Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Hello and welcome to With Wicked Words, the new edition of my blog in 2016. This is so exciting and if you've stuck with me for this long and are hopefully following me on this journey through fiction then I thank you for that. Welcome back. New design, new year and, most importantly, new books!

Apologies for the large-ish gap of nonexistence in the middle there. Some tiny things got in the way. Like school for example. Yeah that might keep happening. Big year for me this year. But anyway! Let's get back to it with an oldie but goodie.

So this is my third time reading Halo and I only just realised that the author was seventeen when she released it. Exactly the same age as I am now. I've gotta up my game, good lord.

Now you would guess that reading this book three times would mean I love it and I wouldn't disagree with you. But there are a couple of things that I needed to get off my chest. A lot of which are justified now that I know that the author was so young when she wrote it. But bear with me.

Whenever anyone asks if this book is good, I say yes. However, there are a couple of things that bother me. First of all the classic Mary-Sue gig going on here. Everyone loves our main character Beth. Literally everyone. And that doesn't change. Beth is a regular Mary Poppins, perfect in every way. Except for insecurities but I think we've all got a few of those.

On the topic of love and all things mushy, enter her human beau  (yeah forgot to mention that Beth is an angel) Xavier. He's kind, handsome, charitable, perfect blah blah blah. They're both great. Together they're lovely. But their relationship is just so unhealthy! And yes I know that's what us girls delve into romance for, the dream that prince charming is waiting in a small sleepy town somewhere. But let's get real. Keeping an item of the other person's clothing and smelling it when you miss them = bordering on obsession.

I don't have an exact amount of time that the book spans across but we're talking about two teenagers giving their entire lives to each other. An actual quote from the book says that they "wouldn't go a couple of hours without speaking to each other." Surely one person's feet smells or something? Or they just run out of things to talk about?? Anything?!

But I digress, there are many lovable qualities about Halo. Adornetto's dedication to the theological details and the exactitude of everything holy and angelic was admirable and interesting to read. A romance stuffed with all things lovey and excruciatingly gooey, I would recommend it totally. If you're into that sort of thing.

Quote: "The angel came, the angel saw, the angel fell."

3.5 out of 5 stars.

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Hello and welcome to With Wicked Words, the new edition of my blog in 2016. This is so exciting and if you've stuck with me for this long and are hopefully following me on this journey through fiction then I thank you for that. Welcome back. New design, new year and, most importantly, new books!

Apologies for the large-ish gap of nonexistence in the middle there. Some tiny things got in the way. Like school for example. Yeah that might keep happening. Big year for me this year. But anyway! Let's get back to it with an oldie but goodie.

So this is my third time reading Halo and I only just realised that the author was seventeen when she released it. Exactly the same age as I am now. I've gotta up my game, good lord.

Now you would guess that reading this book three times would mean I love it and I wouldn't disagree with you. But there are a couple of things that I needed to get off my chest. A lot of which are justified now that I know that the author was so young when she wrote it. But bear with me.

Whenever anyone asks if this book is good, I say yes. However, there are a couple of things that bother me. First of all the classic Mary-Sue gig going on here. Everyone loves our main character Beth. Literally everyone. And that doesn't change. Beth is a regular Mary Poppins, perfect in every way. Except for insecurities but I think we've all got a few of those.

On the topic of love and all things mushy, enter her human beau  (yeah forgot to mention that Beth is an angel) Xavier. He's kind, handsome, charitable, perfect blah blah blah. They're both great. Together they're lovely. But their relationship is just so unhealthy! And yes I know that's what us girls delve into romance for, the dream that prince charming is waiting in a small sleepy town somewhere. But let's get real. Keeping an item of the other person's clothing and smelling it when you miss them = bordering on obsession.

I don't have an exact amount of time that the book spans across but we're talking about two teenagers giving their entire lives to each other. An actual quote from the book says that they "wouldn't go a couple of hours without speaking to each other." Surely one person's feet smells or something? Or they just run out of things to talk about?? Anything?!

But I digress, there are many lovable qualities about Halo. Adornetto's dedication to the theological details and the exactitude of everything holy and angelic was admirable and interesting to read. A romance stuffed with all things lovey and excruciatingly gooey, I would recommend it totally. If you're into that sort of thing.

Quote: "The angel came, the angel saw, the angel fell."

3.5 out of 5 stars.

These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly

Well, talk about the most satisfying of unsatisfying endings. It's just *sigh*  when you know two people are so right together and then cliffhangers and- ughhhh. I'm facing a mixture of emotions right now.

These Shallow Graves. Where to start?

I think I'll start with Eddie. EDDIE! I cannot express how much I wish a man like him truly existed. His character actually effected me in more ways than one. His strength and his rustic charm and... and I'm swooning right now. Literally.

On the topic of strong characters may I just express how much I loved our main heroine, Josephine Montfort? Jo's wit and courage in the face of all that opposes her just leaps off the pages of this novel and I even found myself in awe of everything Jo overcame. Oh boy, did I have an unhealthy attachment to these characters!

And the plot! Oh the plot! (ahem, calm down Kat) Everything moved at a pace that I loved to keep up with. Just when you think you know which way things are going to turn, BAM! Another plot twist or amazing revelation.

I should probably summarise, forgive me. Here we go.

So Jo's father dies tragically but things don't add up. Was it an accident? Suicide? Or, dare I say, murder?

With the help of the ruggedly sexy reporter Eddie, Jo finds herself on this fast-paced, action-adventure to find some answers. Along the way she picks up some bad habits, meets some courageous new friends and discovers the truth of not only her father's death but also the justice needed for those who deserved it. (Honestly that's how much I can give away at this time. I'm under great personal restraint here, you have no idea)

So yeah, incredibly strong characters and the fast-paced plot combined to create a real thriller of a story! And to be honest, I took one look at the whole "mystery-thriller" genre and groaned internally. I used to find books of this kind to be extremely dull. Well, from now on I think I might be a little more open-minded when it comes to this sort of thing. These Shallow Graves has definitely changed my opinion on YA crime/mystery and I'm thankful for it.

Interesting quote: "This is the best thing, Jo. The city stretched out before you, glittering like a sack of diamonds. Yours for the taking. A drink and a smoke and no one to please but yourself. Freedom."

4 out of 5 stars.

These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly

Well, talk about the most satisfying of unsatisfying endings. It's just *sigh*  when you know two people are so right together and then cliffhangers and- ughhhh. I'm facing a mixture of emotions right now.

These Shallow Graves. Where to start?

I think I'll start with Eddie. EDDIE! I cannot express how much I wish a man like him truly existed. His character actually effected me in more ways than one. His strength and his rustic charm and... and I'm swooning right now. Literally.

On the topic of strong characters may I just express how much I loved our main heroine, Josephine Montfort? Jo's wit and courage in the face of all that opposes her just leaps off the pages of this novel and I even found myself in awe of everything Jo overcame. Oh boy, did I have an unhealthy attachment to these characters!

And the plot! Oh the plot! (ahem, calm down Kat) Everything moved at a pace that I loved to keep up with. Just when you think you know which way things are going to turn, BAM! Another plot twist or amazing revelation.

I should probably summarise, forgive me. Here we go.

So Jo's father dies tragically but things don't add up. Was it an accident? Suicide? Or, dare I say, murder?

With the help of the ruggedly sexy reporter Eddie, Jo finds herself on this fast-paced, action-adventure to find some answers. Along the way she picks up some bad habits, meets some courageous new friends and discovers the truth of not only her father's death but also the justice needed for those who deserved it. (Honestly that's how much I can give away at this time. I'm under great personal restraint here, you have no idea)

So yeah, incredibly strong characters and the fast-paced plot combined to create a real thriller of a story! And to be honest, I took one look at the whole "mystery-thriller" genre and groaned internally. I used to find books of this kind to be extremely dull. Well, from now on I think I might be a little more open-minded when it comes to this sort of thing. These Shallow Graves has definitely changed my opinion on YA crime/mystery and I'm thankful for it.

Interesting quote: "This is the best thing, Jo. The city stretched out before you, glittering like a sack of diamonds. Yours for the taking. A drink and a smoke and no one to please but yourself. Freedom."

4 out of 5 stars.

Monsters by Emerald Fennell

More twisted than Birdy and more gruesome than Black Cairn Point... *maniacal cackling* this book was a treat to read!

Sometimes you just want something that is straight to the point and brutal in it's execution and that is exactly what Monsters supplied. Fennell's writing was as blunt as blunt can be and that provoked a strong emotional response in the reader. Because that's what we want right? Books that can make us feel something...

Every small description, even if it was about something minor, was so simplistic and blunt that I found myself feeling uneasy and almost uncomfortable in some places. You know... in the best way possible of course!

We centre in on one of those classic tortured souls, the ones that make these stories all the more interesting to read. As the story is from a first-person perspective, we never actually learn the main characters name but we learn that she's well... different. Her aunt and uncle, whilst being partially (if not so), neglectful of their niece aren't there emotionally which I think led this insanely interesting character into her twisted ways. But I'm here to review the story not profile the characters.

Now just because I can't put a fault on this novel doesn't mean that it is perfect. Like it's characters this novel has depths to which I couldn't even see and that made it an eye-opener. As previously mentioned the bluntness of the writing hit home in all the right places and was just the right amount of creepy to make your skin crawl.

All I can say, and this could be a contributor to the straight-forward nature of the story, but the plot events didn't necessarily connect in a flowing manner. To me the story seemed choppy and disconnected and, let me remind you, THIS IS NOT A BAD THING. This, like the creepy nature of the plot twists and character developments, was a much-needed addition to add to the overall sombre and sinister tone of the book.

Interesting quote: "I really like my school but, honestly, I think it would be better if someone just burned the place to the ground."

4 out of 5 stars.

Monsters by Emerald Fennell

More twisted than Birdy and more gruesome than Black Cairn Point... *maniacal cackling* this book was a treat to read!

Sometimes you just want something that is straight to the point and brutal in it's execution and that is exactly what Monsters supplied. Fennell's writing was as blunt as blunt can be and that provoked a strong emotional response in the reader. Because that's what we want right? Books that can make us feel something...

Every small description, even if it was about something minor, was so simplistic and blunt that I found myself feeling uneasy and almost uncomfortable in some places. You know... in the best way possible of course!

We centre in on one of those classic tortured souls, the ones that make these stories all the more interesting to read. As the story is from a first-person perspective, we never actually learn the main characters name but we learn that she's well... different. Her aunt and uncle, whilst being partially (if not so), neglectful of their niece aren't there emotionally which I think led this insanely interesting character into her twisted ways. But I'm here to review the story not profile the characters.

Now just because I can't put a fault on this novel doesn't mean that it is perfect. Like it's characters this novel has depths to which I couldn't even see and that made it an eye-opener. As previously mentioned the bluntness of the writing hit home in all the right places and was just the right amount of creepy to make your skin crawl.

All I can say, and this could be a contributor to the straight-forward nature of the story, but the plot events didn't necessarily connect in a flowing manner. To me the story seemed choppy and disconnected and, let me remind you, THIS IS NOT A BAD THING. This, like the creepy nature of the plot twists and character developments, was a much-needed addition to add to the overall sombre and sinister tone of the book.

Interesting quote: "I really like my school but, honestly, I think it would be better if someone just burned the place to the ground."

4 out of 5 stars.

When I Was Me by Hilary Freeman

Okay, so When I Was Me poses some really great ideas and potential for a great story. With some tweaking the characters could be really admirable and bring the story to life. The theories and interesting science fiction behind the story made it a very thoughtful and unique experience.

Unfortunately that's where it ends.

I wish I could write more positive things. I don't like posting negative reviews. But, apart from being very unique with it's ideas and responses to a common fictional problem, this story sheds no positivity in any other areas.

Firstly, I'd like to talk about the main character, Ella. There is very little to be admired about her, she's stuck-up and self-centred. Though it may be a tired cliché amongst teen fiction, I believe that this generation is becoming used to strong, powerhouse females able to defend themselves on their own and take charge of the situation. Collins' Katniss, Clare's Clary and, for decades, Rowling's Hermione have moulded the idea of a perfect heroine. The fact that Ella defies these traits could be a refreshing change but instead just makes everything (ie: the plot, other characters and setting) drag on so much more.

When the going gets tough, normally, the girl gets going. She doesn't, however, get going to her new boyfriend of two dates and suddenly engage in "passionate and lustful" sex. Her sudden desperation to be held when faced with the ultimatum that will make the course of the story should make the readers sympathetic of her situation. Instead the sex was as forced as the romance was. The character of Will/Billy was without depth and his relationship with Ella was bone dry.

Consequently this led to a haphazard array of misplaced events and plot twists. Some were even left without conclusion!

SPOILER ALERT: 

After Ella emerges back into her old body after committing suicide from her parallel body their is no further mention of the mysterious old lady that she repeatedly hallucinated about. Every mention of the old woman made the story a little more interesting and gave it more depth. This was immediately dashed when this plot point was not accurately finalised.

~~~

My final point can either be considered a positive or a negative for the story depending on the interpretation of the reader.

The only character which stood out from all the rest was Daniel. His ingenuity about Ella's situation made him interesting but also really compelling and kept me asking questions like; how does he know this stuff? Can he be trusted? Is he hiding something? And so on and so forth.

However Ella's self-centred nature makes her oblivious to the point that, if he so desired, Daniel had her completely under his control. I'm just saying that she really rushed into trusting him. None of her decisions seemed very well-thought out.

Overall I can't say this story was a complete waste of time. It was certainly an experience. The only positive was that it made my think and consider the idea of parallel universes. I thought about it until my head hurt. But unfortunately the quality of this story goes no further than that.

1 out of 5 stars.