I would love to be...

   Aurora 'Rory' Lahey from the Divinicus Nex series by A & E Kirk.

   Helen Hamilton from the Starcrossed trilogy by Josephine Angelini. 

   

   Clary Fray from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare.

   Lily Proctor from Trial By Fire by Josephine Angelini.

 

   Claire Danvers from the Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine. (Or Eve Rosser!)

   I guess what I'm trying to say is there are many characters I'd love to be, I can't just simply choose one! (You might have noticed my chosen characters all have rather supernatural tales...)

How about you? What character(s) would you love to be? Tell me in the comments below!!

Thanks!

- Emma

Happy Reading!💜

Review: The Tide Turner by Angela McAllister

 

The Tide Turner is a book by Angela McAllister, first published in 2006 by Orion Children's books.

Cal is a mermaid. She has always lived in the half-dark, hidden from the real world and secrets she longs to find the answers to. 

On the day she decides it's finally time to uncover the truth, she is taken to the human world and drawn into a current of strange events. 

This leads her to Jake, and shortly after, many mysteries begin to unravel...

♥

'It is you, son . . .' Cal hesitated, stumbling over the words, 'it is you, my son, who revealed this message to your sister.'

Cal fell silent. Jake's heart thumped. Thoughts skidded madly around his head. This is what the dream had meant. It wasn't Cal, it was Sylla - his mother, calling him to the sea. Of course, the silver hair . . . He stroked the message. Overwhelmed, he tumbled off the paddy and plunged under the water.

♥

I didn't realize until I was about halfway through this book that it's a children's book (I've been doing well recently, haven't I?). But, I carried on reading nonetheless. 

It was pretty good. I think it's the first proper fantasy I've read, and I do still prefer relatable books about real life. However, it was well written and I did enjoy it. I can see how younger children (I would say 8+) would love it! So, I guess even though I ended up reading a book that I wouldn't if I had known it was for children, I have been able to recommed something for parents of younger children or children themselves!

 -Beth

Happy Reading!♥ 

August TBR

   If any of you guys follow us on Instagram, you'll know that throughout the last month, Beth participated in a book challenge which she loved doing. So during August, we're both going to be doing another challenge. However, while Beth will be doing it on our Instagram, I'll be doing it on our blog!

What is a book challenge? Here, I'll show you.

This is the challenge (by paoleer) that Beth and I will both be doing. I know, it's just supposed to be pictures because, well, Instagram, but I thought I would have a go at doing it on here.

And so, here begins the first day of the challenge:

My August TBR

   I'll say what all you guys are thinking: you've seen these books before, and were promised reviews. Unfortunately, I never got round to reading them.

   My problem is at the moment, the majority of my books are on the floor in my room because my bookshelf collapsed (it was a tragedy) so I can't get to half my books.   

                                                                                                                                                                                     

It is, Troy; it is.

   So I thought that the books that are sitting on my desk at the moment, the ones that are definitely going to be read in the next few weeks, would have to be what my whole August TBR list consists of.

   First off, we have Paper Towns by John Green. I've heard excellent things about this book from Beth, and can't wait until I start it! You can check out her review of it by going to our Reviews page!

   Next, we have Messenger of Fear by Michael Grant. You probably can't tell from the spine, but this books cover is awesome!

   Then we have Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan, which has been recommended to me by another bookaholic. It's by two amazing authors, so I have no doubt this book is going to be brilliant!

   I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson is a book that Beth has told me I am going to read. So I guess am.

   And last (but nowhere near least), we have A Court Of Thorns And Roses by Sarah J. Maas. I started this one this morning, and I'm loving it already! 

   That's it for today, I hope you enjoyed this post! Tell me what your TBR is for this month in the comments!

Thanks!

- Emma

Happy Reading!❤

Review: The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

Fire wants to burn

Water wants to flow

Air wants to rise

Earth wants to bind

Chaos wants to devour

Call wants to live.

Most kids would do anything to pass
the Iron Trial.

Not Callum Hunt. He wants to fail.

All his life, Call has been warned
by his father to stay away from magic.
If he succeeds at the Iron Trial and is
admitted into the Magisterium, he is sure
it can only mean bad things for him.

But when he tries his best to do his
worst, he fails at failing. 

The Magisterium awaits him now -
a place that's both sensational
and sinister. 

But with dark ties to his past,
and a twisty path to his future,
it turns out Call's biggest test is
still yet to come. 

(I would just like to say that I took the description of this book from goodreads, because I truly suck at describing books sorry! Now with that out of the way, let's begin with the actual review...)

   I don't think I have ever come across such a massive, amazing, completely unexpected plot twist in my whole life. I mean, I was expecting something big, but I didn't think that would be it. I need to know what happens next, and the next book isn't even out yet! HELP ME!!

   I'm not going to lie: in the beginning of this book, I was quite disappointed. Two of my favourite authors, one awesome synopsis, and such a great promise of a book...and yet I found the first quarter of the book rather unenjoyable. 

   But then everything started coming together, and the action kicked in, and the amazing book that I had been hoping for finally revealed itself in an amazing show of awesomeness.

   I fell in love with the characters and the world that was created. If you like fantasy/paranormal/supernatural YA, read this book!

Thanks!

- Emma

Happy Reading!❤

Issue 6 of The Fangirl Guide: Traveling - beautiful places to read

I visited a beautiful waterfall in April, and have since come up with this idea:

Everyone has a safe-place. Yes, mostly (for us bibliophiles) in books. But what about where you open that window to fantasy? Is it in your bed? In your garden? In front of the TV? What about when you're traveling or on vacation? In the hotel? Or on the beach?

Well, there are plenty of natural wonders in the world for you to discover, and read in. I've decided to research into and list a few of them by place, using book inspirations to find beautiful places for bookdragons!

This is basically a round the world ultimate trip for book lovers:

Europe


Top Withins, Yorkshire. The inspiration for Wuthering Heights and an absolutely beautiful place, this has got to be one of the most atmospheric and pretty places for bibliophiles in the U.K.


Amsterdam, Netherlands. Obviously an amazing place to visit and see where Anne Frank wrote her diary, and also see where the world-famous The Fault in Our Stars was filmed!

 America & the U.S.A
 
Powell's City Bookstore, Portland, Oregon - Visit the flagship Powell's bookstores, the largest independent chain of bookstores in the world!


The National Library of Brazil, Rio De Janeiro: One of the worlds most beautiful libraries.


Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Just breathtaking.


Phoenix Lake, California. When I read Second Chance Summer, I looked up Lake Phoenix. Of course, I couldn't find the actual one, but I can't help thinking it was inspired by this one!



Yosemite National Park, California. I think everyone who read Amy and Roger's Epic Detour will agree here!

Australia
 
Australian beaches are just beautiful! I think an amazing beach must be the most relaxing place to read!

 
 New Zealand - with five times more sheep than people, this is the best place to escape from people, and the real world.

Africa 

South Africa - I apologize, I don't know of the exact location of this gem!


The pyramids, Egypt. A beautiful, mysterious place to read.

-Beth

Happy Reading!♥