How It All Blew Up by Arvin Ahmadi

Unfortunately there are still people out there who still do not feel as though coming out the closet is a good thing. In the case of Amir, this seems the case, especially with his Iranian Muslim background and the fear that his parents will come to disown him when they finally find out. This sets a series of events that lead to blackmail and an spontaneous decision to travel the world and get away from all the hate back home, while still trying to save face with his family.

There are some points in the book that feels as though there could have been more detail about certain characters, rather than simply talking about them in passing. This is so then it is easier for the reader to understand the motives to why certain characters act the way that they do. Otherwise, what is truly the point of going through a book without any real development of characters? I think there is not really enough pages to be able to show any of this detail, as it is quite a small book in general.

When it comes to Amir, I think that I have come to despise his choices and what he does to people. I understand that he is coming to terms with what it means to live freely as a gay man and there is no way to dispute that, but he does it in a way that is hugely wrong and silly. He makes out that his family will come to hate him for all his worth and the best thing to do is to run away to another country. This is not the way to go about it. In any circumstances this would make the situation worse. It is clear from the beginning with his family's interviews that they care a lot of Amir and keeping him in their lives, rather than his life choices. So why does he feel like he has to make all his relationships around him even harder? It just doesn't make any sense. There is not really any implication of his family's culture upon their thoughts of being gay, so why was it mentioned? It doesn't really move any of the plot, but rather a kick in the teeth for the Muslim community and to pad the book out.

The plane scene was just annoying on my part as well. I really felt sorry for his family, when it was clear that Amir wanted to cause a fuss and make out he is victim to a captive audience. He was not a victim in any way to his family. They have had a short period to get around the concept; he has had his whole life. I wanted to shout "Please just leave them alone! They accept you as you are and still love you why are you doing this to them?"

However, there is one person that I did come to care about and I feel like she was given a lot of jip for her actions, Soraya. She seems like a lovely and understanding sister, which I felt like Amir kept pushing away. It's sad, especially when she states she is ok with it, as she works with gay actors. But one thing that I really felt sorry about is how she was the one who got the backlash, as the only way to put her parent's mind at rest was to tell them the truth about Amir.

The ending, well, the ending was intolerably dull. What was the point truly? It kind of makes me angry in some respects. It was completely wrong and just was disappointing as there was nothing there to really sign off this book. In fact, I didn't even realise that it was the end until I saw the acknowledgements. So, no guys, probably not a good idea to spend a single penny on this one, no lasting impression to read this one again. Move along.

Frostfire by Amanda Hocking

It is back to Amanda Hocking this week, with her new book that I have recently been talking about, when reviewing her other series, the Trylle Trilogy. Although, this book is now in a new series, but set in the same universe. It is called the Kanin Chronicles... I must admit, when actually owning the book, the cover is very enchanting and beautiful. How for instance, the main character and protagonist, Bryn Aven, is at the centre of attention, with her coat covered in red. Whereas in the background, it is very muted colours, with the whites and blacks, but also having a sort of wonderland type of presence. Red to me also makes me feel quite uncomfortable and moreover is a colour for danger. So, onto the criticisms then! First of all, I don't know why but I felt a little bit out of place with this new world. Maybe it is because I read the other series in the same universe, I may have gotten used to them far too much. So when there are old characters appearing and being ment

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

This has been a long time in the making, but here it is. A court of Mist and Fury. I think that there is now the time to definitely say something about this, especially when the next book has already come out in the series. I genuinely do love this book. I think that it is much better than the first one in the series. This is mainly because of that in which the new characters are far more likeable, and those who we had been introduced to previously have been developed. For example, with Rhysand, I have found to be far more complicated than what had already been shown in the first book. In fact, I don't think that the first book did any justice for him. In any sort of perspective. However, it has also identified that Tamlin is not all that he seems, very annoying more than anything. I think however, that it is more due to the fact of that in which it feels like it was a waste to have a whole book with him in, now that the story has developed. In this next instalment, it carr

The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson

Publisher: David Fickling Books Date of Publish: January 1st 2015 Suitable for which gender: Unisex The book consists of two protagonists who are both suffering from two big secrets. There is David Piper; who wants to be a girl and Leo Denton; someone who just wants to be invisible. Somehow both of these two individuals come together and become very good friends in the process. It is really interesting as there is not much regarding the subject of the transgender community in modern YA fiction, in a way Ms Williamson has got some guts to base story around this topic. Not because it is wrong, but rather misunderstood. It has heartache and pain, as well as joy and happiness, which not only they experience, but you as well. I think that the time that it has come out is perfect, as it is an ever changing world, which has shown to become more aware of people around us and accepting everyone for who they are. We must always think about these issues like, imagine if you felt