Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #6) by Richelle Mead

Goodreads Description - Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules.

She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir’s Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir Princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardian to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose- for a crime she didn’t even commit. She’s in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She’ll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose’s life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back… and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your life is about saving others, who will save you?
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My Review:-  (Pretty much spoiler free but completely bias rambling!)

Favourite Quote:- "He smiled at me . . . fondly. ʺAh, my daughter,ʺ
he said. ʺEighteen, and already youʹve been accused of murder, aided felons, and acquired a death count higher than most guardians
will ever see.ʺ He paused. ʺI couldnʹt be prouder.ʺ  (That is not really my favourite it just a lot of fun, I didn't want give a spoiler!)

I can't believe it is over. This is the first series that I got addicted too, Rose is one my all time favourite protagonist and Dimitri was my first literary crush.  And now I am feeling kind of sad that it is the end, a little bit excited for the new spin off series Bloodlines and happy with the way it ended (well mostly).  

Firstly, I thought I would explain why I love this series so:

- Brilliant writing.  Even in the 6th installment Mead still manages to surprise me.  The plot always moves at the right pace and has a wonderful blend of action, witty dialogue and romance.

- Rose - strong, opinionated and loyal - the kind of girl who saves herself.

- The romance - Great sexual tension and sizzling chemistry plus moments that make your heart ache.  Yet it never over powers the plot.

And now my thoughts on how it all ended:

Although the plot had plenty of twists and turns (never would of guessed who the killer was), I did see from the beginning who Rose was going to end up with and thankfully I thought it was the right choice.  Although it did hurt to see the other guy get his heart crushed and he did big time.  I felt he didn't get the happiness he deserved and it was left unresolved. The way Mead ended that situation has lead me to believe that he will be in the spin off quite a bit.

I also expected a lot more tears in the final instalment but surprisingly it made me smile more than cry.  It certainly wasn't as painful as the last two books.

The new characters were interesting and made me laugh.  It was nice to have some new elements to the story.

Overall, I have to give this 5 stars because over the last few years this series has made laugh, smile, cry, scream and I have loved every minute of it.

Rating: 5/5

For More Information: Richelle Mead's website

Check out awesome reviews:  This is my personal favourite by my friend Arlene.  Here is a bit from it:

"There was a part in this story where it suddenly hits me why I loved Rose’s character so much. It’s when she’s telling one of the main characters that “…In spite of everything that’s happened, I’ve never thought of myself ... as a victim. Being a victim means you’re powerless. That you won’t take action, Always…. Always I’ve done something to fight for myself… for others. No matter what.” Reading that, proved to me why Rose’s character resonated so well with me, she’s strong, loyal, slightly arrogant and entirely decisive… all characters traits that delivered in the right dose had me rooting for her and respecting her choices and her fight. I loved it!"

Check out Arlene's complete review on Goodreads.

Waiting on Wednesday #8

 "Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Exile by Rebecca Lim 

Date: 7/7/2011

An electric combination of angels, mystery and romance, EXILE is the breathtaking sequel to MERCY in a major new paranormal romance series. There's something very wrong with me. When I wake up, I could be anyone! Mercy continues her journey into the darkest places of the human soul in EXILE, waking in another strange and unfamiliar body. For Mercy is one of the celestial host exiled with fallen angel, Lucifer and her journey is atonement for choosing him. But this time, she remembers her previous life and the boy she fell in love with, Ryan. Is this her chance to break the eternal cycle? Torn between her immortal love and a human who thinks she is lost forever, Mercy is trapped into making a terrifying promise. Then her harrowing past is revealed by The Eight, frighteningly beautiful celestial brothers eternally sworn to stop her rejoining Luc's side. But should Mercy trust the truths she is shown or the longings of her heart? This time, it's not just Luc who claims Mercy in the fight for her soul!

Why? Absolutely in love with the cover.  It is beautiful and really captures the themes of the book - mystery, romance and angels.  I haven't read book one, Mercy, yet.  I am hoping Santa is going to leave it under the Christmas tree (hint, hint Santa if you are reading this).  But I have heard wonderful things about it and it sounds like my kind of series.  Rebecca Lim is an Aussie author and this is a perfect book for the Aussie Reading Challenge.

What are you waiting on?

In My Mail Box #8

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi at The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.

I am a little bit late with In My Mailbox this week.  But here is what I got last week!

WON:
Anna and The French Kiss - I was lucky enough to win a copy thanks to Alexa at Not Enough Bookshelves.  This book was at the top of my wishlist and I haven't read a bad review for it yet.  Stephanie Perkins is a debut author of 2010.  Thank you again Alexa.

BOUGHT:
Last Sacrifice - I can't believe it is the end of one of my favourite series.  I have already devoured this book and was happy with the way it ended.  Review will be posted this week.
This Is Shyness - An Aussie debut author of 2010.  This book sounds so refreshingly unique from anything else I have read.
Lovestruck - I bought a secondhand copy after a recommendation from a friend.  La'Brooy is another Aussie author although this is chick lit instead of my usual YA.

SWAPPED:
The Byron Journals-  This story is told from a male POV.  Another Aussie author.
A Blue So Dark - Debut book for 2010.    Love this cover. 
Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings - I have heard rave things about this series and wanted to give it a try before Bumped comes out next year.

What did you get in your mail box?

Don't forget to check out the AUSSIE YA READING CHALLENGE 2011!

Aussie YA Book Challenge 2011

If you haven’t noticed I am big fan of Aussie young adult fiction.  Many of my favourite books (On The Jellicoe Road, Six Impossible Things, Raw Blue, A Little Wanting Song - just to name a few) are by Aussie authors and I now try to read at least one Aussie book at week.   

So, I have been signing up for some reading challenges for 2011 when I noticed there was none for Aussie YA books. I know a few bloggers who are passionate about Aussie YA so I thought why not host a challenge to encourage more people to read Australian young adult fiction.  So with a lot of help from Nomes at Inkcrush, together we have created the Aussie YA Reading Challenge 2011:

The challenge is as follows:

Australian participants - Read at least 12 young adult books by Australian authors from 1^st January, 2011 to 31^st December, 2011.

International participants - Read at least 6 young adult books by Australian authors from 1^st January, 2011 to 31^st December, 2011.

They can be old or new titles, however no re-reads.

It is open to everyone. You don’t have to be a blogger but you MUST POST A REVIEW.   Reviews can be posted anywhere - Blogs, Goodreads, Shelfari or non-bloggers can even do a guest post on a blog like mine.

You can join anytime. The challenge runs from 1^st January 2011 to 31^st December, 2011.

There will be prizes throughout the year and guest posts and interviews from some awesome Aussie authors.   

If you sign up by the 25th January, 2011 you could be the lucky winner of one of the following titles, thanks to Nomes at Inkcrush.  These are some of Nomes' favourite titles that are available internationally.  Open to everyone as long as The Book Depository ships to you.

Getting Started:

 
Create a post for the challenge listing some of the titles you are wanting to read (you don’t have to list them all just post some ideas of what you are thinking of reading) and link back to this post.  

Place one of the buttons or create your own in the side bar of your blog.

Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books (just a few titles again) in the comment section of this post.

Sign up with the link at the bottom of the this post, linking to your challenge post.   

Non-Bloggers just put your Goodreads, Shelfari or this post link in.


Reading Ideas:

You can check out the following links for some reading ideas:

Goodreads -  Favourite Aussie YA, Aussie YA Paranormal & Fantasy, Aussie YA 2011 Releases, My Aussie YA Shelf

Aussie YA @ Inkcrush 
Aussie Reviews

Buttons: (you can use the top pic or the one's below or create your own):-



They are so many wonderful other challenges (from Off the Shelf to Vampires to Kindle) out there at the moment that are worth checking out as well.  Here are some of my personal favourites and they all help inspired me to start my own little challenge: The Story Siren Debut Author Challenge, The Contemps Challenge, The Bookette British Challenge. 

If you have any question please feel free to email me at irresistiblereads@hotmail.com. 

Don't forget to fill out the below link!

A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley

Goodreads Description - A summer of friendship, romance, and songs in major chords. . .

CHARLIE DUSKIN loves music, and she knows she's good at it. But she only sings when she's alone, on the moonlit porch or in the back room at Old Gus's Secondhand Record and CD Store. Charlie's mom and grandmother have both died, and this summer she's visiting her grandpa in the country, surrounded by ghosts and grieving family, and serving burgers to the local kids at the milk bar. She's got her iPod, her guitar, and all her recording equipment, but she wants more: A friend. A dad who notices her. The chance to show Dave Robbie that she's not entirely unspectacular.

ROSE BUTLER lives next door to Charlie's grandfather and spends her days watching cars pass on the freeway and hanging out with her troublemaker boyfriend. She loves Luke but can't wait to leave their small country town. And she's figured out a way: she's won a scholarship to a science school in the city, and now she has to convince her parents to let her go. This is where Charlie comes in. Charlie, who lives in the city, and whom Rose has ignored for years. Charlie, who just might be Rose's ticket out.

Told in alternating voices and filled with music, friendship, and romance, Charlie and Rose's "little wanting song" is about the kind of longing that begins as a heavy ache but ultimately makes us feel hopeful and wonderfully alive.
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My Review:-

Favourite Quote:  'And then we're at that moment where you both go and get what you want or you both go back.  The moment when you say, Stuff being scared; what's on the other side is better.  That moment when you inch closer to each other little by little, till you skin starts and ends in the same place.  Till your faces get so close your lips start and end in the same place, too.  Till you taste milk shake and salt and sugar days and the world spins and the stars sound like harmonicas.'

I loved this book! Cath Crowley has now found a place in my top 5 all time favourite authors.  A Little Wanting Song was a brilliant and heartfelt story that dealt with friendship, family and going after the things you want. 

This book had so many wonderful elements like a beautiful prose, a sweet and real plot and outstanding characters.

The lyrical writing is touching, subtle and addictive. I found it impossible to stop reading and devoured it in one sitting.

A Little Wanting Song is told from both Charlie's and Rose's points of view.  They are complete opposites.  I personally could relate to Charlie - shy, lonely and afraid to go after the things she wants.  While Rose is loud, tough and not afraid to go after her dreams.    Both these characters are authentic and that is one of the things that I loved best about this story.  I feel we all have felt like these two as a teen and faced many of the same issues. 

There also some wonderful secondary characters like Dave - all round good guy and such a loyal friend. As Charlie says 'Dave is a guy worth writing songs about'.  Also Luke - a troublemaker, who makes plenty of mistakes but redeems himself in the end.

Scattered throughout this book is Charlie's songs lyrics and it added another wonderful element to help tell the story and really expressed how Charlie was feeling.

Overall, A Little Wanting Song is an exceptional coming of age tale that shouldn't be missed.

Rating: 5/5

Want more info: Cath Crowley's website

More amazing reviews: Persnickety Snark and Steph Su Reads

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Delirium by Lauren Oliver -Lena has waited almost her entire life for the day when she will turn eighteen and can finally have the cure, the procedure which will take away that horrible, horrible disease amor deliria nervosa--or, love. Everyone tells her that being without love is so much easier, and she'll be much happier, and Lena readily believes them, not wanting to be like her mother, who resisted the cure and eventually committed suicide, causing her to become a social outcast in her community. But her entire life changes the summer before her procedure takes place when she meets Alex. He's sweet and kind, and oddly mysterious. He makes Lena feel things she can't name, things that she knows are dangerous. And before she can realize it, she's fallen in love.

My Review:-

Favourite Quote: "As soon as I look up, his eyes click onto my face.   The breathe whooshes out of my body and everything freezes for a second, as though I am looking at him through my camera lens, zoomed in all the way, the world pausing for that tiny span of time between the opening and closing of the shutter."

Delirium is a gripping and intense read.  Lauren Oliver writes one sad world, where love is considered a disease that will kill you.  Where society has a cure that gives you no control over your life and I personally couldn't think of anything scarier.

Lauren Oliver writing is magnetic and powerful.  I remember when I read Before I Fall, I thought it was beautiful and it provoked such a strong emotional reaction out of me and Delirium did the same.  You can picture this world and what is happening so perfectly that you feel like you are there (which is kind of terrifying because it is a place that I wouldn't want to be).  It is a page turner not because of it's pace but because you are trying to find out if there is hope for these two characters.  A happy ending seems impossible.  So be prepared for an emotional read.

Both Lena and Alex are likeable and well developed characters that face lots of hard choices.  Lena, has the most growth as a character.  At the beginning she just wants to go along with society but as she meets Alex and begins to looks inside herself for what she really want, she becomes strong and brave.  Something she definitely wasn't at first.  Lena and Alex chemistry is apparent from the beginning and it is beautiful to watch their relationship develop.   I also have to mention that Alex is a book lover and even uses his fridge to hold books (you got to love guys who love to reads)!

The ending, WOW!  It certainly had a few surprises and the action felt like it was just beginning.  I am eagerly anticipating the next book after that cliffhanger.

Overall, Delirium is a outstanding dystopia read that will linger in your thoughts long after you are finished.

Rating: 4/5 

Want more info: Check out Lauren Oliver's website

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperTeen for providing me with a copy.

Waiting on Wednesday #7

 "Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

 

 

Sometimes It Happens by Lauren Barnholdt - 

Release Date: 12th July, 2011

On the last day of her junior year, Hannah's boyfriend Ryan dumped her. Facing a summer of loneliness, Hannah turns to her best friend Ava for comfort. Ava does what BFFs do: she stays by Hannah's side...until it's time for Ava to head up to Maine for the summer. Also left behind is Ava's boyfriend, Noah, who's such a great guy he gets Hannah a job at the diner he waits tables at. Slowly, Hannah comes out of her funk thanks to Noah's good conversation and their fun times at the diner. But things get complicated when their friendship turns into attraction--and one night, into a passionate kiss. The novel opens on the first day of senior year; the day Hannah is going to see Ava, Ryan, and Noah all in one place. Over the course of the day secrets and betrayals are revealed, and alliances are broken and reformed. In the end, everyone is paired up once again, but not the way you might think...

Why? I'm not usually a fan of getting with my bestfriend's boy stories.  But because I loved Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt, I can't wait to read this. 

What are you waiting on?