Waiting on Wednesday

LONG DAY! But no better way to end it than finishing a good book, and lying on my floor staring up at my bookshelves indecisively trying to pick the next book to move from my TBR pile to my R pile. So no better way to forget about a decision than pretending it doesn't exist and doing something else... isn't that how you deal with decisions? Anyway... this "something else" that I was talking about is, of course, this weeks Waiting on Wednesday. It's been a while since I've done one of these... or anything for that matter... I've been working too much and too tired when I'm done with work to actually do anything productive. Blah Blah Blah. I'll quit the whining and start with the memeing... :) totally a word. This ingenious meme is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.  YAY!

Title: Sweet Venom
Author: Tera Lynn Childs
Published: September 6th 2011 by Katherine Tegen Books






Goodreads Summary: Grace just moved to San Francisco and is excited to start over at a new school. The change is full of fresh possibilities, but it’s also a tiny bit scary. It gets scarier when a minotaur walks in the door. And even more shocking when a girl who looks just like her shows up to fight the monster. 

Gretchen is tired of monsters pulling her out into the wee hours, especially on a school night, but what can she do? Sending the minotaur back to his bleak home is just another notch on her combat belt. She never expected to run into this girl who could be her double, though. 

Greer has her life pretty well put together, thank you very much. But that all tilts sideways when two girls who look eerily like her appear on her doorstep and claim they're triplets, supernatural descendants of some hideous creature from Greek myth, destined to spend their lives hunting monsters. 

These three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful gorgon maligned by myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in this unique paranormal world where monsters lurk in plain sight.


Being a lover of books... requires way too much waiting for my taste. I vote that publishing houses make it possible to publish books faster than I can read them. You should check on that... :) I'm trying to drag this post out as long as I can... so I don't have to figure out what book I'm reading next... AWW... Decisions!!!

Review'd: DemonGlass by Rachel Hawkins

Book Review:
Title: DemonGlass
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Published: March 1st, 2011 by Hyperion Books
Rating: 5 Stars


Goodreads Summary: 
Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. 

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth. 

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers. 

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

DeLibrarie (Delilah) Review:

I'm in love with the Hex Hall series. The first one was laugh-out-loud funny, sweet, and fast paced. DemonGlass was all that and more. Love Triangles, Snarky one-liners, betrayal and kick ass fighting scenes... what else could you ask for in a YA Paranormal Romance? I love Sophie Mercer... She's my favorite leading lady of all time; she's strong while still likeable, she's funny but not annoying, she's smart, and the girl goes after what she wants.  In Hex Hall, I totally fell for Archer... but in DemonGlass, I sorta fell for Cal too... I've always been so PRO one guy per book... but I just can't decide who I like better, Cal or Archer.  Sigh. I wish the next book comes out like...yesterday... so I can devour it. Like I did this one. :)

Review'd: Passion by Lauren Kate

 I'm sorry that it's formatted all funky...I'm at work... and my work computer HATES ME!!!!! I'll try and fix it when I get to a computer that doesn't have such strong negative feelings towards me.


 (Spoilers for Fallen and Torment)
Book Review:
Title: Passion
Author: Lauren Kate
Published: June 14th 2011 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Rating: 5 Stars


Goodreads Summary:


Luce would die for Daniel. And she has. Over and over again.Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart:
Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn’t need to be that way. . . .
Luce is certain that something—or someone—in a past life can help her in her present one.
So she begins the most important journey of this lifetime . . . going back eternities to witness
firsthand her romances with Daniel . . . and finally unlock the key to making their love last.
Cam and the legions of angels and Outcasts are desperate to catch Luce, but none are as
 frantic as Daniel. He chases Luce through their shared pasts, terrified of what might happen
if she rewrites history.

Because their romance for the ages could go up in flames . . . forever.


DeLibrarie (Del) Review:
Honestly, It's probably not fair for me to review this book, or any other book in the Fallen
series really. It's that "Love is Blind" concept. I LOVE the fallen series... and I fully believe that they
are AMAZING in everyway. Now that you know how DEEPLY I love this book... I will try to look at it
 like I would any other
book. This book is prequel-esque. At the end of Torment, Luce hops into an Announcer
 hoping to discover
more about the curse as she explores her past lives. So the majority of the book, present day
Luce is in the
past. There was also a new character introduced: Bill. At first I was a little nervous...
 he seemed like a
Mini Ms. Frizzle guiding Luce through her past lives giving helpful insite about every life
that they stepped into.
BUT, I found him interesting and important to the overall scheme of the series.


Overall, I loved this book... but you knew that. If you haven't read Fallen, or Torment...
I'm ashamed... Just
Kidding... but you should go read them. They're pretty wonderful. Also... A friend of mine
(Brooke from 
Brooke Reports) will be defending Daniel in the ultimate YA men show down hosted by Amy
from Down the
Rabbit Hole the month of July. Make sure you check that out it'll be cool... Lots of prizes to be
 won.


-Del-

Teaser Tuesday

Hello all! So this will be my first Teaser Tuesday, a weekly deal hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. I just started The Vampire Diaries: The Fury and Dark Reunion by L. J. Smith so my excerpt will be from the beginning of that! It's a dark series but very good so far.

"He paused for a blinding smile before going on. 'It's more than just the normal confusion after changing. She'll need blood, human blood, or her body won't have the strength to finish the change. She'll die.'" page 15

Waiting on Wednesday

Okay, so it's like 1:30am... I am BEYOND tired but I finished my book earlier which leads to me not being able to sleep because I don't know what I'm going to read next. (Obsessive). SO, I decided to do my WoW. YAY! Waiting on Wednesday is a lovely little meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine. (link in the review policy section if you want to check out her blog) This is usually where I would try to come up with some clever way to introduce this weeks WoW but frankly... I have no energy for that... So here it is:

Wildefire by Karsten Knight


Hitting shelves July 26th, 2011


Goodreads Summary: Every flame begins with a spark.

Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm.


Honestly, There are many books that I'm SUPER excited for... but most of them (like my last 2 WoWs) are the last couple books of a series. SO, I decided that this week I needed to pick a book from an author that I've never read anything from, and that I was SUPER EXCITED FOR! That my friends is this book. I mean really what's not to love... Polynesian Goddess, steamy romance with a hot, local part ranger... Can't wait. Plus, if Karsten writes anything like the way he talks in his vlogs, this book is bound to be entertaining. 

Literary Physics

After reading a book where the main character got to meet her long time literary crush... We were inspired to come up with a list of Fictional Freaken Hot Boys that we wish we real... and madly in love with us... However since we (Nichole and Delilah) are not the same person (although many people believe we are) we decided that two separate lists were in order. 


May I Present you all with:


The WHY AREN'T YOU REAL SO I CAN MARRY YOU LISTS: (in no particular order because that would be impossible)


Nichole:
1. Alex from Delirium     I love it when the guy notices the girl first and then decides that that's what he wants; that's what I loved about Alex. He also had that good-natured attitude that was very difficult to break. He was honest and sincere and brave. He was a passionate, trusting, and sure guy when it came to love and his relationship and he never lets you down or go crazy with jealousy; he never doubts you. And he knew how to say and show his love.
2. Tamani from Wings      Tam just sounds hot. My favorite accent is Irish and Scottish is close enough so I imagine him with this awesome accent. Then, green is my favorite color and he has these green eyes and his hair has the green along the part of his hair and he's described as being in really good shape... he just sounds very attractive to me. However, he also is very caring and protective and I love when a guy is capable and willing to protect you. I also loved how he was willing to wait for as long as he did, just so that he could be near the one he loved. His is the kind that doesn't end or falter; even in the face of jealousy. He's willing to fight for what he wants.
3. Will from The Luxe      He was so in love and so willing to do anything for that love... that's what I want from a guy. While sometimes becoming jealous, he was also more or less sure of himself and the one he loved. He was an avid reader which is relatable to me.
4. Dodge from The Looking Glass Wars     Like Tam, Dodge waited for a very long time for the one he loved and he never strayed to another. He was very protective and caring. He had a fun attitude and was un-selfish when it came to his relationship.
5. Prince Char from Ella Enchanted     This guy was like your best friend but lover; I love that in a guy. Someone you can show all of your secrets to and have the time of your life with. He had an honest heart and a good soul and loved fiercely. And he was always there right when you needed him.




Delilah:
1. Patch from Hush, Hush   Ok... I seem to have this obsession with the bad boy gone good idea, (I mean I'm am Team Damon after all), and Patch is like... the perfect bad boy fallen angel who is so SEXY and I just want to lock in my room (with me in it) and never let him go. He's super strong and so I would always feel protected, and his snarky little comments are SO HOT! I want him all to myself. 
2. Alex from Delirium    How can you not be madly in love with this boy after that ending?! I won't ruin if for you in case you haven't read it... but if you haven't read it you NEED TO... even if it's just for Alex. This is a boy that you KNOW would do anything for you... anything. Plus he's super hot... I imagine. 
3. Alexander from The Vampire Stalker    The thing that I love so much about Alexander is that he's all 'I'm old fashioned and don't want to ruin your reputation' and then at the same time he's all 'I'm a tortured soul who is destined to kick Vampire ass.' He's another bad boy... but good boy. My weakness. 
4. Dodge from The Looking Glass Wars   Another tortured soul who can kick ass. I love that he waits years and years for Alyss to come back and is STILL in love with her. I love the idea of the kind of love that conquers all that time, and Dogde is just so... perfect!
5. Archer from Hex Hall    Ok I love him... but if you've read Hex Hall then you know why I have a little chip on my shoulder towards him... BUT I am hopeful... I love how sweet, and caring, and happy- go lucky he is. He's a good guy... well then he's a mysterious skeez... (sorry for the minor spoiler but I'm a little annoyed with him...) BUT I LOVE HIM and hope that in DemonGlass he'll redeem himself. 

Review'd: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

**SPOILER ALERT!** Between my own review and the Goodreads Summary we sort of ruin both the first and the second book in this series so please do not read either unless you have already read them or do not care to know what happened. Thanks!

Book Review:

Title: Mockingjay

Author: Suzanne Collins

Published: August 24th 2010 by Scholastic Press

Rating: 5 Stars

Goodreads Summary:

Young Katniss Everdeen has survived the dreaded Hunger Games not once, but twice, but even now she can find no relief. In fact, the dangers seem to be escalating: President Snow has declared an all-out war on Katniss, her family, her friends, and all the oppressed people of District 12. The thrill-packed final installment of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy will keep young hearts pounding.

Delibrarie (Nichole) Review:

I loved this book. If you're going to read The Hunger Games series, you do it for this book. It was the best of the three in my opinion.

Collins did a great job of consistently portraying Katniss throughout. Her nightmares and the constant details of what she looked like all helped to remind us of what she has been through and why she is even more emotionally and physically unstable at times. I like how all of the relationships are fully explored and explained and how they all come to their own little ending. I appreciated how each character had their own history that was always explained and how their personalities were all so unique and realistic.

I also liked how so many people died. While I was just as attached to those characters as Katniss was, and so I HATED to see them go, it made the story seem more realistic. Just because a character knows the hero/herione doesn't mean they are safe from death or harm and yet usually everyone important survives. In this book, not many survived. I appreciated that.

I also like how the ending came to a nice stop, leaving everything finalized and explained so you know why Katniss ended up with who she did, etc... I really enjoyed the ending and how the epilogue gave the reader a little peak into what happens after everything is all said and done. I felt so attached to Katniss and her world that I was grateful to have that little bit to know that she lived her life happily even though we as readers don't get to continue living it with her.

The writing was beautiful and the story was just as gory as the previous ones but I liked that consistency and the detail of it to make it the most heart-wrenching of all. This story calls to something deep inside of you and makes you appreciate life and those you love all the more. It also gives you a good look into the cruelty of humans and the unpredictability of life. You never know what will happen and you never know how you, as one little person, will influence things.

Review'd: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

**SPOILER ALERT!** Within my own review and the Goodreads Summary the entire first book before this is more or less ruined. So PLEASE do not read past this if you do not want the first book ruined.

Book Review:

Title: Catching Fire

Author: Suzanne Collins

Published: September 1st 2009 by Scholastic Press

Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads Summary:

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol.

Delibrarie (Nichole) Review:

I was slightly disappointed with this book, hence the 4 stars instead of 5. I loved this book, it was just that it was way to similar to the first book in my opinion. It followed almost the exact same plot outline as the first one. I feel as thought this book was simply a middle-man between her sparking the rebellion and the war. Collins needed a way to get the war in motion and I can't help but wonder if there was another way for her to accomplish that without having to go into the games again. Although the way she did Catching Fire worked; it made sense and fit with the story. I just felt like I was reading The Hunger Games over again when I was wanting something new.

That point aside, the writing style was, as always, brilliant. The story was also a little frustrating to me because nothing was really happening between Katniss and Gale and Peeta. At the end of The Hunger Games I was REALLY looking forward to her reunion with Gale and hearing his reaction to everything that had happened during the games. But I got nothing. He was mentioned, but more as an after thought. Him kissing Katniss was a huge event for me and she just explained it later when it needed explaining. It was as if she had no relationships with Gale or Peeta even, which is sort of explained in the book but even then you expect more.

I realize I'm sort of railing on this book right now and I'm not trying to say it's bad by any means. It was really good and I enjoyed it and I would suggest it to anyone interested in this series; I just had a few misgivings with it that were difficult for me to get over. Please read and enjoy! I know I did. It made me want to read the third book even more; it was good at keeping the reader interested and it definitely accomplished its job of introducing more characters and by developing/setting-up the war for the third book.

Review'd: The Hunger Games

Book Review:

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Published: September 14th 2008 by Scholastic, Inc.

Rating: 5 Stars

Goodreads Summary:

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Delibrarie (Nichole) Review:

There is so much more to this book than you would first believe. At first glance I thought this book looked like a childish, weird book. It wasn't until by younger brother, who doesn't read, told me I had to read this because it was just that good that I decided to give it a go. I was blown away. I could not put it down and I could not stop until I had read all three (which thankfully were all out by the time I finally read them).

I liked how Collins decided to use first person because it forced me to live every heart-wrenching, joyful, fearful moment that Katniss endures. It was breathtaking. Literally.

I will say this though: It was very gory. I don't think that this is a bad thing, personally. I thought that the details and gore just added to the experience and made it more real and tangible to me as the reader. However, because I've seen this book portrayed as a children's book as well as a teen book I'm just worried about the kids that get their hands on this. While I realize that there are worse movies and games out there that kids play, the less they are shown of such things the better. But that is strictly my own opinion.

I loved how this book began and ended. It doesn't start with a history lesson or end with a huge cliffhanger, instead it begins with Katniss living her life. That's how you get sucked into her story so much because you wake up with her and her life and just follow her along as the events lead to the inevitable. The ending, don't worry I won't give anything away, isn't some huge cliffhanger, either. Granted you definitely want to read the next one to see what happens next but it sort of finalizes this first book so that you are content with what you have been given and are excited to continue the story.

It's a very emotional book so if you are going to attempt it, I say go for it but be ready for it. There will be gore and you will feel as the character does and she goes on a rough path to say the least.

Review'd: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Book Review:
Title: Delirium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Published: February 1st 2011 by Harper Teen
Rating: 5 Stars


Goodreads Summary:
Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.


DeLibrarie (Nichole) Review:
For as long as this book is, it's one of the quickest reads I have ever experienced. Even though several months go by in the book, it feels like it happens much faster. I think that this is because there is so much happening and so much that the main character (and thus the reader) is looking forward to/dreading which in turn makes the reader want to get to each of those points to see what happens. One thing leads to another and you just want to keep going.
Oliver is also really good at pulling the reader in so that you feel what the main character feels. You grow attached to her, her friends, her life... The other day I was missing her best friend because I felt like she was my best friend. It was beautifully written and incredibly relateable.
The relationships (mainly Lena's and ********* - I won't give his name away in case you haven't read it yet, but her main love interest to say the least) are also really believeable and relateable. You fall in love with her love interest just as she does and, to say the least, you get heartbroken just as much as she does throughout the story.
The descriptions were wonderful because I saw the stars at night, I heard the ocean waves in the afternoons, and I smelt the overwhelming stench of the Crypts as if I were Lena.
While this could be an incredibly deep, meaningful story, I'm glad it's slightly more of a fluff read because it makes it more approachable to a wider audience. That is not to say that it is not deep or meaningful, it is, I'm simply saying that it focuses more on Lena's relationship and her experiences instead of the idea or world-wide consequences of a dystopic world such as Oliver presents.

Review'd: The Vampire Stalker by Allison Van Diepen

(Just an insy weensie bit spoilery in the DeLibrarie Section)


Book Review:
Title: The Vampire Stalker
Author: Allison Van Diepen
Published: June 1st, 2011 by Point
Rating: 5 Stars


Goodreads Summary:


What if the characters in a vampire novel left their world--and came into yours?

Amy is in love with someone who doesn't exist: Alexander Banks, the dashing hero in a popular series of vampire novels. Then one night, Amy meets a boy who bears an eerie resemblance to Alexander. In fact, he IS Alexander, who has escaped from the pages of the book and is in hot pursuit of a wicked vampire named Vigo. Together, Amy and Alexander set out to track Vigo and learn how and why Alexander crossed over. But when she and Alexander begin to fall for each other, Amy wonders if she even wants him to ever return to the realm of fiction.

DeLibrarie (Delilah) Review:

This is exactly what I needed right now. It's fun, its fast-paced and it has just a touch of romance. I am however VERY jealous of Amy... She falls in love with Alexander... the main character of her favorite series (very much like me, Nic and every other YA book lover that we know) and then SHE GETS HIM!!!!! NOT FAIR!! Van Diepen knows her audience, that's for sure. Of course we love Amy... Amy is us... the book lover who falls in love with fictional boys. With that in mind, the characters were naturally believable, the plot was enjoyable and the writing was quick and fun. I LOVED it... and I NEVER SAY THIS... but I wish it was a series... I want to live in this world for as long as possible. Oh, and I'm very much a fan of this literary physics theory! I would very much like a portal into Harry Potter please...thank you!

Is It Just Me? (In Which I Confess That I'm Crazy)

I'm a sad, obsessive human being.
Why you ask?
Because... Here I am sitting in my bedroom staring at the Passion (Fallen Book 3) page on Goodreads.
Why again you ask?
Because... I am madly IN LOVE with that series... It's to the point where I made a little calendar while I was away at school and I have the day that Passion is set to be released highlighted and on all the other days I have a count down to its release. See what I mean when I say I'm a sad, obsessive human being... Sometimes... like now for example... I just like to sit and stare at the pretty pretty cover and wish that I was actually staring at the book itself... and then when I finally do get it... That is exactly what i'll do. I'll stare at it. Because I'll be too scared to open it because once I open it I won't be able to stop reading it and then I'll have to wait ANOTHER year for the next one. *whimper* Once I had this realization that I'm in fact a sad, obsessive person... I tried to think of all the other books that I'm hopelessly waiting for... among the list are...
1. Passion by Lauren Kate
2. Silence by Becca FitzPatrick
3. Crossed by Ally Condie
4. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
5. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

How sad it that?! And you know what's even more sad. When these books all finally are released... I won't be satisfied because at that point, I'll have 5 more i'm sure. Being a book lover is a never-ending test of my patience...

This all made me curious... am I like that crazy book reader who is way to in love with her books? Or is this pretty typical among the YA book lovers out there? Does anyone else stare at goodreads covers, or move books around on your shelves to make room for unreleased books? Or what my lovely co-blogger Nic does... actually tries to wait until all the books in a series are published before she starts the series? (Now I know that this is what she prefers and sometimes I really want her to read a book so I trick her into thinking that it's not a series to she'll read it and then she has to share in my pain of waiting...) Regardless... I totally envy her self-control... Even if she is super excited to read a book... she waits. Unearthly for example, she's had this book since just after it was published in January... I keep telling her she needs to read it but she simply replies with "Is it a series?" in which I say "Ugh, Yes." and she is all... "Then I'll just wait." and in my head I'm screaming.... HOW CAN YOU WAIT?! IT"S SOOOO GOOD. Nic you have no idea how much I envy your ability to buy a book and then just let it stare at you from your shelf. I, however, am weak. I will look at a new book... and it's like it haunts me until I devour it in a day...

Overall point here... Is that I'm pretty sure that I'm not alone... but sometimes I feel like a crazy person. I am fairly certain that the staff at the Edina (MN) Barnes and Noble have my cell number memorized from the amount of times that I've called asking if they have a certain book out yet... Also pretty sure that I might have my own shelf of ON HOLD books from those times that I've called and made them save one for me.

I'm nuts.

--Del--