Tuesday 29 November 2011

Teaser Tuesday


Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Miz B @ Should Be Reading


"I walked to the table and picked it up, doing as he asked. And then it struck me that I was setting  so-called zombie's alarm clock for him, and I swear I heard something snap in my ears. I started laughing uproarously.   
I heard the monsters bemused voice outside asking if I was alright but that just made it funnier."

-Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel,  pg.91


I just started this one so I'm not too far in but it's already got me captive, leave a link to your teaser ;)

Monday 28 November 2011

In My Mailbox


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

Everything I bought this week

A Touch Mortal (A Touch Trilogy #1) by Leah Clifford
Swear (Swoon #2) by Nina Malkin
Beautiful Chaos (Caster Chronicles #3) by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Touch of Frost (Mythos Academy #1) by Jennifer Estep
The Dark Divine (The dark Divine #1) by Bree Despain
Living With The Dead (Women of The Otherworld #) by Kelley Armstrong

What's in your mailbox?

Thursday 24 November 2011

Cover Reveal ~ Never To Sleep


Title: Never To Sleep (Soul Screamers #5.5)
Author: Rachel Vincent
Publication date: January 1, 2012
Published by: Harlequin Teen

Summary
*from Rachel's blog*

Don’t Close Your Eyes.

Sophie Cavanaugh is not going to let her freak of a cousin’s strange psychiatric condition ruin high school for them both. Not after all the work she’s put into cultivating the right look, and friends, and reputation. But then Sophie sees something so frightening she lets out a blood-curdling scream—and finds herself stuck in a bizarre parallel world where nothing is safe and deadly creatures lurk just out of sight, waiting for her to close her eyes and sleep…forever.

Could this world be real? Or does insanity run in the family…?

*“Never To Sleep” comes out Jan 1 in the US and Canada, and it should be free for a limited time.*

Yay!! I love all things Soul Screamers so when I got the e-mail from Rachel's blog I had to share. Though it might be a little weird to read from Sophie's POV since I loathe her I'm sure it will rock none the less. Enjoy ;)

Wednesday 23 November 2011

Soul Thief Review


Title: Soul Thief (Demon Trappers #2)
Author: Jana Oliver
Publication Date: August 30, 2011
Published By: St.Martin's griffin
Format: Paperback, 339 pages

*I purchased this book*

Summary
Seventeen-year-old Riley has about had it up to here. After the devastating battle at the Tabernacle, trappers are dead and injured, her boyfriend Simon is gravely injured, and now her beloved late father’s been illegally poached from his grave by a very powerful necromancer. As if that’s not enough, there's Ori, one sizzling hot freelance demon hunter who’s made himself Riley’s unofficial body guard, and Beck, a super over-protective “friend” who acts more like a grouchy granddad. With all the hassles, Riley’s almost ready to leave Atlanta altogether.

But as Atlanta’s demon count increases, the Vatican finally sends its own Demon Hunters to take care of the city’s “little” problem, and pandemonium breaks loose. Only Riley knows that she might be the center of Hell’s attention: an extremely powerful Grade 5 demon is stalking her, and her luck can't last forever…

My Thoughts
I adore these books, but now that there's two I've noticed a pattern, the ending causes unavoidable hair tugging frustration. They both end at such crucial moments when your all "What the hell happens now?!" And I want to bash Riley and Becks heads together...Seriously! 
Now, rant aside, Soul Thief was a wicked follow-up. Picking up exactly where Demon Trapper's daughter left off (which I love), Riley is trying to hold it together while investigating her father's reanimation, the holy water scam and the Tabernacle disaster. Which inevitably just sinks her even deeper into her already huge pile of crap, even though she tries her best to make good decisions Heaven and Hell are just not co-operating with her.
Soul Thief also introduces quite the love square. Simon is confused and angry after his brush with death-by-demon, Ori takes up the position of over attentive bodyguard (whom I DO NOT trust) and Beck still stupidly lives in denial.
Now, I was going to hold back a star because beck and Riley make me bonkers, maybe that's not fair but I am being totally honest when I say my head feels like it's going to burst in every scene they share. But, after I thought about it, the things about them that drive me mad are exactly the things that make them feel so genuine and relatable. Riley though loyal and brave is very naive and when it comes to relationships totally insecure, while Beck, a rough and tough "backwoods boy" is completely conflicted in the role he should be playing in Riley's life. So I gave the star back. 5 out of 5 =D


Harper Imprint Challenge Reading List


I've chosen to read and review 5-8 books, here's the list ;)


Mercy (Mercy #1) by Rebecca lim
Fragile Eternity (Wicked Lovely #3) by Melissa Marr
Radiant Shadows (Wicked Lovely #4) by Melissa Marr
Illusions (Wings #3) by Aprilynne Pike
Before I fall by Lauren Oliver
Entwined by Heather Dixon
Vesper (Deviants #1) by Jeff Sampson
Hereafter (Hereafter #1) by Tara Hudson

* book links will take you to it's Goodreads page*

Waiting On Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted @ Breaking The Spine

Not only does this book have a pretty cover but it also has a creepy old mansion, and what sounds like a hot, broody guy, which I love.

Title: Disenchanted
Author: Sherry Soule
Publication Date: January 2012

Summary
Elizabeth Blackburn, an intelligent and sassy New Yorker, doesn’t believe in the supernatural until she moves into Summerwind Mansion and begins having nightmares about a young woman murdered in the house. She suspects there’s something strange about this place and it’s not just the bad dreams. 

Determined to unlock secrets that have remained hidden for centuries, Elizabeth is plunged into an otherworldly mystery that not even she can explain away. Not to mention, her uncontrollable attraction to the former owner, Dorian Knight. But soon after meeting Dorian, all of her beliefs are tested. He seems so familiar, and as close to Mr. Darcy as she’ll ever get—but Jane Austen never wrote a hero like him--someone who both excites and frightens her. 

As the dark history of the Knight family begins to unravel, tensions heighten and old resentments turn deadly. Even though Dorian warns her about a terrible curse–she doesn’t know what to believe anymore. 

And Elizabeth starts to wonder which she would rather hold onto—her sanity…or her life…

I'm pretty sure I already did a WOW for this one a while ago but the publication date keeps getting moved back and it's making me bonkers!! The first book Immortal Beloved was a-ma-zing so I'm dying waitior this one =/


Title: Darkness Falls (Immortal Beloved #1) 
Author: Cate Tiernan
Publication Date: January 2, 2012

Summary
Nastasya has lived for hundreds of years, but for some reason, life never seems to get any better. She left her spoiled, rich girl life to find peace at River's Edge, a safe haven for wayward immortals. There, she learned to embrace River's Edge, despite some drama involving the sexy Reyn, who she wants but won't allow herself to have. But just as she's getting comfortable, her family's ties to dark magick force her to leave. 

She falls back into her old, hard partying ways, but will her decision lead her into the hands of a dark immortal? Or will it be her first step to embracing the darkness within her?

What are you waiting on? ;)

Sunday 20 November 2011

In My Mailbox


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

There's a crappy glare on the picture but I didn't notice until after I uploaded it =/

Haunted (Women of The Otherworld #5) by Kelley Armstrong
No Humans Involved (Women of The Otherworld #7 ) by Kelley Armstrong
Broken (Women of The Otherworld #6 ) by Kelley Armstrong
Personal Demon (Women of The Otherworld #8 ) by Kelley Armstrong
Industrial Magic (Women of The Otherworlkd #4) by Kelley Armstrong
The Mephisto Covenant (The Mephisto Covenant #1) by Trinity Faegan
Radiant Shadows (Wicked Lovely #4) by Melissa Marr
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater
The Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4) by Julie Jagawa
Succubus Blues (Georgina Kincaid #1) by Richelle Mead
Succubus On Top (Georgina Kincaid #2) by Richelle Mead

That's it, What did you get this week? ;)

Saturday 19 November 2011

Dark of The Moon Review


Author: Tracy Barrett
Publication Date: September 11, 2011
Published By: Harcourt Children's Books
Format: Hardcover, 320 pages

*This book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Summary
Ariadne is destined to become a goddess of the moon. She leads a lonely life, filled with hours of rigorous training by stern priestesses. Her former friends no longer dare to look at her, much less speak to her. All that she has left are her mother and her beloved, misshapen brother Asterion, who must be held captive below the palace for his own safety.

So when a ship arrives one spring day, bearing a tribute of slaves from Athens, Ariadne sneaks out to meet it. These newcomers don’t know the ways of Krete; perhaps they won’t be afraid of a girl who will someday be a powerful goddess. And indeed she meets Theseus, the son of the king of Athens. Ariadne finds herself drawn to the newcomer, and soon they form a friendship—one that could perhaps become something more.

Yet Theseus is doomed to die as an offering to the Minotaur, that monster beneath the palace—unless he can kill the beast first. And that "monster" is Ariadne’s brother . . .

My Thoughts
Before I wrote this review I looked up Minotaur mythology to compare to this book, I wanted to see if the stories were the same or if it was a re-invention of the story. From what I can tell, (and I am definitely not an expert) they are pretty close with only a few variations.
I've always found mythology confusing and hard to sort through but  Dark of The Moon was easy to read and totally enjoyable. The story is told from the POV's of Ariadne, the "Minotaur's" sister and Theseus, the king of Athens' son. I got swept up in the ancient world of these characters really quickly and enjoyed it more than I thought. Dark of The Moon didn't focus so much on the Minotaur as I thought but more on Ariadne and her struggles with becoming a woman and "She-Who-Will-Be-Goddess". As well as Theseus and his coping with being sent a away as a sacrifice. It also cast a more flattering light on the Minotaur and had a much happier ending. The only thing I can complain about and it's totally minor is the constant use of "She-Who-Will-Be-Goddess" and "She-Who-Is-Goddess" in reference to Ariadne and her mother Pasiphae. As a whole the story was great, it's even got me more interested in Greek mythology, so if that's your forte then I definitely recommend.




Thursday 17 November 2011

Follow Friday


Follow Friday is a weekly blog hop hosted @ Parajunkee and @ Alison Can Read

This weeks question is:
 Letter to Santa: Tell Santa what books you want for Christmas!

It's kinda silly but I would just want first editions (and signed if dear old St.Nick could be so sweet) of my favourite series I already have. Especially Karen Marie Moning's Fever series, mine are all mismatched and "well" read because GAWD I cannot get enough of Barrons! Then The Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare and tons more but we'll just leave it at that.

Leave a comment and a link to your FF post ;)

Hearts At Stake Review


Title: Hearts At Stake (The Drake Chronicles #1)
Author: Alyxandra Harvey
Publication Date: December 22, 2009
Published by: Walker books for Young Readers
Format: Hardcover, 256 pages

* I purchased this book*

Summary
On Solange’s sixteenth birthday, she is going to wake up dead. As if that’s not bad enough, she also has to outwit her seven overprotective older brothers, avoid the politics involved with being the only daughter born to an ancient vampire dynasty, and elude Kieran Black—agent of an anti-vampire league who is searching for his father’s killer and is intent on staking Solange and her entire family. Luckily she has her own secret weapon—her human best friend Lucy—who is willing to defend Solange’s right to a normal life, whether she’s being smothered by her well-intentioned brothers or abducted by a power-hungry queen. Two unlikely alliances are formed in a race to save Solange’s eternal life—Lucy and Solange’s brother Nicholas, and Solange and Kieran Black—in a dual romance that is guaranteed to jump start any romance-lover’s heart.Even fans of the genre who’ve seen it all will find a fresh read with kick-butt characters and family dynamics that ring true for all brothers and sisters—vampire or otherwise.

My Thoughts
This book was lot of fun to read and I can already tell it's a series that will be at the top of my fave list. The characters are diverse and interesting, the plot was quickly paced, full of action, romance and humor to lighten up the darker moments.
The story is told in alternating POV's between Solange, a living vampire and her best friend Lucy, who has grown up knowing the Drake family secrets and is just as much a part of the family.  Both girls offer unique views to the story and this is one time when I really enjoyed reading from two perspectives.
The characters each get enough face time for you to get a vibe for who they are and where they stand in the story but without and an actual listing of their traits. Harvey seems to do that with everything, she slides the information in so subtly that everything maintains a natural flow. She doesn't break off into rants of background and character building it's just there.
The mythology is original, and an awesome spin on vampires I haven't seen. The Drake family even have their own history different from most other vampire clans in the story. Basically this book was flippin amazing.   I did some digging and found the series is set for 6 books, Yay! So bring on the Drake brothers because I am in love ;)



Wednesday 16 November 2011

Waiting On Wednesday


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted @ Breaking The Spine


Author: J.A. London
Publication Date: May 29, 2012
Published By: HarperTeen

Summary
This electrifying new trilogy blends the best of paranormal and dystopian storytelling in a world where the war is over. And the vampires won. 

Humans huddle in their walled cities, supplying blood in exchange for safety. But not even that is guaranteed. Dawn has lost her entire family and now reluctantly serves as the delegate to Lord Valentine, the most powerful vampire for miles. It isn’t until she meets Victor, Valentine’s son, that she realizes not all vampires are monsters.... 

Darkness Before Dawn is a fresh new story with captivating characters, unexpected plot twists, a fascinating setting, and a compelling voice. Written under the name J. A. London by a talented mother-son team, the trilogy is perfect for fans of True Blood and the House of Night and Morganville Vampires series.


Title: Torn
Author: Cat Clarke
Publication Date: Jauary 5, 2012
Published By: Quercus

Summary
Four girls. One dead body. A whole lot of guilt. 
Alice King isn’t expecting the holiday of a lifetime when she sets off with her classmates on a trip to the Scottish wilderness, but she’s not exactly prepared for an experience beyond her darkest nightmares… 
Alice and her best friend Cass are stuck in a cabin with Polly, the social outcast, and Rae, the moody emo-girl. Then there’s Tara – queen of mean. Powerful, beautiful and cruel, she likes nothing better than putting people down. 
Cass decides it’s time to teach Tara a lesson she’ll never forget. And so begins a series of events that will change the lives of these girls forever... 
A compelling story of guilty secrets, troubled friendship and burgeoning love

Monday 14 November 2011

Teaser Tuesday


Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted @ Should Be Reading



"She becomes clearer and more present, and then I see the flames. I try not to get to upset anymore. I know what's coming, and I think, here I am again. Every life I start with her, my original sin. I know myself through her."

- pg.47 of My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares.

Leave a link with your teaser ;)

2012 Debut Author Challenge Reading List


The 2012 Debut Author Challenge is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren!
These are the books I've chosen to read for the challenge. I might add more as the year goes on or it could change but for now this is it!



Above by Leah Bobet
Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris
Undeadly (The Reaper Diaries #1) by Michele Vail
The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long
Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
Wrecked by Ana Davies
Starters by Lissa Price
Everneath (Everneath #1) by Brodi Ashton
The Alchemy of Forever (Incarnation #1) by Avery Williams
Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #1) by Jessica Spotswood
Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
Fracture by Megan Miranda
*All links will take you to the corresponding books Goodreads page*










Friday 11 November 2011

Harper Imprint Challenge


This challenge is hosted by Chelsea @ Starry Sky Books

Ive decide to go with the medium challenge, 5-8 books because Iàm pretty confidant I couldnèt pull off the Hard lol ;)

From The Host:
For those of you that have no idea what this challenge is, it's pretty much a challenge to read as many books from the HarperCollins imprints that publish YA books: Harper Teen, Greenwillow, Katherine Tegen Books, and Balzer + Bray. I first held this challenge last minute in July, with sign-ups only posted two weeks before. This time around there's more time for word to get around and more people to sign up, hopefully! Here is the breakdown of the challenge:

*Open to anyone, whether you blog or not
*Books started before January 1 do not count - and we're going on the honor system with this!
*Audio books and ebooks do count of course
*Your books can be crossovers with other challenges
*Sign-ups will stay open through January 7
*Choose a challenge level and make an intro post with a link back to this post!Here are the challenge levels, make sure you choose one that you think is realistic for you.

Easy: 1-4 books
Medium: 5-8 books
Hard: 9-12 books

And here's a schedule of events that will be happening throughout the month, with more possibly to be added.

*January 1: Event starts! Review link-up for the first week posted.
*January 4: First 24 hour Harper book giveaway!
*January 8: Review link-up for the second week goes up.
*January 11: Second 24 hour Harper book giveaway.
*January 15: Harper Imprint Challenge Readathon! Starts at 9am Pacific time and lasts for 24 hours; Review link-up for the third week
*January 18: Third 24 hour Harper book giveaway.
*January 22: Review Link-up for the last week, including the 29th through the 31st
*January 25: Last 24 hour Harper book giveaway!
*January 31: - Last day of the challenge!
*On February 1 there will be one final giveaway for those who participated and do a wrap up post of your accomplishments! 
So don't forget those posts.

After Obsession Review

Publication Date: September 13, 2011
Published By: Bloomsbury
Format: Hardcover, 320 pages

Summary
Aimee and Alan have secrets. Both teens have unusual pasts and abilities they prefer to keep hidden. But when they meet each other, in a cold Maine town, they can't stop their secrets from spilling out. Strange things have been happening lately, and they both feel that something-or someone- is haunting them. They're wrong. Despite their unusual history and powers, it's neither Aimee nor Alan who is truly haunted. It's Alan's cousin Courtney who, in a desperate plea to find her missing father, has invited a demon into her life-and into her body. Only together can Aimee and Alan exorcise the ghost. And they have to move quickly, before it devours not just Courtney but everything around her.

Filled with heart-pounding romance, paranormal activity, and rich teen characters to love-and introducing an exciting new YA voice, Steven Wedel-this novel is exactly what Carrie Jones fans have been waiting for. Meet your next obsession.

My Thoughts
This book was a little disappointing, I like Carrie Jones, I love the cover and I've heard great things about Steven E. Wedel but the combination just didn't work for me.
Now the story itself was pretty cool, possession freaks the hell out of me so I was definitely creeped out, and the back story was original. Carrie writes from Aimee's perspective and Steven from Alan's and I liked both characters, liked not loved. There were things about them that were extraordinary but they themselves were not. Take away their abilities and you were left with two boring people. But that's not even what killed it for me, it was the alternating POV. Normally this isn't a problem , if it's well written I don't care if the POV bounces around or if it's written first or third person as long as it entertains me. In this instance it killed the excitement and disrupted my attention. At the start of the book when your getting the lay of the land and learning about the characters it's not so bothersome, when the plot picks up and the action starts it just irritates. You can't maintain a readers attention if you swap POV's in the middle of an action scene, or maybe you can, I just know it didn't happen here. I'd be all "OMG this is crazy" then bam! Now your reading from Alan's POV and the suspense and interest has to be rebuilt. Not fun. The ending was also a little anti-climactic. Anyway After Obsession gets only 2 stars from me.



Sensational Seconds Challenge


The 2012 Sensational Seconds Challenge is hosted by Jessi @ Reading in The Corner

I've decided to do Level 4 - 13+ books

From The Host:

The Challenge:

The goal of the SSC will be to read sequels/companion novels! *duh* There are four different levels that you can choose to participate at:
Level 1 (Beginner): 1-4 books
Level 2 (Intermediate): 5-8 books
Level 3 (Advanced): 8-12 books
Level 4 (Crazy): 13+ books

*Anyone can join! You don't have to be a blogger specifically, but you do need to review the sequels that you read somewhere (such as Goodreads, LibraryThing, Shelfari, etc.) in English

*There will occasionally be giveaways! (Still TBD...but they'll be for participants only)

*You can join anytime! Just set your goal and get started!




Thursday 10 November 2011

Follow friday


Follow Friday is a weekly hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison can Read

This week's question is:
Q: In light of 11.11.11 and Veteran’s Day tell us about your favorite solider and how he or she is saving the world. Fictional or real life.

This one is hard for me, I don't personally know any soldiers and I'm not really into War themed movies or video games, I have nothing to go on here. So I'll keep it simple and say Thank You to all past, present and future soldiers who risk their lives to keep us safe and living in a free country. You're all real life heroes!


Leave an comment with a link so I can follow back!