May 9, 2014

{Review} A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

 A Great and Terrible Beauty (Gemma Doyle #1)
Libba Bray
Pages: 403
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Age Group: YA
Date Published: December 9, 2003


A Victorian boarding school story, a Gothic mansion mystery, a gossipy romp about a clique of girlfriends, and a dark other-worldly fantasy--jumble them all together and you have this complicated and unusual first novel.
Sixteen-year-old Gemma has had an unconventional upbringing in India, until the day she foresees her mother's death in a black, swirling vision that turns out to be true. Sent back to England, she is enrolled at Spence, a girls' academy with a mysterious burned-out East Wing. There Gemma is snubbed by powerful Felicity, beautiful Pippa, and even her own dumpy roommate Ann, until she blackmails herself and Ann into the treacherous clique. Gemma is distressed to find that she has been followed from India by Kartik, a beautiful young man who warns her to fight off the visions. Nevertheless, they continue, and one night she is led by a child-spirit to find a diary that reveals the secrets of a mystical Order. The clique soon finds a way to accompany Gemma to the other-world realms of her visions "for a bit of fun" and to taste the power they will never have as Victorian wives, but they discover that the delights of the realms are overwhelmed by a menace they cannot control. Gemma is left with the knowledge that her role as the link between worlds leaves her with a mission to seek out the "others" and rebuild the Order. A Great and Terrible Beauty is an impressive first book in what should prove to be a fascinating trilogy.



Apr 24, 2014

{Review} The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Erin Morgenstern
Pages: 512
Publisher: Anchor Books
Format: Paperback
Source: Borrowed from Paige
Age Group: YA
Date Published: September 13, 2011

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des RĂªves, and it is only open at night.
But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway: a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them both, this is a game in which only one can be left standing. Despite the high stakes, Celia and Marco soon tumble headfirst into love, setting off a domino effect of dangerous consequences, and leaving the lives of everyone, from the performers to the patrons, hanging in the balance.


Apr 22, 2014

{Top Ten Tuesday} Top Ten Characters With POWERS



Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and today's theme is "Top Ten Characters Who X." I've chosen Top Ten Characters Who Have Super Powers. 

1. Juliette Ferrars (Shatter Me Trilogy) - She has some killer skin.

2. Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer Trilogy) - Mara's got some killer wit. (Why can all my favorite characters kill people? Because that makes for really interesting books, okay?)

3. Clary Fray (The Mortal Instruments) - Clary has some amazing drawing skills, as in she makes runes stronger just by drawing them and she can create new runes. Cool beans, right?

Apr 15, 2014

{Top Ten Tuesday} Top Ten Bookish Things That I'd Like To Own


Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and today's theme is "Top Ten Bookish Things (That Aren't Books) That I'd Like To Own." 


1. New Bookshelves - My current bookshelf is old and overflowing. There's a hole in the back for like a cord? But it was "handmade" (as in someone poked a hole in it with a hammer or something equally ratchet). I'd really like something like this:

2. Bookmarks to match every book I own - You know that odd feeling of accomplishment when you have the matching bookmark to go with the book? I WANT THAT FOR ALL OF MY BOOKS.

3. Book Page Nail Press-Ons - Sally Hansen sells some I think. Like the zebra print nail stickers? Except with words.

Apr 14, 2014

{Review} Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan

Sarah Rees Brennan
Pages: 370
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Format: Hardcover
Age Group: YA
Date Published: September 24, 2013



 It's time to choose sides....On the surface, Sorry-in-the-Vale is a sleepy English town. But Kami Glass knows the truth. Sorry-in-the-Vale is full of magic. In the old days, the Lynburn family ruled with fear, terrifying the people into submission in order to kill for blood and power. Now the Lynburns are back, and Rob Lynburn is gathering sorcerers so that the town can return to the old ways.But Rob and his followers aren’t the only sorcerers in town. A decision must be made: pay the blood sacrifice, or fight. For Kami, this means more than just choosing between good and evil. With her link to Jared Lynburn severed, she’s now free to love anyone she chooses. But who should that be?A darkly humorous take on Gothic romance, Sarah Rees Brennan's Lynburn Legacy weaves together the tale of a heroine desperate to protect those she loves, two boys hoping to be saved, and the magical forces that will shape their destiny.


Apr 9, 2014

{WoW} The One by Kiera Cass


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, where we book bloggers talk about upcoming releases we are excited for. This week I'm looking forward to:


Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Age Group: YA
Expected Publication: May 6, 2014


The Selection changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. And now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.
America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.
From the very first page of The Selection, this #1 New York Times bestselling series has captured readers' hearts and swept them away on a captivating journey... Now, in The One, Kiera Cass delivers a satisfying and unforgettable conclusion that will keep readers sighing over this electrifying fairy-tale long after the final page is turned.

Apr 8, 2014

{Top Ten Tuesday} Top Ten Most Unique Books I've Read


Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and today's theme is "Top Ten Most Unique Books I've Read."



1. The Archived by Victoria Schwab - Victoria's vision of this archive for the dead is so new and fascinating. I never imagined anything like the archive, and the way the book is written and the world is created is amazing. I just... read it.

2. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - I love the way Michelle combines the PTSD and Mara's potential superpowers. Is Mara killing people with her mind? Or is she crazy? We may never know.

3. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan - I read this for the first time when I was 11, and I've never seen such a unique take on Greek mythology since. The demigods, and camp half-blood, and the personification of the gods are so great.

Apr 3, 2014

{Review} Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo
Pages: 358
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Age Group: Young Adult
Date Published: June 5, 2012

The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka. Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free? The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfill her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him. But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him? Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance.



Apr 1, 2014

{Review} The Unbound by Victoria Schwab

Victoria Schwab
Pages: 368
Publisher: Hyperion
Format: Hardcover
Age Group: Young Adult
Date Published: January 28, 2014


Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books. Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.
Last summer, Mackenzie Bishop, a Keeper tasked with stopping violent Histories from escaping the Archive, almost lost her life to one. Now, as she starts her junior year at Hyde School, she's struggling to get her life back. But moving on isn't easy -- not when her dreams are haunted by what happened. She knows the past is past, knows it cannot hurt her, but it feels so real, and when her nightmares begin to creep into her waking hours, she starts to wonder if she's really safe.Meanwhile, people are vanishing without a trace, and the only thing they seem to have in common is Mackenzie. She's sure the Archive knows more than they are letting on, but before she can prove it, she becomes the prime suspect. And unless Mac can track down the real culprit, she'll lose everything, not only her role as Keeper, but her memories, and even her life. Can Mackenzie untangle the mystery before she herself unravels?
With stunning prose and a captivating mixture of action, romance, and horror, The Unbound delves into a richly imagined world where no choice is easy and love and loss feel like two sides of the same coin.


Mar 25, 2014

{Top Ten Tuesday} Top Ten Things On My Bookish Bucket List

 
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and today's theme is "Top Ten Things On My Bookish Bucket List." According to Broke and Bookish, these
could be blogging related, book related etc. -- meeting authors, reading x many books per year, finishing a daunting book, etc.


1. Review More - I suck at reviewing consistantly. I've been trying to put out two reviews a week, which, in the past few weeks, I've totally failed at. I've read a couple books, I just haven't been reviewing. AND THEY'VE BEEN GOOD BOOKS. I just suck. ugh.

2. Post Consistently - This sort of goes along with the first one, but I'd like to get back into a routine of posting, because I love blogging and I'm lame.

3. Read Over 100 Books This Year - I failed miserably at this last year, but I did it in 2012! I have to read a ton for English, but I want to read for fun more. There are so many books out that look incredible that I just haven't gotten to (I did finally read The Unbound AND IT WAS SO GOOD AGH)

Mar 4, 2014

{Release Day} Best Kind of Broken by Chelsea Fine

Chelsea Fine
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Publisher: Forever
Age Group: New Adult
Publication Date: March 4, 2014

SOMETIMES MOVING ON MEANS MOVING IN
Pixie Marshall wishes every day she could turn back time and fix the past. But she can't. And the damage is done. She's hoping that a summer of free room and board working with her aunt at the Willow Inn will help her forget. Except there's a problem: the resident handyman is none other than Levi Andrews. The handsome quarterback was once her friend-and maybe more--until everything changed in a life-shattering instant. She was hoping to avoid him, possibly forever. Now he's right down the hall and stirring up feelings Pixie thought she'd long buried . . .
Levi can't believe he's living with the one person who holds all his painful memories. More than anything he wants to make things right, but a simple "sorry" won't suffice--not when the tragedy that scarred them was his fault. Levi knows Pixie's better off without him, but every part of him screams to touch her, protect her, wrap her in his arms, and kiss away the pain. Yet even though she's so close, Pixie's heart seems more unreachable than ever. Seeing those stunning green eyes again has made one thing perfectly clear--he can't live without her.


Feb 26, 2014

{WoW} Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, where we book bloggers talk about upcoming releases we are excited for. This week I'm looking forward to:

Stephanie Perkins
Publisher:
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Age Group: YA
Expected Publication: August 14, 2014
From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.
Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.






Feb 24, 2014

{Review} Angelfall by Susan Ee

Susan Ee
Pages: 325
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Format: Paperback
Age Group: Young Adult
Date Published: May 21, 2011

It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.
Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.
Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.
Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.


Feb 19, 2014

{WoW} Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, where we book bloggers talk about upcoming releases we are excited for. This week I'm looking forward to:

Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Age Group: Young Adult
Expected Publication: April 15, 2014

Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all-popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend.
Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it's one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took "mean girl" to a whole new level, and it's clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She's getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she's falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her-even if the old Sam treated him like trash.But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn't just buried deep inside of Sam's memory-someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?



Feb 17, 2014

{Review} Glass Houses by Rachel Caine

Rachel Caine
Pages: 239
Publisher: NAL Jam
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
Age Group: YA
Date Published: January 1, 2006

From the author of the popular Weather Warden series comes the debut of an exciting new series set in Morganville, Texas, where you would be well advised to avoid being out after dark.
College freshman Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation. When Claire heads off-campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. Her new roommates don't show many signs of life, but they'll have Claire's back when the town's deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood. Will she be able to face the town's terror or will she drown like everyone else?

Feb 14, 2014

{Giveaway} Love is in the Air


So, because this is Bookworm in Love, Valentine's Day should be important here, right? As a proclaimed book lover, books are the most important thing to me today ;) (Also, like Jace, my one true love remains myself). To commemorate this momentous day, and the fact that I hit 400 followers a few week ago (woop), I'm gonna have a little giveaway!

You can pick any romance book you want, preferably YA, but whatever it's Valentine's Day! I mean, I've been dying to read Wait for You and that's definitely not YA, so pick a book to your heart's desire. For inspiration you can read my Top Ten Books That Will Make You Swoon, though you probably know what you want for a romance book :)

Rafflecopter and giveaway rules beneath the cut...

Feb 12, 2014

{Wishlist Wednesday} Cress by Marissa Meyer

Wishlist Wednesday is a new meme I'm trying. I know I've always done Waiting on Wednesday, but all the books I want are already out! So, I searched up some new memes and found this one and it serves my purposes perfectly. It is hosted by Pen to Paper and I suggest you check it out.

Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Formats: eBook, Hardcover, Audiobook
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: February 4, 2014

Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard.
In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.


Feb 11, 2014

{Top Ten Tuesday} Top Ten Books That Will Make You Swoon

 
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and today's theme is "Top Ten Books That Will Make You Swoon." 


1. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - I mean, this is my favorite book series, and Noah is my #1 book boyfriend. Rich British boys do me in every time. The way it's written ends up really romantic, even though they barely make out at all. It's beautiful. 

2. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen - This is my all time fave Sarah Dessen book. I love Dexter with all my might and their relationship if so friggin cute. He's such a goober, and she's so sure of herself and together their just a mess. I love it. Especially the scene where he forgets to pay the power bill. It kills me just thinking about it. 

Feb 10, 2014

{Review} These Broken Stars by Kaufman & Spooner

Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Pages: 374
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Format: Hardcover
Source: B&N
Age Group: Young Adult
Date Published: December 10, 2013

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.
Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?
Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.
--
A timeless love story, THESE BROKEN STARS sets into motion a sweeping science fiction series of companion novels. The Starbound Trilogy: Three worlds. Three love stories. One enemy.


Feb 6, 2014

{Review} Unbreakable by Kami Garcia

Kami Garcia
Pages: 305
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Age Group: YA
Date Published: October 1, 2013

Supernatural meets The Da Vinci Code in this action-packed paranormal thriller, the first book in a new series from New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia.
I never believed in ghosts. Until one tried to kill me.
When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn’t know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy’s room and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon — a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.
Now Kennedy has to take her mother’s place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon — battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.
Suspense, romance, and the paranormal meet in this chilling urban fantasy, the first book in a new series from Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures novels.


Feb 5, 2014

{WoW} Sweet Reckoning by Wendy Higgins


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, where we book bloggers talk about upcoming releases we are excited for. This week I'm looking forward to:

Wendy Higgins
Publisher: HarperTeen
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Age Group: Upper YA
Expected Publication: April 29, 2014

It’s time.
Evil is running rampant and sweet Anna Whitt is its target. Nobody knows when or how the Dukes will strike, but Anna and her Nephilim allies will do anything necessary to rid the earth of the demons and their oppressive ways.
The stakes are higher than ever, and Anna is determined that the love she feels will be her strength, not a liability. But trying to protect the ones she loves while running for her life and battling demonic forces proves to be perilous—especially as faces are changing and trust is fleeting. When the Duke of Lust sends Anna’s great love, Kaidan Rowe, to work against her, Anna must decide how much she’s prepared to risk.
In the most sensual and fast-paced installment yet, Sweet Reckoning brings all the beloved Neph together one last time to fight for their freedom.



Feb 4, 2014

{Top Ten Tuesday} Top Ten Books That Will Make You Cry

 
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and today's theme is "Top Ten Books That Will Make You Cry." I don't read very many "sad" books, but I do read books with traumatizing endings, and that's what this list will mainly consist of.


 1. The Madness Underneath - I recently read this one, and the ending broke my heart. Thank God there's going to be more of them to ease the pain. Can't really tell you why I cried, because that's spoilery, but I did cry, and you should read this series. You'll see a lot about it in the next few days here.

2. City of Ashes - This is the most depressing of all The Mortal Instruments. I don't know who hasn't read this series, or doesn't know what happens in it, but I don't want to spoil anything - again. The first three books are AMAZING so read them.

3. The Darkest Minds - I don't have to be Ruby to sense a pattern here. Can't really tell you why I cried, but just know that I did. That the ending ripped my heart into little bitty pieces and made me cry at the kitchen table. I did read Never Fade, and it was just as good as TDM, but I never reviewed it. Whoops.

Feb 3, 2014

{Spoilery Explosion} The Madness Underneath

Maureen Johnson
Pages: 304
Publisher: Speak
Format: Paperback
Source: B&N
Age Group: YA
Date Published: December 10, 2013

After her near-fatal run-in with the Jack the Ripper copycat, Rory Deveaux has been living in Bristol under the close watch of her parents. So when her therapist suddenly suggests she return to Wexford, Rory jumps at the chance to get back to her friends. But Rory's brush with the Ripper touched her more than she thought possible: she's become a human terminus, with the power to eliminate ghosts on contact. She soon finds out that the Shades--the city's secret ghost-fighting police--are responsible for her return. The Ripper may be gone, but now there is a string of new inexplicable deaths threatening London. Rory has evidence that the deaths are no coincidence. Something much more sinister is going on, and now she must convince the squad to listen to her before it's too late. In this follow-up to the Edgar Award-nominated THE NAME OF THE STAR, Maureen Johnson adds another layer of spectacularly gruesome details to the streets of London that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.



Jan 30, 2014

{Review} The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson

Maureen Johnson
Pages: 304
Publisher: Speak
Format: Paperback
Source: B&N
Age Group: YA
Date Published: December 10, 2013

After her near-fatal run-in with the Jack the Ripper copycat, Rory Deveaux has been living in Bristol under the close watch of her parents. So when her therapist suddenly suggests she return to Wexford, Rory jumps at the chance to get back to her friends. But Rory's brush with the Ripper touched her more than she thought possible: she's become a human terminus, with the power to eliminate ghosts on contact. She soon finds out that the Shades--the city's secret ghost-fighting police--are responsible for her return. The Ripper may be gone, but now there is a string of new inexplicable deaths threatening London. Rory has evidence that the deaths are no coincidence. Something much more sinister is going on, and now she must convince the squad to listen to her before it's too late. In this follow-up to the Edgar Award-nominated THE NAME OF THE STAR, Maureen Johnson adds another layer of spectacularly gruesome details to the streets of London that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.


Jan 29, 2014

{WoW} Perfect Lies by Kiersten White


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, where we book bloggers talk about upcoming releases we are excited for. This week I'm looking forward to:

Publisher: HarperTeen
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Age Group: YA
Expected Publication: February 18, 2014

Annie and Fia are ready to fight back.
The sisters have been manipulated and controlled by the Keane Foundation for years, trapped in a never ending battle for survival. Now they have found allies who can help them truly escape. After faking her own death, Annie has joined a group that is plotting to destroy the Foundation. And Fia is working with James Keane to bring his father down from the inside.
But Annie's visions of the future can't show her who to trust in the present. And though James is Fia's first love, Fia knows he's hiding something. The sisters can rely only on each other - but that may not be enough to save them.




Jan 28, 2014

{Top Ten Tuesday} Top Ten Characters I'd NEVER Want To Trade Places With

 
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and today's theme is "Top Ten Characters I'd NEVER Want To Trade Places With."


1. Katniss Everdeen - I figure this one's pretty darn cliche, but come on. No one wants to be in the Hunger Games! I'm kind of a softy, and I don't think I could survive seeing so much death and destruction. (The Hunger Games)

2. Sam Temple - As the leader of the FAYZ, Sam has to make a lot of big decisions. Many of which involve the deaths of other people. He has to handle starvation and the threat of his evil twin coming to kill him. I'd be terrified. I could never, would never want to take his place. (Gone)

3. Juliet Moreau - Her dad's a nutcase who experiments with vivsection on animals. She has two boys pining for her (score), but neither are what she thought they were. The island she ends up on is terrifying and dangerous, because of her madman of a father. Who is also a jerk. I couldn't trade places with her for all the money in the world. (The Madman's Daughter)

Jan 27, 2014

{Review} Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

Lauren Morrill
Pages: 304
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Age Group: YA
Date Published: November 13, 2012

Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question.
It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").
But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.
Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.

Jan 24, 2014

{FF} Feature and Follow Friday (24)

Alison Can Read Feature & Follow
The Feature & Follow blog hop is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:
  1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
  2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers
  3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
  4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say "hi" in your comments and that they are now following you.
  5. If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn't have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
  6. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
  7. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers

Jan 23, 2014

{Review} Vortex by S.J. Kincaid

S.J. Kincaid
Pages: 390
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Age Group: YA
Publication Date: July 2, 2013

The impossible was just the beginning. Now in their second year as superhuman government weapons-in-training at the Pentagonal Spire, Tom Raines and his friends are mid-level cadets in the elite combat corps known as the Intrasolar Forces. But as training intensifies and a moment arrives that could make or break his entire career, Tom’s loyalties are again put to the test.Encouraged to betray his ideals and friendships for the sake of his country, Tom is convinced there must be another way. And the more aware he becomes of the corruption surrounding him, the more determined he becomes to fight it, even if he sabotages his own future in the process.
Drawn into a power struggle more dramatic than he has ever faced before, Tom stays a hyperintelligent step ahead of everyone, like the exceptional gamer he is—or so he believes. But when he learns that he and his friends have unwittingly made the most grievous error imaginable, Tom must find a way to outwit an enemy so nefarious that victory seems hopeless. Will his idealism and bravado cost him everything—and everyone that matters to him?
Filled with action and intelligence, camaraderie and humor, the second book in S.J. Kincaid’s futuristic World War III Insignia trilogy continues to explore fascinating and timely questions about power, politics, technology, loyalty, and friendship.


I'm really enjoying this series! I love the characters, and I love this world. In Vortex, Tom is growing up a little, which means interesting character development. The series took a little bit of a darker turn (yes, even darker than Blackburn and the memory culling), and I'm loving it. Of course, Kincaid kept the lighthearted humor that I, personally, loved from the first book. The only difference is that Tom's problems are getting even more serious. He needs to stay alive, and we all know he's going to be a major player in the war. When and how? Not sure. But I know it's coming. If you've read the first book, you know its coming. And with that possibility on the horizon, Tom's mistakes are more weighted and have bigger consequences. The decisions he's faced with are heavier and more adult. How he deals with that is interesting, and I like reading about it.

Vortex only had one plot line, unlike Insignia, but I was still enraptured by the book, I was still on the edge of my seat to see what Tom's gonna do next. Tom, Vik, and Wyatt are all Middles now, which means new rooms. My favorite part of the whole book is when Wyatt sends out a program so that everyone will see pictures of her and embarrassing pictures of Vik all over the walls of his new room. They're all friends, and they play these stupid pranks on each other and I love it. In the midst of World War III, these kids (and we readers) need that lightheartedness to lighten up how serious the situation is becoming. 

Yuri, of course, is still a Plebe, but he's there with the gang when most of the adventure happens. Yuri is so flippin cute. I love him. He's such a dork, but he's a smooth dork, and I love it (the whole horse face debacle is so funny). I feel so bad for him throughout the book, more than even in Insignia, because his friends are moving on without him. He's still positive, though, and that's really important. I love his addiction to working out, and how he's forever supportive of Tom and Vik. And how he's dating Wyatt (insert loud fangirling here). I just adore Yuri.

Even Elliot really grows as a character, and he's not around all that much. He's interesting, and his choices and influence on Tom are really important to the progression of the book. I'm really curious to see what happens with his character in the last book.

Blackburn is more complicated than I gave him credit for, after what we found out about him and the way he treated Tom in Insignia. I really, really liked him in the first book. And I still like him. It's like, he could be a villain, but he's so twisted and screwed up that I can't hate him. He does a lot of good things, and the way he treats Wyatt is really interesting. I have mixed feelings for Blackburn. The main villain continuese to be the corporations fighting in the war, no surprise there. 

So yeah. I really love this series! Lots of actiony goodness, and pranks galore. Oh, and we get to see Medusa again (which is great, because I love her). 


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Jan 22, 2014

{WoW} The Unbound by Victoria Schwab


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, where we book bloggers talk about upcoming releases we are excited for. This week I'm looking forward to:

The Unbound (The Archived #2)
Victoria Schwab
Publisher: Hyperion
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Age Group: YA
Expected Publication: January 28, 2014

 
Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books. Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.
Last summer, Mackenzie Bishop, a Keeper tasked with stopping violent Histories from escaping the Archive, almost lost her life to one. Now, as she starts her junior year at Hyde School, she's struggling to get her life back. But moving on isn't easy -- not when her dreams are haunted by what happened. She knows the past is past, knows it cannot hurt her, but it feels so real, and when her nightmares begin to creep into her waking hours, she starts to wonder if she's really safe.
Meanwhile, people are vanishing without a trace, and the only thing they seem to have in common is Mackenzie. She's sure the Archive knows more than they are letting on, but before she can prove it, she becomes the prime suspect. And unless Mac can track down the real culprit, she'll lose everything, not only her role as Keeper, but her memories, and even her life. Can Mackenzie untangle the mystery before she herself unravels?
With stunning prose and a captivating mixture of action, romance, and horror, The Unbound delves into a richly imagined world where no choice is easy and love and loss feel like two sides of the same coin.


Jan 21, 2014

{Top Ten Tuesday} Top Ten Things On My Reading Wishlist

 
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and today's theme is "Top Ten Things On My Reading Wishlist."

1. Lady Pirates - So, there's this Tumblr post, and I can't find it right now to give credit to whomever wrote it, but it's about wanting the story of lady pirates. I've read The Assassins Curse, which was great, but I want more. And TAC isn't on the water much. I want the story of ruthless lady pirates who pillage and steal and are cruel, but awesome, you know? Like Elizabeth Swan. Except I don't recall Elizabeth pillaging, but you get the gist.

2. Girls in SPACE - I loved Ender's Game and I recently read Insignia, which were about boys. I loved them, but what about girls in similar plot lines? Girls who accidentally kill people. Girls who are the government's secret weapon. Girls who fight intergalactic wars. I love YA heroines, and I want one in Ender's position. In Tom's place. Ya feel me?

3. Spies - I know there are tons of spy books out there, but I want more. I love spies and spying and gadgets. Those are so fun.

Jan 18, 2014

{Review} Insignia by S.J. Kincaid

S.J. Kincaid
Pages: 466
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books
Format: Harcover
Source: Library
Age Group: Young Adult
Date Published: July 10, 2012 (my birthday it's a sign)


More than anything, Tom Raines wants to be important, though his shadowy life is anything but that. For years, Tom’s drifted from casino to casino with his unlucky gambler of a dad, gaming for their survival. Keeping a roof over their heads depends on a careful combination of skill, luck, con artistry, and staying invisible.Then one day, Tom stops being invisible. Someone’s been watching his virtual-reality prowess, and he’s offered the incredible—a place at the Pentagonal Spire, an elite military academy. There, Tom’s instincts for combat will be put to the test, and if he passes, he’ll become a member of the Intrasolar Forces, helping to lead his country to victory in World War Three. Finally, he’ll be someone important: a superhuman war machine with the tech skills that every virtual-reality warrior dreams of. Life at the Spire holds everything that Tom’s always wanted—friends, the possibility of a girlfriend, and a life where his every action matters—but what will it cost him?
Gripping and provocative, S. J. Kincaid’s futuristic thrill ride of a debut crackles with memorable characters, tremendous wit, and a vision of the future that asks startling, timely questions about the melding of humanity and technology

Jan 4, 2014

Operation Vitro



On Skin Island, even the laws of creation can be broken.
On a remote island in the Pacific, Corpus scientists have taken test tube embryos and given them life. These beings—the Vitros—have knowledge and abilities most humans can only dream of. But they also have one enormous flaw.
Sophie Crue is determined to get to Skin Island and find her mother, a scientist who left Sophie behind years ago. With the help of Jim Julien, a young charter pilot, she arrives--and discovers a terrifying secret she never imagined: she has a Vitro twin, Lux, who is the culmination of Corpus's dangerous research.
Now Sophie is torn between reuniting with the mother who betrayed her and protecting the genetically enhanced twin she never knew existed. But untangling the twisted strands of these relationships will have to wait, for Sophie and Jim are about to find out what happens when science stretches too far beyond its reach.

Hey guys! So Jessica Khoury is having a ginormous giveaway for Vitro called Operation Vitro (I've been tweeting about it all day). It's very similar to the Origin Olympics, which I participated in (woohoo). It's super fun and creative, and if you're as psyched about Jessica Khoury's new book as I am (and as broke as I am) this giveaway is perfect for you!

You can go to www.corpusnetwork.com for all the deets and to enter! The entry tasks range from tweeting about the giveaway to making an outfit for the book! It's all really fun and cool (this is actually an entry :D), so join in. Or don't and let me win things. That's cool, too.
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