Sunday, July 31, 2011

Review'd: Wildefire by Karsten Knight

Book Review:
Title: Wildefire
Author: Karsten Knight
Published July 26th 2011 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Rating: 5 Stars


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.

DeLibrarie (Del) Review:  I loved everything about this book!! Asheline is just amazing. I LOVE the way that Karsten writes her. She's so REAL... she communicates with her best friends in the same way that me and my friends communicate... so I already felt like we were friends. I'm also a big fan of the way that Karsten portrayed the Gods and Goddesses, they weren't these all seeing, noble, human adoring Gods, they were legit Mythologically accurate Gods ready to wreck some havoc... the more temperamental ones anyway. And can you say King of Cliffhangers??!! I love books that make me FEEL something ( sadness, anger, happiness, heartbreak)... and this book had it all. Go read it. It's one of my new favorites. :)


Saturday, July 30, 2011

Review'd: The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

Book Review:
TItle: The Near Witch
Author: Victoria Schwab
Published: August 2nd 2011 by Hyperion Books CH
Source: Much thanks to Brooke from Brooke Reports for the ARC
Rating: 5 Stars

Goodreads Summary:
The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.
But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.
The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.
As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.
Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.

DeLibrarie (Nic) Review:
I was very lucky to get to read this ARC because I absolutely fell in love with it. The Near Witch brings you into a somewhat fairy tale-like world and presents believable, loveable characters. You're rooting for Lexi the entire time and you hate those that get in her way just as much as she does. It's a quick read because the story takes place over about a week, maybe less than that. And the writing style is perfect. You forget that you're reading and become completely engrossed in the world of Near. For those of you who read specifically for the amazing guys in YA fiction, The Near Witch has a great love story with a loveable guy but it's not the main plot of the story; it's just another part of the overall story. So don't expect something revolving around a relationship like in Twilight by Stephenie Meyer; there's a lot more going on in this story. Though the romance was perfect when it did come up; it made you ache to have a relationship like theirs. It doesn't have a modern setting but it's very realistic and it speaks to your heart. This is an amazing story that will leave you dreaming of witches, moors, and love for a very long time. I know I intend on buying it as soon as it comes out so that I can read it again. This is officially one of my favorite novels and I hope you all enjoy it, too!


Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday

I hope you all enjoyed Nic's Teaser Tuesday yesterday... I know I did. I'm so excited to hear what she thinks of The Near Witch, I got that ARC from Brooke over at Brooke Reports, and she's a pretty wonderful lady... and like really funny. Anyway, Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine. I love Wednesdays because I can sit and talk about books that I'm thuper duper excited for... and when I just talk to random people (including english major buddies) about how excited I am for any particular book to come out... they all just look at me like I'm a crazy person. Thank the lord for the bloggersphere... You all understand my obsessive behavior. Time for the meme:

This week I'm waiting for Fury by Elizabeth Miles

Goodreads Summary:
Sometimes sorry isn't enough....
It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...
Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.
On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.
In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay.

Hits Shelves: August 30th 2011 by Simon Pulse

I'm a huge fan of Lauren Oliver and Elizabeth Miles and Ms. Oliver (soon to be Mrs.) are best buds. I love both books that I have read by Lauren Oliver and if she recommeneds Fury... It has to be good. So excited for this one... obviously.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Teaser Tuesday

Hello! So I have received the chance to read a book (thanks to Del) that has yet to hit the shelves! I am incredibly excited. This is what I want to do with my life one day: read, review and edit books in the publishing world. And this is the closest I've come to that so far. So I am very happy to share a little of The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab with you today on this Teaser Tuesday (a weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading). So far this book is great and I can't wait until the rest of you get the chance to read it as well!




"I lean forward, as smooth and slow as if he were a deer. When my lips are inches from his, I pause, wait for him to pull back again, but he doesn't. My breath presses against his." page 153





Sorry, I couldn't decide which two of the three sentences to do so I did all three. If you weren't excited about this book before, hopefully you are now!

What's New...

I always intend on doing In my Mailboxes (hosten by The Story Siren) but I suck and never actually get around to doing them. SO, I'm going to do a giant one that includes basically the last three weeks. :) So be prepared.... (sung in the scar voice from lion king)


The Forest of Adventures by Katie M. John
Published December 1st 2010 by Little Bird Publishing House
The author sent me an autographed copy of an ARC with an adorable letter inside. I can't wait to read this one. I love Arthurian legends!!

Goodreads Summary: For seventeen year old Mina Singer, falling in love with an Arthurian Knight on a white horse was never part of the plan - especially being that she's an ordinary college girl living in the twenty first century.
As Mina finds herself catapulted into a land she believed only existed in the bedtime stories of her childhood, she soon discovers that Fairyland is not quite as innocent as she imagined.

The question is...who will come out alive?

Haunting, beautiful and sexy, The Forest of Adventures, is a dark romantic quest into the land of true and forbidden love.






Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey
Published June 21st 2011 by Walker Childrens
I have a problem. Everytime I go to Barnes and Noble I buy a, or 4, book(s). This book is a result of one of my Barnes and Noble adventures.
Goodreads Summary: Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.


Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?

 Fins Are Forever by Tera Lynn Childs
Published June 28th 2011 by HarperCollins Children's Books
Fins #2
Goodreads Summary:  On Lily Sanderson’s eighteenth birthday she’ll become just a girl—still a mergirl, true, but signing the renunciation will ink Princess Waterlily of Thalassinia out of existence. That leaves plain old Lily living on land, dating the boy she loves, and trying to master this being-human thing once and for all.
Now that Lily and Quince are together, mer bond or not, she’s almost content to give up her place in the royal succession of Thalassinia. But just when she thinks she has everything figured out, the waves start to get rough. Lily’s father sends a certain whirlpool-stirring cousin to stay with her on land. What did Doe do to get herself exiled from Thalassinia and stuck in terraped form when everyone knows how much she hates humans? And why why why is she batting her eyelashes at Lily’s former crush, Brody?
The seafoam on the raging surf comes when a merboy from Lily’s past shows up—Tellin asks Lily for something that clouds her view of the horizon. There’s a future with Quince on land, her loyalty to the kingdom in the sea, and Lily tossing on the waves in the middle. Will she find a way to reconcile her love, her duty, and her own dreams?
Tera Lynn Childs’s sequel to Forgive My Fins offers another tail-flicking romance with plenty of fun, sun, and underwater adventure.


Vanish (Firelight #2) by Sophie Jordan
Expected publication: September 6th 2011 by HarperTeen
This is an ARC that my blogger buddy Brooke picked up at ALA in New Orleans this past month. She was sweet enough to give me her extra copy. :) Isn't she just a saint. She doesn't believe me.
Goodreads Summary: To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.

Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?

In bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s dramatic follow-up to Firelight, forbidden love burns brighter than ever.
Sweet Venom (Medusa Girls #1) by Tera Lynn Childs

Expected publication: 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.

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
Published May 31st 2011 by HarperTeen
I've heard such good things about this one, I can't wait to actually sit down and read it. :)
Goodreads Summary:  How do you defy destiny?
Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.
As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

Undercurrent (Siren #2) by Tricia Rayburn
Published July 12th 2011 by EgmontUSA
I haven't technically even read the first book in this series, but I know that I'll want to read the second one. It IS about Sirens... which is pretty BAMF. and my Mommy bought me this book. :)
Goodreads Summary: The sirens are back, but Vanessa may be the biggest threat of all. . . .

Nothing has been normal since Vanessa Sands learned that her sister was murdered by sirens—femme fatales of the watery depths—and that everything she believed about her family was a lie. Her boyfriend Simon’s been the only person Vanessa feels she can really trust. But now there are some secrets she can’t tell even him. And when Vanessa finds herself in the sights of Parker, Hawthorne Prep’s resident charmer, she needs someone to confide in more than ever. Doubting her relationship with Simon, unsure of Parker’s intentions—and of her own—and terrified by what she’s learned about herself, Vanessa has never felt so alone.
But personal problems must be put aside, because the Winter Harbor sirens are back for revenge. Now, Vanessa must face her past and accept that she is just like her enemies—every bit as alluring, every bit as dangerous.

The eagerly anticipated second novel of the Siren trilogy, Undercurrent is a seductive paranormal romance that will leave you breathless.


 
Forever (Wolves of Mercy Falls #3) by Maggie Stiefvater Published July 12th 2011 by Scholastic, Inc.
This copy is signed, and she drew a cute little howling wolf. :) I've been so excited for this book for so many reasons. 1. It's red... with red writing... epic. 2. I love this series 3. IT"S THE LAST ONE.
Goodreads Summary:

The thrilling conclusion to #1 bestselling Shiver trilogy from Maggie Stievater
In Maggie Stiefvater's SHIVER, Grace and Sam found each other. In LINGER, they fought to be together. Now, in FOREVER, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.






Supernaturally by Kiersten White
Published July 26th 2011 by HarperTeen
I LOVE Kiersten White, She is soooo funny. I can't wait to read this one.
Goodreads Summary:  Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.
But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.
So much for normal.

The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller
Published July 12th 2011 by Razorbill
I'm a book snob, I like my books new and hardcover, but I just loved this cover. So i waited for it to be published in Paperback. :)

Goodreads Summary:
Haven Moore has always lived in the town of Snope City, Tennessee. But for as long as she can remember, Haven has experienced visions of a past life as a girl named Constance, whose love for a boy called Ethan ended in fiery tragedy.

One day, the sight of notorious playboy Iain Morrow on television brings Haven to her knees. Haven flees to New York City to find Iain and there, she is swept up in an epic love affair that feels both deeply fated and terribly dangerous. Is Iain her beloved Ethan? Or is he her murderer from a past life? Haven asks the members of the powerful and mysterious Ouroboros Society to help her unlock the mysteries of reincarnation and discover the secrets hidden in her past lives, and loves, before all is lost and the cycle begins again. But what is the Ouroboros Society? And how can Haven know whom to trust?
Dead Beautiful by Yvonne WoodPublished September 21st 2010 by Hyperion Book CH
I've wanted this one for a while, but for some reason I never bought it. However, Nic and I went to Border's "Blowout Sale"... which was really Barnes and Noble prices for members... that was disappointing... BUT we had driven all the way to Rosevill (45 mins away) so I HAD to get something... and I saw this one and then knew it was time. :) (The trip wasn't a complete waste... Roseville has a 2 story Forever 21. YAY!)
Goodreads Summary:  On the morning of her sixteenth birthday, Renée Winters was still an ordinary girl. She spent her summers at the beach, had the perfect best friend, and had just started dating the cutest guy at school. No one she'd ever known had died. But all that changes when she finds her parents dead in the Redwood Forest, in what appears to be a strange double murder.
After the funeral Renée’s wealthy grandfather sends her to Gottfried Academy, a remote and mysterious boarding school in Maine, where she finds herself studying subjects like Philosophy, Latin, and the “Crude Sciences.”
It’s there that she meets Dante Berlin, a handsome and elusive boy to whom she feels inexplicably drawn. As they grow closer, unexplainable things begin to happen, but Renée can’t stop herself from falling in love. It’s only when she discovers a dark tragedy in Gottfried’s past that she begins to wonder if the Academy is everything it seems.
Little does she know, Dante is the one hiding a dangerous secret, one that has him fearing for her life.
Dead Beautiful is both a compelling romance and thought-provoking read, bringing shocking new meaning to life, death, love, and the nature of the soul.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST....

Wildefire by Karsten KnightPublished July 26th 2011 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
This is by far the one that I've been waiting for the longest, and most excited about. :) Karsten is Awesome... he's just so freaken funny, and occassionally we chat back and forth on Twitter. He's just a hoot. I love reading gods/goddess books... everything about this book screams amazing! From the cover to the author to the synopsis.... :)
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.

So that's pretty much what's new... there are actually a few more... but I honestly got sick of googling cover pictures and looking books up on goodreads. :) I'm on like page 7 of Wildefire and hope to have a review up on that within the week... but that might be the hopefulness talking. I might post a Teaser Tuesday later... but like I said... Page 7... so It might be a boring one. What are you reading right now???

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Today's the Day!!!

As I'm sure many of you know... the AMAZING Amber of Down The Rabbit Hole has dedicated the month of July to the fabulous YA bachelors that we all love. All month she has had guest bloggers come in to defend various pre-selected bachelors, including myself, and now it is the bloggers/readers job to vote for their favorites.  As most of you probably know, I defended Patch in this post right here. http://amberinblunderland.blogspot.com/2011/07/ya-bachelor-patch-from-hush-hush-series.html


And as of about an hour ago, Voting has opened. Hop over to Down The Rabbit Hole http://amberinblunderland.blogspot.com/2011/07/ya-bachelor-voting-open.html
and vote for Patch his categories!!! How can Patch NOT win best bad boy, sexiest, best one liner, and overall favorite! Patch is like a descriptive word FOR bad boys, sexy and steamy one liners. Show your support for Patch not only by voting for him in Down The Rabbit Hole, (Voting ends on the 30th), but also help out Momo of Books Over Boys and vote for him in the YA Sisterhood Tourney as well. How awesome would it be if Patch swept both!!!!???!! Voting for that will begin August 3rd here > http://ya-sisterhood.blogspot.com/  against either Demitri or Ash. 


VOTE PATCH!!!!!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Who's Got the Funk?

I've been in such a reading funk lately. I've been so busy with work, and trying to catch up errands, that when I actually have time to sit down and read... I can't keep my eyes open. It's a problem, especially when my book buying hasn't seemed to be affected. I have a zillion new books... and like NO motivation to actually read them... it's a problem. BUT, I think that my funk is over!! Today I'm nannying for an 8 year old, 6 year old, 2 2 year olds, and a 6 month old... God help me, but when they all decide to go to bed (and the 6 month old actually sleeps) I plan on catching up on my reading. :) We'll see how that goes...

Hope to have a lot more reviews up in the coming weeks... I NEED to make my TBR pile smaller! Also, within the next month or two, DeLibrarie is getting a make over!!!! I'm so excited!!! More info on that later. Until next time folks. (hehe folks)

Del

Review'd: Crossed by Ally Condie

Book Review:
Title: Crossed
Author: Ally Condie
Published: November 1st, 2011by Dutton Juvenile 
Source: Much thanks to Brooke from Brooke Reports for the ARC
Rating: 4 stars


Goodreads Summary:
In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.



DeLibrarie (Del) Review: 
What I love about the Match series, is that it's not a love story. There are relationships in the plot, but the books are about Cassia finding herself and what she wants in life. I love books where the girl is really powerful and strong and Cassia really is, she doesn't really need Ky or Xander, she just likes having them around. The only reason that this book didn't get 5 stars, is because I felt like it got to be a bit repetitive. It switched back and forth between Ky and Cassia's perspective and for most of the middle chapters all that would happen would be the characters trekking through the canyon talking about how to survive. I'm really not one to enjoy survival books, so I had to force myself to read to get through the middle of the book. My favorite part of the book (well series really) is Xander, he's not actually in this one tons, but he still plays a key role, and I'm really excited to see what will happen with his character in the 3rd book.  




Monday, July 11, 2011

Time Will Come

Day 1 of my crazy week! AND... because it's so crazy, I am dedicating it to Harry Potter because 1. I love Harry Potter and it will make my week less stressful because no one can be stressed on Harry Potter week ('cept maybe Voldemort) and 2. because Harry Potter 7 part 2 premiers on Thursday!!!! woohoo! So right now I'm watching Harry Potter 6. :) It is also Monday... and that means that I get to tell you what book has been sitting on my shelf for way to long and still haven't gotten around to. Time Will Come is a meme hosted by Books for Company, and this week the book that I have neglected is:

Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus

Published July 13th 2010 by Egmont USA
Goodreads Summary: After her sister Athena's tragic death, it's obvious that grief-stricken Persephone "Phe" Archer no longer belongs in Los Angeles. Hoping to make sense of her sister's sudden demise and the cryptic dreams following it, Phe abandons her bubbly LA life to attend an uptight East Coast preparatory school in Shadow Hills, MA — a school which her sister mysteriously mentioned in her last diary entry before she died.

Once there, Phe quickly realizes that something is deeply amiss in her new town. Not only does Shadow Hills' history boast an unexplained epidemic that decimated hundreds of its citizens in the 1700s, but its modern townies also seem eerily psychic, with the bizarre ability to bend metal. Even Zach — the gorgeous stranger Phe meets and immediately begins to lust after — seems as if he is hiding something serious. Phe is determined to get to the bottom of it. The longer she stays there, the more she suspects that her sister's untimely death and her own destiny are intricately linked to those who reside in Shadow Hills.



It sounds good, I don't know why if keeps sitting there on my shelf... It looks right up my ally. Someday I will you read you book... someday... In the meantime I got a lovely little package in the mail from a friend and I plan on getting a lot of reading done in the next few days. :) 


Thursday, July 7, 2011

Review'd: A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

Book Review:
Title: A Beautiful Dark
Author: Jocelyn Davies
Published:  September 27th 2011 by HarperTeen
Rating: 5 Stars


I also wanted to add that I received this digital copy of the ARC through netgalley. Thanks! 


Goodreads Summary: 
Skye never questioned the story of her life. Her Aunt Jo adopted her after the death of her parents when she was just a child, and together they flip through memories the way some people flip through photo albums. 

She never questioned if the stories were true. 

Until the night of her 17th birthday, when the arrival of two strangers intrudes on her cozy life. Polar opposites, like fire and ice, Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair, cold, and aloof. Skye has no idea what they want—only that their presence coincides with the beginning of some shockingly strange events. Events that Skye, if she dares to think it, might be responsible for causing. 

High up in the mountains of Boulder, Colorado, Skye finds herself caught in the middle of an ancient battle, one that began untold millennia ago. Torn between unpredictable Asher, whom she loves, and the infuriating Devin, who she can’t stay away from, her fate is murky as a starless night. And as the secrets of her true identity are revealed, Skye realizes that her destiny may reside in the Heavens—or somewhere darker.


DeLibrarie (Del) Summary: 
Holy Hannah! I LOVE this book. Not only is there a cute boy that I totally adore... but there are 4! Asher, of course, being my favorite because he's the dark-haired bad boy. He actually reminded me a lot of Patch...  only just a little less bad. ;) It has been a really long time since I had the sensation where I like physically could not put a book down... that is until I started reading this one. I loved this book because you are so in tune with Skye that you completely understand her... and her indecisive behavior towards Asher and Devin.  This book was just so easy to read and sooooo suspenseful. The ending is KILLER... lets just say if Davies doesn't come out with a sequel... I might have to cry a lot... just sayin'. Overall... Love it... You should buy it when it hits shelves!!!! :) 


Review'd: Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares

Book Review:
Title: Sisterhood Everlasting
Author: Ann Brashares
Published: June 14th 2011 by Random House
Rating: 4 stars


Goodreads Summary:
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ann Brashares comes the welcome return of the characters whose friendship became a touchstone for a generation. Now Tibby, Lena, Carmen, and Bridget have grown up, starting their lives on their own. And though the jeans they shared are long gone, the sisterhood is everlasting.

Despite having jobs and men that they love, each knows that something is missing: the closeness that once sustained them. Carmen is a successful actress in New York, engaged to be married, but misses her friends. Lena finds solace in her art, teaching in Rhode Island, but still thinks of Kostos and the road she didn’t take. Bridget lives with her longtime boyfriend, Eric, in San Francisco, and though a part of her wants to settle down, a bigger part can’t seem to shed her old restlessness.

Then Tibby reaches out to bridge the distance, sending the others plane tickets for a reunion that they all breathlessly await. And indeed, it will change their lives forever—but in ways that none of them could ever have expected.

As moving and life-changing as an encounter with long-lost best friends, Sisterhood Everlasting is a powerful story about growing up, losing your way, and finding the courage to create a new one.



Delibrarie (Nic) Summary:
Alright, so I realize that this is technically an adult novel. However, I decided (along with Del) that reviewing this book would be appropriate because the first four are YA books and this follows the same story line. Though the writing style and plot is definitely more adult material in this book.
I cried almost the whole way through this book. After falling in love with these four girls when I was the same age as them, you could say I have some strong attachments at this point. I was devastated when I began reading and discovered that not all was well in the sisterhood world. I won't give away what went wrong, but just know that it was something really not good. I always forget that while the lead(s) in a story usually survive to see their own happy ending (because their the lead so that's who the story follows. Without them, there is no story)... they, like the rest of us, are only human (...mortal or vulnerable might be better words here for some stories). It took me forever to accept that one of my beloved characters was not alright in the end. But that's life, and it continues on regardless.
I loved this book while hating it at the same time. I couldn't believe that something like this could happen, but in a way it was good. The only problem I had with this story was that it took forever for any questions to be answered. The girls took their time figuring things out and I feel like they would have fought to discover the truth right away instead of running away. At the end once they did discover the truth, which was the saddest part of all, it ended almost right away. I feel like working up to the final climax was more important than focusing on the little things that were going on. I was left wanting more of a finality to the end of the story but it did end well. I feel good about where things left off in the end. Otherwise I loved this story. The writing was pristine as always and I hadn't realized how much I'd missed the characters until now. It was a sad yet good ending to an incredible story. If you loved the first four, you have to read this one.


Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Review'd:Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Book Review:
Title: Hereafter
Author: Tara Hudson
Published: June 7th 2011 by HarperCollins
Rating: 4 Stars


Goodreads Summary: 

Can there truly be love after death?
Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.
Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.
Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, Hereafter is a sensation you won't want to miss.

DeLibrarie (Del) Summary:
I picked up and set down this book at least 3 times... you know how it is, pick up a book, go to the bookstore find a new book, get really excited about that new temptress of a book, put down your current read, start new temptress book. I'm glad that I kept picking this one back up though... I actually finished it this time. I really loved how creepy it was. I'm a huge Tim Burton fan, so I love that creepy animation-esque imagery... I kept picturing that sort of scene while I was reading, especially in the last couple of chapters. I really liked Amelia, I felt really bad for her actually... Hudson's version of death kinda sucks for the dead person. ;) I'm really excited for the next one, I am anxious to see where she takes the story. 



Waiting on Wednesday

Happy Wednesday! I have a short day at work today (Yay) but then I have to go to the dentist (Boo) but then I can finish Hereafter in the waiting room (Yay). Mixed feelings about today ;). In the meantime...
WoW is hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and this week I am waiting for...

        Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

   Release Date: January 24th, 2012 (Day after my birthday)


Goodreads Summary:
For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

Described by Richelle Mead as “utterly captivating,” Unearthly received outstanding reviews, garnered accolades from New York Times bestselling authors, and was named an Indie Next Pick. In this heart-wrenching sequel, Cynthia Hand expertly captures the all-consuming joy of first love—and the agony of loss. This beautifully woven tale will appeal to fans of Lauren Kate, Becca Fitzpatrick, and Aprilynne Pike.


I'm so excited for this book. I LOVED Unearthly and can't wait to read more about Clara and Tucker. :) Only 2.5 hours left until Carly (my BFFW= Best Friend From Work) comes to replace me in my salon coordinator duties...then off to the dentist... blah.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Teaser Tuesday

Happy Tuesday all. I hope you all had a very wonderful long weekend, I had a wonderful time. BUT... now holidays are over and I don't get another one for far too long... so I am going to distract myself with a TEASER TUESDAY. If you don't know what that is... tisk tisk tisk. :) It's a weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. YAY. When I decide on a book that I want to read, I take it out of its spot on my shelf, and set it on my bed. Hereafter by Tara Hudson was taken off the shelf and put back on 3 or 4 times... but FINALLY I am actually reading it. SO without further ado... this weeks Teaser. 








"The little ache in my chest unfurled for the first time in hours. Before I got too far ahead of myself, however, I had to be sure of one more thing." 






Sorry sometimes two sentences seems to short doesn't it. :) 

Friday, July 1, 2011

Review'd: Dead Rules by Randy Russell

Book Review:
Title: Dead Rules
Author: Randy Russell
Published: June 21st 2011 by HarperTeen
Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads Summary:
 Till death
Jana Webster and Michael Haynes were in love. They were destined to be together forever.
Do
But Jana's destiny was fatally flawed. And now she's in Dead School, where Mars Dreamcote lurks in the back of the classroom, with his beguiling blue eyes, mysterious smile, and irresistibly warm touch.
Us
Michael and Jana were incomplete without each other. There was no room for Mars in Jana's life—or death—story. Jana was sure Michael would rush to her side soon.
Part
But things aren't going according to Jana's plan. So Jana decides to do whatever it takes to make her dreams come true—no matter what rules she has to break.

DeLibrarie (Del) Review:
Totally not was I was expecting. I guess that I thought it would be this super dark, obsessive love story... It wasn't. It had its dark moments, but this book was funny. Not funny in the snarky, sarcastic way that Hex Hall and Paranormalcy are funny, but it's the visuals that make this book so funny. Some of the ways that the students in Dead School died were kind of funny, and when Mars and Wyatt messed with people on the Planet, I just started laughing. I also really liked how the author seemed to be making fun of his main character. Jana is a strange main character. I really liked her at some points of the book, others... I hated her annoying elitist attitude. However, I kept getting the feeling that the author was making fun of her. It was actually kind of fun, to not really like a character and then get the idea that when you don't like her, the author really doesn't like her either. I was pleasantly suprised by this book, I went into it really not expecting to like it as much as I did. But alas, I very much liked it. Plus, I totally love Mars!! :)




 
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