Feature: Top Ten Tuesday

 
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish
 
This week's topic is Top Ten Things On My Reading Wishlist, which is basically what topics I wish authors would write about. This is quite difficult because in the age of eBooks and self-publishing, you can find a book about almost anything! However, there are a few things I'd like more books about, so here is my top ten.

10. More YA novels from a guy's POV. After reading Beautiful Creatures, I've wanted more stories from the eyes of the guy!

9. A New Adult novel that doesn't have sex as the main plot. New Adult is an exciting new genre, but I'm noticing that most of the stories revolve around sexual awakening? As a new adult myself, my problems are more along the lines of finding a job after university...

8. A book set in Hawaii. I just think that Hawaii is such a beautiful place, a place I would LOVE to visit, yet I never seem to read any books that are set there? Those beaches and big waves would make a gorgeous setting for a story.

7. A contemporary romance novel with something a little unique about it. I like a good romance story, but I'm getting tired of the same old cliches. I need more stories like Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles. There was so much more excitement to that story than a simple boy-meets-girl romance.

6. More books set in the Flapper Girl era. Reading the Flappers series by Jillian Larkin was one of the best decisions I made last year. It's one of my favourite times in history and I'd really love more books set during that time.

5. Another series like The Mediator by Meg Cabot. Okay, if you haven't read this series, you really need to. I just feel like this is a horribly underrated story. Suze Simon is still my favourite YA female character of all time. This series managed a perfect balance of romance, action and humor. It wasn't so dark and intense all the time like a lot of YA series' now. I just really love it, okay??

4. MORE BRITISH YOUNG ADULT NOVELS. Yeah, this is a thing I'm pretty passionate about. I feel like a lot of debut British authors who set their stories in British high schools are finding it pretty hard to get their stories noticed in other countries. I know Year 9 doesn't sound as exciting as a Sophomore year, but still...

3. Ever since reading Between Shades of Gray by Rute Sepetys back in 2011, I've wanted more stories like it. Stories about the lesser known parts of the World Wars. We read plenty about the holocaust and the evacuations, but there is so much more about those times that deserves a story.

2. Lead female characters WITH GLASSES! As a girl who has grown up wearing glasses, I certainly feel that there should be a leading female character with some frames. I know we've had Harry Potter, but he was a boy. I want a girl. Give me a good character to Cosplay as at conventions because I have a really hard time finding one!

1. A YA series that has an Ancient Egyptian theme. This is something that I really, really need in my life. We have so many stories about Greek Gods and myths, yet barely any on the Egyptians. Their history is fascinating! Come on, authors, I'm begging you here!

So there you have it, that's what I want to be reading. If there are any authors out there who happen to be reading this and have stories that tick any of the points above, PLEASE THROW YOUR BOOK AT ME. I will gladly read any book that is about any of those points.

What about you? What's on your reading wishlist? Let me know!

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The Ultimately Creepy Villain: Final Round!

So, we have the final five villains!

Valentine Morgenstern from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
Valentine is the main villain for the first three Mortal Instruments books. His chilling charm is part of what makes him so scarily awesome.

Sebastian/Jonathan Morgenstern from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
It's fitting that Jonathan also be in the top five, considering he is the son of Valentine! He enters the Mortal Instruments series during City of Glass and has been causing mayhem ever since.

Lord Voldermort from the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling
Now here's a seriously creepy villain! An amazingly scary character created by J. K. Rowling and made even creepier by Ralph Fiennes.

Paul Slater from The Mediator series by Meg Cabot
Ah, Paul. Not as well known as the other villains, but extremely popular with those who do know of him. He proves to be quite that bad guy from book four on-wards in The Mediator Series.

President Snow from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
This guy is definitely truly terrifying. The fact that he is the person in power means that he is capable of almost anything. And he certainly gets away with it until Katniss decides to take a stand.

You have until Wednesday evening to vote for the ultimate villain and I'll reveal your winner on Halloween! Happy voting!

[POLL NOW CLOSED]

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The Ultimately Creepy Villain Round 3!

Hello everyone!

It's time to get the voting down from ten to your top five in round three of The Ultimately Creepy Villain! You have until Thursday 24th October to vote, then I'll reveal the last remaining five villains. 

Happy voting!

[POLL NOW CLOSED]

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The Ultimately Creepy Villain: Round 2!

Hello everyone!

You voted and now we have your best twenty villains for the second round of The Ultimately Creepy Villain! You have until Thursday 17th October to vote for your fave. Round 3, with the top ten villains, will open on the 18th.

You can only vote for one villain this time, so choose wisely. You can also vote every day. Happy voting!

[POLL NOW CLOSED]

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The Ultimately Creepy Villain Launch!

So it's the 3rd of October, which means the first round in The Ultimately Creepy Villain tournament! It you don't have a clue what I'm talking about, the tournament is to find who you guys think is the best villain in YA fiction. You can find out all the details here.

I have a list of 30 villains for you to choose from for this round. I've tried to include as many villains as possible but if your fave baddie isn't listed, then please leave a comment with their name and if the same name is commented enough, I can add them to the next round! You can vote for as many as you like in this round. I'll reveal the narrowed down list of 20 villains on October 11th.

Show your support for you favorite villain by voting and sharing online! Hope you enjoy the tournament!

[POLL NOW CLOSED]

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Feature: But What About The Cover? #9

'But What About The Cover?' is a weekly feature hosted by The Queen of Teen Fiction. I will be pitching two book covers from various countries up against each other to decide which one is best.

This week, the cover spotlight is on Legend by Marie Lu and I will be looking at the UK and US versions of the cover. 

This is a hands down easy one for me. I am obsessed with the UK cover. Normally, if a US copy comes out first, I prefer that cover because it's the one I'm used to (like with Divergent, I didn't like the UK cover) but with this one, I love the UK version.

I just feel it represents the story more. Having the image of June looking all badass just makes it look more exciting. I also like how the UK cover keeps the symbol from the US version on therr as well. I just like it better overall. I actually own both covers because I just had to buy the UK cover when it came out.

So, what do you think? Do you prefer the US cover? Vote in the poll below!

[POLL NOW CLOSED]

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Feature: But What About The Cover? #8

'But What About The Cover?' is a weekly feature hosted by The Queen of Teen Fiction. I will be pitching two book covers from various countries up against each other to decide which one is best.

This week, the cover spotlight is on Vixen by Jillian Larkin and I will be looking at the UK and US versions of the cover. 

I can understand the UK design of the cover. This series is about Flapper girls and I think that the image on the UK version gets that point across more than the US versions. That being said, I absolutely adore the US cover. Personally, it draws me in more than the UK cover. 

So overall, I really like the model for the cover of the UK book, but as a whole, I prefer the style of the US cover.

What do you think? Which is best? Vote in the poll below and tell me your thoughts in the comments!

Vixen by Jillian Larkin: Which Cover is Better?

UK

US

make a poll

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Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Most Memorable Secondary Characters

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This weeks topic is the Top Ten Most Memorable Secondary Characters!

1. Magnus Bane from The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices

Although I’d now class his as a main character, he started out as a secondary character. I just love everything about him. His humour, his flamboyant style, his love of glitter and Shadowhunters with black hair and blue eyes… It’s safe to say that Cassandra Clare’s books would not be the same without him and he has turned out to be just as popular, if not more so, than some of the main characters.

2. Nikolai Kretzsky from Between Shades of Gray

Kretzsky was the character that, although he was meant to be disliked, I knew that he wasn’t like the rest of the NKVD officers in this book. His story and his character development is a very important one. Little note for you all: if you haven’t read this book, READ IT.

3. Neville Longbottom from Harry Potter

Oh, Neville. He’s the underdog that you root for constantly through the Harry Potter books. I loved reading his clumsy, blundering moments. It was great to see him get his moment to shine in the last book!

4. Finnick Odair from The Hunger Games trilogy

Do you have any idea how much I cried over Finnick in Mockingjay? I loved him from the moment he came sauntering up to Katniss in that loincloth, offering that damn sugar cube. With his humour and his love for Annie, what’s not to love about Finnick?

5. Haymitch from The Hunger Games

This series just wouldn’t have been the same without our favourite drunk, Haymitch. He provided humour to the story at times, but there was also so much more to his character.

6. Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter

Another secondary Harry Potter character that I need to express my love for. Although she’s introduced as the ‘crazy’ characters, I knew that there was going to be more to her than meets the eye. I love how sweet and positive she is.

7. Mason Ashford from the Vampire Academy

Every YA series needs that funny, adorable guy that harbours a crush on the protagonist. Mason was that character and I loved him.

8. Severus Snape from Harry Potter

Yep, another Harry Potter character. How can I not mention Snape? His story in the Deathly Hallows caused so many tears!

9. Dave the Laugh from the Georgia Nicholson books by Louise Rennison

I know he’d probably classed as a main character by the end, but for the first half of the series, poor Dave was the little underdog. I rooted for him so much.

10. CeeCee Webb from The Mediator Series

It’s no secret that I love The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot. I love CeeCee throughout the books. She is the type of friends I’d love to have around. She doesn’t care what people thinks and I love that about her. 

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Feature: But What About The Cover? #7

'But What About The Cover?' is going to be a weekly feature hosted by The Queen of Teen Fiction. I will be pitching two book covers from various countries up against each other to decide which one is best.

This week the cover spotlight is on Abandon by the fabulous Meg Cabot. Today I will be showing the US and the UK covers for the book.

                                                US                                                     UK

Now, this is way too hard for me to call. Both covers are absolutely stunning! I think that both of the covers represent the story and plot line well. I actually do own both covers because they are so pretty! I like the fact that the UK cover shows both Pierce and John. The design is very clever. That being said, the US cover is equally as eye catching!

So, this one is up to you! What cover do you prefer and why? Let me know!

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Feature: But What About The Cover? #6

 

'But What About The Cover?' is going to be a weekly feature hosted by The Queen of Teen Fiction. I will be pitching two book covers from various countries up against each other to decide which one is best.

 

Okay so this week I'm going to be pitching the UK and Australian covers for Forgotten by Cat Patrick against each other.

 

  

UK                                                    AUS

This is a tricky one because they are both gorgeous yet completely different! The AUS cover is really pretty and the colours are eye catching. Personally though, I think that the UK cover draws you in a bit more and fits the story better. With that being said I think i'm going to chose the UK cover.

Do you agree or do you prefer the AUS cover? Let me know!

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Feature: But What About The Cover? #5

'But What About The Cover?' is going to be a weekly feature hosted by The Queen of Teen Fiction. I will be pitching two book covers from various countries up against each other to decide which one is best.

This weeks cover spotlight is on A Million Suns by Beth Revis and i'll be looking at the US cover and the Australian/UK cover for the book.

                                               US                                                 AUS/UK

For me, personally, the US cover is a hands down winner. The colours are so pretty and eye catching. I also think it matches the story better. Although I do love the fact that we get to see the faces of the cover models on the AUS/UK cover, the US still tops it for me.

What about you? Which cover catches your eye more? Let me know!

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