Review - Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

 

Title: Malibu Rising

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Pages: 384

Publisher: Cornerstone

Release Date: 27th May 2021

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

Four famous siblings throw an epic party to celebrate the end of the summer. But over the course of twenty-four hours, their lives will change forever.

Malibu: August, 1983. It’s the day of Nina Riva’s annual end-of-summer party, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyone wants to be around the famous Rivas: Nina, the talented surfer and supermodel; brothers Jay and Hud, one a championship surfer, the other a renowned photographer; and their adored baby sister, Kit. Together, the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over—especially as the offspring of the legendary singer, Mick Riva.

The only person not looking forward to the party of the year is Nina herself, who never wanted to be the center of attention, and who has also just been very publicly abandoned by her pro tennis player husband. Oh, and maybe Hud—because it is long past time to confess something to the brother from whom he’s been inseparable since birth.

Jay, on the other hand, is counting the minutes until nightfall, when the girl he can’t stop thinking about promised she’ll be there.

And Kit has a couple secrets of her own—including a guest she invited without consulting anyone.

By midnight the party will be completely out of control. By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames. But before that first spark in the early hours before dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped this family’s generations will all come bubbling to the surface.

Malibu Rising is a story about one unforgettable night in the life of a family: the night they each have to choose what they will keep from the people who made them . . . and what they will leave behind.

Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Bookshop

My Review:

*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Random House UK and NetGalley*

The Riva siblings are famous for being the children of the singer Mick Riva, but they have all built a life for themselves: Nina is a surfer and model; Jay competes in surf championships; Hud's photographs have graced magazine covers; and Kit, the youngest, wants to become a professional surfer.

Every year, Nina hosts a party at the end of the summer. It is a huge event with celebrities attending as well as locals.

This year, Nina would rather cancel the party, but reluctantly agrees to go ahead with it. However, this year the party will be even more unforgettable than usual as it will end with the house burning down.

Having enjoyed, but not been blown away by the author's previous books, I was a little apprehensive as to whether this novel would go the same way as the others for me. However, already knowing part of the ending intrigued me and I decided to give it a go.

Possibly my favourite part of the book was the Riva siblings and their relationships. They were extremely supportive of each other and gave the book a lot of heart. I liked all the siblings, but Nina and Kit were my favourites. I really felt for Nina, who had put everyone else first her entire life and she'd had to give up so much.

The flashbacks were another favourite part of the book for me. They showed how the Riva siblings' parents, June and Mick, met as well as bits from their childhoods. I thought they were very well done and there weren't too many.

The plot was enjoyable and held my attention throughout. I had no idea what was going to happen, but I wouldn't say I was gripped.

The writing style was easy to follow and I got through the book quite quickly.

This ended up being my favourite book that I've read so far by the author, and I can see myself re-reading this in the future.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read that I would recommend. 

 

Review - The Constant Rabbit by Jasper Fforde

Title: The Constant Rabbit

Author: Jasper Fforde

Pages: 320

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Release Date: 2nd July 2020

Blurb from Goodreads:

Peter Knox lives quietly in one of those small country villages that's up for the Village Garden of the Year award. Until Doc and Constance Rabbit move in next door, upsetting the locals (many of them members of governing political party United Kingdom Against Rabbit Population), complicating Peter's job as a Rabbit Spotter, and forcing him to take a stand, moving from unconscious leporiphobe to active supporter of the UK's amiable and peaceful population of anthropomorphised rabbits.

 

Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US

My Review:

 

*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley*

Peter Knox lives in a world where the Event resulted in rabbits becoming anthropomorphised - they are now over six-feet-tall and like to duel with pistols. 

Most rabbits live in colonies, but some are permitted to live outside the colonies, like Doc and Constance Rabbit, Peter's new neighbours who have the quiet village of Much Hemlock in uproar.

The government sees the rabbits as pests, and Peter himself works as a Rabbit Spotter, using his talent to differentiate rabbits to catch those pretending to be someone else.

Peter has never thought of himself as leporiphobic (anti-rabbit), but he has never really done anything to aid the rabbit cause. Until now.

Peter finds himself caught between the rabbits and his employer.

Will Peter take a stand?

When reading the blurb for The Constant Rabbit I was most definitely intrigued, but I also wondered if this might be the one Jasper Fforde book that I might not enjoy - talking rabbits living in the UK seemed a bit of a stretch even with the author's genius imagination. However, I ended up really enjoying this and am very glad that I read it.

The protagonist, Peter Knox, lived a pretty mundane life until his new neighbours arrive. I couldn't help but like Peter and I felt a bit sorry for him when he was thrown in the deep-end and into crazy situations.

I wasn't sure I would be able to picture the rabbits as the author intended, but I did and I loved their traditions and how much the author had developed their culture.

While the plot did take a little while to get going, I enjoyed it and the storyline held my attention. I loved how the author always drops in the odd bit of foreshadowing here and there to keep you intrigued. I was surprised how invested I felt in what was happening. I found myself smiling a lot and laughed out loud several times.

The themes in The Constant Rabbit are very relevant right now and I found it very interesting how they were explored.

Jasper Fforde's books are always incredibly intelligent, witty and unique, and this was no different. The Constant Rabbit has firmly cemented Fforde's place as my favourite author. Only he could have come up with an idea as unlikely as this and make it work.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read that I would definitely recommend.

 

Review - Call It What You Want by Brigid Kemmerer

Title: Call It What You Want

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Pages: 379

Publisher: Bloomsbury YA

Release Date: 27th June 2019

Blurb from Goodreads: 

Rob had it all – friends, a near-guaranteed lacrosse scholarship to college and an amazing family – but all that changed when his dad was caught embezzling funds from half the town. Now he's a social pariah. 

Maegan always does the right thing. But when her sister comes home from college pregnant, she's caught between telling their parents the truth about the father and keeping her sister's trust. 

When Rob and Maegan are paired together for a project, they form an unexpectedly deep connection. But Rob's plan to fix his father's damage could ruin more than their new friendship …

Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US

My Review:

*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) and NetGalley*

Overnight, Rob went from being rich and popular to a social pariah at school when it was revealed that his father was embezzling money belonging to the people in town.

The daughter of a police officer, Maegan always does the right thing. Until the one time she didn't. Now Maegan's perfect sister comes back from college pregnant, and Maegan is torn between keeping her sister's secret and telling her parents.

Rob and Maegan are paired together for a project, but neither of them really wants to work with the other.

The duo begin to grow closer but will Rob's actions drive them apart?

Brigid Kemmerer writes my favourite contemporary books and Call It What You Want is more proof of that.

Rob and Maegan were both relatable, likeable and realistic characters. I enjoyed reading as they interacted with each other as well as their friends and families.

I loved Owen and would definitely like to read more about him.

The themes in this were interesting and I thought they were handled well.

I thought the romance was sweet and I could feel the chemistry between the characters.

The plot was intriguing and held my attention, but I did guess one plot twist. I liked the Robin Hood aspect.

I love Brigid Kemmerer's writing. Her books always suck me in straight away and are so easy to read.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read that I would recommend.

Review - The Kingdom of Copper (The Daevabad Trilogy, #2) by S.A. Chakraborty

Title: The Kingdom of Copper (The Daevabad Trilogy, #2)

Author: S.A. Chakraborty

Pages: 640

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Release Date: 22nd January 2019

Blurb from Goodreads:

Return to Daevabad in the spellbinding sequel to THE CITY OF BRASS.

S. A. Chakraborty continues the sweeping adventure begun in The City of Brass—"the best adult fantasy I’ve read since The Name of the Wind" (#1 New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir)—conjuring a world where djinn summon flames with the snap of a finger and waters run deep with old magic; where blood can be dangerous as any spell, and a clever con artist from Cairo will alter the fate of a kingdom.

Nahri’s life changed forever the moment she accidentally summoned Dara, a formidable, mysterious djinn, during one of her schemes. Whisked from her home in Cairo, she was thrust into the dazzling royal court of Daevabad—and quickly discovered she would need all her grifter instincts to survive there.

Now, with Daevabad entrenched in the dark aftermath of the battle that saw Dara slain at Prince Ali’s hand, Nahri must forge a new path for herself, without the protection of the guardian who stole her heart or the counsel of the prince she considered a friend. But even as she embraces her heritage and the power it holds, she knows she’s been trapped in a gilded cage, watched by a king who rules from the throne that once belonged to her family—and one misstep will doom her tribe.

Meanwhile, Ali has been exiled for daring to defy his father. Hunted by assassins, adrift on the unforgiving copper sands of his ancestral land, he is forced to rely on the frightening abilities the marid—the unpredictable water spirits—have gifted him. But in doing so, he threatens to unearth a terrible secret his family has long kept buried.

And as a new century approaches and the djinn gather within Daevabad's towering brass walls for celebrations, a threat brews unseen in the desolate north. It’s a force that would bring a storm of fire straight to the city’s gates . . . and one that seeks the aid of a warrior trapped between worlds, torn between a violent duty he can never escape and a peace he fears he will never deserve.

Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US

My Review:

*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley*

After the events of The City of Brass, Nahri's life in Daevabad sees her following the role of her ancestors as a gifted healer. But Nahri has little control in her life, with the king watching her every move, and the man that once protected her gone. She dreams of her home of Cairo.

Prince Ali has survived countless attempts on his life after being cast from Daevabad by his father. Ali misses his home, his family, and Nahri. He struggles to control the strange new powers he's had since the events at the lake, powers the marid (water spirits) have given him.

Things in Daevabad are tense, and when an unknown enemy seeks to attack the city during a celebration, the city and the people within it may never be the same again.

I was a huge fan of The City of Brass, so I was excited and slightly scared to read the sequel, but I'm happy to say that it didn't disappoint.

One of my favourite things about the Daevabad books are the characters - they're all so complex and relatable. I love Nahri. She's witty and determined and is definitely someone I would want to be friends with. I felt sorry for her and Ali as they both had little control in their lives and didn't have an easy time of things.

The setting is so interesting and I don't think I could ever get bored of reading descriptions of the palace or the different quarters.

It did take me a while to get used to the terms again (there are quite a few), but it probably didn't help that I didn't re-read the first book before reading this (I only read a recap).

The plot was quite slow paced with things ramping up towards the end, which doesn't always work for me, but in this case it did as I really love all the aspects of the book. There were some plot twists, some of which I didn't see coming. It was quite dark in places, but there were funny comments from the characters to at least try and make it a bit lighter.

The writing style is very easy to follow and had me gripped.

While I didn't enjoy this quite as much as The City of Brass, it was still a very good read and a worthy sequel. I'm scared to read the third book, The Empire of Gold now! I don't want this series to end!

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read that I would recommend.

 

Blog Tour + Review - Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Title: Gods of Jade and Shadow

Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Pages: 336

Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books

Release Date: 23rd July 2019

Blurb from Goodreads:

Here we shall begin to tell a story: a tale of a throne lost, of monsters and magic. A tale of gods and of the shadow realm. But this, our story, it begins in our world, in the land of mortals.

 

It begins with a woman. For this story, it is her story. It begins with her.

 

The Jazz Age is in full swing, but it's passing Casiopea Tun by. She's too busy scrubbing floors in her wealthy grandfather's house to do anything more than dream of a life far from her dusty, small town in southern Mexico. A life she could call her own.

This dream is impossible, distant as the stars - until the day Casiopea opens a curious chest in her grandfather's room and accidentally frees an ancient Mayan god of death. He offers her a deal: if Casiopea helps him recover his throne from his treacherous brother, he will grant her whatever she desires. Success will make her every dream come true, but failure will see her lost, for ever.

In the company of the strangely alluring god and armed only with her wits, Casiopea begins an adventure that will take her on a cross-country odyssey, from the jungles of Yucatán to the bright lights of Mexico City and deep into the darkness of Xibalba, the Mayan underworld.

Mixing the excitement of the Roaring Twenties with Pre-Hispanic mythology, Gods of Jade and Shadow is a vivid, wildly imaginative historical fantasy.

Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US

  

*I received a eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley*

Casiopea Tun lives in her grandfather’s house with her family in a small Mexican town. Practically one of the staff, Casiopea wishes for a life away from her family where she can do whatever she wants.

Then one day Casiopea opens a wooden box in her grandfather’s room, accidentally freeing the Mayan god of death who was trapped in the box and stripped of his throne by his twin brother.

Their fates and lives now tied, Casiopea agrees to help Hun-Kamé, the god of death, reclaim his throne.

Can Casiopea have the future she dreams of or will she have to return home?

Will they succeed? Or will Casiopea die before they can?

Gods of Jade and Shadow drew me in with its lovely cover and intriguing blurb, but the writing captured my imagination and gripped me.

I really liked Casiopea as a protagonist – she was relatable, likeable and endearing. I liked that despite the way she was treated by members of her family, Casiopea still had a rebellious spark.

I loved all the interactions between Casiopea and Hun-Kamé. I devoured every word with a smile.

The setting of 1920’s Mexico was really interesting as was the Mayan mythology.

I lived for the romance. It’s one of my favourite ever romances.

The writing style was good at setting the scene with lots of description of where the characters were, but there were a few times where I thought it was a little too much – however, that’s probably because I was being impatient and just wanted to get to the action/conversations.

At times Gods of Jade and Shadow reminded me of City of Brass which is definitely a good thing (I loved that book).

Overall this was an enjoyable read that I would recommend.

 

Review - The Light Over London by Julia Kelly

Title: The Light Over London

Author: Julia Kelly

Pages: 304

Publisher: Gallery Books (Orion in the UK)

Release Date: 8th January 2019 (7th Feb in the UK)

Blurb from Goodreads: 

It’s always been easier for Cara Hargraves to bury herself in the past 

than confront the present, which is why working with a gruff but 

brilliant antiques dealer is perfect. While clearing out an estate, she 

pries open an old tin that holds the relics of a lost relationship: among 

the treasures, a World War II-era diary and a photograph of a

young woman in uniform. Eager to find the author of 

the hauntingly beautiful, unfinished diary, Cara digs into this soldier’s 

life, but soon realizes she may not have been ready for the stark reality 

of wartime London she finds within the pages.

In 1941, nineteen-year-old Louise Keene’s life had been decided 

for her—she’ll wait at home in her Cornish village until her 

wealthy suitor returns from war to ask for her hand. But when Louise 

unexpectedly meets Flight Lieutenant Paul Bolton, a dashing RAF 

pilot stationed at a local base, everything changes. And changes again 

when Paul’s unit is deployed without warning.

Desperate for a larger life, Louise joins the women’s branch of the 

British Army in the anti-aircraft gun unit as a Gunner Girl. 

As bombs fall on London, she and the other Gunner Girls relish in 

their duties to be exact in their calculations, and quick in their 

identification of enemy planes during air raids. The only thing that 

gets Louise through those dark, bullet-filled nights is 

knowing she and Paul will be together when the war is over. But when 

a bundle of her letters to him are returned unanswered, she learns that 

wartime romance can have a much darker side.

Illuminating the story of these two women separated by generations 

and experience, Julia Kelly transports us to World War II London in 

this heartbreakingly beautiful novel through forgotten antique treasures, 

remembered triumphs, and fierce family ties.

 Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US

My Review:

*I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an 

honest review*

Trying to move on from her failed marriage, Cara Hargraves throws 

herself into her job working for an antiques dealer. While clearing 

out an estate, Cara discovers a tin containing a diary from World 

War II. Determined to discover the identity of the writer of the diary, 

Cara finds herself drawn into a mystery that may unearth family 

secrets that might be best left alone.
Louise Keene is a nineteen-year-old in 1941. 

She lives in a quiet Cornish town and is expected to marry the local 

rich boy when he returns from the war. Everything changes when she 

meets Flight Lieutenant Paul Bolton at a dance. When Paul is 

deployed, Louise can't stay at home any longer and signs up for the 

women's division of the army. Spending her nights shooting at enemy 

aircraft and her days either writing to Paul or waiting for a letter from 

him, Louise longs for the chance to see Paul again.
Will Cara track down the owner of the diary?
Do Louise and Paul have a future together?

I find anything set during World War II really interesting, so I was 

intrigued to read The Light Over London.
I liked both Cara and Louise. I was rooting for Cara to move on from 

her divorce and to put her past behind her and start again. I wanted 

Louise to break away from home and become her own person so it 

was lovely to read as she joined the army and made friends.
The plot was interesting and I thought the mystery, historical and 

romance elements all worked well together.
The writing style was easy to follow and held my interest.

Overall this was an enjoyable read that I would recommend.

Review - Sadie by Courtney Summers

Title: Sadie

Author: Courtney Summers

Pages: 378

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Release Date: 4th September 2018

Blurb from Goodreads:

A missing girl on a journey of revenge and a Serial-like podcast following the clues she's left behind.

Sadie hasn't had an easy life. Growing up on her own, she's been 

raising her sister Mattie in an isolated small town, trying her best to 

provide a normal life and keep their heads above water.

But when Mattie is found dead, Sadie's entire world crumbles. After 

a somewhat botched police investigation, Sadie is determined to 

bring her sister's killer to justice and hits the road following a few 

meager clues to find him.

When West McCray—a radio personality working on a segment 

about small, forgotten towns in America—overhears Sadie's story at a local gas station, he becomes obsessed 

with finding the missing girl. He starts his own podcast as he tracks 

Sadie's journey, trying to figure out what happened, hoping to find 

her before it's too late.

Courtney Summers has written the breakout book of her career.  

Sadie is propulsive and harrowing and will keep you riveted until 

the last page.

 

 

Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US

My Review:

 

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley*

Sadie lives in a trailer park in a small town with her younger sister, 

Mattie. Sadie has practically raised Mattie by herself all her life, 

their mother being an addict who left them to fend for themselves.

Sadie's life is turned upside down when Mattie dies. 

When the police investigation turns up no leads, Sadie decides to 

search for the killer herself.

Radio presenter West McCray hears Sadie's story while at a gas 

station. He starts a podcast, following Sadie's tracks and hoping to 

find out what happened to her.

Sadie is told partly in podcast form and partly from Sadie's point of 

view. I really liked this format. It was interesting to read as West 

McCray tried to track Sadie down, especially knowing what she had 

been doing in the places that he went to. 

I liked Sadie as a character - she was determined and would do 

anything for Mattie. I felt really sorry for her - she'd had a tough 

childhood and then her sister, her whole world, died. 

I don't think I've read a book where the main character had a stutter 

so that was different.

The plot was interesting and kept me guessing. There were some 

dark things that happened so if you are triggered by things like sexual 

abuse and paedophilia I would give this a miss.

The writing style was easy to follow and gripped me.

The book and its ending are definitely going to stay with me for a 

while.

Overall this was an enjoyable, emotional read.