Book Review: World Enough and Time by Emma C Williams

Title: World Enough and Time
Author: Emma C Williams
Links: Blog | Twitter | Shelfari
Publication Date: July 1st 2012
Format: Paperback
Pages: 158
Add it: Goodreads | Shelfari
Buy it: Amazon
Summary from Goodreads;
Anna Jones is an intelligent and spirited girl of 15, whose everyday experiences of growing up are overshadowed by a rare condition called Goldenhar syndrome. While Anna approaches her life with humour and determination, she is haunted by the inescapable fact that she looks a little different from other girls.
Despite the support of her friends and family, she remains convinced she will never be loved – especially not by the gorgeous and intelligent Michael.
Anna’s life is regularly interrupted by a variety of hospital visits, each one of which seems designed to make her feel even more different from the other girls. As she counts down the days until the major surgery that will change the course of her life forever, Anna becomes increasingly doubtful as to whether she will ever be truly normal.
Rating:
4.5/5 : Really enjoyed it, would recommend to a lot of people.
Thoughts:
First of all, the cover. It's so simple! I know it looks nice and simple on screen but once in your hands, the colors are so gorgeous and the detail is truly eye catching! 
Going into this book, I honestly didn't know what to expect besides what was on the synopsis. I was completely surprised by this novel and am truly glad I had the chance to read it. I got this book off my shelves and sat down in my living room, expecting to get through a part of it and then continue it later on but I found myself engulfed by the plot and writing that I finished it in one sitting. 
World Enough and Time is narrated in the voice of a teenager named Anna who has a condition called the Goldenhar syndrome which I didn't know a thing about until I started reading it. I really feel as though I learned a lot during this book. Anna is a very realistic character as are the others in the novel. She was a very complex character due to all that's been going on in her life since her birth yet you can understand her reasoning and logic. She was honest to herself and others most of the time yet she was really understanding of others and their actions. Ashley, Anna's best friend was a great character. Yes, Anna and her had some disagreements but those things were what made her such a realistic best friend. Nevertheless, she always had
Anna's back and was a true friend to her. The other characters had significantly good roles but I wish I'd seen more of Tim.
The romance was really realistic for once. I've come to realize once again just how predictable most, if not all, YA romances are at the moment but the romance in this novel was something much less predictable and more toward the realistic side. I was shocked at how events turned out in Anna's love life but really enjoyed the end results. The pacing of this book is consistent yet it's a quick read. The writing was simple and easy to understand. The novel is set in the UK which I really enjoyed because I love their slang and way of speaking. A couple of places in London were also mentioned which was really intriguing. 
Another interesting thing about this novel is that the main character, Anna has a blog which you can visit by clicking here. I thought I'd include that because you can connect to the story more.
First Sentence:

" "And bend to the right." "

Quotes:

"So, Anna. You know the drill. Are the headphones comfy?"

"What?!" I shouted, pointing to both of my ears simultaneously and tapping the side of my head. "I can't hear you! I've got headphones on!" 

"Very amusing, Anna." - Page 49

Follow Friday: Birthday Wishes

Hosted by Parajunkee and Alison

Q: Birthday Wishes — Blow out the candles and imagine what character could pop out of your cake…who is it and what book are they from?
Mmhm, I would pick Ash from the Iron Fey series and or St. Clair from Anna and the French Kiss. I loved both of these characters and hello? Etienne has an accent! .__.

Update: I would also love to meet the Weasley twins from Harry Potter. They would actually make the party fun (x

W .. W .. W .. Wednesday ( 1 )

This meme is hosted by Should Be Reading.
To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

Book Review: A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young

Title: A Need So Beautiful
Author: Suzanne Young
Series: A Need So Beautiful #1
Links: Blog | Twitter
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Publication Date: June 21st 2011
Format: Hardback
Pages: 267
Summary from Goodreads;
We all want to be remembered. Charlotte's destiny is to be Forgotten...
Charlotte’s best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she’s cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what’s really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth, who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.
But Charlotte never wanted this responsibility. What she wants is to help her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend's arms forever. But as the Need grows stronger, it begins to take a dangerous toll on Charlotte. And who she was, is, and will become--her mark on this earth, her very existence--is in jeopardy of disappearing completely.
Charlotte will be forced to choose: Should she embrace her fate as a Forgotten, a fate that promises to rip her from the lives of those she loves forever? Or is she willing to fight against her destiny--no matter how dark the consequences.
Rating:
***** 5+ stars, go buy it, no questions asked.
Thoughts:
wow, just wow. I truly have no GIF to describe my feelings about this book..ok, that's a lie. .

 There's honestly a GIF for everything and anything but that's not the reason of this post. It's about a gorgeous and brilliant piece of writing titled A Need So Beautiful. A Need So Beautiful is one of those rare, gorgeous pieces of fiction. It was so original! I was gripping the copy so hard in my hands, trying to absorb the writing to find out what was going to happen.
The characters, wow! They were so real and amazing that I could feel myself rooting for every one of them. I felt so bad for Charlotte as she faced the things her so called gift threw her way but she handled them in a realistic and relatable way. Harlin was such a sweetheart that cared a lot for Charlotte and I was definitely rooting for their relationship! Onika was such a manipulative person yet she had such an important role in the novel. You can understand her actions though, which is one of the prospects I enjoyed while reading this novel.
The writing is simple and easy to read but it manages to weave a gorgeous story in just 267 pages! The novel is thin yet Young manages to fit so much emotion and  detail into the story in a way that you don't feel choked up and overloaded with information.
On to the romance. Uh..er..

I felt so guilty towards the middle/end because in the beginning I wasn't that impressed with the love interest, Harlin. However, towards the ending my opinion switched and I couldn't help but swoon at the parts he was in because he was such a sweetheart! In the end I was feeling his emotions as I read even though it was in Charlotte's POV! I can't wait to read A Want So Wicked, I hope he pops back in the story because it would suck if it ended like this one did.
I recommend this to anyone looking for a great piece of writing that's quick paced yet really, really enjoyable. Anyone looking for an original plot and great romance has to pick this up!
First Sentence(s):

"I sit on the front steps of St. Vincent's Cathedral and pick at the moss nestled in the cracks of the concrete. I'm  waiting for Sarah--as usual."

Quotes:

"..I'm out, surrounded in dark. But in the distance there is a small glow, a tiny light. Suddenly I'm standing alone, the space starting to brighten as the light grows." - Page 73

"It might be okay if I go into the light. For so many weeks I've fought the need. And now...I'm just so tired." - Page 211

 “I have to live if I want to be remembered.” 

― Suzanne Young, A Need So Beautiful

Follow Friday

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If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers.
Question:
I've never wanted to unread a book because it was bad. I think every book has a unique experience that you can only get by well, reading it so I've yet to really want to unread a book.
I have however, wanted to reread a couple of series to enjoy the experience all over again. Those include all the books in the Harry Potter series. Also the Sweep series by Cate Tiernan. 

Book Review: Beautifully Broken by Sherry Soule ( Spellbound #1 )

Title: Beautifully Broken
Author: Sherry Soule
Series: Spellbound #1
Links: Blog | Website | Twitter
Publisher: Moonlight Publishing
Publication Date: August 30th 2011
Add it: Goodreads | Shelfari
Buy it: Amazon
Summary from Goodreads;
Thirteenth daughter. Heritage witch. Demon slayer. 
They say every town has its secrets, but that doesn’t even begin to describe Whispering Pines. The townsfolk are a superstitious lot and the mystical disappearance of a local teen has everyone murmuring about a centuries old witch’s curse. 
When sixteen-year-old Shiloh Ravenwolf takes a summer job at Ravenhurst Manor, she discovers a ghost with an agenda. That’s where she meets the new town hottie, Trent Donovan. But Trent may be the next victim on the supernatural hit list, and Shiloh is the only person with the power to save him. Complicated much? 
After receiving cryptic messages from a creepy wraith and frightening threats from a demon, Shiloh finally begins to understand the mysterious significance of the strange mark branded on her wrist. Now Shiloh must decide how much she's willing to sacrifice to protect the other teenagers in town.
Unfortunately, for Shiloh, not all ghosts want help crossing over. Some want vengeance.
Rating:
**** 4.5; Would recommend to most people.
Thoughts:
Starting this book, I was expecting a good read but I was completely blown away by what I read. The descriptions of the writer made everything come to live in this chilling read. I was left holding my nook in wonder and half expecting the characters to give me a scare in real life. ^.^ 

The plot follows Shiloh who has been living her whole life in the town of Whispering Pines, haunted by well, darkness. Then, a new guy moves into town, arising questions and answering others. I really enjoyed reading in Shiloh's character. She was a stubborn girl who just wanted some answers and I really felt for her and rooted her on. The only problem I had with her was that she was a tad too fast in accepting some things. Then again, all that's been going on since she was little and what she's known gives her a reasonable reason. Trent was like Damon Salvatore, yes, Damon; mysterious yet sweet and caring. He was the perfect match for Shiloh although sometimes I wanted to look him in the eye and scold him for some things he does. Like Shiloh's character though, he has reasons for his actions. The other characters all have roles in Soule's novel which was a prospect I really enjoyed. Not one of them showed up just for decor.
Beautifully Broken did contain some romance but it wasn't the focus of the story and I loved that fact! I don't think I would've enjoyed this style of plot if the main character was always worrying about how she looked in front of her love interested and when would be the next time she saw him. Don't get me wrong, there's still enough romance for those who are interested in that, it just isn't the main prospect. 
The ending was brilliant! I had chills from the events that took place then! Sherry ties up a lot of loose strings and gives a lot of answers away but she leaves more strings hanging loose. I wouldn't exactly call it a cliffhanger though. Then again, the last sentence does make you want to find out more. I can't wait for the release of Moonlight Mayhem, the second book in this series.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a beautifully detailed novel that will give you chills. I would also recommend this novel to fans of The Vampire Diaries, House of Night series, and the show Charmed.
First Sentence:

"For as long as I remember, I'd heard whispers in the shadows."

Quotes:

"Instead of hoping to study architecture, it occurred to me I should try out to be an actress, because I had mad skills. MTV might even star me in a reality TV show: A Girl's Guide to the Supernatural." - Page 11

"From an early age, I'd heard the rumors about the town curse. To others, the rumors were an urban legend. To me, reality. Because I saw what others only gossiped about." - Page 21 

Trailer:

Book Review: Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors

Title: Coffeehouse Angel
Author: Suzanne Selfors
Links: Website | Facebook
Publisher: Walker & Company
Publication Date: July 21st 2009
Add it: Goodreads | Shelfari
Buy it: Barnes & Noble | Amazon 
Summary from Goodreads;
When Katrina spots a homeless guy sleeping in the alley behind her grandmother’s coffee shop, she decides to leave him a cup of coffee, a bag of chocolate-covered coffee beans, and some pastries to tide him over. Little does she know that this random act of kindness is about to turn her life upside down.  Because this adorable vagrant, Malcolm, is really a guardian angel on a break between missions. And he won’t leave until he can reward Katrina’s selflessness by fulfilling her deepest desire. Now if only she could decide what that might be . . .
Rating:
***** 5 stars, recommend to everyone.
Thoughts:
The cover is so adorable. It's a wee bit cheesy, yes I know but I feel as if it doesn't capture the true story and deepness of the novel.
Katrina is such a strong character. She's selfless and would definitely fit in with the abnegation section in Veronica's Divergent series. She was such a down to earth girl that I could picture her as a real person not just a character. In fact, most of Selfor's characters are ones I could see as real people. Malcolm was such a hilarious character. Due to him being an angel, he hasn't had much experience with anything that's well, normal. Even sugar cubes are fascinating to him and reading about his actions were amusing to read. I love how Malcolm was inspired by different traditions and mythology not just made into the typical angel nowadays. Vincent was a sweet and caring person to Katrina but then he sort of got caught up in the fortune that came to him. Fortunately, the ending changed it all and you could see the change in all the characters.
I thought this book was such a nice, quick and adorable read. The pacing is great, not too fast yet not too slow. There's enough action and drama to keep you focused on the story but not enough to bore you to tears. I really liked how the focus wasn't on the romance but more on the background stories.
The romance was a wee bit hard for me to follow. Don't get me wrong, it was great but I just couldn't bear to choose between the two male characters. No, it wasn't a love triangle. It was more of a friend-guy you just met in an alley- friend thing. Katrina and her best friend had to work out their friendship over all the things happening at that time. The romance was completely cute and swoon worthy though. I was shocked at the ending but almost squealed because of the level of cuteness. Again, that might probably be just me as I love endings like the one in this book.
I recommend this to anyone looking for a light, fluffy read with romance but that also deals with deeper and more subjects.
First Sentence:

"The first time I saw him, he was laying in the alley behind my grandmother's coffeehouse."

Quotes:

"The receptionist asked a janitor where all the fish had gone. Other than a stream of bubbles rising in a tube, nothing was inside the aquarium.

Had Malcolm set the free? Of course he had." - Page 179

Other:
Here's how the paperback edition looks. Simple yet really cute.