Books Most Wanted

Waiting on Wednesday - May 16, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:58:00 +0000

The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa
Paperback

Expected publication: October 23rd 2012 by Harlequin Teen

From Goodreads:

Set several years after the events of the first, this trilogy will star an older Ethan Chase, Meghan's brother.

Julie's new series stars Ethan, Meghan Chase's younger brother. We barely got a glimpse of him in The Iron Fey series and now we get to dive in head first into his mind.
The cover kind of ....shocked...me for a YA book. LOL It's a little daring compared to others, but I concluded it to be perfect after reading the first few pages of the story from an exert in The Iron Knight. This is a world I wish I could live in and I am so thankful for the chance to revisit it. I can't wait to see where Ethan's adventures take us and to hopefully see cameos of some old friends. ;)

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Hardcover, 416 pages

Expected publication: September 18th 2012 by Scholastic Press

From 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.

The synopsis alone on this one says it all. Since it is a Stiefvater book, we can be almost guaranteed amazing characters and intriguing plot lines that will steal our hearts.

Waiting on Wednesday - May 9, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme from Jill at Breaking the Spine. To join in, share the book or books that you are currently drooling over as you await their release and report back to Breaking the Spine with the link to your post. The gorgeous badge above is brought to us by Lindsay at The Violet Hour!

This week I bring you a couple of books I am excited about. The first, Covet, is the second book in "The Clann" series by Melissa Darnell. The first book, Crave, was one of my first NetGalley books and I applied for it on a whim actually. I was pleasantly surprised by it, because I wasn't expecting it to be as good as it was. I hope that the series continues to get better. Also, I adore the covers on these books. Simply amazing.
The other book is from a series I have yet to start. I've only managed to read the first chapter of The Faerie Ring due to classes and other books taking priority. That's all it took for me and I am itching to get back to it. I may hold off on finishing it so I can snatch The Torn Wing up right when I finish it!

Covet by Melissa

Paperback, 304 pages

Expected publication: September 25th 2012 by Harlequin Teen

From Amazon:

Dangerous to be together. Painful to be apart.
Savannah Colbert knows she broke up with Tristan Coleman for the right reasons. Most of all, to keep from killing him with her new vampire abilities. But try telling her heart. Now, lost in a sea of hostile Clann faces, Sav tries to come to terms with what she's becoming and what that means for her future. And that someone is doing their best to bully her into making a terrible mistake.
Tristan can't believe Sav won't even talk to him. If being apart is her decision, fine. Just don't expect him to honor it. But even as he prepares to fight for the girl he loves, forces beyond their control take them both in directions neither could have foreseen or prepared for.
A reckoning is coming...and not everyone will survive.

prepares to fight for the girl he loves, forces beyond their control take them both in directions neither could have foreseen or prepared for.
A reckoning is coming...and not everyone will survive.
prepares to fight for the girl he loves, forces beyond their control take them both in directions neither could have foreseen or prepared for.
A reckoning is coming...and not everyone will survive. prepares to fight for the girl he loves, forces beyond their control take them both in directions neither could have foreseen or prepared for.
A reckoning is coming...and not everyone will survive. prepares to fight for the girl he loves, forces beyond their control take them both in directions neither could have foreseen or prepared for.
A reckoning is coming...and not everyone will survive.
prepares to fight for the girl he loves, forces beyond their control take them both in directions neither could have foreseen or prepared for.
A reckoning is coming...and not everyone will survive.

THE CLANN
"A spellbinding, compelling and completely enjoyable debut." -Electrifying Reviews blog on Crave
"Crave is such a refreshing, intoxicating paranormal read." -Mundie Moms blog

prepares to fight for the girl he loves, forces beyond their control take them both in directions neither could have foreseen or prepared for.

A reckoning is coming...and not everyone will survive.

The Torn Wing by Kiki Hamilton

Expected publication: October 2nd 2012 Tor Teen/Macmillian

From Goodreads:
Tiki’s greatest fear suddenly becomes all too real: the fey have returned to London seeking revenge. As war escalates in the Otherworld, Queen Victoria’s youngest son, Prince Leopold, is attacked. In order to protect her family and the ones she loves, she needs to know the meaning of an fáinne sí, the birthmark that winds around her wrist. But will Tiki be brave enough to face the truth?

A bloody escape, a deadly threat, a shocking revelation…

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:08:00 +0000

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Hardcover, 487 pages

Published May 3rd 2011 by Katherine Tegen Books

Source: Purchased

Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

I actually put off reading this book for a while. There was such a strong hype about it and I tried to stay away till it died down a little. Well. That never happened. All the excitement about it now is as strong as it has ever been, especially with book 2, Insurgent, coming out tomorrow. Divergent topped the NYT's Bestseller's List yet again last week. Yes, it is just. That. Good.

At first I had issues relating to Tris, after the first couple of chapters I could see where her personality and perspective were coming from. There's a resounding quality to her, inner strength. Just when you think she has nothing left in her, she finds courage that I didn't even realize she had. The choices she makes from chapter 1 exemplify this.Tris dares to go against the grain in a society of factions ran by strict rules of how life is supposed to be. This is why they fear her. Tris doesn't fit within their plan and has to realize just how "outside the box" she is. I see a path of a true leader heading her way...

The plot in this book really sets it above others. There are many books that fall within certain patterns in this aspect and I can usually guess what is going to happen next. Not this book. Divergent is more than a name in this aspect, it is the plot paths you take along with the characters. Several times I had to stop, say "Wait, what?", and read back a few lines. I honestly was not expecting several incidents. The book keeps on this roll right to the end and you will feel absolutely breathless when you put it down for the last time. Be prepared for this amazing roller coaster when you start this book, because it will keep you hanging on till the end! High potential for a "one-sitter" label.

Waiting on Wednesday - April 25, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 06:01:00 +0000

Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

Paperback, 320 pages

Expected publication: August 7th 2012 by St. Martin's Press

From Goodreads:

In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network. When Zoe starts to malfunction (or "glitch"), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers. As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse. In this action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy.

The synopsis alone is absolutely intriguing to me...Altered reality. Check. Rules to be broken. Check. Telekinesis, prophetic visions, and maybe a shape shifter of some kind? Oh but yes, check. It is right up my alley. I've been fortunate enough to be granted access to it via NetGalley! Now, if I can just make it through this last week of classes.... Cheers, friends!

Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:30:00 +0000

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Hardcover, 485 pages
Published: April 24, 2012 by HarlequinTEEN
Source: ARC - NetGalley
Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads: In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.
Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.
Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die or become one of the monsters.
Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.
Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.
But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

*In the News*

On April 19, 2012, Julie Kagawa and Harlequin TEEN announced that Palomar Pictures has optioned The Immortal Rules for the big screen! Read my post with their press release!

Now, on to the regularly scheduled programing: the review!

I jumped for joy when I found out Julie Kagawa was writing a vampire story. I had a feeling that it would be written to suit my taste compared to most that been published lately. I was absolutely correct. The premise, logistics, and characters define what will be one of my top books this year. This is the way it should be done.

I connected instantly with Allie in Chapter 1. The heartache and struggles she has dealt with in her short life make her both vulnerable and strong. She's a survivor and she'll do what it takes to keep it that way. How Allie manages to still have kindness in this decaying world and through the changes she experiences is beyond me. Throughout the book, I watched her grow and strengthen her resolve to even higher standards. I believe I see the path that she is headed down. If so, the next two books are going to highlight these strengths tremendously. Zeke. He's adorable. The "boy next door" personality he carries is addictive. He goes through his own trials and tribulations alongside Allie, but he remains himself and refuses to be changed. Any reader should be able to feel the trust he exhumes from the beginning. The evil characters, there are no exclusions to only vampires, humans, or other, that Allie encounters can actually give you chills. I have only had this type of response to characters in a well-done horror flick, let alone inside my own mind reading a book. The rabids in particular are the most disturbing to me. I do not like the idea of being hunted and I kept waiting on each page for one to jump out...

The plot and pacing steadily builds as the story progresses. From the humble beginnings where we learn about Allie and the life she leads until the culminating sequence of events at the end that will leave you breathless. It did slow down for me during the time just after she becomes a vampire, but this was just because I felt I having to relearn her all over again. I don't see this as detrimental because Allie was also doing the same and I knew it had to be that way.

-Slight Spoiler-

An aspect I was not expecting was the concept of knowledge in this book. Its uses and regulations regarding it hit very close to home for me. Books and information have become my bread and butter in my career and degrees. It cuts me deeply to know that in this world its not available to all. The phrase "Knowledge is Power" is taken very seriously in it and only those with power are allowed to have it. Any others are severely punished if caught with materials that could enlighten them. Institutions for knowledge and learning are nonexistent and/or destroyed. It is a part of the core plot and it will be interesting to see how it is dealt with and, hopefully, overcome in the following books.

Movie Deal: The Immortal Rules Coming to the Big Screen!!

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:12:00 +0000

Congrats to Julie and Harlequin on their deal with Palomar Pictures to bring The Immortal Rules to big screen!!

Harlequin's Facebook post:

Palomar Pictures Options The Immortal Rules and Blood of Eden Series
by New York Times Bestselling Author Julie Kagawa

Los Angeles, CA; Toronto, ON – April 18, 2012 – Independent film production company Palomar Pictures today announced that it has optioned Blood of Eden, the newest series from New York Times bestselling young adult author Julie Kagawa. The Immortal Rules, the highly anticipated first book in the Blood of Eden series, will be published by Harlequin TEEN on April 24, 2012.

The Immortal Rules is set in a future world where humanity, decimated by a deadly virus, exists merely as a food source and slave class to an elite society of vampires. When a young woman, a survivor who dreams of the day humanity will rise up against their supernatural masters, is turned into a vampire, she is forced to choose between becoming what she despises or helping those who would destroy her.

Palomar principal Joni Sighvatsson was passionate about The Immortal Rules’ film potential and quick to secure film rights for the book and the Blood of Eden series. “It’s simply a great story with an electrifying heroine for the 21st century. It makes the series an ideal subject for a film adaptation," said Sighvatsson. "Julie’s ability to familiarize the reader with this complex world in a few pages demonstrates the cinematic qualities of her imagination and complements my own sensibilities as a film producer."

Julie Kagawa felt that Sighvatsson was the right producer to partner with because of his tremendous track record for getting his films made and his passion for her books. "Joni does not take on a project unless he really loves it," Kagawa said. "He's thoughtful and established, and I know he's going to make a great movie that respects my material."

Sighvatsson has acquired a solid reputation in the movie industry. With more than 40 feature-film credits under his belt, Sighvatsson has worked closely with a wide range of talent, both in front of and behind the camera. The trademarks of his projects are the pairing of visionary directors—such as David Lynch, Kathryn Bigelow, Nicolas Winding Refn and Julian Schnabel—with strong material. This has led to a body of work that is rich and diverse.

Natashya Wilson, senior editor for Harlequin TEEN, is thrilled that Kagawa's novels are finally coming to the big screen. "Julie writes in such a cinematic way, I have seen her books as films from day one. Her fans have been clamoring for Julie Kagawa movies for a long time and I am so pleased that they are finally going to get their wish fulfilled!"

Waiting on Wednesday - April 18, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 09:53:00 +0000

This series has had me hanging on for the last year or so. Love, love the world that Maberry created. It's an awful situation, but he still finds room to weave in humanity. Heartache with a good dose of hope. Awe. Some.

Flesh & Bone by Jonathan Maberry

Hardcover, 1st Edition, 448 pages

Expected publication: September 11th 2012 by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

From Goodreads:

Reeling from the tragic events of Dust & Decay, Benny Imura and his friends plunge deep into the zombie-infested wastelands of the great Rot & Ruin. Benny, Nix, Lilah and Chong journey through a fierce wilderness that was once America, searching for the jet they saw in the skies months ago. If that jet exists then humanity itself must have survived…somewhere. Finding it is their best hope for having a future and a life worth living.

But the Ruin is far more dangerous than any of them can imagine. They are hunted by fierce animals escaped from zoos and circuses. They must raid zombie-infested towns for food and medical supplies. They discover the very real truth in the old saying: In the Rot & Ruin…everything wants to kill you.

And what is happening to the zombies? Swarms of them are coming from the east, devouring everything in their paths. These zoms are different. Faster, smarter, infinitely more dangerous. Has the zombie plague mutated, or is there something far more sinister behind this new invasion of the living dead?

In Flesh & Bone, Benny Imura, Nix Riley, Lou Chong and Lilah the Lost Girl are pitted against dangers greater than anything they've ever faced. To survive, each of them must rise to become the warriors Tom trained them to be.

The Immortal Rules Trailers!

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:59:00 +0000

I have been looking forward to the trailer from Harlequin for almost as long as I have the book itself. They did an outstanding job on The Iron Knight's trailer. Most of my friends though it was movie trailer and asked to go see it! Here's the latest from Harlequin and the previously released trailer. Look for my NetGalley review on Monday and the book comes out next Tuesday!

Review: Dust & Decay by Jonathan Maberry

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:58:00 +0000

Dust & Decay by Jonathan Maberry
Hardcover, 519 pages
Published: August 30, 2011 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: Purchased
Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads: In post-apocalyptic America, 15-year-old Benny Imura and his friends set out into the great Rot & Ruin hoping to find a better future but are soon pitted against zombies, wild animals, insane murderers, and the horrors of Gameland.

Maberry does it again. Many second books suffer from "Second-Book Syndrome" and provide only filler for the storyline. Expecting that from this book, especially considering the plot, I was taken off guard by how fulfilling it was. The book could stand on its own and gives the reader an exciting ride through the Rot & Ruin. Fear and heartache are constant reminders for Benny and the reader that this world is no bed of roses.

The book picks up just shortly after Rot & Ruin's ending. Benny is mentally preparing himself for the trip out to the Rot & Ruin, but there is some understandable hesitation by other members of his little group. Events in the village hasten their decisions and departure time. This is a game-changer at the beginning of the book and later towards the end. The "decisions have consequences" theme continues form this point on the characters come to many crossroads and have to weigh their options. I do like this because it reminds me of watching Benny grow up in the first book. Now, he and his friends are faced with challenges and situations that most adults would have difficulty planning a course of action for, especially including the life or death factor.

There are periods of downtime, but it is filled with interesting character interactions that keep the reader entertained while learning more about the group. The information you learn in this downtime is vital to understanding the decisions they make and the action that follows them. The action sequences are heart-stopping and keep you on edge until you catch your breath at the end. The culminating events are two-fold in my opinion. One will leave you in tears and the other will let you see Benny and the gang at their finest. It is an evil tug-of-war between your mind and heart because there is so much to process. At the end of the book you're left with so many feelings of "What if?" With Maberry's writing we're in a guessing game of how and if they're going to overcome this life dealt to them. I guess we'll be finding out with the release of Flesh & Bone in September and the announced final and fourth book in the series, Fire & Ash!

Review: Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins
Hardcover, 327 pages
Published: March 13th 2012 by Hyperion Book CH
Source: Purchased; Signed by author (Thanks, Marla @ Starting the Next Chapter!)
Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads: Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted.
Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.
Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

Finally. The answers to all my questions and an ending to the evil cliffhanger in Demonglass. The waiting for this book has been torturous because of that. Nevertheless, this book delivers a ride that makes it all worth it.

The book picks up right where Demonglass left off, quite literally. It felt like I had just turned the page and fell right back in line with the story. Sophie's snarkness makes you feel right at home by this time in the series. This time we get to see if Sophie makes it all worth it. The lost friends, heartache, and scars needed to stand for something. She is put to the test in loyalties, strength, and intelligence to prove it. And yes, we can't forget about our boys, dear Archer and Cal. You all know there's a decision to make...but is it one that she makes herself or is made for her? Hmm... You need to read the book to find out! Don't worry, there's lots of "foreplay" and sly exchanges between the three leading up to the culmination of that decision. We get to see the old gang in this one as well, including my favorite friend, Jenna. Also, there's an introduction of the Brannick women. These ladies, I'd probably be beat for calling them that, truly make the book for me. Being only mentioned in the previous books, I never thought they would play such an integral role in the story. I wish I could have a book only about them, that's how awesome they are!

Since it starts at the cliffhanger, you land right in the groove of the previous action. After that, it just never stops. The book leaves little breathing room between major events. It keeps hitting harder and harder until the end. I put the book down and went "whooo..." because I didn't realize I needed air. If you have the time, this is definitely a "one-sitter." You will feel like you've ran a marathon by the end, but there is this wonderful sense of contentment afterwards. There are some huge twists that you will either love or hate, but the results are worth it. I am sad that it has ended, but it was a great final book in an amazing series!

Review: New Girl by Paige Harbison

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:30:00 +0000

New Girl by Paige Harbison
Paperback, 302 pages
Published: January 31, 2012 by HarlequinTEEN
Source: ARC - NetGalley
Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads: A contemporary young-adult retelling inspired by the classic 1938 romantic suspense bestseller Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.
They call me 'New Girl'...
Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her.
Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault.
Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend…but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be.
And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back.

The book had an intriguing synopsis, but did not live up my expectations. This is a re-telling of the book Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, but I have not read it so I can't make any comparisons. Unfortunately, this was the first book in a long time that I was not able to finish. I liked the premise and characters well enough, but the plot and pacing of book killed it for me. The plot revolves around teen parties and love interests ...that's as far as it expanded to. It felt like a back and forth battle between these to incidents and it got old really quick. This may appeal to some readers, but it just wasn't a good fit for me at all.

Review: Halflings by Heather Burch

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 13:01:00 +0000

Halflings by Heather Burch
Hardcover, 287 pages
Published: February 1, 2012 by Zondervan
Source: ARC - NetGalley
Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads: After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, 17-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret---and the wings that come with.

Halflings premise intrigued me, but it did not quite live up to it. The main character, Nikki, fills the role of an excellent protagonist. However, there are plot and logic aspects that just did not stick well with me. The book is great overall and should be good read for most.

Nikki is very easily related to. Is she your typical teen? No, but she is balanced well enough that I connected with her in many ways. The biggest issue I had with characters was the love triangle. I do like them sometimes, but this one hinders the story at times. Mace and Raven provide good interests for Nikki, but the broodiness can sometimes be irritating over the situation.

The first quarter of the books is great. The book grabbed me from the first chapter. Unfortunately, it drops off to slow crawl after that. The writing probably was the main reason for this. I've read other reviews about the metaphors and I completely agree. I thought several times "Huh? That was seriously the best way to say that?" There is a lot of back story that is given, even some that probably could have been better placed elsewhere or not at all at this point. I do like that the angel history and information is well woven into the story. I would not have to know the complete history of Angels to read this book. I have had this issue before and given up on books because of the details that the reader is supposed to know even before reading the book. The ending is only decent at best. It doesn't leave me feeling anything was finished as it should and felt very anti-climatic. It wasn't the best book I've read this year, but it is still far from the worst. I would and have recommended to friends who want a quick read in this genre.

Review: 4/5 for Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Hardcover, 403 pages

Published January 17th 2012 by HarperCollins Publishers
Source: Netgalley
Buy the book! Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought.
Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

I was so excited to start this book. Unearthly was riveting to me and left me very anxious to see where Hand went with this story line in Hallowed. The concept was familiar, but yet so different than other angel plots. Needless to say, this book does not disappoint.

In this installment of the series the reader really gets to know the characters better and watch a surreal "coming of age" story. Christian proves to be steadfast as always in Clara's life and his qualities absolutely shine through in Hand's writing. Tucker actually won me over in this book. Hand allows the reader to see deeper into his mindset and personality and I came to highly respect him. Clara's mother also impressed me in this book. In Unearthly she was just a small part to the story to me, but in Hallowed she became so much more. She does have a higher importance in the book and carries this elements gracefully. She elegantly flows through life-changing events and gives her children the necessary advice to follow in her footsteps. Her role is absolutely breath-taking and heart-breaking. Samjeeza and the Black Wings are more prominent and the story with them will intrigue readers. I can't wait to read more reviews to see what they think of their history and possible future.
I saw the most transformation and growth in Clara though. There were already high expectations for her in life and Hallowed reveals those are only the tip of the iceberg. While still maintaining the innocence about typical teen problems (I'll explain in the next paragraph), she hurls herself heroically through difficult situations that makes many adults cringe. Clara is tested on many levels and manages to keep her head held high. Outlining her from the beginning to the end of the book, there is a dramatic rise in Clara's awareness and strength. It was an amazing transformation to witness.

The plot in this book is done really well in my opinion. Some things just seem to magically fall into place sometimes, but I usually understood why it simply had to be done that way. With the heightened presence of Samjeeza in the book, the sense of danger is also ever present in various forms. Sometimes it is a physical one that shakes things up and other times it is merely thought of them that causes change. However, it is not necessarily the evil that will keep readers attention for a majority of the book. Clara and her relationship with her mother is a constant and emotional road throughout the book. Outside all other events that happen in the book it will bring readers to their knees, because it did me. I realize that because of events in my life I am biased about the situation, so not everyone will have the deep connection that I felt to it. However, I am pretty sure most will feel like they are walking in Clara's shoes and experience everything with her.
Now, my peeve for the book. I understand the need for the love triangle and its plot line. Hand's telling of one in this series is particularly one I enjoy. However, in Hallowed it goes over the top in several ways. Clara is growing up quickly, but it is a little too quickly in this area in my opinion. She is having to battle one of the ultimate forms of evil, but yet also deal with teenage problems in romance. The first is innate for her and she exceeds in it. The second she struggles with because she does not have enough of "herself" left to concentrate on how to best deal with it. The result? Several incidents of teenage angst that had me pining for the end of the scenes. I wanted to shake her, tell her to just suck it up, and walk on. Was some of this was necessary in the book? Absolutely. I simply wish it was not to the extreme that it felt.

Overall, this is an excellent addition to the series. Unearthly set high standards for Hand in my book, but Hallowed is very much worth every laugh and tear I shed while reading it. It didn't quite meet up to my expectations, but it shows that the series and Hand are a force to be reckoned with in YA.

New Year, New Challenges!

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:08:00 +0000

Hello, friends!

I have been struggling to get posts together the past couple of weeks. Big home projects and then classes starting back were the biggest deterrents of it. Now, fortunately, a lot of that is wrapped up and I'm getting in the groove of my scholarly readings as well.

Well, I've been a blogger for over six months, but it still feels like I have barely cut my teeth in it. I have definitely not blogged as often as I would have liked these past few months. So, with that in mind, I have propositioned myself to do better this year. I have come up with a few areas that I would like to see the most improvement in:

Time management. Period. I am the queen of procrastinators and it showed last semester in my personal and professional lives. If I can stay on top of things I am able to do and enjoy more in life. This would mean keeping ahead on my classwork and writing reviews shortly after finishing a book. I have a lot of difficulty with both of these concepts.
Take notes while reading books. There are several reasons for this. A couple of the most important are that I want be able to write better reviews and be ready to make difficult decisions about the book, such as its fate if I need to "clear off the shelves" later. My memory and attention span is not what it used to be, as much as I hate to admit it.
Become more active socially online. Another downfall of my procrastination. Once I finally catch up on things, I am usually so burned out I do not want to "deal" with anyone. I'd rather hide in a cave at that point actually. Once I post pictures of my office you will see that I almost do hide in one.
Curtail the "book-buying" urge. I know, I know. Crazy, right? I will be buying a select amount of books because they genuinely intrigue me, but I will mainly be focusing on a few debuts, new books by my small handful of favorite authors, and extremely good deals. There are books on my shelf that I have not read and I have bought more. The frugal side of me is severely irritated with this. It wants me read what I have and curb the urge to do the "armful drop"of books into the shopping cart.

These points bring me to the main topic of the post: 2012 Challenges. I'm joining up in several to both support the bloggers and keep myself on track. I think they fit within my guidelines and what I had in mind for the new year.

2012 TBR Reading Pile Challenge

Hosted by Evie at the Bookish Book Blog. This challenge is probably the most important one for me this year. I feel horrible when a book sits on my shelf and I do not get around to reading it. So, for this reason, I am promising myself that I WILL resolve this and hit my shelves before I hit the book store. (Another aspect as to why this is going to be difficult for me, I love buying books!) I'm going for at least "Sweet Kiss", but hopefully I'll be able to do better.

Goodreads

The Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge promotes reading in general. Choose an amount of books to set as "to be read" this year. I chose 50 last year and beat that by topping out at 67. I set this year's as 75. I think I will beat that as well, but it is impossible to say what the year will bring for me.

The 2012 Debut Author Challenge

Kristi at The Story Siren is hosting this one once again. I am going to aim for the required 12 books in this one.

The 2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge

This one is an automatic one, right? The Eclectic Bookshelf is hosting this one. Since I'm holding myself to the challenge of 75 books this year, I'm aiming for the "Mega-size" in the challenge.

2012 Ebook Challenge

Hosted by Workaday Reads and should be a shoe-in for me. I've had a lot of luck with galleys and friends' Nook "lend-me" system that I think I can at least knock out a "CD" level of 10 this year.

2012 Sensational Seconds Challenge

Stemming from the higher amount of debut books I read in 2011 are a solid string of "second" books in those series' in 2012. Reading in the Corner is hosting it and has a great list for participants to get them started. I think I can pull off the "level 4" of 13+ books, but that makes me a little antsy. Oh well, I'm going for it anyway!

So yeah, that's what I have in mind for this year...and the post is ONLY a week late, right? LOL

Waiting on Wednesday - December 28, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 07:15:00 +0000

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme from Jill at Breaking the Spine. To join in, share the book or books that you are currently drooling over as you await their release and report back to Breaking the Spine with the link to your post. The gorgeous badge above is brought to us by Lindsay at The Violet Hour!

Friends, friends....This week's WoW pick is from one of my favorite authors. Her characters are alive in my mind and I honestly wait for the day that Ash comes to take me far, far away. *Sigh* That being said, I am of course talking about the awesomeness that is Julie Kagawa. My heart shuddered and soared in The Iron Fey series and now Kagawa is going unleash a new world for me to dive into. This one appears to be quite a change of gears. The cover alone emits a promise of a dark adventure. For the fans of The Iron Fey series, be sure to catch that little line at the bottom of the cover! We'll also be getting glimpse into its spin-off series with Ethan, Meghan's brother, that is supposedly scheduled to be released next year as well. I am truly hoping for cameos of, ahem, previous Iron Fey cast members. (Ok, at least one in particular... ) This book should prove to be an amazing 2-for-1 deal for readers!

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Hardcover, 304 pages

Expected publication: April 24th 2012 by Harlequin Teen

From Goodreads:

You will kill. The only question is when.

In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive.

Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire.

Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.

Don't forget to enter for a chance to win a SIGNED Collector's First Edition copy of Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Prince in my 25 Days of Jubilation Giveaway!

25 Days of Jubilation - A Cassandra Clare Christmas Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:42:00 +0000

Hello, friends! The holidays are here! Welcome to 24th day of the 25 Days of Jubilation event! There's been a post and giveaway every day this month and a HUGE giveaway from our hosts. (Think along the lines of KINDLE!) Be sure to check the list of other posts and giveaways at our wonderful hosts' blogs, Cyndi at Dog-Eared & Bookmarked, Jacinda at The Reading Housewives, and Yani at The Secret Life of an Avid Reader.

With the holidays comes all the fun and, of course, that *loving* frustration of dealing with family, friends, and everyone's roller-coaster schedules. There are many different traditions that families carry out each year and ours is no different. We'll be spending Christmas Eve with my husband's family and then be headed to the home of the matriarch of my family, A.K.A. "Mammaw", on Christmas Day.

I'm sure most of you are out and about with your families the next couple of days as well. Whether you are having everyone at your house or en-route to another location for the festivities, here are some things that help me pass the time and put me in the holiday mood: Christmas music!

Some of my favorites that are my absolute "go-to's" are:

This one is usually my ringtone for about a month or so. LOL

After that, I usually have a continuous rotation of Charlotte Church running in the background. Growing up in choir and loving music in general, the combination of her amazing voice and the London Orchestra and Choir are perfect to my ears!

Oh, yeah, before you go I have a little something that could be yours!

Here's Wishing You a Cassandra Clare Christmas!

Feast your eyes on the "precious"......

This is a SIGNED Collector's First Edition of Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare. It is the second installment of the Infernal Devices series and debuted on December 6, 2011. Find out more on Goodreads about this amazing book and series.

I had the privilege of meeting her in Nashville, TN when she stopped by. She's hilarious and gracious enough to sign any amount of books you bring with you. So, for you readers, I asked her to sign this one with just her signature so it could fit on anyone's shelves!

Hurry up and enter, the giveaway only goes till 12:01am January 6, 2012 and is open to U.S. followers only. (Sorry guys, grad student budget here. :/) Please observe the conditions listed at the bottom of the widget and I hope to talk to you soon!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: 3/5 for Crave by Melissa Darnell

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Crave by Mellisa Darnell

Paperback, 416 pages

Published October 25th 2011 by Harlequin Teen
Source: NetGalley
Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

Savannah Colbert has never known why she's so hated by the kids of the Clann. Nor can she deny her instinct to get close to Clann golden boy Tristan Coleman. Especially when she recovers from a strange illness and the attraction becomes nearly irresistible. It's as if he's a magnet, pulling her gaze, her thoughts, even her dreams. Her family has warned her to have nothing to do with him, or any members of the Clann. But when Tristan is suddenly everywhere she goes, Savannah fears she's destined to fail.

For years, Tristan has been forbidden to even speak to Savannah Colbert. Then Savannah disappears from school for a week and comes back…different, and suddenly he can't stay away. Boys seem intoxicated just from looking at her. His own family becomes stricter than ever. And Tristan has to fight his own urge to protect her, to be near her no matter the consequences….

This is a book you will either like or absolutely hate. The story has a little more originality to it than I've seen with others, but I hit many walls of frustration while reading it.

The characters are likeable and probably the best part of the book, especially the grandmother. She reminds me of what I think I would be like at that age and had her affinities. :) Savannah, on the other hand, is a typical teenager...at first. She deals with many teenage conflicts even before her life goes haywire. Afterwards, it goes to whole new level of challenges. Savannah finds herself drawn between two worlds, each with their own very strict rules. While she does well, there are a few incidents where she show her age in them. She does compromise and makes good decisions about her school activities that I was proud of, but I felt that she could have stood up for herself just a little more. It seemed that she either was told or chose to take the road that benefited her the least. Tristan is her downfall in good and bad ways. He provides the connection to humanity that she needs, but is also the one thing she's not allowed to have. The valiance he showed throughout the book is truly admirable and makes him one of my favorite male characters. The things he does just to make the situations possible and in his favor are wonderful. Every girl wishes for someone like that. I loved and hated the parents in this book. Everything about them was inconsistent. There were many times I just wanted them to get over themselves and get their crap together. It's obvious to the reader that they both love their daughter, but their methods of showing that to her are vastly different. This is probably due to the different backgrounds they come from and a part of tension that is supposed to be there. However, a little more collaboration wouldn't have hurt at all. The grandmother is my favorite character. She provides the most consistent support and critical advice for Savannah. I feel that I could honestly say Savannah would be nothing and in a world of hurt without her. She pretty much keeps the story together.

The plot and pace of this book was its downfalls in my opinion. While contributing originality to the over-worked vampire genre, the book lacked a good pace to keep the reader attached to the characters. The prologue is very good, but after that it is not until after 75% of the book that it picks up again. Good characters or not, I felt like I just kept waiting for something to happen. It has a lot of back story during this time, but the secrecy from the parents and other characters keeps Savannah and the reader from being able to move forward. I was turning in circles with her, not realizing what had happened and had to re-read a few parts to catch up.
I do the like the dual POV with Tristan. Darnell does pull this off well where others bomb on it. Tristan managed to save the book for me in this aspect. He grounded Savannah's maddening world into something a little more civil for me.

Overall, this was a good book. Does it have issues? Yes, but there is a lot of potential for the series as well. The book ends well enough for me that I can safely say I will read the next one. I do hope that there will be an improvement in its timing and pace.

Waiting on Wednesday - December 21, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 07:08:00 +0000

Hardcover, 496 pages

Expected publication: May 1st 2012 by HarperCollins

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.

Review: 4/5 for Anna Dress in Blood by Kendare Blake

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Hardcover, 316 pages

Published August 30th 2011 by Tor Teen
Source: purchased
Buy the book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.
So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.
When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.
But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas's life.

Love, LOVE the premise of this book. The concept is absolutely wonderful and for the most part the book lives up to the intended intrigue it projects. This was a different combination of paranormal events than what I expected. Ghost hunter, sure. Ghost to be hunted, sure. The tale entwined between the two....whoa.

What an amazing background and build up for these characters. Right from the beginning I connected with Cas and loved his personality and attitude. He's very mature for his age. I had to remind myself several times that he was still only a teenager. Cas handles tough decisions and situations better than a lot of adults I know. Anna makes a wonderful ghost, but seemed meek at times when I thought she actually should have been stronger considering her personality and powers. One of the difficulties I had with this book was a few of their interactions. I have issues with the believability of them, even though it is fiction, but that is just my opinion. I have friends that didn't even think about it. The group of people that tag along for the ride are an amazing group of people. The things that are presented to them are taken in stride and they roll with the punches so well. These are the people that you could look at them and say, "A bad-ass ghost is trying to kill me. Wanna join in?" They would think for a second, then nod and say, "Sure, sounds reasonable enough..." and proceed to fight for their lives. This type of loyalty is not found often. Everyone searches for this in a friend, let alone be lucky enough to have a group full of people like that.

The plot. Oh my, the plot. Just when I would think I had it all figured out something else would happen and throw me in another direction. The visualizations that Blake creates are both beautiful and absolutely creepy. She will keep you on edge from the first page of the book till the last. There are quite a few "down-times", but they're filled with interesting information that supports and enriches the story so much further. I do have one complainant. Like some of the interactions between Anna and Cas, a few of Anna's capabilities seemed very improbable to me. Yeeahhh, I know it's fiction, but seriously? :) Otherwise, it is an action-packed and mystical chain of events that keep you rolling till the end. This is definitely on my "top ten books of the year" list.

In My Mailbox - December 11, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. It is a great way for bloggers to socialize and network their blogs and to share upcoming releases! To join in all the fun, simply:

Make your own IMM post! You can post about books you've bought, gotten from the library, received for review... books don't have to arrive via your mailbox.
You can post weekly, every other week, or one week out of the month, it’s up to you and it doesn't have to be on Sunday.
Once you have your IMM posted, go to The Story Siren on her Sunday post and add your link to the list.
Comment on other bloggers IMM posts.

Merry early Christmas to me! Over coffee and donuts, my book buddy Marla @ Starting the Next Chapter gave me my little bundles of Christmas cheer. I also received a couple other NetGalleys and giveaway wins this week to top it off. It's shaping up to be an awesome holiday so far!

Marla's Christmas Gift Bundle for me:

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon
Legend by Marie Lu - ARC
Witchlanders by Lena Coakley
In the Forests of the Night by Kersten Hamilton - ARC
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi - ARC

NetGalley:

Halflings by Heather Burch - Thank you, NetGalley & Zondervan
New Girl by Paige Harbison - Thank you, NetGalley & Harlequin
Allegiance by Cayla Kluver - Thank you, NetGalley & Harlequin

Giveaway Wins:

Destined by P.C. Cast
-Curious to see how this one goes. The last couple of books has been up and down for me. If this one doesn't pick up, I'm dropping the series. Loved it in the beginning, but I think it has been drawn out too long.

Vicious Little Darlings by Katherine Easer

Review: 4/5 for The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 15:12:00 +0000

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

Hardcover, 513 pages

Published October 4th 2011 by Hyperion Book CH
Source: Purchased
Buy the book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.

Percy is confused. When he awoke from his long sleep, he didn't know much more than his name. His brain fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa tol him he is a demigod and trained him to fight with the pen/sword in his pocket. Somehow Percy manages to make it to a camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he has to keep killing monsters along the way. But the camp doesn't ring and bells with him. The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn't do a very good job of it. Sure, she was an obedient daughter, even when her mother was possessed by greed. But that was the problem - when the Voice took over he mother and commanded Hazel to use her "gift" for and evil purpose, Hazel couldn't say no. Now because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk. Hazel wished she could ride away from it all on the stallion that appears in her dreams.

Frank is a klutz. His grandmother says he is descended from heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn't see it. He doesn't even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery - although not good enough to win camp war games. His bulky physique makes him feel like an ox, especially infront of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely - enough to share the secret he holds close to his heart.

Beginning at the "other" camp for half-bloods and extending as far as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second installment of the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all destined to play a part in the Prophesy of Seven.

Riordan just keeps getting better and better for me. I couldn't wait for this book because I got to see how Percy was doing in this new adventure with the new set of characters. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. Riordan brought the original Percy legacy into the mixture and combined it beautifully with a new one.

Riordan's characters and their individual tweaks are some of my favorite of all time. The newbies on this end of the new series are my picks so far. The new members we were introduced to in The Lost Hero were interesting and made good additions to the Percy family, but I found I could relate more to these. I think my favorite part of the book was the backgrounds of the new characters, especially Hazel. The twists and turns in her life turned out to have a greater impact than what I originally thought. Frank, I adore him. His back story is so rich and it makes him a wonderful character to follow. Sometimes I did have problems keeping up with who is who on the Gods side because of the alternate names, but it wasn't that bad, just different. It wouldn't be an issue for most people, but I've never delved deeply in the histories of the Greeks or Romans.

The plot is as enjoyable as the first book, but there were a few pitfalls for me. It flows at a good pace, but there are spots I wanted it to speed up to fit the scene. It felt anti-climatic like this in quite a few areas. The perspectives that the characters' back stories gave on the plot really good twists and turns. However, Percy's amnesia is a sinker for me. It wasn't as bad for me in The Lost Hero, but this storyline with it aggravated me at times. I think this may be a "just me" issue, because amnesia stories sometimes have that affect on me. I'm sure it was not a problem for others. I love the way this book and the first book of the series connect in plots. It will make the third book in the series, The Mark of Athena, very interesting in plot aspects. I can't wait to see how the characters will interact with each other and the world that they are in now...

Join Us in 25 Days of Jubilation!

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:48:00 +0000

Hello again everyone!

I am personally inviting you to join me as I celebrate the holiday season with an amazing group of bloggers! Cyndi at Dog-Eared & Bookmarked, Jacinda at The Reading Housewives, and Yani at The Secret Life of an Avid Reader are hosting the 25 Days of Jubilation December 1st-25th.

The hosts are kicking it off today with their posts and then for 25 days a different blog will post and include a giveaway, many are international.

I will be posting on December 24th, Christmas Eve! This has always been a favorite holiday in my household, especially while growing up. That's why I'm so tickled I was scheduled for this day. I will be posting about some Christmas Eve folklore and personal traditions that I've loved over the years. Who knows, if I can find them, hilarious pictures from my Christmas past may show up...

What will I be giving away?? That's a good question....

Here's a *suttle* hint at the star of my package:

It will also be signed if the event I will be attending allows multiple books to be signed...

There will also be some various swag and a couple little other surprises, too! You'll have to pop back in to see what is up for grabs!

Schedule:

Here's the line-up for everyone! Be sure to check each blog and enter in the giveaways!

Also, make sure you use the hashtag #25DaysofJ when tweeting about the event on Twitter!

Thursday, December 1st:
Christen at Goldilox and the Three Weres

Friday, December 2nd:
Molly at Surrounded By Words

Saturday, December 3rd:
Meridith at Mint Tea and A Good Book

Sunday, December 4th:
Sandie at Teen Lit Rocks

Monday, December 5th:
Shannon at Books Devoured

Tuesday, December 6th:

Bex at Becky’s Barmy Book Blog

Wednesday, December 7th:
Christi at Christi the Teen Librarian

Thursday, December 8th:
Jen at In the Closet with a Bibliophile

Friday, December 9th:
Sara O. at The Librarian Reads

Saturday, December 10th:
Ginger at GReads!

Sunday, December 11th:
Asheley at Into the Hall of Books

Monday, December 12th:
Tina at Tina’s Book Reviews

Tuesday, December 13th:
Heidi at YA Bibliophile

Wednesday, December 14th:
Jess at Gone with the Words

Thursday, December 15th:

Lisa at Lisa Is Busy Nerding

Friday, December 16th:
Jen D. at Not now…I’m Reading!

Saturday, December 17th:
Jamie at The Perpetual Page-Turner

Sunday, December 18th:
Andrea at The Busy Bibliophile

Monday, December 19th:
Karis at YA Litwit & Sarah at Workaday Reads

Tuesday, December 20th:
Katelyn at Katelyn’s Blog

Wednesday, December 21st:
Ruby at Ruby’s Reads

Thursday, December 22nd:
Jac at For Love and Books

Friday, December 23rd:

Asher at Paranormal Indulgence

Saturday, December 24th:
Nikki at Books Most Wanted

Sunday, December 25th:
Merry Christmas!

Enjoy the season, everyone!!

Waiting on Wednesday - November 30, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:34:00 +0000

The days are growing darker for 17-year-old demon trapper Riley Blackthorne. With her father’s reanimated body back safely, Beck barely speaking to her because of her tryst with a hunky fallen angel and a deal freshly made with Lucifer, she has enough on her hands to last a normal teenage lifetime. Though she bargained with Heaven to save his life, her ex-boyfriend Simon has told the Vatican’s elite team of demon hunters that she’s working with Hell. So now she’s on the run, at the top of everyone’s most-wanted list.

But it’s becoming clear that this is bigger than either Riley or Beck, and rapidly getting out of control. Someone's tampering with Atlanta's Holy Water, and it’s on Riley to figure out who. On top of that, there’s something wrong with the demons; they’re working together—and refusing to die. The trappers and hunters are doing their best, but civilians are falling in harm’s way.

Caught between her bargain with Heaven and her promise to Lucifer, Riley fears the final war is coming—and it may be closer than anyone thinks…

In My Mailbox - November 27, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 20:32:00 +0000

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. It is a great way for bloggers to socialize and network their blogs and to share upcoming releases! To join in all the fun, simply:

Make your own IMM post! You can post about books you've bought, gotten from the library, received for review... books don't have to arrive via your mailbox.
You can post weekly, every other week, or one week out of the month, it’s up to you and it doesn't have to be on Sunday.
Once you have your IMM posted, go to The Story Siren on her Sunday post and add your link to the list.
Comment on other bloggers IMM posts.

This is a LONG over due IMM. I've spent most of my Sundays this last month writing papers and other homework for grad school. Unfortunately, it's left me little time to think about the wonderful stack of books that has built up over the last month. I've been really fortunate on the giveaways this month and have caught a few deals here and there online as well.

Nook Books:

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

Remembrance by Michelle Madow

NetGalley:

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Giveaway Wins!

*Pitch Dark Days Fall 2011 Giveaway Pack
hosted by Kristin @ My World of Books

A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

Eve by Anna Carey

Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

Supernaturally by Kiersten White

Fateful by Claudia Gray

*500+ Giveaway at Rants-N-Scribbles

The Death Cure by James Dashner

*Giveaway & Release Day Event for Beautiful Chaos hosted by The Bookish Brunette

Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

*Haunted Halloween Event at Confessions of a Bookaholic

The Demon Trapper's Daughter & Soul Thief by Jana Oliver - signed

I also got a T-shirt, iron-on patch, and bookplates with the books! When I find my camera I'll upload a pic of all the goodies. (When one moves, some items tend to disappear for a little while.)

Waiting on Wednesday - November 23, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 06:01:00 +0000

Hardcover

Expected publication: August 7th 2012 by Tor Teen

From Goodreads:

In this follow-up to Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas begins seeing Anna everywhere: sometimes when he’s asleep, and sometimes in waking nightmares. But something is very wrong. These aren’t just daydreams. Anna seems tortured, torn apart in new and ever more gruesome ways every time she appears.

Cas doesn’t know what happened to Anna when she disappeared into Hell, but he knows she doesn’t deserve whatever is happening to her now. Anna saved Cas more than once, and it’s time for him to return the favor.