Epic Book Adventures

Fated Trailer and a Giveaway!

2012-05-24T12:51:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone, today I have the trailer for Alyson Noel's newest book Fated (The Soul Seekers #1) and a giveaway!

The first book in a magnificent new series about a girl who can navigate between the worlds of the living and the dead by #1 New York Times bestselling author Alyson Noël.

Lately strange things have been happening to Daire Santos. Animals follow her, crows mock her, and glowing people appear out of nowhere. Worried that Daire is having a nervous breakdown, her mother packs her off to stay in the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico with a grandmother she’s never met.

There she crosses paths with Dace, a gorgeous guy with unearthly blue eyes who she’s encountered before...but only in her dreams. And she’ll get to know her grandmother—a woman who recognizes Daire’s bizarre episodes for what they are. A call to her true destiny as a Soul Seeker, one who can navigate between the worlds of the living and the dead. Her grandmother immediately begins teaching her to harness her powers—but it’s an art that must be mastered quickly. Because Dace’s brother is an evil shape-shifter who’s out to steal her powers. Now Daire must embrace her fate as a Soul Seeker and find out if Dace is one guy she’s meant to be with...or if he’s allied with the enemy she’s destined to destroy.

The book looks so good! What did you guys think of the trailer?

And now for the giveaway! Thanks to Deb Shapiro and Company I get to giveaway four copies of Fated, one is signed and the rest are not! It is a pretty awesome giveaway!

Rules:

US Only
4 Winners (One person will get a signed copy and three people will get an unsigned copy)
Leave a comment with your name and e-mail!
Ends 6/3 (My birthday!)
Winners will e-mailed and have 24 hours to respond or new winners will be chosen, and they will be listed on this post once the giveaway ends.

That's it, pretty easy right?

Thanks for visiting my blog, it is much appreciated!

Pre order Fated by Alyson Noel, and get a special gift!

2012-04-28T16:59:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone I have a really exciting promotion to tell you about for Alyson Noel's newest book, Fated, book #1 in The Soul Seekers series!

If you pre-order Fated in any format, before it's release date 5/22, and submit your receipt you can receive a cool pair of soul seeker inspired earrings! Make sure to go to this site and read all the rules.

Here is what they look like, aren't they pretty?

Ashes By Ilsa J. Bick Giveaway (Two Winners) CLOSED

2012-04-06T16:22:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone, so today on the 6th of April my spring break started! Heck Yeah! I am pretty pumped to get some majorly needed reading time. So in honor of my spring break starting I am giving away two copies of Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick. I handed out copies of this book at the midnight release of The Hunger Games and I handed all of them out except these two, there were not a lot of people at my midnight showing of the movie! The books cover and info are located below as well as the giveaway rules!

It could happen tomorrow . . .

An electromagnetic pulse flashes across the sky, destroying every electronic device, wiping out every computerized system, and killing billions.

Alex hiked into the woods to say good-bye to her dead parents and her personal demons. Now desperate to find out what happened after the pulse crushes her to the ground, Alex meets up with Tom—a young soldier—and Ellie, a girl whose grandfather was killed by the EMP.

For this improvised family and the others who are spared, it’s now a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human.

Author Ilsa J. Bick crafts a terrifying and thrilling novel about a world that could be ours at any moment, where those left standing must learn what it means not just to survive, but to live amidst the devastation.

Giveaway Rules:

2 winners, each get a new hardback copy of Ashes!
US only, I am so sorry to those who live internationally, shipping is so expensive and I can't afford it!
Be a GFC follower, this giveaway is to thank my followers, so following is required! If you do not have GFC, you can follow by Linky followers or e-mail.
Leave a comment with your GFC follower name, or your linky follower name, or e-mail you follow by. Also leave your e-mail so I can contact you if you win!
Ends 4/16
Winners will be contacted by e-mail, and will have 48 hours to respond before I choose a new winner. The winners names will be posted on this post at the end of the giveaway!

Winners are Grigory and Christina!
Thanks to all that entered!

In My Mailbox (#1)

2012-04-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

As all you know, In My Mailbox is hosted by the lovely Kristi, from The Story Siren. IMM is a great way to share what bookish goodies we got during the week!

For this IMM, I made my shih tzu, Cocoa pose with all of the books, I felt bad because she wasn't happy about it! Looking at these pictures makes me realize she really needs a haircut, it looks like she can't see, poor little thing!

Won:

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley (Won from Random Buzzers)
*Signed!* Destiny by Laura DeLuca and a little Destiny card and a box of incense. (Won from Shooting Stars Mag)
*Signed!* Starters by Lissa Price I also got five signed Starters bookmarks and a signed Slide by Jill Hathaway bookmark and a pretty dragon necklace, which refused to photograph nicely, so is not shown. (Won from Lissa's random Twitter follower giveaway)
The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe and A Minimergency Kit for her (Won from Harmony's Radiant Reads)

Gifted:

Cinder by Marissa Meyer (My Mommy bought me this!)

For Review:

Elemental by Emily White and some swag! (Got from Spencer Hill Press)

HUGE thanks to Random Buzzers, Shooting Stars Mag, Lissa Price, Harmony from Harmony's Radiant Reads, My Mommy, and Spencer Hill Press!

Reasons For My absence From Blogging

2012-03-26T20:59:00.001-05:00

So you may... or may not have noticed that I haven't been posting a whole lot since I started this blog. I have a reason, but I still feel terrible about it. The main reason why I don't post daily is I go to school, and my classes, are taking up so much time, they are totally kicking my butt. When I get home all I want to do is plant myself on my couch or in my bed and just lay there, that means no reading, which means no reviews, which takes away the purpose of this blog. All of this is done after I do the three hours of homework each night. I am exhausted, I can't wait to be done for the the year and for it to be summer, and endless reading!

I think what I really need to do is start out a sort of schedule to organize my blogging and schoolwork priorities, and find a way to make it all work. Any ideas?

See you later for now! I am trying to do more, and I will, I don't let myself fail!

$500 Amazon Giftcard giveaway at Sparkling Reviews

2012-03-13T21:11:00.002-05:00

Sparkling Reviews is holding a giveaway for a $500 Amazon gift card! I can't even believe that this giveaway is happening, $500 gift card to Amazon, that could eliminate every book on my want list, and provide much more! Amazing! So go enter!

Enter Here!!!!

Review and GIVEAWAY of Revealing Eden plus an interview with the author, Victoria Foyt!

2012-03-01T01:00:00.000-06:00

Publisher: Sand Dollar Press

Date: January 10, 2012
Series or Standalone: Series (Save the Pearls, #1)
ISBN: 0983650322
Format: Hardcover, 307 pages
Source: Publisher
Cover thoughts: Fits the story very well!

First line: Eden jumped at the sound of approaching steps.

Description: Eden Newman must mate before her 18th birthday in six months or she'll be left outside to die in a burning world. But who will pick up her mate-option when she's cursed with white skin and a tragically low mate-rate of 15%? In a post-apocalyptic, totalitarian, underground world where class and beauty are defined by resistance to an overheated environment, Eden's coloring brands her as a member of the lowest class, a weak and ugly Pearl. If only she can mate with a dark-skinned Coal from the ruling class, she'll be safe. Just maybe one Coal sees the Real Eden and will be her salvation her co-worker Jamal has begun secretly dating her. But when Eden unwittingly compromises her father's secret biological experiment, she finds herself in the eye of a storm and thrown into the last area of rainforest, a strange and dangerous land. Eden must fight to save her father, who may be humanity's last hope, while standing up to a powerful beast-man she believes is her enemy, despite her overwhelming attraction. Eden must change to survive but only if she can redefine her ideas of beauty and of love, along with a little help from her "adopted aunt" Emily Dickinson.

The plot is very different than anything I have ever read, it is very unique. It is set in a time where the darker your skin, the higher your social status. Eden is a "pearl" (Caucasian) and covers her skin with brown gunk to make herself appear darker, but she still doesn't get treated fairly by the "coals" (darker skinned people). It is an example of race inequality, and how some people still feel like they are superior to another race and that was sad to see. An interesting part of the story is that if Eden doesn't find a "mate" before her 18th birthday, she will be set out in the sun to die. How can people do that to someone? That's crazy.

The setting was completely different than anything I have read. The sun being a killer? I can't imagine a world without the sun, that would be so crazy! The world Eden lives in was very technologically advanced. Eden wore headgear, that allows you to mentally see any place and time, that would be so cool! It would also be a great escape for Eden and an entertaining tool. The whole setting was awesome, from the jungle and the compound where Eden lived, hidden from the sun and the way it was described was phenomenal.

The romance aspect was something I didn't exactly believe at first. I thought Bramford was a jerk, he was. But after a while I could see why Eden was attracted to him. The tension kept building between the two and it was like, why can't they just make out already? It is bound to happen. At the end of the book, I wanted more, and can't wait to see what happens next!

Revealing Eden was a exciting and original, I can't wait for Part 2!

Now for the interview!

Victoria Foyt is an author and filmmaker. Her debut novel, The Virtual Life of Lexie Diamond, released in ’07 by HarperCollins, is a Young Adult coming-of-age mystery thriller. It achieved excellent critical reviews, including a five star, “must-read” rating from TeansReadToo.com, and was recommended by the Center for Children’s Books. Save The Pearls Part One REVEALING EDEN is a Young Adult, post-apocalyptic, science-fiction romance novel that deals with beauty and race will be released late fall 2011.

During her film career, Victoria co-wrote and starred in four critically acclaimed feature films, Going Shopping (2005), Déjà Vu (1997), Last Summer in the Hamptons (1995) and Babyfever (1994), which were helmed by indie film director Henry Jaglom. She also co-wrote Festival in Cannes (2001) and appeared in Venice/Venice (2002). She also has written articles for O At Home, Harper’s Bazaar, and Film & Video.
AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women awarded Victoria a place in its coveted program in 2002, which led her to write and direct a critically acclaimed short film, The Sweet Spot, starring Jennifer Grant and Carl Weathers. Variety critic Scott Foundas called it “a deliciously funny satire,” and the film played on PBS on Hollywood: Fine Cut, as well as at many major film festivals.
Victoria has appeared on Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight, E! Entertainment, HBO, CNN-TV, Showbiz Today, ABC Radio, Turner TV Entertainment Report, TNT Rough Cuts, and Westwood One Radio, and received extensive coverage on Siskel & Ebert. Local appearances have included HTTV Good Day LA, The KTLA Morning News, OLA TV Canada, CJRT Radio NY, WOR-Radio NY, and NBC Weekend Today-New York.
Victoria has been featured in Vogue Magazine, O at Home, Elle Magazine, Movieline, Venice Magazine, Avenue Magazine, Night Magazine, Moviemaker Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, La Opinion, Miami New Times, Dramalogue, and Backstage West, among others. She has hosted book signings and Q&A sessions around the country with forums up to 3000 people, as well as at many major film festivals, including Toronto, Jerusalem, London, Miami, New York and Los Angeles.
Raised in Coral Gables, Florida, Victoria attended the University of Miami and received her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and French with a double minor in German and business. Later, she studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York, the Beverly Hills Playhouse in Los Angeles, private acting classes with Geraldine Baron and many UCLA Extension film courses. She cites her primary literary influence as Ernest Hemingway, and counts Don Quixote and Gone with the Wind as two of her favorite books. Victoria currently lives in Santa Monica, California with her two children and a lot of books.

Q and A:

What was your greatest childhood dream?

I wanted a fabulous collection of clothes for my Barbie doll! I begged my mother to sew things for her. I still have tucked away in the closet Barbie and Ken, and the shiny black carrying case. Barbie was very important to me in a house full of brothers.

Did you know you always wanted to be a writer?

I recall how stunned I was the day I finished reading The Count of Monte Cristo in my early teens. How could a book enthrall me to the point where I could barely put it down? Since that moment, I have wanted to be a writer. In college, I studied foreign languages, which deepened my love of words and prose. Later, I had the opportunity to write screenplays, which helped hone my use of dialogue, location and story structure. As an actress, my understanding of character grew by leaps and bounds. For me, writing novels is a chance to bring together all that I’ve learned and fulfill my heart’s desire.

What is your favorite book?

Yikes, one favorite book? What an impossible task. The themes of romance and loss have attracted me as a reader, though I never realized it until now. Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With The Wind greatly influenced me at an early age, and perhaps, is my favorite novel. I also can see how it influenced Revealing Eden. Scarlett and Eden, cast out of their familiar worlds, must learn to survive in an unfamiliar, dangerous place. And they both misunderstand the tragic heroes they love, respectively, Rhett Butler and Ronson Bramford. In Save The Pearls Part Two and Three, we come to realize the destructiveness of war, which is, of course, a big theme in Gone With The Wind.

What inspired you to write this book? Or where did you get the idea for it?

I can only describe from where some of the pieces sprang. The source of the overall idea for Revealing Eden (Save The Pearls Part One) is a mystery to me, and I hope it stays that way.

The post-apocalyptic scenario grew from my deep concern about the loss of our natural environment. I wondered what would happen if global warming turned today’s prevailing beauty standards upside down? In the story, because Caucasians have less melanin in their skin to protect them from the sun’s burning rays, they are branded as inferior Pearls. Dark-skinned people, or Coals, have more resistance to the Heat, and therefore, now rule society. Eden Newman, a lithe blue-eyed blonde, would be considered gorgeous in our day, while in the future she has to beg for a mate or suffer an early death. The direction in which my wonderings took me greatly surprised me, as it often does.

Like Eden, I wasn’t sure if love existed. I’d been burned and decided that true love was a hoax invented by greeting card companies. I suppose I was trying to work out my feelings in this book. Luckily, just as my protagonist learns to open her heart and fall in love, so did I!

What do you do when you are not writing?

In contrast to the quietude of writing, I’m a whirling dervish of activity the rest of my day. I try to exercise frequently in order to combat the long hours of sitting at my desk. And then, the management of family and household occupies a lot of time. I meditate each morning before I begin writing, which really helps me forget about my day-to-day cares and enter the dream world of my story. My biggest luxury: once a month I have a massage at home. Ahhh!

Who is your favorite character in your book?

I love Eden Newman’s courage in the face of oppression. Her willingness to open her heart when she’s been raised to believe that love is dead and all that matters is evolutionary climbing inspired me, too. I journey with her as she overcomes her fears and learns self-acceptance, and even, love.

Are any of the characters in your book based on people in real life?

All the time, though they might not recognize themselves! Often, I don’t see the resemblance, either, until the book is done. Writers draw from everything and everyone in their lives. The trick is to artfully weave the fabric of your life into the story so that the seams don’t show. Sometimes, I’m also base characters on public figures. In Revealing Eden, Sir Richard Branson, the head of Virgin, inspired the romantic hero Ronson Bramford. If extreme solar radiation killed off most of the white race, I bet Branson would develop cutting technology to solve the problem, just as Bramford does.

Giveaway!

Thanks to The publisher and author, I have a signed and personalized copy of Revealing Eden to give away to one lucky US Winner!

Rules:

Leave a Comment with e-mail address and tell me why you want to read Revealing Eden!
US Only
Extra Entry if you follow my blog, please leave GFC name.
Ends 3/15

That's it!

Winner will be revealed on this post at the end of the giveaway!

Winner is Krista!

Get more info/buy the book:
Amazon ||| IndieBound ||| Book Depository ||| Barnes & Noble

Author on the web:
Facebook ||| Twitter ||| Website

Cool Sites/ Videos
Website ||| Youtube

So where exactly is my blog going?

2012-02-28T20:40:00.004-06:00

Lately I have been seeing all sorts of blog posts about what bloggers are doing about there blogs and what direction they see it going. These posts got me thinking, where exactly do I want my blog to go. I have contemplated this since I started this blog two months ago, and that is probably why I haven't been doing many posts, except for reviews.

And that brings me to my next point. Reviews. I simply find it challenging to put my thoughts on books into words. It takes me an hour to write a super short review, and I am not even impressed with it. I don't know how to say enough and not give a book away. Or should I go with another approach and tell every single thought in a review? I just don't know!

I know that I dread writing reviews, because I feel overwhelmed, and I want that to change.

I was sort of thinking I could do like main points, like setting, characters, plot, etc. Is this something you would want to see? Give me your feedback!

I want to do more things on my blog besides reviews too. I was thinking memes are fun and I should try some of them. What are your favorites?

So if you have any ideas? Tell me, I am happy to listen!

Also thanks to all of my followers, which I now have 41 of, that is so awesome!

Interview with author Kim Purcell and giveaway (Closed)

2012-02-20T00:00:00.000-06:00

So today I have an interview with Trafficked author, Kim Purcell and a GIVEAWAY Trafficked.

Author Bio

I grew up in a small town. It wasn't right for me, so I got out. I went to university, got married and moved to LA. I wrote two novels before TRAFFICKED. I had two kids. We all moved to New York, which I love. In my spare time, I’m a swimmer and a runner and a yogi. I dance in elevators and change rooms. I laugh a lot and sometimes I yell.

Kim's book, Trafficked

A 17-year-old Moldovan girl whose parents have been killed is brought to the United States to work as a slave for a family in Los Angeles.

Question and Answer with Kim Purcell

What was your biggest childhood dream?
Of course, I wanted to be a writer, but it seemed like such a far-fetched dream. It was like wanting to be a fairy. Instead, I decided I wanted to be a dancer. This was doable. I imagined myself spinning and twirling and wowing everyone with my grace and agility. Unfortunately, the reality was a far cry from this dream. In my first tap dancing performance, when I was five, I fell off the stage. I should have realized then that I was clumsiest girl who ever tried to put on dancing shoes, but I kept taking dance classes. When I was thirteen, the queen was coming to visit my hometown in northern Canada and anyone could try out for the big dance performance. They said if you were the kind of kid who turned on music and just danced, you were who they were looking for. I was perfect! I practice my moves and came to try out. All these fancy dancer girls in their ballet shoes were doing the splits in the hallway and I knew I was kind of hooped, but whatever, I was sticking to my routine, which consisted of a lot of finger wiggling moves and dancing on my tiptoes. I thought I was imitating a butterfly. When I was trying out, I didn’t hear any laughter, but I’m sure they must have been shaking in their seats. I didn’t make it, of course, and that was the end of that dream. I still dance though. In elevators. And change rooms. When a car is driving by with loud music. It’s actually kind of embarrassing. I can’t stop myself.

When did you decide to be a writer?
I was ten when I said it out loud. I’d always been a bookworm, walking and reading everywhere I went, and the idea of being able to tell stories was kind of like magic. At that time, I had this wonderful teacher named Mrs. Aalto and she put me in an enrichment class where we wrote a book. I called it “The Secret of the Poison Ivy.” It was probably not any better than my butterfly dance, but it made me think writing might just be possible. So, when I was ten, after writing this masterpiece, I went to my grandparent’s house about an eight hours drive away. My grandma was crippled with arthritis, and she was bedridden, but her house was the kind of house where there were books piled everywhere and bookshelves lined every wall. I remember the moment of my declaration well. She was in her bed, holding my hand – isn’t this sappy? If it weren’t real, I’d barf. But it is. She held my soft kid hand with her own old disfigured one and asked what I would most like to do. I said in a very quiet voice that I’d like to be a writer. She said I could do it if I read a lot of books and wrote often. All I heard was that she believed in me. That was a pretty cool thing.

What inspired you to write this book?
I read about human trafficking in a news article and I couldn’t believe that slaves existed in this day and age, and that the numbers were so high, especially in the west. I was teaching English as a Second Language and all I could do was look at my students who I loved and think of it happening to them.

What do you do when you’re not writing?
Most of the time, I’m a mom, taking care of our four-year-old and seven-year-old. We do a lot of art together and go on regular adventures as a family. In the rest of my spare time, I go for runs with our rescue dog Lola, explore New York City with my husband and kids and read whenever I can.

Who is your favorite character in your book?
Definitely Hannah. I have so much sympathy for her. She represents so many students I’ve cared for over the years. And myself. I’m in there too.

What lessons do you want people to learn from your book?
What fascinated me about this topic is that in all of the cases of modern-day slavery I read about, the girls and women had many opportunities to escape and they didn’t. It made me realize that they’re no different from any one of us who fails to do something we should do because we’re afraid. We build boxes around ourselves and we think we’re keeping ourselves safe, but these boxes can also stop us from growing to our full potential. I think Hannah reminds me every day to unlock that box and step outside of it, do things that make myself uncomfortable so I can grow. I hope people read the book and choose to live a life of joy and gratitude. Maybe that’s a lot to hope for, but it’s what I hope for myself too.

Thanks so much Kim for being on my blog and answering all of my questions!

And now for the Giveaway!

Thanks to the publisher, I have copies of Trafficked to giveaway to three, yes three, lucky winners!

Rules:

Three Winners
US Residents only, the prize will be shipped directly from the publisher
Fill out the form, please do this only one time!
Following not required, but you will gain an extra entry, and is always appreciated!
Ends 3/02/12

The Form

I will put the winners on this post once the giveaway has come to an end.

Winners are Krista, Madeline, and Kayla!

Thanks to everyone for entering!

Eve by Anna Carey

2012-02-17T19:01:00.000-06:00

Publisher: Harper
Date: October 2011
Series or Standalone: Series (book #1)
ISBN:0062048503
Format: Hardcover, 318 pages
Source: ARC
Cover thoughts: It is very pretty

First line: By the time the sun set over the fifty-foot perimeter wall, the School lawn was covered with twelfth-year students.

Description: The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her.
Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust...and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

I was excited to get Eve because I have heard nothing but good things about it. When I was done reading it I had nothing but good things to say about it as well. It was a great read.

the night before Eve's graduation she learns what really happens when the girls graduate and the horrible fate that awaits her. Eve runs away from the school, into the wild, which she has only ever heard about. Eve meets Caleb, a boy living in the wild. Eve was always taught that she couldn't trust men, but Caleb slowly wins her trust and her love. When soldiers begin hunting Eve she must choose between her love for Caleb or her life.

One of my favorite things about the book was definitely the setting, it kind of reminded me of like a zombie movie, with everything some what destroyed, not many people around, and the people that were alive were hiding. Eve didn't know what most of the stuff was that she was finding, it was the stuff she had read about. It was kind of weird to see things that we see everyday, destroyed. I remember Eve seeing a Wal Mart and it being like a quarantined area.

I loved Caleb, he was just so cute and friendly and he risked his life to help Eve, he is a good guy. I also knew he wouldn't hurt Eve, unlike some of the other men out in the wild. And even when Eve hurt him, he still went out of his way to save her. He was selfless.

Eve is a fast paced, amazing read, that will keep you reading until you reach the last page, then want the next book because it ends on a huge cliffhanger.

Get more info:
Goodreads ||| Amazon ||| IndieBound ||| Book Depository |||| Barnes & Noble
The author on the web:
Website ||| Twitter

Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

2012-02-13T14:14:00.005-06:00

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Date: November 8, 2011
Series or Standalone: Series (Magic Most Foul, #1)
ISBN: 1402260520
Format: paperback, 317 pages
Source: Publisher
Cover thoughts: Pretty

First line: Sister Theresa handed me this farewell gift with such relief that it might as well have been a key to her shackles.

Description:
I was obsessed.

It was as if he called to me, demanding I reach out and touch the brushstrokes of color swirled onto the canvas. It was the most exquisite portrait I'd ever seen--everything about Lord Denbury was unbelievable...utterly breathtaking and eerily lifelike.

There was a reason for that. Because despite what everyone said, Denbury never had committed suicide. He was alive. Trapped within his golden frame.

I've crossed over into his world within the painting, and I've seen what dreams haunt him. They haunt me too. He and I are inextricably linked--bound together to watch the darkness seeping through the gas-lit cobblestone streets of Manhattan. Unless I can free him soon, things will only get Darker Still.

When I had the chance to get my hands on a copy of this book, I took it! So glad I did!

My favorite thing about Darker Still was the setting and the time period. It was time where women still wore white gloves and wore long dressed everywhere and where women had to be proper. It was fun to see that since I am not from that time, and glad I am not! But it was still very cool to see.

Lord Denbury, was kind and a total gentlemen, I feel like we need more men like him. And according to Natalie, he is a total babe. So naturally, he is the total package.

Darker Still is mysterious and a great romance!

Get more info/ purchase the book:
Goodreads ||| Amazon ||| IndieBound ||| Book Depository |||| Barnes & Noble

The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher

2012-02-13T14:14:00.004-06:00

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Date: January 1, 2011
Series or Standalone: Standalone
ISBN: 1402243693
Format: paperback, 240 pages
Source: Publisher
Cover thoughts: Okay

First line: The year before he joined the Reclamation, when he was still seventeen, my brother Will set a new score at the YouToo!

Description:
Welcome to a future where water is more precious than gold or oil-and worth killing for
Vera and her brother, Will, live in the shadow of the Great Panic, in a country that has collapsed from environmental catastrophe. Water is hoarded by governments, rivers are dammed, and clouds are sucked from the sky. But then Vera befriends Kai, who seems to have limitless access to fresh water. When Kai suddenly disappears, Vera and Will set off on a dangerous journey in search of him-pursued by pirates, a paramilitary group, and greedy corporations. Timely and eerily familiar, acclaimed author Cameron Stracher makes a stunning YA debut that's impossible to forget.

I had been hearing good things about the book. I knew I had to read it and I am glad I did!

The Water Wars was a great adventure! Vera and Her brother, Will, encountered pirates and other scary people.The siblings had strange means of transportation, it was awesome!

Water being scarce is something that is hard for me to imagine. But in The Water Wars, it is normal. It is something that people will kill for, and fight for.

The most disappointing thing in The Water Wars was Vera's love interest, Kai. I felt nothing for him. Maybe it is because there wasn't much of him. I don't understand why Vera went after him, I don't know what she felt for him.

The Water Wars was an exciting adventure, and very entertaining!

Get more info/ purchase the book:
Goodreads ||| Amazon ||| IndieBound ||| Book Depository ||| Barnes & Noble

Envy by Gregg Olsen

2012-02-13T12:41:00.001-06:00

Publisher: Splinter
Date: August 23, 2011
Series or Standalone: Series (Empty Coffin, #1)
ISBN: 1402789572
Format: Hardcover, 285 pages
Source: Publisher
Cover thoughts: Eerie, I love it!

First line: Water gushed out of the corroded faucet into the chipped, porcelain tub, pooling at the bottom with a few tangled strands of long, brown hair.

Description: EVIL COMES IN all sorts of flavors. Some bitter. Some deceptively sweet. That’s what Katelyn discovers on the day she dies. One minute she’s a depressed teen with a loser life. The next, she’s lying on a stainless steel slab, eyes glassy, skin frosted over, and very, very dead. Was it:

SUICIDE? MURDER?
WHO’S TO BLAME?

Twins Hayley and Taylor Ryan stumble upon the truth, which is far more disturbing than they could have ever imagined . . . and which sheds light on another secret, a hidden past even they don’t know about.

Inspired by a ripped-from-the-headlines true crime about cyberbullying, Envy is the gritty first volume in a new bone-chilling series that takes you to the edge — and pushes you right over.

I was originally drawn to this book by the cover! It is eerie and strange! I love it. Then I read the description and knew I needed to read it! Envy didn't disappoint!

I have always loved murder mysteries. My mom introduced me to Nancy Drew at a young age and since then I look for books that have a mystery to solve. Envy definitely had that. A murder? A suicide? Nobody knew how Katelyn died. While reading Envy, I was trying to figure out who killed Katelyn and why she was killed. I had so much fun trying to guess.

The book also deals with the issue of Katelyn being Cyber bullied, which was based on a true story pulled straight from the headlines. I didn't know this until the end of the book. I couldn't believe that someone could stoop so low and do that. I was shocked when I found out who was the one bullying Katelyn, it was sad to see.

Envy is a thrilling mystery that you will just have to to solve!

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dancergirl by Carol M. Tanzman

2012-02-12T17:29:00.000-06:00

Publisher: Harlequin

Date: November 15, 2011
Series or Standalone: Series (WiHi series, book #1)
ISBN: 037321040X
Format: paperback, 240 pages
Source: Publisher
Cover thoughts: Okay

First line: You know the feeling you get when you're on the subway.

Description: Ever feel like someone's watching you? Me, too. But lately it's been happening in my room.

When I'm alone.

A friend posted a video of me dancing online, and now I'm no longer Alicia Ruffino. I'm dancergirl. And suddenly it's like me against the world—everyone's got opinions.

My admirers want more, the haters hate, my best friend Jacy—even he's acting weird. And some stalker isn't content to just watch anymore.

Ali. Dancergirl. Whatever you know me as, however you've seen me online, I've trained my whole life to be the best dancer I can be. But if someone watching has their way, I could lose way more than just my love of dancing. I could lose my life.

I had been hearing good things about this book, weird things, but that's what made it more appealing to me, so I was so glad to get my hands on it!

This book had a frightful aspect to it as you can imagine, having a stalker would be terrifying! I was entranced in the book the entire time. Wondering, what the stalker was going to do next? Who it was? Why was this person so obsessed with Ali? Just lots of questions, and I think that is what really kept me reading.

This book surprised me more than anything. Once I thought I knew exactly who the stalker was, someone else would show up and I was stuck guessing again. I loved that. It seemed like everybody was dishonest, I didn't think Ali could trust anyone. I wasn't expecting the identity of the stalker either, I was shocked!

dancergirl will keep you guessing and keep you thoroughly entertained!

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Tour Review Fracture by Megan Miranda

2012-02-02T03:00:00.000-06:00

Publisher: Walker
Date: January 17, 2012
Series or Standalone: Standalone
ISBN: 0802723098
Format: Hardcover, 261 pages
Source: ARC
Cover thoughts: Very Pretty!

First line: The first time I died, I didn't see God.
Description: Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine
-despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain,Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?
Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?
For fans of best-sellers like Before I Fall and If I Stay, this is a fascinating and heart-rending story about love and friendship and the fine line between life and death.

When I heard about this book I knew I had to read it! The description made the book sound so interesting and the cover was gorgeous!

My favorite part of this book was I didn't know what was going to happen. I wondered what was going on with Delaney? Why was she with this person? And the next moment, why isn't she? I didn't know who Delaney could really trust or who had good intentions. I liked that I had to constantly guess.

I will admit I was not the biggest fan of Decker, he could be a real jerk, and who wants that? Not me. I also didn't really like Troy, he was just creepy from the moment he was introduced. Which led me to question Delaney-and her sanity- even more.

Fracture will keep you guessing until you reach the final pages, it's great!

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Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

2012-01-21T20:33:00.003-06:00

Publisher: Source Books Fire

Date: December 2011
Series or Standalone: Standalone
ISBN: 1402262272
Format: paperback, 281 pages
Source: ARC
Cover thoughts: Cute

First line: I once read that football was invented so people wouldn't notice summer ending.

At first I wasn't sure if I would like this book, I am not into sports and wasn't sure about the book focusing on football. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I actually loved this book!

Jordan Woods is the quarterback of her high school football team. She just feels like one of the guys, and is fine with that. She just wants to get an athletic scholarship to a great university. Jordan's focus is threatened when Ty Green moves to her school. He is not only an amazing quarterback, but is also really hot. Ty makes Jordan feel vulnerable, and for the the first time, Jordan can't keep her head in the game.

My favorite thing about this book was probably the fact that Jordan was a quarterback. I have never seen girls on high school football teams and I think it is so awesome. Not only was she QB, and captain, but she was an incredible player. It is kind of empowering to know that a girl can be completely bad ass playing a sport that is usually viewed as a "male" sport.

Ty Green? I liked him so much at first and thought it was the cutest thing that Jordan, who is surrounded by boys everyday, got so nervous around him. Ty did do some things that I questioned, but he had been through a lot in his life and I understood where he was coming from.

Henry was the good guy, and Jordan's best friend. He made me laugh many times in the book and Jordan was lucky to have a friend like him.When Henry and Jordan were going through a hard time, he was kind of a jerk, but everybody has bad moments, and he won me over in the end.

Catching Jordan was an empowering read, with a cute, romance aspect! It completely surprised me!

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My January To Be Read Pile

2012-01-07T15:48:00.001-06:00

I decided that it would be one of my goals to write a post saying which books I was planning on reading every month, I figure if I have a set list of books to read, then I will be more motivated to read more each month. My goal was 100 books in 2012. In January I am planning to read about 3 books! I may read more, I will be doing a monthly wrap up post! Here is the list!

Angelina's Secret by Lisa Rogers

Fracture by Megan Miranda

UnCONventional

Blogging goals for 2012 and Happy New Year

2012-01-01T13:20:00.000-06:00

So 2011 wasn't the best year for me for a lot of reasons that I won't mention. 2010 was even worse. So my number one priority is to make 2012 completely amazing!

I hope everyone had the most amazing Holidays (if you celebrate). Mine were quite fantastic! I can't wait to start the new year with new books, this new blog and a good attitude (which I will work hard to keep at all times).

Blogging Goals:

Post as often as possible, like 5 or 6 posts a week!
Start reading more e-books. I have two e-readers, but one doesn't get used and the other gets used for Netflix.
Comment on other blogs posts. I usually do this once or twice every week, but it isn't enough. I really want to talk to bloggers!
READ MORE, this is the big one. I love reading, I have three filled five shelf book shelves to prove it! But I get into slumps where I don't read at all and just watch Netflix, it isn't good.
Do a To Be Read Pile post every month, stating which books I want to read that month!
Read 100 books in 2012, and hopefully review them all!

This is my list of goals so far, but I may add more!

Thanks for stopping by my blog, have a nice day, bye!

Sirenz giveaway! (CLOSED)

2011-12-08T15:35:00.001-06:00

Win a signed copy of Sirenz by Natalie Zaman and Charlotte Bennardo plus some awesome swag! I am seriously so jealous of whoever is going to win this!

So what would you win?
1. Signed copy of Sirenz
2. Swag (bookmark, red choc shoes, Hades' business card and a super secret EXTRA)

Rules:
1. US only, ends 12/20/11
2. Fill out the form
3. Following is optional, but you will gain an extra entry

Fill Out This form

CONTEST CLOSED, WINNER WAS HOOT

Sirenz by Charlotte Bennardo & Natalie Zaman guest review

2011-12-07T07:44:00.000-06:00

Publisher: Flux
Date: 2011
Series or Standalone: series
ISBN:   0738723193
Kind: Paperback 280 pages
Source: Borrowed
Cover thoughts: Instantly reminds me of greek Mythology and shopping...

First line: God you're wearing those clunky heels again?

I really didn't think I would like this book. I'm not one for shopping, and going through Edith Hamilton's mythology book was a drag freshman year. But I was really surprised by how much I liked this one.

Sirenz is told in two parts by two separate authors, which I like because it's a completely different writing style for each section. Shar and Meg are these girls in a boarding school style program in Manhattan. They couldn't be more different. While shopping over winter brake the two end up in a bad situation that results in them making a deal with Hades lord of the Underworld. They're sent on a mission to act as Hades' Sirenz and get this guy to a portal to the underworld. Hades gives the girls these really cool powers (Along with some other goodies) that will help them. I really didn't like Shar in the beginning, she seemed whiney and annoying, but she started growing on me when she started telling off Hades.

I don't think you'd need an amazing understanding of Mythology to understand this book, but having some background knowledge on the whole Hades and Persephone story and other Mythology tid bits made it more fun to read. Like I felt really smart for knowing things and predicting things. I liked the tie in of Old and New, seeing how Charlotte Bennardo and Natalie Zaman adapted the gods to how things have changed as far as technology and things like that.

There was one annoying thing as far a plot though. I don't want to give it away but basically the girls had a way to solve their problems but didn't want to do it because it seemed to violent, but then they ended up doing that anyway. It's nothing that mind blowing but it was on the side of annoying.

I did loved having the setting in Manhattan. It gave a sense of adventure to the whole book that I think would have been missed if the story had taken place some place else. For a quick, fun, and easy read I'd definitely reccomend this, although I'm not quite sure what age group to. I could see kids as young as elementary school reading this but I'm in High School and I still enjoyed it.Over all Sirenz was a fun and memorable read that I'll be proud to add to my read list.

Hannah-Beth, who was on Frenzy of Noise with me for a while, wrote this review!

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Interview with Charlotte Bennardo and Natalie Zaman

2011-12-06T04:00:00.000-06:00

Today I have Charlotte Bennardo and Natalie Zaman - the authors of the amazing book, Sirenz and it's sequel Sirenz Back in Fashion (releases in June 2012) - here to answer some questions!

The Authors!!!

Protected by Hera, Charlotte Bennardo is living one of her dreams–writing our story. Others will be chased dependent upon money, time, political unrest, contractual duties, book signings and revisions, if the cat will get off her lap, and if she has to make dinner.

Natalie Zaman is kept busy by pointy things. Pencils. Pens. Needles (the knitting and sewing variety). Arrows. She also has an eye for the sparkly, and obviously likes black–good for being inconspicuous in the Underworld and keeping an eye on Hades…

Their Books!

Interview

1. What inspired you to write Sirenz?

C: Nat joined my critique group. We'd both been writing for some time--newspaper/magazine/newsletter articles, picture books...

N: That's how we started writing "together." Char, I mean, my rabbit (whom Char was pet-sitting whilst I was on vacation) wrote me an email apologizing for biting Char's finger (his reasons for doing so will not be discussed). Anyway, my cat, trapped inside the house, wrote back to the rabbit--

C: Rosebud was an evil bunny.

N: Was. He's gone to that great big hutch in the sky...

C: We called the collection of emails "E-Meow" but it didn't go anywhere. It was important though because it showed us that we could write together.

N: *nods* I'd just started working on my first novel--something I'd always wanted to do. This was just about the time that Twilight came out. One day during a crit session, Char was like "we could SO write something like that!"

C: We threw ideas around. Originally it was supposed to be a vampire novel because everyone was doing vampires, but then we realized EVERYONE was doing vampires. So we scouted bookstores to see what was NOT being done--and then we started talking about Xena Warrior Princess and Greek Gods.

N: Hot Greek gods.

C: Mmmhmm. And you know the rest.

2. Who do you think you are most like, Shar or Maggie?

C: Actually, I'm a little bit of both--I look more like Shar, but don't really have that much fashion passion (no crystals on my Uggs) and I am eco-friendly and down to earth like Meg, but don't do the all-in-black outfits.

N: I have to admit that I share Shar's clothes/shoes obsession--but my tastes are different; I'm more into Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood (even though the shoes they fought over in the book are Westwoods, it would be kind of an anomoly for Shar to go after something like this). Personality-wise I think I'm probably more like Meg, but both she and Shar are much cooler than I ever was/am.

3. Who is your favorite character in Sirenz?

C: Hades! He's hot and naughty and has secret agendas and is a God (literally! ha!) In Back In Fashion, you'll see his vulnerability (everyone has an Achilles' heel...) Hades is just so complex--you may think he's one thing, but later find out he's another. He was sooo much fun to write.

N: I have to say I like both the girls--I like the dynamic between them, and the fact that they're so different, but they can still be friends.

4. Why did you depict Hades as being really good looking (instead of the usual horribly ugly appearance)?

C: As you said--everyone depicts him "usual horribly ugly." What fun is that? And really, how tempting can a guy/god be if he's ugly? It's harder to say no to someone who melts your panties.

N: What she said >:)

5. Was it challenging writing Sirenz with two authors instead of just one? Did you guys disagree on where the story should go? Agree?

C: We knew the biggest challenge was going to be if we disagreed on something fundamental--and we made a pact that we'd throw the book under the bus, not the friendship. We've smoothed out the "I crossed it out and she put it back in" scenario. (We call this the Tampon Box Rule because one scene had Meg throwing hosiery into it. I thought it gross, she said that's the point.) If it's in her chapter, it stays unless the editor cuts it out. (Which he did, win for me!)

N: What sweet Charlotte ALWAYS leaves out of that little yarn was that in addition to my tampon box, a slew of her chapters were chopped as well >:) (You know, I really like that evil face...) Anyway, in ANY partnership, there's always going to be things you don't agree on. The key is to communicate and compromise. As things came up (and wouldn't go away--you know that's when a problem becomes a sticky point--when you can't blow it off), we made simple rules to deal with it--and in the end there was only the tampon box rule--I'd say that's pretty good!

6. What do you do when you are not writing?

C: Read all my author friends' books, take care of 2 kids, hubby, house, cat; volunteer at my church, hang out with Nat & writer/crit friends, and drool over Ian Somerhalder (our Hades....).

N: Knit. Find/bake/steal cookies. Cookies are VERY important in my house.

Thanks so much to Charlotte and Natalie for stopping by my blog. It was awesome!

Sirenz by Charlotte Bennardo & Natalie Zaman

2011-12-05T04:00:00.000-06:00

Publisher: Flux
Date: June 2011
Series or Standalone: Series (Book 1)
ISBN:0738723193
Format: paperback, 280 pages
Source: For review from authors
Cover thoughts: I like it a lot and it fits the story!

First line: God, you're wearing those clunky things again?

Description: Bickering frenemies Meg and Shar are doing some serious damage at a midnight sample sale when the fashionistas find themselves arguing over a pair of shoes-with fatal consequences. One innocent bystander later, the girls are suddenly at the mercy of Hades, Lord of the Underworld himself. To make them atone for what they've done, Hades forces the teens to become special-assignment Sirens, luring to the Underworld an individual whose unholy contract is up.

Finding that delicate balance between their fashion addiction and their new part-time job in the eternal hellfire biz turns out to be harder than Meg and Shar expected, especially when an entire pantheon of Greek deities decides to get involved. Then there's the matter of the fine print in their own contracts...

The first thing that really attracted me to this book was that it was about Hades. I love Greek Mythology so I was excited.

I like the alternating views between Shar and Meg, it let me get to know the characters and know exactly how they felt about each other and everyone else and everything around them.

At the beginning of this book I didn't know if I was going to like Shar. I am not into high fashion, but Shar is, I didn't think I could relate to her. She also had some negative thoughts about Meg, particularly Meg's appearance, which I didn't like. As the story went on I got to know Shar much better and actually liked her more than I thought I would. She was pretty loyal to Meg in the end and that is really important to me.

I liked Meg pretty much from the start. Meg has an alternative fashion sense, like things from other decades, and doesn't sport all the newest trends. She definitely isn't as girly or prissy as Shar. Meg is more down to earth to me, which is something I liked. I felt like I could relate more to Meg.

I was excited to see how the authors were going to depict Hades more than anything. The authors made Hades smoking hot. Hades also kind of makes me mad, he has a wife (Persephone) but trues to pursue other women, gross. But I am kind of a sucker for hot bad boys so I still loved him.

It was cool to see the girls going about their lives Manhattan too; I have never been their or to any big city and it was like taking a trip. The girls rode in cabs and took the subway, I have never done either of those things; it is so weird to me. It was interesting to see what the world of fashion is like as well. I decided while reading this it is not for me.

Sirenz was an exciting and unusual experience, I loved it.

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OyMG by Amy Fellner Dominy

2011-12-03T23:17:00.001-06:00

Publisher: Walker
Date: May 10, 2011
Series or Standalone: Standalone

ISBN: 0802721778

Format: Hardcover, 256 pages
Source: ARC
Cover thoughts: It goes well with the story.

First line: I love to argue.

Description: Ellie Taylor loves nothing better than a good argument. So when she gets accepted to the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts summer camp, she's sure that if she wins the final tournament, it'll be her ticket to a scholarship to the best speech school in the country. Unfortunately, the competition at CSSPA is hot—literally. His name is Devon and, whether she likes it or not, being near him makes her sizzle. Luckily she's confident enough to take on the challenge—until she begins to suspect that the private scholarship's benefactor has negative feelings toward Jews. Will hiding her true identity and heritage be worth a shot at her dream?
Debut author Amy Fellner Dominy mixes sweet romance, surprising secrets, and even some matzo ball soup to cook up a funny yet heartfelt story about an outspoken girl who must learn to speak out for herself.

Ellie Taylor likes to argue, so she is thrilled when she gets into the Christian Society Speech and Performance Arts summer camp. Ellie is sure that if she wins the final tournament, she will get the scholarship and get to go to her dream school! But the competition is hot--and his name is Devon. Ellie is sure she can handle him. But when she finds out that the scholarship's benefactor might be prejudice against Jews, Ellie doesn't know whether to hide her heritage or stand up for who she really is.

Ellie's Jewish background was really fun to read about. I learned about some of the foods, like matzo ball soup, and some new words, like Zeydeh which means grandfather in Yiddish. I really liked Ellie's Zeydeh, he is very opinionated and very proud of his heritage. He likes to talk, he says things that most wouldn't, like teaching Ellie at a very young age to cuss in Yiddish.

I also really enjoyed the romance between Ellie and Devon, it was cute and the competitiveness between them brought fun and an interesting edge to the story.

The scholarships benefactor's prejudice against Jews was pretty evident from the beginning by what she said and how Devon acted about it. It was sad to see someone act that way, to hate an entire group of people for what a couple of people did. The benefactor was Devon's grandma, which added another layer of tension to the story. It could have ended Devon and Ellie's relationship right away.

I didn't know what Devon would do about his grandma. Defend Ellie? Or decide it wasn't a big deal? I think he made the right choice in the end. I didn't know what Ellie would do either. Risk her scholarship and stand up for herself? Or not say anything? Ellie made the right decision in the end, it is what I would have done, just probably sooner. The book ended on a happy note.

Overall, this was a cute read that had a good message to get across: to stand up for what you believe in.

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Trapped by Michael Northrop

2011-12-03T23:14:00.001-06:00

Publisher: Scholastic
Date: February
Series or Standalone: Standalone
ISBN: Format: Hardcover, 240 pages
Source: For Review
Cover thoughts: Fits story line very well

First line: We were the last kids waiting around to get picked up from Tattawa Regional High School.

Description: The day the blizzard started, no one knew that it was going to keep snowing for a week. That for those in its path, it would become not just a matter of keeping warm, but of staying alive....Scotty and his friends Pete and Jason are among the last seven kids at their high school waiting to get picked up that day, and they soon realize that no one is coming for them. Still, it doesn't seem so bad to spend the night at school, especially when distractingly hot Krista and Julie are sleeping just down the hall. But then the power goes out, then the heat. The pipes freeze, and the roof shudders. As the days add up, the snow piles higher, and the empty halls grow colder and darker, the mounting pressure forces a devastating decision....

Scotty was one of the seven kids that was waiting to get picked up that day when the biggest blizzard they had ever seen, started. Soon they all realize that nobody is coming. It really didn't seem so bad at first, spend the night at school and be rescued in the morning. But then the power goes out, there's no heat, the pipes freeze, the ceiling creaks, and each coming day the snow continues to pile up. They make a decision, one that is potentially deadly.

This situation that the kids are in is scary to think about, being trapped inside your school in a horrible snowstorm and freezing, and knowing that nobody knows where you are. It is horrifying. I don't know what I would do in the situation. Sit around and wait? Or go out in freezing temperatures and tons of snow and try to get help?

The question I kept asking was, where were the kids parents? Didn't they care that there kids were not home in a huge blizzard. They didn't know where they were after school, but knew that's the last place they were, wouldn't you want to go check to see if your kids were at the school? Or call the police?

None of the characters were really all that memorable to me. The plot was what made the story; it's not a cheerful one, it's depressing. When reading this book you feel like your trapped with these kids, not knowing what's going to happen to you. It's scary.

Trapped was frightening and suspenseful. It was a story I hope I never experience myself.

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Three Quarters Dead by Richard Peck

2011-12-03T23:12:00.001-06:00

Publisher: Penguin
Date: October 2010
Series or Standalone: standalone
ISBN: 0803734549
Format: Hardcover, 208 pages
Source: For Review
Cover thoughts: I love the purple on the cover, it's pretty.

First line: You wait forever to get to high school.

Description: Kerry is chosen by the coolest clique in school and so she thinks life has finally begun. But then it seems all over when her three friends are killed in a shocking car accident. Or are they? Only weeks after the accident, Kerry receives a text from one of the girls: We're all 3 here at my aunt's in the city. Take the 3:50 train. B there.

Exhilarating, terrifying suspense is crossed with a thought-provoking examination of peer pressure in Richard Peck's return to his contemporary teen- and ghost-story roots. This is a master author's gift to the Gossip Girl/Twilight generation: his own smart, stylish, and fun take on the paranormal

When Kerry is noticed by the three most popular girls at school she thinks her life is finally starting. She is sitting at the right table and is in on all the jokes. And she would do anything to keep it that way. But how far would she go? And when being part of the group starts to feel worse than anything else, what will she do about it?

Kerry is one of those girls that would do anything to have the popular friends. It didn't matter that they wanted her to do their dirty work and weren't very nice to her anyway. But Kerry was happy with them. I would never let my "friends" treat me that way, even if it meant being popular.

And her "friends" were cruel and arrogant, they looked down upon almost everyone, they were fake. They were spoiled little brats that expected every thing, but didn't give anything in return. They talked badly about others and did horrible things to people just to make them feel bad.

This book had a quality I did like--the unexpected. I seriously did not see the story going in the direction it did, the story was much more interesting because of it. It also made me want to keep reading. It also made me guess what was going to happen next, and I was completely wrong. At parts I was even questioning Kerry's sanity, like what she was doing and seeing and why wasn't she questioning everything that is going on. This was probably my favorite part of the book.

Overall Three Quarters Dead was a fast and surprising read!

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