The Tobacconist

Suspension of disbelief. A concept that most novelists use, if done successfully, to engage the reader and suspend them in a timeless void where nothing exists except them, the premise and the end. Some authors have the innate ability to conjure up conundrums, and in the case of The Tobacconist, an enigma is derived from the simplicity of the conceptual world Seethaler creates. Not only are we captivated by the diminutive nature of Franzs' life, but the novel itself is an interlude in time. A fleeting exposition of a young boys life, transformed by the dynamic world he lives in.
The Tobcacconist follows the life of Franz, a young Austrian country boy untouched by the jarring lifestyle of the Viennese city. With the resinous smell of the forest in his hair, clumps of cowshit on his boots, our protagonist leaves behind any semblance of familiarity and ventures into the heart of smokey Vienna to apprentice for Otto Trsnyek, a tobacconist. Trsnyek, a one-legged WWI veteran is a political firebrand. Instead of  quietly selling cigars and newspapers, he makes his opinions fairly blatant to those around him. However, the quickening annexation of Austria by Hitler sees to it that the Nazi movement plants its roots deep into societal foundation, and its not long before Trsnyek is branded as a "Jew lover" and persecuted accordingly.
Something that took me by complete surprise, and eventual appreciation was the inclusion of Sigmund Freud, a regular Jewish customer at the tobacconists. The shrewd, dying neurologist forms an unlikely connection with the insistent Franz. Franz convinces Freud to regularly sit on a park bench with him and is entirely intent on finding the method for happiness in return for hand rolled cheroots. Soon a confidant and mentor, Freud offers wisdom to the ways of love after Franz becomes smitten with a young Bohemian woman who has disappeared.

“So I’m asking you: have I gone mad?

 Or has the whole world gone mad?” 

The professor replies, “yes, the world has gone mad. 

And … have no illusions, it’s going to get a lot madder than this. 

The encapsulation of poignant moments is a testament to Seethalers uncanny ability to intertwine the most contrastive components in a harmonious portrait. The bombs tear the parks apart, the Nazis have occupied the Ringstrasse, yet a young country boy continues to stick his nonsensical dreams in the window shop of a tobacconist. 

A coming of age novel? An ode to the generation that has seen if not all, then most? Unrequited love, a love story of the innocence of first love and the willingness to lose yourself wholly for someone. To be all, or do all, that surely it'll make them love you in return. A story of the abhorrent ugliness of human nature. The terrorizing, terrifying acts of malice and hatred and fear. A story of those who stood and watched, and those who were forced to leave in order to live. A story of companionship and honour and cherishment, The Tobacconist is a must read. 

Read on losers.

“In mind’s eye the future appeared

 like the line of a far distant shore

 materializing out of the morning fog: 

still a little blurred and unclear, but promising and beautiful, too.”

All the light we cannot see

Beauty is not always blatant. It might not be found in the tallest peak of the snowiest mountain, or the greenest fir of the forest. It might not be found in the glittering vastness of the sea nor the tropical inhabitants of distant rainforests, but in the delicate string which intertwines two souls for a single moment in eternity. It may be residing in the sweet flesh of canned peaches shared high up in a musty attic, nestled within a war torn sea port. It may be found in the desperate clench of a boys hand over an earpiece he clutches against his ear in the basement of a collapsed hotel.

As I type hunched over my laptop, freshly showered, with Debussy’s Clair De Lune delicately playing next to me, I realise what a blessing books are. How I will remain eternally grateful at the narratives which envelope me in world after world of continuous rapture. I will not say enjoyment as I cannot remember the last time I ugly cried this hard. However, every once in a while, I stumble along a book which makes me sit for a long time and think about what I have just read. More often than not, these books are set in the midst of a world war. The book thief, The boy in the striped pyjamas, Morris Gleitzmans Once series, amongst others I have read with my heart pounding, breath held in anticipation of the next tragedy my endeared characters would have to face.

The book All the light we cannot see is packed with dense and detailed descriptions from two main perspectives which shift from past to present. A curious blind girl who lives with her beloved father in France and a genius orphan boy in Germany with a prodigious knack for fixing radios. Marie Laure's relationship with her 'papa' can only be described as lovingly tender. From the model towns and cities he builds for her use to the brail books he can barely afford to gift her on birthdays. It is never easy for a single parent yet with his nurture and care, Marie lives on as an inquisitive and kind-hearted girl, at ease with her disability. Werner is a gentle orphan with a burning desire to know how the world works. His notebook is filled with ideas like self rocking cradles and questions no one seems to have the answers to. He spends time with his little sister, Jetta and is constantly trying to discover new things. He tows her along the streets of the mining town where they live. Their discovery of a broken short wave radio is bounteous, as Werner fixes it and the children listen, enraptured to the voices and music which come out. He and Jetta are captivated by a broadcast from France hosted by an old gentleman who shares stories about the marvellous world of science and light spectrums.  However their lives will irrevocably change once Hitler comes in power.

The story starts with Germanys invasion of France in 1940, when Marie and her father flee Paris to the sea port town of beautiful Saint Malo in order to take refuge with her great uncle Etienne, a recluse suffering from PTSD as a result of his participation in WW1. Here, Doerr shines light on the German occupation of France and how that changed the lives of ordinary French people who were intent on resisting. A main plot driving point is the most valuable stone in the world, entrusted in the care of Marie's father, who worked at the museum where it previously was contained. The plot is thickened when a Nazi expert starts a hunt for the stone which is rumoured to grant immortality to the keeper. Parallel to this, Werner's passion for science and his innate ability in radio mechanics earns him a place at the disturbing Nazi military elite training school. His aptitude and discipline puts him on front lines, where he proves adept at finding the senders of illegal radio transmissions. His mission brings him to the port of Saint Malo.

There is so much to discover in this book that re-reading it is almost a granted. Yet there is also much to lose in this book, the potential to change the world, the unconditional love of a father, innocent lives snuffed like candles. All the light we cannot see highlights the focus we place on the limited spectrum we can only see, even though there's so much more undiscovered, perhaps indicative of the millions of stories that were once lives  that people led suffering in wars that we will never know. It is a dense book, but worth the read a thousand times over.

Read on guys, read on.

 

Eon, The last Dragoneye

Another remarkable story review is here!
In the summer, there's really nothing much to do but lounge, read, review, watch Korean dramas and eat. Oh, there's also worrying about the impending a-level results day, crying about my future and shoving all things too messy to be dealt with at the back of my mind. Lovely.
I will read almost anything I can get my hands on. The fantasy world is obviously no exception to this. You name it, I've probably read about it. Wizards, fairies, demigods, shadowhunters, sparkly vampires, angsty teenage girls who wield formidable powers, djinnis, werewolves, angels, magical assassins and A LOT more. However, there's one thing that I've mainly avoided. It seemed too much like a low production failed CBBC cartoon series that only aired till episode 7.
Dragons.
With my fantasy track record, however, I purchased a used and abused copy of Eon from amazon after hearing a raving review from The Readables  (from the booktube community)
The lure of a strong female lead who has a unique connection with the most powerful dragon in existence was too hard to resist.
Now for some background. Eon is set in an East Asia setting. There are strict traditional values reverently followed under the Emperors rule. The land is controlled by twelve dragons and their Dragoneyes (human warriors with a connection to the dragon). Dragoneyes control their dragons power for the benefit of the land. Each dragon is based off the Chinese years. For example there's a rat dragon, an ox dragon etc. The only variance is in their colours and powers. During every year, the specific dragon and dragon eye must step up to control the weather and fertility of the land. This ensures a secure, risk-free life for the people of the country. Eon is actually Eona, a 16 year old cripple who is taught fighting, dragon eye style by her ruthless master. This fighting consists of epic sword work accompanied with the ability to connect with the energy world. Each power stance has a connection with one of the dragons. I know it sounds weird but TRUST MEH, just read it.
 She is a servant in this masters home, and knows she must pose as a boy in order to participate in the dragon eye competition. Females were forbidden to practice Dragon magic and could face death (FEMINISTS WHERE YOU AT?)
 This competition consists of potential dragon eyes fighting against each other in a show of strength and agility. It concludes with the dragons choosing their destined Dragoneyes to become apprentices to the current Dragoneye. Eon is chosen by the mirror dragon, a dragon which has not appeared in centuries. The mirror dragon is twice the size of a regular dragon and has quadruple the power. Eon must face the doubt and disbelief presented by the people before her. She must stay in the palace under the Emperor and forms a quick friendship with the Prince, Prince Kygo (imagine Ji Chang Wook - holyshitballs *drooldrooldrool*) of course masquerading as a boy the whole time.
The connection between Eon and her dragon is breathtaking. From feeling her dragons power ebb through her to nearly losing all connection with her, Goodman keeps you at the edge of your seat, desperate to find out what happens next.
Eon forms  allies like Ryko, a soldier and Dela, a woman in a mans body. The beauty of their budding relationships are palpable as Eon tentatively approaches them with wariness. Through their continued interactions, loyalty and kinship develops between them, to the point where any is willing to die for the survival of the other.
Eon herself, is not easy to like. She doesn't have the easy courage of a Katniss, or the admirable and stoic, heroism of a Harry Potter. Her actions and emotions are almost too real. There is no quick rise to power or seemingly destined battles in which Eon kills all the baddies with an ounce of her dragons power. As the unprepared victim of political intrigue and power games, she is unwilling to accept the responsibility that has been thrust upon her. Expecting to be an apprentice, one of twelve and schooled by a Dragoneye, she is instead thrust into the position of Co-Ascendant, expected to govern the Council and prevent the usurpation of the Emperor's throne, even though this breaks the covenant. The council consists of evil and self-serving people of power who have try their hardest to gain what they want. The play of politics is perfectly executed by Goodman and keeps the book glued in the readers hands.
The book itself is absolutely stunning. There's a lot of world building to process, but it all contributes to the mythical aspect of the book. The descriptions of the rooms of the palace, the lush landscape and the interactions with all the dragons allows the reader to have no trouble picturing the events. The fact that all I had to do was take a backseat and gasp occasionally at the unexpected turns in the plot pleased the crap out of me. I had no insta love or cringe love triangles to be wary of. (actually the sequel has one but OMG ITS SO GOOD THAT ITS ACCEPTABLE TO HAVE ANY KIND SHAPE IN THAT BOOK)
The only down side would be that Eon took eons (haha) to work out the contents of Kinras tablets. Eon has no previous dragoneye to train her to master the mirror dragon, and so must use her ancestors folio and tablets to work out any valuable information. The only problem is that the tablets are encoded and the folios are near impossible to get (stupid stupid Ido).
Eon and her allies face grave danger and a deadly struggle for the Imperial throne. Eon needs to rise up to the role of being a mirror dragoneye  by finding the strength and inner power to battle those who want to take her power, and life.
Overall, I'd give 4.5 stars to this book. You need not love a character in order for them to have a profound affect on you. For me, although Eons character hit a little too close to home, she was an incredible character to read about. She's driven by a plethora of loyalties, sacrifices and a strong desire to rise up in a world that's against her. She's a heroine whom you want to watch succeed and so it matters what happens to her and where the story takes her.
Read on guys, read on.

A Court Of Mist And Fury

The following review will contain squealing, squawking, swearing and occasional sighs. You have been warned.
We all know I love a good fairy-tale retelling, and if you didn't know, welcome to The Comfy Booknook, take a seat and drink this hot chocolate. This may take a while.

As if I haven't raved about Sarah J Maas' brilliant writing enough, THERES ANOTHER SERIES THAT IS EQUALLY FANTABULOUS AS A THRONE OF GLASS SERIES OMG AND ITS BASED ON BEAUTY AND THE BEAST UKOSDGFJKDGHVUY

I am writing after having finished the second book in this series ( A Court Of Mist And Fury) and holy crow guys. HOLYCROWLETSJUSTDOTHIS
Feyre is a girl who has always kept to herself. She is practical, fearless and fiercely protective. Although she has two sisters and a father, she has never been close to them, and we're lucky if they exchange more than a few words at a time. Since her farther had lost all his money when his ships sank, Feyre took the burden of providing for her family and ventures daily into the woods nearby to hunt for food. One day, she finds a wolf in the woods. Thinking of only the money its fur would bring and the food for her family, she fires her arrows Katniss style. Unbeknownst to her however, her actions have set off a series of events which leads to her being brought to a castle on the 'Other' side. The Fae side. The humans have an aged hatred for the Fae and vice versa (we hate the unknown).
For those uninformed, the Fae are mystical creatures which wield a great elemental power. The Fae court is divided into the four seasons. Each with their own court, ruled by the King and the High Fae of that court. Unfortunately, all the powers of the court have been taken by the bitch queen Amarantha. She's a powerful, inhumane creature who has long since forgotten the meaning of compassion.she had conquered all the courts within a matter of days. Her past time consists of torturing humans and fae alike. She keeps the king of winter her personal whore. She has an unbidden hatred for humans ever since her younger sister fell in love with a human who ended up killing her. She spent weeks torturing him. She currently keeps his eye on her ring. She rules the Fae lands with an iron clad fist and squashes any sign of rebellion.
 Feyre has been taken in the Spring Court by King Tamlin, who has been pursued relentlessly by Amarantha. Feyre is forced to stay in Tamlins castle as a means of repayment for killing the wolf, who was in actual fact Tamlins close shape shifter friend. Feyre finds something odd about the whole situation, as if the permanent masks on everyone's face wasn't enough of a give away. Over here Feyre learns more of the Fae world, their customs and traditions. A seemingly inconsolable Tamlin and an indignant Feyre blunder down a path which leads to a tentative love blossoming between them. ( I can't believe I just used 'blossoming' fml) He learns of her passion for painting and purchases luxurious sets for her. He shows her the beauty of his kingdom, and in turn, is entranced by her beauty. She, at first completely cantankerous, returns his feelings.

A noteworthy character here is the winter king called Rhysand. She considers Rhysand to be the most beautiful man she has ever seen. (he has the whole black hair blue eyes thing going on)
He is introduced as a conniving, plotting high Fey who's only purpose is to serve Amaranth. His first meeting with Feyre is on Calanamai night (a lit party for all fae where Tamlin becomes possessed and mates with a woman to ensure fertility for the rest of the year- messy, we know) where Feyre is wondering around, unsure of why she is vehemently told to stay locked behind doors. Rhysand, uncertain of her character, saves her from being mauled by three low Fae who feel an urgent need to mate. (euphemisms are my speciality)
Her second encounter is when he appears in Tamlins castle where she, Tamlin and Lucien (a close confidant of Tamlin) are dining. Rhysand is surprised to find the human from Calanamai with Tamlin. He proceeds to invade her mind, demean Tamlin and leaves with enough information to inform Amaranth of the budding relationship between Tamlin and Feyre. A notable point here is that Feyre lied about her name to Rhysand. She used the name of her neighbour and from back home 'Clare Beddor'.
I feel as if now is the right time to explain exactly why Feyre was kidnapped, looked after and treated so well by Tamlin. Just like beauty and the beast, the curse i.e the only way everyone's rightful power could be regained and the masks would fall off, would be when a girl with hate in her heart for faeries must kill one of Tamlins closest friend (the wolf) and fall in love with him. The chances were obviously supposed to be next to impossible.
This curse was set by none other than the delightful Amaranth. Of course, Tamlin refuses to tell Feyre of this curse and sends her back home before she has the chance to tell him she loves him to protect her from Amaranthas wrath.
When he sent her back, there were only three days remaining until it was impossible to break the curse.
The following days at her home are filled with emptiness and desolation. She returns to the castle after some time to find it a complete wreckage. She finds out that Amarantha had come and taken Tamlin and his people to her court Under the Mountain. (capitals to emphasise the horror of this place)
Feyre decides to travel Under the Mountain, to save Tamlin and break his curse.
With help, Feyre reaches Amaranthas court and is brought before Amarantha.
At this moment, its imperative to emphasise the malicious nature of Amaranth.
When Feyre is brought to Amarantha, she finds the dead body of Clare Beddor displayed like a trophy on the wall.

There, nailed on the wall of the enormous cavern,

was the mangled corpse of a young woman.

Her skin was burned in places, her fingers were

bent in odd angles, and garish red lines crisscrossed

 her naked body.

 

I had to sit for a moment and get over this garish image. Maas is a true master of  torture.

Amarantha makes a deal with Feyre to complete three challenges in exchange for Tamlins freedom.

Once she agrees, she's punched to oblivion and thrown in a cell which even a rat would run away from. I hope you can sense my anger at Amarantha. I HATE THAT WOMAN.

The challenges are near impossible to do, and so when Feyre completes the first one, there is shock and hope amongst the Fae. This was one of favourite parts of the entire book, simply because Amaranthas entire court, apart from Rhysand, had bet she would've lost. Her challenge had been to destroy an absolute disgusting creature. Think of a garden worm, now make him as big as a train. Now insert rows of razor sharp teeth. Oh, its also got the speed of a train too. She proves everyone wrong and uses her instinctive survival techniques to use the bones of his past meals to set up a trap and survive. She ends up killing the beast and javelin throws a sharp bone on the ground where Amarantha stands. At this point I had to put down the book and just run around the room a couple of times. The bad-assery is real with this one. (I'm a sucker for strong girls, you should see me drool over Black Widow)

After revealing most of the plot, I'll leave it up to you to discover how she handles the other two challenges and if she manages to break the curse or not.

Overall, a thrilling 4.6 stars, only because the second part COMPLETELY managed to outshine the first part and is undoubtedly a solid 5 stars.

Readers, keep reading.



Adarlan's Assasian

*meekly waves*
Heeeeeey guys


I'm sorry.
I lack, I know I do.
Instead of dwelling on my poor updates, lets focus on a heart stopping and action packed series that has transformed me. Seriously. In weak moments I whisper to myself 'What would Celeana do?'
Celeana Sardothian, the protagonist of Throne of Glass.. Even her name exudes coolness.
Celeana is the most feared assassin in the City of Adarlan, ruled by a tyrannical king of whose arbitrary evilness we learn later. These inspiring books have one thing in common, its the same every time. From the Harry Potter series to George Martins A song of ice and fire. They expand on the nitty gritty details. These authors have thought about everything. There are no loopholes because the authors have crafted the world so perfectly. Everything builds up and the authors have meticulously paid attention to every aspect of the world they have invented. Something you notice in the beginning of a series may make sense halfway through the third book. It all slots together and there's nothing better than piecing the information and fist pumping the air whilst whisper screaming YEAH YEAH YEAH (because you don't want your mum to bang on the wall at 3 in the morning)
Sarah J Maas has executed this perfectly. The world that she's created deserves a never-ending series. It's all the things that add up. Back to Celeana. Celeana is part of the Assassin's Keep in which some of the best Assassins in the whole kingdom reside under the watchful eye of Abrobbyn. Don't be fooled. Abrobbyn isn't the Sensei, nor is he some Yoda. He's a man in his thirties that makes little kids dangle from windows 50 feet above the ground to exercise control. He also has no qualms about beating them black and blue. We hear some of the stories Celeana's been through and they are not pretty. She's been through a lot to come out top. Although he's a misogynistic pig, he's still fond of Celeana and there's always a weird kind of tension between them. He's willing to indulge her with her expensive taste in dresses and jewellery as long as she kills all the targets from clients. All we learn about her background in the first book is that Celeana was found abandoned and unconscious at age 7 in the woods. Alongside Celeana serves Sam, another Assassin.
(*sobs wretchedly in the corner but can't really explain why without spoilers goddammit*)
The first book starts off with Celeana almost escaping one of the harshest prison slave camps in the kingdom. The salt mines of Endovier. Imagine a concentration camp. Laboured to the death in barbaric conditions. Slacking for more than a minute is unheard of but Celeana nearly did the impossible. She fought her way past the inhumane soldiers in the mines and had reached the border. The punishment that followed was savage.
We don't learn why or what Celeanas doing there. Shortly after, the King of Adarlan sends his son, Prince Dorian to retrieve Celeana. She is to take part in a brutal and bestial competition on who wins the title of the Kings Hand, the kings personal assassin. They offer her a irresistible bargain. If she does win the competition after serving as the King's hand for a certain number of years, her name would be cleared and she would be given freedom. In the nail-biting and fiery competition that ensues, we meet Chaol, the captain of the guard. A dedicated soldier and best friend to the prince.He trains Celeana and helps her to top the ranks. Not that she needs that much training anyway seeing as she is the best assassin in Adarlan, and doesn't she know it. A budding romance slowly blossoms between them. Her composed and standoffish attitude is to ward people away, but her genuine character shines through as the story progresses. One of the main things that makes this series legendary is character development. We see a very superficial girl at the beginning of the series, one who's determined to prove shes the best. She slowly morphs into a girl with something to loose, She makes friends, among them Princess Nehemia, a representative from another country so that peace would be retained. She flourishes with the new found relationships and the way she lets down her barriers but still manages to uphold the airs of mystery and danger is phenomenal. With a bit of trouble from Wyrd creatures and dark magic Celeana becomes the kings right hand. (WE BLOODY KNEW IT)
Obviously there had to be a few complications on the way BUT iv'e already revealed 79.6% of the plot so read it guys, honestly. I cannot praise this book enough. Its a total 5 kick ass stars from me.
Stay tuned for the review of the second book, Crown of Midnight for even more kick-ass-ery. (I'm sorry. That was painful)

Fangirl reads Fangirl

An apology is in order, I have completely surpassed the month of February and we're closer to April than we've ever been. I don't feel like showering excuses on you BUT I have moved houses. *showers excuses*

 I am no longer living with my parents and am also swamped with exams. (I can barely see you) Lots of new things are happening and I cannot completely say I'm elated (I'm a human. We hate change) but I'm learning to live with it.

I love how what is supposed to be a book reviewing blog turns into me just talking about my life and complaining about how I never get enough time to read and review and read and blog and read. However, I have been squeezing in a book or two from *GASP the library. How? How did I, keeper of books, manage to give them back? Well let me tell you, it was after a letter I got at home stating I owed £29 to the library after just two weeks (I swear it was just two weeks) since then I have been hiding the books I cannot return in the library itself. I am not ashamed. Its hard to explain but its like the magic of the book disappears after somebody else uses it. (No I do not need a psychiatrist) I'm learning guys, I can do it. One of these so called books that I have decided to read, hide (although I checked yesterday and it wasn't there behind the shelf #cry) and then review is Fangirl, by Rainbow Rowell.

Definition;

A rabid, wild breed of often human females who are obsessed with either a fictitious character in a book, or perhaps a band member or an actor/singer. Fangirls congregate at anime conventions, concerts, book signings or O2L gatherings. They have been known to glomp, grope and tackle when encountering the said obsessions. 

There are few things people can accuse me of but most definitely I can be held accountable for being part of quite a few fandoms.

I am an avid fan of Sherlock Holmes and love love love how Robert Downey Jr. represented him in both movies. Don't get me started on Marvel. (ultimate ship is WHOLOCK. YES GUYS. JUST YES)
I am also part of the Cumberpatch fandom. His acting skills are amazing (The imitation game was sheer ingenuity) I. LOVE. HOGGY HOGGY HOGWARTS. Most definitely my Potterhead overrules all. The books, movies actors and errything ON POINT.
Something which I have watched over and over again is Lord of the Rings.  A classic timeless, the precipice of fantasy, everything you could ever have wanted. The blood, battles, gore.  Not to mention Orlando Bloom as the infamous Legolas. *swoon
Anime and Korean dramas are also some things which occupy 90% of my time. I wish I was joking.
Enough of things that make me squeal.
Fangirl is all about a mousy girl named Cath who is an obsessive Simon snow fan. Shes read every single one of his books and she even writes fanfiction based on two of the main characters. I think the magical boarding school within the Simon snow series can be closely related to Harry Potter. Cath deals with social anxiety, a bi-polar farther and a sister who's determined to get as further away from Cath as possible. Everything is changing rapidly and Cath is barely keep afloat. Cath gets stuck with an intimidating new room mate called Raegan. I love her and her rough around the edges character. Que love interest. Levi. A tall, lanky and cute boy who just smiles ALL-THE-FREAKING-TIME.
I feel as though the title was misleading, The world that it creates is mainly revolving around how Cath can't leave Simon Snow behind. It's also filled with pointless extracts of the online fan fiction that Cath writes. Don't get me wrong, the relationships are dynamic and the problems that Cath has to overcome makes you eager to read more. I was looking forward to reading this book because I thought it would be relatable to fangirls everywhere. Unfortunately, this was not the case.
What I'm trying to say is, this book should have been a contemporary coming of age novel so no hopes were raised that finally, finally a book had been released depicting the true image of a Fangirl, how we really are and what the thousands stand for. How painful it is to get so emotionally invested in something like a fandom, or a series. 
I didn't necessarily like Cath's character that much. She was far too socially incompetent.

Cath broke open a box of protein bars. 

She had four more boxes and three giant jars of 

peanut butter shoved under her bed.

 If she paced herself, she might not have

 to face the dining hall until October.

God forbid she should have to face the monstrous dining hall.

Other than that I loved the relationship between the characters in the book. Wren and Cath. The twins and their farther. Reagan and Cath. Levi and Cath. Their relationships were all beautifully written, honest and realistic.

Overall, a solid read for a coming of age contemporary romance novel. A 3.75 stars out of 5.

Readers, keep reading.

In the cheer of fangirling, feast your eyes with some tumblr love.

  

(Its worth zooming in for this one. 

My favourites the second to last one)

A Watty to remember

Right, lets get one thing straight. I am all about the books. The pages, old or new, the spine, stiff or cracked, the state, weathered or pristine.
There's that buzzing feel in your hand that you get when you start that book you've been wanting for so long and it FINALLY arrives from amazon. Or perhaps you've been saving up, waiting until your mum takes you to WHsmith or Waterstones after days of begging with a list in your coat pocket because let's face it, it's been so long since you last went that it's shameful. Amazon is clearly the option for me :'(
 Maybe you even go to the library and you get ecstatic when you find out that the book you have craved after for oh-so-long is sitting on the shelf (this never works out for me. I cannot give them back. My deprived self needs them)
 I have never been one for kindles or audio books or whatever else they have come up with. BUT there is an exception.
I used to mock this creation before. It was an endless void filled with indistinguishable cliches and monotonous narratives, but that was before I had found 'them'. Prized possessions that inhabit the first row of my library. Constant updates are a thing to thrive off. You got it.
Wattpad.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is a review for one of the best books I have read on Wattpad.
'Illegal my ass'
Don't get put off my readers, for although the title may be like any other overrated story in the history of Watty's, this, I guarantee, is a game changer.
I want to start off by saying never have I ever laughed so much when reading a story (since Louise Renninson of course, that legend) The tears of laughter kept streaming down, so much so that I had to put my phone away and lay down for a while to get calm.. Quiet simply put, 'makeandoffer' is a literary genius and if she doesn't want to write, she should try stand-up comedy.
If you're not in it for the laughs, try the intense characters. The way she makes the plot so unpredictably remarkable. The story flows with wit, humor and general awesomeness.
Mia Hastings, after all, was never one to follow the rules. Shes a genuine and likable character. If she was a word, she would be Y.O.L.O. She lives in the moment and just goes with it along with her best friend, Lacey Richards. Her father works abroad and so she lives with her older brother, Nate. With no parental figure in the house, Mia is...unrestrained. Her hobbies include throwing paint filled ahem 'balloons' at cheerleader squads, occasionally shop lifting and sometimes giving boys she likes hypothermia for kissing another girl (understandable) Oh, and she also nearly skewered a boys left nut once. She's pretty bad ass.
  
                                    "Maybe cos your hands were exploring more than Dora. 

I wouldn't have minded but Dora had a map and a compass 

so she knew where she was going. You, on the other hand were

 like a tourist in the center of London. 

Lost as a f******* fiddle"

And here's when Drake comes in.
Drake is her brothers best friend who has been in jail for the past two years. What made me love this story the most was probably his enigmatic character.

"Listen Hastings, just because I spent the last two years

 of my life in a sausage fest does not mean

 I wave the pink flag loud and proud" 

He's known for being the bad boy, a womaniser and he parties hard. No matter how cliche that sounds, don't give up. YOU WILL END UP WITH STOMACH CRAMPS.
When Mia and Drake meet for the first time in two years, both with devil-may-care attitudes,unresolved issues of their own and more secrets than an episode of PLL, you can expect a story brimming with laughs, tears, fights and felonies. Overall, a 4.5 stars.

Read on guys, read on.

When it feels wrong, it's always more right