Bout Of Books 11.0 - Day 7 Update

Final day of Bout Of Books and I picked up an amazing book, The 100 by Kass Morgan to re-read as an extra after reading all the books in my TBR pile for the read-a-thon. I hope you all had an amazing week of reading, as the motto on @Boutofbooks is "If real life gets in the way, it's okay." If you read then it's a success. Comment below with your final Bout Of Books update and spread the word; books are friends. :)

Update 

Sunday 

Book finished: Panic by Lauren Oliver

Book started: The 100 by Kass Morgan

Total number of pages read: 229

Total numbers of books read: 4

Quote of the day: "“The birdsong trailed off, leaving a charged silence in its wake, as if the music had seeped into the stillness, imbuing the air with melody.” Clarke - The 100

The 100 is amazing, I love the concept behind Earth bein inhabitable and how only 100 delinquent will be sent, no matter what the outcome to see if they all can return. 

Below are the goals that I had set myself, and a week update on all that I had done in Bout Of Books.

My Goals

• Read at least three books chosen
• Review at least two books in the week 
• Comment on three blogs every two days
• Participate in two challenges
• Share progress on Twitter 
• HAVE FUN

Updates 

Monday 

Book started: Four by Veronica Roth 

Total number of pages read: 89

Total numbers of books read: Nil

Quote of the day: "I struggle for air, but it's not because of my aching legs; it's because of my weak heart, growing stronger with each passing second." Tobias Eaton - Four, The Transfer 

Tuesday 

Book finished: Four by Veronica Roth

Book started: Matched by Ally Condie 

Total number of pages read: 194

Total numbers of books read: 1

Quote (s) of the day: "In that moment I'm able to accept the inevitability of how I feel, though not with joy. I need to talk someone. I need to trust someone. And for whatever reason, I know, I know it's her.
I'll have to start by telling her my name" Four - Four, The Traitor 

Wednesday

Book started: Matched by Ally Condie 

Total number of pages read: 189

Total numbers of books read: 1

Quote of the day: "You think there's nothing here because we're not putting up a fight. But there are words in our heads that no one else knows. And my grandfather died on his terms, not yours. We have things of value but you can never find them because you don't know how to look." Cassia - Matched 

Thursday 

Book finished: Matched by Ally Condie

Book started: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

Total number of pages read: 250 

Total numbers of books read: 2

Quote of the day: "So in the middle of all the noise, I point to the sky. I hope he understands what I mean, because I mean so many things. My heart will always fly his name. I won't go gentle I'll find a way to soar like the angels in the stories and I will find him." Matched

Friday 

Book started: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong 

Total number of pages read: 210

Total numbers of books read: 2

Quote of the day: "He pivoted, gaze following me as I crossed to the shower and turned on the cold water, so it would drown out our conversation without steaming up the room.
"Great," he muttered. "Now they're going to think we're showering together. Maybe we can just tell them were washing off the crawl space dirt and trying to conserve water." Derek and Chloe - The Summoning 

Saturday 

Book finished: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
Book started: Panic by Lauren Oliver
Total number of pages read: 462
Total numbers of books read: 3
Quote of the day: "Is there another? Dearly departed, scarcely lamented, deeply demented Dr. Samuel Lyle," the voice sang, sailing past me on a current of wait air. "Creator of the prettiest, sweetest abomination I have ever seen."
"Wh-what?"
"A bit of this, a bit of that," she sang. "A twist here, a tweak there. And look what we have. One perfect ball of energy, waiting to explode." The voice came closer, breeze ruffling my hair. "Are there more of you, child? There must be. Little magic makers and monsters, bursting with energy. Have your creators realized their mistake yet?" - The Summoning

Sunday 

Book finished: Panic by Lauren Oliver 

Book started: The 100 by Kass Morgan 

Total number of pages read: 229

Total numbers of books read: 4

Quote of the day: “The birdsong trailed off, leaving a charged silence in its wake, as if the music had seeped into the stillness, imbuing the air with melody.” The 100

Happy read-a-thon!!!

Bout Of Books 11.0 - Day 6 Update

Day six of Bout Of Books read-a-thon went simply amazingly, I finished The Summoning and nearly completed Panic by Lauren Oliver, with only 3 chapters left. I know I should have read them, "It's only three chapters!" they all exclaimed. And I agree, but it was past 12 at night and I just had to finish off season 1 of my latest obsession; Smallville!!!

Update

Saturday 

Book finished: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong 

Book started: Panic by Lauren Oliver 

Total number of pages read: 462

Total numbers of books read: 3

Quote of the day: "Is there another? Dearly departed, scarcely lamented, deeply demented Dr. Samuel Lyle," the voice sang, sailing past me on a current of wait air. "Creator of the prettiest, sweetest abomination I have ever seen." 

"Wh-what?" 

"A bit of this, a bit of that," she sang. "A twist here, a tweak there. And look what we have. One perfect ball of energy, waiting to explode." The voice came closer, breeze ruffling my hair. "Are there more of you, child? There must be. Little magic makers and monsters, bursting with energy. Have your creators realized their mistake yet?" 

I absolutely love that quote, It just ties in everything together well, and it sure makes you think about what book two has in store for us all. I decided to read Panic for this read-a-thon because I knew I wouldn't be able to finish it otherwise. But it's not that bad, some parts where very well written. 

Comment below with you thoughts on Panic and updates. And enjoy the last day of Bout Of Books read-a-thon. 

Happy read-a-thon!!!

Bout Of Books 11.0 - Day 5 Update

Day five of Bout Of Books and I am close to finishing off book 3 in my TBR pile. After a lovely morning, and a "no, you haven't got a package today" speech from my parents literally all day of this week, I sat down and started reading I got so caught up in The Summoning - Love that feeling - that I didn't realize the postman knocking on the door. expecting the usual speech I didn't put my hopes up; BUT there it was a package with my name on. I guess it only seemed fitting that I told everyone in my house. Yup that is what happens when you become book package deprived!!

Back to Bout Of Books - Day 5 Update - See I even had to tell you all -

Update 

Friday 

Book started: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong 

Total number of pages read: 210

Total numbers of books read: 2

Quote of the day: "He pivoted, gaze following me as I crossed to the shower and turned on the cold water, so it would drown out our conversation without steaming up the room.
"Great," he muttered. "Now they're going to think we're showering together. Maybe we can just tell them were washing off the crawl space dirt and trying to conserve water." Derek and Chloe - The Summoning 

I absolutely love this book, no matter how many times I read it the humor, banter, every situation will get me all the time and I will experience every feeling again. I don't know what else to say other than go read this book!!!

Happy read-a-thon!!!

Review: The Awakening #2 by Kelley Armstrong

Summary

Chloe Saunders is on the run
and raising hell. Literally. 

Chloe Saunders is not your average teenager. Genetically altered at birth by a sinister team of scientists, she can barely control her terrifying powers. Now the team that created her has decided its time to end the experiments. Permanently.

Now Chloe is running for her life along with a charming sorcerer, a troubles werewolf and a temperamental young witch. Together they have a chance for freedom - but can Chloe trust her new friends?

Review

This is the second installment in The Darkest Power Trilogy and it is simply amazing. Chloe Saunders is still on the run but caught in a trap, made of lies. Being doubled crossed by someone she didn't expect was another major aspect of the book that even I did not thought would happen.

The Summoning ends with Chloe being sedated and kept at another place that is run by the same as Lyle's house, little did she expect her own Aunt to be part of that team. Having conflicted feelings and emotions while being kept under 24 hour surveillance, little did Chloe expect a ghost to accompany her in her room; a Demi-Demon one that has all the answers to her and her friends supernatural powers. But will Chloe trust a demon that what's her to free it? Hell no, even I wouldn't! At this part of the novel it was more about trying to get Chloe to speak and give up information on Derek and Simon (psst more like emotionally blackmailing, claiming that Simon doesn't have his injection pouch) and being "The Good Experiment" by cooperating. It was more about getting them back and Tori being her sarky self. 

Not only does Chloe go along with their plan of getting the boys back, she plans on an escape when they "Supposedly" take her where they where last seen so she could remember more. We see a lot of change in various character at this point; Chloe's aunt who helps them escape while getting caught herself and Tori's mother a selfish, manipulative, love-less bitch who doesn't care about her own daughter and belittles her just to get Chloe to speak. WHAT?! Yes that is what she is. And a lot of different relationships take on a different stage, I really enjoyed the fact that things between Derek and Chloe had changed and that they became more open towards on another. 

Then the fun starts, the gang is back together and starts to kick ass one supernatural at a time, with one plus in the gang; Tori. Yeah I know, it's Tori but hey once you get to know her you'll love her, I sure do. A lot of action takes place in the lives of Chloe, Derek, Simon and Tori. From being separated again, Chloe having to dye her hair black; I KNOW! Living in an abandoned builder with a skeleton and a lot MORE! 

This novel was just what I had expected though it was a tad slow at the beginning, but the minute they where back together the slowness flew out of the window and become one giant page turning novel full of kick ass action and there has to be that scene with Derek and Chloe where Derek is going through 'The Change' I absolutely love that part especially when there are newcomers who threaten them both. Oh no they didn't, but they did, in front of Derek Uh-oh. And Simon and Tori actually stuck by each other when looking for Simon's Dad friend. This novel brings you kick ass character, action packed suspense, a noticeable blossoming of love but between who? But most of all the continued journey for the truth but the truth might not be what they had expected. 

The Awakening - Kelley Armstrong 4 Stars 

Bout Of Books 11.0 - Day 4 Update

Day four of Bout Of Books was a success, if you take in the whole waking up early and reading the remainder of Matched in bed before I felt it was time to get up. Waking up at 6:00am and reading a book is an experience everyone should feel, countless times. 

Update 

Thursday 

Book finished: Matched by Ally Condie

Book started: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

Total number of pages read: 250 

Total numbers of books read: 2

Quote of the day: "So in the middle of all the noise, I point to the sky. I hope he understands what I mean, because I mean so many things. My heart will always fly his name. I won't go gentle I'll find a way to soar like the angels in the stories and I will find him."

Matched was a great book to read for this read-a-thon, it was interesting, the plot line kept me intrigued to an extent. Really hope Cassia finds Ky, and most of all happiness in the society she lives in. Started The Summoning too, and I can say that I know every chapter by heart and I am still re-reading it again because I cannot get enough of Derek and Chloe. 

Happy read-a-thon!!!

Bout Of Books 11.0 - Day 3 Update

Day three of Bout Of Books read-a-thon and I hope you all are enjoying it just as much as I am. Throughout the day I did not get much reading done but when it came around to 7:00pm I picked up Matched and started reading, It felt great I didn't put myself down because I didn't read all day. I nearly got through half the book.  

Update

Wednesday

Book started: Matched by Ally Condie 

Total number of pages read: 189

Total numbers of books read: 1

Quote of the day: "You think there's nothing here because we're not putting up a fight. But there are words in our heads that no one else knows. And my grandfather died on his terms, not yours. We have things of value but you can never find them because you don't know how to look." Cassia - Matched 

Matched is a great read, it was quite interesting to read about a controlled and strict society that kept an eye on everything you do. But the concept was all behind the Matching system; when your child comes of age he/she will attend their matching banquet where they will be matched to their life-partner. Yup quite the inventive system, glad that doesn't happen.   

Comment below with your current read and link to your latest post. Would love to check your blogs out.

Happy read-a-thon!!!

Book Haul #1

I recently decided that alongside doing my regular review post, I will start doing regular book hauls all depending on when I purchase books or receive them from publishers in exchange for an honest review. This Monday I had to endure a long, painful shopping day for college essentials. I guess I somewhat regret leaving it so late, but don't worry I got through it with the help of my regular therapy; Book shopping.

These three beauties above are the only things that made me smile throughout the whole day, and I started Four by Veronica Roth for the Bout Of Books Read-a-thon that I am currently participating in. And it is AMAZING, I hope to do a review of it soon. 

Summary

Rain by Virginia Bergin:

One minute sixteen-year-old Ruby Morris is having her first proper snog with Caspar McCloud in a hot tub, and the next she's being bundled inside the house, dripping wet, cold and in her underwear. Not cool. As she and Caspar shiver in the kitchen, it starts to rain. They turn on the radio to heat panicked voices - 'It's in the rain...it's in the rain...' That was two weeks ago, ans now Ruby is totally alone. 

People weren't prepared for the rain, got caught out in it, didn't realize that you couldn't drink for the taps either. Even a drip of rain would infect your blood, and eat you from the inside out. Ruby knows she has to get to London to find her dad, but she just doesn't know where to start...After rescuing all the neighborhood dogs, Ruby sets off on a journey that will take her the length of the country - surviving in the only way she knows how.  

Solitaire by Alice Oseman:

In case you're wondering, this is not a love story.

My name is Tori Spring, I like to sleep and I like to blog. Last year - before all that stuff with Charlie and before I had to face the harsh realities of A-Levels and university applications and the fact that one day I really will have to start talking to people - I had friends. Things were very different, I guess, but that's all over now. 

Now there's Solitaire. And Michael Holden.

I don't now what Solitaire are trying to do, and I don't care about Michael Holden.

I really don't. 

Four by Veronica Roth:

Two years before Beatrice Prior made her choice, the sixteen-year-old son of Abnegation's faction leader did the same. Tobias's transfer to Dauntless is a chance to begin again. here, he will not be call the name his parents gave him. here, he will not let fear turn him into a cowering child. 

Newly christened "Four," he discovers during initation that he will succeed in Dauntless hierarchy. His decisions will affect the future - and the future of the entire faction system.

Two years later, Four is poised to take action, but the course is still unclear. The first new initiate who jumps into the net might change all that. With her, the way to right their world might become clear. With her, it might become possible to be Tobias once again.

Just give me a moment guys!!!

Yes, I am very very excited that I finally got my own copy of The Rain, Solitaire and Four! Hope to read them both very soon.

Happy Reading!!!

Bout Of Books 11.0 - Day 2 Update

Day two of the amazing Bout Of Books read-a-thon update and I have just sat down with my second book and my laptop, and it's only 4:30pm. So lets start reading and most of all having fun. How has your second day been? I would love to know :)

Update

Tuesday 

Book finished: Four by Veronica Roth

Book started: Matched by Ally Condie 

Total number of pages read: 194

Total numbers of books read: 1

Quote (s) of the day: "In that moment I'm able to accept the inevitability of how I feel, though not with joy. I need to talk someone. I need to trust someone. And for whatever reason, I know, I know it's her.
I'll have to start by telling her my name" Four - Four, The Traitor 


If it was up to me, I would have linked the whole book under the Quotes section. Four was an amazing read and I wish I could re-read it over and over again. Now that sounds like a plan for after Bout Of Books read-a-thon. Also commented on a couple of blogs and participated in a challenge; as set by myself in my goals. 

Happy read-a-thon!!! 

Bout Of Books 11.0 - Day 1 Update

Day one of Bout Of Books was fairly successful if you include the whole college shopping and not to forget book shopping. Done quite the book haul yesterday, and will do a book haul post soon. So stay tuned.

Back to the topic at hand, Bout Of Books 11.0 - Day 1 

Update

Monday 

Book started: Four by Veronica Roth 

Total number of pages read: 89

Total numbers of books read: Nil 

Quote of the day: "I struggle for air, but it's not because of my aching legs; it's because of my weak heart, growing stronger with each passing second." Tobias Eaton - Four, The Transfer

Four was one of the books I brought yesterday and I could not wait to start it, literally got home and dumped all my shopping on the floor and started reading it. From the minute I left the shop all I wanted was to rush home but couldn't. So far I have read one of the short stories; The Transfer which was mind-blowing to read the "Choosing Ceremony" from Tobias's point of view. While reading it it just reminded me of Tris's experience. Hope to finish it today and hope you all have had an amazing first Bout Of Books read-a-thon. 

Feel free to comment with a link to your blog, need  different blogs to comment on for one of my goals and would love to get to you know you all.  

Happy read-a-thon!!! 

Bout of Books 11.0 - Goals

Bout of Books is 7 hours or less, away and the following goals are from the top of my head - so they may or may not be changed throughout the week -. This is my first Bout of Books readathon and I hope it turns out amazing and absolutely mind-blowing and I hope to make some new book loving friends.

My Goals

• Read at least three books chosen
• Review at least two books in the week 
• Comment on three blogs every two days
• Participate in two challenges
• Share progress on Twitter 
• HAVE FUN

TBR Pile

• Panic - Lauren Oliver
• The Summoning - Kelley Armstrong
• Four - Veronica Roth
• Matched - Ally Condie 

Updates 

Monday 

Book started: Four by Veronica Roth 

Total number of pages read: 89

Total numbers of books read: Nil

Quote of the day: "I struggle for air, but it's not because of my aching legs; it's because of my weak heart, growing stronger with each passing second." Tobias Eaton - Four, The Transfer 

Tuesday 

Book finished: Four by Veronica Roth

Book started: Matched by Ally Condie 

Total number of pages read: 194

Total numbers of books read: 1

Quote (s) of the day: "In that moment I'm able to accept the inevitability of how I feel, though not with joy. I need to talk someone. I need to trust someone. And for whatever reason, I know, I know it's her.
I'll have to start by telling her my name" Four - Four, The Traitor 

Wednesday

Book started: Matched by Ally Condie 

Total number of pages read: 189

Total numbers of books read: 1

Quote of the day: "You think there's nothing here because we're not putting up a fight. But there are words in our heads that no one else knows. And my grandfather died on his terms, not yours. We have things of value but you can never find them because you don't know how to look." Cassia - Matched 

Thursday 

Book finished: Matched by Ally Condie

Book started: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

Total number of pages read: 250 

Total numbers of books read: 2

Quote of the day: "So in the middle of all the noise, I point to the sky. I hope he understands what I mean, because I mean so many things. My heart will always fly his name. I won't go gentle I'll find a way to soar like the angels in the stories and I will find him."

Friday 

Book started: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong 

Total number of pages read: 210

Total numbers of books read: 2

Quote of the day: "He pivoted, gaze following me as I crossed to the shower and turned on the cold water, so it would drown out our conversation without steaming up the room.
"Great," he muttered. "Now they're going to think we're showering together. Maybe we can just tell them were washing off the crawl space dirt and trying to conserve water." Derek and Chloe - The Summoning 

Saturday 

Book finished: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong 
Book started: Panic by Lauren Oliver 
Total number of pages read: 462
Total numbers of books read: 3
Quote of the day: "Is there another? Dearly departed, scarcely lamented, deeply demented Dr. Samuel Lyle," the voice sang, sailing past me on a current of wait air. "Creator of the prettiest, sweetest abomination I have ever seen." 
"Wh-what?" 
"A bit of this, a bit of that," she sang. "A twist here, a tweak there. And look what we have. One perfect ball of energy, waiting to explode." The voice came closer, breeze ruffling my hair. "Are there more of you, child? There must be. Little magic makers and monsters, bursting with energy. Have your creators realized their mistake yet?" 

Sunday 

Book started:

Total number of pages read:

Total numbers of books read:

Quote of the day:

All the best to all of you who are participating in the read-a-thon. And wish me luck :) 

Bout of Books 11 - Sign-Up Post

Bout of Books is just around the corner, literally only 7 hours left and I have decided - a tad late - that I will be participating. This is my first Bout of Books readathon - Woop Woop - and I cannot wait to start. Yup that is how i feel right now, just like Dean.

Below is a description of what Bout of Books is about:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. Ti is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 18th and runs through Sunday, August 24th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 11 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books Blog. From the bout of Books team. 

YAY for first timers!!! 

Review: Half Blood #1 by Jennifer L . Armentrout

Summary

The Hematoi descend from the unions

of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi, pure-bloods, have godlike powers. Children if Hematoi and mortals - well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the Pures

Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than Easter it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it away. There are several rules that student at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:

Relationships between Pures and Halfs are forbidden. 

Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem - staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind if suck. 

Review

Half-Blood was such a compelling read, the moment the parcel slipped through the letterbox I knew it was a book, it was like a sixth sense when it came to books. And boy was I glad it was Half-Blood by Jennifer. I genuinely do not know where to start this review from, just before starting this review I was like "I'll start talking about this part, no start with that part...." And so that went on for some time until I thought "Why not start off with how confusing and hard it literally is to start off this review", so I did, and there you have it the first time in a long time I'm completely beat down and in awe of how this novel was so beautifully written. 

The way Jennifer made all characters so alive and just original and the main protagonist Alexandria - LOVE that name - so kick ass and sassy even toward the damn Apollyon, I'm sorry, but if you guys don't call that kick ass them I don't know what is. Even though Aiden - he is so my new fictional boyfriend - calls her reckless and childish in a serious way, but it just turns in to the most sweetest and cutest way as possible because there's always that smile tugging at his lips even in a serious situation. That is how Alex can handle the worse of all situation and I absolutely loved it!!!!! The chemistry between them was so believable and it touched my heart when it dawned on them that they actually cannot be together and that just broke my heart. Because a relationship between Pures and Halfs are a big fat NO NO, and that shit will go down if they get caught - blah blah blah - come on, seriously they are so made for each other, Alex with her sassy and action first think later attitude and then there's Aiden, patient and totally sexy with his gunmetal eye color that always make Alex see through all crap going on. 

The plot line was so gripping and originally, if the prequel was not included in this novel then I would have been less inclined to read as fast, but with the prequel there already it gave me more background on the relationship between Alex and her mother and the unknown reason why her mother left the safety of the Covenant just kept nagging at me making me want to finish it even faster, and I did. The concept behind the Daimons was very original, or the first I've read of such things being created in that way. The idea behind only Halfs being able to see through the glamour was amazing; because all their lives, Halfs are treated like crap only given two choices become a Sentinel or a servant. But the fact Halfs are needs by the Pures to kill the one thing that hunt them, to protect them shows they are just as esteemed as the Pures and that is what Aiden shows, no difference between himself and Alex which I really liked. But seeing through the glamour may just be one thing Alex doesn't want, because seeing through the glamour means getting a glimpse of the face of a Daimon but also means seeing the face of who they where before being turned, and that may just be the worse thing yet. 

The Apollyon was one overly annoying Half who has more power than a Pure. One that shouldn't be messed around with and that annoyed me. But Alex sure put him in his place by constantly testing his patience and questioning him, baiting him out. Alex just keeps on getting awesome by the minute. But maybe that was because of not getting to know him better, he was a mystery one that I really wanted to figure out. This novel on all bases was utterly mind blowing and I just cannot stress how completely in love I am with all the characters; Alex, Aiden, Caleb, even sworn enemy Lea, and surprising the Dean Alex's uncle and many more. This novel brings you kick ass characters, a stunning plot line and a battle from within that can only be won if the unbearable is done, and that is what Alexandria is about to face, will she succeed? Find out. 

Half-Blood - Jennifer L. Armentrout 5 Stars 

Review: Conquest #1 by John Connolly and Jennifer Ridyard

Summary

The Earth has been invaded by the Illyri, a beautiful, civilized, yet ruthless alien race. Humanity has been conquered, but still fights the invaders. The Resistance grows stronger, for it is the young people of Earth who are best equipped to battle the Illyri.

Syl Hellais, conceived among the stars, is the oldest alien child on Earth, the first to reach sixteen years of age. Her father rules the planet. Her future us assured. And Syl has hidden gifts, powers that even she does yet fully understand.

But all is not as it seems. The Illyri are at war among themselves, and the sinister Nairene Sisterhood has arrived on Earth, hungry for new blood. When Syl helps a young Resistance fighter to escape execution, she finds herself sentenced to death, pursued by her own kind, and risks breaking the greatest taboo of her race by falling in love with a human.

Now the hunter has become the hunted, and the predator become prey.

And as Syl id about to learn, the real invasion has not yet begun... 

Review

This was just what I had expected; fast plot and action, a totally original story line about alien invasion that gripped me from the very first page (this has got to be the first book about alien invasion that I have read and it didn't fail to amaze me). The characters where all very distinct from one another. Despite the war and hatred between the Illyri's and the humans, the main characters - Syl, Ani both first Illyri's to be born on earth, Paul and Steven Kerr your average everyday human brothers - show that not all are consumed by hatred for the conquest of their world, but will the sheer fact of Paul and Steven being part of the Resistance - a human run organisation that rebels against the rules set by the Illyri government - change the possible revolution of integration between Illyr and humans? And will Syl change Paul's perspective on all Illyri? 

Syl Hellais is a 16 year old first earth born Illyri and one to believe that humans can be trusted and quite interesting but still hasn't quite grasped the true meaning of humans and after her encounter with Paul, it's all about to change. Syl and Ani are inseparable being born after Syl by a mere couple of days, they are practically twins. Their relationship was very interesting to read, both helping one another out, especially when it comes to keeping the secret of Syl sneaking out on her birthday, only to be caught in a bomb blast being saved by none other than Paul and Steven. The conflict between the Illyr and humans has left them to have literally the same amount of casualties or even kept as hostages, and Syl hits the top list of hostages being the daughter of Governor Andrus. Yup!! 

This novel takes a lot of twists and turns, some mainly anticipated and some taking me totally by surprise. Supporting characters have also made a lot of impact on the success of this book; Meia the Governors spy-mistress, Just Joe a Highlander, Syrene the Archmage of the Sisterhood (one creepy and overly confident witch) Vena and Sedulus both top of the Securitats (both hated by all and annoying Illyri) and many more. Each had a distinct role to play, and none where seen as just another character but as "the" character, seen as their own person when it was about them. 

Though there where many great things about this novel, there where also parts that really started to get on my nerves. At first the vivid description and background of the other world, Earth, Scotland, Edinburgh etc where all very interesting to read about, even I learnt a few things about England and I live in England. But after a while possibly 55% of this novel was all description, I know this book is in third person and I absolutely LOVE third person but I've read previous books written in this style and compared to this books, this had more detail than actual speech, which really annoyed me because I really enjoyed reading this novel. Despite that the research of each area was amazing, the concept of using facts and adding fiction to it was used very delicately here which just made it more realistic. Another part of not having enough was the chemistry to read about between Syl and Paul really wish there was more, but the parts in the novel about them where totally awesome to read especially the awkward conversations and situations they where put in. 

Both John and Jennifer have done an amazing job bringing this fast paced novel. With the revealing of Illyri having powers but who is it that the Archmage Syrene had sensed; Syl or Ani? And why is the Sisterhood on Earth?  And what fate is in place for fugitives on the run from Consul Grandus - the one who's taken everything from Governor Andrus -  and the Corps who only listen to the Consul and the Military who's only loyalty is to the Governor? The ending was spectacular, expecting something but getting something completely different, I was left teetering on the edge of my chair, literally. This novel brings you a stunning first book in a Chronicles, fast paced story line, finding your first true love, but most of all finding out the truth behind the missing pieces in a puzzle and Syl, Ani, Paul and Steven are right in the middle of the crossfire. 

Conquest - John Connolly and Jennifer Ridyard  4 Stars