review: the last princess -galaxy craze

THE LAST PRINCESS
Galaxy Craze
Release Date: May 1st 2012
Publisher: Poppy Books
Pages: 295


Rating: 2 out of 5

"A series of natural disasters has decimated the earth. Cut off from the rest of the world, England is a dark place. The sun rarely shines, food is scarce, and groups of criminals roam the woods, searching for prey. The people are growing restless.

When a ruthless revolutionary sets out to overthrow the crown, he makes the royal family his first target. Blood is shed in Buckingham Palace, and only sixteen-year-old Princess Eliza manages to escape.

Determined to kill the man who destroyed her family, Eliza joins the enemy forces in disguise. She has nothing left to live for but revenge, until she meets someone who helps her remember how to hope—and to love—once more. Now she must risk everything to ensure that she not become... The Last Princess."

This was one of my most anticipated books of this year, so I was ecstatic when I finally had it in my hands. The cover art is amazing! From reading the synopsis I was absolutely certain I would love it: it's post-apocalyptic, located in the UK and about a plot to revolt against the royal family, perfect right? Except the only feeling I had when I finished it was one of pure disappointment.

The main reason I didn't connect with this book was due to the writing style. I felt that everything was so rushed, everything happened at such a pace it was impossible to understand what was happening. I was constantly re-reading pages to check I hadn't missed important information, I hadn't, the information just wasn't there in the first place. It just felt disjointed and off to me :( There was just not enough details or depth.

Because of the fast pacing I also felt characterisation took a backseat. The plot was nicely thought out, and definitely appealed to me, but the characters felt somewhat lacking. I never really felt any connection to Eliza despite liking her as a main character. The romance was an additional thing I didn't like, it just seem sorta random and there was no development to it.

I also felt the world building could have been enhanced. We are kept in the dark about the 'Seventeen Days' which led to the destruction of the world, and I really would like to know more. However I'm pretty sure a sequel is planned, so I hope that it's expanded on and the crazy pacing issue is sorted. Despite what seems like a really negative review, the plot of the book was really interesting and if these issues were worked on I would definitely check out a sequel.

www wednesdays 2

WWW wednesdays are hosted by MizB at shouldbereading.wordpress.com. To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?     

   

  What are you currently reading?
EXILED - M R MEYRICK.
I'm halfway through this and honestly I'm not sure if I like it!

  
What did you recently finish reading?
 ARTICLE 5 - KRISTEN SIMMONS.
I read mixed reviews on this book, but I really loved it and found in on par with Divergent and Delirium. Definitely worth checking out!

What do you think you'll read next?
ANGEL - L.A WEATHERLY
I've not read this yet and it sounds intriguing so even though I think angel books have been overdone I'm going to give it a try!





Let me know what you think about the books I have included, or link me to your WWW Wednesdays :)

review: angelfall - susan ee

ANGELFALL
Susan Ee
Release Date: May 21st 2011
Publisher: Feral Dream
Pages: 255
Source: ebook purchase

Rating: 5 out of 5

"It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back. Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.
Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again"

This is the first 5 out of 5 rating I've given on this blog, and this book is completely deserving. If you only decide to read one angel/paranormal book make it this one! And don't be put off by the fact it's self published, it's absolutely brilliant! I was completely engrossed by the plot of this book, it features angels in a way in which isn't often seen in books it portrays them as the bad guys! This to me, was such a new and refreshing take on the usual angel lore.

I liked the post-apocalyptic world that was built, danger is everywhere in Penryn's world. Not only do they face the obvious danger from these harsh angels, who kill humans without a second thought, and seem to be abducting human children. They also face danger from the human gangs who have taken over in the aftermath of angel destruction. And that isn't even to mention the mysterious cannabilistic 'low people'.

Penryn as a main character reminds me of a tougher, more ruthless Katniss. She proves herself a competant fighter, and is able to hold her own. I also liked that she didn't waste time, she doesn't allow anyone to walk over her. She also lives in this destructive world and manages to look after her paranoid schizophrenic mother and disabled sister.

And then there's Raffe. Swoooonnnnn. I absolutely loved his character. I loved his sarcastic, hilarious comments! There was many a moment I laughed out loud, Susan Ee did so well mixing comic relief in this story! Occasionally I forgot Raffe was an angel, as he seemed so human, in a good way. Pen and Raffe's relationship develops slowly, and neither of them forgot about their enemies. I really liked how their relationship intensified naturally, instead of the 'insta-love' you get in a lot of YA novels.

I'm so glad this book is going to be part of a series (5 books apparently), as I really want to see what happens to Pen and Raffe. I also feel some things needed more explaning like the scorpions and the children, so I hope Susan explains this in the next! I bought this for my Kindle as it was ridiculously cheap, but i think it's come out on paperback now and I'm definitely going to buy a copy as I can see myself re-reading this multiple times! I highly suggest you check this book out as you won't be disappointed!