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Currently reading: Vulture by Bex Hogan.

Monday, 31 December 2012

2012 and 2013


Good afternoon guys and girls (or morning, or evening, or night... whenever it is you're reading this). I just wanted to make a post about 2012 ending. It's been an awesome year this year. Some amazing, stunning books have been published! I've read some beauties this year and I want to say a massive thank you to all the authors, publishers, publicists and so on for embracing me and Empire of Books so much. I started my blog nearly three years ago, and in that time I've had such an awesome time. I've loved every second and I cannot wait for the excitement to carry on next year! All the awesome blog tours. Author interviews. Guest posts. Book cover reveals. Announcements. Just so much excitement!

I'll be honest and say I am disappointed in the amount I have read this year. 53 books. Better than last year, but terrible compared to where I wanted to be. I wanted to read 111 books, just because I think 111 looks cool, so I am going to attempt the feat for a second year running and hope that in 2013 I can actually achieve it! I had a few long periods of not reading at all due to stuff going on in the real world, outside of the blog, and I'm hoping this new year will be a lot less dramatic! We shall see how that pan's out!

Just, yeah, I wanted to say thank you! And also to you! The people who visit the blog, comment on the posts, every one. It makes me feel so happy when I log on and see that my posts are being seen - hoping that the book love spreads, it's an exciting thing! It really is!

Sunday, 30 December 2012

Letterbox Love #9

Letterbox Love is a meme hosted by Lynsey over Narratively Speaking, and is designed for UK bloggers to showcase the lovelies that drop through their letterbox's in the course of the week just gone...

So, last weeks Letterbox Love was intended to be the last of 2012... But then this happened...



Oh yeah! That's right! That's a signed copy of The Casual Vacancy! Yeah, the one by J.K. FREAKING ROWLING! And it's mine! All mine! Queue evil laugh... MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA... Ahem, you get the idea! Argh! I am just so freaking excited! It was my birthday yesterday so this was an AMAZING surprise that if I'm honest has floored me. The mere fact that I own something that has actually been in this great womans presence, in her hands no doubt... She's touched it... She's scribbled it! I am just... GAH! Words cannot describe my excitement and awe and just sheer downright fangirl squealing! I am so excited as I think you can tell... I'm rambling... STOP!

Also got some other cool stuff from my parents! 21 mug and coaster... Angry Birds annual as I LOVE ANGRY BIRDS! A really cool pen because of my writing and a chain as they said they wanted to give me something I'd keep! Love them! Best parents anyone could ask for! :) All in all, an epic birthday which made me feel proper lucky. 


Anyway, while I'm here I might as well talk about a couple of things I've gotten in the last few days. I didn't get any books for Christmas, simply because I didn't ask for any. However I did get a Moleskin from a friend which I love and am using as an idea book. She told me she wanted to be thanked one day when I get published and I said that this way, there has to be some money sitting in the Moleskine right, if all my ideas go in there, something's gotta stick! Haha. I also purchased this...


It's a Moleskin 2013 calandar... Month by month. Each month has it's own little book which I think is pretty damn cool. This is for the blog. It's where I'm going to keep track of all the books that are being published and when... Any commitments such as blog tours, author interviews, stuff that I need to know when it has to go live, it'll all go down in there! I did the same last year and it really helped me to keep track of all the books coming out, so I'm hoping it works again in 2012. Plus I like the idea of just being able to pick of July and note that such and such a book is coming out on such and such a date, and so and so is doing an blog tour in October and I'm hosting and so and so a date... Haha! You get the idea.

I have also purchased some books for my Kindle! They are as follows...


 Mr Stink by David Walliams (I really enjoyed the adaptation on BBC over Christmas and wanted to read the book!)
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey (I've wanted to read this for so long, I've heard nothing but good about it. A mate at work said that she'd started reading it and it was amazing, and that was the last straw! I saw it on Amazon on offer so I snapped that bad boy up! Excited to give it a read!!!
The Legend of Ellie Quin by Alex Scarrow (the first in a trilogy, I believe, and I'm not so sure if this isn't being self-published? Probably wrong on that front, but I love Alex's TimeRiders series and this looks and sounds awesome so I just had to check it out!
The Millenium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson (another series I've wanted to read forever! Again, it was on sale so I downloaded it!).
Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay (I have started watching Dexter on Netflix and I have fallen in love, it's sooooooo good! And I wanted to read the book that kickstarted it all, so I downloaded that too!)

And for Christmas I got a blu-ray player and I purchased some blu-rays in the sale... Not strictly book related, but they all popped through my letterbox so I'm sharing them! 

Jurassic Park Trilogy (LOVE!!!).
Lord of the Rings Trilogy (I already have these on DVD, but I've not watched them in ages and this was super cheap and I want to see them in HD... :D).
London 2012: The Olympics (the Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony were amazing, the Opening in particular and I want to watch that again and again because it made me feel so proud to be British that night, it was just so epic!).
Prometheus (I've not seen it yet, but this was on offer!).


So, that really is it, that last Letterbox Love of 2012! Happy reading folks, and see you in 2013!

Friday, 28 December 2012

Empire of Books Top 10 Books of 2012

This is always the hardest post for me to write. It's my third year doing it and it never gets any easier. Every year it just seems to get ten times harder. The books that come out seem to be even better. The magins are even harder to distinguish and you find yourself hmm-ing and ahh-ing for hours on end. Well, finally, and after some last minute disruptions that made me have to change the list for the umpteenth time, I am, I think, finally finished! So...



 10) The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling.
This woman is a legend. As I have stated before, I would buy her shopping list and fall in love with its prose, it's plot, it's characters (eggs, butter, milk and bread count as characters, right? I say so! I will always welcome new JK into my heart, no matter what the subject matter, so bring it on Jo, gimme what you got! 
9) Black City by Elizabeth Richards.
A late comer in this list, I only read this a week or so ago but oh my word it is one beautiful novel that needs to be devoured right this instant! I cannot wait to see what happens next, in Phoneix!


8) Another Life by Keren David.
Yet again, Keren does it! She knows how to push your buttons and get you sitting right on the edge of that seat, teetering on the edge, occasionally gasping and then falling off in a messy heap on the floor!


7) Zom-B by Darren Shan.
Gory. Bloody. Brainy. Just fantastic! An awesome start to what looks set to be an amazing series! Bravo Shan! Bring it on! 



6) Gods and Warriors by Michelle Paver.
This woman can do no wrong, whatsoever! Another cracking start to what looks to be an amazing series, and one I can already feel myself falling in love with. Adventurous, and it takes you right back to the Bronze age! Bring on The Burning Shadow (book two, out August 2013)...


5) Undone by Cat Clarke.
Another late comer, read only last week. Oh boy! Too many things to say, too many feelings! I was in two minds as to whether or not to include it as the Kindle edition is out now, but it's not out physically until the end of January, but it's out there in some form so therefore it's a 2012 book... INCLUDED!
4) Unrest by Michelle Harrison.
One of the most chilling books I have ever read. It made me go cold, it made me feel sick, it made me want to read on and on and on until I'd reached that last page. Utterly addictive and stunning in every way!
3) Insurgent by Veronica Roth.
The tale of Tris and Four and of the factions continues! A stunning sequel that has left me pining for the third and final book in the trilogy, not out until right at the end of 2013! Waaah! What are you doing to me, Veronica? What are you doing to all of us?!


2) The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.
Beautiful in every single way, right from the start of the book. It's powerful, brilliantly written, funny, smart, sad, heartbreaking, raw, amazing. Just read it!
So, we come to the Number 1 spot. My favourite book of 2012? Hmm...

And it is.......

........

My Top Book of 2012....


1) Department 19: The Rising by Will Hill.

It was the first book I read this year and it kicked things off with an epic bang. Lots of blood, fighting, action, vampires - REAL VAMPIRES... Will just has this knack of getting it all right, of getting the reader, of trapping them within the pages of the book, capturing all their senses and getting them so deep in the story that they feel as if they're right there, in the thick of it all. He is a storyteller of epic proportions and deserves a lot of credit, praise and so much more. Wonderfully written and just generally great fun.

Now, if you follow me on twitter you might of seen me say that I've struggled with this post a bit. There have been so many amazing books this year, and then there are those late comers that, just when I thought I had this all sorted, came along and decided to throw all of that out the window, so I just wanted to include the covers of some of the books that just missed my Top 10 but I love all the same!


 It has been an epic year for YA! With the release of The Hunger Games film, the growth of dystopian fiction, new voices and old voices alike all publishing some amazing titles! I really cannot wait to see what 2013 has in store for us all! The final Divergent book! Four instalments of Darren Shan's Zom-B series! More Michelle Paver! A new series from Justin Somper (author of Vampirates) which I cannot wait for! 2013 sounds like it's going to be awesome! Come and get me, 2013! Come and get me!


Thursday, 27 December 2012

Empire of Books Top 10 Book Covers of 2012

Just when you think you have seen it all where cover art is concerned, the cover for a book will be unveiled and you will be in a state of awe, of shock, of amazement... I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but sometimes it is easier said than done, because when cover art is this good it's hard not to want to rip those covers open and see what is inside! Here are my favourite, top ten, covers from 2012!!!

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10) The Casual Vacancy by J. K. Rowling.
A rather peculiar cover, there isn't a lot going on and I'll be honest, when it was first unveiled I wasn't that keen, but it has grown on me and in the flesh I love the brightness of the cover and the contrast of the red on yellow! Plus I like the fonts used for her name and the title!

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9) The Rise of Nine by Pittacus Lore.
Something about this image just makes me want to read this book! Who is the figure on the front cover? Looks like he's on Mars! He isn't, but it looks like it!


8) Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick.
Smoldering. Enough said.

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7) Oblivion by Anthony Horowitz.
Ooh! Looks like clouds. Ice. And I see lightning! Did someone say end of the world? Epic battles in Antarcia? Erm, yes please.

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6) Gods and Warriors by Michelle Paver.
It's dark. It's mysterious. There's gold writing and it's all shiny in the flesh. Love it.

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5) Undone by Cat Clarke.
I say this qualifies as 2012 as the Kindle edition is already out... so I'm counting it. Beautiful cover! Cat is so lucky. All of her covers have been amazing!

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4) Zom-B by Darren Shan.
This cover makes me shudder. The book is amazing and I cannot wait to see how the rest of the series looks too! I bet by the end of it we'll have a gruesome yet amazing collection to cherish!

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3) Black City by Elizabeth Richards.
What a beauty of a cover, eh?! An exploding rose against a dark city. Stunning!

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2) Insurgent by Veronica Roth.
Woweee! I love the colouring, I love the font. I love the image, the swirly tree! UGH I NEED BOOK 3!!!

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1) The Kill Order by James Dashner.
This cover is vibrant. It's dangerous. It speaks of destruction, desperation, death. Just... ugh. Amazing. i love it. It's my favourite cover of all of the Maze Runner books and I think Philip Straub did an amazing job designing this cover, as well as the artwork for the original trilogy, and it definitely stands out on my bookshelf!

I cannot wait to see what 2013 brings when it comes to covers!



Tuesday, 25 December 2012

Merry Christmas


MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I hope that wherever you are in the world, you have an awesome, safe, and happy day! I hope you get lots of awesome books to read, to love, to enjoy! I hope there are Kindles out there too! Enjoy your turkey (or beef, or salmon, or whatever the heck it is you're having - we've got turkey, what else?!?!) and enjoy the Christmas programmes! The Royale Family Christmas special, er hell yes! And Miranda tomorrow! Amazing!

:)

Monday, 24 December 2012

Christmas Eve - Radio Silence

So it's Christmas Eve! :D YAY!

Merry Christmas Eve folks!

So that does mean radio silence for a day or so... Most likely on twitter too. Unless I get unmangable withdrawls from twitter I'm going to try and stay off apart from saying Merry Christmas and the like! I had hoped to get some more reviews up... I was trying to read a few books but the last few days have been hectic. You always plan to get things in order for Christmas, and every year you swear next year you'll be better... Never works out though, right? RIGHT! That's what has happened to me, and the family. We thought we were pretty much sorted, thought we had plenty of time and before you know it, boom, it's Christmas week already. Argh!

Plus I'm working today (9 till 2) which sucks big time! Ugh. And it's my mum's birthday so busy busy busy! :)

AND MRS BROWNS BOYS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL! I am so so so freaking excited! Ooh! And The Grinch is on today! One of my favourite, if not my ultimate favourite, Christmas films! :D

Sunday, 23 December 2012

Letterbox Love #8

Letterbox Love is a meme hosted by Lynsey over Narratively Speaking, and is designed for UK bloggers to showcase the lovelies that drop through their letterbox's in the course of the week just gone...

The last Letterbox Love before Christmas, and very most likely the last one of 2012 depending on what next weeks post may bring... I know I have a new Moleskine notebook and a Moleskine diary (well 12 as the months come separate in this cool binder thing) coming, but if there's nothing else then this will be it for 2012! And what an awesome year it has been!



REVIEW

The Disappeared by C. J. Harper.
Undone by Cat Clarke (Squeee! Loved this... Review here).
Gates of Paradise by Melissa de la Cruz.
Rift by Andrea Cremer.
The Tragedy Paper by Elizabeth Laban.
Eternally Yours by Cate Tiernan.




BOUGHT

John Green Boxset including...

Looking For Alaska.
An Abundance of Katherine's.
Paper Towns.
The Fault in Our Stars.

I've been meaning to read all of John's work since I read The Fault in Our Stars right at the start of the year, and I saw this boxset on the Book Depository and knew it was fate! They're hardback and I adore hardbacks! Every day of the week! And then I saw they did signed ones on Amazon US but they were so much more expensive, so I opted for the unsigned ones. My copy of TFiOS is signed anyway, so I'm not that bothered. But look at the box thjey come in! So cool! Quotes and things from the books themselves. Awesome! Cannot wait to get stuck in!




I also, in music related post got this... It's the super deluxe (or Diamond Deluxe Boxed Edition) of Rihanna's latest (and awesome) album, Unapologetic. I love the album and she did this thing on Twitter called #R7 where her fans helped to unlock things leading up to the release of the album and part of it was that the first 10,000 people to upload their photo to the site got it included in a massive fan poster included in, and exclusive to, the boxset. I was one of those people, so my pic is on there! On her lips, no less! Mwahaha! I love it! Nice little thing to have and the box itself is so cool!



So guys, what about you? What beaut's fell through your letterbox this week? Leave a comment with a link to your Letterbox Love post or In My Mailbox and I'll check it out! 

Happy reading! :)

Saturday, 22 December 2012

Hogfather by Terry Pratchett [Review]

Written by: Terry Pratchett.
Published by: Corgi.
Format: Paperback.
Released: 1996.
Rating: 5/5.

Official synopsis: "IT'S THE NIGHT BEFORE HOGSWATCH. AND IT'S TOO QUIET. Where is the big jolly fat man? Why is Death creeping down chimneys and trying to say Ho Ho Ho? The darkest night of the year is getting a lot darker... Susan the gothic governess has got to sort it out by morning, otherwise there won't be a morning. Ever again... The 20th Discworld novel is a festive feast of darkness and Death (but with jolly robins and tinsel too). As they say: 'You'd better watch out...'"

Ah, nothing quite says Merry Christmas like Death parading around in a red suit and beard like the jolly fat man himself, the Hogfather, now does it? 

In this festive addition to Pratchett's fantastical Discworld series, someone wants the Hogfather dead, this bringing the Disc itself into a never ending darkness... But there's always a hero in a tale like this, and in Hogfather, the role, the duty even, of the hero falls upon Death. It's a little different to his day job, granted, and this makes for a hilarious read.

There's something about Hogfather that just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside when I read it. I first read it when the tv adaptation was on Sky back in 2006, so I'd of been 14 and I fell in love. It was the first of Terry's books I read and it's the one I have read the most. In fact it's an annual read and I always have to read it at this time of year. In fact as I write this review I am in the midst of another re-read, but I had thought I'd reviewed it last year, alas I did not so here I am!

The book itself plays on belief, and while we're talking about Hogswatch here, it is just a play on Christmas, and what is Christmas without belief? In hope? In Father Christmas (or Santa Claus for any US readers...)? It's a vital part of this time of year and Terry plays on this excellently. For not only do we meet the Hogfather in Hogfather, we meet the Tooth Fairy, the Oh God of Hangovers and Death of Rats too, among others of course. For the Auditors have hired the Guild of Assassins to take the Hogfather, 

And as usual the writing is clear, fluid and filled with wit. I do find that every time you re-read one of Terry's books, you pick something else up, get another layer of the story that you'd missed previously. They're so clever, and so well thought out. Deaths comments in particular, his thoughts on humanity and their quirks, are so hilarious that at times when reading it I was in stitches. So insightful. 

Honestly, even if you aren't a fan of Terry, or perhaps like me before I read this book you've never read any of his work, this is a great place to start. It's funny, wintery and perfect for this time of year. I really cannot recommend it enough. Just get it and see what I'm on about, I'm rambling here, so it's better for you to make up your own mind and then you'll see exactly why I love this book so much! Maybe because it's the first of the Discworld books I've read, although I haven't read that many...) but it's my favourite and one I will continue to read again and again, year in, year out!

Cover VS Cover: ZOM-B Underground

So it's been a little while since I've done a Cover VS Cover post! The last one is in August... Earlier this year, I did one for Zom-B by Darren Shan, and in honour of the second book in the series, Zom-B Underground, which is out 3rd January, I thought it only fair that it got the same treatment... So off we go!

UK // US

So, the UK cover, obviously it is eye-catching... and I suppose as it's the one I shall own I love it straight away. The colouring, the image, the FIRE! But then we have the US cover. I was kind of lukewarm to the US cover for Zom-B and it actually gave me the chills, too scary, but there is something I quite like about the US cover for Underground. Again, as with the UK cover, I like the colouring, the yellow verging on green, and I like the image. There does seem to be more going on here, the image seems to speak more action than its UK counterpart...

So this time, a rather rare occurrence, I think I have to go with the US cover! I adore the UK one, and of course it's the one that I'll have on my bookshelf, but there's something about the American artwork that just clinches it for me!

Which one do you prefer?

Cover art for ACID unveiled!

I will start this post by saying I am NOT one of the bloggers Emma asked to unveil the cover, however I am so freakishly, insanely excited about this book I just had to get this cover up on the blog! It's eye-catching and so perdy! I've been excited for ACID since Random House announced it a year ago! And it is finally being released in April! My, does time fly!

Anyway, check it out! Beauty!




"A fast and furious thriller featuring the coolest, toughest bad girl since Lisbeth Salander. Meet Jenna Strong. In Jenna’s world, ACID – the most brutal, controlling police force in history – rule with an iron fist. And it was ACID agents who locked Jenna away for life, for a bloody crime she struggles to remember. But Jenna’s violent prison has taught her a thing or two about survival. And when a mysterious rebel group breaks her out, she must use her strength, speed and skill to stay one step ahead. A gripping futuristic debut that will hook you from the very first page."

Definitely one to look out for in 2013, that's for sure!

Friday, 21 December 2012

2013: Books of Interst (Part 3)

Now there are some large gaps in the year where there are books that are making me foam at the mouth... Simply because sometime's books aren't announced that early... I've wracked my brain but towards the end of the year there are fewer titles that I can think of, but here they are regardless.

In AUGUST it's a massive double whammy for me. Two books that are part of two fantastic series that I love! The first is out, at the moment (date may change...) on the 1st. And that would be The Burning Shadow, the second book in the incredible Gods and Warriors by Michelle Paver. No cover yet, if Puffin follow the time scale they did for book one, that should be available from February onwards. No synopsis for the book yet, and we don't know much apart from the title which Michelle herself confirmed a few weeks ago in the latest Clan Cast over on her official website, www.jointheclan.com! Needless to say, I am dying to read this book. I'm a massive fan of Michelle, and she can do no wrong whatsoever in my book!


Then on 29th, another book courtesy of Puffin! At the time of writing this, there's not even a title! Although I have seen a few online, The Return of Lorien popping up the most often, but we'll see! Yep, that's right. The fourth book in the Lorien Legacies series by Pittacus Lore. I love these books. I Am Number Four, The Power of Six and The Rise of Nine. The rumoured title doesn't really follow the pattern of the previous three, but who knows! I just can't wait to see what happens next after that massive cliffhanger at the end of The Rise of Nine! Talk about intense!!

Ooh! And I've just remembered another book out in August! How could I of forgotten! A new book from James Dawson! I adored Hollow Pike when it was released earlier this year and have been waiting with bated breath to see what he'll do next. The answer? Cruel Summer! It sounds fantastic and I can't wait!

"One year after the suicide of one of their friends, the rest of the group decide to spend the summer together in a holiday villa in the Mediterranean. They're hoping to get over the terrible events of the previous year, but then a new guest arrives - claiming to have evidence that the suicide was actually murder. When she is found dead, it becomes clear that the killer must be one of them - but who is it? And will they strike again?
A compelling psychological thriller - with a dash of romance."

Now a book that was originally scheduled for a 2012 release but got pushed back to next year. Trust me, I nearly cried! It's been such a long wait and with another 10 months to go still until the (as yet there's no set date...) OCTOBER release it'll only hurt a bit more! Yes, I'm talking about Angel Fever. The third and final book the Angel trilogy, which started with Angel and continued with Angel Fire, will finally give us all the answer's we've been waiting for! Most importantly, will she choose Seb or Alex? ARGH!!!!?>!"2!!! Seriously, I really cannot wait for this one, and with Lee's recent tweet confirming that she's finally finished the book itself, that it's done, nothing else needs doing, this only makes me even more excited! Fancy just emailing me a PDF, Lee? Hit me up! Haha!

So that concludes the Books of Interest series of posts! What books are you most looking forward to in 2013? Let me know if there are any I've missed you think I should check out. I know that I'll sit back in a bit after I've posted this and think of something and I'll kick myself that it's not on here, but that's part of the excitement I guess. I love not knowing everything that's coming out, then something will come along and just surprise you and make you fall completely and utterly in love!

2012 has been awesome but judging on the books we already know about, I think 2013 is going to be a stellar year for book readers!

I just hope the world isn't going to end today or else we'll never know just how amazing this books will be! Thankfully the world isn't going to end, it's just nonsense! Phew!!

Thursday, 20 December 2012

Undone by Cat Clarke [Review]

PLEASE NOTE, THAT IN THIS REVIEW THERE WILL BE SQUEEING, FANGIRLING, THE OCCASION HOLY COW MAYBE JUST A FEW EXCLAMATION MARKS! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!

Written by: Cat Clarke.
Published by: Quercus.
Format: Paperback.
Released: 20th Dec 2012 (Kindle)/31st Jan 2013 (pback).
Rating: 5/5.

Official synopsis: "Jem Halliday is in love with her gay best friend. Not exactly ideal, but she's learning to live with it. Then the unspeakable happens. Kai is outed online ... and he kills himself. Jem knows nothing she can say or do will bring him back. But she wants to know who was responsible. And she wants to take them down. A searing story of love, revenge and betrayal from a bestselling author."

I actually, for the life of me, don't know how to start this review. There's so much I want to say. But as with all of Cat's previous work, you even so much as utter a couple of words and already something it a little spoilt. So tightly woven are her books, Undone, and of course her first two books, Entangled and Torn, that every page has fought a bloody battle and has earned it's place fair and square, it's there because it needs to be. Fair enough, there aren't revelations on every single page, but you can feel it building the whole time, always bubbling away gently until it gets a little too hot in the kitchen and it bubbles over and explosions begin to take place.

It's weird to say, but I think Kai is my favourite character in the book. Yes, he dies at the start, but the more you learn about him, the letters he leaves Jem, he just seems like the person you'd love to be friends with. Always happy, always smiling and trying to make sure that you're okay, that you're happy, often unintentionally neglecting himself.

I have been looking forward to Undone for so freaking long. From the moment I finished Torn, I just knew that I had to read whatever Cat wrote next. She is, quite frankly, a genius. She gets the reader. She gets the voice just right. She sucks you in with such skill and with such power that you're almost in a vice - you just can't tear your eyes away from the page no matter what is going on. So imagine the moment this dropped through my letterbox? Massive excitement. I did a little bit of a dance - I'm not proud of it, I most likely looked like a fool, but who cares? Not me! That's who! And after said dance, I ran upstairs to finish the book I was reading at the time so I could get started. And boy was it worth it.

I will be honest, Undone isn't what I expected. I didn't expect there to be massive twists, but there are! I should of known! You're a sneaky one Cat! Very sneaky! I should of guessed from her previous books that there'd be some kind of twists, but oh no! I expected a pretty straight forward story of revenge. And boy was I wrong! As per the Cat Clarke usual, you are kept guessing and guessing and guessing again. What's going to happen next? How is so and so going to react to this? Massive gasp... I didn't see that coming at all!

And the ending! WHAT?!!?!?!?! NO!!!!!! IT CAN'T END LIKE THIS! NO! NO! NOOOO! Argh! I cried. Not even going to cry. Tears. Felt like such a wreck at the end of this book but it is so worth it!

As per usual the writing is of the highest calibre. It's so beautiful. So fluid. So easy. So natural. You just want to read it all day long! I'll be honest, Undone could of been double the length (it's already 502 pages, yippeee!!!) and I'd of loved every second and still not of wanted it to end. There's just something about Cat's writing that is so intoxicating, so compelling it just makes me want to weep that I will never be that good! She's pure awesome!

I really don't know what else I can say. There's not much I can say... So I'll plead... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! JUST GO! GET THIS BOOK! NOW ON YOUR KINDLE, ON 31ST JANUARY IF YOU PREFER THINGS A BIT MORE PHYSICAL! JUST DO IT! PLEASE!

Okay, that's enough caps... I just cannot express my love for this book, for all of Cat's work! It's just so bloody awesome! So emotional, so raw, so real! That's the thing that I think makes this book all the better. It could of happened. It does happen. It's a sad fact of life that while there are gay men (and of course women) out there that are perfectly comfortable in their skin and don't hide it, there are others that may appear confident, or not, that hate it, hide it, try to shy away from it, and ultimately there are those that go to the extremes. That's what I think gives this book so much power, so much punch. Kai could be real. He is real. 

I'm going to cut this review here, I think, before I ramble on anymore. Just please get it in your life! It's heartbreakingly beautiful and made of awesome!! Thank you so much to Quercus for my review copy and for publishing such awesomeness! And of course thanks to Cat for writing such an awesome story... And for making me cry! Cheers mate! Cheers! Haha!