Burning.x.Impossibly.x.Bright

Stacking the Shelves (2)

2012-05-27T11:08:00.000-06:00

Stacking the Shelves is Tynga's Reviews' version of In My Mailbox (from The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie).

Stacking the Shelves is a way to share the books that you're adding to your physical and virtual bookshelves. It's easy to participate. You just make your own post, and link it to the main post over at Tynga's Reviews. Also, in case you're curious, Tynga's post for it goes up on Saturdays, but you can post it any day that you like. I've decided to post mine on Sundays. :) You can find out more about participating by reading the Stacking the Shelves Launch post.

So, here's what I got this week!

For Review:

The Vindico by Wesley King (from Penguin Canada)
Bitterblue (Graceling Realm #3) by Kristin Cashore (from Penguin Canada)
Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink by Stephanie Kate Strohm (from Thomas Allen)
Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls by Mary Downing Hahn (from Thomas Allen)
Scorch (Croak #2) by Gina Damico (from Thomas Allen)
Enchanted by Alethea Kontis (from Thomas Allen)
Polar Wives by Keri Herbert (from D and M Publishing)

I'm really excited for these ones! I still need to read Fire, but I'm excited for Bitterblue...and hopefully I'll like it more than the people whose reviews I've already seen. :P I'm especially excited for Scorch! Can't wait to read it! :D I hadn't actually heard of Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls before it arrived in my mailbox, but it sounds interesting. :)

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Won from Fiktshun on My Reading Pile:

Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey
Leverage by Joshua C. Cohen

I won a couple of ARCs from Fiktshun's one blog, and I'm really excited for them, especially for Stolen Away! :D

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RAK:

The Forest of Hands and Teeth (The Forest of Hands and Teeth #1) by Carrie Ryan (from Amber at The Musings of aLmYbNeNr)

Thank you so much, Amber! :D I can't wait to read this one, and I'm so glad that you sent it to me for RAK!

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Bought:

City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments #5) by Cassandra Clare
Above by Leah Bobet
The Anti-Prom by Abby McDonald
Getting Over Garrett Delaney by Abby McDonald

I actually ended up buying two copies of CoLS because the one I got from The Book Depo didn't have the special edition letter from Stephen Herondale in it like the one from Chapters did. :P I just started it, and I really like it so far...hopefully it will help me get out of my reading slump. :) I bought the other three books for my Kobo and used some awesome coupons. :D Can't wait to read them! :D

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Thank you to Penguin Canada, Thomas Allen and Sons, and D and M Publishing for the review books I was sent. :) Also, thank you to Rachel from Fitkshun for the books I won, and thank you to Amber! You're all awesome! :D

So, that's what I got this week. What did you get?

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

Review: Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

2012-05-24T00:00:00.000-06:00

Source: Bought/Personal Library

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: Already Released.
Number of Pages: 525 (Hardcover)

(Goodreads Link.)

Blurb from Goodreads:

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

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

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

I absolutely loved Divergent, so to say I've been waiting for Insurgent to come out would be a serious understatement! Thankfully its release day has come and passed, and all Divergent fans have probably already read and devoured Insurgent...and if you haven't yet, you really need to! It is amazing, and it's one of those sequels that definitely lives up to the first book! I don't have a single complaint about Insurgent...I absolutely loved it! It constantly kept me enthralled and had me constantly in anticipation about what would happen next, and I loved every single moment of it.

The plot of Insurgent is obviously a continuation of Divergent's since they're part of a trilogy, but it definitely intensified in Insurgent! There were secrets revealed, plot twists, and you also learn more about the other factions and the whole mystery surrounding the factions and the people in general. I really wasn't expecting to actually learn so much in Insurgent...but you figure out tonnes, which makes me so much more excited for the final book in the trilogy because I just know that it will be AMAZING! :D

I can't write this review and not mention Tobias/Four...seriously, I just can't! I can't even put into works how awesome I think he is...I'd probably just end up gushing for a couple of paragraphs, so I'm gonna stop now. :P haha And while I love Tobias, I'm glad that the love element doesn't completely take over the story. Yes, it's a big part, and I love that it is because I'm pretty much a romance fiend and I look for it in every book I read, but I love that this trilogy is about more than romance. It's about choices, and it's about fighting for what you believe in, which is exactly what Tris is all about. :) She's one of my favourite heroines because she uses her head, and while she sometimes let's her feelings take over, she always does the smart thing when it matters. She knows that sometimes sacrifices have to be made, and I think that's one thing that many heroines don't do. Tris will make a sacrifice every time if it means accomplishing or fighting for what she believes in, and I really admire her for that. I also love that Tobias and Tris make each other better people. They challenge each other, but they also don't let themselves be completely consumed by their relationship...although when they are together, they are fantastic. I just really love their dynamics. :)

Insurgent definitely goes down in my book as one of my favourite middle books in a trilogy! It quells your curiosity after reading Divergent and answers some important questions, but it also leaves you on your toes and makes you incredibly excited for the next book. It's gonna be a long wait for the next one (even if logistically it isn't a long wait---only about a year, it is gonna feel long :P haha), and masochistically I may just enjoy the wait by rereading the first two books before then. :P If you haven't started this trilogy yet, I completely urge you to...yes, I urge you because it is URGENT that you read this series! It's amazing, and I would recommend it to anyone. It's action-packed and character-driven in a way that I think it's pretty versatile for most readers. If you're going to take my advice about a trilogy only once...let it be able this one. Seriously, read it now. :D

Have you started this trilogy yet?
Have you finished Insurgent, too?
What did you think?
And if you haven't started the Divergent Trilogy yet, what's holding you back??

Purchase Links:
Book Depository: UK / US
Amazon: UK / US / Canada
Barnes and Noble

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

Books I Can't Wait For!

2012-05-23T15:55:00.000-06:00

It's hasn't been too long since my last post about awesome books that I'm excited for, but I've got a bunch of book covers saved because I can't wait to read the books, so I thought I might as well share these ones with you all. :) Especially since I haven't gotten much reading done lately...so I'm going to have to start getting creative with some posts....and maybe have myself a bit of a read-a-thon! haha

All of these links and descriptions are from Goodreads, and they aren't in a particular order. :)

Note: A few of these are sequels, so if you haven't read the previous books in the series, I'd skip reading the description.

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Defiance (Defiance #1)

by C. J. Redwine

Add to Goodreads

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.

Release Date: August 28, 2012

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Why I Want to Read it: This book sounds amazing! It sounds fierce, and action-packed. I seriously can't wait for this one, and I absolutely adore this cover! It's gorgeous, and I love the way there are buildings that you can see through the gossamer of her dress...so pretty! :D

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Breathe (Breathe #1)

by Sarah Crossan

Add to Goodreads

Inhale. Exhale. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe . . .

The world is dead.
The survivors live under the protection of Breathe, the corporation that found a way to manufacture oxygen-rich air.

ALINA
has been stealing for a long time. She’s a little jittery, but not terrified. All she knows is that she’s never been caught before. If she’s careful, it’ll be easy. If she’s careful.

QUINN
should be worried about Alina and a bit afraid for himself, too, but even though this is dangerous, it’s also the most interesting thing to happen to him in ages. It isn’t every day that the girl of your dreams asks you to rescue her.

BEA
wants to tell him that none of this is fair; they’d planned a trip together, the two of them, and she’d hoped he’d discover her out here, not another girl.

And as they walk into the Outlands with two days’ worth of oxygen in their tanks, everything they believe will be shattered. Will they be able to make it back? Will they want to?

Release Date: October 2, 2012
Publisher: Greenwillow

Why I Want to Read it: Oh, how I love dystopias! :D This one sounds intense, and while sometimes three POVs can be a bit much, I'm hoping that this one will turn out to be fantastic. :D

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Crewel (Crewel World #1)

by Gennifer Albin

Add to Goodreads

Incapable. Awkward. Artless.

That’s what the other girls whisper behind her back. But sixteen year-old Adelice Lewys has a secret: she wants to fail.

Gifted with the ability to weave time with matter, she’s exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in the world of Arras, being chosen as a Spinster is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also means the power to embroider the very fabric of life. But if controlling what people eat, where they live and how many children they have is the price of having it all, Adelice isn’t interested.

Not that her feelings matter, because she slipped and wove a moment at testing, and they’re coming for her—tonight.

Now she has one hour to eat her mom’s overcooked pot roast. One hour to listen to her sister’s academy gossip and laugh at her Dad’s stupid jokes. One hour to pretend everything’s okay. And one hour to escape.

Because once you become a Spinster, there’s no turning back.

Release Date: October 16, 2012
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux Books for Young Readers

Why I Want to Read it: This book has such an interesting premise, and the main character sounds incredibly unique. I'm seriously just counting down the days until I can read this one, and I've also heard from a Goodreads friend that is was amazing...so I'm even more excited now! :D

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Ten

by Gretchen McNeil

Add to Goodreads

And their doom comes swiftly.

It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury.

But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.

Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off the from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine?

Release Date: September 18, 2012

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Why I Want to Read it: While I'm not huge into thrillers, this definitely sounds like the kind that I like! It sounds creepy, and mysterious...and pretty intense! I love when thrillers revolve around mystery killers...especially when you can't quite figure out who it is, and so you start mistrusting absolutely everyone...even the main characters! Dun Duh Dunnnnnn! I definitely can't wait until I get to read it! :D

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Promised (Birthmarked #3)

by Caragh M. O'Brien

Add to Goodreads

After defying the ruthless Enclave, surviving the wasteland, and upending the rigid matriarchy of Sylum, Gaia Stone now faces her biggest challenge ever. She must lead the people of Sylum back to the Enclave and persuade the Protectorat to grant them refuge from the wasteland. In Gaia’s absence, the Enclave has grown more cruel, more desperate to experiment on mothers from outside the wall, and now the stakes of cooperating or rebelling have never been higher. Is Gaia ready, as a leader, to sacrifice what—or whom—she loves most?

Release Date: October 2, 2012

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Why I Want to Read it: Pfft! Why wouldn't I want to read this one?! I absolutely loved the first two books in this trilogy, and I can't wait to read this one! :D If you haven't read Birthmarked yet, you seriously need to! This is a fantastic dystopian trilogy...one of my favourites! :D

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Scorch (Croak #2)

by Gina Damico

Add to Goodreads

Sixteen-year-old Lex Bartleby is a teenage grim reaper with the bizarre ability to damn souls. That makes her pretty scary, even to fellow Grims. But after inadvertently transferring her ability to Zara, a murderous outlaw, Lex is a pariah in Croak, the little town she calls home. To escape the townspeople’s wrath, she and her friends embark on a wild road trip to DeMyse. Though this sparkling desert oasis is full of luxuries and amusements, it feels like a prison to Lex. Her best chance at escape would be to stop Zara once and for all—but how can she do that from DeMyse, where the Grims seem mysteriously oblivious to Zara’s killing spree?

Release Date: September 25, 2012

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Why I Want to Read it: The first book, Croak, was amazing and so hilarious, and I can't wait to read this one and find out what happens next in Lex's story! :D

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The Raven Boys (Raven Cycle #1)

by Maggie Stiefvater

Add to Goodreads

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before.

Release Date: September 18, 2012

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Why I Want to Read it: I loved Maggie Stiefvater's Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy, so I'm always looking forward to what she'll write next! :D I also really need to read The Scorpio Races, but this one also sounds amazing, and I already read the first little bit because Maggie posted the first bit to read and it was awesome!

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Hidden (Firelight #3)

by Sophie Jordan

Add to Goodreads

Jacinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride. But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse, a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory.

The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself, though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control. As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be only the beginning....

Loyalties are tested and sacrifices made in the explosive conclusion to Sophie Jordan's Firelight trilogy.

Release Date: September 11, 2012

Publisher: HarperTEEN

Why I Want to Read it: I loved the first two books in this trilogy, and I can't wait to read Hidden! :D I have no clue how this series is going to end...but I'm totally looking forward to it! Okay, I'm gonna stop now because I'm getting myself all excited over this one, and my thoughts are pretty much turning into "eeks" and "can't waits"! haha

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Auracle

by Gina Rosati

Add to Goodreads

16 year old Anna Rogan has a secret she's only shared with her best friend, Rei; she can astrally project out of her body, allowing her spirit to explore the world and the far reaches of the universe.

When there's a fatal accident and her classmate Taylor takes over Anna's body, what was an exhilarating distraction from her repressive home life threatens to become a permanent state. Faced with a future trapped in another dimension, Anna turns to Rei for help. Now the two of them must find a way to get Anna back into her body and stop Taylor from accusing an innocent friend of murder. Together Anna and Rei form a plan but it doesn't take into account the deeper feelings that are beginning to grow between them.

Release Date: August 7, 2012

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Why I Want to Read it: This gorgeous cover is what initially lured me in, but once I read the description I was completely sold! It sounds so crazy! Astral projection...possible murder, body taken over....holy moly! Seriously I can't wait for this book! :D

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So, these are some of the books that I can't wait for! :D
What about you?

Are you excited for these ones?

Are there any that I haven't listed here that you can't wait for?

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

Winner of A Perfect Storm Giveaway!

2012-05-19T08:11:00.000-06:00

The winner of the giveaway hosted on my blog for A Perfect Storm is:

Maiden Veil

Congratulations! I'll be emailing you shortly about your prize! As the winner, you'll have 48 hours to claim your prize.

Thank you to everyone who entered, and thank you to Media Muscle, who allowed me to a part of this tour and sponsored this giveaway. Also thank you to Book Trib for being a part of the tour, too, and to all of the other hosts. :)

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

Stacking the Shelves (1)

2012-05-19T00:00:00.000-06:00

Stacking the Shelves is Tynga's Reviews' version of In My Mailbox (from The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie).

Stacking the Shelves is a way to share the books that you're adding to your physical and virtual bookshelves. It's easy to participate. You just make your own post, and link it to the main post over at Tynga's Reviews. Also, in case you're curious, Tynga's post for it goes up on Saturdays, but you can post it any day that you like. :) You can find out more about participating by reading the Stacking the Shelves Launch post.

So, here's what I got this week, and a few others that I got a couple weeks ago, too. :)

For Review:

Big Sky Country (Swoon-Worthy Cowboys #1) by Linda Lael Miller (from Meryl L. Moss Media Relations)
Shift by Kim Curran (from Strange Chemistry)
Underworld (Abandon Trilogy #2) by Meg Cabot (from Scholastic Canada)

I'm doing the blog tour for Big Sky Country...and I'm pretty excited to read about cowboys. I'm also really excited for Shift, and super duper psyched for Underworld! I can't wait to find out what happens next to Pierce!

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Gifted for RAK:

Oppression (Children of the Gods #1) by Jessica Therrien (from Mary at Sweeping Me)
Untouched (Denazen #1.5) by Jus Accardo (from Mary at Sweeping Me)
Dead to Me by Kelley Armstrong (from Mary at Sweeping Me)

Mary at Sweeping Me sent me a few Kindle books this week, and I can't wait to read them! :D So, thank you again, Mary! :D

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Bought:

Eye Candy (City Chicks #1) by Tera Lynn Childs --- Kindle Freebie!
Straight Stalk (City Chicks #2) by Tera Lynn Childs - Amazon Kindle Store
Wander Dust (The Seraphina Parrish Trilogy #1) by Michelle Warren --- on Sale for Kindle!
The DUFF by Kody Keplinger - Kobo
Raised by Wolves (Raised by Wolves #1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - Amazon Kindle Store
Trial by Fire (Raised by Wolves #2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - Amazon Kindle Store
Strawberry Shortcake Murder (Hannah Swensen #2) by Joanne Fluke - Kobo
Peach Cobbler Murder (Hannah Swensen #7) by Joanne Fluke - Kobo
Cream Puff Murder (Hannah Swensen #11) by Joanne Fluke - Kobo
Devil Foodcake Murder (Hannah Swensen #14) by Joanne Fluke - Kono
Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers - Amazon Kindle Store

I've already read Eye Candy and The DUFF. :) I actually reread The DUFF the other day, and I loved it just as much as I did the last time! :D I just had to buy some books for my new Kobo, and I love that there are so many coupons to use! It's awesome! :D I really want to finally read all of the books in the Hannah Swensen series, so hopefully I can get some time to read it alongside some review books. :)

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Library:

Prince of Thorns (The Broken Empire #1) by Mark Lawrence

Can't wait to read this one! I've heard amazing things! :D

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From my parents for my birthday:

Kobo Vox (Hot Pink)

Eeek! I'm still really excited about getting this! I didn't get it this week, but I got it a couple weeks ago on my birthday...so this is the thing that I mentioned getting a couple weeks ago. ;) My parents got it for me for my birthday, and I love it. :) It's great as a tablet, and I've read a few books on it now, and it works great as an ereader too. The battery isn't as good as my Kindle, but I still really like it. :)

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So, that's what I stacked my shelves with! What did you get this week? :) Feel free to link any of your mailbox memes in the comments, and I'll try to check it out. :)

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

Review: The Calling (Darkness Rising #2) by Kelley Armstrong

2012-05-17T14:05:00.000-06:00

Source: Bought / Personal Library

Publisher: Harper Collins (US) / Doubleday Canada (Canada)

Release Date: Already Released.
Number of Pages:

(Goodreads Link.)

Blurb from Goodreads:

Maya and her friends--all of whom have supernatural powers--have been kidnapped after fleeing from a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set, and after a terrifying helicopter crash they find themselves pursued by evildoers in the Vancouver Island wilderness.

I absolutely love Kelley Armstrong's books, and The Calling is no exception! I loved that in this one, we got to know Maya more, and we got to be with her as the characters discovered more about what they are. I find the Darkness Rising trilogy to be an interesting contrast from the Darkest Powers trilogy because in that one, they all know what paranormal species they are....they might not all know it right away, but they all know what they are by the end of the first book...in this series, there is a lot more mystery surrounding what they all are. The reader doesn't know either, as they're different species than the characters in the other trilogy, so it's like you're going with them on their journey to discover what they really are, and I love that! :D I also loved that we got to see Maya and Daniel in their element. They're awesome in the wilderness, and you really get to see that in this one, and it was really amazing to see! I love to see characters that aren't totally reliant on technology. :P

I also absolutely loved how The Calling constantly kept me hooked! I took breaks while reading it, but I was constantly thinking about it, and was always ready to dive back into it! It's a nonstop action-packed read, and there really isn't a dull moment in this entire book! It makes me even more excited for the next one, The Rising, especially since you can tell the characters are going to be meeting up with the subjects from Project Genesis (i.e. Chloe, Derek, Simon, and Tori!) soon! I'm so excited for when the two groups meet up...I've really been missing my favourite werewolf! ;D

Along with the crazy action, and the hints of an impending unification of the two trilogies' characters, I loved the tension in this one! They're teenagers, so there are tonnes of different little blossoming romances. There are the obvious ones, and the hinted at ones, but my favourite is one that I'm really not expecting to work out, but I have hope that it will! I'm totally a fan of Daniel and Maya getting together! I just love them. They're best friends, and you can totally tell that he's in love with her...I think it's obvious to everyone but Maya! I like Rafe...but I really want her with Daniel. :P Fingers crossed that it somehow happens...or who knows, when they meet up with the others maybe he'll like Tori...that wouldn't be too bad. :P haha Any other Daniel fans out there??? I'm curious if I'm the only one. haha

The Calling was amazing, but it definitely left off at a cliffhanger...which isn't too surprising for a middle book in a trilogy, especially the middle book in the middle trilogy of a trilogy of trilogies. haha I think there's supposed to be a third trilogy with all of the characters after this one anyway. At least that's what I've heard. Correct me if I've heard wrong though. ;) Anyway, I really love this trilogy, and I loved the Darkest Powers trilogy before that...I also love Kelley's adult series, so if you're looking for an awesome paranormal series to start, I'd definitely recommend this one! If you want to start the Darkness Rising trilogy, I would recommend reading the Darkest Powers first though. It isn't necessary, but it definitely would help you feel a little less lost. ;)

Purchase Links:
Book Depository: UK / US
Amazon: UK / US / Canada
Barnes and Noble

Any other Kelley Armstrong fans out there?
Which books of hers have you read?
And if you haven't read any, do you want to?

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (76)

2012-05-14T00:00:00.000-06:00

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, is a bookish meme hosted by One Person's Journey Through a World of Books, where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It’s a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list. So hop on over to Journey and join in...and leave a comment here so I can check out what you are reading.

Books I Read Last Week:

Fallout (Crank #1) by Ellen Hopkins

This was the only book I actually finished this week, but at least it was an amazing one! I really loved this series, and it just made me love Ellen Hopkins even more! :D

Reading Now:

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R. R. Martin

I'm reading this one at a pretty slow pace, but I'm going to try and get into this one more. I just started a new job though so I need to get into that new job groove first! haha So far, I'm really enjoying this one though! :D

Books I Want to Read This Week:

Glitch (Glitch #1) by Heather Anastasiu

I'm so excited to read this one! I've peeked at the first few pages, but haven't really started it yet. I want to get into it though! :D

And what are you reading???

Check out One Person's Journey Through a World of Books to see what other people are reading. :)

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

Review: The Hunt (The Hunt #1) by Andrew Fukuda

2012-05-11T00:00:00.000-06:00

Source: Received an egalley from Netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: May 8, 2012 - Just released!
Number of Pages: 293 (Hardcover)

(Goodreads Link.)

Blurb from Goodreads:

Don’t Sweat. Don’t Laugh. Don’t draw attention to yourself. And most of all, whatever you do, do not fall in love with one of them.

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?

The Hunt has a lot of buildup, which can be a good thing, but it can also be a bit of a bad thing. It worked well because it allowed Andrew Fukuda to establish his world, especially since the vampires are pretty unique with weird little ticks and quirks, like scratching their wrists when they laugh and cracking their neck when they're excited. However, it did make it a bit hard to get into the story, but once I got past the buildup and actual action started to happen, I was totally hooked!

I absolutely loved that The Hunt doesn't try to emulate other vampires, and the worlds of other vampire stories. It was refreshing, and I absolutely loved the new take. It kept me interested, and really curious. Some of it was kind of nasty with drool flying around, and nasty hissing and screams, but I did appreciate that it was something new. I was constantly trying to figure out things, and sometimes I was able to, other times...not so much. One thing I never really did understand was why the vampires called humans "hepers". I figured it might be for some scientific reason, like hemoglobin in the blood or something I have no clue about, but I never did find out for sure. If someone else did find out, I'd love to know. ;)

Another thing about this book that kept me kind of uninterested, while also curious, was the main character. Vampires aren't given names, and since the main character is pretending to be a vampire, he doesn't even really have a name until really far into the book...which was kind of odd and kept him relatively distant from the reader. His narrative also added to this, as he gave more of an observational perspective than his opinion. He tended to give other characters nicknames...which I loved, and it also gave him a personality when he was doing his best to pretend he didn't have one. :P I also felt a lot of distance from the narrator, Gene, because he pretty much hated being human since he was so used to hating what he was...it was really sad, and I loved once he began to embrace his human side...it was definitely the beginning of where this book really hooked me. Once Gene stops completely resisting his human nature he opens up to the reader, and for that reason I felt that his earlier distance was definitely intentional...and it totally worked.

Along with the original vampires, and the ambivalent narrator, is the plot. It's kind of familiar being a bit similar to the Hunger Games with people...in this case people means vampires, being brought together, but instead of fighting each other, they're supposed to hunt the hepers...meaning the humans. While the concept isn't necessarily new, I still felt it was done in a completely different way which kept it from feeling repetitive. The fact that Gene is a heper pretending to be a vampire also kind of stirred that plot idea up quite a bit! haha I actually really liked the main storyline of The Hunt. As I mentioned before, it could've used less buildup, but overall, I really enjoyed this book, especially it's originality and the way that the narrator evolves.

Overall, The Hunt is fantastic! It's a bit slow-going at first, but once it gets going it is an amazing story. Its vampires are original, and its narrator is rather unconventional. These things might entice you, or they could also turn you away, it all depends on what you like to read. I will caution everyone that this book has an insane cliffhanger...it's one of those endings you kind of love to hate. :P I'd recommend The Hunt to anyone who likes vampires, especially ones that aren't cut from the standard mode (but don't worry...these vampires don't sparkle :P), and also for anyone who enjoys reading stories where characters have identity issues...because Gene totally does, but he's working on it. :)

Are you a fan of original takes on traditional paranormal creatures?
How do you feel about narrators that kind of keep their distance...even from the reader?
What are your feelings on cliffhangers?
And finally, what are you thoughts on The Hunt?

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

Review: Croak (Croak #1) by Gina Damico

2012-05-10T00:00:00.000-06:00

Source: Received a copy from Thomas Allen and Sons for an honest review.

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Release Date: Already Released.
Number of Pages: 311 (Paperback)

(Goodreads Link.)

Blurb from Goodreads:

Sixteen-year-old Lex Bartleby has sucker-punched her last classmate. Fed up with her punkish, wild behavior, her parents ship her off to upstate New York to live with her Uncle Mort for the summer, hoping that a few months of dirty farm work will whip her back into shape. But Uncle Mort’s true occupation is much dirtier than that of shoveling manure.

He’s a Grim Reaper. And he’s going to teach her the family business.

Lex quickly assimilates into the peculiar world of Croak, a town populated entirely by reapers who deliver souls from this life to the next. Along with her infuriating yet intriguing partner Driggs and a rockstar crew of fellow Grim apprentices, Lex is soon zapping her Targets like a natural born Killer.

Yet her innate ability morphs into an unchecked desire for justice—or is it vengeance?—whenever she’s forced to Kill a murder victim, craving to stop the attackers before they can strike again. So when people start to die—that is, people who aren’t supposed to be dying, people who have committed grievous crimes against the innocent—Lex’s curiosity is piqued. Her obsession grows as the bodies pile up, and a troubling question begins to swirl through her mind: if she succeeds in tracking down the murderer, will she stop the carnage—or will she ditch Croak and join in?

I absolutely loved Croak! :D I'll admit, at first I had my doubts. The description sounded amazing, but in the first couple of chapters Lex isn't a very appealing narrator...but I'll let you know people, she gets better, and once you give the book a couple of chapters, her story is fantastic! :D

I think you all probably know by now that I'm a sucker for romance, and I found Lex and Drigg's relationship to be so adorable! It wasn't the biggest part of the book...but I loved that it was there, and I also loved that their relationship wasn't just about romance, they were friends, too, and I found that to be pretty amazing in itself. I also loved their banter, and that instead of having them get together quickly, Gina Damico had the tension of it all stretch out...and when it finally happened...it was awesome! haha I loved them both separately, but I also loved them together. I loved that Lex was tough, and once she tamed down a bit, I found her to be an incredible narrator. She was sassy and hilarious. :) I really liked, actually loved, Driggs, too. He was so unique...seriously he's awesome, and I loved that he had a sweet tooth because I totally have a major sweet tooth, too! haha

While I kind of figured out this story as it went, and predicted some stuff pretty early...it was one of those stories where I loved that I was able to predict stuff! I love when I guess how something is going to turn out and then have it all kind of fall into place. It's even better when I can figure out some, but not be sure of everything or how it will all happen, and that totally happened for me in Croak. I loved it because while I guessed at some big stuff, Gina Damico still kept me interested while dropping the hints that kind of let me figure things out without giving everything away...and those are my favourite types of hints! :D

Along with the awesome mystery plot going on, and the adorable romance, I loved the little details of Croak that just made it even more awesome! The town, Croak, was so well thought out! I loved all the little technologies they had that went along with being Grims (the jellyfish, the cases they used to catch the souls, and the scythes were amazing little details!), and how the buildings in the town and even characters had punny names...I'm a sucker for puns, so when Lex's uncle was a Grim Reaper named Mort, I found it hilarious! And the building were named things like the Crypt, and even the name of the town itself...Croak, hehe :D Oh how I love the puns! haha

One of the things that I always like to read about in books involving death and Grim Reapers is the way that the afterlife is portrayed...and I loved how Gina Damico did it in Croak! It was so original, and fascinating! I also loved how notable people from the past popped up in the afterlife, like Edgar Allan Poe, and a bunch of the US presidents...they probably made up some of the most hilarious and entertaining portions of the book! haha

I absolutely loved Croak! It is a fabulous debut, and incredibly entertaining! This book will have you constantly laughing, and you will seriously love it! At least I hope you do! It's a relatively short book, so why not give it a shot, especially if you love puns, adorable romances, hilarity, and originality...plus, the sequel comes out soon, so you won't have to wait long for the next book! Yay! :D It will also pretty peak the interest of anyone who's a fan of books involving Grim Reapers! I completely recommend this one...it's definitely one of my favourite books of 2012 so far! :D

Is anyone else a fan of Grim Reapers?
Do you like to read about them?
Watch them on TV or in movies? (like Dead Like Me ---hilarious show, and it's on Netflix ;D)
Has anyone read Croak already?
If you have, what did you think?
And if you haven't, does it sound like something you'd like to read?

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

Trying to Score Giveaway Winner!

2012-05-09T18:37:00.001-06:00

The winner of the Trying to Score Giveaway is

Shannon G.

Congratulations, Shannon! I'll be emailing you shortly about your prize, so check your email and spam folder to make sure you get it. If you don't, you can email me at ambiepie_6@hotmail.com. :)

Thank you to everyone for entering, and thank you to Toni Aleo and AToMR Book Blog Tours for sponsoring this giveaway. :)

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur