FIVE FEET APART by Rachael Lippincott with Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis

“Can you love someone you can never touch? Stella Grant likes to be in control – even though her totally out-of-control lungs have sent her in and out of the hospital most of her life. What Stella needs to control most is her distance from anyone or anything that might pass along an infection and jeopardize the possibility of a lung transplant. Six feet apart. No exceptions. The only thing Will Newman wants to be in control of is getting out of this hospital. In one week he’ll turn eighteen, and then he’ll be able to unplug himself from all these machines and actually go see the world. Will’s exactly what Stella needs to sat away from. But now six feet doesn’t feel like safety. It feels like punishment. What if they could steal back just a little bit of the space their broken lungs have stolen from them? Would five feet apart really be so dangerous if it stops their hearts form breaking too?”

What is the book about?

Stella Grant and Will Newman both have cystic fibrosis, a disease that keeps them from living with the freedom most of us take for granted, but they both act in very different ways. Stella lives to be in control, even though her lungs are totally out of control. The thing she has to control the most is her distance from other CFers because one wrong move and she might find her life ending quicker than expected. Stella takes her treatments and medication seriously, giving herself more time, and most importantly her parents more time with her. Will Newman is the complete opposite. The only thing he wants is to finally get out of hospital and stop letting his messed up lungs dictate where he spends the rest of his life. Will knows it's only a matter of time before he dies and he isn't going to let anything stand in his way of actually living. Will is exactly what Stella needs to stay away from, but of course he's the one she wants. At first she doesn't understand why she is helping this boy out with his treatments and trying to keep him on this planet for longer, when clearly he doesn't care what happens to him. But soon six feet no longer feels like safety for either of them. It's a punishment. But what if they could steal back some more time and space that their broken lungs have stolen from them? Five feet apart couldn't possibly be so dangerous, if it keeps their hearts from breaking too…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Five Feet Apart had been on my never-ending list of books to buy for quite some time and when I finally got it for my birthday, I was ecstatic to begin. There was a lot that made the book stand out to me. For one, the book cover was beautiful and made me think that maybe the book would be wonderful too. The blurb was also very interesting and I really wanted to see how Stella and Will's love story turned out. One last thing that convinced me to try the book was the amount of incredible review and comments on it, and once I started reading it I completely agreed with them all. The start was amazing and the story flowed really well. I was in love with the book from the very beginning and I cannot believe how quickly it ended. It was very fast-paced from the very first page and I soon reached its end, regretting how quickly I read it and wishing to forget it all so I could experience it all over again. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was probably Stella because of how in control she was. I think her control over her medications reminded me of how I like to be in control and to have everything as close to perfection as possible. I liked seeing how brave she was and how she coped with not being able to control her lungs. She wanted to keep living not just for herself, but for her parents. She saw how she kept them sane and if they lost her, they probably would even be able to take care of themselves. One of the best things about Stella was how she helped Will and wanted to keep him alive, even though she knew she was risking her own life to do it. She was willing to risk her chance for more time all for him, and didn’t regret her decision for a second. This was one thing that made me see that she wasn’t just a control freak, but that she actually cared about other people and wanted others to get the same opportunity she had; she wanted them to live. Stella learnt a lot from Will, but she also taught him a lot and gave him the chance to give his medical treatments another try and to actually attempt to live for longer than most people thought he would. Stella gave him hope. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

The book had a lot of good parts, some sad and others happy, and I enjoyed every single one. However, one that I enjoyed above all else was Will’s birthday surprise. I can’t say much about it because it is a surprise but there was a lot about it that made me choose it as my favourite. One thing about it was that Will had never really had any opportunities to have fun and just relax, as he had spent his whole live moving from hospital to hospital. I liked that he got to celebrate his birthday properly and that at least he would now have a happy memory in a hospital. Another thing that I liked was how much was risked to give Will a good birthday and how the others didn’t hesitate, even though there was a lot to lose. The moment didn’t last very long but it was a short amount of time where they were happy and where their disease didn’t dictate how they celebrated and who they celebrated with. It was one of the rare happy moments in the book, but it was one of the happiest.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall Five Feet Apart was absolutely incredible and there is nothing that I could change to make it any better. One thing that I really liked about the book was that it was written from 2 perspectives. I really loved hearing both Stella and Will’s points of view and getting to see both their reactions to certain things. It was funny to see how they reacted differently to certain things but also how they both kind of denied their feelings for the other. It was very cute to see how they both coped with having to be apart and to see how they both helped the other change and become a better person. Neither of them would have been the person they were at the end of the book without the others help and I really enjoyed getting the chance to see that. The last thing I would like to mention is the ending which I both liked and disliked. The thing that I liked about it was that it was probably the safest and best way to end the book and it left me with hope that Will and Stella would be able to find their happy endings. I liked that it skipped to 8 months later as I was able to see how they were doing and if they were really living their lives as they had wanted. What I didn’t like about the ending was that it left me wanting more and left me feeling empty. I wanted a lot more for Will and Stella and, even though I knew it wasn’t possible, I wish the book could have ended a little differently. The ending was both sad and happy and, as a whole, the book was incredible.

Would you recommend this book?  

I definitely recommend this book, particularly for readers over 14. It is a really incredible book and if you enjoy impossible romance then this is certainly the book for you. I know that anyone who picks up this book is sure to enjoy it and end up in tears.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A magical, impossible romance from five feet apart.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

LORE by Alexandra Bracken

“Hunt or be hunted. In modern day New York, a murderous game is about to begin: the Agon. Every seven years, for one week only, Zeus punishes the gods and makes them mortal. Forced to walk the earth, they are savagely hunted by the descendants of ancient bloodlines who are eager to kill a god and seize their divine power and immortality. After her family was brutally murdered by a rival line, Lore Perseous fled, turning her back on the Agon’s cruel promises of eternal glory. For years, Lore had honoured her parents’ memory by doing one thing – surviving. For years, she has pushed away dark thoughts of revenge. Until now. As the next game dawns, Lore finds Athena gravely wounded on her doorstep. The goddess offers her an alliance against their mutual enemy and a way to leave the Agon behind for ever. But Lore’s decision to rejoin the hunt will come at a deadly cost – and may not be enough to stop the rise of a new god with the power to destroy all of humanity…”

What is the book about?

Every seven years, as a punishment for the gods, Zeus makes them mortal for one week and forces them to walk the earth where they are hunted by the descendants of ancient bloodlines who are desperate to claim a god's divine power and immortal for their own. This ruthless game – the Agon – is about to begin in modern day New York and once again hunters and gods alike will fight to the death to try and survive this deadly week. Lore Perseus wants to be free from the Agon ever since her family was murdered by a rival line in the last Agon. She fled and turned away from the cruel promise of eternal life and glory. Lore is the last mortal of the Perseus line and has been able to honour her family's memory by simply surviving. For years Lore has been able to push away feelings of revenge and hide from the heartbreak the Agon caused her, but now she must fight once more. The arrival of a lost friend brings many emotions to the surface and Lore must find a way to survive through another Agon. At the start of the next game, Lore finds a wounded Athena at her doorstep offering her promises of allegiance and revenge, something she has been trying to avoid for so long. Lore must choose and her decision to rejoin the Agon may not be able to stop the rise of a god with the power to destroy the whole human race…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

After reading the Percy Jackson books, I had learnt a lot about Greek mythology and discovered that I had an interest in these powerful gods and heroes. One of my friends also has a rather major obsession with books like me and so when I went to her house I found myself returning with a bag filled with magical stories I had yet to discover, and one of them was Lore. The second I saw the book I knew I was going to enjoy reading it; however there was something more that made me very intrigued to try it. The author of Lore is the same author as the Darkest Minds series, which I had really liked reading, so I was very excited to read another one of her books. The blurb was really interesting and very informative, which is getting very rare for most books, and I already had many questions before even opening the book. Once I started to read I could see the book had promise with all the extra details that were given, including a map. As soon as I started to read I completely fell in love with the story and enjoyed every second starting from the very first word. Although it was a bit confusing at the start and it took me a few chapters to refresh my memory on Greek mythology and to properly understand what happened, I soon finished the last page, even though I had wanted the book to last. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

A favourite character was very hard to choose for this book because there was something special about a lot of the characters. One character that I really liked was Miles because he was mortal. He had the choice to escape, he could have left New York, he could have been free from all the nonsense of Greek mythology, but he stayed. He didn't want to leave Lore to fight alone and he wanted to help. He chose to help his friend over his own safety and put his life on the line when he wasn't even a part of the Agon. Miles has no proper training and knew nothing about it but he threw himself into it with no hesitation and wouldn't take no for an answer. His friendship with Lore was one of the things that I loved most about the book and I really wish it was shown in more detail. Another character that really stood out to me was, obviously, Lore. She was the main character and so I learnt a lot more about her that any other character and I could also see how she felt a lot more clearly. Orphaned at a young age and forced to suffer through the pain of knowing she was responsible left Lore feeling alone, even when she was surrounded by those who loved her. She saw what the Agon could go to people and how even the most innocent, like her little sisters, couldn't avoid the torture of being born into it. All Lore wanted as a child was a chance to fight and to bring good fortune to her family, but now all she wanted was to escape the Agon and to never have to witness anything as horrible as her own family’s corpses again. Freedom was obviously not an option for her, but she never gave up and, even if it made matter for her even worse, as long as she helped her friends and saved as many people as possible, Lore didn't care if she was trapped for ever. Lore was ready for anything and she would never stop fighting for what she believed was right. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

There were a lot of good parts in the book and I loved basically everything, search using just one was an impossible choice. One part that stood out to me was near the end. At this part, Lore knew that everything was most likely over and she would never be free, but there was hope in her and I knew that she was ready for anything. No matter what happened Lore would find a way to be with her friends and to get back to the home that she had grown to love. She knew there was a chance that she would be alone for the rest of her Life but she was prepared for it and still believed that there was a possibility for something more. I think that it was that hope and friendship and love that led to the amazing ending of the book and that without that positive attitude things would have ended much more tragically. The ending was better than I could have ever imagined and I don't think that there are many books with an ending greater than this one.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall I really enjoyed reading Lore and I don't think that anything could be done to make the book any better than it already is. There were many things about the book that made me see how incredibly amazing it was but it wasn't until the end that I truly appreciated the story and realised how much I actually loved it. One thing I liked was the flashbacks. Most books that have flashbacks and give you parts of the story bit by bit are ones that I really enjoy. This is because I am always on edge waiting to receive the next clue. It's always very effective in keeping me interested because there is usually something that I wish to know and many questions that I will not leave unanswered. The flashbacks to Lore's childhood were amazing for another reason too: the character development they showed. I got to see Lore as a child and understand how the trauma she went through shaped who she was and the reasons for why she was so desperate to escape the Agon. Another thing that I really enjoyed about the book was the romantic relationships. There was one couple (and I promise you will know who I mean the second you read about them) who literally had chemistry radiating off them. The second they spoke to each other I was already reading between the lines and sensing the possibility of romance starting up. Once the couple finally got together I was so happy I could barely keep it together. There was also another couple that I was very happy to see together but I think that the chemistry should have been a lot stronger between them. However, the romance was written very well and I enjoyed it very much. One other thing that made the book even more incredible was the amount of plot twists there were. I found myself surprised on multiple occasions and physical gasped at one point. I really love being caught off guard and being as surprised as if something actually happened in my life, and this happened quite a lot in Lore. It is something that made me see how well written the book is and how connected I was with it. The main thing that I loved about the book was the ending. I don't think I've ever read a more perfect ending. In most books I read I have always not just wanted, but needed more. Lore however, was different. I wanted to read on but I already had a sense of how things would go and the possibilities the ending provided to the characters. It was an ending full of hope and I had every one of my questions answered. I knew that it was the end and I didn't feel like there was something missing, I just felt a bit lost and lonely in my bedroom without the characters I had spent so long with. I hope to have the chance to read other books like this and experience another magical story like this one. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I definitely recommend this book for readers who enjoy Greek mythology, adventure and a lot of plot twists. I think that it is best for those over 13 and if you have some vague knowledge of the Greek gods you will find it much more enjoyable. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A ruthless hunt with twists and turns that you will never see coming. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

DAUGHTER OF THE SIREN QUEEN by Tricia Levenseller

“‘My father’s ships will be at the sirens’ mercy. We will be the ones to reach the island first and claim its treasure for ourselves.’ Alosa’s mission is finally complete. Not only has she recovered all three pieces of the map to a legendary hidden treasure, but the pirates who originally took her captive are now prisoners on her ship. Riden, still unfairly attractive, is a constant distraction, but at least he’s under her orders this time. But when villainous Vordan exposes a secret her father has kept for years, Alosa and her crew find themselves in a deadly race with the feared pirate king. Despite the danger, Alosa knows they will recover the treasure first… After all, she’s the Daughter of the Siren Queen. 

What is the book about?

Alosa’s mission is complete. After defeating Draxen and the rest of his crew she headed towards Vordan and recovered the third and final piece of the map. Now she is not only headed to indescribable treasures, but the crew that originally took her captive are now imprisoned on her own ship. This time Alosa has the control, and no one, not even Riden, can change that.  Now Riden is the one under orders, and not even his unfair attractive looks can stop Alosa from getting what she has been working towards her whole life. But when Vordan reveals a secret her father has kept from her for years, a secret that could change how Alosa sees the world, Alosa and her crew find themselves on the run from the pirate king. Alosa is in a race against the most powerful man in all the seas and she must get to the treasure first or they will never escape the reign of the pirate king. But Alosa knows they can do it, that she can lead her crew to victory because…she is the Daughter of the Siren Queen and ruling is in her blood. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Reading Daughter of the Pirate King was amazing. Everything in the book was perfect but I was desperate for more. I knew I needed to find out what happened next and how Alosa would get to the siren treasure. As soon as possible, I grabbed Daughter of the Siren Queen and started to read. Before that I read the blurb and at first I was a bit confused. The blurb listed some things that hadn’t yet happened, like getting the third piece of the pirate treasure, and I was worried that I had missed something. Luckily I found that the first chapter already answered my questions and I was soon ready for another adventure. The book started immediately with the first sentence grasping my attention. Daughter of the Pirate King had been an incredibly fast-paced book with action around every corner and I was very glad to find that the second book was exactly the same. Even though I had only just read the first book, I had missed Alosa and her crew and was very happy to get to carry on the adventure. Even from the very first word I knew that this book was going to be another added to my favourite book collection and I was ready for anything that happened. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character, like in Daughter of the Pirate King, was Alosa. The main reason why I liked her in this book was because of how she treated her crew. In the first book of the duology I was unable to see the relationship she had with the people she spent most of her time with,  but during this book I was given that opportunity. Despite being the daughter of a ruthless pirate who controlled all the sea, Alosa was nothing like him. She might have learnt a lot from him about being a pirated but she was different. To her, the crew was family and she would do anything for them. Pirates are usually seen as monsters that care about nothing except treasure and their own life – and maybe their ship – but Alosa had a bond with everyone in her crew that no one could break. She chose each one for a reason and they all held a special part of her heart. Obviously Alosa was a brave killing machine, which made her all the more likable, but when she showed that she was like every other human, that she had a heart and would put her own life at risk for any member of her crew, that was when I knew that she was the best character and that she would be an incredible pirate queen. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

There were a lot of good parts in the book, some shocking plot twist and heart wrenching deaths that made this an amazing book, but there was one part that was undoubtedly my favourite. Throughout the majority of the first book and most of this one I found that I was basically screaming at Alosa and Riden constantly. I could see they loved each other and they were meant to be together, Alosa’s whole crew could see that they loved each other, even the crabs under the sea could see that they loved each other, but those two stubborn idiots just wouldn’t admit it. Every single time they were close to getting together something had to get in their way, someone else or sometimes even their own stupid pride, but once it finally happened I was beyond happy. My favourite part was, of course, when they admitted their loved for each other. Technically, it was Alosa that admitted her feelings because Riden had already made those clear, but it was the first time where they were both ready to be honest to each other. The only thing that might avert my love for this part was when they kissed and knew that there was nothing that could change how they felt and that the kiss was different, new and showed that they would always be there for each other. Alosa and Riden were perfect for each other and everyone who read this duology will agree with me. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really loved reading Daughter of the Siren Queen and, just like the first book, I think it was perfect. The best thing about the book was probably that it was very fast-paced. Every second was full of action, adventure, secret and more and I was never once bored of the book. I enjoyed everything about it and I found that every single word had a hold of my attention. Another thing that I enjoyed about the book was the anticipation and the nervous feelings I had throughout most of the book. The pirate king managed to keep not just the characters scared that they would be caught, but also me. I felt like I was really there and I was anticipating a huge battle and the end of the pirate kings reign, but I was also worried for Alosa and her crew. There wasn’t any part of the book that didn’t make me feel something, which leads me on to another reason why I loved the book: the emotional connection with the characters. The book was only in Alosa’s point of view but I felt a connection to all the other characters. The book made me feel like I was really a part of the crew and that I wasn’t just reading a story. The story made me want to laugh, cry, scream and do all three at the same time and it also made me want to throw the book across the room. There is only one book series that beats the stress, anger and annoyance I had while reading the book and I’ve got to tell you that I have never wanted to physically attack two characters as much as in that one series, and Alosa and Riden aren’t that far behind. Their relationship was just so annoying that I seriously wanted to strangle the two of them and force them to kiss each other. It was so obvious that they were meant to be that I just couldn’t deal with all the interruptions and their own pride. There is only one thing that ruined the experience of reading Daughter of the Siren Queen and that is that the book was not the right size. The dimensions of the book were way bigger than Daughter of the Pirate King which meant that they didn’t match. However I am not letting this change my opinion of the book as it really was amazing. I am very glad that I chose to try this book and I will never forget the experience. 

Which is your favourite book in the Daughter of the Pirate King series? (1 or 2)

This was an impossible decision because I adored reading both books equally and they both had something that made them stand out. The first book – Daughter of the Pirate King – was better because of the relationship between Alosa and Riden. I laughed so many times at the tension between the two and the attitude they both had. They were both so similar which meant it was very difficult to tell who won in a competition of cleverness, sass and sarcasm. The interrogations were the funniest thing ever and I could tell how much they liked each other, which made everything better. It was obviously annoying that they didn’t get together, which is one thing that makes Daughter of the Siren Queen better, but I really enjoyed reading about how they began to fall in love, although neither one them could tell what was happening. The reason the second book – Daughter of the Siren Queen – was better was because it connected with my emotions a lot better. In the previous book Alosa was on a hip with people she hated and didn’t care about, but in the second she was aboard her own ship and with the crew she considered family. This meant that when something happened she was connected with it on a much deeper level, which affected my own emotions. I was also incredibly tense during the whole book because of the constant threat of the pirate king being right behind them. The first book made me laugh and the second made me cry, and I don’t know which is better. 

Would you recommend this book?  

If you are looking for a fast-paced adventure filled with action, adventure and some perfect romance then read this book!!! This duology is perfect for readers who easily get bored and are looking for something new. I recommend it specifically for readers over 13 but if you are ready for an incredible pirate adventure then do not hesitate to try out this book.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

The sequel to the incredible Daughter of the Pirate King that follows Alosa and her crew in a race against the strongest man on the seas. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

DAUGHTER OF THE PIRATE KING by Tricia Levenseller

“‘There will be plenty of time for me to beat him soundly once I’ve gotten what I came for.’ Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map – the key to a legendary treasure trove – seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship. More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate, Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.”

What is the book about?

Seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa is the Daughter of the Pirate King and she has been sent on a mission to find part of an ancient map that will help her discover the location to a legendary treasure trove. Alosa deliberately lets herself get kidnapped by the pirates of the Night Farer, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship inconspicuously for the map. Alosa’s skills mean she is more than a match for the pirate crew, even on her own, leaving only the unexpectedly intelligent and rather good-looking first mate, Riden, standing in her way. Riden seems to believe that she actually wants to remain on the ship for an important reason and sees through many of her tricks, but Alosa is not an ordinary girl and no lone pirate has the strength to stop her. However Riden turns out to be more of a problem as Alosa begins to spend more time with him and discovers that he is not as bad as she though after all. Alosa must find the map before it’s too late, or there is no telling what will happen to her…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

When I was told about Daughter of the Pirate King I was really looking forward to reading it. My friend had said that she had really enjoyed the book and though that it was the better version of To Kill a Kingdom, so I was even more interested in trying it out to compare the two books. Once I started to read I knew for sure that my friend was right and that this book was definitely the better book. The blurb was very interesting and found that it really intrigued me and got me more excited to begin the story. Daughter of the Pirate King started really well and I knew it was going to be a good story almost immediately.  It was a really fast-paced book, even from the beginning and I found that so much happened in the space of just one chapter. Alosa was the perfect character to narrate the story and I could tell I would like her from the very first page. I finished the book a lot quicker than I thought I would and was soon desperate to get my hands on the sequel, Daughter of the Siren Queen, to continue Alosa’s story. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

I think that my favourite character was most likely Alosa because she doesn’t fit in to single gender stereotypes. Alosa is a pirate, and a better pirate than most men, and she is strong and brave and always ready for battle. In the book, I could see how Alosa was different to the stereotypical girl and how she had the confidence to show the world that she was a woman and yet better than most men. Even though she was a pirate, she still had a lot of feminine qualities and liked to show that just because she was a pirate, she didn’t have to always act and look like one. She like wearing pretty clothes, being clean and feeling beautiful like a lot of girls and didn’t just fit into a single stereotype, she had feminine and masculine traits and liked to show that. Another thing that I like about Alosa was her attitude. There were a lot of funny parts of the book and I enjoyed the interactions between Alosa and Riden because of how stubborn and sarcastic Alosa could be. Even though I knew that Alosa wasn’t actually a prisoner, I liked that she didn’t let being on board a ship that wasn’t her own change her personality and that she wasn’t going to give her captors the satisfaction of seeing her scared or weak. Alosa was a really strong and powerful character and she wasn’t afraid to show it. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

Daughter of the Pirate King was so amazing that I found it really hard to just decide on one part as my favourite, but there was one part of the book that I really enjoyed. My favourite part of the book was probably the unexpected twist in the story. I cannot say much about it because it will ruin the book for anyone who hasn’t yet read it, but I can say what made it so incredible. Obviously, I liked the plot twist because it was very surprising and I love the feeling when you are so shocked at the story and so anxious to find out what happens next that you almost forget that it’s not real. Another thing that I liked about it was that it was when I was absolutely 100% sure that the main characters actually cared about each other and that the romance was real. I liked that they were able to show that they liked each other, even if they were both too unsure and stubborn to admit it, and that it wasn’t just a one way relationship. One last thing about this part was that it showed that it isn’t just the girls in stories that need saving but sometimes the boys too and that in a real relationship the saving goes both ways. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Daughter of the Pirate King was basically perfect and I loved every second of it. One thing that I really enjoyed about the book was that it was fast-paced but I was never even confused once. I found that it felt that I had read the book a lot quicker than I really had, although I did read it really quickly, and each chapter kept me excited for the end. Another thing that I liked about the book was the plot twists. The twists might not have been the most shocking but they were very interesting and I liked the excitement of adding a new turn to the story. One of the twists I had discovered beforehand and I absolutely loved what it added to the story, but the most amazing thing was that one of the twists was absolutely unexpected. If I had looked at the clues I would have easily discovered the truth, but it was so well hidden and I hadn’t been expecting it that it had left me completely surprised. One other thing that I really liked about Daughter of the Pirate King was the romance. The romance was really well written and I really enjoyed the relationship between them. Even though they were quick to fall in love it felt like it was slow and steady, and I could see that the characters had really grown to like each other and were clearly made for each other. Also, and I know this has nothing to do with the actual story, the book cover was really smooth and soft, the pages were thicker than normal and really nice, the book was bendy, the pages smelt great and the font on the front cover and the chapter numbers was really nice. All of those qualities are great in a book and made me love Daughter of the Pirate King even more than I already did. I thought that the book was amazing and even though it was fast-paced, it wasn’t rushed. I loved everything about it and I don’t think that there is anything that I would change as there is no way that the book could have been any close to perfection.

Would you recommend this book?  

I absolutely recommend you read this book, particularly for reader over 13 who enjoy action, adventure and romance. If you were interested in trying out To Kill a Kingdom, I suggest reading Daughter of the Pirate King instead because it is much better and of the same sort of genre. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A fast-paced pirate adventure with incredible twists and a magical romance. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

TO KILL A KINGDOM by Alexandra Christo

“‘I have a heart for every year I’ve been alive. There are seventeen hidden in the sand of my bedroom. Every so often, I claw through the shingle just to check they’re still there. Buried deep and bloody.’ Princess Lira is siren royalty and revered across the sea until she is cursed into humanity by the ruthless Sea Queen. Now Lira must deliver the heart of the infamous siren killer or remain human forever. Prince Elian is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world, and captain to a deadly crew of siren hunters. When he rescues a drowning woman from the ocean, she promises to help him destroy sirenkind for good. But he has no way of knowing whether he can trust her…”

What is the book about?

Princess Lira is a siren, but not just any siren, she is the Prince’s Bane and next in line for the throne. She has always tried her best to make her mother proud and prove to her that she is worthy enough to be the next siren queen. But the Sea Queen finds her weaknesses, no matter what she does, and will do anything to keep the crown for herself. Lira has followed her rules and done her best to be the daughter her mother wants, but it’s not in her nature to be obedient and she soon finds herself in more trouble than she had though. Now Lira must steal the heart of the infamous siren killer, or remain human forever. But Lira may find that her punishment does more good to her than expected, and that what her mother thinks as weakness is really what makes her strong. Prince Elian is heir to the most power kingdom in the world, but he cares nothing about that. He is the captain of a crew of siren killers before anything else and the ocean is his home. He sets off on a new adventure to save humanity and destroy sirenkind for good, but his quests turns out to be harder than he thought. After he saves a strange drowning woman from the ocean, he discovers that she holds the answer to his problem and that she will help him with his mission to stop the murderous sirens forever. But can he really trust the girl who seems to want nothing but his death…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

To Kill a Kingdom was a book that I saw often when looking at book recommendations and was interested but I hadn’t really thought about reading it until my friend brought it to me and told me that I had to read it. Unlike all the other books my friend asked me to read, To Kill a Kingdom was one that she disliked immensely. She had also seen it recommended a lot and saw how popular it was but she hadn’t enjoyed reading it at all. She wanted to see if she was the only one who thought it was terrible, or if I would have the same opinion, and I was happy to comply. I started the book with low expectations and was happily surprised when I found that it began really well. The blurb was really interesting and I knew immediately why I had initially been interested in the story. The very first sentence already had me hooked and I thought, at first, that my friend was crazy to not have liked it. The start was full of suspense and I found myself desperate to read on. However, as I started to get nearer to the middle of the book, I quickly lost interest and found that it felt as if the author had almost given up on writing and just went with the most expected plot. At the beginning the book was amazing, just as amazing as many of the books I read, but the more I read the more disappointing the book got and I soon found that I was forcing myself to finish so that I could properly review the story. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

Usually when I read a book there are so many really remarkable characters that I find choosing just one almost impossible. However, To Kill a Kingdom made choosing a favourite character impossible because there were no good characters in the book. There was zero character development throughout the book and I thought that most the characters were annoying and just plain boring. At the start I had like Lira because of her strength and power and how she needed a prince – not to love but to kill. I thought she was a very interesting character because of how she tried to impress her mother in everything she did and make her proud, which makes her very relatable because most children want to make their parents see that they are worth something. However after a little while Lira started to get a bit annoying and I thought that she switched too much between the kind-hearted side of her to the cut-throat, unstoppable, brutal side. I feel like she was sometimes two different people and that her romance with Elian was too far-fetched. I understood her protective relationship with her cousin and how that made her caring but I don’t think it seems very likely that a murderous siren could just fall in love after only a few weeks. I don’t think any character was my favourite but, if I had to look at the whole book and at my opinions throughout it all, Lira would come out as one of the top few. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

In most books I read I find this question rather difficult to answer because there are just so many amazing parts to consider as my favourite that I can’t choose between them. Sometimes I even write more than one part as my favourite because the book is just so incredible that I cannot decide. To Kill a Kingdom was the exact opposite. I cannot choose a favourite part because I basically hated the whole book and didn’t like a single bit about it. I guess if I had to really look at the book and choose a favourite part I would say it was the beginning 2 chapters, which are in Lira’s perspective. The opening sentence was amazing and it made me feel like the book was going to be marvellous – which was a bit annoying seeing as it wasn’t true. However the first few chapters were really good because they gave an interesting new view on humans and at first it felt like a twisted version of The Little Mermaid. I really enjoyed Lira’s chapters because she was nothing like the stereotypical princesses who need saving – when she was near it was the princes who needed saving, but it was impossible to help them. I feel like the book could have been much better if the romance was better or not there at all as it would have provided a story where the princess didn’t need a prince to feel complete or to save the day. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall To Kill a Kingdom wasn’t one of the best books I have read and I didn’t really enjoy it. The book started off really well and I found it very interesting at the beginning. The starting sentence – “I have a heart for every year I’ve been alive” – caught my attention really well and I enjoyed learning about the sirens. However, the more I read the less I enjoyed it and I found that I had to force myself to finish the book because I hate leaving a book without finishing it, no matter how terrible it is. I think that a book so terrible should not be allowed to have such a good first sentence because it confuses so many readers and makes them expect a wonderful book. I took literally centuries to finish this book, which is really unlikely, and found that I basically didn’t like anything about it, other than a few chapters at the beginning. It was a very stereotypical enemies to lovers romance novel, only with sirens also involved. One of the reasons why I disliked the book was because there was no character development. It was very difficult to see how Lira was changing because of Elian and how the same was also happening to him. Although their romance was expected, it was hard to tell that they were actually beginning to like each other and the start of their romance was extremely abrupt. Also their first kiss was extremely random and I thought that Lira’s personality in that part of the book was nothing like the one she had had throughout the rest of the book. Another reason why I didn’t enjoy To Kill a Kingdom was because of how everything that happened was exactly what I expected. There were no plot twists, no interesting discoveries and no surprising problems in their journey. I was able to predict basically all the events in the book before they even happened and I disliked not being surprised. This is what made the book so boring and what made me so uninterested in Lira and Elian’s story. One last reason why I didn’t like the book – probably the main reason – was because it didn’t connect with me on an emotional level. While I was reading To Kill a Kingdom I knew I was reading and I hated that. Usually when I am reading a really good book I forget that I’m reading, I forget where I am and who I am, and the only thing that is real is the fictional adventure I am going on and the fictional characters that I have met, but this book was nothing like this and I hate not having that feeling. To Kill a Kingdom didn’t make me sad, or angry, or happy – I didn’t feel anything at all for the characters – and for once it actually felt like that characters weren’t really there and were only figments of my imagination. The best thing about reading is when it makes you feel something, when you cry, or laugh, or scream, because of the characters and I missed that when reading this book. I really don’t see how To Kill a Kingdom could be such a popular book and I feel like reading it was a waste of my time. I really disliked the book but I didn’t regret reading it because at least I can stop anyone else from making the mistake of buying it. I am looking forward to reading another book that is apparently similar to To Kill a Kingdom so I will be able to compare the two siren stories. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I do not recommend reading To Kill a Kingdom, especially for people who find it difficult to concentrate on reading a slow, boring book. However if you would like to try the book out I suggest you read it from ages 13 and over and it would be best for people who enjoy fantasy and romance (enemies to lovers style).

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A slow-paced fantasy romance story full of action and adventure. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES by Jennifer Niven

“Theodore Finch wants to take his own life. Violet Markey is devastated by her sister’s death. They meet on the ledge of the school bell tower, and so their story begins. It’s only together they can be themselves… But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink. How far will Violet go to save the boy she has come to love?”

What is the book about?

Theodore Finch wants to take his own life. He spends most of his life worried about the Asleep and the other part experiencing it. Violet Markey has a normal, perfect life until her sister’s death changed everything and made her revisit her thoughts on life. They meet on the ledge of the school bell tower both considering the same thing and wondering what would happen if they jumped. Together, they manage to get down and carry on with their lives, but now they are connected and their story begins. They both feel that life is not what it should be, that they should be able to be happy and feel free all the time, but it’s only when they are together that they can be their true selves. Violet spent the time after her sister’s death being cautions and fading into the background almost as if her life had stopped, but Finch is the opposite and he thrives in making himself seen and showing the world that he is a part of it. Violet has never met anyone like Finch and she begins to see that just because she is alive and her sister isn’t doesn’t mean that she isn’t allowed to live. But as Finch helps Violet’s world grow, his own begins to shrink. He starts to change and it’s almost like he isn’t present at times. Violet must make a choice and she must find a way to save him, but how far will she go and how much is she willing to do for the boy she has come to love? Violet has already lost one person she loved and she doesn’t want to make it two. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Most books that I liked to read where mystery and adventure, fictional books that bring magic to life. But when I started this blog I wanted to try out as many new genres as I could and I also wanted to read books with more important meanings. All the Bright Places was one of the books that had caught my eye when I was looking for young adult fiction books. I had really enjoyed reading The Fault in Our Stars and All the Bright Places was suggested for readers who liked it, so I thought I would try it out. I have always found that most the books I liked were too unrealistic and made me have rather high and strange expectations for real life, but All the Bright Places was a story that, even though it was fictional, still gave a realistic view on life and how not all stories end happily. The blurb made me even more intrigued and I was very interested in learning how someone who wants to die teaches someone else how to live. The book started really well and I was already hooked from the very first sentence: “Is today a good day to die?” I found that every page was more interesting than the last and I was ready for anything. I quickly found myself at the end of the book, and now I partly wish that it had never finished. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was definitely Theodore Finch. Violet was also a great character, but Finch was the one who made her life better and, even though she also did this for him, he was able to show her that she didn’t have to stop living just because her sister died. Finch was a rather odd character and he acted kind of crazy at times. One of the best things about him was that he saw the good things in life a lot better than others and was able to see the beauty in the world clearer than Violet did. When Violet visited somewhere that wasn’t relatively nice she told herself to look at it through Finch’s eyes and then everything became beautiful and magical. Although he had suicidal thoughts and always researched and considered different ways to die, he was still a really good and even inspiration character because of how he lived life to the full, as if every day was his last day. The strange thing about him wanting to die was that, despite how horrible his day, he always found something good to use as a reason to stay alive, no matter how small it was. There is one thing that makes me rethink my choice of Finch as my favourite characters, but there was so much good in him, that it is easy to ignore. Finch had his own problems and he struggled to stay present in the world, but he was still able to show Violet that she shouldn’t give up on life just because she is alive and her sister is not. It seems weird that a boy who wants to die is able to show someone how to live, but Finch had a really deep understanding on living and how you have to let go of your fears to be able to enjoy your time on Earth. He gave Violet an experience that she will never forget and he changed lots of people by just being himself. He was present for those he loved even when they barely payed any attention to him and didn’t acknowledge that he had a problem. Finch gave me, as a reader, a realistic view on what it’s like to be a teenager that is bullied, has problems of their own and sometimes thinks that life would be better if they had never existed. He might have been real, but he made some wrong choices and even though it is normal to make mistakes, it is important to see that sometimes a different path is better. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

There were a lot of good parts in All the Bright Places and a few bad, but there was one part that I remember really well and really enjoyed. This is the part when Violet and Finch were on top of Purina Tower and Finch mentions the Jovian – Plutonian effect. At first I was a bit confused at what he was saying and why he was discussing something so strange, but once he explained himself I knew that it was one of the sweetest, nicest things ever. It was like Finch declaring he loved Violet without saying those 3 special but simple words. Although he had already said “I love you”, hearing how he put his thoughts into words and managed to describe what Violet made him feel like so perfectly was one of the most beautiful and romantic things ever. It seems impossible to be able to explain just how much you love someone, but he made the most accurate description ever with just one simple thing. It might have been weird, but it showed Violet the true Finch and how he felt about her. They knew they were in love, but this gave them something special just for them that would explain their feelings without saying the words that so many people use to express themselves. The scene was perfect and, in a book that is meant to be realistic, this showed me that there are times when life is good and when it feels like you are living in a fairy tale, but you have to suffer to get the good or you will never appreciate those moments and you will miss them when they come. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, All the Bright Places was a really incredible book and there was a lot that I loved about it. The number one thing that made me love the book was how realistic it was. The characters were real, the story was real, but it was all fictional. When a fictional book is real, it’s one of the most wonderful things ever. I really liked how some of the things that Finch and Violet said and thought were really relatable and put some of the things that go though most teenagers minds into words. I really enjoyed how it showed both sides of death: what it’s like to want to die, and what it’s like to have someone you love die. All the Bright Places was just such a meaningful and realistic book that showed me that even in fictional stories you have to feel pain to get to the happy parts, and even after that life has a way of making things worse even after you have hit rock bottom. Another thing that I enjoyed about the book was the amazing writing. There were so many beautiful quotes that put things that are hard to express into words. Every page there was something wonderful to read, even in the sad parts, and every word made me love the book even more. I have read lots of books with really amazing quotes, and this All the Bright Places is one that I will never forget. One other thing that surprised me about the book was how, even though it was supposedly a very sad book, it made me laugh. So many parts of the book had funny moments and strange thoughts that made me smile. There might have been a lot of sadness but the funny and sweet parts made up for it and showed that sometimes you have to laugh through the pain and see the good things in life rather than just the bad. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I really enjoyed reading All the Bright Places and I recommend you read it. I think it is best for readers 14 and over, but if you think you are ready to see the truth about life and how it isn’t all good then I definitely suggest you read it. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A story full of love, laughs and tears that will give you a new definition of life and change your world. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

HEARTLESS by Marissa Meyer

“Long before Alice fell down the rabbit hole… And before the roses were painted red… The Queen of Hearts was just a girl, in love for the first time.”

What is the book about?

Before Alice fell down the rabbit hole and Hearts was ruled by a bloodthirsty monarch, the Queen of Hearts was just a girl falling in love and wishing for a new fate. Catherine Pinkerton is the daughter of the Marquess and Marchioness of Rock Turtle Cove and her life is not her own. The King has taken a fancy to her and now she is destined to become his wife and the next Queen of Hearts. Her parents are sure she wants it and are proud to see their daughter become a royal, but Catherine is not as pleased as her fake smile might suggest. Glittering crowns, beautiful dresses, and shining jewels are not her dream; the only thing she wishes for in life is to run her own bakery with her maid, her best friend, by her side. But she is the daughter of a Marquess, she is a lady, and there is no way her impossible dream can become possible. At the King’s black and white ball, one shocking event after another places Catherine in the presence of a man completely out her reach, but Catherine seems to only have impossible dreams and nothing she wants in life seems to be coming true. Catherine begins to fall in love and for once she starts to think that maybe there is a small chance of the future she has always dreamed of. Her love’s specialty is impossible and there may be a way for Catherine to be happy. But not all fairy tales have happy endings and it seems Catherine’s dreams are too far out of reach…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I didn’t know about Heartless until one of my friends said she found it interesting and wanted it when I asked her what she would like me to get her for her birthday. Of course, as soon as I looked on Amazon to buy it, I was completely mesmerised and was intrigued. I had always liked twisted fairy tale books because it gave a new view, usually from the villain’s side, and gave you interesting information on why the person was seen as evil. I’ve always loved being able to see into a villains past because I have never believed that a person just starts off evil, as said by Regina Mills in Once Upon A Time: ‘Evil isn’t born, it’s made.’ Once my friend had finished reading Heartless, I begged to borrow it and finally she brought it in to school for me to take home. I always loved Alice in Wonderland and adored the little animals and fascinating plants as a child; I always liked it and was interested in seeing what Heartless would bring. The blurb was short and to the point, so I didn’t get much insight on what would happen in the book, but I knew there would be a tragic ending for whoever it was that the Queen of Hearts was in love with. Once I began the book, it took me a few chapters to start to get used to the book but soon I was flying through it and wishing I would never find its end. The first few chapters weren’t the most interesting, however once I met the love interest, everything got a lot more fascinating. I knew it was going to be sad yet I still found it very upsetting, but I am glad I read the book as I have discovered another amazing author. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

There were a lot of unimaginable characters in Heartless and I would consider quite a few of them as my favourite, but there were a couple characters that I liked more than the others. One of my favourite characters was Jest. He was so funny and optimistic and when he came into Catherine’s life he made it seem like he could make her impossible dreams possible, and he almost did. He was such a brave and sweet character and gave Catherine everything he could. Even when Catherine began to doubt that there was any way for her to achieve happiness, he managed to find a way, no matter how difficult it seemed he was there for Catherine and was ready to give up everything, to ignore his orders, and her fell in love just as much as he did. Jest was able to put a smile on Catherine’s face even in the darkest of times and he never stopped fighting for their future together, even when it seemed so far out of reach that they would have been able to achieve it even with all the magic in the world. The other character that I liked was Catherine. The best thing about her was that she was a dreamer. Her whole life had pretty much already been decided, but she was ignorant to this and kept on believing that her little bakery would be possible and that she would be able to escape her fate. She was brave and strong and, even though she was destined to be the Queen of Hearts, she was kind. Catherine reminded me so much of Alice and I couldn’t help but see all the qualities we love in Alice also shining in her. The only bad thing about Catherine was that she let her anger and vengeance get the best of her and turn her into a heartless monster. I now have a lot more sympathy for the Queen of Hearts than I ever had before, but she let the thoughts of revenge, of murder, take over her mind when she should have been thinking of all the happy times she had and of how lucky she was to have experienced love. Not all stories can end happily, but sometimes you have to look past the bad and just wait for another chance to come along. Catherine definitely deserved better, and Jest too, but things could have ended differently if she had chosen to let her pain make her a better person instead of a villain. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

There were quite a few happy parts in the book, but also a lot of sad ones. If I were to choose a favourite part it would definitely be one of the happy because it gave, not just me, but the characters hope that there was a chance at a happier future. There were two parts that stood out from all the others. The first one, and most likely the best one, was when Jest and Catherine were together at the treacle well. This was such a happy part, the happiest and definitely the best. The reason for this is because it was when they admit to being in love and when a lot of my questions were answered. In that moment, Catherine and Jest believed that their love was possible and that they could actually have a future that doesn’t mean being forever apart. It gave them hope and, even though it didn’t last very long, it was the most beautiful part of the book because they were both given the chance to express their feelings and show how in love they really were. I can’t even begin to explain how much I loved this part and I am sure it is the most amazing part in the book. Even though I have said that the treacle well was the best part of the book, there was a second part that I also really enjoyed and might be my second favourite part of the book. This is the part when Catherine and Jest are dancing together. I know it seems very simple and normal, but it was anything but that. There was so much complicating their lives in that moment and it was as if everything around them was falling apart. But, although everything was an utter mess, they were together and holding each other in front of an audience without a care in the world. It was a short but sweet moment and I think it was the moment Jest and Catherine both knew that they wanted nothing but each other and would do anything to get to be together forever. Both of these parts were really romantic and sweet, even though the whole book was really good, I am sure that these were the best parts in the story.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Heartless and I thought that it was a beautifully well written book. One of the things that I liked about it was how the characters spoke. It was sometimes difficult to understand what they were saying because they were speaking like the characters in Alice in Wonderland. However, despite the struggles to understand, I really liked it and I thought that a lot of what was said was really beautiful. This made me see what a great author Marissa Meyer must be if she is able to write such strange but wonderful conversations, and I really want to read other books she has written. Another reason I liked the book was because it was an absolutely unbelievable retelling of one of my favourite fairy tales. I have always enjoyed fairy tales and I still do, even now when I am probably much too old for them. But a few years ago I became extremely interested in twisted fairy tales that showed me things from the villains view and made me sympathise with them. I didn’t think it would be possible to make me feel sorry for the Queen of Hearts, I always liked her as a character because of her power and strength but I wasn’t sure I could ever see her as part of a tragic love story. Heartless was able to make me see that no villain ever starts of evil and that the truth is not always what it seems. One last thing to mention about Heartless, which I thought was another thing that made me love the book but also something that I hated, was the ending. I knew there was going to be something terrible that would happen concerning Catherine and Jest, but I was still shocked at what happened and wish that things could have ended differently. Obviously there was no possible way for them to have a happy ending because this was a story made to show how the Queen of Hearts ended up so evil, but neither of them deserved to lose their happy ending. This made the book connect with me on a much deeper level, and I think it made me love the book even more because it made me see, once again but ever clearer, that not all fairy tales have happy ending and that even villains have their own stories. I really loved reading Heartless and I think that it was a perfect book and I don’t think I am even ‘mostly right’ after reading it. 

Would you recommend this book?  

If you enjoy fairy tales, adventure and a tragic romance then I recommend you read Heartless. I think that it is best for readers 13 or over, but I am sure that if you are looking for a perfect fairy tale retelling then you will love this book. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A magical romantic tragedy about a girl whose destiny is to become queen of a kingdom forbidding her to dream. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego