Cornucopia of Reviews

Teaser Tuesday (June 18)

2013-06-18T00:21:00.000-04:00

What is teaser tuesday?

It's a meme hosted by Should Be Reading and here are the rules: Grab your current read...

Open to a random page

Share two teaser sentences from somewhere on the page

Don't include spoilers.

"I don't think you're an adventure," he muttered.
"Oh?"
-Throne of Glass, Page 148, by Sarah J Maas

Waiting on Wednesday (June 12)

2013-06-12T00:00:00.000-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This weekly meme shares the upcoming books that I'm most excited about.

Marie Antionette, Serial Killer by Katie Alender

Colette Iselin is excited to go to Paris on a class trip. She’ll get to soak up the beauty and culture, and maybe even learn something about her family’s French roots.

But a series of gruesome murders are taking place across the city, putting everyone on edge. And as she tours museums and palaces, Colette keeps seeing a strange vision: a pale woman in a ball gown and powdered wig, who looks suspiciously like Marie Antoinette.

Colette knows her popular, status-obsessed friends won’t believe her, so she seeks out the help of a charming French boy. Together, they uncover a shocking secret involving a dark, hidden history. When Colette realizes she herself may hold the key to the mystery, her own life is suddenly in danger . . .

Acclaimed author Katie Alender brings heart-stopping suspense to this story of revenge, betrayal, intrigue — and one killer queen.

Published by Scholastic
Release Date: September 24, 2013

ARC Review: Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance

2013-06-10T00:30:00.000-04:00

Fields’ Rule #1: Don’t fall for the enemy.

Berry Fields is not looking for a boyfriend. She’s busy trailing cheaters and liars in her job as a private investigator, collecting evidence of the affairs she’s sure all men commit. And thanks to a pepper spray incident during an eighth grade game of spin the bottle, the guys at her school are not exactly lining up to date her, either.

So when arrogant—and gorgeous—Tanner Halston rolls into town and calls her “nothing amazing,” it’s no loss for Berry. She’ll forget him in no time. She’s more concerned with the questions surfacing about her mother’s death.

But why does Tanner seem to pop up everywhere in her investigation, always getting in her way? Is he trying to stop her from discovering the truth, or protecting her from an unknown threat? And why can’t Berry remember to hate him when he looks into her eyes?

With a playful nod to Jane Austen, Spies and Prejudice will captivate readers as love and espionage collide.

Best Bits: I've often found that when books are pitched as _____ meets _____, the result never quite meets my expectations. Spies and Prejudice was described as Pride and Prejudice meets Veronica Mars, two things that I absolutely fangirl for. I was really pleased with the result, it reminded me of the best parts of both things, while maintaining a uniqueness. Berry has sass; I think that Elizabeth Bennet would approve of her. She's a great character because she's flawed, and over the course of the novel grows to accept that her past has directly impacted her understanding of herself. The mystery of what happened to her mother was also gripping. Man, I did not see the end coming (which is sad, because I was an avid Veronica Mars watcher...although, I never guessed then, either). The supporting characters are awesome, too. Berry's friends are supportive of her lifestyle, and have stuck with her through it all. The book was paced well, too. It's a quick and satisfying read!

Nit Picks: I believe that if there had been a couple more scenes between Berry and Tanner that the transition between initial dislike and attraction would have gone a bit more smoothly. Basically, I would have liked them to be thrown together to have some deep conversations. This isn't a major nit pick though, because I was still pleased with the romance, but I think it would have helped me learn more about both characters (although I can see why that may not have fit with the plot and pace of the novel).

Spies and Prejudice

By Talia Vance

Pubished by EgmontUSA

304 Pages

Received for Review

Rating: B

Stacking the Shelves (June 9)

2013-06-09T12:34:00.000-04:00

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews! It's a way to highlight the books that everyone got throughout the week.

For Review:

This one was a surprise in my mailbox!

Death, Dickinson, and the Demented Life of Frenchie Garcia by Jenny Torres Sanchez

Frenchie Garcia can’t come to grips with the death of Andy Cooper. Her friends didn’t know she had a crush him. And they don’t know she was the last person with him before he committed suicide. But Frenchie’s biggest concern is how she blindly helped him die that night.

Frenchie’s already insane obsession with death and Emily Dickinson won’t help her understand the role she played during Andy’s “one night of adventure.” But when she meets Colin, she may have found the perfect opportunity to recreate that night. While exploring the emotional depth of loss and transition to adulthood, Sanchez’s sharp humor and clever observations bring forth a richly developed voice.

Published by Running Press

Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass 2) by Sarah J Maas

After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king's contest to become the new royal assassin. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown – a secret she hides from even her most intimate confidantes.

Keeping up the deadly charade—while pretending to do the king's bidding—will test her in frightening new ways, especially when she's given a task that could jeopardize everything she's come to care for. And there are far more dangerous forces gathering on the horizon -- forces that threaten to destroy her entire world, and will surely force Celaena to make a choice.

Where do the assassin’s loyalties lie, and who is she most willing to fight for?

Published by Bloomsbury

Release Date: August 27, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (June 5)

2013-06-05T00:08:00.000-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This weekly meme shares the upcoming books that I'm most excited about.

Awaken (Abandon 3) by Meg Cabot

Death has her in his clutches. She doesn’t want him to let go.

Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera knew by accepting the love of John Hayden, she’d be forced to live forever in the one place she’s always dreaded most: the Underworld. The sacrifice seemed worth it, though, because it meant she could be with the boy she loves.

But now her happiness — and safety — are threatened, all because the Furies have discovered that John has broken one of their strictest rules: He revived a human soul.

If the balance between life and death isn’t fixed, both the Underworld and Pierce’s home back on earth will be wiped away. But there’s only one way to restore order. Someone has to die.

Published by Point

Release Date: July 2, 2013

Teaser Tuesday (June 3)

2013-06-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

What is teaser tuesday?

It's a meme hosted by Should Be Reading and here are the rules: Grab your current read...

Open to a random page

Share two teaser sentences from somewhere on the page

Don't include spoilers.

"I walk around the minibar and sit down on the floor, even though there's a spot net to Tanner on the couch. 'You don't seriously think a girl like that exists?' I ask."
-Spies and Prejudice, Page 46, by Talia Vance

(This is the updated six accomplished ladies scene)

Book Review: The Rose Throne by Mette Ivie Harrison

2013-06-03T00:30:00.000-04:00

Ailsbet loves nothing more than music; tall and red-haired, she's impatient with the artifice and ceremony of her father's court. Marissa adores the world of her island home and feels she has much to offer when she finally inherits the throne from her wise, good-tempered father. The trouble is that neither princess has the power--or the magic--to rule alone, and if the kingdoms can be united, which princess will end up ruling the joint land? For both, the only goal would seem to be a strategic marriage to a man who can bring his own brand of power to the throne. But will either girl be able to marry for love? And can either of these two princesses, rivals though they have never met, afford to let the other live? (From Goodreads)

Best Bits: So what's really interesting about this one is the way that magic is woven into the book and creates a social commentary on gender equality. I don't think that this blurb does the book justice. Yes, there are two princesses, but their rivalry isn't really the main focus of the books. They are both in the same situation, trying to survive in a court ruled by a power-crazed king (Ailsbet's father). There are two types of magic in this book, taweyr (magic typically found in men) and neweyr (typically in women). The role that magic plays is similar to gender roles, women give life and are connected to nature and female elements via their magic, whereas taweyr can be used to enhance strength and give advantage in battle. Things get really interesting when ekhono (those born with magic opposite to their gender) come into play. Ailsbet's father believes they want to destroy his kingdom, so he hunts them and has them killed. Marissa's father is not as biased, and allows them to stay on their island. Honestly, I think that this could apply to any minority group. What is not understood is often feared, at the loss of society as a whole. The thing is, Harrison did a great job pulling that off. I loved pulling out little scenes, sentences, and plot points that I could apply to the world that we live in.

Nit Picks: So, part of my nitpick is that I think the blurb is a little misleading. The two girls are never really considering whether they can let the other live. Of course, they aren't best friends either. It makes it sound like they're mortal enemies, however, and that isn't what happens. My other nitpick is that the book didn't feel like it had an end. Granted, it is the first book in a series. Still, I expect to have some sort of resolution at the end of a book. In a series, that means that some portion of the plot must be tied up, while allowing me a glimpse of what I can expect in the next book. I didn't really get that in The Rose Throne, and so I finished it feeling unsatisfied.

The Rose Throne
By Mette Ivie Harrison
Published by EgmontUSA
400 Pages
Received for Review
Rating: C

Stacking the Shelves (June 2)

2013-06-02T01:32:00.000-04:00

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews! It's a way to highlight the books that everyone got throughout the week.

Purchased:

Transparant by Natalie Whipple

Plenty of teenagers feel invisible. Fiona McClean actually is.

An invisible girl is a priceless weapon. Fiona’s own father has been forcing her to do his dirty work for years—everything from spying on people to stealing cars to breaking into bank vaults.

After sixteen years, Fiona’s had enough. She and her mother flee to a small town, and for the first time in her life, Fiona feels like a normal life is within reach. But Fiona’s father isn’t giving up that easily.

Of course, he should know better than anyone: never underestimate an invisible girl.

Published by HarperTeen

How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True by Sarah Strohmeyer

From Sarah Strohmeyer, author of Smart Girls Get What They Want, comes this romantic comedy about one girl's summer job from hell. Think The Devil Wears Prada set in Disney World.

When cousins Zoe and Jess land summer internships at the Fairyland Kingdom theme park, they are sure they've hit the jackpot. With perks like hot Abercrombie-like Prince Charmings and a chance to win the coveted $25,000 Dream & Do grant, what more could a girl want?

Once Zoe arrives, however, she's assigned to serve "The Queen"-Fairyland's boss from hell. From spoon-feeding her evil lapdog caviar, to fetching midnight sleeping tonics, Zoe fears she might not have what it takes to survive the summer, much less win the money.

Soon backstabbing interns, a runaway Cinderella, and cutthroat competition make Zoe's job more like a nightmare than a fairy tale. What will happen when Zoe is forced to choose between serving The Queen and saving the prince of her dreams?

Published by Balzer & Bray

Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham

Franny Banks is a struggling actress in New York City, with just six months left of the three year deadline she gave herself to succeed. But so far, all she has to show for her efforts is a single line in an ad for ugly Christmas sweaters and a degrading waitressing job. She lives in Brooklyn with two roommates-Jane, her best friend from college, and Dan, a sci-fi writer, who is very definitely not boyfriend material-and is struggling with her feelings for a suspiciously charming guy in her acting class, all while trying to find a hair-product cocktail that actually works.

Meanwhile, she dreams of doing "important" work, but only ever seems to get auditions for dishwashing liquid and peanut butter commercials. It's hard to tell if she'll run out of time or money first, but either way, failure would mean facing the fact that she has absolutely no skills to make it in the real world. Her father wants her to come home and teach, her agent won't call her back, and her classmate Penelope, who seems supportive, might just turn out to be her toughest competition yet.

Someday, Someday, Maybe is a funny and charming debut about finding yourself, finding love, and, most difficult of all, finding an acting job.

Published by Ballantine Books

Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates

Katie Lightfoot's tired of loafing around as the assistant manager of an Ohio bakery. So when her aunt Lucy and uncle Ben open a bakery in Savannah's quaint downtown district and ask Katie to join them, she enthusiastically agrees.

While working at the Honeybee Bakery—named after Lucy's cat—Katie notices that her aunt is adding mysterious herbs to her recipes. Turns out these herbal enhancements aren't just tasty—Aunt Lucy is a witch and her recipes are actually spells!

When a curmudgeonly customer is murdered outside the Honeybee Bakery, Uncle Ben becomes the prime suspect. With the help of handsome journalist Steve Dawes, charming firefighter Declan McCarthy, and a few spells, Katie and Aunt Lucy stir up some toil and trouble to clear Ben's name and find the real killer..

Published by Signet

(Seriously, it has magic, a cat, and baked goods on the cover...how could I say no?)

What did you get this week?

Waiting on Wednesday (May 29)

2013-05-29T12:07:00.000-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This weekly meme shares the upcoming books that I'm most excited about.

Darker Days by Jus Accardo

Jessie Darker goes to high school during the day, but at night she helps with the family investigation business. Cheating husbands and stolen inheritances? They’re your girls—but their specialty is a bit darker. Zombie in your garage? Pesky Poltergeist living in your pool? They’ll have the problem solved in a magical minute. For a nominal fee, of course...

When gorgeous new client, Lukas Scott, saunters into the office requesting their help to find a stolen box, it sounds like a simple case—until the truth comes out. The box is full of Sin.

Seven deadly ones, in fact.

They’ve got five days to recapture the Sins before they're recalled by the box, taking seven hijacked human bodies with them. Easy peasy—except for one thing...

There’s a spell that will allow the Sins to remain free, causing chaos forever. When the key ingredient threatens the life of someone she knows, Jessie must make the ultimate choice between love and family—or lose everything.

Release Date: August 2013
Published by Entangled Publishing

Teaser Tuesday (May 28)

2013-05-28T01:07:00.001-04:00

What is teaser tuesday?

It's a meme hosted by Should Be Reading and here are the rules: Grab your current read...

Open to a random page

Share two teaser sentences from somewhere on the page

Don't include spoilers.

“I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart for so long. If we’re in each other’s dreams, we can be together all the time."

-A. A. Milne

Moving is crazy, and I just realized that I won't have Internet access for a couple of days. In the meantime I'm posting from my phone!

Stacking the Shelves (May 25)

2013-05-25T16:53:00.002-04:00

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews! It's a way to highlight the books that everyone got throughout the week.

Things have been a bit chaotic lately in my non-blog life. I just graduated with my Masters degree, and now I'm getting ready to move tomorrow (although the only thing I've packed is my books...uh oh). So, things were a bit quiet this week, but things should be back to normal soon.

Gifted by the fabulous (amazing, awesome) Nereyda of Mostly YA Book Obsessed:

45 Pounds by K. A. Barson (aka my most anticipated read of the summer)

Here are the numbers of Ann Galardi’s life:

She is 16.
And a size 17.
Her perfect mother is a size 6.
Her Aunt Jackie is getting married in 10 weeks, and wants Ann to be her bridesmaid.
So Ann makes up her mind: Time to lose 45 pounds (more or less) in 2 1/2 months.

Welcome to the world of informercial diet plans, wedding dance lessons, embarrassing run-ins with the cutest guy Ann’s ever seen—-and some surprises about her NOT-so-perfect mother.

And there’s one more thing. It’s all about feeling comfortable in your own skin-—no matter how you add it up!

Book Review: You Are Mine by Janeal Falor

2013-05-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

Serena knows a few simple things. She will always be owned by a warlock. She will never have freedom. She will always do what her warlock wishes, regardless of how inane, frivolous, or cruel it is. And if she doesn’t follow the rules, she will be tarnished. Spelled to be bald, inked, and barren for the rest of her life—worth less than the shadow she casts.

Then her ownership is won by a barbarian from another country. With the uncertainty that comes from belonging to a new warlock, Serena questions if being tarnished is really worse than being owned by a barbarian, and tempts fate by breaking the rules. When he looks the other way instead of punishing her, she discovers a new world. The more she ventures into the forbidden, the more she learns of love and a freedom just out of reach. Serena longs for both. But in a society where women are only ever property, hoping for more could be deadly. (From Goodreads)

*Please note that I'm reviewing an ARC, and plot details, grammer, spelling, wording, etc may change between what I read and the final version.

Best Bits: This was a very satisfying read. When the book begins we're thrown right into the tough stuff. Falor does a good job of drawing the reader into a society where women are treated like objects, and expected to do their duties or they will experience the ultimate punishment, being turned into a tarnished (whose rank in society reminds me of the untouchables). Hints of romance and fantasy are woven perfectly into this story. This book is insta-love free, and the magic serves to propel the plot forward, without taking away from Serena.

I also thought Falor did a great job dealing with the topic of abuse. Serena experiences fear of punishment throughout the book, which, while upsetting to read, seemed really accurate to her upbringing. I'm glad that she didn't suddenly embrace her newfound freedom, because she had grown up in an environment where her father was in control of her, and pain and fear were how he kept that power (he is an awful man, by the way).

Nit Picks: Again, I read an ARC so this is subject to change, but there were a couple of words used in dialogue that didn't quite fit with the rest of the book. The language isn't completely formal, but a character saying "ew" seemed out of place for me. It made me do a double-take, but it didn't pull me out of the novel.

You Are Mine
By Janeal Falor
273 Pages
Received for Review
Rating: B

Author Guest Post: Janeal Falor

2013-05-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today we have author Jeneal Falor here to talk about five books that influenced her as a teen!

5 Books that Influenced Me as a Teen

5. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

I wasn't a fan of the movie, but I loved the book! Fairy Tales have always attracted my attention, and this one is such a fun and fabulous retelling of Cinderella. The unique take on it was fantastic. After reading it, I remember wanting to be strong like Ella.

4. The Princess Bride by William Goldman

This movie is one I do love, and it makes me want to write 'by S. Morganstern.' When I found out there was no such person, I was quite shocked. This book isn't perfect, Buttercup was never as strong as I wanted her too be, and Westly hitting her--makes me all sorts of grumpy. Despite those two strong dislikes, this book had a really big impact on me. Quotable, funny, quirky, and love. It had kept my imagination going for a long time.

3. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

I don't usually reread books, but I probably read this 4+ times as a teenager. There's so much tension and emotion in it. The fact that it was based on a true story scared me with it's horrificness, but also touched a place deep inside me. I've never forgotten it.

2. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

I remember forever telling people when they talked about how to get somewhere that they need to fold space and step across instead of taking the long way around. Meg and Charles Wallace were such great characters. I loved how smart Meg was.

1. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

Imagining Charlotte, her neat pressed self, slowly growing into a strong woman and sticking up for things she believes in was thrilling. I can still imagine the feel of her gloves going on over her coarse skin. The emotions that grabbed me still have me all over the place even though it's been years since I've read it.

Janeal Falor lives in Utah where she’s finally managed to live in the same house for more than five years without moving. In her spare time she reads books like they’re nuts covered in caramel and chocolate, cooks whatever strikes her fancy, and enjoys the outdoors. Her husband and three children try to keep up with her overactive imagination. Usually they settle for having dinner on the table, even if she’s still going on about the voices in her head (From the author's website)

You can check out Janeal Falor at her website, on Twitter, or on Facebook

Check back tomorrow to see my review of her book, You Are Mine.

Blog Tour: Nantucket Blue Review, Favorite Quotes, and a Giveaway!

2013-05-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

Blurb:

For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer when she’ll make the almost unattainable Jay Logan hers. A summer to surpass all dreams.

Some of this turns out to be true. Some of it doesn’t.

When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach working on her caramel-colored tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer.

But it’s the things Cricket hadn’t counted on--most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits--that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality.

A beautiful future is within her grasp, and Cricket must find the grace to embrace it. If she does, her life could be the perfect shade of Nantucket blue.

Best Bits: I don't always find myself drawn to contemporary reads, but something about this one was calling to me. I'm glad that I got the chance to read it, because it satisfied my urge for an emotional summer read. I thought that the characters and situations felt real, especially as the book went on and Cricket and Jules grow and change (seriously, if you compare their first conversation in the book to their final conversation it speaks volumes of who they are as people). I also thought that Howland did an excellent job dealing with the tragedy. I really understood the change in Jules, and felt for Cricket who couldn't help her. The romance was sweet, and didn't feel like insta-love. Seriously, I almost danced with joy about that one. It was obvious to me who male romantic lead would be, but it was still nice getting to see it happen.

The one thing that I want to rave about is the ending. No fear, there are no spoilers here. Howland doesn't tie up all of the loose ends in Cricket's life. Things are still messy at the end, and I loved that about this book. When I set down my Kindle (at 4 am after being unable to put it down) I reflected back on the book and it was nice to think about the possibilities for the future of these characters. Nantucket Blue was an emotionally satisfying read, and a must-have for summer.

Nit Picks: I actually struggled with where to rate this one, and almost took the cheater's way out by giving it two grades. I don't have any large nitpicks to address, which is always a rarity. I do wish I could have seen a bit more of some supporting characters, as we're introduced to a few who make one or two brief appearances. The conflict at the end could have been avoided, but Howland did a great job of explaining it to the reader, and as a teen I probably would have done/felt the same way.

Favorite Quotes:

"The sky was bright blue with three marshmallow clouds" -1% on Kindle

"It's better to have the morning to yourself than the evening. You don't have to feel lonely when you're alone in the morning." -44% on Kindle

Expected Publication: May 7th 2013

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Purchase: Amazon
Rating: A

About the Author

LEILA HOWLAND loves to read, explore L.A., and engage in funny and meaningful conversations with her friends and family, especially her brother who calls from Washington D.C. whenever he’s waiting for the bus. A lot gets discussed in those phone calls, but they tend to end abruptly when the bus shows up. She can really cut the rug, but wishes she could sing without people covering their ears. A graduate of Georgetown University, Leila spent five years acting in New York where she was a company member of the award-winning Flea Theater in Tribeca. It was a lot of fun and she often talks about “getting back into it.” The closest she has come was a stint as an extra on The Young and the Restless in 2010. Leila now lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two dogs. She teaches high school English and blogs for HelloGiggles. NANTUCKET BLUE is her first novel.

Official Links: leilahowland.tumblr.com | twitter.com/leilahowland

a Rafflecopter giveaway

4 Year (sort of) Blogiversary Giveaway!

2013-05-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

Source

It's official, this week Cornucopia of Reviews turns 4 years old! I don't think I ever anticipated getting to four years, especially during my hiatus when I had a dreadful reading/reviewing rut. To celebrate this occasion, and because next week is so packed with posts, I wanted to start my give away a bit early. As a thank you to everyone who has helped to keep me going, I want to giveaway some books (Juju from Tales of Whimsy, Dazzling Mage of A Reading Kabocha, Jenny from Dreaming of Books, and Mel from The Daily Prophecy get special shout outs for being fabulous, and they have awesome blogs, too!). I'm putting this post together quite late at night, so there are definitely others who deserve shout outs, and if you've taken time to come read anything I've posted here, that's you!

The contest is international, and you can pick whatever books (pre-orders, too) are on your reading list! Check out the Rafflecopter below! There are a lot of entry options, but the only one you must hit is the FREE ENTRY!

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Book Review: The Heiresses by Allison Rushby

2013-05-10T19:30:00.000-04:00

In Allison Rushby's Heiresses, three triplets--estranged since birth--are thrust together in glittering 1926 London to fight for their inheritance, only to learn they can’t trust anyone--least of all each other.

When three teenage girls, Thalia, Erato and Clio, are summoned to the excitement of fast-paced London--a frivolous, heady city full of bright young things--by Hestia, an aunt they never knew they had, they are shocked to learn they are triplets and the rightful heiresses to their deceased mother's fortune. All they need to do is find a way to claim the fortune from their greedy half-brother, Charles. But with the odds stacked against them, coming together as sisters may be harder than they think.

Best Bits: I really enjoyed the first half of this book. The setup is great, three girls are brought to London to be reunited with their Aunt who is going to help them regain their rightful fortune. Each girl has a unique personality, and wildly different values. That meant that we got to see some interesting moral dilemmas, and made the plotting and planning rather fun. This book doesn't shy away from the tough subjects. You don't really expect to read about topics like eugenics in a book like this. Rushby did a great job of fitting it in. It's hard now to remember that there was a time that this subject wasn't looked at as unethical, cruel, and illegal. Similar the other book that I reviewed this week, I think that there is some crossover potential for older teens who enjoy historical reads.

Nit Picks: This one had it's ups and downs for me. I think that Rushby could have cut out a chunk of the book just to keep the pace going. I really enjoyed the beginning of the book, but about halfway through things began to drag a bit. We got deeper into each character, but it meant we spent an extended amount of time with each girl without much forward movement of the plot. I also thought that the conflict within the sisters (Thalia) didn't hit the right chord for me. In attempting to keep this spoiler free, I think that the revelation that the readers gets at the end of the book came too late. There were a couple of hints at the beginning of the story that something is wrong, but I don't think it's enough to allow the reader to trust her. Her redemption in the story felt like the sisterhood version of insta-love.

The Heiresses
By Allison Rushby
Published by St. Martin's Griffin
352 Pages
Received for Review
Rating: C

Waiting on Wednesday (May 8)

2013-05-08T00:00:00.000-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This weekly meme shares the upcoming books that I'm most excited about.

Parallel by Lauren Miller

Abby Barnes had a plan. The Plan. She'd go to Northwestern, major in journalism, and land a job at a national newspaper, all before she turned twenty-two. But one tiny choice—taking a drama class her senior year of high school—changed all that. Now, on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, Abby is stuck on a Hollywood movie set, miles from where she wants to be, wishing she could rewind her life. The next morning, she's in a dorm room at Yale, with no memory of how she got there. Overnight, it's as if her past has been rewritten.

With the help of Caitlin, her science-savvy BFF, Abby discovers that this new reality is the result of a cosmic collision of parallel universes that has Abby living an alternate version of her life. And not only that: Abby's life changes every time her parallel self makes a new choice. Meanwhile, her parallel is living out Abby's senior year of high school and falling for someone Abby's never even met.

As she struggles to navigate her ever-shifting existence, forced to live out the consequences of a path she didn't choose, Abby must let go of the Plan and learn to focus on the present, without losing sight of who she is, the boy who might just be her soul mate, and the destiny that's finally within reach.

Published by HarperTeen
Release Date: May 14, 2013

Teaser Tuesday (May 7)

2013-05-07T00:00:00.000-04:00

What is teaser tuesday?

It's a meme hosted by Should Be Reading and here are the rules: Grab your current read...

Open to a random page

Share two teaser sentences from somewhere on the page

Don't include spoilers.

"That's right. It's a 'Knights and Damsels' party. In a castle tower."
-The Heiresses, 37% on Kindle, by Allison Rushby

Well, that was technically three sentences, but I'm surprised by how much I'm enjoying this one. It's not technically YA, so I think what I really needed was something new.

Book Review: The Office of Mercy by Ariel Djanikian

2013-05-06T07:00:00.000-04:00

A thrilling debut of a postapocalyptic world for fans of The Hunger Games

Weaving philosophy and science together into a riveting, dystopian story of love and adventure, The Office of Mercy illuminates an all-too-real future imagined by a phenomenal new voice in fiction.

Twenty-four-year-old Natasha Wiley lives in America-Five—a high-tech, underground, utopian settlement where hunger and money do not exist, everyone has a job, and all basic needs are met. But when her mentor and colleague, Jeffrey, selects her to join a special team to venture Outside for the first time, Natasha’s allegiances to home, society, and above all to Jeffrey are tested. She is forced to make a choice that may put the people she loves most in grave danger and change the world as she knows it.

The Office of Mercy is speculative fiction at its best with a deeply imagined, lush world, high-stakes adventure, and romance that will thrill fans of Suzanne Collins, Margaret Atwood, Justin Cronin, and Kazuo Ishiguro. (From Goodreads)

Best Bits: With a number of dystopian books that I've read in the past I've noticed that there tends to be a bit less gritty than I anticipate (this doesn't include every one that I've read, i.e. THG). The Office of Mercy actually did live up to my expectations in that regard. I believe that it's because it's adult fiction, and so the themes and dramatic elements has a little more freedom. Amazingly, Djanikian manages to make it hard-hitting without being overly graphic. Thus, I think it does have crossover appeal. There aren't any explicit scenes, and I think that older teens would appreciate America-Five and the ethical issues that arise in that society. There is a pretty crazy twist thrown in there, too. That always helps.

Nit Picks: Honestly, I was supposed to review this one quite a while ago, but every time I started it I had a hard time getting drawn in. It's unfortunate, because I really did enjoy the book after the first 50 pages, but Djanikian writes in a way that requires readers to be patient in waiting for explanations (although, this did allow me to make many wild, and completely wrong, guesses).

The Office of Mercy
By Ariel Djanikian
Published by Viking (adult)
320 Pages
Received for review
Rating: B

Stacking the Shelves (May 4)

2013-05-03T23:43:00.000-04:00

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews! It's a way to highlight the books that everyone got throughout the week.

Purchased:

Unsinkable: A Memoir by Debbie Reynolds

Unsinkable is the definitive memoir by film legend and Hollywood icon Debbie Reynolds.

Actress, comedienne, singer, and dancer Debbie Reynolds shares the highs and lows of her life as an actress during Hollywood’s Golden Age, anecdotes about her lifelong friendship with Elizabeth Taylor and her experiences as the foremost collector of Hollywood memorabilia, and intimate details of her marriages and family life with her children, Carrie and Todd Fisher.

A story of heartbreak, hope, and survival, “America’s Sweetheart” Debbie Reynolds picks up where she left off in her first memoir, Debbie: My Life.

The Shining by Stephen King

Danny was only five years old but in the words of old Mr Halloran he was a 'shiner', aglow with psychic voltage. When his father became caretaker of an the Overlook Hotel his visions grew frighteningly out of control.

As winter closed in and blizzards cut them off, the hotel seemed to develop a life of its own. It was meant to be empty, but who was the lady in Room 217, and who were the masked guests going up and down in the elevator? And why did the hedges shaped like animals seem so alive?

Somewhere, somehow there was an evil force in the hotel - and that too had begun to shine...

Book Review: Erasing Time by C.J. Hill

2013-05-02T00:00:00.000-04:00

When twins Sheridan and Taylor wake up 400 years in the future, they find a changed world: domed cities, no animals, and a language that's so different, it barely sounds like English. And the worst news: They can't go back home.

The twenty-fifth-century government transported the girls to their city hoping to find a famous scientist to help perfect a devastating new weapon. The same government has implanted tracking devices in the citizens, limiting and examining everything they do. Taylor and Sheridan have to find a way out of the city before the government discovers their secrets. To complicate matters, the moblike Dakine has interest in getting hold of them too. The only way for the girls to elude their pursuers is to put their trust in Echo, a guy with secrets of his own. The trio must put their faith in the unknown to make a harrowing escape into the wilds beyond the city.

Full of adrenaline-injected chases and heartbreaking confessions, Erasing Time explores the strength of the bonds between twins, the risks and rewards of trust, and the hard road to finding the courage to fight for what you believe in. (From Goodreads)

Best Bits: I absolutely adore Janette Rallison's others books (C.J. Hill is a pseudonym for her), so I had high expectations for this one. Yes, her other books tend to be funny and lighter, but I had a feeling that she could pull off sci-fi elements. She definitely did a good job with the time travel element. The process is believable, but it also doesn't delve too much into the science. Sure, we get a basic understanding of how it works, and that was enough for me...I'm not at the point that I can comprehend grand ideas as it's the end of the semester. There was also quite a twist at the end. I won't reveal it, but I can say that it took me completely by surprise and made me really reflect on what I had read up until that point. When the second book is released in September I will be interested to see what happens.

Nit Picks: I think that the reason why I didn't rate this one higher was that I didn't connect well with the characters. Typically I'm drawn into Rallison's other characters, and I really care about what happens to them. In this book I just wasn't as interested in this one. I do like the aspect of the main character being a twin, but I guess I was expecting to see more of their relationship and their backstory (there is some of this in the book, but not quite enough for me to really want them to try to find some way to get back home).

Erasing Time
By C.J. Hill
Published by Katherine Tegen Books
386 Pages
Rating: C

Waiting on Wednesday (May 1)

2013-05-01T00:37:00.003-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This weekly meme shares the upcoming books that I'm most excited about.

The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle 2) by Maggie Stiefvater

The second installment in the all-new series from the masterful, #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater!

Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same. Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after...

Published by Scholastic
Release Date: September 17, 2013

Teaser Tuesday (April 30)

2013-04-30T00:00:00.000-04:00

What is teaser tuesday?

It's a meme hosted by Should Be Reading and here are the rules: Grab your current read...

Open to a random page

Share two teaser sentences from somewhere on the page

Don't include spoilers.

"Natasha closed her eyes tightly, thinking it through. The total suffering must be kept to a minimum; that was the essence of the Ethical Code."
-The Office of Mercy, Page 41, by Ariel Djanikian

Stacking the Shelves (April 27)

2013-04-27T08:36:00.000-04:00

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews! It's a way to highlight the books that everyone got throughout the week.

Purchased

Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger

It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to finishing school.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is the bane of her mother's existence. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper etiquette at tea--and god forbid anyone see her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. She enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But little do Sophronia or her mother know that this is a school where ingenious young girls learn to finish, all right--but it's a different kind of finishing. Mademoiselle Geraldine's certainly trains young ladies in the finer arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but also in the other kinds of finishing: the fine arts of death, diversion, deceit, espionage, and the modern weaponries. Sophronia and her friends are going to have a rousing first year at school.

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Impostor (Slide 2) by Jill Hathaway

What if a killer took control of you?

Vee Bell’s gift (or curse) of “sliding”—slipping into the mind of another person and experiencing life, briefly, through his or her eyes—has been somewhat under control since she unwillingly witnessed the horrific deaths of her classmates six months ago.

But just as things are getting back to normal, Vee has a very bizarre experience: she loses consciousness and finds herself in a deserted area, at the edge of a cliff, with the broken body of the boy who took advantage of her on the rocks below.

As Vee finds herself in stranger and stranger situations with no memory of getting there, she begins to suspect that someone she knows has the ability to slide—and that this “slider” is using Vee to exact revenge on his or her enemies.

Published by Balzer + Bray

The cover model reminds me of Zenon from Disney Channel for some reason

For Review:

The Heiresses by Allison Rushby

When three teenage girls, Thalia, Erato and Clio, are summoned to the excitement of fast-paced London--a frivolous, heady city full of bright young things--by Hestia, an aunt they never knew they had, they are shocked to learn they are triplets and the rightful heiresses to their deceased mother's fortune. All they need to do is find a way to claim the fortune from their greedy half-brother, Charles. But with the odds stacked against them, coming together as sisters may be harder than they think.

Published by St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: May 7, 2013

Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland

For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer when she’ll make the almost unattainable Jay Logan hers. A summer to surpass all dreams.

Some of this turns out to be true. Some of it doesn’t.

When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach working on her caramel-colored tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer.

But it’s the things Cricket hadn’t counted on--most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits--that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality.

A beautiful future is within her grasp, and Cricket must find the grace to embrace it. If she does, her life could be the perfect shade of Nantucket blue.

Published by Disney Hyperion
Release Date: May 7, 2013

Tv on Thursday: Doctor Who

2013-04-25T01:55:00.002-04:00

Why I love it: Well, this is a ridiculously old sci-fi show, but I was introduced to it after the show was rebooted in 2005. My best friend and her family loved it, and she talked me into watching it. Now, I'm absolutely obsessed! It's the story of an alien, called The Doctor, who can travel through space and time in his time machine (called a TARDIS: Time and Relative Dimension in Space). It looks like a big blue police box, and it's bigger on the inside.

The Doctor travels with human (most of the time) companions, and we get to see him in different times, on different planets, and see different baddies. Some of them are from the classic show, and some are brand new. It doesn't matter though, because they're all awesome. In fact, some are downright scary. My favorite episode is titled Blink, and guest stars a pre-fame Carey Mulligan.

Who's who (weirdly, this is now a pun): The doctor can regenerate, making it perfect when an actor is ready to move on to different projects. I'll talk about my favorite, and the first Doctor that I watched (people tend to be attached to the first actor they see in the role). You may remember him from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as the super creepy Barty Crouch Jr., or you might have seen him in show Blackpool. He has fabulous hair, and I found his seasons to be the most emotional. Granted, I cry at just about everything TV/movie related, so it's no surprise that I cried like every episode during his run.

It's a great show that's fun to watch with my friends and family, and I love getting new people hooked on it. If you want to check it out, all of the recent seasons are on Netflix!