Waiting on Wednesday: 19/09/2012

 

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

 

Today's Pick:

Unwholly by Neal Shusterman

416 pages.

Published by: Simon & Schuster

I. WANT. THIS. BOOK. SO. BADLY.

 

Blurb

Thanks to Connor, Lev, and Risa—and their high-profile revolt at Happy Jack Harvest Camp—people can no longer turn a blind eye to unwinding. Ridding society of troublesome teens while simultaneously providing much-needed tissues for transplant might be convenient, but its morality has finally been brought into question. However, unwinding has become big business, and there are powerful political and corporate interests that want to see it not only continue, but also expand to the unwinding of prisoners and the impoverished.
Cam is a product of unwinding; made entirely out of the parts of other unwinds, he is a teen who does not technically exist. A futuristic Frankenstein, Cam struggles with a search for identity and meaning and wonders if a rewound being can have a soul. And when the actions of a sadistic bounty hunter cause Cam’s fate to become inextricably bound with the fates of Connor, Risa, and Lev, he’ll have to question humanity itself.
Rife with action and suspense, this riveting companion to the perennially popular Unwind challenges assumptions about where life begins and ends—and what it means to live.

 

My Thoughts

OK, what can I say, I'm nuts about this book. It's out already, came out on the 28th of August, a month ago- so how come I don't HAVE IT yet? I'm just going to go cry now, don't have the power to talk *blubbers*

 

Eden's Root by Rachel E. Fisher

Title: Eden's Root

Series: Eden's Root Trilogy
Author: Rachel E. Fisher 
Edition: Paperback
Pages: 380
Published: December 17th, 2011
My rating: 3

 

Blurb

The year is 2033 and the world hovers on the edge of explosion as unexplained crop deaths lead to severe global food shortages. In the United States, the Sickness is taking lives slowly, creeping its way into every family. Fi Kelly has already faced the Sickness in her own family, toughening her beyond her years. But a shocking confession from her dying father will push her toughness to its absolute limits. Saddled with an impossible secret and the mission of saving her little sister, Fi sets out to transform herself into the warrior that she must become to survive the coming collapse. Along the way, she will discover that evil can be accidental and that love can be intentional.

 

Review

It's the year 2033, world chaos, one girl and her family. Sounded interesting, and proved to be so. There were some turn effects for me, though, but we'll get to that later. The main concept of this dystopian novel seemed to spin around the problem of food, a problem that I think is connected with real life. Fi Kelly's- the protagonist- dad is on the verge of death because of the sickness, but he has secrets that will change Fi's whole life. Before her fathers death, he reveals to her that the very food they eat is killing them all. Sickfood. Yikes, huh? But there is a solution- and it'll be the biggest risk she'll ever have to face.

Fi Kelly, she's a very different character. Petite in size, but when it comes to energy, she's bursting with it. Seriously, she is, and that sort of threw me back a little. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love a strong female character, but I don't like them perfect. There were times when she'd go out on raids and stack her bag with like, a dozen cans and who knows what else. I can barely hold a grocery bag to my car, and I'm tall, but this petite girl can stack a whole bag and run with it without slowing down? Seemed a bit unrealistic. Her ego, didn't like that either. She felt herself responsible for everyone's safety, so she would put up this I'm so strong shield in front of everyone, and then complain when alone. Got tired of her a long time ago. Don't get me started on the whole Sean thing (trying not to spoil much).

Just because I didn't like Fi, didn't mean I didn't like the story. There was something about it that kept me bound for some reason. Maybe it was the thrill of all the adventure, or just wanting to know how things would end up. I will be honest though, this was one of those stories where there weren't that many surprises. And it sort of repeated itself. For example, Fi and her family met with people along the way, adding them to their family. When you thought the family was done, well, you'd be wrong.

One thing that made me laugh a little was french. Yeah, there was some french here or there, and speaking french myself (Canadian here!), I found it funny when the characters said something wrong.

Ok, this one I have to write down, because it irked me to no end! The characters in the story.... drum roll please... LAUGHED. AT. EVERYTHING. Even the things that made no sense, and at random times.

Then there was the romance. It was slow, very slow, and when I thought it might get interesting, it got triangular (oh hahaha). I'm not a fan of love triangles, unless their written pro-ishly. Period.

In all, I realise that this review wasn't all positive, but it was the most honest I've ever been. Why I gave it three stars? The first was for the effort and the idea. The idea was creative, very. Second, If I read to the end, it deserves some credit. And the third star, well, I did enjoy it a little. With a bit of tinkering, I think the story could go far.

Teaser Tuesday: 04/09/2012

 

 

 

 

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser

 

Title: Eden's Root

Author: Rachel E. Fisher

Pages: 371
Given to me by the author for review purposes.

 

Page: 289

 

'Oh God, now I REALLY wish I could sink through the forest floor.'

 

(Review coming up soon)

 

  

 

My Last post (VACATION)

Hey guys, I just felt like I should leave a final message explaining that I'm going to be away on vacation until August the 24th, so I won't be posting unless I get my hand on a computer... even then. So, if you're waiting on reviews or updates, it'll have to be after I come back. Anyway, since this is my last post, I'm just going to let you guys know what new books I've got, and all the books I'm going to take with me. Plus, I'll have a list of all the books I'm going to review when I come back. Enjoy!

In My Mailbox!

This week, I only got two books, but both seem really enjoyable!

Eden's Root by Rachel E. Fisher was sent to me by the author for review purposes, and it's signed! Sorry I can't get my own pictures, camera's already locked. Anyway, here's a 'pre-review' blurb: The year is 2033 and the world hovers on the edge of explosion as unexplained crop deaths lead to severe global food shortages. In the United States, the Sickness is taking lives slowly, creeping its way into every family. Fi Kelly has already faced the Sickness in her own family, toughening her beyond her years. But a shocking confession from her dying father will push her toughness to its absolute limits. Saddled with an impossible secret and the mission of saving her little sister, Fi sets out to transform herself into the warrior that she must become to survive the coming collapse. Along the way, she will discover that evil can be accidental and that love can be intentional. Interesting, eh? By the way, I don't say 'eh' a lot (it's apparently a Canadian stereotype that we say 'eh' a lot). Moving on!

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith is, I'm pretty sure, a movie that's been adapted into a book, or the other way around. Any who, I saw it at the store and the cover reminded me to much about Darran Shan Cirque Du Freak, so I decided it couldn't hurt to buy it. Enjoy the blurb: Abraham Lincoln was just a boy when he learned that his mother's untimely death was actually the work of a vampire. From then on, he vowed to devote his intelligence, strength--and skill with an ax--to the elimination of the soulless creatures. It was a path of vengeance that would lead him all the way to the White House.
No one ever knew about Lincoln's valiant struggle against the undead... until author Seth Grahame-Smith laid eyes on Abe's secret journal--the first living person to do so in over 140 years. Putting a supernatural spin on revisionist history, Seth has reconstructed Lincoln's true life story--while revealing the role vampires played in the birth, growth and near-death of our nation.

That's all for this week.

Moving on to the books I will read over the summer. Here's the list:

-Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte 

-Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (check)

-Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (check)

-Divergent by Veronica Roth (check)

-The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen  (really excited to read this) (check

-Mockingbird byKathryn Erskine (check)

-The Lost Code by Kevin Emerson

-Eden's Root by Rachel E. Fisher (check)

-Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith 

Well, that's all. I'll post a review for the books that I liked the most, maybe all. I hope to hear from everyone after I get back, bye! 

Random Rant Thursday! (#3)

TODAY'S TOPIC: This is worth this many books

OK, I don't know if I'm the only one who does this, but I get really annoyed when I see people, mainly my family, spend so much money on things that aren't books. Some useless things that cost way too much. So what I do is I compare the amount of money we spend in a week, and compare that to how many books we could have gotten for that amount of money. Yes, I know different books have different prices, but I generally go with a book that costs 10 bucks. Like Illusions by Aprilynne Pike, in paperback format. If someone spent around $70 while out, it would be like having wasted 7 good books, and yes, seven books for a normal person like me is a LOT.

So that was me, ranting about how valuable money is (book-wise). What are YOU ranting about? 

Agents of Change by Guy Harrison

Title: Agents of Change

Series: (Agents of Change #1)
Author: Guy Harrison
Edition: Paperback
Pages: 380
Published: February 13th 2012
My rating: 3 stars

Blurb

An amiable corporate manager by day and a matchmaker whenever he can get around to it, Calvin Newsome's new dream job falls into his lap when he's recruited by a secret worldwide organization whose agents use uncanny abilities to empower and influence everyday downtrodden individuals. Disaster strikes, however, when an elaborate scheme leaves Calvin as a prime murder suspect...and his new employer is presumably to blame.
With the authorities on his heels and his life left in ruin, Calvin uses his new powers to blend in until a journey for freedom becomes a quest for peace. As the agency's rival organization threatens the security of all of earth's inhabitants, he teams up with unlikely allies and battles surprising enemies hellbent on unleashing their power in a twisted version of justice, innocent lives be damned

My Review

The first thing I could think of when I saw this book was, I love the cover. And, well, the cover is neat. So I proceeded to read the blurb and all the right things caught my eyes. This book, like many others, started off a little slow for me, but eventually is started to get more into the action of the plot.

Calvin Newsome is your above average man who seems to have one of those hearts that really reaches out towards others. He is caring, and a little too easy going on people. Too much for his own good. I guess I kind of liked that about him. I mean, how often do you see a character who is so whiling to do anything to make other peoples lives easier? So his life is just like everyone else's (sprinkled with a few childhood problems), but that all changes when he is recruited by an agency. The Agency of Influence, a group of people who want to do those little deeds that will help ordinary people who are going through hard times.

I found the idea of such an organisation very interesting and original, but there was one aspect of it that threw me in a flurry of questions. The change machine. It is a machine that can give you the power to change into anyone you like. The thing that got me was that on some occasions, when Calvin needed to change into someone, he chose really famous people. Now, how does that really work out? I mean, so I'm at a store, and Oprah just walks in... A little bit unreasonable if you ask me. But the whole change machine didn't throw me off course or anything.

I really liked Calvin's other job. Match making. The thing that I liked about it in particular was how he was willing to help a teenage boy while in the midst of a crisis. That was really touching.

All in all, I believe this book has a lot of potential, but I couldn't find it in myself to add an extra two stars to the three. The plot, in my opinion, just didn't seem... fiction enough. There were too many real life connections. The way the characters talked didn't seem I don't know, fluent enough for me. But everyone has their own opinion. I just happen to like a more fantasy/sci-fi kind of thing. Overall, though, for a first novel, it was well done.

2012 TBR Challenge

I am- sad to say- one of those people who go out, get a few books, and not open them... Not because I'm a terrible reader who has no dignity, but because I have other TREMENDOUS piles to be attending. So when I came along this challenge, I thought, wow, this is just what I need!

Challenge guidelines:

1.This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012.

2.As we would like to see quality reviews linked up to our monthly wrap-ups, only bloggers can enter. Sorry about that!

3.Any genre, length or format of book counts, as long as it is a book that's been sitting on your shelf for some time now. Only books released in 2011 and earlier! NO ARCs and 2012 fresh-off-the-press releases allowed!

4.You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

5.When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the 2012 TBR PILE Reading Challenge (You need to include the info + host list + challenge button. You can also grab the button code and add it to your sidebar!)

6.You can move up levels, but no moving down.

7.Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2012, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.

8.At the end of each month one of the hosts will post a wrap-up. Every wrap-up will have it's unique theme, a mini-challenge, a giveaway and place for you to link up your reviews from this month. For each review you link up, you will get one entry in a drawing of one book of choice from Book Depository. It's open to INTERNATIONALS. For participating in the mini-challenge you will get +1 entry.

9.If you miss a wrap-up post + giveaway, you can link up your reviews next month. Do not, however, try to link up one review twice - we will be checking ;)

10.December is a wrap-up for the whole year. All the book reviews you linked up January-November + the ones you'll link up in December will be entered into a HUGE giveaway - 12 books, 12 winners, INTERNATIONAL.

11.You don't have to follow all the hosts to join the challenge, but you do have to follow all of us to be entered in giveaways!

Levels:
1-10 - A Firm Handshake
11-20 - A Friendly Hug
21-30 - A Sweet Kiss
31-40 - Love At First Sight
41-50 - Married With Children

Hosts:
Evie from Bookish - http://www.evie-bookish.blogspot.com @SeoEvie
Nicole from All I Ever Read - http://www.nicoleabouttown.com/ @Nicoleabouttown
Bonnie from Hands and Home - http://www.handsandhome.ca/ @HandsHomeBlog
Donna from Book Passion For Life - http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.com/ @BookPforLife
Caitlin from WatchYA Reading - http://whatchyareading.net @caitlingss
Rie from Mission To Read - http://missiontoread.com/ @missiontoread
Vicky from Books, Biscuits & Tea -http://booksbiscuitsandtea.blogspot.com/ @alouetteuette
Christa from Hooked On Books - http://christashookedonbooks.blogspot.com @ChristasBooks
Jenna from Fans Of Fiction - http://fansoffiction.blogspot.com/ @fansoffiction
Angel from Mermaids Vision - http://mermaidvision.wordpress.com @mermaidvisions

Wrap-up POST Schedule:

January - Donna (Theme: Let It Snow + Book Cover Challenge)
February - Nicole (Theme: Un-requited Love/Love Gone Wrong + Advice Column Challenge)
March - Rie (Theme: Green or Pinched + Green Cover Challenge)
April - Bonnie (Theme: Easter + Mini Challenge)
May - Christa (Theme: MayDay - Disaster Books! + Cover Disaster Challenge)
June - Jenna ( Theme: Camping + Sentence Challenge)
July - Rie (Theme: International Day + Cover Comparison Challenge)
August - Angel (Theme: Summer Memories + Send Your Fav Character On Vacation Challenge)
September - Nicole (Theme: Life Changing Books + Mini Challenge)
October - Caitlin (Theme: Thanksgiving Theme + Share-A-Book Challenge)
November - Vicky (Theme: Spooky Halloween + Book Puzzle Challenge)
December - Evie (Theme: Xmas Bliss + Book Bachelor Challenge)

I will be going for level 21-30 and here are the books I want to get through:

1: Illusions by Aprilynne Pike
2: Thirteen reasons why by Jay Asher
3: Out of my Mind by Sharon M. Draper
4: TimeRiders (#1) by Alex Scarrow
5: The Mum Hunt by Gwyneth Rees
6: Home Truths By Jill Maclean
7: Halo (Halo, #1) Alexandra Adornetto
8: The Maze Runner by James Dashner
9: Across the Universe by Beth Revis
10: Twisted by Gena Showalter
11: Divergent by Veronica Roth
12: Bystander by James Preller
13:The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
14:Will Greyson Will Greyson by John Green and David Levithan
15:My Side of the Story by Will Davis
16:
17:
18:
19:
20:
21:
22:
23:
23:
24:
25:
26:
27:
28:
29:
30:

All Good Children by Catherine Austen

Blurb

Creativity is a crime Max commits every day.

It's the middle of the twenty-first century and the elite children of New Middletown are lined up to receive a treatment that turns them into obedient, well-mannered citizens. Maxwell Connors, a fifteen-year-old prankster, misfit and graffiti artist, observes the changes with growing concern, especially when his younger sister, Ally, is targeted. Max and his best friend, Dallas, escape the treatment, but must pretend to be "zombies" while they watch their freedoms and hopes decay. When Max's family decides to take Dallas with them into the unknown world beyond New Middletown's borders, Max's creativity becomes an unexpected bonus rather than a liability.

Review

Honestly, my review will do this book no justice. In fact, I should have written this review a long time ago, just never got around to it. Which is weird because I loved this book. Now, I'm not talking about the liked, love. I'm talking about the loved, loved. It is one of those novels that will bring tears to your eyes because of its ferocious writing style. Its power dripping in all the words, and oh, all the emotions. You guys noticing how I'm using all the italics? I can't emphasise my point enough. Let me start by praising the author. Because you know what? A lot of people don't think of it this way, but the power of writing is in the authors hands. Catherine Austen has made my top three, and to make my top three, you need requirements that go beyond the normal. Beyond the beyond. I can't even describe this requirement. It's like something that lives in my heart (sound too cliché? I don't kid when I say: I love books). I loved all the characters in All Good Children. I loved how they were all connected, and by the way, I'm the kind of person who loves romance in novels, but this book has made me realise that friendship is so much more stronger. I loved the voice of the main characters, and the not so main characters. I loved the plot and how it was intertwined with everything else in the book. It was very powerful.

The story takes place in the time we are living in, yet everything is a little bit tighter. Everything is more high tech, and parents can actually decide what kind of child they want. The richer your family is, the more perfect you will be. Like, say, Xavier Lavigne. No, he's not the main character, but he is the neighbour of the main character and also my favourite. Just picture the perfect, tall, athletic blond and you've got Xavier. What I like about him is that he has a very unique and original personality. For example, instead of greeting you with a 'hi' or 'hey', he'll launch into some sort of rant about something. Whether it be something nerdy about science, some new facts, or just about society. He's also a master mind hacker. He can get you in just about any network. In fact, while Max (main character) was away visiting some dead relative, Xavier marked him present for all his classes at school.

When Max, his sister Ally, and his mother return, things aren't really the same. In fact, ever since the death of his father, things haven't been the same. Max is almost as black as his mother, while Ally is white like his father, so there were some issues there. Also, ever since the death of their father, they've been really poor. Max, who loves creativity, and his friend Dallas, who has a rich father, notice that that the children in Ally's school are acting weird. Very obedient, like 'zombies' as they would refer to them as. When all the children in Ally's school become zombies, she must pretend to be one of them or else the authorities would have to give her the medicine they gave the other children. The whole thing is called 'NESTING', and it's supposed to turn children into obedient freaks. Sad thing is, when Dallas and Max get themselves into detention, it's their turn to be given the shot, but because of some reasons (read the book) they're saved, and now it's their turn to act like zombies. (Nesting, guys, look at the nest on the cover!)

What I really liked about the book was not really the plot, though it was still amazing. What I liked was how all the relationships were really a big part of it. Once you become a zombie, or see someone you love turn into a zombie, it's like watching your family turn against you. Turn into complete strangers who are totally incapable of emotions and that is just sad. Of course, it wouldn't be sad if you, the reader, wasn't given the opportunity to connect with the characters first.

That's another thing I loved about this book. The biggest development was that of the characters, yet there was still an active plot throughout the story. Max is this short, art loving dude who you just can't get enough of. He has a somewhat big ego, and is addicted to is RIG (which is kind of like an ipod touch, just more developed). He isn't the kind of character who's always talking loudly just to draw attention or seem cool, nor is he the quiet, good boy like in most stories. He's in between, and he actually has an original personality that actually shows in the book.

Oh, and then there was Dallas. There was a part in the story were I wanted to strangle him, but not because I didn't like him, but because he was acting like a zombie *shudders*. And I didn't care so much because he wasn't my favourite character (but I did like him) but because he was Max's best friend. And it was like I was watching someone important to me, ignore me like Dallas did to Max.

Overall, I can't praise this book enough. I can't thank Catherine Austen enough for making me realise that reading a book with a strong friendship is more heart-clenching then reading a book with a cheesy romance. I cried almost every other page, and it was only because of the importance of family and friendship. Definitely a five stars. Well, OK, 100/5. I'm not even kidding here.

Quick updates! (Mark of Athena!)

OK, so for all you Percy Jackson fans out there, just wanted to let you know that the cover for Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan will be out this Friday! And the first chapter will be out tomorrow night! Go here for more information: http://www.facebook.com/PercyJackson

Weigh in Wednesday (#3)

Weight in Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Epilogue.

Today's topic is: Poetry vs Prose

First, I've only ever read one book that has been written in poetry format, and that was Heartbeat by Sharon Creech, and I fell in love INSTANTLY. OK, so the truth is, this book belonged to one of my teachers (back when I was younger) and I was reading it in class, and took it home to finish. Of course, that's when I fell in love and couldn't let go. Fair enough? Besides I was just a kid *bows head in shame*. Anyway, aside from that, most of the books I read generally all have prose, but then again, it's not like you see many poetic novels out there. In fact, I wanted to write my own 'poetic' novel! In the end I have to say I love both. I can't choose between either.

What about you? What do you prefer? (By the way, if you know some poetic novels, let me know about them!)

Random Rant Thursday (#2)

Random Rant Thursday's is a weekly meme hosted by Zanib Dawn of the Books. There is only one rule, RANT.

 Today's rant will be about clichés. Some typical clichés usually revolve around romance, but let me tell you, there are a bunch more that can really get on someone's nerves.

The first, and for most: When the main character is described as beautiful, yet constantly calls his/herself ugly and/or unattractive. You guys following me? I read it all the time, and one of the examples is (sorry Stephanie Meyers) Twilight. Bella is supposedly a 'pale' and normal girl who all the guys in the school are after. Yet, she can't seem to understand why? Her 'flowing brown hair' is just so plain? Yes, what a nuisance. It gets really annoying. I mean, why can't the main characters have a physical flaw? Or the lovers of the main character?

Then there is the stereotypical bad guys. I'm talking about the beauty queens out of cliques formed in Chick Lit. They're always out to get the main character because of some pathetic reason. Are people in real life like that? I suppose somewhere, there might be... but honestly, I think that all bad guys need to be good guys misguided. Lets say, Voldemort for example? If you know nothing about him, go pick up the Harry Potter books. He is like the baddest of the bad, yet he has an innocent history... get me? That's what makes a character... characterized.

That's all for today, let me know what YOU are ranting about.

Weigh in Wednesday (#2)

Weight in Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Epilogue.

Today's topic is:

Today's topic: Novellas Vs. Anthologies

For me personally, short stories are not very satisfying. In all my time, I've read a few good ones (The End of the Game by Julio Cortazar) but the majority either lack action, or are good enough to leave me wanting more, but I don't get more. Make sense? I prefer Novellas because they're just greater in length, thus, greater in all other things. Romance, action, adventure, etc.. That's all there is to it. Well, there is the fact that I love holding a novella and thinking about all that might go on through the story, but I can't do that with Anthologies.

What about YOU? Do you prefer Novellas or Anthologies?

                                    Next weeks topic: Poetry Vs. Prose
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Teaser Tuesday (#3)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser for this Tuesday

Title: NoMansLand

Author: Lesley Hauge

Pages: 243

Published: 2010 by Square Fish

'The trackers bring Laing within days'

"They caught her easily. She has been put in the darkness."


(Psst, so far this book is Eh)

Cover reveal!

Hey guys, I'm back! Today I'm here with a cover release for Stromdancer by Jay Kristoff. Ok, let's have a look at the Uk book cover:

This cover in itself is so glorious! I mean, look at the girl, and the way she holds the sword (I'm a sucker for Japanese arts). The title has this unique elegance to it, and the flowers on the side speak: JAPAN!



Now, I was really in love with this cover, and this book is definitely in my to reads list, but guess what? Let's have a look at the US cover edition (get ready folks).

.
..
...
.....
..........
.............
................

READY?

OK, here goes:

Talk about BLOW. AWAY.

  This cover literally made my mouth hand open! Everything looks so dark and graceful! I mean, look at the way she holds the sword (better then the last cover). And the dark hair flying in the breeze really brings out this bad ass look to it. Can't wait to get my hands on this edition!

Stormdancer will be released September 18 in the US through Thomas Dunne books/St Martin’s Press.

Click here to find out more information about STORMDANCER

Stormdancer on Goodreads
Jay’s blog
Jay’s Twitter

Book Haul (#1)

  Book Haul is a feature that showcases all the awesome books I got this week!

To be reviewed

These are both books from the library. The one on the left, Verity Fibbs by Cathy Brett is about a girl who is super addicted to games and apparently, is a liar. I got it because the cover looked really different and had this 'sit-down-by-the-fire-on-a-stormy-day look to it. The one on the right, The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey is about an orphaned apprentice of a doctor who studies monsters. This one I chose because I haven't read too many books that revolve around monsters.

These two, also from the library, are new YA releases. The one on the left, No Mans Land by Lesley Hauge is about a futuristic time where women rule, and there are no men. Not inside women territories, anyway. The other one, Payback Time by Carl Deuker is about a school reported who thinks he might have found the biggest story yet, about a football player named Angel. I'll try to review them soon!

Well, that's all for today!

Waiting on Wednesday (#2)

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

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Hardcover, 448 pages

Expected publication: October 30th 2012 by Margaret K. McElderry

more details...

Series: Rebel Heart (Dust Lands, #2)

series: Dust Lands #2

The Tonton have been defeated. Lugh has been rescued.
The heartstone has brought Saba and Jack together.
Now, Saba and her family head west to meet him and start a new life. All should be well.
But shadows of the dead are stalking Saba.
And another kind of shadow is creeping over the dustlands.
Then a messenger shows up.
With news of Jack.

OK, this book, I am dying to read. It is the second book in an amazing series called Dust Lands. And... love the cover, even though it is a bit different then the original.

Weigh in Wednesday (#1)

Weight in Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Epilogue.

Today's topic is:

Love Triangles Vs. Insta-love

OK, so in my opinion, both are pretty sucky. I mean, I hate it when in a book, there are two guys, and the one you were rooting for does not end up as the IT man. That is one of the biggest downers for me. I mean, a little competition doesn't hurt, but when things start to get to triangular, then I hate it. Poor Gale.... Also, with Instant love, it just feels to abrupt, cliché, and wrong. I prefer it when the two get to know each other a little. They don't need to get too friendly straightaway. So in the end, though I hate both, I would pick love triangles over Instant love. Why? Because At least love triangles can be a little fun.

Next weeks topic: Novellas Vs. Anthologies

Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John

Blurb

The Challenge: Piper has one month to get the rock band Dumb a paying gig.

The Deal: If she does it, Piper will become the band's manager and get her share of the profits.

The Catch: How can Piper possibly manage one egomaniacal pretty boy, one talentless piece of eye candy, one crush, one silent rocker, and one angry girl? And how can she do it when she's deaf?

Piper can't hear Dumb's music, but with growing self-confidence, a budding romance, and a new understanding of the decision her family made to buy a cochlear implant for her deaf baby sister, she discovers her own inner rock star and what it truly means to be a flavor of Dumb.

Review

The first reason I picked up this books was because it had an epic cover. No, I don't just mean it looked epic, but it even felt epic. I'm a sucker for good covers, so I threw it in my bag, and took it home. Again, I'm also a sucker for first lines. And the first line in this book got me hooked. I can't remember what the first line was, but it was told through Piper's point of view, the main character, and it really brought out a witty, confident and original voice. In my opinion, that's one of the important ways an author can attract a reader.

Piper is a deaf girl, and when she has the opportunity to manage a band and get some money so she can go to the school of her choice, she's in. Of course, what she didn't know was that she was getting herself into a band that was so out of sync. Which, for the record, is when she decided to call them the five flavors of Dumb. Because each one of the members were so different. Like flavours.

Reading a book through a deaf persons perspective was really refreshing for me. Something that took me out of all the regular books I read all the time into something new. The characters were all very likable, or unlikeable, but that's a good thing. Antony John got reactions out of me over what the characters did, and that's OK because it means that I actually cared.

Of course, in the end, I gave it a three star because the ending just didn't seem satisfying. It all wrapped up like a happily ever after, no hint of any despair, or future fame, or what not. Just, a yay! Now don't get me wrong, I loved the book, and the author did an amazing job, but still, there was something missing. The whole story lacked a sort of emotion. I think at points it was supposed to be sad, like the time the gang went to visit all the famous dead musicians. I didn't feel it. Or when Piper was using a broomstick to keep the band together by tapping it on the floor for a tempo. That, I think was supposed to be inspirational. I didn't feel it. So I think the problem here was the choice of events, or just the way the words were combined didn't really help bring out the best in the story.

Also, I guess the other thing that disappointed me was who ended up with who. That has nothing to do with the authors writing or what not, just solely based on my opinion. I was hoping the deaf girl somehow got to the 'egomaniacal pretty boy'. Also the lead singer, Josh. They just seemed to have this little spark going every once in a while, so it was kind of misleading me. Oh, well.

Overall, the book was properly put together to create a humorous, witty, and a finding-yourself novel.   

Unwind (Unwind, #1) by Neal Shusterman

Blurb

Connor, Risa, and Lev are running for their lives.

The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights. The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment of conception until age thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, parents can have their child "unwound," whereby all of the child's organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn't technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state is not enough to be kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together, they may have a chance to escape and to survive.

                                                     Review

If you haven't already read this book, then I suggest you go do that now. Trust me, you'll be grateful for this.  Neal Shusterman, also the author of the Everlost trilogy, has created such an original, and promising book with amazing characters that people can connect with. The plot is so magnificent, I don't even know where to begin. I remember that I went up to practically everyone saying 'Unwind, want to know what that is?'
After having read this book, I don't think I will ever look at surgeons, and nursery rhymes the same way. The author has taken everyday children's rhymes and shone a darker light on them. Get this :


Humpty dumpty sat on a wall.
Humpty dumpty had a great fall.
All the kings horses and all the kings men,
couldn't put Humpty together again.


Now relate this to the little blurb up above. If you haven't figured it out, let me tell you. The author here is saying that Humpty broke (unwound, so his body parts are transplanted to other people) and no one could put him back (and no matter what, they couldn't fix him ever again.) Read the story and you'll find out what this all means *shivers*.


Connor, who in my eyes was like the main character even though there were three point of views, is a trouble maker. Not the kind who deals with drugs and all that, but a trouble maker who is misunderstood. He likes to sit around near the highways, just because he loves the feel of it, not because he's some bad boy. So I really felt for him when his girlfriend decided not to runaway with him when he found out he would be unwound. Of course, he found someone better- cough, cough. He has a really kind heart, sort of gets into fights when he's tempered, but that gave him a unique personality. Even to the other characters in the story, he was someone people really looked up to, and was given many honourable titles. If there's a character you really fall in love with, there's nothing better then to see them being praised in the story.


Then there's Risa. I could really connect with her in ways that, honestly, I don't even know myself. The author just had this influencing writing style, that you find yourself in love with everyone. Risa wasn't talented enough in the over crowded State Homes, and Lev, a tithe, was born for unwinding.

I felt sort of sad for him. He was so convinced that it was his duty to be unwound, but in the end, he was actually a really big hero, and I admire him for it.

The author came up with many interesting thoughts and ideas in the story, for example, in the book, there were people called clappers. Clappers were people who had some sort of explosives in their bloodstreams, and when they clapped, everything around them would explode. They were sort of like terrorists. Anyway, the clappers are somehow connected to the whole story, and you'll have to read to find out.

Overall, this book was AMAZING! No, even more then just amazing, I can't find words. Words don't exist for this book. It's the kind of book that stays with you for a long time, and really makes you geek out over everything in it. A true sci-fi, and adventure with romance that was paced just perfectly. Five stars for sure, in fact, a million stars!  

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Goodreads Blurb

Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back. Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.

Review

Blood Red Road. The first thing that popped into my mind was: oooh, vampire novel! So I took it home thinking about how this might be the next Twilight. It wasn't. In fact, it was better. Moira Young has created a very original piece of work intertwined with memorable characters (good and bad), and a plot with twists and turns that keep the book alive. Her writing style was a little different then the kind of stuff you see everyday. It was written in a way that really brought out the main characters personality. Words like 'Can't' were written like 'C'aint'. Also, the lack of quotation marks was a bit weird at first, but you get used to it. It's a good way for the author to personalise her writing style.

The story takes place in a dessert like area, where Saba, her brother Lugh, Emmi, her sister, and her father live in a little dried up place called Silverlake. They are the only ones there, and don't know much about the outside place (which, apparently, is still in the dessert). Ever since the death of their mother, Saba's father kept them there, and always talked about how the stars held their destinies and whatnot. When Lugh is taken away by mysterious people, Saba has no choice but to embark on a journey to save her brother, and she is tagged along by Emmie, her little sister.

Emmi and Saba didn't really get along. In fact, their mother died giving birth to Emmi, and that is the reason Saba has never looked at her as a sister, but things change as they get deeper into the journey, having to put their trust in each other if they want to survive. There's a lesson to be learned there. That if you give someone a chance, you can actually come to terms.

The same goes for when Saba meets Jack (who serves as a love interest later on), they aren't exactly friendly with each other, but things change once Saba gives him a chance.

Everything about this story was so different! The setting, characters, speech. It teaches us about finding ourselves, and I loved learning more about Saba and this inner instinct that she called the Red Hot, which was her way of saying powerful anger. I loved everything, and am so trilled to hear that there will be a second book coming out in October. Definitely a good 5 stars. Go pick it up, and let me know what you think  

IMM (#1)

In my mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren

This meme allows bloggers to hop from one blog to another and see what others are reading. It is also a way to showcase the books in a "spotlight of fame" since it might be a while before the review is ready!

Here are the books I bought over the last few weeks.

These three are classic romances by very famous authors that I've been wanting to read for a LONG time. I got all three for only ten bucks! Anyway, I'll be sure to review them once I'm finished.

Divergent by Veronica Roth has been everywhere these days, and I heard it was similar to the Hunger Games, so I decided it couldn't hurt to try it. The cover is awesome by the way.

The False Prince, I got because, well, I'm a sucker for the cover. It looks so smooth and shiny! In the back it says 'Growing up in an orphanage has brought out the bad boy in Sage.' *swoons* That just sounds so epic! It even has its own map on the inside. The setting sounds very old fashioned and come one, how catchy is the title 'The False Prince.' It's got 'awesome' written all over it. I'll make sure to get a review for both of these books as soon as possible!

OK, these two are the last ones. Mockingbird had an interesting blurb, something similar to some epic books I've read. It's about a girl named Caitlin who has Asperger’s, and there are things she doesn't understand. But that's what her brother's always there for. But when Devon is dead (???), her dad is no help. So how does an eleven year old girl fair? The other book, the Lost Code, is an ARC I won through a giveaway by HarperColins, and I'll be sure to post a review for both of these books. Well, thats' all for now, be sure to check in next time and let me know what's in your mailbox.