Friday, July 31, 2009

New Blogger

Hey everyone,

There is a new blogger among us and I thought it would be nice to just kind of throw a word out there to get some love to them.

The blogger's name is Reggie.
Reggie reviews YA fiction as well as the occasional adult fiction on The Undercover Book Lover
Let's show some love and check out this new blog!

Enjoy~


Wicked Lovely


Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Release Date: May 31st, 2007
Publisher: Harper Teen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 328
Overall:

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.
Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty-especially if they learn of her Sight-and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.
Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.
But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King, who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. His is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost-regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; everything.
Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning twenty-first-century faery tale.
My current obsession of stories involving faeries, led me to Wicked Lovely, the first book in Melissa Marr’s series. It was a little slow in the beginning, but the overall story was intriguing. The plot for the Summer King to find his queen, finding it in Aislinn really drew my interest. It was a little slow to reveal information, but it was over all a fast read.

The characters were fun and realistic. It was easy to relate to how Aislinn was feeling when Keenan was pursuing her, and how she feared for Seth. The way that Keenan reluctantly agreed to her demands shows a human quality of not wanting to lose everything at the chance to get what one really needs. Seth makes a cool loveable character that is a great counter-character to the sweet talking Keenan.

The only thing I really didn’t like about the story was the ending. Personal preferences wished she would have made slightly different choices, but alas, I will not reveal the ending more than that. It wasn’t my favorite story, but I’m looking forward to reading the sequels.


Who Might Like This Book:
Paranormal Lovers
Faerie Lovers



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Thursday, July 30, 2009

Beauty


Beauty by Robin McKinley

Release Date: January 1st, 1978
Publisher: HarperTrophy
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 256
Overall:

Contrary to the name, 16-year-old Beauty is not the prettiest girl in her family. But she is the cleverest, bravest, and most honorable. When her father makes a promise with a beast who lives in an enchanted castle, Beauty fulfills her father's pledge. A marvelous retelling of a favorite love story.

This much-loved retelling of the classic French tale Beauty and the Beast elicits the familiar magical charm, but is more believable and complex than the traditional story. In this version, Beauty is not as beautiful as her older sisters, who are both lovely and kind. Here, in fact, Beauty has no confidence in her appearance but takes pride in her own intelligence, her love of learning and books, and her talent in riding. She is the most competent of the three sisters, which proves essential when they are forced to retire to the country because of their father's financial ruin.

The plot follows that of the renowned legend: Beauty selflessly agrees to inhabit the Beast's castle to spare her father's life. Beauty's gradual acceptance of the Beast and the couple's deepening trust and affection are amplified in novel form. Robin McKinley's writing has the flavor of another century, and Beauty heightens the authenticity as a reliable and competent narrator.

I am in love with the story of Beauty and the Beast. It is my favorite fairy tale, and I tend to watch the Disney version of it over and over again. I simply cannot help it. So when I found this book randomly one day in Barnes and Noble, I thought it would be great.

However, I didn’t really like it. The writing was what kind of threw me off. There wasn’t much detail at all. I personally like a little bit of fluff, but Beauty didn’t seem to have any. It was more being told than being shown, which every writing teacher would frown upon.

The characters also weren’t very drawn out. You knew kind of what Beauty was like. She liked to read, she was giving, she was self-sacrificing. However, there wasn’t much more depth to her character. What about her thoughts, wishes, dreams? She seemed very two-dimensional to me. The Beast was also slightly two-dimensional. There is no depth to his character, and you don’t really see why he acts the way he does.

The details of the enchantment are also kind of vague. He’s under a curse, and you find out why. However, you don’t find out why he was the one it finally took hold of, or why he managed to control the servants or anything else. The curse however was a new twist and I did enjoy that.

Perhaps I’m just a sucker for the Disney movie version of this fairy tale, but this one didn’t really do it for me.


Who Might Like This Book:
Fairy Tale Lovers
People who love Robin McKinley
Lovers of all Beauty and the Beast Stories, not just Disney Movies



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Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Blood Promise: Chapter 1

So, if any of you are lovers of Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series, you may already know this. And incase you don't, here is some news for you!

The first chapter of Blood Promise has been posted on her website. Find it Here.

If you read it, let me know your thoughts!

If you don't read it, let me know why you don't!

I'm so excited for this book!


Waiting on Wednesday (7)

“Waiting on Wednesday” is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Note: There is No Official Cover for this book as of yet, and I am using a sample cover made for Georgia by Bradley.


Praefatio by Georgia McBride
Release Date: N/A
Pages: N/A

The ascension of Grace Ann Miller from human to Archangel was not what you would imagine becoming a High Angel would be. A fact which no one believes, Grace’s sanity is challenged as she tells her story from a police station. Gavin Vault, the world’s biggest rock star has just been arrested for her kidnapping and the media is having a field day. But Grace has a much more shocking tale for the police than kidnapping. A secret existence steeped in ancient Biblical myth guarded by the highest order of Angels. Thrust into an ages-old battle for power, Grace must decide who she can trust and stay alive long enough to find out why people are trying to kill her–and prove she’s not insane. Fighting blood thirsty and demonic otherworldlies, falling madly in love and finding her true calling has never been deadlier or more fun.

After talking a little bit to the author, I discovered the book she was working on and can’t wait for a chance to read it! There is no release date, nor any sort of information that I can tell you about it, except what it’s about! Doesn’t it sound amazing?


Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Bookcase!

Just yesterday I was staring at my large pile of books that are covering the wall below and around my window. In fact, last night I added two more books to the ever growing pile and found a tub full of books that I had taken to college with me and hadn't unpacked. It has gotten to the point where I desperately need a bookcase and yet have no idea how to go about getting one. Then earlier today I received an email from CSN Office Furniture asking me if I would like to review one of their bookcases. I jumped for joy and immediately started browsing their site!

They have so many bookcases it's hard to choose which one I like more. It was fantastic to see the ones that had drawers and doors. There are ones that look old and antique which appeal to me and my love of anything that looks like it could be part of the medieval era. They have bookcases that are appealing and yet have a reasonable price for those who need to keep to a budget.




I was always happily surprised to see that they had other office furniture. Not only do they have bookcases, but they have desks and Office Chairs for those who those who may want an official space to do blogger, or writing, or whatever else may please them.

I'm so excited, time to go pick out my bookcase!


Monday, July 27, 2009

When It Happens


When It Happens by Susane Colasanti

Release Date: May 4th, 2006
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 320
Overall:

At the start of her senior year, Sara wants two things: to get into a top college and to find true love. Tobey also wants two things in his senior year: to win Battle of the Bands and to make Sara fall in love with him. A popular jock named Dave, though, moves in on Sara first. But Tobey's quirky wit and big blue eyes are hard for Sara to ignore. Plus, he gets the little things that matter to her - like why she loves the Lloyd Dobler boom-box scene in the movie Say Anything...Can a slacker rock-star wanna be win the heart of a pretty class brain like Sara?

This is the first book I’ve read by Susane Colasanti. It was a quick read and entertaining. While it isn’t the type of book I usually read, it was refreshing and joyful to see the underdog get the girl in a book.

The writing was pretty straight forward telling the reader exactly what they need to know, not really fluffing it up too much. She added cute scenes to make the reader’s hearts grow fuzzy with warmth. My favorite scene was the re-enactment from Say Anything. Those who have scene the movie and have read the book know which one I’m talking about.

The characters were very relatable. It was easy relate with Sara, who was a realistic brainy student. There is also the underdog that guys might be able to relate to if they read the book, and if they don’t, it gives the smart girls the hope of finding their own Tobey.

Overall the book was entertaining, though not necessarily a must read in my opinion.


Who Might Like This Book:
Romance Readers
Chick Lit Readers



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Sunday, July 26, 2009

Contest Winner!

Alright everyone. Since my contest is now over, it is only right that I pick a winner! Using Random.org got a random number between 1 and 197 with the chosen number 35! So, starting with one and counting downward the winner of Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink is...




So Kristen if you'll send me an email (see address to the left) your address, I'll get your book out to you asap!

Thanks to everyone who entered!

Stay tuned for the next couple days as I will be posting another contest, celebrating reaching over 50 followers! Woot. =)

Thanks everyone!


In My Mailbox (6)

UPDATE: My contest for Prophecy of the Sisters has ended, but I'll be doing another contest soon. Stay tuned for more contests and the winner (posted later today.)


In My Mailbox is a weekly Meme hosted by The Story Siren



Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (Hardback/Flux/August 1st, 2009)
For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again.
Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.



Lament by Maggie Stiefvater (Paperback/Flux/October 1st, 2008)
Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a painfully shy but prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand—one who can see faeries. When a mysterious boy enters her ordinary suburban life, seemingly out of nowhere, Deirdre finds herself infatuated. Trouble is, the enigmatic and conflicted Luke turns out to be a gallowglass—a soulless faerie assassin – and Deirdre is meant to be his next mark. Deirdre has to decide if Luke's feelings towards her are real, or only a way to lure her deeper into the world of Faerie.

Luke isn't her only problem. A sinister faerie named Aodhan is also stalking Deirdre. Long-time enemies with a common goal, Luke and Aodhan carry the same assignment from the Faerie Queen. Namely, kill Deirdre before her music captures the attention of the Fae and threatens the Queen's sovereignty. Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is her best friend James whose devotion has been teetering precariously on the line between friendship and love for months – a feeling that Dee doesn't quite reciprocate. It's Luke she can't stop thinking about: Luke, who was supposed to kill her immediately but hasn't. Luke, who cannot refuse the Queen's orders without paying an unimaginable price. Deirdre ultimately must confront the Faerie Queen before she loses everyone she loves.



Ash by Malinda Lo (ARC/Hodder Children's Books/September 1st, 2009)
Pushed into indentured servitude for her stepmother in the City to pay off her father’s debts, Ash is consumed with grief. She misses her family and her happy life at the edge of the Wood where old magic used to linger in the air like fairy breath. Her only joy comes from the brief, stolen walks in the woods with the dark and dangerous fairy Sideman. Ash’s single, unspoken hope is that someday he might steal her away, as fairies are said to do.

But on the day that Ash meets Kaisa, the King’s Huntress, her heart begins to change. Instead of chasing fairies, from Alisa she learns the art of the hunt, how to ride and track. Their friendship is as delicate as a new bloom, but it grows and changes, and with it, Ash reawakens her capacity for love—and her desire to live.

Entrancing and romantic, Ash is an empowering retelling of Cinderella about choosing life and love over solitude and death, where transformation can come from even the deepest grief.




Thursday, July 23, 2009

Strange Angels


Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow

Release Date: May 14th, 2009
Publisher: Razorbill
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 304
Overall:

Dad? Zombie.
Mom? Long gone.
Me? Well, that's the scary part.

The Real World is a frightening place. Just ask sixteen-year-old orphan Dru Anderson, a tough girl who has taken down her fair share of bad guys. She's armed, dangerous, and ready to kill first and ask questions later. So it's gonna take her a while to figure out who she can trust . . .

Dru Anderson has been 'strange' for as long as she can remember, travelling from town to town with her father to hunt the things that go bump in the night. It's a weird life, but a good one – until it all explodes in an icy, broken-down Dakota town, when a hungry zombie busts through her kitchen door. Alone, terrified, and trapped, Dru's going to need every inch of her wit and training to stay alive. The monsters have decided to hunt back – and this time, Dru's on their menu. Chances of survival? Slim to none.

If she can't last until sunup, it's game over . . .
I absolutely loved this book. While I have read many stories with a main character who has an attitude, I have never read one that is quite done in this fashion.

The most enjoyable portion of the book for me has to be the writing style. The spunky, take-no-crap voice that the book is written in simple made me want to read more. It had personality that I haven’t seen in books for a while. I love the Maximum Ride books for the spunky voice of Max, and this book out did her voice, making the character a true heroine.

The characters themselves were fun to read about. I love how Graves is the sidekick and comic relief with his innocent innuendos and comments. He counteracts the serious attitude of Christophe, who I personally would love to see Dru start a relationship with, since I see Graves as a more sidekick and not a possible love interest.

I can’t wait for the sequel to come out so that the story can continue!


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Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Waiting on Wednesday (6)

“Waiting on Wednesday” is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine


Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Release Date: December 1st, 2009
Pages: 640

There were no surprises in Gatlin County
We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.
At least, that’s what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

There was a curse.
There was a girl.
And in the end, there was a grave.

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she’s struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps, and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town’s oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

This book sounds amazing and everyone is raving about it! I am so jealous of those have already read it and hope I have a chance to read it soon!


Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Teaser Tuesday (4)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme held by Should Be Reading and here is my Teaser for today.





"Are you coming down?" I ask her. It takes her a moment to look my way, but when she does I feel a surge of sympathy at the sheer terror still displayed on her face.

"Down? Now that I'm up here you want me to get down?" Her voice borders on hysterical.


Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink, Pg. 177



>

Monday, July 20, 2009

Awards!

I finally got around to post about my awards~ Woot!


So the first award is from Taschima Cullen from Bloody Bookaholic.

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The rules for the Lemonade Award:

-Link back to the person he/she received the award from
-Nominate 10 bloggers who are deserving of this award
-Put the Lemonade Award logo on your blog



The next award I have received is the Humane Award. I have received this twice, once from Taschima Cullen at BloodyBookaholic and Kristen at Bookworming in the 21st Century.

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About the Humane Award, which was created by Eleni.

This award is to honor certain bloggers that are kindhearted individuals. They regularly take part in my blog and always leave the sweetest comments. If it wasn't for them, my site would just be an ordinary book review blog. Their blogs are also amazing and are tastefully done on a daily basis. I thank them and look forward to our growing friendship trhough the blog world.

Rules:

-Nominate 10 bloggers you feel deserve the Humane Award

Since its the same award, I'm going to just do 10 instead of 20~



This award was given to me by Lost in a Book

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Blogs that receive the Let’s Be Friends Award are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and befriends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers.

I'm going to pass it on to:

1. Mitali (Alley of Books)
2. Senfaye (A Maze of Books)
3. Taschima Cullen (BloodyBookaholic)
4. Jessica (Book Reviews by Jess)
5. Eli (The Tainted Poet)
6. Chelsea (The Page Flipper)
7. Briana (The Book Pixie)
8. Kelsey (Reading Keeps You Sane)

This award was also given to me by Taschima Cullen at Bloody Bookaholic!

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I'm going to nominate the following for this award!


Thanks to both of you!

Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale


Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale by Holly Black

Release Date: March 23rd, 2004
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 331
Overall:

Sixteen-year-old Kaye Fierch is not human, but she doesn't know it. Sure, she knows she's interacted with faeries since she was little--but she never imagined she was one of them, her blond Asian human appearance only a magically crafted cover-up for her true, green-skinned pixie self. First-time author Holly Black explores Kaye's self-discovery and dual worlds in her riveting, suspenseful novel Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale.

The novel begins in a bar in Philly, where Kaye's alcoholic rock-singer mother's boyfriend tries to kill her. For their own safety, mother and daughter quickly move back to grandma's on the New Jersey shore where Kaye grew up. This ugly turn of events was all rigged by the Faerie world, as it turns out, a world Black describes in deliciously vivid, if rather overblown, detail. Kaye, a drinking, smoking, foul-mouthed high school dropout in the land of mortals, soon finds herself embroiled--as a human sacrifice, no less--in a battle between Faerieland's Seelie and more malevolent Unseelie courts. The beautiful, mysterious knight Roiben, torn between worlds himself, falls in love with Kaye--the brave, clever changeling--against his better judgment. Throughout the electrifying journey to the horrific underworld of this modern faerie fantasy, teen readers will relate to a hard-luck tough girl who feels alienated, discovers her best qualities in the worst of circumstances, and finally finds a place between worlds where she can feel at home.
This was a cute story that I read back before I had really gotten into faerie stories. It was the supernatural romance that tends to drag me into all kinds of stories.
Kaye was a fun character to follow, and you instantly want her and Roiben to get together. Both characters are stubbornly independent but in spite of that, they end up loving each other and saving each other from those who are trying to harm them.

It was a good story and I have read the sequel Valiant, which I will be posting at a later date. I haven’t read Ironside though I intend to which is why I decided to post a review for this.


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“Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book." ~ Author Unknown

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