Waiting on Wednesday: Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

I can't wait for this sequel, loved Starcrossed!

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

Release Date: May 29th/12.

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads: 

As the only Scion that can enter Hades at will, Helen descends to the Underworld in search of a way to overcome the Furies and end the cycle of revenge that has cursed the Scions. But she’s running out of time. Each descent weakens her both in mind and spirit. A mysterious stranger might be her only salvation, but the price may be her love for Lucas Delos.

As an unforgettable love triangle emerges, Josephine Angelini’s compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding. The eagerly awaited sequel to the internationally bestselling Starcrossed, Dreamless delivers with a huge emotional impact that will leave readers satisfied—and longing for more.

Teaser Tuesday

 It worked with Linden, but I'm not quite as hopeful here. Lilac is Madame's most trusted girl. She's trusted with the money, with the training, with the oversight of dresses and performances. But I've never seen Lilac any closer to freedom than the rest of them.
 Still it can't work against me to be on Madame's good side.
 "Just kiss me," I say, raising the latch of our cage and backing in.
Fever, p. 69

ARC Review: Fever by Lauren DeStefano

Fever by Lauren DeStefano
Release date: February 21/12.
ARC Received from Publisher
Simon and Schuster

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind. 

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness. 

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary. 


WARNING: THIS IS A SEQUEL, THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS IF YOU HAVE NOT YET READ WITHER! YOU'VE BEEN WARNED :)


My Thoughts:
I'm nervous to write a review of this book for the simple fact, that I feel my words cannot do justice to Destefano's latest installment.


Fever has blown Wither way out of the park! I could happily get lost in DeStefano's writing everyday, she has an incredible imagination that resembles that of Diana Gabaldon- I never know where she'll be taking Rhine next.


This isn't a read for the faint of heart. Even though Rhine and Gabriel have escaped Vaughn's clutches, they still have many battles ahead. When I first saw the cover for this book I said to myself "Junkie much?" but after reading the book, this cover is PERFECT in absolutely every way possible!


I love the tenuous romance between Rhine and Gabriel, it's a gentle romance that both characters need to cope through the hard times that they face. I also like the way DeStefano writes the complex feelings Rhine has for Linden and vice versa, this isn't your typical love triangle, and I care for each love interest just as Rhine does.


There are so many complexities to DeStefano's writing. After watching Rhine and Gabriel suffer one after the other of trials and tribulations, the reader is left to question: is it better to be caged and protected, or free and at risk of the world's devices?


The ending was perfect. I don't feel cheated, but I am excited to see how things will conclude for Rhine, Gabriel, Linden, Cecily, Rowan and Vaughn.


If you liked Wither, or like me, were on the fence about Wither I BEG YOU PLEASE READ FEVER! You will not be disappointed. This is definitely in my top 5 reads of 2011! Thank you Lauren, I can't wait to read your next masterpiece!


Happy Reading!!!

In My Mailbox #10

I bought

The Dark Elite by Chloe Neill (check back for a giveaway of this book December 27th, as part of the Charmfall Blog Tour!)

Last Breath by Rachel Caine

Bite Club by Rachel Caine

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

Happy Reading!!!

Waiting on Wednesday: Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

OMG I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK, THE COVER, THE SYNOPSIS AND THE FIRST 5 CHAPTERS (WHICH ARE AVAILABLE AT INKPOP.COM!) :)

 Only one problem, how am I suppose to wait until May?

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Release Date: May 1st/12.

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads: 

What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being
bad influences? This is life for sons and daughters of fallen
angels in Sweet Evil.

Anna, a tender-hearted southern girl, was born with the sixth
sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of
a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger,
but it isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring
Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage, and her
will-power is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned
you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

A cross-country trip forces Anna and Kai to face the reality
that hope and love are not options for their kind. When it's
time for Anna to confront her demons, will she choose to embrace
her halo or her horns?

ARC Review: The Taming by Teresa Toten and Eric Walters

The Taming by Teresa Toten and Eric Walters
Release Date: Jan.24/12.

Synopsis courtesy of Netgalley:

Katie likes to believe she's invisible. It seems much safer than being exposed as she is--shy, poor, awkward. So getting up on stage in the school production of The Taming of the Shrew should be complete torture. But as Katie tells it, something totally unexpected happened when she stepped on stage: "My head exploded. I loved it. Acting hit me like a sucker punch and I loved, loved, loved it! . . . Invisible Katie became visible Katharina."

Evan Cooper is, as they say, another story. He knows just what it takes to get noticed, and he uses every one of the skills he's honed after years of being the new kid. Like tossing the keys to his father's high-end Audi to a kid he's never met, first day of school. "I have insurance for car theft," he explains to a shocked Danny. "And there's a full tank." An abuse of the power that comes with privilege and money? Sure.

But more dangerously, is his romance with Katie another version of the same thing? Or is it the real thing?

My Thoughts:

WOW! This is one of the most INTENSE books I've read all year!

Warning!!! There is A LOT of sexual content, drugs, alcohol in this book.

The great thing about this book, was the writing of the emotions Evan and Katie experience through their relationship both on and off the stage. I had moments where I would begin to LOVE Evan, but than his true colours would spring free and I would feel a whole wave revulsion.

The same rains true for Katie, she's shy and beginning to break out of her shell by staring in the female lead of the school play, but the longer she spends in Evan's presence, the weaker and more insecure she becomes.

Be warned this is NOT a love story! These two characters bring out the absolute worst in each other's personality which is the perfect equation for an abusive and destructive relationship. 

The intertextuality in this plot is cleverly woven through Evan and Katie's relationship on and off the stage. I was thoroughly hooked and entertained throughout.

This book is definitely not for the faint of heart, however, once I started it, I was unable to stop. it's a gripping and intense read that provides ideal literary merit on abusive relationships (both physical and emotional).

I think that everyone, aged 14 up, should read this book. It delivers an important moral lessen that it doesn't matter what people feel and think about you, but that YOU LOVE AND RESPECT YOURSELF enough to walk away from someone who doesn't appreciate you.

Please read this book guys, you won't be disappointed. And thank you Toten and Walters for not sugarcoating the reality of young abusive relationships.

Happy Reading!!!

In My Mailbox #9

ARCs from Egmont (Random House)

Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Dec/11.)

The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison (Feb/12.)

A Huge Pile of Teen books from Harlequin (Thank you Harlequin TEEN!!!) :)

Crave by Melissa Darnell (Finished Copy)

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter (ARC) Apr/12.

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa (Finished Copy)

Saving June by Hannah Harrington (Finished Copy)

Soul Screamers Volume One by Rachel Vincent (Finished Copy)

dancergirl by Carol M. Tanzman (Finished Copy)

Finished copies from Random House

My Beating Teenage Heart by C.K. Kelly Martin

End of Days by Eric Walters

ARCs from Harpercollins/Teen 

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (ARC)

Everything We Ever Wanted by Sara Shepard (ARC)

Books from Random House's Children's Fall Preview

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel (Finished Copy)

Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay (Finished Copy)

The Death Cure by James Dashner (Finished Copy)

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen (Finished Copy)

E-galley from Netgalley

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand (Jan/12.)

Swag from MacMillan

Cinder Mirror

That's all for this week! What did you guys get in your mailbox?

Happy Reading!!!

100 Follower Giveaway

Give Thanks for Good Books

I'm most thankful for Bitten by Kelley Armstrong, because it's the book that got me into the Fantasy and by extension, the YA genre. It also introduced me to mainstream Canadian authors/writing.

So thank you Kelley for writing one of my all-time favourite series! :)

What book are you most grateful for?

Waiting on Wednesday: Destined by Jessie Harrell

Mythology is soooooo popular, in Teen Lit, right now- and I can't wait to read this modern day retelling of Psyche and Cupid myth!

Thank God we only have to wait a week, right? :)

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:

When Psyche receives a prophecy gone horribly wrong, she learns that even the most beautiful girl in Greece can have a hideous future. Her fate? Fall in love with the one creature even the gods fear. 

As she feels herself slipping closer into the arms of the prophecy, Psyche must choose between the terrifyingly tender touch she feels almost powerless to resist and the one constant she's come to expect out of life: you cannot escape what is destined. 

Destined is a fresh and heartachingly romantic retelling of the Cupid & Psyche myth from debut novelist, Jessie Harrell.


Happy Reading!!!

ARC Review: Unleashed by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

Unleashed by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie
Release Date: November 22nd/11.
Publisher: Delacorte Press

Katelyn McBride’s life changed in an instant when her mother died. Uprooted from her California home, Katelyn was shipped to the middle of nowhere, Arkansas, to her only living relative, her grandfather. And now she has to start over in Wolf Springs, a tiny village in the Ozark Mountains. Like any small town, Wolf Springs has secrets. But the secrets hidden here are more sinister than Katelyn could ever imagine. It’s a town with a history that reaches back centuries, spans continents, and conceals terrifying truths. And Katelyn McBride is about to change everything.
Broken families, ageless grudges, forced alliances, and love that blooms in the darkest night—welcome to Wolf Springs.

My Thoughts:

First off let me just point out that I am NOT a fan of Holder's Wicked series,

However...

I LOVED this book! When I first started reading Unleashed I felt it resembled Twilight in many ways.

Kat's been uprooted from her Sunny LA lifestyle to a small rural town with her Grandfather. And Wolf Springs has some secrets (that aren't so secret :)).

I felt a disconnect with her friend Cordelia, all the scenes between Kat and this character felt awkward and uncomfortable to me (almost forced).

However, this writing team definitely redeems this story with it's budding love triangle :)  I'm TEAM TRICK ALL THE WAY, although Justin is amazing, Trick is the whole package (Hot, fun, chivalrous, and his Southern accent doesn't hurt!) I definitely felt passion between Kat and both these guys, which one will she choose, I have no fricken idea, but I'm dying to find out!

Overall I would recommend this read to all Werewolf and Twilight fans out there!

Happy Reading!!!

ARC Review and Author Interview: Blood of the Ancients by Tammy Wilkinson

Blood of the Ancients by Tammy Wilkinson
Release Date: November 12th/11.

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:

"Maddy swung around and came face to face with a pair of stunning green eyes gazing intently at her. Gabe stood just inches away from her. His warm breath caressed her face and goose bumps rose on her forearms. Startled, she jumped back a step."

17 year old Madeline Evans had no idea what she was in for when she met Gabriel Brennan, nor did she know the dangerous truth about his past. His pale blonde hair and bright green eyes had captivated her from the moment she saw him, but fighting the urge to stay away from the dangerous boy is easier said than done. More than once Maddy finds herself in a perilous situation, but Gabe always seems to be there to save the day. Can Maddy trust Gabe or will he lead her to her untimely death?


My Thoughts:

Can I please have Blood of the Ancients?! 

This book is perfect for Twilight fans, who like a little extra tension between their two protaganists.

Maddy is a practical heroine. She's spent most of her life with her head in the books, planning/preparing for her future... Enter Gabe.

The mysterious and sexy Gabe, who comes with quite a bit of baggage (O, but he's sooooo worth it :) ) I loved Gabe, he's got the whole Knight-in-shining-armour thing down.

But Gabe isn't the only mystery that BOTA offers, someone's out to get Maddy, she's continuously attacked and placed in danger, will Gabe be able to save her? Well you'll just have to read and find out :)

Great YA Debut, and a huge thanks to Tammy for the opportunity to review it!


And now please join me in welcoming Tammy to the blog today....



1) What inspired you to write Blood of the Ancients?

It was a culmination of events, really. I'd always wanted to write a book, but never seemed to have the time to do it. One night I had a dream about a story I'd been concocting. Half asleep, I wrote down everything I could remember from my dream. It took me two weeks to decipher what I'd written, but at the end I have a brief outline of what would become Blood of the Ancients. A few weeks later I was having dinner with my little sis and we out all the details of the story. A week later I had the full outline. About a month after that I was laid off from my job. One day when I was on Facebook, I saw a link to the NaNoWriMo website and came to the conclusion that it was now or never. I used NaNo as the jumping point for the book.



2) How long did it take you to write BOTA?

After participating in NaNo, I was left with a VERY rough first draft of BOTA. It took me another 6 months to polish it up and get to the final draft. For those of you that don't know what NaNoWriMo is, it's National Novel Writing Month. The whole purpose is to write an entire novel during the month of November. It's also an organization that supports writing programs within the community and young writers programs worldwide. www.nanowrimo.org



3) Did you have particular actors in mind when you wrote Gabe and Perry? If so, who?

Hmm... now this has been an issue of great debate. Ariana Grande for Maddy, Alex Pettyfer for Gabe (even though I'm gonna get an earful for this answer), and I haven't really given much thought to who I would want to play the part of Perry. I would love for Yannick Bisson to play the part of Nathan. He played the part of William Murdock in Murdock Mysteries. As for Cooper, the jury is still out on that one. A few of my top contenders for Cooper would be Christian Bale or Josh Lucas.


4) Do you have any favourite authors you enjoy reading, or that have inspired your writing?

Hahaha... Where do I start? I'll just list off a few of my faves. Cassie Clare, Richelle Mead, Suzanne Collins, Stephenie Meyer, PC & Kristen Cast, JK Rowlings, Becca Fitzpatrick, LJ Smith, Christopher Moore, Neil Pasricha, Emily Bronte, F Scott Fitzgerald, and of course, Jane Austen. Those are just a few off the top of my head.


5) What has been the most exciting part of publishing your first book?

I'd love to say that it's the excitement of getting ready to launch the book, but the truth is, the best part has been the involvement of my friends and family. I think they're just as invested and excited as I am to see Blood of the Ancients come to fruition.


6) How far do you plan to take your Boston Vampire series?

As of right now the series is outlined for three books. The second book, Curse of the Ancients is my current Work In Progress, and is almost finished. With any luck, it'll be ready to be released in the spring of 2012.


7) Do you have any advice to give future writers?

Yes! Writing is like any other skill, with time and practice it will become more refined, so keep at it! I would also suggest participating in NaNo. They offer so much support and encouragement for budding writers.

Come meet Tammy in person and get your own copy of BOTA signed!

Chapters Kennedy Commons (20 William Kitchener Road)
November 12th/11.
1-4pm

Connect with Tammy:

www.bostonvampires.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/bookworm647
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Tammy_Wilkinson or @Tammy_Wilkinson

Happy Reading!!!




Dark Inside or Cinder ARC Winner Announced...

Hello all and Happy Be-lated Halloween! I apologize for my lack of posts last week, Blogger was NOT working with me :). But let me announce the winner of the Cinder or Dark Inside ARC is (drumroll please)

Melanie_McCullough

Congrats Melanie, I will be emailing you in the next couple of days for your mailing information.

On another note, I would just like to say a big THANK YOU to all my followers. You all helped me reach over 100 followers last month! To show my appreciation I have another giveaway planned for this week, so please check back later this week for details!

Thanks again everyone, and congrats again to Melanie!

Happy Reading!!!