Relativity by Antonia Hayes [REVIEW/BLOG TOUR]

[Note: I was kindly sent a review copy of this book by Corsair Publishing in return for an honest review as part of the blog tour. Thank you!!]

Hello everyone and welcome back to the Book Kitten - It's been a while hasn't it? Hold onto your hats readers, as I have an absolutely great book to review to bring this blog back with a bang!

'Relativity' by Antonia Hayes was originally published in 2015 and primarily focuses on a relationship between a 12 year old boy named Ethan and his mother - a single parent named Claire. The blurb describes Ethan as 'an exceptionally gifted young boy; obsessed with physics and astronomy.' I was completely mesmerised by Ethan's character as whilst the viewpoint splits between that of him, Claire and his estranged father Mark, the way in which Ethan sees the world is completely beautiful. As a reader, you begin to see throughout the course of the book that Ethan's story is much deeper than that of a love of physics and being the child in school that is picked on for being different - there are many questions he has that he is too scared to broach - Why does he just live with his Mum? Where is his Dad and why has he never seen him? Why does he see the world so differently? 

More questions begin to fill Ethan's mind as the novel progresses which develop his character and is portrayed beautifully by Hayes. Ethan's story tugged on my heartstrings as he uses his love and understanding of physics and space to help him process the secrets he discovers about his past and how to move forward in his present. As well as this, the characters of Claire and Mark are so strong in themselves as well - 'Relativity' may not be a thriller in genre but it gives the effect of one. I was sat on the edge of my seat for most of the read; desperate to know what happened next, caring for the characters on a level that made me feel as if I knew them personally and making me well up with tears on a few occasions - with both happiness and sadness. 

'Relativity' more than anything touches on the bonds that we make with our family, particularly that of a parent with their child. The intensity of the feelings towards Ethan from his mother Claire show the extent of a mother's love and how parents will do anything to protect their children. 'Relativity' was a truly fascinating read and I'd recommend it to anyone who has a love of books with strong, well developed characters and a unique storyline that will keep you thinking for days after reading the past page.

5 Stars

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige [Book Review]

So on my annual birthday trip to Waterstones (yep, I've aged once again!) I finally picked up a copy of Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige. I've wanted it for ages, it was a floppy paperback and it was in the 'Buy One Get One Half' price deal so I wasn't NOT going to pick it up! The concept of this novel has always intrigued me; it's about the series of events following on from where Frank L. Baum's 'The Wizard of Oz' left us, but instead of Oz living in a tranquil state where Dorothy goes back to Kansas, Dorothy is back and she's evil.

Amy Baum, an unsuspecting 16 year old who lives in a trailer with a very problematic mother and a pet rat is transported to Oz and is basically told that Dorothy MUST Die, no matter the cost. So not only has Amy left her old life to Oz of all places, she has now been assigned with the task of killing Dorothy by all Wicked characters who are left in Oz - who see it in their best interest to get Dorothy and her murderous ways off the throne. It doesn't help that Dorothy has manipulated her loyal companions, The Tin Woodman, The Scarecrow, The Lion and even Glinda the Good Witch to do her evil bidding, using the gifts the Wizard blessed them with to do unspeakable horrors to the inhabitants of Oz.

I thought this was a very fast paced read, it was a bit slow in certain places which is why it didn't get the full 5 stars from me, but other than that I thought this was a superb take on a very well known world and I'm quite excited to read the sequel - especially due to the fact it ended on a very satisfying cliffhanger!!

4 Stars!

My Everything - Katie Marsh [Q&A]

Katie Marsh's debut novel My Everything was released yesterday (27th August 2015) and I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reader's copy from Hodder Books! The book focuses around a married couple, who are having difficulties. Just when Hannah has had enough, Tom suffers a life-changing stroke and his world is turned upside down. I devoured the book, eager to see what was around the corner, and once I was done, I asked Katie some questions...so here you go!

1.    The character of Tom Ellison suffers a stroke - why did you choose to focus on this type of condition in particular?

I thought of the idea while working with stroke survivors in south London in 2010. I was very familiar with the symptoms of stroke and of its potential impact on both the stroke survivor themselves and on their families. I was also preparing to get married and the two things fused in my mind and became the premise for ‘My Everything’.

  2. Tom and Hannah are very relatable in the case of workaholic vs ambitious traveller - what would you say was the most difficult thing to write about in terms of their conflicts with each other?

I found it very challenging to really give the reader a balanced picture of their relationship and how it had evolved and fallen apart. Initially I didn’t have any scenes seen purely from Tom’s perspective and so every conflict was interpreted from Hannah’s point of view, meaning the reader was inevitably on her side. I wanted to make the reader care about both characters and I worked really hard to make that happen. The published version of ‘My Everything’ was the eighth draft of the book, and it took that many drafts for a reason!

3. The character of Julie is extremely deep, how did you end up giving her such a powerful story?

I really love Julie. I think she’s had an incredibly tough time and that she has been - to a certain extent - failed by those around her and not been given credit for the good things she has done. Therefore I wanted to give her a storyline that forced her to get her act together and make the most of the (many) talents she has. I am excited about Julie’s future and frequently find myself wondering what she’ll get up to next.

4. What do you hope for readers to obtain from My Everything?

Obviously - like any novelist - I hope people care about the characters and keep turning the pages to find out what happens to them. But I also hope readers have a greater awareness of stroke and its impact on families and individuals and - crucially - that they see that there can be hope after stroke and that people can reshape their lives and redefine themselves afterwards. I hope the book leaves people uplifted and hopeful about what their own lives and relationships might have in store.

5. And finally, who would you say was the strongest character in My Everything and why?

I find that impossible to answer as in my mind Tom and Hannah are equally strong. Maybe that’s a question I need to leave readers to decide…?

Thanks so much for your time Katie, and to Hodder Books for sending me this fab book!

Kit by Marina Fiorato [Book Review]

[I was very kindly sent this book by Hodder & Stoughton in return for an honest review, thank you!]

Historial fiction is not a genre that I read often. I usually mix my history with the element of fantasy so that the everyday world can become extraordinary. So when I was offered Marina Fiorato's newest novel, Kit, for review, I was slightly unsure. What was historical fiction exactly? Was it like a non-fiction book at the Library with a hint of elaboration? The premise seemed interesting enough - a young woman, Kit Kavanagh - joins the army and pretends to be a man, all so she can find her husband Richard, who was whisked away to enlist at a moment's notice.

So I started it. Kit's feelings as Richard was ripped away from her, and the general shock that all women must have felt during times of war was really powerful. Fiorato wrote the emotions of all the characters especially well, even those of the hard to understand so called 'evil' characters. A motive and a meaning lay behind every character, it was almost as if watching a playthrough of several life stories, though through the eyes of a distraught wife.

Kit is an outstanding protagonist. Throughout the novel, she grows in strength, wisdom and courage, and what you believe to be a simple love story becomes a tale of incredible character growth, sacrifice and more importantly, a tale of a journey.

Kit's journey is incredible, and with elements of real history wound into it, Fiorato has created a story that is not only compelling but also is a prime source of raw emotion, engaging plot twists and a fierce heroine. I can't wait to read more of Fiorato's work.

5 Stars!

Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott [Book Review]

So many many months ago, I received a finished copy of Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott from Chicken House Publishing. I'm so sorry to the people at Chicken House that I didn't read it sooner, but thank you so much for sending it to me, I really appreciated it!!

Anywho, Salt & Stone is the sequel to Fire & Flood which follows 16 year old Tella as she participates in a gruelling tournament called the Brimstone Bleed. What is that you ask? 4 zones, many competitors and only one winner. The prize? A cure for any illness for one person only.

Not only that, but each competitor gets a beast to help them. Each has a different ability and they are called Pandoras. Tella's is a little fox called Madox. He is adorable!!! Honestly, read Fire and Flood and you'll see what I mean. Squee!

You know how in quite a few series, the first book is incredible and then the second isn't as good? This isn't the case here. Salt & Stone is amazing, even better than Fire & Flood. The PERFECT sequel to a PERFECT series beginner. 

This series will test your emotions, it will make your heart race and your blood freeze. It takes it's toll on you in ways you didn't believe a book could, and by the end of it, you feel like you're part of the Brimstone Bleed itself.

Do me a favour folks, read this series!

Jakob's Colours by Lindsay Hawdon [Review]

[I was very kindly sent this book by Hodder & Stoughton in return for an honest review, thank you!]

Jakob's Colours focuses around an event during WW2 that no one ever really mentions - the Romany Holocaust. I was intrigued by this title as I have read many books about Hitler, be it with characters from within the Nazis or those opposing them. But there are hardly any stories written about the amount of Romany Gypsies killed or sent to concentration camps during this time.

What makes this book so heartwrenching is that Jakob is a child. He is a gypsy and he is alone. There are consistent flashbacks to how his parents met, how their destinies entwined so deeply and passionately that they chose love over luxury, and this in itself makes this novel have two plotlines...the story of Jakob's parents, and Jakob's story himself as he is saved by strangers. Saved by strangers whose lives are in danger but see a young boy and automatically help.

I was pulled in so many different directions by this book, I was either smiling at the love between the characters or feeling destroyed because of the tragedies in their lives. I felt my heart in my mouth when the Nazis were approaching and I pretty much let out a victory cry whenever success neared.

This book not only gave me an impression of a near untold era of history, it also made me understand just how important selflessness and care can be. Whilst the enemy may appear to be the strongest entity, the true strength and beauty is in that of the altruism between complete strangers.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman [Review]

I was very kindly sent this book by Hodder & Stoughton through BookBridgr in return for an honest review. 

This book focuses around a man called Ove, who is the definition of a grumpy old man. He doesn't like other people, he doesn't like loud noises, he doesn't like...well...anything. He lives alone and plans to stay that way, with only one overriding factor - Ove wants to die.

Ove believes he should leave Earth when he damn well wants to, as that's how he lives the rest of his life. He has his routines, his beliefs and his day to day grievances with the neighbours, but little does he know that this will change his life forever when a new family moves into town.

Through a series of unusual events, Ove finds himself, despite his constant protests, in the presence of some new friends, some miraculous situations and maybe, just maybe, Ove will start to find that new beginnings can happen later in life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was perfectly comedic in that you understood Ove's anger at the world perfectly but throughout the story, the reasons that you thought Ove's anger stemmed from, are torn up right infront of your eyes, so much so that you find tears of sadness and shock replacing those of laughter.

A stunning novel, I would recommend it to anyone who has met someone like Ove, because it's guaranteed that we all have. Ove is the perfect example of 'don't judge a book by it's cover'