Thursday 10 September 2015

LOVE AT FIRST READ!


Ah, I'm so excited about this post, I was recently given the opportunity to review a book called 'The Keeper' by David Baldacci. The excitement was unreal...

If anyone know's me then you know I'm a huge bookworm and that I always have been, reading and writing have been the biggest passions of mine ever since I was little...*insert cliche paragraph here*

I was very intrigued by this book, the cover drew me and I found myself reading the blurb and wanting to find out more.

Vega Jane was always told no one could leave the town of Wormwood. She was told there was nothing outside but the Quag, a wilderness filled with danger and death. And she believed it – until the night she stumbled across a secret that proved that everything she knew was a lieNow Vega and her best friend Delph must find a way to make it across this terrifying land of bloodthirsty creatures and sinister magic. But the Quag is worse than Vega Jane’s darkest imagining. It’s a living, breathing prison designed to keep enemies out and the villagers of Wormwood in. The Quag will throw everything at Vega. It will try to break her. It will try to kill her. And survival might come at a price not even Vega is willing to pay.

I found out that this book was in a series, more specifically the Vega Jane series (the protagonist of the books), so I decided to try and quickly read the first book named 'The Finisher'... I did read it first, but it took me 9 and a half hours, I took no breaks, I'm a warrior. I'm Vega Jane. (I wish)

The books are absolutely fantastic and have solemnly become one of my favourites! The whole supernatural/magic/mystery aspect to it enthralled me, and I was encaptured in the novel within the first few pages. I would recommend reading both books, so you can appreciate the series, and get to love the characters and watch them grow.

The whole notion of breaking stereotypes in the novels was something that captured my attention, and even my heart as I found the bravery and general persona of the main character Vega beautifully uplifting and inspiring. It was great to read about a strong female taking on such a powerful role, and breaking those gender stereotypes, even though there is evidence of the patriarchal society (the books are not set in modern day), I found the character to be strong, passionate and honest.

I'm sorry, I know this is a book review about the second book in the series (The Keeper), but I just HAD to mention the first one too, I'm so glad I had realised it was part of a series, or else I would have never have grown to love the characters as much as I do now.

Here is the blurb of the 'The Finisher': Why would Quentin Herms flee into the Quag? There was nothing in the Quag except certain deathVega Jane has never left the village of Wormwood. But this isn’t unusual — nobody has ever left the village of Wormwood. At least not until Quentin Herms vanishes into the unknownVega knows Quentin didn’t just leave — he was chased. And he’s left behind a very dangerous trail of clues that only she can decode. The Quag is a dark forest filled with terrifying beasts and bloodthirsty Outliers. But just as deadly are the threats that exist within the walls of Wormwood. It is a place built on lies, where influential people are willing to kill to keep their secrets. Vega is determined to uncover the truth — but the closer she gets, the more she risks her life. With THE FINISHER, master storyteller David Baldacci conjures a thrilling, imaginative world where things are as wrong as wrong can be — and introduces us to an unforgettable heroine who must think fast, look close, and defy all odds in her fight to do what’s right.

The books strongly remind me of The Hunger Games and Divergent, because of the brave and heroic protagonist, the conditions in which they live, and the leaders of their society... Vega Jane is one of my favourite characters, and these books have proven to be a favourite!

Now back onto The Keeper...

I loved it! I loved everything about it, it's as simple as that. The book is an easy read I find, as the text isn't that small, and there are also pictures inside which I loved! (Just to confirm this is a young adults book, I'm not reading a very childish storybook with more photos than words haha). The pictures of some of the characters helped me to imagine them, but I enjoyed imagining the creatures and the Quag all on my own. I love that about reading, being able to imagine the appearances of the characters, the surroundings, all the aesthetic detail, the books create vivid images in the mind!


I love the themes running through this book, I love the author's writing style, it was a light read, but full of description, mystery and detail. There's no denying that Vega Jane herself is my favourite character, but at each turning page I grew fonder of Delph (Vega's best friend, who's loyalty and compassion I admire deeply),  and of course Harry Two (Vega's canine, if anyone knows me, you know I'm also a crazy dog lady).

The Finisher invites us to the lives of the characters, getting to know them and their personality traits, and the society they live in. The issues of wealth, poverty and social classes were portrayed eloquently, and also how the males were depicted as the dominant sex, whereas females were seen as the subordinates. Except that Vega Jane was no subordinate being, she was strong (both mentally and physically) and stood up for what she believed in. The story was set in Wormwood, a place Vega Jane feels trapped in, especially with the Quag so close by, legend tells it there is no escaping the Quag, it means death. However, Vega finds herself challenging these boundaries, challenging the 'norm' in society, and in doing so she finds her true self (which is where the themes of magic come in).

The Keeper follows on from their journey, Vega Jane, her canine and bestfriend finally find themselves in the Quag, after persistent pleas to not enter, after the powerful leaders in society have tried to stop them (what did I tell you at Vega's bravery). If you thought the creatures in The Finisher where terrifying, then I dare you to read The Keeper, the creatures lurking on the pages are ones you wouldn't want to see in your wildest dreams. Aside from the mystery, the secrets, the lies, the dangers, there are other themes, believe it or not (this book gives you everything). The story of a lonely girl who has lost pretty much everything, yet remains courageous, dominant amd powerful...staying by her side through thick and thin her loyal canine (who said a dog was just a man's best friend?), and her trusty sidekick Delph (expect a theme of romance and everlasting friendship to run through the novel too). I seriously want to be Vega Jane, minus the Quag and monsters of course...

Thank you to The Big Shot for sending me The Keeper to review, I honestly found it brilliant and one that I won't forget! I just had to read The Finisher beforehand and include it in my review because I loved it, the series is truly brilliant. If you like magic, the supernatural, mysteries, thrillers, the unknown, adventure (so many themes, you must like one right?) I think you'll LOVE the Vega Jane series. You can purchase the books here:

The Finisher:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Finisher-Vega-Jane-Book/dp/0545888549/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441899645&sr=8-1&keywords=the+finisher+david+baldacci
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-finisher/id739246475?mt=11
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-finisher-david-baldacci/1117350024?ean=9780545652209

The Keeper:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Keeper-Vega-Jane-David-Baldacci/dp/1447288297/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441877921&sr=8-1&keywords=the+keeper%2C+david+baldacci
iTunes:https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-keeper/id956866199?mt=11
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-keeper-david-baldacci/1121020105?ean=9780545831949


The trailer:
https://youtu.be/VxPxoPDv0S8

Have you heard about these books before? Let me know your opinions in the comments! XOXO B. 
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18 comments

  1. It looks amazing :) great post :)
    please follow my blog : THE COLORFUL THOUGHTS

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    1. It was UNREAL, so so good haha! And thank you so much! x

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  2. Ooh I hadn't heard of this before and I love a supernatural read xx

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    1. It was so good, and me too, I'm obsessed with all things supernatural! XX

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  3. I have never hear about these books before but they sound really interesting :)

    Sarah | sarahanne14.blogspot.com

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  4. I was looking for a book to read that resembled the hunger games, maze runner etc. because they're such fun light entertaining reads after finishing my Jane Austen Novels and Anna Karenina, looks like I've found the book, I saved both in my to-read folder on goodreads, I was very intrigued by this review!

    kinkx.blogspot.com

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    1. Oh I love maze runner and the Hunger Games, so I think you'll love these books! Aw that's good to hear babes xx

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  5. This book sounds amazing! I can't wait to give it a read. Thanks for recommending it <3

    http://www.abigailalicex.com

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  6. This book sounds so good! Lovely post Xxx

    Daizy
    http://brightdreamerz.blogspot.co.uk

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  7. I have been looking for something new to read and this sounds great. Definitely going to give this a go. Great review.

    Beth x
    www.hellobeth.co.uk

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