A Trail of Books Left Behind

Black City Cover Real

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:01:00 +0000

Today a bunch of blogs are revealing the cover for Elizabeth Richard's debut novel Black City. And here is the link to one of those posts:

http://safaripoet.blogspot.com/2012/02/cover-reveal-excerpt-black-city-by.html?showComment=1330541644321#c3403861546268784931

Oppression: Virtual Launch Party

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:26:00 +0000

Yay for Jessica! Today is the virtual launch for her debut novel Oppression. I'm so excited for her and hope that you guys will check it out. Here's the summary about the book and links of where to buy it:

Oppression

(Children of the Gods #1)

There are others like her.
Many of them.

And they have been waiting for her

...for a long time.

Elyse knows what it means to keep a secret. She's been keeping secrets her whole life. Two, actually. First, that she ages five times slower than the average person, so that while she looks eighteen years old, she's closer to eighty. Second, that her blood has a mysterious power to heal. For Elyse, these things don't make her special. They make life dangerous. After the death of her parents, she's been careful to keep her secret as closely guarded as possible. Now, only one other person in the world knows about her age and ability. Or so she thinks. Elyse is not the only one keeping secrets. There are others like her all over the world, descendants of the very people the Greeks considered gods. She is one of them, and they have been waiting for her for a long time. Among so many of her kind, she should not be very remarkable--except for the prophecy. Some believe she will put an end to traditions, safeguarded by violence, which have oppressed her people for centuries. Others are determined to keep her from doing just that. But for Elyse, the game is just beginning--and she's not entirely willing to play by their rules.

$0.99 E-Book

Amazon Kindle Edition (US)
Barnes & Noble NOOK Edition (US)

Amazon Kindle Edition (UK, France, Germany)

$12.99 Paperback

Amazon (US)
Barnes & Noble (US) - (Currently SOLD OUT - check back for updates)

Amazon (Canada)

Amazon (UK, France, Germany, Japan)

Don't forget to spread the word about this book to your friends and check it out for yourselves!

AND, if that's not enough Jessica is also having a little giveaway which includes:

A Signed Paperback edition of Oppression
A lined Oppression notebook
An Oppression Poster

How Can You Win?

To be entered to win these prizes you can do any of the following:

1. Tweet about the release of Oppression using the hashtag #Book1OPPRESSION.

Example: Celebrate the release of Oppression (Children of the Gods #1) by @jessicatherrien #Book1OPPRESSION #YA Available NOW!

Example: Read #Book1OPPRESSION (Children of the Gods #1) by @jessicatherrien today for only .99 cents! http://amzn.to/wBDtn1

2. Facebook - tag @Jessica Therrien (Author) about the release of Oppression.

Example: Celebrate the launch of Oppression (Children of the Gods #1) by @jessicatherrien! The e-book is on sale now for NOOK & Kindle for only .99 cents! http://amzn.to/yidy6C

Example: Spread the word for prizes! Today is the official release of Oppression (Children of the Gods #1) by @jessicatherrien

3. Visit any of the following Virtual Launch Party Host blogs and comment on their Virtual Launch Party posts:

PARTY HOST POSTS

Cover Reveal: A Fractured Light

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 22:37:00 +0000

I just saw the cover for A Fractured Light, book 2 in the A Beautiful Dark trilogy by Jocelyn Davies, and it is freaking gorgeous! I can't wait to read it :)

Oh and check out this summary too:

When she wakes up in unfamiliar surroundings, Skye knows something terrible has happened to her. But it's not until she hears Asher, the dark, rebellious angel she fell in love with, that the memories of Devin and his shocking betrayal come flooding back.

Skye returns home, but with the knowledge of who she really is, nothing can ever be the same. As she tests the limits of her newfound powers, Skye discovers that she's capable of far more than anyone could have imagined. Both the Order and the Rebellion want her for their side as war between the factions looms. She can't forgive the Order for nearly killing her, but something holds her back from embracing the Rebellion.

A Fractured Light picks up right after A Beautiful Dark's shocking cliffhanger ending and is perfect for fans of Lauren Kate's Fallen and Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush saga.

*squee* Can't wait!

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 02:31:00 +0000

Scarlet
Scarlet 1

Author: A.C. Gaughen
Pages: 292 pgs
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Re-Telling
Release Date: February 14th 2012
Review Source: NetGalley, Walker Books

I can remember falling in love with the story of Robin Hood as a little girl when I used to watch the Disney version. So when I read that this debut was going to be a re-telling, I had to read it. And I'm so glad that I did!

Will Scarlet has secrets. The biggest one of all being that Scarlet is really a girl. Only Robin Hood and his band know her secret, and they'd never tell.

As they struggle to help the people of Nottingham against the horrible Sheriff, things get a whole lot worse. A ruthless thief taker, Lord Gisbourne, shows up and he will stop at nothing to get the Hood and his band of followers. The closer he gets, the more danger they all find themselves in. Including Scarlet...

There were so many things about this book that I absolutely loved. The cover for one is gorgeous with her bright eyes and freckles. It was amazingly done. And for another it was about Robin Hood! A.C. gave this famous tale her own twist and made it even more fascinating to read.

Scarlet was a strong character and think that's what really drew me in. She was selfless and clever and snarky. Oh and she could handle herself with a knife better than any man. I just couldn't help but like her. And the relationship she had with Robin was probably my favorite. Even though I found myself wanting to scream at her. It's difficult to remember that we're the readers and see more than the characters themselves do.

I really enjoyed this story and am hoping that there will be more to follow. There really wasn't a cliffhanger, but there's certainly room for the story to continue. *crosses fingers* *hint hint* But either way I plan on checking out more from this author in the future!

To learn more about the author you can check out her website http://www.acgaughen.com/ or follow her on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/acgaughen.

This book counts toward the following Challenges:

Book #9 in 100+ Books in a Year

Book #4 in 2012 Debut Author Challenge

The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:41:00 +0000

The Gathering Storm
The Katerina Trilogy 1

Author: Robin Bridges
Pages: 386 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Release Date: January 10 2012
Review Source: NetGalley

Robin Bridges debut was one that I definitely wasn't expecting. The summary had caught my eye and I'd wanted to check it out, but I just wasn't sure how I'd feel about it. Well, I can say that she caught my attention and I want to know more!

Katerina Alexandrovna is a royal debutante in 1888 Russia and with the winter season beginning, she finds herself attending a whirlwind of balls and glamorous invitations while attending her finishing school.

Though the royals believe in magic, none of them could guess the secret Katerina has kept to herself since childhood. She is a necromancer. When her ability is discovered, Katerina is forced to use the power she never wanted in a battle started many years before. The life she always desired seems further and further out of reach, especially when the love she discovers is one she can't have.

I was greatly surprised by this book, and found myself unable to walk away from it. The exciting world Robin gave us with beautiful balls, wintery backdrops, and deep magic within Romanov Russia was one I'd always wanted to read. It was unique and intriguing within a society that we've heard about over the years.

Katerina was a fun character to read about. Even though she enjoyed the balls she went to, getting dressed up, and socializing with her peers, she wanted more out of her life. I loved that she dreamed of going to college, but didn't fight or seem awkward about participating in the events that were expected of her.

This first book ended in a pretty decent place, but there was plenty left open for us to get from the remaining books. I will be continuing this one and am excited to find out what happens with the love interest as well. It wasn't the center of the story, but offered more trouble and intrigue for the future books.

If you'd like to learn more about the author you can check out her website http://www.robinbridges.com/ or follow her on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/robinbridges.

This book counts toward the following Challenges:

Book 8 in 100+ Books in a Year

Book 3 in 2012 Debut Author Challenge

Friday Finds and New Reads

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:28:00 +0000

Friday Finds and New Reads

This is where I talk about new books that really stand out to me or sound unique, and what new books I have to read or will be getting soon.

Hello again, everyone! I hope you all had a fabulous week and are ready for the weekend. Me, I'm so excited for Saturday because the Dark Days of Winter Tour is passing through Houston and I get to go with my sister. Plus, the Breathless Reads Tour will be here on Tuesday, so I'm stoked. Hopefully I can put up posts for both for you guys!

Anyways, lets get started on this weeks Finds. First off, I'm sure you guys have noticed that I'm a pretty big fan of Maggie Stiefvater. Shiver will forever be one of my absolute favorites. Well, I found out pretty recently that she has a whole new series coming out and that's our first book today, The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater:

Summary: Filled with mystery, romance, and the supernatural, The Raven Boys introduces readers to Richard “Dick” Campbell Gansey, III and Blue Sargent. Gansey has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on the hunt to find Glendower, a vanished Welsh king. Legend has it that the first person to find him will be granted a wish—either by seeing him open his eyes, or by cutting out his heart.

Blue Sargent, the daughter of the town psychic in Henrietta, Virginia, has been told for as long as she can remember that if she ever kisses her true love, he will die. But she is too practical to believe in things like true love. Her policy is to stay away from the rich boys at the prestigious Aglionby Academy. The boys there—known as Raven Boys—can only mean trouble. When Gansey and his Raven Boy friends come into her life, Blue realizes how true this is. She never thought her fortune would be a problem. But she was wrong.

Not only is the cover for this beautiful, but the summary sounds absolutely amazing. Maggie has such an amazing talent to write with such raw emotion and draw her readers into a world that could almost seem real. I will definitely be starting this new series of her. Legends, Welsh kings, wishes... sounds like me kind of story.

Next up we have Unremembered by Jessica Brody:

Summary: The only thing worse than forgetting her past...is remembering it.

When Freedom Airlines Flight 121 went down over the Pacific Ocean, no one ever expected to find survivors. Which is why the sixteen-year-old girl discovered floating among the wreckage—alive—is making headlines across the globe.

Although her body is miraculously unharmed, she has no memories of boarding the plane. She has no memories of her life before the crash. She has no memories…period.

No one knows how she survived. No one knows why she wasn’t on the passenger manifest. And no one can explain why her DNA and fingerprints can’t be found in a single database in the world.

Nicknamed “Violet” by the hospital staff because of the unusual color of her intoxicatingly beautiful eyes, the young girl has only two things that connect her to her past: a strange black tattoo on the inside of her left wrist, and an empty locket with a mysterious engraving on the back.

Crippled by a world she doesn’t know, plagued by abilities she doesn’t understand, and haunted by a looming threat she can’t remember, Violet struggles to piece together her forgotten past and discover who she really is. But with every clue only comes more questions. And she’s running out of time to answer them.

Her only hope is a strangely alluring boy who claims to know her from before the crash. Who claims they were in love. But can she really trust him? And will he be able to protect her from the people who have been making her forget?

From popular young adult author, Jessica Brody comes a mesmerizing and suspenseful new series, set in a world where science knows no boundaries, memories are manipulated, and true love can never be forgotten.

There was just something about this that pulled me in from the moment I read the summary. It sounds fascinating and heartbreaking and fresh. I can't wait to check out this new series!

What new and exciting finds have you guys found lately, maybe I'll pick one from you guys and feature it on the next post *hint hint*

And now we have some new reads that I've gotten:

And next up on my to-read list once I finish Embrace by Jessica Shirvington and The Selection by Kiera Cass is:

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Illuminate by Aimee Agresti

The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

Glimmer by Phoebe Kitanidis

Next up for review:

The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

Arcadia Awakens by Kai Meyer

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:41:00 +0000

Shatter Me
Shatter Me 1

Author: Tahereh Mafi
Pages: 338 pgs
Genre: YA, Dystopian, Science-Fiction
Release Date: November 15th 2011
Review Source: Purchased

This was one debut from 2011 that I could not wait to get my hands on. The hype surrounding it was huge, and at first I worried that maybe I wouldn't feel the same way. But that couldn't have been further from the truth!

Juliette's touch is fatal, which is why the Reestablishment has locked her up. After spending 264 days without any human, she gets a new cellmate. A boy.

But this isn't just any boy. And from the moment he enters her world, everything changes for Juliette. The Reestablishment is trying to maintain order, and Juliette is their hope to do that. She has a choice: let them use her, or fight back.

I honestly could not put this book down. I probably could have finished it all in one sitting, but I wanted to take my time with it. Tahereh's prose was amazing and perfect for this story. It just seemed to highlight the struggle that Juliette was going through, unique just like her character.

The storyline was definitely not what I was expecting and that only made me love it more. I had no idea where it was headed and couldn't wait to discover what was happening along with Juliette. While there are still questions about what's happening, there wasn't a huge cliffhanger at the end which made me happy. There's only so many of those that I can take.

Juliette was also such a strong character. Yes, she struggled with who she was and what her fatal touch meant, but she never let it change her as a person. She had her morals and I loved that she never wanted those to change, no matter what she could do. She was brazen and beautiful and strong. Oh, oh, and Adam! Can I just say that I'm now swooning majorly over him. Definitely one of my favorite guys of YA.

I cannot wait for book 2, Unravel Me, and highly recommend this series. Tahereh completely won me over with her writing and amazing story. Now I'm just going to have to sit here and twiddle my thumbs as we wait for Shatter Me's sequel (which I have no doubt will be totally worth it).

For more information on this author you can check out her website http://www.taherehmafi.com/ or follow her on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/taherehmafi.

This book counts toward the following Challenges:

Book 6 in 100+ Books in a Year

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:14:00 +0000

The Pledge
The Pledge 1

Author: Kimberly Derting
Pages: 323 pgs
Genre: YA, Dystopian, Science-Fiction
Release Date: November 15th 2011
Review Source: Purchased

I have been a huge fan of Kim Derting ever since I first read her debut novel The Body Finder, which is a part of a series. Her writing in that was sweet and beautiful and I couldn't wait to get my hands on her newest work. This book did not let me down.

Seventeen year old Charlaina lives in the country of Ludania, where the classes of people are divided by the languages that they speak. A universal language unites them, but their class languages are what separate them.

Charlie has a secret though. She can understand them all. Hiding her talent becomes even more difficult when she encounters a guy using a language that she's never heard before. The dangers in Ludania are beginning to escalate and with the reigning Queen in search of her heir, no one is safe.

From the very beginning of this book I was hooked. The dystopian world that Kim created was dark and depressing and beautifully done, her unique version of the Holocaust. Everything from the harshness of the society and public executions to the underground clubs and parties just helped to emphasize what they were dealing with.

What I was not expecting, but still rather enjoyed, was the sci-fi elements she used as well. Not overly done, but perfect for the world she had given us. Even some of the other characters were quite unexpected and gave me a new appreciation for them in the story. Not everything was as it seemed and I loved.

I can happily say that I can't wait for the next book in this trilogy. The ending to The Pledge has set up the next books for some pretty interesting things to come and I can't to find out what else Kim Derting has in store!

This book counts toward the following Challenges:

Book 5 in 100+ Books in a Year

Forsaken Harbor Blog Tour: Guest Post

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:22:00 +0000

Today we are joined by the fabulous Laura Kreitzer. The latest book in her series the Summer Chronicles, Forsaken Harbor, comes out this month. Laura graciously agreed to give us a little more incite in the elusive Secret Clock Society. I hope you all enjoy:

The Secret Clock Society is a group of scientists who have been creating and experimenting on projects for years, all in the hopes of one day traveling time and creating their own world sans current government influence and interference. The creation of this group started during the talks of witches and magic in the late 1600s, and ever since they have been doing everything in their power to find a way scientifically--once called "magic"--to travel time.

I'm not even sure where the initial idea of this group came from, to be honest. When I first started writing Phantom Universe, the name of this group wasn't formed. I called them the society, and after much deliberation on this secret society that created Summer, the name--as obvious as it is--came to me.

Creating the Secret Clock Society all started with a "what if" question. That's how most of my stories and creations begin. This one started with: what if there was a group of scientists who wanted to travel time? What if they discovered the only way to travel time was through a sentient, biological creature, otherwise known as a human? What if that isn't all they want? What if they also want to start their own society? From there I had to answer these many "what if" questions (and there were a lot of them), and then the ideas continuously flowed. On top of their want to travel time, they have a myriad of other experiments, projects, and social experiments so they could one day create the perfect manipulated and mutated society. Their role in the Summer Chronicles is barely the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

Summer Waverly, a time traveler and the Society's creation, is the main focus in the Summer Chronicles. Her story, however, is more interesting than the circumstances of her creation. When she was four, her creator and mother discovered that the Society planned to terminate Summer after realizing they made a disastrous error in their initial calculations for time traveling. Summer's mum takes Summer and runs, but the Society is ready. They hire human traffickers to abduct Summer and bring her back to them. Only the traffickers get greedy and ask for more money. When the Society refuses, Summer is then whipped into silence and sold to the captain of a modern day pirate ship called the Cosmos. She remains silent for twelve years.

The internal struggle of learning to let people in again and eventually learning to talk becomes a major plot point in this series for Summer. The psychological aspects of her character was something I researched thoroughly, and I also spoke with a few people who'd delete with extreme PTSD and professionals about a 16 year old girl overcoming silence that's been a constant in her life for twelve years. Summer endures triumphs and setbacks, and she learns to trust again. As small as some of these steps seem, they are monumental for her.

During this series, we see two wars waging: the internal one and the outside influence of the Society who is trying to find and capture Summer. I hope that my readers will see beyond the science fiction and into the souls of the characters I created, be it Summer or the Secret Clock Society. As this series continues to unfold, those reading will eventually see how one tiny slave girl can turn into a confident and powerful adversary to the Secret Clock Society.

Thanks for having me on your blog. :)

Thank you Laura! And please be sure to check back everyone for my review of Forsaken Harbor to come.

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:42:00 +0000

Pandemonium
Delirium 2

Author: Lauren Oliver
Pages: 375 pgs
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Release Date: February 28th 2012
Review Source: Loan

I was lucky enough to have a fellow blogger friend let me borrow her copy of Pandemonium, and I'm so glad that I got a chance to read it. Delirium was fantastic, and this next installment was even more intense and frustrating.

Lena isn't who she once was. The loss of Alex and entering the Wilds on her own has transformed her. Lena fights with the Resistance to bring back a world where love isn't feared.

But Lena's latest mission turns into more than she ever would have imagined. She struggles not only for survival, but also against feelings for someone not very different from how she used to be. Can Lena open up to someone else amidst the fight for more?

Just like the first book, I was hooked into this story from the very beginning. Though the tone for Pandemonium was completely different than in Delirium, it wasn't any less enthralling. Lena went from a girl struggling to accept the feelings she was experiencing to fighting to preserve them and I loved it.

Her world in Portland was dull and constricted. So the freedom in the Wilds was something great to read, even though their lives were even more dangerous. Lauren did a phenomenal job in adding a new dimension to this story, adding growth and change to her main character that her readers will like and understand.

And, hopefully as you can tell, I don't want to give anything away. Especially after the ending, which you can just imagine after reading Delirium. There's so much that takes place, and yet so many questions still left to be answered. I for one can't wait for Requiem and the resolution to this amazing trilogy!

Pandemonium is a heart-stopping thrill ride that I hope you all enjoy as much as I did!

This book counts toward the following Challenges:

Book 4 in 100+ Books in a Year

Destined by P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:55:00 +0000

Destined
House of Night 9

Author: P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast
Pages: 325 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal
Release Date: October 25th 2011
Review Source: St. Martin's Press

Warning: This review will contain spoilers if you haven't read the first 8 books in this series. Proceed with caution.

I first started reading this series a few years ago, during my last year of college. There was something about that just sucked me in, and this latest installment has just ensured that statement. I definitely want to know where this is all going.

Returning to the House of Night, Zoe has her Guardian Warrior Stark and the Red Fledgings to help her stand against Neferet. But that's easier said than done when no one seems to realize that Neferet isn't who they all thought she was and tension is mounting at the school.

Not only has Rephaim been given the gift of humanity during the night time, but Neferet has decided to hire humans to work at the House of Night along with the vampyres. Any hope for peace is quickly destroyed; and the strange teenage boy that Neferet has with her seems oddly familiar to Zoe...

The first thing I want to say is... finally! Destined is the book I've been waiting for as far as getting some answers. The story has been awesome so far, but I was getting anxious for something to happen and we finally get a little bit in this book. Not a lot mind you, but enough that I can't wait for the next one.

Zoe and all of her friends have grown so much since the first book and I've loved watching this journey. They are all what have made this series so enthralling and they go through some major changes in Destined. Even Kalona, big bad immortal and Rephaim's father, completely surprised me in the end. When I finished I just sat there and kept thinking: Seriously! Are you kidding me?

I still don't know just what it is about this series that I absolutely can't not read it, but it's gotten my attention and I am beyond anxious to find out what's in store for the House of Night next!

This book counts toward the following Challenges:

Book 3 in 100+ Books in a Year

Friday Finds and New Reads

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:05:00 +0000

Friday Finds and New Reads

This is where I talk about new books that really stand out to me or sound unique, and what new books I have to read or will be getting soon.

Hello my lovely readers! I hope everyone's had a good week and are up to finding out about some pretty interesting books out there. So let's get started!

First up we have Gilt by Katherine Longshore:

Summary: In the Tudor age, ambition, power and charismatic allure are essential and Catherine Howard has plenty of all three. Not to mention her loyal best friend, Kitty Tylney, to help cover her tracks. Kitty, the abandoned youngest daughter of minor aristocracy, owes everything to Cat – where she is, what she is, even who she is. Friend, flirt, and self-proclaimed Queen of Misrule, Cat reigns supreme in a loyal court of girls under the none-too-watchful eye of the Dowager Duchess of Norfolk.

When Cat worms her way into the heart of Henry VIII and becomes Queen of England, Kitty is thrown into the intoxicating Tudor Court. It’s a world of glittering jewels and elegant costumes, of gossip and deception. As the Queen’s right-hand-woman, Kitty goes from the girl nobody noticed to being caught between two men – the object of her affection and the object of her desire.

But the atmosphere of the court turns from dazzling to deadly, and Kitty is forced to learn the difference between trust and loyalty, love and lust, secrets and treason. And to accept the consequences when some lessons are learned too late.

Now, I know this isn't one that I normally post, but I couldn't not mention this one. Not only is it historical fiction, which I seem to be loving right now, but it also hits a little close to home for me with Henry VIII. Let's just say I'm a distant, DISTANT cousin of the Tudors...

Next up we have Winter Falls by Nicole Maggi:

Summary: Alessia Jacobs is a normal sixteen-year-old, dying to get out of her small Maine town. Things start to perk up when a new family comes to town, complete with a super-hot and mysterious son, Jonah. But just as she begins to crush on him, Alessia’s world is turned upside down. She has visions of transforming into an otherworldly falcon, and soon learns that she is a part of the Benandanti, an ancient cult of warriors who have the unique power to separate their souls from their bodies. In this transformed state, their souls take on the form of magnificent animals.

Little did Alessia know that her small boring town is actually the site of an epic struggle between the Benandanti and their enemy, the Malandanti. Both sides are fighting to gain control of a powerful magic in the forest that surrounds the town. As Alessia is drawn deeper and deeper into the Benandanti’s mission, and her relationship with Jonah intensifies, her life spins out of control. Unable to maintain the balance between her two identities, everything begins to fall apart and her two worlds collide with devastating consequences.

I can't remember if I've mentioned this one before, but with this new summary it sounds even more exciting than before. I absolutely love legends and myths, as you all know, so this one using a legend that I haven't heard of definitely intrigues me. I can't wait to read this!

And now for some New Reads:

Born Wicked Blog Tour: Top Ten List

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Today we are joined by Jessica Spotswood, author of debut novel Born Wicked. She's given us some of her favorite quotes and I hope you all enjoy!

Top Ten favorite quotes/lines from books:

1. “Scarlett O'Hara was not beautiful, but men seldom realized it when caught by her charm as the Tarleton twins were.” – GONE WITH THE WIND

2. “I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant.” – PERSUASION

3. "The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.” – NORTHANGER ABBEY

4. “Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.”
-- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

5. “It is better to be alone, she figures, than to be with someone who can’t see who you are. It is better to lead than to follow. It is better to speak up than to stay silent. It is better to open doors than to shut them on people.
She will not be simple and sweet. She will not be what people tell her to be. That Bunny Rabbit is dead.” – THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANKIE LANDAU-BANKS

6. “I've confessed to everything and I'd like to be hanged. Now, if you please.

I don't mean to be difficult, but I can't bear to tell my story. I can't relive those memories—the touch of the Dead Hand, the smell of eel, the gulp and swallow of the swamp. How can you possibly think me innocent? Don't let my face fool you; it tells the worst lies. A girl can have the face of an angel but have a horrid sort of heart.” – CHIME

7. “Miss Barry was a kindred spirit after all," Anne confided to Marilla, "You wouldn't think so to look at her, but she is. . . Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.” – ANNE OF GREEN GABLES

8. “It is our choices, Harry, that show us what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” – HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS

9. “The story goes that even after the Return they tried to keep the roller coasters going. They said it reminded them of the before time.” – THE DEAD-TOSSED WAVES

10. “The wind on the moors is a tricky thing.” – THE NEAR WITCH

Thank you Jessica! I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the tour and be sure to check out Born Wicked. I for one can't wait to check it out and meet Jessica on the Breathless Reads Tour when they pass through Texas *squee*

Daughter of Smoke and Bone 2 Title Reveal

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:17:00 +0000

As many of you know by now, I absolutely loved Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. To me her writing and story telling was brilliant and I couldn't get enough of it.

Well, today she announced the title of the second book in that trilogy and also treated us to this little blurb:

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a new way of living—one without massacres and torn throats and bonfires of the fallen, without revenants or bastard armies or children ripped from their mothers’ arms to take their turn in the killing and dying.

Once, the lovers lay entwined in the moon’s secret temple and dreamed of a world that was a like a jewel-box without a jewel—a paradise waiting for them to find it and fill it with their happiness.

This was not that world.

And here's the title for the much anticipate sequel to Daughter of Smoke and Bone:

I was squeeing so much when I saw this you don't even know! A cover real and possible ARCs for Days of Blood and Starlight can't possibly come soon enough as far as I'm concerned.

Friday Finds and New Reads

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:08:00 +0000

Friday Finds and New Reads

This is where I talk about new books that really stand out to me or sound unique, and what new books I have to read or will be getting soon.

There are so many amazing books coming out that it's difficult to choose just a few, but I've found some great ones to share with you this week.

First up we have Ironskin by Tina Connoly:

Summary: Jane Eliot wears an iron mask.

It's the only way to contain the fey curse that scars her cheek. The Great War is five years gone, but its scattered victims remain -- the ironskin.

Now Jane returns to the war-torn country to help a fey-cursed child. Helping the unruly Dorie suppress her curse is hard enough -- she certainly didn't expect to fall for the girl's father, the enigmatic artist Mr. Rochart. But her blossoming crush is stifled by her own scars, and by his parade of women. Ugly women, who enter his closed studio -- and come out as beautiful as the fey.

Jane knows he cannot love her, just as she knows that she must wear iron for the rest of her life. But what if neither of these things are true? Step by step Jane must unlock the secrets of her new life -- and discover just how far she will go to become whole again.

Not only does this sound like a fascinating retelling of Jane Eyre, but it also has some fantasy elements that have pulled me in. Faerie stories haven't always been my favorites, but I'm finding more and more that sound so good, this one included. And this cover has absolutely sealed the deal for me to want to read this!

Next up we have Renegade by J. A. Souders:

Summary: Since the age of three, sixteen-year-old Evelyn Winters has been trained to be Daughter of the People in the underwater utopia known as Elysium. Selected from hundreds of children for her ideal genes all her life she’s thought that everything was perfect; her world. Her people. The Law.

But when Gavin Hunter, a Surface Dweller, accidentally stumbles into their secluded little world, she’s forced to come to a startling realization: everything she knows is a lie. Her memories have been altered. Her mind and body aren’t under her own control. And the person she knows as Mother is a monster.

Together with Gavin she plans her escape, only to learn that her own mind is a ticking time bomb... and Mother has one last secret that will destroy them all.

From the moment I read this description I knew that I had to read this. It sounded intriguing and exciting and just right up my alley. And now with this gorgeous new cover I'm just itching to get an ARC.

And now for some New Reads that I've gotten in:

To add to this as well, what do I have coming up of for review:

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Destined by P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Blog Tour: Forbidden by Syrie James and Ryan James

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Forbidden
Author: Syrie James and Ryan James
Pages: 411 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: January 24th 2012
Review Source: HarperTeen

This YA debut by mother-son duo Syrie and Ryan James was a fun, sweet read that I could not put down. I fell in love with this right away and couldn't wait to find out what happened next.

Claire Brennan is used to picking up and moving with her mom at the drop of a hat, they've done it all her life. But at seventeen she finally feels comfortable at Emerson Academy, has friends, and doesn't want to leave. So when she begins to have visions and warnings, she doesn't tell her mom about them.

Alec MacKenzie is tired of his life of following strict orders and dealing with death. He just wants to be normal and escape his angelic past. But he instead encounters more than he bargained for when he enrolls himself at Emerson Academy. A forbidden love and fear of being discovered are just the start before things get even more dangerous.

From the moment I started this I was hooked. Claire was such a fun character, typical teen girl with problems that I can relate and remember experiencing at that age. Her relationship with Alex reminded me of Kimberly Derting's characters from The Body Finder in how cute they were with butterflies in the stomach and wondering how the other feels. I found myself awwing more than once. Oh, and I can I just say that Alec is Scottish. With the accent and everything...

I loved the angel lore that Syrie and James presented, giving readers a unique and new take on it. They weren't you're typical guardian's or fallen angels, but they were definitely something to fear if you had angel blood. The background and history they gave really pulled me in, but didn't take away from the story either. In fact, I wanted to know more.

This was just such an adorable read for me and I enjoyed discovering everything along with the characters. I hated for it to end, but loved being able to take the journey. And with the way that the story was left off, it gives me hope that there could possibly be more from these characters and this fabulous duo in the future. *crosses fingers*

For more information about the authors you can check out Syrie's website http://www.syriejames.com/ and Ryan's http://www.ryanmjames.com/.

Embrace by Cherie Colyer

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Embrace
Author: Cherie Colyer
Pages: 220 pgs
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Release Date: December 20th 2011
Review Source: Omnific Publishing

Cherie's debut novel is all about embracing whatever life throws your way and finding the good in it. I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started reading it, but I found that I enjoyed this story and wanted to read more.

Madison is pretty comfortable with the way her life is going. She doesn't like changes, and likes to be prepared for whatever is ahead. The changes of gaining a baby brother and having her boyfriend move away are things she tries to avoid.

So when the new boy in town, Isaac, shows up and completely shakes things up for Madison, she doesn't know what to think. The closer they get, though, the crazier everything else becomes. Including Madison's best friend seeing things that aren't there and desperately trying to keep it together. Will Madison be prepared for what she has to face in order to set things right?

From the very beginning I felt like Cherie did an excellent job of setting up her characters and their relationships. I felt like I was experiencing the ups and downs right along with Madison when she was trying to figure out Isaac and when things got worse with her best friend, Kaylee.

I had no idea where this was heading so I was really intrigued when things began to really go crazy. There was just enough mystery for readers to want to keep going and figure out just what was happening. I would have preferred a little more background and information, but that's just me. I like all that nitty gritty stuff.

Madison definitely had a lot to deal with in this book, none of which I want to give away for anyone who hasn't read it, and I can definitely see room for more books if that's what the author has in mind. Embrace is a fun, exciting read that I'm so glad I got a chance to enjoy.

For more about the author and what she's working on you can check out her blog http://cheriecolyer.blogspot.com/ or follow her on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/cheriecolyer.

And to check out the rest of the tour:

1. Twi mom 101 ~ Top 10 (Jan. 23)	2. Electrifying Reviews ~ (Jan. 23)	3. Book Briefs ~ This or That (Jan. 23)
4. Xpresso Reads ~ (Jan. 23)	5. Autumn Review ~ (Jan. 23)	6. The Fairytale Nerd ~ Excerpt (Jan. 24)
7. Books to the Sky ~ (Jan. 24)	8. The Life of Fiction ~ (Jan. 25)	9. 909 Reviews ~ (Jan. 25)
10. Letters Inside Out ~ Dream Cast (Jan. 25)	11. Maji Bookshelf ~ (Jan. 25)	12. A Trail of Books ~ (Jan. 25)
13. Words Spelunking ~ (Jan. 25)	14. Alexa Loves Books ~ (Jan. 25)	15. The Princess of Storyland ~ (Jan. 25)
16. Good Choice Reading ~ Excerpt (Jan. 25)	17. All Things Books ~ (Jan. 25)	18. Stuck in Books ~ Character Interview (Jan. 25)
19. Basias Bookshelf ~ Author Interview (Jan. 23)	20. Bookworm Lisa ~ Excerpt (Jan. 26)	21. Endlessly Bookish ~ Character Interview (Jan. 26)
22. My Cute Bookshelf ~ (Jan. 26)	23. Esthers Ever After ~ (Jan. 26)	24. Comfort Books ~ (Jan. 27)
25. Reviews by Molly ~ (Jan. 27)	26. WovenMyst ~ (Jan. 27)	27. Bookish Babes ~ Guest Post (Jan. 27)
28. Reader Girls ~ (Jan. 27)	29. A Tale of Many Reviews ~ Final Stop (Jan. 27)

'
This linky list is now closed.

Blog Tour: Fracture by Megan Miranda

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:11:00 +0000

Fracture
Author: Megan Miranda
Pages: 264 pgs
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Release Date: January 17th 2012
Review Source: Netgalley

This was the first debut novel I finished in 2012, so yay! And I can honestly say I didn't know what to expect when I got into it, but I was not left disappointed.

Delaney Maxwell had been stuck under frozen lake for eleven minutes before her best friend Decker was able to get her out. By all accounts she had been dead, and then brain damaged. So no one expected her to wake up or to even be able to talk.

But Delaney walked away even more of a miracle when she realized she could feel when people were about to die. Her struggle to understand her new gift, those around her, and even the strange new guy who can seemingly do what she can will help open Delaney's eyes to possibilities. If you had one day left to live, what would you do.

From the moment I started reading this I couldn't seem to put it down. Delaney was a medical miracle, but by all accounts was also a typical teenager. She struggled with finding her place in the world, with finding acceptance, with understanding herself. This was not only a journey about what she could do, but also about accepting who she was.

And one of the main questions toward the end that Delaney asked was, "If you had one day left to live, what would you want to do with it?" I think this is what Delaney works toward throughout the story, coming to terms with what happened.

Megan's research for this was clear and very well used, even the descriptions of what Delaney felt each time she was pulled toward someone dying... I started to feel itchy and uncomfortable right along with her. I certainly couldn't imagine experiencing that.

And, though I have a feeling she won't, Megan left this book for the possibility of continuing it on if she ever felt the desire to. Either way, I'm looking forward to more from this author.

For more from the author you can check out her website http://www.meganmiranda.com/ or follow her on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/MeganLMiranda.

This book counts toward the following Challenges:

Book 2 in 100+ Books in a Year

Book 2 in 2012 Debut Author Challenge

Blog Tour: Author Interview with Syrie James

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Hello everyone! This week, thanks to The Teen Book Scene, we are going to be joined by Syrie James. She and her son, Ryan James, wrote a wonderful YA book that should be out later this month called Forbidden. I hope you enjoy this little chat with her.

Author interview for Syrie:

1. Was it different or difficult for you to get the mindset of a teen to write Forbidden?

Not at all. I remember very clearly what it was like to be Claire’s age, and I related to her completely. Plus, since I spent a lot of time behind the scenes at my sons’ high school theater, it was easy to put myself into their world—especially since we set the book at a version of that same school.

2. How did you decide who would write what parts of the story?

We didn’t divide anything initially. We plotted out the story and wrote the entire first draft of the novel together. I did a major revision on my own after the book sold, because Ryan was busy working 60 hours a week and planning his wedding—but he then reviewed all my changes, and we did another complete pass at the novel together.

3. When you're working on a novel, do you ever find yourself switching over to screenwriting mode?

We tend to think of everything cinematically. All the elements that apply when constructing a great screenplay (story, structure, pacing, and creating something visual) are invaluable when writing a novel. Also, we wrote as much exposition (the explanation of background information essential to the story) as possible in dialog, which is a cinematic technique. In a movie, the only way you understand exposition is when it’s shown visually by the characters acting it out, or when a character explains it. We think it’s more interesting when two or more characters discuss a subject (like the intricate history, politics, or other details of a world), than to read about it in prose, like in a text book.

However, the act of composing a novel is entirely different than a script. Whereas a screenplay is basically an outline with dialog, a novel brings characters and settings to life in full, dramatic, living color, with descriptions of everything, and the addition of a character’s thoughts and feelings. We hope we bridged the gap between the two mediums in an interesting way, by combining the best aspects of each.

4. If you could be a character in any book, who would you pick and why?

Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. Who wouldn’t want to marry the awesome Mr. Darcy and live at Pemberley forever? J

5. Did you find that you and Ryan had the same vision for Forbidden? Or did you each have certain aspects that the other wanted to change?

The idea for the book itself was a combination of both our visions. I wanted to write about a teenage girl who begins getting psychic messages from a mysterious source, and enlists the aid of a boy at school to solve the mystery. I always knew that a deeply felt romance would develop between them, and that this young man should prove to be far more involved and invested in the mystery than she ever anticipated.  Ryan and I had also co-written and produced an independent film based on an idea of his, about a young, lonely, supernatural action hero in a dark world, whose heart's desire was to be human and lead a normal life. I thought it’d be a great idea to combine both ideas. What if our hero left his supernatural "job" forever, and tried to pass as human at a high school?   

Ryan loved the concept, and we decided to write the book together. We storyboarded the whole thing, and began with a shared vision of the plot and the world. As the book progressed, at times we had to stop and have long, meaningful discussions about the world we’d created for these characters, and restructure the plot for better pacing—but anything we might have disagreed on was minor, and easily resolved. Ultimately, neither of us had to compromise anything for the sake of the other.

Thanks so much for joining us this week, Syrie! And please don't forget to check back for my review of Forbidden next week.

Blog Tour: Destiny's Fire by Trisha Wolfe

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Destiny's Fire
Destiny's Fire 1

Author: Trisha Wolfe
Pages: 159 pgs
Genre: YA, Steampunk, Science Fiction
Release Date: January 10th 2012
Review Source: Omnific Publishing

Trisha's debut novel is an exciting whirlwind of action, romance, and supernatural powers. I couldn't wait to read this from the moment I read the description, and I definitely wasn't disappointed.

Dez Harkley is a part of an ancient and nearly extinct race of shape-shifter guardian's, and she was a Shythe. They protected the Egyptian pharaohs and now protect humans. And with Dez's seventeenth birthday coming up the only thing she thought she had to fear was the Change.

That was at least until their enemy race, the Narcolyms, arrived in their haven and began integrating into their society. Dez and her friend's know that theirs more going on then their being told, but they aren't sure what it is. And with Dez's new out of control powers, she'll have to figure out how she fits into it.

I absolutely loved this from the moment I started reading it. The world Trisha created was fresh and imaginative, with a little steampunk twist. Everything from the background of the Shythe and Narcolyms to the powers they possessed was incredibly thought out and wonderfully delivered.

The relationships that Trisha developed with her characters was a major part of what I liked about this book as well. You could really tell how everyone got along and how strong their connections were. I had a difficult time keeping from crying in certain places and screaming out in others.

This was a remarkable debut and one that I'm so glad I got to read. One thing that I would have liked was to have gotten a bit more background on the Shythe and Narcolyms. We learn a lot about their powers and shifting and how neither likes one another, but for me, personally, getting more information about why they had such a hatred and such would have really added to. Maybe we'll get more in the next one *hint, hint* *cough*

But seriously, I definitely recommend this book and can't wait to read more for this author. She has a wonderful way of weaving a story and drawing readers in! For more about this author you can check out her website http://trishawolfe.com/ or follow her on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/TrishWolfe.

1. *Love of Books ~ Post by CP Tori Scott (Jan. 9)	2. JJ iReads ~ Review (Jan. 9)	3. *Good Choice Reading ~ Dream Cast (Jan. 9)
4. Book Briefs ~ Review (Jan. 10)	5. Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm ~ Review (Jan. 10)	6. *I Heart YA Books ~ Mother/Daughter Post (Jan. 10)
7. Writers write, right? ~ Review (Jan. 10)	8. Sarahs Books & Life ~ Review (Jan. 10)	9. *Basias Bookshelf~Post CP Rachel Harris (Jan. 11)
10. Books to the Sky ~ Review (Jan. 10)	11. *F/Bookshelf of T. B. ~ Author Interview (Jan. 10)	12. *Read My Mind ~ Steampunk Mesh-Up (Jan. 11)
13. Bookworm Lisa ~ Review (Jan. 11)	14. *Word Spelunking ~ Guest Post (Jan. 11)	15. *Letters Inside Out ~ Excerpt (Jan. 11)
16. Shiirlyys Bookshelf ~ Review (Jan. 11)	17. Stuck In Books ~ Review (Jan. 11)	18. *The Fairytale Nerd ~ Excerpt (Jan. 11)
19. Chapter by Chapter ~ Review (Jan. 11)	20. Book Labyrinth ~ Review (Jan. 12)	21. *Two Chicks on Books ~ DF Playlist (Jan. 12)
22. Endlessly Bookish ~ Review (Jan. 12)	23. *I Write, I Read, I Review ~ Guest Post (Jan. 12)	24. Nicoles YA Book Haven ~ Review (Jan. 12)
25. Reader Girls ~ Review (Jan. 12)	26. We Fancy Books ~ Review (Jan. 12)	27. A Trail of Books Left Behind ~ Review (Jan. 13)
28. Ivy Reads ~ Review (Jan. 13)	29. Comfort Books ~ Review (Jan. 13)	30. *The Bookish Babes ~ Dez Interview (Jan. 13)
31. Mercurial Musings ~ Review (Jan. 13)	32. Maji Bookshelf ~ Review (Jan. 13)	33. Twimom 101 Book Blog ~ Review (Jan. 16)
34. *Confessions of a Bookaholic~Quote Battle (Jan 16)	35. The Magic Attic ~ Review (Jan. 16)	36. *Electrifying Reviews ~ Review (Jan. 17)
37. My Cute Bookshelf ~ Review (Jan. 17)	38. Young Readers ~ Review (Jan. 17)	39. *Alexa Loves Books ~ Excerpt (Jan. 18)
40. Books Like Breathing ~ Review (Jan. 18)	41. **A Tale of Many Reviews ~ Jace & Reese (Jan. 18)	42. 909 Reviews ~ Interview w/ Jace (Jan. 10)

'
This linky list is now closed.

This book counts toward the following Challenges:

Book 1 in 100+ Books in a Year

Book 1 in 2012 Debut Author Challenge

Blog Tour: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Under the Never Sky
Under the Never Sky 1

Author: Veronica Rossi
Pages: 372 pgs
Genre: YA, Dystopian, Science Fiction
Release Date: January 3rd 2012
Review Source: HarperCollins

This debut novel was all that I could have hoped for and more. Veronica absolutely outdid herself, and this was only the first book in the trilogy! She's definitely caught my attention.

Aria and Perry are teenagers that live in completely different worlds. Aria's is one in an inclosed city of Dwellers where everyone travels through the Realms, virtual worlds. Perry's is one on the outside where he has to struggle to survive.

Both thrust into impossible situations, Aria and Perry must reluctantly rely on each other in order to get things back to the way they were. Their unlikely alliance under the never sky brings them through challenges and discoveries that neither prepared for, including a beautiful and forbidden romance.

From the moment I started reading this I didn't want to put it down. I was completely entranced by the characters and worlds that Veronica had created, including a nifty little secret about Perry that I hadn't known about beforehand. This was something new and fresh that I was so excited I found!

Not only is this a dystopian unlike any of the others I've read so far, there's also an introduction of science fiction/fantasy elements that just seemed to fit perfectly. I don't want to give it away, but I will say that it only made me love Perry more. The world for the Outsiders holds more secrets than any of them could know.

I also truly enjoyed the development of the relationship between Aria and Perry. It wasn't love at first sight, more like loathe, and they had to fight through their prejudices of what the other was like from rumors that they'd heard. I definitely want more of them.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. I can't believe I have to wait for the next book in this amazing trilogy, but that just tells you what a great writer Veronica is. She pulls her readers in and hooks them, leaving them hungry for more. We only get a little taste of the story for these characters and I can't even imagine what else Veronica has in store.

I am patiently (or not so much) waiting for book 2 to be available and highly recommending this amazing book.

For more information on the author and her work you can check out her blog http://veronicarossibooks.blogspot.com/ or follow her on Twitter https://twitter.com/v_rossibooks.

Under the Never Sky Blog Tour: Tens List

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Today we are joined by Veronica Rossi, author of the recently published the first book in a new trilogy, Under the Never Sky.

Top ten list about anything you want, be it about you, the book, the world, the characters, etc

Favorite Characters (Chosen today. Because this list is ever-changing.) (Also excluding my characters.) (OK, that's enough disclaimers.)

1. Titus (Feed)

2. Lyra (Golden Compass)

3. Katsa (Graceling)

4. James Fraser (Outlander)

5. Emma (Emma)

6. Jon Snow (Game of Thrones)

7. Hannibal Lecter (Silence of the Lambs)

8. Hermione (Harry Potter)

9. Finnick (Hunger Games)

10. Cinna (Hunger Games)

11. Gale (Hunger Games)

12. Haymitch (Hunger Games)

Oops--sorry! Can you tell I'm excited for the movie?

Thanks for having me, Megan!

Thank you for joining us, Veronica! And be sure to check back next week for my review of Under the Never Sky.

Switched by Amanda Hocking

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:34:00 +0000

Switched
Trylle Trilogy 1

Author: Amanda Hocking
Pages: 293 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: January 3rd 2012
Review Source: St. Martin's Griffin/Netgalley

When I first read the description for this book, I was very intrigued. So when I was asked to review it for the republishing at St. Martin's I jumped at the chance.

Wendy Everly has never really fit in. Her mother tried to kill her when she was six years old, and everyone else except her brother and aunt thought she was strange.

But, when Wendy is seventeen, she learns why from the other new guy at her school, Finn Holmes. Despite what she wants, Wendy ends up in a world she had never imagined and struggles just to figure it all.

From the very beginning I couldn't stop reading this. The concept Amanda had come up with sounded very interesting and I wanted to know what was going on. Plus, I loved the dynamic of Wendy and Finn's relationship. From the moment they met there was obviously a connection between them.

We don't get a whole lot of answers in this first book, which I think is a good thing. It keeps the readers coming back for more and wondering what is going on. Amanda introduces just a little bit about the world of the Trylle, including the royalty, their powers, and how they are able to sustain themselves. So we're left with questions about not only the Trylle society, but also some of the other characters.

I'm definitely interested to find out more about Wendy's mother, who just so happens to be Queen, Finn, and Tove, one of the royals. There's so many places that Amanda could go with this world and these characters and I'm interested to find out how it all works out.

For more information on the author and her other works you can check out her blog http://amandahocking.blogspot.com/ or you can follow her on Twitter http://twitter.com/amanda_hocking.

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:19:00 +0000

Bloodrose
Nightshade 3

Author: Andrea Cremer
Pages: 414 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: January 3rd 2012
Review Source: Philomel/Penguin

I'm so sad to see this series come to an end, but it's been wonderful all the way through. Andrea Cremer definitely created a fantastic world and kept me captivated all the way through.

Calla Tor has been preparing for war her entire life, but now the stakes have changed. Not only are they fighting the masters they served for years, but Calla also has to prove herself as alpha and protect her pack.

Everything rides on protecting Shay so that he can fulfill his purpose, but with Ren back in the picture that's easier said than done. It's fight up to the very end and with so many lives hanging in the balance, will they be able to face this last challenge?

In Nightshade we are first introduced to Calla and the Guardian's in their lives with the Keepers. Everything they had ever known had been in Vail and with the Keepers, and the story was in a completely different dynamic. But with Wolfsbane and Bloodrose everything changed for them and the battle for their lives was near. I loved that change and intensity of the story, the shift of discovery from the first book to action in the others.

Calla is a strong female, and I absolutely love that about her. Not only is she a Guardian, but she's also an alpha and she's not afraid to put the boys in place when they get out of hand. Though she is a teenage girl with typical teen worries, she always manages to put her pack first.

Even though book comes out tomorrow, I still don't want to give anything away. So, all I will say is that I absolutely loved this book and the trilogy as a whole. I'm still trying to decide exactly how I feel about the ending, though it made sense and Andrea had been hinting at it since Wolfsbane. I will definitely continue to read more from her and can't wait for the companion novel for this series.

For more information about this author and her upcoming works you can check out her website
http://www.andreacremer.com/ or follow her on Twitter http://twitter.com/andreacremer.

Blog Tour: Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton

noreply@blogger.com (magan bagan) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:39:00 +0000

Wings of the Wicked
Angelfire 2

Author: Courtney Allison Moulton
Pages: 516 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: January 31st 2012
Review Source: Harper Teen

Courtney's debut, Angelfire, was absolutely fabulous, so there was no way I was going to pass up the opportunity to read the second book in the series. And it was even better than the first!

As Ellie struggles to maintain a normal life outside of being the Preliator, especially with Will, the reapers become even bolder. Coming after her anywhere and everywhere they can.

And with a warning from the unlikeliest of sources, Ellie realizes that things are about to start getting much worse. Tragic deaths and betrayal prove that they'll stop at nothing to get what they want, and Ellie has to fight to stay ahead. Or she'll lose much more than her life.

I couldn't put this down, but at the same time I didn't want to finish it. Having to wait until next year to find out the conclusion, all though a long wait, will definitely be worth it. The world and character's that Courtney has created are wonderfully crafted and brilliantly revealed. Each new layer that's uncovered only further sucked me in.

Not only were there new and scary reapers, but there were also new revelations to Ellie's past lives and Will's as well. Their relationship is so beautiful and strong, to watch their struggle to stay a part was heartbreaking. I felt as though I was experiencing everything right along with them. Yes Ellie is strong and can take care of herself, but I love the fact that Will is there to help her through it all.

With new alliances and a surprise ending, Courtney has herself (and her readers) up for an amazing ride in the final installment. I don't want to give away what happens, but let me just say that I can almost guarantee that when you finish you'll be just as shocked as I was and ready for the next book.

I didn't think it was possible for me to like a sequel better than the first, but I definitely did in this case and I have a feeling I'll like the third one even more so. And until then, I highly recommend Wings of the Wicked and hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did!

For more information on the author and her writing you can check out her website http://www.courtneyallisonmoulton.com/ or follow her on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/camoulton.

K.T. Hanna	Jessica Wentz	Tasha Seegmiller
Melanie Fowler	Jenny S. Morris	Liliana Espinoza
Rebekah Loper	Rachel Morgan	Mark Koopmans
Rachele Alpine	Carrie Butler	Cherie Colyer
Holly Kammier	Miranda Hardy	Kim Chavez
J.C Martin	Wendy	Juliana Brandt
Tia Bach	Bethany Lopez	Magan Bagan
Precious Emily Trunko Susan Francino Ainsley Shay	Jaime Morrow Avery Marsh Marisa Corvisiero	Claire Frith Sarah O'Scalaidhe Jessica Salyer