The Life of a Teenage Body Snatcher Giveaway!

Here at the Book Slooth, I have one copy of The Life of the Teenage Body Snatcher up for grabs!

One lucky person will win a copy of The Life of a Teenage Body Snatcher by Doug MacLeod. "How?" You ask. Well then, read on...

HOW?
To enter, simply comment on this post. If you don't know how to comment to enter, just check out the sample comments In the comment section.

WHEN?

This competition is open from:

Sunday, May 29th 2011

and closes on 

Sunday, June 12th, 2011

FOR WHOM?

The Competition is open to everyone, internationally!

Please only one entry/ comment per person!

READ THE REVIEW OF 

the life of a teenage body snatcher 

HERE

REVIEW: The Life of a Teenage Body Snatcher by Doug MacLeod

On a foggy night in Wishall, England in 1828, Thomas Timewell finds himself digging up the body of his late Grandfather. 
By chance, he comes in dealings with a professional 'we prefer the term resurrectionist', Plentitude.
With the intervention of Plentitude, Thomas successfully follows his grandfather's wishes for his body to be donated to science.
Not long after that fateful act, Thomas finds himself swept up into the world of body snatching and the abundant dangers that surround the contentious trade.

An uproarious black comedy of sorts, The Life of a teenage Body Snatcher has been skilfully crafted by master of the Trade, Doug MacLeod.

The life of the Teenage Body snatcher combines curious characters with the wit of the dialogue to create a tongue-in-cheek portrayal of a common practice in 18 and 19th century England of the delightfully graceful 'society of gentlemen body-snatchers.'

One of my personal favourite characters, Thomas' mother Phyllis was well crafted to compliment the book's plot and assisted in the comedy through her commands to her servant, Mrs Dunwoody.
A dynamic duo, The Life of a Teenage Body Snatcher is filled with characters that compliment each other and have been imagined with great skill.

The Life of the Teenage Body Snatcher comes alive on the page and keeps you enraptured in the action.
I enjoyed every word of The Life of a Teenage Body Snatcher, and I would definitely recommend it to anybody, both male or female from ages 14 upwards. Delightful to both teenagers, this book is definitely one that is perfect to read, curled in your favourite chair.

Look out for your chance to win The Life of a Teenage Body Snatcher GIVEAWAY coming soon, open  INTERNATIONALLY!

Thanks to Penguin for this copy of The Life of the Teenage Body Snatcher by Doug MacLeod 

REVIEW: The Violet Eden Chapters #1: Embrace By Jessica Shivrington

Embrace is the debut novel by Jessica Shirvington and it does just what the title says; embraces you like a hug from a loved one. You become wrapped in the fabric of the story and before you know it, you've finished the book!

It starts with a whisper: “It’s time for you to know who you are…”

Violet Eden dreads her seventeenth birthday. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. As if that wasn’t enough, disturbing dreams haunt her sleep and leave her with very real injuries. There’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms that wasn’t there before.

Violet is determined to get some answers, but nothing could have prepared her for the truth. The guy she thought she could fall in love with has been keeping his identity a secret: he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her.

A centuries-old battle between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity has chosen its new warrior. It’s a fight Violet doesn’t want, but she lives her life by two rules: don’t run and don’t quit. When angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden…
The main character, Violet had had a bit of a rough time in the past and I felt that was reflected well into her emotions and motivations that drove her to do what she does.
The characters were well written, they were believable for who's role they were supposed to fill.

The writing style in Embrace is relaxed, not contrived or leaving you reaching for a dictionary. Shirvington has catered perfectly to the market and Embrace ticks all the boxes.

Embrace is definitely a book for any paranormal fan to read, it is in the top of its genre.  The plot is enchanting and I am sure that any newcomer to the genre will be hooked after the first chapter.

Without a doubt, I would recommend Embrace to teenage girls aged 13-16 or 17.

Finally!... & Bloodlines...

As you know, I do love the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead and after receiving a review copy of the last book in the series, Last Sacrifice, - a big thank you to Felicity and the team at Penguin! - I finally had the chance to sit down and read it!

It was AMAZING!!
I am very sad that the series has come to an end, but I AM EXCITED about Richelle Mead's new Vampire Academy Spin-Off Series, Bloodlines.

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BEWARE! DO NOT READ THE BLURB BELOW IF YOU HAVE NOT FINISHED THE VAMPIRE ACADEMY SERIES OR INTEND TO READ IT AS IT WILL SPOIL THE WHOLE THING FOR YOU !!!

BLOODLINES BY RICHELLE MEAD


BLOOD DOESN'T LIE

Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding.

To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the last place anyone would think to look for vampire royalty - a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. But instead of finding safety at Amberwood Prep, Sydney discovers the drama is only just beginning.

Bloodlines comes out AUGUST 23rd from Penguin!

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REVIEW: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Hold on, as Divergent will take you on a ride into the haunting dystopian world that belongs to Tris, it will not let go, not even after the last page...

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her 

secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

As the blurb from the Story Siren describes the book so well, I have decided to use it for this review.

Divergent is the type of book that embraces you from the first page in the first sentence. It sets your mind racing as you are initiated into Beatrice's world and how she struggles with her decisions.

The characters fit perfectly with the plot, like a jigsaw as things move into place. The plot moves at a steady pace, not a moment where something isn't happening, it keeps your attention. Divergent is the type of book where you sit down and you don't get up until you have read the last word.

Guys and Girls aged 14-17 will love this novel, relatable to both.

If you enjoy dystopian novels, action, and a dash of romance, then Divergent is the perfect book for you.

"THERE IS ONE MIRROR IN MY HOUSE. It is behind a sliding panel in the hallway upstairs. Our faction allows me to stand in front of it on the second day of every third month..."

From Divergent by Veronica Roth, page 1.

I want to read Paper Towns

For some reason, I love the cover of this book Paper Towns by John Green.
I have always been fascinated with maps, and I think that there is just the right colour balance for this cover!

Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life - dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge - he follows.

After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues - and they’re for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees of the girl he thought he knew.

I love the names, they're kinda quirky!

Books for Boys aged 12-16

As promised, the updated page for Books for Boys aged 12-16, check it out, I love lots of the books listed!

CLICK HERE!

Sending my regards to headquarters,

General Isme

Check out the Updated page for Girls 12-16!

I have recently updated the page of Books for Girls 12-16, be sure to check it out as I will be updating all the pages and adding a couple new pages this week!

REVIEW: Elliot Allagash by Simon Rich

First YA novel for author Simon Rich, screenwriter for Saturday Night Live, Elliot Allagash is a must-read novel for this May...

Meet Elliot Allagash. Heir to America's largest fortune. Kicked out of every respectable school in europe and America, Elliot is forced to attend a school in Manhattan after his father donates so much money that they won't kick him out. - Much to Elliot's disdain -.
Enter Seymour. The most friendless kid in school. 
Commence Elliot's plan to keep him amused while he is 'stuck in this hell-hole'. 
Make Seymour the most popular and powerful kid in school.


If I could describe Elliot Allagash in a myriad of words: clownish, zany, quirky, tongue-in-cheek, witty, clever and cunning.

Rich has created something that is absolutely hysterical. Brimming with one liners that will be permanently rolling around in the cavern that is your mind. The book itself moves at a leisurely pace that brings in elements that are a one off experience in the world of YA comedy.

I loved how the book progressed. Slowly throughout the book, Elliot's vindictive plan and his unnaturally abnormal approach to things were revealed to you, those moments were cleverly crafted to leave you feeling as if you were in the shoes of the main character and narrator, Seymour.
I would have to say that each character was individual and could not be compared to one another, as they were all different and quirky in their own ways.

I would have to say, one of the funniest books I have read in a long time.


Put Elliot Allagash on your must read list if you are aged 12-16.

And watch out, there's a movie in development- due to come out in 2012, from the director of Juno, Jason Reitman.

5 Toothsome Vampire Novels

Here are 5 of the best (in my opinion) Vampire Novels that are a must read for those that are thirsty for more...
And without further ado, in no particular order...

• The Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine
• Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
• The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod by Heather Brewer
• The House of Night by P.C. and Kristin Cast
• Vampire Beach by Alex Duval

To check out the reviews, click on the title...
Have fun reading,
Isme

Cover Compare + Contrast: Amy and Rogers Epic Detour

Which Cover do you like best?
I think I like the UK one, it's very whimsical, I always tend to like the illustrated fronts; on the other hand, I do have a soft spot for the real covers - pictures of real people...
I think that if this book was really good, I would end up buying both copies!

 Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew—just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn’t seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she’s coming to terms with her father’s death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road—diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards—this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself.

I think it sounds good, I shall have to track down a copy!