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: ★★★★★

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. 

Waiting on Wednesday, #40

Waiting on Wednsday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. WOW spotlights upcoming releases that you are dying to read and can't wait to get your hands on!

The Golden Lily, by Richelle Mead
(Bloodlines, #2)
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: June 12, 2012
Pre-Order: Amazon

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.

Why do I want it? Richelle Mead. Vampire Academy spin-off. Adrian!! I loved the first book in this spin-off series, as I did the whole VA series, so of course I'd have this book on my wish list! =D 

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
(Bloodlines, #1)
*Note: Spin-off series of Vampire Academy
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: August 23, 2011
ARC: 432 pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Source: BookDivas
Challenge: 350 page
Rating: 5/5

When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning. 
Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.

First of all, I am a HUGE Vampire Academy fan. Richelle Mead is a fantastic writer. You know how a lot of series start out AMAZING, but then each book keeps getting worse and worse until finally they are too horrendous to even think about? Yeah, well that is DEFINITELY NOT Vampire Academy. Each book got better and better and I was very sad to see it end. 


But, you know, the world didn't end. Richelle created another fabulous series. A spin-off series of Vampire Academy. When I first heard about Bloodlines, I was super ecstatic. But a little sad because I knew Rose wouldn't be the main character. 


When I got this in the mail from BookDivas, I freaked out and did my happy dance. Seriously. Outside my apartment with my neighbor to see. And then ran into the apartment screaming for my husband to see because he knew I was DYING for Bloodlines. 


Bloodlines didn't disappoint me. It took me  a little bit to read it because I didn't have much time and I just really didn't want to finish it, ha! Bloodlines is a bit different than Vampire Academy. You get to see through the eyes of Sydney, an alchemist, who grew up being brainwashed that all vampires were an abomination. (Say whaat?!)


So throughout her whole life, up until she met Rose, she completely despised vampires. You still see a lot of that with how she acts around them, but you can tell she is starting to have her own opinion about certain ones. 


Richelle didn't disappoint me with Bloodlines, ever since Vampire Academy I have had VERY high expectations for Richelle's writing. In Bloodlines, just like all her other books I've read, she grabs a hold of you and doesn't let go until the very last word in the book, and then leaves you thirsting for more. 


I can't wait to dive into the next book and see what will happen next in the alchemists world. And ooh la la, with Adrien. Hopefully there will be some love in the next one. I'm actually rooting for a certain sexy spirit user (You know who I'm talking about.) and a young, alchemist. =D


Overall, I really loved this book and can't think of anything that really bothered me about it, except the fact that two people that I wanted to get together didn't in this book. Boo!


I really like the cover. I think they found a dead on image for Sydney. =) 

The second book in this series is The Golden Lily. It will be released on June 19, 2012. (My b-day! Exciting!)

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Series: --
Next Book in Series: --
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: June 14, 2011
Paperback: 336 pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Source: Book Divas
Challenge: none
Overall: 5/5
Summary                                
Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker—his classmate and crush—who committed suicide two weeks earlier.

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he’ll find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clay’s dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers. 
First Paragraph                                                                              

“Sir?” she repeats. “How soon do you want it to get there?”

My Review                                                                                     

Wow. Tell me again why I waited so long to read this?? I’ve had this on my reading list for so long, but never found the chance until now to read it.  And that is only because the new paperback copy was on the Book Divas reviewers list and it got sent to me after I requested it.

Thirteen Reasons Why is so haunting and beautiful! And utterly devastating. It’s one of those books that embeds itself into your mind and doesn’t let you forget about it. It really shows cause and effect; how one person doing something horrible to someone can create a whole cycle of things that could end very, very badly.

I cried so many times in this book. I wish I would have read this a long time ago when I, myself, was in a bad stage of my life, thinking about what it would be like if I wasn't in the world anymore. I don’t like to talk about it much because I don’t like to think back to those times, but as I was reading this I was telling myself, “Wow, that could have been me.” Not the whole tape thing, but you know what I mean.

I think if I would of read this a lot sooner, it would of helped a lot back in those days.  But anyway, I think everyone should read this. No matter whom you are. I think it will inspire a little part in everyone.  It’ll inspire you to be a little nicer, or maybe to think about the effect of something you do may have on someone, or maybe, hopefully,  to let you know that you always have someone who loves you, even if they don’t tell you or show it.

Also, if you have any thoughts you would like to share about how this story may have changed your life, please visit 13RWProject.com.

If you, or someone you know, are having thoughts about hurting yourself or committing suicide, please seek out help. Everyone has something to live for. Even if you can't see it.  Please call 1-800-274-TALK (8255). It's a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in a suicidal crisis. If you'd like to learn more about the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, please go here. 

Just remember that one smile, one hug, or even one compliment can bring someone back. If you can't say anything nice, don't say it at all. You never know when someone is teetering on the edge of the cliff. One bad   word can send them flying off.

Cover Love                                                                                     

I can't figure out which cover I like better. The hardcover or the paperback. I really like the paperback, but it's more silver and the hardcover has more of the scenery in the background, if that makes sense. I know it may not look like it, but after reading the book, it does fit well with the story. 

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway

Series: --
Next book in series: --
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: August 10, 2008
Hardcover: 320 Pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Source: Own
Challenge: Off the Shelf
Overall: 5/5

When her ex writes a break-up song about her that rockets up the charts, Audrey is suddenly famous--she can't go out without being mobbed by fans and paparazzi. Readers can take a wild ride with Audrey as she makes headlines, confronts her ex on MTV, and shows the world who she really is. This irresistible, fast-paced novel has a totally hot new paperback cover! Its the song everyones singing. And its about her! But for Audrey, becoming famous overnight equals total, life-changing disaster. . .

First Paragraph: The day I broke up with my boyfriend Evan was the day he wrote the song. You know, the song. I'm sure you've heard it. Maybe you danced to it at prom or sang it in your car on a Friday night while you were driving and feeling like you must be inhuman to be this happy, the windows down and nothing but air around you. Your mom probably has hummed it while cleaning the dryer's lint trap, and your grandpa has most likely whistled a couple of bars. If he's the whistling type. 

Audrey, Wait! was the perfect book for my need of a good contemporary. I had read so many books that had magical themes in it, that I just needed a good "fluffy" read. I didn't want to put this one down. Why did I wait so long to read this again? 


I was hooked in by the first page. I wanted to know about this song and what happened to Audrey after her ex-boyfriend, Evan, wrote this song about her. I needed to know! 


I sat in bed a couple of nights reading this book for at least an hour before going to bed. Somedays I would even wait to read any of it until I was in bed, just so I could save it! But then I kept saying "oh just one more chapter" over and over again until I was nearly finished, and then just stayed up a little bit longer to finish it. 


The characters in this book are hilarious. Seriously. I love Audrey and all her sarcasm, and I love the relationship she has with her parents. I want her parents! Protective, but understands her sarcasm, most of the time. 


And James, I loved all his dorky cuteness. He was such a nerd at times, but oh so sweet! I wanted to find the ice cream shop he works at and give him a big hug!


Victoria. Oh what can I say about Victoria? Who is Audrey's best friend, who I absolutely loved but wanted to strange so many times over the fact that she wasn't getting Audrey's feeling on the whole famous thing. Audrey did not want to be famous, yet Victoria was loving having a friend who is the subject of that new popular song EVERYONE is listening to. 


And Victoria's boyfriend rocked! Just sayin'. 


All the characters in this book have amazing depth. Each one had their own fleshed out personalities. Everything felt real, and that is what makes a great story. 


The writing was fun to read and flowed well. And I loved the new song at the beginning of each chapter. =) 


Overall, very fun read. If you haven't read this yet (I think I may actually be one of the last people on here to read it. I'm so late!) do it NOW! Don't wait until later. Take a break from all the awesome fantasy and read a contemporary. 


Cover: The cover is nice, but I think I like the new paperback one better.