The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Title: The 5th Wave
Author: Rick Yancey
ISBN: 9780141345833
Publish Date: May 2013

Synopsis:

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one. Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave. On a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, until Cassie meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan may be her only hope for rescuing her brother and even saving herself. Now she must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up. Cassie Sullivan gets up.

My Thoughts:

This book has been given a lot of attention, both negative and positive. Where do I stand on this? Somewhere in the middle.
The 5th Wave is a post apocalyptic, alien invasion novel told from various points of view (which seems to be a lasting trend these days.) Ultimately the story is mainly about Cassie who has had everything she ever cared about taken from her by the Others, and she is on a mission to get some of it back, starting with her brother.

I love the whole sci-fi, alien invasion thing, even the smattering of romance was nice touch despite the cliches. The world building was good and the characters were well written and believable, the action was high and suspenseful, but something just didn't do it for me. I started out not being able to put it down, but as I progressed it seemed to lose steam and I was left with a feeling of 'been there done that.'
Don't get me wrong it still was a thoroughly enjoyable book that has left me wondering what will happen in the next installment, but it just seemed to be lacking something that I can't quite put my finger on.

Diamond Spirit by Karen Wood

Title: Diamond Spirit
Author: Karen Wood
ISBN: 9781742373157
Publisher: Allen and Unwin
Published: 2011

Synopsis:

Jess's beloved pony has a terrible accident and thinks her best friend Shara had something to do with it. So she feels that she has lost not just one best friend, but two. New friends and new horses come into her life along with the chance to complete in the Longwood campdraft. And does Walkabout help to heal her broken heart?

My Thoughts:

This book has been on my radar ever since it was released and to be perfectly honest I have taken a long time considering whether or not to read it. As most of my readers may have realised I will read a wide range of books and I enjoy reading not only adult and young adult but books aimed at children as well. Being a horse lover and someone who has previously owned and cared for horses, I love reading books about horses. What I have come across in my many years of reading horsey fiction is that a lot of it tends to be the same thing, usually something along the lines of, girl starts riding at new fancy stable/riding school, makes new friends and enemies, enters some form of competition/show and insert resulting conflicts here. Now while I find nothing wrong with this kind of story after a while it does become a bit stale. This book is none of these things!

 I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading Diamond Spirit that although some of the situations are very much the same it comes across in a more down to earth and realistic setting. It really did feel like a dusty, horse smelling breath of fresh air. Diamond Spirit captures the realities of horse ownership and life in country Australia. Strong characters, plenty of drama and a hint of romance really make this book stand out.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to young horse loving teens.

What I Read

Today is my last day of holidays. After two luscious weeks of relaxing I have to go back to work tomorrow. I did manage to sneak in some extra reading time in between the many hours of doing not very much and here is what I read.

Across the Universe

by Beth Revis

Diamond Spirit

by Karen Wood

Greylands

by Isobelle Carmody

The Face on the Milk Carton

by Caroline B Cooney

The Ruins of Gorlan

by John Flanagan

Picnic at Hanging Rock

by Joan Lindsay

Being a generally slow reader this many books in a two week period is an amazing feat for me, even if they were all easy to read. I may post reviews of some of these titles, but not all of them as these were really just read for my own pleasure and I was not intending to review any of them. They were all great books to sit back and relax with over my holidays.

What did you enjoy reading over your holidays? 

What Tears Us Apart by Deborah Cloyed

Title: What Tears Us Apart
Author: Deborah Cloyed
ISBN: 9781460898291
Publisher: Harlequin Mira
Publish Date: April 2013

Synopsis:

The real world. That's what Leda desperately seeks when she flees her life of privilege to travel to Kenya. She finds it at a boys'orphanage in the slums of Nairobi. What she doesn't expect is to fall for Ita, the charismatic and thoughtful man who gave up his dreams to offer children a haven in the midst of turmoil.

Their love should be enough for one another-it embodies the soul-deep connection both have always craved. But it is threatened by Ita's troubled childhood friend, Chege, a gang leader with whom he shares a complex history. As political unrest reaches a boiling point and the slum erupts in violence, Leda is attacked…and forced to put her trust in Chege, the one person who otherwise inspires anything but.

In the aftermath of Leda's rescue, disturbing secrets are exposed, and Leda, Ita and Chege are each left grappling with their own regret and confusion. Their worlds upturned, they must now face the reality that sometimes the most treacherous threat is not the world outside, but the demons within.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book, it was emotional, raw and shockingly real. I was really able to picture the war torn slum and it made me realize how many things I take for granted everyday. My heart went out to the characters as I was drawn deeper into their world. 

All the characters were beautifully complex, and I couldn't help but wonder if I would have reacted in the same ways as they did if I was in their positions. 

The format in which this book is written took a bit of getting used to but I enjoyed the way it pieced the story together.

I would definitely recommend this book.

Roll With It by Nick Place

Title: Roll With It
Author: Nick Place
ISBN: 9781742704333
Publisher: Hardie Grant Books
Publish Date: March 2013

Synopsis:


Career cop Detective Senior Sergeant Tony ‘Rocket’ Laver is a policeman with issues. Sure, he may have been returning fire, but the fact remains that Laver is the sixth Victorian policeman to shoot a suspect in four months, and that’s all the politicians need to get involved. While the circus of an inquiry begins, Laver is moved from Major Crime to the Mobile Public Interaction Squad ... aka the mountain bike police. Bitter, struggling to cope with the fatal shooting – not to mention his flailing relationship, Rocket is now wearing lycra and getting a sore butt on his bike seat.
Laver’s friends and bosses in the force tell him to keep his head down until the storm blows over, but that doesn’t factor in Stig and the Wild Man, two genuine bad guys Laver encounters on Smith Street,Collingwood. In innercity and outer-suburban Melbourne, major crime is in the air. Lives might be in danger but nobody will listen to a cop on the outer.

My Thoughts:

Roll With It is not your typical crime novel. It took me a little while to get into this one, but once it started to pick up speed it rolled along at a nice pace. It was a refreshing read with a light smattering of humour and a wonderful mixture of colourful characters.
I recommend this book to someone looking for a light-hearted, fun, crime novel

Mini Reviews

Due to lack of time this month I am going to be posting a couple of mini reviews.

A Ring Through Time by Felicity Pulman.
(ISBN: 9780732294885)

Alice 'Allie' Bennett Has moved to Norfolk Island with her family, where her ancestors had also lived. Finding herself an 'outsider,' Allie is determined to find out the truth about her ancestors involvement in the islands past.

A Ring Through Time is haunting tale of love, betrayal and sacrifice. It illustrates perfectly how easily the secrets of the past can be lost. Well worth reading.

Thanks to Harper Collins Australia and Netgalley for the ARC.

 Saving Grace by Fiona McCallum
(ISBN: 9781430898284)

After three years in an unhappy marriage Emily Oliphant decides to leave her husband and start over. Not an easy feat when your husband is one of the wealthiest land owners in the district, but with the help of her friend Barbara, Emily slowly begins to reclaim her independence and follows her dream.

Saving Grace is a story of new beginnings and having the strength and courage to move on when the world falls down around you. A nice light read, but the ending is left wide open for the next book in the series, making it feel unfinished.

                                    Thanks to Harlequin Australia for the ARC.

Hooked by Liz Fichera

Title:  Hooked
Author:  Liz Fichera
ISBN:  9781743562451
Publisher:  Harlequin Teen
Publish Date: February 2013

Synopsis:

When Native American Fredericka ‘Fred’ Oday is invited to become the only girl on the school’s golf team, she can’t say no. This is an opportunity to shine, win a scholarship and go to university, something no one in her family has done.
But Fred’s presence on the team isn’t exactly welcome — especially not to rich golden boy Ryan Berenger, whose best friend was kicked off the team to make a spot for Fred.
But there’s no denying that things are happening between the girl with the killer swing and the boy with the killer smile...

My Thoughts:

I thought I would have a hard time getting into this book, I am definitely not sports minded and this seemed like a very sports orientated book, but I was pleasantly surprised. Even though this book has a sports theme it is the deeper themes that shine, and the handy glossary at the back help with the unfamiliar golfing terms used throughout the story.
In one respect Hooked is a classic 'follow your dreams' story, but on the other hand it also tackles some bigger issues such as racism, bullying and the socio-economic division that is sadly a big factor of our everyday lives.
I loved the characters of Fred and Ryan, it was enjoyable to watch them develop and grow as the story progressed. In their efforts to find themselves and decide what they really want they make some annoying and stupid mistakes that I am sure most readers will be able to relate to. These details really capture the essence of growing up.
Overall Hooked is a fun and enjoyable contemporary romance. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Thanks to Harlequin Australia for the ARC.