Review: The Dream Walker by Victoria Carless

Title: The Dream Walker

Author: Victoria Carless
Genre: Young Adult / Contemporary
Publisher: Lothian (Imprint of Hachette Australia)
Publication Date: 27th June 2017
ISBN: 9780734417473
Stand Alone/Series: Stand Alone
Pages: 266
First Lines: People around here say my father killed my mum.

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Synopsis: 
The weight of a secret can drag you under . . .

Sixteen-year-old Lucy Hart has been counting the days till she can get the hell out of Digger's Landing - a small Queensland fishing hamlet home to fifteen families, a posse of mongrel dogs, and Parkers Corner Store (no apostrophe and nowhere near a corner).

But just like the tides, Lucy's luck is on the turn, and as graduation nears her escape plans begin to falter; her best friend, Polly, is dropping out of school to help pay the bills, and Tom has been shipped off to boarding school, away from the flotsam of this place. And then there's Lucy's nightlife, which is filled with dreams that just don't seem to belong to her at all . . .

When the fish stop biting, like they did when her mum was still around, Lucy realises she isn't the only one with a secret.

My Thoughts: 
Its been a while since I've reviewed anything for a while so I may be a bit rusty.  Hachette has sent me quite a few books the second half of this year, but because I've been in a reading funk, this is the first one I've actually read.

The Dream Walker is distinctly Australian.  From it's terminology, to it's characters, it's setting and atmosphere.  I do love reading anything from Aussie Authors because it paints Australia in a light I may not have seen before.

This book for me was really hard to get into though.  I'm not quite sure I can exactly point my finger on what but I think it was Lucy to be honest.  She didn't grab me in a way other characters do.  It wasn't until about halfway through that I felt the pull to her as a character and it was only when issues in Diggers Landing were heating up more that I felt completely invested in what would happen to her.  I think I felt more attached to her dog Glen and that could be why I pushed through.

Lucy lives in a fishing town and from what I can work out, probably Northern Queensland with the appearance of Artie the Croc.  When Lucy tells her story and describes the people around her, it's clear that the town is barely surviving on the small catch the river provides.  Descriptions such as "His rotting front tooth pressed against the pane lika a rat's.", are throughout the book and it subtly describes the town's struggles.  That particular description is of an older boy, at the cusp of adulthood who feels that Lucy is behind all the bad luck in Diggers Landing.   He's a constant threat in the back of her mind.  The town bully/bad egg if you like.

Overall, though I struggled to get into this book, I really did enjoy this from about halfway to the end.  Give it a go.. and if you struggle to relate to Lucy try to persevere, I have found that it does grab you and take hold.

Book received from:  Hachette Australia

Book Trailer: Booke of the Hidden by Jeri Westerson

Synopsis

After a relationship gone bad in California, Kylie Strange moves to rural Maine for a fresh start. But she gets more than she bargained for when she finds a supernatural book bricked into the wall of her new tea shop, Strange Herbs and Teas. As soon as she opens the Booke of the Hidden, the quiet town of Moody Bog suddenly becomes a lot more interesting.

First the mysterious and handsome Erasmus Dark shows up unannounced, claiming to be a demon and warning Kylie of untold destruction. She waves him off, until a museum proprietor turns up dead, and the sheriff targets Kylie as a suspect. With the help of Erasmus and a ragtag group of local Wiccans, Kylie unravels the Booke's secrets, and they begin to believe the culprit is someone--or something--much more sinister than a run-of-the mill human murderer.

Award-winning author Jeri Westerson crafts a tale of magic, murder, and romance, drawing us into the mystical world that surrounds Strange Herbs and Teas.

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Contact Jeri Westerson

Goodreads

Website

In My Mailbox (173) Very overdue post!

The Taste of Blue Light by Lydia Ruffles (For Review: Hachette)
One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake (For Review: Pan Macmillan)
The True Colour of Forever by Carrie Firestone (For Review: Hachette)
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend (For review: Lothian Children's Books)
Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes
Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine
The Dream Walker by Victoria Carless (For Review: Lothian Children's Books)
Writing Monsters by Phillip Athans
How to be a Writer by John Birmingham
Fierce on the Page by Sage Cohen
The Hatching by Ezekial Boone

Tricky People by Andrew Fuller
Stranger Thingies by John Birmingham
The Spy by James Phelan
How to Write Your First Novel by Sophie King
Writing Irresistible Kidlit by Mary Kole
Ink by Alice Broadway
Writing New Adult Fiction by Debora Halverson


 Written in Blood by Layton Green (For Review)


So as you can tell I've been buying and receiving loads of books.  So much so that my bookshelves are exploding.  I am working my way through the reviews so you should expect some soon.As you can also tell, there is a trend of writing books.  Spellbound By Books has been neglected a little over the past few years but hopefully one day I'll be on someone else's In My Mailbox :)  One could dream!!

So what did you get in your mailbox??

Giveaway: Signed copy of The Spy by James Phelan

Hi all.

Its giveaway time again!

I have one signed copy of The Spy by James Phelan to giveaway!

Here's a little bit about it:

Synopsis:

'Jed Walker is right there in Reacher's rear-view mirror.' Lee Child, international bestselling author. Jed Walker is the man you want watching your back.

A sinister group code-named Zodiac has launched devastating global attacks. Twelve targets across the world, twelve code-named missions.

Operating distinct sleeper cells, they are the ultimate terrorist organisation, watching and waiting for a precise attack to activate the next group. It is a frightening and deadly efficient way to stay one step ahead. And cause the most chaos.

For ex-CIA operative Jed Walker, chaos is his profession. On the outer, burned by his former agency, he is determined to clear his name. Stopping Zodiac is the only way. Desperate to catch the killers and find the mastermind, he can t afford to lose the next lead, but that means that sometimes the terrorists have to win.

Ultimately, it all comes down to Walker: he s the only one who can break the chain and put the group to sleep . . . permanently. It s exactly eighty-one hours until deadline.


For your chance to win this copy, All you need to do is comment below on which is your favourite Thriller of all time.  If thrillers aren't your scene any genre will be fine.

Open to International! 
Giveaway ends  8th October 2017 11:59pm AEST and the winner will be posted on the blog!

 Thanks everyone and I look forward to your responses :)

BWF- The Art of Story workshop

Every year when the Brisbane Writer's Festival is on, I try to go to at least one workshop.  It's an amazing atmosphere to attend, writers and readers mingling over books, and it's the number one event I have booked in every year without fail.

This year I went to The Art of Story by James Phelan (I also learnt I've been pronouncing his last name wrong the whole time- Pee-lan not Pel-lan.  Who'd have thought?)  Anyways, to date, I think this is by far one of the most informative workshops I've been to.  I'd read the Alone trilogy about a boy surviving in a YA post apocalyptic world doing his best to survive against other humans who've been infected.  So yes, very compelling writing and definitely someone I'd want to learn from to improve my own.

Source: Better Reading

James covered quite a lot about story in the short 3 hours that we had.  What I enjoyed the most was that we weren't sitting there writing and critiquing our own work.  I know what you're thinking, why go to a workshop for then?  But my point is, how many times do you get to spend a few hours with a famous Author? Plus, a part of me still feels anxious about sharing anything I've written so this was pretty awesome.

If I could give any other Author any kind of feedback on workshops, it would be this:  Take the same approach as James Phelan.  Hand out pamphlets or notes, anything that can be taken away and worked on after the workshop is over.  Use that time going over the journey that got you there and always answer questions!!  It will make the whole experience more memorable and give the attendee something they can always go back to, other than the notes they take, to make the whole workshop worthwhile.

 

I met some very interesting people while there, each person with their own very unusual background.  There were architects, accountants, other writers and most importantly dudes in shorts :). If anyone else was thinking of going to a workshop and had James Phelan as an option to go see, I recommend it!! His workshop was funny, informative and well worth the money!!

In the next week or so, keep an eye out as I'll be doing a giveaway for a signed copy of The Spy, the first Jed Walker book!!

Follow James Phelan Here:

Twitter

Website

Goodreads 

Facebook

Instagram

Brisbane Writers Festival 2017

Hi all,

So it's that time of year again.  The Brisbane Writers Festival.  Exciting!!

Image from Brisbane Writers Festival 

https://jaykristoff.com/

From the 6th to 10th September you'll find everything Writerish!  From Lectures to book launches, workshops and panels.

Every year this time comes around, I've always made sure to take off Wednesday through to Friday for this.  This year I'm booked in for a workshop with James Phelan called The Art of Story.  I'm super excited for this one!

https://johnsafran.com

So don't miss out.  You'll have authors in the YA genre like Jay Kristoff who has written Nevernight and James Phelan who has written the Alone Trilogy and The Last Thirteen series.

You will also see John Safran an author, documentary maker, satirist and radio personality who's been on tv with controversial shows such as Race Relations and John Saffran vs God.  He's written two books to date, Murder in Mississippi and What do you mean by Extremist.  

So you will definitely find a wide range of authors for everyone's tastes!

Who knows, you might even see me there! 

Hope you all have a great week!!

Book Trailer: Gap Year in Ghost Town by Michael Pryor

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Synopsis
Let's get this straight - ghosts are everywhere. I can see them. You can't. And, see them or not, they're dangerous. This is why my family has hunted ghosts for hundreds of years to protect people like you.

The Marin family are outcasts of the ghost hunting world. They run a two-man operation in inner city Melbourne. Anton has the Ghost-sight, but his father does not.

Rani Cross is supremely skilled in hand-to-hand combat, with enhanced speed and strength thanks to her magical initiation into the Company of the Righteous.

When it comes to ghost-hunting methodology, Anton and Rani don't see eye to eye - Anton likes to 'ease their passage' to the next world, while Rani's all about the slashing.

But Melbourne is under threat; with a massive spike in violent ghost manifestations, Anton and Rani must find a way to work together to keep supernatural forces at bay.

And what with all the blindingly terrifying brushes with death, Anton must decide if he really wants in on the whole ghost hunting biz anyway.

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Book Trailer

Check it Out: 20th Anniversary Harry Potter Editions

  

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I don't know about anyone else, but when I went to the bookstore last weekend I came across these amazing Harry Potter Books.  20th Anniversary Editions! So I had to share:

Aren't they amazing?!!  

 

 Click on each of them and they will send you across to Book Depository.   

 

I've only just bought the latest starry ones and unfortunately don't have room at the moment to own a second set.. YET!  But I'll make room I swear.

That's not all though.  They've also released the Hogwarts Library with new covers too!!

 

   

So as you can tell, I'm super excited to see these new covers out. Fingers crossed you'll have room on your shelves for a beautiful set :)

Upcoming Events: Lifeline Bookfest Brisbane 2017

When: 24th June-2nd July

Where: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

Times

Saturday 24th June: opening at 7.30am to 6.00pm

Other weekend days: 8.30am-6.00pm

Mon - Thurs: 9:00am - 5:00pm

Friday late night shopping: 9:00am to 9:00pm 

This is well worth the time to stop in and see.  I've been a few times before and if you are a booklover like I am, you will find yourself in heaven.

Bear in mind your poor bookshelves may not be able to handle the strain of bargains you will pick up here.

All Funds raised will support Lifeline and UnitingCare Community program

Check out the link here: Lifeline Bookfest

I hope to make it here.  I might see some of you there :)

Happy Reading!

Book Trailer: Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine

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Synopsis:

 Gina Royal is the definition of average—a shy Midwestern housewife with a happy marriage and two adorable children. But when a car accident reveals her husband’s secret life as a serial killer, she must remake herself as Gwen Proctor—the ultimate warrior mom.

With her ex now in prison, Gwen has finally found refuge in a new home on remote Stillhouse Lake. Though still the target of stalkers and Internet trolls who think she had something to do with her husband’s crimes, Gwen dares to think her kids can finally grow up in peace.

But just when she’s starting to feel at ease in her new identity, a body turns up in the lake—and threatening letters start arriving from an all-too-familiar address. Gwen Proctor must keep friends close and enemies at bay to avoid being exposed—or watch her kids fall victim to a killer who takes pleasure in tormenting her. One thing is certain: she’s learned how to fight evil. And she’ll never stop.

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I'm really looking forward to this one.  Rachel Caine has to be one of my all time favourites!!

You can expect this out on the 1st July 2017

 

See the book Trailer:

 

Seven Books I can't wait for! But aren't out yet!

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I love lists!  I'm a shocker for always having a list written down, whether it be a to-do list, shopping list, wish lists, Christmas lists... you name it.  One of my favourite however, are the books that I want and need! So without further ado, here are the seven books I can't wait to read, but aren't out yet ... (Here in Australia )

1. Zenith by Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cummings

Release Date: 24th July 2017

Synopsis:

 There is darkness sweeping across the stars. Most know Androma Racella as the Bloody Baroness: a powerful mercenary whose reign of terror stretches across the Mirabel Galaxy. To those aboard her fearsome glass starship the Maurader, she's just Andi, their captain and protector.When a routine mission goes awry, the all-girl crew's resilience is tested as they find themselves in a most unfamiliar place: at the mercy of a powerful bounty hunter connected to Andi's past and a harrowing betrayal.

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2. How to Disappeaer by Sharon Huss Roat

Release Date: 21st August 2017

Synopsis:

From the author of Between the Notes comes a story that shines a light on our love of social media and how sometimes being the person you think you want to be isn't as great as being the person you truly are. Perfect for fans of Vivi Greene's Sing and Susane Colasanti's Now and Forever.

Vicky Decker's social anxiety has helped her to master the art of hiding in plain sight, appearing only to her best friend, Jenna. But when Jenna moves away, Vicky's isolation becomes unbearable. So she decides to invent a social life by Photoshopping herself into other people's photos and posting them on Instagram under the screen name Vicurious.

Instantly, she begins to get followers, and soon, Vicky has made a whole new life for herself without ever leaving her bedroom. But the more followers she amasses online, the clearer it becomes that there are a lot of people out there who feel like her-#alone and #ignored in real life. To help them, and herself, she must stop living vicariously and start bringing the magic of Vicurious back to life.

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3. The Secret History of Us by Jessi Kirby

Release Date: 1st August 2017

Synopsis:

“Jessi Kirby's books just keep getting better and better, and The Secret History of Us is her best yet. It beautifully touches on all the most important things in life-love, family, friendship, memory, and bacon. I loved it.”-Morgan Matson, New York Times bestselling author of The Unexpected Everything

In this gorgeously written, emotional novel that fans of Sarah Dessen will enjoy, a teenage girl must piece together the parts of her life she doesn't remember after a severe collision leaves her with no memory of the past four years.

When Olivia awakes in a hospital bed following a near-fatal car accident, she can't remember how she got there. She figures it's because she was in a coma for a week, but as time goes on, she realizes she's lost more than just the last week of her life-she's lost all memory of events that happened years ago. Gone is any recollection of starting or graduating high school; the prom; or her steady boyfriend Matt. Trying to figure out who she is feels impossible when everyone keeps telling her who she was.

As Liv tries to sort out her family and friends' perceptions of her, the one person she hasn't heard enough from is Walker, the guy who saved her the night her car was knocked off that bridge into the bay below. Walker is the hardened boy who's been keeping his distance and the one person that has made Liv feel like her old self...whoever that is. With feelings growing for Walker, tensions rising with Matt, and secrets she can't help but feel are being kept from her, Olivia must find her place in a life she doesn't remember living.

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4. All the Things that Could Go Wrong by Stewart Foster

Release Date: 29th June 2017

Synopsis:

There are two sides to every story

Dan is angry. Nothing has been the same since his big brother left, and he’s taking it out on the

nearest and weakest target: Alex.

Alex is struggling. His severe OCD makes it hard for him to leave the house, especially when Dan

and his gang are waiting for him at school . . .

Then the boys’ mums arrange for them to meet up and finish building the raft that Dan started with his brother. Two enemies stuck together for the whole of the school holidays – what could possibly go wrong?

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5. Build up Season by Megan Jacobson

Release Date: 31st July 2017

 
Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Iliad Piper – Ily for short – is named after war and angry at the world. Growing up with a violent father and abused mother, she doesn’t know how to do relationships, family or friends. Her love-hate friendship with Max turns into a prank war and she nearly destroys her first true friendship with misfit Mia. She takes off her armour for nobody, until she meets Jared, a local actor and someone who's as complicated as she is.

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6. Wreck by Fleur Ferris

Release Date: 3rd July 2017

Synopsis:

Amara Bennett is going to be the first journalist to strictly report only good news. Finished with high school, Tamara is ready to say goodbye to her sleepy little town and part-time job at the local paper. O-weeks awaits, which means parties, cute boys and settling into student res with her best friend Relle. Things take an unexpected turn, however, when she arrives home to find her house ransacked and her life in danger. What is this mysterious note? And why does it mean so much to one of Australia’s most powerful media moguls? Caught between a bitter rivalry and dangerous family secret, who can Tamara trust? Or should she trust herself?

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7. Warcross by Marie Lu 

Release Date: 12th September 2017

Synopsis:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu—when a game called Warcross takes the world by storm, one girl hacks her way into its dangerous depths.

For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down Warcross players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty-hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. To make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.

Convinced she’s going to be arrested, Emika is shocked when instead she gets a call from the game’s creator, the elusive young billionaire Hideo Tanaka, with an irresistible offer. He needs a spy on the inside of this year’s tournament in order to uncover a security problem . . . and he wants Emika for the job. With no time to lose, Emika’s whisked off to Tokyo and thrust into a world of fame and fortune that she’s only dreamed of. But soon her investigation uncovers a sinister plot, with major consequences for the entire Warcross empire.

In this sci-fi thriller, #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu conjures an immersive, exhilarating world where choosing who to trust may be the biggest gamble of all.

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Hope you enjoy my list of books!  What books can't you wait to get your hot little hands on!  Leave a comment below!

Book Trailer: Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

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Synopsis:

In a galaxy powered by the current, everyone has a gift.

Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra’s currentgift gives her pain and power — something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. But Cyra is much more than just a blade in her brother’s hand: she is resilient, quick on her feet, and smarter than he knows.

Akos is the son of a farmer and an oracle from the frozen nation-planet of Thuvhe. Protected by his unusual currentgift, Akos is generous in spirit, and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get this brother out alive — no matter what the cost.
The Akos is thrust into Cyra's world, and the enmity between their countries and families seems insurmountable. Will they help each other to survive, or will they destroy one another?

Carve the Mark is Veronica Roth's stunning portrayal of the power of friendship — and love — in a galaxy filled with unexpected gifts.

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Book Review: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

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Title: Thirteen Reasons Why

Author: Jay Asher
Genre: Young Adult / Realistic Fiction / Mental Health
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: 27th December 2016
ISBN: 9780141387772
Stand Alone/Series: Stand alone
Pages: 336 pages
First Lines: "Sir?" she repeats.  "How soon do you want it to get there?"

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Synopsis:  
The #1 New York Times bestseller and modern classic that's been changing lives for a decade, gets a gorgeous revamped cover and special additional content.

You can't stop the future.
You can't rewind the past.
The only way to learn the secret . . . is to press play.

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah's voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why.

Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah's pain, and as he follows Hannah's recorded words throughout his town, what he discovers changes his life forever.

My Thoughts:
I did watch the tv show first.  See here for the quickie review on the tv show! Part of me always likes to read the book first.  You get so much more out of books than movies / Tv Shows!  The book is obviously different as well, because a tv show tailors to a wider audience of both readers and non -readers.

First thing: the way Hannah chooses to go is different.  I'm not going to say how because I don't want to ruin it for you but that's the first thing.  The other part is Clay listens to all the tapes in one night in the book as opposed to dragging it out in the tv show.  For the book, I think it was a better choice to have it play out in one night otherwise the book would have dragged on and became boring.

When the tapes begin in the book, I could hear Hannah Bakers voice from the show, because the tapes in the book seemed word for word.  It was good!  Though I can't help comparing the tv show to the book, I did like tv Hannah Baker that little bit more.

For me, I put the book down about halfway through.  I'm not sure whether it was because I knew how it was going to end, or whether I lost interest a little bit.  I'd like to think it was the first reason.  Obviously I did pick it up but there was a moment where I didn't think I was going to finish it.  I'm glad I did though.

Like the tv show, and most of you, I was itching to get to Clay's tape.  I think that's what drove me to pick the book back up.  I knew what it was going to say, but like any other story, you always take away something different each time you read a book.  This was also where I really fell in love with the other character Tony.  He's compassionate towards Clay and a genuinely caring person.  You also get to see the other side of Clay that is empathetic and sensitive.  All in all, if you've watched the tv show you should read the book.  Just remember books always hold more than a tv or movie can ever portray.  This was a great read.

Not sure I'd recommend it to anyone under the age of 15 though because it touches on things like suicide, bullying and rape.


Book received from:  Purchased.