Becky's Book Reviews

Update: Recently reread this book because I'm finally reading The Evolution of Mara Dyer in preparation for The Retribution of Mara Dyer. My opinion of the book is relatively unchanged and I'm really enjoying the second book in the trilogy so far. Disclaimer: An edited and slightly shortened version of this review appeared on Women24.com , a South African women's lifestyle website where I manage, amongst other things, an online books section. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer What would you do when the line between reality and insanity begins to blur? You can purchase a copy of the book via Raru.co.za The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (Simon Pulse) Michelle Hodkin’s The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is one of the most intense and creepiest books that I’ve read in a long, long time. It’s a compelling and engaging story made all the more chilling by the fact the book, in some parts, are inspired by real events. Having said that, you should probably know that The Unbecoming ...

Today I’m featuring quite an intriguing post on a sub-genre of science fiction that everyone is probably familiar with, but which is rarely talked about in a way that other dominating genres are discussed. Cli-fi. Or climate fiction, if you will. While I do believe that cli-fi features a fair amount of elements that are similar to the dystopian sub-genre of sci-fi, climate fiction seems to focus more specifically on the impacts of climate change and it’s relation to the psychological effect it has on the human psyche. Granted, dystopic fiction has this as well, but I’ve always found it to be much more action and plot-orientated than character driven. At least, that is my basic understanding of one of the many differences between the two sub-sections within the science fiction genre. Admittedly, this is a genre I don’t read nearly enough of (and as such, my understanding is rather limited – something I plan on fixing asap), which is why I’m so thrilled to have Kat Ross, author of the YA...

The wildly successful follow up to Rick Yancey’s award-winning dystopian fiction novel, The 5th Wave.   Disclaimer: This review also appears on Women24.com , a South African women's lifestyle website where I manage, amongst other things, an online books section. The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey (published in 2014 by Penguin Books) Please note: Given that this book is the second book in The 5th Wave trilogy , there will be some spoilers for the first book. You can purchase a copy of both books on Raru.co.za What a phenomenal, phenomenal sequel.  I loved the first book and as such, had high hopes that The Infinite Sea would be just as good, if not better than The 5th Wave. And, boy, was I completely blown away! While I do think that The 5th Wave is still slightly better than The Infinite Sea, the unpredictable plot twists, character motivations and alien machinations had me both savouring and devouring this book. Every theory I had was blown out of the water. Just when I thoug...

Today I’m thrilled to have the lovely Cat Hellisen on my blog today. Cat, whose book Beastkeeper , a middle-grade retelling of Beauty and the Beast, is officially out in the wild today (yay! Happy book birthday Cat), has kindly taken the time to write a guest post about one of my favourite topics of all time. Fairy tales and retellings. Because who doesn’t love a new twist on a good ol’ timeless tale that spans over and beyond centuries upon centuries? And with Cat’s book taking a whole new approach to Beauty and the Beast, well, I thought it would be the perfect way to celebrate her book’s release by featuring a post written by her on her love of fairy tales and how Beastkeeper eventually took shape. Before I hand over to Cat though, here’s some info about her fabulous new book (which I’ll be reviewing soon)   About Beastkeeper Sarah has always been on the move. Her mother hates the cold, so every few months her parents pack their bags and drag her off after the sun. She’s grown u...

Welcome to another mini book reviews edition of my blog. In today’s mini reviews feature, I share my brief thoughts on Liz de Jager’s Banished.   Summary from Goodreads (published by TorUK in 2014)   Kit is proud to be a Blackhart, now she’s encountered her unorthodox cousins and their strange lives. And her home-schooling now includes spells, fighting enemy fae and using ancient weapons. But it’s not until she rescues a rather handsome fae prince, fighting for his life on the edge of Blackhart Manor, that her training really kicks in. With her family away on various missions, Kit must protect Prince Thorn, rely on new friends and use her own unfamiliar magic to stay ahead of Thorn’s enemies. As things go from bad to apocalyptic, fae battle fae in a war that threatens to spill into the human world. Then Kit pits herself against the Elder Gods themselves – it’s that or lose everyone she’s learnt to love. You can purchase a copy of the book on Raru.co.za My thoughts: What a fun...