Saturday, December 29, 2012

IMM #9 and Stacking the Shelves #1



For Christmas:

Fated by Alyson Noel
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Beta by Rachel Cohn
The Matched Trilogy Boxed Set by Ally Condle
Confessions of a Teenage Murder Suspect by James Patterson

Bought:

The Morganville Vampires Volume 2 by Rachel Caine
Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan
Paper Valentine by Breanna Yovanoff

From ARCycling

Belles by  Jen Calonita


Wednesday, December 26, 2012

WOW #8

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


Title: Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Expected Publication: February 5th 2013
Overview: Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother and the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own.

As Scarlet and Wolf work to unravel one mystery, they find another when they cross paths with Cinder. Together, they must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen who will do anything to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner

Sunday, December 23, 2012

IMM 8


In My Mailbox is weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The point is to list the books that you either purchased or received for review during last week.

Bought:

The Morganville Vampires Volume 1 by Rachel Caine
Wither by Lauren Destafano
Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen
Everneath by Brodi Ashton
Supernaturally by Kiersten White

Monday, December 17, 2012

Review (8): Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Title: Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2)
Author: Richelle Mead
Rating: 4.5/5
Overview: Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose... 

It’s winter break at St. Vladimir’s, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy’s crawling with Guardians—including Rose’s hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn’t bad enough, Rose’s tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason’s got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks... This year, St. Vlad’s annual holiday ski trip is mandatory. 

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price.

WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS FROM THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES!!!

I am going to have some serious bruises by the end of this series.  I've been kicking myself for not starting this series since the start of the first book.  I cannot believe that I doubted that I would like this series.  I loved the first book, and this second one is even better!

I really have to say that I wish I was able to meet Rose and be in the world she is.  She is such a kick ass person and I relate to her so well.  I would give anything to actually see this place.  It sounds incredible.  And the guys, oh boy, the guys.  Mason was such a sweetheart.  He is so funny and awesome.  Dimitri is that guy that every girl wants to have in their life, to help them on the way through life.  And Adrian.  I don't really even know how to describe him because he was just introduced to us in the book and I'm not really sure how I feel about him yet.

There is a lot of side stories in this because there is still a lot to learn about Rose's new world, but I love learning all this information about this amazing place.  The action in this book is non stop and there is almost one action scene in every chapter!

I cried at the end.  Just with everything that happens between Rose and her mom and between Rose and Dimitri.  I'm a big baby when it comes to books lately and I'm not sure why!!

This series is amazing and I would recommend it to anyone.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Review (7): What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang

Title: What's Left of Me
Author: Kat Zhang
Rating: 4/5
Overview: I should not exist. But I do.

Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t . . .

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable-hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet . . . for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything

This book had such an interesting premise and really makes you think.  You are born with two souls, but eventually, one will just fade away and disappear.  But if that doesn't happen, you are considered a hybrid, dangerous.  And Addie and Eva are one of those hybrids.

Eva is the main character even though she is considered the recessive soul while Addie is the dominant.  Addie makes them walk and talk while Eva is just sort of floating inside of her.  They both can talk to each other in their head.  It was weird have it through Eva's view because I would sometimes confuse her with Addie and have to go back and reread.  It's especially confusing at the end when Eva takes some sort of dominance.

It was also hard to get used to the "we" and "us" that the book kept using.  I would always have to think who was "we" or "us", but you get used to it after awhile.

Addie irritated me at some points, she comes off as selfish and childish.  I also hated when Eva and Addie would fight (they do it often throughout the whole book). I definitely felt bad for Eva though.  Being trapped in a body you can't control?  That has to be hard.

All in all, I loved the book.  Kat does a great job at providing us with info of this foreign world without overwhelming us with information.  She does a great job letting us know bit by bit what this place we know nothing about, is about.  The ending had my heart thumping and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.  There really isn't a "love interest" in this book but there is a minor one, but love isn't the focus of this book, and I like that, a lot.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Review (6): Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Title: Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Rating: 5/5
Overview: Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future






I was not expecting to like this book at all.  I had seen it around a lot and even picked it up a few times at my local library, but I could not bring myself to read it.  But then, I don't remember who's review it was, but I read it, and I was like, Okay, I have to read this.  And I am so glad that I did.

The first two chapters for me were a little hard to get through, it was a lot of new stuff I've never really heard of thrown at me at once.  So, undoubtedly,  I was about to put the book down and think that I shouldn't have picked it up.  But I continue reading and all of the sudden, it just pulled me in and I couldn't stop reading.

Cinder is such a great main character and we really get to know her.  She is such a relatable character and you can definitely experience everyone of her emotions yourself through Meyer's writing.  Prince Kai is another main character but we don't really learn as much about him because there are only a few chapters that are written in his POV.

The plot contained so much action at the end that I couldn't stop reading at the end.  Let's just stay I stayed up way past my bedtime reading this book.

The end was also such a BIG cliffhanger and I love cliffhangers!  I cannot wait for Scarlet to come out!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

WOW #7

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: Hidden
Author: Marianne Curley
Expected Publication: June 25th 2013
Overview:  Ebony has always known that she is different. Her violet eyes mark her out, and her protective parents have kept her in a gorgeous valley, home-schooled, safe from everything—almost as if she’s being hidden. But she’s changing: glowing, getting more and more beautiful, and stronger than anyone knows. Ebony can’t stay hidden for ever, and when she meets complicated, intense Jordan, something explodes inside her—something that can be seen from the heavens; something that changes everything. Ebony is a stolen angel, concealed on Earth. Now the heavens have found her, they want her back.

Fans of Becca Fitzpatrick’s Hush, Hush Saga and L.A. Weatherly’s Angel series will adore Hidden. Full of irresistible romance and breath-taking suspense, this is a sensational start to a brilliant new series. Get ready to be swept away by this spellbinding story of eternal love.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Hitting Shelves Today [8] (Credit to Iceybooks)




Title: Enders (Starters and Enders #2)
By Lissa Price
Goodreads






Title: Falling Kingdoms
By Morgan Rhodes
Goodreads






Title: Love and other perishable items
By Laura Buzo
Goodreads






Title: Princess of The Silver Woods
By Jessica Day George
Goodreads

Monday, December 10, 2012

IMM (7)

In My Mailbox is weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The point is to list the books that you either purchased or received for review during last week.

Bought:
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
Soul Screamers Vol. 2 by Rachel Vincent
Night World No. 2 by L.J. Smith
A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies
Crescendo (Hush Hush #2) by Becca Fitzpatrick
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Venom by Fiona Paul

Won by The (YA) Bookcase
Dualed by Elsie Chapman

Library:
Wake by Amanda Hocking
Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

What did you guys get this week?


Thursday, December 6, 2012

Whats Next (#6)

 
What's next is a weekly meme hosted by Icey Books so that you guys can help me decide what to read next!!!
Title: The Dead and Buried
Author: Kim Harrington
Expected Publication: January 1, 2013
Overview: A haunted house, a buried mystery, and a very angry ghost make this one unforgettable thriller.

Jade loves the house she's just moved into with her family. She doesn't even mind being the new girl at the high school: It's a fresh start, and there's that one guy with the dreamy blue eyes. . . . But then things begin happening. Strange, otherworldly things. Jade's little brother claims to see a glimmering girl in his room. Jade's jewelry gets moved around, as if by an invisible hand. Kids at school whisper behind her back like they know something she doesn't.

Soon, Jade must face an impossible fact: that her perfect house is haunted. Haunted by a ghost who's seeking not just vengeance, but the truth. The ghost of a girl who ruled Jade's school — until her untimely death last year. It's up to Jade to put the pieces together before her own life is at stake. As Jade investigates the mystery, she discovers that her new friends in town have more than a few deep, dark secrets. But is one of them a murderer?


Title: Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2)
Author: Richelle Mead
Overview: Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose...

It’s winter break at St. Vladimir’s, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy’s crawling with Guardians—including Rose’s hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn’t bad enough, Rose’s tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason’s got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks... This year, St. Vlad’s annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price


Title: Paranormalcy
Author: Kiersten White
Overview: Evie's always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours.

But Evie's about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

2013 TBR Pile Challenge

This is my first challenge and I am very excited! This challenge looks great!

Challenge Guidelines:
  1. This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2013 - Dec 31, 2013.
  2. Anyone can enter! You don't have to be a blogger, as long as you review the book you've read! (On your blog, Amazon or Goodreads/Shelfari!)
  3. Any genre, length or format of book counts, as long as it is a book that's been sitting on your shelf for some time now. Only books released in 2012 and earlier! NO 2013 ARCs and 2013 fresh-off-the-press releases allowed!
  4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
  5. When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the 2013 TBR PILE Reading Challenge. (If you don't have a blog, post about it on Facebook or Tweet!)
  6. You can move up levels, but no moving down.
  7. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2013, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.
  8. On the 20th of each month one of the hosts will post a wrap-up. Every wrap-up will have it's unique theme, a mini-challenge, a giveaway and place for you to link up your reviews from this monthFor each review you link up, you will get one entry in a drawing of one book of choice from Book Depository. It's open to INTERNATIONALS. The giveaway will be open until the next wrap up post goes up! (i.e. the entire month)
  9. If you miss a wrap-up post + giveaway, you can link up your reviews next month.Do not, however, try to link up one review twice - we will be checking ;)
  10. December is a wrap-up for the whole year. All the book reviews you linked up January-November + the ones you'll link up in December will be entered into a HUGE giveaway - a box of books.
  11. You don't have to follow all the hosts to join the challenge, but you do have to follow all of us to be entered in giveaways!
Levels:
(how many books you're planning to read for this challenge in 2013)

1-10 - A Firm Handshake
11-20 - A Friendly Hug
21-30 - A Sweet Kiss
31-40 - Love At First Sight
41-50 - Married With Children
 
So go check out Evie's blog post about the challenge and sign up!


WOW #6

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: Touch of Death
Author: Kelly Hashway
Expected Publication: January 15th, 2013
OverviewJodi Marshall isn’t sure how she went from normal teenager to walking disaster. One minute she’s in her junior year of high school, spending time with her amazing boyfriend and her best friend. The next she’s being stalked by some guy no one seems to know.

After the stranger, Alex, reveals himself, Jodi learns he’s not a normal teenager and neither is she. With a kiss that kills and a touch that brings the dead back to life, Jodi discovers she’s part of a branch of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the zodiac, Ophiuchus. A branch of necromancers that are descendents of Medusa. A branch of necromancers with poisoned blood writhing in their veins.

Jodi’s deadly to the living and even more deadly to the deceased. She has to leave her old, normal life behind before she hurts the people she loves. As if that isn’t difficult enough, Jodi discovers she’s the chosen one who has to save the rest of her kind from perishing at the hands of Hades. If she can’t figure out how to control her power, history will repeat itself, and her race will become extinct

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Sunday, December 2, 2012

IMM (6)

In My Mailbox is weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The point is to list the books that you either purchased or received for review during last week.

Bought:
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
Soul Screamers Volume 1 by Rachel Vincent
Fury by Elizabeth Miles
Renegade by JA Souders

Arcylycing:
Breathe by Sarah Crossan

What did you guys get this week?

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Whats Next (#5)

What's next is a weekly meme hosted by Icey Books so that you guys can help me decide what to read next!!!


Title: What's Left of Me
Author: Kat Zhang
Overview: Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t . . .

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable-hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet . . . for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything
Title: Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2)
Author: Richelle Mead
Overview: Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose... 

It’s winter break at St. Vladimir’s, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy’s crawling with Guardians—including Rose’s hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn’t bad enough, Rose’s tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason’s got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks... This year, St. Vlad’s annual holiday ski trip is mandatory. 

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price


Title: Fallen
Author: Lauren Kate
Overview: There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce – he goes out of his way to make that very clear. But she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, Luce has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret...even if it kills her.

Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, FALLEN is a page-turning thriller and the ultimate love story.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Review (5): Vampire Academy by RIchelle Mead

Title: Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1)
Author: Richelle Mead
Rating: 4.5/5
Overview: St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever







Well, I've put off this series for a heck of a long time because I was scared that it was going to be one of those lame vampire series.  But let me tell you, I was way wrong.  This first book of this series had my heart pumping and my eyes tearing up.

I loved that Rose was the narrator.  Rose is a such a strong willed character and she keeps the book going with her recklessness at some points.  She was so easy to connect to in a lot of ways and I love the depths her and Lissa will go through to protect each other.  Lissa and Rose are the epitome of best friends.

Lissa is such a sweet character and you can't help but love her.  She is so vulnerable but at the same time oh so powerful.  It's true when they say opposites attract because that is exactly what Rose and Lissa are, opposites.

This book was so action packed and I loved all the different events that happen throughout the book.  But, lets just say the near the end of the book, I did get a little teary eyed :/

And Dimitri, oh gosh, Dimitri.  My heart was pounding everytime he came into the scene.  Gosh, he is so swoonworthy.

This book sucked me in and definitely wouldn't let go.  I would recommend this book to anyone! It was so great and I cannot WAIT to start the nest one!

WOW (#5)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: The 13th Sign
Author: Kristin O'Donnell Tubb
Expected Publication: January 8th 2012
Overview: What if there was a 13th zodiac sign? 

You’re no longer Sagittarius, but Ophiuchus, the healer, the 13th sign. 

Your personality has changed. So has your mom’s and your best friend’s. 

What about the rest of the world? 

What if you were the one who accidentally unlocked the 13th sign, causing this world-altering change—and infuriating the other 12 signs?  

Jalen did it, and now she must use every ounce of her strength and cunning to send the signs back where they belong. Lives, including her own, depend on it

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Hitting Shelves Today! [6] (Credit to Iceybooks)




Lullaby (Watersong #2)
By Amanda Hocking
Goodreads



The Lucky Ones (Bright Young Things #3)
By Anna Godbersen
Goodreads



Touched
By Corrine Jackson
Goodreads