The Ugly Stepsister

Hey guys!

I finished another book from Xpresso Book Tours on the weekend, so I thought I'd upload the review today.

 

 

Book Details:

 

The Ugly Stepsister by Aya Ling

Publication date: June 12th 2015

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Pages: 295

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Format: PDF

 

 

Synopis:

 

When Kat accidentally rips apart an old picture book, she’s magically transported into the world of Cinderella–as Katriona, one of the ugly stepsisters! Life turns upside down now that she’s a highborn lady and must learn how to survive the social season, including how to get through the door in a huge metal hoop skirt. To get back, she’ll have to complete the story, right to the end of happily ever after. But the odds are huge: the other stepsister is drop-dead gorgeous, the fairy godmother is nowhere to be found, and the prince, despite being insanely hot, openly dislikes balls. Can she ever return to the modern world?

 

 

My Thoughts:

 

I have always been a fan of fairy tales and retellings, so when I saw the blurb of The Ugly Stepsister, I knew I had to read it. Fortunately, I was in luck as Xpresso Book Tours were giving out copies in return for reviews. You can imagine my relief when I was approved for a copy.

 

 

The Ugly Stepsister is a retelling of Cinderella. Except there is a twist. At the beginning of the novel, we are introduced to Kat, a normal teenager living in the modern world. Whilst cleaning out the attic, Kat accidently trips over a book of fairytales (did I mention she's a bit of a klutz?) and is transported into story world. Naturally, Kat has absolutely no idea where she is - at first, she thinks she's dreaming, but with the help of a rather peculiar goblin called Krev, Kat soon realises that she is trapped in the world of Cinderella. In order to break the curse, and return to the present day, Kat must "put the story back together again."

 

 

As I mentioned in my mini review, The Ugly Stepsister is a fun read. Being familiar with the original plot of Cinderella, it's easy to expect this story to head in a similar direction. However, that is not always the case in The Ugly Stepsister. We follow the protagonist as she tries to find the Fairy Godmother and ensure that Cinderella (who is better known as Elle in this book) attends the ball, whilst falling in love herself (though I won't reveal whom with). Kat's clumsiness adds an element of humour to the novel, and she becomes more accustomed to her surroundings as the story progresses.

 

I found myself feeling quite sorry for Kat: she is bombarded with a seemingly impossible task, and understandably she makes a few mistakes along the way, though she manages to handle it pretty well. I like the fact that Kat isn't only interested in returning home - she also wants to help the children in the workhouse. To Kat, "it's second nature...that children shouldn't work at all", so it's not surprising that she is shocked at the harsh conditions the children of this time are forced to work in.

 

Overall, The Ugly Stepsister is a fantastic retelling of Cinderella. While it does remind me a little of Lost in Austen (which I never actually managed to finish - ooo, maybe I should do that tonight!), Aya Ling's book is original. It's easy to follow and the main character is relatable, since she is a bookworm, just like me. My one problem would be the ending, but other than that, I would definitely recommend The Ugly Stepsister.

 

 

Favourite quotes:

 

1. "Edward. He is everything a fairy tale prince should be, everything a girl could ask for. Smart, sympathetic, sexy as hell. His concern for me - slightly domineering but forgivable, given his status and Athelia's old-fashioned concept of women - is simply sweet. Every time he smiles at me, every time he touches me, every time he tries to show me he cares, my heart melts a little."

 

2. "I suppose I should be relieved he hasn't called me a lunatic and ordered to have me taken to an asylum."

 

3. "For a moment, I'm living in paradise. I breathe in his scent and cling to his back, listening to the water running from the nearby fountain and birds chirping in leafy branches."

 

4. "I have an ominous sense of impending doom."

 

 

Let me know if you read this book (or if you have read it already!)!

 

 

Hasta luego!

 

 

Serena

 

 

What I've Been Reading In August

Hey guys!

I'm a little late with my What I've Been Reading In August post, but better late than never, right? I've read quite a mix of books this month (well, last month, to be exact), including Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton, and The Ugly Stepsister, a fairly new book, by Aya Ling.


1. Fangirl - Rainbow Rowell

For some reason, I was very late to jump on the Fangirl bandwagon, and now that I've finally read the book, I have realised how overrated it is. Fangirl is a little too long and there are pages and pages where nothing much seems to happen. On the contrary, Cath is a character with whom I can easily relate and connect - she's fairly normal and spends a lot of time online (I don't like to admit it, but I do). I enjoyed reading about Cath's relationship with Levi, and I liked the excerpts from Simon Snow, which were dotted throughout the book.


2. The Summer I Turned Pretty - Jenny Han

The Summer I Turned Pretty is a lovely summertime read, with its combination of the beach and first love. Jenny Han's novel is sweet and surprisingly moving - I didn't expect to cry! However, Belly is quite immature and has a tendency to be annoying, so I couldn't really connect with her. Other than that, The Summer I Turned Pretty is a great book for the beach or a holiday as it's light-hearted and easy to read.


3. Perfect Chemistry - Simone Elkeles

I absolutely LOVED this book! I'm always up for a forbidden love story, and Perfect Chemistry is just that. It's well-written and clear that Simone Elkeles did her research. Brittany and Alex are such an unlikely couple, but they're perfect for each other! Can't wait to read the sequel, Rules of Attraction.


4. The Miniaturist - Jessie Burton

I was looking forward to reading this book, and fortunately it didn't disappoint. The Miniaturist is Jessie Burton's debut novel, though you wouldn't believe it. The Miniaturist makes an unusual and intriguing read. It's intense and dark, and emotional too.


5. Ash - Malinda Lo

Due to the fact that it is a retelling of Cinderella, I was looking forward to reading Ash. I'd heard mixed reviews about it, but the book has an interesting premise, one which I have not come across before in retellings of Cinderella. While Ash is undoubtedly an original take on my favourite fairy tale, with its LGBTQ twist, the whole Cinderella part does seem a bit unnecessary. Cinderella (or Ash, in this case) is supposed to fall in love with the prince, and in Malinda Lo's story, the prince plays such a minor part. Also, Sidhean, the fairy-godmother-like character, is really creepy! Though I admit I do feel somewhat sorry for him. There is also a lot of preamble, with Ash going into the woods on several occasions in hope of finding fairies - a bit ridiculous, if you ask me. As a result, we don't actually get to meet her love interest until quite late in the book. Despite my criticisms, I have to give the author credit for choosing such a controversial theme, and I did like Lo's writing, as well as her beautiful vivid imagery. I also love the cover of the copy I bought.


6. The Ugly Stepsister

I received an ARC copy of The Ugly Stepsister from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review (the full version of which will be posted in due course). The Ugly Stepsister has an interesting premise - like Ash, this book is another retelling of Cinderella, but in this version a teenage girl is sucked into the fictional world and has to try to get Cinderella to fall in love with the Prince so that she can return to modern life. The girl, whose name is Kat, becomes one of the Ugly Stepsisters, hence the title of the book. The Ugly Stepsister is a fun book, and Kat's clumsiness is quite hilarious.  



What books have you read recently? Any suggestions for future reads?


Hasta luego!


Serena

What I've Been Reading In July

Hey guys!

How has your week been? I finished my first work experience on Friday - can't believe I was there for a whole month! Kinda wish I had another week left! Today I am going to post some mini book reviews on the books I've read in July. I read five books in total (you can read the review for Something Like This here) - it may seem a lot to some people, but I'm a fast reader and I was hoping to finish a couple more! I've been so busy with work, and all I've wanted to do is come home, watch Netflix and sleep! I am not looking forward to doing like 30+ weeks straight of 9 to 5!


Torn

Torn is the first book I've read by Cat Clarke, and though it is aimed at a younger audience, I did enjoy it. Torn is an emotional and thought-provoking book. It is also captivating - I found myself eager to find out what had really happened on the school trip. In terms of characterisation, I did think that some of the characters were a bit underdeveloped. However, I could still connect with Alice, the protagonist - she's been through so much tragedy. Overall, Torn is an unusual and original take on revenge and school bullying. I think it would suit fans of Before I Fall (Lauren Oliver), Forgotten (Cat Patrick), Between (Jessica Warman) and Pretty Little Liars (Sara Shepard).


Safe Haven

I've read two books by Nicholas Sparks and I've liked both. Though Safe Haven and The Last Song are similar in that they are both emotional and feature romance, their similarities end there. Safe Haven is more of a thriller, with a sense of mystery thrown in. It is also dark and full of unexpected twists and turns. I particularly liked the parts told from Kevin's point of view: it is interesting to see things from his perspective. I honestly did not expect Safe Haven to turn out the way it did! It was so much better than I thought and I'll be watching the film soon!


Ransom My Heart

Meg Cabot may be known for her fluffy chick-lit, but she sure can write historical books too! Ransom My Heart is the perfect example of this. At first, I wasn't really sure whether I would like Ransom My Heart or not (it is supposedly "written" by Mia Thermopolis). However, I turned out to be a fun and enjoyable read. I love the romance between Finnula and Hugo. They seem like an odd couple, but their relationship works really well. Although Ransom My Heart may be cheesy and full of clichés, it is well worth your time. I would definitely recommend Ransom My Heart to (older) fans of The Princess Diaries, or just Meg Cabot in general.


The Invention of Wings

The Invention of Wings has been described as The Help of 2014, and it's easy to see why. Written by the author of The Secret Life of Bees, Sue Monk Kidd, The Invention of Wings is a truly inspirational book. It is based on a real-life pair of sisters, Sarah and Nina Grimke, who were among some of the first feminist thinkers. In the book, the two girls try to fight against slavery in their hometown, Charleston. Along the way, Sarah and Nina realise that the inferior status as women will make their mission even more complicated. However, the girls are determined to not let anything stand in their way. Yet again, Sue Monk Kidd has created a fascinating novel that will stay with the reader for a very long time after finishing the last chapter. If you want to read my full review of this book, head over to my new book blog, A Secret Book Lover.



Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them?


Hasta luego!


Serena

Something Like This Book Review

Hey guys!

I finally finished my second ARC book a few days ago - a week after I was supposed to post the review. Whoops. I thought I'd review it anyway since it's not a very well-known book.

BOOK DETAILS:  

Something Like This by Eileen Cruz Coleman

Publication date: April 24th 2015

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

Link: Amazon / Goodreads


SYNOPSIS:

Twenty-three-year old Jadie Santiago has a secret.

One morning on her way to work she stops to offer a homeless man a bottle of water. As she meets the man’s eyes, Jadie instantly recognizes they belong to her father, whom she hasn’t seen since she was sixteen. Unable to accept the truth of her encounter, Jadie flees, hoping eventually to forget the experience and continue leading a normal life.

But then she meets Reece, an aspiring writer with a mysterious past who is set on capturing Jadie’s affection. Jadie wants nothing more than to give her heart to Reece, but her broken past and crippling secret keep her from surrendering it to him fully.

Things won’t come easy to Jadie as she fights for her place in the world, but there is strength in her, and she is determined never to stop struggling for what so many others have:  love, happiness, and a sense of belonging.


REVIEW:

Something Like This is another book I hadn't heard much about before reading. However, when I saw the synopsis on Xpresso Book Tours I thought that the blurb sounded interesting so I decided to request it. I was happy when I found a copy in my inbox a few days later.

Something Like This focuses on Jade Santiago, a young woman whose life changes dramatically when she comes across her homeless father on the way to work. Jade tries to rekindle her relationship with her father, whilst at the same time falling in love with her boss's nephew, Reece.

I found this book to be better than I had anticipated. It was an emotional read, and I felt some sympathy towards the protagonist. I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to find a relative, or even a friend, homeless after having not seen them for several years. Jade is also an easy character to connect with and relate to; I am sure we all feel worthless and insecure at some point in our lives.

Whilst I did enjoy Something Like This, I find that the relationship between Jade and Reece did seem a bit rushed and unrealistic. Nevertheless, it was cute. I would recommend this book to those who are looking for a coming-of-age story but want something a bit different, or are into new adult fiction.



Disclaimer: I received this book in return for an honest review from Xpresso Book Tours.


Have you read Something Like This? Let me know your thoughts :)


Hasta luego!

Serena





Red Riding Hood

Hey guys!


As promised, I will be doing a book review today. I haven't done one for a while so I thought it's about time I do another!


I've recently finished reading Red Riding Hood, the book tied-in with the 2011 film of the same name.



Here's the blurb from Goodreads:


The blacksmith would marry her.
The woodcutter would run away with her.
The werewolf would turn her into one of its own.

Valerie's sister was beautiful, kind, and sweet. Now she is dead. Henry, the handsome son of the blacksmith, tries to console Valerie, but her wild heart beats fast for another: the outcast woodcutter, Peter, who offers Valerie another life far from home.

After her sister's violent death, Valerie's world begins to spiral out of control. For generations, the Wolf has been kept at bay with a monthly sacrifice. But now no one is safe. When an expert Wolf hunter arrives, the villagers learn that the creature lives among them--it could be anyone in town.

It soon becomes clear that Valerie is the only one who can hear the voice of the creature. The Wolf says she must surrender herself before the blood moon wanes...or everyone she loves will die.






My summary:

Written by Sarah Blakely-Cartwright, this book takes an interesting approach to the traditional fairy tale. It follows the story of Valerie, a girl whose town is haunted by a werewolf. After the tragic and violent death of her beloved older sister, Valerie realises that the wolf is after her. It appears that the wolf is actually one of the villagers. Suspicion grows among the villagers and Valerie fears the wolf could be someone very close to her...could it be her childhood friend Peter? Or Henry, the man she is betrothed to?

Despite the negative reviews I've read about Red Riding Hood, I quite enjoyed this book. It's dark, dramatic and fast-paced - a great combination. The only downside is that the story doesn't seem to have a proper ending; we get a feeling that one person in particular is the wolf in human form, but it's never made certain. Nevertheless, Red Riding Hood is an easy read and I read it in just a few days. If you're a student wanting a break from big heavy textbooks, this is a good choice. I would also recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Twilight, Vampire Diaries and House of Night.


I would probably give Red Riding Hood 3.5 stars (out of 5).



Have you read Red Riding Hood (or watched the film)? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below!


Hasta luego!


Serena

The Book Thief

Hey guys!

So, I was going to upload my photos today but my laptop is misbehaving. It will have to wait for another day. Instead, I am going to post my review on The Book Thief.

A while ago I was browsing through my parents' book collection, trying to see if there was anything that caught my eyes. I stumbled upon The Book Thief, hidden between my mother's Philippa Gregory and Agatha Christie collections. Having heard about the film adaptation, I decided to try the book first. As with my mother, I enjoy reading books set during the Second World War. However, I will have to admit that when I first started reading The Book Thief I found it a bit weird. I had never read a book that was narrated by death. I was almost about to put it down and find a book that was more optimistic and less...odd, though I thought I would give Marcus Zusak's debut novel another chance. I mean, if it has been made into a film, it can't be that bad...right?

Ignoring the fact that the narrator is death, I would have to say that The Book Thief is an extraordinary and unique book. It is also moving, given its context and the fact that the protagonist, Leisel Meminger, has been separated from her parents, who were sent to a concentration camp for being Communists. Leisel is forced to live on Himnel Street with her new foster parents, who will never be able to replace her real family, especially since her future mother is not very welcoming. Having also recently lost her beloved brother, Leisel arrives on the Huberman's doorstop in not exactly the best of moods. She minds solace in the only book she brought with her, namely 'The Gravedigger's Handbook'. Leisel's unusual fascination with the book, given its unappealing title and her inability to read well, sets off her cycle of thievery.

I will not forget to mention Leisel's new best friend in Himnel Street: Rudy Steiner. As with Leisel, Ruby also has an obsession. He is intent on being the next Jesse Owens, even though he is nowhere near as talented. Together, the two children embark on a range of adventures, finding new things to steal.

Even though The Book Thief takes a while to get into, I would recommend it to anyone wanting a change from the usual book. Yes, it is fairly unsettling in some places, but at the same time the layout has been described as ingenious, and it is very different to other young adult novels, which tend to be full of one-dimensional characters.



Have you read The Book Thief? What did you think of it? Let me know :)


Hasta luego!


Serena