Waiting on Wednesday #6

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week's title being featured here is:

Velveteen by Daniel Marks

Goodreads Synopsis: "Velveteen Monroe is dead. At 16, she was kidnapped and murdered by a madman named Bonesaw. But that's not the problem. 

The problem is she landed in purgatory. And while it's not a fiery inferno, it's certainly no heaven. It's gray, ashen, and crumbling more and more by the day, and everyone has a job to do. Which doesn't leave Velveteen much time to do anything about what's really on her mind.

Bonesaw.

Velveteen aches to deliver the bloody punishment her killer deserves. And she's figured out just how to do it. She'll haunt him for the rest of his days.
It'll be brutal . . . and awesome. But crossing the divide between the living and the dead has devastating consequences. Velveteen's obsessive haunting cracks the foundations of purgatory and jeopardizes her very soul. A risk she's willing to take—except fate has just given her reason to stick around: an unreasonably hot and completely off-limits coworker. Velveteen can't help herself when it comes to breaking rules . . . or getting revenge. And she just might be angry enough to take everyone down with her."

 Expected publication: October 9th 2012 by Random House Children's Books 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Teaser Tuesday #3

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This weeks book is:

Across The Universe by Beth Revis

"I guess it doesn't matter that I had a life on earth, and that I loved earth, and that by now, my friends have all lived and gotten old and died, and that I have just been lying here in frozen sleep. That Jason lived and got old and maybe he married and had kids and everything, but it doesn't matter, because he's dead now. God, his great-grandchildren might be my age." Excerpt from page 20 in Chapter 3.


Across The Universe paperback version was released November 29th 2011 by Razorbill publishing.
You can find the synopsis on Goodreads
and you can purchase your own copy on Amazon.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hunger Games Movie Review & Discussion

Spoiler free review!
Then, if you have seen the movie, feel free to watch the Discussion portion of the video. It will contain spoilers, but I give a fair warning in the video.



In a nutshell, I loved the movie and I highly recommend seeing it. It is well worth the time and money. I, myself, will probably see it in theaters as many times as I can! It just isn't the same if you don't see it on the big screen at least once!

Thanks for stopping by!

   

IMM (#3)

IMM is a weekly MEME hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where every Sunday I share with you the books I got "In My Mailbox". If you wish to participate, visit The Story Siren's blog by clicking the link above.

  This book was received for review via NetGalley:

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan: (Goodreads/Amazon)

These next books were either payed for with my own money or were given to me:

  

The Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines: (Goodreads/Amazon)

The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney: (Goodreads/Amazon)

Descended by Blood by Angeline Kace: (Goodreads/Amazon)
Angel Fire by L.A. Weatherly: (Goodreads/Amazon)
Smokeless Fire by Samantha Young: (Goodreads/Amazon)
Exiled by RaShelle Workman: (Goodreads/Amazon)
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer: (Goodreads/Amazon)
New Moon by Stephanie Meyer (Goodreads/Amazon)


I know, I am more than a little behind on owning/reading Twilight.
Thanks for stopping by!

Waiting on Wednesday #5

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week's title being featured here is:

Hollow by Richard Denney

"In a dystopian future, sixteen-year-old Leah Munro has been sold to a rich woman in a crippling mansion. Soon Leah discovers that there is something mysterious going on around the home, and with the help of three other girls, she attempts to uncover what is truly happening... what lies beyond all of the plexiglass windows and the hideous screams in the middle of the night? Leah will soon find out."

Goodreads

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Teaser Tuesday #2

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver

  

"Then Will was climbing up a long silk braid of hair, woven with multicolored strands. He was climbing into the sky, where a steam-engine train was waiting, engine chugging, puffing out smoke that blended with the clouds."                                                                                                   

Thanks for stopping by!

Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop

 

This Hop is hosted by I Am A Reader Not A Writer. 

I just cleaned out my bookshelf, so I had plenty of prizes to choose from for you guys!

Unfortunately; since I am paying for shipping myself; this giveaway is US only, I am VERY sorry to my international followers; BUT I will have future giveaways where you can participate, so follow me and stay in the loop!

So what kind of prize will you get here? Well, someone will win TWO books from me!

1. Life as We Knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer

AND

2. The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

So just to be clear, ONE person will get BOTH books. Make sense?

Now, here is how you can enter to win!

Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below!
The only MANDATORY entry is that you follow me by e-mail; everything else will get you EXTRA entries! :)

IMM (#2)

IMM is a weekly MEME hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where every Sunday I share with you the books I got "In My Mailbox". If you wish to participate, visit The Story Siren's blog by clicking the link above.

These books were received for review via NetGalley:

The White Oak by Kim White: (Goodreads)
Starters by Lissa Price: (Goodreads/Amazon)
Romeo Redeemed (Juliet Immortal #2) by Stacey Jay: (Goodreads/Amazon)
Hanging by a Thread by Sophie Littlefield: (Goodreads/Amazon)
Yesterday by C. K. Kelly Martin: (Goodreads/Amazon)


These next books were either payed for with my own money or were given to me:

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton: (Goodreads/Amazon)
Empty by Suzanne Weyn: (Goodreads/Amazon)
Angelfall by Susan Ee: (Goodreads/Amazon)
Entangled by Nikki Jefford: (Goodreads/Amazon)

Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

Partials by Dan Wells Review

"Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with partials--engineered organic beings identical to humans--has decimated the world’s population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island. The threat of the partials is still imminent, but, worse, no baby has been born immune to the disease in over a decade. Humanity’s time is running out.

When sixteen-year-old Kira learns of her best friend’s pregnancy, she’s determined to find a solution. Then one rash decision forces Kira to flee her community with the unlikeliest of allies. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that the survival of both humans and partials rests in her attempts to answer questions of the war’s origin that she never knew to ask"

***********

 Let me start off by saying that dystopians are some of my favorites to read. That doesn't mean that I like every single one that I come across; but I am happy to say that in this case, I loved it. I don't think you have to be a dystopian junkie to love this book as much as I did.

The main character, Kira, was likable and a great heroine! There were a few instances where I couldn't exactly relate to her, but they were very rare.

Samm, a Partial involved in the story, was a character I immediately loved. Although you never know throughout the story if you can really trust him, I found myself rooting for him as I read. I hope to see more of him in the series; and I am positive we will!

All the characters in the book were well developed, and that is something I look for when reading a story. I thoroughly enjoyed Dan Wells' writing, and I am highly anticipating the rest of the novels in the series.

This is an action packed story, and no doubt, a page turner. With this book being almost 500 pages long, I breezed through it in no time. I loved that I could get lost in this world of Humans vs. Partials. Dan Wells created such an amazing world, and I felt as though I was truly apart of it as I was reading. It was so entertaining, impossible to put down, and never once was I bored.

If you couldn't already tell, I loved this book, and I highly recommend picking it up yourself. You won't regret it.

I gave this book 4.5 stars

Thanks for stopping by!

Waiting on Wednesday #4

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week's title being featured here is:

Destined by Aprilynne Pike (Wings #4)

LOOK AT THAT COVER!

Ok, so I can't give a synopsis for the sake of spoilers; but if you click the picture it will take you to the Goodreads page where one is available for you to read! I love the wings series, and I can't wait to read the last book, Destined. Wings was the first faerie book I read, so it holds a little sentimental value for me!

Let me know what book(s) you are waiting on!

Thanks for stopping by!

Teaser Tuesday #1

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

 

"He spun and broke into a run, plunging swiftly into the woods. He pounded his rage into the earth but slowed after a few miles. He wanted to leave her, but he couldn't."

                      I know the rules say to use only 2 sentences, but I chose to use 3. I don't think it is a big deal. I think this is such a fun meme. If you have a Teaser Tuesday on your blog, leave a link and I will check it out!

Thanks for stopping by!

$500 Amazon Giftcard Giveaway

I'm sorry...did you say $500?! 

Yeah, I couldn't believe it either. I am not hosting this giveaway...I wish I had the funds to do so, BUT Sparkling Reviews IS hosting the giveaway, and it's so easy to enter to win! Just visit her blog by clicking the link above, or the Sparkling Reviews button and then fill out the rafflecopter form on her giveaway post!
So easy, right? AND, for fellow bloggers, you get +25 points for blogging about it! Yes, I am shamelessly earning 25 points for myself in the giveaway, but you can do the same!
Even if you aren't a blogger, there are still A LOT of points you can earn with multiple entries.
NOW GO! :)

IMM (#1)

IMM is a weekly MEME hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where every Sunday I share with you the books I got "In My Mailbox". If you wish to participate, visit The Story Siren's blog by clicking the link above.

These books were received for review via NetGalley. All books are e-book format:

  

The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Francis Long (Goodreads/Amazon)

Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Steampunk Chronicles #2) by Kady Cross (Goodreads/Amazon)

Interrupted by Rachel Coker (Goodreads/Amazon)

Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby (Goodreads/Amazon)

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers (Goodreads/Amazon)

Facing the Hunchback of Notre Dame (The Enchanted Attic #1) by L.L. Samson (Goodreads/Amazon)

These next books were NOT received for review, but payed for with my own money/won in giveaways:

BZRK by Michael Grant (Goodreads/Amazon)

Torn (Trylle Trilogy #2) by Amanda Hocking (Goodreads/Amazon)

The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams (Goodreads/Amazon)

That's all for this week; Let me know what you got in your mail box! Thanks for stopping by!

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter Review

Goodreads synopsis:
In a modern-day take on the myth of Persephone, 18-year-old Kate Winters is thrust into a mythical world, where she must pass seven impossible tests and outsmart a spiteful god in order to save the life of not just her mother but of her captor as well.

 ******************************

I will start by saying that I have mixed emotions about this book. Part of me felt things were extremely rushed, and therefore unrealistic. (Of course I understand it is a re-telling of a Greek Mythology, but a good book still has an element of reality; fantasy or not.) The other part of me, though, continued to read because I was very curious as to what would happen in the end. 
I was pretty disappointed with this book over all. Of course, I will explain why I felt this way in a bit. On the other hand, I will also be telling you the good things about this book, because it wasn't all bad! Then you can take my opinion and form your own, because I know not everyone will agree with me.

I felt that the main character, Kate, was underdeveloped. Therefore I can't tell you if I liked her or not. I would have loved to have gotten a better feel for who she was. I can't pinpoint a certain "thing" about her that makes her underdeveloped, but on the bright side, I didn't hate her.
In the beginning of the story, Kate moves to a new town full of people she has never met. But she quickly befriends two new people; too quickly in my opinion; Ava and James. Ava was annoying from the start, and truthfully, that never changed for me.
James was a pretty cool guy, but I felt like one second Kate wasn't too fond of him, and the next second she was calling him her best friend. 
Every friendship and relationship in this book felt extremely forced and rushed. This is the part that lost touch with reality for me. I cannot go into detail because of spoilers, but if you choose to read this book you will understand where I am coming from.
I have one more negative thing to say, and I promise I am finished being impossibly picky. This book was painfully predictable. I love a story that can suprise me, and throw me a curve-ball at every turn. I saw the attempts at that in this story, but for me, it just didn't work. I guessed every twist in the story from the very beginning, and that's no fun.
Whew, I feel much better now that I have gotten out all of my complaining. I am happy to now tell you a bit of good news. The book was still enjoyable! The romance was cute, a little cliche (darn, there I go again with the negativity), but cute. I liked that the story was definitely true to the Greek Mythology aspect. I didn't really know too much about the story of Persephone before reading the book, and I am glad to say it was not necessary. The book keeps losers like me who don't know thier Greek Mythology into the loop.
Like I said before, I did have the desire to keep reading, so that at least is a plus. 
Do I recommend it? Not particularly. 
Do I say NEVER read it? No. 
If you are interested, pick it up! You just might like it. I guess my advice is, just don't go out of your way to read it.

I gave this book 3 Togas  

(even though togas are rarely involved in this book)