Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday #43 - Flowing Hair Edition

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

I was looking through my to-read list, trying to decide what I was Waiting for most this week, and I noticed a new trend... A Flowing Hair Trend! These publisher know that pretty covers are my weakness...

Ahem... without furthur ado... My WoW picks for this week...

Once
(Eve#2)
by Anna Carey
HarperTeen
July 3rd, 2012

Add to Goodreads
Sixteen years have passed since a deadly virus wiped out most of the Earth’s population. After learning of the terrifying part she and her classmates were fated to play in the rebuilding of New America, eighteen-year-old Eve fled to the wilds and Califia, a haven for women determined to live outside the oppressive rule of the king of New America. However, her freedom came at a price: she was forced to leave Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. Eve quickly learns that Califia may not be as safe as it seems and soon finds herself in the City of Sand and the palace of the king. There she uncovers the real reason he was so intent on her capture, and the unbelievable role he intends her to fill. When she is finally reunited with Caleb, they will enact a plan as daring as it is dangerous. But will Eve once again risk everything—her freedom, her life—for love?

Brimming with danger and star-crossed romance, and featuring a vivid dystopian landscape, this electrifying follow-up to Eve, which bestselling author Lauren Kate called “a gripping, unforgettable adventure—and a fresh look at what it means to love” is sure to appeal to fans who crave the high-stakes adventure of The Hunger Games and the irresistible love story of Romeo and Juliet. (Goodreads)

by Rachel Carter
Harper Teen
July 10th, 2012

Add to Goodreads
So Close to You brims with the compelling “what if” mysteries surrounding The Time Traveler’s Wife and all of the the action and creepy government experiments of The Maze Runner—and, in a new twist, presents a piercing look at a dark period in history and imagines what changes could have produced an utterly different world...and what one girl would do to stop it.

Lydia Bentley has heard stories about the Montauk Project all her life: stories about the experiments that took place at the abandoned military base near her home and the people who’ve disappeared over the years. When she stumbles into a vessel that transports her to a dangerous and strange new reality, Lydia realizes that all the stories she’s ever heard about the Montauk Project are true—and that she’s in the middle of one of the most dangerous experiments in history.

Alongside Wes, a darkly mysterious boy whom she is wary to trust, Lydia begins to unravel the secrets surrounding the project. But the truths behind these secrets force her to question all her choices. And if Lydia chooses wrong, she might not save her family but destroy them...and herself. (Goodreads)

Partials
by Dan Wells
Harper Collins
February 28th, 2012

Add to Goodreads
The human race is all but extinct after a war with Partials—engineered organic beings identical to humans—has decimated the population. Reduced to tens of thousands by RM, a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island while the Partials have mysteriously retreated. The threat of the Partials is still imminent, but worse, no baby has been born immune to RM in more than a decade. Our time is running out.

Kira, a sixteen-year-old medic in training, is on the front lines of this battle, seeing RM ravage the community while mandatory pregnancy laws threaten to launch what’s left of humanity into civil war, and she’s not content to stand by and watch. But as she makes a desperate decision to save the last of her race, she will discover that the survival of humans and Partials alike rests in her attempts to uncover the connections between them—connections that humanity has forgotten, or perhaps never even knew were there.

Dan Wells, acclaimed author of I Am Not a Serial Killer, takes readers on a pulse-pounding journey into a world where the very concept of what it means to be human is in question—one where our humanity is both our greatest liability and our only hope for survival. (Goodreads)

Struck
by Jennifer Bosworth
Farrar, Straus and Giroux BYR
May 8th, 2012

Add to Goodreads
Mia Price is a lightning addict. She’s survived countless strikes, but her craving to connect to the energy in storms endangers her life and the lives of those around her.

Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes, is one of the few places Mia feels safe from her addiction. But when an earthquake devastates the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. The beaches become massive tent cities, populated by millions of homeless. Downtown is a wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the attendees drawn to the destruction by a magnetic force they cannot deny. Two warring cults rise to power in the wake of the disaster, and both see Mia as the key to their opposing prophecies. They know she has a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and to the worse storm that is yet to come.

Mia wants to trust the enigmatic and alluring Jeremy when he promises to protect her, but he’s hiding a more sinister truth. When the final disaster strikes, Mia must unleash the full horror of her strength to save them all. (Goodreads)

See what I mean, the girls with the flow-y hair??? Lots of tempting books in this edition, and I want to read them all!  Hope no one minds my 'special edition' posts... they are so much fun to make. :)

What are you WoWing for this week???

Monday, November 28, 2011

Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Hallowed
(Unearthly #2)
by Cynthia Hand
Publication Date: January 17th, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 416
ISBN: 9780061996184

Where to Buy:
B&N | Amazon | The Book Depository
For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning. (Goodreads)
I read Unearthly just a few weeks ago, and really enjoyed it. I was so glad to be able to read Hallowed while Unearthly was still fresh in my mind. This series is great, I love Mrs. Hand’s writing, it’s amazing and touching, and it will draw you in and keep you wanting more and more.

Most of the same characters from Unearthly are back in Hallowed. (We do get to meet some new characters, who turn out to be pretty awesome.) I found the main character, Clara, to still be pretty likeable. Although she does have issues this time around, and she’s very undecided about what she wants, which is totally understandable. I have to say I love Clara’s mom, and I love their relationship with each other. They definitely made the book even more special for me.

In Unearthly, I was definitely team Tucker, but I was curious about Christian as well. I wanted to know more about him. I’m delighted to say that we do get to learn more about him in Hallowed, and now I’m kind of on the fence on which I prefer. I really love both guys, but for totally different reasons. But Christian’s character definitely grew on me throughout the book.

The book is very well paced, and I really enjoyed the plot. There are some parts in the book that definitely had me in tears. It was definitely an emotional read for me. (I will not spoil it for you, but once you read it, you will totally know what I am talking about.) There are also quite a few surprises thrown in that really threw me for a loop.

Overall, this series is so great. It’s definitely one of my favorite angel series so far. I have really enjoyed reading both books, and now I’m anxious for the next book to be released!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

In My Mailbox #42

** In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a great way to showcase the books you've gotten over the week, whether they are bought, borrowed or free. **


Netgalley:
Allegiance - Cayla Kluver
New Girl - Paige Harbison


I received this awesome swag from the awesome Kathy at A Glass of Wine! I love swag! Thanks again, Kathy! You rock!

I'm really looking forward to reading Allegiance and New Girl, both from Harlequin Teen! I can't wait to see where Allegiance picks up from Legacy. :)

What's in your mailbox??

Friday, November 25, 2011

Liesl & Po Holiday Giveaway!

I am so happy to announce a massive SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON GIVEAWAY!

The holidays, as we all know, are a time of sharing--and frantic, last-minute gift-buying. In order to do my part to celebrate, I will be giving one lucky reader one signed and gift-wrapped copy of Liesl & Po, perfect as a present for under the tree (or beneath the Menorah!).

I am thrilled to announce that I will be co-hosting this contest along with ten other fabulous bloggers and avid fans of L & P, so be sure to enter early and enter often! A winner will be selected from EACH blog, meaning that ten copies of Liesl & Po will land in the hands of a lucky child this holiday season.

The contest opens the day after Thanksgiving, 11/25, and winners will be selected on 12/12!

I'm so sorry to all my international friends, but this is US and Canada-only.


Don't forget to check out my awesome co-hosts and enter for more chances to win this fantastic book!


Now, on to the giveaway...

The Rules:
  • US & Canada Only
  • One entry per person
  • Giveaway ends December 12th.
  • Winners will be chosen via Random.org, and will be contacted via email





Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all those that are celebrating today!
Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite times of the year. Today I will be spending time with my family, and gaining back the 5 pounds I've lost in the past two weeks... ;) I'm really looking forward to lots of yummy food...

... Except the turkey. (Not a meat eater.)...

I will definitely be eating a little too much Pecan Pie... (My Fave)...

And I'll also be giving thanks, because I have so very much to be thankful for...


Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

:o)

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday #42 * Gorgeous Cover Edition *

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

Darkness Before Dawn
By J.A. London
Publication Date: May 29th, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
This electrifying new trilogy blends the best of paranormal and dystopian storytelling in a world where the war is over. And the vampires won.

Humans huddle in their walled cities, supplying blood in exchange for safety. But not even that is guaranteed. Dawn has lost her entire family and now reluctantly serves as the delegate to Lord Valentine, the most powerful vampire for miles. It isn’t until she meets Victor, Valentine’s son, that she realizes not all vampires are monsters....

Darkness Before Dawn is a fresh new story with captivating characters, unexpected plot twists, a fascinating setting, and a compelling voice. Written under the name J. A. London by a talented mother-son team, the trilogy is perfect for fans of True Blood and the House of Night and Morganville Vampires series. (Goodreads)

(Fallen #3.5)
by Lauren Kate
Publication Date: January 24th, 2012
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Unexpected. Unrequited. Forbidden. Eternal. Everyone has their own love story.

And in a twist of fate, four extraordinary love stories combine over the course of a romantic Valentine's Day in Medieval England. Miles and Shelby find love where they least expect it. Roland learns a painful lesson about finding-and losing love. Arianne pays the price for a love so fierce it burns. And for the first -and last- time, Daniel and Luce will spend a night together like none other.

Lauren Kate's FALLEN IN LOVE is filled with love stories . . . the ones everyone has been waiting for.

True love never says goodbye... (Goodreads)

Dark Kiss
(Nightwatchers #1)
by Michelle Rowen
Publication Date:
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
After her soul is stolen in a kiss, a 16-year-old must join a force of demons and angels to protect humanity from an immortal threat. (Goodreads)

by Wendy Higgins
Publication Date: May 1st, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences? This is life for sons and daughters of fallen angels in Sweet Evil.

Anna, a tender-hearted southern girl, was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but it isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage, and her will-power is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

A cross-country trip forces Anna and Kai to face the reality that hope and love are not options for their kind. When it's time for Anna to confront her demons, will she choose to embrace her halo or her horns? (Goodreads)

Why am I Waiting on these books???

Ok, I couldn't pick just one book this week, so here you have the Gorgeous Cover Edition of WoW. I totally judge a book by it's cover, which I know I shouldn't do, but how can you resist these gorgeous covers? I'm really looking forward to checking out ALL of these books. :)

What are you Waiting for this week??

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Review: Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey

Dragonswood
by Janet Lee Carey
Publication Date: January 5th, 2012
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers
Pages: 416
ISBN: 9780803735040

Available for Pre-Order:
B&N | Amazon | The Book Depository
Wilde Island is in an uproar after the recent death of its king. The uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is fraying, and a bloodthirsty witch hunter with a hidden agenda whips villages into frenzies with wild accusations. Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter from a tiny hamlet near the mysterious Dragonswood, finds herself caught in the crosshairs of fate when she is accused of witchery and has to flee for her life along with her two best friends.

Not even Tess’s power to see the future can help the girls as they set off on their desperate journey, but she keeps having visions of a man wielding a sword. And when she finally meets him, Tess has no idea how to handle the magnetic attraction she feels for him, or the elusive call she hears from the heart of the Dragonswood.

In this epic romance, an ancient prophecy comes true in a way neither dragon, fairy, nor human would have predicted. (Goodreads)
I was so excited to receive a copy of Dragonswood to review. After reading the synopsis and lusting over the book’s cover, I was eager to get started on it. After finishing the book, I was left with mixed feelings. I liked the plot of the book; it was the characters I had issues with.

Let’s start off with the characters. Unfortunately, I had a hard time connecting to any of the main characters. Tess, our protagonist, and her two friends, Poppy and Meg, were likeable, but for some reason that spark wasn’t there for me with them. I can’t quite put my finger on what it was about them that I didn’t like though. It pretty much goes this way with many of the characters throughout the book, unfortunately.

There were a few characters that I enjoyed, and those were the dragons. I found them to be extremely interesting, and I would love to read more about them. (Sorry, don’t want to go into too much detail and spoil it!)

The plot of the book was great. I love the idea of the dragons, and even the fey. The dragons are not something I’ve read much about, and it really kept me interested in the book. The book was very well paced, and when I did have time to read, I flew through the pages.

Overall, while I really enjoyed the plot of the story, the characters didn’t do it for me. I am thinking I may try to re-read this again soon, and maybe they will be different for me then.

Happy Reading!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

In My Mailbox #41

** In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a great way to showcase the books you've gotten over the week, whether they are bought, borrowed or free. **

Won:
Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
(My Review)

For Review:
A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink


I got two awesome books in my mailbox this week! The first book I won from Kathy at A Glass of Wine! (Thanks Kathy!) I read this book earlier this year, but didn't have my own copy. Kathy offered it up for grabs in a recent contest on her website, and I was the lucky winner! It's even more gorgeous in person than it is in the photo. :)

From Library Thing I got A Temptation of Angels. I love the cover for this book! It looks like it's going to be a really quick read as well. I'm really looking forward to getting started on it!

What's in your mailbox this week??

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Friday Hops 11/18

Follow Friday! #37

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read. It's a great way to meet new blogger friends!


Q.  Letter to Santa: Tell Santa what books you want for Christmas!


A.Ugh! There are so many books I want Santa to bring this year!

Here are a few I would love to have, some old, some new releases:



  • Clockwork Prince - Cassandra Clare
  • Mercy/Muse - Rebecca Lim
  • Angel Fire - L.A. Weatherly
  • Anna Dressed in Blood -Kendare Blake (Already read, but don't have my own copy.)
  • Shatter Me - Tahera Mafi
  • And just about every other new release that is coming out soon! Lol!

TGIF at GReads #5

TGIF at GReads is a Friday Feature hosted by Ginger at GReadsBooks.com!

Giving Thanks: Which books are you most thankful for receiving from other bloggers, friends, family members, or publishers?

Well, I'm always thankful for any ARC's I get for publishers. I 'hate' requesting them, and rarely do because it makes me feel bad, but I'm always thankful when they send them along!

The books I'm most thankful for are any that my hubby buys for me! Best gifts ever!  Otherwise, most people just give me gift cards to buy my own books. :)

Does that even answer this question? Probably not. :)

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Thanks for stopping by everyone! Please leave a comment with your link so I can follow you back!

Review: Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

Darker Still
(Magic Most Foul #1)
by Leanna Renee Hieber
Publication Date: November 8th 2011
Publisher: SourceBooks
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9781402260520

Where to Buy:
B&N | Amazon | The Book Depository
The Picture of Dorian Gray meets Pride and Prejudice, with a dash of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

New York City, 1882. Seventeen-year-old Natalie Stewart's latest obsession is a painting of the handsome British Lord Denbury. Something in his striking blue eyes calls to her. As his incredibly life-like gaze seems to follow her, Natalie gets the uneasy feeling that details of the painting keep changing...

Jonathan Denbury's soul is trapped in the gilded painting by dark magic while his possessed body commits unspeakable crimes in the city slums. He must lure Natalie into the painting, for only together can they reverse the curse and free his damaged soul. (Goodreads)
I have read many, many raving reviews for Darker Still, so I finally decided to give it a read. The synopsis likens the book to Pride and Prejudice, which just happens to be one of my favorite reads. So I was really glad to finally get started on the book.

The main character in the story is a seventeen year old girl named Natalie Stewart. I found Natalie to be a very interesting character. Not only is she strong willed and ambitious, she’s also mute. I think that just makes her character even stronger, and shows just how determined she can be. She was quick to put people in their placed when they thought she was slow, because of her disability. I love the point where she discovers that she can journey into the painting with Lord Denbury. Oh, Lord Debury… What a gentleman you are! He definitely reminds me a little of someone that would be in an Austen novel.

I really enjoyed the secondary characters in the novel. Natalie’s dad and also Mrs. Northe, were both interesting to read about. I was curious about Crenfall and the painter as well, and was left with a few questions about them at the end of the book.

The plot of the story was really interesting. Imagine being trapped in a painting. Imagine having the ability to go through a painting. That’s definitely not something I’ve read about before. The book was a well paced, and was quite a quick read for me. I finished it in just a few hours time.

Overall, I found this book to be quite intriguing! I am so glad to discover it is going to be series read as well. I’m really looking forward to seeing where Natalie will take us next.

Happy Reading!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday #41

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


The Last Echo
(The Body Finder #3)
by Kimberly Derting
Publication Date: April 17th, 2012
In the end, all that’s left is an echo.


Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet’s talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it’s Violet’s job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice.


When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by “the girlfriend collector” she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new “relationship” and Violet may have caught his eye... (Goodreads)

Why am I Waiting on this book??

I finished Desires of the Dead last week, and really loved it. I love the whole series, it's that great. Now I'm dying to know what's going to happen next!

What are you WoWing for this week?

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Review: The Pledge by Kimberly Dertiny

The Pledge
(The Pledge #1)
by Kimberly Derting
Publication Date: November 15th, 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9781442422018

Where to Buy:
B&N | Amazon | The Book Depository
In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime. (Goodreads)
I am a huge fan of Kimberly Derting’s ‘The Body Finder’ series. So I was super excited to finally get started on The Pledge. I really love Kimberly’s writing style, and the way she pulls you into a story, so I was looking forward to see where exactly she was going to take us with this new series.

I found the characters in the story to be likeable, but they didn’t really grab me like I kept expecting them to. I thought that the main character, Charlaina, (aka. Charlie) was a very strong character. However, we really don’t get to see too many different sides of her, so I didn’t really connect with her. The guys in the story were fairly interesting. Without going into too much detail, I would totally choose Xander over Max. (But that’s just me!) The secondary characters were likeable, but I would have love to see more depth to them. Especially the Queen; we don’t see nearly enough of her, and I was really curious about her.

The one character that I loved, who really stood out in the book for me, was Charlie’s sister, Angelina. While only being 4 years old, she was quite a mystery. The more I read, the more I loved her, and wanted to know more about her. I really hope we see a bigger role for her in the next book.

The storyline for the book was very interesting, and it kept my attention for the most part. There were a few slow places, but this was still a really quick read. I really enjoyed the descriptions of how the world was during this time; I could picture it quite easily in my mind.

Overall, I thought this was a pretty interesting read. I’m looking forward to seeing where the series takes us in the next books.

Happy Reading!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

In My Mailbox #40

** In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a great way to showcase the books you've gotten over the week, whether they are bought, borrowed or free. **

Possess - Gretchen McNeil
The Lost Saint - Bree Despain

Please excuse the crappy picture that I took with my BlackBerry.
It's been a long day, and I'm too lazy to get out my camera. :)


Two awesome books in my mailbox this week. I am so excited to finally get my hands on both of these books. :)

What's in your mailbox this week???

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Friday Hops 11/11

Follow Friday! #36

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read. It's a great way to meet new blogger friends!
Q.  In light of 11.11.11 and Veteran’s Day tell us about your favorite solider and how he or she is saving the world. Fictional or real life.
A. Mine would probably have to be my FIL, who is a National Guardsman. He's been overseas many times to fight in different wars, and we are always happy to have him come home.  He's definitely done a lot for his country!

My sister also served in the Navy. :)


TGIF at GReads #4

TGIF at GReads is a Friday Feature hosted by Ginger at GReadsBooks.com!

Love-Hate Relationship: Which characters from a book do you love to hate?

Ohhhh, mine would definitely be:

President Snow!

Thanks for stopping by everyone! Please leave a comment with your link so I can follow you back!

Review: Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

Desires of the Dead
(The Body Finder #2)
by Kimberly Derting
Publication Date: February 15th, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 368
ISBN: 9780061779848

Where to buy:
B&N | Amazon | The Book Depository
The missing dead call to Violet. They want to be found.

Violet can sense the echoes of those who've been murdered—and the matching imprint that clings to their killers. Only those closest to her know what she is capable of, but when she discovers the body of a young boy she also draws the attention of the FBI, threatening her entire way of life.

As Violet works to keep her morbid ability a secret, she unwittingly becomes the object of a dangerous obsession. Normally she'd turn to her best friend, Jay, except now that they are officially a couple, the rules of their relationship seem to have changed. And with Jay spending more and more time with his new friend Mike, Violet is left with too much time on her hands as she wonders where things went wrong. But when she fills the void by digging into Mike's tragic family history, she stumbles upon a dark truth that could put everyone in danger. (Goodreads)>
Why did I wait so long to read Desires of the Dead? (I have no idea!) I read The Body Finder earlier this year, and I absolutely loved it. Kimberly Derting has such an amazing way with words. I am totally kicking myself for not reading this sooner!

In the book, we see a lot of the same characters from the first book. The main characters are Violet and Jay, who I always enjoy reading about. We really get to see their relationship grow throughout this book, and I think they are a really great couple together. Jay is as awesome in this book as he was in the last, maybe even a bit more, actually. I found Violet to be a tad bit frustrating. She was constantly putting herself in some really dangerous situations. I wanted to yell at her for it. It wouldn’t be hard to talk to someone, like Jay for instance. She totally didn’t have to be alone. But she felt the pull, and just had to check it out. Silly girl.

The secondary characters are just as I remember them; Vi’s friends were a hoot, and her parents were great. (Although I do wish they had been a bit more involved in what was going on with Vi.) We are also introduced to some interesting new characters; new student Mike and his sister, Megan, and also to FBI agents, Sara and Rafe. Oh Rafe… He’s quite a mysterious character, and left me wanting to know more about his story. I am really hoping that we will see MUCH more of him in the next book.

This writing in this book was fabulous. Ms. Derting has a way of grabbing your attention, and not letting go. I was in suspense throughout the whole book, and I just had to know what was going to happen next! The book was also very well paced. I had it finished in no time!

Overall… This series is amazing! I love the characters, the mystery and suspense, Jay… (ha!) If you haven’t checked this series out yet, you definitely should. I will be impatiently waiting to read The Last Echo!

Happy Reading!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday #40 - Rapture by Lauren Kate

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

(Fallen #4)
by Lauren Kate
Publication Date: June 12th, 2012
The sky is dark with wings. . . . In RAPTURE, the highly anticipated fourth and final novel in the FALLEN series, Luce and Daniel are together . . . but for how long? Can history be rewritten? Or are some punishments eternal? (Barnes & Noble)

Why am I waiting on this book??

I love this series! Luce, Daniel, Cam... I love it! I still need to read Passion, which I'm hoping to get to soon. I've been putting it off since it's a prequel. I can't wait to read Rapture to get back into the present story.


What are you WoWing for this week???

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Review: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Unearthly
(Unearthly #1)
by Cynthia Hand
Publication Date: January 4th, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 435
ISBN: 9780061996160

Where to Buy:
B&N | Amazon | The Book Depository
In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.(Goodreads)
I didn’t really know what to expect when I started reading Unearthly. The book has gotten pretty rave reviews, and I had wanted to read it for a really long time. Well, I’m super glad I finally gave the book a shot! Definitely an awesome read.

The main character in the story is Clara Gardner. Clara has just recently discovered that she is part angel, and that she has a ‘purpose’ in her life that she has to fulfill. She has no idea what this purpose is, but she does have visions about it, which helps her figure what the future holds for her.

I thought Clara was a very likeable character. I definitely enjoyed watching her grow throughout the book. I have to say, she was a lot different than I expected her to be. I liked that she turned into such a strong young woman.

There is a love triangle in the story, consisting between two boys, Christian and Tucker. Christian is the perfect boy, and I had a hard time not liking him, but I didn’t exactly love him. Tucker, on the other hand, was definitely swoon-worthy. I love the relationship between him and Clara, it is definitely intense. However, I really want to know more about Christian, and I am really looking forward to seeing what the relationship between he and Clara will be like in the next book.

The secondary characters were well written. I really enjoyed Clara’s best friends, Angela and Wendy. I do wish that Clara’s mom had been a little less secretive about everything, but that just adds on the suspense for the rest of the series.

The storyline in this book is very well paced, and it thoroughly held my attention. I also thought the settings were very well described. I could see the scenery perfectly in my head as I read along with the descriptions.

Overall, I found Unearthly to be an absolutely fantastic novel by this debut author. I am dying to get started on the next book in the series, Hallowed, and am hoping to get started on it soon!

Happy Reading!


Saturday, November 5, 2011

In My Mailbox #39

** In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a great way to showcase the books you've gotten over the week, whether they are bought, borrowed or free. **


Netgalley:
Hallowed - Cynthia Hand
Under the Never Sky - Veronica Rossi
Catching Jordan - Miranda Kenneally

Lots of pretty covers in my mailbox this week! And I'm really looking forward to reading them all. I have more books at the library that I was supposed to get today, but two of the kiddos and I are under the weather, so they will have to wait until next week. :)

What's in your mailbox this week???