They Let Me Write A Book! by Jamie Curry: Book Review

“Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Jamie, I’m 19-years-old. I make videos on the Internet, and enough people watched them that they let me write a book. I know. What is life?”

WELCOME TO JAMIE’S WORLD

Inside these pages is my life so far, and what I’ve learnt – or haven’t learnt – along the way. Read about my cowboy hat years, the year I dug a big hole, and the time I pulled down my pants at a badminton game.

I’ll tell you my top travel tips (drink water), how to have fun at a school ball (don’t go) and how to be an adult (eat an oyster). And I’ll talk about YouTube, because I suppose that’s what got us into this mess in the first place …

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

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Since reading Rosie Waterland's memoir, I made a deal with myself to not judge books such as these too much on poor grammar, punctuation mistakes or bad paragraphing. Basically I feel like the only reason you should do a review on an autobiography is the fact that you enjoy it so much that you want others to read it or it's so bad that you've got to be a hardcore fan to even appreciate the effort put in. Well here I am, writing one hell of a fabulous review (again) because this is DEFINITELY a book that I want you all to read. Jamie Curry is a nineteen year old kiwi/New Zealander girl, much like myself, who makes videos on YouTube and Facebook. Her rise to fame started when she casually started up a Facebook page with friends as a joke to make funny memes and basically make people laugh, even if it meant poking fun at herself to do so. The startling number of ten million likes on her page called, "Jamie's World" helped her gain worldwide attention and basically gave her a kickstart on her "YouTube" career where she continued her funny antics in the form of parody videos and basically speaking about hilarious situations where just her personality alone could make you giggle your heart out. Personally, having many friends online from overseas, I can tell you that the majority of them know exactly who Jamie is and what she is well known for.

As soon as I received this early copy of Jamie's book from HarperCollins NZ I literally sat down immediately (after tweeting about it of course which later lead to Jamie personally retweeting and following me so I'm pretty stoked about that) and started to binge read it. It literally took me two and a half hours before I finished it. I'm totally serious about that. It is quite a small book compared to some but don't get me wrong, it's all about quality, not quantity and that's definitely the vibe I got from reading it. I absolutely loved reading all about the weird, childish moments Jamie had throughout her sporty childhood and the infamous cowboy hat that she never took off, something which I'm sure she'll one day find some way of bringing back into fashion. Out with Lorde's witch's blood lipstick and in with the outdated-but-still-cool-because-australian's-wear-them cowboy hats. To be fully honest, I found myself feeling a little awkward when I got up to the page where she tells you to colour her picture in. Not because I don't enjoy colouring in, I actually find that activity quite soothing and stress relieving. It's just because I feel like one day if I actually did well enough with my career and became friends with her, I'd have to confess that I coloured her picture in for hours on end and even fangirled a tiny bit when she followed me on Twitter (not awkward whatsoever). I often found myself laughing out loud from some of the things she mentioned and how she said it. Of course, having watched Jamie's videos on YouTube for a few years now I feel like I am accustomed with her humor and therefore constantly thinking, Totally Jamie, I so get that. And don't worry, I totally get where you're coming from. I was a strange kid too.

If you are already a massive Jamie fan then this book is definitely for you. If you aren't then if you don't get cheesy humor and understand the meaning of having fun even if it means talking to a camera and making people laugh for a job, then I don't know whether you'd enjoy this so much. If you are just simply curious to peer more into the life of Jamie and figure out what makes her tick then yeah, totally! Go buy this because it'll be the best two and a half hours of your life. Or five days. However long it takes you to read it. However, don't be fooled by her typical facade of humor, Jamie does eventually get pretty candid with her personal struggles with OCD, anxiety and online hate. Reading about her internal struggles made me realise even more that she's definitely just like any other person. She's a small town/country girl who struggles with being in large crowds and needs to have a clutter free environment. I personally related to her a lot just with her anxiety and panic attacks, God knows how many I've had to go through and nearly had. Trust me, it's not pretty for the person or anyone else around them while the episode is happening unless that someone knows exactly how to help. I feel like everyone who has ever gone crazy over seeing Jamie in public or at an event needs to buy and read this book to fully understand what it's like for her to deal with stuff like that while trying to keep a straight face. Basically, this novel shows Jamie inside and out and gives everyone a better idea of who she really is and not always just someone who is constantly smiling in front of a camera for our entertainment. Jamie is one of the coolest and weirdest people I've ever heard about (hopefully one day I'll get to say "meet") but that's just how we like her and I'm sure she will appreciate all her fans and anyone else reading her book to understand her and have a respect for her personal needs as a human being.

I have given this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars because even though it wasn't life changing for me personally, I really did love it and it made my day just that little bit better. I feel better knowing that she's just a chill chick who I would personally love to have as a best friend and knowing that there is even a celebrity out there who knows exactly what it's like to have internal struggles which will most likely eventually be put out there for everyone to see. Jamie is an awesome icon for kids, teenagers and even adults out there and after you have read her autobiography, you'll most likely be rethinking everything you've ever thought and be asking yourself, "What is life"?

Thank you HarperCollins New Zealand for the review copy! Go like their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/Harpercollinsnz?fref=ts

Go add They Let Me Write A Book 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

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 my writing career at:

http://ellafleming-christie.weebly.com

My YouTube Channel: FeathersandFaith

The Anti Cool Girl by Rosie Waterland: Book Review

Brutal, brave, hilarious - a full-frontal memoir about surviving the very worst that life can throw at you.

Rosie Waterland has never been cool. Growing up in housing commission, Rosie was cursed with a near perfect, beautiful older sister who dressed like Mariah Carey on a Best & Less budget while Rosie was still struggling with various toilet mishaps. She soon realised that she was the Doug Pitt to her sister's Brad, and that cool was not going to be her currency in this life.

But that was only one of the problems Rosie faced. With two addicts for parents, she grew up amidst rehab stays, AA meetings, overdoses, narrow escapes from drug dealers and a merry-go-round of dodgy boyfriends in her mother's life. Rosie watched as her dad passed out/was arrested/vomited, and had to talk her mum out of killing herself.

As an adult, trying to come to grips with her less than conventional childhood, Rosie navigated her way through eating disorders, nude acting roles, mental health issues and awkward Tinder dates. Then she had an epiphany: to stop pretending to be who she wasn't and embrace her true self - a girl who loved drinking wine in her underpants on Sunday nights - and become an Anti-Cool Girl.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

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Well holy moly, I might have just found the woman who has completely inspired me to write my own memoir. I tell you now people, that this book is not for the faint hearted or the easily offended. Rosie Waterland is an exceptional writer and portrays her long struggle with life growing up with a poor family living through state housing and eventually being thrown into the fostering system before barely turning ten, along with a lot more heart breaking and relatable (if you have gone through a similar bringing up) moments which will stick with you long after you close the book for the last time. This is the first memoir that I've read which I can highly relate to and one which actually made me laugh out loud, making my partner think I was on drugs or that I was messed up when I showed him the part about when Rosie was a kid, masturbating while watching (or not watching) Rugrats. Yeah that got me at first too, but later on as I became more and more acquainted with Rosie's grotesque humor I decided I really did enjoy reading about all these crazy moments in her life which basically led up to her becoming an "Anti Cool Girl".

So first of, I really want to say: Rosie, if I ever get the chance to meet you in person I am literally going to give you the biggest hug. I may not have gone through the exact same circumstances but I know exactly what it's like to feel like the kid who doesn't feel loved enough, cool enough or good enough for anyone. I know what it's like to have an alcoholic mother and have multiple step-fathers. I know what it's like to feel embarrassed for doing something stupid or having nights where sometimes you don't think your parents will ever come home. Life is tough and there are sadly too many people in the world that have to suffer through their childhood due to the bad choices their parents make and sometimes it's too hard for their parents to get help or even be helped. Reading this book almost became a trigger for me. It's hard reading something that you relate to so much or at least have a major understanding of without thinking about everything you went through too and coming away from it with a tear-free face. There were multiple moments where I just had to look up and remind myself that I was here, I was okay and that nothing like this would ever  happen again. I feel for Rosie because she seemed to soldier through all the painful things in her life and even as a grown adult, she still felt the pressure of life and how society can still be a bitch, even after school. If you think that your family is a little f**ked up, then meet Rosie's family. No, it doesn't mean she's a terrible person, it just means that she has had to go through a lot of shit in her life which she didn't deserve but came out a stronger person because of it - basically giving the definition of this book.

If Rosie were to ever write a fictional novel whether it be young adult, new adult or adult fiction, I would most definitely read it. She has this crazy humor about her which has lead to her imminent success and even through such an emotional, heart-breaking memoir, is still able to shine through her not-so-glamorous moments by making fun of herself and taking a joke on all the embarrassing things that happened to her as a kid. I'm not sure I would be ready to now, but Rosie has definitely inspired me to one day write about my story and laugh through the stupid things I did as a kid and a teenager. The main thing I got out of this book was that no matter how shitty your life was as a kid, you can always redeem yourself and become a better person because of it. But also the fact that you can do well in life and succeed to the expectations you had hoped of. I was weary of this novel at first and was wondering what HarperCollins was trying to get me into, but now I am glad because now I have read a wonderful story which has been an inspiration to me and probably many others around the world. I just hope that one day Rosie gets to star in one of her awesome, personally playwritten movie, win an Oscar and give the big, dramatic speech that she always wanted!

Overall I have given this book a 5 out of 5 stars because it was such a powerful book and I think that if more and more people bought and read it, they too would be just as inspired and awe struck as I am after having delved into the brilliantly awesome life of an Anti Cool Girl such as Rosie Waterland.

Thank you HarperCollins New Zealand for the review copy! Go like their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/Harpercollinsnz?fref=ts

Go add The Anti Cool Girl 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

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 my writing career at:

http://ellafleming-christie.weebly.com

My YouTube Channel: FeathersandFaith

Outsiders by Tammy Ferebee: Book Review

Jaylen Hayes knows that she is different from all other seventeen-year-old girls. Possessing extraordinary intelligence, she is also uncannily powerful and inexplicably hated by wild animals. But it is not until she transfers to Trinity High that she learns the truth about who—and what—she really is. 

Instinctively drawn to two new classmates—the intense and passionate Indigo, and the charismatic and breathtakingly gorgeous Michael—Jaylen soon learns the shocking secret of their shared heritage, and the bloodline that extends to the stars. However, all is not what it seems, and Jaylen soon finds her newfound security threatened when a trusted friend becomes a dangerous and vengeful enemy.

*I received a copy of this book from Tammy in exchange for an honest review!*

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

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Well I am literally lost for words. I have just finished this novel and now I have to attempt to organised all my crazy thoughts and emotions into writing a great review - because it was literally that brilliant! When I first found Tammy and learnt a bit more about her novel, Outsiders through a video she posted on her YouTube channel explaining the book and reading the blurb so that we could have somewhat of an idea as to what it was about. I am literally so glad that I found her because this book had me pining for more and more. Basically I couldn't handle not reading it, so I did everything that was required to have the house clean and everyone fed so that I could lock myself away in my bedroom, sit down on the bed and binge read until the end. It was only a few moments ago that I finally came back to civilisation and realise that Jaylen and Michael were just fictional characters and there's no such thing as aliens with super powers (well you never know, I might actually believe that) and so here I am - back to my own life where I am suffering through a major book hangover, drinking tea and writing this review.

Now please don't sit here reading this thinking that I'm only saying this much because I offered to do a review for Tammy and I only want to give her a review she'll want to hear. Well actually, no. That's not why I'm writing such an awesome review. Before I asked for a review copy, I had the strangest feeling that this was something I really wanted to read. Now as some people may know, I'm pretty hard to impress if a book isn't written well and usually my first gut instinct about a book is right. In this case, I was absolutely right and I couldn't thank Tammy more for being so good at this and making me believe in myself more as a writer as well. Tammy has pure talent as an author and even though it was self published, I'm more than positive that a company like HarperCollins would have snatched the manuscript up in a heartbeat. Even so, I love the cover design and how the name, "Outsiders" has been made into a font which resonates the eeriness of the novel. Don't get me wrong, there are lots of awesome events that happen and relationship drama's that makes you want the popcorn every two seconds - this novel definitely has it's fair share of scares and heart attacks. I have to admit, at least twice I basically wanted to cry my heart out for the characters but I couldn't or I'd look seriously psychotic in front of Chad. But I can say that this is one hell of an emotional rollercoaster, and you are bound to want to get on!

If I could say anything about the main character, Jaylen, it would be to mention how strong of an individual she is. The fact that she has been through so much with being through foster homes and two of her mother's dying; her real one when she was a little girl and her perfect foster mother when she was much older. I wish I were as tough as her and be able to stop myself from crying so easily - that takes massive talent! The fact that she started to live with Ms. Ward, the woman who put Jaylen in and out of foster homes through out her childhood, is a pretty major difference and a bit awkward, but like any other novel there is definitely development after time being spent together. The girl Indigo, who she met at her first day at Trinity High, was a great first friendship for Jaylen and really brought her out of her shell. When Jaylen met Michael, hearts were everywhere and of course Jaylen was in denial, more so thanks to Indigo, but what school is there where a friend of yours won't get even the tiniest bit jealous over the attention you're receiving from the guy she likes too, but is thankfully more interested in you? I like how Michael was a respectful male who had a good relationship with his mum. I also like how there is a reoccurring theme of a broken family, where Michael never knew his father either. This novel definitely had a strong theme of Americanized schooling showing through how the school handled things with classes, the fact that Prom was a massive thing and the harsh yet truthful discussion in the classroom that only the 'more attractive' people are chosen as Prom King or Queen, and how the graduation is taken as a massive milestone in life leading to their future at a faraway College. This is really interesting for someone like me who isn't immersed in that type of high school culture and I thoroughly enjoyed everything about the storyline, even when it almost had me in tears.

Overall I have given this novel a 4.5 out of 5 stars for its overall awesomeness and how much it drew me in. I absolutely loved this book and I cannot wait until the second one is released so I can find out what happens next! Amazing work, Tammy! I hope you decide to hit me up in the future so I can read more great content from you!

Go add Outsiders to your Goodreads list HERE

Go buy it on MightyApe with 1 day delivery in New Zealand HERE
(Please keep in mind that this is only the case if they have it in stock)

Buy it on Book Depository with free shipping world wide HERE

Find more out about my writing career at:

http://ellafleming-christie.weebly.com

My YouTube Channel: FeathersandFaith

Ten Thousand Skies Above You by Claudia Gray: Book Review

Ever since she used the Firebird, her parents' invention, to cross into alternate dimensions, Marguerite has caught the attention of enemies who will do anything to force her into helping them dominate the multiverse—even hurting the people she loves. She resists until her boyfriend, Paul, is attacked and his consciousness scattered across multiple dimensions. 

Marguerite has no choice but to search for each splinter of Paul’s soul. The hunt sends her racing through a war-torn San Francisco, the criminal underworld of New York City, and a glittering Paris where another Marguerite hides a shocking secret. Each world brings Marguerite one step closer to rescuing Paul. But with each trial she faces, she begins to question the destiny she thought they shared. 

The second book in the Firebird trilogy, Ten Thousand Skies Above You features Claudia Gray’s lush, romantic language and smart, exciting action, and will have readers clamoring for the next book.

*I received this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review*

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

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I am so happy that I was able to read this series by Claudia Gray. Thanks to HarperCollins NZ I now have a series that has not only pushed the limits of my brain in terms of science and physics through a YA novel, but I have found myself immersed in such a heartbreaking, and yet still beautiful, love story. I was given both the first book and this one as an ARC to check out and I am super grateful to have been randomly aligned with such a well written series. If I were to say anything about this specific book though, I would want people to know that there is nothing else like it and that in itself is more than enough reason to pick it up after reading the first. If you have not read the first book, A Thousand Pieces Of You, then you better or I'll hunt you down and replace your current TBR pile with just these two books alone! There's this saying, or just something widely known amongst many readers, especially on Booktube; the fact that the sequel is almost never better than the original. In this case we can happily skip over that generalization and get straight to the fact that this was the most heart-wrenching novel of the year (can I say century?)!

From what we saw of the first book, obviously the tides had turned; Marguerite and Paul ended up together; Theo wasn't really Theo, the Triadverse Theo hijacked his body; Henry Caine (Marguerite's father) didn't actually die - he was technically kidnapped; and we realised that the true enemy was in fact, Wyatt Conley, the millionaire and leader of the Triad Corporation. Now if you have just finished the first novel and you are looking for a review to give you a bit of closure, I'm sorry but I literally can't say much without spoiling it (that is why this is called a SPOILER FREE REVIEW!) - basically because this sequel has just as much twists and turns as the first, if not more. Even so, I'm here to try my very best. I absolutely loved how the story free flowed from the first, the way it interlocked in such a reasonable way through Theo and Paul - like Conley knew how to get to her by using the ones she loves. Marguerite undergoes another round of highly dangerous yet intriguing realities travelling through the dimensional realms in order to do what's right, but also to save her true love, Paul and her parent's science assistant, Theo. One thing that got me was the new worlds that she visited showed her a lot more about the possibility of fate - the one thing Paul tried so hard to prove in his scientific efforts - and how the soul can reanimate itself in so many different ways. I can definitely say that TTSAY transformed my appreciation for Theo as a concerned friend, but also helped me fall more and more for Paul's charms and everything about his personality that resonates throughout the entire book. Again I can't say too much without spoiling anything but I will tell you now that this one will have you in tears hoping to God that anything and everything will happen in order to help Marguerite succeed in her dimensional journey, even if it means sabotaging a life's work to ensure the safety of loved ones. Also visiting other dimensions and other versions of herself and her family will keep her questioning her loyalty and whether or not she was right about how a soul is always the same in every world and lifetime.

Marguerite definitely has a lot on her mind in this novel. She seems to question things much more and wonder whether she was misled by certain things and make it hard for her to make calculated decisions. Her loyalties are tested much more so it's almost heartbreaking to see how she goes through it all and still comes out mentally stable. She comes to a real development curve though which gains her better insight to the world of the dimensions and therefore gives her a clearer mind when it comes to the end of the book as her loyalties are truly tested in ways that no one would even begin to understand unless they saw it for themselves. Who knew families were so complicated! Marguerite eventually gets an opportunity to revisit the Russiaverse where she is know as a Duchess and has an older brother, Vladimir, younger sister, Katya, and a younger brother, Peter. There are complicated reasons as to why she feels she needs to visit again and unfortunately even coming back to this world doesn't help when she discovers something completely overwhelming for both her and the Duchess. I feel like the visit gives her more clarity on the virtue of life, not just through the previous lost of Lieutenant Markov and reliving that reality, but just seeing her 'siblings' again and something other that totally blows her mind.

I only just started this series about a couple of weeks ago but reading both back-to-back helped me see the major differences in either one and helped me develop my love for all the characters so much easily spending so much time with them. I'm really sad to have to wait a whole lot longer than everyone else to read the next installment due to receiving an ARC but at least I know I am fully ready to receive another dose of Marguerite and Paul having majorly romantic moments which make my stomach turn with butterflies and send my heart leaping with excitement. This novel is most likely one of Claudia's best work to date (I just can't see her original series, Evernight being as good as this!) so I'm betting on it that it will become one of the top selling series of the decade due to it's mastermind thoughtfulness behind it all. I don't think I can think of anything wrong with it and coming from a fully honest critic like myself, that hopefully sounds pretty good!

Overall I have given this a 4.75 stars out of 5 just naturally because it made me feel warm and gooey inside and I'm literally craving more like I crave coffee every morning. I need my next Firebird fix! Also one thing before I wrap this up, I can't wait until someone creates a Firebird device because I'm so down to own something like that. Hell, if it works then I'd love to find myself a Lieutenant Markov version of my partner, Chad (just kidding but seriously...)!

What do you expect to happen in this book? Do you believe in dimensions and the possibility of dimensional travel? What do you think the Firebird looks like? Any thoughts on the name for the next book? Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below!

Go check out the awesome playlist I created specifically for this series on Spotify HERE!

Thank you HarperCollins New Zealand for the review copy! Go like their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/Harpercollinsnz?fref=ts

Go add Ten Thousand Skies Above You 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 more out about my writing career at:

http://ellafleming-christie.weebly.com

My YouTube Channel: FeathersandFaith

A Thousand Pieces Of You by Claudia Gray: Book Review

Every Day meets Cloud Atlas in this heart-racing, space- and time-bending, epic new trilogy from New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray.

Marguerite Caine’s physicist parents are known for their radical scientific achievements. Their most astonishing invention: the Firebird, which allows users to jump into parallel universes, some vastly altered from our own. But when Marguerite’s father is murdered, the killer—her parent’s handsome and enigmatic assistant Paul—escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him.

Marguerite can’t let the man who destroyed her family go free, and she races after Paul through different universes, where their lives entangle in increasingly familiar ways. With each encounter she begins to question Paul’s guilt—and her own heart. Soon she discovers the truth behind her father’s death is more sinister than she ever could have imagined.

A Thousand Pieces of You explores a reality where we witness the countless other lives we might lead in an amazingly intricate multiverse, and ask whether, amid infinite possibilities, one love can endure.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

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It has been a while since I've read a well thought through sci-fi book and I am ever so grateful that HarperCollins seems to have good taste in their authors. At first I found it hard to get into just due to the lack of a love story in the first few chapters, crazy information all at once which was hard for me to process instantly, and the fact that this was a major difference to my usual read. However, I did manage to push on through the novel and thank God I did because I ended up enjoying it more than I intended. I haven't read any of Claudia Gray's previous novels before, even though I always wanted to read her 'Evernight' series but I never managed to get my hands on the books, but this specific novel gave me the uttermost chills of excitement from the interesting storyline woven together with scientific facts (the majority) and a heart-breaking romance that will leave you wondering why you have not yet found someone like that.

Marguerite was the protagonist of this novel and reminded me of such a typical yet realistic teenager which really helped to reel me into the book. I hate when characters either do not have enough personality or self esteem to keep the novel interesting, or are just so fake that someone like them could never exist in real life. Yes, it's fiction. Of course you'll be expecting anything, I'm just stating my personal preferences. Meg (as Theo likes to call her) is a realist and goes through a lot of painful realities in a short amount of time. She has been battered and bruised, lied to and made to think the worst while she leaves her family behind to go track down the 'killer' of her father. Going through the story I grew to really like Marguerite as a person and respected the way she handled things as it was very much how I would have if I were stuck in her position, however I probably would have noticed something off or different about someone instantly if it were someone I knew quite well. I like how her talent is art and in every dimension she notices that the different versions of her there also like the same things and feel the same way; well let's say it's more than usually that would happen in one dimension to the next. Marguerite seems to be quite an on to it character, being able to pick things out easily and notice the differences between each world, the very minor differences. I guess that's how the daughter of two highly acclaimed scientists/physicists would be - and she seems to think she's the odd one of the bunch who isn't smart like her family which in truth is actually very much the other way around. Obviously as the main character, she is made out to be special so she is perfect for the dimensional travel but I'm honestly starting to get a little tired of that trope. Other than that small detail, I actually really loved this book.

The storyline played out amazingly well and worked out better than I had imagined. I have this bad habit of trying to predict at early points of the novel what might end up happening later but with ATPOY, Claudia Gray did the most amazing job at keeping you in the dark until just before the information is given about a certain subject or person and that made it all the more enthralling and anticipating. I like how there were very many obstacles and it almost always felt like they would be too torn down to keep going but they always managed to work around or get out of a sticky situation. In saying that, I guess that points out a very interesting message for the readers: No matter how tough the obstacle their is always a way around it or never give up because you might just win. I don't know, that's the part where I had to get a little cheesy. I like how even though the dimensions were set at the same time as every other, some had developed more and some had developed less so it made it interesting and gave the novel diversity of time. Thinking about all the dimension's that were mentioned, a few genre's could sneakily be mentioned thanks to those worlds such as dystopian and historical fiction of some sort. I can't say too much without giving anything away but the love story in this book will have your heart thumping with excitement and encouragement, but then ripped to pieces and then sewn back together with string and a knitting needle. Yup, ouch, painful. But honestly so good! I've already set myself straight into my ARC version of the sequel, Ten Thousand Skies Above You which comes out November 15th 2015 and let me tell you that this series will be something to keep an eye on. To be fully honest, it could be as big as The Hunger Games if it were to be optioned for a movie because this novel is just too good to pass on as just "mediocre young adult fiction".

Overall I have given this book a 4.5 stars out of 5 because again like I've said about other novels, I absolutely loved it and it had great content which continued to amaze me with how much sense it made for a science fiction novel, although it was not something that I would become obsessed with and will stand just before a 5 star novel. In other words, it's a great novel and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in science based novels, just not for those who are constantly seeking out another series to be enamoured with like I am with the Throne of Glass series for example. I truly do hope to get more out of the next installment!

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? If you are planning on buying this book because of my review, please let me know in the comments below!

Go check out the awesome playlist I created specifically for this series on Spotify HERE!

Thank you HarperCollins New Zealand for the review copy! Go like their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/Harpercollinsnz?fref=ts

Go add A Thousand Pieces Of You to your Goodreads list HERE

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

Find more out about my writing career at:

http://ellafleming-christie.weebly.com

My YouTube Channel: FeathersandFaith

"The Inked Fae" Excerpt!: by Ella Fleming-Christie

Hey everyone! I've recently gone back to my story that I've been writing, "The Inked Fae" and edited the first chapter a bit more so that I can present it to you guys in a considerable manner. I am really proud of my story and the way I have researched almost every little detail of what I would like to present in my book so that it will be as enjoyable for you to read as it is for me to write it. I hope that you become as immersed with Faylinn, the main protagonist, as much as I have. Here is the very first chapter for you to enjoy!

The Inked Fae

By Ella Fleming-Christie

Chapter One

“I swear to god I didn’t do it!” I protested as my mother outstretched my arm exposing the ever so beautiful water tattoo that just happened to magically appear on the inside of my right forearm overnight. It was a picturesque pure white andalusian horse which appeared to be galloping and it had intricate swirls of different colours that included yellow, red, blue, green and purple circling around like a mini tornado. I just couldn’t explain myself. It had just appeared as I woke up this morning. Of course, my mom would never believe me. Yeah Mom, of course I’m not lying. A tattoo just magically appeared on my wrist the night after my sixteenth birthday party. You know I would never do such a thing. Nope. She would never believe me. Unless she believed in magic which I doubted would help in this situation. Even though she was fully qualified as a High Priestess of Wicca since she took a course with “Sacred Mists Online College” which was practically magic I guess, although none of the stuff she did made much sense anyway.

“I told you, no crazy stunts or acts of stupidness. This included.” She chastised while pointing at my arm. “Just because you’re sixteen now and able to make more decisions for yourself, that doesn’t mean you should go crazy with the call of opportunity. You are a ‘straight A’ student. Imagine what the teachers will think of your actions.” There was almost a flicker of sorrow that crossed her face which disappeared as quickly as it came. She apparently didn’t have an easy life growing up so she knew what it was like to make stupid decisions too. But the difference was that this wasn’t my decision. It definitely wasn’t there when I went to bed last night. I would have definitely noticed something so out of the ordinary.

“Mom, I swear to the Goddess, I did not do this nor did I even want it. I don’t think I would have missed something as crazy as this. I was perfectly conscious the whole night. Plus you know I’m not a drinker.”

“Ok darling. Well when you can give me a reasonable explanation on how this tattoo was placed on your arm without you even knowing, then I shall believe you.” She studied the work of art for a little bit longer before she turned to retrieve the toast that had popped out of the toaster. “So, what did you want for breakfast?”

I stared at her blankly. “I’m not that hungry.”

“I’ll cut up some fruit for you. After all, you’re a maturing teenager. You need all the food you can get,” My mom replied with a stifled grin.

It was true, I wasn’t overly big in size. In fact you could compare my body shape to a pixie. If they even existed––something which I certainly didn’t ever question about. I kind of doubted that I would ever immensely expand just because my body was meant to somehow now not able to process food as quickly as before. If anything I wanted a few curves. I wasn’t that stereotypical sexy, tan, blonde chick. I was more of a supermodel thin with the flawless pale skin stereotype. My hair was a mousy brown and my eyes were a special kind of violet. No one else I knew had the same eye colour. It was funny because I didn’t look like my mother in the slightest. She always said I looked like my father but she never had photos of him. She only had a bad sketch which some random artist had done for her by giving him details about my father’s facial details so I never really knew exactly what he looked like. Sometimes I wished that I knew where he was but even my mother was clueless of his whereabouts. According to my mom he left when I was only a baby, claiming he had to be somewhere more important. She always said that the reason for his sudden departure wasn’t as bad as it sounded. There were just things she couldn’t quite explain until I was old enough to understand. That thought struck a heartstring. Maybe I was old enough now to know what my mum had meant all those years.

“Mom…” I said hesitantly.

“Yes, darling?”

All of a sudden I found a rush of strength which enabled me to say the words and I sat up straighter in my chair, “Where’s my dad?” My mother’s body stiffened and she slowly twisted around to place my bowl of fruit salad in my hands. I really didn’t have an appetite but I knew she expected me to finish my food before I left for school. “I’m old enough to know now. I’m sixteen and practically an adult. I think you need to explain to me what really happened back then and where he is now,” I spoke without hesitation.

An instant look of shock set on her face and pursed her lips, almost like she didn’t know how to respond to my assertiveness. I was certainly never this demanding when I was younger even as a little kid, but now I felt a surge of energy flow through me; a feeling of wanting to know who I was and who my father was. “I see that you have grown into a strong confident woman and I should start to acknowledge that. But can this specific subject wait? At least until after dinner tonight? I need to think about this. It’s hard to explain but you will soon realise why.”

I couldn’t understand how hard it would be to tell me. Could it really be that bad? Did he die? Was he a marine in the army who just never came back? Or did he just leave with a stupid excuse because he didn’t care about us anymore? My mind started fooling with my emotions and I started to feel lightheaded. “Ok, that’s fine.” I tried a spoonful of the fruit my mother left in front of me to distract the tension I felt practically sizzling in the air. I felt a little better eating something although I still wasn’t hungry. It sweetened my tongue and filled my body with natural sugar fueling me with at least a little enthusiasm to want go to school. I just wanted to get it over and done with. I wanted to know now but I knew that I couldn’t persuade her to tell me any sooner. She was the light hearted kind and the thought of my dad upset her a little. My mom had never dated anyone from the time that he left. Maybe she thought he would come back one day. Or maybe she just knew he was gone for good but just never got over him. Although still massively curious, I got up from the seat in the kitchen to grab my bag and start leaving for school. “Thanks Mom,” I murmured monotonously.

“Oh, Fay?”

I quickly spun around to see if she was going to say something more about my unknown father. “Yeah?”

“Be careful now. It’s a big world out there and very easy to run into trouble. All I’m saying is re-evaluate everything you think you know and keep an open mind. I just want you to stay safe and know that I love you.”

Disappointed about the lack of information and her unwillingness to speak about the subject any sooner, I promised her exactly that. Then I walked out the front door without saying goodbye.

That night we sat silently on the couches separated from each other; one end of the couch each to ourselves. Normally I would sit right next to her and she would stroke my hair while I leant on her shoulder. But tonight was different. There were unanswered questions that I wanted solved and she was definitely taking her time. I decided to take a stand and start off the interrogation, as a policeman to a suspect.

“Ok… Mom. I know this is going to be hard for you. But right now I am asking––as your daughter––for you to just please toughen up a little and give me a straight answer.” My heart instantly started to race. I had never spoken so boldly towards my mother before but I just couldn’t take the suspense any longer.

She closed her eyes for what seemed like forever and then inhaled and exhaled deeply - almost as if she was meditating. She looked up at me with tear filled eyes and smiled. “You’re father would have been so proud of what you have become. You are exactly how he said you would turn out to be.”

I didn’t understand one bit. Was he a psychic of some sort? I was sure you couldn’t exactly determine how your children would turn out unless you were the one to parent them and he certainly wasn’t here for a massive fraction of my life.

“Faylinn, I have to tell you something that you may not believe and it very well has almost everything to do with that artwork on your arm.”

“What? This monstrosity? The thing you couldn’t believe me about this morning and you gave me hell for it?” Her hypocrisy was fueling an explosion of my emotions. It wasn’t what I needed if I wanted to get information about my dad but I was definitely finding it hard to contain. It was also the first time in years that she had called me by my full name. I stopped myself for a second and took a breath. “Wait… so you mean to say that you knew about this before it even happened? Did you arrange this or something? Like have someone drug and ink me while I was out cold?”

She sighed heavily, “No, I had nothing to do with it. I’m not like you. Well I am, I’m just not the same right now.” I almost took offence until all of a serious expression took over her face, “You have history which makes you different from everyone else. Well mostly. There are other fae kids such as yourself, although you’re somewhat of a different case. We were talking about it last night.”

“What are you talking about, Mom? You’re seriously freaking me out now. . . We?” I looked at her with wide eyes. What was she trying to tell me?

“An old friend came to see me last night while you were out. Someone very important; he knew your dad.” She sighed heavily, “You are needed somewhere else, Fay. You say that you are old enough to take on responsibility and be mature for all that it’s worth. You need to realise that everything you decide now places you between the possibility of life or death. The tattoo and the horse within the art; the weird sensations and changes you may already be starting to feel; demanding to know who, what and where your father is, there is all a reason for these sudden changes. There is also a reason we have a similar tattoo.” With a sudden movement she slid her top up and just to the right of her belly button was the most beautiful tattoo artwork of a swan with green intricate lines swirling around it almost exactly like mine.

I became too enveloped in shock to breathe. The room suddenly felt too occupied, like there was only enough oxygen to supply one person. I wasn’t too sure I’d be particularly thrilled about where she was going with this. Finally I managed to compose myself enough to squeeze out a reply, “Mom… just tell me.”

She repeated the deep meditational breathing and locked her eyes onto mine. I felt like she was a monk about to reveal my destiny to me or something. Pssh.

“Faylinn, you are a faerie.”

I really hope you enjoyed reading the excerpt! Please let me know what you thought of it; whether it sounds like it could be published or whether it needs a bunch more work! I would love to post another couple of chapters so you get to know a couple more characters of which I absolutely love and experience Faylinn use her powers unexpectedly for the first time.

If you wish to contact me about a publishing deal or something else then please contact me through my business email: B.theclairsentient@gmail.com

What was the most intriguing thing about the excerpt you just read? Let me know in the comments below!

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http://ellafleming-christie.weebly.com

My YouTube Channel: FeathersandFaith