Reader reviews roundup

Have you ever wished you could be famous? And in love? This week's roundup begins with a spectacular review by site member ShadowKissed Hannah of Famous In Love by Rebecca Serle, which is about just that! In this book, teenager Paige gets picked to be the lead character in a book to film adaptation (every fangirl's dream!). However, things turn tricky when she gets caught in a love triangle.

"I usually detest love triangles, (they're pointless. Girl, just pick one guy and give me the other!) but Famous in Love surprised me with how much I was invested in this one … All in all, Famous in Love was an endearing start to a hopefully great new series. It was funny, it was cringe worthy, it was romantic, and it was ultimately very, very real. Go and pick up this book today! You never know, you could be the star of it's movie one day."

Continuing the theme of romance, marvellous mars wrote a terrific review of The Selection by Keira Cass. In this book, 17-year-old American Singer lives in a dystopian future where she is selected to compete to be the US Prince's wife. However, this means Singer is forced to leave her secret lover Aspen and family behind.

"The reason I picked up this book is because I found the concept fascinating and I was too intrigued to not read it! It is a real page-turner, although the idea is almost too simple. This book is very gripping and eventful, but I wouldn't recommend it if you are looking for a complicated read that will get you thinking. However, I did enjoy it and I might recommend you read it if you want to read something slightly less challenging and more relaxing, but also captivating and exciting."

Likewise, our next protagonist experiences turmoil, though on a more reflective note, as bookeros wrote a fantastic review of the classic feminist novelella, The Yellow Wall Paper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. This semi-autobiographical story features a mother suffering from post-natal depression in the late 19th century (when they didn't know what it was), who is told by doctors to disengage from mental activity, which ends up making things worse.

"This novella is besides other things, a critique on Mitchell's 'rest cure' which was actually abolished by Mitchell himself after reading a copy of the novella which was sent to him by Perkins. Through this short story Perkins intents to explore the way female psychosynthesis is being affected by the constrictions which the patriarchal society sets on women … If you think about it all of us are taking up excessively high amounts of pressure. What about you, is that pressure enough to bring the madness out of you?"

Returning to safer territory and romance now, jboo1698 wrote a superb review of A Song for Ella Grey by David Almond. This book is based on the mythical tale of Orpheus and Eurydice, and follows Ella Grey who falls in love and hosts a fake marriage in order to prove their commitment.

"I detected a hint here and there of The Fault In Our Stars, however I can't really criticise it for that because the main plot of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice is pretty much the love and tragedy. Is that a bad thing? No. I love The Fault In Our Stars, so take what you will from that … I really liked this book. Despite my negative pointers, it opens your eyes to the myths of the past, like Orpheus and Eurydice. I would certainly be willing to read another rewrite of a myth should David Almond write another."

Now, moving on to a tale of fantasy and magic, Sylvanians wrote an outstanding review of Archie Greene and the Magician's Secret by DD Everest. In this story, Archie is twelve when he is given a book written by the darkest magician, Baarzak. This book is called The Book of Souls.

"I do enjoy books about magic and wizardry and I am a big fan of Harry Potter, but don't think for a minute they are the same. This book really keeps on the edge of my seat and I REALLY did not want to put it down. There was not one boring page, there were twists and turns and cliffhangers that kept me hanging on; that's for sure!"

And finally, last but never least, we end this week's roundup with a sci-fi classic: Scribblekeeks wrote a delightful review of the hilarious and barmy The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. This book follows Arthur Dent's journey into the rest of the universe as Earth is destroyed.

"I really enjoyed this book, it is funny, has sarcasm and aliens in it, but my personal favourite moment is when Arthur Dent is lying in the mud in front of a bulldozer to stop it demolishing his house (only to have the Earth demolished seconds later) … I think that if you like reading adult content (but no swearing), humorous, or sci-­fi books then you should go and buy this book right now. Or borrow it."

I think a huge round of applause is in order for our site members for sending in such wonderful reviews. If your review has been mentioned above in our roundup, be sure to email the Book Elves for your bookish prize!

Happy reading!

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