Flyga Högt by Katarina von Bredow (1991)

Title: Syskonkärlek

Author: Katarina von Bredow

Pages: 295

Published: Sep 1991

Publisher: Rabén & Sjögren
Language: Swedish


I'm just going to take a minute to appreciate that the protagonist is called Vendela. This never happens.

This is on of my favourite YA contemporaries. Plot wise I would compare this to the English 'Beautiful Broken Things' by Sara Bernard but this is much better. It's a story about friendships, social statuses in school, love and trust. And its exciting. The characters are rich and the plot is rich and it's a highly enjoyable book. There is friendship and romance and an altogether funny story. The romantic part is the cutest thing as well. It may remind people of 'Tusen Gånger Starkare" by Christina Herrström in subject matter but I personally much prefer this one. Its capturing and strong. A page turner if there ever was one.

Plot Summary:

There are codes. Certain rules.
Like when you're new to school.
It's about not being noticed too much. To be somewhere in the middle. But Silja doesn't. She does the complete opposite.
Vendela is fifteen and is in high school. It's nice to be back in school. She's going to meet Nils with the brown eyes again. But there's a new girl in their class. Silja, who dominates and doesn't care at all about the unwritten rules. She sits wherever she pleases, she spends time with whoever she wants to and doesn't seem to want to blend in at all. Is she dim, defiant or just incredibly strong. No one knows, but the sensation is a fact. And suddenly the obvious statuses, and roles that are decided don't count anymore, nothing is certain.

My Rating:

9/10

Other Books by Katarina von Bredow:

Syskonkärlek (Brother and Sister Love)
Hur Kär Får Man Bli? (How In Love Can You Be?)
Som Jag Vill Vara (As I Wish To Be)
Expert På Att Rodna (Expert In Blushing)
Räcker Det Om Jag Älskar Dig (Is It Enough If I Love You)
Bara Inte Du (Just Not You)
Som Om Ingenting (As If Nothing At All)
Knappt Lovlig (Barely Allowed)
Du och Jag (You And Me)

Caraval by Stephanie Garber (2017)

Title: Caraval

Author: Stephanie Garber
Series: Caraval #1

Pages: 402

Published: Jan 31st 2017

Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton

Honestly, I ordered this book on Amazon because it was £5 and I thought "ooohh, a hardcover for £5 and a pretty cover". (Also the hardcover under the dust jacket. OMG!) I hadn't heard anything about it. I didn't know anything about it and no matter how intriguing it was I didn't read it for another few months until my birthday in June actually.

And god, was I hooked? I stopped watching tv series (to my mother's disappointment who had to wait a few days to pick up Reign again) and I brought this book everywhere. This is my favourite release of 2017 so far. It has made it up on my favourite list. I can't express enough how amazing this books. It's literally soaked in magic. There are absolutely no boundaries to this book. When you think it couldn't get more intense there is even more on the next page.

The tagline of the 'Caraval' is 'Remember, it's only a game.' This worked for about half the book. I kept this is mind the whole time and felt like I would do even better than Scarlett in this game. I felt like I saw everything coming, I was sane. And then it just went mental and I was about to tear the book to shreds for all the emotions I experienced: panic, happiness, fear, confusion, frustration. Even when you have given up on it, remember, it's only a game. Literally.

I won't say more in fear that I will spoil it. I went into this book knowing nothing. I suggest you do the same. It's a story so cleverly structured and told, it's almost terrifying. 

Plot Summary.

Whatever you've heard about CARAVAL, it doesn't compare to the reality. It's more than just a game or a performance. It's the closest you'll ever find to magic in this world.
Welcome to CARAVAL, where nothing is quite what it seems.
Scarlett and Tella have never left the tiny island of Trisda, pining from afar for the wonder of Caraval, a once-a-year week-long performance where the audience participates in the show.
Maraval is Magic. Mystery. Adventure.
When the sister's long-awaited invitations finally arrive, it seems their dreams have come true. But no sooner have they arrived than Tella vanishes, kidnapped by the show's mastermind organiser, Legend.
Scarlette has been told that everything that happens during Caravla is an elaborate performance. But she quickly becomes entangled in a dangerous game of love, magic and heartbreak.
And real or not, she must find Tella before the game is over, and her sister disappears forever. 

- back of cover

Favourite Quote:

"Scarlett was not fond of fate. She liked to believe if she were good, good things would happen. Fate left her powerless, and hopeless, and with an overall feeling of lessness. To her, fate seemed like a larger, omnipotent version of her father, stealing her choices and controlling her life without any regard to her feelings. Fate meant that nothing she did mattered." (pg 148)
"It would have been a mistake to kiss him, yet she felt... disappointed. It came on cool shades of forget-me-not blue, which wrapped around her like evening fog, making her feel hidden enough to acknowledge that she wanted to experience more of Caraval's pleasures than she would have ver admitted out loud." (pg 173)
"Scarlett had always seen her own emotions in colour, but she'd never seen another person's. She didn't know what shocked her more, that she could now see the color of Julien's feelings, or that those feelings were so wounded." (pg 227)

My Rating:

10/10

Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer (2017)

Title: Letters to the Lost

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Pages: 393

Published: Apr 4th 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury

I got this book from WHSmith as it was buy one get one free with the Zoella Book Club. I didn't get the whole Book Club set but got this one together with 'After the Fire' by Will Hill. I couldn't help myself, they looked like such good summer reads.

I was in the middle of reading the Percy Jackson books and although I truly wanted to finish the series I couldn't stop thinking about how much I wanted to read Letters to the Lost so I simply took a break and how long did it take me to read this book? One day. ONE DAY. I was hooked.

The idea behind this book itself is so original and clever. Who thinks of something like this. Naturally I was sat there the whole book knowing more than the characters (dramatic irony!!) because it was written from both Juliet and Declan's point of view. I loved this layout and it kept my interest going the whole way through. The letters and the two different perspectives allows to the reader to know more about the characters. I know Juliet through herself, through Declan's point of view and through the letters she writes. I don't think I've ever connected so much with characters and they are so deep, so three diminutional - so real.

Although I cannot say that I have gone through any of what Juliet or Declan has gone through (I have not lost a family member) I can say that I truly value the opportunity to write to someone I trust. It may be over text and it may not be anonymous, but Cemetery Girl's and The Dark's openness with each other reminded me of a friend I know I can talk to and that hit deep. 

But the book wasn't just deep and understanding, it was funny and it made me laugh. And it's a happy ending. In a way it's a happy story with just so many memories of pain. But it's their journey to getting better.

Minor Spoiler! This book has one kiss. One kiss and it's at the very end. There are no hot scenes or declarations of love, yet it's one of the truest love stories I have ever read. And I was so nervous through it all, so excited, but my head didn't scream "KISS HER!" This love was deeper than that and evolved from something more personal than just boy needs girl. Is this a fluffy romance? Yes, to an extent. But you won't get the romantic first date. You'll get something much more exciting.

Plot Summary:

Juliet Young has always written letters to her mother. Even after her mother's death, she leaves letters at her grave. It's the only thing that helps Juliet cope.

Declan Murphy is the kind of tough guy you wouldn't want to cross. But while on community service doing landscaping at the local cemetery, he is haunted by ghosts of his own past.

When Declan finds a letter left beside a grave, he can't resist writing back. Soon he is sharing his pain with a perfect stranger... Except they're not strangers, and when real life inter fears with their secret life of letters, Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart.

Favourite Quote:

"I didn't know you could feed a baby Thai food" - Declan

My Rating:

10/10

Other Books by Brigid Kemmerer:

Storm (Elemental #1)

Spark (Elemental #2)

Spirit (Elemental #3)

Secret (Elemental #4)

Sacrifice (Elemental #5)

Elemental (Elemental novella)

Breathless (Elemental novella)

Fearless (Elemental novella)

Strife

More Than We Can Tell

A Curse so Dark and Lonely

Select by Marit Weisenberg (2017)

Title: Select

Author: Marit Weisenberg

Pages: 352 (Kindle)

Expected publication: Oct 3th 2017

Publisher: Charlesbridge, Teen


This eGalley was given to me by Charlesbridge, Teen vie NetGalley in exchange for the honest review. These are my personal opinions of the book.

If this book had to be compared to anything, in terms of genre, it would be Twilight. It is a YA romance with supernatural/paranormal undertones. Julia, the protagonist is, however, not a vampire, she belongs to a group of people who are genetically different than humans. All their seances are stronger, they are better at everything. And she falls for the normal, mortal boy. I would not consider this a strong sic-fi or supernatural/paranormal book as it seems to focus more on the romantic relationship between Julia and John than the supernatural aspect. However, I very much enjoyed this. It's like a fluffy YA romantic but with a constantly present, yet subtle element of science fiction. I have been looking a book like this forever, that is funny romantic, but not too cliche.

I liked the characters, except Novak (naturally). I felt like he was restricting Julia and had too much power over her. She didn't speak up to him, even as a daughter and I feel like she was unreasonable blamed for things. I would have liked more information about Julia's group of people as I often in the beginning felt just as lost as John if not more. Often the reader was just told that they were different, they had to be subtle or they were better. I felt like I was expected to know everything already. In a way this puts the reader in the situation of John, which is powerful in its own way, but as he only got to know Julia's whole story 53% into the book I felt like I was as well. And it frustrated me for quite a while. In other words, I felt like although it was a first person story Julia wasn't very open to the reader and we only found something out if it was spoken out loud. More insight would have been appreciated. Sometimes the language was a little boring and simple, but the dialogues were very enjoyable.

I very much enjoyed the mind reading. John is the best character with his funny personal remarks and he really brightens it up. His optimistic, humours thoughts were much more successfully written than his negative thoughts, which sometimes felt a little fake even if they would've been said out loud. John definitely made this book much better and with the constant presence of Angus it was even better.

I can't help but wonder if there will be a sequel. It works fine as a stand alone but I do wonder at some loose ends and the very end hinted at the fact that there might be more to told. What about Julia's mum? What about John's vision? The FBI? The utopia? Angus? I need to know what happens next.

Plot Summary:

“It had always been a fact of life that we were biologically different—better—and that it had to be kept secret.”

Seventeen-year-old Julia Jaynes has the perfect life. She’s beautiful, freakishly athletic, and extremely smart. That’s because she comes from a race of highly-evolved humans living in the heart of Austin, Texas.In order to protect their anonymity and preserve their elite society, Julia’s powerful father forces her to suppress her abilities. When she accidentally demonstrates her super human prowess in public, she’s banished to the one place meant to make her feel inferior: public high school. Thrust into the confusion and humiliation of a normal high school, Julia is just trying to keep her head down when John Ford strolls into her life. An outsider and tennis jock, John is immediately attractive to Julia as a curiosity. She can even read his mind. But as Julia's newfound powers over John grow, so do her feelings. When she discovers her father has been hiding dangerous secrets, for the first time in her life, Julia begins to question her restrictive upbringing. Caught between the prejudices of her manipulative father and the allure of an outsider’s life, Julia must decide how she will define herself—and who she will betray.

My Rating:

7/10

Favourite Quote:

"One more set like this, and that will officially be rock bottom. And in front of her. Definition of a shit show. I should be handing out toilet paper." - John

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard - video discussion

Title: Glass Sword

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Series: Red Queen #2

Pages: 444

Published: Feb 9th 2016

Publisher: HarperTeen, Orion

Video Discussion of Victoria Aveyard's book Glass Sword, the sequel to Red Queen.

Thanks for watching and don't forget to like and subscribe to my YouTube channel here.

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman (2006)

Title: Noughts and Crosses

Author: Malorie Blackman
Series: Noughts and Crosses #1
Pages: 479

Published: Aug 8th 2006

Publisher: Corgi Childrens


I read this book while in Florida, and despite spending a whole week at Disney World, morning till evening, I finished this book in no time. This book was on a list of books recommended for summer reading when I was fourteen and having heard loads of good comments about it from class mates and teachers I had to get it.

This book is so incredibly strong and filled with important topics such as racism, politics, pregnancy, kidnapping, attacks and parent relationships. Every teenager should read this book. It is set in a world with a "colourless underclass" and a "dark-skinned ruling class". However, they are simply referred to as noughts and Crosses. It is a sort of Romeo and Juliet story where Callum (nought) and Sephy (Cross) cannot be together but it much more politically dangerous than a classic Shakespeare play.

The book runs over a couple of years (which was new to me as I felt like a lot of young adult books take place over a few days to a few months. The reader gets to grow up with Callum and Sephy and go through all the time they spend together (and apart). It's written from both people's point of view so the reader truly gets a deep understanding for what is going on and if anything it makes it even more heart wrenching.

Highly, highly recommend this for both teens and adult. I made my mum read it. Due to the ending of this book, I had a hard time continuing with the rest of the series. I did start Knife Edge but didn't get through it unfortunately. I almost believe that Noughts and Crosses works well as a stand-alone and that is almost the way I view the story. However, there may be more important points to be brought up the sequels and I will not judge books that I have not read. With other words, this book is part of highly rated series but it is perfectly fine to read on its own.


Plot Summary:

Callum is a nought - a second-class citizen in a world run by the ruling Crosses...
Sephy is a Cross, daughter of one of the most powerful men in the country...
In their world, noughts and Crosses simply don't ,mix. And as hostility turns to violence, can Callum and Sephy possibly find a way to be together? They are determined to try.
And then the bomb explodes...
A gripping, stimulating and totally absorbing novel set in a world where black and white are right and wrong.
- back of book

My Rating:

10/10

Other Books in this Series:

Noughts and Crosses (Noughts and Crosses #1)
Knife Edge  (Noughts and Crosses #2)
Check Mate  (Noughts and Crosses #3)
Double Cross   (Noughts and Crosses #4)
An Eye for an Eye  (Noughts and Crosses novella)
Callum  (Noughts and Crosses novella)
Noughs and Crosses Graphic Novell

Other Books by Malorie Blackman:

Pig Heart Boy
Boys Don't Cry
Hacker
The Stuff of Nightmares
Thief!
Noble Conflict
The Ripple Effect (Doctor Who)
Dead Gorgeous
A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E.
Cloud Busting
Tell Me No Lies
Chasing the Stars
Love Hurts
The Deadly Dare Mysteries
Dangerous Reality
Trust Me
Hostage
Operation Gadgetman!
Jon for Short
Unheard Voices
Shining On

Min Typ Brorsa by Johanna Lindbäck (2010)

Title: Min Typ Brorsa (My Sort Of Brother)

Author: Johanna Lindbäck

Pages: 268

Published: Dec 2010

Publisher: Rabén & Sjögren

Language: Swedish

This is such an enjoyable swedish young adult about a girl and a boy who start having feelings for each other after their single parents move in together. It's sweet, funny and a little bit heart wrenching. You hope for something you know will never be but the journey there is absolutely wonderful. Writing this review makes me want to reread it because it's so sweet and innocent. Highly recommend for all the Swedish speakers out there as a light romantic read, whether it be a summer or winter read. It's so cute. Absolutely love what these characters go through and their relationship.

Plot Summary:

Celebrating New Years with Mum's new guy isn't exactly what Nina dreamt of. And that Mum talks about the fact that internet-Thomas has two sons exactly in Nina's age isn't helping. But New Years turns out to be better than Nina could've imagined. Thomas's sons are pretty alright. Especially the one...

My Rating:

9/10

Other Books by Johanna Lindbäck:

Min Typ Brorsa (My Sort Of Brother)

Tänk Om Det Där Var Jag (Imagine If That Were Me)

Välkommen Hem (Welcome Home)

En Liten Chock (A Small Shock)

Som Om Jag Frågat (As If I've Asked)

Saker Som Aldrig Händer (Things That Never Happen)

Lite Ihop (A Little Together)

Kanske Ihop (Maybe Together)

Karta För Förälskade och Andra Vilsna

Jan Svensson (Jan Svensson)

Vi Måste Sluta Ses På Det Här Sättet (We Need To Stop Seeing Each Other Like This)

Det Är Så Logiskt All Fattar Utom Du by Lisa Bjärbo (2011)

Title: Det Är Så Logiskt All Fattar Utom Du (It's So Logical Everyone Gets It Except You)

Author: Lisa Bjärbo

Pages: 250

Published: Mar 15th 2011

Publisher: Rabén & Sjögren

This book was bought as an eBook when I had run out of books to read while on holiday in Florida. This is your typical fluffy summer romance and I read it in pretty much a day. It's funny and painful and romantic and such a cute cozy read. It's not all about being in love though. It's about cheating parents, gossiping friends, boys that ignore girls and girls who don't understand that their best friend is in love with them. It's so beautifully written and relatable even if you may not have gone through the same stuff.

It may be a little predictable, but somehow that makes it nicer. It's a satisfying ending. It's written from both Ester and Johan's point of view so you get both's side of the story and it makes it so much better. Highly recommend this book if you just want to curl up with a feel-good book.

Plot Summary:

For four years has Johan, in secret, had a crush on his girl friend. For four years has he bit together, listened, played uninterested when she talks about her love stories. But now it's impossible. He's going to explode!

My Rating:

8/10

Other Books by Lisa Bjärbo:

Allt Jag Säger Är Sant (All I Say Is The Truth)
Det Är Så Logiskt All Fattar Utom Du (It's So Logical Everyone Gets It Except You)

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell (2016)

Title: Carry On

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Pages: 528

Published: Feb 25th 2016

Publisher: Macmillan

After reading Fangirl I was very excited to read Carry On as I wanted to know more about Simon. Simon is a fictional character whom Cath writes fan fiction about on the book Fangirl. During uni she writes the fan fiction "Carry On Simon" as if though it was the eighth book in the Simon Snow series (yet to be published). In Cath's version, Simon and Bas (his least favourite friend and room mate) have a romantic relationship, so naturally there are some Simon and Bas love scenes in Carry On and it's so so good!

I felt like Carry On was a bit of a parody of Harry Potter and Twilight. Simon is the chosen one and he attends a magic boarding school but it's much more relaxed and funny. It's absolutely hilarious. It's kind of a light hearted version.

I suggest you read Fangirl first, to get the background story of this book. If feel like it would be more appreciated that way. Even though the book is obviously by Rainbow Rowell, I felt like I was reading fan fiction by Cath and it was an amazing feeling.

Plot Summary:

Simon Snow is the worst chosen one who's ever been chosen
That's what his roommate, Baz says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he's probably right.
Half the time Simon can't even make his wand work, and the other half, he sets something on fire. His mentor's avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there's a magic-eating monster running around wearing Simon's face. Baz would be having a field day wit all this, if he were here - it's their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon's infuriating nemesis didn't even bother to show up.
- back of book

Favourite Quote:

'I didn't care if magic was real at that moment. Because roast beef and Yorkshire pudding are fucking real as rain.' - Simon

My Rating:

9/10

Other Books by Rainbow Rowell:

Fangirl
Carry On
Eleanor & Park
Landline
Attachments
Kindred Spirits
My True Love Gave To Me
Almost Midnight

Här ligger jag och blöder by Jenny Jägerfeld (2010)

Title: Här Ligger Jag och Blöder (Me On The Floor, Bleeding)

Author: Jenny Jägerfeld
Pages: 252

Published: Sep 17th 2010

Publisher: Gilla Böcker

One of my all-time favourite Swedish YA contemporary. This follows Maja and her relationship with her mum, for her mum has disappeared when Maja goes to visit her and she's the only one who doesn't care about the fact that Maja's sawed off half her thumb - by accident. Everyone else seems to worry about her missing thumb and in the midst of her disturbance about her mum and her dad's hurtful emails she meets Justin, who makes her forget.

This story is so relatable sometimes that it hurts. I found myself crying plenty. Maja's parents are separated and unawares they both hurt Maja in their own way. It's a book about emotions and love. After having read this book I asked mum to read it, for several reasons. Because it's just such as a great and entertaining book, but also because it's emotional and it really puts certain feelings into words. You don't have to have parents living hours away from each other, having sawn off half your thumb, wear crazy and amazing clothes or show up uninvited to parties to be able to relate to Maja's story. This book is clever and hurtful in the way it's written and cleverly understanding.

I'd like to think that Jägerfeld's background as a child psychologist may have a role in how well she seems to understand her own character and how it gets young teenagers like myself. I read this when I was around 15 and it still feels accurate.

I know the title has scared people off, for it may refer to self harm which is still a tough subject to cover, but it's more of a hyperbole or a metaphor for Maja's feelings. If anything, you'll learn on the first page that she's bleeding because she's sawn off the tip of her thumb by mistake during DT, and if anything, it's quite humours. This book is available in English which makes me so happy cause it means you can get your hands on it on Amazon here.

Plot Summary:

High School outsider Maja would never hurt herself on purpose as her dad, teachers, and class mates seem to believe Can't a person saw off the tip of her thumb without everyone starting to worry? That is, everyone except Maja's mum, who seems to have disappeared of the face of earth.
- Goodreads

My Rating:

10/10

Other Books by Jenny Jägerfeld:

Jag Är Ju Så Jävla Easygoing (I'm Just So Fucking Easygoing)
Hål i Huvudet (A Hole In My Head)
Brorsan Är Kung! (Brother is King!)

Het
The Space In-between

Det Händer Nu by Sofia Nordin (2010)

Title: Det Händer Nu (It's Happening Now)

Author: Sofia Nordin

Pages: 248

Published: Sep, 2010

Publisher: Rabén & Sjögren
Language: Swedish

I haven't read a massive amount of LGBTQ books but this was the first book within the genre and one of my favourite Swedish YA contemporaries. It follows the popular girl Stella who has a crush on her best friend Sigrid, but she's afraid of ruining their friendship by telling her.

In desperation to forget her feelings for Sigrid she begins a relationship with Sigrid's brother, who has a thing for her, but she feels extremely uncomfortable. As her feelings for Sigrid develops Sigrid gives hints of her feelings for Stella and their path to a relationship is sweet and truly addictive to read about. Although Stella to be the confident girl in school, with boys yearning for her, she is not the confident in this relationship. Sigrid is the one who breaks the ice, the one to make the moves and move the relationship forward while Stella is insecure and worried that Sigrid might not approve of her feelings.

I enjoyed this books so much and I can't say how much I wish t was available for a larger audience. It's only available in Swedish, but I couldn't wish for a book to be translated more than this one. One of my all time favourites.

Plot Summary:

Stella is one of those that girls want to be friends with and boys want to date. Stella, however, only wants Sigrid. But how is she going to pick up courage to make a move on her best friend in that way? What if she tries and Sigrid never wants to be friends anymore?

My Rating:

10/10

Other Books by Sofia Nordin:

En Sekund i Taget (One Second at a Time)
Spring Så Fort Du Kan (Run as Fast as You Can)
Som Om Jag Vore Fantastisk (As if I was Fantastic)
Natthimmel (Night Sky)
Gå Sönder, gå hel (Break Apart, Be Whole)
Atomer (Atoms)
Förlåt Elina (Sorry Elina)
Snöstormen (The Snow Storm)
Äventyrsveckan (The Adventure Week)
In the Wild
Svag Is (Weak Ice)

Jag saknar dig, jag saknar dig (1992)

Title: Jag Saknar Dig, Jag Saknar Dig! (I Miss You, I Miss You!)

Author: Peter Pohl, Kinna Gieth

Pages: 272

Published: 1992

Publisher: Rabén & Sjögren


I received this copy from my friend just prior to the film coming out because she had an extra copy. It's a beautifully tragic story about the twin sisters Tina and Cilla. Early on in the book Cilla dies in a car accident and Tina is left without her. The story is about how Tina is coping with the loss of her sister. It is happy at moments only to bring out the saddens even more and it truly stings. The book painfully realistic and triggers feelings of sadness and anger.

After having read this I decided to read into the back story of the book. This book turns out to based on a true story where the co-author Kinna Gieth lost her twin sister Jenny is a car accident. The sisters had been reading a book by Peter Pohl about a situation where the character Anette's twin sister had died. Gieth wrote to Pohl after her sister's death and asked him to write a book with her about this situation and 'I Miss You, I Miss You!' was the result. I was surprised to learn that the book was published in 1992 as I got the feeling that it was taking place in today's society - it's time less, which I think it very successful.

I can truly see why this is a Swedish Young Adult classic. There is also a film which was made in 2011.

Plot Summary:

It's now the month of April and at home on in the Rose Garden, two girls are sitting. They're called Cilla and Tina. They're identical twins and they're going to turn fourteen this summer. But Cilla doesn't get to experience that - she's soon going to die in a car accident. It's the most sickening thing that's happened to me, and I'm telling you that straight away, because this isn't meant to be a thrilling story, with a clever ending that has to be kept secret until the last page, it's about Tina whom was left behind, forced to try to stand straight and keep her balance in life without Cilla. And I, who is telling you this, is Tina, but I don't know if I can cope by taking about 'me', so I say 'her' instead.
A timeless description about endless grief, but also about love and hope.
- back of Book

My Rating:

8/10

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (2013)

Title: Fangirl

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Pages: 481

Published: Sep 10th 2013

Publisher: St. Martin's Press


The title itself got me hooked and after pointing it out in WHSmith I got it for Christmas. This book understands me! I've never felt so extremely okay with myself or generally understood by a book, author and character. When you're on your last year of school and preparing for uni all these fears and uncomfortable situations that Cath feels start haunting you. It's exciting and absolutely terrifying. I can say now, that after a year of uni, it really isn't that bad - it's awesome. But that doesn't stop those initial feelings, and if anyone understood those awkward thoughts that you feel like only you are feeling, it was Cath. That's apart from all the fangirling that is also totally relatable. I don't write or read fan fiction, but this book made you want to - I especially wanted some Cath and Levi fan fiction.

And don't even get me started on Levi. He is pure heaven. I always considered my favourite romantic hero to be Will Herondale from the Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare. I have officially decided to share that title with Levi. His new name is 'All-Time-Favourite-Young-Adult-Contemporary-Romantic-Hero-That-I-Wish-Was-Mine.' Not that I wan't him to break up with Cath. I totally ship them. I'm just saying I'd like a piece of that. And their first romantic scene is the best and cutest romantic  scene there ever was!

There is so much dialogue which is great cause I'm more of a dialogue person than a description person. They chat plenty, and it's funny to read. Why did this book end!? I read this while on holiday in Florida and I brought it along to everything. And I was laughing constantly - it's highly entertaining - to the point that my brother took it to read it after I had finished. I don't think he enjoyed the Simon Snow extracts as much as me though. Those extracts made me really desperate to know what was happening with Simon and you'll be pleased to know I've read 'Carry On' as well. I do recommend reading this book before 'Carry On', just because you will understand the nature of 'Carry On' better and appreciate it more I think.

Plot Summary:

Cath and Wren are identical twins and until recently they did absolutely everything together. Now they're off to university and Wren's decided she doesn't want to be one half of a pair any more - she wants to dance, meet boys, go to parties and let loose. It's not so easy for Cath. She would rather bury herself in the fan fiction she writes where there's womanise far more intense than anything she's experienced in real life.
Now Cath has to decide whether she's ready to open her heart to people and new experiences, and she's realising that there's more to learn about love than she ever thought possible...
A tale of fan fiction, family and first love
-back of book

Favourite Quote:

'In new situations, all the trickiest rules are the ones none bothers to explain to you, (and the ones you can't google).'

My Rating:

10/10
One of the best Young Adult Contemporaries out there

Other Books by Rainbow Rowell:

Fangirl
Carry On
Eleanor & Park
Landline
Attachments
Kindred Spirits
My True Love Gave To Me
Almost Midnight

Jag Är Tyvärr Död Och Kan Inte Komma Till Skolan Idag by Sara Ohlsson (2012)

Title: Jag Är Tyvärr Död Och Kan Inte Komma Till Skolan Idag (I'm Unfortunately Dead and Can't Come to School Today)

Author: Sara Ohlsson

Pages: 298

Published: Feb 21st 2012

Publisher: Gilla Böcker
Language: Swedish



The title of this book gave me the impression that this book would perhaps be about mental illness or issues and taboo subjects that have become a popular category in YA contemporaries. However, this was misleading. The book was simply: boy breaks up with girl, girl is sad, girl tries to get him back with jealousy, she starts sleeping with several other people and when he finally asks for her back she's moved on. It was not a fluffy YA romance either. I constantly felt that Olivia just felt sorry for herself and then made loads of mistakes that she later regretted. I did not however feel sorry for her, call me unsympathetic. I completely understood her situation, and I didn't have an issue with how she was dealing with it either. I understood that she was hurt and I don't blame her. But I felt like there was far too much self-puttying and I grew tired of it.

I like when characters that are meant to be good make mistakes that hurt other people because it shows that they are human. It makes it easier to bond with them. But Olivia, I grew angry with. I think in all her self pity she didn't consider other people's feeling at all and I got sick of her. I felt like this pattern was repeated over and over again throughout the book and it wasn't leading anywhere until suddenly on the last page she decided that she was fine with being single. The structure just didn't make sense.

I didn't get a lot of feeling for her friends or the boys she was together with. Whether that was intentional or not I don't know but her friendships with girls were vague and no focus was put on it at all.

The one thing I really did like was Olivia's friend Thor who threw in funny comments, despite his annoyance at lack of sex and snogging. I was very satisfied that the two of them didn't get together as it would have ruined the respect I had for that relationship. However, I don't think he was given enough pages and so much more could've been gained from his character. He had such potential.

Altogether I did enjoy a light Swedish read, but I didn't feel like I gained anything from it.

Plot Summary:

I realise that I have been lying naked, and close to him, warm and drowsily happy. And while I  had giggled by his tickling breath, he's been thinking that he no longer wants to. 
Olivia is dumped. John no longer wants to be together and and she doesn't understand how she is possibly going to survive alone. Who is she without John, without the perfect relationship? Is she really one of those who only kisses the one she loves? Or is it as easy as Danijel says that you should laugh when you're happy, scream when you're angry and sleep together when you're horny?

My Rating:

4/10

Other Books by Sara Ohlsson:

Ingen Normal Står i Regnet och Sjunger (No One Normal Stands In The Rain and Sings)
Het (Hot)

Estrid by Johanne Hildebrandt (2016)

Title: Estrid

Author: Johanne Hildebrandt

Series: Sagan om Valhalla

Pages: 524

Published: Oct 21st 2015

Publisher: Forum
Language: Swedish


After having nicked the prequel to this book from my grandma's bookshelf she brought this new sequel with her on her visit to England. I read is straight after Sigrid. This book takes place 15 years later and although still following the love story between Sigrid and Svend, now includes the story of her daughter Estrid. Estrid is said to have been chosen by the dark Norse God Hel and hallucinates and coughs badly along with her sickness. She has only one friend, and guardian, Katla. Katla, one of my favourite characters, has an unknown nature however and while her ending in this book made me happy it also very much upset me. Estrid goes through an internal battle between Christianity and the Norse beliefs in the Gods of Asgård. Sigrid, however, still remains faithful to the Norse Gods and is convinced that she is chosen by Freya to do her bidding on earth.

Like the previous book, Sigrid, this book is based on true characters of the Viking Age and cleverly interweaves Norse mythology and a sense of magic. It is a perfect book if you are interested in Vikings, Scandinavian history, fantasy and mythology. Even if you would just like to try something new. It is gripping and includes several perspectives of the wars going on in Scandinavia. Would strongly recommend this book if you are a fan of the TV series Vikings. It is mostly classified as a book aimed at women, and I believe that my grandma found it more enjoyable than my grandpa. Great historical fantasy.

Plot Summary:

In Estrid, the latest instalment in loved Saga about Valhalla, the love story between the Viking Age's most legendary queen and king: Sigrid Storråda and Svend Tveskeägg, continues. Follow us to the Viking Age of the 900's when Scandinavia was born from legendary kings' battles, and Valhalla's gods still stand strong against the Christians. Two children can save the world from falling into war and chaos but the battle for their lives and souls are hard, and only with the forces' help can they survive.
- translated from Goodreads

My Rating:

8/10

Other Books in this Series:

Freja (Sagan om Valhalla #1)
Idun (Sagan om Valhalla #2)
Saga från Valhalla (Sagan om Valhalla #3)
Sigrid (Sagan om Valhalla #4)
Estrid (Sagan om Valhalla #5)

Book 1 to 3 work as a trilogy on their own and book 4-5 is there own series. However, it is referred to as a trilogy and I suspect there will be a 6th book.

Sigrid by Johanne Hildebrandt (2015)

Title: Sigrid (alt. The Unbroken Line of the Moon)

Author: Johanne Hildebrandt

Series: Sagan on Valhalla

Pages: 451

Published: Jun 17th 2015

Publisher: Månpocket
Language: Swedish


As I am always allowed to help myself from my grandparents bookshelf I found this one and naturally was allowed to take it with me home. Six months later I feel this incredible urge to read it. This book is written in Swedish, but it is available in English under the title The Unbroken Line of the Moon. Sigrid is about a young Viking girl who is chosen by the Norse Godess Freya to do the God's will on Earth (or Midgård as they call it). She gets visions and dreams to guide her along the way, but her duties as a Viking girl want to lead her down a different path. So battled between what her family wants and what the Gods want her to do she struggles to satisfy both.

This book is brilliant if you have a love for Vikings or if you feel like you'd like to try it. Hildebrandt weaves in some Norse mythology facts so that even if you don't know anything about the Norse Gods you don't struggle to keep up at all. She includes some supernatural moments that are so subtle it's believable and I didn't question any plot devices at all.

Sigrid Storråda (aka. Sigrid the Haughty) is a known queen in Norse sagas and the character is therefore based on a real woman. However, the sagas about Sigrid sometimes contradict themselves and this book is vaguely based on them. Sigrid was known for her extreme faith in the Norse Gods, Freya in particular. She refused to acknowledge the Christian Gods even when Christianity was starting to take over Scandinavia and the Nordics. The book mentions other well known vikings such as Harald Blåtand, Svend Tveskägg and more. If you watch the TV series Vikings I highly recommend this as it is a combination of history, fantasy and mythology.

Plot Summary:

In this grand saga of love, war and magic set in the tenth century, young Sigrid is destined to be the mother of the king of the Nordic lands that would become Sweden, Norway, Denmark and England.
A devout believer in the old Nordic gods, Sigrid is visited regularly in her dreams by the goddess Freya, who whispers to her of the future. Though Sigrid is beautiful, rich, arrogant and matchlessly clever her uncanny ability to foresee the future and manipulate the present guides her through dangerous politics as a bloody war between Vikigns and Christians rages on.
Sigrid father wants her to marry Erik, a local king, to secure the peace between Goths and Swedes, Thinking she is doing Freya's will she accepts the marriage offer, only to find that her destiny leis with Svend, a warrior who dreams of dethroning Harald Bluetooth, the legendary ruler of Denmark. Will Sigrid sacrifice her for the greatest Viking kingdom of all time, or will she follow her heart at the risk of loosing everything?
-Goodreads

My Rating:

8/10

Other Books in this Series:

Freja (Sagan om Valhalla #1)
Idun (Sagan om Valhalla #2)
Saga från Valhalla (Sagan om Valhalla #3)
Sigrid (Sagan om Valhalla #4)
Estrid (Sagan om Valhalla #5)

Book 1 to 3 work as a trilogy on their own and book 4-5 is there own series. However, it is referred to as a trilogy and I suspect there will be a 6th book.

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard (2016)

Title: Glass Sword

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Series: Red Queen #2

Pages: 444

Published: Feb 9th 2016

Publisher: HarperTeen, Orion


This is one of the best sequels I have ever read. I'm sometimes critical towards sequels because there can be such a big change in the plot and narrative between the first and second book, naturally. Sometimes I prefer how a series started out than how it ended up and the first book is usually my favourite. Glass Sword however, does not disappoint in the slightest. It is easily one of the best sequels I have ever read and only adds to the story of the first book.

So many new characters were introduced and I think all of them contributed to the direction this story was taking. I took immense interest in all of them. As for Mare, her character started to scare me towards the end. I didn't truly recognise her and I almost built up a dislike for her behaviour, similar to Cal. Although I am a massive Cal and Mare fan I almost took his side at moments. Not that I didn't understand Mare, and there were good reasons for her behaviour, but naturally I almost stood back in disgust - even though I didn't want too. This is however a positive point. Not all protagonists should be liked, it would be incredibly unrealistic.

The plot has taken an incredibly interesting turn of events and this has truly turned into an action filled adventurous sic-fi. I loved how organised they were in finding new bloods and how they spent time housing them and training them. There were clearly mistakes made on the way and dangers but you'd be surprised how extremely well it was handled by such young people. Praise!

As mentioned above I am the most pleased with the fact that this is such a successful sequel. Red Queen was also extremely good but I'm just very pleasantly surprised by this satisfying sequel.

And on a side note: I totally ship Farley and Shade. No matter the ending.

Plot Summary:

I was born to kill a king, to end a reign of terror before it can truly begin.
Mare Barrow's blood is red, the colour of common folk, but her Silver ability - the power to control lightning - has turned her into a weapon that the Silver court will do anything to destroy.
With no one left to trust, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join the uprising. But Mare is treading a deadly path. Will she shatter under the weight of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?
-back of Book

Favourtie Quote:

"We seem weak because we want to" - Shade from Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

My Rating:

10/10

Other Books by Victoria Aveyard:

Red Queen (Red Queen #1)
Glass Sword (Red Queen #2)
King's Cage (Red Queen #3)
Queen Song (Red Queen novella)
Steel Scars (Red Queen novella)

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard (2015)

Title: Red Queen

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Series: Red Queen #1

Pages: 383

Published: Feb 10th 2015

Publisher: HarperTeen, Orion


Bought this book along with the sequel back in 2016 and didn't find time to get into it until. Recently however, I felt this incredible urge to get into it so here I am mind blown and scarred for life. I had expectations of this books or rather I thought I knew what kind of book it was but I was wrong. I was expecting high fantasy, magic and stuff. A little along the lines with Throne of Glass or Queen of the Tearling. I was wrong. This is more along the lines of The Jewel. It is more sic-fi than fantasy and there is plenty technology. I was prepared for technology but it plays a huge part of the plot. Although the cover is not misleading in any way, but rather discrete I was convinced that it was a high fantasy book (I hand't even read the back).

Furthermore, and if you haven't read the book I suggest you skip this paragraph of the review. People were talking all over BookTube about this mind-blowing plot twist in Red Queen. So of course, I'm prepared for this plot twist and I keep it in mind the whole time while I'm reading. And as much as I'd like to ignore the fact that someone is going to betray Mare I start speculating and I wasn't as surprised as I would've been. Lesson for the future: stay away from BookTube. We all know that's not going to happen. I'm just saying, be careful with reading/watching reviews and discussion before you've read the book. You may enjoy it more after you've read it and can truly understand and join in. It's also made me realise that I should probably be careful to not spoil too much for you guys.

This book was a kind of mix of Divergent, Hunger Games, and The Jewel. Except it was better than hunger games and divergent put together. It was so gripping, not a single calm moment but action filled from the first to last page. Read it in two days from literal obsession.

I felt like the characters truly came alive. They were deep and had layers and layers to be explored. No one character could be truly stereotyped and it was refreshing to have such a diverse set of characters. It played with the idea that people are not simply evil or good and that people think approach issues differently.

Absolutely brilliant book. The new great YA sic-fi. I would love to see this on the big screen.

Plot Summary:

This is a world divided by blood. 
The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possessions of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow - a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.
But Mare possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.
Fearful of her potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess. Knowing that one false move will mean her death, Mare must use her new position to bring down the regime - from the inside.
Now Mare has created a game of betrayal and lies.
This is Red against Silver, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart...
- Back of Book

Favourite Quote:

'Anyone can betray anyone'

More Books in the Series:

Red Queen (Red Queen #1)
Glass Sword (Red Queen #2)
King's Cage (Red Queen #3)
Queen Song (Red Queen novella)
Steel Scars (Red Queen novella)

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon (2015)

Title: Everything, Everything
Author: Nicola Yoon
Pages: 310
Published: Sep 1st 2015
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers



I am so in love with Nicola Yoon's writing it hurts. Not only is she a phenomenal author but she explores themes and ideas that a lot of books don't even consider.

The format of this book is great. It short quick chapters with diagrams and drawings which are just wonderful and charming and add to the Maddy's character. It is a brilliant book if you want to get into reading, need a good summer read (I read it in February) or just have nothing else to do. If you want to take a break from all other books and read something else this is great because it is a short stand alone book that just makes you appreciate reading so much.  I have recently been really attracted to fantasy and it feels like it's all I've been reading for a very long time and I just needed to refresh my brain with something new and this book swept me off my feet.

I know there are loads of positive opinions and views of this book and I agree. I guess I'm going to go with the flow cause I have nothing original to say about this book! All has been said. I'm literally just expressing my love for it in 7 different ways.

I read 'The Sun is Also a Star' by Nicola Yoon last year and I mentioned how much I loved her attention to science and art and questioned the universe and everyone's existence. I didn't expect the same from this book but she has once again gone into the subject and brings up things such as fate, own decisions, planets, family, and love.

What I truly truly love about Yoon's characters are that they are so culturally diverse. I feel like this is something that doesn't pop up as much in young adult. Maddy (the protagonist) is half African American and half Japanese. In 'The Sun is Also a Star' the characters are Jamaican and Korean. I absolutely love this. Having moved from Sweden to England and been to an international school for three years with loads of international friends I truly value this attention to detail. Praise to Nicola Yoon for her originality in character nationality.

Plot Summary:

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I'm allergic to the world. I don't leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mum and my nurse, Carla. 

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He's tall, lean and wearing all black - black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can't predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It's almost certainly going to be a disaster. 

-Goodreads

My Favourite Quote:

"The problem is chaos theory. There are too many inputs to the formula and even the small ones matter more than you think. And you can never measure them precicely enough. But! If you could, you could write a formula to predict the weather, the future, people."
- Olly from The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

My Rating:

10/10

I don't think I'm alone with this opinion. 

Other Books by Nicola Yoon:

The Sun is Also a Star

The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave (2016)

Title: The Girl of Ink and Stars

Author: Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Pages: 228

Published: May 5th 2016

Publisher: Chicken House

This lovely book was given to me by my mum when I wasn't feeling too well. I was lacking enthusiasm in reading any of my books at home and this book really got me back on track.

Although this is a middle grade book I personally think it is a book for all ages. It is full of magic, friendship and love and full of imagination. It is a cozy read and reminds you of how magical it is to read books for younger readers. There is a serious under tone but it does not limit the magical setting or plot.

If you haven't read the book and are planning to read it I suggest that you do not read this paragraph as I suggest that everyone reads this book without any expectations or foreknowledge. I didn't and it helped me picture this world completely with my own imagination. When I read it I had at first a hard time to picture the time period and setting. I later decided that the Island is Spanish inspired, due to the names of people and the how the setting was built up. In the beginning I believed that it was set in the middle 1800's but I later go the impression that it was mid 1900's.

I would strongly recommend this book. Especially, if you're low, want an easy read, want something magical or just want to be reminded of what it's like to be young again. Beautifully written.

If you need more convincing this book includes: maps, waterfalls, inks, stars, huge beasts, underground tunnels, myths and legends, and of course an adventure. 

Plot Summary:

Forbidden to leave her island, Isabella Riosse dreams of the faraway lands her father once mapped. 

When her closest friends disappears into the island's Forgotten Territories, she volunteers to guide the search. As a cartographer's daughter, she's equipped with elaborate ink maps and knowledge of the stars, and is eager to navigate the island's forgotten heart.

But the world beyond the walls is a monster-filled waste land - and beneath the dry rivers and smoking mountains, a legendary fire demon is stirring from its sleep. Soon, following her map, her heart and an ancient myth, Isabella discovers the true end of her journey: to save the island itself.

-Goodreads

Favourite Quote:

"India is a place where colour is doubly bright. Pinks that scald your eyes, blues that you could drown in."

My Rating:

8/10

Other Books by this Kiran Millwood Hargrave:

The Island at the End of Everything