Saturday, July 14, 2012

Weekly Book Haul #10 & Read-a-thon Giveaway Winner

Review:
Blood Fever - Veronica Wolff
(Courtesy Penguin)

Purchased:
Anna Dressed in Blood - Kendare Blake (My Review)


Two new books for me this week!
I am so excited to finally have a finished copy of Anna Dressed in Blood.
That book is insanely awesome.
I haven't read the series by Veronica Wolff, but I'm looking forward to checking it out!

What new books did you get this week?


And now, here is the winner for the Once Upon a Read-a-Thon Giveaway that I held earlier this week.

Congratulations Ash @ Typing Tiara!

Check your email, and please send back your contact info!

I hope that everyone had an awesome time doing the read-a-thon!

: )

Friday, July 13, 2012

Review: Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Something Strange and Deadly
(Something Strange and Deadly #1)
by Susan Dennard

Publication Date: July 24th, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 400
ISBN: 9780062083265

B&N | Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads

The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance. (Goodreads)
Something Strange and Deadly is an action packed zombie novel by debut author Susan Dennard. The book definitely holds true to its title, it’s full of lots of strange and deadly things that will keep you hooked to the pages and wanting more!

Sixteen year old Eleanor Fitt is on a mission to find her brother that has mysteriously gone missing. Along with her search, she’s also dealing with her mother who is trying to marry her off to any rich man that she can find, and also with the zombies that are rising in her town. With the help of a couple of new friends, they must find the person who is responsible for raising the dead, the same person that may also have kidnapped her brother as well.

Eleanor was a very interesting character. She was not one to sit around and doing nothing, but she took action in her own hands and did what she had to do. She did not let her fear hold her back while she searched for her brother.  She is such a great heroine; these kinds are my absolute favorite. The few times we see her rattled is when Daniel, one of the Spirit-Hunters helping her in her search, left her in mess of confusion. The relationship between Eleanor and Daniel was adorable, and I love that it grew over time, and didn’t happen right away. They make a great team!

The secondary characters in the book were engrossing as well. Joseph and Jie, who were also Spirit-Hunters, were each interesting in their own unique ways. The one character that constantly left me in a state of confusion was Clarence Wilcox, would be suitor to Eleanor. I just couldn’t figure him out, and while I didn’t want to like him, I ended up loving him a bit in the end.

The thing I liked most about this book is that there is always something going on in it. I read this in one day, which doesn’t happen for me often. I just HAD to know what was going to happen! The world-building was so creative; I loved reading the descriptions of the time period. There was no cliffhanger ending for this book. While there is a build-up for the next novel, the novel was wrapped up nicely, and I definitely had closure at the end.

Overall, if you love a good zombie novel, you should definitely check out Something Strange and Deadly. It will not disappoint! I’m itching to get my hands on the next book in this awesome series.

Happy Reading!



Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon * Mini Challenge


Hey guys!
Today I am hosting a Mini Challenge for the Once Upon a Read-a-Thon!
I hope you are all having a fabulous time reading!

Now, onto the challenge...

I have one simple question for you to answer.

What is your most anticipated book for 2012?
(It can be an upcoming release, or one that's already been released.)

Post your answer on your blog, Twitter or Facebook,
and then come back and post your link in the comment section.




One (1) winner will receive a copy of Sweet Evil from The Book Depository!
Winner will be randomly chosen, and must respond within 24 hours.
Giveaway for US and International
Must be 13 or older to enter.


Good luck guys, and Happy Reading!


Waiting on Wednesday #75 - The Rising by Kelley Armstrong

The Rising
(Darkness Rising #3)
by Kelley Armstrong

Publication Date: April 9th, 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins

Add to Goodreads

Things are getting desperate for Maya and her friends. Hunted by the powerful St. Cloud Cabal and now the Nast Cabal as well, they’re quickly running out of places to hide. And with the whole world thinking they died in a helicopter crash, it’s not like they can just go to the authorities for help.

All they have is the name and number of someone who might be able to give them a few answers. Answers to why they’re so valuable, and why their supernatural powers are getting more and more out of control. Maya is unprepared for the truths that await her, but she’ll have to face them if she ever hopes to move on with her life. Because Maya can’t keep running forever.

With all the twists, thrills, and romance that have made Kelley Armstrong an international bestseller, plus the surprising return of some fan-favorite characters, The Rising will hold you under its spell long after the breathtaking end. (HarperCollins)

I loooooooove Kelley Armstrong! This series is one of my favorite series of all time. I can't wait to meet some of my favorite characters again. :)

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, July 10, 2012

Review: Dark Companion by Marta Costa

Dark Companion
by Marta Costa

Publication Date: July 3rd, 2012
Publisher: Tor/Macmillan
Pages: 368
ISBN: 9780765329646

B&N | Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads

When foster teen Jane Williams is invited to attend elite Birch Grove Academy for Girls and escape her violent urban neighborhood, she thinks the offer is too good to be true. She's even offered her own living quarters, the groundskeeper's cottage in the center of the birch grove.

Something's not quite right about the school -- or is it Jane? She thinks she sees things in the birch grove at night. She's also beginning to suspect that the elegant headmistress and her sons are hiding secrets. Lucky is the gorgeous, golden son who is especially attentive to Jane, and Jack is the sardonic puzzling brother.

The school with its talented teachers and bright students is a dream for a science and math geek like Jane. She also loves her new friends, including hilarious poetry-spouting rich girl, Mary Violet. But the longer Jane stays at Birch Grove, the more questions she has about the disappearance of another scholarship girl and a missing faculty member.

Jane discovers one secret about Birch Grove, which only leads to more mysteries. What is she willing to sacrifice in order to stay at this school...and be bound to Birch Grove forever? (Goodreads)
I will admit it; I was drawn Dark Companion by its gorgeous, creepy cover. It’s so very pretty! After finally reading the synopsis, this book sounded like something I definitely wanted to read. Here are my thoughts on the book!

Jane Williams has had a hard life in her few short years. Pulled out of poverty thanks to a scholarship to the Birch Grove Academy for Girls, things finally seem to be looking up for Jane. But things, and people, aren’t what they seem at Birch Grove, and Jane must decide if she wants to stay, or if she’s willing to give up everything to have what she wants.

Jane was a bit of a difficult character for me to like, mostly because she so very indecisive about everything. Ok, not really about everything, just about Lucky, the headmistress’ son.  She knew that she wanted to get out of the hood and make something of herself, but when it came to Lucky, she was a complete, blubbering mess. One minute she wanted him, and the next she didn’t. I didn’t like Lucky at all, so it was super easy for me to make the decision for her. I really had my ups and downs with both Jane and Lucky. These are the two characters I had the most problems with.

There were a few characters in the book that I really loved. Mary Violet, who is Jane’s friend and schoolmate, has to be my favorite character in the book. She is always spouting poems about anything and everything, and she also saying crazy things in French. She was a hoot! There’s also Jack, who is the headmistresses other son, was a complete riot. He was mysterious, snarky and a wee bit sexy as well. I loved the parts of the books that we got to share with Jack; I just wish he was in more of the book!

The storyline was really unique, and not what I expected. The pacing was well done, although I did seem to have a hard time keeping focused on the book. (Not the books fault, that’s all me.)  There were a couple of parts in the book that involved blood and blood-letting, and that kind of grossed me out. (Again, that’s all me!) Kudos to the author for such a unique read!

Overall, I did have a few issues with this book, but it was a good read. I see a lot of good reviews for the book, but I don’t think I was exactly in the right frame of mind to read it at the moment. I am definitely going to give it another shot in the future.

Happy Reading!


Monday, July 9, 2012

Noteworthy New Releases - 7/9 - 7/15




New in Hardback:

So Close to You - Rachel Carter   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
Such A Rush - Jennifer Echols   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
Don't You Wish - Roxanne St. Claire   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
Diva - Jillian Larkin   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
Insignia - S.J. Kincaid   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
The Thing About The Truth - Lauren Barnholdt   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
Dark Water - Tricia Rayburn   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
The Last Guardian - Eoin Colfer   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )




New in Paperback:

Michal Vey - Richard Paul Evans   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
Size 12 and Ready to Rock - Meg Cabot   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
Wildcat Fireflies - Amber Kizer   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
The Marred Son - Shea Berkley   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )


Saturday, July 7, 2012

Weekly Book Haul #9


Purchased:
Once - Anna Carey (my review)
The Goddess Test - Aimee Carter (my review)
Goddess Interrupted - Aimee Carter (my review)

Review:
The Greyfriar - Clay Griffith & Susan Griffith
The Rift Walker - Clay Griffith & Susan Griffith
(Courtesy Prometheus Books)

Hey all!
Again, I apologize for my lack of posting the past few weeks!
Things are just super crazy right now.
Hopefully life will get back to normal soon. :)

So excited for all the books I got this week.
I finally have a finished copy of The Goddess Test and Goddess Interrupted. I love that series!
The Vampire Empires series is not YA, but it sounds great, and has gotten some really good reads.
I can't wait to start it!

What new books did you get this week???

**This post was inspired by In My Mailbox by TheStorySiren, in order to share books received each week.**

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #74 - Requiem by Lauren Oliver

Requiem
(Delirium #3)
by Lauren Oliver

Publication Date: March 5th, 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins

Add to Goodreads

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight. Of Pandemonium, ALA Booklist noted that “like all successful second volumes, this expands the world and ups the stakes, setting us up for the big finale.”

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor. Requiem is told from both Lena's and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.

With lyrical writing, Lauren Oliver seamlessly interweaves the peril that Lena faces with the inner tumult she experiences after the reappearance of her first love, Alex—the boy she thought was dead. Sophisticated and wide-ranging, Requiem brings the Delirium trilogy to a thrilling conclusion. (HarperCollins)

AHHHHHHH! I love the Delirium series, it's so very good. After the cliffhanger ending in Pandemonium, I can't wait to get back to this story!!! (I LOVE ALEX!)

Ahem...

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, July 3, 2012

Review: The Unquiet by Jeannine Garsee

The Unquiet
by Jeannine Garsee

Publication Date: July 17th, 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
Pages: 388
ISBN: 9781599907239

B&N | Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads

Sixteen-year-old Rinn Jacobs has secrets: One, she’s bipolar. Two, she killed her grandmother.

After a suicide attempt, and now her parents' separation, Rinn and her mom move from California to the rural Ohio town where her mother grew up. Back on her medications and hoping to stay well, Rinn settles into her new home, undaunted by the fact that the previous owner hanged herself in Rinn's bedroom. At school, her classmates believe the school pool is haunted by Annaliese, a girl who drowned there. But when a reckless séance goes awry, and terrible things start happening to her new friends—yet not to her—Rinn is determined to find out why she can’t be "touched" by Annaliese...or if Annaliese even exists.

With the help of Nate Brenner, the hunky “farmer boy” she’s rapidly falling for, Rinn devises a dangerous plan to uncover the truth. Soon reality and fantasy meld into one, till Rinn finds it nearly impossible to tell the difference. When a malevolent force threatens the lives of everyone she cares about--not to mention her own--she can't help wondering: who should she really be afraid of?

Annaliese? Or herself? (Goodreads)
My first impression about ‘The Unquiet’ is that this book is super creepy! I love a good ghost story, and this book definitely doesn’t disappoint. It’s mysterious and eerie, and will keep you guessing right up to the end!

The main character in the story, Rinn, is a highly flawed young lady. She’s bipolar, and she’s made a lot of bad choices in her life that she is now paying for. Even with all of these flaws, I still found a way to connect with her on a really strange level. I really enjoyed the relationship between Rinn and the boy that lives across the street, Nate. It wasn’t love at first sight for these two, but a relationship that grew over time. I love the sarcasm between the two the most. Ha!

I had a hard time connecting with almost all of the secondary characters, most being the ‘friends’ that Rinn made at her new school. Then there were a few characters that I really wanted to know more about, that we were left hanging about. (As in the janitor, Nate’s dad, Rinn’s dad, etc.)

The world-building and pacing for the book was very well done. The mystery in the book definitely kept me guessing. I flew through the pages just to know what was going to happen next. I did expect a bit more from the ending after the intense build-up throughout the book.  I did like that this book could be left as a stand-alone book, or could have a future sequel as well.

Overall, I found this to be a really enjoyable ghost story. The characters, while flawed, were interesting and the mystery kept me hooked. I am really looking forward to reading more by this author in the future.

Happy Reading!

Monday, July 2, 2012

Noteworthy New Releases * 7/2 - 7/8



New in Hardback:

Once - Anna Carey    (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
Just For Fins - Tera Lynn Childs   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
The White Glove War - Katie Crouch   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
Waking Storms - Sarah Porter   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )




New in Paperback:

Eve - Anna Carey    (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
Anna Dressed in Blood - Kendare Blake   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
Chosen Ones - Tiffany Truitt   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
Haunting Violet - Alyxandra Harvey   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
Fins Are Forever - Tera Lynn Childs   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
Circle of Fire - Michelle Zink   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
Lost in Time - Melissa de la Cruz   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
Dark Destiny - M.J. Putney   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )

Happy Reading!