Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut

"Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt"

"And so it goes...."

I've been sitting here for a while now trying to figure out why I loved this book so much. Its one that has been sitting on my shelf for a while now and I've been told by countless people that "I just had to read it". Now while I don't have the same finesse with words that Vonnegut does I'm going to try and put in to words why you should read this book.

Slaughterhouse Five is the story of Billy Pilgrim who survived the bombing in Dresden and then went on to survive a plane crash but non of this was new to Billy, he knows how his life will turn out due to the fact that he can time travel and so the book jumps through different parts of Billy's life as he time travels. Oh and he also gets kidnapped by some Aliens, who show him that there is no free-will. Your life is already planned out for who, as they say it is only us 'earthlings' who believe in free-will.

Now I know from that brief description it sounds like a science fiction novel, but its far from that, an anti-war novel that contains fiction mixed with fact. Vonnegut's writing is witty and sarcastic and had me laughing out load at moments that shouldn't be funny. He treads a fine line between disgustingly horrific (having to burn the bodies of the dead because the smell is so bad) and humorously entertaining. The scenes in Dresden where breathtakingly sad, as was Billy's life, he marries a woman he doesn't really like, Billy isn't a strong character, he is weak and unable to stand up for himself and he ends up walking through life never really striving to be more because he knows how it all ends.

I suppose one thing we can learn from Billy is not to wish that we knew how everything will turn out and to never become complacent with our lives. Things may not go as planned but we should enjoy the many ups and downs that life brings.

My review has definitely not done this book justice, its easy to read but hard to understand. It will probably take me a few reads of this to make sure I get everything from it. So it goes.

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

“There was no closing my eyes and sliding back into that blissful dream of normal. This was my normal now.” 

The second book in the darkest powers trilogy, starts with Chloe being trapped in the research institute and trying to figure out a way to escape. For those who don't remember Chloe has recently discovered that she is a necromancer i.e. she can communicate with ghosts, except that she isn't just a normal necromancer, her and her friends have been genetically modified by the Edison group, meaning that in some their powers are amplified and in others they are weakened. Unfortunately for Chloe hers have been made stronger, which means that she can't control the necromancers powers and manages to raise the dead, by accident, a lot!

I have to say this was a superb book, full of drama and mystery. Chloe and her friends are out on the streets by themselves, they have no-one they can turn too. After being betrayed by her Aunt, Chloe knows that not everyone is who they seem.

The relationships between the characters are realistic, they may not like each other but they have to stick together in order to survive, there isn't anyone else who knows what they are going through. I have to say though my favourite relationship has to been between Chloe and Derrick  I know their isn't any overtly obvious romance within this book, but you can see the chemistry building between them and I'm hoping Armstrong continues the characters on this path. After reading Bitten in Armstrong's adult series and seeing the relationship between Elena and Clay, you know that the werewolf nature is fierce and protective. So every time Derrick makes a somewhat mean remark, I know that he is showing his feelings for Chloe, even though it doesn't seem that way. Not that I condone mean spirited men, I definitely think he needs to change his attitude and be a little bit nicer to Chloe.

It was well written and engaging, with a great balance of funny and light hearted moments mixed with the angst and horror that make this books such an interesting read. I know a lot of people don't think much happened in this book and that's not wrong. Instead of focusing on a fast pace plot, Armstrong builds on her characters and makes them more well-rounded.

Now I just want to know what is going on with that necklace of hers, it changes colour but why is this significant?

Happy Anniversary

"I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that it had begun."

Yesterday marked the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

On 29th January 1813, Jane Austen wrote to her sister Cassandra to tell her that Pride and Prejudice had been published she described the book as "her own darling child". Jane Austen's novels have managed to transcend time, she created independently thinking female protagonists and paved the way for female writers.

Pride and Prejudice will always hold a special place in my heart, it was the first classical novel that I ever read. The language and imagery within it transported me back to a time when ladies wore amazingly extravagant dresses and hosted balls at their stately homes every other week, when language was everything and one remark could ruin a reputation.

Through the years I have revisited Elizabeth and Darcy many times and I always take something new away from it. As my life changes, so does my experience with this book. Mr Darcy was the first fictional character I ever fell in love with, he was the basis of which I formed my ideal partner (and probably not too dis-similar to my boyfriend). Elizabeth was the type of woman I wanted to be, kind and considerate with her family and those she loved but quick witted and independent, not afraid to speak her mind and stand up for what she believes in.

Pride and Prejudice introduced me to a whole new world of literature, one I am still trying to get through today. It is one of the most highly adapted novels, with the likes of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and not to mention the famous BBC adaption with Colin Firth.

If you haven't read this book, then why not? Trust me you won't be disappointed.

Words with Friends

Even though this blog is only a few weeks old, I have been blogging on and off for the past few years, I've blogged about different interests in my life and also about personal issues but nothing has ever seemed to keep me engaged.

I'm currently in my last year in university (I study biochemistry in case you were wondering) and I suppose now is the time I'm supposed to decide what I want to do with the rest of my life. I love science, I really do but I also love reading and writing and for years I toyed with the idea of working in the publishing industry but alas I've always had those self depreciating thoughts, I'm not good enough and for a while I thought I needed to do something with my chosen degree. Those thoughts plagued me through my second year, I questioned every decision I made to the point where I was harming my chances of even getting a degree.

And then I dropped out (or suspended my degree course) of university, I was confused about my life and who I was, I really disliked the person I saw and so I did the best thing I ever did. I took a step back, took a deep breathe and discovered who I was. I went to counselling, I connected with my friends and family more. I didn't hide who I was and finally I started to believe in myself and the person I could be. It took me two years and a lot of ups and downs to know I was on the right path. I finally had enough confidence to start this blog and post my book reviews which I've been secretly writing for years and I went back to university.

As I said before, I'm currently completing my final year and for once I'm really enjoying myself, I've just finished my January exams, which is why there has been a little bit of radio silence these past couple of weeks, I just haven't had the time to read any books never mind review them, but don't fear I have a few in the pipeline at the moment. My exams went well, I didn't panic and I made and kept to a strict revision system, which fingers crossed will pay off.

So this is my time, to make sure I accomplish everything I want to do in my life. I'm currently writing like crazy to every publishing house I can think of to try and get some work experience and fingers crossed someone takes pity on me. I'm hoping with my science background I could maybe go into educational publishing but I think ideally I would love to be in fictional publishing whether it be teens or adults.

Sometimes in life you just need to take a deep breathe and say I can do this.

Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill

“Awkwardness, thy name is vampire.” 

Friday night bites starts a couple of weeks after some girls bite finished, Merit is moving out of the house she shares with Mallory and into the Cadogan house to fulfil her roll as house sentinel. Once again Friday night bites is full of drama, action and of course a little bit of mystery.

Merit is still struggling to get to grips with her vampire nature, especially since she knows she isn't 'normal'. I loved her sarcasm and wit and we got to see more interactions with people from her human life.  Merit is a wonderful female lead she doesn't become a vampire and miraculously become the perfect fighter, she knows she is weaker than most and she has to fight so much harder to stay on top.

The chemistry between her and Ethan is heating up, they still have their love hate relationship but I doubt that will ever change. He infuriates me sometimes, every time you think they are getting close, he will say something hurtful or dismiss her completely putting them back to square one. I felt really sorry for Morgan, you can tell he really wants to try with Merit but her heart just isn't in it, they do have one pretty steamy scene together though. A few hints where dropped about him at the end and I'm starting to wonder like Merit how much you can actually trust him. I also loved how her relationship with Mallory is playing out, you can see they are both going in separate directions and their friendship is drifting apart, I wonder if this is a hint for what's to come.

Its not as fast paced as the first book, but has a lot more world building and character development, which is always important within a series, you don't want your characters to become flat and predictable.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, it drops a lot of hints and future plot lines and I like the element of dis-trust, you never know who is going to betray them next.

Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill

“He's twenty-nine. And what did you think he was going to look like?"
She shrugged.
"You know-old. Grizzled. Long white beard. Scruffy robes. Loveable, smart, a little absent minded." 
I bit back a grin. 
" I said 'sorcerer,' not 'Dumbledore.' So he's hot. It could be worse.” 

College student Merit is attacked by a rouge vampire whilst on campus, she is however saved (and turned)  by Ethan the Master of the Cadogan vampires. Merit is thrown into a whole new world, where she has to quickly learn to accept what she has become.

I loved this book, I was instantly hooked. Neill does a great job a building a fresh and intriguing vampire world, the plot is nicely paced, full of action and excitement. Neill's characterisation is great, they all have an individual voice with some very witty dialogue. 

Merit is a wonderful character, she is smart, funny and has such a strong personality  I loved how she adapted to being a vampire, it was realistic and even though she doesn't like what she has become she knows she must find a way to learn and adapt and she isn't afraid to kick some ass along the way. Merits relationships with the rest of the characters was great too, especially with Ethan the dark and brooding Master who turned her, she fights him all the way, literately at some points as well, I can tell their relationship will not be an easy one. 

 This book was full of adventure, mystery and a lot of laugh out loud moment. Its a great start to the series, that has left me wanting more.

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

“That's what being crazy was, wasn't it? You thought you were fine. Everyone else knew better.” 

Chloe Saunders is a typical 15 year old girl, worrying about school, boys and now ghosts. When Chloe unexpectedly starts seeing ghosts she is shipped off to a group home called Lyle house, Chloe leaves behind everything she thought she knew about herself and enters a strange new world,where not everyone is what they seem.

(Side note: If you've read Armstrong's other series woman of the otherworld, then you'll probably have already guessed what Chloe and everyone else in this book is but if you haven't then I don't want to spoil the surprise.)

I really enjoyed this book, it was more than just a ghost story, full of mystery and suspense, the scene in the basement crawl space was terrifying realistic, as was Chloe's reaction. If I was stuck in a confined space with dead bodies that have been bought back to life I would definitely pee my pants too.

I loved Chloe's character, she was strong and independent and even when she had been 'diagnosed', she still questioned everything. Her relationship with Simon and Derek was one of my highlights, Derek who is moody, aggressive and creeps Chloe out, yet deep down all he is trying to do is help her discover who she is and Simon the handsome young boy who appears to have no reason to be at Lyle house.Everyone in this house is shrouded with mystery, you never know who to trust. Once again Armstrong has developed well rounded and believable characters.

The only down side to this book was the cliff hanger at the end, I'm eager to find out what happens next.