Thursday, September 30, 2010

Tales From Under the Grave, a YA Spooktacular Halloween Event

With Halloween around the corner, it is time for some spooktastic events. 

Danielle at a Frenzy of Noise and Khelsea at Once Upon a Review are going to be hosting this Spookacular Halloween featuring some of my favorite things! Authors, reviews, mini-challenges, giveaways, "trick-or-treating", ghost stories and CANDY!! Sounds awesome right? More details to come once the event date gets closer and trust me, you don't want to miss it!

(You can follow #YASpooktacular on twitter if you want some as-they-happen spoilers.)

Participating Blogs
Ashley - Book Labyrinth
Christina - Christina's Books
Courtney - Courtney Reads
Reading Teen

ATTENTION AUTHORS!!! WE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR MORE YA AUTHORS TO WRITE A 200-600 WORD PIECE OF A SHORT STORY WITH OTHER AUTHORS.
If you know an author you think would be interested please contact talesfromunderthegrave@gmail.com and let us know! Thanks!


Review: Personal Demons

Personal Demons
Lisa Desrochers
Publisher: Tor Teen
Release Date: September 14, 2010
Pages: 364

Ratings: 4.5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Frannie Cavanaugh is a good Catholic girl with a bit of a wicked streak. She's spent years keeping everyone at a distance—even her closest friends—and it seems her senior year will be more of the same...until Luc Cain enrolls in her class. No one knows where he came from, but Frannie can't seem to stay away from him. What she doesn't know is that Luc works in Acquisitions—for Hell—and she possesses a unique skill set that has the King of Hell tingling with anticipation. All Luc has to do is get her to sin, and he’s as tempting as they come. Frannie doesn’t stand a chance.

Unfortunately for Luc, Heaven has other plans, and the angel, Gabe, is going to do whatever it takes to make sure that Luc doesn’t get what he came for. And it isn't long before they find themselves fighting for more than just her soul.

But if Luc fails, there will be Hell to pay…for all of them.

Wow. Personal Demons blew me away. I am in love with this book. Personal Demons kept me franticly turning pages and staying up way too late, but in a good way. A stunning debut from Lisa Desrochers and definitely one of my new favorite series.

What can I say about Personal Demons? I spent a day when I was sick reading this whole book. I was addicted. I love the whole concept of Personal Demons with demons and angels vying for a person’s soul. I’m so glad this book focused on demons as well as angels; demons deserve some more attention in YA lit in my opinion. While I’m usually not a fan of dual point of view, having split point of between Frannie and Luc worked so well. I really enjoyed seeing the story unravel from both Frannie and Luc’s point of view since they were such different characters. Frannie and Luc were also well developed characters and each had their own voice that made the dual point of view really work. I felt Luc was a strong character than Frannie and better developed but it makes sense for Frannie to be a bit less developed since Frannie is battling her own “personal demons” and very torn on who she is. Overall, I felt the book was completely spot on with narration throughout and I found myself enjoying the two different point of views more then I thought.

At first, I was worried that this book would have a religious tone since it is a battle between heaven and hell for Frannie’s soul and because Frannie is from a very religious family. However, though the plot is focused on the battle for Frannie’s soul, I felt the story was more focused on the characters and the characters internal struggle more then anything else. I loved that the characters and the choices they have made and make through out the book drove the plot and book. The characters were such great characters and really three dimensional it was hard for me not to like them or relate to them. While Luc is a demon, he has that cocky, bad boy attitude, but he begins to question himself and his mission throughout the book and I love seeing him battle his own “personal demons” along with Frannie battling other personal demons and real ones. Frannie was a very complex character and I loved being able to see what was going on in her head and why she felt so guilty. Lisa Desrochers did a great job writing great characters that were interesting and fun to read.

I could go on and on about my love for this book (and my love for certain characters) but I won’t. This book left me wanting a lot more. While the ending of the book didn’t answer all the questions I had while reading, I hope the next book in this series will answer them. I cannot wait to find out more about Frannie and her power that makes her soul such a valuable commodity, about Luc, who I loved, and his relationship with Frannie. Personal Demons is one of my favorite books published this year. I’m excited to see where Lisa Desrochers takes us next in this series with these wonderful characters.


Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday (15) - Prom and Prejudice


Prom and Prejudice
Elizabeth Eulberg
Publisher: Point
To be released: January 1, 2011

Summary (from Goodreads):

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single guy in his spring semester at Pemberly Academy must be in want of a prom date.

After winter break, the girls at very prestigious, very wealthy, girls-only Longbourn Academy are suddenly obsessed with the prom, which they share with the nearby, equally elitist, all-boys Pemberly school. Lizzie Bennett, who attends Longbourn on scholarship, isn't exactly interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be - especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London.

Lizzie is happy about her friend's burgeoning romance, but less than impressed by Will Darcy, Charles's friend, who's as snobby and pretentious as his friend is nice. He doesn't seem to like Lizzie either, but she assumes it's because her family doesn't have money. It doesn't help that Charles doesn't seem to be asking Jane to be his prom date, or that Lizzie meets George Wickham, who tells her that Will Darcy sabotaged his scholarship at Pemberly. Clearly Will Darcy is a pompous jerk who looks down on the middle class--so imagine Lizzie's surprise when he asks her to the prom!

Will Lizzie's prejudice and Will's pride keep them apart? Or are they a prom couple in the making? From Elizabeth Eulberg comes a very funny, completely stylish prom-season delight of Jane Austen proportions.

I loved Elizabeth Eulberg’s first book, The Lonely Hearts Club (it helped me get over not getting into my  number school) and I cannot wait for here next book. Prom and Prejudice is a spin on Pride and Prejudice and I love that book and adaptations of it, in anyway, I usually love. Can’t wait to read this. 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event highlighting exciting upcoming releases. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Teaser Tuesday: Firelight



Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Mizb at Should be Reading.
  • 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 what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the books for others!)
  • Share the title and author too so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!
My teaser this week comes from:


Firelight by Sophie Jordan

For a draki, he's death. Ironic, huh? To keep that part of me alive, I have to be close to that which kills it (93).


Forever Cover Revealed

Yesterday, Maggie Stiefvater released the cover for Forever, the final book in the Shiver trilogy. I'm loving the red! I think the cover fits in great with the rest of the series and I'm excited to see how this series ends. What do you think of the cover?

You can pre-order a signed copy of Forever from Fountain Bookstore. You can also order signed copies of other books from Maggie Stiefvater from them too.

Along with revealing the cover, Maggie Stiefvater is also giving away some really cool prizes in celebration, so stop by her blog and check it out.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Review: Paranormalcy

Paranormalcy
Kiersten White
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: August 31, 2010
Pages: 352 Pages

Ratings: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie's always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal.

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.

This book was bleeping fantastic (sorry I couldn’t resist). Kiersten White has written a clever, witty, humorous, awesome book.

Paranormalcy was a breath of fresh air for me. I am currently very tired of werewolves and vampire stories, but this book is about other aspects of the paranormal genre. The story line was completely unique. I loved the idea of a secret organization like IPCA, working to collect all the “paranormals” from our world. I was immediately hooked from the first chapter and didn’t want to put the book down.

Evie is truly the star of this book and who makes this book awesome. I love Evie’s voice. She was smart, sassy, stubborn, and I-could-kick-your-butt kind of girl. She constantly had me in giggles more times then I could count. While Evie is not a normal girl, having grown up working for the IPCA collecting paranormals for as long as she can tell and having the ability to see through paranormal’s glamour, she seems like a typical teen. Evie was just a fun character to read and truly made the story for me.

Paranormalcy was definitely not what I was expecting, but in a good way. The plot was truly amazing. I had no idea where Evie would take us next or what was going to happen. When I thought I had the plot figured out, something else unexpected would happen. The characters were all great. I loved all of them, from Evie, to Lend, to Reth and Lish. And the romance? Perfect. I loved Lend. He as a particularly interesting paranormal who could change what he looks like whenever he likes. Lend and Evie had create chemistry and I could not wait for them to get together.

The ending of Paranormalcy left me frantically hitting the forward page button on my nook looking for more. I didn’t want it to end!! I cannot wait for the next book in the series so I can learn more about Evie and what she really is. Kiersten White is an author to look out for and I highly recommend Paranormalcy to anyone who wants a sassy, intriguing, fast-paced read. 

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Crescendo Trailer is Live!!!


Check out the gorgeous trailer for Crescendo and don't forget to head over to fallenarchangel.com to be entered to win one of TEN ARCS. Contest is ends Sunday September 26 at midnight EST.

The Contemps Challenge

Take The Contemps Challenge!
Recently, I’ve been reading and wanting to read more contemporary fiction. I feel like the YA genre is overwhelmed by books in the supernatural genre, but I always love sitting down to read a good contemporary novel.

Since I’m a fan of contemporary fiction, I’ve finally signed up for the Contemps Challenge. The challenge entails that I read 18 out of the 21 books from the authors at The Contemps.

Here is the list of books I plan to read. Books that I have read and reviewed will have links posted, while books I have read, yet haven’t reviewed will be bolded. Books that I have but haven’t read yet will be italicized.

Losing Faith by Denise Jaden
Girl, Stolen by April Henry
Freefall by Mindi Scott
The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney
Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler
Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers
Trapped by Michael Northrop
Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer
Sean Griswold’s Head by Lindsey Leavitt
Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard
Family by Micol Ostow
Back When You Were Easier to Love by Emily Wing Smith
Pearl by Jo Knowles
Saving June by Hannah Harrington
The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder
Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott
Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker
The third book in the Carter series by Brent Crawford
Sharks & Boys by Kristen Tracy
Want to Go Private? by Sarah Darer Littman

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Crescendo Trailer

PhotobucketThis Saturday, September 25 at noon EST, Fallen Archangel the official fansite of Hush, Hush will be debuting the trailer for Crescendo. Besides just premiering the trailer, Fallen Archangel also has special treat in store. They will be hosting an ARC giveaway of Crescendo courtesy of Simon and Schuster. There will be TEN ARCs up for grabs, so make sure you visit there site. The contest will be open until Sunday at midnight. Visit fallenarchangel.com to learn more and to check out the trailer!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday (14) - The Mockingbirds


The Mockingbirds
Daisy Whitney
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
To be released: November 2, 2010

Summary (from Goodreads):

Some schools have honor codes.
Others have handbooks.
Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.

Themis Academy is a quiet boarding school with an exceptional student body that the administration trusts to always behave the honorable way--the Themis Way. So when Alex is date raped during her junior year, she has two options: stay silent and hope someone helps her, or enlist the Mockingbirds--a secret society of students dedicated to righting the wrongs of their fellow peers.

In this honest, page-turning account of a teen girl's struggle to stand up for herself, debut author Daisy Whitney reminds readers that if you love something or someone--especially yourself--you fight for it.

First off, I just want to apoligize that this week and most of last week was all memes. I have been swamped with school work (mostly Shakespeare) and haven’t had time to finish the reviews I’ve started. I’m going to catch up on blogging this weekend.

Okay, onto the Mockingbirds. I’ve heard such great things about this book and I cannot wait to read it. This book looks like it might be a challenged and possibly banned book, and that makes me incredibly sad. Stories like this need to be told an accessible to readers, especially teenagers. I will definitely be buying this book when it is released even though I am a poor college student.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event highlighting exciting upcoming releases. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.


Friday, September 17, 2010

Fragment Friday (5) - Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Fragment Friday is hosted by James of Book Chic and it is where you read excerpts of your favorite books or what you are reading now. I chose an excerpt from a book I’m currently reading: Paranomalcy by Kiersten White. 






Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday (13) - Anna and the French Kiss

Anna and the French Kiss
Stephanie Perkins
Publisher: Dutton
To be released: December 2, 2010

Summary (from Goodreads):
Anna was looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she's less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris — until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all . . . including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss? Stephanie Perkins keeps the romantic tension crackling and the attraction high in a debut guaranteed to make toes tingle and hearts melt.

All I’ve heard about this book is good things. It sounds really good and something right up my alley. I cannot wait to read it, and I know if I don’t, I will probably have some people kindly force me to read this book.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event highlighting exciting upcoming releases. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Review: Mockingjay *Spoiler Free*

Mockingjay
Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: August 24, 2010
Pages: 390

Ratings: 3 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans -- except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay -- no matter what the personal cost.

Like everyone else, I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of Mockingjay. It was my first night at college the night it was released and I downloaded Mockingjay on my Nook since no stores around me where having midnight releases. I stayed up until 5:15am in the morning reading this book and had to be up by 6:30am. Sadly, I felt that staying up that late was not worth it after reading Mockingjay

As the title says, there will be no spoilers, because I know some people still haven’t read it, but I must say, Mockingjay fell extremely short of my expectations. This book, in my opinion, didn’t feel right. Something was off. I felt that this book didn’t belong in a series with the previous two books, everything felt different. What really bothered me was that the characters that we grew to love and to know in the first two books felt extremely different in this book. Interactions between Katniss and Gale and Peeta were extremely awkward and Katniss felt like a different character completely. I understand that the actions from the previous two books impacted Katniss and definitely made the tone of this book darker, but I felt that at times, characters we knew were almost completely new characters.

I was so disappointed in this book. The plot was extremely slow and definitely didn’t have the pacing of the previous two books. I felt a lot of the plot could have been cut or condensed into shorter scenes too, which annoyed me. I felt that Katniss spent way to much time in this books knocked out, asleep, drugged up or moping around. I missed the action and the intense, heart wrenching scenes from the previous books. The emotional impact of this book was severely lacking, I didn’t even shed a tear when certain events happened. The only time I felt like crying was at the end because the book was over. I feel a lot of the deaths/events were overlooked or brushed over, making the event not as sad as it was or should have been.

And now we get to the epilogue. While I don’t wish to spoil the book for those who haven’t read it, I must say that the first thing that popped into my mind when reading the epilogue was “This reminds me of the Deadly Hallows epilogue”. I had the same emotional reaction to it as Harry Potter and if felt eerily similar which bothered me a lot.

I feel that if this novel was not the last Hunger Games novel, I would have enjoyed it a lot more. However, it was the last one in an amazing series, a series of which I am a HUGE fan. I was just sadly disappointed that this was the way Suzanne Collins decided to end such a fantastic series. While Mockingjay was not what I expected and probably my least favorite series in the book, I do respect Suzanne Collins and I understand why she did what she did and why she ended the series the way she did. I just wish that it could have been different. This book was just not up to par with the AWESOME of the previous two novels, however, it is a book I will reread again since it is the conclusion to one of my favorite series. I just wish things could have gone differently and lived up to the awesome I was expecting.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday (12) - The Scorch Trials

The Scorch Trials
James Dashner
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
To be released: October 12, 2010

Summary (from Goodreads):

The Maze was only the beginning...

Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles. No more Variables. And no more running. Thomas was sure that escape meant he and the Gladers would get their lives back. But no one really knew what sort of life they were going back to.

In the Maze, life was easy. They had food, and shelter, and safety... until Teresa triggered the end. In the world outside the Maze, however, the end was triggered long ago.

Burned by sun flares and baked by a new, brutal climate, much of the earth is a wasteland. Government has disintegrated--and with it, order--and now Cranks, people covered in festering wounds and driven to murderous insanity by the infectious disease known as the Flare, roam the crumbling cities hunting for their next victim... and meal.

The Gladers are far from done running. Instead of freedom, they find themselves faced with another trial. They must cross the Scorch, the most burned-out section of the world, and arrive at a safe haven in two weeks. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.

Thomas can only wonder--does he hold the secret of freedom somewhere in his mind? Or will he forever be at the mercy of WICKED?

I loved the Maze Runner (it was one of the ten books I brought to college with me) and since finishing the book I have been dying to find out what happens next. I’m extremely excited for the sequel to the Maze Runner. I’m hoping to attend a signing with James Dashner in October right after the release of this book, which makes me even more excited. Cannot wait to read this.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event highlighting exciting upcoming releases. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Review: The DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend)

The DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend)
Kody Keplinger
Publisher: Little Brown/ Poppy
Release Date: September 7, 2010
Pages: 288

Ratings: 4 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "Duffy," she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren't so great at home right now. Desperate for a distraction, Bianca ends up kissing Wesley. And likes it. Eager for escape, she throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

I was lucky enough to find this book early at my local Barnes and Noble the day before I was to leave for college. This book kept me up until I could finish it. The DUFF was a great debut from such a young, talented new author.

I loved the characters in this book. Bianca is such a strong, female narrator and has such a great personality. I could totally relate to Bianca and her feelings at being labeled a DUFF, I mean, what girl couldn’t relate? Bianca was a incredibly strong character who stuck to her gut no matter what. She would say what she was thinking, even if it was a bit harsh because that is who she is. I really loved that Bianca had layers too. She was like an teenage girl with her friends, but like most people, was different at home and had issues at home that she kept from those she trusts most. I liked that she wasn’t cookie cutter perfect, and that she too, had flaws like any other girl.

While the story at times felt a bit predictable, I still really loved it. The romance between Bianca and Wesley was feisty and hot. I loved to seeing their relationship move from just sex into something more. I must warn, that this book is not suitable for younger teens. There is sex in this book, which is bound to get it challenged at some point, but it makes sense to the story. This whole book is driven by Bianca and her strong, tell it as it is character, making it extremely interesting to read scenes between her and Welsey, the jerk who labeled her a DUFF in the first place.

The DUFF is a highly relatable read for teens, while offering everything one wants in a YA contemporary romance. Everyone, at one point or another feels like a DUFF, a finds it easy to relate to Bianca and her situation. I never heard of a DUFF before this book,  and immediately after reading it, I saw someone call their friend the DUFF of the group on facebook, proving that people do think they are the DUFF, or the unworthy ones of their groups. This book helps show that girls have insecurities about themselves, but they aren’t alone. Kody Keplinger did an excellent job and making a book so relatable to teens. I cannot wait to see what she writes next!

Friday, September 3, 2010

Fragment Friday (4) - Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Fragment Friday is hosted by James of Book Chic and it is where you read excerpts of your favorite books or what you are reading now. I chose an excerpt from a book I’m currently reading: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare.

Review: Infinite Days


Infinite Days (Vampire Queen #1)
Rebecca Maizel
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Release Date: August 3, 2010
Pages: 310

Ratings: 4.5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Lenah Beaudonte is, in many ways, your average teen: the new girl at Wickham Boarding School, she struggles to fit in enough to survive and stand out enough to catch the eye of the golden-boy lacrosse captain. But Lenah also just happens to be a recovering five-hundred-year-old vampire queen. After centuries of terrorizing Europe, Lenah is able to realize the dream all vampires have -- to be human again. After performing a dangerous ritual to restore her humanity, Lenah entered a century-long hibernation, leaving behind the wicked coven she ruled over and the eternal love who has helped grant her deep-seated wish.

Until, that is, Lenah draws her first natural breath in centuries at Wickham and rediscovers a human life that bears little resemblance to the one she had known. As if suddenly becoming a teenager weren’t stressful enough, each passing hour brings Lenah closer to the moment when her abandoned coven will open the crypt where she should be sleeping and find her gone. As her borrowed days slip by, Lenah resolves to live her newfound life as fully as she can. But, to do so, she must answer ominous questions: Can an ex-vampire survive in an alien time and place? What can Lenah do to protect her new friends from the bloodthirsty menace about to descend upon them? And how is she ever going to pass her biology midterm?

Infinite Days has become one of my favorite new books this year. I have gone completely fan girl over this novel. In a genre dominated with the same type of stereotypical vampires, ones who make life as a vampire sexy and attractive, Rebecca Maizel puts a new spin on vampires, one that teaches redemption and what it means to live. I laughed, I cried, I screamed, I gasped, and I loved this book. I really loved this book and I’m struggling to put exactly how much I loved it into words

From the first chapter, Rebecca Maizel had me sucked into the story. I loved that, instead of desiring to be a vampire, like so many characters in books now want, Lenah wants to escape from just that and, instead, desires humanity. I loved Rebecca Maizel’s vampires. Her spin on vampires was intriguing. Vampires in Lenah’s world have no feeling, they are numb, empty shells with echoes of emotions and sensations. Lenah misses her humanity and desires to feel more than just numb; she wants to experience all the emotions and sensations that she recalls from being human. Luckily, Lenah has Rhode who loves her and is willing to sacrifice himself for her happiness. Lenah’s story starts here, in present day with Rhode’s sacrifice. Rebecca Maizel however is able to show Lenah’s previous life and life as a vampire through beautifully written flashbacks to certain events in her history that correspond to what is going on in her human life.

While I can go on and on about how this book is not simply a vampire book, but about making up for misdeeds and redeeming oneself, I will move onto more important stuff, like the other reasons I loved this book, like the characters, the writing and the plot. While reading this book, I feel in love immediately with two of the many boys in Lenah’s life. The two boys I loved where not the ones I thought I would end up loving when I started reading this book. These two lovely guys are Tony and Vicken. Tony, was by far, my favorite character in the book. I loved Tony. I was constantly wishing that Lenah would dump Justin and go with Tony, the artistic, funny one. And, Vicken….phew. I thought I’d be more of a Rhode fan, but something about Vicken, drew me in, probably because he was cast as the villain at times. All of Rebecca Maizel’s characters were extremely well written and each unique in there all way. Her characters and their relationships drove the story forward, without them, the story would not exist.

This novel was beautifully written and captivating. I was drawn in from page one and got sucked in more and more as the story continued. And the ending, boy, that ending was amazing. Infinite Days is a great first novel in a series, and if the following books are anything like this first book, this series is going to be amazing. I cannot wait to see where Rebecca Maizel takes Lenah and the rest of the characters in this series in the following books and am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. 

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday (11) - Drought


Drought           
Pam Bachorz
Publisher: Egmont USA
To be released: January 11, 2011

Summary (from Goodreads):

Ruby Prosser dreams of escaping the Congregation and the early-nineteenth century lifestyle that’s been practiced since the community was first enslaved.

She plots to escape the vicious Darwin West, his cruel Overseers, and the daily struggle to gather the life-prolonging Water that keeps the Congregants alive and gives Darwin his wealth and power. But if Ruby leaves, the Congregation will die without the secret ingredient that makes the Water special: her blood.

So she stays.

But when Ruby meets Ford, the new Overseer who seems barely older than herself, her desire for freedom is too strong. He’s sympathetic, irresistible, forbidden—and her only access to the modern world. Escape with Ford would be so simple, but can Ruby risk the terrible price, dooming the only world she’s ever known?

First off, I want to say that I love this cover! It’s so pretty. The focus on eyes is a new trend in YA covers.

I cannot wait to read Pam Bachorz’s second novel, Drought. I loved Candor her first novel and have been awaiting her second novel. The story sounds fascinating and unique.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event highlighting exciting upcoming releases. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.