The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower #1) by Stephen King
Publisher: Hodder
Goodreads Summary: 'The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.' The iconic opening line of Stephen King's groundbreaking series, The Dark Tower, introduces one of his most enigmatic and powerful heroes: Roland of Gilead, the Last Gunslinger.

Roland is a haunting figure, a loner, on a spellbinding journey towards the mysterious Dark Tower, in a desolate world which frighteningly echoes our own.

On his quest, Roland begins a friendship with a kid from New York named Jake, encounters an alluring woman and faces an agonising choice between damnation and salvation as he pursues the Man in Black.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Review: Roland of Gilead is the last Gunslinger. He is on a quest to find the Dark Tower. The only thing in his way? The man in black, who he is always chasing but never catching. A shadow which holds all the answers, yet none of the ones Roland wants. On his journey, Roland will come across two people. As he walks the path to damnation, will he continue or turn around in hopes of salvation?

The Gunslinger is a good story, but contains an overwhelming amount of information. I found some of it hard to process, and read at a much slower pace than I'm used to. The mystery of the story, particularly at the beginning, got quite frustrating for me as I just wanted the story to progress beyond Roland's day to day travels. There are highs and lows, parts of the story I greatly enjoyed, and parts which bored me to death.

Really, there's only one main character (Roland) which is an interesting way of telling a story. Jake's character really intrigued me, he's just a boy from another world, yet insightful and intuitive. The idea of having many worlds is a good one, which really adds to Roland's story.

The style of the text is vastly different from what I'm used to reading, probably because I rarely read adult fantasy with the long descriptions us teenagers seem to get sick of after awhile. I'd enjoy knowing more about Roland's past, however I believe more bits of information will be revealed as the series goes on, for Roland has an extremely interesting character with a significant backstory.

The Gunslinger is a fantasy unlike no other, set in a world with many worlds within. Stephen King's detailed descriptions will blow you away just as the book surprised me. I expected a regular fantasy novel, instead I got an extraordinary one which challenges your views on the world around you.
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from Hachette NZ and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien, George R.R. Martin

The Dazzling Heights by Katharine McGee
Publisher: HarperCollins
Goodreads Summary: New York City, 2118. A glittering vision of the future, where anything is possible – if you want it enough.

Manhattan is home to a thousand-story supertower, a beacon of futuristic glamour and high-tech luxury… and to millions of people living scandalous, secretive lives.

Leda is haunted by nightmares of what happened on the worst night of her life. She’s afraid the truth will get out – which is why she hires Watt, her very own hacker, to keep an eye on all of the witnesses for her. But what happens when their business relationship turns personal?

When Rylin receives a scholarship to an elite upper-floor school, her life transforms overnight. But being here also means seeing the boy she loves: the one whose heart she broke, and who broke hers in return.

Avery is grappling with the reality of her forbidden romance – is there anywhere in the world that’s safe for them to be together?

And then there’s Calliope, the mysterious, bohemian beauty who’s arrived in New York with a devious goal in mind – and too many secrets to count.

Here in the Tower, no one is safe – because someone is watching their every move, someone with revenge in mind. After all, in a world of such dazzling heights, you’re always only one step away from a devastating fall….
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review: Leda, Avery and Rylin are still reeling over the aftermath of that night. Haunted by nightmares and regrets, they all tread a dangerous line, for eventually the truth will come out. A new arrival in the tower may not seem like much of a deal for the girls, but Calliope Brown is dressed to kill. Ready to wreak a havoc, her devious plans may just undermine them all and crown her the new queen of New York...

There's so much character growth in this book, I love it. Leda has many harsh challenges to face, and the realisations she makes will help her become a better, much improved version of herself; Avery may have everything, but it isn't going to last with the ghosts haunting her; and Rylin is thrust into a new world which will make or break her. There is certainly no shortage of drama in this sequel told from the perspectives of Leda, Avery, Rylin, Watt, and Calliope.

The issues covered in The Dazzling Heights are mostly the same as in The Thousandth Floor, which means it does get a bit boring with the lack of new conflict. Certain characters and events were downplayed. Making them a larger part of the novel could've induced more excitement. On a positive note, I enjoyed getting to know Rylin, who did have a bigger part to play.

If you love teen fiction, you don't want to miss this series. The Dazzling heights builds on the layers created in The Thousandth floor and adds more juicy secrets to the tantalising list of lies. New characters, new stories, new dilemmas. Who will end up on top of this deadly tower?       
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from HarperCollins NZ and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of teen fiction.

Spontaneous by Aaron Starmer
Publisher: HarperCollins
Goodreads Summary: A novel about growing up ... and blowing up.

Mara Carlyle's senior year is going as normally as could be expected, until- wa-bam!-fellow senior Katelyn Ogden explodes during third period pre-calc.

Katelyn is the first, but she won't be the last senior to blow up without warning or explanation.With the whole country watching, the FBI soon rolls into Mara's suburban New Jersey hometown and the search is on for answers.
Whip-smart and blunt, Mara narrates the end of their world as she knows it while trying to make it to graduation in one piece. It's an explosive year punctuated by romance, quarantine, lifelong friendship, hallucinogenic mushrooms, bloggers, ice-cream trucks, "Snooze ButtonTM" and the filthiest language you've ever heard from
the president of the United States.

Aaron Starmer defies every rule in Spontaneous, but beneath the outrageous is a ridiculously funny, super honest, and truly moving exemplar of the absurd and raw truths of being a teenager in the twenty-first century-and the heartache of saying good-bye.
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: Mara Carlyle isn't have a normal senior year. If drama, talk of prom and sports is normal, then her senior year was perfectly normal... Until Katelyn Ogden exploded. As Mara's classmates explode, she must try and get through senior year alive.

Spontaneous combustion isn't something I've really heard of, or know much about. But in Spontaneous, Aaron Starmer describes the explosions in vivid detail, down to the icky blood splatters on people around what was just a person. Mara's personality is perfect for this tale, her witty jokes on death are under appreciated.

There are ups and downs to this tale, and I think some parts of Mara are built to be "relatable" however shouldn't have been. Those parts seemed to directly contrast with her personality which is why I didn't like them; I would've preferred a not quite as relatable, but a more genuine girl and main character.

Aaron Starmer has created a hilarious tale about some high school seniors who must rally together as their class mates start exploding. From thwarting the FBI to being confined to Covington, these teenagers are thrown around by the "big kids". Spontaneous is a hilarious tale about how being a teenager is a roller coaster and problems no one foresees can appear in your life at any moment.
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from HarperCollins NZ and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of honest teen fiction.

Perfect (Flawed #2) by Cecelia Ahern
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Goodreads Summary: Celestine North lives in a society that demands perfection. After she was branded Flawed by a morality court, Celestine's life has completely fractured--all her freedoms gone.

Since Judge Crevan has declared her the number one threat to the public, she has been a ghost, on the run with Carrick--the only person she can trust.

But Celestine has a secret--one that could bring the entire Flawed system crumbling to the ground. A secret that has already caused countless people to go missing.

Judge Crevan is gaining the upper hand, and time is running out for Celestine. With tensions building, Celestine must make a choice: save just herself or to risk her life to save all Flawed people.

And, most important of all, can she prove that to be human in itself is to be Flawed?
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: Celestine North is a wanted fugitive. Hiding in plain sight no longer works when one day, Whistleblowers show up unexpectedly and Celestine is forced to go on the run for real. Trust no one is the only way she'll survive, but that doesn't stop the hurt that comes from being betrayed by those thought to have better intentions.

Perfect isn't a tale of perfection, or a story where the main characters get off scot free. Celestine must fight for what she believes in, and when she is offered the choice of freedom she must hear out all the conditions before deciding whether she should accept. We see a little more of Carrick and Art, both their stories are resolved in this book.

There's a great plot spurring on Perfect, but I miss the cut-throat action of Flawed which is why I didn't give this book five stars. Of course I loved the high points of Perfect, but sometimes the plot got really boring and that is the only thing I disliked about Perfect. Judge Crevan seems less villainous but perhaps he shouldn't be.

A romance that irons out all its creases in order to be happy, a future in the free world... What more could you ask of Cecelia Ahern? Perfect brings us a conclusion of sorts to this duo about a defiant girl who dared to go against everything her society stood for and takes a stand for what she believes in even when her life is at stake. Cecelia Ahern is known for beautiful words, and Perfect certainly isn't an exception.
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from HarperCollins New Zealand and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of contemporary romance and dystopia.

The Changeover by Margaret Mahy
Publisher: Hachette New Zealand
Goodreads Summary: A clammy hand pressed Laura down to her knees beside Jacko's bed. It was the hand of terror, nothing less.'

It was a warning. Laura felt it when she looked in the mirror that morning. There had been others: the day her father left home, the day she met Sorensen - the boy with the strange silver eyes.

But nothing had prepared Laura for the horror of today. And now her little brother, Jacko, was fighting for his life after being sucked dry of his youth by the sinister Carmody Braque.

Laura knows there is only one way to save Jacko; she must join Sorensen and use his supernatural powers to change over if there is to be any hope for her little brother.
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: Laura Chant isn't normal. She receives warnings, feelings of premonition which only proceeds bad things. Sometimes, she acknowledges them; but sometimes she ignores them, and what happens after is always unchangeable, set in stone. To save her younger brother Jacko's life, she must talk to Sorenson Carlisle, the school prefect she knows is a witch. But this journey won't be easy...

The Changeover is a short book, nevertheless a good one. It's not often that I read books set in New Zealand, with typical 'New Zealand' problems such as a single mum raising a child (or children!) alone, and lack of money. The book has a great storyline of ups and downs, however what prevented me from liking it more is actually just the fact that it has such an ordinary setting.

Sorry (short for Sorenson) is another thing I really like about this book. His nickname is quite ironic I think, considering his personality which is unveiled bit by bit. I love his broken-ness I suppose, just the fact that his past still haunts him and certainly has stopped him into the boy Laura meets. His mother and grandmother have their own mysteries about them too; his whole family is an intrigue.

One peculiar thing that occurs in this book is Laura telling her mother these supernatural feelings. Although she isn't really believed, in most Young Adult books the main characters just go off on an adventure with little regard or mention of their parents. In The Changeover Laura's mum Kate is still quite a big part of the novel even though they aren't always around. Margaret Mahy has created a next atmosphere in which her characters grow and inspire others.
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from Hachette NZ and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of supernatural stories about ordinary people.

Strange The Dreamer (Strange The Dreamer #1) by Laini Taylor
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Goodreads Summary: The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around—and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old he’s been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance or lose his dream forever.

What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? What exactly did the Godslayer slay that went by the name of god? And what is the mysterious problem he now seeks help in solving?

The answers await in Weep, but so do more mysteries—including the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo’s dreams. How did he dream her before he knew she existed? And if all the gods are dead, why does she seem so real?

Welcome to Weep.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review: "Inside a dream. 
Within a lost city.
In the shadow of an angel.
At the brink of calamity."

Lazlo Strange is an orphan. While working as a Librarian the Godslayer Eril-Fane shows up and Lazlo's dream becomes an adventure. Learning the language of Weep, Lazlo attempts to solve the problems of Weep, a city with hidden mysteries. As for the answers? They lie buried in the past.

There was a man who loved the moon, but whenever he tried to embrace her, she broke into a thousand pieces and left him drenched, with empty arms.

Many characters get a say in Strange The Dreamer, including one cinnamon haired beauty Lazlo sees in his dreams. As the nights pass they revel in each other's company, experimenting and testing the limits of their dreamscape. Their love is unique, and I believe it mirrors the quote above. It is a sad story, one which may or may not have met its end. There's a subtle magic in this romance, although it took me awhile to believe it was real and not just an insta-love scenario.

"That's how you go on. You lay laughter over the dark parts, the more dark parts, the more you have to laugh. With defiance, with abandon, with hysteria, any way you can."

The city of Weep is only a flawed place hiding behind a mask of perfection and the illusion of glory, which Lazlo soon discovers. Those hidden facts lying beneath the surface mean more than most realise, the very definition of a dark past. Strange The Dreamer has a lot of world building and introductions made in the first part of the book, but once that is over there is a great story to enjoy reading.
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from Hachette NZ and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of fantasy and adventure books.

The Vulture In Fall (Rise of the Hawk #4)
Goodreads Summary: "You must rise...rise to the challenges set before you."

With the threat of violence all around, Maevan must finally meet her destiny. But can she do it alone? Her family is making their way to the Summer Palace, but they face dangers of their own. Trelaren takes his first steps to conquer Aemonsha and he's the most powerful enemy Maevan will ever face.

Granada and Sol must defend the Frozen Fortress. Granada worries that she may not be up to the task. Meanwhile, Kolton faces challenges of his own.

Coran worries over his wife as Meirei faces the dangers ahead while pregnant with their first child. Can they survive the pursuers which threaten their lives?

Grave danger and romance await in the fourth and final installment of the Rise of the Hawk series.

He Said/She Said by Erin Kelly
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Goodreads Summary: In the hushed aftermath of a total eclipse, Laura witnesses a brutal attack. She and her boyfriend Kit call the police, and in that moment, it is not only the victim's life that is changed forever. Fifteen years on, Laura and Kit live in fear, and while Laura knows she was right to speak out, the events that follow have taught her that you can never see the whole picture: something, and someone, is always in the dark.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review: Laura and Kit once saw an eclipse together; a beautiful moment, but perhaps they would choose to sacrifice it if only to escape the horror of what happened in the aftermath of that eclipse. Dragged into a high profile trial, they will never be the same. Fifteen years later, they're still running from the past. But eventually they will have to face it...

I definitely have a love/hate relationship with this book. There were moments I absolutely loved, moments I hated, moments where I doubted my thoughts on the events that occur in this book filled with controversy. Laura and Kit both have truly flawed characters, something which I appreciate, but still hate.

He Said/She Said is a multi-sided, a classic who do you believe? tale. I was jerked from side to side, my opinions changing with the completion of each chapter, each dose of information just another slightly zoomed out but still largely magnified big picture.

The characters? Masterfully crafted. That doesn't mean I didn't hate every single one of them at one point or another. In fact, I can almost believe that Erin Kelly actually made them this way on purpose! No character in He Said/She Said is faultless for though they may seem like so at the beginning, this assumption is quickly proven to be just that.

An excellent story with detail, lots of character development and plot twists, what could be missing? Oops, I forgot to mention the sometimes scarce (or nonexistent) action. Action is an important element in my opinion, and it just didn't meet my expectations. Time in the book could've progressed faster and perhaps produced more action but it's only a matter of opinion. Erin Kelly has created a wonderful, complex tale about a young girl struggling to come to terms with what has happened to her.
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from Hachette NZ and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of mystery thrillers and psychopaths.

The Peacock in Summer (Rise of the Hawk #3) by Bekah Clark
Goodreads Summary: The calm before the storm finds members of the First House settling into their new lives three years after the events of The Raven In Spring. Now that the newness of Xenya's reign has worn off, the problems left by Shaezen are starting to wear on her. Renna and Korla join Jorgan in visiting Zenkai who is poised to take full control of the Third House. Maevan and Raikar are starting their new life together and dealing with troubles of their own.

Yet, danger is living in Cardea and events are about to transpire that could shatter the foundations of the world. Can any of them survive the new threat that is about to wash over Aemonsha? And can Maevan fight the growing darkness within her mind?
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review: The daughters of the first house are still adjusting to their new lives. Korla and Renna figure out love while Maevan divides her time between duty and freedom. Queen Xenya continues to face strong opposition and an old enemy reemerges from the shadows. Can Aemonsha stay in peaceful times, or will war control it once more?

Set three years after The Raven In Spring, not a whole lot has changed for these characters. I think fast forwarding is a smart move for the series because it's realistic that problems from Shaezen's reign would start to reappear a few years later, rather than straight away. New romances pop up, but there are strings attached to each one. There's a great setup for The Vulture In Fall, I can't wait to see how all the options are explored.

Maevan is put through yet another test, a situation which strengthens her psyche. Korla and Renna have grown up quite a bit. In The Peacock In Summer, Xenya is finally displayed as a queen, her rule challenged by many. There's a constant conflict happening through every perspective, which keeps it interesting. The mini cliffhangers at the end of each chapter will keep you hooked and attached to the drama.

The new villains really come out to play. I can't decide what to think of Antara, she is portrayed as a minor villain but I think there's much more to her story than that. As for Trelaren... I suppose all antagonists have some appeal, for Trelaren draws me in like a magnet. The Peacock In Summer looks at Aemonsha from a more rounded perspective compared to the last two books as the focus is taken off Maevan. The tempo begins to increase, and tensions will get high as readers are left gasping in shock.
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from the author and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Amazon
Recommended for: Fans of fantasy.

The End of Oz (Dorothy Must Die #4) by Danielle Paige
Publisher: HarperCollins
Goodreads Summary: Ding dong—Dorothy is dead.

I watched as the Emerald Palace crumbled to the ground, burying Dorothy, the Girl Who Rode the Cyclone, under the rubble. And now that the rightful ruler, Ozma, has been restored to the throne…

Oz is finally free.

My name is Amy Gumm. You might remember me as the other girl from Kansas. When a tornado whisked me away to the magical land of Oz, I was given a mission: Dorothy must die.

But it turns out girls from Kansas are harder to kill than we look.

Now the Road of Yellow Brick is leading me away from Oz to the dark world of Ev, where I have a new, powerful enemy to deal with: the Nome King. And—surprise—he has a gingham-clad bride.

With my magical shoes and a shrinking group of allies, I have one final chance to fulfill my mission, and save not only what’s left of Oz, but Kansas, too. As the line between Good and Wicked blurs even further, I have to find a way to get rid of Dorothy once and for all—without turning into a monster myself.

Dorothy once said there’s no place like home. Can I stop her from destroying mine? 
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review: Amy Gumm is the other girl from Kansas. After leaving Dorothy under a collapsing palace, her next mission is to kill the Nome King. Alongside Nox and former bully Madison Pendleton, the Yellow Brick Road transports them to Ev where they'll need everything they have to restore Oz. Many trials will test them to see if they are truly ready to save Oz.

"'Hi, Amy,' she said. Her grotesque grin had suddenly transformed into a joyful snarl. 'Are you going to kill me now?'"

The theme of books one to three is mainly 'kill Dorothy', while The End of Oz focuses much more on other subjects, such as the downfall of the Nome King, gaining a princess's trust, explaining the magical world to Amy's old tormentor, and why of course, relationship drama. Honestly? I didn't expect that Amy and Nox would be so big a part of the book when previously they'd been minuscule at the most. Sure, I love it, but the element of romance just seems strange when the focus has always been war/violence oriented.

"The air around us held still.
Then the world fell apart."

Sacrifices must be mad if Oz is to be returned to its former glory. This section of the book is bittersweet and conflicting, but all turns out to be okay. This quote really makes you think. All the goals you aspire for, they can become impossible moments after you've achieved them. It makes you wonder if all that hard work was pointless, a constant uphill battle. So why try?

"When she took a last step forward, the magic from our shoes rippled like she was wading through water."

Amy/Dorothy's shoes are a crucial part of the ending, something which makes me wonder why Danielle Paige chose to end the series in such an uncertain way, an ending which tells us nothing about the future, or what is to become of our beloved characters. To me, the element of wonder is exciting and all but this series is extremely definite and the ending should've been the same way. You like Oz? This is definitely the right series for you.
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from HarperCollins NZ and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of retellings.

Flawed (Flawed #1) by Cecelia Ahern
Publisher: HarperCollins
Goodreads Summary: Celestine North lives a perfect life. She's a model daughter and sister, she's well-liked by her classmates and teachers, and she's dating the impossibly charming Art Crevan.

But then Celestine encounters a situation in which she makes an instinctive decision. She breaks a rule and now faces life-changing repercussions. She could be imprisoned. She could be branded. She could be found Flawed.
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: 

It was the most perfect moment in my life. 
It was the last perfect moment in my life.

Celestine North lives in a society of perfection; no errors of judgement, no compassion, and perhaps no humanity. When she makes a decision out of love, she finds herself thrust into a world she hasn't seen before. Even her connections can't save her from this one, and she must fight for her rights and navigate through turbulent, dangerous waters. But who can she really trust when everyone has motives?

I really want to give this book more stars, I really do. But it's too much like some other young adult books for me to feel like I can do so, but I tell you as a fellow reader that this is a 5/5 book. Celestine and Art's relationship ends when I expect it to, and I can easily guess many of the 'mystery' parts of the book, though some took me completely by surprise which I love. A few leads were left open to the next book.

When you see something, it can't be unseen. I know, deep down, that this evening I have learned something that can never be unlearned. And the part of my world that is altered will never be the same.

Some parts of the story, I absolutely adore. Events, quotes, actions... They're nothing short of truly amazing. The ending leaves you wanting more, and although I believe I know where the things they want to find are, we won't find out for sure until Perfect. While reading Flawed I thought a lot about instant love in Young Adult books. Flawed has a slight touch of it, but the second part completely swung it around.

You're a child who has found herself in a situation that is so much bigger than she is, and has no idea what to do.

Every character in Flawed has at least two sides, and to almost all, Celestine is just a pawn in their power game. But then there is Carrick, the silver prince whose intentions are never a given and disappears/reappears as fast as lightning. I can't help but be intrigued by him, curious as to who he really is and what he wants with Celestine. Juniper is also a mysterious character to me, there's more about her that needs to be revealed. Flawed is a true Young Adult masterpiece, yet another beautiful dystopian tale.
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from HarperCollins NZ and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of Matched by Ally Condie.

The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Goodreads Summary: Vowing to discover the fate of her missing cousin, a woman returns to her family’s Kansas estate where she spent one haunting summer as a teen, and where she discovered the dark heart of the Roanoke clan that left her no choice but to run.

Lane Roanoke is fifteen when she comes to live with her maternal grandparents and fireball cousin, Allegra, at the Roanoke family estate in rural Osage Flats, Kansas, following the suicide of her mother. Lane knows little of her mother’s family, other than the fact that her mother ran away years before and cut off all contact with her parents. Allegra, abandoned by her own mother at birth and raised by her grandparents, introduces Lane to small-town life and the benefits of being one of the rich and beautiful Roanoke girls. But there is darkness at the heart of the Roanoke family, and when Lane discovers its insidious pull she has no choice but to run, as far and as fast as she can.

Eleven years later, Lane is scraping by in Los Angeles when her grandfather calls with the news that Allegra has gone missing. “Come home,” he beckons. Unable to resist his pleas, Lane returns to Osage Flats, determined to find her cousin and assuage her own guilt at having left Allegra behind all those years ago. Her return might mean a second chance with Cooper, the boyfriend whom she loved and destroyed that fateful summer. But it also means facing the terrible secret that made her flee, one she may not be strong enough to run from again.

As it weaves between the summer of Lane’s first arrival and the summer of her return, The Roanoke Girls shocks and tantalizes, twisting its way through revelation after mesmerizing revelation, exploring the secrets families keep and the fierce and terrible love that both binds them together and rips them apart.
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: Lane Roanoke is a member of the Roanoke family; a rich, have-it-all group. There's just one flaw - all of the Roanoke girls have run, disappeared, or died. When Lane discovers the family secret she chooses to run, but then her cousin Allegra goes missing and loyalty forces her to return and solve the mystery, once again entrapped in the web of lies and resurfacing many memories. Soon Lane must make a life altering choice...

Cooper Sullivan is every bit the dark, mysterious guy that frequents books. As always, I love this archetype and therefore love Cooper. He's a little different though and his relationship with Lane is something I admire, when countless fights and ploys are finally beneath them, after all that time they can still forgive and love.

Dearest grandfather, what have you done? I must say, Lane's grandfather is truly a piece of work. It took me a few chapters to figure out the secret, but when I did, I really was appalled, still am. I wasn't really convinced though, that the whole situation could work out with illnesses or defects? This is simply my core feeling, if forgotten about I enjoyed the read. Osage Flats and Roanoke are closely related, and I really grew to love these twisted characters who can easily be hated if you forget that they too are human and not much more than confused children brought up in a damaging environment.

Throughout the book I debated whether I like Allegra or Lane more, and which I am most similar to. Introduction: I found myself leaning towards Allegra, but once the conclusion was reached, I definitely pick Lane. At least, I really hope to be like her. Tommy definitely wins most interesting character, a "heart of gold" with unclear intentions. This book is explicit and I wouldn't recommend it for sensitive readers.
Purchase Location: ~ I received a copy from Hachette NZ and willingly reviewed it ~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of dark tales.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver 
Publisher: HarperCollins
Goodreads Summary: What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: the world’s most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.

Instead, it turns out to be her last.

Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: Samantha Kingston is living the high school dream. She's popular, has a boyfriend others would due to date and gets heaps of roses on Cupid day. But one fateful night, it all goes wrong. Sam wakes up one day ago, and wonders why. In this haunting tale of life after death Sammy must try and make things right in her last week of life.

Before I Fall is quite similar to We Were Liars, but I like the characters more. Sam has more layers than most would expect from a typical popular girl and it's really enlightening to see her transform in this last week, back to her younger self/personality. The ending is cliffhanger like, but hints throughout the book give you a fair guess at what happens next.

I just want to discuss two characters: Kent McFuller and Juliet Sykes. Both are social outcasts, but much nicer than the popular crew. A huge chunk of Juliet's past is revealed and Sam's attempts to help her have varying degrees of success, though this effort builds the story so much more. Many minor details recur through the days which makes Before I Fall consistent, and the reader watching for differences.

Samantha reminds me of myself. Alas, I have made many of her mistakes, and probably will make more in the future. Maybe this is reader bias here but I think out of the four girls, Lauren Oliver chose the right narrator because the other girls are interesting too but Sam has more to her than them since she hasn't always been popular. Before I Fall is an alluring, enticing and beautiful teen fiction novel.
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from Hachette NZ and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of We Were Liars by E. Lockhart.

King's Cage (Red Queen #3) by Victoria Aveyard
Publisher: HarperTeen
Goodreads Summary: In this breathless third installment to Victoria Aveyard’s bestselling Red Queen series, allegiances are tested on every side. And when the Lightning Girl's spark is gone, who will light the way for the rebellion?

Mare Barrow is a prisoner, powerless without her lightning, tormented by her lethal mistakes. She lives at the mercy of a boy she once loved, a boy made of lies and betrayal. Now a king, Maven Calore continues weaving his dead mother's web in an attempt to maintain control over his country—and his prisoner.

As Mare bears the weight of Silent Stone in the palace, her once-ragtag band of newbloods and Reds continue organizing, training, and expanding. They prepare for war, no longer able to linger in the shadows. And Cal, the exiled prince with his own claim on Mare's heart, will stop at nothing to bring her back.

When blood turns on blood, and ability on ability, there may be no one left to put out the fire—leaving Norta as Mare knows it to burn all the way down.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review: Mare is Maven's prisoner. A puppet and figurehead, she endures the worst at Maven's mercy. Meanwhile, Cameron Cole and the other newbloods are busy planning out their next move against Maven, and possibly a rescue attempt for Mare. But their allies are nothing more than their enemy's enemies, with hidden agendas that threaten to divide them forever.

The first part of King's Cage is Mare's POV. Then, Cameron's POV is smartly chosen and used well to show the rebel (or should I say terrorist) side of things. Later, we have a few chapters from a surprise POV which answers many of your questions from earlier books. We also get some insight into this mystery character's personality and why it is that way. I really loved reading this book, and I devoured page after page but it did drag along quite a bit especially during the earlier stages. This didn't make me lose interest, but I did pay less attention to those pages.

Mare is portrayed well in this book, with things such as trauma and other issues carefully thought out and weaved into the novel. Cameron is but a little girl wondering if she should join the war, but her tough exterior is something I admire. Evangeline is such a troublemaker in this book, her motives unknown. I have a feeling she'll be key in book four. Farley, Farley, still the same brave woman, yet haunted by loss. My baby Cal... I really hope he realises what King's Cage has done to him and wakes up.

We move well outside Norta in terms of territory, and well into neighbouring areas. The climate/landscape is described frequently and consistently in detail. Can we all just stop and take a moment to appreciate Marecal (miracle!!)? Stuff happens in King's Cage. I repeat, this relationship is not dead, and neither is Marven (unfortunately for me). Finally, the hating and "different worlds" thing is shoved aside, albeit temporarily. As for the ending... I'm telling you, it's another Glass Sword, but in my eyes it's worse than that.  King's Cage has a stellar plot, character development and storyline that can't be missed.
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from Hachette NZ and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Quotes:

"I stare at him, trying to see the man beneath the crown." – Mare Barrow, King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard

"Those who know what it's like in the dark will do anything to stay in the light." – Maven Calore, King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard

"I pushed away the people closest to me thinking I could bleed alone." – Mare Barrow, King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard
Recommended for: Fans of fantasy, betrayal and romance.

Carve The Mark (Carve The Mark #1) by Veronica Roth
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Goodreads Summary: On a planet where violence and vengeance rule, in a galaxy where some are favored by fate, everyone develops a currentgift, a unique power meant to shape the future. While most benefit from their currentgifts, Akos and Cyra do not—their gifts make them vulnerable to others’ control. Can they reclaim their gifts, their fates, and their lives, and reset the balance of power in this world?

Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra’s currentgift gives her pain and power—something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. But Cyra is much more than just a blade in her brother’s hand: she is resilient, quick on her feet, and smarter than he knows.

Akos is from the peace-loving nation of Thuvhe, and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Though protected by his unusual currentgift, once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get his brother out alive—no matter what the cost. When Akos is thrust into Cyra’s world, the enmity between their countries and families seems insurmountable. They must decide to help each other to survive—or to destroy one another.

Fans of Star Wars and Divergent will revel in internationally bestselling author Veronica Roth’s stunning new science-fiction fantasy series.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review: Set in a different universe, Carve the Mark tells the tale of Akos Kereseth, a fate favoured Thuvhesit farmer's son and Cyra Noavek, sister of the tyrant Ryzek Noavek of Shotet. Two opposite worlds on two faces of the same plant come crashing together when Ryzek kidnaps Akos and his brother.

I expected more from this book, and perhaps my assumptions were unfair. Carve the Mark took a lot of getting used to; the world is so different from ours, and at first all the references to items of their world are only confusing. The new information seemed to stop for a bit, then start again, a slower trickle which is how it should be. Facts were cleverly repeated many times to ensure readers would remember it.

Cyra's currentgift causes her pain and allows her to inflict in on others. Her brother uses her as a weapon and torture tool. I like how currentgifts can change, evolve as the person does and they have a direct connection to their owners' personality. Akos's gift's reasoning is yet to be revealed, but I'm curious nonetheless. The second half of the book fared a lot better than the first because it contained much more action, plan devising and conflicting matters.

The introduction is conducted poorly, but Carve the Mark is very enjoyable once you've figured out what's happening and what these terms mean. And if in doubt there is a glossary provided at the back of the book. These characters and their 'sealed fates' only make the story more interesting. I was able to predict part of one major event, due to clues hidden in the first chapters. Science fiction, advanced technology, different beliefs and environments... Carve the mark.
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from HarperCollins NZ and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of sci-fi.

8 Rivers of Shadow (13 Days of Midnight #2) by Leo Hunt
Publisher: Gollancz
Goodreads Summary: In a high-stakes sequel, reluctant necromancer Luke Manchett must call upon the most wicked and eerie ghosts of his dispelled Host to save two innocent souls.

It’s been a few months since Luke Manchett inherited a Host of eight hostile spirits from his dead father and made a deal with the devil to banish them. Luke’s doing his best to blend in to the background of high school, to ignore the haunting dreams spawned by his father’s Book of Eight, and to enjoy the one good thing to come from the whole mess: his girlfriend, Elza. And then it all begins again. Ash, a strange new girl with stark white hair, requests his help—and his Book of Eight—to save her twin sister, who was attacked by a demon. Ash knows a lot more about necromancy than Luke and seems to know what she’s doing, but can she be trusted? As Luke is drawn into a spiral of ever more dangerous favors, he finds himself not only summoning the deadliest members of his father’s Host, but returning to Deadside in a terrifying quest to save what he holds dearest—or die trying.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Review: Luke Manchett is no longer popular. Shunned by most of the school, he sits with his girlfriend Elza Moss a lunchtimes as far away from his former friends as possible. When a new girl, Ashley Smith comes as an exchange student from California, Luke's suspicions are high as he knows immediately that something is up and that she isn't who she appears to be.

This book is definitely better than its prequel, but there are still many things I didn't like/believe about it, and it was the ending that made me lower my rating. For instance, tales of resurrection never end with a HEA... It's almost unheard of, and I believed it was an unspoken law that something bad would happen every time. From the information I gained in 8 Rivers of Shadow, it appears that no bad side effects had any chance of occurring in book 3.

Luke's enemies become his friends in no time, one such friendship even occurs wih no betrayal. At first I accepted this, but when it became clear no backstabbing was to occur I disliked it because it seems very unrealistic that former enemies can become instant friends by bonding over a situation with barely any hints of distrust or arguments.

With all that being said, I liked the plotline. Ash and Luke both want to save their loved ones, and desperation creeps into their minds like a vicious poisonous snake. Trust can be a walk into the unknown... Potentially dangerous, but just as likely to be rewarding.

The mystery part of this novel is also written well and became my favourite aspect of the book. The ending left little room for a third book's plot so I'm interested to see what Leo Hunt comes up with.
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from Hachette NZ which I willingly reviewed~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of the "I'll do anything" situation.

The Watcher by Ross Armstrong
Publisher: HarperCollins
Goodreads Summary: The Girl on the Train meets Rear Window, The Watcher is an absolutely addictive and on trend commercial psychological suspense read, with a captivating unreliable narrator and some powerful narrative twists. She's watching you, but who's watching her? Lily Gullick lives with her husband Aiden in a new-build flat opposite an estate which has been marked for demolition. A keen birdwatcher, she can't help spying on her neighbours. Until one day Lily sees something suspicious through her binoculars and soon her elderly neighbour Jean is found dead. Lily, intrigued by the social divide in her local area as it becomes increasingly gentrified, knows that she has to act. But her interference is not going unnoticed, and as she starts to get close to the truth, her own life comes under threat. But can Lily really trust everything she sees?
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review: Lily Gullick spies on her neighbours. A bird watcher, she uses her binoculars to look out her apartment window and make up stories about her neighbours' lives. When an old woman is murdered a night after Lily has visited her, Lily realises that she may have more information on the killer. The police don't believe her, so she conducts her own investigation. Her snooping doesn't go unnoticed, and soon she is being watched too. But the truth isn't always separated from lies...

This book is written in an original style. At first it took me awhile to understand Lily's observations, but the more I read the easier it became. The stories and names generated by Lily's mind were nothing short of intriguing. The story is directed at Lily's father and is similar to the daily diary entries suggested by Lily's therapist Helen. The mystery side of the novel is nice, I predicted the outcome early on, however at various points throughout the novel Ross Armstrong managed to convince me that I was wrong, make me doubt my theory to the point where I began believing Lily's thoughts.

Other than Lily, the characters that intrigued me are the siblings, Chris and Nathan. While Nathan has very few appearances and Chris a few more, they have a great symbolism and aid Lily throughout her adventure. They're complex because they have little reason to help and not betray Lily but some cash and sense of respect/loyalty. Chris also sees Lily as someone other than the "crazy girl down the road".

Lily's dad was very influential during his short appearance in The Watcher. After his arrival many aspects of the story are revealed, a lot becomes clearer, plus some of the truth and lies are separated. Lily's personality is partially a health condition as well as her underlying curious personality. The Watcher tells the tale of a woman trying to do the right thing and solve a murder mystery while being branded as psychotic and troubled.
Purchase Location:  ~I received a physical ARC from HarperCollins NZ and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of mystery and slightly crazy characters.

Visions of Heat (Psy-Changeling #2) by Nalini Singh
Publisher: Gollancz
Goodreads Summary: Used to cold silence, Faith NightStar is suddenly being tormented by dark visions of blood and murder. A bad sign for anyone, but worse for Faith, an F-Psy with the highly sought after ability to predict the future. Then the visions show her something even more dangerous - aching need & exquisite pleasure.
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: Faith NightStar is a cardinal F-Psy, able to see the future. Her visions are one of the most accurate in the world, and her value is priced dearly at many billions. When she escapes her isolated home in search of Sascha Duncan, the only known Psy to have ever escaped the PsyNet, she instead finds Vaughn D'Angelo, a jaguar changeling with his allegiance sworn to DarkRiver.

In Visions of Heat Faith and Vaughn's story takes the centre stage, but Sascha and Lucas are also a major part of the story. This development enables other romances and keeps it interesting. Faith's story is quite different from Sascha's which I liked because it showed the originality of the series. In this book Nalini Singh explores the F-Psy and the consequences of Silence in yet another brilliantly written novel. The plot twists weren't as easy to predict, though mystery wasn't as prominent a part of the story and I thought it was solved a little too easily. Faith's romance with Vaughn worked differently as well, with the similar themes of "I don't want you to die trying to save me", "you're mine", etc which I found slightly repetitive, but perhaps necessary.

One of the things I liked the most about this book is Faith's communication with the PsyNet NetMind. In Slave to Sensation, Sascha was always trying to avoid getting detected by it, which Faith is talking to it and we get a better understanding of how it functions and its thought process. The communication through images is another obstacle they much overcome to achieve the result.

I have an addiction to the author's dual third person perspectives. Something about them makes me love reading the books in this series so much. The emotional side of it affects me as well, but not as much as some other books. Visions of Heat gave us more background and discoveries about the basis of the Psy world, however the storyline didn't move forward as much; I suppose there must be a balance. Something about the book made me enjoy it more than Slave to Sensation, making it easier to write this review and earning it an extra half star.
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from Hachette New Zealand and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of adventure, escape and romance.

Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changeling #1) by Nalini Singh
Publisher: Gollancz
Goodreads Summary: THE HOT NEW NAME IN PARANORMAL ROMANCE.

Nalini Singh dives into a world torn apart by a powerful race with phenomenal powers of the mind-and none of the heart.

In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of "rehabilitation" - the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was...

Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy coexistence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several changeling women. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice-cold Psy is very capable of passion - and that the animal in him is fascinated by her. Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities - or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review:  Sascha Duncan does not have the easiest relationship with her mother Nikita. She is Psy, the race taught not to feel any emotion at all. On top of that, she is a Cardinal Psy, her eyes marking her as different from others, the most powerful type of Psy. When she is tasked with forming a deal with the Changelings, she meets Lucas Hunter, alpha leopard of the DarkRiver clan.

Sascha's flaw allows her to feel emotion, which is expressly forbidden, and should she be found she will be sent into rehabiliation, a place that is rumoured to be worse than death. However the Changelings see a different side of her, and soon she is immersed into their world, cut off from the Psy.

Lucas Hunter is an intriguing hcaracter. He's an alpha male through and throuhg, but he's a little different from both the 'human alphas' in romance novels and the shapeshifter (mainly werewolf) men found in fantasy novels. He is a leopard, but called a panther due to his black colouring in animal form. I found that I like his panther side a lot and his animal characteristics.

There was very little missing or wrong with Slave to Sensation, however I found that the serial killer was very predictable and I guessed it correctly from near the start of the book. I would've liked to hear more about Sascha's mental exercises and how they calm her down as well. A more detailed description of Lucas's panther would also have made me like the book more.

This book contains mystery, romance and paranormal in an all-in-one. No pat of the above lacks when compared to the others, they are equal parts of the book and treated as such. I enjoyed reading Nalini Singh's writing and how she decided to write Sascha's perspective because of her important but difficult choices, her development and changes as well as the hardships she went through in order to survive.
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from Hachette New Zealand and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of paranormal romance and mystery.

Frost Like Night (Snow Like Ashes #3) by Sara Raasch
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Goodreads Summary: Angra is alive, his Decay is spreading—and no one is safe.

Meira will do anything to save her world. With Angra trying to break through her mental defenses, she desperately needs to learn to control her own magic—so when the leader of a mysterious Order from Paisly offers to teach her, she jumps at the chance. But the true solution to stopping the Decay lies in a labyrinth deep beneath the Season Kingdoms. To defeat Angra, Meira will have to enter the labyrinth, destroy the very magic she’s learning to control—and make the biggest sacrifice of all.

Mather will do anything to save his queen. He needs to rally the Children of the Thaw, find Meira—and finally tell her how he really feels. But with a plan of attack that leaves no kingdom unscathed and a major betrayal within their ranks, winning the war—and protecting Meira—slips farther and farther out of reach.

Ceridwen will do anything to save her people. Angra had her brother killed, stole her kingdom, and made her a prisoner. But when she’s freed by an unexpected ally who reveals a shocking truth behind Summer’s slave trade, Ceridwen must take action to save her true love and her kingdom, even if it costs her what little she has left.

As Angra unleashes the Decay on the world, Meira, Mather, and Ceridwen must bring the kingdoms of Primoria together…or lose everything.