31 July 2011

Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Summary and picture from Goodreads.
Book: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Pages: 391 pages
Source: Bought with my own money
Rating: 4.8 Stars
Spoiler Free: Yes
Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol. Catching Fire maintains the adrenaline rush of Suzanne Collins's series launch.

Quick note: Summary has been whited out due to spoilers. Well, I tried to white it out...
 
Short and sweet: A gripping and yet another intense tale, Suzanne Collins does not fail to deliver a worthy sequel to her readers. If you have not read this series, go right now to your nearest bookstore and buy it. I'm serious.

How I Felt About...
  • The plot: It was amazing, just like its predecessor. Although there were times that I couldn't get into it like I did in THG, it still didn't make it all the less boring. The twists and surprises throughout the book were exciting to read which made this book so fun. 
  • The characters: All I can say is... nice set of secondary characters. I really liked Beetee. His back story was interesting to read about. The rest (Finnick, Mags, Wiress, etc.) were also fun to read about as well! They made a nice impression on me. Katniss is still one of my favorite characters, and how I just love Peeta now! Team Peeta for the win! He's so adorable. His moments with Katniss are so cute! 'Nuff said.
  • The writing: Like THG, it was smooth and very easy to read. Suzanne is amazing at describing the intense scenes and especially the world of Panem.
  • The ending: Two words for the ending: major cliffhanger. The ending was surprising and left me with a bunch of questions that will hopefully be answered in Mockingjay.
Did you guys enjoy the review? Enjoy the book as well? Let me know in the comments!

In My Mailbox (4)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

Total crap picture, sorry guys!
For review:
  • The Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon (Thanks, Michael!)
  • Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday (Total surprise, but yet again, I'm not complaining! Thanks so much to Michael!)
  • Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter (Looove it so far!)
  • Crossroads by Mary Ting (Starting it, and it's good so far!)

Bought:
  • Starstuck by Cyn Balog (I just liked the cover, merely picked it up on a whim... Wonder if it's any good?)
  • Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Bought and devoured within a day hehe) [not pictured]
  • Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (I needed me some more Peeta x Katniss, so I bought it hehe) [not pictured]
  • Two super cute book stands! I know, I know, they aren't books, but they are book related! The sheep book stands were too cute to ignore and were such a good deal!
Quick thoughts:
I have to read a school book which does not sound interesting to me at all. Sparknotes is extremely tempting. I may (most likely) just use it... School is so near and I am DREADING IT! I have an essay to do, blah, and I have not even started it! I'm such a procrastinator! =_= If only a summer filled with reading could last longer *sigh* Anyways, I'm really excited to read these books (some I'm already starting!) and review them. It feels like my blog has been bombarded with just memes, but I'll be going on a book review frenzy soon...

Anyways, do YOU want to get your choice of a book for under $10? Enter now at my interviewed blogger's giveaway for a chance to win a $10 Amazon or Book Depo Gift Card!

What did you guys get in your mailbox? Leave a link and I'll check it out! ^_^


30 July 2011

Cool Cat Chats + Giveaway: Cindy at Oodles of Books

Cool Cat Chats is my own meme in which I interview fellow bloggers.


This week, I'm interviewing Cindy at Oodles of Books.

1. Describe what your blog, Oodles of Books, is about in a haiku.

oodles of books: a haiku :)

I share my thoughts on

books with others, and then we

gush about covers

2. When did you start blogging and why?

I started blogging a long time ago, but I started oodles of books. two years ago. It was originally called: Simple Life and Reading... and it was a blog that would have been sort of personal with a few books added here and there. Instead, it eventually turned into a book reviewing blog and...well here we are :)

3. What are some good YA books to recommend?
Oh there are a lot of good books, many of which I am sure all of you have heard of. I'll name a few anyways:
  • Harry Potter 1-7 by J.K. Rowling: If you haven't read these yet...what are you thinking? You must :)
  • The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins: If you haven't read these yet...what are you thinking? haha really though, amazing.
  • If I Stay by Gayle Forman: this book broke my heart
  • Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler: Such a sweet, emotional book
  • Delirium by Lauren Oliver: A book about love being forbidden...don't you just want to know what that's about?
  • Shiver: One word -- werewolves. What more can I say?
  • Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer: Yes, really. I went there. What? I liked them :) and if you haven't read them, aren't you just dying to know what the talk is about??
  • The Giver by Lois Lowry: Okay, so this one is old. And you probably had to read it in school. Doesn't make it any less good.

4. If you could travel back in time, which time period would you travel to and why?
I would probably just travel to the 60's, made sure I met Elvis Presley, married him instead and live a life full of rock n' roll...without the drugs please.


5. If you could only wear one color on your clothes for the rest of your life, what color would it be?

That's easy...black.

6. What is your favorite scary/thriller movie?
I love watching scary movies, but I wouldn't say they are my favorite genre like chick flick's or drama. There are a few that freaked me out though. The best one I'd have to say is The Hills Have Eyes. That movie creeps me out and I've only been able to watch the whole thing once. A really good thriller is Buried. I know not too many have heard of this one and I'm not sure if it was in the theatres too long, but its with Ryan Reynolds. And only him. And he's stuck in a coffin for the whole movie. That's all I'm gonna say. It's really good, watch it.
Thanks Cindy for being here on A Neverending Fantasy! It was a pleasure interviewing you.
Because Cindy is made out of awesome sauce, she's giving away a $10 Book Depository or Amazon gift card, winner's choice! Enter below! It ends August 16, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST.

29 July 2011

Follow Friday + Blog Hop (2)

Hosted by Parajunkee and Alison
This week's question at Parajunkee's View: Q. Let's step away from books for a second and get personal. What T-shirt slogan best describes you? 

Hmm. Words can't describe me. I'm as random as this cutie right here! Nyan cat~ ^_^


Hosted at Crazy for Books


This week's question at Crazy for Books:
Q. Highlight one book you have received this week (for review, from the library, purchased at the store, etc.) that you can't wait to dig into!

Picture and summmary from Goodreads
 


Eeeek! I got this book in the mail from the ever-awesome Michael! It sounds amazing! ^.^

 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 DeRís 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.

Did you guys do these memes as well? Feel free to leave a link and I'll stop by! :)

28 July 2011

August's Blow Out Summer Blog Hop!

This button was designed by me, and the blog hop's main host is See It or Read It.


Over 50 GIVEAWAYS + 7 AWESOME Authors + Challenging CONTESTS + The Title of BEST BOOK at STAKE= THE BEST SUMMER EVER!

Welcome to August's Blow Out Summer Blog Hop. As you can see, I'm part of the blog hop and it's really fun! I'm extremely excited to see how this turns out! I hope you guys will have fun as well!

What's in store for you guys:
  • Watch as bloggers try to win your votes!
  • Play trivia!
  • Win! Win! Win! And um... did I forget to say WIN?
There will be over 50 ebooks and printed books you can win! Say what?

The bloggers of this blog hop are sponsoring great authors you won't want to miss! They're going to try to blog their way into your good graces AND WIN YOUR VOTES! Don't miss the blog hop! It sounds amazing and who wouldn't want to win free awesome sauce books? You'll get to hop to bloggers' blogs that are participating in this as well as the authors' blogs too! OH yeaaah.

So listen to me when I say... Come join the fun!

Blog to Watch, hosting this event:
See It or Read It


See It or Read It is where you'll want to enter for all the Giveaways!
The August Blow out Summer Blog Hop is when we are going to be voting for the BEST BOOK. Our nominees are:
Immortal Embrace by Charlotte Blackwell, Crossroads by Mary Ting, Doorway of the Triqueta by Lenore Wolfe
Moon Spell by Samantha Young, Paradox - The Angels Are Here by Patti Roberts, and The Superiors by Lena Hillbrand
I'm purty sure that all these books sound like awesome sauce... which is all the more reason to join in on the blog hop throughout August! I even want to read all these books. I'll admit, I honestly don't like the covers for most of them, but after reading the summaries, it's practically drool worthy! Please check these books out on the links, it's only a minute of your time! ^_~

It starts on August 1, and I'll be sponsoring the lovely book Crossroads by Mary Ting! Please oh please grab the button of Team Crossroads on the sidebar! ^_^

For some more details, click on Aug. Book Hop in my tabs to see the whole schedule for August.
Super sorry about this font size. I don't know why it's so small unlike the usual size. Blogger hates me =_= 

[Update 10:31 AM PST] There's now information about giveaways and such for the first week of August! Be sure to check it out! 
What are your guys' thoughts on this? Yay or nay? ^_^

27 July 2011

Waiting On Wednesday (2)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Breaking the Spine.

This week, I'm waiting for The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin and Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

Summary and picture from Goodreads.
 Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

Summary and picture from Goodreads.
The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi pure-bloods have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. 

Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1: 

Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden.
 
Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

Quick thoughts: I can't wait for Mara Dyer to come out (September 27th) because a) it sounds and looks and screams awesome sauce and b) it's near my birthday! Yea-yuuhhh! Half-Blood is the book I'm slightly anticipating more than Mara Dyer. I saw the word forbidden and I was hooked! 

What were your guys' WoWs this week? Feel free to let me know in the comment box! ^_^

25 July 2011

Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Book: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Pages: 374 pages
Source: Bought with my own money
Rating: 5 Stars
Spoiler Free: Yes
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before--and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

The Hunger Games is a fast paced, engaging book with suspense bouncing off the pages that left my heart pounding and I couldn't control myself flipping the pages, as I wanted needed MORE. I started on page 1, and in an hour, I was already on page 136. I usually don't read that fast, seeing how slow of a reader I am. This just shows how addicting this book was. 

The writing was incredibly smooth and easy to read, not choppy at all. The plot was fast paced and left me breathless at some parts. The action, the adventure, every aspect was amazing. It's a definite page turner.

The characters are so awesome. Katniss is such a badass! She's amazing. She takes her sister's place in the Games, knowing it's practically sending yourself to death row, she's smart, she's not like "Ohmahgawsh, I'm scared *insert boy's name* save me!", and she knows how to defend herself. I also loved Peeta! Peeta was pretty much a mystery for me for like half the book, but still incredibly likeable. It's hard to understand what his true motives lie behind his actions, but I have an idea of what he's truly like. I can't wait to see how his character develops in the sequels.

I'll admit, the romance wasn't hot or anything of the sort. I couldn't tell whether it was a fabricated romance or if the relationship between Peeta and Katniss was real. It was definitely interesting though. Their relationship development throughout the book was thoroughly entertaining, and I was never bored at any time.


The ending wrapped up pretty good, in my opinion, with a small cliffhanger. I'll definitely get my hands on a copy of the sequel, Catching Fire, soon.
Have you guys read The Hunger Games? If so, did you like it or hate it? I'd love to know what you guys thought about this book as well. ^_^

24 July 2011

In My Mailbox (3)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

I think I had a very successful week. ^_^

For Review:
Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker (Thank you, Kate!)
Envy by Gregg Olsen (Thank you, Nicole!)
Want to Go Private? by Sara Darer Littman (Thanks Scholastic Press!)
(not pictured) The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen (Thank you, Netgalley!!)
(not pictured) A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies (Thank you, Netgalley!!)

Bought:
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

For something in the future *coughgiveawaycough*:
Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson 
Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker 

 Quick Thoughts:
 I already finished The Mephisto Covenant, and it was awesome! I'll be posting the review sometime in September near the release date (which is near my birthday, yay!) and be doing a sort of giveaway along with that. I'm almost done with The Hunger Games (which is AMAZING, why didn't I read this before... Review coming soon!) and I plan to start Small Town Sinners but I usually never follow through with "what I'm going to read next" plans, so we'll see.

What did you guys get in YOUR mailbox? Feel free to leave a link and I'll stop by at your blog! ^_^

23 July 2011

On My Wishlist (1)

On My Wishlist is a weekly meme hosted by Book Chick City.





What's on my wishlist this week is...

 In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.
Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.
As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?
Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart. 



 She is pretty and talented - sweet sixteen and never been kissed. He is seventeen; gorgeous and on the brink of a bright future. And now they have fallen in love. But ...They are brother and sister.





 Thoughts.

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand: Dude, I just LOVE the cover. It's freaking gorgeous! I read a sample of this book on my Kindle and I am craving MORE.

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma: Yeah... It screams incest all over, but I love forbidden/taboo romance stories. I crave them, and I heard a lot of good reviews on this! I plan to buy this as soon as I can go to a book store (I'd go to Borders, but... ;_;) 

What's on your guys' wishlists? Feel free to leave a link and I'd love to check it out. ^_^

22 July 2011

Follow Friday + Book Blogger Hop (1)

Hosted by Parajunkee
This week's question at Parajunkee's View: 

Name 3 authors that you would love to sit down and spend an hour or a meal with just talking about either their books or get advice on writing from?
 I'd love to talk to these three lovely chicks: Julie Kagawa, Trinity Faegen, and J.K. Rowling. Julie is one of my recent favorite authors, and I adore her books, The Iron Fey, and I'd love to hear how she came up with all these ideas that led to such an awesome series. Trinity has also written a really good book I had just finished this morning: The Mephisto Covenant. It was really good, and I'd love to find out where the concepts of the Anabo and as well as the Mephisto Covenant came from. J.K. Rowling. She invented one of the greatest series known to man (in my opinion). Enough said. ^_~

Book Blogger Hop
Hosted by Crazy for Books
 This week's question at Crazy for Books:

What's the ONE GENRE that you wish you could get into, but just can't?
The one genre I'd love to get into would be science fiction. I've tried to read countless of sci-fi books that people rave about, but unfortunately, it bores me to no end. (=__=)  

Feel free to friend me at Goodreads and follow on Twitter and I'll friend/follow you back. ^_^ 
Did you guys do this meme as well? Feel free to leave a link and I'd love to check it out!

20 July 2011

Review: Glass Houses (Morganville Vampires #1) by Rachel Caine

Book: Glass Houses by Rachel Caine
Pages: 248 pages
Source: Gift from a friend
Rating: 3 Stars
From the author of the popular Weather Warden series comes the debut of an exciting new series set in Morganville, Texas, where you would be well advised to avoid being out after dark.

College freshman Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation. When Claire heads off-campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. Her new roommates don't show many signs of life, but they'll have Claire's back when the town's deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood.
To be honest, I just liked it. It wasn't really an amazing or even a really good book. For the majority of the book, I had to force myself to keep on reading, hoping it would get better and more engrossing for me, but it didn't. This book was very predictable for me, and I admit, there were some points in which I was engrossed in it but other than that, it was just ordinary.

The writing, from what I believe, was kind of confusing. It was choppy and it was hard for me to understand at parts. I usually don't care about narrations, whether it's first or third person, but I was totally lost at half the book just from the way it was written. The plot was like a rollercoaster; at times, I just loved it: it was dramatic, twisting, interesting enough to have me keep reading the book. Other times, I was just so bored, and like I said earlier, I had to force myself to keep reading.

The characters were fun and amusing. None of them particularly stood out to me, so no favorites on this one. In the romance section, I found it to be rather puzzling. I thought Claire would end up with one guy, she ended up with another, and I was like "Ehhh?!" The romance was also very sparse, and when something good happened, it wasn't anything worth squealing for...

Like most people say, the ending is a definite, nail-biting cliffhanger but it didn't really surprise me because I had some sort of idea of what would happen (and I was right). I do find myself reading the second novel, but I honestly lost interest in a couple of chapters, so I stopped reading it. Maybe when I'm bored one day, I'll read it once more.

18 July 2011

Late Edition: In My Mailbox (2)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

Last week, I got a couple of awesome sauce reads. Look how I italicized awesome.


For review from the lovely people at Netgalley:

Bought:

Borrowed from the library:
(not pictured) Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy series #5) by Richelle Mead

 I'm currently reading The Beginning of After, it's pretty good but not totally super awesome where I'm completely engrossed in it. Sorry for the late meme, I've been a bit busy this weekend. What did you guys get in your mailbox? (Sorry about all this extra space on the bottom! I don't know where it came from...)

17 July 2011

Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Book: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Pages: 322 pages
Source: Bought with my own money
Rating: 5 Stars 
St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’'re most in danger. . . .Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—, the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—, make Lissa one of them forever. 
Vampire Academy. I honestly thought it seemed cliche and boring (just from the cover!) before I read it and I was merely looking to pass the time while reading this book. Well, I sure learned my lesson about never judging a book by its cover... literally!

VA is such a fantastic read, and nothing cliche at all. This book was extremely captivating and I've never read anything like it. Moroi, dhampir, strigoi, all of this is just WOW. I can't even begin to explain on how good it was. Some strong points that captured me in this book is the plot and its writing. The plot is so creative and wonderful through all the twists and turns it leads you through. The writing flowed extremely well, and I didn't find it choppy or hard to understand. The characters were just amazing as well. The character who was my absolute favorite was Rose! Rose kicks ass (literally!) and she was so likable with her smart ass yet funny remarks. There was nothing in this book that disappointed me, especially in the romance department. Forbidden, hot, spicy love, baby! Need I say more? I devoured this book so easily in a day and a half, it was such a fun read! If you're looking for something with romance, action, and just plain awesomeness, I definitely recommend that you read this little (blood)sucker.

14 July 2011

Author Investigations: Eileen Cook

 Today's another day to investigate YA authors and their mysterious writing lives, in search for that one, unknown author, who has written the perfect book! Until then, I'll keep looking for suspicious suspects until I find that author.

Today's suspect is Eileen Cook!


The Education of Hailey Kendrick book cover

1. Give me three words that start with a vowel about your book, THE EDUCATION OF HAILEY KENDRICK.

  1. Intriguing: Hopefully people find the book interesting and fun and want to keep reading.
  2. Anxious: The main character Hailey is super risk adverse and knows all sorts of odd things, such as the fact that more people are killed every year by falling vending machines than in shark attacks. This is true by the way. 
  3. Eavesdrop: There are some misunderstandings and things that happen in the book because people over hear or think they overhear different things.

2. Who is your most favorite character out of your three books (What Would Emma Do?, Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood, and The Education of Hailey Kendrick)?

This question is too hard!  The character I like the most is always the character of the book I’m currently writing because I am in that person’s head all the time. So my favorite character is someone you won’t even have heard of yet!Emma was fun to write because she had such a fun way of seeing the world, Lauren was fun to write because she was such a cow. Hailey was fun to write because the book takes place in this sort of elite world that was fun to visit.


3. Do you have a playlist or any must haves with you while writing?

Eileen Cook herself and her adorable doggies!
I can’t play some music when I write because I start singing along. I guess this points towards me being easily distracted. A perfect writing day for me starts with a cup of tea (I’m a total tea junkie) and my two dogs lying around so I can rub their bellies for good luck. Most of the time I write at home either in my office or in the living room on the sofa. I write on a laptop so I find some days the best plan is to take my computer and get out of the house. I’ll write at a coffee shop, the library or even the beach.


4. Would you rather be stuck on a deserted island for a week (having a survival guide and knife in hand) or be stuck in the wilderness for a week (having only a knife and survival guide in hand)?

I don’t suppose I could be stuck in a fancy Four Seasons Hotel with only a spa gift certificate and a stack of books huh? If I had to choose I would go with the island.  I love sitting on the beach and swimming so at least I could keep busy while I tried to figure out how to make s’mores with my survival supplies.


5. What's the scariest movie you've seen?
I love scary movies, but I’m not crazy about the chop you up, gory, torture fest kind of movies. I like everything from old classics like Psycho to things like 28 Days Later.  I’ve been watching the Walking Dead series, and it’s a great zombie show. I can’t wait for it to start again in the fall.


6. Any future projects for us YA readers?
Unraveling Isobel cover = GORGEOUS!

Yes!  There are always projects!  I am super excited about my new book that will be out in January called Unraveling Isobel. 


 Here is the description: 


"Thrilling and creepy, super sexy, and so very hilarious." --Lisa McMann, bestselling author of the Wake trilogy  
Isobel’s life is falling apart. Her mom just married some guy she met on the internet only three months before, and is moving them to his sprawling, gothic mansion off the coast of nowhere. Goodbye, best friend. Goodbye, social life. Hello, icky new stepfather, crunchy granola town, and unbelievably good-looking, officially off-limits stepbrother. But on her first night in her new home, Isobel starts to fear that it isn’t only her life that’s unraveling—her sanity might be giving way too. Because either Isobel is losing her mind, just like her artist father did before her, or she’s seeing ghosts. Either way, Isobel’s fast on her way to being the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons.


 Thanks so much to Eileen for being here today!

13 July 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (1)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine

This week, I'm waiting for The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegan and Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey.

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?
Summary and picture taken from Goodreads



Lenzi hears voices and has visions - gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker - someone who can talk to and help lost souls - and that he has been her Protector for centuries.
Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon.
Summary and picture taken from Goodreads 


Quick thoughts: The Mephisto Covenant and Shattered Souls sounds amazzziiiing! They both have gorgeous eye-candy covers, which makes me want it like crazy!

What were your guys' WoWs this week? Feel free to let me know in the comment box! I'll also be doing an interview and (perhaps a giveaway that comes along with it?) soon!

12 July 2011

Once Upon a Readathon Day 2 & Day 3


Update #1 (7/12/11 at 10:03 AM PST to 10:49 AM PST)
Reading: Glass Houses (The Morganville Vampires #1)
Pages read: pg. 147 out of 248 (59% done)
Note: I'm heading faster through this than I though, hmm. 
Update #2 (7/12/11 at 2:05 PM PST to 3:09 PM PST)
Reading Glass Houses (The Morganville Vampires #1)
Pages read: pg. 178 out of 248 (72% done)
Note: I'm really getting into this book now. :) 
Update #3
Finished Glass Houses
Update #4
Reading  The Dead Girls' Dance (The Morganville Vampires #2)
Pages read: pg. 54 out of 368 (15% done)
Note: Ehhh 

11 July 2011

Once Upon a Readathon Day 1


For this readathon, I plan on reading only two books (unfortunately). I'd read more if I could, but I'm out of town, nowhere near my babies (books) and my Kindle just died on me (no charger with me, what was I THINKING?). Thankfully, I had a lovely relative who gave me some books to read! (I love you, Jemmy poo!)

Those books are Glass Houses (The Morganville Vampires #1) by Rachel Caine, as well as it's sequel, The Dead Girl's Dance (The Morganville Vampires #2) (links go to Goodreads; click for their summaries)


Update #1 (7/11/11 at 8:45 PM PST)
Reading: Glass Houses (The Morganville Vampires #1)
Pages Read: pg. 40 out of 248 (16% done)
Note: no note
Update #2 (7/11/11 from 9:15 PM PST to 10:15 PST)
Reading Glass Houses (The Morganville Vampires #1)
Pages Read: pg. 76 out of 248 (31% done)
Note: Man, I'm such a slow reader. I think.. In about one hour, I got 36 pages done. Does this mean I'm slow?
Update #3 (7/11/11 from 10:45 PM PST to 7/12/11 12:03 AM PST)
Reading Glass Houses (The Morganville Vampires #1)
Pages Read: pg. 110 out of 248 (44% done)
Note: no note

There seem to be mini challenges around the blogosphere about the readathon, but my GH is calling to me, whispering "Read me... now... Read me... now...." and on and on and on. Perhaps I'll do some tomorrow..

Review: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Spoiler Free Book Review
I bought this book with my own money. 

 Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.
The words have been whited out due to spoilers. To read summary, highlight it.

I was at first a little scared to read this. It had been a year since I read The Iron King, and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get into it just as I had before... Well, boy was I wrong!

The Iron Daughter did not disappoint at all. The cover is still as beautiful as it's predecessor, and the characters were just as enjoyable. Even if it has been a while since you read The Iron King, Julie makes no mistake as to fill you in on what has happened but not up to the point where Julie is drowning you with recaps of her previous novel. The world of the Nevernever never ceases to fascinate me. Julie Kagawa's splendid writing pulled me in, just as she had worked her magic (or shall we say glamour?) over me in the first book. The fighting scenes were absolutely exciting and my heart raced like there was no tomorrow. My heart did race for another reason though and one other reason only: romance. There are many heart wrenching, tear jerking moments as well as moments that make your heart beat so hard you're practically giggling and squealing like a little girl.

In all, the sequel was just as, in a lack of better words, amazing as the first one. It was extremely hard to put down and when I did have to put it down, I couldn't stop thinking, "What's going to happen next? Ahh, I need this book in my hands. NOW." I have high hopes for The Iron Queen. This book shall also go into a list of my all-time favorites.

Rating: 5 Stars+ ★+
How was my review? I shortened it a lot, and I didn't really get into details. Do you guys prefer short & sweet, long & detailed (like The Iron King), or perhaps something in the middle? Let me know~

10 July 2011

In My Mailbox (1)

IMM is hosted by The Story Siren



This week, I bought:
The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa (e-book), Wicked by Sara Shepard (e-book), Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (paperback)

I bought TID and Wicked on my Kindle. I finished both of them already so a review on the PLL series as well as TID will be coming up soon. I got F451 at Borders because it was on sale! I thought, "Why not?" and bought it. I love dystopians, so hopefully F451 will be good. I wish I was back home already, so I can go devour some more books at the library~ 

I love my vacation, but it burned a serious hole in my wallet! Funny thing is I had so much money yet I spent it mostly on clothes and makeup; I was desperate for a makeover ^_~ But now, I'll be saving up once again and of course you know what I'll be doing... buying more books!

What did you guys get in your mailbox? Feel free to leave a link and I'll make sure to stop by! 

09 July 2011

Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Spoiler FREE Book Review.
This book was won through a contest.


Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined. Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home. When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change. But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart. 


I remember I had won a contest on the blogosphere (long ago before I had a blog) and I decided to order The Iron King. I wanted to change my order because I saw a way cooler book than TIK so I asked the nice blogger if she could change it. Unfortunately, the deed had already been done and she already ordered the book. I was, of course, disappointed. I didn't really want to read this book after I saw that cool looking book. Oh barnacles... In the end, I say, "Thank GOODNESS it was too late to change the order." To be honest, I was a little iffy at first, seeing how it was my first book about the Fey (Fae?). When I thought of fairies, I thought of the tooth fairy and leaning a little on Tinkerbell (but I'm pretty sure she's a pixie). How could I take a book seriously when a girl falls in love with a FAIRY?

Well enough rambling, time to get on with the review!

Now having read a few other books about the fey, I find it common to see the Summer and Winter Court, etc. etc. etc.... The one Julie Kagawa had created was simply magnificent. The Nevernever is such a beautiful world, I can't even begin to describe it. Julie has this way of just sucking you in like a vacuum to practically feel, see, and hear this wonderful land that she delivered to us. I'm beginning to feel that Julie has some magic powers... I mean, this writing is just gorgeous! It takes my breath away, from the fighting scenes to Puck's hilarious comments to the shocking twists to Meghan's and Ash's forbidden romance, what more can a girl ask for?

What totally kept me going was not just the breathtaking Nevernever, the fantastical characters, but Meghan's and Ash's doomed love. The romance scenes, I'll say, aren't hot and heavy. I like hot and heavy romances to be honest. It spices up the book! However, the brief romantic moments Ash and Meghan had were anything but boring. I could feel their emotions, wants, desires to be together through their small yet intimate interactions, knowing it's impossible for their love to ever become real.

Perhaps my review was a bit jumbled, but let me give it to you short and sweet --- I love this book to pieces. It's way too amazing, and it's a DEFINITE must read.

Rating: 5+ Stars ★+