*Review&Giveaway* Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson

17-year-old Lila has two secrets she's prepared to take to the grave. The first is that she can move things just by looking at them. The second is that she's been in love with her brother's best friend, Alex, since forever. After a mugging exposes her unique ability, Lila decides to run to the only people she can trust - her brother and Alex. They live in Southern California where they work for a secret organisation called The Unit, and Lila discovers that the two of them are hunting down the men who murdered her mother five years before. And that they've found them. In a world where nothing and no one is quite as they seem, Lila quickly realises that she is not alone - there are others out there just like her - people with special powers -and her mother's killer is one of them…

Hunting Lila was one of those books I wasn't sure about buying, but when my birthday came and my brother asked for book names I decided why not? I've spoken to a few people on twitter too and they've also been unsure about buying this book; I don't know what it is about it?... well I can tell you now to jump at your next opportunity because it surprised me in the best of ways, Hunting Lila is nothing of what you would expect. 

Although it lands us straight into the action I found the beginning a little slow and I wasn't really sure on where it was headed but then all of a sudden the whole dynamic of the book changed and secrets are discovered, drama is tangled and looped with other elements of those secrets, all rather complex, but exciting and keeps you wondering what will happen next?  

After the first couple of chapters the rest of the book is fast paced your adrenaline will be running pretty high and you wouldn't be able to put it down if you wanted too, think I read this book in a number of hours without leaving my bed. The main character is easy for a young woman to relate too in the way that she is not understood and that she's having these feelings for someone she probably shouldn't, I certainly related very much with Lila which made the rest of the story so much more real. 

The relationship that evolves between Lila and Alex is slow and subtle until her world takes a sharp turn and they're hurtling down the motorway- literally. Alex, well he's *swoon* sweet and charming as well as a fighter, he does everything he can to protect her even if it means breaking his own heart, I totally fell for Alex- who wouldn't?  

I love the other characters too such as her brother- even if he is a bit overprotective but he's only trying to do the right thing and I almost cried in the last couple of chapters because of him. The way the story slowly discovers new heights of discoveries that make you actually gasp is amazing, I was actually blown away with some of the outcomes in the last few chapters. 

I think the story just really showed how nothing is ever what it seems and you can't really give your trust in something just because it's a big corporation such as the FBI or something like that because a lot of things in life are based on lies, sometimes to protect people, sometimes to protect themselves.

I don't want to give too much away, because the whole book is about discoveries and so I think you should go and discover them yourself!  It's killing me having to wait so long for the next one to be released, so much left unsaid, killer ending! Can't wait for Losing Lila!

5/5 to Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson 

Don't hesitate like I did, I was mad at myself for not buying it sooner after reading it. 

On that note, I'm going to be giveaway a copy of Hunting Lila to one of you!

Half because I feel like I've been slacking since I started college and half because I read some really amazing books during the october read-a-thon and wanted to share them with you!

Rules: 

I know rules are boring but have to be said! 

This giveaway is international anywhere the book depository ships

13+ ages please

Must be a blog follower to enter 

Ends the 30th November winners will be announced that day or day after and contacted by e-mail you have a few days to reply before another winner will be chosen. 

Enter here with the raffle copter form, try refreshing your page if you can not see it, it takes a while to load. 

Before you go don't forget to check out the SECRET SANTA book exchange here where you can gift someone and receive books of your wishlist this xmas: http://wordsontheshelf.blogspot.com/2011/09/secret-santa.html

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

Name: Forbidden


Author: Tabitha Suzuma


Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As defacto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives—and the way they understand each other so completely—has also also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is certain: a love this devastating has no happy ending.


Never has a book managed to break my heart so much before. Forbidden now stands next to Starcrossed fighting for the space of my favourite book of all time. 


The opening of the book is beautifully written straight away I knew I would adore this book for every page, I loved the simplicity and normalcy of it and then at the very end you find it links right back to that page and the beauty of that made me want to cry. 


Lochan and Maya are two teenagers from a family who have to defend themselves even as children as no one else fight for them. Their father left, their mother is a useless drunk and no one else matters. Immediately your heart goes out to this family, these kids who are as young as six taking care of one another, supporting each other even when they have no time to support themselves. I love each and every one of the children's characters, they are perfectly fitting and so much like reality. 


Because of having a run away father and a mother who's never actually their the oldest children Lochan and Maya run the household, take the youngest kids to school, pick them up, feed them dinner, tuck them in at night, they are made into the parents of the family. Its heartbreaking and heartwarming to read about their family who have stuck together through the worst, and I just adore Lochan's nickname- cute. 


Lochan is smart, but socially awkward; the only person who has ever really understood him is his sister Maya. Maya is beautiful and popular, but there's only one person she really wants to notice her. When all you've ever had is one person to lean on, is there really someone else you could love? The subject of the story is delicate, however it has been written so beautifully you couldn't deny that this book is wrong. Is love ever wrong? 


Their was always there and through arguments, through just being their, through struggling together they discover their love for one another, and although it's forbidden it's beautiful.  


At the end of the day, yes in this way love's wrong, and that's what makes the book so adrenaline filled and dangerous. I found myself conflicted to whether they should love one another as much as Lochan and Maya found themselves questioning it. This conflict brings an edge to the story that will keep you wondering. When they decided that it was wrong I'd think but you love one another and when they gave in I'd feel uncomfortable. 


By their actions you can really see how much they have held one another up for years and how their love, is all they really have and without it they feel they can not go on. 


I adore how the ending of the book pieces together, it was totally unexpected with the third eldest child especially, I couldn't believe it but when he ran after the car I felt like crying, I think I might have a little. Although the ending was tragic and broke my heart into many little pieces, it was so utterly beautiful, even thinking about it is making me tear up, it was the only way out. I was so proud of Maya for being strong, for the children who will walk side by side together, and Lochan he never really left. he's still there.  


Poetically beautiful, deals with issues some authors won't even challenge, Tabitha really charged past that limit and came out with something that will leave you breathless. 


You will cry, laugh, get angry, feel awe and sympathy and love with this book. It will move you in ways you didn't know you could be moved, Forbidden really touched my heart and I know that I will never forget this story in years to come, knowing me however I will have read it a bunch of times by then. 


5/5 and higher if I could go higher to Forbidden, you're truly missing out if you haven't read this yet, it will teach you how love survives even when it's forbidden, teach you to appreciate all that you have and everyone you have.  

Paranormalcy

Book name: Paranormalcy 

Author: Kiersten White

Series: Book one

Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours. 

But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.

“Paranormalcy seduced me. The two sexy paranormals who vie for Evie’s affections each had their own victory; one won Evie’s heart and the other won mine.” (Aprilynne Pike, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wings)


What can I say? I fell in love with this book from page one. The narrator of the story, which is Evie herself I actually loved. She's funny and feisty all in one, her whole personality brought the book to life, every girl likes to read about a heroine who doesn't really need a hero. *Go girls!* 

I loved a lot of characters in this book to be honest, Lend well he's rather dreamy in a mysterious kind of way but I'll leave that for you to figure out and even the evil faerie will have you swooning, much like the quote above from the New York Times, awesome quote.

I found the whole thing unpredictable, as well no one likes a book that you can guess the ending of. I didn't really see what or shall I say who coming, in fact I totally suspected the faerie. Even now that I have finished the book I can't decide if the faerie is good or bad, maybe you have other opinions but I think in a way he was actually trying to help her, I'll have to get the next one soon and find out *don't go telling me!* 

I like how Lend and Evie get to know one another and by saving each other, they begin to fall in love. Even if they are enemies in some retrospect, or even if it's dangerous from her to love him, he would risk that for her. It's suggested, or maybe I was the only one to interpret it this way, that just loving him and having him love her scraps the impossible and keeps Evie from being empty when there's really only one thing that can do that. It's very sweet. 


I adore the references to fairytale like characters, because we're all a child at heart, it brings magic to the book and I'm one for loving magic. Also the complex idea of the IPCA is genius, props to Kiersten for creating such a situation that could in fact in some crazy way be real, if you believe in the unseen, being able to relate to the story pulls you in and trust you won't come out until you have finished that last page!     

The whole book is lighthearted in a sense that it plays around humour but beneath the humour the story suddenly turns and it's packed with action, suspension and danger. You won't want to put the book down, I read Paranormalcy during a read-a-thon and was glad to have a book that I wanted to keep reading. You'll heart will both be racing with Evie's love and her adrenaline.  


If you like danger, humour and love this is the book for you. 


5/5 for Paranormalcy. 

Hey guys!

Just wanted to say if you haven't signed up for the SECRET SANTA yet then what are you waiting for? :D Sign up and gift & receive things of your and other bloggers wishlists! Christmas is fast approaching!

Lots of little things

Hey guys,

So first of all I wanted to ask you guys something. I will be putting up reviews for Forbidden and Hunting Lila very soon and i loved both books but can't decide which one I want to host a giveaway with the review so that you can win it, so I'm gonna let you decide, just comment below which you would rather me host a giveaway for!

Next, I have reactivated my Formspring so if you have any writer/blogger questions for me or if you just want to get to know stuff about me then go here: Mazzda18

Also I wanted to remind you guys that the secret santa signs up are still available, where you can sign up to give and receive things off wishlists this chirstmas, go here for that: http://wordsontheshelf.blogspot.com/2011/09/secret-santa.html

Finally you can connect with me on twitter to talk about books here: https://twitter.com/#!/MazzNixon

Thanks for the support guys and have a great weekend, love.

<3

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Book name: Across the Universe

Author: Beth Revis

Series: Book one

A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder. When Amy is frozen aboard the interstellar spaceship Godspeed, she expects to be woken in 300 years on a new planet. Instead, someone wakes her up early…and if Amy doesn’t figure out soon, the next people woken up might not survive–including her parents.

The depth of imagination Beth had to write a story like this still does not fail to amaze me. Not only is the story played out on a spaceship but it's 300 years in the future and everything's different, evolved in a way you wouldn't really expect. This alone was interesting but combined with the complex story; which at time had me hating characters I shouldn't have and loving characters I should hate; it's just utter brilliance.

The story is told through both Amy's point of view and Elder's. The contrast between the two is very evident at the beginning but as they begin to understand one another more you can see how even though they were born millenniums apart they share similar morals. 

Although I knew from the start when a certain character was introduced that he would be that guy, (Trying to keep this spoiler proof), the way that it was discovered I still found very entertaining. The ending was wrapped up very nicely. 

Of course I hated how their world worked and the system seems very harsh but when I reached the ending of the book I started to understand why their world lives the way it does, it's actually rather clever and very true that the truth can't always be known. Society needs to have some form of foundation even if it is made up of lies. 

The story plays on the fact that nothing goes the way it's planned, sometimes things are unfair and you have to make sacrifices. For instance Amy and her parents, which of course breaks your heart as you can't help but think how you would be feeling if you were in that position. 

I can't exactly say that Across the Universe is predictable cause I only found small parts like a character predictable and some parts are actually very shocking. So yes, it's one of the books you just have to keep reading. 

I really warmed to one of the non-main characters, I think mostly because he's a bit crazy and very artistic like me, and was sad by his.. well story. (No spoilers!) And other characters I just really disliked, but Amy is shown to be really alone and so the characters were not meant to be liked. 

Amy and Elder's love is ever so subtle, it's like they are learning in baby steps that that feeling they feel towards one another is ok, as love is like a foreign language to Elder. Much like most dystopian books Across the Universe demonstrates how love can survive even where love is unknown. 

5/5! Lost for words.

Matched by Ally Condie

Book name: Matched

Author: Ally Condie 

Series: Book one

In the Society, Officials decide. 

Who you love. 

Where you work. 

When you die.

Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s hardly any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one… until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow — between perfection and passion.

Admittedly it has been a couple months since I actually read this book but it is not the kind of story you forget. Yes, it's one of those books that take your heart for prisoner and have you thinking about it for days even weeks after. 

If you haven't read this book yet then it's not what you think, I know it sounds a lot like Lauren Oliver's Delirium and truthfully that's why I bought it, but it's not. Yes there are some similarities, but they are unique to each other and so I am not gonna compare them. 

Matched has a very fast pace with events in the story line which keeps you on your toes, it's a pretty unpredictable story, however the love that grows between the two main characters is slow and subtle. The contrast of the both is amazingly written and pulls you right into Cassia's world where you will cry with her, fear with her and smile with her. At times the wrong boy took my heart, Xander (how cool is that name?), as his character is lovely (and totally the kind of boy I'd let steal my heart) but in the end I warmed to Ky. Through Cassia's journey we discovers Ky's past and his story really shows how what's on the surface reflects nothing of what's inside a person. I really love how Ky shows her bit by bit what made him him and I adore how through teaching her to write he taught her how to love. 

I think the main meaning behind Cassia's story is that against all odds, the world against you, rules, death, being separated, being different... love survives and in the end love can not be coordinated and scheduled as love is spontaneous and love should be free. 

The ending both breaks your heart and allows you to have hope. Making the wait for Crossed torture, but it's out in the UK on the 24th of this month and it's just been released in the US.  

I don't want to give to much away because this story is a discovery in itself and so if you haven't already you need to discover it! I really enjoyed this book, I am so a dystopian geek right now. 

5/5! Amazing!