Carina's Books

Book Recommendation: Divergent by Veronica Roth

2012-02-25T20:59:00.000+01:00

I just finished reading Divergent for the fifth time, I think. But it's been months now since I last read it, so I figured it was about time I read it again :) Missed Four so much. And the whole story.

Divergent is an amazing book, it has amazing characters and an awesome plot. And it has good writing. Which is a huge plus. Divergent became my favorite book when I first read it last May, and it still is my most favorite book. It is the one I love the most. And Four is still my favorite boy. <3

I don't know how to explain this book. I do not want to say too much about it, because I want you to figure it all out for yourself the first time you read it. But I am going to say some things. Non-spoilery, though :)

Divergent has an amazing plot line, which seems to have been given a lot of thought to. Everything seems real to me, and very believeable. I don't see how it's possible to read this book and not fall in love with this book. I love everything about it. I love the factions, although I would only want to be a Dauntless, myself :)

The factions are all very amazing, but the one that stood out the most to me was Dauntless. Probably because we spent most of the time there in the book. But even so, I still think it's the one who I would like the most :) Even though I'm not a huge fan of the initiations. But, I still loved reading everything about it.

This book is so amazing, but it is also heartbreaking at times. A lot of bad stuff happens to Tris, some things I really, really did not like in the middle. But I also loved it, if that makes sense. It made the story better. Although the heartbreak near the end is a bit too much for me, I'm also glad it happened. But it makes me wonder how much it will hurt on book two..

Tris is an amazing character. I love that we got to hear this story from her POV. Also love that it will still be her POV in the next books, as well :) Although it would have been awesome with scenes from Four's POV as well :D Hopefully some outtakes ;) Back to Tris though. She is strong. And kind. And Selfless. And brave. But also selfish. But I love that. She is just really amazing.

As is Four. He is, as usual, the character I fell in love with the most. He is strong, tough, kind, not all the time though, but he always does what's best. The best part though, is that he is broken. I LOVE that in a book. I crave a broken boy. And Four does not disappoint there at all. He is as broken as it gets. Sort of. And I kind of hope we get to learn more about that in Insurgent :)

There is many other amazing characters in this book as well, but I didn't really like Tris's friends. They all seemed so fake, which most of them were. Well, except for Uriah, and a couple of others. I also didn't like her brother, Caleb, much. Didn't like that Tris never had a clue about who he really was. But, I'm hoping he makes up for that in the next books :)

And oh, the bad guys in this book are bad. Really bad. Like Marcus. HATES him so much. And Eric. He is pure evil. As is Jeanine. Kind of excited to know what will happen next with them all ;)

This book has, as I said, amazing characters and amazing plot. It has a lot of action, a lot of romance, and it is never ever boring. Something always happens. And I loved it all. What I loved the most though, was the romance between Four and Tris. It is sweet, it is amazing. It is love. And oh, that is what I am most excited about in Insurgent; the love between Four and Tris :) Needs more. Lots more.

Months back I posted about my biggest wish; getting an ARC of Insurgent. That is still my biggest wish, ever. It is what I want most. I need it. I need to know what happens next, and what doesn't happen, and I just need to know everything.

If you have not read Divergent yet, then you better do so right NOW! Because you will not regret it. I promise. I am now going to share some quotes from Divergent that I loved very much; some might have spoilers though, so beware ;)

He gives me a conflicted look and touches his lips to my forehead, right between my eyebrows.
I close my eyes. I don't understand this, whatever it is. But I don't want to ruin it, so I say nothing.
He doesn't move; he just stays there with his mouth pressed to my skin, and I stay there with my

hands on his waist, for a long time. ~ page 315

"Ah," he says, his voice raspy. "This is worse. This is definitely ..."
"Shh," I say. "Arms around me." Obediently, he slips both arms around my waist.
I smile at the wall. I am not enjoying this. I am not, not even a little bit, no. ~ page 324

My old review of Divergent. My biggest wish. Goodreads. Buy it. Veronica Roth.

In My Mailbox #20

2012-02-25T14:34:00.000+01:00

This week I did not get as many books! :D But I still got soo many. But, from now on, my IMM's will be going back to being small :) Don't have anymore books to order ;p Only all the books I have pre-ordered from now to October.. Gonna try not to buy more books for a while :) Also! I got my bookshelves! :D Will blog about those when I get the last one next week sometime ;)
What did you get this week?

Cryer's Cross Think this sounds like a really good book. And creepy. I like that :)
The Iron Thorn Bought first the new paperback; then the hardcover :D Excited to read.
Incarnate Loved this book! :D Got two copies because the first of those got lost for 20 days..
Signed Love & Leftovers + When Mike Kissed Emma Won these two from Miriam :D So pretty.
Fire Study + Magic Study Got the first book ages ago, and wanted to have all three ;) Pretty covers.
Graceling + Fire I did not own these two paperbacks :D Now I have them all. Most two copies of each (A)

The Iron Thorn Think this sounds like an amazing book, and I need to have it! :D In hardcover :)
The Nightmare Garden Then I found out it had a sequel that just came out, so needed that one too ;)
Fever Got two pretty hardcover copies of this. <3 Loved this book so much :) Must have :D
Fever Paperback Also got this gorgeous paperback of Fever. <3 It is just so pretty :)
Rapunzel: Tangled Pretty tiny paperback story :D Loves it. Tangled is still my favorite movie :)
Awaken Seems like an awesome story; and it has a pretty cover. Excited to read it :)
Cold Kiss Such a pretty cover! Seems like a great story ;) Can't wait to read it.
Abandon Got pretty UK paperback some time ago, but needed the hardcover too (A)
The Unwanteds Seems like an awesome book! :D Excited to read it. Gorgeous cover, too :)
Legend Like all other books I love, I needed another hardcover copy of Legend that I will not read. <3
Inside These books seems awesome. And I love that this is a copy with two books in it! :D
The Poison Diaries 2 Got the first book on sale, so I felt that I really needed the second one too (A)
Narnia Have not read this books before, and I really wanted this pretty movie-tie-in :)

Mara Dyer Paperback LOVE Mara Dyer. <3 And this paperback is so so so pretty :)
Slide UK Paperback This seems like an awesome book; also getting the hardcover :) Excited to read!
Jurassic Park & The Walking Dead in Blu-Ray. I love Jurassic Park, so I needed to have those movies in blu-ray :D And I have not yet watched The Walking Dead, but I think I will love it :)

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme made by The Story Siren :)

Review: Once by Anna Carey

2012-02-24T13:10:00.002+01:00

I should start by saying that if you have not read the first book in this series, Eve, yet, then you should not read this review. Because it will contain spoilers to the first book, and you really should not know those things if you have not read it yet ;) Also, my review of Once has a few small spoilers, but those can also be found by reading the summary :)

I want to start by saying that I LOVE the cover of this book :) It is simply stunning. Love that it follows the cover of Eve. Also love that the cover has something to do with stuff happening in the book ;) Sort of.

Once start at the same place Eve ended. Only three months later. I don't really like time jumps, but, three months isn't really that long :) We get introduced to many new characters from the beginning, and I liked a few of them. Some, I did not like at all. Eve has been living in Califia for three months; she's still missing Caleb so much, and hoping to see him soon.

But she is trying to move forward, but without forgetting about him. Which I was really happy about. Then, suddenly, someone lost arrives at Califia. But it is not Caleb. I really did like the surprise person that arrived. Liked it a lot. Also liked the dog; although what happened later with that killed me.

Eve and the new visitor overhear the women living at Califia discussing what they really have planned for Eve if the soldiers ever catch up with her. It is then Eve decides it is time to leave, if there is any way to. But then someone claims to have seen Caleb outside the city, and she and the 'visitor' rush to find him.

What they doesn't know, however, is that they are being set up. By some (evil) boy that was in the first book. Eve is then separated from her friend, and taken to the King in the City of Sand. Once there, she finds out why she really has been searched for. And what is supposed to happen to her next.

But she also finds Caleb there. He has been there for weeks, working undercover, sort of. But they are all looking for him, accusing him of killing some soldiers; that he did not do. Meaning if he is caught, he will be put in prison and most likely executed.

But so far he has not been spotted by anyone. Except for Eve. And they start meeting in secret, which is really risky, but oh, I really really really loved those parts. I love the romance in this book. So good. Although there was a part in the middle I didn't get. Wasn't sure if something happened, or not. Wish it was more obvious ;)

Won't say anymore about the plot now; because more things happen :D Many spoilery things. Many bad things, but also kind of good things. Anyway, this book is amazing. I really loved it, although I did have a few problems reading at times, but that is my own issues ;p Once is just as exciting as Eve was. Something is always happening.

And I still really liked the characters. Well, I really like Eve and Caleb :) I also liked that we got to learn more about the school where Eve's friends had been locked up. Although we didn't get an end with that. And I'm hoping it will all work out in book three; hoping the "schools" will get shut down :)

I did not like the ending of this book. At all. See, it starts out all hopeful, but then that hope dies. Something horrible happens, and something horrible is about to happen. The cliffhanger is HUGE. Really huge. And for book three I am hoping what happened didn't really happen, and what will happen doesn't happen :D

Also really hoping the wait for book three won't be so long.. but, considering this book isn't out until July I don't think book three will be out before next summer. How I will survive the wait, I do not know. It will be torturous.

Anyway, this book is a must get when it comes out :) A really great sequel to Eve. Even with the evil cliffhanger. Once is a must read :) Also wanting to thank the author, Anna, for writing such amazing books. <3 I'm writing this review because I got an ARC copy of Once :) My review of Eve.

Goodreads - Pre-Order it

I'm participating in the Dystopian February contest over at Presenting Lenore :) You can do so too.
http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/2012/02/dystopian-february-2012-kick-off.html

Review #2: Eve by Anna Carey

2012-02-23T16:54:00.001+01:00

I first read this book in August of last year; via NetGalley. I really loved it. So I bought a hardcover of it, and oh, it so pretty :) Then a couple of months ago I got an ARC of the sequel; ONCE. But I peeked at the ending, and that really scared me. So I didn't dare read it yet. But then, yesterday, I looked at both Eve and Once and realized I needed to read them. Missed Eve and Caleb. <3

So I put aside my fears, and started to re-read Eve. Which I just finished doing; and will read Once later today :) But back to Eve. Wanted to write a second review for it, since I didn't really say much about it in my previous review.

Eve starts out really amazing, to be honest. It starts at the school where the main character; Eve attends and lives. It is the night before graduation. And Eve is the best student there. They are all supposed to learn a trade, for four years, before moving to the King's city; City of Sand.

But this same night, a girl manages to escape the school. The school is locked up real good, with high walls, to keep out wild dogs and bad men. But before Arden manages to escape, she runs into Eve. Where she tells Eve the horrible truth about what will really happen to them all after graduation.

At first, Eve is too shocked and doesn't really believe her at all. But then, later at night, she slips out of bed, and wades across the lake to see for herself if it's true what Arden says. Which it is. Eve finds out the horrible truth, and oh, it really is horrible what happens to them all. But I won't tell you that ;)

Eve then manages to escape as well; and she is on her own for 8 days out in the woods. And then she bumps into Arden; where they agree to travel to the safe place called Califia together. Along the way though, they run into Caleb. Who helps them with food and shelter; when Arden turns sick.

They spend weeks at his camp, with his friends, most which are really kind. But not all. Like Leif. The sort-of leader. Eve was told at school to fear all men, because there wasn't anything good about them. She was told they would rape her, and other horrible things. But then she discovers that Caleb isn't like that at all. Caleb isn't anything but good and kind. And so cute.

She starts falling for him, and I really really like that part ;) Love the romance in this book. Even though I do wish there had been more of it :) And I also wish that horrible thing near the middle hadn't happened. But, it also made sort of sense that it did. I just didn't like it.

Now that I have told you so much about the book, I don't really want to spoil the end for you :D Just want to say that there is lots of action in this book, and lots of romance, and the plot is amazing. I love most of the characters in this book. They are all awesome. I really like the way the world is :) Even though I do not like the way they all seem to worship the king.

The ending of Eve, though, is horrible. It is sad, but it is also hopeful, and it is a good cliffhanger. That makes it easy to see that there must be a sequel :) I'm excited to read the sequel :D Even though I know how it ends, and I am extremely worried :p But, I still can't wait to read it :)

Anyway, this book is amazing, and if you have not read it yet, you really need to do so :)
My first review of Eve is here.

Goodreads - Buy it

I'm participating in the Dystopian February contest over at Presenting Lenore :) You can do so too.
http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/2012/02/dystopian-february-2012-kick-off.html

Review: Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

2012-02-22T12:20:00.000+01:00

I'm feeling very undecided about this book. I should be giving it a five star, but because of some personal preferences I'm only giving it four (A) Which I will tell you all about longer down, but it is spoilery :) When I first saw the cover of this book I knew I had to have it. I was unsure if I would like it, since it didn't mention any romance, but I knew I needed it.

Then I picked it up yesterday, and oh, I'm glad I did. It is an amazing book. It is good written, it's exciting, mysterious and it is super creepy. I think I mostly liked the characters. I really liked Ruby in the first few pages, before that thing happened.

She seemed like an amazing sister. And she kind of is, in the entire book. But, she isn't normal. And she is kind of crazy, which really creeped me out. But, she loves her sister Chloe, and I'm glad she does.

I mostly liked Chloe. She is an interesting character, a great lead character, but I didn't like that she so blindly did anything her sister said she should. Just like they all did. Everyone in town. The boys, the girls, everyone. It isn't really explained much, what Ruby can do, but I understood it just fine. And it is creepy :p

I found the plot to be really great, I loved everything about the reservoir, even though it really is creepy and all. I also mostly loved how close Chloe and Ruby was, even though I did think it was too much sometimes. But I didn't mind so much. I think.

What I did mind though, and this is very SPOILERY, so if you don't want to know, don't read ;)
I didn't like that there was no romance. I think it would have made the story even better, even if it almost perfect on it's own. Because there is a guy, Owen, and he could have been perfect for Chloe. But then, I don't know why, the author just ruined everything they could have had together. What really bothered me was that they had sex. And that was just it. Nothing more. The author just decided that was it, that there shouldn't be a love interest. And I really, really didn't like that. Wish there had been more :) But, I still liked the book. Much.

Anyway, I don't want to say too much about this book, so that I spoil you, so I'm just going to say that you should read this book :) Because it is really good. And creepy ;)

Goodreads - Buy it

Waiting on Wednesday #19

2012-02-22T07:30:00.000+01:00

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

SLIDE BY JILL HATHAWAY

Goodreads Description:

Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

Hardcover, 256 pages

Expected publication: March 27th 2012 by Balzer + Bray for HarperCollins

Pre-Order it here.

Oh, this seems like such an amazing book. Gorgeous cover, and awesome summary :D I can't wait to get this one :) I like the way it sounds. Also really like the author, Jill :D She is awesome. <3 Don't you too think it sounds amazing? <3
What are you waiting for?

Title Reveal: Legend #2 by Marie Lu

2012-02-21T14:50:00.000+01:00

The title of the sequel to Legend has finally been revealed! :D And it is amazing. I love it. I'm making this post to let you all know about it too :) Even though there isn't any cover yet, or any summary, just the title. But just the title does deserve it's own blog post. <3 The sequel is said to be out near September 2012. And I simply cannot wait! Need that book so much. <3

And now.. the title of the sequel to one of the most amazing books is...

PATRIOT

'Patriot: A Legend Novel by Marie Lu in which June and Day
strike a dangerous deal with Patriot rebels.'

Love the blurb! And omg! I'm so so so so excited. <3 But oh. Also nervous, because that deal can't be good.. I'm mostly hoping for more romance between Day and June. <3 And for more action :D I'm just so excited for everything :) Can't wait to see the cover; and how it fits with Legend's cover :D
Do you like the title?

Legend. Patriot. Marie Lu. My review of Legend. My book recommendation of Legend.

Teaser Tuesday #10

2012-02-21T07:37:00.000+01:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!

Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Today my teaser is from Fever my Lauren DeStefano :) I finished reading this book on Saturday, and since there is this one quote I love so much, I really wanted to share it with you all :D And since so far, I'm not reading anything today, I thought I could use this book ;)
What are you reading?

This is the freedom I craved throughout my marriage. To share a bed not because of a wedding ring or a one-sided promise that was made for me, but because of desire. Inexplicable yet undeniable, I have never craved closeness like this for anyone else. ~ page 264

Review: Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

2012-02-20T20:19:00.001+01:00

I'm not sure how to rate this book. I loved it. But it took me 50 pages before I got used to the writing and started loving it. So I think, for me, this book is a 4,5 Star :) But closer to a five than four. I waited a long time for this book, and today it finally arrived. After 20 days of shipping. But the waiting was worth it :)

What I noticed first as I opened my mail, was the stunningly gorgous cover. It is simply breathtaking. And so soft :) I like it a lot. Also liked that the book is purple. But I did not like the butterfly.. I like butterfly wings, but I do not like their bodies (A)

Then I started reading the book. I liked Ana right away; but I couldn't get used to the writing so fast. Took me 50+ pages, but I never felt like giving up, because the story was so interesting. Then, after those pages, it was very easy to get lost in the book. Which I did.

Ana is an amazing character. She is 18, which I'm happy about, and she is the only one in this world who has not lived for 5,000 years. Which makes her quite the outsider. But I kind of think it would have been a bit different if she hadn't been living with her horrible mother; Li. She was just so terrible. Evil. And I am very glad about what happened with her near the end ;)

But even so, Ana is smart, and kind, and at times brave, and she is sweet. I found her to be a great character :) I really did love Sam. He was interesting, and so kind, and cute, and just amazing. <3 Wish we had gotten to know him more. But hopefully we will in the next books :D

There were many other characters in this book that I liked as well, but it was also so very confusing. I like the plot, with the whole being reincarnated, but it really confused me that they all got new and different bodies each time they died. As in, once a man, then a woman, etc.

I really did like the plot. Where they lived, all the creatures that lived there. Liked them all. But felt like we didn't get to know them very much. Hopefully in the next book :) I did, however, not like the "Temple." And Jaran. Found that to be silly, since I do not believe in God :p But I do get that many people do so. I just don't like it very much.

I really enjoyed the romance in this book. It took forever before anything happened with it, but when it finally did, I really loved it :) So sweet. Although, I just read someone's review of it, and they didn't like that they seemed to just fell in love with each other. And I guess some people won't like that, but I LOVED it :) I'm tired of books with love triangles, or books where the couple aren't together :p

So this book was really great for me. Amazing plot, great characters, awesome love story, and not an evil ending ;) Although there was this part near the end with the Temple that didn't really make sense to me :p And I felt like it would have been better left out. But then, it might make more sense later ;)

Anyway, this is an amazing book, and you really should read it :) I am so so so so excited for the next one. <3 Needs it.

Cover Reveal: Hidden by Sophie Jordan

2012-02-20T18:26:00.000+01:00

A dangerous journey.
Shattered bonds.
Undying passion.

Jacinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride.
But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse,
a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's
sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue
her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart
of enemy territory.

The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself,
though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control.
As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian
can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out
alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be
only the beginning....

Loyalties are tested and sacrifices made in the explosive conclusion to Sophie
Jordan's Firelight trilogy.

Omg! I love this cover. And I love the summary. So so amazing. <3 I am simply dying for this book. :) I loved Firelight and Vanish so much, and I cannot wait to figure out what happens next :D This simple sentence is giving me so much hope for Jacinda and Will. <3 "Shattered bonds." Hidden is expected to come out September 11th. Is it September yet? <3
Do you like the cover?

Sophie's blog post. Sophie's twitter. Hidden on Goodreads.
My review of Firelight. My review of Vanish.

Review: Fever by Lauren DeStefano

2012-02-18T21:45:00.001+01:00

I don't know how to write my review of this book. I should start by saying that I LOVED it! Fever is AMAZING! So, so good. Just as good as Wither, I think. The ending though, the ending is bad. WARNING: My review will contain spoilers from book 1; Wither. And a few BIG spoilers for Fever.

Fever starts out just where Wither ended. With Rhine and Gabriel at the shore, having just escaped the Mansion. There is only a few short pages with happiness for that, before they are taken again. This time by something much worse than the Mansion ever was.

The Carnival. Where the evil old woman rules. She controls everything. And I hated her so much. She is the owner of a whore house; to use the obvious name. She takes care of her girls, but she still sell their bodies to every man with money to pay. This was not a good place for Rhine to end up in.

With her beauty there isn't much surprise that the Madame wants her. She wants her to perform. Not getting into that, but I didn't like it, but I also kind of liked the Gabriel part. <3 Days pass, and slowly they get to see how cruel and heartless the owner is. She truly is evil.

It did surprise me some, but after only 100 pages they managed to escape her. With some.. injuries. And drugs. And then they were once again on their way to Manhattan to find Rhine's brother; Rowan. It isn't an easy trip. And they encounter more bad things on the way. But they finally arrive. Only to find him gone.

Which isn't a good thing for Rhine. She gets very depressed. But she isn't giving up hope. Well, not entirely ;) While she is battling her feelings, she starts to get really sick. Maybe even dying. Gabriel can't stop worrying about her.

Then near the end, Vaughn turns up to take her back to the Mansion. Knowing why she is sick and dying. No one sees her leave with him. But she does, because he is threatening her. And she doesn't really have a choice.

Arriving at the Mansion, though, isn't a happy thing. She arrives in the basement as Vaughn's new guinea pig. I do have an feeling as to what he will get from it, though. Rhine gets to see her sister wife again; Cecily. That isn't really a happy reunion either. But still :) I liked Cecily better in this book.

Fever ends sort of bad, but also really good. Bad part: Rhine is with Linden. Gabriel has been missing from the book for 70 pages. But. The ending still gives me hope. I think. At least, I hope so.

In this book, Rhine and Gabriel are together almost all the time. Which I loved so much. I liked Rhine a lot more in this book. She seemed so much... more. And Gabriel I still adore so extremely much. He is my favorite character. Have read so many people saying they don't think he is a good/interesting character. Saying there is no chemistry between him and Rhine. I disagree. SO MUCH!

Gabriel is extremely sweet. So kind. But also tough, and protective. He is the perfect boyfriend. And I wish I had one just like him. <3 I think Gabriel and Rhine fit together perfectly. There was too little romance in this book, for me personally, but there was love. And there were feelings. Especially near the end. Really loved that.

What I wish for more than anything, in book three, is that Rhine and Gabriel will be together. As a couple. Always. And that Rhine will find her brother :) And that a cure will be found. Which I think it will. What I don't want to happen though, it for Rhine to fall in love with Linden. I do not like Linden. He can be with Cecily. Want that (A)

This review probably hasn't made much sense.. And it has lots of spoilers for the book. But it was the only way I felt to write it. Could blame the non-sense thing on the fact that I am sick, and have been so for almost two weeks :p

Anyway, this book is AMAZING. I loved it just as much as Wither. And if you have read Wither, this book is a must read. <3 And if you haven't, you must read Wither very soon ;)

In My Mailbox #19

2012-02-18T14:39:00.000+01:00

Holy, my mailbox has been HUGE this week! :D And oh. I love it. <3 But, my money do not love it :p Spent it all on books this month.. but, I blame book depo's 10% off for that (A) And anyway, I was supposed to buy all these books either way (A) So it was best to buy them all when it was sale ;D Kind of. Book depo is still extremely expensive for me since I live in Norway :p But still :)
What did you get this week?

Since my mailbox was so big this week, I do not have the energy to link to every book that I got like I usually do. It would take me hours :p So I'm just going to say that most of these I have not read, but some of them I have bought because I loved them, or because I wanted more copies of them :D
Feel like I should mention though, that I got the ARC of ARISE BY TARA HUDSON that I won from Tara :D I loved Hereafter, and am so excited about reading this book. <3 Thank you, Tara :D
Also got the UK paperback of Fever; and I am starting that one right now :)

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme made by The Story Siren :)

Cover Reveal: Gravity by Melissa West

2012-02-16T12:57:00.001+01:00

In the future, only one rule will matter: Don’t. Ever. Peek.

Seventeen-year-old Ari Alexander just broke that rule and saw the last person she expected hovering above her bed--arrogant Jackson Locke, the most popular boy in her school. She expects instant execution or some kind of freak alien punishment, but instead, Jackson issues a challenge: help him, or everyone on Earth will die.

Ari knows she should report him, but everything about Jackson makes her question what she’s been taught about his kind. And against her instincts, she’s falling for him. But Ari isn’t just any girl, and Jackson wants more than her attention. She’s a military legacy who’s been trained by her father and exposed to war strategies and societal information no one can know--especially an alien spy, like Jackson. Giving Jackson the information he needs will betray her father and her country, but keeping silent will start a war.

Today is the first time I have really heard of this book. I read the summary once, a few weeks back, but because it had no cover I wasn't sure if the book was for me. But now there is a cover. A GORGEOUS cover. And oh, it makes me want the book so much more. I love the cover of this book. And the summary is great too :) Can't wait until it comes out :D Add it on Goodreads here :)
Do you like the cover?

Review: The Other Life by Susanne Winnacker

2012-02-16T12:26:00.001+01:00

I don't know how to write my feelings for this book. I wanted it to be amazing, and in a way it was. But it also wasn't. I didn't like the writing, and I didn't really feel anything for the characters.

The book starts sort of good. It starts off in a bunker, with a family. To me, it just didn't seem realistic that they stayed down there for over three years. I never would have been able to stand it. But then, I guess they thought they didn't have any other choice. Which they didn't. Sort of.

The main character, Sherry, I didn't really like. To start with, she is 15. She was 12 when they got down in the bunker. And she keeps acting like she is so much older, which does NOT make sense. Because I don't see how she can have learned anything at all in those three years locked up in a small space. And yet, it seems like she knows so much.

It would have made more sense to me if she was older. At least a couple of years older. But that isn't really why I didn't like her. I just didn't like the way it all is written. I seem to have huge issues with writing these days, and I just could not get into this book. None of it seemed real, and I did not like the way Sherry thought. She seemed way too dramatic, and she kept cursing a few times in her head, which did not suit her at all, and didn't really make sense. I mean, I would have used those words, but I don't think she would. Especially not when later on another one cursed, and she just thought that "he cussed."

Also, didn't think it made sense the few pages where we got to see back to her past. Because those scenes didn't fit in with rest of the story.. and there was just too little of it. Also, the love interest, Joshua, could have been such an amazing character. But I didn't really feel anything for him with how Sherry thought :\

Sorry if I seem to be just negative (A) The book isn't really that bad. It's just me having trouble reading it. I did like the plot, it is a very interesting story. And even though I didn't really like this book, I'm still going to read the sequel; since I am really interested to see what happens next :)

What made my buy this book was the summary and the pretty cover. Although, I didn't notice the boy and girl and the claws in the butterfly until I held the book myself (A) But those things made the cover even prettier :) Don't like the US edition, though :p Hih.

Anyway, if you don't have any trouble with the writing, then I do think you will love this book :) It is a book that you should read.

Waiting on Wednesday #18

2012-02-15T06:40:00.000+01:00

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

ABOVE BY LEAH BOBET

Goodreads Description:

Matthew has loved Ariel from the moment he found her in the tunnels, her bee's wings falling away. They live in Safe, an underground refuge for those fleeing the city Above—like Whisper, who speaks to ghosts, and Jack Flash, who can shoot lightning from his fingers.

But one terrifying night, an old enemy invades Safe with an army of shadows, and only Matthew, Ariel, and a few friends escape Above. As Matthew unravels the mystery of Safe's history and the shadows' attack, he realizes he must find a way to remake his home—not just for himself, but for Ariel, who needs him more than ever before.

Hardcover, 1st Edition, 368 pages

Expected publication: April 1st 2012 by Arthur A. Levine Books

Pre-Order here.

Oh, this seems like such a good book. Pre-ordered it a few weeks ago, and I can't wait until it comes out :D Doesn't really sound like anything I have read before, but oh, it still sounds so amazing :D And just.. look at that pretty cover! Doesn't that make you want it? :)
What are you waiting for?

Book Recommendation: Legend by Marie Lu

2012-02-14T15:25:00.000+01:00

I just finished re-reading Legend by Marie Lu. I read it the first time as an ARC back in October. It is the most amazing book. I think I liked it even better this time around :)

I'm making this blog post to let you all know about it. To tell you all to buy it and read it if you haven't done so already. I can promise you that you will not regret it. This book has it all. Stunning writing. Amazing characters. Action. Violence. Heart breaking parts. Romance. It is simply amazing.

I love the story in this book. The world they live in. It seems so.. real. And horrible. It isn't really a place where I would want to live ;) Although, I wouldn't have minded living there with Day :D But even though this book is so so so good and amazing, it is also extremely sad and heart breaking.

There is a lot of sad parts in it. Sad and terrible deaths. Sad memories. Horrible things that happens. But it is also those parts that make me love it so much. Plus the romance, of course. There isn't much of it in the beginning, but that I can understand. When there is romance though, it is so sweet, and so good. <3

This book ends both so bad and so good. It makes me desperate for the sequel. I'm hoping for news about it very, very soon :) Anyway, this is an amazing book that must be read by everyone.
I'm including a spoilery teaser from page 299 of the book; very close to the ending :)

My old review of Legend. Legend on Goodreads. Legend's author Marie Lu.

Teaser Tuesday #9

2012-02-14T15:11:00.000+01:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!

Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Today my teaser is from Legend by Marie Lu. Which I just finished re-reading. <3 I love that book so much. And it is a must read for everyone! Will post a book recommendation for it in a few minutes :)What are you reading?

Then there's a voice telling me to get up. When I look to my side, I see a boy holding out his hand to me. He has bright blue eyes, dirt on his face, and a beat-up old cap on, and at this moment, I think he might be the most beautiful boy I've ever seen. ~ page 109

Top Ten Tuesday #10

2012-02-14T07:36:00.000+01:00

This week's topic is Top Ten Books That Broke Your Heart A Little

1. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare. This must be the only list where Clockwork Prince will be at the top for me. LOL. This book did so much more than just break me. It tore me up in pieces.
2. Graceling by Kristin Cashore. This book is so amazing, but there is a few things near the end that really broke my heart. A teaser of that heart-breaking time here.
3. Fire by Kristin Cashore. Amazing book. But so many deaths that broke my heart. And there was this one scene with a horse that really broke my heart. Still, so good.
4. Divergent by Veronica Roth. This is the most amazing book, but oh, there were so many scenes with Four that broke my heart. Which I really, really loved. <3
5. Cinder by Marissa Meyer. This book is so good. But it is also so sad. Especially near the end with Kai. But also all the way through, with the family parts.
6. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater. I think the only time this book broke my heart was at the end. It was just so sad. But also so amazingly good.
7. A Million Suns by Beth Revis. Amazing book, but it also have so many sad parts. It broke my heart that Amy wasn't comfortable with telling Elder how much she hurt.
8. Legend by Marie Lu. This is such a good book, but it is also very heart breaking. So many deaths in this book that broke my heart. But, Day makes it all better. <3
9. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. This book didn't break my heart that much. But, it really broke my heart with how the world treated Juliette.
10. Fracture by Megan Miranda. This book broke me. Such a good book, but it broke my heart so much. With the boy. And with what happened after the ice.

This was a good topic for me. When I started writing this list, I thought I would have so many different books to add, besides my top ten favorite books. Turns out I was wrong thinking that (A) lol. Have added a few lines about the sad parts, though :D
What is on your list?

Top Ten Tuesdays is a weekly meme held by The Broke and the Bookish :)

Review: Vanish by Sophie Jordan

2012-02-12T21:18:00.000+01:00

I wasn't even supposed to read these books yet. But it's Sunday, and I was so bored, and so excited to read Firelight, and I picked it up. And omg. I love these books. Well, I love this book a little less, but still :D

I don't know how to rate this book. It sucked me in just like the first one did, and I still love the writing, and some of the characters, but there is this one thing I hated more than anything. The love triangle.

It isn't even really that big, but it kind of means so much more. I still love Will more than anything. And I hate love triangles with a passion. The thing about this one, it didn't really make much sense. I found Cassian to be an asshole. And I never saw that thing that made Jacinda change her mind about that fact.

This book is a lot more scary than the first. Lots of bad things happen. Bad things that I did not like. But I still like reading about it (A) I found the story to be very catching and believing. And that is worthy of a fire star. But. Because of the stupid triangle that made no sense.

I just don't like triangles because to me, it don't make sense. If you really, really love someone, how can you even think about getting involved with someone else? I just don't get it. And I just didn't like Cassian. Not like the way that I love and adore Will. <3 I liked Tamra, Jacinda's sister, much more in this book. She got a little better ;)

Anyway, I am DYING for the next book. I need it. Right now, please. I just wish it won't end bad. And that there will NOT be any more feelings between Jacinda and Cassian. I will not allow it. And I just wish for lots more of Jacinda and Will. <3

If you haven't read these books yet, you really should do so :)

Goodreads - Buy it

Review: Firelight by Sophie Jordan

2012-02-12T16:52:00.000+01:00

I really loved this book. But, well, I knew I would when I bought it months ago ;) It's just taken me so long to read it, because I peeked at the end of book two, and did not like what I saw.. But, I will start that one in about an hour; hopefully I will love it too :)

I loved the story in this book. I loved the Draki's. Even though we didn't really get to see them much, I loved what we did get of them. I loved that even though Dragons were so so so many years ago, the Draki's are in our time :) Hih.

I also loved the characters. I really liked Jacinda. She is strong, and mostly kind, and she is a strong character. I did not like her mother, however. I get that she is protective and whatever, but to me she just seemed mean and un-caring. Same thing with her sister. Although I can understand her sister a tiny bit better.

I loved Will the most though. Handsome, kind, broken, strong. I loved that he had such a big part in this book. And I loved loved loved the romance. So sweet. But oh, I hated the ending of this book. But, it wasn't really that bad, if it weren't for things I know happens in book two :p

I really disliked Cassian. And I doubt I will turn to like him. Thing is, I do not want to like him at all. I hate love triangles. And my heart belongs to Will. <3

Anyway, this is an amazing book, with an amazing plot, and amazing characters, and it is a must read :D

Goodreads - Buy it

Review: Entwined by Heather Dixon

2012-02-12T08:34:00.000+01:00

When I first saw the cover of this book, I knew I had to have it. I think it is so stunningly gorgeous. The summary was also good, but it didn't really capture me. Then yesterday afternoon, I suddenly got the urge to pick this book up. And oh god. I am so glad that I did.

The summary doesn't begin to tell you how amazing this book is. The summary made me think it was kind of boring, but of, how wrong I was. I loved the writing in this book. I loved that it was from Azalea's POV. I even loved most of the characters.

I really loved Azalea, I could very easily connect with her. Well, except for the fact that I do not dance ;) Azalea is a very fine dancer, as are the rest of her sisters. She made me fall in love with this book from the first few pages. The story starts at a great place, at a Yuletide. Wish I could go to one.

But then, at the same night, something horrible happens. SPOILER. Their mother dies. It leaves all the 11 children broken. But they also got a new sister that same night. The day after her death, the mourning starts. And oh, it all seemed so real. And so so so sad.

The mourning thing I had only heard of once, in Dearly, Beloved, and it was only mentioned then. One whole year locked up, wearing all black, and supposed to be depressed. It seemed all kinds of horrible.

Then the story jumps ahead six months, which I kind of liked. But oh, then they meet Keeper. And I hated Keeper. So, so much. But he was also kind of amazing. He made it an even better story.

While reading this book, the pages just flew past. I read it from beginning to end with not many pauses. I just could not stop. The story is amazing. The past it is set in is amazing. I had a little trouble with all the sisters, but, I still loved them all. Well, except for one of them :D

I loved the love interest. He was perfect. Even if he had a few flaws. And he wasn't very much in the book, but I still managed to fall in love with him. I do wish there were more romance in this book, and more kissing, but, I do understand why there wasn't. And the story was still amazing without it :)

This is based on a fairytale, I think, but I haven't heard that one before (A) And oh. I wish there would be a sequel to this book. Even though it ended quite nicely. I just want more :)

I don't want to say too much about this book, because I don't want to spoil it for you. If you haven't read it yet, you really, really should do so. Because it is amazing.

Goodreads - Buy it

The Winner of Graceling is ...

2012-02-12T08:02:00.000+01:00

My giveaway of a paperback copy of Graceling is now closed! Thank you all so much for entering :) I wish I could give you all a copy of it. Since everyone should read Graceling. But, since I can only afford this one, there is just one winner. And that is ...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congrats Valentina! :D I have sent you an email. For those of you who didn't win, I hope you will buy a copy of Graceling yourself :) You will not regret it. Thank you all so much for following me, and for entering my giveaway. <3

In My Mailbox #18

2012-02-11T15:33:00.001+01:00

This week's mailbox is huge. Again. Not as big as last week's, though :D But next week will be bigger, I think.. But that I am blaming on the %10 off at book depo :) Don't think anyone want to know how much money I spent these past few days :p lol. But at least I got to buy all the books I wanted :D Mostly.
What did you get this week?

Article 5 Pre-ordered this ages ago. It has such a gorgeous cover. <3 Also really liked the book :)
Fire Paperback Such a pretty paperback! :D And omg. This had a 32 page preview of Bitterblue! <33
Graceling Paperback Needed more copies of this gorgeous paperback. <3 Love it so so so much.
Legend Paperbacks 1-2 GORGEOUS paperbacks. <3 They are so pretty. And this is such a good book.
The Awakening - The Reckoning Got these on sale :D Getting book 1 too. Seems really good. <3
The Poison Diaries Got this one on sale at book depo :) Seems like a interesting book. Pretty cover ;)
Halo Bought this on sale at the book depo. It has such a pretty cover. And it seems really interesting :)
Trial by Fire Got the first book last week :) Seems like an interesting series. Excited to read.
Lego Harry Potter 5-7 Have the first 1-4 Wii game, and liked it, this seems awesome as well :D Plus it came with an AWESOME lego of Harry! Loves it. <3
The Way We Fall Bookmark + Bookplate. Won this from Megan. GORGEOUS. Loves it. <3
Noisy Spooky Book Got this one on the 24 hour deals on book depo :) Kind of love it. Hih.

A Discovery of Witches Remember the tiny edition I got weeks back? Well, this one is HUGE! <3
Fallen in Love I haven't read The Fallen series yet, but I do have them all, so needed this one too :D
Fire Paperback Another gorgeous paperback of Fire. <3 Loves it so so so so so so so so much.
Hunger Games Movie-Tie-In I love this cover for The Hunger Games. Love it so much. Gorgeous.
Hunger Games Tribute Guide Loves this. It is very pretty. And includes many pretty pictures :)
Under The Never Sky 1-2 Needed two of this gorgeous UK paperback cover. <3 So pretty.
Harry Potter DH Part 2 Needed this Wii game :D I now have them all. <3 Kind of. I think.
Slide Bookmark Won this from Jill! :D I love it. It is so so so pretty. <3 Excited for the book too :D
Cinder Swag. Omg. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this. So gorgeous. Got this from Marissa. <3 Love.
Winnie the Pooh DVD The newest Winnie the Pooh dvd. It looks so cute (A) <3 I love Tigger!

My Cinder Collection (A) Ps: I do not have a signed book yet.

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme made by The Story Siren :)

Title Reveal: Shatter Me #2 by Tahereh Mafi

2012-02-11T09:41:00.001+01:00

Last night Tahereh posted a video. A video including the title of the sequel to Shatter Me! :D And with the release date of it :\ Love the title, but am a bit sad about the late release date. But, I am hoping there will be lots of Adam teasers before that time :D Also hoping for a pretty cover soon :) I loved Shatter Me so so so so much, and I am dying to read this book. <3 Wish time could go faster.

And it is...

UNRAVEL ME

And it is getting released February 5th 2013.
Shatter Me. Unravel Me. Tahereh Mafi.

Giveaway Reminder of Graceling

2012-02-10T11:21:00.000+01:00

My international giveaway of a paperback copy of Graceling by Kristin Cashore ends on Sunday! In 1 day and 18 hours. So if you haven't entered yet, you really should do so now :D Open to everyone.
Graceling is an amazing book, and it is most definitely a must read for EVERYONE :)

You can enter my giveaway HERE.

http://carinabooks.blogspot.com/2012/01/graceling-by-kristin-cashore-giveaway.html