Sophie Reads YA

Book Trailer Release: Arrows by Melissa Gorzelanczyk (+US giveaway)

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One arrow changes everything – and one book trailer can do the same! Join us on Februray 11th as we release the book trailer for Melissa Gorzelanczyk’s Young Adult Fantasy novel ARROWS!

About the Book:

Title: Arrows

Author: Melissa Gorzelanczyk
Release Date: January 26, 2016
Publisher: Delacorte Press/Penguin Random House
Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Penguin Random House

A modern cupid story set in present-day Wisconsin combining the fantastical elements of Greek mythology with the contemporary drama of MTV's Teen Mom.

People don’t understand love. If they did, they’d get why dance prodigy Karma Clark just can’t say goodbye to her boyfriend, Danny. No matter what he says or does or how he hurts her, she can’t stay angry with him . . . and can’t stop loving him. But there’s a reason why Karma is helpless to break things off: she’s been shot with a love arrow.

Aaryn, son of Cupid, was supposed to shoot both Karma and Danny but found out too late that the other arrow in his pack was useless. And with that, Karma’s life changed forever. One pregnancy confirmed. One ballet scholarship lost. And dream after dream tossed to the wind.

A clueless Karma doesn’t know that her toxic relationship is Aaryn’s fault . . . but he’s going to get a chance to make things right. He’s here to convince Danny to man up and be there for Karma. But what if this god from Mount Olympus finds himself falling in love with a beautiful dancer from Wisconsin who can never love him in return?

About Melissa:

Melissa Gorzelanczyk is a former magazine editor and columnist who believes love is everything. She is a proud member of the SCBWI, The Sweet Sixteens and the Class of 2k16. She lives in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with her husband and family.

Website | Twitter |Instagram | Facebook

Here's the trailer:

Giveaway Details:

Must be 13+ to enter | Ships in US only. Please see terms and conditions for full contest rules. Some restrictions apply.

1 Winner will get an amazing Arrows Valentine includes:
- Signed hardcover of the book
- Stella & Dot arrow wishing bracelet - "Adventure awaits. This Arrow bracelet is the perfect reminder to fulfill your dreams."
- The official Arrows makeup bag by Gracie Designs
- A Valentine from the author

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks so much, Me, My Shelf and I for including me in this blitz!

A Study in Charlotte

Waiting on Wednesday: A Study in Charlotte (A Study in Charlotte #1) by Brittany Cavallaro

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Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is:

A Study in Charlotte
Series: A Study in Charlotte #1
Author: Brittany Cavallaro
Published March 1st 2016 by Katherine Tegen Books

Goodreads Summary
The last thing sixteen-year-old Jamie Watson–writer and great-great-grandson of the John Watson–wants is a rugby scholarship to Sherringford, a Connecticut prep school just an hour away from his estranged father. But that’s not the only complication: Sherringford is also home to Charlotte Holmes, the famous detective’s enigmatic, fiercely independent great-great-granddaughter, who’s inherited not just his genius but also his vices, volatile temperament, and expertly hidden vulnerability. Charlotte has been the object of his fascination for as long as he can remember–but from the moment they meet, there’s a tense energy between them, and they seem more destined to be rivals than anything else.

Then a Sherringford student dies under suspicious circumstances ripped straight from the most terrifying of the Holmes stories, and Jamie and Charlotte become the prime suspects. Convinced they’re being framed, they must race against the police to conduct their own investigation. As danger mounts, it becomes clear that nowhere is safe and the only people they can trust are each other.

Equal parts tender, thrilling, and hilarious, A Study in Charlotte is the first in a trilogy brimming with wit and edge-of-the-seat suspense.

Goodreads

Why I'm waiting:

There appears to be a load of Sherlock Holmes retellings/adaptations coming out right now, and this one seems to be just as good as the others. I really enjoy the original Sherlock Holmes stories, and hopefully this one will be as good :)
I've preordered this, and it should arrive just before my birthday, so will be a nice treat to myself :)

Are you waiting for this book? Have you already read it? Let me know :)

4 Stars

ARC Review: Remembrance (The Mediator #7) by Meg Cabot

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Remembrance
Series: The Mediator #7
Author: Meg Cabot
Published February 2nd 2016 by William Morrow Paperbacks

Goodreads Synopsis

Fifteen years after the release of the first Mediator novel, #1 New York Times best-selling author Meg Cabot returns with a deliciously sexy new entry to a fan-favourite series. Suze Simon—all grown up and engaged to her once-ghostly soul mate—faces a vengeful spirit and an old enemy bent on ending Suze's wedded bliss before it begins.

You can take the boy out of the darkness.

But you can’t take the darkness out of the boy.

All Susannah Simon wants is to make a good impression at her first job since graduating from college (and since becoming engaged to Dr. Jesse de Silva).

But when she’s hired as a guidance counsellor at her alma mater, she stumbles across a decade-old murder, and soon ancient history isn't all that’s coming back to haunt her. Old ghosts as well as new ones are coming out of the woodwork, some to test her, some to vex her, and it isn't only because she’s a mediator, gifted with second sight.

From a sophomore haunted by the murderous spectre of a child, to ghosts of a very different kind—including Paul Slater, Suze's ex, who shows up to make a bargain Suze is certain must have come from the Devil himself—Suze isn't sure she’ll make it through the semester, let alone to her wedding night.

Suze is used to striking first and asking questions later. But what happens when ghosts from her past—including one she found nearly impossible to resist—strike first?

What happens when old ghosts come back to haunt you?

If you’re a mediator, you might have to kick a little ass.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy via Edelweiss. This in no way impacted on my view.

This was my second ever approval via Edelweiss, and the fact that it was a book by one of my favourite authors made it all the more better! Cabot's The Mediator series has had a special place in my heart since I read them all way back in 2010 or something, and when I heard that she would be returning to the world, with a new adult book (just like with The Princess Diaries), I was desperate to get my hands on a copy.

Remembrance is the first adult edition of the Mediator series, and returns to the somewhat problematic world of Suze Simon. Since she sort of resurrected her ghostly boyfriend, Jesse, they've been together, and are dealing with adult stuff like college, student loans, and jobs. They recently got engaged, and are planning their wedding. Unfortunately, just as life is becoming perfect for them, a spanner is thrown into the works, namely Paul Slater. I'm sure most of you disliked him as much as I did in the original series, and now he's trying to split up Suze and Jesse by demolishing the house they met in, and was the main setting of their whole ghostly/mediator relationship. To top it off, there's a new NCDP (Non-Compliant Deceased Person) haunting a student at Suze's new place of work - her old school.

I loved being back in Suze's head again! She was exactly as I remembered her, and it made me feel so nostalgic. She's still the sassy, feisty Suze we all know and love. Her being able to see dead people, and the problems that brings still bothers her, though she wants to do as much as she can to help the ghostly spirits, especially when this one is a little kid.

I enjoyed the plot and mystery surrounding the ghost, Lucia, and why she is haunting the student. That whole arc was very enjoyable, especially when it came out in little drips and drabs - it wasn't a whole info dump on the whole situation.

However, there were problems in this book. Jesse, as swoony as he is, and I will always love him, was a little too much. Even though he knew how bad ass Suze is, he still wanted to protect her and keep her wrapped up in cotton wool. No, she has to deal with Lucia and all that herself. Other than that, their relationship was perfect, and I loved the ending of the book so much!

Secondly, why on earth did Paul Slater have to come back? He basically blackmails Suze and tries to force her into cheating on Jesse just so he won't go all demon on everyone. Paul knows Suze would never be with him of her own volition, but that doesn't bother him. Well, it bothered me, and was the main reason why the rating is only a 4. I know the book needed some angst, but the whole cheating situation really got to me.

Even though there were these issues, I still enjoyed the book so much! I will always love this series, and I'm really glad Cabot decided to return to it. The characters (except Paul) were as lovely as they always had been, and I was hooked with the various story arcs playing out. I'm guessing there probably won't be an eighth instalment, with how it ended, but I would definitely read it if there was. I'd recommend the book to those who loved the original series, and I hope the little bits I didn't like won't put you off.

Dates Read:
January 31-1 February 2016

Rating
4 Stars

February

Stacking the Shelves: February 6th 2016

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4 Stars

Review: Every Breath (Every #1) by Ellie Marney

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Every Breath
Series: Every #1
Author: Ellie Marney
Published September 5th 2013 by Allen & Unwin

Goodreads Synopsis
Rachel Watts has just moved to Melbourne from the country, but the city is the last place she wants to be.

James Mycroft is her neighbour, an intriguingly troubled seventeen-year-old who's also a genius with a passion for forensics.

Despite her misgivings, Rachel finds herself unable to resist Mycroft when he wants her help investigating a murder. He's even harder to resist when he's up close and personal - and on the hunt for a cold-blooded killer.

When Rachel and Mycroft follows the murderer's trail, they find themselves in the lion's den - literally. A trip to the zoo will never have quite the same meaning again...
Goodreads

Review
I've loved anything Sherlock Holmes for quite some time now. The BBC Sherlock, Elementary, and the RDJ films are favourites of mine, once I heard that there are a load of Sherlock inspired YA out there, I needed to get my hands on as many as I could. I've ordered Lock & Mori, and am hoping to get A Study in Charlotte when it's released. The Every series by Ellie Marney was available to request through my library, which I did, and here we go.

Rather than being about a relative of Holmes or Watson, or anything like that, the main characters in this book just have similar names. James Mycroft, and Rachel Watts - it's Sherlock's cleverer brother, and his friend Watts. Mycroft, is an extremely intelligent young man, with a turbulent background, who gets involved in his first sleuthing mission when he and Watts discover the body of their homeless friend. Also, the book is set in Melbourne, Australia, and I don't think I've read a book set in Australia, so that was a nice change of scenery. As they become more involved in the case, the dangers around every corner get closer and closer, until, like the synopsis says, they find themselves in an actual lion den.

I loved the humour in this book. There were some slang that I didn't really understand, but a lot of it seems similar to English slang, and that was definitely fun. Neither of the characters has really privileged, happy backgrounds. The whole reason why they are in Melbourne, living near each other, is because of hardship and suffering, and they didn't hide that. Rachel and James were actual, real people.

The plot was very well written, and thought out. When we first met the actual baddie, I thought there was something weird about them, but not sure what. I was guessing until the last minute what had happen, and would happen, and was shocked so many times. It was definitely a proper Sherlock retelling, with more of a unique twist to it, a la Elementary, rather than the BBC Sherlock.

The romance between Mycroft and Watts was hardly there, until the end. Even so, I shipped them so hard. It was a romance I could get behind, that felt right, and natural.

Honestly, I could see the majority of the book actually happening, it was that real! I'm glad that I have the ebooks of book 2 and 3 waiting on my iPad, as I'm going to start them as soon as I have time free between exams. I wish I hadn't waited so long to get these books, and definitely understand why they are so loved by so many people. I'd absolutely recommend this book, and probably the whole series, to anyone, but especially fans of Sherlock Holmes.

Dates Read:
January 08 to 11, 2016

Rating
4 Stars

Head Over Heels

Waiting on Wednesday: Head Over Heels (Geek Girl #5) by Holly Smale

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2016 Debut Author Challenge

ARC Review: Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman

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Blackhearts
Series: None
Author: Nicole Castroman
Published February 9th 2016 by Simon Pulse

Goodreads Synopsis
Blackbeard the pirate was known for striking fear in the hearts of the bravest of sailors. But once he was just a young man who dreamed of leaving his rigid life behind to chase adventure in faraway lands. Nothing could stop him—until he met the one girl who would change everything.

Edward "Teach" Drummond, son of one of Bristol's richest merchants, has just returned from a year-long journey on the high seas to find his life in shambles. Betrothed to a girl he doesn’t love and sick of the high society he was born into, Teach dreams only of returning to the vast ocean he’d begun to call home. There's just one problem: convincing his father to let him leave and never come back.

Following her parents' deaths, Anne Barrett is left penniless and soon to be homeless. Though she’s barely worked a day in her life, Anne is forced to take a job as a maid in the home of Master Drummond. Lonely days stretch into weeks, and Anne longs for escape. How will she ever realize her dream of sailing to Curaçao—where her mother was born—when she's stuck in England?

From the moment Teach and Anne meet, they set the world ablaze. Drawn to each other, they’re trapped by society and their own circumstances. Faced with an impossible choice, they must decide to chase their dreams and go, or follow their hearts and stay.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy via Edelweiss. This in no way impacted on my view.

I have been dying for this book ever since I first heard about it. Never before that I known that an origin story about the notorious pirate Blackbeard, but here we are. I preordered this book, along with quite a few others, and decided to wait as patiently as I could for my copy to arrive. I've never had any luck with Edelweiss, though I still request books from time to time. When I checked the site just before Christmas, I was so surprised that there was actually a tick next to Blackhearts, rather than a cross like normal. Thank you so much, Simon Pulse, for approving me!!

Blackhearts, like I've said, is an origin story about the man behind the Blackbeard myth, Edward Teach. In the book, he is a member of a privileged merchant class family, Edward Drummond, nicknamed 'Teach'. Returning from a year abroad aboard a merchant vessel, he is due to be married, and knows in his heart that he doesn't want the marriage, and would rather live in the ship for the rest of his days. He meets a maid in his house, Anne, and slowly starts to fall for her. Anne, due to her mixed heritage, knows her presence in the house is the subject of ridicule. She wants nothing more than to flee England, and travel to Curaçao, the birthplace of her mother. With the launching of Drummond's new ship, the Deliverance, coming up, she's planning to stow away, whatever the cost.

I loved how the story was told in dual PoV. Both Anne and Teach were so interesting, and so unique, that it was definitely necessary for both. Anne was definitely my favourite, but I had a soft spot for Teach. Anyone who has studied any time in history should understand how the attitudes towards the slaves, children of slaves, etc., were at this time. For Anne, who had quite a privileged upbringing, to be thrust into servitude was such a shock. After dealing with the shock of losing her father, and then her mother, she can't cope with impending future. I loved how feisty she was, and how set she was with her plan. She understood what it was to be a female servant at that time, and wasn't about to take anyone's shit.

Teach, though not as interesting as Anne, definitely had his qualities about himself. He knew his life was all set out for him, and fought as hard as he could against that life. His father allowed him to go on his year long journey in order to 'get it out of his system', but rather, it made him yearn for it more. So far, it was the only time nothing had been planned for him, and he could have some kind of freedom. As he spends time with his fiancée again, he realises how uninteresting she was, and that they had absolutely nothing in common. I hated Patience, and I reckon I won't be alone in that thought.

The romance was such a slow burn, that it hurt. I swooned whenever they spent time together, and I feel like it felt right, how it was carried out. For that time period, such a relationship would have been utterly frowned upon, and they both understood this. Still, they knew they were right for each other, and had very similar tastes. Their whole relationship was beautiful, and I can't have asked for more!

The only problem I had with the book, once which I know a lot of other people have had, was the abruptness of the ending. At the current moment, the book is slated to be a standalone book, and that ending was rather like a cliffhanger between books in a series. There are ways to leave a book open ended, somewhat ambiguous, but this was nothing like that. It was just finished, with so much left unanswered, and with a ton of new issues and questions thrust at us in the final pages. I'm praying beyond all hope that a sequel will be announced, and written, but that's not in the cards right now. Nonetheless, I hope it doesn't put you off reading, as everything else was utter perfection. I'm so happy I've read this book, and can't wait for my hard copy to arrive to look at the beautifulness of it! I'd definitely recommend you read it!

Dates Read:
January 15-16, 2016

Rating
5 Stars