Showing posts with label favorite. Show all posts
Showing posts with label favorite. Show all posts

Nov 19, 2012

Under the Never Sky, by Veronica Rossi

Series: Under the Never Sky, #1
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Hardcover: 374 pages
Genre: YA - Dystopian
Read it in: 6 days
Source: Library
Challenge: Debut Author, Dystopian
Rating: Shelf WorthyRecommendFavorite
Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse.
Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild - a savage - and her only hope of staying alive.
A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile - everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.
Oh. My. God. SO many AMAZING dystopians for 2012. Seriously. I can't get enough of them. I checked this out from the library and made my husband read it while I was reading another  book. He likes Dystopians as well and I'm always throwing books at him to read. He liked it, so I knew I would definitely like it. Not that I didn't already know that from the summary!

I finished this over a week ago, but I still get all happy and excited when I think about it. It was just SO amazing. I seriously had to read TWO contemporary books just to try and get out of its world. The world that Aria lives in is REALLY scary. But so amazingly real! Every time I picked up this book to read I was drawn into it and felt like I was right there experiencing everything.

I got frustrated, and sad, and scared, and embarassed EVERYTIME Aria did. Her emotions were so well and the writing was so descriptive that everything was real. It's also told in alternating perspectives between Aria and Perry. I really loved being able to get into Perry's head. It really helps to understand the things he does and not just what Aria thinks he's doing when she experiences it.

At first I really wanted to smack Perry for being so mean to Aria, but I quickly fell in love with him and he's one of my top favorite characters from the book. I loved nearly all the characters, except for Soren and his dad and of course the creeps they met along the way. Not going to go into too much detail because you just really need to read it yourself.

Overall, this is a wonderful dystopian. I don't really have any complaints at all about it. If you haven't read this yet, do so immediately. Definitely addicting and one of my top favorite dystopians now.
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
Author Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
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The second book in this series is called Through the Ever Night. It will be released on January 8th, 2013. 
Also, as a side note, this is definitely one of the BEST book trailers I have ever seen. It seriously makes me want this book turned into a movie even more than I already do.

Nov 12, 2012

Incarnate, by Jodi Meadows

Series: Newsoul, #1
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: January 31, 2012
Hardcover: 374 pages
Genre: YA - Dystopia
Read it in: 2 days
Source: Library
Challenge: Dystopian
Rating: Shelf WorthyRecommendFavorite
New soul
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.
No soul
Even Ana's own mother thinks she's a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she'll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?
Heart
Sam believes Ana's new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana's enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else's life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?
Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.
Wow. That is the word that still comes to mind when I think about this book.  I finished this book on the 3rd of this month and the power of this book still stays with me. It completely blew me away and makes me want to go back right away and re-read it. I wish I would of been able to read this sooner!

As some of you may know, I'm a sucker for the Dystopian genre. And this Dystopian? Wow! This book was SO unique! I love Dystopians, but if you read a lot of Dystopians you see that some of them may be unique, but also have around the same type of things in them. (If that makes sense!) But I can't think of ANYTHING that is anywhere near this book.

Another thing that I happen to love and be really interested in is reincarnation. Which is also something that really drew me to this book. (Other than that GORGEOUS cover! I mean look at it! Every time I see it I have to stare at it for at least 5 minutes straight.) There is just something about reincarnation that is really interesting. And the people in this book know everything about their past lives! It's SO cool!

One thing bad about them knowing, is that they have all known each other for millions of years so when it comes to a random person popping up with a new and fresh soul, no one really signs up for the welcome committee. Except, for you know, Sam. *swoon* Saaaammmm. Him alone makes me want to grab a copy of this and read it again. He's so sweet and caring and hot and smart and is it getting hot in here?? *Shakes head to clear it.* Anyway, I absolutely LOVED his character. LOVED. I can't wait to see what will happen with him and Ana in the sequel. ( I am dying for the sequel SOOO bad. Anyone have an extra copy they want to send me as a Christmas prezzie? :P)

Although Ana bothered me sometimes, I really liked her character. She kept her guard up when it was needed and she was really smart. She may have been a newsoul and didn't have millions of years of experience, but she was really smart. And even when a lot of the people didn't welcome her with open arms, she still put her life at stake to help protect them when it was needed. She's extremely brave, and I really liked that about her. Plus, she was just fresh. You know what I mean, right?

Also, just to let you know, a lot of characters in YA nowadays are falling in love at first sight, which gets really old. That didn't happen with Sam and Ana. Yes, Sam was friendly toward Ana and they both put their lives at stake to help each other. But their relationship grew and grew after spending time with each other and as they learned more about each other. And their relationship was so pure and beautiful and after a while I was BEGGING for something to happen with them. It drove me CRAZY, but in a good frustrating way.

Overall, this book was amazing. I am definitely getting my own pretty copy soon so I can read it over and over again. It had everything in it that a great, amazing, and just beautiful book needs! Oh, and some dragons and sylphs too! :P  If you haven't read this book, you need to ASAP. And if you don't have it on your TBR list yet, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?! :O
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
Author Info: Website | Facebook | Twitter
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The second book in this series is called Asunder. It will be released on January 29, 2013

Oct 29, 2012

Shatter Me, by Tahereh Mafi

Series: Shatter Me, #1
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: November 15, 2011
Hardcover: 338 pages
Genre: YA Dystopian
Read it in: 2 days
Source: Library
Challenges: Dystopian, Book Blogger Recommendation
Rating: 
Shelf WorthyRecommendFavorite
Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.
The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.
The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war– and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.
Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.
Oh my God! I finished this book nearly three weeks ago and it was the last book I finished! The book I started after finishing Shatter Me, I haven't been able to finish. I'm still reading it slowly while reading another book that I knew would get me back into the gear of reading because it's a sequel to a book I loved.

Anyway, back to the OH MY GOD! This book was amazing. It's taken me so long to write a review of this book because after finished it I was going through so many emotions about it and I didn't know what to say about this book. It's a cross with SO much stuff to say, but all I can do is ramble, to not having anything at all to say because it was THAT good.

I'm still having issues with this review. All I can say is my review is going to suck, but this book most definitely does NOT suck. I can't believe I waited so long to read it! I've been dying to FOREVER, but just haven't gotten around to grabbing a copy from the library. I know this will most definitely be one of the next books I order when I do order any books because I want, no NEED, a copy of this sitting on my shelf.

1) The cover is GORGEOUS!
&
2) I need access to it 24/7!

Mafi's writing style was so awesome! Created vivid scenes in my head. SO vivid I really did get sucked in and thought I was truly living as Juliette. I love how she had Juliette writing in her book and crossing things out. I love how things were crossed out! It was extremely unique and I can say I have never seen that in a book. There probably are a few out there, but I've never come across one. I thought it was weird, but unique, at first. But quickly fell in love!

And Juliette's abilities! OMG. It reminds me of Rogue from X-Men, and I LOOOOVE Rogue. I still can't figure out which one is more bad-ass in my head yet. They both come to a close tie. :)

And Adam. God. All I can say is: MEGA. FREAKING. AMAZING. HOTTIE! I about died when he entered. He was an asshole at first, but god he's not. Definitely not. He's so sweet and amazing and I totally freaking swooned every time he was in a scene.

Overall, there isn't really much I can say. This is an amazing dystopian. I would also kind of say for those of you weird people who don't really dystopians I really do recommend this because it's not JUST dystopian. It has a supernatural element in it with Juliette's unique ability and it's a romance. And boy did I LOOOVE that romance. I can't wait for the sequel. I'm dying a little inside each and every day it doesn't pop into my head. BOO!
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
Author Info: Blog | Twitter | Tumblr | Facebook
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The second book in this series is called Unravel Me. It will be releaseed on February 5, 2013. 

Oct 15, 2012

Spell Bound, by Rachel Hawkins

Series: Hex Hall, #3
Publisher: Hyperion
Release Date: March 13, 2012
Hardcover: 327 pages
Genre: YA - Paranormal
Read it in: 1 day
Source: Library
Challenge: none 
Rating: 
Shelf WorthyRecommendFavorite
Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted.
Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.
Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?
Spell Bound was freaking AMAZING. Even though I'm EXTREMELY upset that this is the last book in the series, it did have a great ending. Hawkins did an amazing job tying up all the lose ends. Though, then again, I am STILL extremely sad. I loved this trilogy so much. But I do hear that there most likely will be a spin-off. Not sure if that is 100% true, but I'm very intrigued!

I don't want to go into too much detail on what happened in this book--though my mind is going miles a minute right now with everything because it totally blew my mind--because I don't want to give anything away or spoil anything.

There is a point in this book, which I'm not going to say, that I really wanted to throw the book across the room and I even tweeted Rachel to tell her I was upset about it. Though I tweeted her again after I read the next chapter and understood what happened, ha! I was SO upset. (If anyone is curious, it's the last line in chapter 10.)

I do like the new characters that come up in here, though I'm not going to say who. They weren't my absolute favorite, but they were surprising and grew on me by the end of the book.

The writing was amazing as ever and had be so absorbed in the book I didn't really notice much around me. I just flew through the pages and devoured this book. This was another book that I really needed to read to get me back into reading and out of this rut.

Overall, AMAZING. Perfect ending. If you haven't read this series yet, please do us all a favor and do it.Including yourself. It's unique and the perfect trilogy to take your mind to another place. HIGHLY recommend!
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
Author Info: Website/Blog | Twitter |  Facebook | Tumblr
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Add it: Goodreads | Shelfari
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
Read my other reviews for this trilogy:

Oct 8, 2012

Fever, by Lauren DeStefano

Series: The Chemical Garden, #2
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: February 21, 2012
Hardcover: 341 pages
Genre: YA - Dystopian
Read it in: 3 days
Source: Bought
Challenges: Dystopian, Sophomore
Rating: 
Shelf WorthyRecommendFavorite
Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.
Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.
The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.
In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.
So some of you may know that I read Wither pretty late. I didn't read it until May! I instantly fell in love though.  I quickly ordered Fever after finishing, but sadly I didn't start it right away! Other books got in the way and I started it twice I think, but then had to read other books again and it drove me nuts!

Fever picks up where Wither left off, with Rhine and Gabriel on the run, but as soon as they think they are safe they fall into another place they will need to escape. Not going to go into too much detail as I don't want to give anything away. But that frustrated me to no end! It was seriously a *headdesk* kind of moment.

I had very high hopes for this sequel. And I was right, never had any doubts about it. Lauren's writing is just one that you know won't let you down. And this world is so awful, but so interesting and real. It's really scary to think this could be the future one day! What will happen if something like this is what is going to become our future? Our children's future? It's just so scary to think about.

And the writing is just so beautiful as always. You fly through the pages so fast and the descriptions are perfect and so detailed and you picture everything. EVERYTHING. It's amazing. And the characters....gosh.

Rhine is so unbelievably strong and brave. She doesn't give up! She keeps going no matter what obstacle falls in front of her. She keeps fighting. I admire that SO much about her. She's such a great character and even though she's a fictional character in a dystopian novel, she's REAL.

And Gabriel, oh Gosh, Gabriel. I'm so happy he's in this book every moment. I loved him so much in Wither and couldn't get enough of him. You learn more about him in here and he goes through a lot too and you just get to see Rhine and Gabriel's relationship blossom and see them take care of each other and I was always going, "Awwwww" at them because they are seriously cute and I just wanted to hug them!

Overall, I loved this book. I'm dying to read Sever, ESPECIALLY after that last sentence of the book. I mean WHAT?! I was late reading Wither, so I didn't have to really wait for Fever, but Sever is 4 months and some days away. I'm DYING for Sever so bad. If you haven't read this series, you need to. Hopefully you aren't reading this if you haven't read Wither, but READ. NOW. I HIGHLY recommend it.
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
Author Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr 
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The third book in this series is called Sever. It will be releasing on February 12th, 2013. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
Read my other reviews for this series: 

Sep 10, 2012

Born Wicked, by Jessica Spotswood

Series: The Cahill Witch Chronicles, #1
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: February 7, 2012
Hardcover: 330 pages
Genre: Young Adult - Historical Paranormal Romance 
Read it in: 2 days
Source: Library 
Challenges: Debut Author, YA Fantasy 
Rating: 

Shelf WorthyRecommendFavorite
Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave.
Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.
If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.
If you saw the genre part of the book info at the top, you may have noticed I put Historical Paranormal Romance. I did not know which one to put it in, Historical Romance or Paranormal Romance, ha! So I mashed them together.  When I first read the summary of this book, I fell in love, but I did NOT know it was  historical! I wish I would of known because I would of tried to get this even sooner. Though my library doesn't get books in very fast after release dates.

When I snagged this from the library, I was ecstatic and couldn't wait to read it. Once I started reading it, I was hooked from the first couple of pages! I kept picking it up throughout the night and reading it and then throughout the day and I just couldn't stop. I was sneaking pages of it in between chores and even letting my 17 month old jump around on my back and head as long as I was able to read.

I can't really describe how amazing this book is. There are no words, and I definitely don't want to give anything away.

I love the plot and I love the suspense you feel whenever the Brotherhood are brought up and/or are around Cate. I noticed myself holding my breath each time, especially if they showed up at her house out of the blue, because I was scared she'd be next! That she was caught!

The writing flows SO well, it was so beautiful and you would fly through the pages without even noticing! I am VERY impressed with Mrs. Spotswood. VERY! She's definitely on my author watch list now and I am DYING to read Star Cursed. Why can't it be February now?! I NEED that book. NEED IT!

Oh, gosh, and the characters! Cate drove me crazy sometimes, though she was loyal and she knew her responsibility and kept watch over her sisters. But sometimes I wanted her to be selfish ever once in a while. Just a little bit. But that's not how Cate is. I liked her sisters, though Maura was definitely my least favorite. She just got so annoying sometimes. GAH!

I liked Paul at first, he seemed pretty nice. But then Finn came into the picture and Paul was history in my eyes!

Overall, this was an amazing debut. I am seriously kicking my own self in the butt for not reading this sooner. I loooved it! I loved its time period, and its magic, and its writing, and just EVERYTHING. If you haven't read it yet, DO SO NOW! This definitely got me out of my reading rut, but now I hope that I don't dive back into it after this amazing book.
                                                                                                                                        
Author Info: Website | Facebook | Twitter 
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The second book in this series is called Star Cursed, it will be released on February 7, 2013. 

Aug 17, 2012

Passion, by Lauren Kate

Series: Fallen, #3
Publisher: Delecorte Press
Release Date: June 24, 2011
Hardcover: 420 pages
Genre: Young Adult - Paranormal Romance
Read it in: 6 days
Source: Own
Challenge: None
Rating: 
Shelf WorthyRecommendFavorite
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 thislifetime...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.
Sweeping across centuries, PASSION is the third novel in the unforgettably epic FALLEN series.
Okay, I know a lot of people have had issues with this book. But I didn't. I loved it. I know that it's basically just Luce stepping in and out of Announcers in different times and places, but I loved seeing her past lives with Daniel.  I loved seeing them fall in love so deeply each time, it was so romantic. As you should already know if you've read the first two books (Which you better have if you're reading this review!!!), Daniel has had to watch Luce die over, and over, and over again with each reincarnation. He falls in love with her as a different person, with the same soul, each time and she falls in love with him and just as they start to proclaim that love, poof. She dies. It's so tragic, but such a romantic tragic love story.

Also, in this third installment, you get to read Daniel's point-of-view. Every other chapter is Daniel's. I really loved seeing through his eyes and getting an insight on his feelings and the way he thinks. It also adds a lot to the history of him and Luce, and the fallen angels.

The only thing that I can remember really bugging me was the fact that it seemed like Luce STILL needed to know about her love with Daniel after so many past lives. She knew after so many of them that their love was true, and she kept whining about missing him. I know, though, that this book was about learning about the past with them. But I hated how she basically whined through the whole thing.

And ugh, Bill. I knew something was up with him as soon as Luce met him. I was always suspicious of him, even when I kind of liked how he helped Luce. But the whole time I was waiting for him to do something. Not going to go into too much detail about him, ha. Or I'll give away everything with him and rant on and on and on about how...nevermind!

Overall, I loved this installment. I'm dying to read Rapture, but I want to save some time and read Fallen in Love. I'm really sad that Rapture is the last book. These books make me cry so hard. They make my heart hurt. The writing flows well and you fly through SO many pages so fast, even though the chapters are super long. Which I don't mind in these books. If you haven't tried this series yet, please do! I know a lot of people stay away from them because they are the type that is either a love, or a hate relationship. Can't be so-so about it, or at least I haven't seen anybody with a "Ooh, yeah I liked it. It was okay." feeling about it.
                                                                                                                                
Author Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
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There is a novella called Fallen in Love that was released after Passion, it was released on January 24, 2012. The fourth book is called Rapture, it was released on June 12, 2012
Read my other reviews for this series: 

Aug 6, 2012

Pushing The Limits, by Katie McGarry

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: August 1, 2012
e-Galley: 416 pages
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary Romance
Read it in: 3 days
Source: Netgalley
Challenge: Debut Author, Contemporary
Rating: 
Shelf WorthyRecommendFavorite
"I won't tell anyone, Echo. I promise." Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. "You didn't do that-did you? It was done to you?" No one ever asked that question. They stared. They whispered. They laughed. But they never asked.
So wrong for each other...and yet so right.
No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.
 I can't get this book out of my head. It's been three days since I finished this, and I just can't get it out of my head. When I have a free moment, my mind brings it up and I can't help it. I'm glued to the book I'm currently reading, and I love the book I'm currently reading, but I just CAN'T. GET. THIS. BOOK. OUT. OF. MY. HEAD!

If you can't tell by now, I really freaking loved this book. I LOVED it. Everything amazing. I mean, yes, I had a few issues with this book, but most of them were issues you're SUPPOSED to have while reading this book, like wanting to slap a few characters and cry because you think they are being stupid or making a very big mistake. The only problem and question that kept popping into my head was about Echo's mother. I'm not going to go into too much detail, but how, after ALL of the things that they think happened with her mother, did they NOT lock her up or put her into a psych ward? Really? I mean, I can kind of understand some of it, but at the same time I'm just left saying, "What....?"

But that's all!

I loved the characters. Except Grace. I wanted to smack a biatch when she popped into the story, ha! She drove me nuts. And I didn't really like Echo's ex-boyfriend all that well, he just seemed like your typical "I'm a jock and I'm popular, so you have to be too to be with me" guy. But Noah, oh God, Noah. I ADORED him. His past is pretty...wow, with all the girls, but oh my, Noah! *le dreamy sigh* That's all I can say about him. And Echo was a great character. She went through SO much, and I felt so bad for her. But she was a great character, even though I thought she was being stupid part of the time.

Echo and Noah were great with each other. They were complete opposites most of the time, but they fit so well together. They made each other better people. They learned a lot from each other and were just...perfect together. =)  Also, the book is told in both Echo and Noah's point-of-views with alternating chapters. Which I absolutely LOVED! I loved being in both their heads. (I need to get a physical copy ASAP because I read it on a messed up format e-galley. BOO!)

I also loved both of their issues. Echo trying to remember what happened with her and her mother, and then Noah trying to get his family back together. LOVED it. Not going to go into too much detail with that, but it really added to the story.

Overall, I don't know what else to say without rambling. It was amazing and I can't wait to re-read it in the future. I REALLY want to re-read it RIGHT now with a physical copy, but I don't have one. =( So boo! I  know there is another book coming out in 2013 in Beth's POV, but I wish there was another of Noah and Echo after they leave for school. I would definitely read it, even though some people think that it adds too much to a story that should of ended. But I love them so much! If you haven't read this yet, do it! I know you've most likely heard mostly GREAT things about it and you're probably suspicious, but don't be, it's amazing! Really! =D
                                                                                                                            
Author Info: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Aug 3, 2012

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, by Jennifer E. Smith

Publisher: Poppy
Release Date: January 2, 2012
Hardcover: 236 pages
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary Romance
Read it in: 1 day
Source: Library
Challenge: YA Contemporary
Rating: 
Shelf WorthyRecommendFavorite
"Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?" Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. Having missed her flight, she's stuck at JFK airport and late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon-to-be stepmother Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's sitting in her row. A long night on the plane passes in the blink of an eye, and Hadley and Oliver lose track of each other in the airport chaos upon arrival. Can fate intervene to bring them together once more? Quirks of timing play out in this romantic and cinematic novel about family connections, second chances, and first loves. Set over a twenty-four-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.
Before starting this book, I had a lot of trouble getting into a book and finishing it. I think I started about five books and never finished them. I was in a serious reading slump. But as soon as I saw this at the library, I grabbed it and new I'd be reading it when I got home. I started it, fell in love, and finished it. And voila, I'm nearly done with another book now!

I'd heard a lot of great things about this book for months and I'd been dying to read it. I'm glad I was FINALLY able to. It's short, but so much happens! It's definitely a VERY enjoyable quick read. If you get into a reading rut, pick up this contemporary and it will most likely snap you out of it.

This book takes place within a span of 24 hours. Girl misses plane, has to wait for another flight, meets boy. They stay up nearly the whole LONG plane ride and talk. They start falling for each other. VIOLA! =D Yes,  most of the time I hate insta-love, but this wasn't the case. Yes, they start falling for each other very quickly. But you'll just have to read it to understand how amazing this "love at first sight" is. It works. It's VERY romantic. They talk, have REAL conversations. I guess there is something about knowing that you will most likely never see a person again so you think it's fine to let them in. Something comforting sometimes about it, if that makes sense.

Hadley and Oliver work so well together, I loved their scenes together. They were so different at times, but at the same time it was like they were the same person. They got each other. When I first read the summary for this book, I admit, I though it sounded "fluffy and cute". It is cute, and fun, but also there were a lot of moments that were serious and sad.

Overall, there isn't much I can really say about this book. When I think about it, I smile. Everything was great, I don't think I can really complain about it, other than the fact that I want MORE. Though it worked SO well with how short it was. If you're looking for a great quick read to get you out of your slump, read it. Or if you just want to, READ IT. You won't regret it. =) I will definitely be buying and re-reading this in the future.
                                                                                                                                     
Author Info: Website | Twitter

Jul 30, 2012

The Golden Lily, by Richelle Mead

Series: Bloodlines, #2
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: June 12, 2012
Genre: Young Adult - Urban Fantasy
Read it in: 5 days
Source: Own
Challenge: TBR Pile, ABC Reading 
Rating: 
Shelf WorthyRecommendFavorite
The second thrilling installment in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy spinoff series
Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students--children of the wealthy and powerful--carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.
Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Richelle Mead's breathtaking Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive. In this second book, the drama is hotter, the romances are steamier, and the stakes are even higher.
So here I am once again left staring at the screen wondering what the hell I'm going to say about a Richelle Mead book. I've only read her Vampire Academy series, plus the two Bloodlines books, but I have to say that Richelle is an amazing writer. AMAZING!

She always has me dying to read the next book in a series, and then when I finally get a copy of it, I don't want to read it. I want to save it. And then when I finally do start it, I get sucked in. So completely sucked in.  I love when a book grabs you and takes you to another world. Another world where you feel all these amazing feelings that the characters feel. They feel the same feelings we do, but for some reason ALL of their feelings are amazing. Whether they are truly happy, or completely and utterly heartbroken.

The Vampire Academy series, and it's spin-off Bloodlines series does that to me. The Golden Lily did that to me.

I've heard a lot of people say it was kind of slow, and it kind of was, I'll admit that. But I was so sucked in with the plot and characters, that I didn't mind. It could be a story of their every day life, from brushing their teeth, to getting ready in the morning, to going to sleep at night and I wouldn't care! Because not only does the plot make up the story, but the amazing, REAL characters.

I'll admit, too, that I sat there, reading, and waiting for something to happen with Adrian and Sydney. I want something to happen between them SO bad. I want--no, need--them to be together. NEED. I love Adrian and he deserves to be with someone like Sydney. They have amazing chemistry, even if they don't see it. They are so different, but they help each other perfectly.

Also, there are new things brought into this story. You hear about them in the first book, but you think its just a myth. But you're introduced to them in this one. The vampire hunters. Even though I knew that they would probably pop up with all the talk about them in the first Bloodlines book, my mind was completely blown when they did pop up. I literally had to stop and whoop before continuing reading because I was excited. I mean, yeah, they aren't exactly "exciting", they are scary and they pissed me off. But that's also what makes them exciting, if that even makes sense. Even though I hold my breath at the action parts, hoping my favorite characters will be fine, I still love them. Doesn't everyone?

Overall, I could go on and on and on with this book and it's series. But I need to draw a limit at times. I have no real problems with this book except for the fact that I always dive into a reading rut when I finish it's series books. Always. It never fails. it takes me a while to get my head out of the VA world. I'm writing this a full six days after I finished it and I've probably started and put down at least that many books in those last six days.

By the way, if you haven't read the Vampire Academy series, please go do that right now. Please. Do the world a favor. And me. Also, if you've read the Vampire Academy series, but haven't stared the Bloodlines series, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?! Go. Now. I'm not kidding. DO IT.
                                                                                                                                           
Author Info: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository
The third book, The Indigo Spell, will be released on February 12, 2013
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