Waiting on Wednesday (06)

I'm BAAAAACK! Thank you all for being awesome and patient while I took a little break from the book blogging aspect, but now, I'm back, and I'm more prepared then ever to start talking about books again. 

I hope you're all prepared.

Because I know I am. 

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Now, I know what most of you are thinking: Hey, Brianna. It wouldn't work to read this if you haven't read the rest of the Vampire Academy Series. Well you know what, person that's reading this, I don't care. I'm speaking for Kirston as well. She's super psyched for this book, and it's released. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure I know what to give her for Christmas. 

From the books I have read in the Vampire Academy Series (Vampire Academy, Frostbite, and Shadowkiss), I am excited to see how Mead tries to live up to her already great first series with this new one. I highly doubt she'll crumble under the pressure of drooling fans alike, but seriously. It's got to be one tough job.

Fateful by Claudia Gray

Two reasons Brianna wants this: 

1) (The very obvious reason) It's by Claudia Gray. Yes, I know. Her other series is a vampire series, and yes, person, I know you've heard me say time and time again that I don't really read/like vampire novels. Well, just to let you know, her Evernight series was actually pretty cute, and I enjoyed it. (I still have to read the last one, though.) 

2) It's a flippin' Titanic retelling. Brianna = history guru/whore.

And it sounds incredibly.

(I just noticed something. There's like three different versions of the cover.)

HERE ARE THE OTHERS:

Which one do you prefer? I like the one that's styled kind of like Fallen's cover.

...wha? 

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Yes, I received the ARC of this because I asked HarperTeen nicely for a copy. 

No, I'm not bragging. 

Yes, I wish to read it so bad. 

No, I can't because the blasted book doesn't come out until JANUARY. *wants to place review up near the publishing date FYI*

Yes, I can start reading it soon. 

No, I can't because I'm busy and have a million other books I should be reading for review.

Yes, I love books.

No, I don't feel burdened.

I really, really fell in love with the synopsis, (which, by the way, is right here) so I nicely asked for a copy, and ZOMYGOODNESS THEY DID. I read the first three chapters, and I wanted to read more because is alludes to Greek mythology mainly because most of it is about Greek mythology. 

*NOTED* If you haven't noticed that Brianna is a major fan of Greek mythology, you've been lost for about ever.

Son of Neptune by Rick Roidan

First, if you haven't noticed that I'm a huge Rick Roidan fan, then you have been lost for about ever. 

Second, if you haven't noticed that I love Percy Jackson/Greek mythology/the combo, then you've never even looked at this blog. You probably saw the pretty template and joined because hearts make you happy. (People do that, ya know.) 

I have to say that The Lost Hero, which is another case of an author having a hard time measuring up to their well-known series, was a very awesome rendition of another group of demigods, but you can never replace Annabeth, Percy, and Grover. You just can't.

However, they get merged into this series, though, makes the Heroes of Olympus about 150% more awesome than it already was. Part of the reason it was awesome before that was because Rick Roidan was writing it.

Nuff said. 

The most direct way I can say this:

 RICK ROIDAN + GREEK MYTHOLOGY = <3333333

There's my fangasm that should be good for about another month. ;)

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!
TELL ME WHAT YOU'RE WAITING FOR! :D

(I know it's technically Thursday, but shut up, you technical person.)

Vacation!

Yes, I know. Considering how amazing I am with keeping up with this blog, you shouldn't have seen this coming. 

But yes. Brianna is taking a vacation.

Kirston is pretty busy being the most amazing mellophone section leader that she probably wouldn't be on in God only knows how long. :)

Now Brianna is going to take a break to indulge in the sweet ecstasy that is Hilton Head, South Carolina.

I'm also going to be busy with marching band, but for the authors I'm promising reviews to, during this time, I definitely will be reading these books.

Oh, and by the way, I got stung by a stupid jellyfish. :\

Thank you, all you wonderful guys! ;)

Love,

Brianna the Book Blogger

(Ha ha ha...alliteration at its finest.)

Series Tuesday - Mythos Academy Series by Jennifer Estep

Summary

My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy — a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest.

But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I'm determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why—especially since I should have been the one who died. . .

---

Brianna's Opinon

A series about Greek mythology, warrior "classes", and an academy that trains its students to become warriors? COUNT ME IN!

In this series, Gwen is shipped off to Mythos Academy after some freak-out incident with her late-blooming powers. Her power (which happens to be INCREDIBLY awesome) is known as psychometry, or the ability to know an object's history just by touching it. I've never heard of a book with the lead having that sort of power. To be honest, I haven't heard of any book that has any character, big or small, with that type of power. You have to admit: having that power would be pretty sweet, yet it would start to get annoying after a while, eh? 


Here's some information on the classes in this book found on the right side of the author's website page for this series:

AMAZONS AND VALKYRIESMost of the girls at Mythos are either Amazons or Valkyries. Amazons are gifted with supernatural quickness. In gym class during mock fights, they look like blurs more than anything else. Valkyries are incredibly strong. Also, bright, colorful sparks of magic can often be seen shooting out of their fingertips. Daphne is a Valkryie, 

although her magic hasn’t quickened or manifested yet.

ROMANS AND VIKINGSMost of the guys at Mythos Academy are either Romans or Vikings. Romans are super quick, just like Amazons are, while Vikings are super strong, just like Valkyries are.

SIBLINGSBrothers and sisters born to the same parents will have similar abilities and magic, but they’re sometimes classified as different types of warriors. For example, if the boys in the family are Vikings, then the girls will be Valkyries. If the boys in a family are Romans, then the girls will be Amazons.

However, in other families, brothers and sisters are considered to be the same kind of warriors, like those born to Samurai or Ninja parents. The boys and girls are both considered to be Samurais or Ninjas.

MORE MAGIC
As if being super strong or super quick wasn’t good enough, the students at Mythos Academy also have other types of magic. They can do everything from heal injuries, to control the weather, to form fireballs with their bare hands. The powers vary from student to student, but as a general rule, everyone is dangerous and deadly in their own special way.

SPARTANS
Spartans are the rarest of the warrior whiz kids. There are only a few at Mythos Academy and scattered throughout the world. But Spartans are the most deadly and dangerous of all the warriors because they have the ability to pick up any weapon – or any thing – and automatically know how to use and even kill with it. Even Reapers of Chaos are afraid to battle Spartans in a fair fight. But then again, Reapers rarely fight fair …

GYPSIES
Gypsies are just as rare as Spartans are. Gypsies are those who have been gifted with magic by the gods. But not all gypsies are good – some are just as evil as the gods they serve. Gwen is a Gypsy, although she’s not really sure where her magic comes from or why she even has it in the first place. She’s going to get the answers to her questions soon, though, and she’s not going to like what she finds out …

If it doesn't sound absolutely fantastic to you so far, then I don't know what's going to change your mind. 

---

Author Information

To read more about her Mythos Academy Series, visit HERE.

To read more about Mrs. Estep, visit her bio HERE.

Go check out her blog HERE.

Go on and message her some praise HERE.

Want Estep to be interviewed/appear on your site? Why don't you just email her at:

jennifer@jenniferestep.com

She'll be more than happy to hear from fellow avid readers like you!

Do & Don't Reads (01) Hunger Games or Hush, Hush?

I'm just going to take a wild swing at it and start this meme for my blog exclusively. This is the place where I tell you, "Hey. I love this book!", (the DO part of the title) and then I go, "Hey. I hated this book!". (This is the DON'T part, if you're not catching my drift.)

**WARNING**

I'm going to speak my mind. WHOA! Shocker? 

LET'S BEGIN!

---

DO READ

Yes, I know. Brianna's cheating. Everyone loves this book, and of course, you're going to have to love this or you're just a horrible person. Yes, everyone. I know, but I have to tell you why I love it and why it's a DO READ book. 

Katniss Everdeen, in my years of book experience, is probably the most awesome and STRONGEST heroine I have ever read in YA fiction. Most of the books I've read that have a female narrator go like this: 

"OH MY GOD! Chris doesn't love me anymore! *crycrydonotcarecrycry* Oh wait a second. *looks out the corner of eye* I see a hot guy. He's so dark and mysterious. Did I mention dark? OH MY GOD I HAVE TO KNOW HIM! *stalks guy and he turns out to be a jerk* I loooooove hiiiiim. OH MY GOD HE'S A/AN -insert mythical creature here-! HE COULD HURT ME! He's so dreamy that I have wet dreams about him. OH MY GOSH THERE'S THIS OTHER HOT/DREAMY/ALDKGHASKLGHI GUY! *initiates love triangle* -SEQUEL COMING OUT IN 648941654 MONTHS!- (For evidence, please turn to your Fallen, Hush, Hush, and Twilight pages in the Crappy YA Manual.)

...yeah... 

This one is the total opposite considering she can FREAKIN' KILL AND KICK SOME MAJOR BUTT! And she actually has somewhat of a personality where I don't have the urge to jump in the pages and tear her little throat out. She's intelligent and an excellent archery person, so naturally, with a girl that's strong enough to provide for her family and *WIN THE HUNGER GAMES, then yes. Naturally, I love her. 

* = If you didn't know she won the Hunger Games, then, dude, you're BEHIND.

---

DON'T READ

CRIME: HAS A BEAUTIFUL COVER THAT HYPNOTIZES AND MAKES YOU PICK IT UP AND READ ITS TRASHY ATTEMPT AT A NOVEL

BRIANNA CHEATED AGAIN! THIS TECHNICALLY ISN'T A BOOK!

I'm just being mean now. Excusez-moi. 

Now, sorry to say, but I couldn't even finish this book. It frustrated me SO MUCH that I had the strongest temptation of pulling my eyes out of my eye sockets so I wouldn't have to deal with anymore YA trash. I'm sorry if you read this and were drooling over cardboard-cutout Patch, but he's a big, fat JERK. If this is what I got out of reading only about two-thirds of the book, then I'm scared of my mental state if I even thought of reading the whole thing. 

Let's just see the strong, intelligent female narrator weak, feeble, whiny, stupid little girl narrator, Nora. 

EVIDENCE TIME!! (So I don't look ENTIRELY like a meanie.)

1) WEAK/FEEBLE: 

She lets Patch and everyone walk all over her. 

EX: Patch totally is in jerk overdrive, then he goes all, "Hey, Nora. *insert charming stuff here* Wanna go to the gay angel-themed amusement park that just screams, 'I'M A FALLEN ANGEL'?" 

2) WHINY:

She. Complains. About. EVERYONE. Goodness gracious....

3) STUPID:

Just look at her friend, Vee, the doped-up idiot that enjoys getting hurt then totally doesn't learn from her mistake. Then take a look to the left, and you see her lovely fallen angel human boyfriend, Patch. He's. So. Freakin'. DREAMY that she does whatever he wants without a second thought, and even when he ASSULTS her and makes her feel worthless, all he has to do is give her the sexy face, and she gets all 'AAAAAAHHH'.

That's about all I can muster without going on a 50000-page rant like I usually do.

Oh, and I heard that Crescendo ended on the STUPIDEST. CLIFFHANGER. EVER. 

I worry about you, YA. I really, really do.

This is how Nora would rob a store if she were fleshed into human existence. (If everyone from this novel was put into the real world, the world would end from the amount of stupidity. That's about it.)

 

"OH MY GOD! Neeeeehehhhehhaekh! *scurries* PAAATCH!"

---

That's it for this week's episode. Tune in next week/month/whenever-I-wanna-update to see more of Brianna's rambling. Who knows? YOUR favorite book could be torn to shreds. ;)

Freedom Giveaway - Bite Me! and Love Sucks! by Melissa Francis (INTERNATIONAL!)

From 'I Am A Reader, Not A Writer' comes an awesome opportunity for us book reviewers to host giveaways while helping us discover other book blogs.

This giveaway, I have decided to giveaway two of my favorite books: Bite Me! and Love Sucks! by Melissa Francis.

Read my review of Bite Me! right HERE.

All you have to do is fill out this form located here.
(Sorry about the wedding cake theme. The wedding cake looked so delicious! Don't you agree?)

Extra entries include:
Comment on this post (+3)
Comment on my review of Bite Me! (+3)
Advertise the contest on a sidebar (+2)
Advertise the contest with a blog post (+5)
Follow me on Goodreads (+5)

You can leave the extra entries in the comments section, but be sure to use the same name/alias that you used to fill out the form so I can put it with your entry.

Have fun, and I hope to see you around the blogosphere! ;D

In My Mailbox (3)

My first video! YAY! Hope you like it!

Won

~ Wishful Thinking by Alexandra Bullen - won from the Story Siren with some bookmarks

~ Evenfall by Liz Michalski - won from Goodreads with bookmark

~ Future Imperfect ARC by K. Ryler Breese - won from TheLibraryThing *

~ Eona ARC by Alison Goodman - won from TheLibraryThing

~ The Lost Saint ARC by Bree Despian - won from TheBookButterfly

* = Future Imperfect's ARC cover looks COMPLETELY different from the final cover. 

Personally, the ARC cover is...eh...

Borrowed

~ The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan - Kirston

~ Beautiful by Amy Reed - Ali

~ Gone by Michael Grant - Kirston

~ Hunger by Michael Grant - Kirston

~ Lies by Michael Grant - Kirston

Wal-Mart

~ Dark Vengeance by Jeff Mariotte

~ The Magnolia League by Katie Crouch

~ Divergent by Veronica Roth (I DIDN'T SAY HER NAME! D:)

~ Wither by Lauren DeStefano *

~ Abandon by Meg Cabot *

* = mentioned in IMM2

I just wanted to show the beautiful covers to you guys! (:

Books-A-Million

~ The Golden Spiral by Lisa Mangum **

~ The Fallen 1 by Thomas E. Sniegoski

~ Crusade by Nancy Holder and Debbie Virgué

~ Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

~ Vanished Vol. 1 by Meg Cabot

~ Love Sucks! by Melissa Francis

~ Old Magic by Marianne Curley

BOLD = bargain book

** = Instead of "series", like I said in the video, The Golden Spiral is book two of a TRILOGY. Not a series. Unless Lisa Mangum changes her mind and makes a book 4.

Thank you everyone, and happy reading!

Books to Pine (02)

Welcome to my second selection. Horrible, I know, because I'm not keeping a regular blogging schedule, but this changes! :) 

Book 1: Nevermore by Kelly Creager 

Why do I want it? Hello? Edgar Allan Poe based character? Dark and mysterious guy? That seems right up my alley! I believe that the sequel is coming sometime soon. Beautiful, beautiful covers!

Book 2: Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore 

Why do I want it? MERMAIDS, MERMAIDS, MERMAIDS! I'm so excited to read it. A mermaid main character that associates with humans? Count me in!

Book 3: Envy by Gregg Olsen

Why do I want it? It's a story based on the death of the two twin heroines' friend, Katelyn. Is it suicide? Accident? Murder? I guess I'll have to find out! The town by the summary sounds creepy. A.K.A: My favorite type of summary! It promises to be an awesome, unique debut YA novel!

Book 4: Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

Why do I want it? Just read the synopsis! 14th century Italy with knights and time travel? Another set of siblings are transported in the midst of a heated battle. It's the first book in the new series by Bergren. I can't wait to read this series!

Book 5: Shattered Dreams by Ellie James

Why do I want it? Awesome, awesome, awesome sounding story with a girl that sees the future. I haven't read that many YA books on psychics, especially located in New Orleans, a place I visit every year due to family. I can't wait to read an amazing-sounding book! 

Book 6: The Fallen Star by Jessica Sorensen

Why do I want it? The monsters in Gemma's nightmares are being fleshed out and are reeking havoc in her life. Not to mention that she's been emotionless and without feeling for quite a while until guy named Alex is the catalyst of electric sensations. What else could you want in a book? I want this book!

Book 7: Under the Stars by Rebecca A. Rogers

Why do I want it? It's by an Indie author, and it's about a fantasy, post-apocalyptic world where the main character, Andrina, is desperate to seek shelter. After being transported to "The New Word", she marries the King after being threatened into the relationship. But King Zarek is murdered, and she's accused of the crime. How will she endure in this new world if she's being blamed for the King's death? (I can't wait to read this book! It sounds so awesome!)

Book 8: Immortal Embrace by Charlotte Blackwell

Why do I want it? A book that explores the boundaries between the human realm and the vampire realm, Sophia Pierce is relocated with her family to a town in Massachusetts. She experiences the taste of high school, regular teenage life in this town, where she meets her soul mate, Nathaniel. Will life be even more complicated with a witch buddie, a mortal boyfriend, and the overwhelming urge to suck him dry? (What more could a fantasy-loving teen want?)

Book 9: After Obsession by Carrie Jones and Steven E. Wedel

Why do I want it? Ghost-hunting buddies united to kick ghost booty? I admit it, I haven't read Carrie Jones's Need, Captivate, or Entice, (And they have been on my TBR list for, like, ever.) but this is a must, must, must read. Beautiful picture with amazing, swirly font! SWIRLY FONT ALL THE WAY!

Book 10: Ordained by Devon Ashley

Why do I want it? Demon hunters. Ancient school. Two hundred years has passed since bad blood has spilled. Now Abby returns as the one thing the Order sweared to kill: a vampire. She's the only person that can save the Order from a mythical demon that preys on the inhabitants of the school. Will she have the strength and forgiveness to do so? I can't wait to see, because I'm definitely getting this book!



Book 11: Stay by C.C. Jackson
Why do I want it? FAIRY NOVEL ALERT! FAIRY NOVEL ALERT! I know I'm late to jump on the fairy bandwagon for YA, but I have to say that this truly sounds like an awesome fairy novel. She is kidnapped in the middle of the night by a captor that tells Callie that she's not even human. She's a fairy, and she's taken into the Fairy World, where the current queen is a cruel tyrant, and what else could make it horrible? Oh yeah. She's destined to be the kingdom's next replacement. Tragedy, mystical fairy magic, and gorgeous guys. What else would a girl love that's new to this type of subgenre? 
Book 12: Andraste by Marisa Mills
Why do I want it? Pure fantasy emersion. No human contact. A pure, pure fantasy realm. You have to love this type of book. You get to dive into the lives of people in a new world, and in this one, it's a mix of fairies and elves. The main character, Andraste, is the daughter of an elfen prince and a fairy queen. Interesting mix, is it not? She is the center of a prophecy that calls for the destruction of the Abatu Empire, and she's the only one that can vanquish them. Only as she digs into the prophecy, she discovers it's a well-constructed lie that is used to cover up her mother's fairy country's secrets. What will she do now? Emersion, here I come!

What books are you wanting to pine?

Comment with the books on your wishlist.

Beautifully Broken by Sherry Soule Giveaway! 2 in 1!

They say every town has its secrets, but that doesn’t even begin to describe Whispering Pines. The townsfolk are a superstitious lot and the mystical disappearance of a local teen has everyone murmuring about a centuries oldwitch’s curse. 

Sixteen-year-old Shiloh Ravenwolf is a heritagewitch from the Broussard family, a family both destined and cursed. When she takes a summer job at Ravenhurst Manor, she discovers a ghost with an agenda. That’s where she meets the new town hottie, Trent Donovan, and immediately becomes spellbound by his charms. Yet she is determinedto discover the connection between them before it’s too late. 

Finally, Shiloh's met someone who is supercute andtotally into her, but Trent may be the next victim on the supernatural hit list.And Shiloh is the only person with the power to save him. Complicated much? 

Itsucks to have a destiny, especially since Shiloh would rather spend her summerbeing a normal girl who worries about clothes and boys, not the supernatural.But she’s never been normal and the stranger things become the more her own magical senses awaken. 

Withcryptic messages from a pesky wraith, she will begin to understand the mysterious significance of the strange markbranded on her wrist, and decide how much she's willing to sacrifice toprotect the other teenagers in town.

Unfortunately, for Shiloh, not all ghosts want help crossing over. Some want vengeance.

Want to learn more? VISIT HER BLOG

Trailer

Giveaway 1

The author, Sherry Soule, has agreed to host a giveaway with me, and now you can win a finished copy of Beautifully Broken signed! All you have to do is FILL OUT THE FORM and you'll be entered in the contest!

Happy reading, and good luck on the contest! :D

Cover Crazy (05)

Want the cover? 

You ready for the awesomeness that is a beautiful cover?

SHABLAM!!

Look how pretty it is. I personally haven't read Clockwork Prince, unfortunately, (I'll be getting to it! Don't worry! I'm not totally out of the loop.) but you can't help but gawk over the breath-taking covers and beautiful art that is Cassandra Clare's novels. They are amazing. 

What's your entry for Cover Crazy?

Beautifully Broken Information

The Facts

TITLE: Beautifully Broken

AUTHOR: Sherry Soule
BOOK WEBSITE: HERE

RELEASE DATE: June 2011

SUMMARY:

Thirteenth daughter. Heritage witch. Demon slayer.

They say every town has its secrets, but that doesn’t even begin to describe Whispering Pines. The townsfolk are a superstitious lot, with many prominent residents hiding secrets and a newcomer raising eyebrows. Dragged out of boarding school, seventeen-year-old Trent Donovan and his father move back to the area and are instantly under speculation. Especially when construction on their mansion awakens an ancient evil and the vanishing of a local teenager has everyone murmuring about an old witch’s curse.

On the other side of town, sixteen-year-old Shiloh Ravenwolf is a white witch from the Broussard family, a family both destined and cursed. When she takes a summer job at Ravenhurst and meets Trent, her new-would-be-boyfriend, she discovers a wraith with an agenda. Finally, Shiloh’s met someone who is supercute and totally into her, but now it looks like Trent may be the next victim on the supernatural hit list. And Shiloh is the only person with the power to save him. Complicated much?

Unfortunately, for Shiloh, not all ghosts want help crossing over. Some want vengeance.

Brianna's Say

Okay, let me just tell you that this book looks SO good. The author, Sherry Soule, posted the excerpt on WeBook, an awesome site for writers and readers, and I was the only one to read and review on it. It's here. I was very excited to read the rest, and at that point, Soule was looking for a publisher to take her project and turn it into a published work. 

Now, she found Firelight, an awesome publishing unit that bases itself on eBooks. (I'm eventually going to adapt to technology...) I'm so glad she finally got published, and now, she has lots of books she'll be writing: a new vampire series, the rest of this series, an adult series, etc. I'm super psyched she found a publishing company because she deserves to have an audience of readers like myself. All in all, I can't wait for her book to be released!

Talk to Soule!

E-MAIL: HERE

BLOG: HERE

WEBSITE: HERE (It's currently under construction, but it's still good.)  

WEBOOK: HERE

~**~

EXCERPT: HERE

PUBLISHER: HERE

Waiting on Wednesday (05)

Look how awesome I am. I am updating my blog more than once a week or, like I did, once a month. So here is my Waiting on Wednesday post. Numero cinq. Go moi!

I'm going to do more than one book. That way it doesn't get boring.

Eon by Alison Goodman

I received the second book, Eona, from TheLibraryThing's Early Reviewer Program do my friend, Branden, could read it. He's a huge fan, and he highly reccomends it. He also reccomended me the Percy Jackson series, so I have to take his word for it.

Apparently, this book is a pimped-up (I can't believe I used that word) verison of Mulan. Well, that's how I would describe it. If you would like to read more about it, then either click on the picture (I think) or click HERE.

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

Kelley Armstrong? Some spin-off series (sort of) of her Darkest Powers Trilogy? Oh my goodness, me please!

I have just recently finished The Reckoning, and I have to say that Kelley Armstrong is one of the authors that I really love reading theirs books. Her Darkest Powers Trilogy is full of twists and turns, supernatrual beings, an awesome plot, and a remarkable cast of characters. I want that, sil vous plaît?

All I can really draw out of the summary on GoodReads is that it's about some messed-up lake that takes the life of the the narrator's friend, Maya. I read the first chapter on Border's eBook app Preview reader, and I really, really like it!

Summary? Would you like to see? CLICK HERE!

Love Sucks! by Melissa Francis

 Yes, it looks like a cliché vampire book, but I have to say there's more depth in this series than meets the eye. It has a combination of vampires and wizards, and even though the first book, Bite Me!, isn't suppose to be an intense read, it still has an awesome story line that keeps me busy guessing what'll happen.

It's adorable. I have to admit, and the narrator, AJ Ashe, has a sense of humor that resembles Sophie Mercer from Hex Hall. Sure, both have vampires (this series being more focused on vampires while Hex Hall has more of a witch/demon focus), but if I had to chose which I would read, I would have to, unfortunately, say this. I guess I'm biased because I'm currently reading Demonglass, and I don't have this book (unfortunately).

If you're looking for a quick read that's sure to make you giggle, then you'll have to read the first book, and hopefully this one aussi.

Click HERE!

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

I received this as an ARC for Around the World ARC Tours, and, unfortunately, the week wasn't in my favor to finish this book. The deadline came before I could finish it, so I had to ship it and leave it unread. I wish that I could get an ARC of it or get a finished copy when it comes out, which happens to be June 7th. That's too long to wait!

The main character, a ghost named Amelia, died from drowning, and so after her death, she's left staying in the place where she was killed, reliving her death every now and then. She's unsure of how she died, and she can't remember anything about her previous life before she became ghostified except for her beautiful name. I like the name Amelia. So here comes in Joshua, who starts drowning in that lake, and she saves him! Unsure how she did so, she becomes attached to Joshua.

A love story between a ghost and a human, and the attempt to solve a mystery of Amelia's death? Count me in!

CLICK HERE!

Conest (4894) - Yearning for Summer Givaway

Yearning for summer? Want something summer-y (Is that even a word?) to read? Well look no further!

My buddy, Elodie, from Once Upon A Quote, (Frenchies - They're awesome.) is hosting what she calls a 'Yearing for Summer Giveaway'. It's the three titles of the Summer series. At least that's what she says. . .

TITLES:

The Summer I Turned Pretty

It's Not Summer Without You

We'll Always Have Summer

All by Jenny Han

She loved these books, so they have to be AMAZING! Did I mention this contest is INTERNATIONAL?! Yes. French people. Again, you gotta love 'em!

If you would like to enter the contest, go here to read the requirements, or if you're feeling lucky and just can't wait to sign up, click here for the entry form.

DEAD LINE - JUNE 1ST

Teaser Tuesday (05)

Anyone miss me? No? Well fine then. . .

This week's Teaser Tuesday is brought to you by the wonderful book by Bree Despain: The Lost Saint.

 
Ah. You gotta love this book. I flipped to page 292 and picked the first sentence that really caught my attention. WARNING - This is coming from an ARC, so the pages and actual quote may have been changed in the final copy of the book.
 

He tried to laugh again, but it ended in a raspy coughing fit. Droplets of black acid landed on my hand, burning my skin, but I didn't let go.
 
"He's a read grifter, that one. Don't you think?" the demon asked.
 
"Grifter? Who are you talking about-"
 
I heard a cracking noise rfom behind me, and I turned my head slightly to see Talbot burst through the apartment door, brandishing his sword.

Well I'm back, so more of these wonderful editions of Teaser Tuesday will be less scarce. I hope you don't mind.
 
If you would like me to read your Teaser Tuesdays or follow your blog, just e-mail me or comment below, and we'll work together. ;)
 
Have a wonderful day!
 
REVIEW - HERE
GOODREADS - HERE
AUTHOR'S PAGE - HERE

REVIEW - The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

Book Title: The Lost Saint
Author: Bree Despain

Series: Dark Divine

Book No.: 2

Source: ARC won from TheBookButterfly

Pages: 404

Publisher: Egmont

Rating: 5/5 (☼☼☼☼☼)


* * *

A family destroyed. A love threatened. An enemy returns.



Grace Divine made the ultimate sacrifice to cure Daniel Kalbi. She was infected with the werewolf curse while trying to save him, and lost her beloved brother in the process.


Desperate to find Jude, Grace befriends Talbot, a newcomer to town. But as the two grow closer, Grace's relationship with Daniel is put in danger - in more ways than one.


Unaware of the dark path she is walking, Grace begins to give into the wolf inside of her - not realizing that an enemy has returned and a deadly trap is about to be sprung.

* * *

It's difficult for a second book to be better in every way, shape, and form than the first book in the series, but The Lost Saint has definitely topped The Dark Divine by a long shot.

In this second installment of The Dark Divine series, you meet Grace (again) who has transformed from her annoying, human self to her almost-as-annoying, werewolf self. She is struggling to learn to control her new werewolf powers and behaviors, but as her teacher and lover, Daniel, keeps disappearing and seeming to "avoid" her, she finds Talbot, a handsome, suave, mysterious guy she's just recently met. Too bad you shouldn't be reeled in with simply looks.

I have to say that this blew my mind. Sure, I rated The Dark Divine with 3.5 stars, but I was anticipating the sequel, and when I discovered that I won a contest, I jumped right in to the world of Grace and her werewolf menio-I mean buddies again.

The characters' development that was left off of The Dark Divine picked back up, and I liked The Lost Saint because, for one, it seemed to concentrate more on the story with Daniel out of the picture for some of the book. Grace focused more on her learing and adaption to the "wolf" as the book so cleverly puts the urges of the werewolf.

That's about all I can say about the book without ruining it for all you wonderful people.

Why are you just staring at the screen. READ THE BOOK!!!

Happy reading!

REVIEW - The Lost Hero by Rick Roidan

Book Title: The Lost Hero

Author: Rick Roidan (link to his Goodreads page)
Series: Heros of Olympus

Book No.: 1

Source: Kirston (She's my mini-library. . .ish.)

Pages: 553

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Rating: 5/5 (☼☼☼☼☼)

Jason has a problem. He doesn’t remember anything before waking up in a bus full of kids on a field trip. Apparently he has a girlfriend named Piper and a best friend named Leo. They’re all students at a boarding school for “bad kids.” What did Jason do to end up here? And where is here, exactly?

Piper has a secret. Her father has been missing for three days, ever since she had that terrifying nightmare. Piper doesn’t understand her dream, or why her boyfriend suddenly doesn’t recognize her. When a freak storm hits, unleashing strange creatures and whisking her, Jason, and Leo away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood, she has a feeling she’s going to find out.


Leo has a way with tools. When he sees his cabin at Camp Half-Blood, filled with power tools and machine parts, he feels right at home. But there’s weird stuff, too—like the curse everyone keeps talking about. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist that each of them—including Leo—is related to a god.


Join new and old friends from Camp Half-Blood in this thrilling first audio book in The Heroes of Olympus series. (We know I didn't have an audio book, but oh well.)

Just like the famous series the spin-off originated from, this novel includes new hilarious and quirky characters, such as Jason, Piper, and Leo, while keeping the old characters that we know and love, such as Anabeth, Clarisse, and others.

This book switches perspectives between Jason, Piper, and Leo. At first, this idea didn't sound like the smartest move for Mr. Roidan after he wrote a perfectly awesome series with just a first perspective narrator. I was completely wrong since the switching of points of view (which I will be calling POVs, by the way) was actually necessary to get the full stories from all the characters.

The plot with this story is sort of similar to the Percy Jackson series, which involves the rising of horrible Greek mythological creatures, the gods and goddesses disputing and claiming their demigod children, the self-discovery, the quests, the face-offs with monsters from Greek mythology, etc., but the interesting twist with this novel is that now we are focused primarily on the Roman versions of the Greek mythology. (Example: Hades=Pluto, Zeus=Jupiter, Hera=Juno, Athena=Menerva, etc.) One of the three main characters, Jason, can only remember the Roman versions of all the myths and names of the gods/goddesses, so this makes this series unique and set apart from the series it is associated with.

All in all, without completely ruining the book for you so you can enjoy it as much as I did, this book does not fail to please and scratch the itch from the major cliff hanger at the end of The Last Olympian. For all those who haven't read the Percy Jackson series, you should hang your head in shame. (Kidding, but seriously! I loved that series.)



Khione



Favorite Demigod: So many to chose from, but I must say that I loved Leo. Hephesteaus has to be one of my favorite gods because of his "lack" of good looks. That sets him apart from the others. Other than that, Leo is just so darn cute!

Favorite God: It's a tie! I loved Boreaus. Who doesn't think French accents are sexy? The other was Aeoleus, even if he was a jerk. I loved his strange personality.

Favorite Goddess: I must say the goddess of snow, Khione, even if she was a total vilainess. You gotta love the evil ones.

Favorite Mythological...Dude: KING MIDAS!! :D Everything he touches turns to gold. How cool is that?!

If you are looking for something to satisfy your longing for more Percy Jackson magic, then look no further! The Lost Hero is sure to please those Percy Jackson fans like myself who were desperate to find something to fill the void from the completion of the Percy Jackson series.

Just A Thought - Sunday Edition



I am a caption. Fear me!

I have just finished Wither by Lauren DeStefano, and I just want to share with you some thoughts that I have of the book without going into the boring details that I do with my reviews. I guess you just have to wait for it if you actually want to read it.

This world is basically a world in chaos. Genetic malfunctions have caused the population's life expectany to be dramatically cut to where males live to the age of twenty-five and the females have only twenty years to live.

You have thirteen-year-old girls being forced into marriages to strictly make babies. How much more disgusting is an image of a pregnant thirteen-year-old? This image made me shutter, and having this actually HAPPEN in the novel made me even more disgusted.

The other fact that women are basically strictly used to make babies. That idea makes me want to vomit. No, the book is amazing, but the book made such an impact on me that I actually feel like I'm a part of it, so I have formed an opinion. Women don't have any real purpose in the world other than, as I've already stated, make babies so the world doesn't die out.

You also have women being put into marriages where there are up to, like, twenty other women. Exaggeration, yes. The idea, thought? Same effect. Women, I believe, need complete attention from their husbands, and the lack of attention due to the fact that your husband has nineteen other women to please. I don't know how the women on Sister Wives can take it...

No. Don't get me wrong. I loved this book. Filled with awesome characters, an amazing plot, and unforgettable twists, I reccomend this to anyone who enjoys a dystopian book that makes you think. I applaud you, DeStefano!

If you have read this book and would like to share your opinion with me, you can publish a blog post or comment. I would love to hear what you think!

REVIEW -- Wishful Thinking by Alexandra Bullen

Book Title: Wishful Thinking
Author: Alexandra Bullen (Goodreads page with link)
Series: Meh. This is a companion novel, but nothing major.

Book No.: 2...meh?

Source: Won from THESTORYSIREN! Yeah. I know!

Pages: 243

Publisher: Point

Rating: 4.5/5 (☼☼☼☼½)

* * *

If you could wish for a different life, would you? What if that life changed everything you thought was real?


Adopted as a baby, Hazel Snow has always been alone. She's never belonged anywhere--and has always yearned to know the truth about where she comes from. So when she receives three stunning, enchanted dresses--each with the power to grant one wish--Hazel wishes to know her mother. Transported to a time and place she couldn't have imagined, Hazel finds herself living an alternate life--a life with the mother she never knew.

Over the course of one amazing, miraculous summer, Hazel finds her home, falls in love, and forms an unexpected friendship. But will her search to uncover her past forever alter her future?
In the heart-pounding, luminous sequel to WISH, Alexandra Bullen asks the question: If you could wish for a new life....would you?

* * *

Magical dresses? Discovering yourself? Being able to wish for anything your heart desires (well, with limits, of course)? All wrapped up in one book? Count me in!

This story is revolved around a bitter character, Hazel, who can only contemplate on the worst in life. Can anyone blame her? She was abandoned by her mother and never got clear answers on where she came from. Her foster parent currently, Ray, (I think that's who it was) is very distant and not very active in raising her. She's basically on her own. Then she receives a sort of unexpected present from Ray (I'm thinking it's Roy now) that is in an evelop, and it turns out it's her birth certificate with her birth mother on it. Her adventure begins there.

I have to say that this book is filled with morals and, most importantly, interesting and vibrant characters. When I started reading this book, I feared that Hazel was going to be some typical agnst teenager, but as the book progressed, her charater blossomed as well as everyone else's. All in all, the characters are awesome, and sometimes I wish I could just grab them from the book and flesh them into real-life friends. Wow, I sound lonely.

The most fleshed-out character that developed the most had to be Jaime. You first met her, and she is some, dare I say, royal bitch who acts like she has a stick up in her butt. Over the course of the novel, you see her become a beautiful, happy girl.

With many twists and turns, memorable characters, and unforgettable life lessons, you are guarenteed an interesting read that will keep you glued to the pages until the wee hours of the morning when you almost regret not sleeping but remembering how awesome the book was. Not like me, of course, because that didn't happen to me. ;)

Favorite Character: It's a tie between Hazel and Jaime. I have to say that those are awesome characters.
Reason Why I Liked It: It's an almost perfect combination of humor yet seriousness and awesome characters that I can actually imagining existing outside the bounds of the pages.

Alexandra Bullen, you have made me order Wish. I just hope it's as good!