Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!


Happy Thanksgiving
to all my lovely book friends here in the US!


That's my plan for the day!

I hope that everyone has a very Blessed Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday: Things I Am Thankful For


November 26
:

Top Ten Things I Am Thankful For


1. My Husband and Children – My family is the one thing in the world that I am the most thankful for. I have the most amazing husband and three wonderful children. My life has truly been blessed, and I am thankful everyday that I have these four beautiful people in my life.

2. Books – I love books. I love to read. I would rather sit at home and read a book than do just about anything else. Haha!  Reading is my escape from the world, the adventures that I can take without even leaving the house. I can read a book and completely space out and forget my troubles and worries.

3. My Blog – My blog is coming up on its 3 year anniversary in a few weeks, and I am SO very glad that I decided to start it on a whim. Who would have thought that it would have made it this long? While 2013 hasn’t been the best year for my blog, I’m hoping to have an amazing blogging year in 2014!

4. Book Blogging Community – I absolutely adore the book blogging community. I have met SO many awesome people, some that have become really great friends. Book bloggers are the people that I can relate to the most—people that love to read just as much as I do!

5.  Technology – I can’t imagine not having technology. Where would I be without my laptop and internet? In the crazy house, probably!

6. Pinterest - Pinterest has become another of my most favorite websites. I love pinning and repinning everything from book related quotes to home remedies and organization tips. But not only that, I have a few boards that describe my life, and people seem to find it relatable. I love this; it makes me feel a little less weird about myself.

7. Family – There are a few select people in my family that I am very thankful for. While the rest of my family seems absolutely determined to make me crazy, there are a select few that are always there for me, and I am very thankful for them.

8.  Apple Products - There was once a time in my past when I said I would never own an Apple product. I don’t know what in the world I was thinking, because I definitely can’t imagine my life without them now! I love my iPhone, iPad and iPad Mini. I do a lot of reading on all three of these devices, and they have definitely been a lifesaver for me.

9. My Pets - I am a fur-mommy to three cool cats; Baby Kitty, Mr. Darcy and Lizzie Bennett and a sweet, lovable dog; Molly.  While they drive me up the wall at times, I am insanely attached to these creatures, and can’t imagine my life without them.

10. Authors – I am so very thankful that the world is full of so many talented authors that write their stories for us to read. What would the world be like without all of these awesome books to read?

That's my Top Ten list!
What Ten Things are you Thankful for??

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!

Monday, November 25, 2013

Review: These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13138635-these-broken-stars
These Broken Stars
(Starbound #1)
by Amie Kaufman (Website | Twitter | Facebook)
& Meagan Spooner (Website | Twitter | Facebook)

Publication Date: December 10th 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Pages: 384
ISBN: 9781423171027
Genre: Young Adult | Dystopian | Sci-Fi
Source: Netgalley

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
Official Book Website

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.
(Goodreads)
I was super excited to start reading These Broken Stars after reading so many raving comments about the book. Having now read it, I definitely recommend everyone adding this book to their to-read list as soon as possible. You definitely won’t be disappointed with this read!

The story is told through the viewpoints of the two main characters, Lilac and Tarver. I really love reading books with different viewpoints, because I always feel that the reader gets so much more information this way.  Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe, and Tarver is a young war hero, so of course the two have absolutely nothing in common. But when tragedy strikes, they are forced to rely on each other to survive. There is absolutely no way that they could have survived by themselves, so being thrown together was definitely a blessing for them, and they made it work the best way they possibly could. For two people that started off completely hating each other, it was interesting to see their relationship change over the course of the book.

The storyline for the book was of the dystopian / sci-fi genre, which I found to be absolutely fascinating. The world-building for the book was so wonderfully detailed as well. Without giving much away, let me say that this book is an adventure that you won’t soon forget. It will definitely make you think, and wonder, not only about the characters and their mindset, but also their surroundings as well. The romance in the book will definitely make you swoon, and there is one part in the book that will leave you gasping, wondering what in the world just happened! There was never a dull moment in this book.

I also want to add that I LOVE the cover art for the book. Whoever designed it did a wonderful job; it is absolutely stunning and it is perfectly suited for the book as well.

Overall; I could keep going on and on about this book, but I won’t. Add it to your to-read list. Pre-Order it. Do whatever you have to do to READ THIS BOOK. It will definitely be worth it!  I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in the series when they are released!

Happy Reading!


Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday #125 - Now and Forever & Magnolia

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18350328-now-and-forever
Now & Forever
by Susane Colasanti
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: May 20th 2014
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
ISBN: 9780670014248

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18350328-now-and-forever

Available for Pre-Order: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

What if your boyfriend was the world's biggest rockstar?

Sterling is crazy in love with Ethan. Not only is he the sweetest boy she's ever met, but he's an incredibly talented guitarist, singer, and songwriter. And since forever, he's believed he has what it takes to be a star.

When Ethan becomes an overnight sensation, he's thrown head-first into the glam world of celebrity-and so is Sterling. Before she knows it, she's attending red-carpet premieres, getting free designer clothes, and flying around the country to attend Ethan's monumental sold-out concerts.

It's a dream come true...but whose dream is Sterling living? And what do you do when "forever" comes to an end? (Goodreads)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16059149-magnolia
Magnolia
by Kristi Cook
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: August 5th 2014
Publisher: Simon & Shuster
ISBN: 9781442485358

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16059149-magnolia

Available for Pre-Order: Amazon

In Magnolia Branch, Mississippi, the Cafferty and Marsden families are southern royalty. Neighbors since the Civil War, the families have shared vacations, holidays, backyard barbecues, and the overwhelming desire to unite their two clans by marriage. So when a baby boy and girl were born to the families at the same time, the perfect opportunity seemed to have finally arrived.

Jemma Cafferty and Ryder Marsden have no intention of giving in to their parents’ wishes. They’re only seventeen, for goodness’ sake, not to mention that one little problem: They hate each other! Jemma can’t stand Ryder’s nauseating golden-boy persona, and Ryder would like nothing better than to pretend stubborn Jemma doesn’t exist.

But when a violent storm ravages Magnolia Branch, it unearths Jemma’s and Ryder’s true feelings for each other as the two discover that the line between love and hate may be thin enough to risk crossing over. (Goodreads)

I absolutely love Susane Colasanti and Kristi Cook!
They both write such great books.
I really can't wait to check these out.
My oldest daughter is going to be super excited as well, because she's a huge Colasanti fan! :)

What are you Waiting for this week???
**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I'd Recommend To...

November 19:
Top Ten Books I'd Recommend To X Person

I'm choosing
Top Ten Books I'd recommend to New Young Adult Readers!


1. The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones --  This is one of the series that first got me hooked to YA books! It's a great series, and is always one of the first that I recommend to someone who wants to get into YA!

2. The Hunger Games -- This is another great series that I got me hooked when I first started reading. Actually, I recommend this series to just about anyone, because it is so amazingly awesome.

3. Divergent --  So, yeah... I'm a bit new to the Divergent bandwagon. I just recently started this series this year, but I really enjoyed it. It has now become one of my newest recommendations!

4. Shatter Me -- I really don't have to say much about this series. It is amazing, and I know that it's gotten a lot of people hooked on YA books. SO GOOD!

5. Anna and the French Kiss -- I think this book was one of the first YA contemporaries that I really loved, and of course, I recommend this and Lola to just about anyone!


6. Along for the Ride -- Sarah Dessen is another amazing author of YA Comtemporaries that first got me started on reading. I love her books, and I know a lot of young girls will love them as well, so they are always on my list to recommend!

7. The Unbecoming of Myra Dyer -- I recommend this book to a lot of people that want to start reading YA books. It's such an insanely creepy and mysterious read. Perfect to get people hooked!

8. The Immortal Rules -- I know a lot of people that got started reading YA books by reading the Twilight books, and they never really stray from there. I love recommending The Immortal Rules series to anyone that likes Vampire books!

9. Starcrossed -- This is another great series that I always recommend to people who are starting YA. It's a great Greek mythology based series, and it's Oh-So intriguing!

10. The Fault in Our Stars -- This book is yet another book that I started early this year. (Late to jump on that bandwagon, yet again.) This book is SO good, and makes you feel SO much. Of course it's no one of my recommended YA reads!

So there you go! My Top Ten Books to recommend to New YA Readers!

I can't wait to see what is on everyone else's list!

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!

Monday, November 18, 2013

Review: Pawn by Aimee Carter

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10838787-pawn
Pawn
(The Blackcoat Rebellion #1)
by Aimée Carter
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: November 26th 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 296
ISBN: 9780373210558
Genre: Young Adult / Dystopian
Source: Netgalley

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING.

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

Previously titled Masked. (Goodreads)
Pawn is the first book in a very promising new series by Aimee Carter. I adored Aimee’s ‘Goddess Test’ series, so I couldn’t wait to get started on this new series to see what new adventure she would take us on next. This book has it all; action, suspense, mystery and even a touch of romance. It definitely did not disappoint!

The characters in this story were all very interesting, and each in their own way. The main character in the story, Kitty, was proven to be the most honest and heroic of the lot. She was definitely not a character to be messed with, and she proves that within the first few chapters of the book.  And throughout the book, we watch her grow more and more into such a strong young lady who can not only take care of herself, but who may just be able to change the world.

While there were some characters that I really grew to love in the book, there were also quite a few seriously disturbing secondary characters as well, some that would go to extremely dramatic lengths to get what they wanted. These are the characters that you will love to hate, but you also are extremely intrigued by them as well.

One thing that I really love about this book is that there is no love triangle. (So far.)  I am really not a big fan of the love triangle, unless it is insanely well written, which rarely ever happens. While Kitty has more than her pick of guys in this book, she is loyal to just one, and I love that about her.   And while there is a small bit romance in this book, it definitely doesn’t overpower the storyline. It’s there, but it’s really to a minimum. I enjoyed that the romance wasn’t the main focus.

I really enjoyed the originality of this book. The world building was super creative, and very unique. Imagine having to live your whole life based on a rating test that you take when you are seventeen years old. Not exactly the best age for that to happen! The book definitely kept me turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. Thankfully, the book didn’t end on a massive cliffhanger -- I am so totally over cliffhanger endings at the moment—but the ending left me with just enough information to wonder what is going to happen in the next book. I, for one, am dying to know!

Overall—If you are a big fan of Aimee Carter’s, and/or a fan of dystopian novels as well, you should definitely check out this book. I thought that it was a really awesome read, and I can’t wait to read the next book!

Happy Reading!

Friday, November 15, 2013

Review: The Edge of Always by J.A. Redmerski

The Edge of Always
(The Edge of Never #2)
by: J.A. Redmerski
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: November 5th 2013 (e-book)
Publication Date: January 14th 2014 (paperback)
Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
Pages: 464
ISBN: 9781455549009
ASIN: B00BOTU4E8
Genre: New Adult
Source: Netgalley

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

He was taking the long road. She was taking the road to nowhere. It just so happened that they led to the same place…

When everything falls apart, love remains . . .

THE EDGE OF ALWAYS

Camryn Bennett has never been happier. Five months after meeting on a Greyhound bus, she and her soul mate Andrew Parrish are engaged—and a wedding isn’t the only special event in their future. Nervous but excited, Camryn can’t wait to begin the rest of her life with Andrew – a man she knows in her heart will love her always. They have so much to look forward to—until tragedy blindsides them.

Andrew doesn’t understand how this could happen to them. He’s trying to move on, and thought Camryn was doing the same. But when Andrew discovers Camryn is secretly harboring a mountain of pain and attempting to numb it in damaging ways, there is nothing he won’t do to bring her back to life. Determined to prove that their love can survive anything, Andrew decides to take Camryn on a new journey filled with hope and passion. If only he can convince her to come along for the ride… (Goodreads)
I was so very excited to get my hands on a copy of The Edge of Always! I had read and enjoyed The Edge of Never earlier this year, and I couldn’t wait to get back into the story to see what the future held for Camryn and Andrew.

 Andrew and Camryn are a really great couple, and I enjoyed reading about their lives together. Throughout this series, Andrew has proven to be such an amazingly strong young man. He is always there for the woman that he loves, doing whatever he has to do to ensure her happiness. We get to see this firsthand when tragedy strikes their lives. Camryn definitely goes through a lot in this book, and she handled the situations the only way she knew how, by withdrawing into herself. But Andrew, being the awesome guy that he is, knows just how to bring her back to the world. I enjoyed reading about the journey the two embarked on throughout the course of the book. It made me a little envious. 

The book ends with a really great epilogue. I really enjoyed reading it, and felt that it rounded out the story perfectly.  I’ll not mention anything from the ending, but I will just say that the end of the book left me with a big smile on my face, as I was so happy for this awesome couple. While I did enjoy the book, I have to say; I loved the first book a bit more. Not that anything was wrong with this book, but for me, the first book touched me more than this one did. But it’s all together a really great series.

Overall; if you enjoyed reading The Edge of Never, then you will definitely enjoy reading The Edge of Always! It was nice to see what happened next for one of my most favorite couples. If you haven’t yet checked out this series, then you totally should! They make for a really great read.

Happy Reading!



Books in this Series:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16081272-the-edge-of-never https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17374029-the-edge-of-always

The Edge of Never | The Edge of Always


Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday #124 - Only Everything by Kieran Scott

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18475596-only-everything
Only Everything
(True Love #1)
by Kieran Scott
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: May 6th 2014
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 9781442477186

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18475596-only-everything

Available for Pre-Order: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

High school romance is tough—even for a bona fide love goddess. Can Cupid succeed as a mortal matchmaker?

When Eros (aka Cupid) is expelled from Olympus for defying Zeus after falling in love with Orion, she is banished to what she believes to be hell. We call it New Jersey. If she ever wants to go back to the comforts of her old life, she will have to find love for three couples—without using her powers.

Eros, now calling herself True, immediately identifies her first project in Charlie and believes finding him love will be a piece of cake. Charlie is new at school and eager to break out of his old image of band geek, so it’s lucky for him when he falls in with the right crowd on his first day. But music is still his passion. That is, until he meets Katrina...

Katrina is floundering after the death of her father and takes refuge with a boy who, while not entirely supportive, will be there when she needs him, unlike her mother. Too bad True thinks any girl Charlie talks to is perfect for him. Can she get out of her own way and help Charlie and Katrina connect, or will she be stuck in New Jersey forever? (Goodreads)


Does this book sound great, or what?
I really enjoyed the (He's So/She's So series by Kieran Scott,
and this sounds like the start to another great series.
I can't wait to check it out!

What are you Waiting for this week??

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**


Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Review: Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17233800-crash-into-you?from_search=true
Crash Into You
(Pushing the Limits #3)
by Katie McGarry
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: November 26th 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 474
ISBN: 9780373210992
Genre: Young Adult / Contemporary
Source: Netgalley

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

From acclaimed author Katie McGarry comes an explosive new tale of a good girl with a reckless streak, a street-smart guy with nothing to lose, and a romance forged in the fast lane

The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life-that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind.

Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look.

But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other. (Goodreads)
I have really enjoyed reading ALL of the books in the Pushing the Limit’s series, but I have to say, Crash Into You is my most favorite of the three books! I seriously could not wait to get my hands on this book so I could dive into Isaiah’s story. The book definitely does not disappoint!

I have been intrigued by Isaiah since we first met him in Pushing the Limits. I wanted to know more of him, and my wish was granted when reading Crash Into You. He is such an awesome bad boy, but underneath the attitude, tattoos and all around bad boy exterior, he’s a really sweet, caring guy. He is the absolutely perfect for Rachel. I love that instead of being frustrated with her and her issues, he helps her in any way that he can. I love that he calls her Angel. While they had a few issues in the book, they pretty much had a really swoon-worthy relationship, and I really enjoyed reading their story. Isaiah has definitely earned a spot as one of my most favorite male characters!

There are so many secondary characters in this book, I wouldn’t even know where to begin with them. I love that we get to see a lot of our favorite characters from the two previous books; I honestly didn’t expect to see as much of them as we did. I really, really enjoyed them being a part of this story. Then there are the new characters that we meet in this book. Rachel had a very interesting family, especially with having four brothers. I can’t say that I cared for her dad very much.

The storyline for the book was really intriguing and definitely kept me hooked while I was reading. I really enjoyed the car talk! There are lots of sweet and steamy moments throughout the novel, and there is a pretty shocking scene towards the end of the book, but I love that it was included. It just made me love Rachel and Isaiah even more. Such a great story!

Overall; if you are a fan of young adult contemporary books with tattooed bad boys as the main character, you’re definitely going to love this book! The whole series is amazing, and I definitely recommend you starting it, if you haven’t already.

Happy Reading!



Books in this Series:



Pushing The Limits | Crossing The Line | Dare You To | Crash Into You

Friday, November 8, 2013

Review: Foreplay by Sophie Jordan

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17254035-foreplay
Foreplay
(The Ivy Chronicles #1)
by Sophie Jordan
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: November 5th 2013
Publisher: William Morrow / HarperCollins
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9780062279873
Genre: NEW ADULT
Source: Edelweiss

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Before she goes after the life she’s always wanted, she’s about to find the one she needs.

Pepper has been hopelessly in love with her best friend’s brother, Hunter, for like ever. He’s the key to everything she’s always craved: security, stability, family. But she needs Hunter to notice her as more than just a friend. Even though she’s kissed exactly one guy, she has just the plan to go from novice to rock star in the bedroom—take a few pointers from someone who knows what he’s doing.

Her college roommates have the perfect teacher in mind. But bartender Reece is nothing like the player Pepper expects. Yes, he’s beyond gorgeous, but he’s also dangerous, deep—with a troubled past. Soon what started as lessons in attraction are turning both their worlds around, and showing just what can happen when you go past foreplay and get to what’s real… (Goodreads)
I read and enjoyed Sophie Jordan’s Firelight series a while back, so I was really looking forward to reading her upcoming New Adult novel; Foreplay. I snagged from Edelweiss, not really knowing what to expect from the book. I’m happy to say that this book definitely did not disappoint!

Foreplay is a novel about a young girl named Pepper, who is about as innocent and naïve as they come. She’s only ever kissed one guy in her short life, and she’s been madly in love with her best friend’s brother for years. She wants nothing more than to spend the rest of her life with him, but doesn’t know how to even approach him considering her lack of skills in the romance department. Then she discovers Reece, the tattooed bad boy with the troubled past, who Pepper thinks would be the perfect person to teach her the art of Foreplay.

Ok, I’m just going to say it… I absolutely love Reece. Oh my goodness, he is the perfect bad boy with the big heart. But that is not what we see when we first meet him. No, when we first meet he seems gruff and standoffish. But as the story goes along we see him change, we see him fall in love with Pepper, even when he can’t admit it because he knows that she is after another man.  I adored reading about the times they shared together, it was so insanely sweet. Reece has definitely earned a spot as one of my most favorite bad boys.

Pepper was a very interesting character as well. She’s the perfect good girl, but also with a troubled past that influences a lot of the decisions that she makes in the book. Her obsession with Hunter was a little frustrating. There were times when I wanted to reach through the book and shake her, and tell her to open her eyes to see what a good thing she had with Reece.  But otherwise I found her to be a very likeable character, and she was the perfect girl for Reece.

I love a good love story, and that’s definitely what you get when you read this book.  There were lots of sweet and romantic moments, and definitely lots of hot and steamy moments as well.  If you like books like Easy by Tamara Webber or Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire, you will definitely want to check this book out.  I’m not a big book re-reader, but I will definitely be reading this book again, and soon!

Overall; I really enjoyed this book! It was a fun, light read, and that was just what I needed at the moment. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in the series!

Happy Reading!


Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Waiting On Wednesday #123 - The Taking by Kimberly Derting

The Taking
(The Taking #1)
by Kimberly Derting
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: April 29th 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN: 9780062293602

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17838475-the-taking

A flash of white light . . . and then . . . nothing.

When sixteen-year-old Kyra Agnew wakes up behind a Dumpster at the Gas ’n’ Sip, she has no memory of how she got there. With a terrible headache and a major case of déjà vu, she heads home only to discover that five years have passed . . . yet she hasn’t aged a day.

Everything else about Kyra’s old life is different. Her parents are divorced, her boyfriend, Austin, is in college and dating her best friend, and her dad has changed from an uptight neat-freak to a drunken conspiracy theorist who blames her five-year disappearance on little green men.

Confused and lost, Kyra isn’t sure how to move forward unless she uncovers the truth. With Austin gone, she turns to Tyler, Austin’s annoying kid brother, who is now seventeen and who she has a sudden undeniable attraction to. As Tyler and Kyra retrace her steps from the fateful night of her disappearance, they discover strange phenomena that no one can explain, and they begin to wonder if Kyra’s father is not as crazy as he seems. There are others like her who have been taken . . . and returned. Kyra races to find an explanation and reclaim the life she once had, but what if the life she wants back is not her own? (Goodreads)

OHHHHHH!
I loooove Kimberly Derting!
And this book sounds pretty awesome.
I can't wait to check it out!

What are you Waiting on this week???

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Review: Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Allegiant
(Divergent, #3)
by Veronica Roth
Author Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: October 22nd 2013
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 526
ISBN: 9780062024060
Genre: Young Adult | Dystopian
Source: Own

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

One choice will define you.

What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?


The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent. (Goodreads)
I was really looking forward to starting Allegiant once I finished Insurgent, because I really wanted to see how the series was going to end.  I really don’t even know where to start with this review and I’m going back and forth between loving it and absolutely hating it and the way it has made me feel. Here are my spoiler-free thoughts on the book.

Allegiant picks up where Insurgent leaves off, and is told from both Tris’ and Tobias’ point of view. It was definitely interesting to see inside Tobias’ head, as I no longer see his as the all around perfect bad boy, but more of a guy with flaws, just like everyone else. As for Tris… Oh, Tris. She is a character that I’ve loved since the very beginning, when she was puny stiff chose to change her life with that very first jump. Some moments I wanted to smack her silly for the choices that she made along the way, and other times I couldn’t help but be proud for how she handled herself and all that she had been through. Veronica Roth made an insanely complex character when she created Beatris Prior. She is not a character I will soon forget.

Some of the secondary characters have turned into some of my most favorite characters. I love Christina and Cara, both were amazingly forgiving young ladies that will always stand up for what they believe in. I also want to say that Peter grew on me in this book. Towards the end, I really felt bad for him and even for Caleb as well.  We are also introduced to quite a few new characters in the book—some that you will love, and some that you will love to hate. I know I sure did! I love that I grew to care for these secondary characters just as much as the main characters. I could go on and on about many, many more characters, but you should just check out the book and meet them all for yourself.

There’s really not a whole lot of action in the Allegiant at all, we get more information than anything. (There is a decent bit of action in the book, especially toward the end, but it doesn’t seem to be as action packed as the previous books.) A lot of questions that I had were answered, but I was still left with a few unanswered questions that I really wanted to know the answer to. (Like, why was Tris so different from over Divergents?) Because of all of this information, I found the pacing of the book to be a bit slower than the previous books. That, however, could have just been for me.

I’m having a bit of love/hate relationship with the ending of the book. It was a big risk for Roth to take, and I guess it is really a more realistic ending. It’s just not what I had expected at all. It made me sad, kind of the same way the ending of Mockingjay made me feel. My feelings are all over the place, and it’s such a disconcerting feeling.  And even though it kills me, I can kind of see why she chose to end the book the way she did. But seriously, it’s going to take a while to sort through these emotions.

Overall; I really enjoyed reading this series. I would have to say that I enjoyed Divergent the most out of the series, but I think that all together, these three books make for one hell of a series. If you haven’t checked these books out yet, you definitely should. Just make sure you have tissues available when you start on Allegiant.

Happy Reading!





Books in this Series:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11735983-insurgent

Divergent  |  Insurgent  |  Allegiant