Author Interview with Liz Coley! FULL

I'm so excited to get to ask Liz Coley some questions, as I recently read, loved and wrote a review of her novel Pretty Girl Thirteen. As I had so many questions I wanted to ask Liz, there will also be a second part of this interview posted soon and am so excited!

Hello Liz, Welcome to A Day Dreamers World and thank you for allowing me to interview you. 

Pretty Girl Thirteen was your new book out earlier this year; for people who don't know could you give us a quick synopsis?

13-year old Angie vanishes without a trace on a Girl Scout camp out and finds herself walking home three years later with no idea where she has been, what has happened to her, or why she is so scarred. In fact, she doesn’t even know she has been missing. In her memory, it’s as if the trip were just yesterday and she’s still thirteen inside. There are secrets you can’t even tell yourself. 

How long did it take you to put pen to paper? 

After a summer of research, the first draft was written in about eight weeks, mostly in the month of November 2009 for National Novel Writing Month. Revisions with my agent took another eight months. As you can see from the calendar, it takes a really long time to bring a book to publication.

Why did you decide to write Pretty Girl Thirteen? 

I had long wanted to write a protagonist with Dissociative Identity Disorder, but I was waiting for the right story to come to me. Then, after reading some scientific articles about the seat of memory in our brains and different articles about new techniques being developed for controlling the firing of nerve cells in the brain, I had a fleeting thought about voluntary memory control. Finally, when the abbreviated title PG-13 appeared to me, almost like a vision, the whole idea clicked in my head and I knew what the core of the story was going to be—the individual stories of a girl’s alters threatened with extinction. It evolved from there.

Are there any ways that you can personally relate to Angie, or the other main characters? 

Fortunately, I’ve never experienced terrible trauma like hers, but I imagine that I would try to be very practical and unemotional about it and focus on survival. I’m more like Girl Scout than any of the others. 

How did you find writing Pretty Girl Thirteen? Did you find yourself sobbing as you wrote? 

For most of the scenes that are frightening, I think I was a bit dissociated myself as I wrote them. I protected my own heart. But the scenes that did make me well-up (and still do after eighty million readings) were the tender ones with Abraim, Little Wife’s letter, the luncheon, and the scene in the grass. No spoilers here! Since I wrote in such a concentrated burst, I was in a really tense, weird mood all that month. The strangest thing was waking up disoriented one night and feeling for just a moment that I was Angie.

Pretty Girl Thirteen deals with so many serious, and mature subjects. How were you able to get the right balance between being honest but it being suitable for Young Adults?

I’m extremely honest with my own teenagers, not prudish or sensitive, even blunt. So that part comes naturally. But I also think that it’s important to write in a subtle way about the mature content so that if readers are too young or innocent, it will go right over their heads, but leave enough implied between the lines that the experienced reader will understand what’s left off the page. My editor and agent were also very helpful in telling me where I could/should rein it back. There was one disturbing image we did edit out completely so it wouldn’t scar impressionable minds. It made me squeamish, too.

 

 

The way you slowly gave away details about Angie's life locked away definitely kept me gripped. How did you piece all of this together to come up with what actually happened to Angie? And do you know exactly what happened now? 

I envisioned the story as layers and layers of secrets unfolding at all the major impact points of a three-act story structure. The first one, that Angie has DID is, of course, given away in all the cover copy and reviews. I had all the other secrets planned out before I started writing (which is unusual for me), but I still needed to work on how to get from each to each. The last secret revealed is really obvious to some readers and hits others over the head with surprise. There are still some secrets at the end of the book, even from me! I have my theories about what Angel refused to say, and I tried to set everything up to support that theory. I figure the story stands up if you can reread it, knowing the answers, and still find it tense and compelling. 

In this book, Angie has to deal with a mental illness called Dissociative Identity Disorder - how did you come up with the different personalities of the 'alters'? Did you base any of their personalities on your friends? 

I daydreamed about the alters on a seven-hour car ride about eight months before I ever started writing. I knew the kinds of roles they needed to play in shielding her from trauma, in her ability to survive and finally escape.  They actually walked out of my imagination and introduced themselves to me, names and personalities, very clearly. I never had to “plan” them out. When I started writing all that time later, they were still just as vivid, as if they were real people I knew. None of them are based on real people, though I do know someone who recovered from Dissociative Identity Disorder.

I found the way that Angie's dad reacted to this so realistic. How were you able to get inside this character's mindset and make him feel guilty in many ways? 

I knew the parents would react differently. Angie inherited her mom’s practicality about getting on with getting better in many ways, although Mom is in more of a hurry to wipe away the unpleasantness. I  knew a father would be really weirded out by what he knew must have happened. He would either be furious and violent or depressed and helpless. I chose a self-absorbed father who suffers most from a feeling of failure. Some readers are really angry at his reaction, but It did feel realistic and totally human to me.  I know people who I think would have reacted that way.

What do you want your readers to take away from the experience of reading Pretty Girl Thirteen? 

After reading reviews and seeing what different people have taken away from the book, I have a theory that everyone who picks up this book reads a different story. The story I read is about memory and identity--that all the events that have gone into making you, both good and bad ones, are precious in their own way. Angie’s truncated diary, the organized toy boxes in the garage, and Mom’s scrapbooks are all ways of honoring past experience. When I sign at bookstores or book festivals, I like to inscribe people’s title pages with the phrase “Cherish your memories.” That’s one of the things Angie learns to do in order to heal.

Are you working on anything new at the moment? 

I’ve got a completed novel that is going out on submission and a proposal under consideration—nothing definite yet.

UPDATE: 15/07/13

There will be no part two, as they were only quick-fire questions and I've lost them as per usual! Sorry!

 

Thank you so much again to Liz Coley for doing this interview with me. If you haven't yet picked up a copy of Pretty Girl Thirteen, go and do it right now!

Twitter | Website | Goodreads

Review: 'Pretty Girl Thirteen' by Liz Coley

We tried so hard to keep you safe...

 

When sixteen-year-old Angie Chapman walks in the front door of her house, everything looks the same.

 

The same, but not quite.

Why is her handsome father's black hair completely grey? Why does her mother collapse in tears? Then they tell her: she has been missing, presumed dead, for three years. But while Angie can't recall a single detail of where she has been or how long she's been gone, there are people who do remember. People who can tell her everything. If only they weren't locked inside her mind.

 

Is she ready to learn the truth about Pretty Girl Thirteen?

 

It's not often you pick up a book that you'll never forget. That takes your emotions and scatters them across the floor. Pretty Girl Thirteen is this type of book. It's concept is a tough read, but one you can't put down. Of course, it's a book for more mature Young Adult readers but it's a really important read. Also very unsuspecting, I thought it would be a fantasy novel where it turned out to be a thriller.

 

Pretty Girl Thirteen is a haunting, harrowing and gripping read that is also heart-breaking and powerful. When I wasn't reading this, I was thinking about it. Angela Chapman has been missing for three years, and she doesn't realise it. Nor until her parents tell her, when she arrives home one day from what she thinks was a short camping trip, and they explain she was presumed dead. The novel is about unravelling what happened in the three years she has been away. The problem is, the people who do remember are locked inside her mind. Then you are faced with the question of how horrifying the truth may be. After a few chapters, the discovery takes place that she has Dissociative Identity Disorder - a mental disorder where a person has more than one personality, that has protected Angie from the truth. Her 'personalities' kept her hidden while they lived the abuse for her. I found this concept so interesting, intriguing but also shocking. The way the story was told allowed what happened to Angie to slowly become undone, and as she learnt more, she also had her 'normal' day to day life to live.

 

This book definitely deals with topics that are all too real in our society. It's an important story to be told, but frightening and something that will haunt you. I mean, I found myself sobbing throughout this book and I applaud Liz Coley for not shying away from a subject like this. I mean, it was enthralling, un-putdownable and heart-breaking. It had it's fair share of twists and turns in it's plot, I've never had such a roller-coaster ride inside a book. There are three main events that stand-out, as well as getting to know the 'alters' that have tried to keep her safe from the truth. I loved how the author was able to created all these different personalities, and make sure they all had a role in Angie's life.

 

As for the character's, I soon found out there was a back-story to them all. One character I thought was really well realised was Angie's dad, who although I wanted to tell him to stand up and stop feeling sorry for himself, by the way I understood him at the end. I thought it was the perfect reaction, because he felt guilty for not being able to protect his daughter from what had happened. I also never thought things would happen, the way the 'alters' would reveal things that would cause anger to bubble inside of me. Angie, what can I say? She was an amazing, and inspiring female. She had to accept what had happened, missing three years of her life and being used. There are scars on her wrists and around her ankles, and the only thing that happens is that she discovers more. The way she dealt with it, was not feeling sorry for herself but wanting to recover. The ending made me love her even more.

 

Honestly, at times I couldn't quite believe what I was reading and how the family couldn't accept a certain point in the novel. One thing I would point out, although the ending was wise, I wanted more. I wanted there to be an Epilogue, or for there to be more information. I mean, there were two things I wanted to know. It made sense at times to not say, but then the part of me that needs to know every detail wanted it. But, just read this book! Although I have to say it's definitely for more mature audiences. Angie deals with years of physical abuse and this novel is upsetting. Completely worth the read nevertheless. As you can see by the length of my review, I can't justify how powerful, moving and quite frankly, frightening this book was.

 

For ages 14 +

4 Stars

 

Everyone needs to experience this, in all it's haunting ways.

Invisible Girl Blog Tour Day 2 : Living on the Streets

Due to some scheduling problems, I get the chance to host today also. Rebecca's post will now take place on Thursday - so you get two posts in one day! Remember to continue tweeting using #IGBlogTour and today, tweet your support for The Railway Children who provided me with the statistics and information needed to write this post!

At the time of the interview, Eddie was 17 and lived with his foster mum and her granddaughter. This was the second time he had lived with this foster parent. The first time was at the age of 13 when he was taken into care due to his mother’s alcoholism and neglect. His foster carer felt that one of the biggest issues was that from the age of ten Eddie had no discipline or parental guidance.

 

“He’s been too independent for too long and he’s had to fend for himself, so the only person he relies on is himself.”

 

After his relationship with his father broke down, Eddie was living rough in people’s garden sheds and sleeping in a relative’s taxi office (for four months). There were concerns about his personal safety and vulnerability. His school referred him to SAFE@LAST because they were concerned about him and social services were unwilling to accommodate him on the grounds that they felt he had accommodation available with his uncle. SAFE@LAST, Eddie and the school were not happy about this decision.

The main support provided by SAFE@LAST was resolving Eddie’s accommodation issues and getting him back into care after he had been thrown out of his home by his dad. Eddie spent a night in the refuge as social services were unable to accommodate him. If the refuge had not been available both Eddie and his carer said he would have been on the streets. Eddie's key worker met him on a weekly basis to discuss the issues he was facing. Eddie said that he felt he could talk to his key worker more easily than other practitioners e.g. social workers or teachers, because he knew she would keep his confidence.

 

 

“I told her everything ... they talk to you like your friends talk to you so you can relate to them more easier. She got me to trust people and talked to me in the right way.” (Eddie)

 

Eddie said that his key worker was able “to give him his confidence back up again" . Eddie is now in stable accommodation and very happy that he is living back with his foster parent. There is no risk of running away.

 

"I don't run away now, there's no point" (Eddie)

 

Life on the Streets, from 'Off the Radar'

"When it was so cold; when your stomach was hurting because you were so hungry and there was nothing you could do about it and when you see people walking past with nice clothes, and I don't know, they walk out of the hairdressers and they've got nice hair. It gets to the point on the streets that you think "is it worth it?"

"When I was younger and living with me parents, I used to hang out on the streets a bit so I did have some knowledge of what It was like to be on the streets but I wasn't prepared for it when it happened properly. It was winter and it was a bit of a shock to the system. I didn't know what to do.

"I've grown up a lot quicker. I know I'm never gonna live on the streets again; I'm never gonna let that happen again...It was a learning curve...In a way I'm glad I've been in that situation being homeless, 'cos, like I say, I grew up a lot quicker and became more wise. It also gave me independence"

"You feel numbness from the fold, aching. Depends where you sleep and if you've got blankets. You just need to stay warm. That's the only thing I was bothered about when I was on the streets: being warm."

I find these stories so inspirational, and they make me appreciate my central heating and being able to curl up, in my warm bed, with a book tonight. I mean, you don't realise until things are taken away from you, do you? Check the post below to find the dates for the other tour posts and remember to follow the tweets using #IGBlogTour and following @DayDreamsWorld. Rememver to check out 'Invisible Girl' by Kate Maryon by using these links:

 

Goodreads | Twitter | Website

 

I'm also asking everyone to answer the question:
 

"If you, just like Gabriella Midwinter, had to live on the streets, what would you want to find buried in your rucksack?"
 

After reading all of your tweets, my opinion has changed hugely. I would pack spare clothes(With many jackets!), a sleeping bag and blankets, along with food. Sadly, I wouldn't bring my books along with me! I wish I could!

 

 

 

The Invisible Girl Blog Tour Day 1 - Introduction!

This week, from May 24th - 31st, it is The Invisible Girl Blog Tour! I have been planning this for around two months now and with the help of the author, Kate Maryon and other bloggers it's finally here. I will be hosting today and on the 31st but remember to check out the other posts on the tour:

25th May - Here!

26th May - Sunny(A Sunny Spot Blog)

27th May - Amber(The Mile Long Bookshelf)

28th May - Ruby(Feed Me Books Now)

29th May - Charli(Life Through Rose Tinted Sunglasses)

30th May - Kate Maryon's Blog (Check it out now for a brand-new competition) & Rebekah(Reflections of a Bookworm)

31st May - A Day Dreamers World ( Home sweet home!)

Throughout the tour, keep tweeting using #IGBlogTour and make sure to keep up to date by following both my account(@DayDreamsWorld) and Kate Maryon's (@KateFJMaryon). Throughout the tour there will be reviews, interviews and stories from the people out there, living on the streets as I write and you read this.

Invisible Girl is out on June 6th and deals with issues surrounding homelessness, freedom and at times domestic abuse. It is both heart-warming yet though-provoking.

Gabriella Midwinter used to have a home. She wasn’t invisible back then…

One day Gabriella comes home to find her bags pack, her dad and her horrible step-mother waiting, ready to leave. Without her. From there she is thrown into life on the streets in search for her only hope, her long-lost brother Beckett. Having been caught between arguing parents and moving house, she knows she is know more alone than ever before. She soon realises that the busy city streets are no place for a young girl. But, where can she turn to?

For fans of Cathy Cassidy and Jacqueline Wilson.

To kick start the tour, a question: If you were Gabriella, what three things would you want to find in your rucksack while on the streets? Tweet using #IGBlogTour or Comment!

Kate Maryon would also like to thank you for joining in with the tour!

To find out more about this book: Goodreads | Twitter | Website

Wednesday Writing: Chapter 1(No More Choices)

This is part two of a story I posted a few week's ago. You can read the Prologue here .

 

My feet hit the marbled flooring, one step after another. My dress holds at my hips, and my hair is pinned up away from my face. My dad's advice. He wants me to be noticed. My dress is a burning fire, licking at my feet and embellishing me in flames. My dark hair is the perfect contrast as I greet the Guards at the main entrance to the Grand Hall - our designated arrival place - and make my way inside. It stretches out for what seems like miles in front of me, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and portraits with intricately drawn features. Drinks are scattered across the room, discarded when faced with a better option and three large dining tables are waiting. For each person there is a placemat, silver cutlery and clear-through glass. But, where my eyes land are the thrones at the end of the room, placed upon a risen platform. The symbol of our country is carved into the head, with a golden rime and velvet cushions. My father wraps his protective arm around my waist and steers me to where our names are on placecards. He, as the Kings Upper-Head Guard, is at the table in the centre and, as the lucky daughter of him, I'm seated beside him. The table is full of dignitaries, or wealthy men from the South, which I find myself pulled into conversation with. Father takes a different tone of voice, I notice, but all I can do is control the anger burning inside me. Why am I here? I mean, this is not the place for a rebel. Yes, I said rebel because that is what I am. Of course, father is yet to know. How could I tell him? Each night, he leaves for his duty at the Palace and I take the quick exit out of my bedroom window, onto my neighbours balcony and clamber down using the different connecting points to the ground.  From there, I run through the city streets, silent under the sheet of stars. Luckily, there is a passage I've found that leads me under the streets within minutes, what I think may have once been used by the Military. The cold, damp and taunting conditions are not one's I favour but how else can I make it to the Railways without being spotted.

 

The Railways - once called the Underground. The meeting place that has never been found. Even with the Queen making trips every few weeks they fail to find us. I sigh, trapped in the Palace indefinitely. I make a mental note to speak to Isabella when I can. There must be a route out of here, maybe a passage leading to an underground chamber?

 

Someone kicks me from under the table and I look up startled. Father glances in my direction, "What?" I blurt out before realising everyone at our table have their eyes trained on me, " I mean, pardon?"

"We were all wondering how exactly a sixteen year-old girl ended up here?" a Gentlemen that I briefly remember seeing before repeats his question.

"That part remains a mystery" I say, as I take a sip from my glass.

"Of course it would" he mutters, just loud enough so I can hear him. "So, tell me, how do you think you were chosen"
I glance around the rest of the room and just s expected, I am the youngest one here. I also notice there are only a handful of females so I choose my words carefully, "My latest testing results probably"

Testing results, one test that determines what you are capable of in just under two hours. Although, they may play a part in them, I'm sure my Father being so closely involved in this is the reason. I mean, leave his daughter just discover what he is doing. Safer to bring her along too. Make it a family trip - if only my mother wasn't dead.

 

Just as I lift my spoon to begin the soup that has been placed in front of me, the room enters a silence and everyone rises. I groan, throw my spoon into the soup bowl causing it to splatter on the tablecloth and also rise. Prince Skye, the King's Son enters first. He is my age, with deep blue eyes and a chiselled face. One thing I notice about him is how he always bits his bottom lip, and the way his blonde hair catches the light. He nods at us, and as he sits down, he glances my way. I give an awkward smile, and he gives an almost impeccable shrug of the shoulders. Something between "I'm sorry" and "It's not my fault". As the Queen enters, in a deep emerald gown, he gestures to me with his hands. At first, I give him a quizzed look back and then realised a lock of hair has come undone - which I quickly fix. Helping me. The Prince is helping me. I repeat it in my head a few times before it registers. And the only thing I can think of is what the Rebels are planning. What I am planning to stop his family. I almost run out of the room but, my father's stern hand on my shoulder keeps me in my place.

 

The next part will be posted in a week!

Book Fandom Cross-overs!

About a week ago, we finally found out who would play Augustus Waters in the movie adaptation of 'The Fault in Our Stars' . I was so excited to finally know who would stand alongside Shailene Woodley, and quite frankly, break my heart. Ansel Elgort will play Gus in the movie and, I really do like this casting choice! He's not exactly how I pictured Gus, but Ansel looks very close to it. I think he's going to be perfect. His announcement was the best birthday present ever!

Although, this means a cross-over between books with Shailene and Ansel playing both Hazel and Augustus, and Tris and Caleb(Divergent). I don't think it's the two Young Adult franchises that matters, but the idea that we will see the play brother and sister, then they have to make their romance In TFiOS believable.  They need to make us obsessive-with-detail booklovers forget about their other roles, and see them as just Hazel and Gus. I saw a tweet on Twitter recently which made me think about this cross-over : "You don't see Jennifer Lawrence in Silver Linings Playbook and wonder what Katniss is doing in Philadelphia". I saw Silver Linings Playbook a few weeks ago, and thought it was amazing. Both Jennifer Lawrence's and Bradley Cooper's performances were incredible. I was so caught up in her performance, I wasn't wondering about Jennifer not holding Katniss' bow and arrow.




They look like a couple!

Veronica Roth shared this photo in a tweet to John Green, with the caption " Oh no! You left your Gus & Hazel in Chicago! " Personally, I love the castings for Hazel and Gus, and I think both Shailene and Ansel will have a really great chemistry. After working together on Divergent, they would have built this up, so by the time they get to the filming they would already have a good relationship. Just like everyone else who is a huge fan of both books, maybe it would have been nice to see different people. I mean, I will struggle to differentiate between the two, and while watching the movie I will probably be thinking : "That's Tris!" . Although, I was never really sure as Shailene Woodley as Tris, the fact she has been cast in both roles, shows she is a great actress.

I think it would have been nice to see different people play the parts. It will be really difficult to see them as brother and sister in the next Divergent movie's, after The Fault in Our Stars and their relationship there. Maybe if they wait a year or so after Divergent to release The Fault in Our Stars, it would work. I just think it will be difficult to see them as separate characters. Although, they could easily prove me wrong when it comes to Divergent. I love them as Hazel and Gus though. The banter between John Green and Veronica Roth is something I'm really excited to see!

What do you think of this crossover?

Talking 'After Eden' with Helen Douglas

Recently, I read and reviewed 'After Eden' by the lovely Helen Douglas. I am so excited to get to quiz her about her novel, along with finding out we share some mutual loves: The Fault in Our Stars and Jake Abel(From The Host).

 

 After Eden is your new book published in July, can you give us a quick synopsis? When mysterious new boy Ryan Westland shows up at her school, Eden Anfield is intrigued. On the face of it, he's a typical American teenager. So how come he doesn't recognise pizza and hasn't heard of Hitler? What puzzles Eden most, however, is the interest he's taking in her.  As Eden falls in love with Ryan, she stumbles across a book in Ryan's living room - a biography of her best friend - written fifty years in the future. Unravelling Ryan's secret, she discovers he has one unbelievably important purpose ... and she might just have destroyed his only chance of success. 

  How do you feel as publication day gets closer, and the reviews start coming in? Excited – yay! My book will finally be in shops. Anxious – what if everybody hates it?  As for reviews – I try to be philosophical about them. Some people will love it (I hope) and some will hate it (inevitably). I’m just focussing on writing the next book. 

 

  How long did it take you to write, and were there any moments when you thought "This could actually get published"? I wrote the first draft in three months, then I put it aside for another three. When I picked it up to re-read it, I had a little shiver down my spine and thought ‘I think I might have something here’. 

What inspired you to write After Eden? I had a telescope for my birthday a few years ago and started taking an interest in astronomy. And around the time, exoplanets (planets outside our solar system) were being discovered every week. I teach secondary school English and I was listening to my year elevens talk about their prom. These thoughts were all in the back of my mind. And then one morning I woke up and thought: what if you fell in love with a boy who wouldn’t be born until after you died? Immediately I wanted to know how that story would be told – I booted up my computer and started typing. 

 

After Eden centre's around time travel, why did you decide to make your book about this? That’s a really good question. I haven’t really asked myself why – until now! I grew up loving Doctor Who and I love the Terminator movies. And I’ve read some popular science books about time travel. It’s just a fascinating concept.   Are there any similarities between you and Eden? If so, what are they? She’s not remotely autobiographical, but we do have a few similarities e.g. I’m also vegetarian, can’t draw, love spending time at the beach. 

 

  What is your favourite book now? The Fault In Our Stars by John Green is one of the best books I’ve read recently. I’ve recommended it to everyone I know. 

 

 

  If After Eden was ever adapted into a movie, who would you like to see play the main characters? That’s a fun question. For Eden I’d like someone like Ella Purnell or Izzy Meikle-Small. For Ryan someone like Jake Abel, though he’s a bit too old now. 

 

  If you had the choice to travel into the future or the past, what timeline would you visit?   I spend hours day-dreaming about this. I’m fascinated by the future. I’d like to travel to 2122 and see what the near future actually turns out like. As for the past, I suspect it would be too dirty and uncomfortable for me, though I would love to visit ancient Greece. 

 

  There are times in this book when the characters are discussing fate, do you believe in it? No – I’m a firm believer in free will. 

 

  Are you writing anything new at the moment? I’m working on a couple of projects right now. One is about a group of teenagers who kill one of their friends to protect a secret. The other is about a camping trip that goes wrong – with a sci-fi twist. 

  Quick Fire:   Perran or Eden? Eden. Laptop or Notepad? Laptop. Fiction or Non Fiction? Fiction. Sweet or Sour? Sour. Past, Present or Future? All three?

 

Thank you so much, Helen!

Review: After Eden by Helen Douglas

If love is in the stars, maybe it will find you one dark night, when you least expect it...

The mysterious Ryan has just appeared in Eden's life -suddenly as if from nowhere. He's gorgeous, irresistible, but of all the girls vying for his attention it's only Eden he seems interested in. Eden's 'best friend' Connor is not so impressed. But, as Eden's feelings for Ryan grow, so her questions about him increase.

Where has this beautiful boy come from and why has he chosen her? In losing her heart, Eden discovers she risks nothing less than the future of plant Earth.

Can we just take a moment to stare at that gorgeous cover? It's so vibrant.

I enjoyed this. No, I really enjoyed this. After Eden is a beautifully crafted, enthralling and exciting read. I fell in love with all of the characters, and couldn't get enough of the unique premise and plot. This was so good.

From the moment I opened this book, I fell in love with the setting - Perran. The descriptions were detailed, and I could picture all of the settings so vividly in my mind. I was able to slip into this world, and quite frankly, didn't want to leave. The writing is also beautiful, I completely adored it. I couldn't seem to get enough, and unlike most Science Fiction books, I learnt a lot from it. The constellations were really focused on, and the plot was perfectly paced.

The part of the novel that is about time-travel is so well understood, although it leaves you asking questions and wanting to know more. After Eden is completely unique. It packs Science Fiction, Romance and even a bit of Contemporary into one. Of course, there is the small subject of the romance between Ryan and Eden. Their romance builds up throughout the chapters, and you find yourself endlessly waiting for them to kiss. I found it so much fun, exciting and very much cute. I mean, it was also hilarious, as they are really a pair of average teenagers. Every page that went by you discovered more about him, and really, the plot become more daring.

Sixteen year-old Eden quickly became one of my personal favourite female protagonists. She was an unsuspecting heroine, and so relatable. One minute she is a normal teenager, studying for exams in a small countryside town - and the next she's thrown into world where Earth's existence in the future is something she is risking. Not only is Eden smart, and holds her wit, she's funny, entertaining and realistic. There was also a very determined side to her, where you will find yourself rooting her on. Other times, she will have you laughing at some sarcastic comment. The way she accepted things I was in awe off. Ryan Westland is gorgeous, outgoing and mysterious. You get to know him a bit more and he is still just that.

 

 This book is effortlessly gripping. I mean, this was just so good. As for shocks, and unexpected twists, it certainly had a few of those. On one occasion towards the end of the book I was on the edge of my seat. I can't really express why I liked it so much, but for some reason I couldn't put it down! The build up to the ending was shocking, and I can't wait to read the sequel.

 

The word I am really looking for is refreshing. It's completely new, exciting, unique. It has an interesting set of characters including a deadly villain and what about that cover? My only downside is the romance is a bit too sickly sweet - although cute.

Rating: 4.5
Recommended for: Ages 12+

Publication: 4th July 2013
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Showcase Sunday #1

This week, it was my birthday, and I got to do some book shopping! I was so excited to re-stack my shelves because I haven't bought many books since Christmas. I tried doing some research online using Goodreads, but after making a list, I walked into the book cover and picked up books I thought sounded good. Here comes my first Showcase Sunday post!

 

The books I got were:

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

I cannot wait to read this! Already tipped to be the dystopia of the year, it also has a gorgeous cover. I am so excited to have it. Although I do have really high expectations for this one, the whole concept seems fantastic and from what I have already read it seems really interesting. There is a part of the cover that has me completely intrigue. If you look inbetween the tree's, there is clearly a city there. In a destroyed world, I'm really looking forward to finding out why that is there. But, I went to WHSmith for this book.

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

I saw this on the shelf and immediately picked up. I wasn't planning on reading this one, and hadn't paid much interest in it, but I vaguely remember seeing a book trailer and thinking it looked good. This is another where I adore the concept. With everything you need, and no parents, you'd think it was great. You could do anything. But, then the world outside is being destroyed. I can't wait to read this one. And it's also set out by days, which is completely different to my usual taste.

Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

I recently tried reading Margeret Stohl's solo debut Icons, but couldn't get into it. The set-up is very confusing and complicated, and after fifty pages I couldn't read anymore. I will definitely pick it up again, maybe later this month, but for now I'm going back to the series I fell in love with.


Pretty Girl Thirteen by Liz Coley

The cover is just gorgeous! I love the colour, the snow globe, everything. And the book itself sounds amazing. I just need to read this one. I think it's going to be so interesting, but also quite dark. There's also this opportunity for a huge amount of mystery and I just really want to know where she has been and why. I haven't heard of this one, but I've just been drawn in.

What books did you receive this week?

Instantly on my TBR + Giveaway

When I'm browsing in a book store, certain things constantly catch my eye. Or when I'm looking online using Goodreads, or searching through the Kindle Store, I always seem to base my book choices on something. Thinking about my bookshelf, there are definitely some themes that seem to be there. There's not really anything that doesn't fit with my other books.

Dystopia - My favourite book is The Hunger Games, and it was the first dystopia I read. It was really the first book I fell in love with, and the whole genre completely interests me. I love the opportunity of a new world, but I adore getting to know the flaws in it. I think seeing this new place come alive, and how it could be our future is not only shocking and quite frightening, but completely interesting. I just adore the whole genre, from the factions in Divergent, to the Pod in Breathe. Everything. Maybe it's the fact I love the not-so-perfect worlds. The latest book that has really caught my eye is The 5th Wave. I'm going out to get my own copy over the weekend.

Interesting Main Characters - Celaena Sardothien was a fantastic character, I just fell in love with her. Yes, she was an assassin, but there was something so different about her. It was the fact she was this assassin who had been given a life sentence, that has made me want to hunt down more interesting characters. I never knew I would love an assassin, or that she would like to read and have a heart. Or at least a bit of one. If there is a book that has a character that I've never read about, I want to read it. It's a new obsession.

Gorgeous Covers: Elegant Dresses, Castles and Simplicity - One of the most embarrassing things to admit is my way of being drawn in by a pretty cover. If there is a cover with a girl wearing a dress, especially when it comes to The Selection novels, I want to read it. Looking in the library, and I always look for the covers. The ballgown dresses are so elegant, I want to begin reading it immediately. Childhood dreams of being a Princess still stick with me, even when I'm almost 14!

Fantasy - At the moment, I am in love with Fantasy novels! I love how they are so engrossing, and mesmerising. The world's these authors create never fail to impress me: there so well described, interesting and it's really a place where anything can happen. Some of my favourite Fantasy ideas are the way Hidden is pieced together, and of course Erilea in Throne of Glass. The Dirges in Small Blue Thing were also really fascinating. You don't know what can happen in Fantasy books, and I just really like surprises in novels.

Action - The promise of action, just like in The Hunger Games, Divergent and Blood Red Road(Which I am so excited to read). I want to read the synopsis and think "This will be exciting". I love a futuristic fight, and it sounds horrible, but I just really enjoy fast-paced, exciting novels that make you think. That make you judge people, so you can completely change your opinion.

Crying - The Fault in Our Stars drew me in because it was clear it would be sad. It was clear I would cry, and would need the box of tissue's at the end of it. Although the hype also drew me in, I love to cry! When I cry, you can assume it was good. I think maybe it's the connections with the characters you get to have, or how messed-up your emotions become but I love this type of book.

An author I love! The promise of John Green's writing, Holly Smale's humour, Suzanne Collin's characters or Veronica Roth's ideas and Sarah J. Maas' world will make me pick up a book any day. These people need to collaborate!

 

What makes you want to pick up a book?

Are any of your choices similar to mine?

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