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Book Review: “The Antidote” by Shelley Sackier




The Antidote

Author: Shelley Sackier

Published by: HarperTEEN on February 5th, 2019

Rating: ★★★★

Genre: Young Adult // Fantasy

Similar Books I’ve Read: These Rebel Waves

Disclosure: I received this book from the Publisher/Author in exchange for an impartial review. This is an unpaid/unsponsored post.

Magic is not allowed, under any circumstances — even if it could save someone’s life. Instead, there are herbal remedies and traditional techniques that have been painstakingly recorded in lieu of using the mystical arts. Fee knows this, so she keeps her magic a secret.
Except her best friend, Xavi, is deathly ill. He’s also the crown prince. Saving him is important, not only for her, but for the entire kingdom.
Fee’s desperation to save her friend means she can barely contain the magic inside her. And after the tiniest of slips, Fee is thrust into a dark and secretive world that is as alluring as it is dangerous.
If she gives in, it could mean she can save Xavi. But it also means that those who wish to snuff out magic might just snuff her out in the process.

First Thoughts  

I’ve only read a few books this year, but I already know that I’m currently obsessed with YA Romances. I don’t even know why I am, or what book did it, but I just haven’t wanted to stray towards Fantasy reads at all lately. But when I got The Antidote, it just kept coming back up in my TBR and after the lovely Publishers sent me the gorgeous ARC, I just couldn’t resist seeing if this would win over my heart’s genre dilemma (didn’t mean for that to rhyme).

My Review 

You know you’re in for one heck of a story when there’s magic, and that magic can’t be used. So, in this case, it’s totally forbidden in The Antidote. Instead of magic and all it entails, they use herbal remedies (I guess our version of behind the counter remedies and prescription things) and special ways they incorporate into their lives instead of using magic. Fee (or Ophelia, as she was born), our main character, is loyal to the system and keeps her own magic buried within since a contagion forced half the kingdom away and separated her from her betrothed love and left her, and the future king, Prince Xavi, who were infected, behind. 

Fee’s best friend Xavi is on his death bed, struggling for life because of the way they were infected,  and knowing this, Fee’s own magic is playing games within her. Xavi is the prince and due to be the future king, so the stakes are a thousand times greater that he lives. Keeping him alive is all that Fee wants, and because of this, her magic ventures out during a momentary slip. Everything she knew about magic – and the secret world it has masked – is thunderous, throwing her life into a dangerous darkness. But to fully give in to everything magic holds would be worse than anything she could think of. She could save Xavi, but at the risk of her own life by those who forbid magic, deciding whether it’s truly worth the sacrifice, Fee stands on uneven ground that’s quaking under her footsteps.

Overall, watching Fee – and this entire world, characters and plot – grow over the course of the chapters, I was enthralled by this twisted fairytale of bonds, true love, magic, a dash of sassiness and high stakes. It did take me a while to get used to Fee’s character, because she is so determined in her ways and stubborn, but in the end, it kind of just made me love her even more. Whilst there were some slow moments, it was still a super amazing read. I still have my soft spot for YA Romances, but The Antidote is definitely up there with incredible YA 2019. Four stars!


Have you read The Antidote?


You can buy it:

Amazon | Book Depository


I definitely recommend you add to your Goodreads and browse it at your local Library!


happy reading!

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Blog Tour & Review: Show Stealer by Hayley Barker (Spoiler-Free)

Hello book lovers and welcome to the deadliest show–I mean, tour, today! I’m kicking off the lovely SHOW STEALER by Hayley Barker, the follow-up to SHOW STOPPER, which you know I loved so much. So stay tuned!


Title: Show Stealer 
Author: Hayley Barker
Published: August 2nd, 2018
Publisher: Scholastic
Rating: ★★★★★
Find the Author: Goodreads 

Disclosure: I was sent this ARC by the publisher, reviewing it as an impartial review. This does not sway my opinion of the book. As always, my reviews are fair and unbiased.

Hoshiko and Ben have been on the run since they burned Silvio Sabatini’s circus down to the ground at the explosive finale of SHOW STOPPER. But Ben’s mother will stop at nothing to track him down and get her revenge: backing him into a corner where he is forced to sacrifice himself to save Hoshiko. The deadliest show on earth has been resurrected and if Ben thought he’d seen into its dark corners as an outsider, the true extent of the horrors that lurk beneath the Big Top are about to be revealed as he becomes the circus’ new star attraction…

First Thoughts…

I got an ARC of Show Stopper before it came out and I just knew after reading it that there would be a huge hype because of how insanely amazing it was and I was right! Hayley’s books have gained this incredible following and rightly so. When I was offered the chance to be on her blog tour for Show Stealer, I jumped at the chance! Getting to be a part of this has definitely been a highlight for me, blog wise, this year. 

My Review…

We’re right back into the action in Show Stealer that first engrossed us last year, back into the lives of Hoshiko and Ben. The story picks up a little after the end of the first, in alternating perspectives. They’re on the run – since burning down Silvio’s circus in Show Stopper – and even a year on, dodging the ruthless chase from Ben’s mother and others trying to find them. With a reward on their heads, it’s more dangerous than ever to get close to anyone else for fear of being turned in. But being backed into a corner by his mother, Ben is forced to sacrifice himself to save Hoshiko once and for all.
Thrown into the spotlight as the new star attraction of the circus – risen from the ashes – the deadliest show on earth is far darker on the inside than as an outsider. The deeper that he gets involved and learns more of the show, the more revelations come to light that changes everything they thought they knew about the circus. 
Wow, wow, wow. Just wow. Have you ever been reading a book and you just have to stop and think “this is amazing, please don’t ever end?” Because that’s how I felt when I was reading Show Stealer. There’s something about the way Hayley writes that’s so hypnotic, and I was reeled in by the darkness of the deadliness, turning pages faster and faster. The pacing is so faultless that putting it down at one a.m. wasn’t on my mind, and I kept reading until the sky was as dark as the turns Ben took in the circus. I finished the book in two sittings over two days (if it was up to me I wouldn’t have put it down in between, but you know, life) and I seriously can’t wait to just binge-read the entire series again. 
Overall, Show Stealer has stolen my heart in the best possible way. Hayley is such a talented and unique author and I am so lucky to have been a part of the Show Stopper – Show Stealer journey over the last couple years. There’s hidden messages in the book that entwine with society and perception (which is one of my favourite things) that makes this a definite highlight of YA Fiction this year for me. If you’re looking for just one series to start this year, make it Hayley’s. You won’t regret this stunning five-star read.

Hayley Barker has a BA (hons) degree from Birmingham University and has taught secondary school English for eighteen years. 

She is a huge YA fiction fan and says being published is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to her. 

Hayley was inspired to write her YA because of her fears about the growing wave of crime and animosity against minority groups in England. She lives in Essex with her husband and two young sons.

It’s the last few days to enter this INCREDIBLE giveaway I’m running for SHOW STEALER!

Have you read Show Stealer/Stopper?


What did you love the most about the series?


Let me know in the comments or on twitter @LittleMemoirs!


happy reading!

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Blog Tour & Review: Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody

I’ve been dying to read Amanda’s Ace of Shades ever since I heard of her debut novel, Daughter of the Burning City. Getting to be on a Blog Tour for a book that I (spoiler) LOVED, is such a pleasure. So, welcome to the ACE OF SHADES Blog Tour Day One, read a little and let me know if you’re as big of a fan as I am now…

Title: Ace of Shades (The Shadow Game #1)
Author: Amanda Foody
Published: May 17th, 2018
Publisher: HQ Young Adult
Rating: 🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱
Find the Author: Goodreads 


Disclosure: I received this ARC in exchange for an impartial review. As always, my reviews are fair and unbiased.


ADD TO GOODREADS

Welcome to the City of Sin, where casino families reign, gangs infest the streets…and secrets hide in every shadow.
Enne Salta was raised as a proper young lady, and no lady would willingly visit New Reynes, the so-called City of Sin. But when her mother goes missing, Enne must leave her finishing school—and her reputation—behind to follow her mother’s trail to the city where no one survives uncorrupted.
Frightened and alone, her only lead is a name: Levi Glaisyer. Unfortunately, Levi is not the gentleman she expected—he’s a street lord and a con man. Levi is also only one payment away from cleaning up a rapidly unraveling investment scam, so he doesn’t have time to investigate a woman leading a dangerous double life. Enne’s offer of compensation, however, could be the solution to all his problems. 
Their search for clues leads them through glamorous casinos, illicit cabarets and into the clutches of a ruthless mafia donna. As Enne unearths an impossible secret about her past, Levi’s enemies catch up to them, ensnaring him in a vicious execution game where the players always lose. To save him, Enne will need to surrender herself to the city…
And she’ll need to play.

First Thoughts…

Ace of Shades was all over my Instagram, my Twitter…my everything for so long, that I was painfully anticipating getting to hold it in my hands for myself. I thought I’d have to wait until release day with the huge following of Amanda’s books, but when HQ YA offered a Blog Tour slot, I jumped, of course. It was never even a question! I started reading this as an eBook and then finished off with the Paperback after it arrived following the Bank Holiday mail delay (can we just have mail every day?!).

My Review…

I haven’t read a book quite like this in a very long time, so getting into the Fantasy landscape, introductions to the characters and rules of this new world, took some time. But in that time, I had been pulled into the pages and absorbed by the intricate plot that Amanda had woven ahead of me. Enne, our main character, is what I’d call a proper character, aka totally fancy. She’s straight-laced, knows what she’s doing, is more or less a lady in all senses. So she shouldn’t be in New Reynes, right? It’s the City of Sin, so no lady would be there just for the heck of it. But she’s on a mission. Her mother has gone missing, and after the allotted time of her anticipated return passes by, Enne knows she has to find her, one way or another. 
But her journey leads her to Levi Glaisyer, a street lord and all-round con man, far from the people she’s used to surrounding herself with. Still, they find that they’re each other’s only hope, sort of. Levi is in a pickle himself, as well, and helping Enne could reimburse him to solve his own problem. But the journey of delving into Enne’s mother’s disappearance is far from easy, and it’s rocky at best. Glamour masqueraded casinos, still cut-throat and on the verge of enemies, their search leads them to an incredible secret that shocks Enne’s world to the core, unveiling a piece of herself she didn’t know existed. Levi still can’t stay out of trouble, though, and it’s up to Enne to sacrifice herself and her values to save him and regain the upper hand in the City of Sin.
Overall, Ace of Shades is a rule-breaking, fast-paced read with killer instincts and lively characters, set against a backdrop I could picture and sense from the get-go. Amanda has written such a detailed, gripping YA novel that I just know is going to be loved by every reader it makes a home with. Huge, huge love for this novel. Consider me a newfound fan and anticipating the next installment with an edge-of-my-seat awaiting move. Five stars! What else would I give it?!
You can buy ACE OF SHADES:
Amazon | Waterstones | Book Depository 

Have you read Ace of Shades? Are you looking forward to it?


Check out the other tour dates today and let me know in the comments!


happy reading!

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Why YA is for Everyone

Whenever there’s a big dilemma/discussion on Twitter, I tend to stray from it. Not because I don’t believe in standing up for my opinion, but because confrontation and me just aren’t a good mix. As a lot of you may know, I have anxiety, so the thought of getting into heated arguments just isn’t my thing. 

But a few days ago, there was this Author. Let’s call her Lady. Lady was in a rather unpleasant discussion with a good friend of mine, saying that YA books are not to be read/enjoyed by Adult readers. That they are for eleven year old’s. I was outraged. The clue is in the name of the YA genre – it means young adult. When you are eleven, you’re not a young adult. You’re barely just out of being a child, on the verge of being a teen. I did a tweet about it here, but didn’t direct it at the person in question. When Lady left twitter, a lot of people were still in discussion about it. A few other twitter goers said that YA should be a “Teen Space”. While I agree that Teens are the main demographic YA is written about / for, in no way should we be singling out and pushing out different age groups from genres of reading. I would never tell a child/teen they couldn’t read an Adult book and I would never tell and Adult they couldn’t read YA. A lot of people shared my same opinions. I have always been a YA blogger/reader and grew up reading a variety of the genres within YA. I’ll always love and read YA and don’t think that’s a bad thing at all. There’s something in YA for everyone and we can all learn from the genre. No one should tell you what you can and can’t read. 

Some people might not share the same opinion. You, reading this, might think that YA is for Teens. You are completely okay to have that opinion. But logically, and physically, it’s not right. If you asked an author – one published and read by thousands of readers – that she should tell Adults they can’t read YA, do you know how many readers/fans they would lose? As a YA Blogger since a teenager myself, I helped build some of the foundations in the YA community with my Blog and putting it in the best way I can, I will not be pushed out because I’m not a Teen. 

I am allowed to have this space. We all share this space. It’s called a Book Community. There isn’t a need for cliques, dividing people by age, ranting, threatening. . .because at the end of the day, it’s books. They are meant to be loved and enjoyed. Can’t we all stick together? To not divide ourselves up? Still, you might not agree. And that’s okay. But I’m not going anywhere, and like so many of my friends, we are barely in Adulthood. I am twenty one years old, and will be reading YA for as long as I please. I have far more in common with it than Adult fiction. And that’s okay. Whatever you want to read, that is okay. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t find joy in. 

I held a poll on twitter with an overwhelming amount of you saying YA is for Everyone. And I am so glad you think so.


happy reading!

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Book Review: A Taxonomy of Love by Rachael Allen


Title: A Taxonomy of Love

Author: Rachael Allen

Published: January 9th, 2017

Publisher: Amulet Books

Find the Author: Goodreads 


Disclosure: I was sent this book for review by the publisher. As always, my reviews are fair and unbiased.


Add To Goodreads

The moment Spencer meets Hope the summer before seventh grade, it’s . . . something at first sight. He knows she’s special, possibly even magical. The pair become fast friends, climbing trees and planning world travels. After years of being outshone by his older brother and teased because of his Tourette syndrome, Spencer finally feels like he belongs. But as Hope and Spencer get older and life gets messier, the clear label of “friend” gets messier, too.


Through sibling feuds and family tragedies, new relationships and broken hearts, the two grow together and apart, and Spencer, an aspiring scientist, tries to map it all out using his trusty system of taxonomy. He wants to identify and classify their relationship, but in the end, he finds that life doesn’t always fit into easy-to-manage boxes, and it’s this messy complexity that makes life so rich and beautiful.

First Thoughts…Just the cover alone (and I know it’s so wrong to just want to read something from the cover, but hear me out) made me want to delve into this endearing little novel. The title, for one, is pretty unique. I like the idea that there’s more to the novel than meets the eye and that we’ll get to see the main character (and secondary characters) grow over the course of years. 


My Review…So first thing, can I just gush, I AM SO FREAKING HAPPY I READ THIS BOOK. It was all that I wanted and more. And I know you’re supposed to save the real, hard-hitting compliments for the end of the review, but I just couldn’t wait. It’s not just that Spencer – love-able, relatable, curious, has a dream of being a Scientist and is funny – is an amazing main character, it’s that he’s not defined by his illness. See, Spencer has Tourette syndrome. Yes, he was teased about it and that obviously hurt him a lot, but he’s an optimist. Nothing is going to keep him from seeing the brighter things in life. And also a little smitten with his new friend, Hope. She’s brilliant, sharp and oh-so-realistic. They have a connection like no other and it’s no wonder that over the years of their friendship, lives and journeys together and apart, the label of friend starts to get blurry. 

The world that Spencer and Hope share is a beautiful, yet sometimes messy one. Sometimes they drift apart, then knit together again and can easily come undone. But the main fixture is obviously clear: they are meant to be in each others lives. Through Spencer’s taxonomy system, he confides in it’s clear-cut image of fitting their relationship into a certain box. But as we grow with Spencer’s POV and Hope’s, we learn that life doesn’t always fit into a certain way or box, but that doesn’t mean it’s flawed. It’s just…life. 

I can’t gush about A Taxonomy of Love enough. It’s the first book that I’ve read in 2018 and it was a ride of happy/sad tears, rooting for the beautifully crafted characters and sticking around for an enchanting timeline of love. Overall, this book is unlike any other. I would recommend this to anyone I know. Rachael – you wrote something epic and I can’t give you enough credit. FIVE STARS!


Have you had the chance to read A Taxonomy Of Love?


What did you think?


Let me know what you thought in the comments, on Twitter or Facebook!


happy reading!

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YA January Releases | 2018

It’s the New Year, and you know what that means…a whole new month of new YA books for our already bursting bookshelves! I’ve compiled a list of my favourite releases this month and I’ve been dying to share them with you all. They’re all in no particular order. I’ve included easy one-click links on the titles so you can add them to your Goodreads if you want to read them this month! 


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SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME

It’s no secret that Katie is one of my favourite YA authors of all time. Her books are everything I want in a YA romance: realism, true heart and none of that insta-love that we hate. It’s purely amazing Young Adult magic and I can’t wait to get my hands on Say You’ll Remember Me. 


Out January 30th 2018 by Harlequin Teen. 


BATMAN: NIGHTWALKER

Dun-a-nun-a-nun, BATMAN! Okay, that’s literally what everyone is thinking, right?! I am SO. PUMPED. FOR. THIS. Marie Lu is such a fantastic author and so loved in the YA community. She’s definitely going to do Bruce Wayne’s origin justice. I’ve already pre-ordered my copy (just waiting on Wordery to dispatch) and I can’t wait to get my hands on it! 

Out January 2nd 2018 by Random House Books for Young Readers

MEET CUTE

This cute story is my current read (Netgalley) and I’ve already ordered my Hardback. That there should show you just how much I am LOVING all these meaningful slivers of YA “meet-cutes”. If you don’t know what a Meet Cute is, then I can explain! In movies, books and television, a meet cute is a scene/moment when a future romantic couple meets for the first time. I first heard about the term when I was watching The Holiday, and Arthur explains it to Iris. I just think the term is so adorable and I love looking out for the meet cutes in novels. And THESE authors?! PURE MAGIC.


Out  January 2nd 2018 by HMH Books for Young Readers

THE CRUEL PRINCE

Nobody does fae better than Holly Black. I keep seeing The Cruel Prince everywhere and I’m so glad I managed to snag a Signed Copy on Waterstones the other day. It’s truly such a beautiful book and I can’t wait to delve into the story. If you’re a fan of Fae, dark tales and Fantasy (like me!), this is perfect for you. What’s better? It’s already out! 

Out January 2nd 2018 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

EVERLESS

I can’t wait for Amazon to deliver my copy of Everless. I was supposed to get it today, but there must have been some kind of delay because I ordered it ages ago. I keep seeing it everywhere (like The Cruel Prince) and the plot just looks so unique and interesting. I’m loving both covers of it, but the white one has to be my favourite (the one that everyone pretty much has). If you’ve already had the chance to read this, I’m so jealous! 


Out January 2nd 2018 by HarperTeen


THE HAZEL WOOD


Another day, another deliciously dark novel. In The Hazel Wood, there’s a dark fairy-tale spin on Fantasy and I am SO. READY. FOR. IT. I know a few people who have already read it in advance and they loved it. I haven’t read anything quite like it in a while, so I definitely have grabby-book hands for it. I can’t wait for this one!

Out  January 30th 2018 by Flatiron Books



So there’s my favourite January releases of 2018! 



Are you looking forward to any of the same books as me?



Got another bookish suggestion for next months Releases post?



Let me know in the comments, Twitter or Facebook!


happy reading!

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Book Review: Nyxia (The Nyxia Triad #1) by Scott Reintgen (Spoiler-Free)

THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER FREE.


Title: Nyxia

Author: Scott Reintgen

Published: September 21st, 2017

Publisher: Michael Joseph

Find the Author: Goodreads 


Disclosure: I was sent this book for review. As always, my reviews are fair and unbiased.

Every life has a price in Scott Reintgen pulse-pounding new sci-fi adventure, Nyxia, as a group of teens are taken to the far reaches of the universe and forced to decide what they’re willing to risk for a lifetime of fortune.


Emmett Atwater isn’t just leaving Detroit; he’s leaving Earth. Why the Babel Corporation recruited him is a mystery, but the number of zeroes on their contract has him boarding their lightship and hoping to return to Earth with enough money to take care of his family.


Forever.


Before long, Emmett discovers that he is one of ten recruits, all of whom have troubled pasts and are a long way from home. Now each recruit must earn the right to travel down to the planet of Eden-a planet that Babel has kept hidden-where they will mine a substance called Nyxia that has quietly become the most valuable material in the universe.


But Babel’s ship is full of secrets. And Emmett will face the ultimate choice: win the fortune at any cost, or find a way to fight that won’t forever compromise what it means to be human.

First Thoughts

Nyxia has been on my radar for a long time. It’s genre has increasingly become more frequent on my bookshelves and with my huge love for the 100, this looked like it could fill that void in my bookish heart after finishing the series so far. When I was given the oppertunity to read NYXIA (thank you, Beth!), I jumped at it, obviously. And I even have a code for you guys to use for money off Little Wren UK – an Etsy store with the cutest designs! Check out the bottom of this post for all the info you’ll need for that!


My Review

Emmett Atwater is given the chance he could only dream of in this near-future dystopian masterpiece. Along with nine others, he’s given the opportunity by the Babel Corporation to compete against each other to get to Eden – a new Planet; a place that only eight of them can make it through to. But Emmett knows that something about it doesn’t feel right and doesn’t sit well with him. The other recruits aren’t wealthy, either, and they want this just as much. Still, he knows that if he doesn’t win, his life won’t improve. He wants to save his Mother’s life and get back on the right track. But as he becomes close to the other recruits and feelings get tethered, along with suspicions about Babel, Emmett isn’t so certain anymore. 

One thing is for certain with NYXIA, and that is that it’s life changing. It’s got this certain thing that just makes it so likeable and I couldn’t put it down. There’s the huge diversity which is a huge plus for me because it’s about time that there was. Another, is that all the characters had functional and meaningful places in the novel and they didn’t just feel like secondary characters. I could bond with them, and Emmett, in the same way that you like to when reading a book. 

Overall, NYXIA is a must-read for fans of the 100, The Hunger Games, and Science-Fiction lovers. I cannot wait for the next novel, Scott. It was unpredictable (in the best way), brilliantly paced, had characters that were flawed (and showed their true strengths and weaknesses) and made me turn pages fast and root for them. It had me totally fixated on the inner workings of the bigger picture, also. I dare you to not be a fan of Nyxia by the time you’re finished. Huge five stars!

Rating & Recs

For fans of Dystopia, Science-Fiction and Fantasy!




DISCOUNT TIME

Pretty Little Memoirs readers and NYXIA fans! The discount code for Little Wren is: LWNYXIA10. and it’s  valid for 10% off everything in the shop with orders over £10 and it’s valid till the end of October. Perfect to pick up a few new things for yourself or for someone you love for Christmas!


Have you read Nyxia?


Let me know what you thought in the comments or on twitter @LittleMemoirs!


happy reading!

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Blog Tour & Review: The Red Ribbon by Lucy Adlington

Title: The Red Ribbon

Author: Lucy Adlington

Published: September 21st, 2017

Publisher: Hot Key Books

Find the Author: Goodreads 


Disclosure: I was sent this book for review. As always, my reviews are fair and unbiased.

Rose, Ella, Marta and Carla. In another life we might have all been friends together. But this was Birchwood. 
As fourteen-year-old Ella begins her first day at work she steps into a world of silks, seams, scissors, pins, hems and trimmings. She is a dressmaker, but this is no ordinary sewing workshop. Hers are no ordinary clients. Ella has joined the seamstresses of Birkenau-Auschwitz. 
Every dress she makes could be the difference between life and death. And this place is all about survival. 
Ella seeks refuge from this reality, and from haunting memories, in her work and in the world of fashion and fabrics. She is faced with painful decisions about how far she is prepared to go to survive. 
Is her love of clothes and creativity nothing more than collaboration wth her captors, or is it a means of staying alive?
Will she fight for herself alone, or will she trust the importance of an ever-deepening friendship with Rose?
One thing weaves through the colours of couture gowns and camp mud – a red ribbon, given to Ella as a symbol of hope.

Review

While I remember learning about concentration camps at school during History lessons, we never touched base on what it was like for the captors. In particular, these girls of The Red Ribbon, were prisoners held in the camps and forced into dressmaking. Although Ella, our main character, shares a love of clothes with the others, their passion is pushed aside and destroyed while they are commanded to collaborate together making couture gowns amongst the muddy landscape of their prison. 

As Ella, Marta, Rose and Carla become the seamstresses of Auschwitz, I’m truly taken by the element of sheer truth and believe-ability that has gone into the historical backdrop of these distressing times, particularly emotional for me (and I’m sure other readers) at various times. For a moment, I was wondering how such a deeply harrowing time in history could be conveyed as a Young Adult story, but Lucy does this with care, sensitivity and raw emotion that is suitable and readable for any reader from the early tween years. 

Overall, I just can’t stop thinking about The Red Ribbon ever since I closed the last page. I am truly in awe of the effort, truth and pure brilliance that Lucy Adlington has put into this novel, with these fragile and broken, yet strong and kind, characters bound together in a time where they were forced apart. This is a truly mesmerising tale of hope, sacrifice and friendship and I loved it!


Rating & Recs

Perfect for YA and Adult fans alike!

Now, for a special extract from The Red Ribbon!


I’M ELLA. I SEW…

 ‘I’m Ella. I sew…’
Imagine this:  It’s your first day of work. If you don’t do well, you’re out. Once you’re out, you’re dead.  You are literally working to survive.
This is what 14 year old Ella faces in the nightmare world of Birchwood.  Her fictional experiences are based on the real-life stories of young women prisoners in Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during World War Two, where a select few were saved from death in order to work as dressmakers for their cruel camp guards and for fashion-loving Nazi officers’ wives.
Ella realises she’ll have to toughen up quickly. She fakes confidence and skills to get a job in the Birchwood sewing workshop.
‘To escape from the nightmare I wrapped myself in a world of silk and stitching…’She’s ambitious. Despite the horrors all around she dreams of escaping from Birchwood and opening her own dress shop one day. She refuses to be treated as just a less-than-human, as just a slave with a number not a name.  Talent and determination keep her going… along with the memory of her beloved grandparents…
‘I pushed material under the new machine’s sewing foot and let the stitches run on and on and on, if only to hear the sound of my childhood once more. As it whirred away I was back in Grandma’s room, a little girl again, picking up pins from the carpet…’One of Ella’s biggest challenges comes as her friendship grows with gentle, heroic Rose. Rose is a dreamer, but without Ella’s fierce streak – a quiet hero who teaches Ella the power of love and hope. She gives Ella a red ribbon as a bond of friendship.  In her quest to get home, Ella has to decide how far she’s prepared to go to survive. Will saving her own life mean sacrificing her values and her friends? 

Lucy Adlington is a writer, actress and costume historian. Her novels for teenagers, written under the name L. J. Adlington, including The Diary of Pelly-D and Burning Mountain, have been nominated and/or shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal, the Manchester Book Prize,the Leeds Book Prize and the Rotherham Book Award. She also writes non-fiction for adults about the history of clothes, including Great War Fashion and Stitches in Time: The Story of theClothes We Wear. She founded the historical costume events company, History Wardrobe, has appeared on BBC Woman’s Hour discussing the history of underwear and she lives on a working farm in Yorkshire. She is currently writing a non-fiction book about women in the1940s.

Have you read The Red Ribbon?


Let me know what you thought in the comments or on twitter @LittleMemoirs!


ALSO: join in the Blog Tour celebrations by tweeting your thoughts and use the tag #TheRedRibbon!


happy reading!

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Book Review: The Best Kind Of Magic by Crystal Cestari

Title: The Best Kind of Magic

Author: Crystal Cestari

Published: May 16th, 2017

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Find the Author: Goodreads 


Disclosure: I bought this book myself! As always, my reviews are fair and unbiased.

Amber Sand is not a witch. The Sand family Wicca gene somehow leapfrogged over her. But she did get one highly specific magical talent: she can see true love. As a matchmaker, Amber’s pretty far down the sorcery food chain (even birthday party magicians rank higher), but after five seconds of eye contact, she can envision anyone’s soul mate.


Amber works at her mother’s magic shop–Windy City Magic–in downtown Chicago, and she’s confident she’s seen every kind of happy ending there is: except for one–her own. (The Fates are tricky jerks that way.) So when Charlie Blitzman, the mayor’s son and most-desired boy in school, comes to her for help finding his father’s missing girlfriend, she’s distressed to find herself falling for him. Because while she can’t see her own match, she can see his–and it’s not Amber. How can she, an honest peddler of true love, pursue a boy she knows full well isn’t her match?


The Best Kind of Magic is set in urban Chicago and will appeal to readers who long for magic in the real world. With a sharp-witted and sassy heroine, a quirky cast of mystical beings, and a heady dose of adventure, this novel will have you laughing out loud and questioning your belief in happy endings.

First Thoughts 

When I saw this on Wordery, I was really enticed. The cover, for one, is freaking beautiful and then to match it – that blurb! I couldn’t believe I’d finally stumbled upon a Realistic Fantasy Novel that sounded totally plausible and unique. I posted my reading progress on social media and SO MANY of my followers were really excited to see my views on this. 

Review 

Amber Sand isn’t a witch. She’s not mad over it, but it’s a little disheartening. The Sand family gene seems to have skipped her (almost) and left her a somewhat matchmaker. With this power, she can see your perfect match and your future together. But there’s not a lot of perks of the job, telling people that their significant other isn’t the one for them doesn’t sit well with a lot of the public. Although, much to her dismay, she can’t see her own perfect match (but she gets closer and closer to seeing her best friend’s love story every time they meet up, despite Amani – a fellow supernatural – not wanting to find out). But that doesn’t stop her from being a crucial part of the Sand family Wicca shop, enchantingly named Windy City Magic. 

When Amber’s Mom starts acting odd, hanging out with a frequent visitor into the shop, the Mayor, she desperately wants to find out what’s happening. But because Amber isn’t a witch, she’s magically sealed off from listening in and whenever she tries to dig for details, she gets nothing but stale information. But when the Mayor’s son, Charlie (the most desired boy at school) comes into the store wanting to find his Father’s missing girlfriend, Amber ties the two situations together. The more that they start hanging out together, trying to solve the mystery of their Parents secretiveness and the actual mystery at hand, Amber can’t hide her feelings any longer. She’s falling for Charlie, hard. But she’s seen his perfect match, and it’s not her, so she feels like the magnetic pull isn’t enough to dispute the Fates plan for his own match. As they work together in a bustling, lively Chicago, it’s more than clear that they’re in for startling revelations and intriguing supernatural enigmas.

I just can’t stop thinking about this book (and the next in the series!) and it definitely shows. I finished it a little while ago, but it’s taken me so long to try and sum my words up into a considerable amount and not reel on for pages. Crystal has written a world of wonder with down-to-earth characters, sass (lots of it) and a killer vein of romance with an eager pulse on magical elements. As much as I loved Amber and Charlie, Amani was definitely my favourite character. I really loved her personality SO much. Overall, this is probably the best Fantasy book I’ve read this year, or maybe even longer than that. Huge five-star read! 

Rating & Recs

For fans of Magic Realism and Fantasy! For younger to older YA readers.

Have you read The Best Kind of Magic?


Let me know what you thought in the comments or on twitter @LittleMemoirs!


happy reading!

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Why YA: the life of a Young Adult Lit Lover

We’ve all been there, enamoured by our bookshelves bursting with adventure, love and mystery. But have you ever wondered why you love a certain type of read? I’m first and foremost addicted to Young Adult (YA) Literature. It’s my first love, the one genre I can always count on for security and a thoroughly great read. So, if you’re like me and you love YA above anything else, I’ve been thinking about this post for a while. After talking with some fellow book lovers, I settled on the idea. Why YA: the life of a Young Adult Lit Lover, for example, all the reasons why I love YA (and you might too).


So, sit back and relax, grab a cup of tea (or coffee) and read on…


The Characters are role models

It’s touch-and-go who you can count on to look up to these days. For people who haven’t got a female or male role model in their lives, book characters can be a ton more reliable than celebrities that from reading on social media, can sometimes commit actions that lose a little of our respect for them. 

When I read Anna and the French Kiss, Lola and the Boy Next Door and Isla and the Happily Ever After, they remained fixed in my mind as stand-up, kind-hearted girls that had my respect. When I read them, the girls were around my age (and still kind of are at twenty one) and I found myself finding myself looking up to them. They made mistakes, sure, but they were human and had this lifelike personality that made them feel like my best friends. Just because they’re fictional doesn’t make them any less of a role model, and I think they’re pretty cool. 

The community is like family

I’ve made so many friends because of the YA community, mainly on Twitter and Instagram (shout-out to my bookstagram family!) and they’re the sweetest, most passionate people you will ever meet. I love that I can tweet a question and get a response from people that share the same mindset. Recently, YALC took place and I wish more than anything EVER that I could have been there, but I sadly had other commitments I made months before. I’m determined to go next year, because all those tweets I saw from the event made me so book envious! But being a part of the YA community made me feel like I was there, because of all the pictures and videos and talking to people who were right there in the heart of it. I’m lucky to know some amazing book bloggers who share my great love of YA and without that community, YA would be nothing but a sub-genre – it’s the people within it that create a ying and yang balance with authors that makes some kinda of magic. 

The authors get it

When I’m reading an Adult book, sometimes I just can’t relate and that can make me stray away from the plot..but with YA, I can always feel some kind of magnetic pull to the characters who share my thoughts and mindset. Yes, some authors can totally miss the point of teenage and young adult years, but others? They TOTALLY get it. It just makes reading all the more enjoyable when you can relate to the main character (or secondary ones) and feel some kind of belonging amongst the plot. I’m not saying adult authors don’t get it, because they do (just for adults, more than YA readers) but it’s open to discussion. I remember reading the Morganville series by Rachel Caine and even though it was a fantasy novel and Vampires totally don’t exist, I still felt like I shared the same thoughts as Clare, who was in college when I was reading (and so was I at the time). 

So, do you feel the same way about these things? 

Let me know in the comments or on twitter @LittleMemoirs! I’d love to know your thoughts on why YOU pick YA. 

happy reading!

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🎉 MyKindaBook Party: Giveaway & More 🎉

Welcome to Becca’s MyKindaBook Party Weekend!


It’s lovely to have you here, whether you came for the bookish giveaways or because you just love being part of blogger weekends! This weekend, I have the pleasure of becoming a hostess for a MyKindaBook party online and offline (with a few friends!) where I get to share my views on some of the amazing books that MyKindaBook publishes and even throw in two giveaways just for this weekend and my blog readers! 


What is MyKindaBook?

I’m glad you asked, because they are amazing. MyKindaBook.com has been a haven for book lovers and I love going on there and seeing all the bookish things available. You might have seen Fangirl, Beautiful Broken Things and The Lie Tree in your local bookstore and they’re the books that my Party is focusing on this weekend! 


How do I get involved?

There are tons of ways you can get in on the action. You can search the #MKBParty tag on social media and catch all the parties happening this weekend (yes, Saturday and Sunday!) or you can stick around on my social channels and enter some giveaways in the meantime! If you follow this link, it will take you to a special Twitter giveaway I have for WHAT LIGHT by Jay Asher (another MKB Book) or below, you can enter to win a special bookish set! Or both, because why not?


All you have to do is enter below or head on over to my twitter here to enter my other giveaway! Here, you can follow the MKB Parties happening RIGHT NOW. 


The Giveaway is now CLOSED! Thank you to the over a HUNDRED of you that entered! And the winner is…

Darla C!

Wondering what my favourite quote of the weekend is so far? It’s from Beautiful Broken Things:

“But people we love come and go, Caddy. That doesn’t mean we loved them any less at the time.”

happy reading!

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Cover Reveal: “Dare To Dream” by Carys Jones

The world was going to end. Of that, Maggie Trafford was certain.

Fourteen-year-old Maggie Trafford leads a normal life. Well, as normal as being crammed in a three-bedroom house with four siblings and a single parent can be, anyway. But despite being somewhat ignored at home, Maggie excels, earning top grades, a best friend who would do anything for her, and stolen looks from a boy in Maths.

It’s not until the dreams start that Maggie realizes “normal” is the least of her problems. Every night, she lives the same nightmare—red lightning, shattered glass, destruction. But nightmares are just that, right? No one believes her when she says it’s an omen. At least, not until the already mysterious pillars of Stonehenge start falling.

No longer alone in her fear, Maggie and the world watch with bated breath as one after another, the historic stones tumble, like a clock counting down. But only Maggie knows what it means: when the last stone falls, destruction will reign. And when the world ends, there’s only one option left—survive.

Horrifying and raw, Dare to Dream is equal parts tragedy and hope, detailing the aftermath of apocalyptic catastrophe, the quest for survival, and the importance of belief.

TWITTER | WEBSITE | GOODREADS


Carys Jones loves nothing more than to write and create stories which ignite the reader’s imagination. Based in Shropshire, England, Carys lives with her husband, two guinea pigs and her adored canine companion Rollo. 

When she’s not writing, Carys likes to indulge her inner geek by watching science- fiction films or playing video games. 


She lists John Green, Jodi Picoult and Virginia Andrews as her favorite authors and draws inspiration for her own work from anything and everything. 


To Carys, there is no greater feeling then when you lose yourself in a great story and it is that feeling of ultimate escapism which she tries to bring to her books.


For more information about Carys please visit www.carys-jones.com or follow her on Twitter; @tiny_dancer85

Doesn’t Dare To Dream look and sound amazing?!

Don’t forget to add it to your Goodreads TBR! 


Happy Reading!

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