Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby

Behind the flashing lights, the camera reveals all...even love.

Meet Josephine Foster, or Zo Jo as she’s called in the biz. The best pint-sized photographer of them all, Jo knows that the public – and the stars – have a symbiotic relationship with the paparazzi. She doesn’t mind doing what it takes to get that perfect shot, until she’s sent on a major uncover assignment to shoot Ned Hartnett – teen superstar and the only celebrity who’s ever been kind to her – at an exclusive rehabilitation retreat in Boston. The money will be enough to pay for Jo’s dream: real photography classes, and maybe even quitting her paparazzi gig for good. Everyone at the retreat wants to know what Ned’s in for. But Jo certainly doesn’t know what she’s in for: falling in love with Ned was never supposed to be part of her assignment.

 

 

Publisher: Walker

Release Date: 28^th February 2012

 

I'd like to thank the author for my copy of the book!

Admittedly not a book i would normally pick up (not that i've seen it in my local bookstore), when offered the chance to review, i looked around and thought, this could be really good. The idea of a tennage paparazzo was intriguing and different, so definately an eyecatcher. The cover is stunning, the light- heart and Jo at the forefront of the crowd, like she is in the book.

 It was a nice change for this part - Hollywood set book, not to be using designer labels as adjectives! Jo was a likable character who was spunky and quick-witted with a good moral sense of right and wrong. The reader is able to connect to Jo and feel how she is troubled, finds out the discoveries and manages to make others live somewhat better.

Being one of the paparazzi was a nice change in scenery for me as a reader and i felt quite happy to learn about her sneaky ways and the jostling of position in the paparazzi pack, and how, as a short person, you can do alot better than all the others. Ned is a somewhat typical child celebrity but actually there is alot more behing the mask of this character and i enjoyed finding out his problems and his family life.

Jo's moral sense of right and wrong lead her into making one of the sleaziest and yet most redeaming jobs of the books and leads the reader to feel happy and content.

All in all i believe this is a brilliant feel-good book, there is no frills or fluff but it makes the reader feel happy and well rounded by the books end. Well worth reading into the Wee hours for!

Talia x

Divergent by Veronica Roth

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her.

Published by: Harper Collins
Released: Out now

My it has been a while blog! I'm very sorry for neglecting you but i have exams (pooh). But this book here is a true scorcher.

Divergent is another in a line of many fantastic dystopians i have read recently and to be fair, i picked this book up in a buy one get one for a £1. Im cheap ok? But boy am i glad i did. This book is full of suspense and reasoning that it unique to this setting. As usual with dystopian books we have the over-ruler, but Roth brings in the idea of Factions which i believe are a good representation of the traits of human kind and how we constantly try to tame them.

Tris was easily the most impressionable character, who has always known she is different. She doesn't want to live a life of helping others she wants to live her life being free, or atleast as free as the society will let her. Then we meet Four (no spoilers my friends!) who is our typical love interest. There is also the classic enemies and best friend. But hey thats what we want in our books!

 Tris is Divergent meaning she doesn't fit neatly into one faction, an aberation, one that the society doesn't like. This means many trials are headed before she even realises what she is herself. My only problem with Tris is how Roth seemed to magically turn her into an awesome-kick-ass fighter after being beat up yesterday. puh-lease.  But all in all Roth created Tris in a convincing way where it was clear of her character growth and ability to think out situations unlike many strong-headed dauntless types.

I also enjoyed Four how he doesn't mind that Tris has the body of a twelve year old and isn't pretty. He loves her none the less and this shows near the end of the book. Roth also explores the idea of conquering fears and how this in turn makes you a stronger person, quite a nice touch!

All in all i believe this is a book that will leave you in suspence and It will stay with you for nights, it's unputsownable afterall!

~Roll on Insurgent please!

Talia x