Reading Addict

Check Out These Book Trailers!

2012-02-09T18:58:00.000-06:00

Here are some young adult book trailers that I've discovered recently. All of these books look amazing, and I can't wait to get my hands on them!

Pinelight by Jillian Peery

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Partials by Dan Wells

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

(my review is here!)

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin

Review: The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

2012-02-01T21:52:00.000-06:00

Title: The Last Echo

Series: The Body Finder Series

Book #: Three

Author: Kimberly Derting

Release Date: April 17, 2012
Source: Around the World ARC Tours
Format: Advanced Reader's Copy

Buy The Book: Amazon

My Rating:

In the end, all that’s left is an echo.

Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet’s talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it’s Violet’s job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice.

When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by “the girlfriend collector” she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new “relationship” and Violet may have caught his eye....

Gah, I love this fabulously creepy, spine-chilling series. I'll be the first to admit that I'm a complete wimp when it comes to horror stories, and this book had me a wee bit freaked out in bed at night. This "bad guy" is even more twisted than his predecessors. Even his name, "the collector," gives me goosebumps. It is for that very reason, among others, that I adore Derting's novels. She knows just how to balance humor, mystery, romance, and horror in her fantastic YA novels.

Unlike in the previous novels, Violet doesn't have to bear the burden of her "gift" alone. This time, she is a part of a supernatural team that hunts down killers before they can claim their next victims. The team is really what sets The Last Echo apart from the other books. I really enjoyed the bonds Violet forged with her new partners, and it was fascinating to see their unique powers in action.

*spoiler* When Derting first introduced Rafe into the equation, I groaned internally. I don't think I could handle it if yet another one of my favorite protagonists fell into a ridiculous love triangle. Not to mention that I adore Jay, one of the sweetest fictional boyfriends I've ever read about. Rafe could never replace this boy in my eyes. Luckily, Violet steers clear of any messy romances and stays true to her devoted best-friend-turned-boyfriend. Thank goodness, or I might have chucked this book out of my window.

My favorite aspect of this series is Violet's gift. Now, as morbid as that sounds, I do have my reasons. First of all, it is entirely unique. I read a ton of young adult literature, and I've yet to see anything quite like it. Secondly, it adds so much to Vi. With the weight of the dead's secrets on her shoulders, she's grown and developed throughout the series. I can't even imagine how I would handle such a devastating curse.

Overall, I was immensely pleased with this installment in The Body Finder series. Fans of Lisa McMann and Laurie Stolarz will eat this series up. I cannot wait to see what creepy tale Derting publishes next!

Review: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

2012-01-23T19:42:00.000-06:00

Title: Of Poseidon

Series: N/A

Book #: One

Author: Anna Banks

Release Date: May 22, 2012
Source: Around the World ARC Tours
Format: Advanced Reader's Copy

Buy The Book: Amazon

My Rating:

Emma and her friend Chloe are spending vacation in Florida. When Emma (literally) runs into a hot guy named Galen on the beach, little does she know he’s a prince of the Syrena. Galen and Emma both feel something strange – is it attraction? – and Galen suspects that Emma might well be the girl he’s heard of – a human who can communicate with fish.

What follows is a deadly scene with a shark in which Galen witnesses Emma’s gifts. He must know more about her, and follows her back to New Jersey, and high school, to find out for sure if she’s the key to saving his kingdom. Soon, Emma can’t deny her feelings for him, but can’t explain them, either – and both she and Galen must learn more about where she comes from and what her powers are before they can trust one another and their feelings. (taken from goodreads.com)

Ohmysweetgoodness, where do I begin talking about this fabulous debut? I've been in love with the idea of mermaids since I was a toddler. Thanks to my blow-up swimming pool, I imagined becoming one of the mythical creatures more than a few times. For some unfortunate reason, I've had a hard time finding mermaid novels that don't come across as completely ridiculous or weird. FINALLY, I have found a novel that made me fall in love with merfolk all over again.

Emma was a hilarious, lovable heroine. Her snarky commentary and fiery temper had me giggling constantly. While falling head-over-heels for the gorgeous Syrena prince, Galen, she can't help but make a fool of herself, and I loved her for it. Galen, on the other hand, is utterly swoon-worthy. Trapped by the complicated politics of the Syrena, the star-crossed lovers make quite the couple. Their spicy relationship was both addictive and adorable.

Banks really made this genre of paranormal romance her own. Creatures like Galen are referred to as Syrena instead of "mermaids," and Banks creates an entire history for the two Syrena kingdoms. The writing is humorous yet lyrical. The entire story felt like something I would have dreamed up. Hot merman? Check. A seemingly normal girl with mysterious powers? Check. Heart-wrenching story of forbidden love? Check. What's not to love?

The story alternates between Galen and Emma's points of view, and I enjoyed both sides immensely. Emma's vivid personality gives her chapters spunk. I loved seeing Galen through her eyes and experiencing her discoveries. Galen's tale allows us to glimpse the world of Syrena, which I loved. I couldn't learn enough about the fascinating creatures and their culture. Plus, reading about his feelings for Emma was downright heart-melting.

Way to end the story with a killer cliff-hanger, Banks. Now I'm desperate for a sequel! Overall, I'd definitely recommend Of Poseidon to anyone in search of a wonderful mermaid tale. Packed with hilarity, wit, and mystery, this novel will surely receive tons of praise once it hits the shelves in May.

Book Trailer: Tempest by Julie Cross

2012-01-15T11:23:00.000-06:00

Tempest by Julie Cross

The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world. (taken from goodreads.com)

Review: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

2012-01-05T19:58:00.000-06:00

Title: Clockwork Prince
Series: The Infernal Devices
Book #: Two

Author: Cassandra Clare

Published: 2011
Source: Bought
My Rating:

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart. (taken from goodreads.com)

Cassandra Clare will never cease to amaze me. I'd forgotten how much I love her writing. It is utterly addictive. What a fabulous way to start the new year! When I read Clockwork Angel, I thought it was "nearly as captivating and wonderful as Clare's other books," but not quite. It didn't have that extra spark that catapulted The Mortal Instruments series into fame. However, Clockwork Prince contains as many heart-wrenching love triangles, crazy intense fight scenes, and dramatic plot reveals as any of the TMI books.

Usually, I detest love triangles. Sure, they were entertaining at first, but after reading about a billion of them, I grew to hate them. To my total surprise, this love triangle took my heart, played tug-of-war with it, ripped it right down the middle, and left me completely torn between two incredible boys. One of my goodreads friends told me that this book was an emotional roller coaster. Boy, did she hit the nail on the head.

Clare's plot development is pure genius. I adore her stories along with her brilliant characters.

I had literally no idea where this book was going. My only choice was to sit tight and hang on as the story rounded capricious twists and turns. We finally receive the answers to many of the burning questions that Clockwork Angel provoked, such as What is Will hiding? Is there something between Jem and Tessa?

I'm glad I decided against reading this book in public, because my reactions to the plot were a bit embarrassing (i.e. gasping out loud, sitting straight up in bed, covering my mouth). Seriously, this book drove me insane. After seeing how things turned out, I'm boggled as to how Clare will write a happy ending for this series. Still, I can't doubt her amazing ability to pull believable stories out of thin air.

After reading the ending's killer cliffhanger, I am anxiously awaiting the release of Clockwork Princess. This book surprised me on so many levels, and I loved every minute of it. If you're a fan of The Mortal Instruments series, then you MUST look into The Infernal Devices!

City of Lost Souls Cover Reveal!

2012-01-04T17:21:00.000-06:00

The cover of City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare was revealed today!

You have no idea how excited I am for this book. No idea. The Mortal Instruments series is one of my all time favorites. This cover is by FAR the best yet, in my opinion! I am in love with it. Seriously, I pull it up on my computer every now and then just to stare at it. Jace and I have been apart for too long.

Obviously, the two models represent Jace (EEE) and Clary. Their romantic pose, Clary's flowing red dress, and the French setting all hint at a mind-blowingly epic plot hidden beneath the gorgeous cover. May cannot possibly get here soon enough!

To read an excerpt from City of Lost Souls, click HERE.

What do you think of the newest TMI book cover? Do you love it as much as I do?

Win the Sequel You've Been Dying to Read!

2012-01-02T18:16:00.000-06:00

So many amazing books are going to hit the shelves in 2012, and a large majority of these new novels are sequels. Famous authors from Cassandra Clare to Lauren Oliver are releasing the installments you cannot wait to get your hands on.

I don't know about you, but I am always falling behind in popular series. Sequels are coming out faster than I can buy them! Therefore, I am giving readers the opportunity to win one of the many sequels coming out in 2012. I will personally pre-order the winner's copy and have it mailed straight to his/her house as soon as the book is released!

The Prizes:

There will only be one winner in this contest as of right now, but if I get enough entries, I will increase the number of winners! So spread the word! Feel free to link to this contest on your blog, Twitter, Facebook, or other.

To enter in this contest, just fill out the form below.

Rules:

-Open to US residents only

-Entry deadline is March 1, 2012

-You MUST be a follower

-Winners will be picked at random

-Contest Policy applies

FORM TO ENTER - CLICK HERE

Good luck to everyone, and thanks for entering!

Sunday Sequels (58)

2012-01-01T10:50:00.000-06:00

Sunday sequels is my own meme. Every Sunday, I'll post covers, news, or other stuff about sequels in a popular series. This week I'm going to talk about A Want So Wicked (A Need So Beautiful #2) by Suzanne Young.

Release Date: June 26, 2012

Elise is a normal seventeen-year-old girl until the day she wakes up in a desert park, with no idea who she is.

After that episode, her life takes a bizarre turn. She’s experiencing unexpected flashes of insight into people’s lives—people she’s never met before. Strangers frighten her with warnings about the approaching Shadows. And although Elise has never had a boyfriend, she suddenly finds herself torn between two handsome but very different young men: Abe, the charming bad boy whose affect on her both seduces and frightens her, and the mysterious Harlin, who’s new to town but with whom Elise feels an urgent, elemental connection—almost as if they are soul mates.

Now Elise begins to question everything about her life. Why do these guys both want her so desperately? What are the Shadows? Why does the name Charlotte inspire a terrifying familiarity? And who is Elise, really? (taken from goodreads.com)

I have yet to read A Need So Beautiful, but I've heard wonderful things about it! I love how the cover kept the same flowing, soft-light feel as the first book's. What are your opinions on this series? Should I move the first book up in my to-be-read pile?

Happy New Year Everyone!

2011-12-31T20:08:00.000-06:00

Review: Article 5 by Kristen Simmons (ARC)

2011-12-31T12:02:00.000-06:00

Title: Article 5
Series: Article 5 Series
Book #: One

Author: Kristen Simmons

Published: 2012
Source: Around the World ARC Tours
My Rating:

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard for her to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It’s hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved. (taken from goodreads.com)

I. Love. This. Book. I've been trying to write this review for an hour now, but I keep deleting everything I type. I just can't find the words! Article 5 is everything that I look for in a novel- addictive, heart-pounding, original, ROMANTIC, and wonderfully written with deep characters. Last night, I stayed up until 3:30 devouring every single word. I couldn't stop. Seriously, I'd set it down on my nightstand and try to sleep, but the temptation was too great!

Let's start by analyzing Ember. I wish I could be her. Headstrong and fiery, she does whatever is necessary, no matter how terrifying or risky the plan may be. While Ember seems older than than her seventeen years, she is also incredibly relatable. As her life is turned upside down by the Moral Militia, her heart changes from one of an innocent girl to that of a hardened fighter.

Now to talk about Chase. Oh, Chase. Where do I even begin? I'm head over heels in love with him. I haven't been this obsessed with a fictional character in ages! I'm moving him to the VERY top of my ever-growing list of fictional-boyfriends. I adore him. Amazing muscles, towering height, dark eyes, and jet black hair aside, his personality is fascinating. I spent most of the novel trying to figure him out, and I'm not sure if I'll ever truly understand his deep character.

The word "exciting" doesn't even cover this plot. Try, "thrilling" or "electrifying." The action begins within the first few pages and doesn't let up. I was dragged along on insane twists and turns, and I loved every minute of it. The ending completely threw me, and even though it was as far from a fairy-tale happily ever after as possible, I loved it. It wouldn't have been authentic dystopian literature if everything had been picture perfect in the conclusion.

Article 5 is, without a doubt, one of the best YA dystopian novels I have ever read. End of story. This debut novel deserves attention from each and every teen reader. Books like this one are the reason I'm a reader and a reviewer. Absolutely amazing.