Review: The Fall by David L Dawson

Title: The Fall

Author: David L Dawson

Series: #1 of The God Slayers Trilogy

Publication Date: January 29th 2012










 

My Synopsis:

Ben has just returned from his journey into the world at age 14, making him a man and ready to settle down, marry and take over from his father as Mayor. They live in a world where Gods at war are destroying the world, and there are also dangerous Felum around, making the world a dangerous place.

Why I picked this book up:

It was offered as a member giveaway book on Librarything, asking for reviews in return, and described as a young adult dystopian, my favourite type of book.

Did it live up to my expectations?

Yes and no, took me a while to get into and some parts annoyed me, but overall I enjoyed it.

What I thought:

This started off with some action which was great, but then it slowed down and took a while to really get going again. The romance with Brian got on my nerves, it went from seeing him different, to being full on in love despite Brian not feeling the same way, the only glimpses we get of Brian make him seem not very nice and I cannot see what Ben sees in him. Skye was an interesting character and I would like to see more of her in the next book. I enjoyed the whole aspect of the Gods warring and ruining the world at the same time, but think this may be one to stay away from if you are quite religious, as it is rather anti-religion. Ben often sounded younger than his 14 years, which seemed a bit odd as he was supposed to be man and marry after that age.

The felum really interested me and I would love to hear more about them.

Overall I enjoyed the second half, but not so much the first half.

My favourite quote/s from the book:

“I want to tell her how I had exceeded against all odds; fought the Felum in pitched battle and avoided a macabre death from Gods and starvation but I can’t. I will never tell her what really happened. All she needs to know is that I am back. I hug her, and I cry, and pretend like I’ve never been away.”

How it stood as part of a series:

This is the first book in a series, it does give some background information, but not all, it also left quite a cliff hanger at the end. I will probably read the next book to give the series a real chance to get better.

Read if:

I’m not sure what you will like if you like this.

Up next for review:

The Fifty Shades Trilogy by E L James

Review: Pushing the Limits

Title: Pushing the Limits

Author: Katie McGarry

Series: Standalone, although there is another book coming out about one of the characters.

Publication Date: August 3rd 2012










 

My Synopsis:

Echo has problems, she used to be popular, but since disappearing from school for a while and returning wearing only long sleeved tops in the middle of summer, she is an outcast, add to that her dead brother, mother with issues and stepmother she hates. She is referred to the new social worker at the school to help her deal with these problems, mainly her memory that refuses to remember “that” night.

Noah also has problems, he has got a rep around the school as a bad boy and is also referred to the new social worker to sort through his problems.

Inevitably the two meet.

Why I picked this book up:

It was getting great reviews and sounded like something I’d really enjoy.

Did it live up to my expectations?

I had rather high expectations from all the raving reviews, but yes it lived up to them.

What I thought:

It’s hard to really put in words how I felt about this book, I fell in love with Noah and Echo (but especially Noah!), fell in love with their relationship which felt natural and real. This book deals with many issues, but done in a brilliant way that anyone can relate to. I also really liked the playlists included at the end of the book. Best for older YA readers as there is mentions of sex and drugs. Overall, the characters felt real, the romance felt real, the whole book felt real and I said to get to the end.

I will definitely be reading Beth's story too.

My favourite quote/s from the book:

“My father is a control freak, I hate my stepmother, my brother is dead and my mother has…well…issues. How do you think I’m doing?”

What a great opening line.

If this book were a song it would be:

Someone Like You by Adele, both completely blew me away on first listen/read.

If this book were a food it would be:

Chocolate, comforting and delicious

Read if: You like contemporary YA

Up next for review:

The Fall by David L Dawson

Feature and Follow Friday: Moods

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read.

Today's question is:

Q: Do your reading habits change based on your mood? Do you read a certain genre if you are feeling depressed or happy?

I don't have certain genres for certain moods, but my habits certainly change based on my moods, I will quite often take a break from a book if I am not in the mood for it, reading something else, then going back to the original book when I am in the mood. Sometimes when I'm feeling down I like to read a depressing book (for 2 reasons, sometimes it will make me cry and feel better, but mostly because it makes me realise my life is good and nothing is that bad!). Sometimes I'm feeling a bit meh, so I'll read something nice and fluffy that I don't have to concentrate on.

Booking Through Thursday: Picking and Choosing

Booking through thursday is a weekly meme hosted by the blog of the same name.

This weeks question:

A while ago, I interviewed my readers for a change, and my final question was, “What question have I NOT asked at BTT that you’d love me to ask?” I got some great responses and will be picking out some of the questions from time to time to ask the rest of you. Like now. Two questions about selecting your books.
Pooch asks:

Overall, what factor most influences your choice of your next read?

Sefcug asks:

What is it that makes you want to read a book by an author you have never read before?

Well obviously what books I have influence what I read next! But also what kind of mood I'm in, sometimes I want something light, sometimes I want something to cheer me up, also how much I have looking forward to a certain book.

Usually it will be the sypnosis of a book by an author I've never read that will make me want to read it, also recommendations and reviews.