Review: Surrender (Haunting Emma #3) - Lee Nichols

Name: Surrender (Haunting Emma #3)

Author: Lee Nichols

Release Date: 6th Dec 2011 (US)

Date I finished it: 26th May 2012

Source: Review Copy from UK Publishers

Rating:

It's been a while since I read the first two books in the Haunting Emma series but when Bloomsbury UK offered me a review copy of Surrender I jumped at the chance! It took me a couple of chapters to get back into the plot and remember who everyone was, but it soon all came flooding back to me!

This is the last book in the series. I put off starting it for a while, because I hate when a book series ends, it's like moving to a new city and leaving friends behind.

This time around Emma and her fellow ghost-keepers are still trying to come to terms with everything that happened battling Neos at headquarters and figuring out what their next move should be.

I don't want to give too much of the plot away, as it is the last book in the trilogy. Let's just say Emma is more determined that ever to get rid of Neos once and for all!

The plot of full of action and suspense, which will keep you on your toes throughout the entire book. To me it was a bit more fast paced than the first two books, which is the only reason it got 4 stars instead of 5 from me. I would have liked to seen a bit more of some of the characters I've grown to know and love throughout this series before having to say goodbye to them.

Surrender is the perfect ending to a brilliant series, full of ups and downs and moments that will make you laugh out loud. It has the perfect mix of everything a good finale book needs!

The ending was brilliant, well thought out and put together. Even though I'm sad to see these characters go, I really don't think it could have ended any differently.

Lee Nichols did a brilliant job on the entire three books, I'm looking forward to reading more of her work in the future.

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Review: Hunting Lila (Lila #1) - Sarah Alderson

Name: Hunting Lila
 Author: Sarah Alderson

Release Date: 5th Aug 2011

Date I finished it: 25th May 2012

Source: Paperback gifted from a friend

Rating:

Hunting Lila has been on my bookshelf for months now, it's one of those ones that I know I had to read soon, but just never quite got around to it! 

It is Sarah Alderson's debut novel following the story of seventeen year old Lila who when we first meet is her is running away to America to stay with her brother.

Things are getting to much for her at home with her very absent father, Lila has also been hiding a secret power, she can move things with her mind. She hasn't told anyone about her power yet, and is trying her best not to use her power at all.

While staying with her brother she also gets to spend time with his best friend Alex, who Lila has been in love with for years. The two soon start to grow closer throughout the course of the book.

Something isn't quite right though Lila's brother and Alex are working on something top secret, they hiding the truth from Lila and taking incredible measures to keep her safe while she is staying, but safe from what exactly?

I really loved this book, there are some major plot twists which came out of nowhere and really took me by surprise!

I liked Lila as the narrator for the story, she is a really likeable character and I fell for her charm from page one. 

The plot is fast paced and action pact from the word go, it is easy to fall into Lila's world and forget the real world around you. I did and ended up sunburnt because of it, oops!

Alex is completely swoon-worthy! No wonder Lila has a major crush on him, he is fast becoming one of my favourite book boys!

Overall, I really loved this book!

It was much more than I originally imagined it would be, it has everything a good book should have, suspense, action, romance and twists! I cannot wait to get my hands on Losing Lila, I need it now please!

Review: Grace - Morris Gleiztman

                                 

Name: Grace
Author: Morris Gleitzman

Release Date: 3rd Feb 2011

Date I finished it: 25th May 2012

Source: Paperback bought from Amazon

Rating:

Grace has been brought up with strict religious beliefs, in school she is taught that outsiders are all sinners and she must avoid contact with them. At home however her father allows Grace to think for herself, and answers all her questions as truthfully as possible. 

This leads to Grace also asking questions about God, the church elders and even her school teachers. About whether they are following God in the right way or not.

After one to many questions, Grace's father is banished from the community for poisoning her mind. Grace soon realises that she may never see her father again and tries everything she can to get him welcomed back into the church.

I really enjoyed this book, even though it's a quick read (180 pages or so) it's message is strong.

Throughout the book Grace is constantly talking to God and asking for his advice and help, even after her family is torn apart. She believes in herself and believes that she is doing the right thing, even though in this book the right thing leads to more punishment for Grace.

It is a book aimed at younger readers but at 25 I still liked it.

The only thing missing for me was background. I would have liked to have seen more about the family before this tragedy struck, I also would have liked to have known more about the church they belonged to.

Considering the subject matter I know this book isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea. But the book doesn't encourage nor discourage any religion, it simply tells a story.

Overall I did enjoy it, younger readers would probably get more out of the moral and messages in the book though.

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