The Underworld, Jessica Sorenson

The Underworld (Fallen Star, #2) by Jessica Sorenson, reviewed by Bronte

Warning, this book may contain spoilers of the first book.

The Fallen Star

What is this book about?
Gemma thought her mind was gone, but she was wrong. And now she is left trying to figure out the truth to what Stephan is planning to do with her and the star, before it's too late. But finding out the truth is hard, especially since Gemma doesn't know who she can trust. There may be only one person who Gemma can turn to for answers, but that means having to go to the one place no one wants to go-The Underworld.

Who should read this book?
If you read The Fallen Star and enjoyed it. It is a fantasy book for young adults.

How long is this book?
390 pages, an average sized book.

Marks:
Story Line: 7/10
Well written: 3/5
Enjoyablilty: 3/5
Overall: 13/20

Star Rating: 3 Stars

Question 1. What character has remained the same pot of tea?
I think that Gemma is still a very naïve person that can't see things that are balancing on the end of her nose. However I like the fact that she is more of a stronger heroin and starts to think that people can't push her around like in The Fallen Star so voices her opinion more often, which I like.

Question 2. Which character has a whole new flavour?
Alex is quite different in that he finally starts treating people with the respect that he didn't give them in the first book. You also find out more of his past with Gemma so you start to feel sorry for him. I also have to put Lalyan in the equation as you see a lot more of him and his character in this book.

Question 3. Which characters would have the most awkward conversation whilst drinking tea?
Probably Stephan and Alex because they are father and son, but completely different and would have a really awkward conversation for reasons that you have to read the book to find out.

Question 4. What book would you prefer to read while drinking tea?
Umm, I'm not sure because I still haven't decided if I hate this series or love it! However there has to be something that is keeping me coming back to read some more!

Question 5. Favourite quote!
'Everyone will hurt you if you let them in'

Overall: Like I said, I still don't know if I love this series or hate it, but I am currently reading the 3rd so there has to be something that I like. I think that the characters are a lot more, alive? In the sense that you find out more about them and they are more expressive so you feel for them more. However there are things that are so plainly obvious to me that I would have thought anyone would be able to solve the mystery, that isn't so mysterious. Saying that, this book had a lot more twists and turns that I didn't guess than the first book.

What did you think of this book? What would you like us to review next?

All These Things I've Done, Gabrielle Zevin

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin, reviewed by Eleanor

What is this book about?
In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. That is until her ex is accidentally poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight -at school, in the news and, most importantly, within her mafia family. (goodreads.com)

Who should read this book?
12+, YA dystopian, romance

How long is this book?
351 pages

Marks
Story Line: 6/10
Well written: 4/5
Enjoyabililty: 3/5
Overall: 13/20

Star Rating:
3 stars

Question 1. What character would you most like to have tea with?
Anya's Nana because she was born in 1995 and I was born a year later and that's kinda cool (this book is set in 2082/3)


Question 2. What character would you most like to throw tea at?
Mr Delacroix. I know he has his reasons for not wanting Anya and Win to be together but I would still throw tea at him because they're a cute couple!

Question 3. What do you think of the cover?
I'm not so sure about the front cover of the edition I read but I do love the cover of another edition so I'm putting a picture of that up instead.

Question 4. What do you think of the title? Do you think there is an alternative?
I like the title. It's quite catchy after a while and suits the book.

Question 5. Favourite quote!
"Should have. Would have. Could have. Didn't."

Overall: I loved the main characters in this book, Anya is a likable protagonist, her older brother, Leo, is so sweet and her younger sister, Natty, is pretty cute. And then there's Win. Although he's no Jace Wayland, I did like his character too. The problem for me was that I found the romance to be rather rushed. One day Anya's not interested in Win, the next she's really not interested in him and then the next she's suddenly kissing him. Hmmm. Also, the book is written as though Anya is writing her life down for the reader (e.g. "N.B. This is foreshadowing, dear readers...") however when she has time for this/why she's doing it is not explained and so I'm not sure if this really worked. Maybe it shall all become clear in the sequel though, which I'll definitely be reading on its release!

This summer I seem to have given rather a lot of 3 stars out in my reviews. Any recommendations for books I'd be able to like enough to give 4 or even 5 stars to?

Revolution, Jennifer Donnelly

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly, reviewed by Eleanor

What is this book about?
Andi lives in present-day New York and is dealing with the aftermath of her brother's accidental death.
Alexandrine lives in Paris and is desperately trying to save a young boy from the ravages of the French Revolution.
Their paths collide as Andi unlocks a route to the past which might just hold the key to reconciling herself to her own history -and her future blurb

Who should read this book?
14+ historical fiction novel

How long is this book?
471 pages

Marks
Story Line: 7/10
Well written: 3/5
Enjoyabililty: 3/5
Overall: 13/20

Star Rating:
3 stars

Question 1. What character would you most like to have tea with?
Virgil, I want him to sing to me like he sings to Andi

Question 2. What character would you most like to throw tea at?
Louis XVI's cousin -the Duke of Orléans, just because (am I allowed to say that, seem as he was a real person and all?!!!)

Question 3. What do you think of the cover?
It's a nice cover I like how it's mysterious at first until you learn about where this key came from. (I also love the little sparrow on the back cover!)

Question 4. What do you think of the title do you think there is an alternative?
I don't think the title is all that great, although the novel is based on the French Revolution I still don't think it really fits.

Question 5. Favourite quote!
"When you can write music that endures, bravo. Until then, keep quiet and study the work of those who can"

Overall: This book took me quite a long time to read and this wasn't at all because it wasn't good but just because I could tell how much research had been put into the book and I was determined not to skim over a single detail of it. The book is engaging and although I don't know much about the music the character's in the book like so much, it doesn't matter because Andi's love for music is so strong that I forgot I'd never properly heard any of the songs! The story line is well put together and the 'twist' at the end is good. I haven't given this book any more than 13 out of 20 because it was quite hard to read, however I really like Donnelly's style of writing and definitely recommend this book along with one of the author's other novels, A Gathering Light (A Northern Light)

Did you enjoy this book?

Fracture, Megan Miranda

Fracture by Megan Miranda, reviewed by Eleanor

What is this book about?

Delaney Maxwell falls through the ice on a frozen lake, and is underwater for eleven minutes before being pulled out. Her heart stops beating, her brain stops working. She's clinically dead. Yet she wakes up.

Although everyone wants Delaney to be okay, she knows that she is no longer normal -as she finds herself drawn to those who are dying. But is her altered brain now predicting death, or could it be causing it?

Who should read this book?

This is a young adult book

How long is this book?

265 pages, an average sized book

Marks

Story Line: 6/10

Well written: 4/5

Enjoyability: 3/5

Overall: 13/20

Star Rating:
3 Stars

Question 1. What character would you most like to have tea with?

Decker. He's Delaney's best friend, the one who saves her life by pulling her out of the lake and giving her CPR. He's just so sweet and I loved how he was always there for Delaney, even when they'd had an argument.

Question 2. What character would you most like to throw tea at?

Troy, who can also sense death, is really quite a scary character. Although he's just trying to help Delaney, and he feels punished by his ability, his perspective is really sinister and his tendency to always be where Delaney is is just really creepy. I'd tell him to back off..and then I'd throw tea at him.

Question 3. What do you think of the cover?

It's a pretty title page, I like the reflection underneath the title and the scene in the background is nice.

Question 4. What do you think of the title do you think there is an alternative?

Fracture is a good title. I like how it has other subtle meanings and isn't just a reference to what the ice did when Delaney stepped on it.

Question 5. Favourite quote!

'The first time I died, I didn't see God. No light at the end of the tunnel. No haloed angels. No dead grandparents...Not even an endless darkness. Nothing.'

Overall:

This was a good debut novel, with a clever story idea -with the whole 'sensing death' thing, and it brought up some interesting topics e.g. the meaning of life and death, etc... but I didn't really like the characters and I found it all a little anti-climatic as I couldn't really see where the story was going and when I reached the end it didn't seem concluded. (Okay, I just google searched it and there may be a sequel, so I guess the lack of an explanation as to why she's so 'drawn to death' is acceptable) This book was still a good read though, and I will definitely be tempted to read the next one.

What did you think of this book? What would you like us to review next?