Saturday 31 December 2016

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare | Book Review


City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

General Overview:
The worldwide phenomena, The Mortal Instruments Series, starts with the City of Bones. With Shadowhunters, demons, warlocks, vampires and werewolves; this series has taken the world by storm.

Monday 26 December 2016

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier | Book Review


Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

General Overview:
With dark secrets, fancy dresses, swoon-worthy time travellers and an unknown mystery. This book is sure to appeal to the fantasy and sci-fi lovers; with a hint of romance and a dash of mystery. We are left with the perfect blend that will appeal to many readers.
So if you would like to get a (highly spoilery) review of this book, feel free to ‘read more’ :)

Monday 19 December 2016

The Silver Key by Elena Schauwecker | Blog Tour


The Silver Key
by Elena Schauwecker

Read the full summary and check out other books by Elena Schauwecker on this Goodreads link.

Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: December 6th 2016

Friday 9 December 2016

Alterations by Stephanie Scott | Book Blitz

↠ Alterations by Stephanie Scott - Book Blitz ↞


Alterations:
by Stephanie Scott


Genre:
YA Contemporary Romance


Release Date:
December 6th 2016


Publisher:
Bloomsbury Spark


Summary from Goodreads:
If anyone saw the prom boards Amelia Blanco makes on her favorite fashion app, they'd think Ethan Laurenti was her boyfriend. They wouldn't know that all the plans she's made for them are just dreams, and that she's the girl who watches him from the kitchen while her parents cook for his famous family.


When Amelia's abuelita enrolls her in a month-long fashion internship in NYC, Amelia can't imagine leaving Miami--and Ethan--for that long. As soon as she gets to New York, however, she finds a bigger world and new possibilities. She meets people her own age who can actually carry on a conversation about stitching and design. Her pin boards become less about prom with Ethan and more about creating her own style. By the time she returns to Miami, Amelia feels like she can accomplish anything, and surprises herself by agreeing to help Ethan's awkward, Steve-Jobs-wannabe brother, Liam, create his own fashion app.


As Liam and Amelia get closer, Ethan realizes that this newly confident, stylish girl may be the one for him after all . . . even though he has a reality TV star girlfriend he conveniently keeps forgetting about. The "new and improved" Amelia soon finds herself in between two brothers, a whole lot of drama, and choice she never dreamed she'd have to make.

Thursday 8 December 2016

Discord by Katy Haye | Book Blitz

↠ Discord by Katy Haye - Book Blitz ↞



Discord
By Katy Haye


Genre:
Young Adult


Release Date:
December 8th 2016


Summary from Goodreads: Beth forgot her past. What if there’s nothing to remember? Seventeen-year-old Beth has brain damage. That’s why she lives in a hospital in the middle of the English countryside filled with therapeutic music and medical tests. Some days she feels well enough to go home, but other days – the days filled with shadows and ghosts, and a strong sense of déjà vu – she fears she’ll never get better. Toby’s arrival signals a turning point. Beth faces her fears instead of hiding from them. But even with Toby’s help, is she strong enough to face a truth that is stranger than anything Beth could imagine?

Sunday 4 December 2016

Secrets and Shadows | Book Blitz

↠ Secrets and Shadows - Book Blitz ↞

Secrets & Shadows banner

Hi all! This is my stop for the book blitz for Secrets and Shadows. This amazing box set contains novels by Kelly St. Clare, Siobhan Davis, Sophie Davis, Angela Fristoe, DelSheree Gladden, Laxmi Hariharan, Melissa Eskue Ousley, Kristin D. Van Risseghem, Rhonda Sermon and Susan Stec. 

This book blitz is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 30 November till 6 December, you can view the blitz schedule HERE


From only the 30th November - 6th December, you can buy your very own copy of Secrets & Shadows for only $0.99 on Amazon. Also available through Kindle Unlimited. 

Sunday 27 November 2016

Stages of Re-Reading a Book

↠ Stages of Re-Reading a Book ↞

Recently, I found myself in a position of self-conflict. Torn between reading one of the hundreds of books in my TBR. Or picking up a book that I have already read a thousand times...
It is obvious that I choose the later. 

But the one thing that pushed my need to re-read a book once again, was the fact that I went ONLINE BOOK SHOPPING!
Now don't get me wrong, Book Depository is actually my favourite online place to buy books. Not only does it have amazing deals for books, but it also has FREE SHIPPING TO AUSTRALIA! Which is practically unheard of!


With my decision to buy the second book in the LUX bind-up by Jennifer L. Armentrout (including Opal and Origin), I thus decided that I should re-read the first two books. Which I proceeded to do in abbot four days... 

Saturday 26 November 2016

How Harry Potter is Educational

↠ How Harry Potter is Educational ↞

Two days ago I had to sit in a crowded room full of teenagers, remain silent for a solid 5 hours and also practice for the test that may decide my very future. No pressure or anything...
And on top of this I am given 2 hours to write a piece of art, that is 600-800 words (about the size of a English assignment). 

BUT! There is a light at the end of the tunnel, the writing stimulus was about HARRY POTTER! 
Seriously! What are the chances that I am about to write any form of writing that I want, including a review, and the stimulus was Harry Potter?!?


I have trained my whole life for this! 
Thus, for today's post, I will be discussing the way that Harry Potter is a benefit for your education!


Wednesday 23 November 2016

TBR and Future Buys

↠ TBR and Future Buys ↞

Similarly to many other book-lovers out there, my TBR list is miles high and I am expecting it to eventually grow so big that it will be able to hunt me down and consume me whole. No joke though... 

Also I am currently watching a movie on Netfilx called "Flipped," and holy heck, it is so amazing and I have cried a total of three times already! I just found out something amazing! IT IS A BOOK!
When I think about it, isn't that always the case? The books are ALWAYS better than the movie. And if this is the case, I CANNOT WAIT to read the book! 

The author of the book is Wendelin Van Draanen, and the book has the same title as the movie, Flipped. 
You can read the synopsis on this Goodreads link

The book is basically about this girl who has had a crush on her neighbor since they were in second grade, but after different events and actions on his behalf, she finds her emotions towards him drastically changing. While on the flip of things, he always thought she was a stalker, until different events lead to his emotions towards her taking a complete flip. 


Tuesday 22 November 2016

My Favourite Book-Tubers and Bloggers

My Favourite Book-Tubers and Bloggers 

Books. They are the most influential and effective way for spreading knowledge, joy and the feels! 

Today I decided that I would compile a list of book bloggers and book-tubers who have not only inspired me to read a who bunch of amazing books, but also who are super cool! 


↠ Number One 

My first and foremost would have to be Sasha Alsberg who is an incredible book-tuber - her account being called abookutopia. She is super relateable, funny, beautiful and is also the person who made me actually start reading some of my favourite book series of all time! One of which is the LUX series by Jennifer L. Armentrout - this book is the reason why I started blogging!
So a winner here!
She also look insainly like Clary Fray from the Mortal Instruments book series when she has red hair!


Monday 21 November 2016

The Buried Symbol - Jeffery L. Kohanek | Review


↠ The Buried Symbol by Jeffery L.  Kohanek 

Read the full summary and check out other books by Jeffery L. Kohanek on this Goodreads link.


Quick overview:
Brock has been living his whole life in a society where a rune is the marking of your place in society. Without this rune, he is doomed to live out his life below the lowest rung of the social ladder. 
Brock is unwilling to accept his fate and is willing to risk his life to obtain a fake rune that marks him as a member of the Empire's ruling class. 
He then embarks on a journey to an institution where the Empire's future leaders are trained. 
As a student of the academy, Brock uncovers a chain of secrets that had been kept hidden for centuries. 

Thursday 17 November 2016

Queen of Shadows review - Sarah J. Maas | Favourite Fan-art


↠ Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas 

Read the full summary and check out other books by Sarah J. Maas on this Goodreads link.

Quick overview:
Amy Smith has always felt like she doesn't belong. Like she doesn't quite fit in with the world around her - she doesn't even feel like she fits her own name. 
So when Amy starts dreaming of a male voice calling out to a girl named "Marla," she doesn't know why she feels like she is the one being called for. 
One night when the darkness of her dreams clear, she finally meets Lief and their forbidden love that follows is one that will change both their worlds... 

Personal opinion on the book:
This book literally killed me! I could not put this book down! And when I did put it down, it was only because I couldn't breathe. This book was the most gut wrenching thing I have ever read. I seriously believe that Sarah J. Maas is actually a super human. These book will go down in history and I am so pleased that I was able to read it...

Sunday 13 November 2016

Betrothed review - written by Wanda Wiltshire

Attention! This review may contain spoilers that could reveal the story line or events that occur over the duration of the book. If this does not bother you, or if you would just like to get a better feel of what this book is about before you read it, please feel free to carry on and enjoy this review!

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Quick overview:
Amy Smith has always felt like she doesn't belong. Like she doesn't quite fit in with the world around her - she doesn't even feel like she fits her own name. 
So when Amy starts dreaming of a male voice calling out to a girl named "Marla," she doesn't know why she feels like she is the one being called for. 
One night when the darkness of her dreams clear, she finally meets Lief and their forbidden love that follows is one that will change both their worlds... 


(Betrothed by Wanda Wiltshire)

Read the full summary and check out other books by Wanda Wiltshire on this Goodreads link.

Personal opinion on the book:
Straight up, the first thing I must acknowledge is just how incredible this book cover is! It legitimately shimmers in the light and is the beacon of hope while I am too busy fan-girling over how beautiful this book is!
I actually received this book from my cousin, who went to Super Nova and got is signed by Wanda Wiltshire (the author)! And it is just so amazingly cool! 
Now to the actual review...

Thursday 10 November 2016

Uninvited review - written by Sophie Jordan

Attention! This review may contain spoilers that could reveal the story line or events that occur over the duration of the book. If this does not bother you, or if you would just like to get a better feel of what this book is about before you read it, please feel free to carry on and enjoy this review!

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Quick overview:
In a society where your DNA is the single thing that could ruin your life and your future, what are you meant to do? You can't change your DNA...
Davy is the golden girl, destined for great things, everyone loves her. Her family, her friends and especially her boyfriend. But what happened when the golden girl tests positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome? More commonly known as HTS or the "kill gene." Uninvited from her prep school and suddenly losing everyone and everything that was once close to her, Davy is thrown into a special class for HTS carriers. She couldn't be more different, especially from Sean, who's "H" tattoo is proof of his dark past. But in a world where no one is to be trusted, why is she beginning to trust the one person she shouldn't be...


(Uninvited by Sophie Jordan)

Read the full summary and check out other books by Sophie Jordan on this Goodreads link.

Personal opinion on the book:
This book was down right the most though provoking novel I have read in a very long time! Not only does this book address so many social and cultural issues, but it does it in such a way that make it interesting for a person who doesn't normally care about politics. This book left me stunned! I was in awe of Sophie Jordan's writing and this novels concept just added to the perfection of it's execution....

Saturday 29 October 2016

The Trials of Apollo review - by Rick Riordan

Attention! This review may contain spoilers that could reveal the story line or events that occur over the duration of the book. If this does not bother you, or if you would just like to get a better feel of what this book is about before you read it, please feel free to carry on and enjoy this review!

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Quick overview:
The all powerful Apollo is (obviously) a devastatingly handsome and all powerful God. So it is a big surprise when he wakes up and is no longer in his Godly form and is instead stuck as a (slightly) overweight and acne covered teenager called Lester... Getting beat up by a gang of street thugs is only the first of his issues, he is now stuck with a fashion disaster of a young demigod and has to save the wrld! But most importantly... he has to get rid of this acne!

(Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan)

Read the full summary and check out other books by Rick Riordan on this Goodreads link.


Personal opinion on the book:
So it actually took me SOOO many month to read this book... Like, I liked this book, but dang I think I read like 5 other books at the same time I read this. From the very first chapter of this book I was immediately swept back into  Rick Riordan's world. This actually inspired my to start a (now crazily large) Pintrest board just so that I could gather all of my favorite Percy Jackson fan art and just put it in one place and be able to fan girl about it whenever I wanted. *forced laughter while slowly backing away*...

Friday 7 October 2016

Burning Embers review - written by Hannah Fielding

Attention! This review may contain spoilers that could reveal the story line or events that occur over the duration of the book. If this does not bother you, or if you would just like to get a better feel of what this book is about before you read it, please feel free to carry on and enjoy this review!

I received this book for free as a physical copy, kindly provided to me by the amazing author of the book - Hannah Fielding!
I would just like to quickly thank Hannah for sending me this book, as well keeping me in the loop about all of her other books! It is really great to have such a friendly and positive connection between myself as a book blogger, and Hannah as a published author. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Quick overview:
After calling off her wedding and receiving news that her father has passed, Coral leaves her life in England to travel back to her childhood home in Kenya, Africa. In Kenya, Coral takes ownership of her inheritance - the plantation, Mpingo. 

Although, while on the voyage Coral meets a handsome stranger, who she again encounters days later, and he is introduced as Rafe de Monfort. The man who is a known womanizer and her new neighbor who is thought to be involved in her fathers death...  


(Burning Embers by Hannah Fielding)

Read the full summary and check out other books by Hannah Fielding on this Goodreads link.


Personal opinion on the book:
When I first received this book, I kinda expected it to be a sappy romance book, but it turned out to be so much better than that. Yes, it is very different to the type of books that I would normally read, but it was actually really good to read.
From the very first few pages, I was struck by how in-depth the description of every little detail was, up to the point when I was kinda like "damn! this book." 
By page 3 I could already feel myself being drawn into the book's story line, although the book was apparently meant to be set in the 1970's and 1960's, but I honestly couldn't tell the difference in the setting...

Wednesday 31 August 2016

Busy Life and Blog Update...


Okay, so I just wanted to write a REALLY quick blog post to catch you up on why I have been so inactive lately.
So, firstly, I am actually in a book reading slump... Actually, that is not the right way to put it, I would LOVE to read hundreds of books! But I am actually just so swamped with school work, school it's self and also my two jobs... 
So, this is in no way me saying I will not be posting on here anymore!!!! I WILL!!!!
But I am just going to probably be inactive for the next, three weeks or so.. But as soon as I finish all my exams, I will be back and as bloggie and book-crazy as ever! 
Thank-you so much for understanding!

Until next time, keep reading!
-Shelbi (Book Ambrosia)

Friday 12 August 2016

Vic Challenger: Fast - written by Jerry Gill | Review

Attention! This review may contain spoilers that could reveal the story line or events that occur over the duration of the book. If this does not bother you, or if you would just like to get a better feel of what this book is about before you read it, please feel free to carry on and enjoy this review!

I received this book for free as a physical copy, kindly provided to me by the amazing author of the book - Jerry Gill!

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Quick overview:
Vic is a reincarnated cave girl, she is on the ultimate quest to find her soul mate. But along with this journey, Vic and her best friend, Lin, writers and well trained warriors, go on a series of death-defying adventures that test their skills. 
On this adventure, the two writers travel to Australia to visit Vic's family as well as receive inspiration for their writing. But when the map to a family treasure is stolen, it becomes personal. The girls set out after the Bushrangers, and along the way face nameless creatures, shot-offs and much more! 
Join Vic and Lin on this action-packed adventure!


(Vic Challenger: Fast by Jerry Gill)

Read the full summary and check out other books by Jerry Gill on this Goodreads link.



Personal opinion on the book:
This is actually such a fun review to write up, because I decided that I would get sticky notes that I could write my comments and opinions on and stick into the book! It looks so cool and is really helpful while I am writing this! 
Upon reviving this book, my first though was, this is so COOL! It's a book based in Australia! I also couldn't get over the fact that in English class I had just finished a unit on Australian representations! Like what an incredible coincidence!...

Wednesday 27 July 2016

Pride and Prejudice | Slightly Obsessed...

Let me start at the beginning... It all happened in the middle of my English class about 2-3 months ago. I was sitting in a tiny hallway with all of the other girls who attend my (all girls) school. The head of the English department told us we could choose an elective book to read. Me being me, I was thrilled that I could choose out of a selection of books to read! 
So I got the list and went home, when I got home I found out the options were as follows:

  1. The Great Gatsby 
  2. The Secret Life of Bees
  3. The Plain Truth
  4. The Book Thief
  5. Pride and Prejudice
So, I heavily debated between The Book Thief (which I have already read) or Pride and Prejudice. And after a LOT of research, I decided upon my FIRST CLASSIC BOOK! - Pride and Prejudice. 

Friday 15 July 2016

Book Slump?

I have something awful happening to me that I NEVER though would happen... I have always felt for the people who have been affected by it, but I never though that it would impact on my life the way that it has. 
I am in a book slump. 
And at present, I don't know what to do about it. I have so many books that I want to read! Up until this point, I wasn't ready to accept the truth, but I cannot deny it anymore. So I am speaking out, I am acknowledging it, so that hopefully I will be able to overcome this massive struggle that I am going through... 
This is my story...


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HAHA! And to think that I all but failed drama in year 8! If you have gotten this far, I thank you for being so strong and persevering through that! 
To be honest, this post it just going to be me randomly talking about anything that is book related and happening in my life, also why I haven't been posting as much lately. 
So lately, I have found that although I want to read I am psyching myself out of it. So I try to sit down and read and all I can think about is how I am going to fail school if I don't do more school work. I know it sound stupid, but I feel guilty about not doing school work but I also feel guilty about not posting on my blog and reading books...
See my problem here? But I have come up with a solution people!
Instead of feeling like I need to read, I am just going to read when I want to. Sounds simple enough right? And it really is! 
So, basically, you can be expecting more posts from me in the coming weeks! I feel so happy about this and will keep my reading up, because it is something I love and I don't want to EVER get sick of!

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What am I reading and listening to?:

❤❤
♫ Dirty Little Secret - All American Rejects 
📖 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin
Teenagers - My Chemical Romance
📖 Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan 
♫ Big Dog - Masketta Falls
❤❤

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Thank you so much for reading this quick little post! This was very enjoyable to write! I am going to go driving today, then I am going to a party and will try and read! Thanks for checking out my blog and if you want leave a comment just to say hi! 

Until next time, keep reading!
-Shelbi (Book Ambrosia)