentic voices and overall just a unputdownable contemporary YA with a sizzling romance!

The Long Story? - I read this on the plane ride to Germany - bad idea. I love/hate McGarry for making me tear up in public (don't you know I just want to be cool?). There is so much depth to the plot besides the whole marketed "sizzling YA romance", McGarry really digs into some controversial issues such as LGBT, dysfunctional families and drugs and alcohol. These aspects are what separated Dare You To from the rest of the "sizzling YA romance" market for me. The plot was a little predictable however McGarry leaves a trail of breadcrumbs along the way and every so often she drops a bomb that leaves your mouth hanging wide open. I felt plot really complimented the characters and the romance and chemistry between the two was incredibly hot. Dare You To it such an easy book to read. It was emotional, it was dramatic and it was enjoyable. Definitely one of my favourite contemporary reads of the year so far!

Beth wasn't my favourite character in Pushing the Limits, she always came off as a little distant, annoying and very rude however through reading Dare You To my opinion on her has definitely changed. I understand why she's the way she is and more importantly her new home and friends have made her a more positive person. She's a real trooper! I wasn't the biggest fan of Ryan at the start either, he was such a typical, cliched jock. Very arrogant and his actions were distasteful and I just thought he was the biggest jerk. However as the novel progressed McGarry started softening readers towards Ryan. I liked how he likes to write, I like how loyal he is towards his friends and his relationship with Beth - his love for her - was absolutely adorable. I loved the two characters together, I thought their romance was filled with spark. McGarry definitely played the "opposites attract" card right!

In the end, there wasn't much I didn't like about Dare You To. If anything, Dare You To was near perfect. I'm a sucker for a good romance especially one where there is a point to the story BESIDES the romance and Dare You To gave me that. It gave me troubled teens dealing with dysfunctional families but their attraction to each other helps keep them sane and eventually their love is their home ( that sounds very sappy but its true). I loved McGarry's writing style and overall I thought Dare You To was a beautiful book from start to finish. Definitely a summer romance to pick up!

What's it Worth? - Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

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The Eternity Cure

Review Time! I originally planned to post this review at the start of May - we're 5 days into June, how horrible am I? I will be playing review catch-up for a long, long time! The Eternity Cure is the sequel to Julie Kagawa's The Immortal Rules, a series about a post-apocalyptic world where vampires rule and humans are just cattles waiting to be farmed. If you enjoyed The Farm by Emily McKay, this one is sort of on the same lines but different! You can purchase The Eternity Cure from The Book Depository | Fishpond | The Nile | Bookworld. Thanks to Harlequin Teen for the review copy!

(Goodreads) In Allison Sekemoto's world, there is one one rule left: Blood Calls to blood.

Cast out of Eden and separated from the boy she dared to love, Allie will follow the call of blood to save her creator, Kanin, from the psychotic vampire, Sarren. But when the trail leads to Allie's birthplace in New Covington, what she finds there will the change the world forever - and possibly end human and vampire existence.

There's a new plague on the rise, a strain of the Red Lung virus that wiped out most of humanity generations ago - deadly to humans and vampires alike. The only hope for a cure lies in the secrets Kanin carries. If Allie can get to him in time...

The Short Story? - An edgy and exciting sequel, The Eternity Cure was packed with action from start to finish! A badass heroine, a time sensitive rescue mission and an unlikely alliance along the way, Kagawa does not disappoint fans with the cut throat and intense sequel to The Immortal Rules. These aren't your regular vampires and this isn't your regular vampire-human story, The Eternity Cure was nothing less than amazing! Two thumbs up from this pleased reader!

The Long Story? - I went into this novel not knowing what to think because although I really enjoyed The Immortal Rules, it wasn't a standout for me last year. It was a strong start to a new series but it wasn't powerful. I can't say the same for The Eternity Cure because this book was a roller coaster ride from cover to cover! I'm all about action, kicking ass and a body count and I'm happy to say that Mrs Kagawa has made me a very happy person with her combination of all three in this highly anticipated sequel. There wasn't a single boring moment from start to finish, I enjoyed every twist and turn, every secret exposed and every unlikely event that shouldn't have happened but did happen. It was so exciting and gripping, the writing was beautiful and that ending! A massive cliff hanger that will continue to haunt me until I get my hands on the next book! Thrilling and captivating, Kagawa has out done herself!

If the characterisation hasn't improved in a sequel, the author is definitely doing something wrong. Sequels are all about further developing characters and challenging them, Kagawa has done a fine job of both! I loved Allie in the first novel but I loved her even more in this one! She's right next to Rose Hathaway as one of my favourite badass heroines of all time! She's tough, snarky and she has a serious sense of attitude. She doesn't put up with ANYBODY'S crap! However at the same time, she's still human and she understands and feels compassion. I'm always a sucker for a good villain especially when they surprise you so it's no surprise that my favourite character is Jackson. It also helps that he's good-looking. Zeke, I like him but he's human and I always feel like a good vampire story doesn't necessarily need humans but Allie likes him so whatever she wants, I'm down with! Kanin, I've always had a soft spot for Kanin because he is just so cool and calm and collected! There is something classy about Kanin! I can't pick out a flaw in the characterisation, honestly a very good job on Kagawa's part!

I know I've been nothing but praise in this review but honestly, I can't pick on anything! The Eternity Cure was just brilliant. I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed it but this book was so intese! What a killer! Highly recommend anyone who hasn't picked up The Eternity Cure or this series to start reading them because I can just tell that it's only going to get better from here! A job well done to Kagawa for this phenomenal sequel to an amazing series!

What's it Worth - Break Out the Piggybank 

Badass Bookie xx

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The Goddess Inheritance

Review Time! So you probably noticed the lack of posts lately and I'm SO sorry but I've had midterms and it's all been really stressful! Things are settling down a little so today I have a review of The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter, the final book in the Goddess Test trilogy! I've followed this series from the start and it's brilliant, you can purchase a copy of The Goddess Test from The Nile | The Book Depository | Bookworld | Fishpond. Thanks to HarlequinTeen for the review copy!

(Goodreads) During nine months of captivity, Kate Winters has survived a jealous goddess, a vengeful Titan and a pregnancy she never asked for. Now the Queen of the Gods wants her unborn child, and Kate can't stop her — until Cronus offers a deal.

In exchange for her loyalty and devotion, the King of the Titans will spare humanity and let Kate keep her child. Yet even if Kate agrees, he'll destroy Henry, her mother and the rest of council. And if she refuses, Cronus will tear the world apart until every last god and mortal is dead.

With the fate of everyone she loves resting on her shoulders, Kate must do the impossible: find a way to defeat the most powerful being in existence, even if it costs her everything.

Even if it costs her eternity…

The Short Story? - What a fantastic end to a trilogy! I'm sad to see these characters go but I'm glad that I've been on this epic journey with them. The Goddess Inheritance was definitely a very strong addition to the trilogy. There was action, romance, drama and all that good stuff! It was a roller coaster ride of a novel, everything tied up nicely and I liked how it was a little bit bittersweet. Some of the writing was a little patchy but in the grand scheme of things, I really thought The Goddess Inheritance very well done!

The Long Story? - I'm very happy with the way this trilogy ended, it wasn't perfect but plot wise, this was definitely a worthy ending to a brilliant trilogy. I'm a huge fan of greek mythology and the premise of the series is fantastic. I'm especially taken by the war between the olympians and the titans that Carter has incorporated into the plot of The Goddess Inheritance. It's jam-packed with action, it's edgy and it's fast-paced. The problem with such an ambitious plot is that it can get a little choppy which, unfortunately, it did in parts. Some parts were very rushed and confusing and that made it uncomfortable to read. This choppy writing style is present throughout the trilogy but once you get used to it, it's really not a huge problem and I honestly think nothing could make this plot less appealing. I loved everything about it, the romance, the action, the tension, the loss and the sacrifice, definitely one I would recommend to YA readers of paranormal romance!

Since it is a trilogy, I have grown close to the characters over the course of the books and I love them. Kate continues to surprise me, I sympathised with her throughout the novel. She's torn between the two people she loves the most in the world - her husband and her child. She's also got the weight of the world resting on her shoulders yet everyone else just wants her to stay out of the fight because they think she's weak. It's frustrating to see everyone dismiss Kate and I feel like I connected with her through her helplessness. It was satisfying to see her in the epic final battle and I think she deserved that bittersweet ending. Henry, there is something so appealing about a guy of few words and who is unable to show his emotions. It must be frustrating for Kate but OMG, it's so sexy! He's like the broody, mysterious immortal. EVERYONE'S TYPE! Surprisingly I also really liked Cronus as a character, even though he was portrayed as the antagonist, I feel like all the characters really forced him to play the bad guy! Overall a great cast of characters, I'm going to be sorry to leave them behind!

If you haven't read this series, I sincerely hope you find the time to do it because *I* personally think it's a great trilogy to read and now that all three books are out, you can buy them all and read them one after another! Carter has truly outdone herself with this final instalment, I'm very impressed and I can't wait to see what she has planned for us next! The perfect balance between romance and action, The Goddess Inheritance ended the trilogy on a high note!

What's it Worth? - Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

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Hooked

Review Time! Hooked by Liz Fichera is a 2013 YA Debut published by Harlequin Teen this month so if this sounds like your cup of tea make sure to head to your local bookstore and pick up a copy! There is nothing I like more than reading a frothy YA romance which wasn't quite what Hooked was but it was a great read nevertheless! You can purchase a copy of Hooked from Fishpond | The Nile | Booktopia. Thanks to Harlequin Teen for the review copy!

(Goodreads) When Native American Fredericka ‘Fred’ Oday is invited to become the only girl on the school’s golf team, she can’t say no. This is an opportunity to shine, win a scholarship and go to university, something no one in her family has done. 

But Fred’s presence on the team isn’t exactly welcome — especially not to rich golden boy Ryan Berenger, whose best friend was kicked off the team to make a spot for Fred.

But there’s no denying that things are happening between the girl with the killer swing and the boy with the killer smile...

GET HOOKED ON A GIRL NAMED FRED.

The Short Story? - While the blurb leads readers to believe that Hooked is just another typical frothy YA romance about two completely different teenagers falling in love, it's little more than that. Fichera's debut explores the unexpected chemistry between two teenagers of different racial backgrounds and how racism and prejudice play a role in keeping them apart. Fichera's debut definitely leaves a lot of food for thought for readers. Great use of YA contemporary to deal with heavier issues! For fans of Miranda Kenneally's Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker.

The Long Story? - Hooked had more to offer than what I thought it did, it wasn't quite as romantic and frothy as I thought it would be but I think swapping froth for the exploration of more meaningful issues wasn't all that bad. I am disappointed with the "less frothiness" but not too much that I didn't enjoy the book. I think Fichera did a great job incorporating racial prejudice into Hooked, it wasn't an in your face kind of book,  it was actually done quite delicately. I liked how the racial prejudice tied in with the love story, I thought that it made the book a little more relatable to readers because love causes many problems but it's also the only thing that can overcome all those problems too. Hooked was also very educating, I definitely learned a little more about the american indian heritage through the book. I also loved the sportswoman aspect of the novel, there is something appealing about female athletes as protagonists. It's almost like "YEAH GIRL POWER". I think fans of Miranda Kenneally's books will enjoy Hooked!

Personally I thought the characterisation let the book down a little, like I always say characters can make or break the book and in this case unfortunately, it was the latter. They weren't necessarily bad characters but they weren't amazing either. I guess I just couldn't find enough common ground to connect with them. I wanted to like Fred and there were parts of the novel where I did but overall I would have liked to see Fred gain a little more confidence and to stand up for herself. She was kind of the girl who just took the bullying and that's not cool with me. Even if you're different, it doesn't make you helpless. Ryan was probably my biggest disappointment of the book, I really wanted to like him and I know that he's a great guy but he is such a follower! It frustrates me to see people who know something is not right yet they're too cowardly to stand up to it! Ryan, quite frankly, needed to man up and he did (eventually), I just wish he found his balls a little sooner. There was definitely a little work to be done in the characterisation department but the characters weren't unbearable so that's something!

I did enjoy Hooked but not as much as I hope I would. I would say that I "liked" the book but I didn't fall in "love" with it and that's partly because I'm more of a frothy contemporary girl and partly because I just couldn't connect with the characters. It's weird because there are A LOT of bloggers and reviewers who absolutely adored Hooked and sadly I'm not one of them! It wasn't "quite" my cup of tea but I'm sure this novel will appeal to some of you. Don't let my review dishearten you from picking it up because it was good, it just wasn't right for me! I still commend Fichera of her excellent plot though, that was pretty amazing! :)

What's it Worth? - Squeeze into the Budget/ Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

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Scent of Magic

Review time! Scent of Magic is the sequel to Maria V. Snyder's new YA Fantasy series called Healers. You can find my review of the first book, Touch of Magic - HERE. This is one of the best fantasy series I've read and I'm so excited to share this review with you guys because this book is AWESOME. You can purchase a copy of Scent of Magic from Fishpond | The Nile | Booktopia | Bookworld Thanks to Harlequin for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Hunted, Killed—Survived?

As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avry of Kazan is in a unique position: in the minds of her friends and foes alike, she no longer exists. Despite her need to prevent the megalomanical King Tohon from winning control of the Realms, Avry is also determined to find her sister and repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her partner and sole confident, returns to Alga to summon his country into battle.

Though she should be in hiding, Avry will do whatever she can to support Tohon’s opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army, evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring out how to stop Tohon’s most horrible creations yet; an army of the walking dead—human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat.

War is coming and Avry is alone. Unless she figures out how to do the impossible ... again

The Short Story? - What the hell did I just read? I don't know whether to love or hate Snyder right now after that KILLER of an ending. What a fantastic job! Scent of Magic was everything I had imagined it to be and so much more. Drama, adventure, romance and sacrifice, if anyone knows how to write an epic fantasy it's Maria V. Snyder. Beautifully written, amazing characterisation and a phenomenal plot, highly recommended to everyone. If you haven't read this series, you don't know what you're missing out.

The Long Story? - I honestly can not pick my favourite out of book one and two if my life depended on it. Usually with series one book is always better than the other but not with this series. Synder is such a brilliant writer - I can't pick. If you think things have settled down since the events in Touch of Magic, you are SO WRONG. Things have only heated up and OMG THE FEELS. The plot had me dying every two pages and the cliff hanger at the end of EVERY CHAPTER - not COOL, I could have gone into cardiac arrest. So intense, dramatic and adventurous, Scent of Magic was brilliant. If you like fantasy novels with strong heroines and an epic love story, I highly recommend reading this series! SO GOOD!

Speaking of strong heroines, Avry of Kazan - you are one badass girl! Probably one of my favourite characters to have encountered in YA fiction ( read: anything I've ever read because YA is the only genre I read), there is something about Avry that makes her very likeable. She's so selfless, kind hearted and independent, she's practically the poster child for what protagonists in YA fiction SHOULD be like. Kerrick - even typing his name gives me shivers. He is just perfection! Smart, protective, handsome and A PRINCE! Not to mention when the two of them are together, the chemistry is absolutely combustive! One of my favourite couples of YA fiction, Avry and Kerrick's romance gives love a whole new definition!

All in all, there is nothing else I can say except this series is a MUST READ. I'm not selling a book here, I'm just recommending from the bottom of my heart! One of the best series' I've ever read, Snyder is a brilliant author with a compelling narrative voice and a knack for writing YA fantasy. Scent of Magic does not disappoint and I look forward to reading the highly anticipated book #3 to see where Avry's adventures lead her next!

What's it Worth? - Break Out the Piggybank

Badass Bookie xx

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The Lost Prince

Review Time! Throughout the month of November I did a little Iron Fey read-a-thon so that I could read The Lost Prince before the end of November and VICTORY. Firstly, if you haven't read the Iron Fey series, YOU SHOULD. Secondly, if you haven't read The Lost Prince, YOU SHOULD. You can purchase a copy of The Lost Prince from Fishpond | The Nile | Booktopia | Bookworld. Thanks to Harlequin Teen for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’d dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

The Short Story? - If you're a fan of Kagawa's Iron Fey series, this is definitely not one to be missed! With the introduction of new characters and the appearance of familiar faces. The Lost Prince brings about a round of nostalgia as we revisit Nevernever and follow Ethan, Meghan's brother on a new adventure. Written with Kagawa's familiar and welcomed prose and flair, The Lost Prince is a fantastic start to a spin-off. Highly entertaining, Kagawa strikes again!

The Long Story? - Normally I'm not a huge fan of spin-off series because I've always felt that if a series ends nicely - no matter how popular it is - we should just let it be because more often than not, the spin-off is not as good as the original. In this case, that was the case but I'm more lenient because I absolutely adored The Lost Prince! The Iron Fey was still *better* but I've only read book one and with Kagawa, it's only going to get better so I can't judge yet! The story takes place 13 or so years after Meghan becomes the Iron Queen and follows Ethan, Meghan's brother who was kidnapped in the first Iron Fey. It's a good plot, attention-grabbing and fast-paced but more importantly it was just nice to be back in Nevernever with the characters we love! Ethan and his friends are out to investigate the disappearance of exiles and half breeds and as a reader I really got sucked into the story! Fantastic start to a series!

The old characters - Meghan, Ash and Puck - don't play as big of a role in The Lost Prince as what I expected but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing since it's a new series and that calls for new characters. However I felt that I had trouble connecting with the new characters. I've always loved books written through male perspectives however I found it hard to relate to Ethan because he was so angry all the time! I get that he was meant to be angsty and angry, typical teenage bad boy but he lacked the charm! He was all anger and no appeal! I did eventually connect with Ethan as the novel progressed but it was a bumpy start! Kenzie annoyed me in parts of the novel, she had her heart in the right place but honestly she just made things worst. She's not a particularly strong character and Kagawa has given her a little bit of a damsel in distress feel which doesn't make her the most appealing of love interests but her bubbly personality really reached out to me! Overall, the characterisation wasn't the best but I'm sure Kagawa has plenty of character development planned ahead for us!

In a nutshell, The Lost Prince is definitely one to check out for fans of the Iron Fey series, the ending suggests that Kagawa has something epic planned for book 2 and I doubt she will fail to deliver! The characterisation could do with a little work but I absolutely loved the plot! For those of you missing Nevernever and would love to revisit, The Lost Prince offers you the experience all in a nicely wrapped package!

What's it Worth? - Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

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Confessions Of An Angry Girl

Review Time! I'm currently on holidays and I've been completely slacking off with my reading and reviewing! Forgive me lovely readers! Confessions of An Angry Girl by Louis Rozett is a 2012 YA Debut that was published by Harlequin Teen Australia in September. You can purchase a copy of the from Fishpond | The Nile | Booktopia | Dymocks | Angus and Robertson. Thanks to Harlequin Teen for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Rose Zarelli, self-proclaimed word geek and angry girl, has some confessions to make…. 

1. I'm livid all the time. Why? My dad died. My mom barely talks. My brother abandoned us. I think I'm allowed to be irate,don't you?

2. I make people furious regularly. Want an example? I kissed Jamie Forta, a badass guy who might be dating a cheerleader. She is now enraged and out for blood. Mine. 

3. High school might as well be Mars. My best friend has been replaced by an alien, and I see red all the time. (Mars is red and "seeing red" means being angry—get it?)

Here are some other vocab words that describe my life: Inadequate. Insufferable. Intolerable. 

(Don't know what they mean? Look them up yourself.) 
(Sorry. That was rude.)

The Short Story? - An enjoyable read, Rozett has managed to tackle the controversial topic of starting high school with flair and humour. A strong and opinionated protagonist, a funny and realistic plot and a solid narrative voice, Confession Of An Angry Girl really hits the nail on the head with it's easy approach to life, death, grieving and surviving high school! Rozett's debut puts the ANGRY in angry girl!

The Long Story? - I'm on the fence about Confessions Of An Angry Girl, this book was obviously written for a younger audience and while it does cover a lot of controversial issues that affect people of all ages, I couldn't really get into the book. I *did* enjoy it but not as much as I thought I would.  The plot was solid, it was very realistic and very coming to age. In a way it was refreshing to read Confessions of An Angry Girl because the novel lacked real drama, it was all very superficial and very 'middle-grade'. On the other hand because of the lack of real drama, there were parts that I found really boring. The pace was a little slow for my liking and there wasn't really much depth in the romance side. To be frank, there were elements of the novel that I really liked such as the writing and the ending but overall, it wasn't really my cup of tea! I do know a lot of readers that loved the book but it wasn't love for me. Still enjoyable but not love!

My biggest problem with the novel was actually the protagonist. Now I know the novel is called Confessions Of An ANGRY Girl but I felt like Rose's anger just made it so difficult for me to connect with her. I just couldn't see her side of things and I felt like some of her actions were childish and that she just needed to grow up. Rose had plenty of reasons to be angry but Rose and I were like oil and water. It wasn't her, it was me. I'm not an angry person and I just find it so hard to see the world through Rose's perspective. Jamie was a great character although his role in the novel was really small and he wasn't quite a love interest, I liked what I saw of him. Rozett's characters are all very well developed and they're really strong characters in terms of personality and I'm disappointed that I couldn't connect with Rose as much as I wanted to but overall it was a good characterisation.

Confessions Of An Angry Girl is one of those novels that you're either going to love or hate, it's a very controversial debut. There were elements of the novel that I liked but overall it really wasn't *my* cup of tea due to various reason all which are my fault. It's definitely targeted at a younger audience so if you like MG-YA novels, you should definitely give this one a go! It wasn't for me but going through Goodreads Reviews, I'm definitely one of the minority which didn't enjoy the novel as much as I hoped to!

What's it Worth - Squeeze into the Budget

Badass Bookie xx

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