The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting [Review]

Written by: Kimberly Derting.

Published by: Headline.

Format: Paperback.

Released: 11th November 2010.

Rating: 4/5.

Official synopsis: "Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies – or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world...and the imprints that attach to their killers. Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift, but now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him. Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer – and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling in love, Violet is getting closer to discovering a killer...and becoming his prey herself."

I have to say, when I first got this book, I was kind of worried about whether or not I'd like it. I'm not really a big fan of romance paranormal books, and I've already been converted to Maggie Stiefvater and didn't know if it'd happen again. But The Body Finder proved to be a very very pleasant surprise.

I loved it. The story. The characters. All of it just appealed to me. From start to finish, I didn't once thing "this is naff". And as far as I am concerned that's a good book! I loved the plot as a whole. Violet being drawn to the murdered by, what she calls, echoes. This book is hugely clever and very very entertaining!

The writing is beautifully crafted and styled. It reads really nice and smooth. ReadingThe Body Finder kind of reminded me of watching a film. It was such an effortless yet brilliant read!

I cannot recommend it enough! You seriously need to read it! I'm sorry that there's really not much more to say! It's just too brilliant for words! I couldn't believe how much the book changed my mind after my initial thoughts!

(Also, I should say, that I adore the cover. It's so cool and stands out for sure!)

My thanks to Sam at Headline for my copy! :D

I Hereby Curse Technology...

Technology is awful! My laptop screen has spectacularly died. Well, the light has. If I want to see I have to hold a lamp up to it which is so annoying and awkward. Sadly this means the blog is going to be mighty mighty quiet and I am so so sorry! :( I hate it. I have to snatch whatever time on a computer I can! Mostly when I'm at work so I can't even do reviews or anything. Argh! :(

I get paid at the end of the month and will be getting a new laptop ASAP so hopefully things will return to normal then! I hope! I'll try and get some reviews up but in the meantime just know I haven't forgotten about you all, between work and blooming technology!

Ryan

Cover VS Cover: Lex Trent

LEX TRENT VERSUS THE GODS / LEX TRENT FIGHTING WITH FIRE

Normally, Cover VS Cover takes one book and compares the UK cover art against the US, or the hardback vs the paperback should they differ. Well this week, it's taking two books! The first two Lex Trent books by Alex Bell. Lex Trent Versus The Gods published earlier this year, and the sequel, Lex Trent Fighting With Fire out early next year which I cannot wait for!

The cover for Fighting With Fire was revealed earlier today over on Alex's blog (http://www.alex-bell.co.uk/blog/) and is amazing. Look at it. So cool. Orange. And the actual image in the disc. The dragon, and EVIL RABBITS! It's just awesome. I love it.

I love the UK cover. Blue is my favourite cover but the winner this week has to be Fighting With Fire. However, I like the way the title is written on Versus The Gods more. It looks like stone, giving it the feel of epic legendaryness (is that even a word?). I love both covers but Fighting With Fire is immense and I cannot wait to read it. Roll on February! :D

Which one do you prefer?

Update - I Have Not Fallen Off The Face Of The Earth...

Hi everyone.

This is just a quick update. Just to let you know I haven't forgotten about you all! I started my new job last Wednesday and have had pretty much no time to blog! It sucks but I've been so tired and by the time I've done what has to be done for the day, it's too late and there's too little time to blog! As it is, I am hoping to get caught up this weekend and have some stuff scheduled! 

Also thank you to all the publicists sending me books! They make coming home even more of a pleasure! Had some great books this week (which you will see on Sunday in In My Postbox!)

:)

In My Postbox #26

In My Mailbox idea from Kristi @ The Story Siren, and all links take you to Amazon UK.

Hi everyone! This week has been pretty good for me! I started my new job on Wednesday and am loving it so far! :D Only downside is that I haven't had a lot of time to blog, but I'm hoping to schedule some reviews today to go live through the week! Anyway, these are the awesome books that came through my postbox this week!

The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan

SIGNED!

"Sam knows that he and his friend Lloyd made a colossal mistake when they accepted the ride home. They have ended up in a dark mansion in the middle of nowhere with man who means to harm them. But Sam doesn't know how to get them out. They were trapped, then separated. Now they are alone. Will either of them get out alive? This gripping and hypnotic thriller will have you reading late into the night..."

This sounds absolutely brilliant and I cannot wait to read it. Thank you so much to Savita herself for this one, and for signing it! :D

Boys Don't Cry by Malorie Blackman

SIGNED!!! ARGH! YES! SIGNED!/UK FINISHED COPY

"In Boys Don't Cry, bestselling author Malorie Blackman explores the unchartered territory of teenage fatherhood. You're waiting

 for the postman--he’s bringing your A level results. University, a career as a journalist--a glittering future lies ahead. But when the doorbell rings it’s your old girlfriend; and she’s carrying a baby. You’re fine to look after it, for an hour or two, while she does some shopping. Then she doesn’t come back and your future suddenly looks very different. 

Malorie’s dramatic new novel will take you on a journey from tears to laughter and back again."

I got this on Wednesday and had a quick look at it, and then put it on my bookshelf next to my proof copy. And then, yesterday (Saturday) I was looking at it, and flicked to the first little title page, the one that just normally has the title) and was shocked to see it was a signed copy! :D ARGH! I was so excited. So so so excited. I loved this book, so to have a signed copy for me is amazing. Made my week even better! Thank you to Random House, and of course Malorie herself for signing this! :D

So there you go guys! That's what I got this week! Hope everyone has a good and happy week! Rap up warm because it is so cold right now! Brr! Best time of year to curl up with a nice book next to the fire! :D

Until next time, guys! :)

Waiting on Wednesday (15): Lament

Lament by Maggie Stiefvater.

Published by: Scholastic UK

Format: Paperback

Released: 3rd January 2010

Amazon UK

"

Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a painfully shy but prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand—one who can see faeries. When a mysterious boy enters her ordinary suburban life, seemingly out of nowhere, Deirdre finds herself infatuated. Trouble is, the enigmatic and conflicted Luke turns out to be a gallowglass—a soulless faerie assassin—and Deirdre is meant to be his next mark. Deirdre has to decide if Luke's feelings towards her are real, or only a way to lure her deeper into the world of Faerie"

I've really enjoyed the first two Maggie Stiefvater books I've read so far. Shiver and Linger. I am eagerly anticipating the release of the third and final book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy, Forever which is out next Summer! But in the meantime, Maggie's UK publisher are launching Lament in the new year and I'm looking forward to reading what Maggie can do outside of the freezing Mercy Falls books. Be sure to check this one out! It sounds awesome! And I love the cover! Very cool!

New Harry Potter Website!

Yesterday, the new UK editions of all seven Harry Potter books were re-issued with a new livery. The Signature collection is set to welcome a brand new generation of readers, and now Bloomsbury have also launched a new look official website which you can check out here!


Play games. Watch videos. Read all the latest news. It's all there! Don't miss out!