Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where the participants tell their readers about an upcoming release they are waiting to read. This week I've picked Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart. 

How far would you go to become someone else?

A masterful young adult thriller from the author of blockbuster bestseller We Were Liars.

 Imogen is an heiress, a runaway, and a cheat. Jule is a fighter, a chameleon, and a liar. Imogen is done pretending to be perfect, and Jule refuses to go back to the person she once was.

Somewhere between the mansions of Martha's Vineyard and the shores of Cabo San Lucas, their intense friendship takes a dark turn.

A masterful thriller from the author of the unforgettable We Were Liars.

Not going to lie - my hopes are high for this one. There have been some brilliant YA thrillers I've read (We Were Liars definitely being one of them), alongside others like Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas. The blurb for this one doesn't give too much away, so I'm definitely curious to see just what trouble these characters get into...

Releasing 6th September 2017 from Allen and Unwin

Review: Charisma by Jeanne Ryan - The high price to pay for popularity

Charisma by Jeanne Ryan

Released: 1st December 2016

Published by: Simon and Schuster

Genre: YA Thriller

Source: Publisher

Pages: 372

My Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Goodreads | QBD | Booktopia

An edge-of-your-seat thriller from the bestselling author of, Nerve, the book behind 2016's hottest YA film, starring Emma Roberts, Dave Franco & Juliette Lewis.

A chance at the ultimate makeover means deadly consequences... Aislyn suffers from crippling shyness - that is, until she’s offered a dose of Charisma, an underground gene therapy drug guaranteed to make her shine. The effects are instant. She’s charming, vivacious, and popular. But strangely, so are some other kids she knows.

The media goes into a frenzy when the disease turns contagious, and then deadly, and the doctor who gave it to them disappears. Aislyn must find a way to stop it, before it's too late.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

We live in a society full of different personalities. Some are the life of the party, possessing the ability to strike up a conversation with anyone and exude that general air of confidence in whatever they do. Others however can experience the opposite, and like Aislyn in this book suffer crippling social anxiety. Then of course, there is the whole range of in-between on the introvert/extrovert spectrum; though the question posed in this novel is - who would want to be the 'average' level of sociable when you can be the star? Charisma is a quick read which does go some way in exploring the controversial topic of gene therapy and its implications, as well as the importance of finding other ways to be yourself; and own it. 

Who'd have thought I'd hang out with folks from the Nova Genetics teen group, with at least two of us acting way more extroverted than usual? And way happier. Thank you, Charisma.

Before learning of Charisma and how it could supposedly improve her life, Aislyn is no stranger to the opportunities which gene therapy creates. Her brother Sammy with cystic fibrosis is a regular visitor to Nova Genetics and Dr Sternfield, where it is hoped that he'll be accepted into a new clinical trial for a drug that could be the cure. So, when she learns of a top-secret trial from Sternfield which involves the 'CZ88' drug 'Charisma', she boldly takes the chance. However, with a drug previously untested on humans before the risks are high, and when her friends Rosa, and even party-boy Shane seem to have also taken it and are experiencing side-effects, Aislyn may just be second-guessing herself. 

While I did find some parts of the plot a little too predictable, and the trope of 'trying to get popular to win over the nice cute guy who would never like me otherwise (even if he does already)' somewhat cliche, I could appreciate the fast pace of the story. I also hadn't read any YA novels which had this focus on gene therapy before, and the author's notes at the end did reinforce the possibilities of where more research into that area will take us in reality. In an age where especially in the realm of social media there is a silent competition to see who really does 'have it all' - the most friends, the witty comments, and perfectly worded captions, this book provided a glimpse into the dangers of going too far to reach that level of fame. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

In all, though it wasn't a perfect read for me, Charisma is still worth trying for its glimpse into a controversial topic, and the importance of having a good support network to ultimately feel comfortable in your own skin. 

Review: The Estate (The Industry #2) by Rose Foster - A #LoveOzYA thriller not to be missed

The Estate by Rose Foster
Series: The Industry #2

Released: 22nd July 2016

Genre: YA Thriller

Source: Publisher

Pages: 414

My Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads | Booktopia | Bookworld

Kirra Hayward has many questions. What is the Estate? Will she be safe from Latham there? Will her code cracking skills be used for good or evil? Will she ever make it home? As she reluctantly joins the ranks of criminals, Kirra begins to realise the Estate isn't quite the place of refuge she hoped it would be.

There's a bully to avoid, rumours of a second code cracker on the run, and the feeling that someone at the Estate wants Kirra gone. For good.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

This review may contain spoilers for The Industry

Ever since I heard that Rose Foster's The Industry was sure to have a sequel, I just couldn't wait to read it. With anticipation high, so were my expectations for this novel - and it definitely did not disappoint. In The Estate Kirra Hayward is working within the Industry itself, having completely left her old life behind. As one of the only people who can crack the elusive Spencer coding, she's in a valuable, yet dangerous position. What this book does so well is execute the perfect combination of suspense, character development and action - what more could you ask for?

What I really appreciated about The Estate's storyline is the emphasis Foster places on developing all of her characters; broth primary and secondary. Each member of the Industry is given a unique personality and their own quirks, from the protective Desmond to the distant yet slightly maternal Aurelie who Kirra lives with. Flo, who Kirra is paired with as a 'Retreiver', is especially complex. Kirra's own conflicting emotions over whether she wanted to continue living this other life where secret documents are always circling, assassins are on the loose and people's lives are at risk, were also explored. Everything from the dialogue to the plot twists seemed fitting and flowed well, building greatly upon the foundations set in the first book of the series. 

Aside from the structure and characters, the action scenes are what really set this book apart and provided wow factor. There is an electric dynamic throughout the story, and being set in Vienna added an extra level of interest. It was good to see the camaraderie in Kirra's immediate peers, but also the thrill of characters' true colours being exposed. I really hope there will be a third book because I have to know what happens next!

FINAL THOUGHTS

WOW. This is a thriller that will keep you glued to its pages. Rose Foster has proven herself to be a masterful storyteller with great insight into her characters and how they will react in high-octane situations. With code-cracking, assassins, and plenty of action to spare, The Industry series is one you need to read. 

There's also this twitter giveaway ending 5th Feb for a chance to win both books - signed!

#YA #Giveaway! RT to win a signed copy of The Industry AND The Estate by Rose Foster. One AU winner only. Ends 5 Feb pic.twitter.com/qFLgttPtJO

— The Industry Series (@IndustryBooks) January 20, 2017

My Top 10 Bookish Recommendations for Christmas 2016

Christmas. The time of the year where avid readers make huge lists of what new titles they hope to find under the tree, and everyone else around them questions whether they REALLY need MORE books. Well:

Alongside the flashbacks of hearing 'All I Want for Christmas is You' on repeat, it's also the busiest period the year for us booksellers. I love being able to give recommendations at work to customers looking for that perfect bookish gift for their loved ones, and also seeing how people coming into the store strike up a conversation with each other on what they've read and enjoyed. In this post I'll be sharing some of my personal top picks and favourites. 

1) For the MG reader who loves a good Australian story which will warm your heart:

The Matilda Saga by Jackie French showcases the best of the Australian spirit, from Federation and beyond.

2) For the teen who wants a realistic contemporary about friendship that's perfect for summer:

Tara Eglington's latest release is a well-written, relevant and bitter-sweet story on the evolution of a friendship and young women finding the confidence that was within them all along.

3) For the teen who wants an addictive YA series with a sci-fi edge and intense twists:

Suspense, romance, action, evil organisations and rebelling against your own special DNA. Rachael Craw's SPARK series captivates with every installment, and always leaves you wanting more. 

4) For the teen who wants an emotional read about the bonds between families, and finding your true self:

Hardcastle deserves high praise for this debut which ebbs and flows with the intricacies of healing and coming up for air after being submerged in the depths of grief.

5) For YA feminist who wants a story about girls who won't back down:

Summer Skin pushes the boundaries regarding a portrayal of the subcultures which may be present in university life, and poses a refreshing storyline that is both emotionally charged and powerful.

6) For the adult feminist who wants a powerful story about survival and seeking retribution

The Natural Way of Things was certainly deserving of the Stella Prize this year. Equally harrowing and gripping, this is a book that will stay with you long after you've finished it. 

7) For the YA readers who want a witty and accurate portrayal of the challenges which come with the final year of high school:

The Yearbook Committee by Sarah Ayoub is a brilliant novel where five different teens converge - with rather unexpected results. This is a read which is definitely relevant for the young adults of today. 

8) For the YA sci-fi fan who loves action set in space:

The Diabolic certainly doesn't shy away from the action, and is a gritty YA read which plays on the themes of manipulation and loyalty really well. Illuminae (and now Gemina) are told in such a unique way, also with bucket-loads of action to keep you hooked from start to finish. Finally, the Starbound trilogy offers three memorable novels which intertwine with different focal characters. 

9) For the pop-culture/gaming fan who wants a story filled with adventure:

Whether you're a gamer or not, I haven't come across anyone who hasn't loved this book (It definitely surprised me!). In a future where virtual reality is the norm and can be exploited, this story is one that you won't want to put down. 

10) For the bookish thrill-seekers who want to be on the edge of their seats

I've been reading more in the crime/thriller genre this year than ever before, and have come across some great reads with all the shocking situations and 'WOW' moments you could ask for. The Dry is Jane Harper's debut novel, and an impressive one which expertly depicts the impact of rumour and scandal shaking a rural Australian town. Emma Cline's first book is also a hit - beautifully written and yet haunting, a stark depiction of a loss of innocence. Girls on Fire is perhaps the most brazen of the bunch, venturing into territory you didn't think it would dare go, but it sure burns those boundaries down. Finally, Megan Abbott's works never fail to impress me, and You Will Know Me is no exception. Her prose is always on-point and whip-smart, this time unveiling the brooding malevolence in the world of elite gymnastics. 

Over to you! Have you read any of these books? What categories and novels would you suggest to add?

Mini Reviews: The Dry Husband's Secrets with My Sister Rosa and The Couple Next Door

My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier
Released: 27th January 2016
Published by: Allen and Unwin
Genre: YA Contemporary/Thriller
Source: Publisher
Pages: 448
My Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
RRP: $19.99
Goodreads | QBD | Booktopia

What if the most terrifying person you'd ever met was your ten-year old sister? A spine-chilling psychological thriller from one of Australia's finest YA authors.

 'I promise,' said Rosa. 'I won't kill and I won't make anyone else kill.' I can't see the loophole. Since the guinea pig there's been nothing. Months now without Rosa killing as much as a mosquito. As far as I know.

 Che Taylor has four items on his list: 1. He wants to spar, not just train in the boxing gym. 2. He wants a girlfriend. 3. He wants to go home. 4. He wants to keep Rosa under control. Che's little sister Rosa is smart, talented, pretty, and so good at deception that Che's convinced she must be a psychopath. She hasn't hurt anyone yet, but he's certain it's just a matter of time. And when their parents move them to New York City, Che longs to return to Sydney and his three best friends.

But his first duty is to his sister Rosa, who is playing increasingly complex and disturbing games. Can he protect Rosa from the world - and the world from Rosa? My Sister Rosa will have you on the edge of your seat from the very first page to the last.

Thank you to Allen and Unwin for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

This book just goes to show that nobody is as they seem - even a seemingly harmless and adorable ten year old girl. I have to say, My Sister Rosa is a #LoveOzYA novel that ticks a lot of boxes - it has a diverse set of characters, unique premise and enough twists to keep you guessing. Though I didn't find this novel quite as enthralling as Larbelestier's previous release Razorhurst, it certainly packed a punch in its own way. Rosa is just plain creepy - hiding her extremely manipulative nature under the guise of a cloying sweetness which melts almost everyone's heart, she's definitely a force to be reckoned with which Che can only hope to control before it's too late. With parents who don't want to accept the truth of what she's capable of, it's definitely a tough road. There's more to this story than that though - it's also about a budding romance, new friends who may just bring Che out of his comfort zone, and uncovering the truth behind a twisted mastermind in ways you won't see coming.

FINAL THOUGHTS


Siblings, psychopaths and disturbing revelations - this is a concoction that works in My Sister Rosa.

The Dry by Jane Harper
Released: 31st May 2016
Published by: Pan Macmillan Australia
Genre: Adult Crime
Source: Borrowed
Pages: 352
My Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Goodreads | QBD | Booktopia

Luke Hadler turns a gun on his wife and child, then himself. The farming community of Kiewarra is facing life and death choices daily. If one of their own broke under the strain, well... When Federal Police investigator Aaron Falk returns to Kiewarra for the funerals, he is loath to confront the people who rejected him twenty years earlier. But when his investigative skills are called on, the facts of the Hadler case start to make him doubt this murder-suicide charge. And as Falk probes deeper into the killings, old wounds start bleeding into fresh ones. For Falk and his childhood friend Luke shared a secret... A secret Falk thought long-buried... A secret which Luke's death starts to bring to the surface...

Jane Harpers debut novel 'The Dry' epitomises Australian crime fiction at its finest. Expertly crafted, this book set in a baking rural town reeling from an unthinkable tragedy is both gritty and effortlessly compelling. Featuring a cast of characters who seem so real, you'll become even more enthralled by this novel the further you read, as bursts of nostalgia and dark secrets come to light. This is a story of a town on the precipice of boiling over with rumours, and the many well-known faces embroiled in both current scandal and from years gone by. Glimpses into the past histories of the characters, with their relationships and tribulations, were tantalisingly woven into the fabric of the present - deepening the mystery further.

Anybody can lie.

Everybody has secrets.

No alibi guarantees innocence.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Read this and be hooked - trust me, it's worth the hype.

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
Released: 1st April 2013
Published by: Pan Macmillan
Genre: Adult Mystery
Source: Borrowed
Pages: 406
My Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Goodreads | QBD | Booktopia

At the heart of The Husband’s Secret is a letter that’s not meant to be read My darling Cecilia, if you’re reading this, then I’ve died... Imagine that your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret—something with the potential to destroy not just the life you built together, but the lives of others as well. Imagine, then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive. . . .

Cecilia Fitzpatrick has achieved it all—she’s an incredibly successful businesswoman, a pillar of her small community, and a devoted wife and mother. Her life is as orderly and spotless as her home. But that letter is about to change everything, and not just for her: Rachel and Tess barely know Cecilia—or each other—but they too are about to feel the earth-shattering repercussions of her husband’s secret.

Acclaimed author Liane Moriarty has written a gripping, thought-provoking novel about how well it is really possible to know our spouses—and, ultimately, ourselves.

This is the first novel I've read by renowned Australian author Liane Moriarty, and I can now see why her books have been bestsellers. With a knack for taking the mediocrity of domestic life and injecting it with suspenseful family drama, this book really is a true page-turner. Told through different perspectives and with glimpses into those fateful events of the past, Moriarty has woven a captivating tale exploring the strains of relationships, quests for retribution and ongoing consequences of decisions made long ago. Read this and be drawn in by the quick chapters with mini-cliffhangers that keep your heart racing, shocked by the twists along the way, and satisfied by an ending which you can take a lesson or two away from.

FINAL THOUGHTS

In this story, nobody knows what alternate paths their lives may have taken had other choices been made...but at least for you, deciding to read this book is almost certain to be a chance you won't regret taking.

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
Released: 14th July 2016
Published by: Bantam Press
Genre: Adult Thriller
Source: Borrowed
Pages: 304
My Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Goodreads | QBD | Booktopia

Fast-paced and addictive, THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR announces a major new talent in thriller writing. You never know what's happening on the other side of the wall. Your neighbour told you that she didn't want your six-month-old daughter at the dinner party. Nothing personal, she just couldn't stand her crying.

Your husband said it would be fine. After all, you only live next door. You'll have the baby monitor and you'll take it in turns to go back every half hour. Your daughter was sleeping when you checked on her last. But now, as you race up the stairs in your deathly quiet house, your worst fears are realized. She's gone. You've never had to call the police before. But now they're in your home, and who knows what they'll find there.

What would you be capable of, when pushed past your limit?

This is a thriller which is methodical in approach and quite tightly woven to create a glimpse into a situation where one couple's mistake in leaving their baby daughter unattended changes the course of an entire family. The writing style itself is very 'to the point' without any pomp or flowery prose, which may not be to everyone's liking, however it is undeniable that this is a read which you can get through quickly and with relative ease. How well do you really know the people who raised you, or your partner, or - the couple next door? What secrets could they be hiding? What lengths will someone go to in covering their tracks? These are the questions which this book raises well and will keep you turning the pages in the process. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

I'd definitely recommend this for fans of Mary Kubica and 'Pretty Baby'.

Over to you - What thrillers have you read recently?

Cover Reveal: The Estate (The Industry #2) - A long awaited #LoveOzYA sequel!

Do you ever get that super excited feeling when a book that you LOVED (and ended on a cliffhanger) finally has it's sequel coming out soon?

Well this is what's happened to me - and the fact that it's a #LoveOzYA title makes it even better.

Australian author Rose Foster's first novel The Industry definitely hit all the right notes for me when I first read it back in 2013 - punchy, gritty and with huge twists that keep you hooked from beginning to end, it really did impress. Though it has been a long wait for the sequel due to the author's completely understandable personal circumstances, I have no doubt that The Estate will be sure to impress if it's anything like its fantastic predecessor. So, without further ado, here's the cover!

Releasing as an ebook on 22nd July 2016

In case you haven't read The Industry yet, here's a little more about it...think computer-hacking-teen-techno-thriller-with-all-the-amazingness. (or, to put it more eloquently, here's the blurb):

Kirra Hayward is an ordinary sixteen year old - smarter than most, but otherwise completely anonymous. When she stumbles across an unusual puzzle on the internet and manages to solve it, she has no idea of what she's letting herself in for. 

Kidnapped by a shadowy organisation known only as The Industry, Kirra soon discovers how valuable her code-breaking skills are. And when she stubbornly refuses to help them, they decide to break her ... by any means at their disposal.

 Kirra knows that to protect herself, she must trust no one, not even her fellow prisoner, Milo. But as time goes by she realises he might be the only person she can rely on ... 

What are some of your favourite #LoveOzYA thrillers?

Waiting on Wednesday: You Will Know Me

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where the participants tell their readers about an upcoming release they are waiting to read. This week I've picked You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott.

Katie and Eric Knox have dedicated their lives to their fifteen-year-old daughter Devon, a gymnastics prodigy and Olympic hopeful. But when a violent death rocks their close-knit gymnastics community just weeks before an all-important competition, everything the Knoxes have worked so hard for feels suddenly at risk. As rumors swirl among the other parents, revealing hidden plots and allegiances, Katie tries frantically to hold her family together while also finding herself drawn, irresistibly, to the crime itself, and the dark corners it threatens to illuminate.

From a writer with "exceptional gifts for making nerves jangle and skin crawl," (Janet Maslin) YOU WILL KNOW ME is a breathless rollercoaster of a novel about the desperate limits of desire, jealousy, and ambition.

Megan Abbott's novels that I've read so far - Dare Me, The End of Everything and The Fever have all wowed me with their atmospheric quality and equally captivating and disturbing storylines. I've been looking forward to her next novel for a long time, and certainly am looking forward to this one!

Releasing 26th July 2016

Review: The Devil You Know by Trish Doller

The Devil You Know by Trish Doller
Released: 2nd June 2015
Published by: Bloomsbury
Genre: YA Thriller
Source: Publisher
Pages: 244
My Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Goodreads | Book Depository | Bookworld

Eighteen-year-old Arcadia wants adventure. Living in a tiny Florida town with her dad and four-year-old brother, Cadie spends most of her time working, going to school, and taking care of her family. So when she meets two handsome cousins at a campfire party, she finally has a chance for fun. They invite her and friend to join them on a road trip, and it's just the risk she's been craving-the opportunity to escape.

But what starts out as a fun, sexy journey quickly becomes dangerous when she discovers that one of them is not at all who he claims to be. One of them has deadly intentions. A road trip fling turns terrifying in this contemporary story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

The Devil You Know is a short thriller which hits the mark in some places, though didn't fully deliver for me in others. There's no doubting the chilling undertones of Arcadia's reckless escapades with two guys she hardly knows, but the weirdly paired romance and somewhat predictable plot took away from the wow factor I craved. I did enjoy this book, but was looking for the quality which makes it something that will stay on my mind, instead of being, unfortunately 'meh'. 

BUT it's not all bad! Arcadia was at least in the beginning, a character I could connect with. She's struggling to be a 'normal' teenager when given the responsibility of keeping the family togetehr after her mother's death. But once she goes to that fateful party and starts rebelling full throttle, any notion of thinking rationally basically goes out the window. I mean, you get involved with a guy who you know isn't all that stable, and then you meet his cousin who, you know - seems more normal but still can't really trust. 

Yet, you take a few days off just to hang out with them? And hardly update the family on what's going on? 

BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY SAFE RIGHT?

Hmmmm.

Then again, without her stupidity, there would be no story. So...moving on!

What I did like about this book is that it's fast paced and the characterisation of Noah and Matt was quite good, citing all the underlying tensions and old wounds. There were definitely some shocking moments which left me going 'OMG', but I didn't get the same impact as if the other secondary characters were developed further and in more pages. There is just that little extra something missing here to turn it from 'good' to 'mindblowingly great'. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Teenage debauchery and imminent danger converge in this thriller which despite its flaws, still managed to keep me hooked. My high hopes are intact for Trish Doller's books, and I am looking forward to reading Where The Stars Still Shine. 

Review: The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes

The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes
Released: 22nd June 2015
Published by: HarperCollins Publishers Australia
Genre: YA Contemporary/Mystery
Source: Publisher
Pages: 288
My Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Goodreads | Bookworld | Book Depository

The Kevinian cult has taken everything from seventeen-year-old Minnow: twelve years of her life, her family, and her ability to trust. And when Minnow rebelled, they took away her hands, too.

Now the Kevinian Prophet has been murdered and the camp set aflame and it's clear Minnow knows something. But she's not talking. As she adjusts to a life behind bars in juvenile detention, Minnow struggles to make sense of all she has been taught to believe, particularly as she dwells on the events that led up to her incarceration. But when an FBI detective approaches her about making a deal, Minnow sees she can have the freedom she always dreamed of; if she is willing to part with the terrible secrets of her past.

Powerful and compelling. this remarkable and brave debut novel reveals the terrible dangers of blind faith. And the importance of having faith in yourself.

Thank you to HarperCollins Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly has the hallmarks of The Maiden Without Hands written by the Grimm Brothers, but stands firm on its own as a harrowing original novel which will stay on your mind long after the last page. All the hype for this book did leave me with some high expectations, but I can definitely say that they were exceeded above and beyond. This is a story of one girl grappling with the painful aftermath of disillusionment with the only twisted world she had ever known - and now trying to move on in the real one. This is a novel that is memorable in a way that no other book has been for me this year because it is so unique, left me agape, and was fearless in its raw storytelling. 

I want to ask, Can you get the death penalty for killing because you're told to? How does the legal system prosecute someone under the influence of faith, someone who kills because God wants a little death sometimes?

This cult mentality and concept of blind faith is definitely a fascinating one to explore in fiction. The last book I read covering those ideas was The Passion Flower Massacre by Nicola Morgan which I found enthralling, but this book had that extra emotional depth which drew me in from the hard-hitting first pages. The story doesn't shy away from brutalities and paints a disturbing picture of what life is like when a society is run by a person who is irrational and corrupt. However, the novel holds more complexities than what may first appear. The use of flashbacks to highlight the stark difference between Minnow's time in the cult and her present situation in a girls' prison was a wise choice so that information was revealed in time, leaving you wanting to keep reading for chapters on end.You know a book is good when you say 'I'll just read one more chapter' and instead keep going until it's almost finished and you can't keep your eyes open any more.

There was always the unspoken certainty that we'd have forever. There would be time for all the things we wanted to do in our lives. That time could run out, that limbs could disappear from bodies, was as unfathomable as death. 

The prose in itself is a masterpiece - striking the perfect balance between necessary pragmatism and a subtle creative flair to produce a story that I couldn't put down. The twists which came in bursts along the way just kept the wow factor throughout. The character relationships are similarly well crafted, from the dynamics of Minnow's family to the ins and outs of prison life. Exploring the avenue of 'a disturbed protagonist without hands in a jail setting' is definitely something I haven't ever come across before, so this book was intriguing on both counts. Amidst trust issues and inner turmoil over her own drastic actions, Minnow herself was a character who had so many layers, and underwent her own catharsis to come to terms with the past, and look forward to a different future.

We stepped headlong into a new place where we knew there was something other than good daughters and sons inside us. Because for the first time, somebody bothered to tell me why they were in pain. Everybody around me was in pain, I realize now, but none of them ever poured it out of themselves into another person.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It's official: I love this chilling, shocking and undeniably mesmerising book. When it comes to 2015 releases that you HAVE TO READ - this is definitely one of them. Stephanie Oakes is an author whose other works I'll definitely be looking out for in the future, because this is a book which I can't praise highly enough.

Waiting on Wednesday: Risk

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where the participants tell their readers about an upcoming release they are waiting to read. This week I've picked Risk by Fleur Ferris.

Taylor and Sierra have been best friends for their whole lives. But Taylor’s fed up. Why does Sierra always get what – and who – she wants?

From kissing Taylor’s crush to stealing the guy they both met online for herself, Sierra doesn’t seem to notice when she hurts her friends. So when Sierra says Jacob Jones is the one and asks her friends to cover for her while she goes to meet him for the first time, Taylor rolls her eyes. 

But Sierra doesn’t come back when she said she would. One day. Two days. Three . . . What if Taylor’s worrying for nothing? What if Sierra’s just being Sierra, forgetting about everyone else to spend time with her new guy? 


When Taylor finally tells Sierra’s mum that her daughter is missing, Taylor and her friends are thrown into a dark world they never even knew existed. Can Taylor find Sierra’s abductor in time? Or should she be looking for a killer?

I've already read an extract from this book - and I can tell you that this is one of my most anticipated Aussie YA releases of the year!

Releasing 1st July 2015

Review: Night Film by Marisha Pessl

Night Film by Marisha Pessl
Released: 20th August 2013
Published by: Random House
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Source: Library
Pages: 602
My Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Goodreads | Bookworld | Book Depository

Everybody has a Cordova story. Cult horror director Stanislas Cordova hasn't been seen in public since 1977. To his fans he is an engima. To journalist Scott McGrath he is the enemy. To Ashley he was a father. On a damp October night the body of young, beautiful Ashley Cordova is found in an abandoned warehouse in lower Manhattan. Her suicide appears to be the latest tragedy to hit a severely cursed dynasty. For McGrath, another death connected to the legendary director seems more than a coincidence. Driven by revenge, curiosity and a need for the truth, he finds himself pulled into a hypnotic, disorientating world, where almost everyone seems afraid. The last time McGrath got close to exposing Cordova, he lost his marriage and his career. This time he could lose his grip on reality.

ONCE WE FACE OUR DEEPEST FEARS, WHAT LIES ON THE OTHER SIDE?

The space around Cordova distorts...the speed of light slackens, information gets scrambled, rational minds grow illogical, hysterical. 

Night Film is a novel which inexplicably draws you in to a thrilling mystery riddled with the unknown, following a path that is as uncertain as the activities of the enigmatic Cordova himself. The story follows Scott McGrath, a reporter once again enthralled by this urban legend in his quest to find out what really happened to Ashley, and his two new younger comrades Nora and Hopper who each have their own secrets to hide. What makes this book a memorable one, is not just its hefty size - it's the unputdownable quality that draws you further and further towards the dark epicentre of Cordova's mysterious paradox. I ended up questioning what was real and what wasn't just as much as the characters did, and that is one sign of some masterful storytelling indeed.

The suspected but unseen threat, fueled by the imagination, was punishing and all-powerful. It'd devastate before you even left your room, your bed, before you even opened your eyes and took a breath. 

This book is so wonderfully crafted - especially with all the different textual forms interwoven throughout. It makes the whole situation seem so much more eerie when it appears to be so plausible. News articles, creepy websites and even reports from a mental institution all bring an aura of logic to this otherwise irrational epoch. Although yes, there are some parts which flow a little slower than others when it comes to Scott's personal life and the backgrounds of Hopper and Nora, there is an undeniable sense of urgency and palpable tension as the darker side of Ashley's life was revealed. Amidst the puzzle of her death is a glimpse at the supernatural. The whole book is like a storm brewing, where at first the clouds roll in before a fog falls over the whole investigation, until the climax where the wind, rain and lightning bring some epiphany, though only to leave more destruction in its wake.

The mysterious threshold between reality and make-believe...Because every one of us has out box, a dark chamber stowing the thing that lanced out heart. It contains what you do everything for, strive for, wound everything around you. And if it were opened, would anything be set free? No. For the impenetrable prison with the impossible lock is your own head. 

This is a book where you really don't know what is going to happen next, or what you'll read yourself into. Even the most mundane of events end up holding some significance, and comes a point where the line between reality and the surreal is blurred. Each page brings its own set of questions, perhaps even a red herring here and there. Each person that Scott interviews who was involved with Cordova and Ashley's death gives information, but what can one really believe? Where is the truth? My one tiny flaw with this book was the ending. Yes, it is only fitting that its nature would coincide with the very style of the book, but you can't help but feel frustrated that after coming so far and the end is so near, it appears just out of reach. However, make of it what you will - I think there may be a few theories brewing there if you ask other people who have read this book.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Night Film is definitely one of the best and most unique thrillers I've read this year. I am so glad that I picked it up and got to experience a novel that is so engrossing, so murky and yet with some striking moments of clarity. 

ARC Review: Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver

Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver
Released: 10th March 2015
Published by: Hodder and Stoughton
Genre: YA Psychological Thriller
Source: Publisher
Pages: 324
My Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Goodreads | Bookworld | Book Depository

New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver delivers a gripping story about two sisters inexorably altered by a terrible accident.

Dara and Nick used to be inseparable, but that was before the accident that left Dara's beautiful face scarred and the two sisters totally estranged. When Dara vanishes on her birthday, Nick thinks Dara is just playing around. But another girl, nine-year-old Madeline Snow, has vanished, too, and Nick becomes increasingly convinced that the two disappearances are linked. Now Nick has to find her sister, before it's too late.

In this edgy and compelling novel, Lauren Oliver creates a world of intrigue, loss, and suspicion as two sisters search to find themselves, and each other.

I won an ARC of this book from Hachette Australia

Vanishing Girls is a poignant, and at times disconcerting psychological thriller which explores the intricacies of a sisterly dynamic alongside a mystery which is just as enthralling. This is truly an addictive read, and Lauren Oliver has won me over with her debonair writing style combined with a storyline which is both intelligent and thought-provoking. 

Even though it was often the three of us, he was my best friend, my giggle-till-you-snarf-soda, my antidote-to-boredom, my talk-about-nothing person. And for once Dara was mine too. For once, I was the apex of the triangle, the high point that kept the whole structure together.
Until once again Dara had to be on top.

There almost seems to be two separate plot points going on in this novel - Dara and Nick's complex power-struggle, and the disappearance of Madeleine Snow. However, once you read on and these events converge there is so much more depth and intrigue which I found (and if you wanted to get psychoanalytical I'm sure there are some Freudian influences too). From the very beginning, I was drawn into the minds of these two sisters - who did seem so loving, so caring and so bonded together in a way that only close siblings can be. Yet, as their differences came forward and their relationship more constrained and toxic - it was fascinating to read about how this fit in to the scope of their family life and with their mutual friend Parker. There's always something undeniably alluring about a book with characters that are less than perfect, and Vanishing Girls is no exception.

Sometimes people stop loving you. And that's the kind of darkness that never gets fixed, no matter how many moons rise again, filling the sky with a weak approximation of light.

What lifted this novel to another level was the incorporation of different mediums to create the sense of brewing danger for both girls and the urgency to 'find' them. From emails, Dara's diary entries and pieces from the 'Shoreline Blotter' delivering news in a no-nonsense format with some creepy comments, the tension was taut and palpable at every moment. These intense sections were in part broken up by Nick's taste of normalcy at her new FunLand job, but overall the tone was quote somber.

I run, breath high in my throat, heart hammering against my ribs. I hear my name, shouted again and again, until it becomes meaningless: just the wind, or the sound of the ocean, beating invisibly, ceaselessly, somewhere far off in the distance.

Another interesting aspect of the story was the split in time periods 'before' and 'after' the car accident which changed the lives of Nick and Dara irrevocably. There are just so many elements to the book itself, making it multifaceted and almost like a sinister present which you need to carefully unwrap. The familial dynamic was also in there with its own set of issues, a psychologist had their say, and my head was spinning in some ways as I was disoriented at times with all that was going on. Despite this, after giving it some thought I found this technique to be a smart one as it really ensured that I DID NOT SEE THAT TWIST COMING, BUT WOW. Although in hindsight it should have been obvious, it was well executed and there was a logical explanation which was good. 

Don't ask me how I know. I just do. If you don't understand that, I guess you've never had a sister.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Vanishing Girls delivers exactly what it promises - a beguiling mystery which will pull you in with the more you read. I can't wait to see what Lauren Oliver releases next because this book has some wow-factor which we're all looking for in a fantastic thriller.