Film Review - The Legend of Tarzan

The Legend of Tarzan - in theaters July 2016

I was really looking forward to seeing The Legend of Tarzan and it lived up to my expectations. It was enjoyable, full of non stop action, a great cast and lots of cute animals (even the crocodiles.) I loved the photography and the jungle scenes - beautifully shot. The CGI wasn't too obvious and didn't detract from the film, but enhanced it. This was a movie that could have gone very, very wrong, but luckily it didn't and I would recommend it if you like action and adventure and are already considering going to see it.

8/10

Anticipated Reads for June 2016

Anticipated Reads for June

Below are books published this month that I will be adding to my ever growing 2016 TBR list! Which new or upcoming titles are you most looking forward to this year?

With Malice by Eileen Cook

Published June 7th by HMH Books for Young Readers

For fans of We Were Liars and The Girl on the Train comes a chilling, addictive psychological thriller about a teenage girl who cannot remember the last six weeks of her life. 

Julia Vanishes (The Witch's Child) by Catherine Egan 

Published June 7th by Knopf Books for Young Readers

Fans of Marie Lu, Leigh Bardugo, and Kristin Cashore will be captivated by this stunning first book in a must-have new fantasy trilogy about a spy who can vanish at will and who discovers that monsters, mystery, and magic are also lurking—just out of sight.

Ivory and Bone by Julie Eshbaugh

Published June 7th by HarperTeen

Debut author Julie Eshbaugh’s sweeping prehistoric fantasy—with allusions to Pride and Prejudice—will enthrall readers with high-stakes survival, blinding betrayal, and star-crossed love.

How It Ends by Catherine Lo

Published June 7th by HMH Books for Young Readers 

Catherine Lo makes her debut with an honest, nuanced tale about the intricacies of female friendship.

American Girls by Alison Umminger

Published June 7th by Flatiron Books

Alison Umminger writes about girls, sex, violence, and which people society deems worthy of caring about, which ones it doesn't, in a way not often seen in YA fiction.

Tumbling by Caela Carter

Published June 7th by Viking Books for Young Readers

Work harder than anyone.
Be the most talented.
Sacrifice everything.
And if you’re lucky, maybe you will go to the Olympics.

How to Disappear by Ann Redisch Stampler

Published June 14th by Simon Pulse

This electric cross-country thriller follows the game of cat and mouse between a girl on the run from a murder she witnessed—or committed?—and the boy who’s sent to kill her.

Never Missing, Never Found by Amanda Panitch

Published June 28th by Random House Books for Young Readers

A juicy thriller about a girl who returned from the missing. . . . Hand to fans of We Were Liars, Bone Gap, and Vanishing Girls.

All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda
Published June 28th by Simon & Schuster

Like the spellbinding psychological suspense in The Girl on the Train and Luckiest Girl Alive, Megan Miranda’s novel is a nail-biting, breathtaking story about the disappearances of two young women—a decade apart—told in reverse.

Empire of Dust (Blood of Gods and Royals) by Eleanor Herman

Published June 28th by Harlequin Teen

New York Times bestselling author Eleanor Herman entwines the real scandals of history with epic fantasy to reimagine the world's most brilliant ruler, Alexander the Great, in the second book of the Blood of Gods and Royals series.

And I Darken by Kiersten White

Published June 28th by Delacorte Press

From New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White comes the first book in a dark, sweeping new series in which heads will roll, bodies will be impaled . . . and hearts will be broken.

Isabella's Reading Corner: The Girls

 

 

The Girls by Emma Cline

Published June 14th 2016 by Random House

 

 

The Girls is told from the point of view of a middle aged woman named Evie, with flashbacks from her life as a 14 year old girl and her indoctrination into a Manson Family-like cult after a chance encounter with one of it's members - Suzanne.

 

I've always been fascinated by the Manson Family, so I was intrigued to read The Girls. The murders depicted committed by the fictional cult bear many similarities to the Tate killings by members of The Family. Suzanne is reminiscent of Susan (Sadie) Atkins and it's difficult not to make comparisons to other Manson Family members as characters are introduced. Most of the girls in the fictional cult appear to be a composite of the real life Manson girls.

 

Evie's involvement with the cult is not the whole of the book - far from it. The Girls is essentially a coming of age story and one that is rich in detail. There is an ethereal, hazy quality to the book. You can almost feel the warm, lazy, floaty summer days of California in the 60's.

 

There is so much background to Evie's story. She's lonely and envious of the bonds people share, made evident when she sees Suzanne for the first time and her closeness with the other girls. When a distance develops between Evie and her best friend, it is clear that she will become involved with the cult, mostly due to her growing fixation with Suzanne. There is a sense of foreboding of what is to come and I wanted to know how far Evie would go.

 

The comparison to the real life murders and The Family is something that I initially found interesting in the novel, but yet in no way does this detract from the enjoyment of the story for those unfamiliar with them. If anything it is probably beneficial to have little to no knowledge of the real case, as I found myself constantly referring to what I knew about the actual story behind it. In some ways I would have preferred the author to have created her own cult/crimes, as opposed to relying so heavily on Manson's, as it removed some of the author's own creativity. However, saying this, I still felt this was an engrossing, haunting and timely novel that I would recommend.

 

 

From the publisher:
Girls—their vulnerability, strength, and passion to belong—are at the heart of this stunning first novel for readers of Jeffrey Eugenides’ The Virgin Suicides and Jennifer Egan’s A Visit from the Goon Squad.

Northern California, during the violent end of the 1960s. At the start of summer, a lonely and thoughtful teenager, Evie Boyd, sees a group of girls in the park, and is immediately caught by their freedom, their careless dress, their dangerous aura of abandon. Soon, Evie is in thrall to Suzanne, a mesmerizing older girl, and is drawn into the circle of a soon-to-be infamous cult and the man who is its charismatic leader. Hidden in the hills, their sprawling ranch is eerie and run down, but to Evie, it is exotic, thrilling, charged—a place where she feels desperate to be accepted. As she spends more time away from her mother and the rhythms of her daily life, and as her obsession with Suzanne intensifies, Evie does not realize she is coming closer and closer to unthinkable violence, and to that moment in a girl’s life when everything can go horribly wrong.

Emma Cline’s remarkable debut novel is gorgeously written and spellbinding, with razor-sharp precision and startling psychological insight. The Girls is a brilliant work of fiction—and an indelible portrait of girls, and of the women they become.

You can read my original Isabella's Reading Corner post on The Girls here.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ebook ARC to review

Anticipated Reads for May 2016

Anticipated Reads for May

Below are the books I have been most looking forward to that are published this month. Are any of the titles on your upcoming reads list?

True Born by L.E. Sterling

Published May 3rd by Entangled: Teen

After the great Plague descended, the world population was decimated...and their genetics damaged beyond repair.

The Lasters wait hopelessly for their genes to self-destruct. The Splicers pay for expensive treatments that might prolong their life. The plague-resistant True Borns are as mysterious as they are feared…

The Society by Jodie Andrefski

Published May 3rd by Entangled: Teen

Welcome to Trinity Academy’s best-kept secret.

The Society.

You’ve been handpicked by the elite of the elite to become a member. But first you’ll have to prove your worth by making it through Hell Week.

Do you have what it takes?

It’s time to find out.

A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses) by Sarah J. Maas

Published May 3rd by Bloomsbury USA Childrens 

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights

The Outliers by Kimberly McCreight

Published May 3rd by HarperCollins

From the New York Times bestselling author of Reconstructing Amelia comes a fast-paced teen series where one girl learns that in a world of intrigue, betrayal, and deeply buried secrets, it is vital to trust your instincts.

Ruined by Amy Tintera

Published May 3rd by HarperTeen

Amy Tintera’s new YA fantasy trilogy blends the romance of Kiera Cass’s Selection series and the epic stakes of Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen in a story of revenge, adventure, and unexpected love.

Unrivaled (Beautiful Idols) by Alyson Noel

Published May 10th by Katherine Tegen Books

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Alyson Noël comes the first book in the Beautiful Idols series. With mystery, suspense, and an insiders-only look at Los Angeles that echoes Gossip Girl’s racy and real New York, fans of Pretty Little Liars and readers who crave pulse-pounding romance will love Unrivaled.

Places No One Knows by Brenna Yovanoff

Published May 17th by Delacorte Press 

In Brenna Yovanoff's new novel that Maggie Stiefvater, author of The Raven King, calls “a dream wrapped in razor wire or razor wire wrapped in dream,” a love story unfolds in the dark halls of contemporary high school.

The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Published May 17th by Harlequin Teen

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes a riveting new story about friendship, survival and finding your voice 

The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye

Published May 17th by Balzer + Bray

Perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone and Red Queen, The Crown’s Game is a thrilling and atmospheric historical fantasy set in Imperial Russia about two teenagers who must compete for the right to become the Imperial Enchanter—or die in the process—from debut author Evelyn Skye.

Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee

Published May 24th by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

From the author of the critically acclaimed Under a Painted Sky, an unforgettable story of determination set against a backdrop of devastating tragedy. Perfect for fans of Code Name Verity.

Please Don't Tell by Laura Tims

Published May 24th by HarperTeen

Debut author Laura Tims writes an intense and utterly gripping contemporary YA tale perfect for fans of Pretty Little Liars. Joy has done everything to protect her twin sister...including murder.

Isabella's Reading Corner: Forget Tomorrow (Forget Tomorrow, #1)

Forget Tomorrow by Pintip Dunn

Published November 3^rd 2015 by Entangled: Teen

Forget Tomorrow is the first book in a duology by Pintip Dunn. Callie lives in a world where memories are sent back in time to shape each individual’s future. Soon after Callie receives her future memory in which she kills her beloved younger sister, she is arrested. Callie escapes, but must go on a journey to discover not only why she would commit such a heinous crime, but also to stop her future memory from happening.

The world the author creates is intricate, but not overly complicated. Callie is brave and loyal to her family and those she cares about. The relationship between Callie and her sister, Jessa, is fascinating & I hope will be explored further in the second book. Logan, Callie’s love interest, has an admiration and respect for her - he trusts her more than she does herself. The back story behind their relationship is intriguing and develops realistically.

There are lots of twists and turns and the book is filled with exciting action and adventure. I was anxious to find out the mystery behind the government’s hidden agenda. The actions and motivations of some of the characters are intriguing, with layers still to be revealed. This book gives the reader a lot to think about in terms of how much fate plays a part in our lives.

I’m anxious to read the sequel when It is published in October this year!

From the publisher:

Imagine a world where your destiny has already been decided...by your future self. 

It's Callie's seventeenth birthday and, like everyone else, she's eagerly awaiting her vision -- a memory sent back in time to sculpt each citizen into the person they're meant to be. A world-class swimmer. A renowned scientist. 

Or in Callie's case, a criminal. 

In her vision, she sees herself murdering her gifted younger sister. Before she can process what it means, Callie is arrested and placed in prison. The only person who can help is her childhood crush, Logan, a boy she hasn't spoken to in five years. 

Logan breaks her free, but can she trust him? He's almost the same boy she remembers, but now he's a whole lot hotter. And he's got his own past to deal with. Callie's falling for him, fast, but she soon learns he has secrets of his own. Secrets that mean they can never be together.

Now, Callie's on the run not only from the government, but also from her fate. If she wants any hope of a future with Logan, she must find a way to protect her sister from the biggest threat of all -- herself.

You can read my original Isabella's Reading Corner post on Forget Tomorrow here.

Review: I'm Thinking of Ending Things

I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid

Published June 14th 2016 by Gallery/Scout Press/Simon & Schuster

I'm Thinking of Ending Things takes you on a thrill ride and keeps you riveted the entire journey. From the outset there is a sense of dread, that increases as you turn the pages. A taut, quick read, I was anxious to get to the conclusion, but it still kept me thinking long after I had finished it.

This book is one I definitely recommend - even if you don't enjoy the twisted ride, you will certainly want to discuss it once it's over.

From the publisher:

You will be scared. But you won’t know why…

I’m thinking of ending things. Once this thought arrives, it stays. It’s always there. Always.

Jake and I have a real connection, a rare and intense attachment. What has it been...a month? I’m very attracted to him. Even though he isn’t striking, not really. I’m going to meet his parents for the first time, at the same time as I’m thinking of ending things.

Jake once said, “Sometimes a thought is closer to truth, to reality, than an action. You can say anything, you can do anything, but you can’t fake a thought.”

And here’s what I’m thinking: I don’t want to be here.

I’m thinking of ending things.

A woman embarks on a first road trip with her boyfriend, Jake, amidst doubts and questions of commitment. When the two take an unexpected detour, she is stranded in a deserted high school, wondering if there is any escape at all. In this suspenseful literary debut, Iain Reid explores the depths of the human psyche, questioning consciousness, free will, the value of relationships, fear, and the limitations of solitude. Tense, gripping, and atmospheric, this novel will haunt you long after the last page is turned.

Anticipated Reads for April 2016

Anticipated Reads for April

Here is a list of the books I am most looking forward to reading that are published this month. Are any of the titles on your upcoming reads list? Please let me know what you are planning to read in the comments below!

When We Collided by Emery Lord 

Published April 5th by Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Seventeen year-old Jonah Daniels has lived in Verona Cove, California, his whole life, and only one thing has ever changed: his father used to be alive, and now he is not. With a mother lost in a deep bout of depression, Jonah and his five siblings struggle to keep up their home and the restaurant their dad left behind. But at the start of summer, a second change rolls in: Vivi Alexander, the new girl in town.

The Mirror King (Orphan Queen) by Jodi Meadows

Published April 5th by Katherine Tegen Books

In this stunning conclusion to The Orphan Queen, Jodi Meadows follows Wilhelmina’s breathtaking and brave journey from orphaned criminal on the streets to magic-wielding queen.

Tell the Wind and Fire by Sarah Rees Brennan

Published April 5th by Clarion Books

Celebrated author Sarah Rees Brennan weaves a magical tale of romance and revolution, love and loss.

The Passion of Dolssa by Julie Berry

Published April 12th by Viking Books for Young Readers

From the author of the award-winning All the Truth That's in Me comes a spellbinding thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final page and make you wonder if miracles really are possible.

Dreamology by Lucy Keating

Published April 12th by HarperTeen

Vibrantly offbeat and utterly original, Lucy Keating’s debut novel combines the unconventional romance of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind with the sweetness and heart of Jenny Han.

This is the Story of You by Beth Kephart

Published April 12th by Chronicle Books

Gripping and poetic, This Is the Story of You is about the beauty of nature and the power of family, about finding hope in the wake of tragedy and recovery in the face of overwhelming loss.

The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas

Published April 19th by Delacorte Press

For fans of Gillian Flynn’s Dark Places and Sara Shepard’s Pretty Little Liars, The Darkest Corners is a psychological thriller about the lies little girls tell, and the deadly truths those lies become.

There Once Were Stars by Melanie McFarlane 

Published April 26th by Month9Books, LLC 

Peace. Love. Order. Dome. That’s the motto that the Order has given the residents of Dome 1618 to live by. Natalia Greyes is a resident of Dome 1618, a covered city protected from the deadly radiation that has poisoned the world outside for four generations. Nat never questioned the Order, until one day she sees a stranger on the outside of her dome. Now Nat wants answers. What else might her government be hiding from the good and loyal people of Dome 1618?

Heir to the Sky by Amanda Sun

Published April 26th by Harlequin Teen

As heir to a kingdom of floating continents, Kali has spent her life bound by limits: by her duties as a member of the royal family, by a forced betrothal to the son of a nobleman, and by the edge of the only world she's ever known—a small island hovering above a monster-ridden earth, long since uninhabited by humans. She is the Eternal Flame of Hope for what's left of mankind, the wick and the wax burning in service for her people, and for their revered Phoenix, whose magic keeps them aloft. 

The Last Boy and Girl in the World by Siobhan Vivian 

Published April 26th by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 

From the critically acclaimed author of The List comes a stunning new novel about a girl who must say goodbye to everything she knows after a storm wreaks havoc on her hometown.

Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel

Published April 26th by Del Rey

A page-turning debut in the tradition of Michael Crichton, World War Z, and The Martian, Sleeping Giants is a thriller fueled by an earthshaking mystery—and a fight to control a gargantuan power.

The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi

Published April 26th by St. Martin's Griffin

A lush and vivid story that is steeped in Indian folklore and mythology. The Star-Touched Queen is a novel that no reader will soon forget.

The Rose & the Dagger (The Wrath and the Dawn) by Renée Ahdieh

Published April 26th by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

The much anticipated sequel to the breathtaking The Wrath and the Dawn, lauded by Publishers Weekly as "a potent page-turner of intrigue and romance."