In My Postbox #28

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

Hey everyone! Hope you've all had a great week! I had a day off on Thursday and spent the day making notes for reviews, and reading... ha. I spent yesterday (Saturday) writing up a few of those said reviews. One of which will be going live tomorrow! And I'm off again on Tuesday (work are having a new transformer put in, so half of the company are off!) so will be writing up more hopefully to go live through the week. I really wanna get caught up again and work seems to be doing its very best to stop that happening! Anyway, these are the awesome books I got this week thanks to the amazing generosity of some totally cool publicists/publishers and Amazon!

FOR REVIEW:

You Against Me by Jenny Downham

If someone hurts your sister and you’re any kind of man, you seek revenge, right? If your brother’s accused of a terrible crime but says he didn’t do it, you defend him, don’t you? When Mikey’s sister claims a boy assaulted her, his world begins to fall apart. When Ellie’s brother is charged with the offence, her world begins to unravel. When Mikey and Ellie meet, two worlds collide. This is a brave and unflinching novel from the bestselling author of Before I Die. It’s a book about loyalty and the choices that come with it. But above all it’s a book about love.

This book sounds good and I love the cover, the whole feel of it. And the subtle writing. Vaery cool. There's been a lot of hype around this book so I am excited to have a read! Thanks Random House for sending out this second copy! (The first got lost in the post! :()

In The Bag by Jim Carrington

Joe and Ash are best friends. Ash is the leader, Joe the one who follows. Then one night after a party, Joe and Ash come across a holdall, seemingly abandoned by the side of the road. They open it up ...and find GBP20,000 in cash. Of course they're going to hand it straight to the police. Aren't they? Or is all that money just too tempting? Whoever has lost it won't notice if a bit goes missing, will they? And that is precisely when the trouble starts ...Jim Carrington has already established himself as a fine writer for teens with his debut novel, Inside My Head. With In the Bag, he shows how horribly easy it is for two teenage boys to make a car crash of their lives, through an unlucky combination of being in the wrong place at the wrong time and making a handful of wrong decisions.

I am really looking forward to reading this one. It sounds brilliant and I loved Jim's last book, Inside My Head. Thanks Bloomsbury! :D

Mortlock by Jon Mayhew

The sister is a knife-thrower in a magician's stage act, the brother an undertaker's assistant. Neither orphan knows of the other's existence. Until, that is, three terrible Aunts descend on the girl's house and imprison her guardian, the Great Cardamom. His dying act is to pass the girl a note with clues to the secret he carries to his grave. Cardamom was one of three explorers on an expedition to locate the legendary Amarant, a plant with power over life and death. Now, pursued by flesh-eating crow-like ghuls, brother and sister must decode the message and save themselves from its sinister legacy.

I can't believe I haven't picked this up sooner. It sounds brilliant and I love the cover! And it has black edged paper. HOW COOL! Thanks Bloomsbury!

A Beautiful Lie by Irfan Master

An extraordinarily rich debut novel, set in India in 1947 at the time of Partition. Although the backdrop is this key event in Indian history, the novel is even more far-reaching, touching on the importance of tolerance, love and family. The main character is Bilal, a boy determined to protect his dying father from the news of Partition - news that he knows will break his father's heart. With great spirit and determination, and with the help of his good friends, Bilal persuades others to collude with him in this deception, even printing false pages of the local newspaper to hide the ravages of unrest from his father. All that Bilal wants is for his father to die in peace. But that means Bilal has a very complicated relationship with the truth...

This sounds like an incredible read and I cannot wait to get started. Thanks Bloomsbury!

Code Lightfall and the Robot King by Daniel H. Wilson

When young Code falls down a hole while following a mysterious robotic insect, he lands in a world that defies imagination. Everything in Mekhos is made from metal and circuitry, including the inhabitants. Code immediately sets out to find his way home, but first he'll have to cross Mekhos's bizarre and dangerous landscape to reach the Beam Stalk. There, the legendary Robonomicon - a guide to all robot wisdom - is being by the evil Immortalis, who has plans to destroy Mekhos and invade the human world above. Can Code free the Robonomicon, save the robots of Mekhos from impending doom ...and still get home in time to catch the bus from school? With its dazzling array of robots and futuristic gadgets, this rollicking story will hold special appeal for budding techno-lovers everywhere.

This sounds like a fun little book that I'm looking forward to reading, again, thanks Bloomsbury! :D

BOUGHT

TimeRiders by Alex Scarrow

Liam O’Connor should have died at sea in 1912. Maddy Carter should have died on a plane in 2010. Sal Vikram should have died in a fire in 2029. Yet moments before death, someone mysteriously appeared and said, ‘Take my hand . . .’ But Liam, Maddy and Sal aren’t rescued. They are recruited by an agency that no one knows exists, with only one purpose – to fix broken history. Because time travel is here, and there are those who would go back in time and change the past. That’s why the TimeRiders exist: to protect us. To stop time travel from destroying the world . . .

I've wanted to read this for absolutely ages and I am FINALLY getting around to it. Actually reading this now and loving it!

Being Billy by Phil Earle

Faces flashed before my eyes. And for every face there was a time that they had let me down. Each punch that landed was revenge, my chance to tell them I hadn’t forgotten what they did. Eight years in a care home makes Billy Finn a professional lifer. And Billy’s angry – with the system, the social workers, and the mother that gave him away. As far as Billy’s concerned, he’s on his own. His little brother and sister keep him going, though they can’t keep him out of trouble. But he isn’t being difficult on purpose. Billy’s just being Billy. He can’t be anything else. Can he?

This book sounds, quite simply, incredible and I really actually cannot wait to read this one! I love the cover, how it has this scratched feel to it. Very cool!

So there you go guys. That's what I got this week! What did you get?

In My Postbox #27: Catch Up And Christmas

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

Thanks to many various reasons, I've been unable to do an In My Postbox post for a while. Bit now I have a bumper one which includes all the books I've received from the amazing publishers, and one I've brought myself! As well as,... well, you'll see.

FOR REVIEW

Immortal Beloved by Cate Tiernan

"New name, new town, new life. Nastasya has done it too often to count. And there’s no end in sight. Nothing ever really ends . . . when you’re immortal. Captivating, intense and with an incredible and original voice, IMMORTAL BELOVED is a haunting story of friendship, love and secrets, tragedy and loss."

I have both a proof copy and final copy of this and am VERY much looking forward to reading it. The finished book has this finish to the cover which makes it feel weird. It's kind of velvety. Very cool! And it sounds very interesting! Thank you to Hodder for this!

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Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

"When your world is paranormal, be glad that you’re human… Exciting new author brings a fresh sassy take on paranormal romance, loved by Becca Fitzpatrick, author of HUSH, HUSH. Sixteen-year-old Evie has always taken comfort in the fact that she is normal, even though her best friend is a mermaid and her ex-boyfriend is a lunatic – and a faery. In a world where paranormals are monitored and controlled, Evie works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency because of her unique ability to see through glamours. But someone – or something – starts killing vampires, werewolves and other paranormals, and Evie must figure out what’s happening before they all disappear. Then a shapeshifter named Lend breaks into the agency, and Evie is irresistibly drawn to him, even though he makes her aware that the IPCA is not as noble as she once thought. With everything Evie believes suddenly called into question, the IPCA is attacked and she must choose who she can really trust. And when Evie discovers she’s part of a faerie prophecy of death and destruction… so much for normal."

This book also sounds very interesting! Not my normal genre but will be giving this a read pretty soon! Thanks to HarperCollins!

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The Pain Merchants: The Healing Wars Book 1 by Janice Hardy

"Nya has a secret she must never share… A gift she must never use… And a sister whose life depends on both. This astonishing debut novel is the first in the epic dystopian fantasy adventure trilogy, THE HEALING WARS. Fifteen-year-old Nya is one of Geveg’s many orphans; she survives on odd jobs and optimism in a city crippled by a failed war for independence. Nya has a deadly secret. She is a Taker, someone who can extract pain and injury from others, but with unusual differences. Her sister Tali and other normal Takers become Healer’s League apprentices and put their extracted pain into enchanted metal, pynvium. But Nya can’t dump pain in this way. All she can do is shift it from person to person. When Nya’s secret is revealed to the pain merchants and the Healer’s League she is flung into danger. Then a ferry accident floods the city with injured, Takers start disappearing from the Healer’s League and Nya’s strange abilities are suddenly in demand. Her principles and endurance are tested to the limit when Nya’s deadly powers become the only thing that can save her sister's life."

I've read this already and enjoyed it, so expect a review in the next few weeks! Again, thanks to Harper Collins for this!

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The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

"Freak. That's what they call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood at Ironbridge High School. A horrific fey attack that killed her father when she was just a child left Donna branded with iron tattoos that cover her hands and arms - and magically enhanced strength, that she now does all she can to hide. Now, after ten years of wishing for a normal life, Donna finally accepts her role in the centuries-old war against the darkest outcasts of Faerie - the dark elves. Aided by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout, Donna must save her best friend's life - and that means betraying one of the world's greatest secrets and confronting the very thing that destroyed her family."

This sounds very interesting! Looking forward to getting around to it soon! Thank you to Random House for this!

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The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate

"Lauren Kate's irresistible first novel, THE BETRAYAL OF NATALIE HARGROVE, features the most ruthlessly ambitious heroine since Lady Macbeth. Natalie is utterly determined to cement her position at the top of the high school social ladder by becoming prom queen. When it looks like aninterfering ex-boyfriend might get in her way, she devises a little prank to humiliate him. But when the prank goes devastatingly wrong, Natalie starts to lose control of her life. Caught in a web of dark secrets, shame and abuse of power, it's not guilt that eventually defeats Natalie. It's fate: the only thing she can't control . . ."

Again, this isn't my normal style of book, but I'm open to anything so am actually looking forward to reading it. Thanks to Random House!

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Wereworld: Rise of the Wolf by Curtis Jobling

"‘YOU’RE THE LAST OF THE WEREWOLVES SON. DON’T FIGHT IT . . . CONQUER IT.’ When the air is clear, sixteen year-old Drew Ferran can pick up the scent of a predator. When the moon breaks through the clouds, a terrifying fever grips him. And when a vicious beast invades his home, his flesh tears, his fingers become claws, and Drew transforms . . . Forced to flee the family he loves, Drew seeks refuge in the most godforsaken parts of Lyssia. But when he is captured by Lord Bergan’s men, Drew must prove he is not the enemy. Can Drew battle the werecreatures determined to destroy him – and master the animal within?"

I'm currently reading this and loving it. And the cover art is beautiful! Amazing. Puffin have really outdone themselves with this one! Thanks for the copy!

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Blood Red Road by Moira Young

"In a lawless future land, where life is cheap and survival is hard, Saba has been brought up in isolated Silverlake. She never sees the dangers of the destructive society outside. When her twin brother is snatched by mysterious black-robed riders, she sets outon an epic quest to rescue him. The story's searing pace, its spare style, the excitement of its fabulously damaged world, its unforgettably vivid characters, its violent action and glorious lovestory make this a truly sensational YA debut novel."

Out in June, this book doesn't even have a cover out yet! But it is HUGE! Massive book! Cannot wait to read it. Sounds amazing!

BOUGHT

A Simples Life: My Life and Times by Aleksandr Orlov

"The hilarious autobiography of the nation’s favourite meerkat"

I love the whole meerkat thing, Compare the Meerkat, I find it hilarious and when I saw this in Asda I just had to have it. Haha. Finished it this morning. Funny stuff! Review soon!

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The rest of my brought items were brought for something special. Very special... My Kindle!!!! :D

• The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries 1: Origins by L. J. Smith
• The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
• Wish by Alexandra Bullen
• Changeling by Steve Feasey

So there we go. That's what I've gotten over the last few weeks! :) Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year and got lots of lovely new books to read!

2011 Challanges

As 2011 is the first year I'm ringing in as a blogger, I have decided to participate in some challenges!

2011 Debut Author Challenge

Hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren, the aim is to read at least 12 books from a debut YA author that year! I already have a few on my reading pile so am looking forward to getting started!

2011 British Books Challenge (BBC)

Hosted by the awesome Becky over at The Bookette, this challenge is going to be a good'en! I'm British and am all for supporting home grown talent! The aim here is to read 12 books from British authors, old or new! 

2011 100 Book Challenge

Hosted over on Book Chick City, the aim is fairly simple. Read 100 books before the year is out! I'm not quite sure how many I read in 2010... but I'm sure 100 is manageable, right? Some books you go mad for and devour in a day, others take longer. Hmm. We'll see! Either way, I am going to give it one heck of a go! :D

HAPPY NEW YEAR

And don't forget the fireworks...