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PIECES OF SKY BY TRINITY DOYLE

15/2/2016

49 Comments

 
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Lucy's life was going as smoothly as any teenager's could. She was in the local swimming club, and loved it; she lived with her parents and her brother, Cam, in the small coastal town she'd known all her life. She had friends, she had goals - she had a life. Now Cam is dead, her parents might as well be - and Lucy can't bear to get back in the pool. All she has to look forward to now is a big pile of going-nowhere.

Drawn to Steffi, her wild ex-best-friend who reminds Lucy of her mysterious, unpredictable brother, and music-obsessed Evan, the new boy in town, Lucy starts asking questions. Why did Cam die? Was it an accident or suicide? But as Lucy hunts for answers she discovers much more than she expects. About Cam. About her family. About herself.

Pieces of Sky is a beautifully written debut novel about the effects of death, and the overcoming of fear. - Abooktopia
Lucy Taylor had her whole life planned out. She was the state backstroke champion, and swimming obsessed. But things have changed. Now she can’t get back into the water without hyperventilating and may suffer from a diagnosis of Aquaphobia.  She can’t handle it. Not after Cam, her brother lost his life in the surf drowning.  Was it a foolish accident or a suicide that took her brother’s life? And who is this mysterious girl that he went through all the trouble of hiding?

Unable to venture back into the water, and face her squad with the shame of being Aquaphobic, Lucy reconnects with her wild ex-bestfriend, Steffi. Now with a time table of free-time that had once been taken up by training, Lucy finds that she was once much too caught up in her own swimming career to notice what was truly happening around her.

Desperate to find out what exactly happened that night when her brother left her world, Lucy becomes obsessed with finding out just who this mysterious person is behind the text messages that still appear on Cam’s phone, even though he’s gone now… She may have feelings for new boy, Evan Harris, though all her emotions are muddled up and she can’t seem to disperse how she feels, with her emotions for her brother’s death getting in the way.

I truly adored this all-new debut novel, by Australian author, Trinity Doyle. Trinity tackles the aspects of heartache, friendship and love all in one journey as we explore the true meanings of life. Pieces of Sky was beautifully written packed with hurt and longing, but also filled with hope and love.
***I received a copy of this book in return for an honest and unbiased review***
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Trinity grew up in the suburbs of Lake Macquarie. The kind of kid who would rather write lines than play sport she found her home in books, writing and art. She’s worked as a music photographer, graphic designer; been one half of a diy record label and played bass terribly but enthusiastically in various girl bands.

At 25 she took her vague emo poetry and wrote a novel. Then she spent five years rewriting it. The ASA called her work ‘edgy [and] convincing’ and she thinks that’s pretty neat.

Trinity lives in Newcastle NSW, with her husband, daughter and cat. Pieces of Sky is her first novel

Pieces of Sky by Trinity Doyle

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SILENT ECHO BY ELISA FREILICH

30/8/2015

78 Comments

 
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Haunted by silence, a mute teenage girl is mysteriously given back her voice ... and it is divine.

Rendered mute at birth, Portia Griffin has been silent for 16 years. Music is her constant companion, along with Felix, her deaf best friend who couldn't care less whether or not she can speak. If only he were as nonchalant about her newfound interest in the musically gifted Max Hunter.

But Portia's silence is about to be broken with the abrupt discovery of her voice, unparalleled in its purity and the power it affords to control those around her. Able to persuade, seduce and destroy using only her voice, Portia embarks on a search for answers about who she really is, and what she is destined to do.

Inspired by Homer's Odyssey, Silent Echo: A Siren's Tale is an epic story filled with fantasy, romance and original music.


First things first, I have a love for Greek Mythology. I absolutely loved how Elisa Freilich managed to weave Homer’s Odyssey with modern technology so effortlessly that I was compelled right from the start! The front and back cover of this novel is absolutely gorgeous and stayed true to the story. It makes a wonderful edition to the bookshelf.

Portia Griffin is a sixteen-year-old girl rendered mute at birth. Without her voice she turns to music as her constant companion and her handicapped deaf friend Felix: who couldn’t care less whether she could speak or not. Everything soon drastically changes when she starts to develop a painful tightening sensation in the back of her throat, an ache in her back and uncontrollable mood swings that result in her mysteriously finding her long lost voice. Why can she all of a sudden sing with her alluring voice when her whole life she has never been able to utter a single syllable? But this is no ordinary voice; this is the voice of a Siren. With her dangerous newfound ability to control those around her, she soon finds out that there are others who will stop at nothing to turn her gift into evildoings… Portia must decide whether she wishes to use her powers for the better or worse, and must overcome the evil that is forcing its way in.

I enjoyed watching Portia evolve as she learns about her origin and the history of the original Siren’s tale. It was extremely interesting to see the main protagonist at times act as an antagonist as she battles the evil spirits of the Siren Goddesses.

This novel was an easy and compelling read as it took you from start to finish. Though the beginning may seem to start off slow, all the little details proved to have been of value as the story progressed. I also loved the symbolic of the birds, and the comparison of their singing to that of a Siren’s. I couldn’t help but be amazed by the alluring song lyrics, as I am not a much of a fan when it comes to lyrical poetry as I usually skim right over it.

Silent Echo was an enjoyable debut with a unique premise. I cannot wait for Griffin’s Call to be released along with Taking Flight. I was extremely fortunate to have received a complete full on signed Silent Echo package from the amazing author herself. She is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet!
***I received a personalised signed copy of this book in return***
***for an honest and unbiased review***

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Elisa Freilich has enjoyed a love affair with language from her earliest days. Raised in rural Monsey, New York, Elisa spent her days reading whatever crossed her path and developing a keen appreciation for the ever-present music in her home – from classical to rock. French lessons and creative writing workshops complemented her adolescence, which was also greatly enhanced by a summer spent abroad at Cambridge University. From the time she could read and write, Elisa could often be found composing poems, song lyrics and satirical newspapers.

After her college years at Boston University, Elisa continued her creative pursuits, working as a junior VP of Marketing at a corporate graphic design agency and, later, as an interior decorator. Eventually, Elisa left the workforce to raise her family, in her now hometown of Englewood, NJ.

When Elisa is not writing, her creative outlets still abound. She is fierce with a set of knitting needles, a hot glue gun and any ingredients that can somehow be fashioned into a sinful and highly caloric babka.


Silent Echo by Elisa Freilich:
BOOK 1: Silent Echo
BOOK 2: Griffins Call
BOOK 3: Taking Flight
78 Comments

HUSH, HUSH BY BECCA FITZPATRICK

15/2/2015

80 Comments

 
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A SACRED OATH
A FALLEN ANGEL
A FORBIDDEN LOVE


Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life.

I was given the first two copies of the Hush, Hush saga from a friend who unfortunately did not enjoy reading the series. The plot was intriguing, though I found the first half of the novel slow; but that just showed that Becca Fitzpatrick took the time to think and carefully plan down the details and backgrounds of her characters and their history. It paid off, as I loved the history and explanations that explained the reasoning to the plot.

The characters weren’t perfect, which gave a reminder that no one is actually perfect in reality and everyone has their faults and makes mistakes. I that found that Nora’s character had difficulties in making decisions in her life, and got easily jealous when another girl called Dabria was in the picture of her relationship with Patch. Though I found Nora’s jealously of Dabria incredibly annoying and pointless, it is true that people let unnecessary emotions get in the way of making the right decisions. As the book series progress, Nora’s character matures and develops. As for Patch, he had the tall, dark, mysterious and bad-boy personality thing going on for him that you either loved or hated.

I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoyed Fallen by Lauren Kate, Unearthly by Cynthia Hand, The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, or if you simply enjoy reading YA novels about Angels or Nephilim. 
Book Review by Nora Grey
If you like badass angel books, then you’ll love Becca Fitzpatrick’s amazing romance series Hush, Hush…. - But you’ll love Patch Cipriano even more.

When I first started reading Hush, Hush, I hated it, so I decided to read something else. One day I came across Cynthia Hand’s fantastic series Unearthly, so I started reading that. After I finished the Unearthly series, I fell in love with angel books. So then I decided to continue reading Hush, Hush. As soon as I finished the first book to the series, I couldn’t get enough of Patch and Nora’s love. I just had to barge into the next book. When Patch was spending quality time with Nora’s archenemy Marcie, I cried the most I had ever cried in my life while reading. I was punching everything I could get my hands on except for the book (I would never hurt a book)…

When Becca Fitzpatrick finally revealed the truth, I went Happy for days. My favourite book was the last book – Finale.

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
BOOK 1: Hush, Hush
BOOK 2: Cresendo
BOOK 3: Silence
BOOK 4: Finale
Want to write your own review and share it? No problem! Up the top of the page in the "Books" section there is a little blue button called "Email Me Review"that you can click on which will take you straight to my contacts sections so you can send your review.
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