Tuesday 20 September 2016

Teaser Tuesday: Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books And A Beat.
To play along just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi.

Furthermore –
Dutton Children’s Books

Humility had gotten lost on its journey to his ego, but the two had finally been reunited, and the meeting appeared to be painful.
— Chapter 23

Love had made her fearless, and wasn’t it strange? It was so much easier to fight for another than it was to fight for oneself.
— Chapter 24




This book is so so very wonderful! I am aware that more than others it might really come down to liking this particular way of writing, but for me the author spun a tale of language and plot in a pretty, whimsical, and engaging narrative. Language is such a mighty tool in this book and I loved the way it is used to paint incredible scenes and scenarios. I have no idea how rainlight might look like in reality, but the words are so powerful that after a while you accept the world created in this book with its wondrous and to our mind strange proceedings.
The story itself is as simple as it is extraordinary and that makes this book so precious in my opinion, because it brings a special kind of magic to a journey of self-discovery, rescue, and towards understanding and friendship. Language appreciation will most certainly add to the reading experience yet you can also read it for the adventure and friendship element alone and be thoroughly entertained.

Another YA author writing Middle Grade and transitioning well I think. I’m sad that this seems to be a stand-alone as I’d have liked to see more of this fascinating story universe ... maybe one can hope. Which stand-alone would you want to be expanded into more than one book? Share thoughts and teasers in the comments!

Tuesday 13 September 2016

Teaser Tuesday: The Bronze Key by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books And A Beat.
To play along just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The Bronze Key by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare.

The Bronze Key –
Scholastic Press

“Someone spent their summer rereading all their Nancy Drew mysteries,” Jasper said.
Tamara gave him a toothy grin. “Someone is going to get a punch in their face.”
— Chapter 6

One of its eyes opened, its pupil large and black, the iris around it a bright purple and star-shaped.
“Children,” it whispered. “I like children.”
The “for breakfast” went unsaid, but seemed clear to Call.
— Chapter 10


This is a harmless middle grade series written by two serene and light-hearted authors ... said no one ever about The Magisterium series. Don’t get me wrong the plot and language are (in my opinion) totally age-appropriate, but if you know the authors from their YA background you also know that they are part of that lovely writer group who thrive on reader angst and tears. And I mean that in the most lovingly, while slightly emotionally tortured, way.
This third book in the series was again a wild roller coaster of high stakes, adventure, and emotion written in that wonderful smooth and blended voice of two masters. I pretend that I can in some passages see who wrote a particular expression or comeback, but overall you’d never guess that there was more than one person writing this. Apart from the part where the story wouldn’t be as dense and the characters maybe lacking a certain layer of depth, but it’s completely impossible to say how this story would have turned out on its own.
That end though ... I have no idea where this will go from here, but rest assured that I’m barely able to contain myself ... yep another year long wait ahead. But some things are worth waiting for and here that’s definitely the case.

Do you know authors who successfully write for more than one age group? Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments!

Tuesday 6 September 2016

Teaser Tuesday: The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books And A Beat.
To play along just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick.


The Boy Most Likely To –
Dial Books

“Mmm,” Jase says, opening the refrigerator and staring into it in that guy way. Like all the answers to any question I’d ask him are in the crisper or pasted onto the label of the orange juice.
— Chapter 18

“Always asking for trouble, Tim.”
“You started it. Trouble pretty much finds me without having to ask directions.”
— Chapter 23



It almost shames me to admit how long I’ve put off reading this book. Not because I dreaded it, but because I didn’t want it to end. If that makes any sense? I capital L Loved My Life Next Door and didn’t want to let go of the Garretts then and I sure as hell don’t want to let go of them now. Dear Huntley Fitzpatrick: There are enough Garretts left, pretty please with lost of cherries on top write more about them?
But on a very serious note this book was at the same time all I expected it to be in terms of the writing and emotions and managed to throw me completely for a loop in terms of plot. It’s hard to say anything about it without any spoilers just know this: Whatever you’re expecting is going to happen based on you assumptions after a certain revelation, think again ... and then think again.

You can totally read this book and its prequel independently, which is a feature I really love as it enhances the characters if you know them from the other book but doesn’t distract you if you don’t. What is you opinion on interlocking yet stand-alone books? Let’s hear from you in the comments!

Tuesday 30 August 2016

Teaser Tuesday: The Potion Diaries by Amy Alward

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books And A Beat.
To play along just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The Potion Diaries by Amy Alward.


The Potion Diaries –
Simon & Schuster UK

It takes more than a key to open a door, little girl. You have to know where the lock is too.
— Chapter 13

‘Eat, first. Finish your dinner. Then you can start making the world’s most sought after potion, okay, honey?’
I grin; my parents’ excitement is almost matching my own.
‘But, Sam – if you ever potion your grandfather again, you will be grounded for life, got it?’
I’m not going to argue with that.
— Chapter 19



To be completely honest with you I’ll have to confess that chemistry was among the first subjects in school that I gladly got rid of as soon as possible. Not because I didn’t find it fascinating to learn about all the parts that combine to make up other stuff, but because my teacher was incredibly uninspired (and in constant danger of putting us all to permanent sleep). This book is the complete opposite of sleep-inducing chemistry. Yes, there is the aspect of alchemy and mixing ingredients, yet there is also adventure, a fantastic treasure hunt, love, friendship, and not to forget the touch of crime/mystery. A really great and captivating mix. And in perfect timing on my part, the second book is already out (coming out 18th October if you’re in the US).

Which subject did you ditch in school as soon as possible? And have you since found a book reminding you of said subject and enjoyed it? Share thoughts and teasers in the comments!

Tuesday 23 August 2016

Teaser Tuesday: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books And A Beat.
To play along just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo.

Six of Crows –
Henry Holt & Co.

“You can’t spend his money if you’re dead.”
“I’ll acquire expensive habits in the afterlife.”
“There’s a difference between confidence and arrogance.”
— Chapter 10

“Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I’m going to get Wylan’s ghost to teach my ghost how to play the flute just so that I can annoy the hell out of your ghost.”
Brekker’s lips quirked. “I’ll just hire Matthias’ ghost to kick your ghost’s ass.”
“My ghost won’t associate with your ghost,” Matthias said primly, and then wondered if the sea air was rotting his brain.
— Chapter 15

Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha universe is one of the most fascinating fantasy worlds that I’ve had the honour to be allowed to visit on my reading adventures and now being allowed back is one of the best gifts I never knew to ask for. (Obviously, as I waited until the second book is almost out ... or was that tactic because I just knew there would be that really mean cliffhanger at the end ... let’s go with that explanation.)
Multiple points of few can easily grow tedious or even confusing yet this story is so much richer for them. The characters are so very different from each other yet also closely connected in their aims. And even though one gets to spend quite some time in their heads they remain mysterious enough to surprise and confound you. Just when you think you have puzzled out a motivation for one action you can almost be sure to be taken for a spin. Yet it always makes sense what the characters are doing as they act true to themselves.
Don’t get me wrong they are all dark figures in the night I’d rather not meet, but at the same time I can’t help but care for all of them. Good thing they’re fictional, because feeling affection for six criminals of their calibre would certainly get me locked up otherwise.
Highly recommended if you enjoyed Leigh Bardugo’s first series and want to return to the Grisha world though you don’t have to have read them to understand this one. Also recommended if Ocean’s Eleven ranks among your favourite movies thrown in with a little Inception or Now You See Me.

There are movie rumours surrounding almost every YA book these days and I can see the appeal for this one as it is already quite cinematic yet at the same time I think that the nuances of the internal observations would get lost in the process and actually deduct from the overall story. Do you have books you feel ambiguous about getting a movie treatment? Share your opinions and teasers in the comments!