Book Review #616 - Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

My Rating: 3/5


Source: Bought


Buy: The Book Depository


Goodreads

Simon Snow just wants to relax and savor his last year at the Watford School of Magicks, but no one will let him. His girlfriend broke up with him, his best friend is a pest, and his mentor keeps trying to hide him away in the mountains where maybe he’ll be safe. Simon can’t even enjoy the fact that his roommate and longtime nemesis is missing, because he can’t stop worrying about the evil git. Plus there are ghosts. And vampires. And actual evil things trying to shut Simon down. When you’re the most powerful magician the world has ever known, you never get to relax and savor anything.

Carry On is a ghost story, a love story, a mystery and a melodrama. It has just as much kissing and talking as you’d expect from a Rainbow Rowell story — but far, far more monsters.

I was in the middle of a reading slump when I started reading this book and I struggled to get into it. 

I loved Fangirl when I first read it in 2014 but found I didn't enjoy it as much the second time around when I re-read it just before reading this book. 

The main issue I had with this book is its painfully obvious connection to Harry Potter. I really couldn't stop myself comparing the two and it wasn't until nearly 200 pages in that I was able to look past that. 

Another thing that bothered me is that this book is written like it is part of a series rather than a stand alone. The characters aren't properly introduced, nor is the world. I know this is supposed to be written like a fanfiction but I just wanted more in those areas for me to fully enjoy it. 

I think what ultimately saved me from not entirely disliking this book was the quality of Rainbow Rowell's writing. 

Book Review #592 - Trial by Fire (The Worldwalker Trilogy #1) by Josephine Angelini

My Rating: 5/5


Source: Pan Macmillan Australia


Buy:  Booktopia | The Book Depository



Goodreads









The exhilaratingly seductive new series from the author of the bestselling Starcrossed series.

Love burns. Worlds collide. Magic reigns.

This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying many of the experiences that other teenagers take for granted...which is why she is determined to enjoy her first (and perhaps only) high-school party. But Lily's life never goes according to plan, and after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly Lily is in a different Salem - one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruelest of all the Crucibles is Lillian . . . Lily's identical other self in this alternate universe. This new version of her world is terrifyingly sensual, and Lily is soon overwhelmed by new experiences.

Lily realizes that what makes her weak at home is exactly what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. It also puts her life in danger. Thrown into a world she doesn't understand, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone, and a love she never expected.

But how can Lily be the saviour of this world when she is literally her own worst enemy?

This book was the perfect blend of the science fiction and paranormal genres. It has a complicated setting but the world building was really well done and I really enjoyed the idea of the infinite alternate universes. 

The witchcraft in this book was also really well done. I loved that the magic element was done in a very non-conventional way. The magic was more to do with science which was really fascinating and surprisingly very easy to understand. 

The romance in this book was rather complicated and messy. I can see perhaps there being a number of love triangles forming in future books which I'm not too sure about. 

The book mainly follows Lily as she transitions from a world reliant on science to a world completely fearful of science. 

I would have liked more of Lillian. She is the supposed villain in this book but she is not really involved until the end. 

The book ended with a pretty good cliff-hanger and there were a number of unanswered questions so I will be more than likely reading the sequel very soon. 

Book Review #579 - Fearsome Dreamer (Fearsome Dreamer #1) by Laure Eve

My Rating: 3.5.5


Source: The Five Mile Press


Buy: The Book Depository


Goodreads



There is a world where gods you’ve never heard of have wound themselves into hearts, and choice has led its history down a different path.

This is a world where France made a small, downtrodden island called England part of its vast and bloated empire.

There are people here who can cross a thousand miles with their minds. There are rarer people still who can move between continents in the blink of an eye.

These people are dangerous.

And wanted. Desperately wanted.

Apprentice hedgewitch Vela Rue knows that she is destined for more. She knows being whisked off from a dull country life to a city full of mystery and intrigue is meant to be. She knows she has something her government wants, a talent so rare and precious and new that they will do anything to train her in it.

But she doesn’t know that she is being lied to. She doesn’t know that the man teaching her about her talent is becoming obsessed by her, and considered by some to be the most dangerous man alive ...

This book is told via dual narration between the two main protagonists Rue and White. I liked this but would have preferred it being first or second person rather than third. 

I did not like Rue at all. I found her arrogant and rather cold whilst I really enjoyed White as a character. 

The plot took a while to develop (particularly from Rue's perspective) and I found the book rather hard to read at times. 

I felt like nothing really major happened in this book and that it was predominantly written to set up the sequel. 

I would like to know more about the worlds created and also about the talent as for a 350 plus paged book it didn't contain much depth. 

Book Review #455 - Nowhere Boys by Elise McCredie

Four teenage boys are hiking in the bush when they are caught in a freak storm. After surviving the night, the boys expect a hero’s welcome, but instead they find that nobody knows who they are. Not their family. Not their friends. They are faced with a town of blank faces and are trapped in a world where they don’t exist. Sam, Jake and Andy are desperate to right their lives. They need to figure out how to make things go back to the way they used to be. Only Felix is conflicted: there are certain things about this new world that he likes. But as they grapple with their situation, it becomes clear that other things have been disturbed. A dark force has been unleashed and suddenly the situation becomes desperate. The boys must find a way to right their lives before evil destroys them.

My Rating: 3/5

I received this book for review from Hardie Grant Egmont. 

This book is a novelization of a TV Show of the same name which I had never heard of prior to receiving this book. 

Given that the author of this book wrote numerous episodes of the show, I feel like this book probably shows a honest portrayal of the characters and the show as a whole. 

The four main protagonists had completely different  personalities and vastly different backgrounds which made their interactions very interesting. 

I liked the whole idea of their friends and family not knowing who they were but felt like more could have been done if the reason was more sci-fi related rather than witchcraft. 

The whole witchcraft aspect completely surprised me because it didn't feel like that kind of book up until that point. At first I thought it was a little over the top but once the characters became accepting of it I found I was as well. 

The book ends with a cliff-hanger so I'm not sure if sequels are in the works.

Book Review #372 - Tamlyn (Silvermay #2) by James Moloney

When Silvermay first set eyes on Tamlyn Strongbow, she knew there would be no other for her. It didn′t matter that he was one of the Wyrdborn, a race of wizards who care only for themselves.

It is half a year later and Silvermay has followed Tamlyn through dangers no sixteen-year-old should face. Now she must help him defeat the darkness of his own soul, because Tamlyn wants revenge for a great wrong and the evil he has so far controlled may prove too strong.

Meanwhile, Tamlyn′s father, Coyle, is on the rise. He has possession of Silvermay′s other love, the baby Lucien, an innocent child to her, but with the magic inside him to destroy entire worlds. Tamlyn is the key. If Silvermay can save Tamlyn from himself, then together, they might save Lucien from the horror Coyle wants to inflict on him.

My Rating: 4.5/5

This is the second book in a trilogy. The first being Silvermay which was my favourite read of 2011. Obviously because of that, my expectations for this novel were ridiculously high.

I would have to say for the most part, this book did live up to what I had been expecting. It lacked some character development and the plot dragged a bit in the middle portion of the novel.

Given that it had been two years since I read Silvermay, I did re-read it before I read and really liked  the transition between the two novels especially the handling of the cliff hanger.

I am really interested in the third and last book in this series called Lucien as there are so many plot twists that need tying up.

Book Review #363 - The Scavengers (Tyrfingr #1) by Mike Parker

Tyrfingr.

 

It's appearing portends the end of the world...or the beginning of a new age. Some believe it to be a grimoire, a book of ancient evil with the power to divide the truth from lies, light from darkness, bone from marrow, the soul from the spirit. Some say it even has the power to raise the dead back to life. Others claim it to be the marvelous Sword of Light - the sword that could only be drawn from its resting place on the Corner Stone beneath the Dome of the Rock by the hand of the true king, who will himself return from the dead to deliver mankind at its darkest hour.

 

One thing is sure - whoever holds Tyrfingr rules the world. Two men long for its power. Only one can pull it from the Stone.

 

 

My Rating: 3.5/5

 

 

I received this book for review from the author. The author's Goodreads page can be found here.


This book starts off very action packed. An asteroid is heading towards Earth and life as we know it is doomed.


The rest of the book is set in what was left of the United States, although they're not so united anymore.


Because of the dystopian type world, I had to keep reminding myself that this book was set in the future and not the past. 

 

 

Usually with the large amount of characters this book contains, I would either have gotten confused or made a cheat sheet. I didn't need to in this case which was surprising. All the characters had distinct personalities and stories.

This dystopian world is different to most dystopian novels because society has declined rather than improved. The medical knowledge is pretty much non-existent and there is absolutely no technology.  

 

Book Review #345 - Beautiful Redemption (Beautiful Creatures #4) by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Is death the end . . . or only the beginning?

Ethan Wate always dreamed of leaving the stifling Southern town of Gatlin.

But he never dreamt that finding love with Lena Duchannes would drive him away. Lena is a Caster girl whose supernatural powers unveiled a secretive and cursed side of Gatlin, so powerful it forced him to make a terrible sacrifice.

Now Ethan must find a way to return to Lena - and Gatlin - as she vows to do whatever it takes to get him back. Even if it means trusting old enemies or risking their loved ones' lives.

Can Ethan and Lena rewrite their fate and their spellbinding love story in this stunning finale to the Beautiful Creatures series?

 

 

 

My Rating: 4/5

 

 

Given the way the last book ended, I was very intrigued to read this book. It was always obvious that Ethan wouldn't actually die so it that case, the book was quite predictable.

 

 

I liked how the book split the point of view between Ethan and Lena because both are characters I can't seem to tolerate for long periods of time.

 

 

I really liked the inclusion of Xavier. He was my favourite of all the new characters. I also liked the inclusion of Lila, Ethan's mother as she has always been involved heavily throughout the books without actually being present until now.

 

 

Ethan's journey through the underworld was really interesting and I liked how it incorporated a bit of Greek mythology.

 

 

I didn't really think the death at the end was really all that necessary and the series would have ended on a better note without it.

 

 

Book Review #343 - Beautiful Chaos (Caster Chronicles #3) by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Cursed lovers Ethan and Lena have returned to their home town, which is now ravaged by swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms. What -or who - will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?

For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself - forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.

Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.

 

 

My Rating: 4/5

 

 

This is a series that I think would be ideally read straight after one another as they seem to read as one long book rather than separate books. Given that it has been a while since I read the first two, I felt a little lost at first but gradually picked it up.

 

 

I am definitely liking the characters more and more as the series goes on. Ethan doesn't bother me at all now, and I am actually starting to like his relationship with Lena.

 

 

I really like the setting of Gatlin, it just feels like a typical stereotyped small southern town.

 

 

The cliff hanger at the end is making me want to read the fourth instalment, Beautiful Redemption as soon as possible which I can because I thankfully it have on loan from the Library.

 

 

 

Book Review #306 - Beautiful Darkness (Caster Chronicles #2) by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.

Sometimes life-ending.

Together Ethan and Lena can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

 

 

 

My Rating: 4/5

 

 

I definitely liked this book a lot more than Beautiful Creatures. I thought that this book contained a lot more depth and included more of the back story which is why I prefered it.

 

 

Ethan annoyed me even less in this book which made up for the fact that I couldn't stand Lena at all. She was too sulky throught the entire novel.

 

 

There were enough twists along the way that prevented it from being too predictable, but for the most part I knew where the story was heading.

 

 

Considering how much this series seems to love cliff hangers, I am glad I have the next two books currently on loan from the library.

Book Review #299 - The Wizard of Oz (Oz #1) by L. Frank Baum

Follow the yellow brick road!

Dorothy thinks she's lost forever when a tornado whirls her and her dog, Toto, into a magical world. To get home, she must find the wonderful wizard in the Emerald City of Oz. On the way she meets the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion. But the Wicked Witch of the West has her own plans for the new arrival - will Dorothy ever see Kansas again?

 

 

My Rating: 4/5

 

 

This was my first time reading this howver having seen the film I was familiar with the story. The only problem I had with the film was that it was a musical, so I was probably always going to prefer the book.

 

 

The story had a lot more depth that I had expected, especially with the characters and the adventure. The style of the adventure reminded me at times of The Chronicles of Narnia.

 

 

Given how old the book actually is, I was surprised that it rarely felt that old. Apart from mentions of fashion and things like that it felt like it could have been written in any decade.

Book Review #291 - Beautiful Creatures (Castor Chronicles #1) by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she’s struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps, and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town’s oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

 

 

My Rating: 4/5

 

 

This was the second time I read this book. I first read it in 2010 before I started this blog. I liked it considerably more this time around.

 

 

The biggest problem I had with this book when I read it three years ago was the protagonist Ethan. I thought he was weak and sensitive. This time around he didn't annoy me anywhere near as much but he was still far from my favourite character.

 

 

I really liked the feeling of a small town and how everyone knows one another and there aren't any secrets amongst them. It also gave great insight into the culture of southern America.

 

 

I liked the flashbacks which is something that I very rarely like in a book. The whole idea of Ethan and Lena reliving the past of their ancestors was something that I found interesting.

 

 

The whole paranormal aspect was something that I liked to a degree but I just felt like it lacked depth. The book ends with a cliff hanger and so I will probably be reading the sequel Beautiful Darkness pretty soon.

Book Review #261 - The Reckoning (Darkest Powers #3) by Kelley Armstrong

 

They gave Chloe Saunders her power.
Now they want to take it back. Big mistake

Chloe Saunders is fifteen and would love to be normal. Unfortunately she happens to be a genetically engineered necromancer who can raise the dead without even trying. Now she and her equally gifted (or should that be 'cursed'?) friends are fighting for survival against the evil corporation that created them.

 

As if that's not enough, Chloe is struggling with her feelings for Simon, a sweet-tempered sorcerer, and his brother Derek, a not so sweet-tempered werewolf. And she has a horrible feeling she's leaning towards the werewolf...

Definitely not normal.

 

 

My Rating: 4/5

 

 

I liked this book a lot more than The Awakening, however The Summoning remains my favourite book of the series.

 

 

This book had a lot of action and adventure which was mostly found in the second half of the book.

 

 

I was not able to connect with Derek. He was my least favourite of the main characters. Chloe was the only character that I fully connected with. I had mixed feelings with Simon and Tori.

 

 

The love aspect, I felt just came out of nowhere. It wasn't that there was no build up to it or anything, I just failed to feel the chemistry between the two of them.

 

 

What I did like about the romance aspect was that it was not a dominant aspect and was more in the background.

 

 

The ending seemed a it abrupt, like it was leaving the door open for another book, however it was my favourite part of the entire book.

Book Review #247 - Mage's Blood (Moontide Quartet #1) by David Hair

Most of the time the Moontide Bridge lies deep below the sea, but every 12 years the tides sink and the bridge is revealed, its gates open for trade.

The Magi are hell-bent on ruling this new world, and for the last two Moontides they have led armies across the bridge on 'crusades' of conquest.

Now the third Moontide is almost here and, this time, the people of the East are ready for a fight ... but it is three seemingly ordinary people that will decide the fate of the world.

 

 

My Rating: 4/5

I received this book for review from Pan MacMillan Australia.


Given that this is one of the longest books I have ever read I can't believe I finished it in only two days.


The book starts off slowly and I was confused at first with the geographical layout and the amount of characters that were continuously being introduced.


However, once I was able to distinguish between the characters it sped up in pace and I found it more free flowing.


The book can be graphic at times with sex and violence and so would not be something I would recommend for younger readers.


The book ended with so many cliff-hangers (especially Elena's) and so I can't wait to read the second book The Scarlet Tides.

Book Review #244 - Darkness Becomes Her (Gods & Monsters #1) by Kelly Keaton

A dark and lush paranormal romance set in a richly reimagined New Orleans--now in paperback Ari can't help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can't be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is.Her search for answers uncovers a message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it's impossible to protect herself when she doesn't know what she's running from or why she is being pursued.

She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of "her."

Ari won't stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed.

 

 

My Rating: 3/5

 

 

This book was completely different to what I was expecting. I had no idea it was about mythology. This wasn't a bad thing, it just wasn't what I was expecting.

 

 

I found the first half of the book quite confusing. The world building was the most confusing. The reason for this was because there wasn't enough depth or description.

 

 

I really liked the second half of the book as it was action packed and very interesting.

 

 

I didn't like Ari at first, but by the end of the book I felt like I was starting to connect with her. Her relationship with Sebastian came from nowhere. There was no build-up or anything prior to them getting together.

 

 

My favourite part was the ending and so I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Book Review #191 - Beautifully Broken (Spellbound #1) by Sherry Soule

Thirteenth daughter. Heritage witch. Demon slayer.

They say every town has its secrets, but that doesn’t even begin to describe Whispering Pines. The townsfolk are a superstitious lot and the mystical disappearance of a local teen has everyone murmuring about a centuries old witch’s curse…

Sixteen-year-old Shiloh Ravenwolf is a heritage witch from the Broussard family, a family both destined and cursed. After she takes a summer job at Ravenhurst Manor, she discovers a ghost with an agenda. That’s where she meets the new town hottie, Trent Donovan. But Trent may be the next victim on the supernatural hit list, and Shiloh is the only person with the power to save him.

Complicated much?

After receiving cryptic messages from a creepy wraith, and then frightening threats from a demon, Shiloh finally begins to understand the mysterious significance of the strange mark branded on her wrist. Now Shiloh must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to protect the other teenagers in town.

Unfortunately, for Shiloh, not all ghosts want help crossing over. Some want vengeance.

 

 

My Rating: 4/5

 

I would like to thank the author for kindly sending me a copy of this book for review. Her Goodreads page is here.

 

 

This book starts off with a bang and made me instantly interested in the story.

 

 

Shiloh is such a likeable, brave, strong female character one who I connected to instantly. Her family dynamics were also very interesting especially her relationship with her mother.

 

 

Shiloh's relationship with the male protagonist Trent progressed too quickly for my liking and I never felt the connection between the two of them, but I did like them on their own.

 

 

My favourite part of this book was Ravenhurst Manor. The way it is described was intense and I loved the whole gothic feel of it. I loved the history it had and the reason behind all the hauntings was intriguing.

Book Review #52 - Book of Shadows (Sweep/Wicca #1) By Cate Tiernan

Something is happening to me that I don't understand. I see things, feel things in a new way. I can do things normal people can't do. Powerful things. Magickal things. It scares me. I never chose to learn witchcraft. But now witchcraft is choosing me. 

Sixteen year old Morgan is not who she thought she was. But in that case, who is she?

My Rating: 3.5/5

My biggest complaint about this book was that it was too short. No wonder this is a huge series (I think there is something like 15 books). The book had only 187 pages and I finished it very quickly. 

The book had no plot. Other than her sensitivity to the wicca stuff which was too obvious, the only conflicts she had was her mother not supporting it and her best friend 'falling in love' with Cal. 

Although, I did enjoy the book. The writing was fresh, and the characters were unique. 

The book leaves you with a cliff-hanger which you pretty much figure out from the beginning of the book. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series called The Coven.

Book Review #45 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter #7) by J.K. Rowling

Harry is waiting in Privet Drive. The Order of the Phoenix is coming to escort him safely away without Voldemort and his supporters knowing - if they can. But what will Harry do then? How can he fulfil the momentous and seemingly impossible task that Professor Dumbledore has left him? 

My Rating: 5/5

Although this book had the exact same amount of pages as the Half Blood Prince it felt like it was alot longer as there is alot more going on. 

What I liked about this book is that you get a more detailed background of Harry's parents especially his mother.

The final battle scene is so well described that you can picture it all very vividly whilst reading, which makes it more enjoyable.

I liked the 19 years part at the end, but I wish it wasn't written as now we know there won't be any more additions to the Harry Potter story.

For my review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II (the movie) click here.

Book Review #44 - Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (Harry Potter #6) by J.K. Rowling

It is the middle of summer, but there is an unseasonal mist pressing against the windowpanes. Harry Potter is waiting nervously in his bedroom at the Dursleys' house in Privet Drive for a visit from Professor Dumbledore himself. One of the last times he saw the Headmaster was in a fierce one-to-one duel with Lord Voldemort, and Harry can't quite believe that Professor Dumbledore will actually appear at the Dursleys' of all places. Why is the Professor coming to visit him now? What is it that cannot wait until Harry returns to Hogwarts in a few weeks' time? Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts has already got off to an unusual start, as the worlds of Muggle and magic start to intertwine.......

My Rating: 5/5

This book has been my favourite one in this series, since I read it for the first time in 2005.

You get a full background of Tom Riddle (Lord Voldemort) which sets the series up for the last book. 

I liked how Harry is made Quidditch captain and so Quidditch is involved more than in the other books. 

Background characters like Ginny and some Slytherin's develop into main characters. I'm not sure if I like Professor Slughorn or not, but I did enjoy reading about his Potions classes.

Book Review #43 - Night World (Secret Vampire, Daughters of Darkness, Enchantress) by L.J. Smith (Night World #1)

The Night World is a secret society of vampires, werewolves, witches and creatures of darkness - a place too dangerous to fall in love. 

In Secret Vampire, Poppy is dying, and it seems that James can offer her her only chance for surival.... but is the price too high?

In Daughters of Darkness, Mary Lynette has just met three mysterious sisters - on the run from their cruel brother. But can she protect them or herself with another threat lurking nearby? 

In Enchantress, Blaise is irresistible.... and deadly, but the Night World has rules, and Blaise is breaking them all.....

My Rating: 3/5

If I had reviewed these three books that are in this bind-up separately I would have given four stars to Daughters of Darkness and three stars each for Secret Vampire and Enchantress.

Something that I didn't like about this series so far is how perfect the whole outcome always turns out to be. All three books were all pretty similar and so it became repetitive and predictable. 

What I did like about it was how the author included Vampires, Werewolves and Witches all in the same book. The writing, and the tone of the book was also something that I liked.

An aspect of the book that I didn't understand was how the characters just took one look at each other and they were suddenly very deeply in love and ready to die for one another when they had only just met. 

I am looking forward to reading the second bind-up in this series, but will probably wait until next year.

Book Review #42 - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter #5) by J.K. Rowling

"Dumbledore lowered his hands and surveyed Harry through his half-moon glasses. 'It is time,' he said, 'for me to tell you what I should have told you five years ago, Harry. Please sit down. I am going to tell you everything. 

Harry Potter is due to start his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He is desperate to get back to school and find out why his friends, Ron and Hermione have been so secretive all summer. However, what Harry is about to discover in his new year at Hogwarts will turn his world upside down.....

4/5

This is my least favourite of the Harry Potter series, that's not to say I didn't like it though.

It is the bridge between the youthful, lighter first four books and the mature, darker last two books in the series.

You have to read over 100 pages until Harry returns to Hogwarts, which mainly deals with the end of Goblet of Fire.  

Again J.K Rowling's introduction of a new character makes you feel like they have been part of the story since the beginning, this time in Luna Lovegood. 

The themes on the book are starting to get darker, as the characters start to mature. Harry is very emotional throughout the entire book.