Read It, See It

Book Review: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

2012-01-30T15:30:00.000-06:00

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
Pages: 316
Grade: 9+ (scenes of violence and horror)
Publisher: Tor Teen
Source: borrowed from the library
Challenge: 2012 TBR Challenge

Amazon | Goodreads

Description: (from Goodreads) Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

And she, for whatever reason, spares his life.

Thoughts: This one creeped me out in a big way!

I love horror stories and anything that goes bump in the night, the creepier the better and Anna did not disappoint.

I was slightly surprised (in a good way) to discover that the main character was male, that doesn’t happen too often in YA paranormal - especially the kind with romantic undertones. Cas is a my favorite kind of protagonist - smart, loyal, and funny. He starts out as a loner, but quickly develops his own Scooby Gang (there are more than a few Buffy reference peppered throughout Anna). I liked that Cas picked up a variety of friends and didn’t just automatically fall in with only outcasts. There were lots of stereotypes in this novel, but none of them were cardboard cutouts, each character had layers and personalities. I also liked that Cas’s mom knew what he did. It always bothers me when the young hero hides what they are from their parents, especially when they seem to be decent parents. It's just too far fetched to think that decent parents wouldn't catch on so it was a big relief that Cas wasn't in hiding from his mom.

Anna’s story is both haunting and compelling. She is both terrifying and sympathetic at the same time. Even when she’s being super creepy and evil, there’s something about her that feels very innocent. I have to tell you that the scenes with Anna really freaked me out. They get bloody and messy. I actually refrained from reading this book while I was home alone at night. Total creep out factor.

While the romance does play a big part in this book, I would say it's a stretch to call it a paranormal romance. The draw between her and Cas is realistic and interesting and thank God, it isn’t insta-love, even tough there’s definitely an instant connection between them.

The twist in this book came out of nowhere and I’m still not 100% sure what happened, but I don't really care. Anna was well written and fast paced with a lot of great twists and turns. I will definitely read more in this series.

Creepy and romantic.

In My Mailbox (January 29)

2012-01-28T15:13:00.000-06:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly event hosted by The Story Siren

For My Kindle:

Between by Cyndi Teft
Destined by Jessie Harrell
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

From the Library:

The Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Bloodrose by Andrea Creamer
Cinder by Marissa Meyer

For Review:

Masque of The Red Death by Bethany Griffin*
Hallowed by Cynthia Hand*
Forbidden by Syrie James and Ryan M. James*

Ruthless (Pretty Little Liars #10) by Sara Shepard*

*from Harper Collins for review

Week in YA: January 22-28

2012-01-25T16:01:00.002-06:00

1/24/12

Daughters of the Centaurs: Centauriad by K.K. Ross Amazon | Goodreads
Everneath by Brodi Ashton Amazon | Goodreads
Forbidden by Syrie & Ryan M. James Amazon | Goodreads

Getting Over Garrett Delaney by Abby McDonald Amazon | Goodreads
Havoc: A Deviants Novel by Jeff Sampson Amazon | Goodreads
Life Eternal: A Dead Beautiful Novel by Yvonne Woon Amazon | Goodreads

My Awesome/Awful Popularity Plan by Seth Rudetsky Amazon | Goodreads
There is No Dog by Meg Rosoff Amazon | Goodreads
The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe Amazon | Goodreads

Week in YA (January 8-14)

2012-01-10T19:00:00.000-06:00

1/8/12

Fangtastic by Lucienne Diver Amazon | Goodreads
Shadow's Edge by Maureen Lipinski Amazon | Goodreads
The Fires of New Sun: A Blending Time Novel by Michael Kinch Amazon | Goodreads

1/10/12

The Darlings in Love by Melissa Kantor Amazon | Goodreads
Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom Amazon | Goodreads
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green Amazon | Goodreads

First Date by Krista McGee Amazon | Goodreads
The Gathering Storm: The Katerina Trilogy by Robin Bridges Amazon | Goodreads
Hush, Hush: The Graphic Novel by Becca Fitzpatrick Amazon | Goodreads

Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey Amazon | Goodreads
A Millon Suns: An Across the Universe Novel by Beth Revis Amazon | Goodreads
The Whole Story of Half a Girl by Veera Hiranandani Amazon | Goodreads

Book Review: Last Breath (Morganville #11) by Rachel Caine

2012-01-09T16:44:00.000-06:00

Last Breath (Morganville Vampires) by Rachel Caine
Pages: 335
Grade: 8+ (Fantasy violence and non-graphic sex)
Description: (from Goodreads)With her boss preoccupied researching the Founder Houses in Morganville, student Claire Danvers is left to her own devices when she learns that three vampires have vanished without a trace. She soon discovers that the last person seen with one of the missing vampires is someone new to town—a mysterious individual named Magnus. After an uneasy encounter with Morganville’s latest resident, Claire is certain Magnus isn’t merely human. But is he a vampire—or something else entirely?

Thoughts: Holy Batman, Morganville fans, didn't see that coming! The Morganville series has been redeemed for me!

If you remember, I was sadly disappointed with Bite Club and had even thought about giving up the series if I didn't love this one (which makes me sad because I've loved this series). I'm happy to report I did, in fact, love Last Breath.

Caine took some big risks with this book and it felt more like the Morganville I fell in love with all those books ago. The last few books had seen a sad mopey Shane and a pitiful cowardly Amelie. Shane is still a little mopey and Amelie is still acting like a scared little girl, but the rest of Morganville has said "Enough!" and started kicking butt.

Last Breath is full of action and even introduces a new BIG BAD (as if blood sucking vamps wasn't enough). There was a lot less teen angst and a lot more hard hitting action and horror - all the stuff that made me love Morganville in the first place.

While Last Breath doesn't end on a total cliffhanger, there's definitely a lot left unresolved. And, unlike most of the previous Morganville books, this one doesn't totally stand on its own. Most of the books in the series you can pick up and read, even if you've never read any of the series before, but this one really does require some backstory to not be totally lost.

I'm glad I didn't let Bite Club be my last Morganville. I'm excited about this series again after reading Last Breath.

Morganville at its best - dark, dangerous, and full of surprises and twists!

In My Mailbox (January 7)

2012-01-07T14:00:00.000-06:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly even hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

This past week I picked up:

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys Amazon | Goodreads
Sloppy Firsts (Jessica Darling, Book 1) by Megan McCafferty Amazon | Goodreads
Across the Universe by Beth Revis Amazon | Goodreads

Legend by Marie Lu Amazon | Goodreads
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michell Hodkin Amazon | Goodreads

I picked up a paperback copy of Across the Universe (I had the good luck of receiving a signed hardback copy from Beth last year) because I'm a narcissist and I like collecting books where an author lists me in the "Appreciation" section - even when it is with 500 other people. And while I'm on my Beth Revis fan girl streak, check out the stuff I won (the postcard is really awesome! I love it!) from Beth's website (she's awesome guys, you should read her blog and follower her on Twitter):

Tattoo not included - that's mine.

Book Review: Wither by Lauren DeStefano

2012-01-06T16:30:00.000-06:00

Wither (Chemical Garden Triology) by Lauren DeStefano
Pages: 358
Grade: 9+ (mature sexual content, though nothing explicit)
On: Amazon | Goodreads
Description: (from Goodreads) Obviously, something went terribly wrong. Genetic mutations have festered, reducing human longevity to twenty-five, even less for most women. To prevent extinction, young girls are kidnapped, mated in polygamous marriages with men eager to procreate. Sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery, a recent victim of this breeding farm mentality, has vowed to break loose from its fetters; but finding allies and a safe way out is a challenge she can only hope she will survive.

Thoughts: Oh man! This book was crazy. For some reason polygamous relationships really freak me out, so reading about one was intense for me. It was made even more intense by the fact that this polygamous relationship wasn't voluntary. The entire setup was just gut-wrenching. Since sex-trafficking already exists, I can honestly see how this situation could happen. It really doesn't seem like a huge stretch for me, which made this book a little more vivid than it might have been for the average reader. I can even believe the scenario that genetics get so mucked up that we all have a short shelf life - at least I can believe all of this when Lauren DeStefano writes it.

Her writing was absolutely beautiful even in such a dark and twisted world. Wither sinks you deep into a dark (and not so distant?) future. DeStefano's dystopian world is just real enough to truly be scary.

The plot of Wither could have been slow (don't worry, it isn't). From the description, it seems like the kidnapping is going to be the major action, but it's not (it happens in the first 25 pages). Once Rhine gets to her "prison" there isn't a lot of big action, but the interactions between the sister-wives is fascinating. Each wife has such a different reaction to their situation. What I found most compelling about Wither was Rhine's reactions to her sister-wives. She mothered a little, pitied a little, and even bullied a little. Rhine was a master of presenting whatever personality was needed in each situation. The interaction between her and her sister-wives was really fascinating to me. They developed tenuous friendships and rivalries, always walking a thin line between the two. Those relationships are what made this book really stand out. I'm curious how I'll feel about Rhine and her world in the next book since she'll be away from those other women.

Wither was a phenomenal debut and I can't wait to read Fever (due out Feb. 21)

Dark and twisty, dystopian at it's best.

Book Reviews: Matched & Crossed by Ally Condie

2012-01-04T19:30:00.000-06:00

Matched and Crossed by Ally Condie
Grade: 7+ (very clean overall)
Pages: (Matched): 366 (Crossed) 367
Description: (from Goodreads)
Matched: Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.
Crossed: In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake. Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever

Thoughts: Eh.

I liked Matched okay. I read it just before or just after (I can't remember which) Delirium by Lauren Oliver and they had a very similar plot lines which means that the writing just had to be phenomenal to rise above one or the other. I wish I wasn't comparing the two, but I can't help it, I read them together and really, they have the same plot-line - how can you not compare them?!

Matched was decent. It was entertaining and didn't take me too long to finish. I enjoyed reading about the world. I enjoyed Cassia and Ky's relationship, it developed naturally and was interesting. I even think the dreaded "love triangle" was done well. It made sense, it didn't feel gimmicky. That's about all I have to say about Matched. Which is the problem. It's several weeks later and I can barely remember it. There was nothing that stuck with me, other than it was a lot like another YA dystopian book I read around the same time.

When I started Crossed I was actually confused. That's how little I recalled from the end of Matched. I gave Crossed 150 (very slow) pages - about 50 pages more than I normally would have (I already felt committed to the characters because I had read Matched). It was so slow to start with. It shouldn't have been either. There were tons of action and a really scary scenario, but it just did nothing for me. It took forever. I just couldn't get excited about reading it at all. I finally gave up.

Bottom line: there are A LOT of dystopian (romances) out there so you have to stand out from the crowd. Matched and Crossed just don't (for me). They aren't bad, but they aren't stellar and with so many great dystopians out there, I just couldn't justify finishing Crossed and I won't be reading the next one in the series (trilogy? is it a trilogy?) either.

Matched was decent, but didn't stand out from the crowd (2.5-3 stars) and I didn't finish Crossed. This series just isn't spectacular enough to compete with the dystopian heavy hitters currently out.

Week in YA (January 1-January 7)

2012-01-03T14:30:00.000-06:00

Wow! The first week of 2012 is intense with awesome YA releases. There are at least a dozen books here that I want ASAP. I can't wait to read everyone's IMM this weekend, it's going to be awesome.

1/1/12

Dumped (A Year in Girl Hell) by Meredith Costain
Bluford High #11: The Fallen by Paul Langansen
Irises by Francisco X. Stork

Jerk Magnet, The (Life at Kingston High) by Melody Carison
Bluford High #12: Shattered by Paul Langan

1/2/12

Darkness Falls (Immortal Beloved) by Cate Tiernan
The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

1/3/12

The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams
Alienation (A C.H.A.O.S. Novel) by Jon S. Lewis
Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Black Boy White School by Brian F. Walker
Bloodrose: A Nightshade Novel by Andrea Cremer
Charmfall (Dark Elite) by Choloe Neill

Cinder: the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
Cracked by K.M. Watson
Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala

Dreaming Awake by Gwen Hayes
Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse by Lucas Klauss
The International Kissing Club by Ivy Adams

Memory Boy by Will Weaver
The Next Full Moon by Carolyn Turgeon
Pretty Little Liars: Pretty Little Secrets
by Sara Shepard

Switched (Trylle Trilogy) by Amanda Hocking
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
Unraveling Isobel by Elleen Cook

1/5/12

Run: A Subject Seven Novel by James A. Moore
Love? Maybe. by Heather Hepler
Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey

2012 Challenges

2012-01-01T14:44:00.000-06:00

This year I've chosen three challenges to participate in. First up is the Debut Author Challenge, hosted by The Story Siren. It's my second year doing the DAC and I'm so excited. I had such a great time doing it last year that I couldn't resist. I've got an ever growing list of 2012 authors I'd like to check out and I can't wait to dig in. Some highlights from that list:

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows Amazon | Goodreads
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood Amazon | Goodreads
What She Left Behind by Tracy Bilen Amazon | Goodreads

I'll also be participating in the 2012 Contemporary Reading Challenge hosted by Reading Angel and Katie's Book Blog. I'm a big fantasy fan and therefore don't dedicate much time to Contemporary, even though I always enjoy it when I do. This year I'll be solving that reading problem with a book a month from the Contemporary genre and I couldn't be more excited. A few books I'm really excited about reading with this challenge:

Dreamsleeves by Coleen Murtagh Paratore Amazon | Goodreads
Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matsson Amazon | Goodreads
Pieces of Us by Margie Gelbwasser Amazon | Goodreads

Finally, I'm going to whittle down my TBR pile (while adding to it I'm sure) by participating in the 2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge. There are currently 18 books on my 2011 TBR Pile. I hope to get through all 18 in 2012 and only pick up the books I can handle in 2012. I'm hoping this will be my one and only year of doing this one. Though, I may use it to get through some of the classics I've had on my shelves forever and haven't gotten to. We'll see.

Attention Aspiring YA/MG Writers!

2011-12-28T19:00:00.000-06:00

Win a literary agent or acclaimed author's feedback on your unpublished manuscript for young adult or middle grade readers. This rare opportunity is being offered to the six winners of an essay contest recently announced by the literacy charity Book Wish Foundation. See http://bookwish.org/contest for full details.

You could win a manuscript critique from:

Laura Langlie, literary agent for Meg Cabot

Nancy Gallt, literary agent for Jeanne DuPrau

Brenda Bowen, literary agent and editor of Karen Hesse's Newbery Medal winnerOut of the Dust

Ann M. Martin, winner of the Newbery Honor for A Corner of the Universe

Francisco X. Stork, winner of the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award for The Last Summer of the Death Warriors

Cynthia Voigt, winner of the Newbery Medal for Dicey's Song and the Newbery Honor for A Solitary Blue

All that separates you from this prize is a 500-word essay about a short story in Book Wish Foundation's new anthology, What You Wish For. Essays are due Feb. 1, 2012 and winners will be announced around Mar. 1, 2012. If you win, you will have six months to submit the first 50 pages of your manuscript for critique (which means you can enter the contest even if you haven't finished, or started, your manuscript). You can even enter multiple times, with essays about more than one of the contest stories, for a chance to win up to six critiques.

If you dream of being a published author, this is an opportunity you should not miss. To enter, follow the instructions at http://bookwish.org/contest.

Good luck and best wishes,

Logan Kleinwaks
President, Book Wish Foundation

What You Wish For (ISBN 9780399254543, Putnam Juvenile, Sep. 15, 2011) is a collection of short stories and poems about wishes from 18 all-star writers: Meg Cabot, Jeanne DuPrau, Cornelia Funke, Nikki Giovanni, John Green, Karen Hesse, Ann M. Martin, Alexander McCall Smith, Marilyn Nelson, Naomi Shihab Nye, Joyce Carol Oates, Nate Powell, Sofia Quintero, Gary Soto, R.L. Stine, Francisco X. Stork, Cynthia Voigt, Jane Yolen. With a Foreword by Mia Farrow. Book Wish Foundation is donating 100% of its proceeds from the book to the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, to fund the development of libraries in Darfuri refugee camps in eastern Chad.

Week in YA (December 25-31)

2011-12-27T19:00:00.000-06:00

12/27/11

Awkward by Marni Bates
Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Kiss Crush Collide by Christina Meredith

Living Violet: The Cambion Chronicles by Jaime Reed
Love and Leftovers by Sarah Tregay
Magic of the Moonlight by Ellen Schreiber

Piece of Mind: Emily the Strange by Jessica Gruner and Rog Reger
Replication: The Jason Experiment by Jill Williamson
The Secret Sisterhood of Heartbreakers by Lynn Weingarten

Shattered: The Amanda Project by Amanda Valentino and Laurie Faria Stolarz
Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

12/28/11

Promise the Night by Michaela MacColl

Happy Holidays and a Merry New Year from Read It, See It

2011-12-24T14:30:00.000-06:00

Thank you all for visiting Read It, See It and hanging out with me this year.

We'll be keeping posting light until the New Year so that we can enjoy a little holiday magic.

I wish you and yours all the best for the rest of 2011 and the start of 2012. See ya'll on the flip side.

2011 Favorite Reads

2011-12-23T18:30:00.000-06:00

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

Thoughts: This was everything I love about reading fiction. It lost me in a different world, there was romance, danger, adventure, and a little bit of magic. It was a brick and a cliffhanger, but I really enjoyed reading it.

Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

The astonishing final novel in Richelle Mead's epic series!

Murder. Love. Jealousy. And the ultimate sacrifice. Now, with Rose on trial for her life and Lissa first in line for the Royal Throne, nothing will ever be the same between them.

Thoughts: This series is amazing. I was really sad to see it end, but really glad I got to read it all. Bonus points for my teeny tiny hometown appearing in the final book! Check out my review!

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.

Thoughts: This book was just awesome. It was funny, romantic, and original! I loved every single page of it. Check out my review!

Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness. Elisa is the chosen one.

But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can’t see how she ever will. Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess. And he’s not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake. Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do.

Thoughts: Great adventure book. I loved the personal journey that Elisa had to go through. It reminded me a little of one of my favorite reads of 201, Graceling. Check out my review!

Demonglass (Hex Hall #2) by Rachel Hawkins

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

Thoughts: This series is so fun. Sophie is hysterically funny. I always come to this series when I want a fun, fast read. Always helps kick me out of a reading slump. Check out my review!

Divergent by Veronica Roth

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her.

Thoughts: By far my favorite dystopian. People will yell at me, but I liked this one better than The Hunger Games.

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

She is pretty and talented - sweet sixteen and never been kissed. He is seventeen; gorgeous and on the brink of a bright future. And now they have fallen in love. But... they are brother and sister.

Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As defacto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives—and the way they understand each other so completely—has also also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is certain: a love this devastating has no happy ending.

Thoughts: Gut wrenching and heartbreaking but so good. Check out my review!

Honorable Mentions:

2011 Reflections and Roundup

2011-12-22T19:00:00.000-06:00

I'm wrapping up 2011 at Read It, See It a bit early this year so that I can spend time with my family and just relax these last two weeks of 2011. It was a crazy year personally (I left my job and moved to Texas!) and Read It, See It hasn't always been top of my priority list, heck, sometimes it hasn't even made the top 10! I do love blogging, but finding time for it when things get crazy hasn't been easy and 2011 has definitely proven that for me.

I'm approaching 2012 a little different. In 2011 I spent a lot of time worried about not posting and being busy. I kept asking myself: Am I reading enough? Am I interacting enough? Well, in 2012, I'm going to stop the worrying and go with the flow. I've built some blogging time into my daily schedule and whatever happens in that time frame is what happens. I'm also not setting out to read a certain number of books next year either. I've fallen about 25 books short of this year's goal and to be honest it makes me feel kind of crappy. I read a lot. I read way more than the average American and way more than anyone I know personally. Trying to read a certain number or comparing myself with other bloggers is a waste of my emotional energy, so that won't be happening next year either.

I'm also going to be ditching the Follower box on the blog. As much as I hate to admit it, the numbers matter a little too much to me, or rather, I worry that I'm doing something wrong when they don't go up. Those numbers take the fun out of blogging. There's an RSS button on the top of the blog and Google Reader is super easy to use. I've also connected Read It, See It to my twitter stream and you can always get there via that. The Follower box is just one more distraction I don't want to deal with. And with Google Friend Connect going away for all non-Blogger bloggers, well, I think that's going to be a pretty common thing in 2012.

As of December 17 (as I write this post) I read:

73 books which translates to 23354 pages

10 non-fiction and 63 fiction books.

On Read It, See It:

133 total posts, with no posts in June or July for summer break

Of those 133, 40 of those posts were Book Reviews

August was the most post heavy month with 22 total posts

Allowing for the 2 skipped months, Read It, See It posts 13.3 posts a month or roughly every 2.25 days.

All in all, not a bad blogging year. I'm really excited about 2012 and hope all of you have a wonderful holiday and a happy new year!

Waiting on 2012

2011-12-21T07:30:00.000-06:00

In the spirit of Waiting on Wednesday (hosted by Breaking the Spine), I thought I'd share what I'm most excited about getting my hands on in 2012.

2012 Debut Authors

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
The Selection

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock
Cinder by Marissa Meyer

2012 Contemporary

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

2012 Sequels

A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) by Beth Revis
Pandemonium (Delirium #2) by Lauren Oliver
The Calling (Darkness Rising #2) by Kelley Armstrong

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Richelle Mead
Bitterblue (Graceling) by Kristen Cashore

Week in YA (December 18-24)

2011-12-20T19:00:00.000-06:00

12/20/11

Bleeding Hearts by Alyxandra Harvey
Blood Wolf: A Wereling Novel by Steve Feasey
Flyaway by Helen Landalf

Legacy by Molly Cochran
On a Dark Wing by Jordan Dane
Still Waters by Emma Carlson Berne

12/22/11

Vampire Academy: The Ultimate Guide by Michelle Rowen and Richelle Mead

What Are You Reading (Monday, December 19th)

2011-12-19T08:00:00.000-06:00

Currently Reading:

Crossed by Ally Condie

Finished:

Bite Club by Rachel Caine

Up Next:
Who knows! I've got a few books I'd like to read shortly, but not sure what I'll really be in the mood for.

The year is winding down, and honestly, I'm not super worried about posting much or cramming a lot of reading into the end of the year. I'm trying hard to relax and take care of myself (something I've been neglecting). I'm also trying to spend some time with my family. It's probably going to be pretty quiet around here until after the first of the year. I'm working on a few things for the winter and I'd rather spend my time dedicated to those, instead of worrying about posting daily in December.

I hope ya'll have an awesome holiday with friends and family and enjoy the remainder of 2011.

In My Mailbox (Week of December 18)

2011-12-17T19:00:00.001-06:00

From the library:

Crossed by Ally Condie
The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff
Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

In My Mailbox is hosted weekly by The Story Siren.

Week in YA (December 10-17)

2011-12-15T11:08:00.000-06:00

12/10/11

The Watch Keeper by Reese Haller

12/13/11

The Crazy Things Girls Do For Love by Dyan Sheldon
Maximum Ride: The Manga Vol. 5 by James Patterson
Sisters of Isis Vol. 1 by Lynne Ewing

Breaking Dawn Part 1: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion by Mark Cotta Vaz
Windfall: Phantom Island by Krissi Dallas

12/15/11

Sudden Flash Youth: 65 Short-Short Stories edited by Christine Perkins-Hazuka, Tom Hazuka, and Mark Budman

What Are You Reading (Monday, December 12th)

2011-12-12T08:53:00.001-06:00

What Are You Reading is a weekly event hosted by Book Journey.

Currently Reading:

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
Last Breath (Morganville Vampires) by Rachel Caine

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest is going kind of slow for me. If I remember though, the first two books started out a bit slow too. I'm reading this one a little at a time while reading other books that go more quickly. It'll probably be on my "currently reading" shelf for a few weeks - it's a long dense book.

Finished:

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent was as awesome as everyone said it was! I was leery because of all the hype - I've had the book forever, but it really was fantastic!

On Read It, See It:
What Are You Reading (December 5th)
Book Review: The Pledge by Kimberly Derting
Week in YA (December 4-11)
2011 Challenge Update
Book Review: The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
Follow Friday
In My Mailbox

Up Next:

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen

In My Mailbox (Week of December 11)

2011-12-10T20:00:00.003-06:00

In My Mailbox is hosted weekly at The Story Siren.

"The idea behind IMM was not only to put new books on your radar but to also encourage blogger interaction. IMM explores the weekly contents of my mailbox and books bought. And sometimes other fun goodies..

Wow, I haven't participated in IMM since mid-September! I won't bore you with every single book I've gotten or borrowed from the library since then - that would be silly but I'll hit some of the highlights plus what I grabbed this week.

I won the October DAC challenge pack from The Story Siren which included:

The Seventh Blessing by Melissa Bueli
Audition by Stasia Ward Kehoe
Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

This week I got:

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
Last Breath: The Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine
Clockwork Prince: The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare

Follow Friday, Friday, December 9

2011-12-09T08:25:00.003-06:00

Haven't done one of these in ages, but I have time today to cruise other blogs and see who's all out there, so I thought I'd hop on the bandwagon.

This weeks featured bloggers are:
Roxy @ Keeping Up With Roxy’s Books &
Peppa @ Anonymous Reads

Q: Keeping with the Spirit of Giving this season, what book do you think EVERYONE should read and if you could, you would buy it for all of your family and friends?

A. Ohhh....that one is tough because all of my friends and family are so different. I'd say Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow, it's one of my all time favorites (though not really in the genre I prefer to read).

From Goodreads: Published in 1975, Ragtime changed our very concept of what a novel could be. An extraordinary tapestry, Ragtime captures the spirit of America in the era between the turn of the century and the First World War.

The story opens in 1906 in New Rochelle, New York, at the home of an affluent American family. One lazy Sunday afternoon, the famous escape artist Harry Houdini swerves his car into a telephone pole outside their house. And almost magically, the line between fantasy and historical fact, between real and imaginary characters, disappears. Henry Ford, Emma Goldman, J. P. Morgan, Evelyn Nesbit, Sigmund Freud, and Emiliano Zapata slip in and out of the tale, crossing paths with Doctorow's imagined family and other fictional characters, including an immigrant peddler and a ragtime musician from Harlem whose insistence on a point of justice drives him to revolutionary violence.

Book Review: The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

2011-12-08T18:20:00.000-06:00

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
Pages: 372
Grade: 8+ (some violence)

Description: (from Goodreads) The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

Thoughts: I just have to say that I love Maureen Johnson. If you don't follow her on Twitter, you should - she's hilarious.

The Name of the Star did not disappoint me. It's a fun, witty, fast paced, ghost/detective story.

I really loved how London plays a major roll in The Name of the Star. Johnson does such a good job of making the city itself a main character. She incorporates the modern and historical London flawlessly into this murder mystery. London is one of my favorite cities, so anytime she's a character in a book (and done well) I'm almost always a fan.

There's just enough ghost stuff in this book to satisfy the paranormal crowd, but the bulk of the book is actually devoted to the murder mystery (thriller/mystery fans rejoice). All of the typical YA boarding school stuff is present - boyfriends, roommates, a snotty nemesis, but The Name of the Star keeps it all fresh with a gruesome murder mystery.

One thing I love about Maureen Johnson's work (and her twitter stream) is her wit. She's always funny. The Name of the Star is no exception. Rory's internal dialogue is always humorous, even in its most serious moments. Johnson even managed a subtle crack at Twilight which literally made me spit out my soda. It's not everyday a murder mystery/horror story can make a reader snort Ginger Ale through their nose - that alone is worth an extra star.

I'm excited that this is a new series. I really enjoyed the world and Rory - I can't wait to read more! Before you groan about another series, this one works as a stand alone book. There are no big cliff hangers at the end so you can read it and never come back and be okay.

Smart, funny, spooky, and an all around good murder mystery with a fun YA paranormal twist.

2011 Challenge Updates

2011-12-07T19:30:00.001-06:00

In 2011 I decided to participate in two challenges:

1st was the 100 + Reading Challenge hosted by My Overstuffed Bookshelf. Sadly, I'm going to fall short on this one. I'll end up hitting about 75 books, which is on par for last year. Between working full-time this summer and moving to Texas, I just didn't get in a lot of reading from June until now. I've had a few good weeks since moving to Texas, but not nearly enough to make up for the dry spell I had this summer. I plan to take up this challenge again next year.

The 2nd challenge was the 2011 Debut Author Challenge hosted by The Story Siren. I've got two books to go to call this one a success, but I have in my possession 6 DAC books so I don't foresee an issue finishing this one up. I had a lot of fun participating in this challenge and I even managed to win the October DAC prize pack! I will definitely be doing this one again.