Ely's Recommendations #1

So a few months back, I made a post recommending books to a friend of mine and I really enjoyed that. So I thought I'd start a new little series in which I recommend about some of my favourite books. In each part, I'm going to name five books/series and then talk about them a bit. This is mostly YA, but I'll include other genres now and again.

1. The Wounded Guardian by Duncan Lay | Goodreads
I have yet to write a proper review of this book, but there was no way I could not put it on this list so a review will probably be up next week. To put it simply, I adored this book. I don't usually read epic fantasy novels, but this one just completely blew my mind. I think part of the reason I love this book so much was that I was lucky enough to meet Duncan Lay last month. I can't even describe how amazing he was at pitching his books to my friend and I. I'll talk about my thoughts more in my actual review. But, if you only pick up one book from this list, make it this one.

2. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner  | Goodreads
This one has a bit more hype surrounding it than most of the books on this list but I just couldn't not talk about it. I haven't written a proper review for this one either (yet), but I'm actually planning on re-reading it next month- the fact that I only read it in January should speak volumes as to my feelings towards this book. I honestly stayed up until 2am reading this and then was unable to sleep the rest of the night because I was shaking from this book.  I really can't even describe how much I love this book or how many feels I felt. You just have to read it to understand it.

3. Kill the Music by Nansi Kunze | Goodreads
Do you think I've talked about this book enough? Nope, nope, nope. I don't think there are enough words in the whole world to describe my love for this book and for Nansi. This book is so much fun to read, there's a bit of mystery, bit of music and a whole lot of drama and romance. Plus, Marius is totally the love of my life. But even more than that, Nansi is honestly the most wonderful person ever. I've been lucky enough to meet her twice (totally by accident both times), and I can't even put into words how amazing she is. My new goal in life is to get everyone to read all three of Nansi's books. Also, you can see my review here.

4. The Wrong Boy by Suzy Zail | Goodreads
I found out about this book through a book club I was attending at my school in which we read through books that were nominated for awards. As soon as I found out that this book was about the Holocaust, I borrowed it and that was where my love began. Anyone who's been following this blog for a while is likely to know that I adore anything WWII related, this was absolutely no exception. I think my favourite thing about this one, is that it's different- it's set in Auschwitz, but the main character is provided with a unique opportunity, to play piano for the commander. Needless to say, there were many tears throughout this book.

5. Destiny Road by Melissa Wray | Goodreads
This book was actually sent to us for review by Melissa, but I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to include it here. Destiny Road is very different to the other books on this list, it's a contemporary but rather than centering on romance, it focuses on family. I really love stories that are about families and friends as much as I like books about romance. The issues in this book are all based off Melissa's own experiences, which makes it even more realistic and enjoyable. Plus, it's set in Australia and what kind of Aussie doesn't like a book set here? You can see my review here.


So that was my first recommendations post. Somehow, all of these authors turned out to be Australian authors (I believe Meagan Spooner sees herself as an honourary Aussie), which awesome! I hope some of you consider these books because they are honestly amazing and deserve more hype (and ratings on Goodreads). I hope you all enjoyed this post, I'm considering doing one of these every month but we shall see.

Thank you!

REVIEW: Kill the Music by Nansi Kunze

Title: Kill the Music

Author: Nansi Kunze

Genre: Young Adult. Mystery. Romance.

Publication Date: July 1^st 2013

Publisher: Random House Australia

Format: Paperback

Pages: 288

Rating: 5/5

Book Depository | Amazon

If everyone loves the world's hottest band, who's trying to destroy them? Most people would love to be Lorna Powell, travelling the globe with her brother and his mega-famous band. Then again, most people don't realise just how annoying four handsome rock stars can be. A new home and a new school seem like the start of a normal life - until Lorna overhears a chilling plot to silence the band forever. Soon Lorna is drawn into a frantic attempt to identify the killer before they strike. But it's not easy to track suspects around the world when she’s got homework to do and secrets to protect. And when gorgeous lead singer Marius starts to act strangely, Lorna wonders if she’s had the wrong idea all along . . .

Hand me a book by Nansi Kunze and it’s pretty much a given that I will adore it, not only that but I will read it in about two hours or less. Nansi’s books are probably the most enjoyable books I’ve ever read- there just so quick and easy to get through, but at the same time they are incredibly intelligent and witty. I could talk for hours about Nansi’s books but today, I’m just focusing on this one.

This one is a little bit different to her past two books. Mishaps and Dangerously Placed, which are both mind-blowingly amazing, are a bit Sci-Fi, but Kill the Music is something different. It’s a sort of mystery, contemporary, romance, action, almost even a bit spy-ish, and all these elements together makes for one hell of a book. It starts off normal enough and then suddenly, you’ve been thrown into the world of Lorna and Turmoil, and then before you know, you finished the book and its left a big gaping hole in your heart for Marius. (Maybe that was just me, though).

Lorna, like all of Nansi’s main characters, is wonderful. She seems so real, even though her life is something out of a teenage girls dream. But Lorna is not a pop-star herself, she’s just a normal girl going through high school, or at least attempting to go through high school. I think the fact that Lorna is just a normal girl who struggles with classes and making friends and annoying older brothers (something that I have very much in common in Lorna) is what makes her such an amazing main character. At the same time, she is so very badass- let me ask you this, how many teenage girls do you know that will try and take down a killer to save her brother and his friends? Personally, I would terrible at it. But that’s what makes this book so fun- it’s the fact that yeah, Lorna is a normal high school girl, but she also fiercely protective of the ones she loves.

Talking about the ones she loves- the boys of Turmoil. Oh my god. I swear, if they were a real band- I was be their biggest fan. They are just so funny (and incredibly attractive) but they’ve also got this sweet side that you get to see through their interactions with Lorna. Flint, Lorna’s brother, is adorable. I think that’s the only way you can describe him. It felt like he was my older brother with all of his protectiveness and silliness and even though there were times where I felt so embarrassed for Lorna- he was still a great brother and a great character. Marius. How to explain the beautiful Marius? Basically, I think I have a new literary boyfriend. At first, I wasn’t a fan of him- he sort of seems to be one of those real rock star, arrogant types but as the book progresses you actually get to see how wonderful he is. By the end, as I said before, there’s a big gaping hole in my heart where Marius belongs. He’s actually a real person, you know? I refuse to believe otherwise.

This story is just amazing. Both the plot and the characters are as important and fun as the other. They work so well together, it wouldn’t be the same story without the characters and they wouldn’t be the same characters without the story. I think that shows just how perfectly they fit together. And as for that ending...well...*heart melts*. 

You can also check out my review of Nansi's second book, Dangerously Placed

REVIEW: Dangerously Placed by Nansi Kunze

Title: Dangerously Placed

Author: Nansi Kunze

Publication Date: March 1^st 2011

Publisher: Random House Australia Children’s

Format: Paperback

Pages: 288

Rating: 5/5
Blurb: This work experience is going to be killer...

Alex Thaler can’t wait to start her dream work experience placement at Virk, where staff from all over the world mingle in an astonishing virtual office. But when an employee is found murdered, the dream becomes a nightmare – because Alex is the prime suspect. Fortunately, Alex’s friends are willing to brave shark tanks, disgusting pathology specimens and even a nude beach in order to clear her name . . .

Can a hippy chick, a goth girl in a lab coat and two guys with a taste for blowing things up really help solve the mystery – before Alex becomes the next victim?

Review: I read Nansi’s first book, Mishaps, way back when I was about thirteen or fourteen which I adored, though I probably would have never heard of Dangerously Placed without miraculously meeting her at Supanova (a much smaller Comic Con, here in Australia) last year. It was amazing to meet her- getting my book signed and getting a couple of pictures with her were great but the best thing was definitely learning about and buying this book.

Even though it took me just under a year to actually get around to this book, the moment I started it I knew that I would love it, and so I did. I loved the main character Alex from the start, and each of her crazy friends. The romantic storyline was also really amazing in this book- it didn’t distract from the wicked plot of the book and it wasn’t unrealistic or completely obvious from the very start.

However, as much as I did love the characters and the romance- my favourite thing about this book was definitely the world in which it was based. It’s set in Australia, a definitely plus for me, but it also had the cyberspace world of Simulcorp- Alex’s job placement. It is really clear when you read it that Nansi put a lot of work into the creation and detail of this super mind blowing completely virtual world. For me, this made the book even more wonderful and exciting.

Dangerously Placed varies from the usual sort of YA books that you might have on your bookshelf, it’s a contemporary but it also has aspects of mystery, science fiction and thriller which keeps you on the edge of your seat for the whole time. Definitely a worth-while read.

You can buy Dangerously Placed on The Book Depository (Free shipping worldwide).