Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (50) - The Carrier of the Mark


The Carrier of the Mark
Leigh Fallon
Publisher: HarperTeen
To be released: October 4, 2011

Summary (from Goodreads):

A move to Ireland is about to introduce Megan to her destiny, her real destiny, can she embrace it and will she survive it?

A tragedy in Megan’s past set her on a predetermined course. A chain of events has been set in motion that brings Megan to Kinsale, a small town in the south of Ireland where her destiny awaits her. Her life starts to fall into place as she makes new friends and settles into her new school. However, the reclusive and distant Adam DeRĂ­s calls to her body and soul.

She finds herself increasingly drawn to Adam and his strange family. Adam knows a secret from her past and he and his family hold the key to her future. A future that binds her to Adam and his world, a world of power, mystery and ancient orders. A world that unbeknownst to her, she very much belongs in.

This book sounds really good! And I love that it was found on inkpop.com and is now actually being published!! And the cover is gorgeous!!

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

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Off to BEA

So I will not be blogging much this week since I will be in the city for BEA this week. I'm super excited and hopefully will meet a lot of other great bloggers. If you see me at BEA do not be afraid to stop and say hi!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (49) - The Mephisto Covenant

The Mephisto Covenant
Trinity Faegen
Publisher: EgmontUSA
To be released: September 27, 2011

Summary (from Goodreads):

Sasha is desperate to find out who murdered her father. When getting the answer means pledging her soul to Eryx, she unlocks a secret that puts her in grave danger—Sasha is Anabo, a daughter of Eve, and Eryx’s biggest threat.

A son of Hell, immortal, and bound to Earth forever, Jax looks for redemption in the Mephisto Covenant—God’s promise he will find peace in the love of an Anabo. After a thousand years, he’s finally found the girl he’s been searching for: Sasha.

With the threat of Eryx looming, Jax has to keep Sasha safe and win her over. But can he? Will Sasha love him and give up her mortal life?

This book just sounds kind of awesome. It sounds very exciting. And I love the cover. It’s so pretty.

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

Friday, May 13, 2011

Vlog Review: What Happened to Goodbye

What Happened to Goodbye
Sarah Dessen
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Release Date: May 10, 2011
Pages: 416
Source: Borrowed from Gail

Ratings: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Another town. Another school. Another Mclean. Ever since her parents' bitter divorce, Mclean and her father have been fleeing their unhappy past. And Mclean's become a pro at reinventing herself with each move. But in Lakeview, Mclean finds herself putting down roots and making friends—in part, thanks to Dave, the most real person Mclean's ever met. Dave just may be falling in love with her, but can he see the person she really is? Does Mclean herself know?

I just want to apologize in advance for the "umms..." in this video. I am not normally like that. 


Direct link: http://youtu.be/oemX2twkWO4

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Winner of Near Witch and Favorite Things Giveaway

The winner of the Near Witch and Victoria's Favorite Things Giveaway is Len @ Musings of a Reader Happy. Thanks to everyone who enter. Don't forget if you did not win this time there will be 2 more chances to win a signed first edition of the Near Witch. Just check out the blog at the beginning of June and July for another chance to win.

Waiting on Wednesday (47) - The Name of the Star

The Name of the Star (Shades of London, #1)
Maureen Johnson
Publisher: Putnam
To be released: September 29, 2011

Summary (from Goodreads):

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon “Rippermania” takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

I will read anything by Maureen Johnson because she is awesome and so are her books but this one sounds extra awesome. I mean London boarding school, Jack the Ripper and murder?? This just sounds like one awesome book. I 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.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (46) - Imaginary Girls

Imaginary Girls
Nova Ren Suma
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
To be released: June 14, 2011

Summary (from Goodreads):

Chloe's older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can't be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby's friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes left floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby.

But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns to town two years later, deadly surprises await. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.

With palpable drama and delicious craft, Nova Ren Suma bursts onto the YA scene with the story that everyone will be talking about.

I’ve heard some really great things about this book recently and am super excited to read it. I think it sounds pretty awesome. And look at that cover! Gorgeous. I’m in love with the cover and the synopsis makes me want to read it even more.

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

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent
Veronica Roth
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: May 3, 2011
Pages: 496
Source: Borrowed from Danielle B.

Ratings: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Where to start with this book? Seriously. This is probably one of the best books I have read this year. If it was possible for me to marry a book, I would marry this one.

I was extremely hesitant to start this book because there was so much hype surrounding this book. Usually when there is all this hype surrounding a book saying how awesome the book is I’m extremely wary and often times the book does not live up to the hype. That was not the case with Divergent. If anything, Divergent was even better then all the hype makes it out to be. This book is just awesome in a physical form.

So why is this book awesome? Let’s first start with the plot. I loved this plot. This book is dystopian done right. From the first moment you pick up the book until the very last page you will be actively engaged in the plot. I literally was swept up into the plot of this book, not sure were Veronica Roth would take Tris and Four and the other characters next. I was constantly turning the pages, engrossed in the story. I got so swept up in the action of Divergent that I lost track of time reading this book and was actually shocked when I finished because I did not realize I had just spent hours reading the book. I have to say the climax of this book is amazing. This book had one of the best climaxes in a book with a great twist and great action. The last couple chapters had me literally gasping out loud and even yelling at the book. I was very emotional invested in the plot and was just amazed at everything that happened in the book. I don’t want to spoil the plot for anyone but be expected to be blown away.

Another amazing thing about this book was that Veronica Roth was able to create a realistic future dystopian society. A thing that can make or break a book, specifically a dystopian, is the world building. Veronica Roth is able to successfully create a world where people are separated into five different factions based on different personality characteristics to create a perfect society. Veronica Roth immediately immerses you into Tris’s future Chicago world. The differences between each faction in the society was clearly defined, and the five factions made sense in trying to establish a perfect society. I was really fascinated by the differences between each faction and the decision each person must face when they come of age: stay with your family in the same faction or chose a different faction in which you are better suited for. I loved the whole world of the Dauntless faction and how different it was from the Abnegation faction and the other factions. I just loved the contrast between all the factions.

I really loved the main character of Divergent Tris. She is such a strong, fierce character. I loved that Tris was not afraid to stand up for what she believes in and was willing to make choices based on her heart and decisions even if they were unpopular decisions. Tris was everything you want in a strong female character. Not only was she willing to make difficult decisions she could also kick ass, physically. I loved that she was such a strong female character, making decisions based on what she thought was right, not what society deemed right. And then there is Four. I loved Four. He was awesome and just as strong as Tris. I have a lot to say about him but it’s spoilery and I do not like spoilers.

There is so much more I want to say about this book, but I am worried about spoiling the book and this is not a book you want spoiled. You need to experience everything first hand to get the full effect of how awesome this book is. I am amazed at how amazing this book is. One of the amazing things about this book is that it is from a debut author who is still in her 20s. I’m amazed. This is definitely a stunning debut and I cannot wait for the sequel and to see what else this amazingly talented writer will turn out next.

Everyone needs to go out and buy this book since it is on sale today. I would marry this book if possible, because it is that awesome. I realized I have used awesome a lot in this review, but really there are no adjectives to describe my love for this book. Awesome is the only one that comes close. I am willing to force this book upon random people on the streets and bookstores. That is how much I love this book. I have already forced upon one of my college professors because I love it so much. Everyone go buy this book because it is one of the best debuts of the year, and even possibly, one of the best books in general of the year.

And check out my Fragment Friday where I read an excerpt from the beginning of Divergent.


Also check out the trailer for Divergent here. Divergent by Veronica Roth is on sale now.

Monday, May 2, 2011

The Near Witch Sekrit Project + Epic Awesome Giveaway

Today is a very special day. Not only will you get to see me make a fool of myself, but also it is 3 months until a very special book called the Near Witch comes out. The Near Witch is Victoria Schwab’s debut novel and it is AMAZING. If you don’t know anything about this incredible book here’s a little summary:
The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.
If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.
And there are no strangers in the town of Near.
These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.
But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.
The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.
As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.
Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.

Sound good right? So, recently a bunch of my blogger friends and I got together to work on a sekrit project to express how much we love the Near Witch. The lovely Danielle B. of Frenzy of Noise wrote us a rap to go along with the book thus the NWsong was born. Now, I just want to say all of us are in no ways rappers so be ready for the giggles.


(direct link: http://youtu.be/rTIXANb2ahc)

Thanks to the lovely Erica (The Book Cellar), Gail (Ticket to Anywhere), Nikki (Wicked Awesome Books), Danielle B. (Frenzy of Noise) and Ariane for doing this rap together and thanks to the lovely Jen (The Secret Life of a Bibliophile) for filming it. Now we can all feel like fools together since everyone can see the video now. Just kidding. Making this video was so much fun and I’m glad we can show everyone how awesome this book and video is.

I had the opportunity to ask Victoria a few questions so here they are:

What books do you wish had been published while you were a teen?

I actually think I have been so incredibly lucky because I grew up with HP. Those books literally WERE my teen years, I was the right age, I grew up with them, and they shaped me.

What is your favorite cartoon crush?

Tuxedo Mask from Sailor Moon. Oh yeah. Old school.

For more questions, visit the blogs of the other members of the NWsong:
Gail – tickettoanywhere.net
Danielle B. – frenzyofnoise.net

And what would be a sekrit project without a giveaway. Victoria is doing an EPIC GIVEAWAY on her blog starting today and each member of the NWsong will be doing a giveaway as well, including some of Victoria’s favorite things. I will be giving away a copy of one of Victoria’s favorite YA books Fire by Kristin Cashore, a heat changing mug and syringe pen featuring Victoria’s favorite TV show Dexter and then a mystery item related Victoria’s favorite scent petrichor.


Along with giving away Victoria’s favorite things I will be giving away a *signed* finished copy of the Near Witch. This prize, however, will not arrive until closer to the publication date since it is being sent out from the publisher and will not be mailed out until closer to August when the finished copies are available.

To enter to win Victoria’s favorite things and a signed copy of the Near Witch, fill out the form below. The contest runs from today, Monday, May 2 until 9PM EST on Saturday, May 7th.



Don’t forget to visit the other members of the NWsong to enter to win some of Victoria’s facorite things along with a signed finished copy of the Near Witch. And don’t forget to check out Victoria’s blog for an EPIC Giveaway as well! And if you do not win this giveaway, on June 2 and July 2, all the NWsong members will be hosting more giveaways to win signed finished copies of the Near Witch.

Links to the other members of the NWsong:
Danielle B. – frenzyofnoise.net