Cornucopia of Reviews

After Obsession by Carrie Jones & Steven E Wedel

2011-09-30T11:31:00.002-04:00

Aimee and Alan have secrets. Both teens have unusual pasts and abilities they prefer to keep hidden. But when they meet each other, in a cold Maine town, they can't stop their secrets from spilling out. Strange things have been happening lately, and they both feel that something-or someone- is haunting them. They're wrong. Despite their unusual history and powers, it's neither Aimee nor Alan who is truly haunted. It's Alan's cousin Courtney who, in a desperate plea to find her missing father, has invited a demon into her life-and into her body. Only together can Aimee and Alan exorcise the ghost. And they have to move quickly, before it devours not just Courtney but everything around her.

Filled with heart-pounding romance, paranormal activity, and rich teen characters to love-and introducing an exciting new YA voice, Steven Wedel-this novel is exactly what Carrie Jones fans have been waiting for. Meet your next obsession. (From Goodreads)

I was told that this would be a creepy read, and it didn't disappoint. Demonic possession, hauntings, and high school drama...What more could I ask for? Aimee's quiet life is turned upside down after her best friend Courtney's father disappears. Things get even more complicated when Courtney's cousin and aunt move to town. I was intrigued by Alan, whose Navajo background plays a big part in the story. This addition to the story was done really well, and I was glad to see Alan embracing his heritage. I have to add, props to Jones and Wedel for crafting a romance that doesn't involve a damsel in distress. That is my biggest YA (and adult romance) pet peeve. So, the fact that Alan and Aimee work together made their romance that much more believable.

I think that the reason why I can't rate this higher is due to the split chapters and my lack of ability to really get to know Aimee or Alan. In general, I seem to have an issue with books that switch perspective every chapter. It tends to pull me out of a book, and stops me from connecting deeply to the characters. Some people really love getting to see inside the heads of two different characters, so this issue is just a matter of personal taste.

Overall, a spooky read that's worth picking up. I'm hoping there will be a followup book so that some of my questions can be answered.

After Obsession

By Carrie Jones & Steven E Wedel

Published by Bloomsbury USA

320 Pages

Received for Review

Rating: C

Mini-Reviews

2011-09-29T09:05:00.000-04:00

It feels like it's been forever since I actually posted on here, I've been in quite a reviewing funk. I do have a review coming tomorrow for After Obsession, but here are a few mini-reviews that I thought I would post in the meantime. I'm not sure how regularly I'll be posting, but I have hope that I'll get back into the swing of things!

The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

This was a fairly quick read for me, and I enjoyed it! It's actually the book that got me out of my reading/reviewing funk. Penny has Beatles obsessed parents, and bad luck with boys. When she starts a club (the aptly named Lonely Hearts Club) that swears off boys, she's surprised at how many girls want to join.

It was a cute fluffy read, and it's a bit more about friendship than it is about relationships. Yes, there is a romance aspect to the book, but it really touches on the way that teens can sometimes loose themselves in their dating lives and loose touch with their friends.

Rating: B

Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind

An awesome start to a super long fantasy series. I finally gave in to a friend who was determined to make me read it. I was so glad that I did! Even though the page length seemed a little daunting, I got through it pretty quickly. As soon as I finished I headed straight to the library to pick up the sequel.

Engaging characters, a great story, but to those who are a bit squeamish, there are a couple of violent scenes. Frankly, this book just has too much going on within it to break it down into a couple of paragraphs. If you like a good fantasy read, check this out.

Rating: A

Waiting on Wednesday (September 21)

2011-09-21T01:16:00.001-04:00

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

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

Published by HarperCollins
Release Date: May 2012

Teaser Tuesday (September 20)

2011-09-20T00:00:00.004-04:00

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.
"Richard came awake with a start. Warm midday light filled the room, and the wonderful, tangy aroma of spice soup filled his lungs."

Wizard's First Rule, page 103, by Terry Goodkind

Teaser Tuesday (September 6)

2011-09-06T08:44:00.000-04:00

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.

"He is all eager cuteness. There's a big thump upstairs, which makes us jump."
-After Obsession, Page 10, by Carrie Jones & Steven E Wedel

Waiting on Wednesday (August 17)

2011-08-17T10:21:00.006-04:00

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

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted.

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

Published by Hyperion

Release Date: March 13, 2012

Teaser Tuesday (August 16)

2011-08-16T01:11:00.000-04:00

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.

"Late summer was not the season for a freezing wind. Worse, nothing around me had ruffled in the wind - not the tall grass on the bank or the needles of the nearby pines."

-Hereafter, Pages 39, by Tara Hudson

Book Review: The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

2011-08-04T00:21:00.002-04:00

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget. (From Goodreads)

Although the synopsis says it's fairy tale and romance, The Near Witch also had a well-crafted eerie vibe to it. As with most of the YA that I like, the romance between Lexi and Cole didn't overpower Lexi's story. She had a strong personality, and that didn't fall prey to the "damsel in distress" phenomenon (and everyone knows how I feel about that).

Another aspect of this book that I enjoyed was the question of who/what was behind the disappearances of the children. I had flashbacks to the film The Village, and became suspicious of just about every character. I really mean almost every character. I went through a chapter where I was debating whether Lexi was somehow involved in it. I won't spoil it for anyone who has yet to grab a copy, but I really loved the thrill of the mystery.

I do wish that there had been some greater exploration of the witch's past. Really, I just wanted the book to be a bit longer. Schwab's ability to craft a story and make the setting seem real kept me hooked. I'm definitely looking forward to more!

The Near Witch

By Victoria Schwab

Published by Hyperion

288 Pages

Received for Review

Rating: B

Waiting on Wednesday (August 3)

2011-08-03T01:00:00.000-04:00

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

The Girl in the Mirror by Sarah Gristwood

Jeanne, a young French exile orphaned by the wars of religion on the continent, is brought to London as a young girl disguised as a boy. Growing up, the disguise has not been shed and she finds a living as a clerk, ending up in the household of Robert Cecil. As she witnesses the intrigues and plots swirling round the court of Elizabeth I in the last days of Gloriana’s reign, she finds herself sucked into the orbit of the dashing and ambitious young favourite, the Earl of Essex. The queen draws near to the end of her life, with no heir to follow, and the stakes are high.

As Essex hurtles towards self-destruction, Jeanne finds her loyalties, her disguise and her emotions under threat – in a political climate where the least mistake can attract dire penalties.

This is a beautifully written and evocative novel, rich with the details of life and politics of Elizabeth I’s court. Jeanne’s struggle for survival and love is interwoven with her passionate pull towards the gardens she documents, a lovely and seductive backdrop to the novel.

Published by HarperPress

Release Date: June 9, 2011

*So technically this has been out for almost two months, but it's new to me so I wanted to post about it. What are you waiting on this week?

Waiting on Wednesday (July 27)

2011-07-27T01:21:00.002-04:00

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

Bewitching by Alex Flinn

Kendra Hilferty, the witch who curses Kyle Kingsbury in Beastly, tells about her immortal existence—how she discovered she was a witch and the various ways she has used her powers to help people throughout the centuries. (Unfortunately her attempts have often backfired.) As it turns out, Kendra has actually had a hand in "Hansel and Gretel," "The Princess and the Pea," and "The Little Mermaid"—but these are not the fairy tales you think you know! Kendra’s reminiscences are wrapped around a real-time version of "Cinderella," except the “ugly” stepsister is the good guy. With dark twists, hilarious turns, and unexpected endings, Bewitching is a contemporary read for fairy-tale lovers, fantasy fans, and anyone looking for more Alex Flinn.

Published by HarperTeen

Release Date: February 14, 2012

Book Review: Paradise Rules by Jimmy Gleacher and Contest

2011-07-22T00:46:00.004-04:00

TRUE OR F A L S E ?

It’s only a week into summer break and already seventeen-year-old Gates has . . .

a) Hustled millionaires on the golf course

b) Tried to stop his mother from having a(nother) nervous breakdown

c) Promised to lose his virginity with his girlfriend, Mel . . . which would be great if he hadn’t already lost it to his forty-year-old godmother

d) Almost killed a man

Yeah, Gates has a lot of secrets, but he’s determined to keep his heart true. When he’s not swinging golf clubs like a pro, he reads pulp fiction to old folks at the retirement home. And despite his occasional slip-ups—drinking before noon and sneaking glimpses through his sexy godmother’s open negligees—Gates only has eyes for Mel. But she knows he’s hiding something, and she’s beginning to lose her patience.

Just as Gates is about to spill his shameful secrets, he gets tangled up in a golf club scandal that jeopardizes his dreams of a normal life. He’s never been a fighter, but this time he finally pushes back at the world—which could have been a breakthrough but turns into an epic fail. Probably because Gates fights back dirty. Now his life is on the verge of ruin, and he’s got no one to turn to for help.

Or so he thinks. Because what Gates is about to discover might hit him with the most amazing shock of his life. (From Goodreads)

Gates has one crazy chaotic life. He's got a mother who hasn't been present in his life since her "breakdown", and a godmother who is all sorts of vile. His girlfriend is worried that he doesn't find her beautiful, and the majority of his income comes from ripping people off during golf games. If that doesn't intrigue you I'm not sure what will.

I'm fairly certain that in Alicia I found my most hated character of 2011. Even as I'm writing this review I'm still thinking about how horrible she is! She's a well-developed character, but due to her lack of redeeming qualities, I have a feeling that every single person who reads this book will despise her. It's pretty clear in the synopsis of the book how she takes advantage of people. In the book her background as a psychologist has given her all the ammo that she needs to manipulate others to do as she pleases. Her impact on Gates is extremely negative, and will follow him for the rest of his life. Although, in a way it's because of all the emotional turmoil caused by her that Gates is able to grow as a character. He sees the person that he is around Alicia, and makes a conscious decision to move forward.

There is a fair amount of swearing and discussions around/scenes involving sex, and since some readers tend to avoid that I did want to mention it in this review. Gleacher gave us a well-written YA story from the male perspective that was both funny and heartbreaking. He never shied away from the tough subjects, and I really appreciated the way the story unfolded because of that. The male point of view is a rarity in YA fiction, and I'm hoping to see more of it from Gleacher.

Paradise Rules
By Jimmy Gleacher
Published by Simon & Schuster
320 Pages
Received for Review
Rating: B

The publisher has been kind enough to offer two copies to give away (US only). So enter below by 7/30 at 11:59 EST to win.

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Waiting on Wednesday (July 20)

2011-07-20T00:01:00.000-04:00

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

*I'm not sure this is the final cover. Since it hasn't been added the author's site, consider it temporary.

A Million Suns (Across the Universe 2) by Beth Revis

It’s been three months since Elder unplugged Amy, tearing her from her family and the life she always knew. Now, Eldest is dead and Orion awaits judgment for his murder as a frozen. Elder is finally free to enact his vision for the ship’s population—no more Phydus, no more lies.
But when Elder learns harrowing news about the ship, he and Amy are sent on a race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, all the while dealing with the romance that’s growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart.
Beth Revis wows us again with a brilliantly crafted mystery filled with action, suspense, romance, and deep philosophical questions. And this time it all boils down to one mind-bending conclusion: They have to get off this ship.

Published by Razorbill

Release Date: January 10, 2012

Book Review: Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

2011-07-18T16:14:00.007-04:00

Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life: Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners.

There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long — and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous, and that is . . . the emerald is cursed.
Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. After all, she has her best friend — the gorgeous Hale — and the rest of her crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses and realizing that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless this time. (From Goodreads)

Ally Carter clearly has a knack for writing book series. Not only does she continue to come up with interesting plots, but she delves deeper into each character as the books go on. This was really true of Kat, who has developed into a big of a heist-junkie since we last saw her. She doesn't think she needs any help to continue her vigilante thieving, and it's clearly going to get her in trouble. Hale is (still) a bit of a dreamboat. He clearly cares for Kat, and steps in when she gets herself into trouble. What really makes him a great romantic lead is that when he does attempt to help Kat, it never feels like he's rescuing a damsel in distress. Plus, their romance is developing quite nicely, but the ultimate question still remains. What is his first name?

Kat has gotten herself into a bit of trouble in Uncommon Criminals. She's enlisted to steal back the Cleopatra Emerald by a woman who claims that it was stolen from her parents who discovered it. Well, I don't want to give away the plot, but all is not as it seems. Once again Carter has written a story that keeps me interested from start to finish, and involves a seemingly impossible heist.

According to Carter's blog, it's likely that there will be at least two more books in this series. I'm confident that she'll continue to explore each of the characters without the story ever feeling sequel-ish (read: unnecessary). So, here's hoping the third book is released soon!

Uncommon Criminals (Heist Society 2)
By Ally Carter
Published by Hyperion
298 Pages
Received for review
Rating: B

Waiting on Wednesday (July 13)

2011-07-13T00:57:00.001-04:00

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

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Published by Dutton

Release Date: September 29, 2011

Teaser Tuesday (July 12)

2011-07-12T00:44:00.000-04:00

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.

In honor of the final Harry Potter movie being released, here's a teaser from the book:

"When he straightened up again, there were six Harry Potters gasping and panting in front of him.

Fred and George turned to each other and said together, "Wow--we're identical!"

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Page 51, by J.K. Rowling

Book Review: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

2011-07-08T01:18:00.001-04:00

What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.

Instead, it turns out to be her last.

Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

I'm going to be pretty concise with this review, because I'm afraid I'll give something away to anyone who hasn't read it. Sam Kingston is a mean girl. She and her friends torment others, flirt with their teachers, and generally make poor life choices. This didn't make it easy to like or relate to her. Things don't go as planned one night after a party, and Sam ends up dead...well, almost dead. She repeats the final day of her life tweaking things, and going down very different paths. It's rough, but it gives her a chance to look at the kind of person she really is.

Like Hate List, this was another book I've picked up this summer that was both hard to read, and excellently done. There was something really engrossing about the way that Oliver told the story. Even though I didn't like Sam I had to know what was going to happen to her. I was torn between wanting her to find a way to live, and having her die after making her peace. I think that Oliver could have easily crossed the line from believable to cheesy, but she didn't. Sam's choices felt true to her character, and her growth over the course of the book was amazing. I'm not saying that my opinion of her completely changed by the last chapter, but I was able to appreciate the choices that she made. They really made the ending of the book all the more moving.

Before I Fall

By Lauren Oliver

Published by HarperCollins

470 Pages

Borrowed

Rating: A

Waiting on Wednesday (July 6)

2011-07-06T09:56:00.002-04:00

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

Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy — a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest.

But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I'm determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why—especially since I should have been the one who died. . .

Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation

Release Date: July 26, 2011

Teaser Tuesday (July 5)

2011-07-05T00:59:00.000-04:00

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.

"But we weren't going anywhere. The headlights didn't show."

-Trapped, Page 3, by Michael Northrop

Book Battle 2011: Round 2 Pick

2011-07-02T13:34:00.000-04:00

Well, the time has come to announce the winner of the bracket that Melissa and I shared (Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress vs Out of My Mind). I'm just going to briefly share what I thought about both, and let you know the winner. If you're interested in checking out Melissa's post, you can find it here!

There was really no contest about which book was the winner, we both agreed that Out of My Mind beat out Prom Dress. The story was moving, the characters were believable, and most importantly I think that there's something in it that everyone can relate to. The story and the characters were so compelling that I found myself tearing up during a couple of scenes. So, a big two thumbs up from me!

Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress was the first book that we read, and it was cute. Unfortunately, most of the characters fell flat for me. When I wanted to see more about Nic's family, I got drama at school. Portions just played into the fluffy YA novel cliches, and that was what really disappointed me. When chatting with Melissa about this I brought up my thought that it may have been that there were too many different stories, Nic's family drama, two guys competing for her, a looming fight with her best friend, and the mean girls. I believe that Ferraro would have been able to develop the characters while simultaneously expanding on one or two plot points.

As always, check out The Shady Glade for more information on the book battle!

Book Review: Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

2011-07-01T02:58:00.001-04:00

Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.

Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies? (From Goodreads)

I haven't read Harvey's Drake Chronicles, but I jumped at the to read her upcoming mystery/romance about spiritualists and ghosts. Violet is an accessory to a con run by her mother. She helps fool the wealthy into believing that her mother is a spiritualist, able to speak to the loved ones of the upper class citizens in England. Together with her mother, and their servants Colin and Marjorie, they head off to the estate of Lord Jasper to hold seances. While there, Violet comes to the realization that she has the ability to see ghosts, the real ones. This leads to a murder mystery that had me on the edge of my seat, and guessing right up until the big reveal. Not only that, but there were a couple of scenes that creeped me out (I read them at night, bad choice).

I don't expect every historical fiction novel, YA or not, to have complete historical accuracy. Harvey didn't live in Victorian England, but it's clear that she did he research. If you check out her blog she even has some photographs posted showing the fashions mentioned within the book. I'm not a qualified historical facts nitpicker, but nothing seemed out of place. I always appreciate when an author mentions upfront that they spent their time going over information about the setting in which they've chosen to place their characters.

Although I loved it, I can definitely see how some readers will wish that Violet had been a bit more developed, and the romance seemed to come about rather quickly. I personally didn't feel this way, because the mystery kept me in such suspense. Violet was battling between hating the way her mother conned the upper class as a means to raise their family in society, and still feeling some loyalty to the (negligent) woman.

All in all, it was an enjoyable historical mystery. I'm really hoping that Harvey decides to write a follow-up book so that we can see more of the characters.

Haunting Violet
By Alyxandra Harvey
Published by Walker Children's Books
352 Pages
Received for Review
Rating: A

Waiting on Wednesday (June 29)

2011-06-29T01:57:00.000-04:00

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

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune, and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

In Dearly, Departed, steampunk meets romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

Published by Del Rey Books

Release Date: October 18, 2011

Best Overlooked Book Battle

2011-06-27T05:16:00.000-04:00

I received my book assignments and co-judge for round 2 of the Best Overlooked Book Battle 2011, and I just wanted to do a follow-up post about it. My co-judge is Melissa of My Chaotic Ramblings We've finished one book, and by the time this post goes up we'll have chatted about it and started the second book in our bracket. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just tell you to keep an eye out at The Shady Glade for our results.

In My Mailbox (June 26)

2011-06-26T00:49:00.005-04:00

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi of The Story Siren, who was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. All of the synopses you see below were found on Goodreads. Here are the books I got this week...

I haven't done an IMM in quite some time, and I wanted to do a special shout out thank you to a couple of people this week. I'll start with some news, I got a new job! I'm not sure what days I'm working, but I know it will be a full-time position. So, add this on to school and I'm not sure what the fall is going to be like in terms of blogging. I'm definitely going to keep it up and running, and try to get as much as possible done in advance. Still, I'm sure that for the first couple of weeks things are probably going to be a bit of an adventure. On to the books...

Won:

From Kismet Book Touring I was lucky enough to win an Amazon Kindle as part of the book tour for Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini! This included a Starcrossed skin (seen in the photo) and the e-book version of Josephine's book. So, a huge thanks goes out to them :)

For Review:

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

Release Date: August 2, 2011

Uncommon Criminals (Heist Society 2) by Ally Carter

From Bad to Cursed by Katie Alender

Alexis is the last girl you'd expect to sell her soul. She already has everything she needs--an adorable boyfriend, the perfect best friend, and a little sister who’s finally recovering after being possessed by an evil spirit, then institutionalized. Alexis is thrilled when her sister joins a club; new friends are just what Kasey needs. It’s strange, though, to see how fast the girls in The Sunshine Club go from dorky and antisocial to gorgeous and popular. Soon Alexis learns that the girls have pledged an oath to a seemingly benevolent spirit named Aralt. Worried that Kasey's in over her head again, Alexis and her best friend Megan decide to investigate by joining the club themselves. At first, their connection with Aralt seems harmless. Alexis trades in her pink hair and punky clothes for a mainstream look, and quickly finds herself reveling in her newfound elegance and success. Instead of fighting off the supernatural, Alexis can hardly remember why she joined in the first place. Surely it wasn't to destroy Aralt...why would she hurt someone who has given her so much, and asked for so little in return?

Another huge thanks to Jamie at Disney Publishing Worldwide for the chance to read and review some of my most anticipated 2011 reads!

Purchased:

Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress by Tina Ferraro

Sophomore year, Nicolette Antonovich was dumped two days before prom by the hottest guy at school. As a result, she became the proud owner of one unworn, perfectly magical pink vintage dress. But Nic is determined to put that night behind her for good. She's a junior now— older, wiser, and completely overwhelmed by a new set of problems: (1) The bank's ready to foreclose on her childhood home. (2) Her father's too busy with his "replacement" daughter to care. (3) Her best friend's brother is an eternal thorn in her side. (4) Her best friend isn't exactly the rose attached to that thorn. (5) Rumors are flying around school that could get her kicked off the volleyball team, which would (6) ruin all chances of a college scholarship. (7) She still likes the boy who dumped her in the first place. (8) And what in the world do you do with an unworn prom dress, anyway? Strangely, it's getting to the bottom of this last dilemma that just might hold the answer to all Nic's problems.

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

Eleven-year-old Melody has a photographic memory. Her head is like a video camera that is always recording. Always. And there's no delete button. She's the smartest kid in her whole school - but no one knows it. Most people - her teachers and doctors included - don't think she's capable of learning, and up until recently her school days consisted of listening to the same preschool-level alphabet lessons again and again and again.
If only she could speak up, if only she could tell people what she thinks and knows... but she can't, because Melody can't talk. She can't walk. She can't write.
Being stuck inside her head is making Melody go out of her mind - that is, until she discovers something that will allow her to speak for the first time ever. At last Melody has a voice... but not everyone around her is ready to hear it.

Borrowed:

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Instead, it turns out to be her last.

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, Hereafter is a sensation you won't want to miss.

Author Interview: Myra McEntire

2011-06-24T01:49:00.000-04:00

A huge thanks to Myra for taking the time to answer a couple of questions about her first YA novel, Hourglass. You can check out her blog here: http://myramcentire.blogspot.com/

1.Can you describe Hourglass in a few quick words? It's about a girl who sees what she thinks could be ghosts. They ARE NOT.

2.Hourglass is your first book, can you describe your journey to getting published?

I went the traditional route - finished, revised manuscript, queried agents, revised for my agent, agent submitted to Egmont!

3. The book deals with time travel, and the book doesn't shy away from describing the science behind it. What inspired you to write about this topic, and how long did it take you to research it?

I ended up writing time travel because I wanted the book to be different from other paranormal books out there. And I did a LOT of research - many hours worth. I still do actually!

4. I found it extremely easy to relate to Emerson, and enjoyed watching her grow as a character while she came to terms with her ability. Were any of her characteristics inspired by people in your life, or personal experiences? Definitely the edit button. Mine is ALSO broken.

5. I was excited to find out that you've already sold the sequel to Hourglass! Can you give us any hints as to what Emerson will be facing in book two? I wish I could. But I have been forbidden by my publisher! (And they sign the checks, yo!)

Mini-Reviews

2011-06-23T01:52:00.002-04:00

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

I'd heard a lot of great things about this one, so I was setting myself up for a bit of disappointment. While I liked most of the characters, I was kind of hoping for a heroine who didn't need to be rescued by her vampire lover. Still, Diana was a strong, stubborn character...so even though there were some portions where she relied on Matthew, she did hold her own when faced with angry witches.

During the first chapters there was more telling than showing. It set up a lot of Diana's past, but I'd rather spend 20 extra pages seeing it happen, rather than being told it. I will say that Harkness must have done an immense amount of research, and it showed in her writing. Things were extremely detailed, and that managed to keep my attention throughout all 500+ pages.

Overall, it didn't meet my high expectations, and fell victim to some vampire cliches. I did appreciate all of the detail Harkness put into it, however.

Rating: C

The Hate List by Jennifer Brown

I can't really say that I "enjoyed" this book, because it was extremely tough subject matter. I think I'd describe it as a phenomenally written book about the tragedy and aftermath of a school shooting. Valerie and her boyfriend Nick are the outcasts, and they're treated badly by their fellow schoolmates. Together they've created a Hate List, which includes various different people/things that they despise. Still, Valerie doesn't expect Nick to exact revenge by taking a gun to school and shooting classmates, a teacher, and then himself.

I can't say that this book ends happily, that would have been horribly unrealistic. In a way, I wanted things to work out with her father (who I wanted to smack upside the head in basically every scene he was in), but tying everything up nicely would have ruined all of the growth we saw in Valerie. Instead, the book leaves readers with the understanding that the impact of the shooting has altered who Valerie is. She's changed completely from the girl in the flashback scenes, and she's ready to begin a new life.

Rating: A