Dreaming of Books

Changeling by Philippa Gregory

2012-05-22T08:24:00.000-07:00

Title: Changeling (Order of Darkness, #1)
Author: Philippa Gregory
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: May 29, 2012

Summary (taken from Amazon):

Italy, 1453. Seventeen-year-old Luca Vero is brilliant, gorgeous—and accused of heresy. Cast out of his religious order for using the new science to question old superstitious beliefs, Luca is recruited into a secret sect: The Order of the Dragon, commissioned by Pope Nicholas V to investigate evil and danger in its many forms, and strange occurrences across Europe, in this year—the end of days.

Isolde is a seventeen-year-old girl shut up in a nunnery so she can’t inherit any of her father’s estate. As the nuns walk in their sleep and see strange visions, Isolde is accused of witchcraft—and Luca is sent to investigate her, but finds himself plotting her escape.

Despite their vows, despite themselves, love grows between Luca and Isolde as they travel across Europe with their faithful companions, Freize and Ishraq. The four young people encounter werewolves, alchemists, witches, and death-dancers as they head toward a real-life historical figure who holds the boundaries of Christendom and the secrets of the Order of the Dragon.

Review:

I know Philippa Gregory has written a lot of adult historical book (none of which I’ve read) but Changeling is her first YA novel and I finally have a change to read something from her.

Luca is accused of heresy and because of his inquisitive nature is recruited into a secret order. He’s given a chance to work as an Inquisitor who will travel throughout Christendom looking for signs showing the end of the world. His first assignment is to an abbey where strange and mysterious things are happening to the nuns. That’s where he meets Isode, the Lady Abbess, who was forced to take her vows as a nun after the death of her father. She seems like the most like suspect as the strange things started when she entered the nunnery.

Because Luca is an Inquisitor, he is sent to investigate some strange things. There’s two mysteries in this book. The first mystery has Luca investigating the mysterious events that are happening at the abbey and whether Isode has a part in any of it. This was my favourite of the two because there were so many suspects and possibilities which made it very intriguing. Are things happening because of God or is it something caused by human hands? The second mystery was a bit more predictable in that I was able to guess what was going on fairly early on.

It’s been so long since I’ve read a historical and thoroughly enjoyed Changeling. It’s a great start to a new series and I’m already excited about what’s in store for the characters.

Rating 4.5 Stars

* Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Check out the book trailer!

Fated by Alyson Noel

2012-05-18T07:55:00.000-07:00

Title: Fated (Soul Seekers, #1)
Author: Alyson Noel
Publisher: St Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: May 22, 2012

Summary (taken from Amazon):

Strange things are happening to Daire Santos. Crows mock her, glowing people stalk her, time stops without warning, and a beautiful boy with unearthly blue eyes haunts all her dreams. Fearing for her daughter’s sanity, Daire’s mother sends her to live with the grandmother she’s never met. A woman who recognizes the visions for what they truly are—the call to her destiny as a Soul Seeker—one who can navigate the worlds between the living and dead.

There on the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico, Daire sets out to harness her mystical powers. But it’s when she meets Dace, the boy from her dreams, that her whole world is shaken to its core. Now Daire is forced to discover if Dace is the one guy she's meant to be with...or if he’s allied with the enemy she's destined to destroy.

Review:

Fated is not the first book I’ve read of Alyson Noel. I’ve read the first two books in her Immortals series (a long time ago) and never really continued on with it. So with Fated being the first book in the Soul Seekers series, I thought why not give Alyson Noel another try.

Turns out that there were parts I liked and parts I didn’t. The mythology was interesting and new but the story moves at a slow pace and sometimes it felt like it took forever for Daire to get something done. Also there were so many clichés and predictable things in the story. You have Dace who is the good brother and Cade who is the bad one. And of course Daire sees Dace in her dreams and knows even before meeting him that he is her soul mate.

My feelings towards Daire are neutral. As a main character, she’s a typical teen who finds herself in a completely different environment and is whiny at times. But nothing about her makes me go “wow” and want to root for her. I wished that there was more of Dace since he wasn’t in the story that much. He’s the “good” brother so that’s the only side that was shown of him. He along with the relationship between him and Daire could have been explored further and been more developed.

There was one thing at the end that has me intrigued because it was never explained what that “thing” is…so that has me curious about finding out in the next book. I’d suggest borrowing this from the library first before buying yourself a copy.

Rating 2.5 Stars

* Thanks to Raincoast for providing me with a review copy

The List by Siobhan Vivian

2012-05-14T19:05:00.000-07:00

Title: The List
Author: Siobhan Vivian
Publisher: Push
Publication Date: April 2012

Summary (taken from Amazon):

An intense look at the rules of high school attraction -- and the price that's paid for them.

It happens every year. A list is posted, and one girl from each grade is chosen as the prettiest, and another is chosen as the ugliest. Nobody knows who makes the list. It almost doesn't matter. The damage is done the minute it goes up.

This is the story of eight girls, freshman to senior, "pretty" and "ugly." And it's also the story of how we see ourselves, and how other people see us, and the tangled connection of the two.

Review:

Every year at Mount Washington High, an anonymous list is posted the week before the Homecoming Dance listing eight girls, the prettiest and ugliest girl in each grade. While the girls on the list receive lots of attention--good and bad--being on the list affects each of them in different ways.

The story is told from the perspective of eight girls (the eight girls that are on the list). Initially, I had to keep going back to the front of the book and refer to the list to see who each girl was and what grade they were in. As the story progressed and the characters became more developed, I didn’t have that problem anymore. You get to see each girl’s reaction to being on the list and what happens after--how it affects them and especially how they are treated by their fellow students.

Its just not the ugly girls who have it hard and you would think that being named as one of the prettiest is a good thing but for some it’s the worse thing that could happen. Problems arise for all the girls. Bullying, eating disorder, jealousy, just to name a fewe all occur.

The ending was a little abrupt since I wanted to know what happens after and I wanted all the girls to have a good outcome. Overall, this is a great teen chick-lit for readers and because it follows all these different girls, readers will be able to identify with at least one of them.

Rating 4 Stars

* Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Stacking the Shelves (May 12)

2012-05-12T12:44:00.002-07:00

My first Stacking the Shelves post (yay!). I'm happy to be participating in this new meme and its hosted by Tynga of Tynga's Reviews, a fabulous Canadian blogger who I've been following for a long, long time. So here's the books I've gotten in the last couple weeks.

For Review:

Changeling by Philippa Gregory

(Thanks Simon & Schuster Canada!)

Won:

Eona by Alison Goodman (Thanks Razorbill!)

Bought:

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

The Agency: The Traitor in the Tunnel by Y.S. Lee

Not too many books which is fine with me as it gives me time to catch up on some review books. I've already finished reading Changeling which is the first Philippa Gregory book that I've read, so look out for my review at the end of the month. I know what some of you might say but I bought Fifty Shades of Grey on a whim after watching an interview with the author on TV and finally finding out what the book was about. Maybe I'll read it soon to find out what all the hype is about.

What did you guys get?

Waiting on Wednesday (May 9)

2012-05-09T09:07:00.000-07:00

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Falling Kingdoms
Author: Morgan Rhodes
Publication Date: December 2012

In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power--brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:

Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.

Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished--and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past--and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword...

The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

** Morgan Rhodes is the pseudonym for Michelle Rowen and believe it or not I have never read a YA book by her. I read somewhere about Falling Kingdoms touted as the teen version of Game of Thrones which instantly got my attention since I'm a big GOT fan. That and because I've been on a fantasy kick lately makes me want this book even more.

Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

2012-05-07T10:05:00.001-07:00

Title: Take a Bow
Author: Elizabeth Eulberg
Publisher: Point
Publication Date: April 2012

Summary (taken from Amazon):

Emme, Sophie, Ethan, and Carter are seniors at a performing arts school, getting ready for their Senior Showcase recital, where the pressure is on to appeal to colleges, dance academies, and professionals in show business. For Sophie, a singer, it's been great to be friends with Emme, who composes songs for her, and to date Carter, soap opera heartthrob who gets plenty of press coverage. Emme and Ethan have been in a band together through all four years of school, but wonder if they could be more than just friends and bandmates. Carter has been acting since he was a baby, and isn't sure how to admit that he'd rather paint than perform. The Senior Showcase is going to make or break each of the four, in a funny, touching, spectacular finale that only Elizabeth Eulberg could perform.

Review:

For the longest time I thought that Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg was going to be about one main character and that is the girl featured on the cover and I was wrong. Its told from the perspective of four teens all attending a prestigious performing arts school in New York. It’s not a book so much about competition and drama but focuses more on music, friendship, and reaching for your dreams.

For the characters, you have Emme, Ethan, Sophie, and Carter. I’m always wary when I read a book with multiple perspectives for fear of getting confused but I didn’t have a problem with Take a Bow. I ended up loving all the main characters except one. Emme is my favourite character. She’s sweet, kind-hearted, and very loyal. She has loads of talent but because she’s so shy, she prefers to be in the background. She needed to gain some confidence in herself (which Ethan helped her with) and to finally step out of Sophie’s shadow. With Emme being my favourite character than Sophie would have to be my most hated one. I relished reading her parts of the story to find out what was going on in her head and how she could be so self-centered. And in the end I did hope that she would see the light and change her ways.

I would say that this is a classic Elizabeth Eulberg read for me. This was a fun book that had me reading late into the night. I couldn’t wait to get to the end and find out what the future holds for the characters.

Rating 4.5 Stars

* Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Other books I've read by the author:
Prom and Prejudice

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

2012-05-03T08:58:00.000-07:00

Title: The Hunt
Author: Andrew Fukuda
Publisher: May 8, 2012
Publication Date: St. Martin's Griffin

Summary (taken from Amazon):

Gene is different from everyone else around him. He can’t run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn’t hurt him and he doesn’t have an unquenchable lust for blood. Gene is a human, and he knows the rules. Keep the truth a secret. It’s the only way to stay alive in a world of night—a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for their blood.

When he’s chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him. He’s thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible—and into a ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever—but is it worth the cost of his humanity?

Review:

Its set in a world where vampires have taken over the world and humans (also known as Hepers) are on the brink of extinction. Our main character, Gene, is a human who’s passing himself off as a vampire. A Heper Hunt is announced and in the ensuing lottery for participants, Gene, to his horror is chosen as one of the vampires that can hunt down humans.

The vampires in The Hunt are so different from vampires that I’ve come across in other YA paranormal books. They’ll drink your blood but will also rip your flesh out and devour that as well. They’re completely uncontrollable when exposed to Hepers (humans) while at the same time thinking that Hepers are the barbarians and savages. They also have such odd mannerisms which make them so distinct and different like scratching their wrists and cracking their neck.

With the title being “The Hunt”, I kind of thought that the story would be more about the Hunt itself instead of everything leading up to it. That said, its still a edge of your seat page turning read as Gene has many close calls with the vampires around him and the risk of being exposed is so high. I would describe it as a paranormal story with the bleakness that you would find in a lot of dystopian books. I was a little mad at myself when I got to the ending because I probably should have had some clue about what was going to happen and about a certain character in particular. It’s a big surprise at the end that had me shocked and I’m already pining for the next book.

Rating 4.5 Stars

* Thanks to Raincoast for providing me with this review copy

**********

Did you know that The Hunt is available on audiobook too. Check out this 5-minute clip courtesy of Macmillian HERE.

April Wrap Up

2012-05-01T18:44:00.000-07:00

It's been so long since I've done one of these wrap up posts. April has been the best reading month for me this year since my semester ended and I finished with finals so had a lot more time to read. Also if anyone noticed, I did not do a "In My Mailbox" for last week because I only got one book but I'm sure everyone has heard about the recent drama that swept through the book blogging world. I've decided not to participate in IMM anymore but will still have my own post to highlight and show you guys the books I got during the week.

Books Reviewed this month:

1. The Calling by Kelley Armstrong
2. The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze
3. Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral
4. Private by Kate Brian
5. The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman
6. The Opposite of Tidy by Carrie Mac
7. Earthseed by Pamela Sargent

Books read this month:

1. The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze
2. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
3. The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman
4. The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda
5. The Opposite of Tidy by Carrie Mac
6. The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead
7. Earthseed by Pamela Sergent
8. Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

How was your reading month?

Earthseed by Pamela Sargent

2012-04-30T10:04:00.000-07:00

Title: Earthseed
Author: Pamela Sargent
Publisher: Tor Teen
Publication Date: February 2012

Summary (taken from Amazon):

The ship hurtles through space. Deep within its core, it carries the seed of humankind. Launched by the people of a dying Earth over a century ago, its mission is to find a habitable world for the children—fifteen-year-old Zoheret and her shipmates—whom it has created from its genetic banks.

To Zoheret and her shipmates, Ship has been mother, father, and loving teacher, preparing them for their biggest challenge: to survive on their own, on an uninhabited planet, without Ship’s protection. Now that day is almost upon them...but are they ready to leave Ship? Ship devises a test. And suddenly, instincts that have been latent for over a hundred years take over. Zoheret watches as friends become strangers—and enemies. Can Zoheret and her companions overcome the biggest obstacle to the survival of the human race—themselves?

Review:

Like a lot of the YA books published years before, Earthseed has been repackaged with a new cover by the publisher. When I first heard about Earthseed, it reminded me of Across the Universe since I saw some similarities between the two just from reading the summary.

Zoheret is one of those characters who will take action when she sees or knows that something isn’t right. She’s stubborn and not willing to stand by and give up even if it means getting into trouble or possible danger. So she becomes the reluctant heroine and ends up playing a big part in saving Ship’s inhabitants.

The Hollow, which is an earthlike environment onboard Ship is where the teens are supposed to set up their settlement to prepare for when Ship does find a suitable planet for them. Soon after, human nature starts to take over leading to problems and arguments within the group.

I was surprised by how much happened. I’m so used to plot points being dragged out over several books but that wasn’t the case with Earthseed. There were questions about Earth and it became obvious that there was more to the Project and that Ship might be hiding things from the teens. But throughout the course of the book, everything (and more) was revealed--even things Ship had no idea about.

When I got to the end I did find myself wondering what will become of these characters and luckily I will get to find out since there are two other books in the series that take place years in the future.

Rating 4 Stars

* Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review

The Opposite of Tidy by Carrie Mac

2012-04-26T08:58:00.000-07:00

Title: The Opposite of Tidy
Author: Carrie Mac
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: April 10, 2012

Summary (taken from Amazon):

How do you come clean when your life is a mess?

Fifteen-year-old Junie is barely coping. Her mother has started sleeping in the chair in front of the TV, and the house is so packed with junk, newspapers, cupboard organizers and other helpful items from the Shopping Channel that she can barely get in the front door. Her father is no help, since he’s always with That Woman. To top it off, she’s failing math.

So when Wade Jaffre, the hot new guy at school, offers her a ride home from school, it seems too good to be true. Junie surprises herself by accepting—and even talking! But as they approach her house, her parents are outside, screaming at each other. Junie doesn’t have to think twice about directing him on to her best friend Tabitha’s house, nor about continuing the charade of pretending she lives there.

Tabitha and her mother are understanding—and willing to go along, for the moment. But as the weeks go by, Junie’s lies start piling up and the opportunity to tell the truth seems to slip away. Until the day Junie’s world—and her mother’s—is literally turned inside out for the world to see, and Junie and her mother must face the consequences of her mother’s illness ... and the lies they both told to hide it.

Review:

Junie’s been living with the secret of her mother’s hoarding for so long. The only one who know about it is her best friend Tabitha, and even she doesn’t know how bad the situation really is. When Wade Jaffre takes an interest in her, Junie’s life becomes increasingly messy with the lies she tells in order to protect her biggest secret.

Junie lies because she doesn’t want Wade to know about her mom’s compulsive hoarding and how he will see her after he finds out. But by not speaking up and seeking help from others, Junie actually enables her mom to continue with her hoarding which is getting worse and worse. I can understand why Junie felt like she had to lie to Wade at first because they were in the beginnings of a new relationship. But soon the lies are stacking up and things are getting more and more complicated as Junie recruits her best friend Tabitha and Tabitha’s mom.

I really liked Junie’s best friend Tabitha. She’s one of those great friends who will never abandon Junie even when she’s at her lowest point. The relationship with Wade could have been more developed.

There were some sad moments as Junie struggles with trying to help her mom. Overall, I thought this was a good contemporary read. I’ve never read any stories about hoarding and this one really showed how it can affect a family.

Rating 4 Stars

* Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman

2012-04-23T15:29:00.000-07:00

Title: The Book of Blood and Shadow
Author: Robin Wassweman
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 2012

Summary (taken from Amazon):

It was like a nightmare, but there was no waking up. When the night began, Nora had two best friends and an embarrassingly storybook one true love. When it ended, she had nothing but blood on her hands and an echoing scream that stopped only when the tranquilizers pierced her veins and left her in the merciful dark.

But the next morning, it was all still true: Chris was dead. His girlfriend Adriane, Nora's best friend, was catatonic. And Max, Nora's sweet, smart, soft-spoken Prince Charming, was gone. He was also—according to the police, according to her parents, according to everyone—a murderer.

Desperate to prove his innocence, Nora follows the trail of blood, no matter where it leads. It ultimately brings her to the ancient streets of Prague, where she is drawn into a dark web of secret societies and shadowy conspirators, all driven by a mad desire to possess something that might not even exist. For buried in a centuries-old manuscript is the secret to ultimate knowledge and communion with the divine; it is said that he who controls the Lumen Dei controls the world. Unbeknownst to her, Nora now holds the crucial key to unlocking its secrets. Her night of blood is just one piece in a puzzle that spans continents and centuries. Solving it may be the only way she can save her own life.

Review:

The Book of Blood and Shadow is a booked filled with history, mystery, intrigue, and secret societies. The history was intricate and very detailed…and I could tell that the author did her research. Also I was very surprised to find out at the end that many of the people, events, and items mentioned in the book were real.

After the death of her brother, Nora transfers to a new school with the hopes of getting away from that part of her past. She becomes friends with Chris and Adrienne and later on starts dating Max, who is Chris’s roommate. Nora is different from a lot of YA characters in that she’s calm, level-headed and thinks things through. Chris is a fun, outgoing guy, great friend to Nora and it was kind of sad knowing that he was going to die in the story and wouldn’t make it.

The thing about the story is that there wasn’t any one thing that specifically grabbed my attention but I guess I liked it enough since I still thought it was a worthwhile read. There was a gradual slow build to the story that will keep readers guessing about the mystery and who the real killer is.

Rating 3 Stars

* Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

In My Mailbox (Apr 21)

2012-04-21T15:53:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly post about what books we have received that week (via your mailbox/library/store bought). It is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren and which was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.

For Review:

Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti

Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

Girl Out Loud by Emily Gale

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead (read)

The Opposite of Tidy by Carrie Mac (read; look for my review next week)

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer

Earthseed by Pamela Sargent

The List by Siobhan Vivian

(Thanks to Penguin Canada, Scholastic Canada, Simon & Schuster Canada and Tor Teen)

These are the books I've gotten in the last two weeks. The books from Scholastic and Simon & Schuster were unexpected suprises as I wasn't expecting them. Between the Lines will be the first Jodi Picoult book I'll read. I really need to read more contempory books and I sure did get a bunch of them this week.

What's in your mailbox?

Mini Reviews: Chopsticks & Private

2012-04-19T10:52:00.000-07:00

Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony & Rodrigo Corral

Summary (taken from Amazon):

After her mother died, Glory retreated into herself and her music. Her single father raised her as a piano prodigy, with a rigid schedule and the goal of playing sold-out shows across the globe. Now, as a teenager, Glory has disappeared. As we flash back to the events leading up to her disappearance, we see a girl on the precipice of disaster. Brilliant and lonely, Glory is drawn to an artistic new boy, Frank, who moves in next door. The farther she falls, the deeper she spirals into madness. Before long, Glory is unable to play anything but the song "Chopsticks."

But nothing is what it seems, and Glory's reality is not reality at all. In this stunningly moving novel told in photographs, pictures, and words, it's up to the reader to decide what is real, what is imagined, and what has been madness all along....

Review:

Even before I received a copy, I first saw this book at Chapters. I flipped through it and was surprised to see that its not your typical novel in that the story is told through pictures and scrapbooks.

Since you’re looking at pictures, it made the reading experience very private as you’re looking at some of the captured moments between the characters. But I still felt that it was only scratching the surface and ultimately I wasn’t able to really get to know Glory and Frank. Also, since there’s very little words, a lot is left to the interpretation of the reader--such as the ending.

This format of storytelling is new to me. The book had great pictures, was visually stunning, and I would be open to reading something like this again.

Rating 3 Stars

* Copy received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Private by Kate Brian

Summary (taken from Amazon):

Tradition, Honor, Excellence...and secrets so dark they're almost invisible.

Fifteen-year-old Reed Brennan wins a scholarship to Easton Academy -- the golden ticket away from her pill-popping mother and run-of-the-mill suburban life. But when she arrives on the beautiful, tradition-steeped campus of Easton, everyone is just a bit more sophisticated, a bit more gorgeous, and a lot wealthier than she ever thought possible. Reed realizes that even though she has been accepted to Easton, Easton has not accepted her. She feels like she's on the outside, looking in.

Until she meets the Billings Girls.

They are the most beautiful, intelligent, and intensely confident girls on campus. And they know it. They hold all the power in a world where power is fleeting but means everything. Reed vows to do whatever it takes to be accepted into their inner circle.
Reed uses every part of herself -- the good, the bad, the beautiful -- to get closer to the Billings Girls. She quickly discovers that inside their secret parties and mountains of attitude, hanging in their designer clothing-packed closets the Billings Girls have skeletons. And they'll do anything to keep their secrets private.

Review:

Escaping from her less than ideal family, Reed Brennan is awarded a scholarship to prestigious Easton Academy. Once there she gets her first glimpse of the Billings Girls. Rich, confident and seemingly perfect--Reed decides that they are who she wants to be and tries everything in her power to get in their good graces.

Reed pretty much does everything the Billings Girls tell her to do. At times I wanted her to stand up for herself and say no and to forget about her plans. She wants to make her way to the top and if doing menial tasks for the Billings Girls will help then she will do it. The relationship between Reed and Thomas didn’t feel genuine. Thomas is still a mystery and I didn’t get a good sense of who he “really” is. Overall, Private was entertaining with secrets, scandals and drama (all of which I love). And the short chapters made for a very quick read as well.

Rating 4 Stars

* Copy borrowed from the library

Waiting on Wednesday (Apr 11)

2012-04-11T07:49:00.000-07:00

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

City of Lost Souls
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publication Date: May 8, 2012

The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing–but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.

No magic the Clave can summon can locate either boy, but Jace cannot stay away—not from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith’s dying magic has wrought—Jace is no longer the boy she loved. He and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has become what he most feared: a true servant of Valentine’s evil. The Clave is determined to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. Will the Shadowhunters hesitate to kill one of their own?

Only a small band of Clary and Jace’s friends and family believe that Jace can still be saved — and that the fate of the Shadowhunters’ future may hinge on that salvation. They must defy the Clave and strike out on their own. Alec, Magnus, Simon and Isabelle must work together to save Jace: bargaining with the sinister Faerie Queen, contemplating deals with demons, and turning at last to the Iron Sisters, the reclusive and merciless weapons makers for the Shadowhunters, who tell them that no weapon on this earth can sever the bond between Sebastian and Jace. Their only chance of cutting Jace free is to challenge Heaven and Hell — a risk that could claim any, or all, of their lives.

And they must do it without Clary. For Clary has gone into the heart of darkness, to play a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing the game is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she even still trust him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love?

Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

** I guess I should have had this sooner as my WOW pick but with less than one month to go until the release my anticipation is building until I can get my hands on a copy.

The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze

2012-04-09T09:45:00.000-07:00

Title: The Last Princess
Author: Galaxy Craze
Publisher: Poppy
Publication Date: May 1, 2012

Summary (taken from Amazon):

Happily ever after is a thing of the past.

A series of natural disasters has decimated the earth. Cut off from the rest of the world, England is a dark place. The sun rarely shines, food is scarce, and groups of criminals roam the woods, searching for prey. The people are growing restless.

When a ruthless revolutionary sets out to overthrow the crown, he makes the royal family his first target. Blood is shed in Buckingham Palace, and only sixteen-year old Princess Eliza manages to escape. Determined to kill the man who destroyed her family, Eliza joins the enemy forces in disguise. She has nothing left to live for but revenge, until she meets someone who helps her remember how to hope-and love-once more.

Review:

The year is 2090 and after a series of catastrophic events and natural disasters known as the Seventeen Days, what’s left of England is slowly crumbling. After a rebel group overthrows the king of England, Eliza is the only one in her family who manages to escape and she vows to seek revenge.

Eliza is a princess but she’s not one of those meek girls who will cower and give up when things don’t go their way. Instead, she does what she can to survive and even manages to infiltrate the revolutionary group known as the New Guard in the hopes of killing their leader and the man responsible for the pain and suffering of her family.

Even though it takes place in futuristic London, in my mind I kept picturing it as a historical and there were several reasons as to why. First, its post-apocalyptic so many things have reverted back to the old ways as in there’s no electricity and there’s a lot of travelling done on horseback. And secondly, its about the royal family--so the future generation of the Windsor’s. Whenever I think of royalty, my mind would conjure up images of long ball gowns, corsets, and Regency England. Its not at all the author’s fault but just how things have been engrained in my mind. (On a side note: I’m also curious if any one else felt the same way as I did)

The Last Princess is a quick paced read that will have readers turning the pages. Eliza’s journey is not an easy one and is also one that is filled with heart break and sorrow which will have readers tearing up. I’m really not sure whether or not there will be a sequel since everything is tied up at the end but in the epilogue there was one hint that suggested that there might be more things to come.

Rating 4 Stars

* Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Waiting on Wednesday (Apr 4)

2012-04-04T07:49:00.002-07:00

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

The Darkest Mind
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Publication Date: December 2012

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have been cursed with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby has spent nearly half her life desperately trying to hide the fact that she’s outwitted the camp’s sorting system—that she isn’t powerless, or safe. She’s one of the dangerous ones… and everyone knows what happens to them.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of teens who escaped their own camp, pursued along the way by terrifying bounty hunters. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close to him. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Before the end, Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

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** I loved Alexandra Bracken's first book, Brightly Woven, and after so long she finally has a new book coming out. I like that the cover is different and not your run of the mill YA cover plus the story sounds great.

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

2012-04-02T08:54:00.000-07:00

Title: The Calling (The Darkest Rising, #2)
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Publication Date: April 10, 2012

Summary (taken from Amazon):

On the heels of the wildly popular The Gathering comes the second in the "Darkness Rising" YA trilogy from NYT bestselling author Kelley Armstrong.

Maya Delaney's paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truly is--a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it's only a matter of time before she's able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now, Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they're kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.

Review:

The Calling starts off right where The Gathering ended with Maya and her friends being flown away from Salmon Creek to safety. On the helicopter it soon becomes clear that the pilot is heading in the wrong direction so a confrontation ensues and the helicopter crashes, killing both the pilot and Mayor Tillson. Left stranded in an unknown part of the island, the teens must fend for themselves while evading capture by an unknown group hell-bent on finding them.

Both Maya and Daniel really stepped up in this book because they both have the most experience with being in the forest, they try to help their friends the best they can. Maya’s always thinking of her friends even knowing what she’s about to do is dangerous and can lead to her capture and that goes both ways with Daniel, Corey, Sam, and Hayley all looking out for each other.

It also comes to light the Maya and Rafe aren’t the only ones with supernatural powers. They’re all coming to terms with the fact the supernatural’s do exist and that they might be one themselves. Maya and Rafe are shape shifters but its still not exactly clear what kind of powers their friends might have though there are signs of their powers manifesting now that they are away from the St. Clouds.

The ending is still something I’m giddy about. What I’ve been waiting for since the beginning of the series looks like its finally going to happen in the next book. I’m excited for it and can’t wait to see what the character’s reactions will be.

I’m a big fan of Kelley Armstrong and The Calling was everything that I thought it would be. With lots of danger and action which made for a thrilling, and ever suspenseful read. If you haven’t read any of Kelley Armstrong’s books yet, what are you waiting for? Give this series a try along with her previous YA series too.

Rating 5 Stars
* Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Other books in the series:
The Gathering

Check out the trailer!

In My Mailbox (Mar 31)

2012-03-31T11:57:00.000-07:00

For Review:

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze

The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman

Bought:

Wither by Lauren DeStefano (Review Here)

If I Stay by Gale Forman

Spy Glass by Maria V. Snyder

I'm pretty excited about the review books I got this week. I just finished The Calling this morning (look for my review to be up next week) and I'll be starting The Last Princess later today. Also I went to Chapters and they had copies of Wither at bargain prices so I had to get myself a copy since I love the series.

What did you get in your mailbox?

Black Heart by Holly Black

2012-03-27T06:46:00.000-07:00

Title: Black Heart (Curse Workers, #3)
Author: Holly Black
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date: April 3, 2012

Summary (taken from Amazon):

Cassel Sharpe knows he’s been used as an assassin, but he’s trying to put all that behind him. He’s trying to be good, even though he grew up in a family of con artists and cheating comes as easily as breathing to him. He’s trying to do the right thing, even though the girl he loves is inextricably connected with crime. And he’s trying to convince himself that working for the Feds is smart, even though he’s been raised to believe the government is the enemy.

But with a mother on the lam, the girl he loves about to take her place in the Mob, and new secrets coming to light, the line between what’s right and what’s wrong becomes increasingly blurred. When the Feds ask Cassel to do the one thing he said he would never do again, he needs to sort out what’s a con and what’s truth. In a dangerous game and with his life on the line, Cassel may have to make his biggest gamble yet—this time on love.

Review:

I remember when I first read White Cat, I liked but wasn’t going crazy for it. And after I read it and stewed on it for a bit I realized how clever the storytelling was and how incredible the book was…and that’s how I felt about this series ever since. I started Black Heart and only after reading two pages, I’m already back in the story and back into Cassel’s world.

I enjoyed seeing Cassel’s growth throughout the series. He still sees himself as a criminal and conman but he has a good heart--helping others even knowing that he’s being conned. His brother, Barron, surprised me since I never expected to feel sympathetic for him after the things he did to Cassel but in the end I did.

Knowing that this is the last book of the trilogy, there’s still a lot of loose ends to tie up including Cassel dealing with the Feds, his turbulent relationship with Lila and the trouble going on with his mom. Holly Black manages to do all that plus give us one incredible ending. I loved the ending and it was perfect and fitting for the two characters after all they’ve been through. After reading it, I couldn’t imagine it ending any other way and satisfying me the way it did.

Verdict: Read this series! If you’re like me, then it might not sound like something you’ll usually read but trust me you’ll end up loving it.

Rating 5 Stars

* Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Other books in the series:
White Cat
Red Glove

Vancouver Area Events

2012-03-24T16:23:00.000-07:00

Just a couple events that might be of interest to YA book lovers :)

The Buried Life will be here on Wednesday April 4th, at 7 pm. This event is hosted by Kidsbooks and you will require a ticket to attend. Tickets are $25 and includes a signed copy of the book.

Location:Our Lady of Perpetual Help School , 2550 Camosun at 10th Ave

Authors Jay Asher, Hiromi Goto, Carrie Mac will be signing at Chapeters Metrotown on April 17th, at 7 pm, to celebrate the launch of Razorbill in Canada.

Trenton Lee Stewart, author of the popular middle grade series, Mysterious Benedict Society, will be coming to Kidsbooks as part of the tour for the newest book in the series: The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict. The event takes place on Saturday May 5th, at 2 pm. Tickets are $21 and includes a copy of the book.

Location: West Point Grey United Church Sanctuary, 4595 West 8th Ave.

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The only event I'll be going to is the Jay Asher/Hiromi Goto/Carrie Mac signing next month. I haven't read any books by Hiromi Goto and Carrie Mac so let me know if you have any recommendations.

Waiting on Wednesday (Mar 21)

2012-03-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Starling
Author: Lesley Livingston
Publication Date: August 2012

"Love is just the beginning... of the end."

Mason Starling is a champion fencer for Gosforth Academy, but she’s never had to fight for her life. Until now. When a ferocious storm rips through Manhattan and unleashes terrifying creatures onto Gosforth’s campus, Mason barely escapes alive. Without help from the mysterious stranger who appeared in the midst of the storm, she might not have made it at all. But now, in the aftermath, Mason’s life begins to spin dramatically, mystically out of control, and the only one who seems able to help her is the stranger who can remember nothing but his name: Fennrys Wolf.

As Mason and Fenn uncover more about Fenn’s past and the strange events that surround them, they realize that Mason’s family — and its dark allegiance to the ancient Norse gods — is at the center of everything. A predetermined fate seems to be closing in on Mason, but is it possible to change one’s destiny?

Readers who fell in love with Lesley Livingston’s Wondrous Strange trilogy and those who love Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series will be captivated by the sweeping romance and pulse-pounding action of Starling.

** I loved the Wondrous Strange trilogy and was so happy to hear that there will be another series set in the same world...and with the Fennrys Wolf too.

Rivals by Lauren Kunze with Rina Onur

2012-03-19T08:33:00.000-07:00

Title: Rivals (The Ivy, #3)
Author: Lauren Kunze with Rina Onur
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: February 2012

Summary (taken from Amazon):

Decisions, decisions . . . You’ve survived your first semester and captured the interest of not one but two of the hottest guys on campus.

Now who are you going to choose?

Callie Andrews returns for her second semester at Harvard determined to do better than the previous fall, where those Bs on her report card seemed pretty good compared to the state of her extracurriculars (F, as in if at first you don’t succeed, you should probably stop trying), friendships (C-minus, since she and former BFF Vanessa are still on thin ice), and love life (D, as in don’t even go there). But various campus rivalries soon threaten to thwart Callie’s resolve. Will Callie ever be a match for—

Grace Lee
the take-no-prisoners managing editor

Alessandra
the gorgeous transfer student

Clint
the guy who might just be too perfect

and Gregory
the guy who may never be perfect enough.

Callie will face some of the toughest choices imaginable: in friendships, in loyalties, and in love. The pressure to pick a side—and a suitor—has never been higher. But will she and her friends choose well?

Review:

Can you believe that I wasn’t even aware that this was already released. My cousin actually e-mailed me and told me to read this one right away cause she just read it and wanted to talk to me about it and “express her feelings” so I immediately started it and WOW (!!!) was it good.

After how book 2 ended I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen and whether Callie would choose Gregory or Clint. I’ve always been on Team Gregory because there was always a spark between Callie and him…even if neither would admit it. While Clint is a great boyfriend, he’s just a little too perfect for my taste. Plus there will always be the fact he dated Lexi for two years and we all know what sort of a person Lexi is.

Callie is still a little too impulsive and it shows when she is suspicious of Clint and Lexi’s relationship. This book showed how calculating of a person Lexi is and the things she’ll do to get what she wants. Also there’s a new couple that I’m really getting behind and its Vanessa and Tyler. Vanessa is Callie’s ex-best friend and one of her roommates and Tyler is Clint’s best friend and roommate. They are always arguing and bickering but its so cute to see cause I think they do care more about each other then they show.

I’ve said it before and its that The Ivy remains my favourite guilty pleasure series to read. This book was full of drama, secrets and reveals. Lauren Kunze always leaves me hanging with her endings and the ending to RIVALS was no different. Fortunately I don’t have to wait too long since book 4 (The Ivy: Scandals) comes out in December of this year.

Rating 5 Stars

Other books in the series:
The Ivy
Secrets

In My Mailbox (Mar 17)

2012-03-17T17:31:00.000-07:00

For Review:

Under My Skin by Charles de Lint (Review)

Bought:

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare (I know what took me so long right)

Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey

Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey

Shatter Me by Taherah Mafi (signed)

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Won:

Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral

I haven't bought many books lately since have way too many books that I haven't read yet but a local indie bookstore announced that they were closing its doors this week, which is always sad news to hear but on the upside is the book sales and I couldn't resist. I think I won a copy of Chopsticks over on razorbill.ca since it came unsolicited and I remember entering a contest for it. Its a different type of novel and looks to be a very quick read...can't wait to see how I will like it.

Under My Skin by Charles de Lint

2012-03-15T08:45:00.000-07:00

Title: Under My Skin (Wildlings, #1)
Author: Charles de Lint
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: February 2012

Summary (taken from Amazon):

For the past six months, something has been happening to young people in Santa Feliz. Week after week, there’s news of another teen changing shape, transforming from human to wild animal and back again. The federal government has stepped in, running public service announcements calling for affected youth to turn themselves in for “orientation and training.”

Josh Saunders has seen the news reports, but he is still unprepared when it happens to him. one minute he’s arguing with his mother’s boyfriend and the next, he is looming over the man, blood dripping from his claws—he has transformed into a mountain lion. When he switches back to his human body, he knows his life has changed forever. He has become a Wildling.

Trusting only his best friends des and Marina with his secret, Josh tries to return to regular living. But an encounter with Elzie, another Wildling, brings him unwanted attention from the authorities. And when an accidental betrayal reveals Josh’s secret, his carefully constructed cover is ripped apart, forcing his friends to intervene. They must grudgingly put their trust in others, including other Wildlings—and, most challenging, in each other— if they ever hope to save him.

Review:

For the past couple months, teens from Santa Feliz are finding out that they have the ability to shape shift into animals and no one knows how or why. Its made national headline news and there’s always a new story or video coming out about it happening to yet another teen. Josh just found out that he too is a Wildling. After that moment, his life will never be the same. But Josh has also gotten the attention of the FBI and it seems that they are keeping a close eye on him. Only trusting his two best friends, Des and Marina, Josh must keep the fact that he’s a Wildling a secret while eluding the authorities.

Josh’s first transformation into a mountain lion happens right at the start of the book. It immediately drew me in and had me asking questions and wanting to know more. After his first transformation, Josh tries his best to live a normal life but with every day that passes, it seems more and more impossible. Both Des and Marina are great friends to Josh. They don’t treat Josh any differently after they find out that he’s a Wildling and will always have his back no matter what--even risking their safety when Josh finds himself in danger.

The story was action-packed with some great twists--you think you know who the bad guys are but it turns out to be someone totally unexpected. There’s still so much about the Wildlings, their history, and what they can do that we don’t know about.

Under My Skin is the first book I’ve read by Charles de Lint. I know he’s written a lot of other books and was even the winner of the World Fantasy Award so I’m definitely looking forward reading more about Josh and learning more about Wildlings in the next book.

Rating 4 Stars

* Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

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March is also Charles de Lint month over at Razorbill.ca so be sure to check that out and there'll be a live chat with him on March 27 @ 8 PM EST

Waiting on Wednesday (Mar 14)

2012-03-14T08:49:00.000-07:00

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Defiance
Author: C.J. Redwine
Publication Date: August 2012

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.