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

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.

[Big] Little Lies by Liane Moriarty [Book Review]

So, those of you who know me (if you don't, HI!) are probably aware of the hold that The Husband's Secret had on me. It was one of my favourite books of 2013 and it's safe to say I was a tad impatient for Liane Moriarty's next release Little Lies or as it's known in the USA and Australia,  Big Little Lies. Why the difference? Not a clue! So yes, I was wandering around, slightly grumpy and without the pretty cover (did I mention I saw this on the way to Florida and my Dad noticed and made me walk away? Le cry.)

But finally, great things happened and I got my copy! And boy, did I lug that thing everywhere! As much as I like hardbacks, they are a struggle to fit into my handbag alongside all the rubbish that I pack in there, so I am usually crammed into the 7am train to work with the book practically touching my nose and my handbag on my lap as commuters glance around me on their Kindles, (I am too stubborn to convert. And books smell good. Fact.)

Anyway, enough about my strange morning habits, onto the story!

This story focuses around the topic of lies, but more so around a group of parents whose children are starting their first day at kindergarden. From what I can tell seeing as the children all seem to be around the age of five, for the UK, that is about Reception year. Now as some of you know, parents can be very...lets say...interesting when it comes to their children. A variety of those different personalities crop up, personalities which we have all seen on the playground, be it if you were a parent yourself, a sibling, or the little darling child waiting to be picked up, you've seen them. 

We have Madeline, the type of mother who hides her insecurities by buying the latest stilettos despite her money issues, all whilst being quite whimsical in her way alongside her partner in crime Celeste, who has a super rich husband and is so naturally beautiful she would make any woman weep. Oh, and did I mention that they're gossips?

Next up, we have Renata, the working mother who reckons she runs the school, the parental committee and probably everyones bladder functions. Seriously, she's that bad. And to make matters worse, she has a loyal lapdog in the form of Harper. You know, when you were in high school and you saw the irritatingly smart popular girls backed up by little minions who echoed what they said like parrots? Yeah. That.

There's Bonnie, the new wife of Madeline's ex husband whose determined to show Madeline's 14 year old daughter Abigail a new natural, calm and namaste way of living...

And last but by no means least, there's Jane. The character who changes everything. Why, if she hadn't come to Piriwee would any of this have happened? Oh, and did I mention she sticks out like a sore thumb? She's not a gossip, a hippy or a control freak. Nope, she's just...

Yeah. Not as classy.

Moriarty begins Little Lies through the eyes of an elderly lady who lives by the school. All poor Mrs Ponder is doing is talking to her cat as if she were a person, and happens to pace over to her window to hear quite a ruckus. As the reader, we are keen to continue, what the heck is happening, you ask?

Well folks, as they say in good ol' Midsomer (points if you get that reference) THERES BEEN A MURDAH!

Cool it, no supernatural stuff here. (though that skeleton is creepy eh?) Just a murder. That happened at a trivia night. Where all the parents were. Holy crap. So the book continues from what innocent old Mrs Ponder saw into a classic who-dun-it story with so many other storylines that your brain starts to wander off from the main one, in the classic Moriarty style, making the ending even more gripping and so very satisfying. I've found Liane Moriarty to be, like Linwood Barclay, an author who I can never guess the ending of her books. And I love that in an author. Of course, as a writer myself and an avid reader, I expect myself to know endings to books, and to be surprised so often is refreshing and exciting. Just like with The Husband's Secret, I had to take a few minutes after reading one of the penultimate chapters (Moriarty always reveals the twist a few chapters before the end, and gives us the last few to deal with it, wonderful!) and then still had a complete fangirl meltdown.

Congrats Liane Moriarty you did it again!

Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars...duh.

The One by Kiera Cass [Book Review]

 Finally, the review I've been longing to write! The Selection series by Kiera Cass has been one that I've been desperate to review but felt that I could only really review it once it had come to a close. Now of course, I'm not going to give any spoilers, as the whole process of reading this third and final book just to see who America chose is just a mix of so many emotions that I thought all my feels were going to give out. Yes, I just used the term 'feels'. Am I too old for that? Answers on a postcard. Also, does anyone notice that America seems to have everyone and their nan pining after her? Honestly, severe feeding frenzy!

Jokes aside though (for now), this series has been my guilty pleasure from day one. The castes, whilst compared to The Hunger Games, I actually like more than T.H.G and provide an interesting look into how society could be if given a different sort of push and power behind it. Cass creates a dystopian world that has just the right element of realism in it, which engrains itself into your brain whilst you focus on the romantic stuff, creating a powerful story world right under your nose.

But I know what you're all thinking, who did she choose? Really? Not telling! What am I, a spoiler mill?

So during this book we see America supposedly prepping for Princess-dom, going to numerous balls and generally chilling with the other potential princesses. Including Celeste. Oh, Celeste.

 I think that significantly conveys what I have thought of Celeste for the past two books, how my blood has boiled when I've had to witness her. But readers, have no fear! The One spins so many views on so many characters on their heads (not literally, we're not street dancing) in ways that make you question the book altogether, and sometimes makes you think whether any decision that is made is going to be reversed and the book ended with 'it was all a dream'

But no, the prose remains enthralling as usual with so many fangirl moments that I found myself sobbing from both sadness and happiness, probably with a bit of crazy in. It's an impossible decision really, in The Selection, I was Team Maxon. In The Elite, I was Team Aspen. And with this? Utterly bloody clueless! The tension between the three of them during this trilogy has honestly been one of the best love triangles that I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

To sum it up, The Selection series, and in particular The One are fantastic young adult dystopians with a focus on romance that isn't overused or boring. The series is one that you read and initially wonder whether a story about princesses or princes can be anything other than just a normal fairytale. But no, no, no it is so much more. It's a fairytale with new life breathed into it, with a hint of horror and about a pot full of romance with a hell of a lot drama. Yes, that's how I'd sum up this series in one word!

I can't wait to read what Kiera Cass comes up with next!

Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars

Beauty by Louise Mensch [Book Review]

I was kindly sent this to review by Headline Publishing on Bookbridgr. Beauty looked like an intriguing take on Chick Lit for me, having only really lived in a secluded Sophie Kinsella shaped bubble when it came to that genre (no matter how awesome Miss Kinsella is!). But I think after reading Beauty, Louise Mensch (formerly Louise Bagshawe) has definitely entered my list of 'Chick Lit Authors Whose Books I Will Buy!' (Note to self: I need better list names.) So why did I like Beauty so much? Well, let me tell you. Are you sitting comfortably? (Am I being condescending and sarcastic? It's late, but I'm channelling Dina Kane, I'm sorry.) Let's begin!

So, Dina Kane. Where do we start with Dina Kane? Well, she's a very beautiful lady. I know what you're thinking, not another book about pretty women?! Wait, wait, wait...before you start ranting...

...You just had to share your views on gardening tools didn't you? Really.

Anyway, this isn't just another book about a pretty woman. It is, but with a twist! And we all love twists don't we? Mmm?

I knew I had your attention.

Anyway, Dina Kane is a very beautiful woman who decides to use her beauty to help her get anywhere she wants in life. And no, this isn't a cheap book about a woman who suddenly becomes beautiful and gets love and kinky sex deals (cough cough Anastasia Steele) but it's about a woman who uses the way others treat her in regards to her looks to progress in life.

Mensch's writing style is extremely interesting as whilst Dina has that sarcastic attitude that could make you want to slap her if you met her on the street, she also has a very redeeming quality. She's clever as anything. And who doesn't love clever women? Especially clever women who use a feature they were born with to progress. It's intriguing and mysterious, and more than anything, it's damn hilarious.

For about the first half of this book, you think you're just having an easy ride, rolling through Chick Lit Land like it's a weekend trip. However, once you get to that halfway point, there's no going back. All those little bits you laughed at? They counted. And all those guys fawning over Dina? Oooooh, it meant something all right!

Suddenly, Beauty becomes about more than just beauty, it's about drama, and fear and a fight to survive and come out on top. It makes your heart race, it makes you want to yell your opinion at whoever may listen, and more importantly, it makes you realise that Dina Kane isn't just a pretty face, she's a badass. 

So readers, put away any opinions you may have of books about 'perfect' women and give this a read. You won't be disappointed.

That means you Bree, honestly!!

Goodreads Rating: 4 Stars

Without You by Saskia Sarginson [Book Review]

So in one of my more spontaneous book buying binges (Waterstones Southport is beautiful, don't judge me!) I found this little beauty! Now, I was with my sister at the time, who spotted this book and squealed as she doesn't usually see her name like anywhere (you guessed it, she's called Saskia, 10 points to Gryffindor!) so I picked it up and read the blurb. Within seconds Without You was on the top of the shaking book pile that my little arms were holding up.

Usually when I get new books, it takes me ages to read them. However, this was read within a week.

The premise of Without You is about a 17 year old girl named Eva who goes missing at sea, resulting in the community she lived in - including her family - believing she's gone for good. But no? No, you say? What do you mean?!

Well...dear reader, prepare to get your world rocked...'Eva is being held captive. She is fighting to survive - and return home.'

Not only that, but her younger sister, Faith (brilliant name for her character) is determined to bring Eva home alive. Yeah, this book just got interesting.

Without You is a fascinating blend of raw emotion combined with childhood innocence and the shocking way that a small event can change the lives of so many in such a short space of time. I found my heart beating through my chest at times, whereas at others I felt simple revulsion at some of the characters. Sarginson's writing style is superb, she perfectly captures the feelings of Eva, Faith and the other characters who come into play, all whilst persistently luring the audience in, with sharp fast chapters and nail biting cliffhangers.

Then, of course I only had to face the questions of those who tried to disturb me whilst reading this.

'Hey Tasha, want to do this?'

'Hey Tasha, how're you?'

'Hey...erm....Tasha?'

And I was fine...well, until I reached the ending. Holy shamoly. 

Saskia Sarginson, well done! This book was a breath of fresh air into the 'missing person' sub genre of crime and I can't wait to read your other book The Twins!

Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars