Flame Kissed (Seeking The Dragon - Book One) by Alexis Radcliff: Book Review

On a romantic night at a ski lodge, 17 year-old Ella Denton has the perfect opportunity to finally confess her feelings to her long-time crush, Nick Gauss, before she goes off to college. But before she has the chance, everything goes horribly wrong: Ella is kidnapped by a mysterious grinning monster-man to the heart of the Ether-Realm, a magical land with a strange red sky at the nexus of all possible worlds. She is placed in chains and taken to a golden city ruled by the dark and brooding dragon prince, Kaden Kolrath, and told that she is now his slave. 

It seems her fate is now to be lost forever in a strange land far from home, never to return to Nick or her family back home in Havery Falls. That is, until Ella discovers she carries a mysterious spark of power… a spark that could change everything, forever. 

Flame Kissed is the first book in Alexis Radcliff’s exciting new fantasy romance serial, Seeking the Dragon. It’s a short, 15,000-word novella perfect to knock out in a single, quiet evening, and one of five total episodes.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

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I was pretty blown away when I ended up reading this all at once within an hour and felt almost compelled to read the next instalment. I don't usually get offers to read novellas as short as this but I was super pumped to have an opportunity to try something new, but it turned out to be a blissfully short experience and a great way to shove anyone out of a reading slump with a super relatable character and a beautifully crafted world filled with magic, golden cities, and brooding dragon princes.

"The golden city covered by an ethereal, translucent dome stretched out below us, with an enormous, sparkling castle at the center. The castle had seven towers, each taller than the next, and the largest of them rose up in the middle. Delicate bridges with intricate designs connected them in a spiral pattern, and the light shimmered across the surface of it all."

Ella Denton (another reason I thought the main character was absolutely awesome - I never come across people or characters who have the same name as me) is like any other teenage girl who is about to go off to college but first decides that confessing her love to her crush, Nick Gauss, is more than a good idea. She seems to be quite close to her adopted sister, Katie, as she once was with her real sister, Fiona, before her whole family was killed in the flames of a house fire. Ella miraculously survived and was thrusted into the care of another family where she took awhile to accept the truth of her real family's fate. Flames have always intimidated Ella and despite her constant attempts to avoid it, they come surging for her when she least expects them too.

The whole layout of the story was perfectly done, along with the story of how she came to be where she is and why she is such an introverted person who would rather stay home and play the piano than go out to a party with her adopted sister. The pace gave enough to catch on to important details and was fast enough that you don't get bored while waiting for the good bits - this is me saying that basically everything is the good bits, even before she is whisked away to a world of enslavement and magical dragon princes with bad attitudes and responsibility issues.

"I can still remember the terror I felt when I wondered what she meant by “whatever happens,” but before I could give her an answer, she’d slipped through the doorway and closed it behind her. That was the last time I ever saw my sister."

I have given this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars because I loved it enough to really want to read the next instalment, Flame Bound, but it just fell slightly flat of an amazing read. I feel that continuing on with the series will help me raise that impression to a full 5 stars. I also hope that the series will be printed one day so that I can put them all on my shelf - it's always awesome to imagine what could be of a series with such potential!

*I received a free electronic copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you Alexis Radcliff for the review copy!

Go add Flame Kissed to your Goodreads list HERE

Go buy it on Amazon HERE

Check out the sequel Flame Bound on Goodreads HERE and Amazon HERE
Check out Alexis' debut novel A Vanishing Glow on Goodreads HERE and Amazon HERE

Please consider donating a small tip so that I may be able to continue doing what I love! I am currently studying but I would love to be a stay-at-home mum and make a living through my blogging and BookTubing - I will do the best I can to provide top quality content that is interesting and worthy of your subscription ❤

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A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares by Krystal Sutherland: Book Review

Ever since Esther Solar's grandfather was cursed by Death, everyone in her family has been doomed to suffer one great fear in their lifetime. Esther's father is agoraphobic and hasn't left the basement in six years, her twin brother can t be in the dark without a light on, and her mother is terrified of bad luck.

The Solars are consumed by their fears and, according to the legend of the curse, destined to die from them. 

Esther doesn't know what her great fear is yet (nor does she want to), a feat achieved by avoiding pretty much everything. Elevators, small spaces, and crowds are all off-limits. So are haircuts, spiders, dolls, mirrors and three dozen other phobias she keeps a record of in her semi-definitive list of worst nightmares. 

Then Esther is pickpocketed by Jonah Smallwood, an old elementary school classmate. Along with her phone, money and a fruit roll-up she d been saving, Jonah also steals her list of fears. Despite the theft, Esther and Jonah become friends, and he sets a challenge for them: in an effort to break the curse that has crippled her family, they will meet every Sunday of senior year to work their way through the list, facing one terrifying fear at a time, including one that Esther hadn't counted on: love.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

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*Trigger warnings for anxiety, depression, and cutting*

“Anxiety felt like a grapnel anchor had been pickaxed into your back, one prong in each lung, one through the heart, one through the spine, the weight curving your posture forward, dragging you down to the murky depths of the sea floor. The good news was that you kind of got used to it after a while. Got used to the gasping, brink-of-heart-attack feeling that followed you everywhere. All you had to do was grab one of the prongs that stuck out from the bottom of your sternum, give it a little shake, and say, “Listen, asshole. We’re not dying. We have shit to do.”

It feels like a century since I had last found something which really resonated with all the internal struggles and pain that I've had to suffer throughout my whole life. A Semi-Definitive List Of Worst Nightmares encaptures the whole package deal that comes with the curse of anxiety and depression. I found myself relating to almost every second sentence and had originally sat down to read at least half of the novel two days before it was due for release - I feel terrible that I was not able to complete it sooner and have one heck of a review waiting for everyone to read and hear my thoughts on. However I'm glad I was able to spend the month returning every now and then to get a fix of a beautifully truthful and empowering novel. One thing that just made me instantly love this book as much as the actual content was the fact that Esther is a natural red-head with an array of freckles on her face, and Jonah basically resembles Finn from Star Wars: The Force Awakens almost exactly and I am so glad I was given that visual because that is exactly how I pictured him for the rest of the novel!

This shot that I posted to my Instagram story could not be more accurate!

Esther Solar is introduced to us vividly in the first few pages along with a few vital pieces of information:

1. Her family is cursed with developing unhealthy phobias which prevent them from being anything but a normal human being. 
2. She dresses in a spontaneous costume every day - on this particular day/night she is dressed as Red Riding Hood. 
3. Her mother, Rosemary, is afraid of bad luck, her father, Peter, is an agoraphobe and has lived in the basement for six years since his sudden confinement, and her brother, Eugene, is afraid of the darkness and and anything related to it. 
4. She is super gullible and too kind for her own good. 
5. She protested Dumbledore's death as a child for a week before the movie came out, even though the books were written years prior to the movie release. (She is a sweet little cinnamon roll!) 
6. We basically need to keep reading to find out why the hell Esther would somehow eventually fall in love with Jonah Smallwood - the guy who robs her of her grandmother's bracelet, iPhone, Fruit Roll-Up, library card, copy of The Godfather, her semi-definitive list of worst nightmares, AND her diginity, all within the time-frame of four minutes in a bus stop at night. (Trust me when I say that you will enjoy the hell out of these two characters together!)

If I am going to give an accurate review of this book, I'll have to point out how important the topics discussed in this novel are and why many of the creative analogies such as The Man Who Was Death, the curse on the family, and Esther's interpretation on the way love works backwards, all have deeper meanings that we might realise. I have taken photos of particular quotes that I resonated with personally and also felt like they needed a bit of recognition.

The hard truth with mental illnesses and disabilities, but it doesn't mean that everyone does. I just felt like this was a 'in the moment' quote that I could relate to a lot. People have given up on me before, but then there are people who haven't given up on me. Chad is a great example of someone who has stayed with me for four years, even though I have ADHD, anxiety/panic disorder, and an unknown joint disease that gives me pain on a daily basis and has rendered my legs useless multiple times before. I am forever grateful for him ❤

Jonah is the love interest/semi-hero that every other novel needs (and every person that needs a little push towards confidence and self love); the type of person that would take your deepest fears and throw them at you lovingly, all the while knowing very well (sorta) that you won't actually die if you face them. He is the one who gives Esther a reason to live - in saying that, she is not suicidal, she just doesn't live a very interesting life before she bands up with Jonah to face her fears every Sunday of the week until she reaches number fifty and finds out what she's really afraid of. I have to say that this book has truly inspired me to live my life no matter the fears that I face when I start to think about the real world. I honestly felt like I was living an adventure that was exhilarating and eye-opening at the same time. I was reminded that mental illness can almost feel like a curse and death can feel like a person that is just hanging around in the shadows waiting for you to say the okay, yet at the same time you can also tell them to just f**k off.

The caption on the photo is the only one that is needed.

If this book has taught me anything, it is to know that anxiety and depression will always be a tough fight, but it is possible to come out the other side eventually. There is no instant cure but it can be managed and it is important to remember that there are many other people who suffer from the same things, if not many other mental illnesses, as well. We're not alone in the world - we can choose to either let the pain subdue us or we can choose to rage a war against the darkness and make life something worth living, even if it means facing a few fears to find the light.

I've decided to present my own list of fears so that I might inspire someone else to do the same and show that we are not all invincible but we are all human (I do believe some of us are magical shapeshifting unicorns but that is besides the point).

Things that terrify me on a daily basis:

1. Loosing someone I love.
2. Heights.
3. Blood and anything to do with surgery or cut open skin. (UGH!)
4. Crossing busy roads. (I used to have panic attacks every morning walking to school)
5.  Depression creeping back up on me when I least expect it.
6. Panic attacks.
7. Wasps and hornets. (I have more faith that bees aren't a****les)
8. Not knowing what is wrong with me. (Currently going through this crisis)
9. I might die before I get the chance to accomplish my dream of becoming a best selling author and inspire others with my stories of struggle.
10. Living in a city surrounded by volcanoes that are due to erupt with 1.3 million people who may or may not care.
11. The possibility that my current life is really just a very long dream and I will wake up from a coma to a life I never wanted.
12. Loosing both my voice and my hearing. (Both are my sources of music which keep my depression at bay. See no. 5*)
13. New Zealand is a tiny country/island that could sink just like Hawai'ki did centuries ago. (I'm a big believer of Maori legends. Don't judge me!)
14. Donald Trump ruling the most powerful country in the world.
15. Racism. (It terrifies me because I've seen people be killed just because they're dark skinned and I have panic attacks thinking about loosing my partner, Chad, my daughter, Zoey, my brother, Devontaye, or anyone that I love just because their skin is darker)
16. WETAS! THEY ALL DESERVE TO DIE! (For those who don't know, they are a native species to New Zealand and are literally spawns of the devil. They are super hard to kill–I used a whole fly spray can and tried squashing one to no avail–and they make me sick!) I dare you to search the name on Google Images.

One fear I used to have but don't anymore?: I can take a photo with no makeup on and feel confident about it! Even if there is a book in front of my face in this one. Baby steps, guys. Baby steps.

I have given this novel 5 out of 5 stars because I have never read a book in my life that I have related to so much (Twilight doesn't count right now, okay?) and felt like it deserves a place on the modern classics table for future generations to study in school and refer to for inspirational quotes when life feels overwhelming and sometimes like nothing at all. Krystal Sutherland has definitely done everyone a huge service by writing such a beautiful story which will always stay close to our hearts. I will go to the ends of the earth to make sure this book does not become underrated in the bookish community. We need more relatable stories like this (as I've probably stated many times before) because so many people like myself need them when we're at our worst to sit down with and feel like we have a chance to be revived. I sat down a couple of weeks ago when I was drowning in stress and tears, and having Esther and Jonah to comfort my fears by facing their own gave me so much strength that I managed to avoid a panic attack. I ended up having one a few days later anyway but somehow I felt a little more hopeful afterwards when I reminded myself that so many people suffered the same way as me even for the simplest things like being in the presence of frogs, corn fields, or lobsters.

Krystal got all the nostalgic feels perfectly - I love little details like this one!

Thanks to A Semi-Definitive List Of Worst Nightmares, I am super keen to read Krystal's first novel, Our Chemical Hearts and fall in love with her writing all over again. I've always been interested in dipping into the genre of contemporary with my writing, so maybe Krystal's books will be the reason I run head first into action - no fear, no pain, just love, passion, and novels of inspiration.

Check out my Spotify playlist for

✮A Semi-Definitive List Of Worst Nightmares!✮

Thank you Penguin Random House NZ for the review copy!

Like and follow their links here:

Official Website: http://penguin.co.nz/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PenguinBooks_NZ

Please contact any one of these helplines if you need help:

• LIFELINE: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• SUICIDE CRISIS HELPLINE: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633
• NEED TO TALK? Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7)
• KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• WHATSUP: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757

Are you suffering with a mental illness such as depression or anxiety? Here are some helpful links from BetterHelp that you can check out and find tips on how to live a happier life:

BetterHelp Advice - Anxiety
BetterHelp Advice - Depression
How To Deal with Depression: Tips, Techniques And Finding the Right Treatment

How Do I Find A Therapist Near Me?

10 Depression Quotes That May Change Your Life

Go add A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares to your Goodreads list HERE

Go buy it on MightyApe with 1 day delivery in New Zealand HERE

Buy it on Book Depository with free shipping world wide HERE

Find it on the Penguin Random House NZ website HERE

Please consider donating a small tip so that I may be able to continue doing what I love! I am currently studying but I would love to be a stay-at-home mum and make a living through my blogging and BookTubing - I will do the best I can to provide top quality content that is interesting and worthy of your subscription ❤

Find more out about me at:

Website: wordsofeuphoricnostalgia.blogspot.com

My YouTube Channel: FeathersandFaith

Twitter: ellabellabellz

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The Harry Potter Spells Tag! CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF HARRY POTTER #HarryPotter20

I've been wanting to do an exciting and creative blog post for a while and what would be better than to do it celebrating the 20 year anniversary of Harry Potter! I haven't exactly read the books yet (if you count me being forced to read the Philosopher's Stone when I was ten and when I chose to skim read the Half Blood Prince before the movie came out when I was fourteen) but I plan to, and I've watched all the movies at least twice. Plus I just recently got a copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them: Screenplay and I've been sorted into Hufflepuff so I guess I am valid enough to be able to post this (please don't judge me for not having read enough or being a Hufflepuff!).

1. Expecto Patronum!

(A childhood book connected to good memories)

I could have chosen Roald Dahl's Matilda, The Twits, or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as I read all of those at least twenty times or more when I was still in primary school, but to be fully honest, my best childhood memory was reading Stacy Gregg's Pony Club Secrets series from the time I was eleven. These books basically introduced me to reading with a passion and also cured my obsession with horses - they didn't, however, help me get me horse riding lessons like I always wanted. But these made my life bearable during those hard years of pre-teen life and I will be forever grateful.

2. Expelliarmus!

(A book that took you by surprise)

I don't think I've ever read a historical fiction novel before but this one blew me past the stars and back. Not only was Kiersten White able to successfully write a story about a Vlad the Impaler that made my heart fill with excitement, but she did it by gender swapping Vladislav to create Ladislav Dragwyla AAAAAAND also adding in an element of LGBTQ! I was surprised because I saw no faults in anything and I don't think many other people did either - NOT MANY PEOPLE CAN PULL OFF SOMETHING AS BADASS AS THIS, GUYS! The sequel has also just released and I can't stop thinking about it because I'm broke and can't even afford to buy a $16 paperback... this post is soon going to be nothing more than a 'I need this but can't afford it but happy anniversary Harry Potter!' post.

3. Prior Incantato!

(The last book you read)

This has got to be the best contemporary novel I've ever read and best of all... it's written by a fellow kiwi (New Zealander)! I thoroughly enjoyed this book because it is probably the most accurately written young adult novels about being a teenager suffering from depression with themes including self harm, loss, and grief. It was terrible for my emotions but great to show how it really is for a teenager in this day and age.

4. Alohomora!

(A book that introduced you to a genre you had not considered before)

The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly was the very first review book I'd received from HarperCollins New Zealand and it will forever hold a place in the darkest part of my heart. I had never read a mystery or thriller before this one and it definitely scared the living daylight out of me but gave me a new appreciation for books like this that have bigger themes and symbolism for us to understand. It was moving and brilliant and beautiful and sad: just go read it and humour me.

5. Riddikulus!

(A funny book you've read)

I've never read something where I've laughed out loud more than once, let alone more than like ten times maybe. I still need to read the third instalment, American Monsters, but oh my, this was a read I wish wouldn't end! The protagonist, Amber, finds out she is a demon and ends up on a long road trip with a guy called Milo because she is running from her parents. Why? Because they want to eat her. Typical right? Well it's so worth it! You be the judge! This book did not disappoint and I hope you'll try it too!

6. Sonorus!

(A book you think everyone should know about)

I received this book from Tammy because I found her through YouTube and after I heard her read the synopsis, I practically BEGGED her to send me a review copy. She is such a darling because she sent me a copy all the way from the U.S.A to New Zealand and just recently sent me the sequel too. I absolutely loved this book! If you loved Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout then you will absolutely LOVE this book! Just saying but I could absolutely see Kat Graham or Zendaya as Jaylen if this were turned into a movie and I fervently hope it will be one day!

7. Obliviate!

(A book or spoiler you would like to forget having read)

It's so stressful when a book from your favourite book series comes out and then social media basically blows up with spoilers... well unfortunately this book was somehow released early in some parts of the U.S.A and I was spoiled about a certain character's fate before it was even out! So yeah... I just wish that had never happened. Otherwise I'm still excited to read it and hopefully will get to read this and A Court of Wings and Ruin veeeeerrryy soon!

8. Imperio!

(A book you had to read for school)

I didn't really read this because we got to watch the movie as well so technically I only read maybe a few pages. It's also the only book I remember having to read for school so here it is! It was a sad but beautiful story though!

9. Crucio!

(A book that was painful to read)

I hate being that person that hates a book but I really hated this one. It had terribly overused clichés and just made me feel like I was wasting my time on a book that someone clearly didn't really feel passionate about when writing. When I mean passionate, I mean writing a well-written novel that has meaning, purpose, and doesn't shove unnecessary themes in your face. This book might have seemed okay if I were ten years old, but I truly feel like this was absolutely cringe-worthy.

10. Avada Kedavra!

(A book that could kill - interpret as you will)

I also have to be that person where I am absolutely typical and say that A Court of Mist and Fury tore me apart limb from limb, organ by organ. Yes, Sarah's books have become somewhat of a cliché for posts like these, but I am dead serious (no pun intended) when I say that this book ripped me to shreds emotionally and I am so happy for that. I'm sure many other people chose books that were terrible or ones where the protagonist or their love interest dies and it's just absolutely devastating, but this just killed me because it was so good and I am so happy and scared to read A Court of Wings and Ruin because I KNOW it'll just do the exact same thing to my heart, if not do any more damage. Please have mercy on my soul, Sarah!

That is it! I hope you enjoyed reading through my little celebratory post for Harry Potter's 20th anniversary. I hope I can actually get around to reading them soon but I'll actually have to acquire them all first (Bloomsbury Australia, all eyes are on you right now)!

If you are reading this now, you are officially tagged! Please remember to tag me on your social media accounts so that I can see your posts. I would love to see all your answers - I tried to be creative with mine but I still feel like I need to be more selective. Improvements will be noted for the future!

Find more out about me at:

Website: wordsofeuphoricnostalgia.blogspot.com

My YouTube Channel: FeathersandFaith

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Unfiltered by Lily Collins: Book Review

In this groundbreaking debut essay collection, featuring never-before-seen photos, actress Lily Collins―star of Mortal Instruments and Rules Don’t Apply―is opening a poignant, honest conversation about the things young women struggle with: body image, self-confidence, relationships, family, dating and so much more. 

For the first time ever, Lily shares her life and her own deepest secrets, proving that every single one of us experiences pain and heartbreak. We all understand what it’s like to live in the light and in the dark. For Lily, it’s about making it through to the other side, where you love what you see in the mirror and where you embrace yourself just as you are. She's learned that all it takes is one person standing up and saying something for everyone else to realise they’re not alone.

By turns hilarious and heartbreaking, Lily’s honest voice will inspire you to be who you are and say what you feel. It’s time to claim your voice! It’s time to live your life unfiltered.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

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The very first time I remember seeing Lily Collins on screen was the 2013 release of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones and I couldn't help but be enamoured by her performance. I wasn't ever totally obsessed with her like I had previously been at different stages of my life with Avril Lavigne, Miley Cyrus, or Kristen Stewart, but something about her made me strangely intrigued by her unique look and imbued confidence. The second time I started to really find her fascinating as a person was when I realised that she was basically Sasha Alsberg's dopplegänger - Sasha had vlogged her day out to The Mortal Instruments movie cast signing and Lily had pointed her out, noticing their similarities, and asked to take a photo with Sasha. Here is a photo of them together and the video if you would like to watch it:

Anyways, I digress! This book was so good from the first page that I dreaded not just sitting down and finishing it as soon as receiving it! I always have university work to do so therefore it was important to do that first or I won't pass this year! But I basically read half in the first couple of days that I had received it and then waited about a week before devouring the rest. I am honestly so sad that it was so short but it was definitely worth it and not a time waster at all!

I've been planning for a very long time to write my very own memoir so you can probably only imagine how inspired I've become since reading about Lily's life. She is the not-so-typical sweet chick who has had an abundance of confidence ever since she was young and isn't afraid to be who she is and do what she wants. The way she has opened up to her fans in this book shows how grateful she is to the world and the opportunities she has been given in order to live the life that she always wanted. She has explained in rough details how her relationships started to define her life and why we should never let a guy (or girl) make us feel like we don't deserve to be happy. If there is anyone in the world that I feel most inspired by right now, it would have to be the woman of the hour: Lily Collins!

Now I know this may sound a little cliché, but I honestly think that Lily and I could be the best of friends if we had have met, despite the obvious circumstances - her being an international sell-out with her movies and now her already best-selling memoir, and me who is trying to get by in a tiny country where only so many have been able to be recognised by the world (the few including Lorde, Broods, Six 60, K.J. Apa–the guy who plays Archie on Riverdale that used to be on Shortland Street– and Temuera Morrison). But other than that, we share so many similarities! Like our passion for writing about what we love and speak our minds about the topics that matter. Or the fact that we found our love for baking while trying to impress our boyfriends and ended up being somewhat of a therapy to take our minds off of the craziness of life. Lily can be that girl-next-door who knows exactly when you need that hug you've needed all day or the smile that lifts you up when nothing else can improve your mood. If you need a new best friend, then pick up Unfiltered and become inspired like I did!

Because the book was so tiny, I don't want to give too much away - all I'd like to say is that I've never enjoyed a memoir so much in my life and I know that everyone would live the best three hours of their lives if they bought a copy and read it. Lily has managed to write a masterpiece of brilliance, inspiration, and creativity, all while she was still filming many different films in the time frame of a year. Um, hello... it has taken me three years just to get a basic outline and fourteen chapters of my fantasy novel! So with that, I have decided to give Infiltered a five out of five stars for its unique stories and spark of ingenuity that has changed my life for the better. Now if you see my memoir out sooner than later, you can thank Lily for being such a gem for pushing me out of my comfort zone to help others like myself as well. There's nothing better than to feel like you can be just like the celebrity you love.

Thank you Penguin Random House NZ for the review copy!

Like and follow their links here:

Official Website: http://penguin.co.nz/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PenguinBooks_NZ

Go add Unfiltered to your Goodreads list HERE

Go buy it on MightyApe with 1 day delivery in New Zealand HERE

Buy it on Book Depository with free shipping world wide HERE

Find it on the Penguin Random House NZ website HERE

Are you suffering with a mental illness such as depression or anxiety? Here are some helpful links from BetterHelp that you can check out and find tips on how to live a happier life:

BetterHelp Advice - Anxiety
BetterHelp Advice - Depression
How To Deal with Depression: Tips, Techniques And Finding the Right Treatment

How Do I Find A Therapist Near Me?

10 Depression Quotes That May Change Your Life

Find more out about me at:

Website: http://ellafleming-christie.weebly.com

My YouTube Channel: FeathersandFaith

Twitter: ellabellabellz

Instagram: FeathersandFaith

Snapchat: FeathersnFaith

Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven: Book Review

Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for every possibility life has to offer. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything. 

Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he’s got swagger, but he’s also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He’s the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything, but he can’t understand what’s going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone.

Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

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Knowing this was the first ever contemporary novel that I have read made me feel slightly uneasy, but my lack of faith in my uncommon interests set me up for a roller coaster ride of a story filled with meaningful themes, fascinating facts /insight about having prosopagnosia, and quotes that you would want to use out in the open world just to prove that you are a cool kid who reads real awesome (and beautifully diverse) modern novels. At this point in time I am honestly shocked at the revelation of my enjoyment during my reading Holding Up The Universe – this was honestly not what I was expecting and I am happy to know now that my two weeks of trying to finish this novel wasn’t exactly wasted (I am absolutely terrible at making myself think that I won’t enjoy a single bit of a book or even a movie).

As I finished the story, the ending acknowledgements hit me right in the heart as I was informed that this book had been inspired by the author’s own childhood – struggling with her weight and being bullied for it, though she continued to do what she loved most: dancing. Libby is the exact embodiment of someone who has gone through absolute hell and back but knows how to put a good fight and speak her mind because who has time to just sit back and take shit anymore? She is basically the chick that everyone would love if they just got to know her and I love that she doesn’t let anyone tell her what she can and can’t do. Through this book we go through her journey of learning to stop hiding behind a tough appearance and start to embrace the beauty and grace she has, while also still being a really awesome chick that doesn’t take shit from anyone. Jack is probably the one male character that isn’t vampire, werewolf, zombie or any other type of supernatural species that you can fall in love with and realise he’s a better male hero than any other with any fancy super powers. Check it out – this guy has prosopagnosia (a condition where a person can’t recognise faces) and he is glad that he is able to spot Libby easily because of her weight being her ‘identifier’. They are literally so perfect for each other!

Now one thing that blew me away was the fact that this book was the most diverse I had ever read. Since slowly easing away from the hurt that was the hate against Sarah J Maas and her most recent release, Empire of Storms, I’ve realised that Holding Up The Universe would appeal to almost anyone in or out of the book community because of how diverse the characters and themes are – including disability, LGBT, ethnicity/people of colour, families that aren’t completely functional or perfect, and even one where the devout Christian isn’t the most annoying character. In fact she is a girl who felt like she failed at being a good friend to Libby years ago as kids and wants to improve now that they’re reunited. Reading it again I might find many more I didn’t realise I’d missed but I honestly feel like this book is one of the most influential and empowering novels of 2016 and if not out of the whole 21^st century. Props to Jennifer Niven for using her experiences to inspire a tale that will one day inspire many others to feel more confident like Libby and Jack for being different.

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Things I LOVED about Holding Up The Universe! 

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·      Libby and Jack are couple goals for every reason in the universe and they literally ‘hold it up’ for each other! Being the complete opposites of typical ‘American standard’ cool kids, it’s heart-warming to finally read a book that takes these tropes and absolutely thrashes them out of style. We need plenty more books like this one in the world because I will be absolutely devastated if I don’t see other authors following suit or even if I don’t get to see more of Jack and Libby (Jennifer, if you’re reading this, please tell me we get at least another couple of novels!).

·      Can I just mention that Libby is absolutely talented in dancing and she won’t let a damned thing stop her from doing it! I am literally falling to pieces waiting for the announcement of Holding Up The Universe to be a movie – I need to see those dance moves that Libby is so famous for and it would just make it all the more beautiful and meaningful. Finally a coloured boy, Jack, is introduced as the popular guy but with a face-blind disability that no one but him knows about. But when he gets to know Libby and sees her dance, he can’t help but fall harder for the only girl he can easily recognise for who she really is. DREAM GOALS!

·      The best and worst thing is that I actually was pretty excited about the way this story played out that it will most likely be optioned to be a movie but it won’t happen for a long while. Since the book only released last October, it burdens me to come to the reality that being a fan of something so life changing will eventually break me. But the only thing I can do now is know that Libby and Jack will eventually return one way or another and continue to read a bunch of other life changing novels until it does happen!

·      The one and only contemporary novel that I’ve ever read is now my favourite contemporary novel and it’ll take pretty much the world to change my mind. I know I still have books like John Green’s The Fault In Our Stars, Looking for Alaska, and Paper Towns to read–though two of them I’ve already watched as movies–I’m doubtful that I’ll ever find another contemporary novel as satisfying as this one. Which basically means that I’m all the way back to square one and thinking that I’ll never enjoy this particular genre as much as I do fantasy. Technically that is true anyway but you get what I mean and I need to wrap this up so there. Suck it up – normal human lives usually seem boring to me but feel free to challenge that if you dare (inserts an overly creepy picture of me winking here).

Things I Didn’t Love About Holding Up The Universe…

·      I’ll sum this up quickly… I felt a lot hadn’t been tied up in terms of other issues that had been brought up closer to the end. Plus I need more Jack and Libby together. So if I find out that this is a stand-alone novel then I will not be overly content. That is all. Thank you!

If I had to really give my absolute honest opinion of this book, I would give this book 4.75 stars because there were a few tiny things I noticed were not optimal in terms of accuracy or time or whatever on earth it was. But to be totally fair, due to the beautiful and honest nature of the author being able to provide her readers with such a powerful and informative YA novel using every theme that we’ve all been asking for, this book truly deserves a 5 star rating just for satisfying our community just the way we needed it. Authors needn’t worry too much about overly accurate detailing or forcing themselves to describe every scene in profound detail that our minds bleed. They just need to focus on writing the story with a great plot, relatable characters, and themes that appeal to the target audience. Jennifer Niven has excelled with this task and I have never been more grateful than to have been sent this book by Penguin Random House NZ.

Thank you Penguin Random House for the review copy!

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