Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series

Okay, some may say that this series is aimed at slightly younger teens than my 16 years, but I read them for the first time when I was 12 or 13 and I still love them. Riordan gives Percy such a funny voice and the plot is gripping, fast paced and exiting in all five of the books.

 

 

 

 

 

I love the relationship between Percy and Annabeth -even more so in the next series 'Heroes of Olympus, but that's for another post- because they are so cute and funny together. Annabeth, a daughter of Athena, is clever brave and sassy. it is very easy to root for her and I'm sure she is one of everybody's favourite characters. Rachel Elizabeth Dare is a very down to earth character who can see more than most mortals, and another one of my favourite characters has got to be Nico. I don't know what exactly it is about him, maybe that he is mysterious, but I just really liked him.

Riordan's world building is really good and the books can get very emotive at times - Zoe Nightshade, Pan...-. The supporting characters are also funny, and the more important ones have quite good/interesting backstories. The stories flow well and are gripping all the way through

My favourite thing about the series is how much Greek mythology you can learn. Riordan makes ancient Greek history accessible, funny and interesting. The mythological creatures are written so to fit in well in the modern world and, in some cases, even make you feel sorry for them -but more often than not, they are evil.

I would highly recommend you try these books, especially if you want something funny and easy to read.

As usual, please comment suggestions on how I could improve my reviews or which books I should review next xXx
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Beauty Edit ~ Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation

Hi guys,

I'm back with another post which will once again be coming every Tuesday and Saturday. Don't forget to follow my blog :)



I wear shade 101: Classic Ivory

I really enjoy using the Match Perfection foundation by Rimmel. I find it blends well and the colour suits my skin. It lasts quite well and it isn't very dewy. It also has SPF 18 so is perfect for the oncoming summer as it will protect your face from the sun.

I'm not sure what skin type I have, probably normal or combination, but I don't find this to be too drying and my face doesn't go shiny (well, not for a long time anyway). It has a good pigmentation and I think a light to medium coverage.

I would recommend it if you want something quite light to wear. Next, I really want to try the match perfection. I have heard a lot of good things about it.

As usual, please comment suggestions on how I could improve my reviews or which products I should review next xXx New post coming on Saturday. 

Maybelline Master Shape Brow Pencil

I wanted to start doing more with my brows because I feel like they were being slightly left out. I bought this product because it was a cheap, starting out product (and it had a spoolie on the end) and I feel like it is good for the price I payed. 

It added colour and made my brows look sharper and more defined. However, I don't like the waxyness to it and how it makes my brows look greasy when I was done. I think that this was a good testing product, but I don't think I will be buying it again any time soon.

As usual, please comment suggestions on how I could improve my reviews or which products I should review next. xXx
 Also, if you would want me to do some slightly more chatty posts every once in a while, let me know in the comments. As for the book review scheduled for today, I haven't read much due to my exams -beginning Monday- so I have only been reading a bit of Percy Jackson in bed, but if you want a review on that let me know. xXx
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Beauty Edit ~ Maybelline Great Lash Blackest Black Mascara

If you're looking for a very natural, defined but not too bold lash look, then I would say that this mascara is for you. 

It has quite a wet formula, but it has a brilliantly black colour (no almost-grey here). He wand separates lashes and defines them, but I didn't find it gave any volume and also barely any length. 

It would be a good mascara for a natural, no makeup look.It also stays on well, which is always a plus.

I probably wouldn't repurchase this but I do enjoy using it.

As usual, please comment how I could improve my reviews or which products I should review next. Do you have a favourite mascara? Leave it in the comments xXx

The Lady in the Tower ~ Marie-Louise Jensen

 

Spring 1540. Eleanor's mother is imprisoned in the Lady Tower after a terrible accusation. For four years Eleanor's only comfort has been their secret notes to one another. But then a chance discovery reveals a plot to murder her mother and Eleanor must free her before it is too late

One of my favourite parts about this book was that it is based on true events. It was really interesting but also fun to read.

Eleanor and Lord Stanton are incredibly cute together. I liked how there was a tension between them even when Eleanor found him incredibly annoying (I disagreed but she had her reasons). They seemed to have a connection the first time they met and I found his concern/care for her was sweet.

I also really liked her relationship with her mother and how strong their bond was. There was nothing they wouldn't do for each other.
 I found her father a really vile character, verging on evil, and her brother was, although not intentionally mean, you s ignorance of the situation irritated me.

I love this book so much, it is one of the authors best. It was faced paced, the characters were well developed and the plot was interesting. I didn't want to put it down. I would very highly recommend it.

As usual, please comment suggestions on how I could improve my reviews of which books I should review next xXx

Beauty Edit ~ Maybelline Colour Sensational: Peach Poppy

This is such a stunning colour. It is on my possible prom Lipsticks list.

It is sheer but build-able to a very nearly opaque coverage. I really love how healthy it makes my lips look and it is a really good pick-me-up on days when you want a pretty, natural look. This is perfect for the fast approaching spring.

It's smooth, lasts quite a long time and smells really nice. I bought this in the special edition packaging, but I really like the original as well. The square shape makes it much easier to store. 

As Usual, please comment suggestions on how I could improve my reviews or which products I should review next xXx

The Forbidden Queen ~ Anne O'Brien

 1415. The jewel in the French crown, Katherine de Valois, is waiting under lock and key for King Henry V. While he's been slaughtering her kinsmen in Agincourt, Katherine has been praying for marriage to save her from her misery. But the brutal king wants her crown, not her innocent love.

For Katherine, England is a lion's den of greed, avarice and mistrust. And when she is widowed at twenty-one, she becomes a prize ripe for the taking—her young son the future monarch, her hand in marriage worth a kingdom.

This is a deadly political game, one the dowager queen must learn fast. The players—the Duke of Gloucester, Edmund Beaufort and Owen Tudor—are circling. Who will have her? Who will ruin her? This is the story of Katherine de Valois.

I've never really considered Katherine of Valois before. Thinking about it after having read the book, she does stand out as a queen if just simply for falling in love with and marrying her servant, Owen Tudor.

O'Brien's writing was new to me, this being the first of her books I have read. Contrary to what it says on the cover, however, I prefer Phillipa Gregory's style. O'Brien's style captivated me and made me eager to continue reading. Her world building was really good but I feel she could have built up the characters of Beatrice, Alice and Katherine's other ladies a bit more to remind the reader of their presence. To me, they seemed to fade into the background like a tapestry. However, I found all of this and more to be more prominent and enticing in Gregory#s books.

I really liked how Katherine's flutter of a romance with Edmund Beaufort was written, but I thought that the scene on the side of the river where she first see Owen as a potential partner was very unnatural and rushed. One minute she had never really noticed him as a person, he next (after having studied his naked area) she was totally enthralled by him and felt his presence everywhere.

O'Brien evokes sympathy from the reader really well when describing the marriage of her to King Henry and, I must admit, I was moved to shed a tear or two at the ending.

All in all, I thought this a good read, it was interesting, thought provoking and empathetic, but I prefer the writing style and techniques of Gregory. Especially her book The Queen's Fool, which I have already reviewed.

I would recommend this book.

As usual, please comment suggestion on how I could improve my reviews or which books you would like me to review next.
  I'm sorry this didn't go up on Saturday as planned, I had it all ready to go but the stress of revision made me forget to post it. Sorry xXx