Waiting on Wednesday, #56

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 Raven Boys, by Maggie Stiefvater
(Raven Cycle, #1)
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: September 18, 2012
Pre-Order: Amazon

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”
It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.
Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.
His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.
But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.
For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.
From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shivertrilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before.

Why Do I Want It?

It's Maggie Freaking Stiefvater! Do I really need to explain why I want it?? I haven't read The Scorpio Races yet, sadly, but I love her Wolves of Mercy Falls series. She's on my author-watch list where I have to read EVERY single book that she puts out. And this one? Oh, this one sounds AMAZING! More than Amazing. A girl named BLUE who has a CLAIRVOYANT MOTHER. A group of hot brothers known as The Raven Boys?? Sounds like trouble, but oh so good trouble. 

What are you waiting for?? Is this on your TBR list as well? No? Oh, well then ADD IT! =D

Forever, by Maggie Stiefvater

Forever, by Maggie Stiefvater
(The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #3)
Author Info: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Youtube
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: July 12, 2011
Hardcover: 386 pages
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Buy: Amazon
Read it in: 6 days
Source: Giveaway
Challenge: Off the Shelf, TBR Pile, Book Blogger Recommendation,
Rating: ★★★★
To learn more about my rating badges, click here!

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.

 I've been dying to read this since I finished Linger. I won my copy from Ashley (from What's Your Story?) not long after it came out, and even though I wanted to read it as soon as it came in the mail, I was afraid to! I didn't want this trilogy to end. I didn't want to say goodbye to Grace and Sam. This is one of my top favorite young adult series.

Even though I'm happy with how Forever ended, I still wish there were another book in the series. I'd love to know what happens after this. After everything they've went to with their relationship and the wolves.

This series is so beautifully written, and so beautifully described and so real, that I just didn't want this to end. I cried so hard after I read the last line and realized there wasn't another chapter. I could of swore there was!

Maggie is a fantastic author, I will definitely be getting my hands on her other books as soon as possible. I really need to catch up and read The Scorpio Races. I'm so inspired by her writing. It both inspires me, AND makes me want to chuck all my writing and curl into a ball. Her descriptions are amazing and just so..poetic. Her writing truly is beautiful. At least what I've read of it. The Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy is.

I'm not going to say much about anything with this book because it's the last in a trilogy and I don't want to give away any spoilers to those who decide to read this review before starting the series. So I'm just going to say that the characters are amazing. Even those who annoy you. Cole annoyed me so bad in Linger, but I loved him. I'm glad I got to learn more about him and read more from his point-of-view in this one. Also, Isabel. =) She really made me mad in the first book half the time, but she's become on of my favorite characters.

And you can't forget about Sam. Oh, Sam. He's definitely my number one favorite. He's so sweet and caring and he'd rather take care of others, even Cole, than do things for himself. Things to make himself happy. He's definitely one of my top YA dream guys. *le sigh*

Overall, I'm sad it's over, but it was a really good book. I'm going to miss this world. If you haven't read the series yet, or you have read the first two books, but not Forever. READ THEM/IT! Now! It's a great series and the writing is beautiful. Maggie is definitely an idol of mine.

My reviews for the first two books in the trilogy:

                                

Clarity, by Kim Harrington

Clarity, by Kim Harrington
(Clarity, #1)
Publisher: Scholastic/Point
Release Date: March 1, 2011
Hardcover: 246 pages
Genre: Young Adult Urban Fantasy Mystery
Buy: Amazon
Read it in: 1 day
Source: Library
Challenge: TBR Pile, ABC Reading
Rating:
To learn more about my rating badges, click here!

Clarity “Clare” Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It’s a gift. 
And a curse. 
When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare’s ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case—but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare’s brother—who has supernatural gifts of his own—becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most? 

Okay, I've read SO many great reviews on this book. It has been on my list since before it came out. But wow! I didn't expect it to be so good! And there's mystery! I suspected so many people, the people that Kim WANTS you to think is the killer, but NEVER suspected the actual killer. Crazy! I haven't read an awesome mystery like that in a while. The mystery added to this novel so much along with Clarity's cool family!

And I'm kind of standing in the middle of Justin and Gabriel doing the shifty eyes back in forth with them going "Aaaaah". I don't know who I want Clarity with. I honestly don't. I like both Justin and Gabriel. Maybe my opinions will change and I'll figure it out in the next book.

I. Need. Perception. Now!

This was such an awesome light read. It only took me a day. I was hooked from the very first chapter and I'm still hooked and the first book is over with! It's one of those awesome books you fly through without realizing it! You think you're only about 20 pages in, but when you look you find you're nearly through with 100 pages!

I really like Clare's character. Her ability is awesome as well!  When I learned about her ability among her mother and brother's, I was ecstatic. PLUS, that they run a little business outside of their home to do Psychic Readings to tourists. Which I thought was awesome! And they don't lie to their clients and tell them they can tell the future, it's strictly for entertainment. They just tell them different things about them, give them messages from their dead loved ones if they are stuck around them and tell them different places they've been and where they got a certain object.

All the characters were really fun to read about. Even the bullies in the town who pick on Clarity.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I really wish I could read Perception right now and continue the story. I really wish Clarity could have been longer, but it did have a really good ending, though made me want book 2! Darn it!

The second book in the series is called Perception. It was released on March 1, 2012.  

Abandon, by Meg Cabot

Abandon, by Meg Cabot

(Abandon, #1)

Publisher: Point

Release Date: April 26, 2011

Hardcover: 304 pages

Age Group: Young Adult

Buy: Amazon

Source: Library

Challenge: Support Your Local Library

Rating: 

To learn more about my rating badges, click here!

Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.

Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away... especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.

First off, again, this is Meg Cabot. I always know I'm going to like a book by her, because hello, she's awesome. This book didn't disappoint. I mean, I didn't like it AS much as I thought I would. But I still really liked it and I'm looking forward to it's sequel.

When I realized this book was set in Florida, I was ecstatic. I live in Florida myself, but in the upper area of the state. My mother-in-law, however, lives in the Keys, where the story is set. Now I can't wait to go back down and visit her so I can go to the cemetery that Pierce goes to in the book. I didn't realize that Isla Huesos was Key West. I thought it was just some other island that was made up for the novel.

I love the descriptions in this book. She get's the Florida weather right down to the tiniest detail. Especially with the humidity! About it being like soup when you walk out, yes, that is exactly how to describe it. I've always found it hard to describe it, but she has the perfect way. And I'm not going to lie, I will definitely be using that when someone asks me to describe the humidity here.

Since this book was basically the set up for the rest of the trilogy, I didn't get into it right away. It was mostly told in flashbacks. Stuff that have already happened and she was just telling you about it. Giving you the back story. Which I am very thankful for. =) Towards the end I really got into it and that shows that the next book will be loads better.

I love how this is kind of based on the myth of Hades and Persephone. Reading this really makes me want to go back and re-read the myth and go slower this time. I love mythology, so I'm really liking this new YA trend of mythological books. =)

Overall, I really liked this book. You can never go wrong with Meg Cabot. This is very different from the rest of her novels, somewhat a bit darker. If you are a fan of Meg Cabot and/or a fan of Greek mythology, you don't want to miss out on this book.

The second book in the series is called Underworld. It will be released in May 2012. 

 

Teaser Tuesday #13

Teaser Tuesday is a Meme hosted by Mizb @ Should Be Reading. Anyone can join in, as long as they do the following:

• Grab your current read. 
• Open your book to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page. 
• Warning:  Not everyone has read your current read, be courtesy to those who haven't and not reveal any spoilers. 
• Share the Title & Author so anyone can add your current read to their list if they wish to do so. 

*Note: all my links go to Goodreads, the authors website, and the publishers website.

Abandon, by Meg Cabot

(Abandon Trilogy, #1)

Publisher: Point

Release Date: April 26, 2011

Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.

Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away... especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.

Althought the term freak was subjective. Kind of like normal and crazy. I, for instance, might consider a freak someone who ran around an island trying to hide a homemade coffin, then paraded it around to a twenty-year-old MC Hammer song during halftime at a sports event. pg.192

The Season, by Sarah MacLean

The Season, by Sarah MacLean
Publisher: Orchard Books
Release Date: March 1, 2009
Hardcover: 343 pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Source: Library
Challenge: A to Z, Support Your Local Library
Rating: 


 To learn more about my rating badges, click here!

Seventeen year old Lady Alexandra is strong-willed and sharp-tongued — in a house full of older brothers and their friends, she had to learn to hold her own. Not the best makings for an aristocratic lady in Regency London. Yet her mother still dreams of marrying Alex off to someone safe, respectable, and wealthy. But between ball gown fittings, dances, and dinner parties, Alex, along with her two best friends, Ella and Vivi, manages to get herself into what may be her biggest scrape yet.When the Earl of Blackmoor is mysteriously killed, Alex decides to help his son, the brooding and devilishly handsome Gavin, uncover the truth. But will Alex's heart be stolen in the process? In an adventure brimming with espionage, murder, and other clandestine affairs, who could possibly have time to worry about finding a husband? Romance abounds as this year's season begins!

I'll admit, this book was a little hard to get into. I guess because I haven't read any historical romances lately, but after a little while I found myself completely entranced. By the end of the book, I didn't want it to finish. I wanted to keep reading about Alex, Gavin, Ella, Vivi and the Stafford brothers. All the characters were so lively and funny. They were real to me. 

I've been wanting to read this book for a while, since hearing about it back in 2009 before it was released, but I just now got to it. Thanks to the A to Z challenge! I added it to my challenge list so I would finally pick it up. It's funny with me and historical fiction. Most sound good to be, especially the historical romances. Those are my favorite. It will sound good to me, and then when I get it I'll be all, "Ugh..." and procrastinate starting it. But then when I get into it and read it, I love it! Why is that? Ha! I'm weird. 

I kind of figured out who killed Gavin's dad in the beginning, but at the same time I wasn't completely sure. There were a few possibilities. But it didn't take away from the story much. I'm so happy about Gavin and Alex, and that is all I'm going to say. I love Gavin! He was such a joy to read about, plus, he was so cute!

Overall, I loved this book. I had a few issues, like not being able to get into it right away, but none that were too big. This was a great book. It had it all; great writing, mystery, romance, great characters and a lovely setting! I was able to picture everything as if I were there. Reading this has let me know I definitely need to pick up for historical romances soon. Also, I will definitely be picking up Sarah's adult series soon! 

I really like the cover as well. Really captures Alex, Vivi and Ella. 

Old Review: To Catch A Pirate, by Jade Parker

To Catch A Pirate, by Jade Parker
Publisher: Scholastic/Point
Release Date: May 1, 2007
Paperback: 230 pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy:Amazon
Source: Bought
Challenge: none
Date Read: May 2010
Rating: 

Once caught, it’s harder still to let a pirate go
When Annalisa Townsend’s ship is set upon by pirates in search of her father’s treasure, one of the crew, James Sterling, discovers her in the hold.  When he moves to take her necklace, she begs him not to, as it is all she has left of her mother.  He accepts a kiss in exchange for the necklace.  “A fair trade, m’lady,” he tells her afterward, before disappearing.
A year later, with a forged letter of marque, Annalisa is intent on hunting down the wretched James Sterling and reclaiming her father’s treasure from him.  But now she’s in danger of him stealing something far more vulnerable this time: her heart.

This book blew my mind! At first I was worried I wouldn't be able to get into it because I kept getting distracted while reading the beginning of the book. I told myself that if I couldn't get into it after reading up to 50 pages, then I'd have to put it away for another time.

I FINALLY got into it around 50 pages, and was so relieved. It got really interesting and I kept wanting to read more. But by the sixth chapter I couldn't put it down and wanted to keep reading it.

I loved Anna, she was a good strong character and I loved how determined she was to find her father's treasure. She tried so hard during the book to hate James Sterling, but it was impossible.

Nathanial was a sweet guy, but after a while he got really annoying and I kept screaming at the book trying to tell him to leave Anna and Sterling alone. Haha!

The book was filled with twists that I never saw coming, which I absolutely loved! They took me by surprise so many times.

The way they speak most of the time in the book was a bit hard to get used to, but after a while you do.

I love historical romances, but it's hard to find really good ones nowadays. But this one really got up on my list of good ones. And it has pirates! You gotta love the pirates!


Overall, this was a great book. Pick it up. The writing draws you in and holds you. 


Fun fact: Rachel Hawthore, the author of The Dark Guardian series, is the author of this book as well! Jade Parker is just a name she came up with and used for her author name with this book because it was much different than the books she was writing at the time. 


*Note: This is part of my 'Old Review' collection. Where I post reviews randomly that I wrote a while ago before starting this blog.

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick


Series: Hush, Hush, book #1
Next book in series: Crescendo
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Release Date: September 14, 2010
Paperback: 391 Pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Source: Own
Challenge: Off the Shelf, Book Blogger Recommendation, 350 Page
Overall: 4/5

Summary                                                                             

To Nora Grey, Patch seems like the completely unexpected, picture-perfect guy; handsome, friendly, attentive. But perhaps he's too perfect, too attentive, trespassing over the line between would-be boyfriend and stalker. At first confused and then frightened, Nora eventually discovers that both she and her ever-watchful companion are enmeshed in a primordial battle for souls.

First Paragraph                                                                                                                                

Chauncey was with a farmer's daughter on the grassy banks of the Loire River when the storm rolled in, and having let his gelding wander in the meadow, was left to his own two feet to carry him back to the chateau. He tore a silver buckle off his shoe, placed it in the girl's palm, and watched her scurry away, mud slinging on her skirts. Then he tugged on his boots and started for home. 

My Thoughts                                                                                                                                  

The first few pages of Hush, Hush pulled me in. I was hooked to the story before the first chapter even started.    I had a little trouble getting through this book, but that's not because of the book, I just didn't have much time to read and I didn't like only being able to read a few pages at a time. 

Nora was a good character, but she wasn't a favorite. I liked reading about her and Patch, even though Patch was kind of creepy at first. (Sorry to those of you who are in love with Patch!) I mean, I do love Patch, but not very much in the beginning. He's still a bit creepy to me, but towards the end of the book I started liking him. 

Nora and Patch's relationship is weird. I can't really explain that, it's just so different, if that makes sense. Which different is good. Unique. And gosh, do I looove me some YA angels! 

Patch is cocky and doesn't care about anything it seems, and Nora stands up for herself (Which I really liked, it's unlike a lot of the main girl characters in YA.) 

I loved Nora and Vee's friendship, they really show the meaning of best friends. Though Vee, alone, really got on my nerves at times. You'll just have to read it and see what I mean. 

Overall, this book is really unique, I'm not going to go into too many details because I don't want to give any spoilers away. But Fitzpatrick's writing is really good, can't wait to read the next installment. I'll definitely be trying to get my hands on that soon. =)

Cover Love                                                                                                                                    

This cover is so cool! It's all cloudy, and shows a fallen angel and there are black feathers everywhere! So cool! And I really like the font. 
Book Trailer                                                                                                                                  

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

 Linger by Maggie Steifvater


Series: The Wolves of Mercy Falls, book #2
Read my review of Shiver. 
Next book in series: Forever
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: July 13, 2010
Hardcover: 360 Pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Source: Own
Challenge: A-Z Challenge, Off the Shelf, Book Blogger Recommendation, 350 Page
Overall: 5/5

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other.  Now, inLinger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack.  And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.
At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget.

First Paragraph: This is the story of a boy who used to be a wolf and a girl who was becoming one. 

Oh. My. Gosh. I don't even know what to say! And how many times have you seen me say that on this blog? Ha ha. I just finished Linger about ten minutes ago. I cannot believe the ending! I want to scream! My mind cannot wrap around all of this. I really wish I had Forever in my hands right now. This is going to bug me until I finally do get to read it. 


Maggie Stiefvater has done it again. Linger was amazing. Not as good as Shiver, but almost! Still five stars. The writing in this sequel was beautiful and lyrical just like the first, but has a little bit more of a darker edge. 


And just like the first novel you are able to get in the heads of Sam and Grace, but they aren't the only ones this time around! You are able to get into Isabel's head and a new character, Cole. I enjoyed reading Isabel's point of view and Cole's, as well! I have loved Isabel from the beginning, she's among my favorite characters. At first I didn't like Cole very much, but I definitely do now! I was able to get to know him a lot throughout the book. 


I can't wait for Forever! The ending left with a huge cliffhanger! VERY huge! I NEED to know what happens. I cried at the end for Sam and Grace. Fate is against them, but they aren't ready to give up! It's so tragic and beautiful and it leaves you breathless. 


Overall, this was amazing and is definitely my favorite wolf series out there. 

Cover: Just as amazing as the first. :)

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater


Series: The Wolves of Mercy Falls, book #1
Next book in series: Linger
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: January 1st, 2009
Hardcover: 392 Pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Source: Own
Challenge: Off the Shelf, Book Blogger Recommendation, 350 page
Overall: 5/5

the cold. Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—watches back. He feels deeply familiar to her, but she doesn't know why. 
the heat. Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves. And then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace...until now. 
the shiver. For Grace and Sam, love has always been kept at a distance. But once it's spoken, it cannot be denied. Sam must fight to stay human—and Grace must fight to keep him—even if it means taking on the scars of the past, the fragility of the present, and the impossibility of the future.

First paragraph: I remember lying in the snow, a small red spot of warm going cold, surrounded by wolves. They were licking me, biting me, worrying at my body, pressing in. Their huddled bodies blocked what little heat the sun offered. Ice glistened on their ruffs and their breath made opaque shapes that hung in the air around us. The musky smell of their coats made me think of wet dog and burning leaves, pleasant and terrifying. Their tongues melted my skin; their careless teeth ripped at my sleeves and snagged through my hair, pushed against my collarbone, the pulse at my neck.

This is my second time reading Shiver. My first time reading it was in early 2010, I fell in love with it then and I think I possibly love it just a little bit more reading it the second time. This book is just....beautiful. The writing flows together almost lyrically and add in Sam's bit of poetry it fits together so well. The whole novel is told in alternating perspectives, between Grace and Sam. Sometimes I hate when books have that, but not with Grace and Sam. 

I love seeing how everything unfolds in the eyes of both Grace and Sam, their different points of view on everything and how they both feel about each other. 

This isn't just about werewolves, it's about doing absolutely everything to stay with the person you love. Even giving up your wolf side to become fully human. The love they have for each other, way before they truly ever met each other as human to human is just completely magical and beautiful.

The emotions in this book are so strong that you just have to feel them all too. I cried so much in this book that its ridiculous. Even this second time around. All of it just completely makes me utterly speechless.

Not only do I love Sam and Grace, but I love all the supporting characters too. Isabel, Rachel, Olivia. Especially Isabel. She has the perfect attitude of sarcasm and angst. 

If you haven't picked up this series yet, do it now. You won't be sorry! If you're in love with love, and werewolves, you'll be in love with this book. 

Cover: The cover is gorgeous. Simple, and gorgeous.  

Also, as a side note, if you haven't noticed Shiver's font is in blue, and not the normal black. And the second book, Linger, is in green ink. Which I think is absolutely cool! 

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins


Series: The Hunger Games, book #2
Read my review for The Hunger Games.
Next Book in Series: Mockingjay
Publisher:  Scholastic Press
Release Date: September 1, 2009
Hardcover: 391 Pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Source: Bought
Challenge: A to Z, Off the Shelf,  350 Page Book
Overall: 5/5

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

First Paragraph: I clasp the flask between my hands even though the warmth from the tea has long since leached into the frozen air. My muscles are clenched tight against the cold. If a pack of wild dogs were to appear at this moment, the odds of scaling a tree before they attacked are not in my favor. I should get up, move around, and work the stiffness from my limbs. But instead I sit, as  motionless as the rock beneath me, while the dawns begins to lighten the woods. I can't fight the sun. I can only watch helplessly as it drags me into a day that that I've been dreading for months.  

Even though Catching Fire wasn't as good as The Hunger Games, it is still a favorite of mine and a great sequel to The Hunger Games. I was worried, at first, that I wouldn't be able to jump back into the book because I wasn't really sure what could possibly go on in this book without Katniss and Peeta in the game anymore and just the fact that after reading The Hunger Games  I had VERY high expectations about it's sequel.


I think this possibly might be my all-time favorite series now. But then I start thinking about all my other top favorite series and can't possibly choose.


Catching Fire got so many reactions out of me, which a truly great book always does. I screamed and wanted to throw the book across the room so many times due to some of the events that happened. I was hit in the face so many times because I wasn't expecting the events to happen. Which I've always loved about these books because I've never been able to guess what would happen next.


You can see that Katniss has grown a lot since being in the Hunger Games and you get to see the effect that it has had on her. Even though Katniss annoys me at times with the whole Peeta situation, I still love her as a main character.


Overall, I absolutely loved this book. But absolutely HATE the cliffhanger at the end. I own the first two books, but don't have the last one yet, sadly. I went to put it on hold, being very happy I was going to be going to the library the next day, but to find that ALL 32 copies of the book that the library systems in my town has, were all UNAVAILABLE. I put it on hold and I'm currently 28 on the list to get it. WHY?!


I recommend this to everyone. Read it!


Cover: Even though I absolutely love this series, the covers are on my top favorite lists. Though I love that they fit the storyline. Book design is by Elizabeth B. Parisi